Cover Reveal + Giveaway: Twisted Sisters by Kimber Leigh Wheaton

Twisted Sisters (Orion Circle #2)

Author: Kimber Leigh Wheaton

Genre: YA Urban Fantasy

Release Date: October 27, 2015

Cover Design by AM Design Studios 

Description:

It’s a child’s toy—what could go wrong?

While playing with a spirit board, two sorority sisters summon the vindictive spirits of three women brutally murdered by a psychopath. Join Logan, Kacie, and the rest of the Orion Circle as they delve into the disturbing events of the past to find the key to freeing the spirits.

But this isn’t any ordinary haunting.  These ghosts were banished before, and now they have returned more powerful than anyone could have imagined. Anger breeds hatred and hatred leads to darkness—these phantoms are on the verge of losing their last spark of humanity and becoming completely lost to the shadows.

Can Logan and Kacie convince the tortured souls to embrace the light and move on, or will the spirits succumb to the hypnotic pull of evil, leading to an eternity of torment and suffering?

  

“Huge EMF spike!” Carl shouts, waving the EMF detector in the air.

That’s it. I can’t wait for Raven any longer. Mr. Kincaid’s voice echoes in my ears, calling me stupid for rushing in not knowing what’s in there. I’m in charge of this fiasco… I never should’ve let her run in without more information. Steeling my shoulders, I cross the threshold into the house.

I stop and survey the scene in seconds, taking in the ridiculous amount of damage. The living room is trashed: sofa overturned, lamps broken on the floor, and the front window shattered by the flying armchair. No sign of Raven, but the girls said they were using the board in the kitchen. As I walk down the hall toward the back of the house, a ceramic figurine flies at me. I duck just in time as it grazes the top of my hair. I’m finding it difficult to believe spirits summoned from a spirit board by amateurs could be this powerful.

The family room is in a similar state to the living room. When I spy the sixty-inch TV on the floor in a smashed mess my heart thumps faster. These are powerful spirits or maybe even a rogue gang. That TV had to weigh over one hundred pounds, and it’s a good twelve feet from the entertainment center. No sign of Raven in here either.

A fierce wind blows from the kitchen, slamming me against the wall. So much power. None of this makes any sense!

“Raven.” I try to call out, but my voice comes out a hoarse croak.

My body is freed as the wind dies down, and I race toward the kitchen. Something shoves me from behind, sending me reeling across the tile floor. I manage to rotate myself at the last second so my shoulder impacts the wall instead of my head. The wind stops the moment I hit the wall. As I rub my sore shoulder, a loud scream pierces the silence. My stomach drops at the sheer terror echoing in that scream. Raven.

Leaping to my feet, I search the large kitchen for her. When my eyes land on her, I blink a few too many times. This shouldn’t be possible.

“Hang on, Raven,” I call out to her form suspended in midair near the ceiling.

“Hang on? Really?” Her arms are splayed out to the sides. Though she tries to project confidence with her words, I can tell from her face that she’s terrified.

“Release her at once!” I yell at the invisible spirits. “She has done nothing to you.”

“Don’t you think I already tried that?” Raven bites out in between gasping breaths.

“St. Michael, the archangel, def—” I start the prayer, but something crashes into me, knocking the wind from my lungs as I’m slammed into the floor. It takes a few dazed seconds to realize it’s Raven’s body crushing me. “Can you move?”

“I don’t know.” She rolls off me despite her words, groaning. “Those damned spirits. Madder than cornered rattlesnakes.”

“I can’t feel anything but intense hatred and fury.” I push to my feet, ignoring the searing pain in my side. After hauling Raven up by the arm, I drag her toward the back door.

“Wait!” she yells, yanking her arm away. “The board.” Raven disappears beneath the long oak table. A few seconds later, she pops out holding the spirit board.

“Come on,” I shout when I feel the spirits returning for round two. “Crap, too late.” An invisible force plows into me, pushing me back into the unforgiving wall. “Raven, run!”

Something hits me in the ribs, banging my body into the wall once, twice, three times. My head spins from the impact. At least Raven made it out. A white mist fills my vision, and I blink several times. It doesn’t go away, only becomes sharper, more focused. Her form is wispy, ethereal. She would be beautiful were her lips not turned into a vicious sneer. I lay on the ground, waiting for her to make her move while she floats around me. 

Kimber Leigh Wheaton is a bestselling YA author with a soft spot for sweet romance. In addition to writing, she works as an editor for two publishers as well as select indie authors. She is married to her soul mate, has a teenage son, and shares her home with three dogs and lots of dragons. Kimber Leigh is addicted to romance, video games, superheroes, villains, and chocolate—not necessarily in that order. (If she has to choose, she’ll take a chocolate covered superhero!) Winner of the 2014 Rising Star Award at the BTS Red Carpet Awards in NOLA.

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Author Links:
http://www.kimberleighwheaton.com
https://twitter.com/Cymberle
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7885752.Kimber_Leigh_Wheaton
https://www.facebook.com/KimberLeighWheaton
http://www.pinterest.com/Cymberle
http://www.amazon.com/Kimber-Leigh-Wheaton/e/B00IN498L2/
https://instagram.com/kimberleighwheaton/ 

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Book Blitz: Shadow Fire by Kimber Leigh Wheaton

Shadow Fire (The Light Chronicles #1)

Author: Kimber Leigh Wheaton 

Release Date: February 24, 2014

Publisher: Astraea Press

310 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

Ashlyn – a free-spirited teenager whose peaceful life is shattered when the village elders honor her with a perilous quest to recover a stolen relic.

Zane – a jaded mercenary, torn by his undeniable desire for Ashlyn and the dark secret that could make her hate him forever.

Delistaire – a malevolent sorcerer driven by an insatiable lust for power.
All three are bound together by an ancient relic supposedly infused with the power of a Goddess.

Shadow Fire - adventure, passion, secrets, and betrayal

As Ashlyn and Zane race to stay one step ahead of the evil lurking in the shadows, their passions are ignited and their bond strengthens. But will they find the relic before Delistaire? Or has their entire quest been orchestrated from the very beginning by a madman in pursuit of ultimate power? 

The village is quiet as we make our way down the main street to the tavern. Brinda, Celeste and I walk in utter silence. The chirps of the crickets seem deafening in the unusual stillness. We plod along, shoulders slumped, eyes downcast. To an outsider we must appear more like a funeral procession than a group of girls heading to a party. Parties are meant to celebrate something, a birth, a marriage, completion of an apprenticeship. Who would throw a party to send a maiden off to her death? And why in the Goddess’ name did I agree to attend this blatant absurdity?

As the tavern comes into view, I’m awed by the beauty. Sconces full of candles flicker in the darkness, adorning the eaves and surrounding the entry. Someone took the time to make a banner out of pink cloth. It hangs above the entrance, the words scrawled out in black paint, ‘Good Luck Ashlyn Silverthorne’.

I swallow around the lump forming in my throat as I stare at the banner. After three weeks of sideways glances and whispers about my impending doom, the four little words written on the sign bring a bit of solace. Thank goodness it doesn’t read, ‘Try not to die, Ashlyn’ or even better, ‘May your death be quick and painless’. When I break out in nervous titters from the morbid thought, my sisters both stare at me, their faces pinched with worry. I’d like to reassure them I won’t have a breakdown tonight, but the way I’m feeling right now is far from cool and collected. Cory made the situation worse with his assault today. Dear Goddess, I hope he’s not inside!

“ASHLYN!” a chorus of voices chant my name followed by several minutes of cheering.

My fingers dig into the doorjamb, my nails scraping at the white paint. I contemplate whether fleeing now is an option. With a furtive glance, I scan the packed room, flushing when I locate Zane at a small table in the corner. His sultry garnet eyes meet mine. My breath catches in my throat, and my heartbeat accelerates, threatening to hammer right out of my chest. Before I can find the presence of mind to move, my older brothers, Abel and Jess, approach, each grabbing an arm before dragging me to a chair at the head of a large banquet table.

“There’ll be plenty of time for food and drink in a moment,” Jess shouts to the boisterous crowd. “Now it’s time for going away gifts.”

The cheer in the room is odd, making me feel as though I’m moving to a new town rather than leaving on a dangerous quest. When a wrapped gift is thrust into my hands, I’m too stunned to do anything other stare at the small box.

“This is from Jess and me,” Abel says, his lips curled into a melancholy smile.

For some reason the sorrow in his dark brown eyes is soothing, a tiny push back into reality. 

False cheer is understandable, but the festive atmosphere in the tavern is downright creepy. Pushing it to the back of my mind, I tear open the bright red wrapping and open the box. Nestled inside is the most beautiful silver brooch I’ve ever seen in my life. I know this piece of jewelry quite well since I’ve been admiring it every weekend at the merchant’s fair in the town square. My fingers trace the head of the dragon following the scales down to the unfurled wings. The eyes are twin sapphires which match the velvet cloak Brinda and Celeste gave me.

“Thank you, I love it,” I breathe out in a whisper. Brinda takes the brooch from my shaking hands and pins it to my velvet cloak. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Just promise to take care out there,” Jess says, giving me a quick hug followed by a kiss on the head.

“We’ll go with you, Ashlyn,” Abel whispers when he leans down to kiss my cheek.

If only things were that easy. Jess has a wife and child, Abel is taking over the carpentry shop and is engaged. I could never ask them to risk their lives on a foolhardy quest, not as happy as both are. Besides, my parents shouldn’t lose three children all at once. Such pain would be unbearable.

“No, I’ll be fine on my own,” I whisper back through the lump forming in my throat. “You both have people here who need you.” Sadness is reflected in his soulful eyes along with worry, but the most disturbing is relief. “Hey, at least those martial arts lessons you and Jess have paid for since I was thirteen may finally come in handy,” I say with a fake laugh, trying to lighten the mood.

“You’ve become a formidable woman,” Jess murmurs. “Be careful out there and never let your guard down.”

Kimber Leigh Wheaton is a bestselling YA/NA author with a soft spot for sweet romance. She is married to her soul mate, has a teenage son, and shares her home with three dogs, four cats, and lots of dragons. No, she doesn’t live on a farm, she just loves animals. Kimber Leigh is addicted to romance, videogames, superheroes, villains, and chocolate—not necessarily in that order. (If she has to choose, she’ll take a chocolate covered superhero!) She currently lives in San Antonio, TX but has been somewhat a rolling stone in life, having resided in several different cities and states.

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Tortured Souls Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway

Welcome to my stop on the Tortured Souls blog tour! Today I'm sharing my review of the book with you - and don't forget to enter the giveaway! To follow the rest of the tour, click on the banner above.

Tortured Souls (The Orion Circle #1)

Author: Kimber Leigh Wheaton

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Release Date: June 29, 2014

Description:

Sometimes Rest in Peace isn't an option...

Kacie Ramsey sees ghosts—and it's ruining her life. Her mother left, her father blames her, and no matter how hard she tries, she can't keep the ghosts away. Now a new power has emerged. Nightly visions of grisly murders and a relentless predator draw her to the brink of insanity.

When the phantom appears at a party, Kacie's longtime crush, Logan, saves her. He invites her to join the Orion Circle, a group of supernatural hunters with chapters in schools all over the country. Through the Circle, Kacie learns to embrace her spiritual powers, and for the first time in her life she feels in control rather than a victim.

But the Foxblood Demon will not give up so easily. A demented serial killer in life who trapped the souls of the thirteen children he murdered, imprisoning them within the walls of his mansion. Now in death, he plots his return while drawing power from the pure souls of the children. He recognizes something in Kacie he's never seen before—a medium powerful enough to provide a vessel for his tainted soul.

Kacie can't ignore the tortured souls of the children crying out to her every night. With Logan at her side, she will fight the Foxblood Demon. But can they banish this powerful phantom, or will Kacie lose not only her body, but her eternal soul to the monster.  

Tortured Souls is the first book in a thrilling new young adult paranormal romance series. It follows our main character, Kacie, as she tries to make her way through teenage life. Only Kacie isn't like the other teenagers around - she can see ghosts. As if trying to get through high school wasn't enough - her family has been torn apart and her dad blames her, the pesky ghosts won't go away no matter how hard she tries, and now she's having visions of terrible murders and the person committing them each night. During a party, a ghost shows up and makes trouble - until Kacie's crush, Logan, saves her and then tells her about the Orion Circle. It's a network of teens with supernatural powers from all over the country - and for once, Kacie feels like she belongs somewhere and she can learn how to control her powers. A powerful demon who was a serial killer of children when he was alive, is now plotting his return to life using the soul energy of the children he murdered and imprisoned in his mansion's walls. Until he comes across Kacie - a medium who has enough power to become the vessel for his soul to return. Kacie and Logan must fight the Foxblood Demon and defeat him before he can return. But will they be strong enough to beat him or will Kacie ultimately lose herself to become his vessel?

The description of this book had me instantly curious after reading it. It sounded like a truly original story among the sea of other YA paranormal fiction out there. I'm so glad I decided to give it a try because it turned out to be a fantastic novel that had me glued to the pages from the first paragraph. I ended up getting sucked into the story and read it in a matter of hours without stopping. There was a lot going on in the book and a ton of twists that kept me on my toes. I loved Kacie as the main character. She was easy to identify with because she's just a regular teenage girl - who just happens to have supernatural powers. Her insecurities, fears, and hopes made her very accessible to me as a reader. I loved watching her character take on the obstacles in the book - they only made her stronger and more in control of herself and her powers. It was great to watch her mature so much along the way. Of course, I loved reading about Logan and Kacie - and how their relationship blossomed throughout the story. The romance was sweet and fit in well with the rest of the book. The plot was intriguing and definitely unique. I loved all of the supernatural and paranormal aspects the author uses in the story - from the ghosts of the dead children to the Foxblood Demon and who he is (and was), and the different powers the characters possessed. Another thing that really interested me was the story behind the Orion Circle. I loved learning about its history and the roles that it plays in the world. I hope we get to learn more about the circle in the coming books. With fast paced writing and suspense that has you on the edge of your seat - this book is definitely one that I recommend to fans of the genre. I also recommend it to fans of fantasy and paranormal fiction and those readers looking for something fresh and different from the norm. I'll definitely be reading the next book when it releases!

Kimber Leigh Wheaton is a YA/NA author with a soft spot for sweet romance and is a member of Romance Writers of America.

She is married to her soul mate, has a teenage son, and shares her home with three dogs and four cats. No, she doesn’t live on a farm, she just loves animals. Her house is filled with dragons, though she does lament that they are the porcelain, non-flying variety.

Kimber Leigh is addicted to romance, videogames, superheroes, villains, and chocolate—not necessarily in that order. (If she has to choose, she’ll take a chocolate covered superhero!)

Her debut novel, Shadow Fire, is the first book in the Light Chronicles series. Watch for book two, Stolen Moon, a standalone sequel, coming August 2014.

Author Links: 

https://www.facebook.com/KimberLeighWheaton

http://www.kimberleighwheaton.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7885752.Kimber_Leigh_Wheaton

https://twitter.com/Cymberle

Buy Links:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble 

Tour Wide Giveaway: $25 Amazon gift card - Open INT!

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Shadow Fire Blog Tour: Review + Giveaway

Welcome to my stop on the Shadow Fire blog tour! Today I'll be sharing my review of the book with you, and don't forget to enter the awesome giveaway! To follow the rest of the tour, click on the banner above.

Shadow Fire (Light Chronicles #1)

Author: Kimber Leigh Wheaton

Genre: YA Fantasy/Romance

Release Date: February 24, 2014

Description:

Ashlyn – a free-spirited teenager whose peaceful life is shattered when the village elders honor her with a perilous quest to recover a stolen relic.

Zane – a jaded mercenary, torn by his undeniable desire for Ashlyn and the dark secret that could make her hate him forever.

Delistaire – a malevolent sorcerer driven by an insatiable lust for power.
All three are bound together by an ancient relic supposedly infused with the power of a Goddess.

Shadow Fire - adventure, passion, secrets, and betrayal

As Ashlyn and Zane race to stay one step ahead of the evil lurking in the shadows, their passions are ignited and their bond strengthens. But will they find the relic before Delistaire? Or has their entire quest been orchestrated from the very beginning by a madman in pursuit of ultimate power?  

Shadow Fire is the first book in an exciting new young adult fantasy romance series that follows leading lady Ashlyn as her life is turned upside down when the town elders choose her to go on a special quest to find a lost relic. Ashlyn knows what the quest really is - a sacrifice. None of the other girls that were "chosen" came back. Ashlyn decides that she won't let this get her down and swears she'll be the one to come back to the village. Add in Zane - a hot mercenary who is attracted to Ashlyn but conflicted about secrets that he holds, and Delistaire - an evil sorcerer who wants the relic so he can have ultimate power. Ashlyn and Zane team up against Delistaire, trying to be the first ones to find the relic. Will they be able to find it before Delistaire does? Or has this entire quest already been decided before it even started?

I thought the premise for this book was fascinating and I was eager to find out about the quest and this mysterious relic. Add in magic and secrets - you have it all. The story wasn't completely original, but it did have some really unique aspects to it. I loved the way the author described the tribe and the village - their history, the legends of the relic, and their everyday lives. The author did a fantastic job of describing all of these in detail and I loved learning as much as I could about all of it. The characters were interesting - especially the three main ones. Ashlyn is a typical teenage girl who is just trying to live a normal life in the village when she is chosen for the quest to find the relic. She knows just as much as everyone else that she's basically a dead girl walking - nobody chosen has ever returned. Ashlyn keeps her fears and insecurities hidden as best she can and undertakes the journey with perseverance and determination. She's not a perfect character - she has flaws like everyone else - but I found her easy to identify with right away. Zane is the typical sexy anti-hero love interest that the heroine falls for. He is dark and mysterious with secrets - not very original. I did like his personality and watching how his and Ashlyn's relationship progressed. The addition of the evil sorcerer who wants the relic for power is a bit cliched and expected. He gave the story the nemesis that was needed - a rival that Ashlyn must conquer in order to succeed on her quest. It all seemed to follow the classic hero/quest story outline, but the author did a good job with the details and vivid descriptions to make it stand out from other stories like it out there. I'd recommend this to fans of fantasy and paranormal fiction.

Kimber Leigh Wheaton is a YA/NA author with a soft spot for sweet romance and is a member of Romance Writers of America.

She is married to her soul mate, has a teenage son, and shares her home with three dogs and four cats. No, she doesn’t live on a farm, she just loves animals. Her house is filled with dragons, though she does lament that they are the porcelain, non-flying variety.

Kimber Leigh is addicted to romance, videogames, superheroes, villains, and chocolate—not necessarily in that order. (If she has to choose, she’ll take a chocolate covered superhero!)

Her debut novel, Shadow Fire, is the first book in the Light Chronicles series. Watch for book two, Stolen Moon, a standalone sequel, coming August 2014.

Author Links: 

https://www.facebook.com/KimberLeighWheaton

http://www.kimberleighwheaton.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7885752.Kimber_Leigh_Wheaton

https://twitter.com/Cymberle

Buy Link: Amazon

Giveaway: $25 Amazon gift card - Open INT! Ends September 29!

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Book Blitz + Giveaway: Tortured Souls by Kimber Leigh Wheaton

Tortured Souls (Orion Circle #1)

Author: Kimber Leigh Wheaton

Release Date: July 2014

Summary from Goodreads:

Sometimes Rest in Peace isn't an option.

Kacie Ramsey sees ghosts—and it's ruining her life. Her mother left, her father blames her, and no matter how hard she tries, she can't keep the ghosts away. Now a new power has emerged. Nightly visions of grisly murders and a relentless predator draw her to the brink of insanity.

When the phantom appears at a party, Kacie's longtime crush, Logan, saves her. He invites her to join the Orion Circle, a group of supernatural hunters with chapters in schools all over the country. Through the Circle, Kacie learns to embrace her spiritual powers, and for the first time in her life she feels in control rather than a victim.

But the Foxblood Demon will not give up so easily. A demented serial killer in life who trapped the souls of the thirteen children he murdered, imprisoning them within the walls of his mansion. Now in death, he plots his return while drawing power from the pure souls of the children. He recognizes something in Kacie he's never seen before—a medium powerful enough to provide a vessel for his tainted soul.

Kacie can't ignore the tortured souls of the children crying out to her every night. With Logan at her side, she will fight the Foxblood Demon. But can they banish this powerful phantom, or will Kacie lose not only her body, but her eternal soul to the monster.

Available from:

Praise:

“Tortured Souls was a wonderful YA read. It was light and enjoyable all the way through. From the romance, to the thrills, this book was fantastic. YA lovers, this is definitely a book you'll want to check out.” ~ Farrah at Imagine a World

“Tortured souls by Kimber Wheaton........ omg!! Great book!!!! This is one you don't want to miss out on.” ~ Paranormal Romance & Authors That Rock

“The plot is wonderfully spooky with just the right amount of suspense and mystery to keep the pages turning.” ~ James Luby– Amazon Reviewer

Excerpt from Chapter Eleven ~ Romance on the River Walk

“Careful, the stone walkway is a bit uneven,” he says, taking my hand. “It’s easy to navigate during the day, but without light…” he trails off as we walk farther from the lights of the building.

The path ends, and we hike across a grassy expanse leading to the River Walk. Light from the nearby building filters through the leaves above us creating a speckled pattern on the shadowed grass. Roots from the large oak trees have broken through the ground, almost impossible to see in the darkness. When I trip over one my face flushes, and I mutter a curse at my clumsiness. Logan chuckles before righting me so we can continue. Within seconds he trips over another root from the same tree. We both stumble a few steps then break out in laughter.

“You don’t think the tree is out to get us do you?” he asks as he glares up at it.

I giggle when he kicks the root with his hiking boot. He moves closer until he’s inches from my face, close enough that I can see his eyes in the faint light under the tree.

“We’re almost to the retaining wall. I didn’t consider homicidal tree roots when I chose to walk this way. Sorry.”

“I love the trees,” I comment. He takes my hand leading me through the old tree’s maze of roots. “I’m glad these businesses didn’t just tear down the old oak trees. How old do you think this one is?” I ask, running my hand along the rough trunk.

“No idea,” he says, stopping to gaze up at the tree. “I bet it’s been witness to a lot through the years.”

As we continue the hike to the river, he puts his arm around my shoulders, and I snuggle against his side. At the bottom of the grassy hill a four foot retaining wall keeps the earth from slipping onto the path running along the river. Logan jumps down then holds his arms up to me, grabbing me around the waist to help me down the wall. My arms fly around his neck as I jump down, and I end up in his arms pressed against his firm chest. As he lowers my feet to the ground, I breathe in the scent of his leather jacket and spicy aftershave. Once I’m back on the ground, I expect him to release me, but his arms stay wrapped around my body holding me against him.

My face is still buried in his shoulder, and I lift my chin to glance at him. He grins at me, a cute half-smile, while his eyes sparkle in the golden light from a nearby lantern. I focus on his lips as he closes the distance between us.

His lips meet mine—soft and warm, the kiss achingly tender. My eyes flutter closed and my hand moves up to those curls I’ve been dying to touch. He releases a soft sigh as my fingers caress the nape of his neck and tips his head to deepen the kiss. My lips part under the gentle pressure of his tongue, granting him entrance.

His hand moves from my back to my neck, and he buries his fingers in my hair. I let out a breathy moan, completely lost to the sensations. He uses my hair to tip my head back then trails searing kisses down my chin to my neck.

When he pulls his lips away from my neck, he continues to hold me in his arms for several moments while gazing into my eyes. My lips tingle, and I cling to his arms, feeling a bit lightheaded. After a few silent moments, he takes my hand, and we stroll along the river. I feel like I’m floating while my mind replays our first kiss over and over. No matter how I look at it, the kiss was perfect in every way. 

Kimber Leigh Wheaton is a YA/NA author with a soft spot for sweet romance. She is married to her soul mate, has a teenage son, and shares her home with three dogs, four cats, and lots of dragons. No, she doesn’t live on a farm, she just loves animals. She is addicted to romance, videogames, superheroes, villains, and chocolate—not necessarily in that order. (If she has to choose, she’ll take a chocolate covered superhero!) She currently lives in San Antonio, TX but has been somewhat a rolling stone in life, having resided in several different cities and states.

Author Links:

   

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