Okay, so this a completely promotional post. Run now if you don’t enjoy reading an author’s post about her books. Okay, you’ve been warned …
It’s been awhile since I caught you up on all the news. So I’ll start with a sharing a 4.5 STAR Review from Dark Diva Reviews. Jae said:
A roller-coaster of emotion and some of the most emotionally dramatic BDSM scenes I’ve read in quite a while are contained within Invitation to Ecstasy by Nina Pierce. Ms. Pierce’s writing is very enjoyable. There’s a terrific balance of down-to-earth narrative, humor, and intensity that draws the reader along from the very first page.
The book is available at Ellora’s Cave and Amazon
And Deceive Her With Desire has recently received two accolades.
It came in third in the suspense category of the Judge a Book by it’s Cover Reader’s Choice Contest hosted by the Houston Bay RWA. I would like to thank all the readers who took time to vote in this wonderful contest. Of course all the credit for the beautiful design goes to my cover artist DAR ALBERT. She’s the bestestest! I shout her praises everywhere because she’s so very talented!
This same book has also FINALED in the Gulf Coast STAR Contest in the novella category (which they define as any book under 40,000 words). w00t! w00t! I’m honored. I’ll find out next month exactly where it placed.
And if you didn’t know already, BLIND HER WITH BLISS is available for FREE on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
And the print book for all three Tilling Passions stories titled DANGEROUS AFFAIRS has finally met all the proofing requirements and should be available on Amazon by the end of the week and available in a bookstore near you by mid-April!
And on a personal note, Mr. Nina has a couple of job interviews this week. One of them is near our family in Maine. (Totally crossing my fingers that that one results in a job offer.) So there you have it, all the news and more. So what’s new with you? Anything worth dancing over?
November was INSANE as I prepped for a blog tour for DECEIVE HER WITH DESIRE. Now it’s here and I’m insane running around trying to share all the posts.
Lute at TBR Pile gave it 5 STARS and said this …
This story sizzled on the pages between the heated romance and the suspense. The plot was fast paced but I enjoyed every minute of it… adored Ayden and not just because he is the quintessential leading man who plays the underdog, okay, that pretty much had a lot to do with it. The romance kept my heart pumping and the suspense held me on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait to read the next installment of the series.
Check it out HERE. Comment by tomorrow, December 2 for a chance to win a copy!
And another 5 STAR review posted today at SAPPHYRIA’S BOOK REVIEWS. Check out what she had to say…
This was an awesome 105 page story. The shorter length of the book didn’t detract from the novel in any way. It didn’t seem rushed in any area nor did it leave out any crucial information that some shorter stories tend to do…The suspense and romance of the novel didn’t overtake each other; there was a nice balance of both. The romantic parts were hot and realistic and the suspense kept me engaged.
w00t! w00t! Snoopy dancing around the house. I love these two!
Also today begins a HUGE sale at Book Lover’s Buffet. ALL books in ALL genres are just $.99!! Including BLIND HER WITH BLISS. I hope you’ll check it out!
I’m very excited. At the end of last week I received word that A TOUCH OF LILLY has finaled in Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal’s Prism Contest in the Erotica category. w00t! w00t!
This is the second final for this book. I’m not sure I mentioned it also finaled in Passionate Ink’s Passionate Plume Contest in the Science Fiction/Fantasy category.
Winners for both contests will be announced at RWA’s National conference at the end of June.
Also this week, ROMANCE JUNKIES gave BLIND LOVE 5 RIBBONS and Pam said:
BLIND LOVE is the first novel in the series, TILLING PASSIONS, by Nina Pierce. It was an intriguing page-turner from the beginning. I could not put it down…Julie’s character development throughout the story is very inspiring. Damon is the perfect man for her. He slowly coaxes her out of her shell, makes her realize her worth, and that in itself is incredible. BLIND LOVE is by far, the best contemporary romance I have read this year. I am looking forward to reading more by Ms. Pierce.
How about and EXCERPT:
He stopped short when he realized the door to the back offices of the club was blocked. A raven-haired beauty stared down the bouncer guarding the entrance from unauthorized customers. The woman stood defiantly with her hands on her hips. Her breasts pushed forward, brushing the guy’s barrel chest.
“Well, I guess I just don’t understand. You’ve let all kinds of people go through that door behind you. I’ve seen them coming and going. Why not me?”
He recognized the feisty woman. Twenty minutes ago, she’d acted like she didn’t understand what was going on when the dance floor spotlight flooded over her. It hadn’t taken much coaxing from the crowd to get her to join the dance competition. Damon had seen lots of women appear all innocent until they were nearly naked in front of the crowd. Not this one. He’d watched her ride her partner’s thigh, her body swaying sensually to the music, her lids hanging heavy with desire. He was sure she’d be like all the rest, slithering out of her clothes and satisfying herself in public. But she hadn’t. She’d done some kind of slink and roll and extricated herself quite gracefully from the writhing bodies on the dance floor, then disappeared.
She’d definitely caught his attention. Damon’s body reacted to the memory. Okay, so maybe he wasn’t too tired to enjoy a drink or two with a lively number like her.
“As I told you, only members can go through, or guests on the list.” The bouncer looked down his crooked nose at her, the strobe lights reflecting off his bald head. He pounded his stubby finger on his clipboard. “Ma’am, if you’re not on the list, you’re not going in.”
“Ma’am? Do I look like a ma’am to you?” she asked, poking the big man in the sternum.
Damon bit back a laugh. There weren’t many who would stand up to this particular bouncer. Just the size of his tattooed forearms was enough to intimidate most patrons of Starry Knights. She seemed unfazed by his size and gruff scowl. Maybe he could save the poor schlep blocking the door, give the woman access to the back rooms and find if she was interested in a little something more.
He didn’t feel quite so tired anymore.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
BUY link for KINDLE LOVERS
BUY link for NOOK LOVERS
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I hope everyone has a wonderful week!
I’m participating in Whipped Cream’s SPRING FLING. They’re giving away a KINDLE, NOOK or $150 Giftcard to one lucky commenter at the end of this month. GO HERE to check out my post about May/December relationships. Leave a comment and you’re entered.
You can also visit the other posts and comment there as well. Every comment on every post is an entry … Good luck!
This week Black Raven Reviews gave MAID FOR MASTER four Ravens and MacKenzie had this to say…
Nina Pierce did a great job of bringing these characters to life; really taking her readers on a journey along with both Claire and Jonathon. The location was breathtakingly detailed; the characters well developed. The erotic scenes were intense as well as sensual. Every scene drove us toward the ending at a steady forward pace…With such great details, I hope that Ms. Pierce might one day revisit these characters. I’m sure that Claire’s brother, Jonathon’s best friend, could use a soul-mate too. *grin*
If you’re looking for a fun novella with intriguingly hot BDSM scenes and seriously passionate moments, then be sure to check out Maid for Master by Nina Pierce.
A TOUCH OF LILLY finalled in RWA’s Passionate Ink’s Passionate Plume contest. w00t! w00t!
I thought I’d leave you with an Excerpt:
Some emotion she couldn’t decipher marred Dallas’s brow. “I want to help you,” he said. “But I can’t keep you safe if I don’t know everything.” He brushed hair from her face. “Thaegan mentioned some myth, but I’m thinking it’s much more than that.”
The man was an enigma. She wanted to believe the compassion in his voice was real, but the hard set of his jaw communicated something entirely different. But when it came right down to it, she wanted someone to know. Someone who could share her burden without judgment. Lilly had no idea if Dallas was that person, but sitting here, bound and naked, she figured she really didn’t have a whole hell of a lot more to lose.
“She was my great-great-grandmother. It’s barely a part of me.” Lilly looked down. Even with Dallas’ hand warm on her shoulder, there was shame in the telling.
His finger came under her chin and gently lifted it. She had no choice but to stare into the chocolate pools of his eyes. “Then it’s not your fault. Whatever it is, the responsibility belongs to someone else.” His thumb brushed over her lips. “The beginning. Start at the beginning. I have no idea what it is. What you are.”
Confusion and frustration warred within her. How could he not know? The answers were as obvious as her beaded nipples and the dizzying aroma of her arousal. Dallas was so close she could feel his body heat pressing against her, making it hard to fill her lungs. Yet the man seemed immune to the sexual energy crackling between them. Even without trying, her own arousal was usually enough to affect any male close to her and drive one with his hands on her to sexual delirium.
“I mean…you’re very obviously human.” One side of Dallas’ mouth curved, the dimple dancing. “But there’s something that makes you special.” His hand brushed up her face to cup her cheek and she couldn’t stop herself from leaning into it. “I just want to understand it.”
His gaze searched her face, settled on her lips and Lilly thought for a moment he might kiss her. She wanted to feel the heat of his mouth on hers. Instead, he dropped his hand, rubbing them both on his jeans. “Just please explain to me what Thaegan was talking about.”
Even that slight rejection stung. Seduction and escape no longer mattered. What Lilly needed now was Dallas—a human man to accept who she was. Filling her lungs with courage, she stared straight ahead, unable to witness his revulsion as she recalled the story her mother had told her the night of her first menses. “Serapheliums are an ancient race. They came from another galaxy, hundreds of light years from where we are now. It’s said they resembled humans, but their beauty was unmatched. Gods bowed down to their perfection and angels sang at their births.” She chanced a look at Dallas and shrugged, embarrassment heating her cheeks.
“I can see the resemblance.”
She laughed out her disbelief. “Yeah, whatever.”
There are always exciting days in a writer’s world. Finishing a story and sending it off to your editor. Contract Offers. Release days. But you know, there is nothing that makes me hold my breath like COVER DAY! Seriously. I spend a lot of time describing my characters and my world settings to the art department in hopes that they can capture the feel of my story. So when the email comes from the art department I take a deep breath, close my eyes and open the attachment…and just stare. I have been blessed with some gorgeous covers. But none has made me jump up and down and shed tears of happiness like the cover for A TOUCH OF LILLY.
The VERY talented Reese Dante designed it for me and she fit all the pieces together perfectly! So it is with all kinds of happiness that I stand up and cheer for her as she accepts the ARIANA book cover award in the Science Fiction Erotic Romance category. w00f! w00f! w00f! (See the Julia Roberts fist pump.) She actually won in two categories which is not surprising since she is truly talented and makes the most gorgeous covers.
Anyway, I just wanted to share my joy with you. And since it’s been awhile, how about and excerpt …
Lilly D’Angelo could have been walking into any of the seedier establishments lining Forty-fifth and Wester on Chicago’s south side. Except for the clientele, the tavern’s owner had managed to replicate nearly every detail right down to the blue haze and the soft crooning of a jazz band on the corner stage. The acrid stench and gruff hum of a Friday night crowd tripped Lilly down memory lane—a place she had no desire to travel at the moment.
Lilly pushed the sour thoughts of home out of her mind and focused her energy on the patrons at the bar. Morphing her features into her sexiest vixen pout, she moved gracefully toward the long bar on the other side of the room. Her voluptuous breasts, spilling temptingly from her silk blouse, led the way. The eyes watching her ass sashay around the battered tables were clustered on various life forms—none of them human.
Yeah, definitely not Chicago. Shit, this wasn’t even Earth for chrissake.
“Regent’s ale, straight up, hold the brenic.” She spoke English, hoping the two-headed Xerick behind the bar had a cochlear translator in one of those eight holes that passed for ears. Satisfied when one head nodded, she settled on a stool, making sure her fur jacket and blouse parted enough to offer a seductive view of her cleavage. Lilly shifted just enough to let the black leather skirt ride up her thigh and expose a little more silky real estate. Surreptitiously checking her image in the mirrored glass behind the liquor bottles, she was pleased she looked every bit the part. She wasn’t trying to attract anyone in particular, perhaps something on the less offensive side that could offer her a bit of entertainment to help fritter away the next couple of hours.
Lilly wasn’t a xenophobic bigot by any stretch of the imagination. But six months in deep space, working these kinds of joints, wasn’t really long enough to become accustomed to the scenery. The Nebulae Galaxy’s spaceports overflowed with aliens of all sizes and genders. Only that wasn’t really a fair term here in deep space.
Alien inferred the life forms didn’t belong. On the contrary, it was humans who were invading their territory. The treaties of 2253, signed well over forty years ago, had guaranteed the safe travel of humans in deep space. After the snafu of ’34, which saw the first major space disaster since light travel had been discovered, humans had insisted on protection for their species. They’d formed some bullshit board of security, guaranteeing humans could run roughshod over the universe like everywhere else. Though most people referred to them as the QAL, Lilly nicknamed them the alphabet mafia. At one point she’d actually considered working for them until they’d discovered who she was—or more specifically what she was. It didn’t matter. They could all go fuck themselves if they didn’t appreciate her gifts. Lilly had found a way to use her talents and still bring down the bad guys.
Of course in deep space, bad was a relative term.
I spent the better part of this week in another state shopping for a new home. The realtor said by the end of it we’ll be creating our own house in our heads putting a bathroom with a different livingroom and adding a kitchen from a different house. Oy! Was he right! My head is spinning with all the houses we’ve seen. I have to tell you, we looked at one house that was … interesting. There was no way to save the house from itself. There was an indoor pool (empty and without a liner) and an outdoor pool and bedrooms that just … weren’t. The realtor looked at me when we were alone in the kitchen, smiled and said, “there’s nothing to be done here, but blow it up and start again.” I nearly busted a gut. Our realtor is normally very stoic and says very little. But the man was right.
Anyway, we found some beautiful neighborhoods with houses that needed renovating and some beautiful houses we could move into in places we’d rather not live. I’m not sure what we’re going to do at this moment. All I know is now that I’ve returned home, there are boxes begging to be packed. I have two weeks left to get it all done. One foot in front of the other …
On the writing front I have to admit I didn’t get anything more than blog posts and a couple of guest posts written. My current WIP is just a couple of scenes away from being finished. I just need to buckle down and pound out the words and find my Happy-Ever-After for my lovers. I’d like to finish it before I move at the end of the month. Goal stated.
I did get a really nice 4 CHERRY review from Whipped Cream Reviews for MAID FOR MASTER. This is part of what Mistletoe had to say …
I enjoyed this book right from the start. Claire is a strong woman who can stand on her own. Yet as a submissive she decides to give up control to her Master. Whether he is Master or just plain Jonathon he is a wonderful man who will do anything for love, including keeping a secret from Claire and hoping that, when he reveals it, his heart is not torn out. Watching the two together makes for one hot read. Claire blossoms as a submissive and the love that grows between the two is wonderful…it includes some scenes that were very intense and very hot! I enjoyed this book so much and was happy to see the love and trust between the characters. Nina Pierce does a wonderful job of pulling the reader in and keeping you glued to the pages. I will definitely be on the look out for more of this author’s books in the future.
I’ll end today with an excerpt from “Maid for Master:
Jonathon dropped the cell phone into the oak drawer of his desk, grateful for the interruption. He’d been sitting in his office below Paradise Cove’s main club for the last hour trying to figure out how to handle Claire. No—not handle—men had been doing that her entire life. The woman needed someone who loved and respected all sides of her—the devoted mother, the caring daughter, the submissive lover as well as the corporate executive with an advanced business degree.
He could be that man—wanted to be that man.
Guilt and fear knotted cold in his gut. He’d come close to confessing everything this morning at breakfast. Seeing the gold band winding delicately around her biceps had sent his heart into overdrive. He wasn’t sure how Claire would react when she woke this morning in one of the staff lounges and found he wasn’t there. He had feared she’d feel abandoned once again and throw it all away. Thank God she hadn’t.
He’d tried to steer her toward the idea of the two of them together, but even his heartfelt confession of love hadn’t been enough to open her eyes to the possibility that there could actually be something between them. The disappointment had wrapped tight around his heart and he’d grabbed her computer, looking for a diversion.
Jon had fully expected to see that Claire had been pining over her ex-fiancé, which she’d done. But a few clicks of her internet history had brought up the XTC Resort website and its staff photos. His heart had skipped several beats knowing she’d been surfing their website. Of course he had no way of knowing exactly what she was trying to find, but he’d hoped she’d been looking for him. Well, not him but Master Xavier, the Dom who had held her last night as she’d allowed herself to purge the anxiety and discontent blinding her heart.
Jon understood how little she valued herself. Knew she believed she didn’t deserve to find a fulfilling relationship. Claire’s life had been nothing but one compromise after another.
Well, he planned to change all of that.
I am soooo pleased to share with you that A Touch of Lilly has been nominated as BEST SCIENCE FICTION BOOK OF 2010 by Siren Book Reviews.
Stacy gave A Touch of Lilly FIVE SIREN STONES and said this…
A Touch Of Lilly has a great story line and plot. The plot twists keep the pages turning. It’s easy to get absorbed into this world. Nina Pierce did a wonderful job of bringing her characters to life in this story…The three characters complement one another and have an easy camaraderie that comes through in the writing…If you like your stories with some science fiction and romance mixed together then this is a must read.
EXCERPT:
Some emotion she couldn’t decipher marred Dallas’s brow. “I want to help you,” he said. “But I can’t keep you safe if I don’t know everything.” He brushed hair from her face. “Thaegan mentioned some myth, but I’m thinking it’s much more than that.”
The man was an enigma. She wanted to believe the compassion in his voice was real, but the hard set of his jaw communicated something entirely different. But when it came right down to it, she wanted someone to know. Someone who could share her burden without judgment. Lilly had no idea if Dallas was that person, but sitting here, bound and naked, she figured she really didn’t have a whole hell of a lot more to lose.
“She was my great-great-grandmother. It’s barely a part of me.” Lilly looked down. Even with Dallas’ hand warm on her shoulder, there was shame in the telling.
His finger came under her chin and gently lifted it. She had no choice but to stare into the chocolate pools of his eyes. “Then it’s not your fault. Whatever it is, the responsibility belongs to someone else.” His thumb brushed over her lips. “The beginning. Start at the beginning. I have no idea what it is. What you are.”
Confusion and frustration warred within her. How could he not know? The answers were as obvious as her beaded nipples and the dizzying aroma of her arousal. Dallas was so close she could feel his body heat pressing against her, making it hard to fill her lungs. Yet the man seemed immune to the sexual energy crackling between them. Even without trying, her own arousal was usually enough to affect any male close to her and drive one with his hands on her to sexual delirium.
“I mean…you’re very obviously human.” One side of Dallas’ mouth curved, the dimple dancing. “But there’s something that makes you special.” His hand brushed up her face to cup her cheek and she couldn’t stop herself from leaning into it. “I just want to understand it.”
His gaze searched her face, settled on her lips and Lilly thought for a moment he might kiss her. She wanted to feel the heat of his mouth on hers. Instead, he dropped his hand, rubbing them both on his jeans. “Just please explain to me what Thaegan was talking about.”
Even that slight rejection stung. Seduction and escape no longer mattered. What Lilly needed now was Dallas—a human man to accept who she was. Filling her lungs with courage, she stared straight ahead, unable to witness his revulsion as she recalled the story her mother had told her the night of her first menses. “Serapheliums are an ancient race. They came from another galaxy, hundreds of light years from where we are now. It’s said they resembled humans, but their beauty was unmatched. Gods bowed down to their perfection and angels sang at their births.” She chanced a look at Dallas and shrugged, embarrassment heating her cheeks.
“I can see the resemblance.”
She laughed out her disbelief. “Yeah, whatever.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you enjoyed “A Touch of Lilly” I’d love your VOTE.
I’m very excited. I belong to Romance Writers of America. I joined years ago when I first made the decision to become a writer of romance. There is some credibility it gives you when you’re sending manuscripts out to agents and publishing houses. (Caveat: MANY talented and successful romance writers never join RWA.) The biggest reason I wanted to join though was so I could be part of my local writing chapter which has supported me through all my successes and struggles.
Anyway …
There are a lot of things about the organization that rub me the wrong way. (Which is why you’ll see my green ribbon for RWA Change.) One of the biggest being that they don’t seem to know what to do with romance authors published in electronic format despite the fact that the market is EXPLODING thanks to ereaders like the Kindle from Amazon and the Nook from Barnes & Nobel. But I have to say I admired them for the consistency. Last year they followed their own guidelines and actually dumped Harlequin as a recognized publisher because they were opening a self-publishing line and it was tied in with the rest of the business. (RWA does not consider an author published who has paid to have their own work put into print.)
Again, I digress …
There are several levels of membership in the RWA. The PRO level which means you’ve actually finished a manuscript and had it rejected and continue to work toward publication. Then there’s the PAN (published authors network) level. Qualification for being a professional writer meant receiving an advance of at least $1000. But with the number of members publishing in the electronic industry and not receiving up front advances, RWA did come up with a way to recognize e-pubbed authors and consider them “professionals” in their eyes and it was based on $1000 royalties from a book.
Let me just say … I MADE PAN!!!!!!!!! W00T!! W00T!! W00T!!
Yeah, I’m pretty happy about it. Does it really advance my career? Nah. But the title sounds wicked good as they say in my neck of the woods. Though I can now list workshops I’m willing to teach on the RWA website … who knows what will come of that. I’ve missed teaching so perhaps I’ll get to do a little traveling on someone else’s dime and do a little teaching. Yeah, that would be nice.
Anyway, I’m raising a toast to myself. One of my goals for 2010 checked off my list!
I’m very pleased with a couple of reviews I received over the last couple of weeks.
The first is for Bonded by Need from Just Erotic Romance Reviews. TS Peters gave it 4.5 Stars and had this to say …
“Wow! Is there ever a whole lot going on in between these pages. There is the drama of Jayda and her mates as they are forced to come to terms with her duality. There is the intrigue as something killing off both cougar and wolf, threatening the tentative peace. Last but not least, there is some serious shifter sexing! […] Like Jayda I felt a little conflicted over which hero I preferred. They are both so strong and supportive, while at the same time stubborn to the point of immaturity at times. Cole is the outspoken, demanding one that takes what he wants and never lets go. Zane on the other hand is sensitive and easy-going and they actually balance each other well. This one kept me on the edge of my seat as I waited to see what would happen next. It was refreshing seeing Jayda come into her own as an alpha shifter. If you want a book that will keep your heart racing, you will enjoy Bonded by Need.”
The second review I found is for a novella that’s been out for over a year, Arranging Love, the third book in the Tilling Passions series.
The reviewer at Passionate Reviews had this to say …
“The story had me completely. I rooted for Meghan, booed Peter, and tried to figure out who was trying to kill Meghan. Add to that the sick Tilling patriarch, the Tilling mother who was always being consoled by the doctor and one Mistress Crystal who is stalking Peter. Oh, my.
‘Arranging Love’ is a beautifully orchestrated story. There are twists and turns that have you guessing from the first chapter. I know I will be reading more about this fascinating family.”
Also, I just wanted to remind you that the contest I’ve been holding on my website will be coming to an end at midnight, September 30. It’s an easy peasy contest to win a handbag full of goodies …
Entering is easy peasy. Just visit my website find the contest page, read an excerpt and email me the answer to a question. A winner will be drawn Oct. 1.
After a crushing review the first week Hearts Afire-May was released, I’ve been on tenterhooks waiting for someone–ANYONE to say/write something about Shadows of Fire just so I could have another opinion. Really, this is one of those stories that when it was finished I sat back and went “hey, I wrote that … it’s a really cool story”. But I am a little biased.
Anyway … LT Blue at Just Erotic Romance Reviews posted a review this week and it goes something like this …
I really enjoyed this different twist in the lives of vampires. I would have never imagined a story about vampire firemen or O’Malley’s Tavern serving a special wine created for vampires. I enjoyed Reese’s character. He is full of life and while I knew he was a vampire he didn’t (act) like one. Alex was a bit more complex and I really didn’t have her figured out until the very end of the story… the plot and the characters had me smiling the entire time I read Shadows of Fire.
Ummm … yeah and she gave it 5 STARS and an “H” (for HOT-reviewer was forced to find her toys while reading) sexual rating!
THEN (as if that wasn’t squeeeee worthy enough) …
Kristy Bock at ParaNormal Romance said this …
Shadows Of Fire’ is a unique story because there is so much going on in a short time frame. Alex is troubled and her motives aren’t always clear until the end. Reese knows what he wants but struggles to go after it until another man steps in his path. When he does make his move though, the two spontaneously combust. The heat between Alex and Reese is off the charts.Nina Pierce is an author who excels at what she does. For a fast paced read, she pacts so much in the story that you’ll think you read a full length novel. She stands a cut above the rest with the erotic scenes. If Shadows of Fire doesn’t get your heart racing, nothing will.
Oh yeeeeaaahhh … I’m snoopy dancing! (But the neighbors did ask me to put my clothes back on … I think the whole dancing in the backyard nekkid thing wasn’t working for them. LOL!)
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