Tag Archives: Serena Bell

Hott Take (Hott Springs Eternal 2) by Serena Bell-review

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Hott Take (Hott Springs Eternal 2) by Serena Bell-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 16, 2024

he hard part isn’t acting like we’re falling for each other. It’s pretending we’re not.

Shane: My grandfather’s will has me between a rock and a Hott place. If I don’t score a celebrity wedding, my sister will lose her wedding planning business—and our family’s land. As a playboy movie star, I know Hollywood’s ins and outs. But finding two celebrities in love is tougher than it looks.

Enter Ivy Scofield—the beautiful star of one of TV’s most beloved failures. She’s hiding from her past in Rush Creek, running a community theater for troubled kids. She needs my family’s wedding barn to save her program. So we make a deal: I give her the barn—she gives me her hand in fake marriage. Lights, camera, action—and cut—right?

Not so fast. Planning our fake wedding is way more personal than I was expecting. I’m learning Ivy’s quirks, preferences, and pet peeves—and that’s before I walk in on her enjoying my most infamous on-camera scene. Plus she’s slowly peeling back my layers—the ones I’ve built up to protect myself. If someone doesn’t do something soon, we might discover that the only thing fake about this wedding is the way we keep pushing each other away.

••••••

REVIEW:  HOTT TAKE is the second instalment in Serena Bell’s contemporary, adult HOTT SPRINGS ETERNAL erotic, romance series focusing on the HOTT siblings: Quinn, Shane, Preston, Tucker, Rhys, and their sister Hanna (Wilder at Last 5/ Wilder Adventures)-a spin off from the author’s WILDER ADVENTURES series. This is actors Shane HOTT, and Ivy Scofield’s story line.

SOME BACKGROUND: The HOTT Springs Eternal series focuses in the aftermath of the death of the Hott family patriarch. Grandfather Hott has a number of stipulations and guidelines if the siblings are to inherit the family fortune. Each sibling is required to honor their late grandfather’s request if their sister Hanna is to keep the HOTT Springs resort.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Ivy and Shane) HOTT TAKE focuses on Shane Hott. Grandfather Hott has demanded that Shane contract a celebrity wedding for the family owned Hott Springs Resort but with only a six month window, Shane’s chosen couple are not necessarily a guaranteed affair. Meanwhile Ivy Scofield, whose own acting career has stalled in the face of betrayal and lies, runs a community theatre for troubled children but without a venue, Ivy is struggling to keep the theatre afloat until an offer from fellow actor Shane Hott pulls Ivy into a fake relationship and marriage with our story line hero. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between our story line couple, and the potential fall-out when Shane and Ivy’s time together comes to an end.

The world building continues to focus on the demands of their grandfather’s will. The stipulations and directives are overseen by someone who is hoping the siblings fail but Shane is determined to provided a celebrity wedding even if he is one-half of the couple in question.

The relationship between Ivy and Shane begins as a business arrangement: marry Shane, and Ivy’s theatre company can use the Hott family ‘barn’ but from the outset Ivy is determined to keep their relationship from becoming too real, and in the end, heart break will pull Ivy out of Shane’s life. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top sexually graphic language and text.

Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of secondary and supporting characters including the Hott siblings. We are introduced to Ivy’s ex-Anthony, attorney Weggers, and Ivy’s sister Nia.

HOTT TAKE is an another story of loss, power and control, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The premise is captivating yet familiar; the romance is seductive; the characters are desperate yet determined.

Click HERE for Sandy’s review of book one HOTT SHOT

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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HOTT SHOT (Hott Springs Eternal 1) by Serena Bell-review

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HOTT SHOT (Hott Springs Eternal 1) by Serena Bell-review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date September 19, 2023

Beauty salon… and the Beast

Quinn: Working at the family wedding resort wasn’t exactly on my Bingo card. But it’s the only way for my siblings and me to get our grandfather’s inheritance, so here I am, staffing the Hott Spot Spa and Salon front desk. It’s an absurd gig for a man who makes Oscar the Grouch look like a people-person.

Still, I’m a hard worker. I’ve made a fortune off my scientific discoveries, and if I can engineer groundbreaking drugs, I can do anything, right? Not according to Sonya Rossi, the spa’s smoking hot and relentlessly perky manager. My grumpy approach is testing even sunshine-y Sonya’s patience. Meanwhile, I’m not sure whether I want to rain on her parade—or kiss the smile off her face.

Then the universe throws another curveball, putting us under the same roof. The closer Sonya gets, the more I like it—and her. I want to get to know her better and let her see the side of me I never show people. Until now, I’ve only believed in what I can touch, sense, and prove. I definitely don’t believe in love… but Sonya’s making me wish I could.

A spicy, grumpy-sunshine, opposites attract, under-one-roof, forced proximity standalone romantic comedy set in the beloved small town of Rush Creek.

••••••

REVIEW: HOTT SHOT is the first instalment in Serena Bell’s contemporary, adult HOTT SPRINGS ETERNAL erotic, romance series focusing on the HOTT siblings: Quinn, Shane, Preston, Tucker, Rhys, and their sister Hanna (Wilder at Last 5/ Wilder Adventures). This is scientist Quinn Hott, and spa manager Sonya Rossi’s story line. HOTT SPRINGS ETERNAL is a spin off from the author’s WILDER ADVENTURE SERIES but you do not have to have read the original series to follow along.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Quinn and Sonya) HOTT SHOT follows in the aftermath of the death of the Hott family patriarch, grandfather Hott who has a number of stipulations and guidelines if the siblings are to inherit of keep the family fortune. Up first, is scientist Quinn Hott, who is forced to work the reception desk at Hott Springs Eternal Spa and Salon, a sixty day assignment in which he must abide by all of the rules and regulations set out in the will but Quinn is the quiet, the grump, the deep thinking Hott sibling, and facing the public is not what he does best. Enter spa manager Sonya Rossi who is about to discover that an expensive betrayal forces her out of her comfort zone, and into the arms of our story line hero. What ensues is the building relationship between Sonya and Quinn, and the potential fall-out as Quinn’s time at the spa comes to an end.

The world building focuses on the struggling HOTT sibling relationships, relationships mired in independence, heart break, rejection and loss. Grandfather Hott recognized the dysfunctional reality of his embittered grandchildren, and each will be assigned a task to maintain a relationship with their once-close siblings.

The relationship between Sonya and Quinn begins when Quinn is forced or assigned to work as the new receptionist at Hott Spring Eternal Spa and Salon. Quinn’s arrival coincides with an expensive betrayal, and in the ensuing aftermath, Quinn finds himself using his scientific brain to help Sonya overcome the loss. Living together, a forced proximity relationship ensues but Sonya knows that Quinn’s time n Rush Creek is quickly coming to a close. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, energetic and dynamic secondary and supporting characters including all of Quinn’s sibings: Hannah and her husband Easton, Shane, Preston, Tucker and Rhys, as well as Sonya’s father Thomas Rossi and his girlfriend Wendy, and several of the couples from the author’s WILDER ADVENTURE series. Shane’s story line is next.

HOTT SHOT is a story of betrayal and loss, power and control, family and friendships, relationships and love. The premise is thought provoking and entertaining; the romance is tender and edgy; the characters are sassy and determined.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Do Over by Serena Bell-a review

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DO OVER by Serena Bell-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 30, 2018

Toe-curling? Check. Sheet-twisting? Check. But is that enough for a second chance?

Jack: I’m pretty much as tough as they come. But when a woman comes to me in tears, I’m jelly. Scratch that—when Maddie Adams comes to me in tears, I’m jelly. That’s how we ended up making our incredible son five years ago, and that’s why I practically beg her to move in with me when she’s in a tight spot. Of course, the last time I got the chance to be the hero, I let her down, but I’m not making the same mistake twice. This time, I’m going to be the man she deserves—and then I’m going to lay every ounce of sexy on her until she lets me back into her heart.

Maddie: Jack Parker is hot, and he knows it. What he’s not is a family man, something this single mom had to learn the hard way. Still, moving into his place until I get back on my feet makes all kinds of sense. He’s an old friend. He’s, ahem, the father of my child. And let’s face it, now that I’ve just been colossally dumped, we’ve got nowhere else to go. The truth is, I never could resist Jack. Living under the same roof puts dirty thoughts in my head. And when my brilliant plan backfires, my whole body is begging for a do-over. . . .

Do Over is a standalone novel with no cheating, no cliffhangers, and a satisfying happily ever after.

••••••••••••

REVIEW: DO OVER by Serena Bell is an adult contemporary, erotic, romance stand alone story line focusing on construction worker Jack Parker, and pharmacy employee Maddie Adams.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Maddie and Jack) using present day and memories from the past DO OVER is a second chance romance that follows the rekindling relationship between our leading couple following the break-up of Maddie’s most recent relationship. Five years earlier a pregnant Maddie walked out of Jack’s life but in the ensuing time the couple have remained friends for the sake of their son Gabe. Having caught her boyfriend Harris in bed with her best friend Mia, Maddie runs to the only person with whom she can depend, the father of her son, and the man who originally broke her heart Jack Parker. What ensues is the rebuilding romance between Jack and Maddie when Maddie and Gabe must take up temporary residence with Jack, and the potential fall out as their time together comes to a close when Maddie finds another place to live.

Jack Parker is a man used to his freedom: drinks with the boys; weekends at the games, and a ‘friends with benefits’ sexual partner who has no expectations except the here and now, but saying that Jack’s attitude at times is disconcerting especially his inner turmoil as it pertains to being a father, his son’s behaviour, and the curtailing of his freedom to come and go. It is the inner turmoil and thoughts where the reader is up close and personal with a man who is ambivalent about fatherhood and the future but thoughts many parents have as they struggle with the bigger picture.

The relationship between Jack and Maddie is one of mutual attraction but issues of trust made for some heartbreaking decisions that pulled Maddie out of Jack’s life. With Maddie in close proximity, their time together begins to rebuild the bond between Jack and the woman with whom he will fall in love. The $ex scenes are intimate and intense without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

We are introduced to Jack’s friends Henry and Clark; Jack’s sister Sienna, and his ‘benefits’ partner Lani; as well as Maddie and Jack’s son Gabe.

DO OVER is a second chance story line; a rekindling romance between two people whose lives were pulled apart by betrayal and mistrust but brought back together by an innocent child hoping for a happily ever after. The premise is sweet and emotional; the romance is passionate and heartbreaking as past betrayal and issues of trust are kept at the forefront; the characters are coloful and dynamic.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy 

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Getting Inside (Seattle Grizzlies #1) by Serena Bell-a review

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GETTING INSIDE (Seattle Grizzlies #1) by Serena Bell-a review

Getting Inside

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 3, 2017

They’re big. They’re hot. And they play hard.

In the kickoff to Serena Bell’s sexy new football romance series, the heat between a female coach and a cocky linebacker turns the Seattle Grizzlies locker room upside down.

Iona: There’s nothing like the rush of going head-to-head with the boys. Football is my life, and I got my new job with the Seattle Grizzlies because I know how to play rough. But as a woman in a man’s game, I can’t afford any distractions—like panty-melting tabloid darling Ty Williams, my star linebacker. I’ve stared down plenty of good-looking players without losing my cool . . . and yet something about Ty’s intense gaze burns straight to my core.

Ty : Despite what they say in the press, I save my best moves for game day. The Grizzlies aren’t just my teammates, they’re my brothers—no way am I going to let some new coach shake up our defense. But Iona Thomas isn’t just some coach. It’s so tough to keep my head in the game when I’d rather be in bed with her. She may take charge at practice, but if I had her in my arms, I’d be choosing the plays. I just need to figure out what makes her tick—and what makes her want to break the rules.

•••••••••••••

REVIEW: GETTING INSIDE is the first installment in Serena Bell’s contemporary, adult SEATTLE GRIZZLIES football, romance series focusing on the member of the professional football team the Seattle Grizzlies. This is offensive lineman Ty Williams, and coach Iona Thomas’s story line.

Told from dual first person points of view (Iona and Ty) GETTING INSIDE follows the building but forbidden relationship between offensive lineman for the Seattle Grizzlies Ty Williams, and the professional football league’s first African –American female coach Iona Thomas. The Seattle Grizzlies have been struggling; with a 1-6 record the owners and staff were desperate for a change-enter Iona Thomas-the first African –American female coach in the PFL, and the woman that would steal Ty Williams’s heart. What ensues is the turn around of a floundering professional football team, and the growing love between player and coach-a relationship that may not be accepted by the people in charge.

The relationship between Ty and Iona is one of immediate attraction but Iona knows that it is her job on the line as both a coach and the person in charge. Our heroine has struggles through most of her life trying to prove she was as capable as a man in the field of professional football. Ty’s attraction to Iona becomes a distraction both on and off of the field when Iona begins to push away the man with whom she is falling in love. The $ex scenes are intimate and seductive.

We are introduced to a number of Ty’s fellow Seattle Grizzlies team mates including his best friend ‘O’ aka Michel Ohalu, as well as quarterback Zach Jones, and cornerback Calder Blake. Iona’s parents, and Ty’s brother add some personal family drama throughout the story.

GETTING INSIDE is a predictable story line of forbidden romance but I struggled with the lack of conflict when all was said and done. The final resolution is more of a fizzle, and this reader was left wondering about the little details in between that were never brought to the reader’s attention. I also had a difficult time with the fact that a woman was coaching a professional football team (ala the NFL) and was readily accepted by most if not all the players, other coaches, and people in charge. I suspect there would have been many more issues than what was presented in the story. The premise is entertaining; the characters are colorful; the romance is sexy.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Heating Up The Holidays Anthology by Lisa Renee Jones, Mary Ann Rivers and Serena Bell-a review

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HEATING UP THE HOLIDAYS anthology by Lisa Renee Jones, Mary Ann Rivers and Serena Bell-a review

Heating up the Holidays Banner

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ABOUT THE BOOK: REVIEW: Release Date October 28, 2013

As leftover turkey and stuffing give way to stockings and little black dresses, this tantalizingly sexy eBook bundle offers up holiday-themed novellas from a trio of beloved romance authors. Lisa Renee Jones gives a dedicated reporter and a powerful businessman a chance to count their Thanksgiving blessings in Play with Me; Mary Ann Rivers presents Snowfall, the story of a woman who confronts a life-changing event—hopefully with a special man by her side—just in time for Christmas; and in Serena Bell’s After Midnight, an explosive New Year’s kiss leaves two strangers wondering whether they’ll ever see each other again.

PLAY WITH ME by Lisa Renee Jones

Kali Miller has spent three years reporting fluff stories, waiting for the article that will launch her career to new heights. When she suddenly finds herself forced to take a job as an executive secretary at a Vegas casino, Kali meets the subject of what will surely be a shocking exposé: her boss, Damion Ward, the arrogant and undeniably sexy CEO. But after Damion invites her to help him plan a Thanksgiving charity event, Kali begins to see another side of the man. And when she surrenders to the exhilarating tension simmering between them, Kali hopes her story will have a happy ending.

SNOWFALL by Mary Ann Rivers

Jenny Wright can’t get enough of her erotic conversations with someone she knows only as “C.” Flirting online helps Jenny temporarily escape confronting the changes to her life as she slowly loses her vision. Jenny’s occupational therapist, Evan Carlisle-Ford, is helping her prepare for the challenges ahead, but the forthright, trustworthy man can no longer ignore his growing attraction to his fiercely intelligent client. Now Jenny must choose between the safe, anonymous “C”—or the flesh-and-blood Evan, whose heated kisses can melt snow faster than it can fall.

AFTER MIDNIGHT by Serena Bell

The clock is ticking down to midnight on New Year’s Eve, and all Nora Hart and Miles Shephard can think about is kissing each other—even though they met just minutes before. Then, as fast as Miles enters Nora’s life, he’s gone . . . and she never even gets the name of the man she thinks might just be “the one.” One year later, Nora and Miles are reunited. The chemistry between them is just as strong as they remember. But Miles broke her heart once before—and this time around, Nora’s not sure whether she can give love a second chance.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

REVIEW

PLAY WITH ME by Lisa Renee Jones is the first storyline in the HEATING UP THE HOLIDAYS anthology. The premise focuses on Vegas casino CEO Damion Ward and Kali Miller.

It is a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving and we find Kali Miller starting a new job as secretary to the very sexy and very busy Damion Ward. But before the week is through, Kali will discover that there is more to the man and the job than meets the eye. Damion is a man possessed and he wants Kali for his very own.

The storyline is one of forbidden love and a building relationship. Lisa Renee Jones pulls the reader into a sensual and erotic storyline about two people who will fall in love over Chinese food, secret pasts and, personal and business betrayal.

The characters are as colorful as the world in which they work-it’s Vegas, baby and no where is there a more interesting collection of employees with axes to grind and secrets to reveal. And you will fall in love with Damion and Kali as they wind their way through a maze of potential heartbreak, embarrassing revelations and falling in love.

PLAY WITH ME is another wonderful short story that will make you believe in fairy tale endings and happily ever afters.

_______________

SNOWFALL by Mary Ann Rivers

SNOWFALL (written by Mary Ann Rivers) is the second storyline in the HEATING UP THE HOLIDAYS ANTHOLOGY and one that addresses a difficult subject-retinitis pigmentosis-an inherited disorder of the eye and one that will eventually lead to complete blindness.

The storyline focuses on two people, who under any other circumstance would never have met had it not been for their connection to medical research and Jenny’s slide into the dark. It is a story of forbidden love; the thrill of the unknown; and a glimpse into the future for two people who have more in common than they had ever thought possible.

The reader watches as one woman discovers the true identity of the man with whom she is falling in love and the reality of her waning sight. The relationship develops slowly; the sex is passionate, hot and forbidden but in the end, it is just what the doctor ordered.

The storyline is detailed in medical language and at times gets lost in the descriptive nature of the disorder but overall, Snowfall is a wonderful look at the possibilities for two people to fall in love.

________________

AFTER MIDNIGHT by Serena Bell

AFTER MIDNIGHT is the third storyline in the HEATING UP THE HOLIDAYS ANTHOLOGY and one that takes place from one New Year’s Eve to the next. Miles and Nora meet at a New Year’s Eve party-there is great chemistry between the two-but no one bothered to exchange names and it would be months later before Nora discovers that someone has been looking for the woman from the year end party.

Miles Shephard has been charged with embezzling and he has spent the last year caught between proving himself innocent and deflecting accusations. Innocent of the crime, Miles will soon discover that not everyone is one hundred percent sure of his innocence including the woman with whom he is falling in love and the heartbreaking realization will find Miles confronting the reality with his co-workers and friends. Miles and Nora both have some major issues of trust and getting past these issues will be the first step towards a happily ever after for both.

After Midnight covers a year in the life of two people who met minutes before midnight on New Year’s Eve and have spent that year wondering about the what-ifs and why nots of a relationship that never occurred. And in true romance fashion with a happily ever after, our couple will find each other but not before Miles must face the demons that have hounded his reputation and life.

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Cover Reveal-Heating Up The Holidays by Lisa Renee Jones, Mary Ann Rivers and Serena Bell

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Cover Reveal: Heating Up the Holidays by Lisa Renee Jones, Mary Ann Rivers and Serena Bell

Heating Up the Holidays - Final Cover

HEATING UP THE HOLIDAYS
3-Story Bundle (Play with Me, Snowfall, After Midnight)
Lisa Renee Jones, Mary Ann Rivers, Serena Bell
Published by Loveswept
On Sale October 28, 2013
ISBN: 978-0-8041-7840-2

HEATING UP THE HOLIDAYS features three sexy holiday novellas, each one centered on a different holiday: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. With stories from bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones, the popular Mary Ann Rivers, and Loveswept debut author Serena Bell, HEATING UP THE HOLIDAYS is the perfect anthology to keep the romance going throughout the holiday season!

•••••••••••••••

About the author

ABOUT LISA RENEE JONES (Play with Me):
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Lisa Renee Jones is the author of the highly acclaimed INSIDE OUT SERIES which has sold to more than twelve countries for translation with negotiations in process for more, and has now been optioned by STARZ Network for a cable television show, to be produced by Suzanne Todd (Alice in Wonderland).

Since beginning her publishing career in 2007, Lisa has published more than 30 books with publishers such as Simon and Schuster, Avon, Kensington, Harlequin, NAL, Berkley and Elloras Cave, as well as crafting a successful indie career. Booklist says that Jones suspense truly sizzles with an energy similar to FBI tales with a paranormal twist by Julie Garwood or Suzanne Brockmann.

Prior to publishing, Lisa owned multi-state staffing agency that was recognized many times by The Austin Business Journal and also praised by Dallas Women Magazine. In 1998 LRJ was listed as the #7 growing women owned business in Entrepreneur Magazine.

___________________________

ABOUT MARY ANN RIVERS (Snowfall)
Mary Ann Rivers was an English and music major and went on to earn her MFA in creative writing, publishing poetry in journals and leading creative-writing workshops for at-risk youth. While training for her day job as a nurse practitioner, she rediscovered romance on the bedside tables of her favorite patients. Now she writes smart and emotional contemporary romance, imagining stories featuring the heroes and heroines just ahead of her in the coffee line. Mary Ann Rivers lives in the Midwest with her handsome professor husband and their imaginative school-aged son.

__________________________

ABOUT SERENA BELL (After Midnight)
Serena Bell writes stories about how sex messes with your head, why smart people do stupid things sometimes, and how love can make it all better. She wrote her first steamy romance before she was old enough to understand what all the words meant and has been perfecting the art of hiding pages and screens from curious eyes ever since—a skill that’s particularly useful now that she’s the mother of two school-age children.

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Pre-order HEATING UP THE HOLIDAYS ebook: $2.99 or less

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Connect with Lisa Renee Jones:
Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/Lisareneejones> |
Twitter<https://twitter.com/lisareneejones> |
Website<http://www.lisareneejones.com/>
Connect with Mary Ann Rivers:
Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/maryannriversromanceauthor> |
Twitter<https://twitter.com/maryann_rivers> |
Website<http://maryannrivers.com/>
Connect with Serena Bell: Facebook<http://facebook.com/serenabellbooks> |
Twitter<http://twitter.com/serenabellbooks> | 
Website<http://serenabell.com>
Connect with Loveswept: Facebook<http://facebook.com/readloveswept> |
Twitter<http://twitter.com/readloveswept> |
Website<http://readloveswept.com>
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