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Today’s the day!! For those of you who haven’t ordered Dukes by the Dozen the links are posted below.

 

thumbnail_12 Dukes Cover

The Blurbs

January – Duke in Winter by Alyssa Alexander — When the highwayman demanded that the Duke of Highrow stand and deliver, he didn’t know she would steal his heart.

February – The Difference One Duke Makes by Elizabeth Essex — All it takes is one frosty night for two imperfect people, former naval commander Marcus Beecham and ruined Penelope Pease, to meet and make the perfect February Valentine.

March – Discovering the Duke by Madeline Martin — Reunited at a house party after a lackluster start to their marriage, the Duke of Stedton attempts to win his Duchess’ heart. Will a sizzling wager be enough to melt the frost between them, or will it truly remain the coldest winter in London?

April – The Duke and the April Flowers by Grace Burrowes — The Duke of Clonmere must marry one of the Earl of Falmouth’s three giggling younger daughters, but Lady Iris—Falmouth’s oldest, who is not at all inclined to giggling—catches Clonmere’s eye, and his heart!

May – Love Letters from a Duke by Gina Conkle — The Duke of Richland needs a proper duchess, but he wants his thoroughly fun, entirely inappropriate neighbor, Mrs. Charlotte Chatham. She’s widowed, older, and if the whispers prove true—barren.

June – Her Perfect Duke by Ella Quinn — Still suffering over the loss of his wife and child, Giles, Duke of Kendal sees Lady Thalia Trevor at a market and is instantly smitten. There is only one problem. She is already betrothed to another man. Will she defy her powerful father to marry him?

July – How to Ditch a Duke by May McGoldrick — Lady Taylor Fleming is an heiress with a suitor on her tail. Her plan to ditch him is simple, escape to the Highlands. But there is nothing simple about the Duke of Bamberg. And even with the best laid plans, things can go awry…

August – To Tempt A Highland Duke by Bronwen Evans — Widowed Lady Flora Grafton must be dreaming. Dougray Firth, Duke of Monreith, who once pledged her his heart but then allowed her to marry another, has just proposed. Why now, after eight years? When she learns the truth, can she trust Dougray to love her enough this time?

September – Duke in Search of a Duchess by Jennifer Ashley — The meticulous Duke of Ashford is dismayed when his children ask Helena Courtland, the gossipy, busybody young widow next door, to find Ash a new wife. But she sweeps into his home and his life, turning Ash’s precisely ordered world into a chaotic whirlwind.

October – Dear Duke by Anna Harrington — When the Duke of Monmouth, decides to build a canal, he isn’t prepared for an old mill owner and his daughter to stand in his way. The only person who understands him is the anonymous pen pal to whom he’s been pouring out his heart, a woman not at all who she seems.

November – Must Love Duke by Heather Snow — Lady Emmaline Paulson already has the only Duke she wants in her life—an adorable puppy she rescued from the Serpentine with the help of a handsome stranger. Can Maxwell Granville, heir to a dukedom, convince her there’s room for him, too?

December – The Mistletoe Duke by Sabrina York — The Duchess of Devon can’t think of a better way to tempt her widowed son into marrying again, than to throw a Christmas Ball. And there simply must be mistletoe everywhere! But it’s not until Jonathan meets his mother’s humble companion under the mistletoe, that fireworks erupt.

January – Dueling with the Duke by Eileen Dreyer — When Adam Marrick, Duke of Rothray, shows up on Georgie Grace’s doorstep, she thinks it is to become acquainted with his cousin James’s widow and daughter. Instead he brings news that will completely upend their lives and put them all in danger.

Buy links:

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2FL2JdW

Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2MxAi3R

Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2TfBuvg

Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2CIcbuS

B&N: http://bit.ly/2sK9PqL

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2KHXAH7

Apple: https://apple.co/2Xdcs1l

#HistoricalRomance #RegencyRomance #historicalfiction #ReadaRegency

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It’s time to strut your stuff!! Post any excerpt, or blurb of 400 words or less. You are welcome to post your buy links or social media links, and covers (if you can figure out how to do it)  as well. Please keep it PG.

The Temptation of Lady Serena

The Temptation of Lady Serena

Here is mine from The Temptation of Lady Serena, book #3 in The Marriage Game, currently available for pre-order here.

Robert Beaumont rode toward the woman on the crest of the hill. She sat atop a raking roan, much too large for a lady. Her riding habit, a dull rust color, reminded him of autumn leaves. Her long auburn hair curled down her back, and she wore a small hat with some sort of feather—pheasant, by the way it stuck out. He wondered how the devil she kept the hat on her head with her hair down. His interest piqued, he urged his horse to a trot. As he neared, she took off at a fast gallop.

She was gone when he reached the top of the hill. Beaumont looked out over the valley. A horse and rider were in the north. How had she got that far so quickly? Disgruntled, he turned and rode home. After throwing his reins to a groom, he strode through the doors into the main hall and called to his housekeeper, “Norry!”

She came out from a parlor. “I’m here, my lord. There’s no reason to shout.”

“Who lives to the north?”

“Well, my lord,” she muttered, “if you were here more often, you’d know. It’s a widow lady. I can’t remember her name right off my head. Why?”

Ignoring Norry’s all too familiar complaint, he pressed for more information. “Does she have any children?”

The housekeeper narrowed her eyes. “I heard all her children are grown. She moved here after her son married. Now, if you’ll excuse me, my lord, I have work to do.”

“Norry, let me know if you remember. Especially if it concerns an auburn-haired female.”

Master Robert,” she began in a censorious tone, “we’ll have none of your carrying on up here. You leave it in London.” She nodded her head curtly and left.

Beaumont clenched his jaw and stormed off to his study, cursing the fact that so many of his servants had been with him since childhood, and never let him forget it.

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Good Morning from sunny Virginia where I’m visiting before traveling to Atlanta for RWA Nationals.

CongratulationsCongratulations to Bibbie Sparks, who won the Amazon card from Kae Elle Wheeler.

I received the final piece of my Regency ensemble, knit silk, clock, stockings.  I put them on a modeled them for my husband, assuring him that if he’d been a Regency gentleman, he’d think they were sexy.stockings 001

Other than doing a lot of running around and organizing for Nationals, not much else happened this week. Though I promise I’ll take pictures and will post them next Sunday.

Pursuing Miss Eugénie Villaret, Book #5 in The Marriage Game is with beta readers, and the responses have been good so far. One of them stayed up until 2:00 am reading it so she could find out how it ended.

There will be excerpts tomorrow, but that will be the last post of the week.

The Temptation of Lady Serena

The Temptation of Lady Serena

I’ll leave you with the cover and an excerpt of The Temptation of Lady Serena.  The book goes on pre-order at the beginning of August. If you are a member of my news letter, you’ll get first shot at the plans for it’s roll-out.

A man on a large black horse appeared in the
valley and stared up at her. He looked tall, but it was hard to tell at this distance.
A breeze ruffled his fair hair as he rode toward her.

Have a wonderful week.

Ella

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The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh

The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh

I received wonderful news this morning, The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh received a 5 star review from Liza O’Connor. Please stop by her blog and read it.

In case you didn’t hear, Anna Marsh also received a 4.5 star review from Carol Cook at Rakes and Scoundrels.

Between the blog tour and preparing for Nationals, I’ve been living life in the fast lane, so I’m taking a few days off. I’ll see you on Sunday for Sunday News!!

The 4th of July has special meaning to me. Not only did my husband and I serve in the military, but my ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War and almost every war since then.

Have a wonderful 4th and while your celebrating remember those men and women who risked their lives and livelihood for our freedom. Not only those who fought, but also the statesmen and diplomats whose efforts were just as important.

4th of July fire works

Ella

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The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh

The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh

Congratulations to Stacy Brutger who won a copy of The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh on Rakes, Rogues and Romance. Congratulations

The blog tour for The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh is officially over, but

The Temptation of Lady Serena

The Temptation of Lady Serena

not the pre-order releases. In August the Temptation of Lady Serena goes on

pre-order, and I’ll start another mini blog tour. I’ll also be participating in the History Lovers Blog Hop.

The Seduction of Lady Phoebe

The Seduction of Lady Phoebe

In mid-September The Seduction of Lady Phoebe releases. Not all the plans are finalized yet, but there will be giveaways and contests. Let me know your ideas. If you want to be the first to hear about them, please sign up for my newsletter.

Happy Sunday and have a wonderful week.

Ella

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Not only did Susana post a review for The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh, she also had Lady P con invite Lord Rutherford, the hero in The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh, to tea. Come see what happens when he accepts the invitation. Come by Susana’s Parlour and see how he does keeping his business to himself. Post a comment for a chance to win a copy of The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh.

The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh

The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh

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Good morning everyone. Today we start off with book winners.

Sandy Kenny won Amara Royce’s book Never too Late. <cough> this one was extremely late being announced, but…

bn100 has won Ann Cleeland’s book, Tainted Angel.

Ladies you will be contacted by the author.

I’m being plagued with technical difficulties this morning. First McAfee blocked my email program. I finally got that up. Now my computer can’t see my iPhone so I can download the  pictures I’d planned for today.

The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh

The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh

As many of you already know, The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh, Book #2 in The Marriage Game is now available for pre-order. The release date is November 7th.

Here is the cover. What do you think?

I’ve sent the book out to three reviews, but if you are a reviewer and would like to review The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh, please contact me.

I will be all over the place doing a mini-blog tour and giving away copies of The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh. Here are this coming week’s places and dates:

Monday I’ll visit Collette Cameron on her Blue Rose Blog

Tuesday Anna Small has graciously invited me to join her at Anna Small Books.

On Wednesday I’m back over at Jackki Leatherby’s Leather Bound Reviews

Friday Lord Rutherford, the hero of The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh is being grilled, er, invited for tea at Susana Ellis’s Parlor

Here is my publisher’s blurb followed by a short excerpt. Check out this wonderful cover quote. I can’t thank Sally MacKenzie enough!

“Let yourself be seduced by this sexy mix of spies, smugglers, and happily ever afters.” —Sally MacKenzie

Since she was a young girl, Anna Marsh has dreamed of Sebastian, Baron Rutherford asking for her hand in marriage. But that was in another life when her brother Harry was alive, before she vowed to secretly continue the work he valiantly died for. Now as Sebastian finally courts Anna, she must thwart his advances. Were he to discover her secret, he would never deem her a suitable wife…

Sebastian has always known Anna would become his wife someday. He expects few obstacles, but when she dissuades him at every turn he soon realizes there is much more to this intriguing woman. Somehow he must prove to her that they are meant to be together. But first he must unravel the seductive mystery that is Miss Anna Marsh…

Available at:

Amazon US * Amazon Canada *Amazon UK Barns & Nobel * Kensington * iTunes

Excerpt:

Anna met his gaze coolly. “Lord Rutherford, pray, what brings you here?”

“Oh, Anna dear,” her mother said. “Lord Rutherford has very kindly offered to help by escorting you to Charteries for Lady Phoebe’s wedding.”

Anna raised a brow and stared at Sebastian for a moment before turning to address her mother. Lady Marsh reminded Anna of a wraith. Her mother’s dark brown hair was still unmarked by silver. She always dressed in flowing gowns and draped gauzy shawls around her shoulders, giving the impression she would blow away if one breathed hard enough. Mama desperately wanted Anna married and could not understand how it was she’d reached the age of one and twenty still single.

As objecting to Sebastian’s escort would do her no good, Anna kept the smile on her face. “Yes, Mama, very kind of him.” She glanced at him and thought she saw the remnants of a smug look on his face. “How do you think of these ideas?” she asked sweetly.

His lips twitched slightly. “I really couldn’t tell you, Miss Marsh. It just popped into my head. We are both attending the wedding after all.”

It did not auger well for him that he had used her mother to get his way. “Yes, we do have that in common.”

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First of all, congratulations to Louisa Cornell who won a copy of Collette Cameron’s Highlander’s Hope.

I just received the results from Regina Jeffer’s give away. Congratulations, ladies.

Nancy Wolfe won the autographed print copy. 

Nancy Qualls and Linda won eBook copies of A Touch of Mercy.
The winners are posted on Austen Authors today.

The week started with a bang. I received the production schedule for The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh, book #2 in The Marriage Game, Which releases in November, but goes on pre-order this month. As soon as I receive the cover, I’ll send it out in a newsletter as well as the details for the first contest and my blog stops to promote the pre-order. Here is the teaser that will be at the beginning of the book.

CAUGHT IN A KISS

            Anna’s heart beat faster as his lips reached her throat.  When he kissed her, she thought nothing could be better; then his tongue moved against hers, and she thought she’d swoon.  She tried to put her arms around him, but they were trapped under his body.  It was as if he were possessing her.  Thank God he didn’t know who she was.

“Anna, tell me what you’re doing here,” Rutherford whispered into her ear.

“How did you know it was me?  I thought you were just kissing . . . ”

He started at her in disbelief.  “You thought I’d just kiss any woman?  What the hell do you take me for?”

She struggled to sit up, but his body weighed her down.  “I haven’t even given you leave to kiss me, and you’re doing even more!”

“Harumph.” He bent his head to kiss her again.  “And I plan to continue.”

“Sebastian!” She wiggled to get out from under him.

“Anna. Be still.  I’ll let you up when you tell me what you’re doing here.  Until then . . . ”

Immediately after sending in my dedication and acknowledgements, I received the copy-edits. So the rest of the week was spent working on those, judging contest entries, and posting reviews for books I’ve read. Then my critique partners started to get busy and I’ve been critiquing as well, but also receiving critiques for the book #5.

Fortunately, the week wasn’t all work. I received a wonderful review on The Seduction of Lady Phoebe from Romance Reader Girl. If you missed it, you can read it here.

I won a signed copy of Tessa Dare’s latest release Any Duchess Will Do.

Found the shoes for my Regency gown. Let me know what you think.

Lace Shoes

Lace Shoes

Friday Night Races

Friday Night Races

And I got to be on race committee for the Friday night races at the St. Thomas Yacht Club. I actually got to be the timer and call the race. Which is a big deal, at least for me.

Friday Night Races

Friday Night Races

Baby Scorpion

Baby Scorpion

Oh, and this morning, I found a baby scorpion in my bath room. No, I did not take this picture. The scorpion was gone before I though about it.I downloaded.

I’m off now to a picnic at a new to me beach. I post pictures next Sunday. Tell how your week went.

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Regency Author Collette Cameron

Regency Author Collette Cameron

Please help me welcome debut, Regency author, the lovely Collette Cameron. Collette is here today promoting her novel Highlander’s Hope. If you haven’t read it, I highly encourage to do so. Collette will also be giving away a copy of her book to one lucky commenter. To be eligible, you must leave your email address in with your comment.

Collette: Thank you so much for having me here today, Ella.

Ella: You’ve been hither and yon promoting your book. What does it feel like to finally have it released?

Collette: It’s surreal; a wonderful kind of terrifying. It’s one thing to write a book and have it accepted to be published; it’s another to have it ‘out there’.

Ella: What do you like best and least about being a debut author?

Collette: Everything is so new. Learning about the publishing industry, author platforms and branding, marketing and promotion. That’s my least favorite part; the marketing and promoting. On the other hand, I’ve met (in the realm of social media and otherwise) many incredibly generous and supportive people.

Ella: Tell us what the inspiration was to write Highlander’s Hope?

Collette: I had toyed with the idea of writing a book for years, but never seriously considered writing a romance novel. I didn’t think I could. All that dialogue, conflict, and point of view stuff.

A single scene, the Banbury Inn scene where Ewan finds Yvette asleep in his chamber, was the impetuous for Highlander’s Hope. The idea just came to me one day, and I played around with it in mind to see if I could develop a story line around it. I did, but boy was there a lot of back story I had to eventually cut.

Ella: What drew you to Regencies and the Highlands in particular?

Collette: A girlfriend handed me a Barbara Cartland novel when I was thirteen years-old. I read it and fell in love with Regency. Back then, that was quite daring.  I love all historicals but Georgian, Regency, and Victorian are my favorites. The Regency era was a time of such transition; clothing, culture, politics . . . even morals were in flux.

When I didn’t have my nose buried in a Regency, a good Scot’s Highlander  was usually in my hand. I decided to take two of my favorite genres and combine them into something a bit out of the ordinary. 

Ella: What comes next or have you decided once was enough?

Collette: Oh, Ella, you know how it is when the writing bug bites you. Once is never enough!

Ella: How very true!

Collette: Highlander’s Hope is the first book in my Blue Rose Trilogy. The second book, The Viscount’s Vow is due to release from Soul Mate Publishing next fall. It features Vangie and Ian from Highlander’s Hope.  I’m hard at work on the third book, The Earl’s Enticement.  That’s Adaira and Roark’s story.

Then I have a stand alone that insists on getting written.  After that, I’ve a six-book sage based on Ewan’s other siblings and cousins.  Then of course I have to tell Isaiah and Josiah’s stories. Oh, and Harcourt’s and Yancy’s too.

That’s why I love a large cast of characters; so many stories to write about secondary characters.

Ella: Is there any advice you’d give someone starting their path to publication?

Collette: Get involved in writing groups. I belong to several. Also, attend workshops and conferences on the craft of writing. Join social media groups which offer mentoring and classes.

Critique partners are a must, as are beta readers. Oh, and make sure you read, read, read . . . not only about writing but books in the genre you write.

Finally, find some small thing that makes your books just the tiniest bit unique; something that readers will be able to identify as your trademark.

Ella: Without further to do, here is the blurb and an excerpt from Highlander’s Hope. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Highlander's Hope

Highlander’s Hope

She was the heiress determined to never marry.

Shipping heiress Yvette Stapleton is wary of fortune hunting men and their false declarations of love. She’d rather become a spinster than imprisoned in the bonds of marriage. At first, she doesn’t recognize the dangerously handsome man who rescues her from assailants on London’s docks, but her reaction to Lord Sethwick’s passionate kisses soon have her reconsidering her cynical views on matrimony.

 Blurb

He was the nobleman who vowed to make her his own. 

Not a day has gone by that Ewan McTavish, Lord Sethwick and Laird of Craiglocky, hasn’t dreamed of the sensual beauty he danced with two years ago; he’s determined to win her heart. On a mission to stop a War Office traitor, he unwittingly draws Yvette into deadly international intrigue. To protect her, he exploits Scottish Canon law to declare her his lawful wife—without benefit of a ceremony. Yvette is furious upon discovering the irregular marriage is legally binding, though she never said, “I do.”

Amidst murder and betrayal, Ewan attempts to win Yvette’s forgiveness. But is it too late? Has his manipulation cost him her love?

Excerpt:

Perversely, Yvette argued, “Oh, my lord? How else will I travel to Craiglocky?” Blast it, she swore inwardly when her hoarse voice cracked.

Ewan sat beside her. “Evvy, stop calling me my lord.”

Your lordship, unless I sprout wings and fly, my only recourse is horseback.” Feeling truly rebellious, she stretched and peeked over her shoulders. Pointing to one she said, “No wings, milord. ‘Tis plain I shall have to mount a horse.”

Clearly annoyed, Ewan raked a hand through his hair. “Those below believe us wed. A Scot’s wife doesn’t call her husband ‘my lord’.”

Arching her brow, Yvette dared, “Who gave them reason to believe we were wed, my lord?”

Ewan looked at her hard. “These people must believe us wed, else you’re in grave danger.”

Yvette reached for the cup, then took a grateful swallow of the sweet water. The icy coolness soothed her irritated throat and emboldened her. “So you say, Lord Sethwick. Perhaps it was only a ploy to publicly ruin me, so I’d have to marry you. I overheard Lord Ramsbury at the inn.”

She lowered her voice in imitation of the earl. “‘A wealthy wife is always an asset. I’d say, you’ve done quite well for yourself, old chap.’”

Ewan stiffened. The line of his mouth flattened and his eyes darkened.

Merciful God, did she truly say that? It must be her illness speaking.

He removed the cup from her shaking hand and set it on the bedside table. She could not tear her gaze off his eyes. They were bottomless pools reflecting to the depths of his soul. And he was angry, in fact livid with her. His moon-shaped scar ticked rhythmically.

She’d gone too far. “Ewan—”

“Yvette, remember what happened the last time you didn’t use my given name? I’ve counted no less than five,” he held up as many fingers, “times you’ve intentionally defied me.”

She couldn’t swallow past the constriction in her throat. She’d done it up brown now. Holding her hand before her to ward him off, she shook her head.

In a movement so swift, she didn’t even have time to gasp, he lay atop her torso, pinning her with his weight. His gaze pierced hers before he lowered his head. She felt a soft, fluttering touch and a slight sting on her sore lip as his mouth brushed hers.

Highlander’s Hope is available at Amazon

Author Bio:

In February 2011, Collette decided to sit down and write a Regency suspense romance with a few Highlander’s thrown in to spice things up a bit. She wrote Highlander’s Hope, the first book in her Blue Rose Trilogy. She has a BS in Liberal Studies and a Master’s in Teaching. She’s been married for 30 years, has 3 amazing adult children, and 5 dachshunds. Her puppy, Ayva, sits on her lap while she writes. Ayva also nibbles at and lies on the keyboard. Collette loves a good joke, flowers, the beach, trivia, birds, shabby chic, and Cadbury Chocolate. You’ll always find dogs, birds, quirky—sometimes naughty—humor, and a dash of inspiration in her novels. Her motto for life? You can’t have too much chocolate, too many hugs, or too many flowers. She’s thinking about adding shoes to that list.

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As I was trying to come up with something different for today, it occurred to me that all authors, published or not, have WIPs. So that’s what we’re going to do today. Please post an excerpt of your WIP. After your excerpt feel free to post your blog, website or both so people can find you.

Here is mine from the currently titled The Courtship of Miss Eugénie Villaret, the 5th book in The Marriage Game.

July, 1816, England 

William, Viscount Wivenly, caught a glimpse of white muslin through a thinly leafed part of the tall hedge behind which he’d taken refuge.

“Are you sure he came this way?” a feminine voice whispered.

“Quite sure,” came the hushed answer. “You must be careful, Criseida. If I tell you what Miss Stavely told me in the strictest confidence, you must promise never to repeat what I’m about to say as I swore I’d never breathe a word.”

“Yes, yes,” Miss Criseida Hawthorne replied urgently, “I promise.”

He’d been dodging the Hawthorne chit for two days now, and unfortunately she wasn’t the only one. Will wished he knew who the other woman was.

“Well then,” the other young woman paused. “I really shouldn’t. If it got out, she’d be ruined!”

“I already promised.” Miss Hawthorne wheedled.

After a few moments, the other girl continued. “Miss Stavely said she followed Lord Wivenly to the library, so that they’d be alone, and he’d have to marry her.”

“What an excellent plan.” Miss Hawthorne’s tone fell somewhere between admiring and wishful.

“Well it wasn’t.”

Even thinking about the incident with Miss Stavely, made Will shudder. There were few worse fates than being married to her. Fortunately the lady was not as intelligent as she was crafty. The minute she’d turned the lock, she announced he’d have to marry her. However, she’d failed to take into account the French windows through which he had made his escape.

“What do you mean?” Miss Hawthorne asked.

“Have you heard anything about a betrothal being announced?”

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