Monthly Archives: June 2021

Cocktails on the Beach by Helen Hardt et al -Review Tour

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COCKTAILS ON THE BEACH by Helen Hardt, Leah Marie Brown, EmKay Connor & Lyz Kelley-Review Tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play

Sip something sweet… Savor something steamy…

Feel the heat and find love in these four original romances written by New York Times, USA Today, award winning, and international bestselling authors! AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY.

Are you looking for a hot and naughty book boyfriend to take you away this summer? What’s your pleasure? A sexy billionaire? A smooth-talking bartender? A gorgeous island doctor? A seductive Irishman? These irresistible men are hot enough to melt the ice in your margarita. Start your sizzling read today!

Escape by Helen Hardt
She’s running from one man…and ends up in the arms of another, putting them both in danger.

Exes and Ohs! by Leah Marie Brown
A chance meeting with a gorgeous Irishman has her thinking about Mr. Right instead of Mr. Right Now.

Next Rock on the Right by EmKay Connor.
Sometimes life takes an unexpected turn…that takes you on a wild ride leading to exactly where you’re meant to be.

Her Perfect Guy by Lyz Kelley
She’s his sister’s hands-off best friend. He’s her perfect guy.

•••••••

REVIEW:Cocktails on the Beach is a collaboration between Helen Hardt, Leah Marie Brown, EmKay Connor and Lyz Kelly, and each ends with a scrumdellyumgices recipe. Each book is its own individual story and can be read as a novella.

The collaboration starts off with Helen Hardts; Escape, then to Exes and Oh’s by Leah Marie Brown, followed by Next Rock on the Right by EmKay Connor, and finished off with Her Perfect Guy by Lyz Kelley. Each book is a fun, flirty, summer romance with some great twists. I’m not familiar with two of the authors in the collaboration, so it was a great way to dip my toes into their work.

The series as whole is light and sweet, just what a reader would want in a summer read on the beach or next to the pool. Even better, each novella ends with a yummy recipe to try out when you come in from summer fun. Fun and enjoyable reading for the sun and sand!

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

About HELEN HARDT

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#1 New York Times, #1 USA Today, and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Helen Hardt’s passion for the written word began with the books her mother read to her at bedtime. She wrote her first story at age six and hasn’t stopped since. In addition to being an award-winning author of romantic fiction, she’s a mother, an attorney, a black belt in Taekwondo, a grammar geek, an appreciator of fine red wine, and a lover of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. She writes from her home in Colorado, where she lives with her family. Helen loves to hear from readers.

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King’s Country (Oil Kings 1-4) by Marie Johnston-Review Tour

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King’s Country (Oil Kings 1-4) by Marie Johnston-Review, Excerpt & Giveaway Tour

KING’S COUNTRY
Oil Kings #4
by Marie Johnston

Release June 7, 2021

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GOODREADS: https://tinyurl.com/3wy3wdb9

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 7, 2021

I’ve been the wicked witch of King’s Creek since I was eight years old, from my angry red hair down to my ball-busting boots. With a mean drunk for a daddy who left nothing but insults and unpaid bills in his wake, was there ever any other fate? Now his passing has left me one bad turn, from losing my land to the neighbors my family’s been feuding with for generations.

So of course it’s Dawson King who comes to my rescue in the middle of a snowstorm. But I don’t care how good he looks in a pair of Wranglers, or how much he spoils my horse, or how great of a cook he is. The Kings already have everything—money, looks, and charm. Dawson’s not getting my heart too.

I’m living my dream, I admit it. I took over the family ranch from my dad and grew it into the envy of Montana. I have the best views, the best employees, and the respect of the entire town. The only thing I don’t have is someone to share my dream with. So when my neighbor breaks her leg and nearly freezes to death, I all but kidnap her back to my place to recover.

We grew up less than a mile apart, but we couldn’t be in more different places now. Bristol’s had nothing but pride for so long, it’s hard to get close to her. And I want to get very close to Bristol.

I don’t care if the whole town loves me, I’m only interested in earning the love of one woman. But for a guy who’s got the world at his feet, Bristol’s heart might be out of my reach.

•••••••

REVIEW:Dawson is a good guy, living off of his family’s reputation. A hardworking cowboy, he loves being a rancher, what he doesn’t love is the neighbour from hell! He’d give anything for her to just disappear.

Bristol just can’t get a break! All her life she’s had people look down at her! Her father was a drunk, and the people in the town never gave Bristol a chance, so she grew to hate the town and everyone in it! Including the self righteous King’s!

A wintery night brings these two together, he finds and rescues her, and she has to be bad if she doesn’t snap at him like she usually does.
And then to make matters worse, she has to stay with him whilst her leg heals! This is going to be a nightmare for both of them!

But they weren’t always bitter enemies, as kids they would hang out together, and Dawson would walk her home. But all that changed when a horrible accident took the King’s mother from them. It left the boys without a mother, a husband without a wife and a young girl without a role model…..

There is a lot going on in the background, a family feud that’s been going on for generations. And a secret that if exposed will crush Bristol!!

Dawson and Bristol are drawn to one another, neither of them really want that, but fate has a habit of putting them in awkward situations.
And temptation can only last for so long until you give into it!

And when Dawson sees how the town treat her, he’s ashamed that they took their leaf from his family! It was never Bristol’s fault, but her daddy was a drunk, so Bristol had to defend the only person in her life. But to never get a break. To never get anyone smile and be nice to her, no wonder she was always mean as a snake! Who would blame her?!

So can Dawson change his families opinion on her? Can he make the town see the woman he is falling for is a good person? And what happens when Bristol finds out about the family secret m? Will it finally kill if the love she has for Dawson?

I loved this story, it’s my favourite in the series. It finally brings to light about the family feud between Bristol’s family and the King’s. The town was just full of nasty people, but when Bristol gives a few people a chance, she’s surprised to find out she can make friends. But with The King’s grandmother lurking in the background, you know it’s not going to be long before she breaks this couple up.

All the stories were brilliantly written. The descriptions made the places we visit just jump off the page. It’s jam packed with emotions, it’s overflowing with chemistry. And the humour was on point. You can’t help but root for the characters in this book.

I’d highly recommended this book and the whole series.

?Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B

__________

KING’S CROWN
Oil Kings 1
by Marie Johnston
Release Date: February 24, 2020

ebook ONLY. $1.99 Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play

I lost my job and got kicked out by my roommate, who happens to be my ex-husband, on the same day.

If I nail one interview, I can get my life back on track. I even get to fly on a private jet with my prospective boss’s dad Gentry King, a widowed oil company CEO. We’ll make one stop and once Mr. King’s business is done, we’ll continue on to Denver where I’ll hopefully land a high paying job that’ll keep me from moving back in with my parents. I’m not even thirty, I can’t go backwards in life.

Mr. King is unbelievably attractive and intimidating, but it’s a short flight and I never have to see him again after it’s done. Only we don’t make it to Denver. A snow storm strands us in Wyoming where the only hotel room available has one bed. Unlike me, Mr. King remains undaunted and continues to work remotely at the desk in the room, otherwise ignoring my existence. Until the power goes out and there’s nothing for us to do but get to know each other.

Between our age difference, his adult kids, and his former mother-in-law who’s still in control of the company, what happens in Wyoming might have to stay in Wyoming.

••••••••

REVIEW:Gentry has a lot of making up to do, after his wife died, Gentry threw himself into the single man’s life, drinking and women! In fact there wasn’t a woman safe from his charm, and because of that he list his sons! (They couldn’t forgive him for not mourning their mother)So he’s giving up women and focusing on his boys and his job.The job his wife got him (he works for his mother-in-law!) being the CEO of the company has him working long hours, but he’s not going to complain.

Kendall needs to get on with her life! But she didn’t realise it would happen all in one day! Being let go at work (downsizing) was bad enough, but getting home and finding your husband wants to move his new girlfriend into their home was a bit much!!She could move back home, but she doesn’t want to become the living nanny! (Her parents work long hours and put upon Kendall to look after her siblings!)So job hunting and flat hunting is a priority.

An age gap romance isn’t usually my go to read, but I really enjoyed it.I liked Kendall, she was just so matter of fact, nothing really threw her, and she tended to take things in her stride.Gentry came across as arrogant, he wasn’t the type to stay around once he’d had his fun. But reading his story you’ll probably see where he’s coming from.

They meet up when they both have to take a flight out of town. Gentry has a business meeting, and Kendall has a job interview with his son (it’s a long story, but it is a good one)The plane lands, but can’t take off again for Kendall to meet Beckett.They have to stay in a hotel together and in the same room….And I know what your thinking (same room, same bed, this is not going to end well) but nothing happens.Gentry is adamant that he won’t be tempted.And it works, for a while. But they more time they spend together, the harder it is to keep that promise.

Needless to say, Beckett thinks the worse of both Kendall and his father, so won’t even interview her! So she’s back to square one! But Gentry comes to the rescue and offers her a job.But that doesn’t really help, as gossips assume she’s sleeping with the boss!

And when they do finally get together, it’s not plain sailing! His mother-in-law gets involved, his sons have an opinion, and even the gossips make it awkward!

So can they really overcome all the obstacles that are thrown their way?

This leads nicely into book two of this series, King’s Ransom which features Gentry’s son Beckett.

?

__________

KING’S RANSOM
Oil Kings #2
by Marie Johnston

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play

Release Date; April 6 ,2020

I lost my job and got kicked out by my roommate, who happens to be my ex-husband, on the same day.

If I nail one interview, I can get my life back on track. I even get to fly on a private jet with my prospective boss’s dad Gentry King, a widowed oil company CEO. We’ll make one stop and once Mr. King’s business is done, we’ll continue on to Denver where I’ll hopefully land a high paying job that’ll keep me from moving back in with my parents. I’m not even thirty, I can’t go backwards in life.

Mr. King is unbelievably attractive and intimidating, but it’s a short flight and I never have to see him again after it’s done. Only we don’t make it to Denver. A snow storm strands us in Wyoming where the only hotel room available has one bed. Unlike me, Mr. King remains undaunted and continues to work remotely at the desk in the room, otherwise ignoring my existence. Until the power goes out and there’s nothing for us to do but get to know each other.

Between our age difference, his adult kids, and his former mother-in-law who’s still in control of the company, what happens in Wyoming might have to stay in Wyoming.

•••••••

REVIEW:An enemies to lovers I suppose, only Beckett doesn’t realise Eva hates him and wants to ruin his reputation and company!

Beckett never wanted to go into the Oil business, nor did he see himself becoming a full time rancher. Beck has a knack of spotting things people need and then creating apps or promoting those those created the apps. And he’s become very successful. So successful that he needs a PA, his last one just wanted to marry him and get hold of his inheritance! And the one after that married his dad!

Eva wants to ruin Beckett King! He ruined her brothers reputation, and when companies pulled out of buying her brothers app, he spiralled into a depressive satiate that has Eva worried! So Beckett is going to feel all the pain and humiliation that Eva can bring down on him! She just needs a reason to be in his office!

I have to admit I didn’t like this one as much as the first book, but it’s still a great read. I didn’t really get the same connection that I got with book one.

Beckett gives Eva a job after mistakenly thinking she’s come for an interview. There are sparks, there is banter and there is the interfering grandma in the background trying to pull strings and orchestrate a wedding!!

So you can read these books out of order, you don’t need to read them all. But there is an ongoing story in the background….. Each King needs to be married to inherit a large amount of money. If they aren’t married then the money leaves the family! And grandma isn’t having any of that! So she’s harassing them to get married before they are thirty!

Beckett and Eva are getting on really well. There is a chemistry that they are both aware of, but Eva is trying to keep her distance. She’s not suppose to fall for her enemy, is she? But lies have a habit of being found out. And when they do…..

Can Beckett forgive Eva for lying to him about her motives for getting to know him? And can Beckett give Eva another chance, when usually no one gets another chance with him?

?

________-

KING’S TREASURE
Oil Kings #3
by Marie Johnston
Release Date: February 8, 2021

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play

Broke, jobless, and stranded in Las Vegas on Valentine’s Day, I am forced to call my parents for a bailout. Again. A pampered princess and wannabe environmentalist, I know I’m a cliché and would do anything to change it. So when I meet Xander, a struggling photojournalist with absolutely nothing in common with my domineering, millionaire parents, I know just where to go next:

A wedding chapel.

But when I wake up the next day, my matrimonial rebellion comes with an unpleasant surprise. My husband is no penniless globetrotter—Xander King is the son of a billionaire oil tycoon, and my parents couldn’t approve of the match more. Now the only thing that could shock them would be a quickie divorce…except my new husband has a proposition for me.

••••••••

REVIEW: Xander wants to be known for his pictures, for his artistry, and not because he’s a King! Going into the Oil business with his family would have been a nightmare, the ranch work with his brother is ok, Xander just can’t see himself doing it full time!So Xander spends a great deal of time travelling the world and photographing it. And give the man his credit, he works his way around the world doing jobs.

He’s also hiding a secret, it keeps him from going home. He’s also hiding from his grandmother (who wants him to get married!!)

Savvy doesn’t want to go back home with her tail between her legs. If she does it means admitting defeat and fling back to work for her father! And he’s a hard taskmaster to work for, what she needs is a plan, and it’s a crazy one at that!

Xavier and Savvy meet in Las Vegas, get drink and then get married!She’s in awe of Xavier, he seems to know what he wants from life, and he goes around the world to get it.But in the morning, a cold and harsh reality sets it! Xavier isn’t a poor man, he’s in fact a potential client of her fathers! Talk about landing a big one!

There is a lot going on in this book, and for most of it I did enjoy the journey, but I couldn’t connect with Savvy, she seemed to want an independent life, but couldn’t break away from her family. And Xavier seemed like a waste of space in places!

So can this marriage work? Can Savvy finally break away from her domineering father? And can Xavier finally tell his family the dark secret that keeps him from going home?

?

 

Dawson’s brown gaze was serious by the time it collided with mine. He didn’t start with small talk. “Why can’t you stay with me?”
“Because I don’t need to.”
He cocked an arrogant brow, and it only added to his rugged manliness instead of making him repellent. “The snow’s started. I have your horse, your cow, and your dog. You might as well stay.”
I gave him a tight smile. “Are you going to put me in the barn too?”
“I have nice straw, what can I say?” He rolled his eyes. “I don’t know what cave you think I crawled out of, but I have a big house. You won’t even have to see me that much.”
I gestured to my cast. “All your bedrooms are upstairs.”
“Not mine.” Grief hid in the depths of his whiskey eyes. “I have Mama and Dad’s old room downstairs,” he added softly.
The reminder of his mom peeled open the haphazard bandage I’d slapped over my heart years ago. Sarah King had been one of the best people who roamed the earth, and one of my dad’s stupidest decisions had stolen her from us.
“I don’t want to sleep on a couch.” Dawson’s couch was probably nicer than the salvaged mattress I had in the RV, but I didn’t want to sleep under the same roof as him. If only the trailer were more inhabitable.
“I’ll stand at the end of the stairs so when you fall hopping up them, I can catch you.” His tone was dry. “You can use my bed.”
Heat swamped my body. There was no reason on God’s green earth that I needed to be near or in Dawson’s bed. I didn’t care if it was for convalescence. No. “I’ll be fine at home.”
That wasn’t true. I had no goddamn clue how I was going to stay in my RV and do what needed to get done, but I’d figure it out like I had all my life.
“Bristol.”
“Take me home.” I sat up and scooted my legs over, biting back a grimace. My right leg was killing me and my cuts screamed. “Never mind. I can call for a ride.”
“And pay them how? I didn’t see a purse on you.”
“I can call . . . someone else.”
“Like a boyfriend?” His voice was stilted. Odd.
I gave him a careful glare. “Yeah, like a boyfriend.”
He pulled out my phone and handed it over. The screen blinked on. The barrage of messages from Marshall would’ve been easy to see. My cheeks burned. Would there be a time I wasn’t ashamed around Dawson King?

 

FOLLOW: Goodreads/Website/Facebook/Twitter/Instagram / Bookbub/ Pinterest

Marie Johnston is a RITA® Finalist, and a best-selling and award-winning writer of paranormal and contemporary romance – and an avid reader of them both.
Several years ago, when kids started outnumbering adults in the house, Marie Johnston left her job as a public health microbiologist to stay at home. Settling into working part-time and shuttling kids around gave Marie the opportunity to think about what she wanted to be when she grew up. A die-hard science geek, she explored her previously thought to be non-existent creative side after much time spent making snowman crafts and coloring princesses. Having entertained thoughts of writing a book one day then subsequently deciding it would be too hard, she finally put the figurative pen to paper and began to type – and fell in love with storytelling.
The Sigma Menace is the first series by Marie with Fever Claim being her first book EVER. She is humbled by the fact that people are willing to read to her books and looks forward to keeping readers entertained for many years.
Marie lives with her husband and four kids in the Upper Midwest where the summers are gorgeous, the winters are brutal, and spring and fall are luxuries.

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The Sophomore (College Years 2) by Monica Murphy-Review tour

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THE SOPHOMORE (The College Years 2) by Monica Murphy-Review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 10, 2021

Jackson Rivers.

My not so secret crush.

He’s popular. Gorgeous. Talented.

Also my biggest weakness.

I’ve stood by him for years. Been a friend every time he needed one, but he doesn’t see me. Not like I want him to.

Move on, my friends said. Find someone new. Someone who sees your worth. Someone who gets you. I know they’re right. I’m only a friend to him. He’s never going to see me like I see him. So I take their advice, and try to move on.

But Jackson is always right there. In my face. Running to my rescue. And when I meet someone else, Jackson isn’t having it. For some reason, he’s suddenly determined to stay in my life. Right by my side.

Now he says he wants me, but does he want an actual relationship? Or is that he can’t stand the thought of losing me to another guy?

It’s time to find out what Jackson truly wants…and I’m going to make him work for it.

For me.

•••••••

REVIEW:THE SOPHOMORE is the second instalment in Monica Murphy’s contemporary, new adult COLLEGE YEARS romance series -a spin off from the author’s THE CALLAHANS and ONE WEEK GIRLFRIEND series. This is nineteen year old, college sophomore and singer Jackson Rivers, and eighteen year old college student Ellie Jessup’s story line. You do not have to have read The Callahans to follow but I recommend reading the series for back story and cohesion as The College Years focuses on the secondary characters from the previous series.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Ellie and Jackson) THE SOPHOMORE follows the friends to lovers relationship between nineteen year old, college sophomore and singer Jackson Rivers, and eighteen year old college student Ellie Jessup. Ellie has been in love with Jackson Rivers for as long as she can remember but Jackson’s attitude runs hot and cold as it pertains to our story line heroine. A summer touring to promote his music culminates in a concert where Jackson screws up royally with regards to our story line heroine, a screw up for which he is about to pay dearly. Returning for his second year in college, Jackson reconsiders his future as both a member of the college football team, and his music but struggles with his relationship with Ellie Jessup. As Jackson tries to keep his distance, our hero sees green whenever anyone else vies for our heroine’s affection but a final ultimatum by Ellie forces Jackson to look long and hard at what he wants, and Jackson wants Ellie more than he could have ever imagined. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Jackson and Ellie, and the potential fall-out as Jackson doesn’t believe he is worthy of love, or his own happily ever after.

For several years Ellie and Jackson have danced around one another but Jackson has always held himself back, giving mixed signals, pushing and pulling at the heart of our story line heroine. Jackson’s summer on tour showed a different side to life, the potential for fame and women, and Jackson took full advantage of what was offered. Ellie Jessup knew that Jackson owned every bit of her heart but Jackson’s attitude often portrayed an indifference regarding our story line heroine.

The relationship between Jackson and Ellie is a friends to lovers that struggles in the face of a lack of communication, fear of rejection, and thoughts of failure. Jackson is unable to commit to our heroine believing he is unworthy , and Ellie battles between head and heart knowing there will come a time when she will have to say good bye-forever. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

Most of the previous story line couples and characters play secondary and supporting characters.We are introduced to Ellie’s classmate Carson, a potential love interest for our story line heroine, as well as a cameo from Drew and Fable Callahan (One Week Girlfriend et al)

THE SOPHOMORE is a story friends, family, and relationships; of conflict and confusion; of acceptance and love. The premise is impassioned and compelling; the romance is tender; the characters are spirited and moving.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one THE FRESHMAN

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Monica Murphy is the New York Times, USA Today and #1 international bestselling author of the One Week Girlfriend series, the Billionaire Bachelors and The Rules series. Her books have been translated in almost a dozen languages and has sold over one million copies worldwide. She is both self-published and published by Random House/Bantam and Harper Collins/Avon. She writes new adult, young adult and contemporary romance.

She is a wife and a mother of three who lives in central California on fourteen acres in the middle of nowhere along with their one dog and too many cats. A self-confessed workaholic, when she’s not writing, she’s reading or hanging out with her husband and kids. She’s a firm believer in happy endings, though she will admit to putting her characters through angst-filled moments before they finally get that hard won HEA.

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How Not to Mess with a Millionaire by Regina Kyle – a Review

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How Not to Mess with a Millionaire by Regina Kyle – a Review

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play

 

Description:
Interior decorator Zoe Ryan’s life resembles a bad country song. Her boyfriend dumped her, her car died, and she was recently handed a pink slip. What’s a girl to do? Leave everything behind for a bit….in Positano, Italy. And when she gets there, she finds a surprising extra—millionaire restaurateur Dante Sabbatini in the kitchen. In his underwear. Making coffee. It’s suddenly not only hot outside, but exactly what is he doing inside, in her temporary kitchen?

Dante’s plan was to escape to his family’s beach house for some quiet and privacy. What he didn’t know was that his meddling, matchmaking nonna rented the entire house to a sexy stranger at the exact same time as his stay. It took him months to clear his schedule—there’s no way he’s leaving now. 

With both refusing to leave, Zoe and Dante agree to be temporary roomies, but secretly aim to try to drive the other out. He plays his music as loud as he wants and will wear as little clothing as possible, and she’ll just go ahead and adopt that pig she fell in love with in town. But suddenly their game of one-upmanship takes a very sexy detour, and they can’t believe what happens next.

 

 

 Review:

How Not to Mess with a Millionaire by Regina Kyle is the first book in her Mediterranean Millionaires series.

Dante wants a little peace and quiet, so the family holiday home in Italy is the perfect place, it’s also a time for him to collect his thoughts, he misses his fiancée terribly and just wants to be left alone. Shame his unwanted guest disturbs both his thoughts and his feelings!! If this is his grandmother’s idea, then she can forget it!! 

Zoe only wants a bit of time away to nurse her broken heart, after finding out her long term boyfriend was cheating on her, then her co-worker/boss stole designs, she just needed to get away…..The place she’s rented is just beautiful. Very quiet and peaceful, well it was until the unwanted arrival of the owners grandson! Obnoxious man, rude and disrespectful! She was here first, he can just go away….

Dante decided to make his “guest” as uncomfortable as possible, then if she left, he could have his month of peace and quiet, so loud music, cigar smoking, and cooking in his underwear is all a plot to get rid of his unwanted housemate! 

I had to chuckle at most of this book. From half naked men, to adorable mini pigs. This book had me laughing at these two trying to outdo each other then falling for each other….

Deciding on just a holiday fling, both Dante and Zoe are unaware of the others growing feelings. But neither want to be hurt again. So it’s just going to be a holiday romance. Right? But feelings have a way of growing, until the unthinkable happens, how can you tell that person you’ve fallen in love with them? For Dante it was easy, he pushed Zoe away, and watched her walk out of his life….. 

So finally realizing his mistake, can he ever get Zoe to forgive him? ​

For me, the stars of this book was Dante’s Nonna (grandmother) She was just a joy to read about. And that adorable little pig Houdini just made me smile (makes a change from cats and dogs). 

Beautifully descriptive, I could imagine the waves, smell the sea and hear that pig grunting. The scenery flashed before my eyes in an array of words. It’s a great book to read at the beach, by the pool or even curled up on the sofa. The authors words will have you whisked away in no time. 

Reviewed by Julie

Copy provided by Publisher

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Memories of You (Stark Security 5.5) by J.Kenner-Review Tour

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Memories of You (Stark Security 5.5) by J.Kenner-Review Tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 8, 2021

Hollywood consultant Renly Cooper is fed up with relationships. His recent breakup with a leading lady played out across the tabloids, and the former Navy Seal is more than ready to focus on his new position as an agent at the elite Stark Security agency. He’s expecting international stakes. Instead, his first assignment is to protect one of Damien Stark’s friends from a stalker. A woman who, to his delight, turns out to be one of his closest childhood friends.

After a foray into online dating puts tech genius Abby Jones in danger, she needs a bodyguard, and her business partner, Nikki Fairchild Stark, enlists help from Stark Security. When the assigned agent turns out to be her best friend from junior high—and her first crush—she’s thrilled to discover he’s even more delicious now. She hopes one sexy night can turn into more, but Renly is firmly in the friends-with-benefits camp.

As the threat to Abby increases, she tries to keep her growing feelings for Renly at bay. But as the sparks between them burn even hotter, can they go from friends to lovers when the first order of business is simply to keep Abby alive?

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

••••••

REVIEW:MEMORIES OF YOU is instalment 5.5 and novella in J. Kenner’s contemporary, adult STARK SECURITY erotic, romance series-a spin off from the author’s numerous Stark Series . This is former US Navy SEAL turned security specialist Renly Cooper, and Nikki Fairchild-Stark’s business partner Abby Jones’ story line. MEMORIES OF YOU can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from first person (Abby) and third person (Renly) points of view MEMORIES OF YOU follows the rekindling friendship and relationship between Renly Cooper and Abby Jones. Renly and Abby were childhood best friends and neighbors but a Renly’s parents’ divorce pulled Renly out of Abby’s life. A few letters here and there ended any chance of staying in touch, and our couple eventually lost contact with one another. Fast forward to present day wherein Renly Cooper, tired of working security for the Hollywood elite, finds himself contracted with Stark Security where he will reconnect with his childhood friend but all is not well in Abby’s life-a potential stalker has laid claimed to our heroine, and targets Renly in his attempts to take what doesn’t belong. What ensues is the quick rebuilding romance and relationship between Renly and Abby, and the potential fall-out as Abby finds herself facing a man whose obsession is quickly spiralling out of control.

Renly Cooper doesn’t do relationships but a one-night stand with Abby is all he is willing to offer the woman he cannot forget. Abby Jones knows that one night with Renly will never be enough but the heart wants something Renly isn’t willing to give. Pressure to prove she is worthy of Renly’s love finds Abby accepting his terms to keep him in her life but Renly has a secret, that if revealed, may affect his future going forward. The $ex scenes are erotic and intense with a single scene of voyeurism at a local $ex club.

MEMORIES OF YOU is a story of second chances; a rekindling friendship that leads to romance for one couple whose lives were torn apart years before. The fast paced, character driven premise is captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are energetic and dynamic including the cameo appearances of Damien and Nikki, and the introduction of Renly’s brother Red whose story is next in RAVAGED WITH YOU.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews
Shadows of You .5
Shattered with You
Broken with You
Ruined With You
Wrecked with You
Destroyed with You

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

 

 

In the rearview mirror, I watch as he gets off the bike, then walks toward me across the lot. I get out and meet him at the rear of the car.
“I haven’t got a single quarter,” he says. “Do you?”
I laugh. “Not a one. But I do have a credit card.” I’m about to walk over to that side and start the system running, but he gets there first, sliding in his card and then grinning at me as the machinery starts rumbling.
This particular car wash has a hose on each side of the stall. I’ve always assumed that was so that you don’t have to drag a dirty hose over your newly cleaned half in order to wash the other side. Now I consider another purpose.
Renly apparently has the same thought, because I see the gleam in his eyes as he goes to the far side, then grabs the coiled hose, his hand poised on the nozzle.
“Don’t you even think about it,” I say, going for my own hose.
His eyes widen, all innocent and guileless. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I burst out laughing. Then, still laughing, I pull the trigger on my own hose and spray him, accidentally getting him full-on in the crotch.
“Seriously?” he says. “Sweetheart, you are so going to pay for that.”
“Phhbbt.” I dance away from the spray he aims at me. “I would have thought someone in the military would have a faster reaction time.”
He aims again, and this time manages to completely soak the T-shirt I’d worn to work this morning. “Hey!” I protest. “This is a genuine discount bin Old Navy T-shirt. How dare you defile it?”
“Well, it fits you very nicely,” he says, letting his eyes skim over me in what I know is an exaggerated leer.
I glance down, realizing that since I knew I was going to be the only one in the office today, I hadn’t bothered to wear a bra. That’s something I can usually get away with, but in a wet T-shirt, even my barely-B-cup breasts look pretty perky.
I roll my eyes. “Perv.”
“I apologize for nothing.”


 

J. Kenner (aka Julie Kenner) is the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal and #1 International bestselling author of over seventy novels, novellas and short stories in a variety of genres.

Though known primarily for her award-winning and international bestselling erotic romances (including the Stark and Most Wanted series) that have reached as high as #2 on the New York Times bestseller list, JK has been writing full time for over a decade in a variety of genres including paranormal and contemporary romance, “chicklit” suspense, urban fantasy, and paranormal mommy lit.

JK has been praised by Publishers Weekly as an author with a “flair for dialogue and eccentric characterizations” and by RT Bookclub for having “cornered the market on sinfully attractive, dominant antiheroes and the women who swoon for them.” A five time finalist for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award, JK took home the first RITA trophy awarded in the category of erotic romance in 2014 for her novel, Claim Me (book 2 of her Stark Trilogy). Her Demon Hunting Soccer Mom series (as Julie Kenner) is currently in development with AwesomenessTV/Awestruck.

Her books have sold over three million copies and are published in over twenty languages.

In her previous career as an attorney, JK worked as a clerk on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and practiced primarily civil, entertainment and First Amendment litigation in Los Angeles and Irvine, California, as well as in Austin, Texas. She currently lives in Central Texas, with her husband, two daughters, and two rather spastic cats.

WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | YouTube | Amazon Author Page

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The Reckoning by Marisa Noelle – Review & Tour

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The Reckoning by Marisa Noelle – Review & Tour

 

Amazon / B&N / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
THE FIGHT IS NOT OVER.
A NEW NEMESIS HAS AWOKEN.

Sinister visions of an evil entity with looming yellow eyes haunt Silver’s dreams, threatening to destroy the new world she and her friends have created. The terrifying omens push Silver to experiment with her abilities, but awaken a burgeoning thirst for more power.

As Silver walks a fine line between good and evil, her friends become wary of her intimidating abilities. She finds understanding in a sympathetic newcomer, but their deepening friendship drives an even deeper wedge between Silver and her suspicious friends.

Tragedy strikes during preparations for the final stand, bringing a terrible choice. Grief drives Silver toward reckless actions that may doom the final battle. Can she repair the relationships with her friends and control her powers before her vision becomes reality?

 

 

Review:

The Reckoning by Marisa Noelle is the final book in her The Unadjusteds trilogy. Refresher:  The Unajusteds is a YA Dystopian story, with Silver Melody, our wonderful teenage heroine.  Silver is very strong, fast and has abilities that make her special. In a world with most people having been altered with enhancements, Silver was one of those that were unadjusted, but her powerful abilities continue to grow.

In the last book, Silver and the team managed to defeat the evil Earl, and rescue her mother (though she is still catatonic).  All Silver cares about the finding a way to use her healing power to bring her mother out of her unconscious state.  With her father away to find a woman who knows how to bring his wife out of the state she is in, Silver is determined to help her mother.  But things start happening, the crops and land are suffering, and they need Silver to help clean and heal the crops.  Besides working on her mother, Silver is having horrific dreams every night, and she is worried if these are just nightmares, or are they a vision of what is yet to come.

Silver begins to spend time with Eli (who was saved by Silver against his torture by Earl), as he convinces her to experiment together to increase and learn more about her powers.  As her powers begin to increase, even to some dangerous levels, Silver becomes more and more belligerent against her friends, since she just wants to help her mother, and experiment on her powers.  Her friends and the president become concerned at her reckless actions, and she turns more and more to Eli.  When the nightmares get more violent, especially the “yellow eyes”, she begins to realize that someone (Eli? Entity?)  is trying to steal her powers, and her visions are real.  Silver will need to ensure her friends and team that is she is herself again and they need to be ready for the upcoming battle that is forthcoming. I loved seeing most of her friends/team from the previous books, especially Matt.

What follows is an exciting and intense adventure that once again pits Silver and her friends against an evil powerful and dangerous entity, as well as the creatures, birds, animals, hellhounds they come across.   From start to finish, this was filled with action, danger, violence, with a number of tragic events along the way.   To tell too much more would be spoilers, and would ruin it for you.

The Reckoning was a very well written, intense, violent and emotional story line that held my attention throughout.   Marisa Noelle did a fabulous job giving us an exciting story, wonderful heroine (I loved Silver, as she made a great heroine) and great secondary characters. The ending was exciting, wild and emotional and a fitting finale; though it was definitely a surprise epilogue.  

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

Marisa Noelle is the writer of middle grade & young adult novels in the genres of science-fiction, fantasy & mental health including The Shadow Keepers, The Unadjusteds Trilogy (The Unadjusteds, The Rise of the Altereds, & The Reckoning), and The Mermaid Chronicles – Secrets of the Deep.
She is a mentor for the Write Mentor program that helps aspiring MG & YA authors. With dual citizenship, Marisa has lived on both sides of the Atlantic and uses settings in both the USA and UK as inspiration for her novels.
When she’s not writing or reading or watching movies, she enjoys swimming. In the pool she likes to imagine she could be a mermaid and become part of some of her make-believe words.
Despite being an avid bookworm from the time she could hold a book, being an author came as a bit of a surprise to her as she was a bit of a science geek at school. She lives in Woking, UK with her husband and three children. You can find her on Twitter @MarisaNoelle77 or her website www.MarisaNoelle.com

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THE WICKED AFTERMATH by Melissa Foster-Review & Giveaway Tour

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THE WICKED AFTERMATH (The Wickeds: Dark Knights at Bayside 2) by Melissa Foster-Review & Giveaway Tour

 

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 9, 2021

THE WICKED AFTERMATH is an emotionally gripping story of love, loss, and hope, with a rich and entrancing happily ever after. Set on the sandy shores of Cape Cod, the Wickeds feature fiercely protective heroes, strong heroines, and unbreakable family bonds. If you think bikers are all the same, you haven’t met the Dark Knights. The Dark Knights are a motorcycle club, not a gang. Their members stick together like family and will stop at nothing to keep their communities safe. Some of the Wickeds’ love stories will be hilariously fun and deeply emotional, others will tear at your heartstrings and include injections of humor, but they will all leave you wishing you could climb between the pages and join them. All Wicked novels may be enjoyed as standalone romances.

When the person you blame for your grief is the only one who can save you from the pain…

Tank Wicked lost his sister and has since vowed to save everyone else in his path. He lives by the creed of the Dark Knights motorcycle club, sworn to protect and respect his community. He selflessly saves lives as a volunteer firefighter and treats the men and women who work for him at his tattoo shop like family. But life isn’t a balance scale where good deeds negate bad things to come, and one foggy night life guts Tank once again. When a car careens over the side of a bridge and into a river, Tank springs into action, plunging into the water to rescue the passengers. Four people go into the river, but only three come out alive.

Leah Yates is just trying to make it through each day. When the man she blames for her grief becomes the only one who can pull her from the depths of despair, she discovers that even hope comes at a price. Maybe this time she won’t have to face it alone.

••••

REVIEW: THE WICKED AFTERMATH is the second instalment in Melissa Foster’s contemporary, adult THE WICKEDS: DARK KNIGHTS AT BAYSIDE erotic,romance series focusing on the residents of Bayside Cape Cod, and the members of the Dark Knights motorcycle club. This is thirty-two year old, biker/ tattoo artist Benson ’Tank’ Wicked, and twenty-four year old waitress Leah Yates’ story line. THE WICKED AFTERMATH and The Wickeds: Dark Knights at Bayside is a spin off from the author’s Bayside Summers, The Whiskeys, and its’ numerous franchises.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Tank and Leah) THE WICKED AFTERMATH is an emotional, heart breaking and heart warming story line that focuses on loss, love, grief and recovery. Tank Wicked has lusted after Leah Yates since she started working at the family bar but Leah’s personal life was a mystery, and Tank was about to find himself in the middle of our heroine’s family tragedy. With the Wicked family taking control, ensuring Leah survived the oncoming fallout, Tank Wicked makes it his personal mission to support Leah as the days and weeks begin to spiral out of control. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Leah and Tank, as our couple navigate a minefield of grief, acceptance and loss.

As per Melissa’s style of writing, the Wicked family, the Dark Knights, and their affiliated friends and acquaintances step up and step in when one of their own needs friendships and love. Leah Yates finds herself surrounded by people who are about to become an intricate part of her support system, a system that now includes the man with whom she will fall in love.

The relationship between Leah and Tank begins after a tragic loss. Benson ‘Tank’ Wicked refuses to leave Leah alone, knowing at some points everything is about to come crashing down. Leah struggles in the face of acceptance and loss but her attraction to Tank is visceral and strong- the sexual chemistry is incredible and raw. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic, and sassy secondary and supporting characters many of whom we have me in previous storylines and series. We are introduced to Junie and Rosie whose presence is a balm on the open wounds of our leading couple.

THE WICKED AFTERMATH is a story of overcoming tragic loss; a tale of family, friendships, love and understanding. The premise is strong, sensitive, and stirring; the romance is provocative and tender; the characters are flirty, wounded and inspiring. THE WICKED AFTERMATH is a wonderfully, heart warming addition to Melissa Foster’s family of stories.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one A LITTLE BIT WICKED.

Reading Order and Previous Reviews for The Whiskeys
Tru Blue
Truly Madly Whiskey
Driving Whiskey Wild
Wicked Whiskey Love
Mad About Moon
Taming My Whiskey
The Gritty Truth

Reading Order and Previous Reviews for Bayside Summers:
Bayside Desires
Bayside Passions
Bayside Heat
Bayside Escape
Bayside Romance
Bayside Fantasies

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca /  Amazon.co.uk   Barnes and Noble   KOBO   Apple   GPlay   Paperback

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 17, 2020

Set on the sandy shores of Cape Cod, the Wickeds feature fiercely protective heroes, strong heroines, and unbreakable family bonds. If you think bikers are all the same, you haven’t met the Dark Knights. The Dark Knights are a motorcycle club, not a gang. Their members stick together like family and will stop at nothing to keep their communities safe. Their stories are told in the same loving, passionate voice readers have come to adore from Melissa. Some of the Wickeds’ love stories will be hilariously fun, others will tear at your heartstrings with injections of humor, but they will all leave you wishing you could climb between the pages and join them!

In A LITTLE BIT WICKED…
What do a cocky biker and a businesswoman who has sworn off dating bad boys have in common? According to Chloe Mallery, not much.

Justin came into the Wicked family after a harsh upbringing by a thieving father. He’s gone through a lot to become a true Wicked, and he’s made them proud. Now he’s ready to show the woman he loves exactly what type of man he is. But Chloe has worked hard to move past her difficult upbringing, and she’s wary of getting involved with a man who looks like he’s walked right out of it. When tragedy strikes, will their trying pasts draw them together, or will Justin’s protective nature be too much for Chloe’s independent heart to accept?

••••••••

Pre-order, releasing 23rd March 2022

Crazy, Wicked Love
Amazon.com / Amazon CA /  Amazon.co.uk   Barnes and Noble    Kobo    Apple   GPlay   Paperback

Scorching heat, laugh-out-loud humor, and swoon-worthy moments abound in this sexy new standalone romance. No cheating. No cliffhangers. Guaranteed to melt panties and leave readers hopelessly in love with the sinfully delicious Wickeds. 
 
Can you handle DWAYNE WICKED? 
He’s the ultimate player. She wants him to teach her the game in hopes of scoring his cousin. Practices heat up as roommates become teammates and rules are broken. Let the wicked fun begin…
 
No cheating. No cliffhangers. Guaranteed to melt panties and leave readers hopelessly in love with the sinfully delicious Wickeds.
Available to pre-order from …

 

Melissa Foster is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. She writes sexy and heartwarming contemporary romance, new adult romance and women’s fiction with emotionally compelling characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. Readers adore Melissa’s fun, flirty, and sinfully sexy, award-winning big-family romance collection, LOVE IN BLOOM featuring the Snow Sisters, Bradens, Remingtons, Ryders, Seaside Summer, Harborside Nights, Wild Boys and Bad Boys After Dark, and the Montgomerys. Melissa’s emotional journeys are lovingly erotic and always family oriented– perfect beach reads for contemporary romance lovers who enjoy reading about loyal, wealthy heroes and smart, sassy heroines with complex and relatable issues.Melissa also writes sweet and clean romance under the pen name Addison Cole.

Melissa has painted and donated several murals to The Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC. Her interests include her family, reading, writing, painting, friends, helping others see the positive side of life, and visiting Cape Cod.

Melissa is available to chat with book clubs and welcomes comments and emails from her readers. Visit Melissa on Facebook or her personal website.

Never miss a brand new release, special promotions or inside gossip again by simply signing up to receive your newsletter from Melissa.

Find Melissa on the following sites….
NOTE: The Reading Cafe is NOT responsible for the rafflecopter giveaway. If you have any questions, please contact the tour provider.

NOW FOR THE AUTHOR’S GIVEAWAY

Win a Mad About Moon ebook – 2 Winners
Open Worldwide
Ending on Sunday, 27h June at 11.59pm EST

 

Enter Below and Good Luck !!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Love for Beginners by Jill Shalvis – a Review

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Love for Beginners by Jill Shalvis – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

Description:

What would you change if you had to start your life—and love life—over again?

When Emma Harris wakes up from a coma she learns that her fiancé and her BFF have fallen in love, she’s lost her job, and the life she knew is gone. Overwhelmed but grateful to be alive she starts over from scratch. Not as easy as it sounds, of course. But she’s never been a quitter, even if she wishes she could quit rehab, where her hot but evil physical therapist, Simon, puts her through the wringer. 

Eager for a new beginning, Emma opens a doggy day care. Unfortunately, the only space she can afford is owned by her childhood nemesis Ali Pratt. But hey, she’s been through worse, right? She tries to roll with the punches, but a friend drops his grandpa off at the doggy day care in desperation then on top of that, she and Ali bring the term ‘frenemies’ to a whole new level. And then another grandparent shows up. And another.

In the midst of all that, Emma realizes she’s accidentally fallen for Evil PT. But the most horrifying thing of all is that Ali just might have turned into the best friend she’s ever had. And as Emma grows from the pain of her past and takes on her new path, she comes to realize that life isn’t what you’re given, it’s what you make of it. 

 

 

Review:

Love for Beginners by Jill Shalvis is the 7th book in her wonderful Wildstone series. I have noted many times that I love reading any book by Jill Shalvis, as they are always wonderful pure romances.  The Wildstone series can be read as standalones, as each book truly has different characters that are not recurring.

Emma Harris, our heroine, has been in a coma, after being hit by a car, and a surprise to many, she wakes up after a year.  Now she has spent a long time in therapy being pushed to the max, as her physical therapist (whom she calls Baddass PT) continually puts her through the wringer daily. 

Simon Armstrong, is considered one of the best therapists, and he is determined to keep on forcing Emma to push beyond.  Slowly she has begun to recover, something no one ever expected, as her injuries were horrific. When she eventually leaves the hospital to return to her apartment, she learns her boyfriend was now living and in love with her best friend, and now they are both considered exes to her.  Simon manages to find an apartment for Emma to live, and also for him to keep an eye on her to continue her grueling exercise.

Simon is extremely busy, as his father is recuperating, he must handle the family business (Armstrong Properties) with his cousin Alison. But he continues to find time to help Emma, whom he has begun to have strong feelings for her. Simon was a great hero, but he had his own issues, especially taking care of his family, his patients, and knowing his last relationship was severed by his too busy schedule.

Emma was a fantastic heroine, her strength, perserverance and independence was amazing, especially with all the pain she has, and her tenacity to keep pushing herself.  Emma was also very attracted to Simon, even though at times she hated when he made her do more exercises. I loved Emma’s dog, Hog, who was a support dog, but who was also afraid of some other dogs.  Cute and adorable. Emma has no job, working part time at a doggy day care center, and when she discovers the owner is selling, she tries to get a loan from the bank to buy it.

Alison Pratt, Simon’s cousin, plays a major part in this story.  Alison worked for Armstrong Properties, managing the finances and office, especially with her Uncle Dale, out of commission.  When Simon tells Emma to talk to his cousin about a lease for Paw Pals, a doggy day care; she is shocked to discover that Alison was her enemy from high school. Alison and Emma hated each other at school, and the two have not seen each other since then.  Alison was hard and not totally likeable at times, but decides despite their old feelings to go into a partnership for Paw Pals, giving Emma the chance to run the place, and Alison an opportunity to run the financial side of the business.  They agreed, and slowly worked to get beyond the frenemy. Alison was also getting over breaking up with her boyfriend, whom she still cares for.  I really loved watching the two of them helping each other out, and a friendship began to form.

What follows is a heartwarming story, with a great couple, and wonderful secondary characters.  It is also a story about love, family, friendship and relationships.  When the doggy day care opens, it was fun to see Dale and other older generations spend time there, using the dogs as a reason to relax and feel safe.  I rooted hard for Simon and Emma to be together, as well as Alison and Ryan.

Love for Beginners was a fantastic, captivating, heartwarming story that was so well written by Jill Shalvis. I always come to expect wonderful and emotional stories from Shalvis.   If you have not read Jill Shalvis, what are you waiting for? 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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