Book Club: Vote for January's book club read.

It's that time again it's time to vote for January's book club read. Voting will run from Nov. 30th thru Dec. 7th and the winner will be announced on Dec. 8th. I hope you can find one you like to vote on. Good Luck!

Book #1
"Marked"
by Elizabeth Naughton

THERON—Dark haired, duty bound and deceptively deadly. He’s the leader of the Argonauts, an elite group of guardians that defends the immortal realm from threats of the Underworld.
From the moment he walked into the club, Casey knew this guy was different. Men like that just didn’t exist in real life—silky shoulder-length hair, chest impossibly broad, and a predatory manner that just screamed dark and dangerous. He was looking for something. Her.
She was the one. She had the mark. Casey had to die so his kind could live, and it was Theron’s duty to bring her in. But even as a 200-year-old descendent of Hercules, he wasn’t strong enough to resist the pull in her fathomless eyes, to tear himself away from the heat of her body.
As war with the Underworld nears, someone will have to make the ultimate sacrifice.
Book #2
"Beyond the Highland Mist" 
by Karen Marie Moning

He would sell his warrior soul to possess her. . . .
An alluring laird...
He was known throughout the kingdom as Hawk, legendary predator of the battlefield and the boudoir. No woman could refuse his touch, but no woman ever stirred his heart--until a vengeful fairy tumbled Adrienne de Simone out of modern-day Seattle and into medieval Scotland. Captive in a century not her own, entirely too bold, too outspoken, she was an irresistible challenge to the sixteenth-century rogue. Coerced into a marriage with Hawk, Adrienne vowed to keep him at arm's length--but his sweet seduction played havoc with her resolve.
A prisoner in time...
She had a perfect "no" on her perfect lips for the notorious laird, but Hawk swore she would whisper his name with desire, begging for the passion he longed to ignite within her. Not even the barriers of time and space would keep him from winning her love. Despite her uncertainty about following the promptings of her own passionate heart, Adrienne's reservations were no match for Hawk's determination to keep her by his side. . . .
Book #3
"Hush, Hush"
by Becca Fitzpatrick

A SACRED OATH
A FALLEN ANGEL
A FORBIDDEN LOVE

Romance was not part of Nora Grey's plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgment.

But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.

For she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life.

Book #4
"Dragon Actually" 
by G.A. Aiken

It's not always easy being a female warrior with a nickname like Annwyl the Bloody. Men tend to either cower in fear-a lot-or else salute. It's true that Annwyl has a knack for decapitating legions of her ruthless brother's soldiers without pausing for breath. But just once it would be nice to be able to really talk to a man, the way she can talk to Fearghus the Destroyer. Too bad that Fearghus is a dragon, of the large, scaly, and deadly type. With him, Annwyl feels safe-a far cry from the feelings aroused by the hard-bodied, arrogant knight Fearghus has arranged to help train her for battle. With her days spent fighting a man who fills her with fierce, heady desire, and her nights spent in the company of a magical creature who could smite a village just by exhaling, Annwyl is sure life couldn't get any stranger. She's wrong. And just wait until you meet the rest of the family? This book has been previously published.   

 

Review: "Love Unscripted" by Tina Reber

"Love Unscripted"
Author: Tina Reber
Series: Love #1
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 668
ISBN: 9781451533965
Source: Review Copy
Published: March 6, 2010
Author's Website: http://tinareber.com

Buy Links: Amazon

Goodreads Blurb:
Ryan Christensen just wanted to be an actor. Never in his wildest dreams did he ever think that accepting a role in an unknown film would toss his career into overdrive. His new fame has cost him dearly; anonymity is no longer an option. His fans stalk him, the paparazzi hound him, and Hollywood studios all want a piece of him. Despite all of that, Ryan Christensen craves the most basic of human needs - to have love in his heart and privacy in his life.

Taryn Mitchell, the story's protagonist, is a realist. She's been feigning contentment, running the family pub in Seaport, Rhode Island, while quietly nursing her own internal heartaches. Her feet are fairly glued to the ground and she doesn't buy into all the hype that has descended on her tiny, coastal town. In her world, men are safe if they're kept at a distance.

Fate has other plans for these two when their paths cross one sunny afternoon. A group of female fans has attacked him, leaving his shirt torn, his face cut, and Ryan in obvious distress. Bonds between them form from the most dramatic of circumstances while jealousy, insecurity, and the stress of his celebrity life try to tear them apart.

Through all the tabloid lies, secrecy, and pressure, can Taryn's peace and Ryan's high-profile insanity live together in harmony?

This is the kind of story that sticks in your brain and with you for quite awhile after you are though reading it, very… interesting and unusual compared to what I normally read (all good things). It was fun, funny, sensual, exciting and romantic with an edge that keeps you turning the pages. It also had excellent characters and vivid descriptions, so great at times they make you feel as if you're a voyeur! Any romance reader will be HOOKED on Love Unscripted :)

Taryn is a beautiful, independent and strong woman that takes no crap from men or anyone in general. She has her own business and some great friends that are always there for her. Taryn has some insecurity issues that are to be blamed on past experiences, specifically men, which tend to really throw off her thinking process, driving her thoughts in various directions and leaving her befuddled. Especially when it comes to a certain hot bodied, handsome, amazing actor hottie named Ryan.

Ryan is a HUGE movie star. He lives and loves acting. It’s a dream come true for him, he just cannot stand the way his fans practically brutalize, stalk and gossip constantly about him and whoever he’s around. Once and awhile everyone just wants to be left alone, left in the peace of their own thoughts and actions. One day some of his female fans end up chasing him straight into his peace (unknowingly), right into a woman that is all he’s ever wanted and more. Only thing is, it’s not a small task to convince her or to gain her trust, after all we know what the gossip columns say…

Even though (at times) the main characters made me want to knock their heads into one another because of their insecurities and repeating of issues, it did make the story seem more realistic and believable and I was able to relate (we all want to knock our loved one(s) upside the head when they repeat something from the past and what not, UGH!) It was still a 5 star for me. Love this author’s voice and look forward to the next in the series as well as more work from Tina Reber. Especially after an ending like that! Bring it on!!!



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Review: "Softly at Sunrise" by Maya Banks

"Softly at Sunrise"
Author: Maya Banks
Series: KGI #5.5
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 132
Source: Author in exchange for a honest review.
Published: August 21, 2012 by Maya Banks
Author's Website: http://www.mayabanks.com/books/softly.php

Buy Links: Amazon

Goodreads Blurb:
Rachel Kelly has traveled a long, hard road in her journey back to her husband, Ethan, and the Kelly family. Now, as she and Ethan are poised to move into their new home, safe behind the walls of the Kelly compound, Rachel wonders if she’ll finally be free of the ghosts that have haunted her for so long and if she’ll step into the sun after a past steeped in darkness.

I've not read any other books in this series but found myself going with the flow of the story right from the start. There was more than enough information to give you the idea of what happened previously, but not too much to ruin it for those who want to go back and read the series from the start. It was one of the most family oriented stories I've ever read, so filled with love, devotion, affection, sacrifice and loyalty that it warmed my heart.

Rachel and Ethan have been though more than I can say. Now back and better than ever with full support of family, they have a fresh start at the happiness they both want and deserve. Their relationship strengthens and the book progresses, both with one another and their family members, so much so you can feel it from the pages as you read on. When one of them is caught in a life threatening situation, the band of brothers come together to help save the day, it’s very risky. But they'll do anything for the ones they love :)

A great read for those that enjoy a short suspenseful contemporary romance. A 3.5 on the rating scale for me, rounded to a 4. I plan to look into more of Maya Banks work in the future. I really enjoyed her writing style.

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Review: "Balls of Furry" by Celia Kyle

"Balls of Furry"
Author: Celia Kyle
Series: Ridgeville #2
Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance
Pages: ebook
Source: Author in exchange for a honest review.
Published: August 14, 2012 by Summerhouse Publishing
Author's Website: http://www.CeliaKyle.com

Buy Links: Amazon

Goodreads Blurb:
Perfectly plump Carly’s paranormal-wererabbit world goes kablooey on the night of the semiannual Gaian Moon. While all of the furry creatures in Ridgeville decide to knock boots and make babies, the only thing she wants to do is hide from all of the weenie-swinging men, including her would-be mate, Neal. There’s no denying he’s hotter-than-hot, and her bunny wants him more than her next dandelion, but there’s just one teeny-tiny problem. You see, Neal has wandering eyes, and a love for women that’s even bigger than his home state of Texas. But, to her surprise, the lion pounces when she least expects it…and claims her before she has the chance to say “No.”

Furry bastard.

As if her life isn’t crazy enough…it just happens to get that much crazier when someone decides they want her dead.

Question is—can she survive whomever or whatever the hell is hunting her, while trying her damnedest to get over the fact that Neal had a life before he met her?

For both their sakes, she sure as hell hopes so.

A short, fun and entertaining read and so far my favorite of the series. The only reason why I did not 5 star it is because the male characters sound the same at times, more specifically, the dialect other than that I had fun with it :)

Neal is a woman loving Texan sweetheart of a man that just loves to make them happy and (of course) feel good. But when he finds his mate his urges change, he wants to claim, mate and have her all to himself to cherish, worship and have a family with. But his little beauty of a mate is not hearing it. She’s avoiding him like the plague and even after one night of the best sex ever, she still tries to steer clear of him. What’s a Texas hottie with love on the brain to do? Especially when she still does not know his biggest secret of all (yikes)!

Carly is a silly, sweet and cuddly bunny that just caught wind of her mate this Gaian moon. After letting her nose lead her to him and seeing with her own eyes and hearing with her own ears that he loves another, what else is a bunny to do but hop away to wallow in loneliness. Beside the fact that they are two different species, Carly does not want a man that hops from woman to woman. She wants someone that will cherish her, be loyal, give her kits and love her, for her. That’s not much to ask, or is it?

I loved Carly from the first book of the series and was glad to see this story was about her finding her mate. She’s one funny bunny and deserves nothing but the best! The ending left me hanging (big time) and I look forward to seeing where Celia will go with the next in the series :)



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Review: "You're Lion" by Celia Kyle

"You're Lion"
Author: Celia Kyle
Series: Ridgeville #1.5
Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance
Pages: 32
Source: Author in exchange for a honest review.
Published: July 3, 2012
Author's Website: http://www.celiakyle.com/

Buy Links: Amazon

Goodreads Blurb:
Newly turned lioness Maya Josephs is so not good at being the prima of the Ridgeville pride. She doesn’t give a damn about protocol or hierarchy, and the last thing she wants to do is play nice with the pretentious tigress shifter leader who’s come to pay her respects. Especially since the little bitch seems entirely too grabby with her mate, Alex, for Maya’s taste.

With new pregnancy hormones making her inner kitty extra bitchy, Maya’s not sure who she’s going to murder first: her gyno for discovering the pregnancy, her guards for following her every move (and annoying the living shit out of her), or the striped beyotch cooing over Alex. Screw it. She'll start with the tigress and work her way around to the other two.

Lucky for everyone involved, it’s a good thing Alex knows how to tame her inner she-cat…and make her purr.

A great addition to the Ridgeville series which takes place about 3 months after Maya and Alex meet and mate. Being that it continues off of book 1, it gives us a bit of a clearer picture of Maya and Alex’s relationship as well as the standing of their pride as a whole. Fun, funny, witty, sensual and exciting is what Celia Kyle brings forth in this short. Any paranormal fan looking for a quick fix will enjoy You’re Lion.

Maya is handling her change to a lioness fairly well, considering. She’s adapted to the ways of her pride and made some new friends along the way. She’s also still snarky, short tempered and even more confident than before. She’s happy in her relationship with Alex, but was not quite ready for what her doctor had to reveal to her during her check-up. Shock, horror, and other unknown feelings burst through her and her first instinct is to go to her bestie Carly for support and comfort. After gaining said comfort by means of indulging in some comfort food and conversation, she heads home to confront Alex only to find him being pawed by some slim hooch that has no right to lay a hair on him. He’s all hers!

What happens from there, you’ll have to read on to see. But be prepared for some great make-up (type) sex and a woman that does not hold back her fury :)

I look forward to what’s to happen next in Ridgeville!

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Review: "Denied" by Kinley Baker

"Denied"
Author: Kinley Baker
Series: Shadowed Love, Book Two
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 280
Source: Tour Host in exchange for a honest review.
Published: July 2, 2012 by Crescent Moon Press
Author's Website: http://www.kinleybaker.com

Buy Links: Amazon

Goodreads Blurb:
When invaders brutally massacred the women and children of the Varner, Caleb witnessed loss and destruction on a scale few can comprehend. As the leader of a race on the brink of extinction, his only hope for survival is gaining acceptance into the Shadow Shifter Kingdom. Struggling with new customs, he meets Tabitha, a woman who challenges his limits.

Refused the right to join the king’s guard because of her gender, Tabitha must be stronger than the men to prove she deserves to be the first accepted female Warrior in the kingdom. She believes Caleb will help improve her abilities, until she learns her goals conflict with the foundation of his culture.

When the realm is attacked, Tabitha and Caleb must come together not only to fight, but to find the strength to win against an evil with the potential to destroy everything they revere most--including each other.

Another great read by Kinley Baker! She created another beautiful touching story about two souls coming together as one after many trials, tests and acceptances. Get ready to be sucked into these pages, pages that all paranormal and romance readers will enjoy :)

Tabitha is one strong, determined and impressionable woman that many judge because of her choices in life. They really aren't horrible choices, she just choices to use her honed warrior skills to become a guard to help defend the king, queen and all of the people in their realm. But it’s unheard of for a female to be in with the guards and virtually impossible. Well at least that’s what everyone says. But she's determined to prove them wrong and prove her worth. No matter what it takes, even if she must ask for help from another.

Caleb was introduced to us in Ruined and I loved him from the start. A very intelligent, reasonable and respectable male that only wants what’s best for his people, to survive and prosper after losing all of their woman and children some years back and feeling nothing but guilt and remorse ever since. He’s hoping that staying where they are will allow them to find the one(s) that are the other part to their soul’s, to become complete by finding the one and only woman that each Varner is destined for, only one chance to experience a true mating with their perfect female and only one chance to prove their worth.

Once Caleb and Tabitha lay eyes on each other they are almost inseparable, the chemistry between them jumps off of the pages it's so intense. Tabitha is not sure of what is going on with the way she feels about Caleb but does know she’s never desired another as she desires him. Caleb knows exactly what is going on, but dares not try to explain to his beauty of a woman for fear of startling her away from him. That he could not bear. The two of them together is a force to be reckoned with. They are one intense team!

We are visited from the main characters in the last book and introduced to some new ones. Each added their own perfect touch that made this story a complete and satisfying read. You will laugh, cry and sigh from all that happens and be left wanting more from these amazing characters :)

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Sorry For My Absence

I am sorry to say that I will be admitted into the hospital on Sunday and I don't know when I will be getting out. So I apologize to all those people that I promised posts too and I will be more than happy to make them up when I get back.

Review: "Ruined" by Kinley Baker

"Ruined"
Author: Kinley Baker
Series: Shadowed Love Book One
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 289
ISBN: 9781937254155
Source: Tour Host in exchange for a honest review.
Published: July 22, 2011 by Crescent Moon Press
Author's Website: http://www.kinleybaker.com

Buy Links: Amazon

Goodreads Blurb:
Jessa is one healing away from death. Under the thrall of her gift, the Court's Senior Healer risks giving her life in exchange for her patient's.

Vale is a rebel ruler. When his brother is killed, he's given the throne and the decree from the Court to produce an heir or lose his family's hold on the land--and his deceiving advisors aren't afraid to use murder as a weapon if their directive to stay away from the Senior Healer goes unheeded.

But Vale burns to possess Jessa. The heat between them leaves a wake of smoke, and even the powerful forces above want to bind them in a union that lasts forever. Vale taking another would be a betrayal neither could survive.

Their enemies fear a child born of such a powerful Healer and Warrior, but the true threat lies in the bond forged in shadows and fused in fire.

I loved this book! It’s a different type of paranormal read that kept me turning its pages non stop in anticipation. I found myself addicted to it, it’s charm and its characters. Put it this way… I read it in less than a day and could not bring myself to go to sleep until I was through! It’s a very romantic, touching; exciting and magical read that’s packed full of love, treachery, deceit and multiple surprises that will have you holding your breath in anticipation. Any fan of the paranormal genre or even just romance fans will love Ruined :)

Jessa is a healer, the highest ranking healer in all the land. Best friend to the late king and rumored to be his mistress for many years. An untrue rumor that she has dealt with and still does even with his passing, no one looks at her as they should. It’s said a healer of her caliber relies on sexual energy in order to heal and because of that she’s been labeled as a harlot. She lets them talk and is only worried about what one person truly thinks of her, if only he’d take notice of her and the feelings she holds deep for him, the current king Vale.

Vale is now left to take the throne of his lands as king. Something he never desired and still does not. He’s a born warrior and loves it that way. But when he has no choice but to take it or it’ll end up in the wrong hands, he finds himself flooded with decisions and situations he cannot bare. Holding on to private feelings for a certain healer has made him unbearably grouchy. She’s been in love with his brother for many years and he cannot bring himself to approach her with what he feels for her after knowing loved was shared between the two. But he cannot think of any other but her.

A roller coaster ride of many ups and downs for this duo due to others as well as doubts between the two of them. But one can never mess with fate. For what is meant to be, is just that, meant to be.

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Review: "Fallen" by Elise Marion

"Fallen"
Author: Elise Marion
Series: Angels Among Us #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 70
Source: Author in exchange for a honest review.
Published: November 3, 2011
Author's Website: http://www.elisemarion.com

Buy Links: Amazon

Goodreads Blurb:
In a world full of the sick and dying, the hurting and desperate, and those lost in darkness, angels dwell. An angel of healing, Amir has spent centuries performing miracles for people hovering at the very edge of death.

A professional ballerina, Shayla lives her life to dance. Abandoned by her family, she is alone in the world yet determined to pursue her dream. When a car accident leaves Shayla in critical condition and in danger of never dancing again, it seems that all hope is lost.

Amir enters Shayla’s life intending to heal her, but when he sees her laying in her hospital bed fighting for her life, something unfamiliar resounds within him. A stranger to desire and love, Amir is drawn to Shayla like a moth to a flame despite the fact that the rules of heaven forbid angels to engage in romantic relationships with mortals. Should he give in to temptation he will become one of the “Fallen”, demons cursed to the depths of hell for eternity.

As his desire for Shayla rises to fever pitch, Amir will face the choice between love and damnation, or loneliness and divinity. Will an angel who has roamed the earth alone for centuries choose to continue on the path of righteousness, or will he fall captive to his burning desires and be forever damned?

A short, sweet, romantic, touching and emotional paranormal read that any lover of the paranormal genre will fully enjoy and be left looking for more (in a great way). I love Elise Marion’s writing and imagination and look forward to reading much more of her work. I especially look forward to the next in the series ;)

Shayla is a professional Ballet dancer and lives to dance. She's alone in the world with no close family and just a dream to make it with her skills and talent dancing. One evening, right after leaving dance rehearsal she gets seriously injured by a vehicle and ends up in the hospital on the brink of death.

Amir is a devastatingly handsome angel that has had the job of healing chosen humans for hundreds of years. A recent job he is given changes his life and feelings. Confused and unsure he continues to do his job and makes a friend in the process.

Together Amir and Shayla help one another. They are quite an amazing pair and the chemistry is strong. But it is forbidden for angels to get intimate. They become fallen if they do so. Many decisions will be made for both of them. I hope you are as happy with the outcome as I was :)

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Guest Post & Giveaway: "Fallen" by Elise Marion

Interracial and Paranormal Love: Drawing the Parallels

Anyone who has followed me since the beginning of my career as a published author will know that when it comes to the types of characters I write, I like variety. If you take a look at my backlist, you will notice a variety of faces and body types on my covers, and what you see is what you get between the pages. I don’t like to put myself in a box by writing only one type of character, and I love the idea of unusual pairings between heroes and heroines.

While I don’t have a fast and quick formula for my books, I knew going into writing this series, that I wanted each story to feature interracial couples. Not because I’m trying to make a statement about interracial, because that is not the focus of these stories, but because I wanted a physical representation of what I am trying to portray emotionally and spiritually. That is, love between two people that is forbidden.

For the longest time love between races was considered taboo, and in many cultures it still is. In the Angels Among Us series love between Angels and human beings is forbidden, as Angels are divine beings, created chaste and pure and must remain that way. Physical love between the two is considered an offense punishable by damnation (for the angelic party involved, anyway), and is frowned upon.

I loved the idea of playing with the forbidden and creating that sort of tension between characters. I also loved the idea of portraying multicultural love as a form of symbolism. It was my attempt at a very important but simple message: love is love, no matter who you are and we don’t get to choose who we fall for. Such is the beauty of love, in its adventurous nature it throws us in impossible situations and forces us to accept what we feel whether we expected it or not.

Redemption Tour Prize List

1 Angels Among Us Coffee Mug

1 Angel-wing Charm Bracelet

3 ebook copies of Fallen

10 Autographed Book Marks

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: "He Ain't Lion" by Celia Kyle

"He Ain't Lion"
Author: Celia Kyle
Series: Ridgeville #1
Genre: Erotic Paranormal Romance
Pages: 63
Source: Author in exchange for a honest review.
Published: April 29, 2012 by Summerhouse Publishing
Author's Website: http://www.celiakyle.com

Buy Links: Amazon

Goodreads Blurb:
Life sucks… And then you get turned into a were-lion…

Curvaceous, blonde bombshell Maya Josephs is looking for a little action to take her mind off of her recent break-up. Crazy were-cats or not, an evening at Genesis is exactly what she needs. And when she meets the hotter than hot, super-sexy owner, Alex O’Connell, the alpha lion shifter is just the man to fit the bill for a one-night stand.

Dumped like a rotting piece of meat by her ex, Maya is on the prowl, fixin' to do whatever it takes to get herself a piece of the gorgeous fur-ball. Besides, what’s the harm in a girl having a little bit of fun?

A short and sweet read that was flirty and fun with a light touch of humor that kept a smile on my face through a majority of the story. I love shifter books and enjoyed a majority of the characters (and definitely enjoyed Alex!), I was not as keen on Maya though. She’s not the type of character that I find to be impressionable or a very lovable character you would normally find. She was very funny and not all that bad all in all, just not a great heroine in my eyes. Any paranormal and/or erotic reader with enjoy reading He Ain’t Lion.

Maya goes to a local place that was highly recommended to her by a good friend to help feed her inner naughty girl and help recover from a recent break-up. She’s immediately in her glory once she enters Genesis and sees almost all eyes are on her. It’s like a kid in a candy store and Maya is going to shop! Just about to get her first drink of the evening, she approached by a handsome male and calmly asked if she would follow him. She’s escorted to the owner’s office and once she lays eyes on him, none of the other candy looks quite as tasty any longer. She’s also very happy that she did not make a move on another just yet...

Alex is the local lion clan alpha and owner of Genesis. When this beautiful human walks into his place on a night not meant for humans at all, he immediately wants her escorted out. The reason is to help protect the secret of shifters and protect any humans from harm during such an event that’s full of shifters all ready willing and able to mate up a storm and shifters do tend to get a bit rough. But he cannot seem to ask this woman to leave, there’s something about her, her scent and just… her that calls to him and his cat. To take, own and mark as his!

I look forward to reading the next in the series to see what will happen next in Ridgeville :)

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