Review: Beautiful Bride by Tammy Falkner- The Reed Brothers Series- Book 5.6

Posted on 09/18/2014 by shellbellereads

Beautiful Bride

The REED BROTHERS Series

Book 5.6

By Tammy Falkner

Synopsis

Visit with:

Logan, Emily, and Kit

Pete and Reagan

Matt, Sky, Seth, Joey, Mellie, Hoppy and Matty

Paul, Friday, Hayley,

and PJ and Sam

The whole family is hanging out at the beach for a special event, and would love for you to come and join them. There might even be a wedding!

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Michel’s Review

Beautiful Bride is the next novella in the Reed Brothers series by Tammy Falkner. It is the other side of the last novella, Only One, that was released in August. This is from the Reed family POV.

Pete and Reagan gave up their wedding so that Carrie’s parents could get remarried before Carrie’s mother passed away from Cancer. Pete and Reagan, as well as the Reed family embraced their new neighbors and helped make their lives happier.

Pete and Reagan are going to do an impromptu wedding before they leave the beach. They want to do it before Sam has to leave to go back to school. When Reagan starts acting a little off , Pete begins to worry. He’s afraid she may be having second thoughts or that she may not want a family like he does.

This is another entertaining and powerful novella. Not only do we get an emotional moment in Pete and Reagan’s life, we also get snippets of the lives of the other Reed Brothers families and friends.

The Reed family is amazing. The love, support, compassion, and unification this family has is incredible. Each of the characters have very real personalities and very real flaws. They love fiercely and show it in many ways. They are dedicated to their family and friends.

I loved this novella. I will say that it left on a very disturbing cliffhanger concerning Sam.

Zip, Zero, Zilch is Sam’s upcoming book . It will be released in December.

Pre- Order: Amazon / ITunes

About Tammy Falkner:

Tammy Falkner lives on a farm in a lovely, sprawling little town in rural NC with her beekeeper husband and a house full of boys, a few dogs, and a cat or two (or five – who has time to count?). As half of the Lydia Dare team, she has co-written ten books, including the Westfield Wolves series and the Gentlemen Vampyre series. A huge fan of Regency England, she wrote three books for Sourcebooks as Tammy Falkner, featuring Regency Faeries, and just began her first New Adult adult series.

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Review: One More Chance by Abbi Glines- Rosemary Beach Series- Chance #2

Posted on 09/18/2014 by shellbellereads

One More Chance

Rosemary Beach Series

Chance #2

By Abbi Glines

Synopsis

Grant Carter did everything in his power to convince Harlow Manning that he was a good guy. More than a smooth-talker and someone she could trust. He had to overcome his reputation as a playboy, and his history with Harlow’s half-sister, Nan, a woman with a reputation of her own.

Harlow had taken the chance, falling hard and fast for the guy who thrilled her with his all-consuming desire. After a lifetime of avoiding bad boys like Grant, she had opened herself to the possibilities of love…

But a life-changing secret has torn them apart, and now Grant and Harlow must decide if they have enough fight to make it work – or if the pain of betrayal has permanently destroyed their future.

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Michel’s Review

The Rosemary Beach gang is back in Abbi Glines latest release of One More Chance. It is the sequel to Take A Chance and features Grant Carter and Harlow Manning.

Readers were left with a cliffhanger in Take A Chance. Grant and Harlow had finally come together and developed a heated relationship. Grant’s insecurities and fears about death and losing someone he loves destroyed their relationship and drove Harlow away. We were left with this couple separated and very little chance of reconciliation. Readers were devastated and left wanting this couple to resolve their issues.

One More Chance is the perfect title for the sequel of Take A Chance. The book opens with Grant groveling through phone messages. Harlow has disappeared from Rosemary Beach and Grant wants to make amends and fix his mistakes.

Harlow had to escape Rosemary Beach and the paparazzi. It is no longer a secret that she is rocker Kiro Manning’s daughter. She is heartbroken. She also has a secret that Grant will never accept. She is pregnant. With her heart condition this pregnancy could kill her. She is afraid to tell Grant because of his fears. She knows he will not want her to have this baby. She is determined to give this baby life, even at the cost of her own.

Surprisingly Grant grew the backbone and strength he needed to support Harlow. Although he did not want her to have this baby, he overcame his fears and came to terms with fatherhood. The care and devotion he gave Harlow was breathtaking. He became the man that readers wanted him to be.

Harlow and Grant’s new life together is not easy. They are having to deal with Harlow’s health issues, her pregnancy, blending their lives together, the paparazzi, Kiro Manning and his issues, and the people from Rosemary Beach. This couple pulls together and shows the readers how amazing their love for one another is. They are ready to show their baby the love they have built together. They are going to be the perfect family. That is if Harlow survives.

Grant and Harlow are facing the hardest challenge two lovers will ever face. They are both strong people and have built a very strong foundation.

I absolutely loved the conclusion to Grant and Harlow’s story. Through the phone messages and letters, Abbi Glines delivered a story that will engage all of your emotions. Not only did we see a beautiful romance grow into a strong lifetime love. We witnessed the growth of these two characters as individuals as well as a couple. Through their phone messages and letters we got to get inside their hearts.

I loved that we got to see the strength and support from the gang in Rosemary Beach. Even Nan gave us some big surprises. New characters were introduced into their world. We also got a little build up of what is to come next in the Rosemary Beach series.

I absolutely love the Rosemary Beach series and cannot wait for more. Tripp and Bethy are going to steal our hearts just like their friends have.

I highly recommend One More Chance and the Rosemary Beach Series by Abbi Glines.

Author Bio:

Since publishing her first novel Breathe in May of 2011, Abbi has also released The New York Times bestselling Seabreeze Series which includes Breathe, Because of Low, While It Lasts, Just For Now and Sometimes It Last, The Existence Trilogy that includes the USA Today Bestseller Ceaseless. New York Times and USA TODAY bestsellers The Vincent Boys and The Vincent Brothers. Last but not least her most popular series to date, Rosemary Beach which includes The New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestsellers Fallen Too Far, Never Too Far, Forever Too Far, Twisted Perfection and Simple Perfection. Her newest book scheduled to be released on December 17th, 2013 is Misbehaving (Seabreeze).

When Abbi isn’t locked away in her office typing away she is hauling her kids to and from their many social activities. You could say her second job is the Glines Kids personal chauffeur. It’s a rather illustrious job.

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Review: Jag by Stevie J. Cole- Pandemic Sorrow Series- Book 1

Posted on 09/18/2014 by shellbellereads

Jag

Pandemic Sorrow Series- Book 1

By Stevie J. Cole

Synopsis

WARNING: This novel contains explicit language, sexual situations, and is the story of an addict. This material is intended for a mature audience.

“My name’s Jag Steele. I’m the lead singer and guitarist to the band Pandemic Sorrow, and I have a drug problem. Well, I mean it’s not really a problem – unless you count the fact that I almost made my heart explode from all the blow I shoved up my nose a few weeks back…”

That was my introduction during my first stint in rehab. I’m messed up. If you asked anybody who I am there’s a list they will go down: Famous, rock star, legend, drug addict, womanizing man-whore, but if you asked me, I wouldn’t have the first idea of what to say, because I don’t know who Jag Steele is. Really, I’m living every other damn person’s dream, and all I want is reality.

Roxy Slade, that girl was my reality. My brutally flawed and beautifully broken reality. And she hated everything I stood for. To her I was just one of “those guys”, and she’d rather be buried alive with poisonous snakes than give someone like me a piece of toilet paper to wipe their ass with. Brutal. Life. Is. Brutal. And it is just a giant pain, which is why I chase after anything to make it numb, anything that can fill this void. I just want anything that can make me not feel. I just don’t want to feel.

Buy: Amazon

Lis’ Review

“I was too weak for fame, but she didn’t care. She broke me, and I tried to let drugs mend me…. I like to think of fame as a metamorphosis. You get all wrapped up in it, almost like a cocoon… I had no idea how to handle fame, so, unfortunately, fame handled me.”

Jag Steele is a rock god.. just ask him. He’s the lead singer of Pandemic Sorrow, he’s got more money, fame, and females than anyone should have, and he thinks he’s invincible. You want to cheer for him when you meet him at the beginning of the book. He’s just come out of rehab and he’s feeling pretty damn good about himself. Sure, rehab was a breeze and life is still his oyster. He’s not an addict, he’s the king of the rock world. So what’s a little snort, one more drink, he’s been “cured” hasn’t he? We go with him to his first real interview after rehab, where simple questions are so damn difficult to answer that he starts to fall apart, and we see the tip of the iceberg that is Jag Steele. Through this book, we live his life as he does, desperately seeking that one thing that will make it all worthwhile.

This book is not the sugar-coated version of life as a rock star that seems to be the norm in books. Stevie J. Cole has written a gritty story, complete with characters you actually hate. The way she paints the scenes, you are as excited as those four young men were when they got the record contract; you are as desperate as the band manager who forces drugs on his musicians to keep the money coming in; you are as bitchy and self-serving as Jag’s former girlfriends who each chip away at his very soul in order to make themselves important. And finally, you rejoice with Jag when he finds the one female who says no, the one who says she doesn’t want him yet needs him to mend her shattered soul as much as he needs her to do the same.

Roxy has her own demons, her own issues, and while she starts out as kind of a cliché, the challenge that Jag can’t resist, you just know that Ms. Cole is not going to wrap this all up in a big pink bow with happily ever after. Her suffering is just as real as his, her issues just as serious and her coping mechanism just as destructive. Both of them are like two lost children in adult bodies, trying desperately to deal with the world until they literally crash into each other. What attracts them to each other is the exact thing that tears them apart… the inability to deal with their feelings.
“Everybody’s broken, chipped, damaged, and we just have to find the one person that can accept our flaws and love them… Sometimes it takes loss to make people realize how big of a mess they are without someone.” As Jag experiences love for the first time, as Roxy allows her hard shell to crack, betrayal shatters everything. Ms. Cole doesn’t shy away from the ugly side of addiction so you never really know what to expect with the story of Jag and Roxy until the very end. As a reader I laughed, cried, cursed, loved and hated through this book. And yes, even felt the numbness of Jag’s life, all through the exquisitely crafted word pictures the author gave me. I felt it all, right along with the characters, every outrageous high and screaming low. I cheered and cried and in the end I would read it all over again just to be able to say Yeah, Jag Steele always keeps his promises.

Author Bio:

I have been a fallen angel, a vampire, a confused twenty-something year old struggling through a crappy job, a jealous and deranged x-lover of a damned soul, and currently I’m an internationally sought after rock star with a slight addiction problem. All thanks to the characters I have written.

I enjoy the escape writing allows, and fully enjoy weaving a tale and creating crazy characters. When I’m not writing I am cuddling with my two sweet little girls and listening to my husband play his guitar (swoon). Some trivial fact about me would be: I love the color pink, I adore sloths, and I have a thing for British accents. My biggest fear is completely irrational, but I can’t help it. The thought of the pending zombie apocalypse absolutely creeps me out.I honestly can not imagine a more horrifying way to be blotted out of existence than by the hand of a decaying, oozing corpse with festering gums and clicking teeth. Ugh. That just gave me chills.

I hope if you read my books you will enjoy them and will be sucked into the little world I have created with words. After all, writing is the most amazing magic trick in the universe because it allows the reader to crawl inside the mind of the author. If you really think about that … it’s kind of disturbing.

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Release Day Blitz + Review + Giveaway: The Certainty of Violet & Luke- The Coincidence Series- Book 5

Posted on 09/16/2014 by shellbellereads

The Certainty of Violet & Luke

The Coincidence Series – Book 5

Book 3 of Violet & Luke saga

By Jessica Sorensen

Synopsis

Violet Hayes’s life is a mess. Between her stalker, Preston, refusing to leave her alone, her parents’ case still being unsolved, and falling behind in school, she always feels on the verge of losing it. When some unexpected news comes her way, it’s the final straw and she ends up doing something that almost costs her life. Thankfully, she survives and makes a promise to herself to put her life back together and to try and figure out exactly how she feels about Luke Price, the one person that’s always there for her.

But as a recovering alcoholic and gambler, Luke has his own struggles to overcome. He’s also fallen in love with Violet, but fears telling her the truth, that it will scare her away or worse, she won’t reciprocate the feeling. Plus, there never seems to be a right time to say it, either the case, Preston, or life getting in the way.

Can the two of them ever get enough peace in their lives to conquer their fears and finally tell each other the truth about how they feel?

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Excerpt

“I do trust you. Too much,” I whisper, shutting my eyes. “You could crush my heart if you wanted to.” The silence that follows is maddening.

Did I just say that out loud?

One…

Two…

Three…

Time feels endless as I wait for what comes next. I hear him shift on the seat, feeling him scoot closer

“Violet, open your eyes.” His breath dusts my cheeks.

I swiftly shake my head, smashing my lips together. “I can’t.” But I find myself opening my eyes anyway and he’s so close, only inches away from me.

“I would never ever hurt you,” he promises, his hand gently cupping the back of my neck, fingers spreading across my skin. His touch sends a shot of tingles across my flesh and causes me to shiver as he guides me toward his lips. But I’m already leaning in, an invisible current pulling me toward him, like two magnets about to collide.

When we do crash into one another, it’s dangerously intoxicating, steals the air from my lungs, and sends my heart slamming in my chest. I’m already falling again to that place where I feel helpless yet safe. Emotions press their way to the surface, this time too strong to ignore. It hits me like lightning, an electric current surging through my body, overwhelming heat that both brings me alive and kills me at the same time.

I think it’s then that I know what I’m feeling. The thing I’ve been trying to avoid for days now, and I’m both terrified out of my mind yet alarmingly at peace.

The Coincidence Series Reading Order

1. The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden

Amazon/ Barnes and Noble / ITunes

2. The Redemption of Callie and Kayden

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

3. The Destiny of Violet & Luke

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

4. The Probability of Violet & Luke

Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

5. The Certainty of Violet & Luke

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6. The Resolution of Callie and Kayden

Pre-Order- Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

7. Unbeautiful

Pre- Order – Amazon

8. Seth and Greyson

Pre-Order – Amazon

Michel’s Review

The Destiny of Violet & Luke

The Destiny of Violet & Luke is the first installment in Violet Hayes and Luke Price’s story. It can be read without reading the first two books in The Coincidence series. The previous books feature Callie and Kayden. There will be three books in the story of Violet and Luke.

The Destiny of Violet & Luke introduces the reader’s to the characters. We get a glimpse of their horrific childhoods, the scars the childhood left in their souls, and a full understanding of their destructive behaviors. Both came from completely different backgrounds with their own personal hells. Both have adopted destructive behaviors as coping mechanisms to get them through the pain and memories of the past. These destructive behaviors are escalating to the point of pure destruction. They are taking over what little control they have in their lives. They are the path that could very well lead to death. But destiny may have something different in mind for these two besides pain and death. Destiny may tie them together by one horrific night but it has also lead to find one another to ease their pain.

Luke Price has suffered an abusive childhood at the hands of his insane, drug addicted mother. His mother has abused him and his sister. The abuse eventually led to the suicide of his older sister and for Luke to turn to destructive ways to cope. He is closed off and has never shared his abusive past. His best friend Kayden has no idea of the horrors he has been subjected to. For Luke, fighting, gambling, alcohol, and women are his coping mechanisms. He is known as the elusive party jock on campus.

Violet Hayes witnessed her parents murder when she was five years old. The murders were never found. She has been shifted from one foster home to another. She has been rejected, abused, and neglected throughout her life. Her coping mechanism is danger and the adrenaline it brings. She is constantly flirting with death. She is closed off, extremely bitchy, and appears to be the campus slut. She is dealing drugs for her foster father. She is getting closer to the edge.

One fateful night brings Violet to Luke’s attention. She is jumping out of a window and literally lands on top of him. His sister committed suicide by jumping out a window. For some reason he wants to know why Violet, Callie’s dorm roommate, would be doing this. As he gets to know Violet and destiny throws them together several times, he realizes that he may have met a kindred spirit.

As the two get to know one another they find that they both need a place to stay for the summer. Neither can go home to their crappy families. They end up becoming roommates with Luke’s gay friends, Seth and Greyson. This odd group finds a way to not only live together but become friends that have each other’s backs.

The Destiny of Violet and Luke ends on a cliffhanger. Both are heading towards the worst kind of destructive that they will not be able to turn back from.

The Destiny of Violet & Luke gave a great introduction to this mysterious set of characters. Not only did we get to know these two troubled people, we also got to meet their friends (their books will be coming soon). This series has a great cast of characters that have their own personal demons to conquer. They come from different walks of life, have different responses to life in general, and capture the readers attention.

I highly recommend the The Coincidence Series by Jessica Sorensen.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

The Probability of Violet & Luke

Destiny has thrown Luke and Violet together once again. After Violet and Luke made the connection that his mother was involved in the murder of her parents, they went their separate ways. Violet couldn’t handle the pain and returned to her drug dealing foster father. It was the ultimate mistake and she realizes that she may have acted too compulsively. Her foster father wants more from her than dealing drugs for him. He is forcing her to do sexual things in order to keep a roof over her head. His abuse has also become violent. He manipulates Violet’s fear of being alone and fear of rejection. It reaches a point where Violet knows she has made a horrible mistake leaving Luke and returning home. She misses Luke fiercely. He had a way of making her feel safe, wanted, and understood. She was beginning to share her past and look to the future with Luke.

Luke was devastated when Violet left. He became very reckless with his drinking and gambling. He is pushing his own hard limits. When his gambling gets him into deep trouble, Violet is there to witness it. She is determined to help him out of his mess. They go to Vegas to see Luke’s card shark Uncle to get the money Luke owes. But trouble seems to follow them wherever they go. They are learning their past coping mechanisms are no longer working.

When the Vegas trip turns into a complete disaster, Luke has no other choice but to call his father. The man he hates because he deserted him and left him with his mother. The man he will have to learn to trust in order to survive his mistakes.

While Luke is coming to terms with his gambling, drinking, and father, Violet’s troubles are escalating. Her parents murder case is back in the media, she is being threatened by an unknown stalker that was involved in her parents murder, and her coping mechanisms are no longer working.

Violet and Luke have finally established a real relationship. They have learned that they need each other in a way they never thought was possible. They are connected to each other by choice as well as destiny.

Can they survive the storm ahead?

This installment to Violet and Luke’s story reveals some of the mystery behind Violet’s parents murder. It also opens Luke’s eyes to the destructive path his life has been on. He wants to become a better person for Violet. He wants to be the one who is strong and there for her no matter what. He has realized that he is in love with her and wants her happiness no matter what. It is an intense story that shows how these two damaged people can find solace in each other. They can find their inner peace together. They can look at past relationships and mistakes in a whole new light.

I highly recommend the Coincidence series. You must read The Destiny of Violet and Luke before reading The Probability of Violet & Luke. Their story is dark and powerful. They have led a very stormy existence and survived. Now they have to reach for the rainbow.

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The Certainty of Violet & Luke

Wow! The conclusion of Violet and Luke’s story has finally released. The Certainty of Violet & Luke finally brought the peace and closure both of them needed in their lives. It gave them an understanding of why their destructive behaviors where not the answer and why they would no longer work. This book made them realize they needed something more than their relationship as it was. They needed to learn to reach out and trust other people. They needed to understand the importance of having any kind of relationship whether it be a romantic relationship, a friendship, a family relationship, or an outside relationship dealing with their lives. Most of all they needed to recognize that only they could fix their own problems. They had to take the helping hands that were offered. They had to open themselves up to others. Once they did that, their own relationship would grow by leaps and bounds. They would have the love and security they always needed.

The Certainty of Violet & Luke was a powerful book about healing, closure, letting go of the past, and moving forward in life with a positive outlook. It was their destiny to be together and find the love they needed.

I highly recommend The Coincidence Series. The Destiny of Violet and Luke and The Probability of Violet and Luke must be read before reading The Certainty of Violet Luke.

Violet and Luke were strong characters that captured the readers attention. The other characters in this series are just as captivating as Violet and Luke. Each of these characters is being featured in this series. I am looking forward to seeing their stories come to life.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Jessica Sorensen, lives in the snowy mountains of Wyoming. When she’s not writing, she spends her time reading and hanging out with her family.

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Review: Saddles and Sins by Jesse Evans

Posted on 09/16/2014 by shellbellereads

Saddles and Sins

Lonesome Point Series- Book 2

By Jessie Evans

Synopsis

A sinfully sexy romance from New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Jessie Evans.

Even sweet cowboys have a sinful side…

Robert Lawson–Bubba to his friends–is six feet, four inches of tall, dark, and handsome cowboy, with a panty-melting voice and a face made to launch a country music career. But when his family’s ranch hands go down with the flu, Robert cancels his high-profile auditions in Austin, and returns home to Lonesome Point to help out. Fortune and fame are all well and good, but family and friends come first. Besides, he’s ready to enjoy some off-the-clock time with his manager, a woman who has him dying to show her what a good man can do to a woman when he’s given permission to be bad.

Marisol Medina has been looking for her golden ticket since she became a country music manager. A scandal with one of her clients nearly destroyed her, but now she’s close to launching an artist who will make her career. Robert Lawson has it all–talent, charisma, and a naughty side that flicks all of Marisol’s kinkier switches. But Robert is off limits. She refuses to mix business and pleasure, even if it will be hell resisting temptation while spending a week at the Lawson family ranch, doing her best to convince Robert to ditch the saddle and embrace his future as a star.

But as Marisol and Robert grow closer and the passion between them ignites, Marisol must decide if fear is stronger than love, or if a chance at forever is worth breaking all her rules.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Tracey’s Review

Life is about to change for Robert ‘Bubba’ Lawson in a very big way. The success he’s long dreamed of is on the horizon, and there is no one he’d rather share it with than Marisol Medina. Marisol, Bubba’s manager, is a real pepper pot, a go-getter with a feisty attitude and the drive to help Bubba break into the country music scene. She also happens to drive him wild, and the feeling is very mutual.

I cannot even put into words the love that I feel for Robert ‘Bubba’ Lawson. Jessie Evans has written a sweet and sexy cowboy that, if possible, is even hotter than all of her previous men, and that’s saying quite a lot! I mean, swoon city. Not only is Bubba an awesome friend, as he showed us in ‘Leather and Lace’ (Lonesome Point Book 1), he is also a genuinely nice guy. Did I mention that he’s panty-meltingly hot? And talented? And smart? And quite possibly the most fabulous boyfriend ever?

I picked up this book and, as with all of Jessie’s books, could NOT put it down. Once I really met Bubba, there was nothing to do but hang on for the ride as he swept Marisol off her feet and broke down every wall that she tried to put up. He is not afraid to lay everything out there, and to make Marisol’s not-so-vanilla fantasies a reality. For real, where can I get my own Bubba? I’m afraid that Jessie may have spoiled me for other book boyfriends…I obviously cannot say enough about how much I loved Saddles and Sins, and I absolutely cannot wait for Tulsi’s and Pike’s story in Diamonds and Dust.

The Lonesome Point, Texas series. Hot Texas days, hotter Texas nights:

LEATHER AND LACE

SADDLES AND SIN

DIAMONDS AND DUST

GLITTER AND GRIT

About the Author

Jessie Evans gave up a career as an international woman of mystery to write the sassy, Southern romances, and sexy, New Adult romances she loves to read.

She’s married to the man of her dreams, and together they’re raising a few adorable, mischievous children in a tree house in the boonies. She grew up in rural Arkansas, spending summers running wild, being chewed by chiggers, and now appreciates her home in a chigger-free part of the world even more.

When she’s not writing, Jessie enjoys playing her dulcimer (badly), sewing the worlds ugliest quilts to give to her friends, going for bike rides with her house full of boys, and wandering the woods, glass of wine and camera in hand, on the lookout for Bigfoot.

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Release Day Blitz + Review + Giveaway: Indiscretion Vol. 4 by Elisabeth Grace

Posted on 09/15/2014 by shellbellereads

Indiscretion Volume 4

Indiscretion Serial

By Elisabeth Grace

The image was seared into my mind. Imprinted. Emblazoned. Etched.

Did I blame him for what I saw? Or myself, for allowing him the ability to cause the pain coursing through me?

Betrayal was a weapon that cut to the core—the ‘what ifs’ the infection that festered in the wound.

I’d thought we’d had roadblocks thrown in front of us before. Damn. Those would have seemed like mere speed bumps if I’d seen what was coming…

Little did I know that what was headed our way would prove to be the biggest test of all—putting impossible choices in front of us. None of which seemed to lead to a happy ending in which the two of us were together.

Michel’s Review

Wow! After the first three volumes in the Indiscretion series by Elisabeth Grace being 5 Star reviews , I was anxiously awaiting for the final volume. I was expecting drama, suspense, more erotic moments between Max and Chloe, and finally their happily ever after. While Elisabeth delivered all of these elements, she took this series down an unexpected lane. She absolutely blew me away.

Indiscretion Volume 4 was one of the most emotional books I have read. The love between Chloe and Max was pure and exhilarating. Their devotion to one another through unforeseen circumstances that would break most couples was astonishing. Their journey to happily ever after was a heart wrenching road with many obstacles to overcome. The unexpected roadblocks broke my heart. At times they both found themselves lost and alone on a dark scary path that seemed to have no ending. But somehow these two managed to find that fork in the road that led them back to one another. In the end, Max and Chloe found their way back to each other and chose to journey through life together.

I really can’t say more about this final installment in this series. It is a powerful ending for this beautiful couple. Elisabeth Grace’s writing was superbly executed and made me an emotional wreck. I cried like a baby, laughed like a hyena, cussed like a sailor, and swooned like a damsel in distress. I was very moved.

I highly recommend the Indiscretion series by Elisabeth Grace. It is unpredictable and highly emotional. It has all the wonderful qualities that readers look for in good books. The writing is superb, the characters are enthralling, and the plot took me by surprise.

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All four volumes will be available together in one paperback shortly after the release of the fourth volume.

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Connect With Elisabeth Grace

If you’re US based and you want to receive a text message when Elisabeth has a new book go LIVE, text ROMANCE to 313131!

Release Day Blitz + Review + Giveaway: Bad Son Rising by Julie A. Richman

Posted on 09/15/2014 by shellbellereads

Bad Son Rising

The Needing More Series- Book 4

By Julie A. Richman

Blurb:

People think I’m a douche.

And maybe I am.

I use most people.

It’s what I know.

But if I love you,

I’d die for you.

I just don’t know that I’m worth loving.

Handsome, privileged bad boy Zac Moore has always played by his own rules – at school, in business, with women. He’s rewritten the rules to suit his own needs and his needs are all that matter.

Serious and focused family friend Liliana Castillo has one goal. Leave the pre-Med program at Yale to help people in developing nations.

As their paths cross and uncross, a tale of love, agony, betrayal and growth is woven, transforming two people who’ve hidden from relationships and love.

This is a stand-alone novel.

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Excerpt:

“Lils, I don’t know that I’m great boyfriend material. I’m used to being a dick. It’s what I know.” He was hoping she’d say something, but she didn’t. “But I would want it to be different with you. You’re not a drive-by. And I don’t really know how to do the other stuff. But you make me want it. You make me want to try.”

Sweeping her hair to one side, he buried his face in her neck.

Finally, she spoke, “Are you saying this to me because we’re stuck here? Because if you are, don’t. I don’t want a one night stand with you, Zac.”

Letting his teeth graze the soft skin of her neck, he felt her shiver, “I don’t want a one night stand with you either and with my track record I know that may be hard to believe. And of course the one girl I want to believe it, doesn’t.” Pulling his mouth away from her delicious tasting neck, he rested his chin on her shoulder.

“Ok, I’ve got nothing to lose here,” he began. “The weekend we met, all I wanted to do was make you notice me,” he laughed, “and you didn’t even know that I was alive. I wanted to make you smile, Lils. Isn’t that crazy. I just wanted to make you smile.”

Turning herself fully within the circle of his arm, she was on her knees facing him, “You wanted to make me smile?”

He nodded.

“I was so miserable. I just wanted to be over here. I didn’t want to be back at Yale.” Surprising him, she placed her hands on his cheeks, “And you wanted to make me smile?”

He nodded again.

And there it was, beautiful and elusive, and Zac could feel his emotions rising dangerously close to the surface. Liliana Castillo had a heart stopping smile and the only thing he could do was return it with one of his own.

Michel’s Review

I have been reading the Needing Moore series from the very first day Julie released Searching For Moore. I was blown away by the characters and their story. I needed more and became addicted to this series. Julie A. Richman delivered a mature romance that spans over twenty years. From the beautiful young love romance to the painful separation that spanned over twenty years, the readers experienced an emotional story. The entire series touched on some very realistic situations and realities that most people experience at some point in their lives or they know someone who has. By allowing her characters to experience these realities it made the series much more credible and personal to the readers. One of those realities was the rebellious teenage son. The son that objected to his parents divorce and acted out in the most horrific ways to prevent the divorce. He almost killed his father’s girlfriend in a fit of anger. The readers absolutely loathed this kid. It was impossible to believe that this kid could be redeemed and become a human being people actually liked. But Julie wielded her magic pen and as the series evolved we got to see this young man slowly begin to turn around. By the end of the trilogy we were astounded that he had come so far but were still a bit leery of trusting the changes. She gave us some insight into some of his other issues outside his parents separation and new lives. Now the readers are going to meet the real Zac Moore in Bad Son Rising.

I was sucked into Zac Moore’s story in the very first paragraph. As Bad Son Rising begins, Zac has now graduated from high school and is now in college. He has established a good relationship with his father’s new wife. He adores his younger brother and sister. He has become a part of the new family unit instead of being a hostile outsider. He recognizes the true meaning of love and what real happiness really means. He is happy that his father has finally found his true happiness. While Zac is in a better place mentally than he was in his earlier teen years, he is still not one hundred percent happy. He appears to be this over confident, smart, good looking young man with a bright future ahead of him. Beneath the surface, Zach has some low self esteem issues that have made him feel unlovable. He has suffered sexual abuse in his early years and has found that sex is mere act to deflect from his insecurities. He’s never had a real steady girlfriend or relationship. He doesn’t really date, he just has sex. He has not learned to trust others with the true Zach that hides within. Only a few friends have had a glimpse of who he really is.

When he meets Liliana Castillo his views on love and life begin to change. For the first time he wants to be the giver in a relationship rather than the taker. For the first time he wants to show someone he can be a better man. For the first time he is letting the real Zac out of his cage.

In Bad Son Rising we will witness Zac go from a party college boy to a brilliant engineering student. We will see his loyalty to his friends and family. We will witness his screw ups and mistakes. We will watch him take responsibility of his actions and life. We will watch him fall in love and make ultimate sacrifices for the woman he loves. In the end we will see a noble young man that has earned respect and love.

I feel like a parent or aunt that is so proud of their child. Zac Moore is very dear to my heart and I think I am just as proud of him as Schooner Moore is. As I finished this book I had tingly goosebumps all over.

Thank you Julie for giving us The Bad Son Rising. We have embraced Zac into our hearts. We are so proud of the man he has become!

Author Julie A. Richman is a native New Yorker living deep in the heart of Texas. A creative writing major in college, reading and writing fiction has always been a passion. Julie began her corporate career in publishing in NYC and writing played a major role throughout her career as she created and wrote marketing, advertising, direct mail and fundraising materials for Fortune 500 corporations, advertising agencies and non-profit organizations. She is an award winning nature photographer plagued with insatiable wanderlust. Julie and her husband have one son and a white German Shepherd named Juneau.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

Needing Moore Trilogy

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All three Bestselling, Top-Rated Books from The Needing Moore Trilogy by USA Today Bestseller Julie A. Richman, PLUS never before seen BONUS CHAPTERS for each book.

SEARCHING FOR MOORE – Book 1

MOORE TO LOSE – Book 2

MOORE THAN FOREVER – Book 3

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Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: Boarded By Love by Toni Aleo – Bellevue Bullies Series -Book 1

Posted on 09/15/2014 by shellbellereads

Boarded By Love

Bellevue Bullies – Book 1

Spinoff of The Assassin’s Series

By Toni Aleo

Synopsis

Jude Sinclair here, hockey player for the Bellevue Bullies and lover of all ladies. Hockey’s in my blood, and not to sound full of myself, but I’m good at it…really good. The draft is within my reach—it’s mine to take—but that’s not the only reason people know my name. They know me because of my way with women. They know the score, and I aim to please. I just tend to stay away from repeat performances. In other words, I don’t do relationships beyond my family and friends. I’m happy with life. However, I should warn you that my story and how I see it playing out is about to change due to a certain redhead on campus.

She’s beautiful. Stunning. Breathtaking.

She’s my game changer.

~*~

He’s trouble from the moment I see him. I don’t know what I’m thinking, but from the moment I meet his gaze, I’m his. It’s a scary feeling.

I’ve never trusted anyone outside my aunt and uncle—and even that took months. I didn’t have it easy growing up. My mom was usually strung out, and she didn’t give me a second thought. Drugs and the men who paid her were more important to her. It was horrible, but I’m stronger today. Because of my past, security is what I need most. Money assures me that I can take care of myself today, tomorrow, and next month. I don’t want to ever be hungry or go without again, so I work hard for every penny.

Oh, by the way, I’m Claire Anderson. I’m a hard-studying sophomore at the University of Bellevue, dancer for the school dance team, and a burlesque dancer at a club, but that’s my secret.
You may think you know how our story ends, but you have no clue. It’s not easy falling in love… or living happily ever after. At first it may seem so, but when is anything worth having ever won without a fight?

Especially when you’re boarded by love.

Buy: Amazon / Barnes and Noble / ITunes

Excerpt

I can still taste her on my lips.

I swear. The taste hasn’t left me since I kissed her less than twenty-four hours ago, neither has the hard-on. She has me completely wound-up tight, whacking off till my dick is raw and wishing like hell to get in her pants. When I walked in to find her in only a sports bra and shorts that should be illegal… Well, I’m surprised I’m still vertical.

God, she is fucking hot.

Her long red hair is in a mess on top of her head with a cute little black bow at the base. She stands with such amazing confidence while the other girls cover their stomachs with their arms or slouch to the side, but not Claire. No, she stands proud, beautiful, and man, I just want to rush over there and touch her again. I still can’t believe she kissed me senseless then ran off without a second glance. While I don’t mind being used, I wasn’t done.

I need her. On me. Beneath me. Anywhere on me. Now.

I can’t take my eyes off her. I’m supposed to be watching some girl dance, but there is no way. Not with Claire in the room. She stands with the brunette from her Facebook. She’s even prettier in person, but she holds no candle to Claire. Hell, no one does. I watch as they talk, and the love just shines out of the brunette’s body for her. It’s crazy to watch. It reminds me of my mom’s love, and I figure it’s her mom. I need to ask because I have to know. I don’t know what it is about this feisty little redhead, but I want to know her ins and outs. Then I want to sleep with her. Continually. And then some more.

Michel’s Review

Boarded By Love by Toni Aleo was a fantastic start in the Bellevue Bullies series. It is the spin off of the Assassin’s series and features a college team located in Nashville, TN.

This novel features Claire Anderson, the troubled niece of Phillip Anderson, Assassin player featured in the Breakaway novel. Claire was a real troubled teen in the Breakaway novel and gave Phillip and Reese a very hard time. Her mother was a junkie that abused and neglected Claire throughout her childhood. Claire adopted her mother’s wild lifestyle until she went to live with her Uncle Phillip after her mother’s death. It took a lot of patience and unconditional love to bring this young woman around. Now she is on the right track. She is in college,dancing, and pursuing her dreams. She’s got herself together and is very focused. She wants to become a dance choreographer, preferably in the Burlesque style.

When she meets Jude Sinclair, captain of the Bellevue Bullies hockey team, she is knocked for a loop. It is the first time she has been attracted to someone in three years. He makes her want more than her dancing and future career. He gives her the love she never knew she needed. But will her dreams of Burlesque dancing and the route she is taking to secure those dreams keep Jude around for the long haul? She is afraid to tell him that she is working in a Burlesque club for fear of losing him. When the opportunity arises to make her dreams come true, she will have to come clean with her secrets and risk losing Jude. She will have to faith in their love. Trust doesn’t come easy for Claire.

Jude Sinclair is the Bellevue bad boy. He has a different girl in his bed daily. He is upfront with the girls and makes no promises. He’s sexy, hot, charming, and a very gifted hockey player. He will be going into the NHL draft soon and is focused on his hockey career. When he meets Claire Anderson, she changes his perspective on relationships. He wants Claire in his life and he doesn’t want to share her with anyone. She has stolen his heart. Claire is his game changer.

Boarded By Love was more than a new adult love story. Both Jude and Claire’s families played strong roles throughout the book. The reader saw a true glimpse of what real families are and how their relationships are important to a couple’s dynamics. We saw how these family relationships shape and mold their thoughts, feelings, and drives.

I loved all the characters in this book. They were very real and had an important role in the story. I loved seeing some of our favorite Assassin players make their appearance. I loved their protectiveness towards Claire and how they intimidated Jude. I loved Jude’s reactions to them.

While most New Adult books dwell on a lot of angst, indecision, and self reflection, Boarded By Love did not. Toni Aleo created characters that were very real and at the maturity level that they should be. Jude and Claire were very focused individuals, had good heads on their shoulders, and reacted just as they should have in all the emotional moments. Their relationship was beautiful. Toni allowed them to meet, flirt, date, and fall in love. She progressed their relationship in a way that most relationships progress in real life. It was beautiful watching Claire and Jude fall in love and tackle all the problems that came their way.

I can’t wait for the next book in this series. Like I said earlier, Toni created some interesting secondary characters. I am hoping the other Sinclair brothers get their own books. I am also hoping that Lucy Sinclair finds her true love, hopefully it will be an Assassin. The other team members and campus friends were intriguing as well. I think we have a lot to forward to in the future from Toni Aleo.

I highly recommend Boarded by Love.

My name is Toni Aleo!

I am a wife, mother of two and a bulldog, and also a hopeless romantic.

I have been told I have anger issues, but I think it’s cause of my intense love for hockey!
I am the biggest Shea Weber fan ever, and can be found during hockey season with my nose pressed against the Bridgestone Arena’s glass, watching my Nashville Predators play!
When my nose isn’t pressed against the glass, I enjoy going to my husband and son’s hockey games, my daughter’s dance competition, hanging with my best friends, taking pictures, scrapbooking, and reading the latest romance novel.
I have a slight Disney and Harry Potter obsession, I love things that sparkle, I love the color pink, I might have been a Disney Princess in a past life…probably Belle, and did I mention I love hockey?

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | Website

Giveaway

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5 – Star ARC Review + Giveaway: Dante’s Fire by Jennifer Probst

Posted on 09/12/2014 by Saucy Southern Readers

Synopsis

It’s Time To Meet A New Kind Of Hero…

Dante Stark has a dark secret–a legacy left to him by his father which is both a blessing and a curse. A traumatic experience as a small boy gave him special powers of healing, but it comes with a price. Destined to wander the world alone to heal others, he’s accepted his fate. Until Selina Rogers forces him to confront his deepest fears, erotic desires, and question his capacity to love.

Selina Rogers has made a name for herself at Inferno Enterprises. She’s tough, confident and prepared to succeed. She’s also built a world she believes is safe, until she’s attacked and then saved by a masked stranger. As he helps her heal physically and emotionally, she becomes fascinated by his overwhelming power and gentle touch. Determined to show Dante the love he’s been denying himself, Selina surrenders her heart, and dreams of a future with the mysterious man who completes her.

But will his dark legacy destroy them…or save them both…

Buy: Amazon ** Barnes and Noble ** iBooks

Kelley’s Review

Sinfully dark and delicious. I loved every angsty moment.

For those of you that have read Jennifer’s books, there is always a little bit of magic in the background so it really did not surprise me that she would take a dip into the paranormal romance genre. I am really glad she did because this novella is not only an excellent read, but it is very different from other paranormal romances. The storyline is very original and Dante’s secret powers are not like any that I have ever read about before. If you want something new and unique to read this weekend, this is it.

Dante is forced to hide in the shadows day and night because of who he is. Jennifer does a nice spin on Superman’s Clark Kent as Dante works in the mail room at Stark Enterprises which he owns as Daniel Stark. He has been smitten with Selina Rogers for years but has never let himself think about exploring more because of who he is. She is kind, generous, and self-less and is a bit of a loner like himself. She keeps to herself and no one really knows anything about her family or where she came from. She is quite the mystery to him.

Selina is focused on her career. She has worked really hard to get where she is and needed to focus on her goals so she kept people away. She did not want any distractions. The sexy man who delivers her mail has her all tied up in knots. Daniel knows her better than anyone else and over the past few years they have become good friends. But seriously, a rendezvous with the mail boy would jeopardize her standing and she has worked to hard to get where she is so she can only admire from afar.

Until..

One night when Selina is attacked and Dante comes to her rescue. He looks familiar but not. Once Dante gains Selina’s trust can he reveal who he really is or will it ruin everything he has tried to make right.

Giveaway

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Jennifer Probst – Bio:
Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.

She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons keep her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean.
She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, was ranked #6 on Amazon’s Best Books for 2012. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases and her street team at www.jenniferprobst.com.

Author Links:
Website: www.jenniferprobst.com
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferprobst.authorpage
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenniferprobst
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2965489.Jennifer_Probst

Review: Blue Shoes 2 by JJ Knight- Blue Shoes Serial Book 2- Morris Music Series Book 7

Posted on 09/12/2014 by shellbellereads

Blue Shoes Vol. 2

Blue Shoes Serial

Morris Musis Series- Book 7

By JJ Knight

Synopsis

“Drama. Suspense. Passion. Blue Shoes is another hit romance from REVENGE author JJ Knight!”

Everyone wants a piece of sexy singer Dylan Wolf in the new rock star romance, Blue Shoes.

Jess Rivera leaves her bad luck and paparazzi problems in L.A. She flies to Italy for a month-long job with Morris Music.

Her fiance, the famous rock star Dylan Wolf, promises he’ll meet her in Rome.

Dylan loves the city and promises they’ll reconnect in one of the world’s most romantic settings.

But when he arrives, he drops a huge bombshell that leaves Jess devastated.

BLUE SHOES Volume 2 is the second in a 3-part series about Jess Rivera and Dylan Wolf. This is the same couple from JJ KNIGHT’s 5-part REVENGE series, but BLUE SHOES can be enjoyed without having read the earlier books.

Buy: Amazon

Michel’s Review

JJ Knight has done again. She is the master of writing serial romance. Her gift with creating charismatic characters, sexual tension, escalating suspense, and the chilling cliffhanger in each installment amazes me. She quickly concludes the cliffhanger from the previous book with a satisfying resolution that does not feel rushed or insignificant. She then starts building the suspense and moves the story along with great ease. By the end of the book you’ve got another cliffhanger that has your emotions in turmoil and wondering what is going to happen next. Each book is unpredictable. Her characters capture your attention and the romance is hot!

We were left questioning Dylan’s actions while Jess is away on business in Rome. We were left feeling quite pissed off at the man and wondering how JJ Knight could redeem his infractions. We were feeling the emotional trauma that Jess was feeling. JJ Knight jumped right in and gave us the Jess we know and love. She is a strong, take charge kind of woman that sees both sides of the coin. She’s not one to sit around whining and moping. She is smart enough to use reasoning before reaching a final conclusion. She has enough trust in their love to not over react. That is what I love most about her.

So the media has been having a field day with Dylan since Jess has been gone. She’s questioning his faithfulness. Although Dylan has been unreachable since the pictures hit the internet she is trying hard not to jump to conclusions. When Dylan finally shows up in Rome they are able to resolve some of the media issues. What should of been a romantic weekend in Rome turns sour when the media exposes pictures of Jess while she is in Rome. Dylan reacts badly and disappears. It appears that this couple is heading for a huge break up.

Once Jess returns home to the United States she is determined to get to the bottom of Dylan’s disappearance and the latest media scandal. What she uncovers is shocking. Her and Dylan’s relationship is being destroyed by some new unknown players in the game of L.A. fame. Not only is their relationship down in the dumps, it looks like Dylan’s career is going along with it. Will Jess discover who is behind the destruction? Will she find Dylan before it’s too late. Is their relationship beyond repair? Read Blue Shoes Vol. 2. You are in for quite a few surprises!

I highly recommend this serial. There are only three books in this serial. We won’t have to wait too long for the next installment in the series.

Blue Shoes Serial is a Amazon exclusive and part of the Kindle Unlimited plan. If you don’t have a kindle ereader you can download the Kindle app for your computer, phones, and tablets.

The Revenge & Blue Shoes Series

Morris Music Books 1- 6

Revenge Volume 1 – Amazon

Revenge Volume 2 – Amazon

Revenge Volume 3 – Amazon

Revenge Volume 4 – Amazon

Revenge Volume 5 – Amazon

Blue Shoes Volume 1- Amazon

About JJ Knight:

JJ KNIGHT is currently releasing BLUE SHOES, a follow-up to her popular REVENGE series.

New reader? You can start with BLUE SHOES #1, or with REVENGE #1. Both series are set at Morris Music and follow the same characters.

Also available: UNCAGED LOVE. New readers start with UNCAGED LOVE #1. This series features Colt, a pro MMA fighter, and Jo, the girl he rescues. This series is close to JJ’s heart, and she’s taken a number of bruises and sore muscles with a personal trainer to research the roles.

Come chat with JJ and other fans on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jjknightauthor

New books mailing list: www.jjknight.com/p/newsletter.html

Website ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads

Saucy Southern Readers

professional, honest, and timely book reviews

Category Archives: 5-Star

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Release Day Blitz + Review + Giveaway: The Certainty of Violet & Luke- The Coincidence Series- Book 5

Review: Saddles and Sins by Jesse Evans

Release Day Blitz + Review + Giveaway: Indiscretion Vol. 4 by Elisabeth Grace

Release Day Blitz + Review + Giveaway: Bad Son Rising by Julie A. Richman

Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway: Boarded By Love by Toni Aleo – Bellevue Bullies Series -Book 1

My name is Toni Aleo!

I am a wife, mother of two and a bulldog, and also a hopeless romantic.

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | Website

5 – Star ARC Review + Giveaway: Dante’s Fire by Jennifer Probst

Synopsis

Review: Blue Shoes 2 by JJ Knight- Blue Shoes Serial Book 2- Morris Music Series Book 7

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My name is Toni Aleo!

I am a wife, mother of two and a bulldog, and also a hopeless romantic.

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | Website

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