A Duke Changes Everything by Christy Carlyle

March 22, 2019 By Leave a Comment


A Duke Changes Everything by Christy Carlyle
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (387 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rating: 5 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

Nicholas Lyon gambled his way into a fortune and ownership of the most opulent, notorious gentlemen’s club in England. But when Nick’s cruel brother dies, he inherits a title he never wanted. The sooner Nick is rid of the estate that has always haunted him, the sooner he can return to the life he’s built in London. But there’s one obstacle—the exquisite Thomasina Thorne.

When the new heir to the Tremayne dukedom suddenly appears in Mina Thorne’s life, she’s flustered. Not only is he breathtakingly handsome, but he’s also determined to take away her home and position as steward of the Enderley estate. If Mina learns what makes the enigmatic duke tick, perhaps she can change his mind—as long as she doesn’t get too close to him.

With each day Nick spends with Mina, his resolve weakens as their colliding wills lead to explosive desire. Could she be the one woman who can help him finally bury the ghosts of his past?

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Nick Lyon, actually Duke Tremayne, is willing to settle for being a villain if that is the price of freedom. He’s ruthless. Determined. And unexpectedly kind.

Thomasina ‘Mina’ Thorne is not the ‘Thomas’ estate manager he expected. She does, after all, often use just her first initial…it’s not a lie, she tells him. It might be that he has his first inkling right then, that his own determination might have met its match.

I simply loved A Duke Changes Everything. Ms. Carlyle’s writing style is quick and conversational, her characters believable; and better yet, interesting. Their situation is trying! Both our main characters have their own goals, and of course, these are in direct opposition; while their attraction is entirely mutual…

Mina, for all that she is well-schooled, is as wild at heart as Nick. And Nick, though ruthless, commands our sympathies. He has suffered and occasionally acts weirdly, giving us a bit of a puzzle at times.

A Duke Changes Everything includes everything that is the best of the Very Victorian romance: from locations and activities to expectations and society.

I loved specific mentions of the articles of daily life; little details like the traces in the horse harness as well as the greater demands of running an estate. Historic romance reader will love this. A Must Read.

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American Duchess by Karen Harper

February 26, 2019 By 2 Comments

American Duchess by Karen Harper
Published by William Morrow Publishing
Genre: Historical
Heat: Sweet
Rated: 4 stars
Review by Snapdragon

Before there was Meghan Markle, there was Consuelo Vanderbilt, the original American Duchess. Perfect for readers of Jennifer Robson and lovers of Downton Abbey.

Karen Harper tells the tale of Consuelo Vanderbilt, her “The Wedding of the Century” to the Duke of Marlborough, and her quest to find meaning behind “the glitter and the gold.”

On a cold November day in 1895, a carriage approaches St Thomas Episcopal Church on New York City’s Fifth Avenue. Massive crowds surge forward, awaiting their glimpse of heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt. Just 18, the beautiful bride has not only arrived late, but in tears, yet her marriage to the aloof Duke of Marlborough proceeds. Bullied into the wedding by her indomitable mother, Alva, Consuelo loves another. But a deal was made, trading some of the vast Vanderbilt wealth for a title and prestige, and Consuelo, bred to obey, realizes she must make the best of things.

At Blenheim Palace, Consuelo is confronted with an overwhelming list of duties, including producing an “heir and a spare,” but her relationship with the duke quickly disintegrates. Consuelo finds an inner strength, charming everyone from debutantes to diplomats including Winston Churchill, as she fights for women’s suffrage. And when she takes a scandalous leap, can she hope to attain love at last…?
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From the dawning of the opulent Gilded Age, to the battles of the Second World War, American Duchess is a riveting tale of one woman’s quest to attain independence—at any price.

Billed as a novel of Consuelo Vanderbilt, American Duchess is more than a love story, it’s a story of duty, of searching, of destiny. This is a fictionalized account of the life of an actual person. Beginning in 1895, the story follows our main character to New York City to famed Blenheim Castle in Great Britain.

Consuelo agrees to an arranged marriage for the good of her family (or more correctly at the insistence of her mother). However, Consuelo will eventually consider her own good as well as the good (and rights) of women in general.

Parts of this story were wonderful – the emotional struggles of Consuelo at first, and then her struggle on behalf of others. Her goals are easy to understand and follow. Also, her links to some big names of the era add an additional, unexpected level of interest.

Some characters seemed a bit flat. The Duke (her husband) never manages to have a sympathetic moment in a span of years, for example. His life seems dedicated to social climbing. In other cases, Winston Churchill for example, are quite out of character here (Ms. Harper’s Churchill is not the man presented in his biography).

However, the backdrop always seemed completely perfect. This is largely a look at ‘high society’ and gives a wonderful look at the structure of lives, as well as the places the rich and famous live! I loved descriptions of balls, ballrooms, and the clothing and manners of the times. Plans for guests, decorations, the operations of a massive household, all find their way into this story. Ms. Harper gives us a wonderful and imaginative peek into the world of high society.

The pace is never fast, but it is always interesting.

Consuelo’s story is beautifully written and will really enthrall those who are interested in the time period, from turn-of-the century to a bit Into the second World War.

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For the Duke’s Eyes Only by Lenora Bell

December 12, 2018 By Leave a Comment


For the Duke’s Eyes Only by Lenora Bell
Publisher: Avon Books
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (384 pgs)
Heat Level: Spicy
Rated: 5 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

If adventure has a name…it must be Lady India Rochester. The intrepid archaeologist possesses a sharp blade and an even sharper knack for uncovering history’s forgotten women. Unfortunately, she has one annoying weakness: the dangerously handsome Duke of Ravenwood. Former best friend. Current enemy. And the man who dared to break her heart.

Daniel Bonds, the Duke of Ravenwood, is a thrill-seeking antiquities hunter who only plays by one rule: Never fall in love. He’s in it for the fortune and glory. At least that’s what he wants the world to think. He’s sworn to hide his tangled web of secrets, especially from the one woman he cares about and will protect at any cost.

But when a priceless relic is stolen from the British Museum, the rivals must align forces. Racing to recover the stolen antiquity and avert an international disaster? All in a day’s work. Avoiding their buried feelings? More and more impossible. For love is about to become the greatest treasure of all.
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The grand adventure begins…now!

Fire and ice? In Lenora Bell’s For the Duke’s Eyes Only (part of Bell’s School for Dukes series) we find ourselves immediately wondering if two such different characters can possibly be meant-to-be.

Lady India and the Duke are quite well known to one another. In fact, they’ve known each other since childhood. They are about to share a quest, however, their goals are anything but the same. Their world is not just the ‘much loved’ realm of the London set, as in so many such romances, but the world of nineteenth century archeology. The lady is, unexpectedly, an archeologist. She is a scientist at heart and has lofty goals… but will she be undone by a certain measure of chemistry?

For Daniel, the very much titled ‘Duke of Ravenwood’ is a magnificent and engaging fellow and stalks the same world as she–but for gain. It seems anything personal between them would be utterly unwise, but each are drawn to the other. And, each believe they know better. Their interactions are a matter of slash and parry…and keeping a lid on their mutual attraction. The both have their own reasons, too.

The characters make this story; India is more than strong-minded (and progressive for her time) but also clever and insightful. There is more to Raven, the Duke, than one might guess, too. His goals might not be so self-serving…but no spoilers here!

The characters themselves will keep readers glued, but truly, the plot itself is riveting, the place perfect, and there is enough unexpected to keep readers guessing.

For the Duke’s Eyes Only is all its very compelling cover promises. I’ve put another by Lenora Bell right at the top of my reading list! Do read.

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Kitty’s War by Barbara Whitaker

October 30, 2018 By Leave a Comment


Kitty’s War by Barbara Whitaker
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (450 pgs)
Heat Level: sweet
Rating: 4 stars
Review by Snapdragon

Seeking adventure, shy Kitty Greenlee joins the Women’s Army Corps. In 1944 England, as secretarial support to the 8th Air Force, she encounters her dream man, a handsome lieutenant who only has eyes for her blonde friend. Uncomfortable around men, Kitty doesn’t think the handsome officer could want someone like her. Recovering from wounds, Ted Kruger wants to forget about losing his closest friends and have fun before returning to danger as a bomber navigator. When Ted recognizes Kitty as the girl who rescued him two years before, he must choose between dating the sexy blonde or pursuing quiet, serious-minded Kitty even though he knows he’s not nearly good enough for her. As the war gears up with the D-Day invasion, will Kitty and Ted risk their hearts as well as their lives?

Katherine’s story begins in 1942. Kitty is a young America woman, in wartime, visiting home to help her family and has set aside her own dreams and hopes. Yet, oddly, the war comes to her doorstep. She finds herself sailing east not long after.

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Likewise, there’s a certain Allied fighter out there we get to know, who is so easily seen as a hero, and whose circumstances put us on the front-lines. We experience his courage as well as his nightmares. It is amazing to ‘see’ action through the eyes of a fighting man, but also to realize he is very human, also.

Family and friendships have a great impact on Kitty, as war has a dreadful and unpredictable impact.

Both characters win reader’s hearts and of course we have great hopes for them. However, nothing is a ‘given’ and no spoilers here!

This really is a wonderful glimpse at life in wartime. Characters and situations are entirely believable, and dialogue is wonderfully ‘conversation style.’ Whitaker has obviously done a huge amount of research into wartime, and what life was like in London during the war years. This is a wonderful romance that surely transcends the idea of a simple ‘war time’ romance.

Wonderfully descriptive words and phrases enhances the tone of every section, from the melancholy opener to the more dramatic scenes. Sensations and detailed settings always figure high; perhaps a trifle too high, on occasion, as description can slow the pace. However, those who love to read will relish some sections of this work.

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Dreams of the Muse by Vala Kaye

October 25, 2018 By Leave a Comment


Dreams of the Muse by Vala Kaye
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal
Length: Full Length (177 pgs)
Heat Level: Hot
Rated: 4 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon
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Evil is always listening. Frustrated writer Zach Moore vows he “would trade his soul” if he could write the way he always wanted to. In an attempt to overcome his crippling writer’s block, Zach and his wife Nikki move from New York City to the Hudson Valley, land of the legendary Sleepy Hollow, where he meets Kendra Evans, a beautiful and mysterious young Satan-worshiper. Kendra offers Zach the creativity he longs for. But will getting everything he’s ever wanted cost him everything … and everyone … he already has? Filled with vivid imagery and adult themes, Dreams of the Muse is intended for mature readers only.

The plight of a ‘blocked’ writer is not so hard to imagine, and this desperation fuels author Zach Moore. He’s already a success, but desperate to hang on to it. Does this become the old “sell your soul” story? Well no…because there is a further temptation by the beautiful evil Kendra, and the intrigue develops from there.

We understand Zach, but admire his resilient wife Nikki. Their relationship is everyday, down-to-earth, and somehow nicely parallels their sex life. Dreams of the Muse is entirely unpredictable, largely because of these powerful characters.

Kendra, who would be his muse, his possessor (she is too complex to be simply evil) circles in, gaining power as we somehow grasp her motive. The eerie start is great although the further opening is not at the pace of the rest of the novel but, once past the beginning, the haunting setting, unpredictable plot, and our own desperate hopes all make this a page-turner.

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The Lady of the Forest by Barbara Bettis

October 10, 2018 By Leave a Comment


The Lady of the Forest by Barbara Bettis
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (176 pgs)
Heat Level: Sensual
Rated 4 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

When her elderly husband dies, Lady Katherine fakes her own death and disappears into the forest with others escaping the brutish new lord. Determined to protect her people, she knocks the wrong man senseless. But Lord Henry isn’t an enemy, he’s the brother of her childhood friend. Although his tender confidence tempts her, she’s bound by duty.

Henry of Chauvere has found the one lady he wants for his own, never mind she’s tied him hand and foot. When he learns the king has ordered her to wed Stonehill’s ruthless new master, he insists Kate seek haven with his sister. But she won’t desert her friends. Henry vows to solve her problem, provided he catches a traitor before the threat from Kate’s past catches her.

When a daring rescue compels Henry and Kate to join forces, their attraction grows into love. If only duty didn’t drive them apart.

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The two are inadvertently on the same quest, though the lady, Katherine of Stonehill, has stepped far outside her usual realm. She is, in a way, hiding in her own domain: Kate’s history itself will involve the readers, as we share her courage and come to understand the forces driving her.

Lord Henry, the knight, is more easily and quickly understood. His quest begins in quite a straightforward way, and his courage is long-since proven.

Humor crops up here and there, even as Katherine and Henry struggle on, in a tale that involves secrets, capture, escape, and an evil master. Stonehill is a place built of wood on lowland; the very irony of its name makes us want to warn the unsuspecting good knight!

An unexpectedly wonderful touch involves a number of secondary characters; these, largely children (think of a band in the forest), contribute enormously to the overall plot, and become strong ‘characters’ in their own right.

I have one complaint about some complex conversations and having to re-read to figure out who-said-what. That sort of thing does take one a bit out of the story. It’s a small complaint though, in what kicks off in a promisingly intriguing way and never, ever lets the reader down.

The Lady of the Forest delivers all the adventures one could dream with a handsome knightly; its definitely stronger than ‘sweet’ but tastefully presented; historical romance fans will enjoy this one. Do read.

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Bound By Love by Edith Layton

October 4, 2018 By Leave a Comment


Bound By Love by Edith Layton
Publisher: Untreed Reads
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (307 pgs)
Heat: Sensual
Rated 5 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

He sailed to England for revenge…
She journeyed there for love.
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Five-year-old Della Kensington first saw the proud, half-starved bond boy who dared call himself a dispossessed earl on the docks of Virginia Colony. The moment she laid eyes on him she loved him. And from that day, in spite of all evidence, she believed his bizarre story, that he was truly Jared St. Andrew Bellington, Earl of Aveston—nobly born, kidnapped, and sold into bondage.

Della had grown into a woman wanting him. Jared had grown into a man burning for revenge. When at last he could return to his beloved Hawkstone Hall, he entered a world of bejeweled ladies and elegantly attired gentlemen, a world he intended to conquer—no matter the cost to his life. Fashionable Georgian England dazzled sweet Della, but her eyes remained clear. She saw that if Jared gained everything he’d sought, she might lose him forever, and he might lose his chance at real happiness. She was ready to fight on this new terrain for his love—dancing a quadrille of intrigue and desire, risking all, and challenging his elegant world with her irrepressible heart.

Ms. Layton’s historical Bound By Love starts off in 1745, in the Virginia Colony, into the very harsh reality of life in the new world. Almost at once, we discover that courage and kindness do not go unappreciated however–and what seemed a dark beginning is actually wonderfully hopeful.

Immediately, we set off on a journey full of completely unpredictable twists and turns. Jared, our uncomfortable hero, is thrust unexpectedly into family life; into travels by horse and wagon, and into the countryside and home. The author gives us just enough of a backdrop for us to feel we are there, without ever slowing the pace of the action.

Early, Jared is established as courageous even if his claims doubtful, though surely we hope those hardly matter. Yet, those claims must finally be established; though Jared must face cruelty from the past, revenge, even hatred. Readers share his emotional turmoil. We can easily see how certain relationships develop–so we are hoping to see those carry forward…but no spoilers here! Suffice to say, that the main characters absolutely make this story, and our hopes and fears for them make this an absolute page-turner.

Fans of historicals will simply love this one. An easy 5 stars.

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A Shadow Away by Joan K Lacy

August 23, 2018 By Leave a Comment


A Shadow Away by Joan K Lacy
Publisher: AlazoPress
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (242 pgs)
Rating 4 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

When British archaeologist Andrew Seaton discovers a jewel-encrusted golden statue, he realizes he may have uncovered the key to the lost city of El Dorado. The statue disappears before he can verify his findings, and Andrew must rely on private detective Alex Cort to recover the prized artifact.

The two men find themselves caught up in a dangerous race against a corrupt colleague and a ruthless art thief who will stop at nothing to claim the statue for themselves.

As each new clue leads them up the Amazon River and deeper into the jungle, they soon discover things are not quite what they appear. When all seems lost, the mystical powers of a beautiful woman guide them out of danger and ultimately to the ruins of an ancient city, where Andrew must right the wrongs he committed in a past life and Alex discovers a secret of his own.
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If you’re a fan of suspenseful archaeological mysteries involving lost cities, treasure, adventure, and magic, then this thrilling series is for you! Fans of author Dan Brown, magical realism authors, like Madeleine L’Engle (A Wrinkle in Time), or who like Clive Cussler, with an added touch of magic, will love the world of Alex Cort’s first adventure. If you’re a fan of Indiana Jones, and love a quest like the Lord of the Rings, then the race to the finish in A Shadow Away will have you clamoring for more.

Twining myth with today’s world (akin to Indiana Jones) Lacy delivers an intriguing and oddly believable tale of adventure and mystery in Shadow Away.

Andrew Seaton, archeologist, finds what might be the ‘key’ to the lost city of El Dorado (mythic ‘city of gold’) …but the ‘key’ disappears. Enter Alex Court, investigator.

Alex specializes in art theft – and understands how momentous this one particular stolen piece might be, right from the start. Its more than valuable in its own right, but possibly a link to a lost world and culture.

Action is fast – and with that hint of supernatural about it, often unpredictable. Characters are strong and opinionated; their motivation is understandable and conversations engaging.

The story is told in the first person, by Alex, so there is a certain immediacy to events. However, very occasionally this reads rather like third person, and rather confuses the reader to suddenly have Andrew’s thought or intention plain. It’s not often, but is a tad distracting.

Its a very worthwhile read, even so. Anyone who enjoys adventure tales will like this one.

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Highland Honor by Madelyn Hill

August 3, 2018 By 1 Comment


Highland Honor by Madelyn Hill
Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing
Genre: Historical
Length: Full Length (214 pgs)
Heat Level: Hot
Rating 4 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

Lady Honor MacAllister can heal everything but a broken heart . . .

Lady Honor does not believe in marriage. Her father’s death broke her mother’s spirit and took her from her daughters emotionally well before her own death. When Honor is attacked in the forest, she keeps the event to herself, lest her lairds search for the man and strike him down. As a healer, she’ll do anything it takes not to cause harm. Rumors of attacks in the Highlands forces the lairds to increase guards and security measures. When Bryce Calder is assigned to protect Lady Honor, she fights the burgeoning attraction for the man, knowing she’ll never risk her heart to love.
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Warrior Bryce Calder trusts no woman. Women only strive to better themselves through cunning, as his father warned throughout his childhood. When he is asked to escort Lady Honor while she gathers healing herbs, he is vexed. Training the men and protecting the clan are his duties, not following the sharped-tongued lass about the wood. With each passing day, Bryce becomes enchanted by Lady Honor, despite his father’s words, but his unworthiness halts any proclamation of his desire.

An unlikely partnership develops during the frequent trips to the forest and work in the apothecary. The walls each has erected to protect their hearts and their future crumbles. Until a stranger arrives at the keep. Lady Honor’s secret is threatened to be revealed putting in jeopardy the growing romance between the ardent healer and the reluctant warrior-suitor.

Honor MacAllister is the herbalist of the clan. She’s driven to help others through natural remedies, a skill she largely struggles to develop on her own. Her efforts to acquire proper herbs lead her into the forest…and into horrific danger. Her life might revolve around her apothecary and her magical teas (with the great appreciation of her clan) but those remedies can do little to heal her spirit.

Already mistrustful of men, events land her an equally mistrustful guard, Bryce. He may be a wonderful warrior, but had ‘no use’ for Lady Honor’s ‘kind.’ He appreciates kindness and loyalty, like he finds in his horse. Indeed, we have some sense of Bryce’s kindness first through his care of the great beast. He’s not the sort to charm a woman though: even the thought of Honor’s sharp tongue ‘befuddled him.’

Events are quick, and its hard to stop reading this one, once you begin and, although you expect you can guess where it’s going, you won’t want to miss a minute of it.

Highland Honor is readable and engaging if a tad predictable: you get what you expect here. Fans of this type of historical fiction will enjoy it. The covers of Hill’s books are marvelously well done. They give the reader a wonderful hint about what the books contain.

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The Summer List by Amy Mason Doan

June 20, 2018 By 1 Comment


The Summer List by Amy Mason Doan
Publisher: Graydon House
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction
Length: Full Length (384 pgs)
Rated 5 stars
Reviewed by Snapdragon

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

Laura and Casey were once inseparable: as they floated on their backs in the sunlit lake, as they dreamed about the future under starry skies, and as they teamed up for the wild scavenger hunts in their small California lakeside town. Until one summer night, when a shocking betrayal sent Laura running through the pines, down the dock, and into a new life, leaving Casey and a first love in her wake.
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But the past is impossible to escape, and now, after seventeen years away, Laura is pulled home and into a reunion with Casey she can’t resist—one last scavenger hunt. With a twist: this time, the list of clues leads to the settings of their most cherished summer memories. From glistening Jade Cove to the vintage skating rink, each step they take becomes a bittersweet reminder of the friendship they once shared. But just as the game brings Laura and Casey back together, the clues unravel a stunning secret that threatens to tear them apart…

Mesmerizing and unforgettable, Amy Mason Doan’s The Summer List is about losing and recapturing the person who understands you best—and the unbreakable bonds of girlhood.

A serious and thoughtful novel, The Summer List drifts back and forth in time, offering unique perspectives from our main character, Laura. She recalls the magic of friendships of teen years and especially the character of her closest friend. She contends with the character her friend has become, as well as her own; so this is curiously a novel of two selves in one, giving we readers an intriguing, though sometimes uncomfortable perspective.

The novel is less nostalgic than psychological, and makes us stop and think; not only about the characters, but about our own once-selves, choices, and reactions. Although billed as a ‘coming of age’ story, it’s more of a confrontation of the self. The main character and her relationships are under review, and in the midst of redevelopment, all so very on-purpose. The work is serious, perhaps–faintly–a touch too serious.

The picturesque backdrop and frequent recollections lend the story a dreamy, thoughtful air. It’s beautifully written, with incredibly believable conversations a highlight. There are awkward moments, heart-lifting moments, times of self-doubt. Doubt in others, both ordinary friends and in the old/potential romance.

Many moments are evocative, but never overdone, never theatrical. Its definitely a novel one can re-read, and find new nuances each time. It is hardly light entertainment, but it is enthralling. Doan is a masterful writer; on style alone, I must give this 5 out of 5 stars.

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