Taken by the Vampire King by Laura Kaye-Review and Giveaway

Taken by the Vampire King by Laura Kaye-Review and Giveaway

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Taken By The Vampire King
Vampire Warrior Kings #3
by Laura Kaye
Release Date: August 1, 2013

LK_TakenByTheVampireKing

 

Order Links:  Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO

TAKEN BY THE VAMPIRE KING (Vampire Warrior Kings #3) by Laura Kaye

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date August 1, 2013

Henrik Magnusson is supposed to be immortal, but a mysterious ailment leaves the vampire king near death, and not even the blood of the Proffered, human virgins trained to serve the elite, can sustain him. Then he rescues a beautiful young woman from his enemies, and is filled with blood lust and desire he hasn’t felt for centuries.

Photographer Kaira Sorenson’s life takes a nightmare turn when she’s attacked by blood-thirsty creatures—and saved by a vampire. She should be afraid of Henrik, but she can’t deny her intense attraction to this regal, enigmatic being—nor the fact that her blood may be his only salvation. Now she must decide if she’s willing to be his forever…

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REVIEW: TAKEN BY THE VAMPIRE KING is the third novella in Laura Kaye’s paranormal Vampire Warrior Kings series focusing on the remaining seven vampire kings and their need to find a mate. Vampire Kings must feed from the ‘proffered virgins’ and without a suitable ‘donor’ Henrick Magnusson is dying. But the night he stumbles upon Kaira Sorenson he knows he must control his blood lust or lose the only woman capable of bringing him back from the brink of extermination.

Laura Kaye takes the reader on a fast paced journey as King Henrik quickly discovers that the woman he saved from an attack may be the ‘one’. When Henrik begins to feed from Kaira, her blood begins to heal the dying king, but there is something wrong with Kaira. When the mating mark appears, Kaira has three days to decide if Henrik is the man she wants for an eternity.

Taken by the Vampire King is a short story where the relationship between Kaira and Henrik develops quickly; Kaira accepts the vampire’s existence without question and is willing to sacrifice herself for the vampire king. There is some heartache and sorrow as Henrik learns about the plight of one of his fellow vampire kings; and the discovery of Kaira’s bloodline presupposes any storyline revelation about the history of the ‘proffered and their relationship with the kings’.

The Vampire Warrior Kings series was my first foray into the world of Laura Kaye and I loved the premise surrounding the ‘proffered ‘ and survival of the king. Laura pulls the reader into the storyline with an emotional tale of survival against the odds. My only complaint-the novel was too short and in doing so, I felt there was something missing in the overall telling of the story. Again, it presupposes the background information into the ‘proffered and the kings.’ For new readers to the series, this may be a bit confusing if they were to start with this particular storyline therefore I am a strong advocate of reading a series in order.

Copy supplied by the author.

Reviewed by Sandy

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series spotlight

In The Service of the King
Vampire Warrior Kings #1
by Laura Kaye
Release Date: February 2012

ORDER LINKS: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

In The Service of the KingKael, Warrior King of the Vampires, loathes the Night of the Proffering. He needs the blood of either his mate or a human virgin to maintain his strength, but hasn’t enjoyed the ritual since he lost his mate centuries ago. Kael doesn’t want a new companion, yet his resolve is tested when he lays eyes on his new offering, Shayla McKinnon. He is drawn to Shayla’s beauty and poise…and the submission she offers. She is eager to give him anything he wishes, including her innocence, to please him. Will Kael give in to their overwhelming desire—even if it means risking Shayla’s life?

_________________________________________________________________________

Seduced by the Vampire King
Vampire Warrior Kings #2
by Laura Kaye
Release Date: June 2012

ORDER LINKS: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk/ Barnes and Noble / KOBO /

Seduced by the Vampire KingAmerican exchange student Kate Bordessa has fled to Russia to escape her family’s hopes that she’ll become one of the Proffered, human women who feed and mate with elite vampire warriors. But when she stumbles upon a wounded vampire in the streets of Moscow, she’s instinctively driven to protect him–and feels an undeniable spark of desire.

Grieving over the deaths of his brothers, Vampire Warrior King Nikolai Vasilyev has thrown himself into battling his enemies, focused only on vengeance. Until the attack that brought him to Kate. Their sexual attraction explodes into a night of uncontrolled passion–a night that marks them as mates. Is their connection strong enough to convince them to embrace a destiny neither of them was expecting?

_______________________________________________________________________

About the author

Laura Kaye-21Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter SignUp

 

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Giveaway

Laura is offering an ecopy of TAKEN BY THE VAMPIRE KING to one lucky reader at The Reading Cafe.

1. Please register using the log-in at the top side bar or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Giveaway is open internationally.

4. Giveaway runs from August 8 to August 11, 2013

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Taken by the Vampire King by Laura Kaye-Cover Reveal

Taken by the Vampire King by Laura Kaye-Cover Reveal

Taken by the Vampire King
A Story of the Vampire Warrior Kings
by Laura Kaye
Release Date: August 1, 2013

LK_TakenByTheVampireKing
Order Links:  Amazon.com / Amazon.ca/ Barnes and Noble/

Reading Order:
In the Service of the King
Seduced by the Vampire King
Taken by the Vampire King

Vampire Kings

Order Links:  Amazon.com / Amazon.ca/ Barnes and Noble/

Taken by the Vampire King Blurb:

Henrik Magnusson is supposed to be immortal, but a mysterious ailment leaves the vampire king near death, and not even the blood of the Proffered, human virgins trained to serve the elite, can sustain him. Then he rescues a beautiful young woman from his enemies, and is filled with blood lust and desire he hasn’t felt for centuries.

Photographer Kaira Sorenson’s life takes a nightmare turn when she’s attacked by blood-thirsty creatures—and saved by a vampire. She should be afraid of Henrik, but she can’t deny her intense attraction to this regal, enigmatic being—nor the fact that her blood may be his only salvation. Now she must decide if she’s willing to be his forever…

Excerpt

 Taken by the Vampire King (Vampire Warrior Kings #3) by Laura Kaye

Henrik’s back slammed against a brick wall, the darkness of the narrow alley sheltering their trio from the tourists thronging Tromsø’s streets.

Lars stood at the entrance, making sure no one developed an unhealthy curiosity.

Jakob got right up in Henrik’s face, forearm pressing into the king’s chest. “What happened?”

He shook his head, swallowing thickly, his hunger burning so intensely it was almost a living thing within him. “Wanted her,” he rasped. It hadn’t been a decision. There wasn’t anything rational or conscious about it. From the first moment she’d approached him, he was awash in her appealing scent, like the smoky berries of a vintage wine or the rich bite of an aged, dignified whiskey.

“Wanted her how?”

“I wanted her.” He knocked his head against the brick. Even now, he couldn’t shake the image of the vein’s rhythmic dance along her slender neck or of the luscious dip of her cleavage, both displayed so invitingly by her upswept hair. His fangs throbbed with a want and a need he couldn’t remember feeling in ages. Not to mention the aching hard-on between his legs.

“Straight out no-shit bloodlust?” Something like hope sounded in the warrior’s deep voice.

“Ja.” Henrik heaved a deep breath of cold January air as his imagination unhelpfully replayed how it would’ve gone down. Tearing the gown from her trim body. Holding her curves in his hands. Bearing her up against the wall. Sinking his fangs and his cock in deep until every dark, needy part of him was sated.

“I’ll get her.” Jakob turned away.

The king slammed his hand down on his brother’s shoulder and gripped hard. “Nei.”

“You want her. You need her.”

“I’ll kill her.”

Because he wouldn’t be able to stop.

Once he got a taste, something base and instinctual told him he wouldn’t be able to make himself stop. He’d been so close to the edge of his restraint in the gallery. Only the sound of her voice had pulled him back from the brink.

All he’d wanted was a night out of their mountain citadel, away from the looming promise of death. He thought the jovial atmosphere of the festival would distract him from all that was to come. Instead, it had thrown it right in his face. Christ, he was a catastrophe waiting to happen, already more beast than man. He shook his head again. “I’ll fucking kill her,” he rasped.

“You won’t.”

Acid washed through his gut. “You willing to risk an innocent woman’s life—or her soul—to see which of us is right? I’m not.” He shuddered, the danger of becoming like his evil enemies one of his greatest fears. “Leave her be. I’ll not have it any other way.”

 

About The Author

Laura Kaye-21

Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of a dozen books in contemporary and paranormal romance. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter SignUp

 

 

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Seduced by the Vampire King by Laura Kaye-a new release review

Seduced by the Vampire King by Laura Kaye-a new release review

SEDUCED BY THE VAMPIRE KING by Laura Kaye

SEDUCED BY THE VAMPIRE KING is the second instalment and June 1, 2012 new release in Laura Kaye’s Vampire Warrior Kings series.

FROM THE WEBSITE: Seven remaining Vampire Warrior Kings battle the evil Soul Eaters in an ancient war that threatens their hearts, their lives and the very world we all share.

Kate Bordessa is an American exchange student. Fleeing to Russia to escape a possible future as the proffered virgin to a Vampire King, Kate can’t stop the feeling that there is someone or something missing in her life. And life indentured to a Vampire King was not a position she was willing to accept. But finding a bleeding and dying vampire in the shadows of a darkened alley in Moscow, tugged at a fierce protectiveness she had never known. Kate knew that the injured vampire was hers.

Nikolai Vasilyev is a Vampire Warrior King. Blaming himself for the death of his brothers, Nikolai pushes the limits of safety in the war against the Soul Eaters. But going in alone would only prove that Nikolai had become more reckless with time. Believing himself no longer worthy to wear a Warrior’s braids, Nikolai forgoes the jewels of his position, in mourning for the loss of his brothers. But a fatal miscalculation during battle with the unseen Soul Eaters leaves Nikolai alone and dying from multiple gun shot wounds that have caused more damage than he was able to heal.

Kate’s attraction to the wounded vampire is surprising. Her need to protect and save the male who lay dying at her feet seemed outlandish especially with the revelation that he was a vampire. She had fled to Russia to escape a life of servitude to a Vampire King, but his hunger and need for blood, overrode her instincts to survive. Giving freely of herself, Kate finds herself falling for the stranger who needed her more than anyone at that moment. But Nikolai’s friends would soon find the couple, and it is Kate’s surprising defense of their friend, that will result in her capture.

Nikolai has no idea what has happened. Likening to a dream, he remembers a beautiful woman with whom he has shared her blood. But when his best friend Mikhail reveals that the American woman had saved his life, Nikolai suspects that perhaps she is more than just his rescuer, but his mate. Hoping to meet Kate, Nikolai finds her imprisoned in the dungeons for a crime that she did not commit.

The attraction between the couple is immediate but Nikolai believes that he is not worthy of a mate. With the death of his brothers ingrained so deeply into his soul, Nikolai refuses to fall for the young woman. But Kate knows that she and Nikolai are destined. And when they give into their desires, the mating mark of the Vampire Warrior proves that the love of a woman is what he needed to forgive himself for the death of his friends.

SEDUCED BY THE VAMPRIE KING is another wonderful short story in the Vampire Warrior King series by Laura Kaye. Kate and Nikolai’s passion for each other will have you wanting your own Vampire Warrior King and Laura’s passion for her vampires shows through.

LINKS to purchase:
Amazon Kindle
B&N Nook
KOBO

Reviewed  by  Sandy

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Laura Kaye-Interview and Giveaway with the author

Laura Kaye-Interview and Giveaway with the author

Laura Kaye-Interview and Giveaway with the author.

On Friday June 1, Laura’s second instalment in her fantastic Vampire Warrior King’s series was released and we have the pleasure of interviewing this fabulous author today at The Reading Cafe.

TRC:  Hi Laura and welcome to The Reading Café. We would like to start with some background information.

Laura:  Sure! And thanks for hosting me here today!

 

TRC:  Please tell us about yourself.

Laura:  I write paranormal, contemporary and erotic romance and have seven books out so far, an eighth due to release in July. I’m also a wife, mom to two young girls (8 and almost 6), college history professor, and complete and total vampire addict. I live in Maryland right on the shores of the Chesapeake Bay.

TRC: You have always had an interest in writing since your early teens.  What or whom do you credit with your love of writing?

Laura:  I credit my love of writing to my love of reading. I think when you grow up with your nose buried in a book it’s easier to imagine stories of your own. As the only child of a single parent (who was also a huge reader), I spent a lot of time alone, and I passed much of it by reading. And all things paranormal were always my first love as a reader, so it’s also natural that I wrote so many paranormal now.

TRC:  Is there anything you find particularly challenging or difficult with writing?

Laura:  I find revising more challenging than writing the first draft. Once I get a scene in my head a certain way, it’s harder to move it around and see it in a new way. I also find that I usually have to go back through my first draft and layer in deeper emotional reaction, so now that’s just a regular part of my revision process.

TRC: In The Service of the King is the premiere novel in your Vampire Warrior King series. Would you please tell us about the premise?(see our review below)

Laura:  All the books in this series are set in a world in which there are seven remaining vampire warrior kings who are in alliance with an elite group of influential humans known as The Electorate Council, and together they fight the evil Soul Eaters, immortals addicted to stealing the souls of humans by exsanguinating them and eating their heart. In In the Service of the King, the hero, Kael MacQuillan, is forced to endure a feeding ritual he loathes in order to keep himself and his warriors strong for the fight.

TRC:  The premise behind the ‘proffering’ is an interesting concept. What was your inspiration behind the ‘proffering’?

Laura:  The Proffered are human women who are trained to service the vampire warrior elite, including the kings. The idea behind the Proffering as a ceremonial ritual was a, I hope, fun and darkly sexy way of combining a vampire’s compulsion for blood with sexual domination and submission.

TRC: Seduced by the Vampire King (released on June 1, 2012) is the second novel in the Vampire Warrior King series. Would you please tell us something about the premise?(See our review June 4)

Laura:  Seduced by the Vampire King plays on the enemies-to-lovers trope by forcing together a vampire who loathes himself so much he refuses to rule his people or take a mate, and a human woman who left her home to get away the vampires she was destined to serve. They both represent the last thing in the world the other wants. Here’s the blurb:

Seduced by the Vampire King:

Book 2: Vampire Warrior Kings Series American exchange student Kate Bordessa has fled to Russia to escape her family’s hopes that she’ll become one of the Proffered, human women who feed and mate with elite vampire warriors. But when she stumbles upon a wounded vampire in the streets of Moscow, she’s instinctively driven to protect him–and feels an undeniable spark of desire. Grieving over the deaths of his brothers, Vampire Warrior King Nikolai Vasilyev has thrown himself into battling his enemies, focused only on vengeance. Until the attack that brought him to Kate. Their sexual attraction explodes into a night of uncontrolled passion–a night that marks them as mates. Is their connection strong enough to convince them to embrace a destiny neither of them was expecting?

TRC:  There are 7 Vampire Warrior Kings according to the series outline. Will each Vampire Warrior King get his own storyline? If the series becomes a runaway hit, will your consider extending beyond your original number of books?

Laura:  For reasons that will become clear, there won’t be seven stories. Right now four are planned. I’m not sure yet whether there will be more stories to tell beyond the fourth, though I’m always willing to listen to my muse if she whips up a new story idea. So stay tuned!

TRC:  What are your plans for the third storyline in the series?

Laura:  The third story (as yet untitled) will be set in Tromso, Norway, and will feature Henrik Magnusson, Warrior King of the Northern Vampires, who is dying…

TRC:  The Hearts of the Anemoi is a series based in Greek mythology. Would you tell us about the premise of the series? What is the significance of the ‘Anemoi’?

Laura:  The Anemoi were directional wind gods the Greeks associated with the seasons and with controlling the weather. In Greek Mythology, there were four cardinal Anemoi (N=Boreas, W=Zephyros, S=Notos, E=Eurus) and a number of ordinal Anemoi (i.e., NE, SW, SE, etc). The cardinal Anemoi were fathered by Aeolus, a powerful and sometimes cruel storm god. I’m weaving a lot of the mythology about each of these individual gods into their respective stories, which will pit three of the Anemoi, along with some lesser gods, against the fourth Anemoi brother. The series will come to a head in a major Armageddon-style battle involving all the characters from the series.

TRC:  What was your inspiration behind the mythology concept?

Laura:  I’m trained in history and anthropology, and so basing fictional stories on mythology allows me to pull from those interests in some ways. Greek mythology is also a rich source of inspiration—talk about drama! With backstabbing gods, secret babies, illicit affairs, and powerful magic, Greek mythology is like the soap operas of the ancient world! Specifically, though, I came upon the mythology of the Anemoi when I was researching North of Need, the first book in the series. I thought my hero was a simple snowman come to life, but the story wouldn’t work that way. After spending an entire afternoon research the winter mythologies and folk lore of multiple cultures, I found the Anemoi and knew Owen was a snow god, destined heir to Boreas, Supreme God of the North Wind and Winter. The series rolled out from that.

TRC:  North of Need is the first book in the Heart of the Anemoi series. Would you please tell us something about the storyline?

Laura:  North of Need is a story about learning to heal and trust again after tragic loss. Here’s the blurb:

Her tears called a powerful snow god to life, but only her love can grant the humanity he craves… While attempting to escape the agonizing memories she associates with Christmas, twenty-nine-year-old widow Megan Snow builds a snow family outside the mountain cabin she once shared with her husband–and collapses in tears against the snowman at the sight of what she’ll never have. Called to life by the power of Megan’s tears, snow god Owen Winters appears unconscious on her doorstep in the midst of a raging blizzard. As she nurses him to health, Owen finds unexpected solace in her company and unimagined pleasure in the warmth of her body, and vows to win her heart for a chance at humanity. Megan is drawn to Owen’s mismatched eyes, otherworldly masculinity, and enthusiasm for the littlest things, and her heart opens enough to believe he’s a Christmas miracle. But this miracle comes with an expiration–before the snow melts and the temperature rises, Megan must let go of her widow’s grief and learn to trust love again, or she’ll lose Owen forever.”

TRC:  West of Want is the second installment (release date July 10, 2012). Would you please tell us about the premise?

Laura:  I’m really excited about West of Want, because it will be my first book releasing in bookstores! West of Want features two people who have experienced an enormous amount of loss and betrayal and both feel unwanted and unlovable because of it. It’s a book that’s fundamentally about letting go of your past in order to claim your future. Here’s the blurb:

Betrayal is all he’s ever known, but in her, he’ll find a love strong enough to be trusted… When Marcella Raines’ twin brother dies, she honors his request to be buried at sea, never expecting the violent storm that swamps her boat. Though she’s gravely injured–and still emotionally damaged from her recent divorce–Ella fights to survive. Zephyros Martius is the Supreme God of the West Wind and Spring, but being the strongest Anemoi hasn’t protected him from betrayal and loss. Worse, he’s sure his brother Eurus is behind it. When Zeph’s heartbreak whips up a storm that shipwrecks a human, his guilt forces him to save her. Ella is drawn to the vulnerability Zeph hides beneath his otherworldly masculinity and ancient blue eyes. And her honesty, empathy, and unique, calming influence leave Zeph wanting…everything. When Eurus threatens Ella, she and Zeph struggle to let go of the past, defend their future, and embrace what they most want–a love that can be trusted.

TRC:  Each of the book titles included the compass direction: North, South, East or West. Do you have any plans to extend the series beyond the original four?

Laura:  It’s totally possible. A new character arose in the second book who just might demand a full-length novel of his own. And there’s a possibility I might write a novella related to the series that would be published between books two and three—more on that to come! 

TRC:  Is there a message in your writing that you want to readers to understand?

Laura:  The most consistent message that runs through all of my work is one of hope—that there’s someone or someplace where we all belong, and we shouldn’t ever give up until we find it.

TRC:  Many authors bounce ideas between family members, friends or other authors. With whom do you bounce around ideas and why?

Laura:  My best friend Lea Nolan is a YA paranormal author with her first book coming out in October. She and I began writing together four years ago and do everything together. So she’s my first and foremost sounding board. I also belong to a writer’s group with a number of amazingly supportive and brilliant writers who are always able to help brainstorm out a plot or solve a problem.

TRC:  What are you currently working on?

Laura:  I am working on the follow-up story to my contemporary romance that released on May 15 called Her Forbidden Hero. The heroine’s brother from that story, Brady Scott, will be getting a story of his own, though I don’t have a title or a release date yet. But expect more of the same awesome tortured hero angst you got with Marco Vieri in Her Forbidden Hero. *grins*

TRC:  Would you like to add anything else?

 

Laura:  Just, always, thank you for the readers for giving my stories a chance and bringing my characters to life! I couldn’t do what I do without you!

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food – Pasta with homemade meat sauce and fresh garlic bread!

Favorite Dessert – Warm apple pie with vanilla ice cream

Favorite TV Show – Right now it’s probably Game of Thrones.

Favorite Movie – Ooh, this is a hard one…I don’t know if I could pick just one…Love Actually would be somewhere near the top of my list—how’s that?

Last Movie You Saw – the Chimpanzee movie with my girls. Amazing documentary with a compelling storyline…

Favorite Flower – Magnolia for the fragrance, yellow rose for the sentimental meaning

Dark or Milk Chocolate – Milk chocolate!

Do you have any pets? – Yes, a 10-year-old very cute but very bad Shepherd-Collie mix named Jack

TRC:  Laura, we would like to thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. It is always a pleasure to read about the person behind the ‘author’. Thank you for sharing today.

Laura:  Thank you so much for having me here and for the fun questions! I would like to offer one commenter who leaves their email address an ebook of Seduced by the Vampire King! Just share one of your answers to the Lightning Round, above! Good luck!

Buy Laura’s Books Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter Signup

About Laura Kaye:

Voted Breakout Author of the Year in the 2011 GraveTells Readers’ Choice Awards, Laura is the bestselling and award-winning author of over a half-dozen books in paranormal, contemporary and erotic romance. Hearts in Darkness is the EPIC eBook Award Winner for Best Novella and HOLT Medallion Award of Merit Winner for Best Romance Novella, Forever Freed is the NJRW Golden Leaf Winner for Best Paranormal of 2011 and is a finalist for two GDRWA Booksellers’ Best Awards, and North of Need, the first book in the Hearts of the Anemoi series, is a finalist for a FF&P PRISM award, was named GraveTells’ Best Book of 2011 and won their 5-STAR Gold Heart Award, and won Sizzling Hot Read of the Year at Sizzling Hot Books. Laura lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and cute-but-bad dog, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.

**********GIVEAWAY*********

Laura is offering an ebook copy of her novel:  SEDUCED BY THE VAMPIRE KING

To be eligible for our giveaway:

1.  You must be a member of The Reading Cafe.  If you are not a member, please register using the LOG-IN tab at the top, or by using one of the social log-ins at the top right side.

2.  You MUST leave a comment answering one of the LIGHTNING ROUND QUESTIONS.

3.  Contest is open internationally.

4.  Contest runs from June 3 to June 7, 2012

 

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