Showing posts with label New Adult. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Adult. Show all posts

Monday, September 3, 2018

Exclusive Excerpt from TRUTH a new #NA #Romance from Avery Woods!


HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY TO
TRUTH!


Truth
Life of Secrets 2
Publisher: Roane Publishing
Release Date: September 3, 2018

Keywords: Romance, contemporary, new adult, secrets, friendship

Sometimes you shouldn't ask questions you aren't prepared to hear the answers to...


Cori Winters life seems to be going according to the plan. While completing her PhD in Chemistry, Cori is offered a Research Fellowship, by one of the most accomplished Chemists in the Country. In addition, Cori has finally agreed to marry her long term boyfriend, Erik.

Abandoned at a young age, Cori has been told growing up that her biological mother has been MIA due to a severe illness. After a visit with her father, Cori discovers her dad sending a large amount of cash to an unknown woman. Cori decides to take matters into her own hands where she finally seek answers regarding her mother. However, sometimes secrets are better kept hidden.

After a childhood incident ruined any shot of Jesse having a relationship with his parents, he is finally glad to be living on his own, where he isn't constantly reminded of what happened. That is, until his seventeen-year old step sister, Bethany, confides in him that she's pregnant. Jesse vows to help Bethany, but what is the right choice to make when she wants to keep her pregnancy a secret? The truth is bound to come out.

Cori and Jesse grow closer, when Cori's fiancée attends a wedding in Italy. Cori and Jesse relate to one another, when each confides secrets of their own. However, when each reveal their secrets, will the other be able to handle the truth?



~~~oOo~~~

EXCLUSIVE EXCERPT!!

The situation with Bethany was worse than I thought. The last thing I thought she would tell me was that she is pregnant. This is definitely a problem I can't fix for her. Bethany is definitely not ready to be a mom. I grimace reflecting on how the other night went.

"Bethany? Is that you?" I whisper-yell to a black hooded figure sitting on rock. It's dark outside, and I can barely see, so I am hoping it's her.
"Yes, it's me." She turns around, and I can see her blonde hair sticking out under her hood. I sit down next to her on the rock. "What's going on?"
"I screwed up." She says it so quietly I almost don't hear her.
"I know you told me that, but I promise whatever it is we can figure it out. You know you can trust me."
Bethany starts silently crying, and I don't know how to comfort her because she hasn't told me what's going on. "I know I can trust you. I just don't want you to be mad at me."
I sigh. "I could never be mad at you. Have I ever been mad at you?"
Bethany hiccups. "No."
"So why would this time be any different?"
"Because this mistake isn't like all those other times. It's worse."
"Try me."
Bethany uses the arms of her sweatshirt to wipe away her tears. "I'm pregnant."
What? That was not what I was expecting. There is no way. Those were the absolute last words I expected to come out of her mouth.
"How?"
Bethany gives me the 'really?' look.
I shake my head. "I mean I know how, but I thought you weren't sexually active. How do you know for sure that you are pregnant? Did you go to the doctor's? Did you take a test?"
Bethany is silent for a few beats, and I know she is trying to keep her emotions in check. "I took six pregnancy tests and they all came back positive. I used different brands and even took them on different days, but they all came back positive."
"Does your dad or my mom know?"
"That's the problem. I can't tell them. They'll be furious."
"Well you won't be able to hide it from them for that much longer."
Bethany starts crying again. "I know that. Why do you think I am freaking out?"
I realize I am lecturing her like a parent, and I know that's not why she confiding in me. If she wanted a lecture she would have told her dad. However, the disappointment I feel is probably close to how a parent would feel.
Bethany is my step sister. I am nine years older than her, so in some ways I feel I have to look out for her. She is seventeen and still in high school.... 

~~~oOo~~~

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Avery Woods lives in beautiful, but sometimes rainy Vancouver, BC, Canada. In addition to writing, Avery Woods works as a full time Registered Nurse. When she's not writing or working as a nurse you can find her consuming books by the minute. Trust is her first book.

LINKS:



Monday, March 5, 2018

Guest Post: Inspiration behind TRUST by Avery Woods #NewRelease #NALit #Excerpt


HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY TO
TRUST BY AVERY WOODS!


Trust
Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 5, 2018
Publisher: Roane Publishing

Why does society treat you as an outcast when you're single? Is it not bad enough that I have my two best friends pressuring me to date every chance they get. It's probably because I still haven't told them the reason I've avoided dating: The fact that I am HIV positive. It's this dirty little secret I've been keeping to myself for the last two years. I've tried telling my friends and family numerous times, but something always gets in my way. At least that's what I tell myself. Don't worry, I'm ninety percent sure you can find my picture under the word cynical in the dictionary.

Since my ex-boyfriend basically called me a walking disease, I've lost a bit of my self confidence you could say. I mean, how am I suppose to tell my friends and family? I guess writing a letter to my parents won't cut it.

More importantly, how is Travis, the new guy I like going to take the news? He is perfect, and I am far from it. I have to trust him, but trusting someone is easier said than done.

If dealing with HIV wasn't enough, the bombshell my mom decided to invoke on my sister and I sure takes the cake. At least that's what I thought, until I attended Lauren's birthday party. Who knew that would be a night I would never forget.

Who would have thought ripping off a band aid would be the most painful route to take?


PURCHASE LINKS:



~~~oOo~~~

GUEST POST:

Inspiration for Trust

When I am not writing, I work as a Registered Nurse. I'm privileged to work with individuals and families who live and deal with chronic illnesses. Not only does my job involve treating sick individuals, but educating individuals on how to manage chronic illnesses, such as HIV.

In my third year of nursing school, my class was studying communicable diseases. One of the diseases we briefly learned about was HIV. One of my nursing instructors organized for a presenter to come talk to our class about HIV. During this presentation, I was astounded on how much I learned about HIV. I couldn't believe how much research there was on HIV, and how far the medications have come to treat HIV. Although HIV is currently not curable, I was amazed on the advancements regarding limiting the transmission of HIV from person to person. The presentation had greatly altered my perception on HIV.

As a nurse, I work with individuals who are HIV positive. Each individual has their own story of how they contracted HIV, and how the illness affects them on a day to day basis. It's unfortunate, but I find there is a negative stigma associated with HIV. Because of this stigma, I wanted to write about a character who was embarrassed to disclose her HIV status. Having my protagonist have a bad experience disclosing her status with an ex-boyfriend, enhanced her insecurities about telling her friends and family. It was after writing that scene, that I realized, disclosing one's status to another person involves an enormous amount of trust. The approach of how one would disclose their status to a loved one, piqued my curiosity, and I decided to write about it.

HIV is a preventable illness, which assisted me in developing the internal dialogue of my protagonist. Because my character's HIV could have been prevented, it was interesting tackling the guilt my character felt about contracting the illness. I find that understanding one's illness and accepting an illness are two different concepts. My protagonist went back and forth numerous times on how she knew she couldn't 'undo' her illness, yet at the same time she had difficulty accepting her illness. I hope this is a concept that others could relate to.

In nursing school, the idea that an illness is a part of a person, but does not solely identify them, is a theme I tried to relay in the book. I wanted my protagonist to continue on and achieve her goals, as she would have, if she was never diagnosed with HIV. At one point in the book, my protagonist talks about how easy it is to hide her illness, as others couldn't necessarily 'see' her illness. I purposely wrote this to enforce the idea that the HIV is a part of my protagonist, but does not solely represent her. Her one decision does not have to dictate the rest of her life. I included characters in my protagonists life, such as her friends and family, who were supportive of her because I think support is truly important to have. 

~ Avery Woods

~~~oOo~~~


Excerpt:


This isn't good. She knows, damn it. I can't even lie to her and tell her I take the

medications for a different reason. She knows what the medications are for. I completely

forgot I had my medications in my purse when I gave her permission to go in it to grab the

tampon. I mean, I wasn't thinking. I was half asleep.

I don't know what to say. She’s caught me off guard. I stay silent.

"The medications are anti-retroviral medications. They are used to treat HIV."

Cori gasps, completely shocked. Cori looks at me, but I turn my head. I can't look at her. "Do you have HIV?" She asks.

I stand up to clear my plate. I've lost my appetite. What am I supposed to say?

"Those aren't mine."

Brennley stands up. "Hayden, I saw your name on them."

I get defensive. This is my worst case scenario. I wanted to be the one to tell them on my own accord, so Brennley finding out this way? It’s awful.

"Maybe I took them out under my name for someone else, did you ever think of that? Maybe someone who’s ashamed of having to go to the pharmacy to buy them, worried they will be judged? Did you ever think of that?" Okay, that was a horrible lie, but I'm feeling cornered.

Brennley blows out a breath, and scratches her head. "No, I didn't. I wasn't accusing you of anything. I was just stating what I saw."

I'm angry, but only because they found out like this. "Well, don't jump to conclusions."

I look over at Cori and I can see tears forming in her blue eyes. "Hayden, just be honest with us. Whose medications are those?"

I squeeze my eyes shut. I will not cry. "No one's!" I shout.

I look over and see tears now forming in Brennley's eyes. I can't do this. There are too many emotions floating throughout this room. I'm sad, hurt, angry, devastated, frustrated, and feeling very, very guilty.

"They aren't mine," I sob. My shoulders begin to shake. Cori comes over and lifts my hands away from my face and wraps me in a hug.

"Hayden, it's okay if they are yours, just be honest with us. We don't care if they are yours."

You know the feeling you get when you are about to cry and someone asks you if you are alright, and it's them saying that, that makes you ultimately cry? That's what I'm feeling right now. I release Cori's grip on me and gently push her away. I turn and walk to the other side of the kitchen. I turn to face them. I wipe the tears that have spilled down my cheeks. I shake out my hands. My heart is hammering in my chest. My chest feels tight, like an elephant is sitting on it. I feel a bit dizzy, like the room is moving and I'm having trouble seeing straight. I take a deep breath until both of them come back into focus.

I decide it's time for the truth to come out. Although when I tell them I can't look at them. I'm scared to see their reaction.


"Alright, I give up. Those pills are mine." I cry. "Because I am, in fact, HIV positive."



~~~oOo~~~

About the Author:

Avery Woods lives in beautiful, but sometimes rainy Vancouver, BC, Canada. In addition to writing, Avery Woods works as a full time Registered Nurse. When she's not writing or working as a nurse you can find her consuming books by the minute. Trust is her first book.



Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Got a favorite dragon? #Giveaway #TensList by Sheryl Winters #Skydreamer #Dragons #Fantasy

Tour Schedule

I'm thrilled to have my fellow Pen Sister Sheryl Winters here today as part of her Skydreamer blog tour!! My lovely bud is a dragon lover, and with Skydreamer being about dragons...well, I just had to know her top ten favorite dragons / dragon stories.

Be sure to check out the giveaway, & thanks for stopping by!!

~~~oOo~~~

This Tens list was actually hard. I expected to breeze through it but who knew it would be this hard ranking dragon’s I’ve loved for so long.

10.  CANTH: Anne McCaffrey. “Dragonquest.” I loved Canth, I cried when he fell after he tried to go to the Red Star. He was smart, kind and loving. I felt for Fnor but it was Canth I fell in love with.

9. SMAUG. J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.” He was fierce in the book and he scared me in the movie.

8. Hungarian Horntale, from J. K. Rowlings, “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” Nuff said. Viscous.. scary..

7. Falcor from the the never ending Story. I wanted to ride that dragon so bad!!!

6. The Male Dragon. “Reign of fire.” No real name (perhaps he took it with him into death) this dragon was a scary thing to behold even if he was just in a movie.

5. TOOTHLESS “How to Train a dragon.”  Cressida Cowell.   I {{HEART}} TOOTHLESS.

4. Ingeloakastimizilian from the crystal shard. Don’t be put off by the name. Inge.. (as I like to call him) was a fierce fighter but not as good as Wulfgar and Drizzt Do’Urden.
3. Cyan Bloodbane, Dragon Lance. Awesome green dragon. He crept into your dreams.. and then he scared you to death.
2. Gleep from “Hit or Myth.” Sure he was a small dragon and often mascaraed as a War Unicorn, but then again, who hasn’t?

1. Draven Winterbourn. “Skydreamer” The thoughtful, smart, kind and occasionally temper provoked King of the Dragon-Changers. Sure he can change from Dragon to Human. Sure he’s in love with his wife but you want to know what I really love about him? He defends his own, always.

Check out the goods...



Skydreamer

Author:  Sheryl Winters
Publisher:  Roane Publishing
Release Date:  March 30, 2015
Keywords:  New Adult, Urban Fantasy, Romance, Dragons, Twins

For fire talent, Jaden Zarie, life is far from a fairy tale. Blisters from any contact with water, check. Sleeping in a shed behind your greedy Uncle's house, check. Ex-boyfriend scouting the bar where you work for one-night stands every night, double check.

When Jaden sets off to secure a new life with her two sisters, winning a contest with a huge pile of gold on the line seems like a quick fix. Getting hitched to Draven Winterbourne, King of the Dragon-changers, and finding true love, was beyond anything she could have hoped for.

But a friend turned enemy threatens to take it all away. Jaden is thrust into an alternate universe and separated from her new husband and her sisters, she must summon up the courage to start over, alone, knowing she may never see any of them again.

Purchase Links:




About Sheryl Winters

I never set out to be an author. Only a story teller. Some days I succeed better than others. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

FREEDOM To Read #Giveaway Hop: Perry Road by @emijgayle #Dystopian #YAlit #NA



Without freedom, life isn't worth living.


That is why for my part in this year's Freedom to Read hop, I'm offering up a NA / YA novel that really hit home for me last year. 

Perry Road is the first in Emi Gayle's Revoltion Series and this story truly has the power to begin a revolution.

Check out the goods...



Perry Road
Revolution Series
Release Date: September 3, 2013
Target Reader: New Adult/Young Adult
Keywords: young adult, 2132, pawn, Dystopian, New Adult, bucket list, believe, citizens, national registration program, future, candidates, Revolution, oblivious, adult-classification, American Union, history


Description
In 2132, “We the people …” means nothing, and it hasn’t for a hundred years.
Like all the citizens of the American Union, eighteen-year-old Erianna Keating is not to ask questions. She is not to believe anything except what the A.U. tells her. More importantly, she’s not supposed to know what she doesn’t know, nor that she’s a pawn.
Like everyone else, though, she is, and like everyone else, she is a hundred percent oblivious to what’s going on.
Or is she? Are they?
Erianna thinks going to Perry Road and joining the national registration program is her next step toward adulthood; the 2132 candidates for adult-classification, though, are in for a big surprise. Especially Erianna.
Thanks to Zane Warren, an awkward but hot guy who won’t shut up about a history that doesn’t—or shouldn’t—matter anymore, Erianna will know. Will learn. That includes finding out what actually happens after registration and doing something, anything, about it.
Fixing what went wrong, what caused the U.S.A. to split into two countries, though, is not on Erianna’s bucket list, but as she faces her future, she must decide whether to fall in line with the American Union’s plan for her, or to consider that Zane might not be wrong, and the time for revolution begins now.
Reviews

“This one, by far, is Emi’s best. Of anything she’s written.”
— Julie Reece, author, Crux

“I really hope [this] stirs up controversy and changes some youngsters thinking. God knows we could use that today in this society!”
— Terri Rochenski, author, Eye of the Soul

“… this was a total pleasure to read.”
— Kelly Said, author, Tidal Whispers & Make Believe

“… [this] will inspire an extreme diversity of opinion. It kept me involved and interested throughout, and I love novels that make me question my current understanding/viewpoint on life.”
— Amaleen Ison, author, Remember Me


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Check out the purdy!! Old Flame by Annabelle Blume @RoanePublishing


To me, this cover speaks volumes - in a silly kinda way. I must admit that I'm guilty of this very thing (minus the binoculars, that is.)



Old Flame
The Hearts Aflame Files
Publisher: Roane Publishing
New Adult, Contemporary, Sweet, Romance, Novella


Hannah Sullivan has spent the past three months stalking her ex-boyfriend, lurking in the bushes and hiding behind fake social media personas, convinced she can eventually rekindle the love they once shared. But when she meets Marc, who is everything James never wanted to be and more, she begins to wonder if she’s got it all wrong. Hannah must come to terms with her own demons before she can decipher between her delusional mission the man of her dreams.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Ever do anything like that? *snicker*
Whatcha think of the purdy?





A little birdie told me Roane Publishing is looking for tour hosts for Ms. Blume blog tour taking place Jan 15-30. If you're interested, click on that image!

Monday, November 4, 2013

Cain's Story - FINALLY! Four Seconds To Lose by K.A. Tucker #NAlit


Man, was I ever thrilled to hear about this book! Cannot WAIT to get my hands on it!
What's it all about?? Read on!



Click on image to add on Goodreads
Ten Tiny Breaths #3
NA / Contemporary Romance

Owning a strip club isn’t the fantasy most guys expect it to be. With long hours, a staff with enough issues to keep a psych ward in business, and the police regularly on his case, twenty-nine year old Cain is starting to second guess his unspoken mission to save the women he employs. And then blond, brown-eyed Charlie Rourke walks through his door, and things get really complicated. Cain abides by a strict “no sleeping with the staff” rule. But being around Charlie challenges Cain’s self-control…and it’s been a long time since any woman has done that.

Twenty-two-year old Charlie Rourke needs a lot of money, really fast, in order to vanish before it’s too late. Taking her clothes off for men makes her stomach curl but Charlie tells herself that at least she’s putting her acting and dancing skills to good use. And though her fellow dancers seem eager to nab their sexy, sophisticated, and genuinely caring boss, she’s not interested. After all, Charlie Rourke doesn’t really exist—and the girl pretending to be her doesn’t need to complicate her life with romance.

Unfortunately, Charlie soon discovers that developing feelings for Cain is inevitable, that those feelings may not be unrequited—but losing him when he finds out what she’s involved with will be more painful than any other sentence awaiting her.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


About K.A. Tucker

Born in small-town Ontario, Kathleen published her first book at the age of six with the help of her elementary school librarian and a box of crayons. She is a voracious reader and the farthest thing from a genre-snob, loving everything from High Fantasy to Chick Lit. Kathleen currently resides in a quaint small town outside of Toronto with her husband, two beautiful girls, and an exhausting brood of four-legged creatures.




Links:


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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Perry Road is going to bring about REVOLUTION! #NA #Dystopian


Perry Road is Now Available!
Release News! Perry Road, the first in the Revolution Series, by Emi Gayle released September 3, 2013



Perry Road
Revolution Series
by Emi Gayle
Release Date: September 3, 2013
Target Reader: New Adult/Young Adult
Keywords: Dystopian
Paperback, EPUB, Kindle

Description
In 2132, “We the people …” means nothing, and it hasn’t for a hundred years.

Like all the citizens of the American Union, eighteen-year-old Erianna Keating is not to ask questions. She is not to believe anything except what the A.U. tells her. More importantly, she’s not supposed to know what she doesn’t know, nor that she’s a pawn.

Like everyone else, though, she is, and like everyone else, she is a hundred percent oblivious to what’s going on.

Or is she? Are they?

Erianna thinks going to Perry Road and joining the national registration program is her next step toward adulthood; the 2132 candidates for adult-classification, though, are in for a big surprise. Especially Erianna.

Thanks to Zane Warren, an awkward but hot guy who won’t shut up about a history that doesn’t—or shouldn’t—matter anymore, Erianna will know. Will learn. That includes finding out what actually happens after registration and doing something, anything, about it.

Fixing what went wrong, what caused the U.S.A. to split into two countries, though, is not on Erianna’s bucket list, but as she faces her future, she must decide whether to fall in line with the American Union’s plan for her, or to consider that Zane might not be wrong, and the time for revolution begins now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Reviews!

What are people already saying about Perry Road?

“This one, by far, is Emi’s best. Of anything she’s written.”
— Julie Reece, author, Crux

“I really hope [this] stirs up controversy and changes some youngsters thinking. God knows we could use that today in this society!”
— Terri Rochenski, author, Eye of the Soul

“… this was a total pleasure to read.”
— Kelly Said, author, Tidal Whispers & Make Believe

“… [this] will inspire an extreme diversity of opinion. It kept me involved and interested throughout, and I love novels that make me question my current understanding/viewpoint on life.”
— Amaleen Ison, author, Remember Me


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


About the Author

I had a really great bio in my head around midnight one night …. right before I fell asleep and it disappeared into the nothingness of unconsciousness. Bummer. So here’s something less well thought out.

I want to be young again, so I’m kinda sorta living it again. At least on paper. You see, I write paranormal romance. Now, that stuff can get really hot, and really gritty and well … mine does. But! My characters are teenagers, 18 and under. Like I was once … and want to be again.

Why would I want to be a teenager again? Geez. Because! If you met the man of your dreams at 14 was engaged to him at 19 and married him at 20, wouldn’t YOU want to do all that over again? Especially if you were still in love with him? I mean, c’mon! It’s love! That’s why I write, too.

You see… just because you pass a certain age doesn’t mean you forget what it was like to be 14, 15, etc. Actually, because I kinda grew up with my husband, we both still feel like the 14 and 17 year old kids we once were. So that’s where I’m coming from. You might think it’s totally lame, but you know what? That’s ok! Maybe you’ll like my other me instead. ;)



Excerpt


Which I could be. Don’t want to be. Really, really, really don’t, and staring at Cam in her new clothes without holes, her clean hair cut by a professional and the fact that she’s my friend reminds me why: Flukes are poor. I should know. My mom is one.

The animation keeps going as if it’s really trying for me—not that it can. I drop my P-Comm to my leg just as dark words appear on screen. My heart picks up speed, and a tingly tension takes over.

“Well?” Cam asks.

For some reason, I don’t want her to know. I want to find out by myself if I’m going to get a real life, or if I’m destined to wear hand-me-downs from twenty years ago until I’m ninety. I want to prepare, to plan, to cry if we don’t get to go together, or if I’m not like her.

I’m not, of course—in any way like her. Who am I kidding?

After what seems like hours, but is only seconds, I say, “Nothing.”

“Damn.” She throws her arms up in the air. “Figures. And it’s almost five. So, you know, I gotta go. Mom’s sure I’m going to be chosen to pop out babies, like she is, so she wants to make sure I know how to cook before the fake chefs get ahold of me to ‘teach’ me.” Cam gives me a dramatic eye roll and places a hand to her forehead. “Like, oh, my Oz, Eri, you know? We have people to cook for us for a reason. Duh! If I learn to cook, what job am I going to give someone like your mom, you know? And why would I get picked to be fat and ugly when I look like this?” She bats at her blonde curls.

Wanting to change the subject—to anything but the woes of Cam’s perfect life—I walk to her, give her a hug and a quick pat on the back. “I’ll … call you when I get it, ‘kay?”

“You better. We only have two days to shop for the perfect outfit. Why couldn’t your birthday be October twenty-ninth instead of December?” She snatches up her coat—preparation for the winter blast that will tear into uncovered skin. “And … you’re not a fluke. You will get in the white house, and when January first comes, we’ll be official!” She boogies her way out, hips wiggling. For someone who’s not happy about the prospect of becoming a baby factory, she’s awfully chipper.

I know it’s because she’s waiting to hear my fate. To prove I’m not a fluke. To validate my relevance as her friend—the one girl Cam can give backhanded compliments, and, for that matter, insults all day long, and still walk back in with a smile as if nothing happened.

Cam walks through the hallway and says goodbye to my mom who’s probably still working at her makeshift office in our miniature kitchen—trying, I assume, to avoid the whole days’ events. As much as Cam wants me to not be a fluke, my mom wants me to be one. If I’m like her, nothing will change. Like Cam, I’ll be the same old Erianna, just one day older and as useless as all the other flukes in the world.

The front door opens and closes, and I move to the window. Once Cam disappears from view, and only then, I turn over my P-Comm and touch the one message that sits inside.

The one that says: “Invitation for Erianna Price Keating.”


Giveaway!

Running from September 2 – October 10, with a plethora of prizes! Or, if you just can’t wait, below, you can buy it now for just $2.99!


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