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Singing Librarian Books

Adult Blog

The Thorn Keeper (Penned in Time #2) by Pepper D. Basham -- Book Tour Review + Giveaway

2/29/2016
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​Genre:  Fiction, Historical, Romance, Christian
Publisher: Vinspire Publishing
Publication Date: February 28, 2015
Number of pages: 402
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​With her past in shambles, how can she fashion a future of hope?

Catherine Dougall’s past of manipulation has left her future in threads. With a new faith, she longs to take the remnants of her life and make something beautiful, but shame, societies’ judgments, and the natural consequences of an unplanned pregnancy test her newfound hope. Dr. David Ross doesn’t help either. His kindness, sacrifice, and tenderness tempt her to impossible dreams. A fallen woman doesn’t merit a fairytale.
​David Ross has made every effort to keep his life above reproach. His passion for the sick pump fresh purpose through his choices, but without financial support to maintain his war hospital, all is lost. When his notorious aunt offers an easy solution, David is tempted to give in to her demands, but his growing affection for the reformed flirt, Catherine Dougall, unwinds the careful wall around his heart and offers an unexpected choice.
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When the worst of war tears them apart, can love renew the memory of what was lost or will tragedy steal away their hope forever.

From the beautiful Derbyshire countryside to the trenches of World War One, Catherine and David must learn to trust in a God who designs a masterpiece out of brokenness and fashions hope in the most unlikely places.
Available to purchase on
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Pepper Basham is an award-winning author who writes romance peppered with grace and humor. She currently resides in the lovely mountains of Asheville, NC where she is the mom of 5 great kids, speech-pathologist to about fifty more, lover of chocolate, jazz, and Jesus, and proud AlleyCat over at a group writing blog, The Writer’s Alley. Her debut historical romance novel, The Thorn Bearer, released in May 2015, with the second arriving in February 2016. Her first contemporary romance debuts in spring 2016.
GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTERST | AMAZON | WEBSITE
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Check out the interview HERE.
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David stopped in the shadows as Catherine caught up with a young woman on the threshold of a dilapidated building. The girl looked unwell, with the frame of an advanced pregnancy and the pallor of hunger. Her tattered dress barely offered any barrier from the early autumn chill. David couldn’t understand the exchange, but Catherine’s intentions became clear.
She set the basket of food down at the woman’s feet and slipped off her fashionable coat. Despite the obvious objections of the girl, Catherine wrapped the coat about the girl’s shoulders, brooking no refusal. David’s grin started slow and spread across his face.
Catherine wasn’t consorting with people from her past.
She was living graciously in her present.
His chest expanded with a warm rush of relief…and something else less definable.
Catherine turned back toward his direction. He waited for her to step into the alleyway before emerging from his hiding place.
“Miss Dougall?”
“Dav—” She snapped her rose lips closed around his name and blinked those large sapphire eyes at him. “What on earth are you doing here?”
“I was wondering the same about you.”
She pressed her palm to her chest and drew in a deep breath.  “I…I was completing an errand.”
“That took you all the way to Old Rutland?”
She opened her mouth to answer but then stopped. The twinkle in her eyes should have provided fair warning before she unleashed her disarming smile, but it unfurled with unsteadying potency, leaving him a bit mesmerized. She unwittingly wielded it like a weapon, but oh, what a dangerous tool if she ever used it with purpose.
“You have the most impeccable timing, Dr. Ross.”
Her sudden change in topic took him off-guard. “Do I?”
She tossed a look over her shoulder as she walked back toward Main Street. “Providential, you might even say.”
The pixie glint teased his own smile alive. “Oh really?”
Her gaze took a subtle pleading turn. “Would you happen to have an extra pound? Or several shillings at the very least.”
He covered his growing smile by looking away. After witnessing her exchange with the poor woman on the street, he knew very well why she needed the additional funds. “Didn’t I give you enough for the supplies this morning?”
“Yes…well, I procured a few additional items.” She rubbed her palms against her arms in an attempt to warm herself against the morning breeze, deliberately keeping her gaze from his. “Unforeseen, you understand.”
David unbuttoned his coat. “And you lost your coat?”
“Yes, about that.” She looked down at her gown as if realizing her loss. Her words formed slowly, and he could almost see the frantic search for an excuse evolving in her pretty head. “I must have left it somewhere.”
He wrapped his coat around her shoulders, and a few loose strands of her ebony curls tickled his knuckles. He paused, fastened in place by sapphire eyes, the scent of lavender, and a growing tenderness. “How very careless of you.” His words worked out through a whisper.
Catherine pinched the coat against her throat and stepped back, breaking whatever spell held him in place. “I’m afraid it is a rather unlovely character trait, my dear doctor. Yet another flaw to add to my needed reforms.” Her smile returned with a little too much brightness. “But about those extra funds?”
He’d give her persistence, as well as a few other distracting descriptions. Their friendship was an odd one, but authentic in ways he’d never experienced. He knew her past and had witnessed her transformation. Somehow, the knowledge inspired an inexplicable protectiveness and exquisite freedom. No games. No social dance. Beautiful authenticity.
“Miss Dougall, you are aware that we have a strict budget during these war times?"
She fidgeted with the edge of her gloves and finally released a sigh. “I… I reallocated some of the money.”
“You reallocated it?” He punched his lips tight against his burgeoning smile.
“For the best possible reasons.”
“Well, if it is for the best reasons.” He took off his hat and dusted the brim. “I suppose we can cut rations for the wounded to make up the difference.”
She whimpered, eyes rounding like a wounded animal’s. "Over an extra pound?"
She must have recognized his teasing because she narrowed those feline eyes and jammed one hand on her hip. "You enjoy that, don’t you?”
“What? Cutting rations?”
“Not once do you torment my sister with your teasing, and certainly not my mother, but me?” She wagged her finger at him, unleashing his smile. “You practically torture me with it."
“No one else is quite so entertaining."
“Indeed.” She waved a hand in the air. “I assume then, you know exactly why I need the extra money?”
“And how you lost your coat.”
“Yes, that.” Her gaze lingered in his for a second longer, tightening the inexplicable bond he had with her. She looked away. “All because of your ridiculous aunt.”
“My aunt?”
Catherine resumed her walk with a quicker step, a habit he’d noticed when she was particularly annoyed or thinking. He rushed to keep up.
“The way she pushes people around in this town is ridiculous. The weak. The strong. She doesn’t care who they are as long as she holds them under her wrinkled old thumb. How can she be so unfeeling?” Catherine paused to send a scorching glare. “She is such a…such a—”
“Buzzard? Snake?”
Her brows rose. “To name a few.”
He shoved his hands into his trouser pockets. “What about viper, or perhaps tyrant, or—”
“Wait.” She stopped him with a raised hand. “Why are you helping me come up with insults for her? Aren’t you supposed to keep me on the straight and narrow?”
“Admittedly.” He looked up to the sky, making a poor attempt at keeping his expression thoughtful. He preferred a lighthearted turn in the conversation, untainted by his aunt’s reputation. “But I can only imagine the choices I offered were of a kinder nature than the ones rolling around in that head of yours.”
Catherine opened her mouth as if to object and then stopped, clearly revisiting a few unnamed insults. She offered a repentant sigh. “You’re right.”
            “And which of those horrible attributes of my aunt’s has inflamed your cause for justice today?
            “This time?” Catherine stepped onto Main Street and slid him a glare. “She’s in danger of becoming a murderer.”
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Everyone makes mistakes, some more devastating than others, but through God’s love and grace, there is redemption and forgiveness.  Can I just say, I am amazed at how Pepper draws readers into the pages of her books from page one and throughout the entire novel.  It is almost as if I am the characters and experiencing his/her life.  Through pain, sorrow, forgiveness, overcoming trials, and even falling in love, Pepper causes her readers to feel the intensity of the emotions of her characters.  Not only are there great characters, but a beautiful and awe-inspiring story as well.  And of course there is swoon worthy kissing and romance that will leave readers week in the knees and wanting a bit of their own love story.  I would highly recommend this intriguingly, beautiful, and inspiring story to those that need a little bit of light and encouragement in their lives.
 
Series: Penned in Time
Genre: historical; romance; inspirational; Christian
Publisher: Vinespire Publishing
Publication date: February 28, 2016
Number of pages: 402
 
Content Rating: PG
Book Rating: 5 stars
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Other books in the series:
1-The Thorn Keeper

A review copy of this book was provided by SLB Tours & Pepper Bashams's Dream Team.
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February 29--Singing Librarian Books
March 1--Toni Shiloh Prayerfully-Lifted Romance | Smiling Book Reviews
March 2--Just Commonly 
March 3--A Holland Reads
March 4--The Green Mockingbird
March 5--Reading Is My SuperPower
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The Seafaring Women of the Vera B. (Hearts of Oak #1) by Susan Page Davis & James S. Davis

2/27/2016

About the Book

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With the captain dead in Melbourne, Australia, Alice Packard thinks the worst has happened, until she learns the crew has deserted her husband’s ship in favor of the goldfields. Only one old man, Gypsy Deak, sticks by her, but Gypsy alone can’t raise a crew from the depleted population. In desperation, Alice turns to the only source of plentiful workers: the women of Melbourne. In a bold move, she and Gypsy empty a brothel, promising the escaped women a new life. Her all-woman (save one) crew put their backs and hearts into the voyage, but Alice finds training her sailors much harder than she expected. Her faith is tested to the limit. With a cargo to sell, angry brothel and tavern owners in pursuit, pirates to evade, and a mysterious stowaway, will the seafaring women of the Vera B. survive to tell the tale of this daring adventure? 
Available to purchase on
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About the Authors: a Mother and Son Duo

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Susan Page Davis, James’s mom, is the author of more than sixty Christian novels and novellas. Her historical novels have won numerous awards, including the Carol Award, the Will Rogers Medallion for Western Fiction, and the Inspirational Readers’ Choice Contest.
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James Samuel Davis is a writer who has traveled in Australia, China, Micronesia, and Alaska. He resides in rural Travelers Rest, S.C., with his wife and seven children.
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Interview with the Authors

10 Behind the Scenes Facts About the Book

1. Between 1788 and 1868, approximately 162,000 convicts were transported to the various Australian penal colonies by the British government. When our story opens in 1854, this practice was declining, but Australia had not been open for general settlement long. The women fear stopping at Brisbane, which had begun as a prison colony.

2. We don't use the term "mate," meaning “friend,” in our book because it didn't come into popular use until a year or so after our story takes place. If our characters return to Australia in a sequel, they will be amazed by the cultural, political, and industrial changes that will have occurred in just two or so years of pivotal Australian history in the mid-1850s.
3. The Malay pirates of this story’s time were ruthless and much dreaded.
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4. This story takes place at a time when shipping technology is dynamically, if awkwardly, changing over from wind-power to steam power. This produces some interesting interactions between vessels and their personnel.
 
5. To keep the story active and interesting, we contrasted the cultures, life experiences, and personalities of the many different characters. They include a British aristocrat, an American middle class wife, an Australian farming family, a Norwegian fisherman’s daughter, women who have lived years in a Melbourne brothel, and many more.
 
6. The Victorian Gold Rush in Australia, little known to Americans today, probably qualifies as the largest and most feverish gold rush ever, easily eclipsing the California and Yukon gold rushes in terms of long-term financial and cultural impact.
 
7. The Chinese immigrant population Sonja interacted with was a source of much contention among British settlers and prospectors. Shortly after our story takes place, most of the Chinese were forcibly expelled from Australia.
 
8. The massacre of the survivors of the real ship Maria, 1840, was well known in the area, and it brings tension and dread to Sonja and Fiona's discussion of an event still fresh in living memory.
 
9. The red snapper Sonja caught during calm weather is a large, tasty fish found around the world in tropical and subtropical oceans. Two of Jim’s friends, who are brothers, each caught one in 2014, on opposite sides of the world, within a few weeks of each other.
 
10. 1901, the six colonies in Australia combined forming the Commonwealth of Australia. This country has its own federal parliamentary government and is a constitutional monarchy under the United Kingdom. Today, Australia has 24 million people, heavily concentrated on the east and south coasts.

Review

​A mother and son duo, Susan Page Davis and James S. Davis, have come together to create a delightful new series, Hearts of Oak.  Book one in this series, The Seafaring Women of the Vera B. is an intriguing story of a ship with a crew of women.  Alice Packard’s captain husband has recently died and now the crew, save one, has deserted her.  Desperate, Alice decides to take on a crew of women sailors, some wishing to escape their horrible lives at a local brothel.  Filled with adventure and schemes, readers will enjoy the excitement of the story, as well as the interesting and mostly female characters.  I would recommend this novel to readers that enjoy historical fiction and a bit of an adventure.
 
Series: Hearts of Oak
Genre: historical; adventure
Publisher: Tea Tin Press
Publication date: January 20, 2016
Number of pages: 322
 
Content Rating: PG
Book Rating: 5 stars
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A review copy of this book was provided by Susan Page Davis.

Shattered Memories (Charleston Earthquake #1) by Debbie Lynne Costello

2/26/2016
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About the Book

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​The Charleston earthquake has left destruction like nothing Doctor Andrew Warwick has ever seen. On a desperate mission to find the lady who owns his heart, he frantically searches through the rubble. He finds her injured and lifeless. After she regains consciousness, the doctor’s hopes are quickly dashed as he realizes she doesn’t remember him. Things only get worse when he discovers she believes she’s still engaged to the abusive scoundrel, Lloyd Pratt. Now Drew is on a race with the wedding clock to either help her remember or win her heart again before she marries the wrong man.
 
Waking in a makeshift hospital, Olivia Macqueen finds herself recovering from a head injury. With amnesia stealing a year of her memories, she has trouble discerning between lies and truth. When her memories start returning in bits and pieces, she must keep up the charade of amnesia until she can find out the truth behind the embezzlement of her family’s business while evading the danger lurking around her.
Available to purchase on
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About the Author

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Debbie Lynne Costello is the author of the #1 Amazon bestseller Sword of Forgiveness, a medieval romance. She has enjoyed writing stories since she was eight years old. She raised her family and then embarked on her own career of writing the stories that had been begging to be told. She and her husband have four children and live in upstate South Carolina where she has worked in many capacities in her church and is currently the Children's Director. When not spending time with her husband, four children and grandchildren she hangs out with her Arabian and Tennessee Walking horses.
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Review

​From page one I was hooked on Debbie Lynne Costello’s captivating story and latest release, Shattered Memories.  A crushing earthquake hits California, leaving devastation and death in its wake.  Olivia Macqueen wakes up from a one week coma disoriented and not being able to remember the last year of her life.  Doctor Andrew Warwick is heart-stricken to learn that his love does not remember their courtship from the past year and believes she is still engaged to another man.  Through the entangled webs of lies and deceit, can hope and love be found at the end of the tunnel?  Debbie life-like characters and fantastically written story will enrapture the heart of readers throughout the entire novel.   I recommend this story to readers that enjoy historical-Christian novels.
 
Series: Charleston Earthquake
Genre: historical, Christian
Publisher: Wakefield Press
Publication date: February 14, 2016
Number of pages: 267
 
Content Rating: PG
Book Rating: 5 stars
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A review copy of this book was provided by CelebrateLit.

Giveaway

Click the image below for link to the giveaway.
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EXTRA GIVEAWAY from Debbie Lynne Costello here on THIS blog!!!

Debbie Lynne Costello has graciously offered to providea  winner's choice of a print or e-copy of one of her books from commenters here on this blog post.  For this giveaway to be "unlocked," there must be 10 comments.  Comment prompt: Have you ever ready any of Debbie's books?  What intrigues you about her latest release, Shattered Memories?  This giveaway will end 03/04.  

Tour Schedule

Feb 15: Kick off
Feb 15: Quiet Quilter
Feb 16: Daysong Reflections
Feb 17: Book Reviews From an Avid Reader
Feb 18: D’S QUILTS & BOOKS
Feb 18: Simpleharvestreads
Feb 19: Rhonda’s Doings
Feb 19: Buwurmzzz
Feb 20: A Greater Yes
Feb 21: 100 Page Per Hour
Feb 22: The Editor’s Note
Feb 22: Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations
Feb 23: The Christian Bookaholic
Feb 24: Blossoms and Blessings
Feb 24: Cassandra M’s Place
Feb 25: Bigreadersite
Feb 26: Singing Librarian Books
Feb 27: cherylbbookblog
Feb 28: Texas Book-aholic
Feb 28: Mary Hake
Feb 29: Raining Butterfly Kisses
Feb 29: Wrap up
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Caribbean Crossroads by Connie E. Sokol -- Book Tour Review + Giveaway

2/25/2016
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About the Book

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New college grad Megan McCormick just got dumped. Hard. Swearing off men and relationships, Megan is coaxed into performing on a cruise ship where she meets the star performer, Bryant Johnson. Handsome and charismatic, he looks like trouble, but she can't deny the intense attraction between them. Urged to find a wife and run the family lumber business, Bryant is torn between his family's expectations for his life and his own. However, when he meets spunky, but love-skittish Megan McCormick, settling down doesn't look so bad. Just when Megan begins to trust again, and Bryant makes some big decisions regarding his future, her former fiance returns with a malicious surprise, taking Megan and Bryant to their own CARIBBEAN CROSSROADS.
Available to purchase on
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About the Author

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Connie Sokol is a mother of seven, and a favorite local and national speaker for over fifteen years. She is a TV core contributor "Studio 5 with Brooke Walker" and a national blogger for www.ksl.com. She is one of seven female hosts of The Living Room, an online value-based radio show where they dish on life, loving, and learning (www.fromthelivingroom.com). Mrs. Sokol is a bestselling author who has written 14 books, including her fiction: Christmas Kisses: An Echo Ridge Anthology, and Caribbean Crossroads; and her nonfiction: What Every 6th Grader Needs to Know, Faithful, Fit & Fabulous, Simplify & Savor the Season, Create a Powerful Life Plan, and 40 Days with the Savior. Mrs. Sokol marinates in time spent with her family and eating decadent treats. For her TV segments, blog, podcasts and more, visit www.conniesokol.com.
GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER |PINTEREST | AMAZON | WEBSITE

Review

​Caribbean Crossroads by Connie E. Sokol is a fantastic read!  This is one of those stories where you know they will end up together in the end, but you just don’t know how.  From page one the story will draw readers in as they anticipate what will happen next.  The story grips every emotion as readers learn about deceit, lies, pain, sorrow, faith, joy, and eventually love.  This novel will make readers laugh and feel sorrow, as they follow the entangled love story of Megan and Bryant.  I would recommend this novel to readers that enjoy contemporary romance novels.
 
Genre: contemporary; romance; Christian
Publisher: Sokol Publishing
Publication date: June 8, 2012
Number of pages: 270
 
Content Rating: G
Book Rating: 5 stars
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A review copy of this book was provided by Min Reads and Reviews.

Giveaway

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Tour Schedule

Feb. 22: My Book a Day / Bookworm Lisa

Feb. 23: Mel's Shelves / Katie's Clean Book Collection

Feb. 24: Empower Moms / Rachelle Writes

Feb. 25: Singing Librarian Books / Why Not? Because I Said So

Feb. 26: Brooklyn Berry Designs / Peggy Urry 
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Now and Always Yours by Anita Stansfield -- Book Tour Review + Giveaway

2/24/2016
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About the Book

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Greg's feet suddenly became very heavy and his head very light as he stood and watched the opening of the bars that had kept him separated from the world .... If not for the knowledge that his sister would be waiting outside to take him home—and that he had two children at home waiting for him—he might have preferred to turn around and ask to stay.

And so begins a new chapter in Greg's life, which includes the daunting tasks of earning the trust and respect of his teen-aged children, finding meaningful employment in a society that doesn't always take kindly to those who have "served time," and daring to believe in love, with its miracles of healing and forgiveness. And Greg has no illusions about conquering these hurdles. However, with the support of a devoted sister and her extended family and the unexpected gift of a uniquely charming and brave woman's love ... it all just might happen.

In this utterly captivating novel, bestselling author Anita Stansfield achieves a satisfying balance of romance, humor, and deep glances into the human heart and soul. It is a story that resonates with emotional truths that will linger long after the last page is turned.
Available to purchase on:
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About the Author

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​Anita Stansfield has more than fifty published books and is the recipient of many awards, including two lifetime achievement awards.  Her books go far beyond bein an enjoyable, memorable story.  Anita resonates particularly well with a broad range of devoted readers because of her sensitive and insightful examination of contemporary issues that are faced by many of those readers, even when her venue is a historical romance, readers come away from her compelling stories equipped with new ideas about how to enrich their own lives, regardless of their circumstances.

Anita was born and raised in Provo, Utah.  She is the mother of five and has a growing number of grandchildren.  She also writes for the general trade market under the name Elizabeth D. Michaels.
GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | AMAZON | BLOG | WEBSITE

Review

​Now and Always Yours is a fantastic sequal to acclaimed romance author Anita Stansfield’s Legally and Lawfully Yours.  This story is about changing and starting over, as well as forgiveness, faith, and love.  Growing up Greg didn’t have the best of parents or friends and got mixed up in drugs.  After spending time in jail, he is released early for good behavior.  Now he must prove to his family, and most of all himself that he is a changed man. And along the way, possibly find a bit of romance.  With great characters and a stirring plot, Anita once again touches the lives of her readers.  I would recommend this story to readers that enjoy contemporary, romance, and inspirational fiction.
 
Genre: contemporary; romance; LDS, inspirational; Christian
Publisher: Covenant Communications
Publication date: February 1, 2016
Number of pages: 272
 
Content Rating: PG
Book Rating: 5 stars
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Other books in the series:
Now and Always Yours is the sequel to Legally and Lawfully Yours.​

A review copy of this book was provided by Covenant Communications.

Giveaway

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Tour Schedule

​Feb. 22nd:http://www.sweetlymadejustforyou.com/, http://littlelightdesigncollective.com/
Feb. 23rd: http://www.rockinbookreviews.com/, http://www.wishfulendings.com/
Feb. 24th: http://www.singinglibrarianbooks.com/index.html, http://mybookaday.blogspot.com/
Feb. 25th: http://ldsandlovinit.blogspot.com/, https://joyinthemoments.wordpress.com/
Feb. 26th: http://booksaresanity.blogspot.com/, http://seekingwithallyurheart.blogspot.com/ 
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Like There's No Tomorrow by Camille Eide -- Book Spotlight + Giveaway

2/22/2016
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Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Christian
Publisher: Ashberry Lane Publishing
Publication Date: September 30, 2014
Number of pages: 310
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​Like There’s No Tomorrow is an amusing yet tender love story about two kind caretakers, two quirky old Scottish sisters bent on reuniting, and too many agendas. It’s a tale of family, falling in love, faith, and the gift of each new day.

Scottish widower Ian MacLean is plagued by a mischievous grannie, bitter regrets, and an ache for something he’ll never have again. His only hope for freedom is to bring his grannie's sister home from America. But first, he'll have to convince her lovely companion, Emily, to let her go. Emily Chapman devotes herself to foster youth and her beloved Aunt Grace. Caring for others quiets a secret fear she holds close to her heart. But when Ian appears, wanting to whisk Grace off to Scotland, everything Emily needs to protect—including her heart—is at risk.
Available to purchase on
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Camille Eide writes romantic, inspirational dramas about love, faith, and family. She lives in Oregon with her husband and is a mom, grammy, bass guitarist, and a fan of muscle cars, tender romance, oldies Rock, and Peanut M&Ms.
GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM | BLOG | WEBSITE
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Let her be okay ... Please, God, let her be okay ...
Flashing red lights blinked like buoys in a sea of sand and sagebrush from half a mile away. When Emily turned onto Salt Flats Road, she spotted the sheriff’s car in front of the house along with the emergency rigs. But as she neared the house, the flashing stopped. Uniformed EMTs worked at the back of their ambulance, locking compartment doors. A couple of firefighters reattached something to the fire truck.
No crackling flames. No smoke. No sheet-covered stretcher.
Still, Emily couldn’t breathe. As she braked, the Jeep ground to a stop in the gravel, sending up a cloud of dust. She dashed up the steps and across the covered porch.
A thick, noxious blend of odors met her at the doorway, setting her heart pounding.
“Aunt Grace?” Inside, Emily took a quick glance around the front room and found her great-aunt snuggled up in her favorite corner chair.
A uniformed fireman stood nearby while the EMT on the loveseat beside Aunt Grace packed up a medic kit.
Grace’s soft, wrinkly face drew wide with a smile as Emily came near. “Ooh, here ye are dearie. Such a kind lass. Did ye bring the mail? We’ll be getting a letter from Maggie and Ian today.”
That was good for a partial sigh of relief. “Are you okay?” Emily touched her aunt’s thin shoulder, then bent over the little white-haired woman and kissed the top of her head. “What’s going on? Have you been baking?”
“Aye. Lemon cookies for tea to go with Maggie’s letter.” The old woman nodded, leaned closer, and whispered, “But I’m afraid I misplaced my spatula.”
Oh, Lord, not again. Emily glanced at the fireman, a guy from their church.
He greeted her with a nod and glanced down at Aunt Grace, his drawn brow deepening his look of uncertainty. “You ... might want to start by looking in the kitchen.”
Emily let out a pent-up breath and forced a smile. “Good idea, Brad. Thanks.” She smiled into the old woman’s clouded eyes, once the color of autumn sky. “I’ll be right back.”
In the kitchen, another fireman with a clipboard tossed her a nod and kept writing.
She recognized him too, one of Jaye’s recent crushes.
The pungent smell of burnt cookie and melted plastic stung Emily’s nose.
On the counter, a few dozen lemon shortbread cookies stood stacked in tidy rows. The oven door hung open. Inside, a batch of charred cookies rested peacefully, including what was left of the missing spatula, partially melted at a weird angle in the middle like some kind of eclectic pop art. Though every window was open, a gray haze hovered near the ceiling. Aunt Grace’s favorite Nottingham lace curtains fanned the acrid odor with the help of a gentle breeze.
Emily rubbed her tingling nose. After a last glance around the kitchen, she returned to the front room.
“Did ye find it?” Grace asked, still whispering.
“Yes, I did.” Emily couldn’t help a faint smile at her great-aunt’s concern that someone might discover she’d lost a kitchen utensil. Never mind nearly burning down a house. “It’s right where you left it.”
“Ah, good. Thank ye, dearie.” Her soft Scottish brogue and cheerful smile returned.
No harm done.
This time.
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February 22--Singing Librarian Books
February 23--Toni Shiloh Prayerfully-Lifted Romance | The Power of Words
February 24--Just Commonly 
February 25--Smiling Book Reviews
February 26--A Holland Reads
February 27--Reading Is My SuperPower
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Daughter of Destiny (Guinevere’s Tale #1) by Nicole Evelina

2/18/2016
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About the Book

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Publication Date: January 1, 2016
Lawson Gartner Publishing
eBook & Paperback; 326 Pages
Genre: Historical Fantasy
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Before queenship and Camelot, Guinevere was a priestess of Avalon. She loved another before Arthur, a warrior who would one day betray her.
In the war-torn world of late fifth century Britain, young Guinevere faces a choice: stay with her family to defend her home at Northgallis from the Irish, or go to Avalon to seek help for the horrific visions that haunt her. The Sight calls her to Avalon, where she meets Morgan, a woman of questionable parentage who is destined to become her rival. As Guinevere matures to womanhood, she gains the powers of a priestess, and falls in love with a man who will be both her deepest love and her greatest mistake.
Just when Guinevere is able to envision a future in Avalon, tragedy forces her back home, into a world she barely recognizes, one in which her pagan faith, outspokenness, and proficiency in the magical and military arts are liabilities. When a chance reunion with her lover leads to disaster, she is cast out of Northgallis and into an uncertain future. As a new High King comes to power, Guinevere must navigate a world of political intrigue where unmarried women are valuable commodities and seemingly innocent actions can have life-altering consequences.
You may think you know the story of Guinevere, but you’ve never heard it like this: in her own words. Listen and you will hear the true story of Camelot and its queen.
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Fans of Arthurian legend and the Mists of Avalon will love Daughter of Destiny, the first book in a historical fantasy trilogy that gives Guinevere back her voice and traces her life. 
Available to purchase on
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Praise

“A gripping read that brings a wonderfully depicted Guinevere tumbling out of the shadows of myth.” – Anna Belfrage, author of The Graham Saga
“Nicole Evelina shows a deep and passionate love for the Arthurian world, and her re-weaving of the story of Guinevere and Arthur makes for enjoyable reading. With more volumes to come, if you like stories of Camelot, ancient priesthoods, magical Avalonian dreams and embattled romance, this is for you.” – John Matthews, author of ‘Arthur of Albion’ and ‘The Camelot Oracle’.
“Colorful and exciting…love all the characters. You will have a ball with this book.” – Serena Scott Thomas, actress and audio book narrator

About the Author

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Nicole Evelina is St. Louis-born historical fiction and romantic comedy writer. Her first four books are coming out in 2016:
1. Daughter of Destiny (January 1 – This is the first book of an Arthurian legend trilogy that tells Guinevere’s life story from her point of view)
2. Camelot’s Queen (March 23 – The second book in the trilogy)
3. Been Searching for You (May 23 – a contemporary romantic comedy that won in the single title romance category of the 2015 Great Expectations Contest (sponsored by North Texas RWA) and the 2015 Gold Rose Contest (sponsored by Portland RWA) and is a finalist in five others.
4. Madame Presidentess (July 25 – Historical fiction about 19th century American Presidential candidate Victoria Woodhull, the first American woman to run for President)
She hopes to have the final book in Guinevere’s Tale available in late 2016 or early 2017.
Nicole is a member of and book reviewer for the Historical Novel Society, and Sirens, a group supporting female fantasy authors, as well as a member of the Romance Writers of America, Women Fiction Writers Association, the St. Louis Writer’s Guild, Women Writing the West and the Alliance of Independent Authors.
She is one of only six authors who completed the first week-long writing intensive taught by #1 New York Times bestselling author Deborah Harkness in 2014. Nicole has traveled to England twice to research the Guinevere trilogy, where she consulted with internationally acclaimed author and historian Geoffrey Ashe, as well as Arthurian/Glastonbury expert Jaime George, the man who helped Marion Zimmer Bradley research The Mists of Avalon.
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Review

Coming soon...
A review copy of this book was provided by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours.

Giveaway

To win a paperback copy of Daughter of Destiny (Guinevere’s Tale, Book One) by Nicole Evelina please enter the giveaway via the GLEAM form below. Two copies are up for grabs!
​
Rules
– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on February 26th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to US residents only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.
Daughter of Destiny

Tour Schedule

Monday, February 8
Review at The Mad Reviewer
Spotlight at Unshelfish
Tuesday, February 9
Review at Bookish
Guest Post at Let Them Read Books
Wednesday, February 10
Review at Curling up by the Fire
Guest Post at To Read, or Not to Read
Thursday, February 11
Review at Just One More Chapter
Friday, February 12
Review at Broken Teepee
Interview at Author Dianne Ascroft’s Blog
Monday, February 15
Review at Laura’s Interests
Review at Puddletown Reviews
Tuesday, February 16
Interview at Flashlight Commentary
Wednesday, February 17
Review at Eclectic Ramblings of Author Heather Osborne
Spotlight at Passages to the Past
Thursday, February 18
Review & Interview at Singing Librarian Books
Friday, February 19
Review at Book Nerd
Monday, February 22
Review at Seize the Words: Books in Review
Tuesday, February 23
Review at The Baking Bookworm
Review at The Hive at Black Tea & Milk
Wednesday, February 24
Review at Book Lovers Paradise
Thursday, February 25
Review at A Literary Vacation
Review at One Book Shy of a Full Shelf
Friday, February 26
Review at History From a Woman’s Perspective
Guest Post at One Book Shy of a Full Shelf
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Not Always Happenstance by Rachael Anderson -- Book Tour Review + Giveaway

2/17/2016
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About the Book

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Not Always Happenstance by Rachael Anderson
Lani has lived in Hana, Hawaii for five years. She’s learned to surf, fish, dive, and manage her grandmother’s bed and breakfast. She’s also learned to take one day at a time the way it should be taken—relaxed and unrushed, savoring every moment.
But, like a large wave on the brink of breaking, her life is about to crash out of control. A proposal of marriage, a conniving grandmother, a cryptic Asian woman, and a handsome guest, and suddenly everything calm begins to churn, everything clear becomes confused, and all that was normal segues into peculiar.
As Lani struggles against the current to hold her ground, she realizes that she can either continue to fight and eventually lose, or take a take a leap of faith, hold her breath, and ride the wave wherever it takes her.
***This book is part of the Power of the Matchmaker series that features one recurring character—the match maker—but it is a STAND-ALONE novel.***
Available to purchase on
- AMAZON -

About the Author

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 USA Today bestselling author, Rachael Anderson is the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can’t sing, doesn’t dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.
GOODREADS | FACEBOOK |TWITTER | AMAZON | WEBSITE

Other Books in the Series

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Review

Not Always Happenstance by Rachael Anderson and book two in the Power of the Matchmaker series is a cute Hawaiian love story.  Once again Pearl is matchmaking.  This novel is about a man that loves to travel and gets involved with women to use them as tour guides and then jumps ship and a woman that is close to getting engaged to a good friend but is no longer in love with him.  Somehow these two unlikely people become friends, but will they both take a leap of faith and trust one another long enough to fall in love?  This is a delightful clean, somewhat predictable, but fun, clean romance, that readers will love.
 
Series: Power of the Matchmaker
Genre: contemporary, romance, fiction, anthologies, women’s fiction
Publisher: HEA Publishing
Publication date: February 1, 2016
Number of pages: 220
 
Content Rating: G
Book Rating: 5 stars
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Other books in the series:
1-Broken Things to Mend by Karey White (January 2016)
3-If We Were a Movie by Kelly Oram (coming March 2016)
4-Love is Come by Heather B. Moore (coming April 2016)
5-Four Chambers by Julie Wright (coming May 2016)
6-O’er the River Liffey by Heidi Ashworth (coming June 2016)
7-Chasing Fireflies by Taylor Dean (coming July 2016)
8-Between Heaven and Earth by Michele Paige Holmes (coming August 2016)
9-How I Met Your Brother by Janette Rallison (coming September 2016)
10-To Move the World by Regina Sirois (coming October 2016)
11-King of the Friend Zone by Sheralyn Pratt (coming November 2016)
12-The Reformer by Jaima Fixen (coming December 2016)

A review copy of this book was provided byI am a Reader.

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule

February 4th
I Am A Reader – Spotlight
Kindle and Me  – Review​
Literary Time Out – Review
Girl of 1000 Wonders – Review​
Mom with a Reading Problem – Review​

February 5th
Bookworm Lisa – Review​
Mylissa’s Reviews and Book Thoughts – Review​
What’s Beyond Forks? – Review​
Book Geek Reviews – Review​

February 8th
StoreyBook Reviews – Review​
Julie Coulter Bellon – Review​
Shelf Full of Books – Review​
Stacy Claflin, Author – Review​
May Nicole Abbey Book Reviews – Review

February 9th
Getting Your Read On – Review​
Good & Clean Reads – Review​
Katie’s Clean Book Collection – Review​
Wall-to-wall books – Review
Bookishqueen – Review​​

February 10th
My Book A Day – Review​
Bonnie Gets A Say – Review​
Brooklyn Berry Designs – Review​
LibriAmoriMiei – Review​

February 11th
Smiling Book Reviews – Review​
Maureen’s Musings – Review​
Walking on Bookshelves – Review​

February 12th
Lori’s Reading Corner – Spotlight​
Curling Up With A Good Book – Spotlight​
Oh My Books! – Spotlight
Why Not? Because I Said So! – Review

February 15th
Crystal’s Chaotic Confessions – Spotlight
Queen of All She Reads – Review
Wishful Endings – Review​

February 16th
Mel’s Shelves – Review​
Romance With A Book – Review​
BookHounds – Review​
Every Free Chance Books – Spotlight​

February 17th
Singing Librarian Books – Review
RachelleWrites – Review
Wordpaintings Unlimited – Review
Joy in the Moments – Review

February 18th
Hott Books – Review
Lisa’s Research & Reviews – Review
My Creatively Random Life – Review
Amy @ Books, College, and Other Random Things – Review

February 22nd
Books Are Sanity!!! – Review
Heidi Reads… – Review
Min Reads and Reviews – Review
From the TBR Pile – Review

February 23rd
A Leisure Moment – Review
Christy’s Cozy Corners – Review
Bunny’s Review – Review

February 25th
Tifferz and Her Sisterz Book Reviewz – Review
Swampbrat – Review
The Book Lovers’ Lounge – Review
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The Land of Look Behind by Aaron Blaylock -- Book Tour Review

2/17/2016
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About the Book

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When Gideon discovers a mysterious drawing tucked in an old journal he returns to his mission area in Jamaica with dreams of finding a legendary treasure. Some would kill to keep the treasure secret. This thrilling adventure takes you deep into Jamaica’s treacherous cockpit country and back in time for a spine-tingling mystery you won’t be able to put down.
Available to purchase on
 - AMAZON -

About the Author

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Born and raised in Arizona, Aaron is proud to call the desert home. He came of age in the suburbs of Sacramento, California and as a missionary in Jamaica, where he fell in love with the people and their culture, but he has always been drawn back to the valley of the sun.
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He married his childhood crush, and the girl of his dreams, in 2001. Together they are raising four beautiful and rambunctious children. He worked as a freelance sports reporter for The Arizona Republic for nearly ten years, combining his love of writing and sports. In his storytelling he draws heavily on his love of history, adventure, his faith, and his own life experiences.
GOODREADS | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | AMAZON | YOUTUBE | WEBSITE

 Book Trailer

Review

A story of mystery, adventure, and intrigue, Aaron Blaylock’s first novel, The Land of Look Behind, is a hit!  Readers will fall into this story from page one and will not be able to put it down.  The story progresses while going back and forth between the lives of two different men 300 years apart as they go on a journey across Jamaican territory in search of a “treasure.”  This novel has fun characters, but it was the thrill and excitement in Jamaica that enticed me the most about this novel!  I would recommend this story to readers that enjoy historical mysteries.
 
Genre: historical, mystery
Publisher: Cedar Fort Publishing & Media
Publication date: February 9, 2016
Number of pages: 320
 
Content Rating: PG
Book Rating: 5 stars
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A review copy of this book was provided by Cedar Fort Publishing & Media.

Tour Schedule

February 9: Rockin’ Book Reviews
February 10: Christine Houston
February 11: Jactionary
February 12: Mel’s Shelves
February 13: Kim Drew Wright
February 14: Write, Writing, Written
February 15: Lit World Interviews
February 16: Caribbean Book Blog
February 17: Singing Librarian Books
February 18: Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews
February 19: Jorie Loves a Story
February 20: The Random Book Blogger
February 21: Literary Timeout
February 22: Dog-eared Pages
February 23: The Readers Corner
February 24:
February 25: Making Life a Bliss Complete
February 26: Jorie Loves a Story
February 27: The Rafters
February 28:
February 29: Let Me Be Fictional
March 1: Reidhead Random-ness
March 2: From Eeka’s Eyes
March 3: Bookworm Lisa
March 4:
March 5:
March 6:
March 7: Brooklyn Berry Designs
March 8: Emmy Mom
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Cover Reveal of Proposals and Poison (A Wedding Planner Mystery #3) by Rachelle J. Christensen + Giveaway

2/16/2016
Proposals and PoisonProposals and Poison, Wedding Planner Mysteries book #3 Rachelle J. Christensen “Cozy mystery meets romantic comedy in this fabulous, fast-paced story.” Cami Checketts author of The Resilient One, A Billionaire Bride Pact Romance Love can be a very dangerous thing. At least it seems that way to Adri Pyper, the premier wedding planner in Sun Valley, Idaho. When one of her clients dies mysteriously, Adri takes the advice of the local detective and swears she will stay out of the investigation . . . this time. Luke Stetson's involvement in the case, along with the possibility of a kiss between the two, should be enough incentive to keep Adri out of trouble. But when a dog-themed wedding is almost ruined by a suspect, Adri and her assistant, Lorea, are thrust into private eye mode. When poison enters the picture, even a reluctant sleuth can’t steer clear of danger. Amazon Pre-order “Packed with danger and romance, intrigue and entertainment, Rachelle Christensen's Wedding Planner series is romantic suspense that will keep you turning pages late into the night!” --Maria Hoagland, Author of The ReModel Marriage (Romance Renovations series) add to goodreads RachelleAuthor Rachelle J. Christensen Rachelle is a mother of five who writes mystery/suspense, nonfiction, and women’s fiction. She solves the case of the missing shoe on a daily basis. She enjoys raising chickens and laughing with her husband. She graduated cum laude from Utah State University with a degree in psychology and a minor in music. Rachelle is the award-winning author of ten books, including The Soldier’s Bride (a Kindle Scout Selection), Wrong Number, Diamond Rings Are Deadly Things, What Every 6th Grader Needs to Know, and Christmas Kisses: An Echo Ridge Anthology. Her novella, “Silver Cascade Secrets,” was included in the Rone Award–winning Timeless Romance Anthology, Fall Collection. Rachelle has a VIP mailing list where all subscribers get access to free books, guides, and other resources. Sign up now to hear what exciting news Rachelle has to share. http://eepurl.com/eFD3o

Website * Facebook * Twitter

Diamond ringsVeils and Vengeance
Series endorsements “Mystery, suspense, murder and romance all intriguingly tied together in one very fun walk-down-the-aisle cozy mystery!”—Shauna Wheelwright, reviewer “I love a great mystery that keeps my interest and keeps the pages turning. I loved the Hawaiian setting, that was a character on its own. As the story progressed, I enjoyed where the author went with the mystery, doing a perfect job of planting the right amount of seeds to try to throw me off the trail of who the killer was.”—Mindy Holt, reviewer   Giveaway Details $25 cash giveaway plus an ebook bundle of the Wedding Planner Mystery Books 1 & 2. (gifted via Amazon) Ends 3/3/16 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. a Rafflecopter giveaway
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