Book Blitz ~ Christmas Kiss by Allyson R. Abbot

Title: A Prickly Christmas Kiss

Author: Allyson Abbott

Genre: Sweet Christmas Romance, Humor

Cover Designer:  Ada Frost

Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR

Blurb:

A Prickly Christmas Kiss

Finalist in OKRWA ‘Contemporary Short’ Book Awards

A Fun, Magical Sweet Christmas Story

Emma Louise Fallon, aka Elf, has two wishes for Christmas. Having spent the last few months bragging about her latest boyfriend, who's turned out to be a womanizing cheat, one, she needs to escape her well-meaning family, and, two, she needs to avoid all men while she's in a man-hating mode.

But stranded in a cold isolated cabin, when her girlfriend is forced to bail out on their vacation plans, Elf makes one more desperate wish: Can she please learn how to build a fire before she freezes to death?

Title: A Tangy Christmas Kiss

Author: Allyson Abbott

Genre: Sweet Christmas Romance, Humor

Cover Designer: Ada Frost

Hosted by: Lady Amber's PR

Blurb:

A Sweet Holiday Romance

Confused city girl Mel responds to her mother’s request, at a drop of a hat, and flies to Spain to house sit for her aunt. With visions of lazy days on the beach, she barely considers, why her mother cannot go? And why her aunts needs a house-sitter for a bungalow on the beach?

Her journey takes forever, consequently on arrival Mel missed the organised lift from her aunt. With jetlag, the lack of the Spanish language and having no knowledge of geography of Spain, all she has is her aunt’s address, a headache and an overwhelming urge to sleep as she struggles to cope with completing the journey.

Enter the extremely handsome and chivalrous Spanish passenger who was seated next to her on her flight, help her out, even though he only speaks Spanish, so Mel has no idea what he is talking about. But hey, you can’t turn away a great looking man in your hour of need!

A fun Christmas Story with a sweet and happy ending.

Recommended for readers who enjoy New Adult Romance, Teen or Young Adult Book or a Sweet Clean Romance. Humorous Fiction for women

#1 International Bestselling and Award-Winning Author (fiction and non-fiction) A Blooming Boomer who loves life on the road, making new friends and meeting great people. Life in the slow lane!

After a few full-on years of travelling, which included a year and a half checking out New Zealand, a few Pacific islands, Australia and South Africa, 15months driving around the USA in a motorhome, some quick few weeks visit to Canada, Mexico, Cuba and Spain, Allyson and her husband have now decided to pull over onto the hard shoulder for a while and have settled on the Valencian Province in Spain. Life is rich, according to Allyson, but the pocket is empty and she needed time to focus on her writing. It is very easy to get distracted when you see so many beautiful places.

The last twelve months have seen three new nonfiction books; all to help authors write, publish and promote their books, thirteen short sexy reads penned as Cyra May and three new Christmas stories all to be published in 2018

Of course being locked in a room and chained to a desk, did not help top up her sun tan, but at least Allyson was very productive.

Author Links:

Newsletter Signup   http://www.allysonrabbott.com/contact.html

Bookbub        https://www.bookbub.com/profile/allyson-r-abbott

Webpage       http://www.AllysonRAbbott.com

Blogger          http://allysonrabbott.blogspot.com/

Facebook      http://www.facebook.com/AllysonRAbbott

Goodreads    http://www.goodreads.com/AllysonRAbbott

Google+         http://google.com/+AllysonRAbbott

Twitter            https://twitter.com/AllysonRAbbott

Amazon page           https://amzn.to/2QDvPC2

Buy Links:

A Prickly Christmas Kiss: https://amzn.to/2LnnbSm

A Tangy Christmas Kiss: https://amzn.to/2LkENOw

A Pink Christmas Kiss: https://amzn.to/2R1slbL

A Frothy Christmas Kiss: https://amzn.to/2UT7eY8

A Tangy Christmas Kiss

She moved forward and peered into the area where he’d stepped. Clambering over his feet and climbing up his shins with tiny paws, whining and crying for attention with miniscule muzzles and teensy mouths, were the cutest little bundles of fur Mel had ever seen. She wasn’t really much of a pet person but she had to resist the urge to squeal at how cute they were, and when Domingo bent and picked two of them up, cuddling them and laughing as they clamored to lick at his chin with pink tongues no bigger than her finger tip, Mel’s heart melted into a big puddle on the floor. He may be brusque with her, but he showed a much gentler side with the puppies.

Christmas Countdown 2018 ~ Jacob T. Marley by R. William Bennett

R. William (Bill) Bennett is the author of Jacob T. Marley, The Christmas Gift, and a new Christmas novel being published by a major publisher for Christmas, 2019

 ~ Website ~

  

"Marley was dead to begin with . . . "

These chillingly familiar words begin the classic Christmas tale of remorse and redemption in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. 

But, what about Jacob Marley?  And why hadn't he been given the same final chance of redemption as Ebenezer Scrooge?

Or had he?

~ Universal Amazon Link ~ 
~ Audible ~ 

Snippet:

-From the preface: 

What of old Jacob? We know he was a “good man of business,” from Scrooge’s corrupted view of life. There is a small mention of his dress and hair. We also know, by Marley’s own account, given as he began the process of turning Scrooge, that he regretted the life he lived. Most important, although he came from a world in which spirits of men were consigned to wander the earth, feeling the pain of remorse but having no access to the balm of reparative action, he was able to procure for Scrooge the visits of the three spirits as a final warning to avoid his own fate. In fact, Marley was able to provide the introduction to that most impactful night personally to Ebenezer in a brief but life-changing encounter. From that moment, Jacob is but a memory, properly acclaimed by Scrooge in the first morning of his new life.  Who was this Jacob Marley? Why was he so evil? Why did he in fact get to visit Scrooge and usher in the experience that changed first Ebenezer and then so many of our lives? Why did Scrooge get a final chance to change and not Jacob Marley? Or did he?

To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Official Event page

    

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Grand Finale Book Tour ~ Starving Hearts & Never Past Hope by Janine Mendenhall

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

Book Tour Grand Finale for

Starving Hearts and Never Past Hope

By Janine Mendenhall

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops

you can see snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch - Note from the Author

Hello, bloggers and readers alike!



Many blessings to you and yours during this festive time of year! It's so encouraging to share this message of true love and forgiveness in Never Past Hope, Book #2 of my triangular trade trilogy, especially during the holidays. Besides a great Christmas scene including a little boy and a golden retriever-like puppy similar to mine, the story has some pretty serious struggles and conflict, and it may not be for the faint of heart...

Remembrancy - Excerpt from Starving Hearts

Argument between Annette and her mother regarding chaperon/arranged marriage



“No.” Mother turned and rubbed her chin, deep in thought. Calculating? What was she thinking? Planting her fists firmly on her waist, Mother returned with a fierce gaze. “My decision remains unchanged. No chaperon, no ball. And do not ask again. You know what could happen.”


“But Miss Haack will be there, as will you and Uncle and Aunt. Please, Mother, with everyone present, I thought I—”


“—Could find that extraordinary being you described some weeks ago? The charitable gentleman, who will overlook your faults and rescue you from the prison in which you believe you live?” Annette blinked and swallowed hard.

Rockin' Book Reviews - Reviews

"From the first page, the reader's interest is immediately drawn into the tale. The adventure and intrigue continue mounting until the very end of the book. [Starving Hearts] is an outstanding, well-written story, during the time of abolition and beginning reformation. It, also, addresses he ignorance concerning some of the health issues and treatment of that time period." - Starving Hearts



"...it was still very well-written and the story line is quite creative. The adventure never ceases, although the "pace" of the tale is a little slower in this book. " - Never Past Hope

Hearts & Scribbles - Excerpt from Starving Hearts

NOTE: In the forest, Peter finds Annette and her sketchbook filled with sketches of him.



He stopped pacing and looked down at her. Was it Providence? Had the Lord something in mind by bringing them together once more? Peter seated himself on the bench. “It’s of no consequence. You needn’t apologize.” How he wanted to take her hands in his and tell her how many times he had thought of her since their last missed encounter. Oh, how he wanted to ask all of his questions, but he didn’t.


“You needn’t be dishonest again. I have upset you, as it seems I am in the habit of doing.”

Splashes of Joy - Reviews

"Over all, this was an interesting and intriguing story to read. And really good writing for the author for a debut novel. There’s a lot going on in this book, many twists and turns that are not expected, making the book more entertaining, and keeping the interest of the reader to want to keep reading to find out what is on the next page." - Starving Hearts



"All in all, this book was a better read than the first, I think. . . . [if] you love a good Regency novel to engulf in, I would recommend “Never Past Hope” for your reading enjoyment!" - Never Past Hope

Simply Kelina - Spotlight

Handcrafted Reviews - Excerpt from Starving Hearts

Sketchbook scene closing



Torn between captivation and shock, Peter watched her put the sketchbook back inside her bag and slip the strap over her head. Then she looked up at him again.


“I told you, no one else knows about them. And they never will.”


“Indeed.”


“You do not trust me?”


“That is not the issue.”

Reading Is My SuperPower - Excerpt from Never Past Hope

Miss Mary Hope Adsley should have kept her eyes on the door. She could see her bedchamber just a few steps down the hall, and candles lit the passage with its plush carpet and gold-leafed wall coverings. Except as she and Mother moved arm-in-arm, Mary Hope became distracted and glanced up at the ceiling.


Good heavens, even the shadows? She clenched her teeth. Lord, please hasten Mamá. I must get to my room. Because on this most dreadful day, the very shadows above mocked her, jeering and leaping overhead and along the walls, dancing as though in wicked delight.


At the threshold of the shelter Mary Hope so urgently required, Mother hesitated. “I suppose we are alone, again, except for the servants. They are still here—for now.”

Deal Sharing Aunt - Reviews

"This was an interesting read, I loved the time period and it was fun to get to know these characters." - Starving Hearts



"I liked that Mary thought she was destined to be with Steven and wanted to stand by him. When everyone else thought he was guilty, she was willing to defend him, and that is true love. Stephen's past and Mary's determination made for an interesting read." - Never Past Hope

Teatime and Books - Excerpt from Never Past Hope

Opening Scene (continued)



Mary Hope’s vision blurred as she slipped into her room. The metallic click of the bolt locking was her signal. Finally, she dropped her pretense, and all her gentle words and kind smiles, those nods and whispered reassurances—lies, every one of them—fell away. She staggered to the wing-backed chair by the fire, collapsing and pulling its woolen coverlet down around her shoulders, then huddling against its cushioned corner.


Sputtering, she tried to control the ache of her shattered heart, but she could not. The saintly lady of means, Miss Mary Hope Adsley, with all her self-assurance and poise, felt as if she was drowning, and she could not imagine how things could improve by morning.

Min Reads and Reviews - Spotlight

Reading On The Edge - Excerpt from Never Past Hope

Stephen’s Reaction to Mary Hope visiting him in prison



Steven worked to stop the coughing as her lingering touch penetrated deep into his soul.


“Mr. Likebridge, you needn’t distress yourself so,” she encouraged. “All will be well.”


A whisper of concern. He noticed it under her gentle words. Of course, she would worry. She was always so sympathetic. But this wretched coughing, he must stop it. What if she took ill?

Locks, Hooks and Books - Reviews

"Starving Hearts is a good beginning to the Triangular Trade Trilogy. I absolutely loved Annette and Peter. The story has some mystery and suspense. I mostly appreciated the historical details and found them to be quite interesting." - Starving Hearts



"I thought this was a pretty good read. I enjoyed Mary and Steven’s story. I had no problems wanting to keep turning the pages to see where they were headed to next." - Never Past Hope

Don't forget to enter the giveaway below, if you haven't already...

Starving Hearts

(Triangular Trade Trilogy #1)

By Janine Mendenhall

Christian Historical Romantic Suspense

Paperback & ebook, 300 Pages

May 16th 2016 by Heritage Beacon Fiction



Carol Award Finalist

Selah Award Finalist



Plagued by nightmares, Annette yearns to find her anonymous rescuer — the man who saved her life from a near deadly assault. Deep inside she is starving for companionship and a mutually respectful relationship. When Mr. Peter Adsley, an abolitionist pastor dealing with his own emotional baggage, agrees to a clandestine meeting, the event appears providential. But self-doubt, deception, and the schemes of a mutual enemy threaten to keep the pair apart. A phantom adversary will stop at nothing to win Annette’s dowry for himself, even if it means killing Peter.



Praise for the Book


"Not only is this a delightful regency romance but it is also suspense filled mystery of the very best kind." - Amazon Review



"The author did a great job, maybe too great a job, describing the slave scenes. Spine tingling and suspenseful. I was biting my nails throughout much of this book." - Amazon Review

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Book Depository

Never Past Hope

(Triangular Trade Trilogy #2)

By Janine Mendenhall

Christian Historical Romantic Suspense

Paperback & ebook, 308 Pages

September 10th 2018 by Heritage Beacon Fiction



Miss Mary Hope Adsley always considered herself to be the sensible one. But now, her sensibilities are unraveling around a man she thought she knew. After he attempted to marry her best friend—for money, no less—authorities charge Sir Steven Likebridge with masquerading as a gentleman and abduction. With his execution days away, Mary Hope desperately seeks to learn the truth about the man she loves.



Will the truth turn out to be worse than his lies?



Praise for the Book

"I thoroughly enjoyed this clean, historical fiction. . . enjoyed most that it is not the usual presentation of a regency novel." - Amazon Review

"A lovely story that shows how despicable each of us can be and yet God not only still loves us, but He was willing to die for us." - Amazon Review

Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Book Depository

About the Author

I love losing myself somewhere in time with Downton Abbey, Pride and Prejudice or a number of other classics like Jane Eyre and Redeeming Love. I cry over most things Nicholas Sparks (because they usually end sadly) and Amazing Grace, both the movie and the hymn, because they lead to the Ultimate happily ever after.

Website│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Pinterest│Instagram

Tour Giveaway

- 1 winner will receive an Emerald Crown (picture is an example, may not be the same crown), Evening Khaki Lace Wrap, and a print copy of Starving Hearts

- US only

- Ends December 19, 2018

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Deck the Halls with Books 2018 Holiday Extravaganza ~ The Christmas Experience - Meredith Manor Hotel by Katherine Moore

You probably don’t have a lot of
time to read around the holidays, but most of these recommendations here are
“short reads” and guaranteed to re-kindle your Christmas spirit if you need a
quick reminder of what the holiday is all about.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

There have been so many
adaptations of Charles Dickens’ classic novella—from  Patrick Stewart’s one-man stage show to the
sweet and funny Muppets version—that you may think you know the story inside
out. But if you’ve never read it, you should. Dickens was a master craftsman
and his handling of characters is superb. Reading the story instead of watching
it is an entirely different experience and one
wealth worth your time.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by
Barbara Robinson

There’s a core of social realism
beneath the rollicking hijinks of this book. When a group of poor kids show up
at church—they’re just there for the snacks—and hear the “Christmas story” for
the first time, they are amazed and thrilled and their sudden zeal to
participate in the annual Christmas pageant throws everything into disarray. In
a good way. Hilarious and heart-warming in equal measure, the short book is
like hot chocolate for the soul.   

Walking Across Egypt by Clyde Edgerton

Seventy-eight-year-old Mattie
Rigsbee bakes the best pound cake around. Self-reliant and proud, she refuses
to succumb to self-pity or relinquish her independence, even though she’s
“starting to lose a step.”  But then she
meets a stray dog and a young delinquent who are both in need of some love and
pound cake and the trio form an unlikely family. If holidays make you lonely,
this book is a gently humorous reminder of the joys to be found in “accidental”
families.

Dewey:
The Small Town Library Cat Who Touched the World by Vicki Myron

Three weeks after Christmas, on a
frigid cold morning, librarian Vicki Myron found a half-frozen orange tabby
kitten in the return book slot of the Spencer Public Library.  At the time, Spencer, Iowa was struggling in
the wake of the recession, with failing farms and massive unemployment. Myron
had turned the library into a resource center for the community and Dewey
became a unifying force and a symbol of hope. This book will make you smile.

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

There’s a Christmas feel to this
book, even if it takes place in the summer. The story begins when an eccentric
millionaire reaches out to a group of strangers and invites them to rent
apartments (and offices and a restaurant) in a building he owns. It’s all part
of a game that will determine who will inherit his vast fortune. What it’s
really about, though, is friendship and love and the heart of the short book is
a relationship between a little girl and a lonely old man.

The Christmas Experience

The Meredith Manor Hotel Series

Book One

Katherine Moore

Genre: Cozy Holiday Romance

Publisher:  Dark Valentine Press

Date of Publication:  November 11, 2017

ASIN:  B074RZ9YQN

Number of pages: 210 

Word Count: 50,860

Cover Artist: Lou Harper/Cover Affairs

Tagline:  Christmas is a state of mind at Meredith Manor Hotel, which explains why everyone’s just a little nuts.

Book Description:

Christmas comes but once a year but this year, Meredith Manor Hotel in scenic Silver Birch, Washington, is celebrating the holiday almost a dozen different ways. Guests can choose their "experience" from a selection of themed celebrations filled with food and drink and love and laughter. (Yes, there are recipes.)

When unemployed accountant Miranda Weston takes a temp job at the hotel her best friend's family owns, she never dreams that her friend's globe-trotting brother will show up to celebrate the holiday and complicate her life. Peter Meredith broke Miranda's heart years ago and it's still a little tender at the broken places. She's not the lovestruck teenager she once was and he's changed too, and as guests come and go and the staff works hard to deliver Christmas magic, the season works a little magic on them as well.

But Miranda's complicated relationship with the man who may just be the love of her life is only one of the storylines playing out among the hotel staff and the guests gathered for the various "Christmas Experiences" offered at the Meredith Manor Hotel.

This is a short, cozy Christmas romance novel for fans of movies like Love, Actually and the books of Katie Flynn, Trisha Ashley, and Cathy Kelly.

The Christmas Experience celebrates love and family, and all the season means.

Amazon

Excerpt:

Amy came by and
refilled our tea and water glasses. Alice polished off the rest of her rice and
noodles. I nudged my bowl of rice closer to her. “You mind?” she asked.

“All yours,” I
said.

I thought about
the hotel as Alice prattled on, filling me in on all the gossip. It was kind of
like listening to a recap of a soap opera, only with more food.

“Nika and Annie
are getting married, and Annie wants to move back to Austin.”

“Seriously?”

“Mom’s frantic
because she hasn’t found anyone to replace Nika.”

“Are they really
going through with the wedding this time?”

Nika was the
hotel’s passionate Hungarian-American pastry chef who notoriously ran hot and
cold with her beloved. An ACF “Pastry Chef of the Year” winner, she wouldn’t
have any trouble finding work in Austin and neither would Annie, who was an
emergency room nurse. They’d both have new jobs before they’d even unpacked.

“Does Annie miss
her family that much?”

“Her dad’s got
some health issues,” Alice said. “And he’s old. I think she wants to stay
close.”

”The thought of
never eating another of Nika’s honey bran muffins makes me sad,” I said.

“Forget bran
muffins,” Alice said. “Her carrot cake is transcendent.”

Nika was going
to make Alice and Lionel’s wedding cake. Alice had known from the start she
wanted carrot cake, but she’d tasted pretty much every cake in Nika’s
repertoire until the chef pointed out if she didn’t make a decision soon, she
was going to have to buy a wedding dress in a larger size.

“Carrot cake
sounds good,” I said.

Alice jumped on
that. “If you have dinner with us tonight there’ll be carrot cake.”

“You’re evil,” I
said.

“No,” she said.
I only use my powers for good.” She signaled for the check as she changed the
subject. “Did I tell you, Mom’s hired Max Hopkirk to do his one-man Christmas
Carol show for the Dickens Experience night?

Max Hopkirk!!

“Squee,” I said.

“I know,” Alice
said, eyes wide.

Max Hopkirk was
pushing sixty, but he still had it going on with his piercing blue eyes and
dramatic mane of silver-gilt hair. He was often praised for his deep and
hypnotic voice, but in one interview he’d given, Max had said he thought he
sounded like Eddie Izzard imitating James Mason playing God. So while he was
reputed to be something of a diva, he at least had a sense of humor.

“Oh yes, he is a
diva,” Alice said when I asked her about that. “He had all kinds of ridiculous
demands. Finally, Mom told his manager to stop being silly, that everyone knew
that Max needed money and it wasn’t as if she was asking him to walk around
naked juggling chainsaws .”

“I’d pay money
to see that,” I said.

“We could post
it on our YouTube channel,” Alice said. “Maybe he could do it for his encore.”

“I’d like to see
his Christmas Carol show,” I said.

Alice started to
smile again. “Staff gets in free,” she said.

“You promise
there’ll be carrot cake tonight?” I finally said because resistance was futile.

“Yay,” Alice
said.

About the Author:

Katherine Moore was born in Washington, D.C., and now lives in the Pacific Northwest in a small town very much like the fictional Silver Birch, Washington where most of her books are set. She has worked as a caterer, a movie extra, a cookbook editor, and a lifestyle reporter for magazines and newspapers in Honolulu, Los Angeles, and Richmond, Virginia.

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/booksbykat



Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Katherine-Moore/e/B074SBVNGR/

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Christmas Countdown 2018 ~ Love on a Limb - Great Expectations Love Stories by Laurie Lewis

Laurie (L.C.) Lewis will always be a Marylander at heart—a weather-whining lover of crabs, American history, and the sea. She admits to being craft-challenged, particularly lethal with a glue gun, and a devotee of sappy movies. Her ninth published novel, her first romance novella, Sweet Water, was inspired by a visit to Oregon’s magnificent coastline, and time spent with Mother Eugenie, upon whom the character Mother Thomasine is based. 

Laurie’s women’s fiction novels include The Dragons of Alsace Farm (2016), Awakening Avery (2010), and Unspoken (2004), written as Laurie Lewis. 

Using the pen name L.C. Lewis, she wrote the five volumes of her award-winning FREE MEN and DREAMERS historical fiction series, set against the backdrop of the War of 1812: Dark Sky at Dawn (2007), Twilight’s Last Gleaming (2008), Dawn’s Early Light (2009), Oh, Say Can You See? (2010), and In God is Our Trust, (2011).

She is currently completing a political suspense novel planned for a summer 2017 release, a re -release of a romantic comedy, and she’s working on another historical fiction novel for a 2018 release. She loves to hear from readers.

~ Facebook ~ Website ~

~ Twitter ~ Instagram ~

~ Goodreads ~

Matthew Grayken is young, successful, and dying, which is why he’s about to propose to a total stranger. He isn’t interested in love. He needs a caregiver, a companion, and someone to be his legal voice when he can no longer speak for himself.

Lonely, compassionate nurse Mikaela Compton is intrigued by Matt Grayken’s tender request, but when their friendly marriage turns into love, she rejects the inevitability of Matt’s death and prays for a miracle instead.

Mikaela succeeds in reigniting Matt’s will to fight, but his body is losing the battle, and her determination to save him causes her to betray the fundamental promise she made him--to help him die peaceably.

Their last hope at saving Matt's life will require a sacrifice from each of them, and force them to decide how far out on a limb they're willing to go for love.

~ Universal Amazon Link ~ 

Snippet:

             "Mikaela swallowed hard, and leaned forward. “So why marry me? Why not just hire me?”

“Because I don’t want to be the pitiful soul with only an attorney, billing hourly, as his voice. I want a wife with the legal power to speak for me when I can’t speak for myself and the personal connection no one else will challenge.”

“Like your parents when they come to take control of your care.”

“As well-intentioned as they’d be, yes. And I trust you.”

“You’d be pitting me against them.” She leaned back, but he was impressed that she wasn’t discounting everything he had said. “No. I would make my wishes clear. You would just enforce them when I no longer can.” He leaned farther forward, to close the distance between them, and looked straight into her eyes. “I know you’re alone, and I know money’s an issue. I can fix that. I have a lovely home that will be yours when I’m gone. And I’ll pay off your debts and provide tuition to medical school. You’ll be a doctor, Mikaela.”

To view our blog schedule and follow along with this tour visit our Part 1 Official Event page 

and

Part 2 Official Event page

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