The Silver Cage by Ana Raine

July 26, 2021 By 1 Comment


The Silver Cage by Ana Raine
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ, Paranormal, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

Danny barely remembers who he is, let alone his mate. After being taken from his pack years ago by a group of overzealous hunters, Danny identifies only as “Wolf” — the pet of the pack who helps track down other shifters for the hunters’ sport.

When Danny tracks down a female wolf, he hesitates to help imprison her male companion. At first Danny doesn’t remember this wolf, at least not logically, but his senses are completely overtaken and he’s sure he’s met this Alpha before.

This wolf isn’t just his former Alpha. Jamie is also his mate, and after years of believing Danny dead, Jamie’s not going to let his mate go ever again. Even if it means working together to kill each of the hunters so they can never take their lives again — or come between their mating bond.

Danny was taken from his mate and his pack ten years previously, and has been subjected to goodness knows what. He has forgotten his name and now only thinks of himself as Wolf. His life is at a crossroads – one of the humans wants to keep him, but a pair of wolves want to save him. In saving Danny, Jamie’s sister, Danica, is taken.

This is a fast-paced novella that is sometimes a bit jerky as the scenes progress. A whole lot of story is crammed within these sixty-six pages. I would have liked it to have been expanded upon, even if only a little bit.

The characters are likeable (or not, as the situation demands) and believable. This is the first in the Restrained series, so it will be interesting to see what happens next. I really hope Jax stays at home!

A quick coffee-break book that I enjoyed. If you’re looking for a light read, then I can recommend this one.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Godsend by Elvira Bell

July 23, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Godsend by Elvira Bell
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Genre: Erotic Romance, Historical, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

Ari and Vidar are Viking warriors and blood brothers. Will handsome thrall Elric break their bond…or make it even stronger?

When young Saxon Elric is sold to Norse slave traders, he thinks that his life is over. He is brought across the sea to the settlement of the Norsemen and becomes the chief’s thrall, and neither the chief nor the warriors are lenient with him. Two of the warriors are different, though—Ari and Vidar. Elric senses that their bond goes beyond mere friendship, and wishes that he himself had someone who would care for him.

Ari and Vidar have been lovers for years, but they have to sneak away whenever they want to be together. Vidar is next in line to be leader, as the chief’s nephew, but he’s shy and insecure and only feels at home on the battlefield. Ari looks different than the other warriors, since his mother was of foreign descent, and he’s had to learn how to stand up for himself.

The two of them are blood brothers, linked together forever, but even though they are lovers they can’t go against the taboo that prohibits free men from being passive during sex. Ari feels that something is lacking, and Elric’s arrival gives him an idea—what if they invited Elric to join them in bed? The thought excites him, and Elric himself seems eager to please.

The only question is how Ari is supposed to get Vidar to agree to letting another man into their relationship…

Imagine having your freedom within reach, only for it to be taken cruelly away. This is what happens to Elric on the last day of his service to a farmer. He has served five years and, after doing one more trip to the market, will be a free man. Until his farmer sells him to the Vikings.

This is a well-written romance that only touches on the Viking culture, focusing more on the romantic elements of the story. It moves along at a fair pace, and you see how Elric’s life changes, and the pressures upon Vidar. Ari is the one in the middle of them both, the one who helps make the dream a reality.

A lovely story with a great supporting cast. This is the first book by this author I have read, and it won’t be the last. Definitely recommended by me.

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The Billionaire and the Escort by Evelyn Mahony

July 22, 2021 By Leave a Comment


The Billionaire and the Escort by Evelyn Mahony
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

In the world of high-end escorts, getting personal is never part of the arrangement.

When Josh Roberts became a male escort, there was no room for emotions. They went against the job description. He had a full appointment book and enough clients to pay the bills. There was definitely no time to get attached to an older, extremely successful, incredibly gorgeous man who paid for his services.

But Josh can’t turn down the money that has started rolling in, along with the gifts and the opportunity to live in the lap of luxury as the man flies him around the world to play pretend as his boyfriend. How on earth is he supposed to say no? Especially once he starts falling for his client.

James Barnwell is the successful CEO of Winter Luxury Resorts who stumbled upon Josh Roberts in a dark, high-end bar in midtown Manhattan. The young man was cocky, young, beautiful and offered James exactly what he was looking for—the chance to be with a man who knew the ropes and offered no opportunity to get attached. James had a lucrative business to run and meetings all over the world to attend. Having someone by his side would just weigh him down—or so he thinks, until he finds himself caring deeply for the man he pays for companionship, and it completely changes his world.

Two men are trying to play make believe—until they realize their sham might be closer to reality than they thought.

An Escort and a Billionaire – sounds like the start of a joke, right? Well, it’s actually the start of a love story between a young artist and an older business owner. Trust me, it will all make sense.

I enjoyed how the story rolled out, with the instant attraction and the constant fight to keep things professional. I also loved how it was James who was the insecure one who needed baby steps. It is hot and steamy from the word go and only slows down as you near the end. Once again, this all makes sense for the story.

What I found a little confusing was the ‘Daddy’ part of it. Now, I love a good Daddy story as much as the next person, but nine times out of ten, the dynamic didn’t exactly work.

On the whole, this was a great story with the opportunity for more from this cast of characters. I enjoyed it all and have no hesitation in recommending it for a steamy summer read.

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Witness to Slaughter by K. A. Lugo

July 20, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Witness to Slaughter by K. A. Lugo
Publisher: Tirgearr Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Mystery/Suspense/Thriller, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Ginger

Jack has coped through previous holidays, but this one feels different. It’s been four years since he lost his family, and clues to finding those responsible have dried up. Hopelessness has him so tightly wound that he’s often driven out of his claustrophobic apartment before the ever-present black dog of depression drags him to a place where there’s no coming back from.

Jack wants to be left alone with his sorrow, but when he’s offered double his fee by the wife of one of the city’s most elite families, how can he refuse? She wants him to follow her husband, Franklin, as she suspects he’s cheating and needs photos to get around the strict prenup. Franklin leads Jack across the city to The Majestic Lounge, the Castro District’s most popular gay nightclub. By the time he finds Franklin, Jack is forced to break up a heated argument between him and club owner, Chad Lucas.

Lucas approaches Jack the following day, wanting to hire him for added security during the club’s popular annual Drag Queen Extravaganza. The event’s usual excitement is marred by the deaths of several of Lucas’ friends that authorities are calling suicides. Lucas convinces Jack something more nefarious is going on and agrees to the job.

Does the city have another serial killer on its hands, one who’s targeting the LGBTQ community? Can Jack find a witness? Surely in the crowded nightclub, someone must have seen something.

I enjoyed this installment of the Jack Slaughter series. The plot was engaging and intensely moving. The twist in the story was unexpected. I enjoyed the friendship and love between Jack, his previous partner Ray and Ray’s wife.

It’s the holiday season and Jack is trying to live a normal life participating in the yearly toy drive and attending holiday functions but unfortunately, he is still coping with the loss of his wife and daughter. It’s been 3 years since his wife Leah has gone missing and Jack is no closer to solving the mystery. The story here didn’t allow time for Jack to investigate his daughter’s death and wife’s disappearance. I would liked to have read more about Jack’s personal case. It’s understandable the case he was hired to do took priority but since hardly anything was mentioned about Jack’s personal case until the very end it makes me think this series could drag on forever. Jack is a nice guy and he deserves closure, but would closure for Jack mean an end for Jack the private investigator?

I don’t like that Jack contemplates suicide. I would hope he would fight and search until the very end to know what happened to his family and that he’ll be able to heal by helping other families that this may happen to. I see Jack as a strong guy that has a lot of fight and him giving up doesn’t fit his character. Helping people is what he does and I hope someone can offer him the same help.

It’s an interesting coincidence that I read this book during LGBTQ Pride month, June. Ginnie, the wife of Franklin Whitney-Cumming, the Third, hires Jack to follow her husband for proof that he is cheating as evidence that he broke the prenup agreement. It’s during this investigation that he meets the club owner Chad ‘Marilyn’ Lucas who hires Jack for security during the Drag Queen Extravaganza.

I got a little confused when the author switched names during the second half of the book. The first part of the book the name Chad was used and then during the 2nd half, the name Lucas was used.

I like how the fellows on the police force work together, and I enjoyed their humor, especially dealing with cases that could work on their mental health in a bad way. The author allows readers to see that we all heal in different ways and in various time spans and that some require a little more patience for healing after a loss. Jack’s strength to carry on each day despite how heartbroken and hopeless he feels is uplifting. I like that the author gives the details of the investigation but still leaves the reader with questions and suspense. Book 2 is an enjoyable read and I can’t wait to read book 3.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Our Subway Baby by Peter Mercurio

July 19, 2021 By 1 Comment


Our Subway Baby by Peter Mercurio
Publisher: Dial Books
Genre: Children’s (0 – 6 y.o.), Non-Fiction, LGBTQ, Contemporary
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewed by Astilbe

Voted BoM by LASR Readers 2013 copy

This gentle and incredibly poignant picture book tells the true story of how one baby found his home.

“Some babies are born into their families. Some are adopted. This is the story of how one baby found his family in the New York City subway.”

So begins the true story of Kevin and how he found his Daddy Danny and Papa Pete. Written in a direct address to his son, Pete’s moving and emotional text tells how his partner, Danny, found a baby tucked away in the corner of a subway station on his way home from work one day. Pete and Danny ended up adopting the baby together. Although neither of them had prepared for the prospect of parenthood, they are reminded, “Where there is love, anything is possible.”

Every child deserves a happy, loving family.

I was delighted by the fact that the author included a scene talking about why he and his life partner were a little hesitant to adopt little Kevin when the topic first popped up. Their reasons were sensible, and yet I couldn’t help but to hope they’d figure out a way to make it all work.

There were a few moments of unexpected humor in the beginning that made me giggle. Danny clearly wasn’t expecting to find a newborn baby lying on the floor in the corner of a subway station, but he leapt to action immediately. The way he described this discovery to Pete only grew funnier each time I reread it.

My favorite scene happened after Kevin was sent to a temporary foster home while the court system tried to figure out where this child should grow up. Danny and Pete were given permission to visit him there. Something remarkable happened during that visit that I can’t wait for other readers to discover for themselves. It was as heartwarming as it was delightful.

This was such a sensitive and thoughtful tale. It explained topics like foster care, adoption, and infant abandonment in honest but completely age-appropriate ways. Small children can understand more than they’re sometimes given credit for, especially when everything is laid out for them clearly and with plenty of compassion for everyone involved. The author excelled at all of this.

Our Subway Baby brought a tear to my eye. I can’t recommend it highly enough!

Filed Under: Non-Fiction, Reviews, YA/Middle Grade/Children's Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Land Of Enchantment by Jodi Payne and BA Tortuga

July 13, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Land Of Enchantment by Jodi Payne and BA Tortuga
Publisher: Tygerseye Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Fern

What if you had to leave everything behind to find your way home?

Opposites definitely attract, but can an east coast kid on the run and a southwest rodeo cowboy learn to speak the same language, let alone learn to trust each other?

When Mason Wild has to get out of Jersey fast, he heads west without a plan or a penny to his name. Luckily he finds a job with a roofing company run by a rodeo cowboy who’s kind, easy to work for, and even with his jaw wired shut, hotter than July in the high desert.

Bull rider Levi Yost knows what it’s like to be down on his luck. He’s not much older than Mason, but he’s been around the block a few times–or at least around the rodeo arena. He takes a chance on Mason, giving him a job and a place to live on his ranch. The two of them discover a surprising amount of common ground, but trouble has a way of finding each of them. Mason has to decide whether to trust Levi with his past, and Levi has to come to terms with the fact that he’s not just riding out for himself anymore.

On the run and having been on the road for a while, Mason is hungry and pretty desperate for some steady work when he finally gets some luck while hitchhiking out in the desert. Levi takes a step of faith and hires Mason onto his regular crew doing some roofing work and quickly both men realize they can truly trust each other in all the important ways.

I really enjoyed this full length cowboy story and loved the slow, emotional pace. From the start it’s clear that Mason has more than a few secrets and is in dire need of people he can trust and who will do right by him. Levi, also, is recovering from a bad fall while rodeoing and I loved how the longer length of the story let the two men ease into a true and deep relationship. While sexy and hot, I loved how the co-authors took their time to let the two men learn and trust each other first. This really helped me as a reader get a good feel for them both and get excited as they trusted each other inch by inch.

With a few really strong secondary characters I loved how Mason in particular flourished after he found his feet. The pace around the reader learning his backstory was lovely, snippets here and there that added up into an interesting and intense sub-plot around where and what Mason had left behind him. Levi also was a delight, and once we finally get back onto the rodeo circuit with him I loved how the reader could see it all fresh and learn through Mason’s eyes. Personally I have zero knowledge about real cowboying and rodeos (short of what you’d see on tv) so I loved how much detail and authentic description the co-authors added into the story without it feeling like a massive info-dump. I loved these scenes and felt they really added hugely to the story as a whole.

While it took a while for the plot (both Mason’s past to return and Levi to realize maybe his time for being on the rodeo circuit was a limited thing) to really blossom and come to fruition but I didn’t mind this at all as the growing relationship between Levi and Mason was given ample time to really come around and not be rushed. This book is really like a lovely long, slow drop and I adored this pace.

Readers eager for a character-centric story with vibrant and different characters, plenty of hard work, desert settings and authentic cowboys along with some complicated personal plot-lines and a loving and emotional, deep M/M romance should find this story really fits the bill. I loved this story and can’t wait to reread it again soon. Recommended.

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Against a Rising Tide by Samantha Cayto

July 2, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Against a Rising Tide by Samantha Cayto
Publisher: Pride Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQ, Erotic Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Reviewed by Moonflower

Love always finds a way.

Scott, a Navy SEAL, returns to his childhood beach house to deal with the emotional trauma of his latest mission. When a sniper killed his closest friend, Scott was left dealing with survivor’s guilt and the disturbing feeling that his friend meant more to him. He has always identified as strictly straight, attraction to men being something he has ruthlessly suppressed.

When he finds Kitt, a friend of his sister’s, hiding out from his abusive boyfriend, Scott is once again drawn to someone of his own gender. Although annoyed at the intrusion, Scott also instantly develops an interest in his unwanted houseguest. Keeping his distance is proving to be impossible and his growing desire for Kitt cannot be ignored.

Forced to leave home, Kitt entered into a relationship with a man who turned abusive. Having finally found the courage to escape, the last thing he wants or needs is another alpha male invading his space. But having nowhere else to go, he ends up staying with a man who disturbs him in more ways than one. As scary as the SEAL is, Scott is exactly the type of man Kitt dreams about.

The beach house is small, and the two men cannot avoid one another or the attraction between them. With each passing day, their bond grows stronger. Hesitation slowly gives way to passion. They need to trust their feelings and let go of the things that frighten them, to find safety and solace in each other.

Big, strong, alpha-males are all jerks, right? That’s what Kitt feels, and with good reason. Scott is on a two-week ‘holiday’ to try and get his head on straight. Seeing Kitt knocks his socks off and makes him face some long-denied truths.

This is a fast-paced story, all happening within that two-week span. Kitt has some serious damage to deal with, not only from his abusive ex but also from his not-so-loving family too. But Scott doesn’t have it all together either, as he tries to figure out his confusing feelings and deal with his past. Somehow, they both manage within the timeframe! Nothing on either side is mentioned in too much detail – just enough for you to understand how traumatic it was.

There is a small cast of characters so you certainly won’t get confused about who is doing what. I loved the descriptions of the sea. I will admit to being intrigued about the clams and how you eat them, never having had one. The ending is smooth and neatly tied together.

Overall, this was a sunny, delightful read that skimmed the surface of some subjects without bringing the whole book into darkness. I thoroughly enjoyed every word and have no hesitation in recommending it.

Filed Under: Erotic Romance, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Kaito’s Silence by Emily Carrington

July 1, 2021 By 1 Comment


Kaito’s Silence by Emily Carrington
Publisher: Changeling Press
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ, Paranormal
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

Kaito has always been attracted to werewolves of the opposite gender — until he meets his new sign language tutor, a flamboyant wolf named Stefan.

As Kaito struggles with his own sexuality, Stefan starts to feel like an experiment. Can their love thrive or will Kaito’s indecision push them apart?

Kaito had always been attracted to women, until he meets Stefan. Having requested to be placed in the immersion sign language class Kaito is pleased but puzzled when Stefan is assigned to assist him and help teach him. Now questioning his sexuality, Kaito is confused and trying to sort his emotions out, but Stefan is beginning to feel like he’s simply an experiment. Can these two men learn to communicate together properly before it’s too late?

I found this an interesting and well plotted short story. Even though both Kaito and Stefan were in college and adults this story had a bit of a YA feel to me, personally. I think this was in large part because Kaito was still clearly learning and discovering who he was – for his career as well as his sexuality. I think the fact we followed along as he learned both sign language as well as the basics of being a tracker and all the responsibility and meaning that has in this story’s paranormal world meant this came across to me as a bit of a coming-of-age style of story. I found Stefan’s character to be well researched and quite relatable, and while I admit I don’t know much about the deaf community it felt to me like the author did an excellent job and had done her homework when it came to this aspect of the story as a whole.

There are a number of various paranormal creatures at the college – not just werewolves – so I feel readers who enjoy a rich paranormal world and lots of various entities should find this story quite satisfying. While the main thrust of the story is around Kaito and Stefan – and therefore werewolves – I was surprised and pleased by the other creatures and felt it really added a strong element to the story and helped really sell the world-building and paranormal aspect of the world in general. Although it takes quite some time for Stefan and Kaito to become intimate – and it mostly happens off screen – I feel that fits perfectly with the story, both with Kaito’s uncertainty and Stefan not wanting to merely be an experiment or passing fancy. If readers are willing to explore and move along with Kaito and Stefan as they both learn more about each other and themselves then I feel readers will be happy with the pacing of the story and I know I personally found it exactly right.

A good, short coming of age style of story about two interesting men discovering who they are. With great world building and a strong cast of supporting characters this was a good read and an author I will happily try again.

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Stranded With Her Bullies by Sam Crescent

June 30, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Stranded With Her Bullies by Sam Crescent
Publisher: Evernight Publishing
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance, LGBTQ
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Fern

When a lockdown is declared, Daphne is forced to close her successful bed-and-breakfast for the foreseeable future, which she expects to spend alone. However, three men from her past didn’t leave with all the others. After twelve years, her high school bullies are back. She doesn’t know what game they’re playing, but she won’t be part of it.

Eric, Micah, and Dean intend to win her heart. What started as a challenge soon turns into more as the three friends band together to claim the woman of their dreams. There was only supposed to be one victor, but now they will all win.

Daphne doesn’t plan to fall for them, but when an opportunity opens up, they’re just too damn hot to turn down.

It’s a lockdown full of promise. Three guys, one girl, and many possibilities. Why not enjoy the moment, even if she doesn’t intend for it to last forever. Or will it?

Daphne had carried on with her grandmother’s B&B, a beautiful quaint place near the mountains. Closed until further notice due to the pandemic and the lockdown, she’s looking forward to the quiet as a chance to recharge her batteries and tinker with the B&B and be ship-shape when they reopen. She hadn’t counted on the three very determined men who flatly refused to check out or leave her premises. Eric, Micah and Dean had been her high school bullies – the three handsome, popular, intelligent men who had made her teenage years miserable. They were determined to win her over, but Daphne was equally determined never to let them have any sort of power over her ever again. Can they weather this storm together?

A part of me wasn’t sure if this was a little too soon for me. With much of the world still in dire trouble from the pandemic – and lockdowns and clusters still popping up here and there to keep society as a whole on their toes – I really wasn’t sure I wanted to read a story where, even loosely, the pandemic and lockdown was a part of the fictional world I immersed myself in. I feel strongly for some readers this won’t be the right fit – yet – and so I’m grateful the author was quite up front about those settings. I still don’t think I want to be reading too much about pandemic life and lockdowns, but I have to admit the references were fairly fleeting and limited to only sporadic comments throughout the story which I was grateful for.

I also wasn’t really sold on the idea that Daphne could overlook such horrible treatment through school from the trio of men and give in to her sexual craving for them. To actually enjoy the story I really needed to just disconnect my brain and try to go with the flow. I didn’t question the logic – regardless of how sexy they were or how hot the attraction, how could someone fall in love with the bullies who made her childhood hell? – and I just relaxed and enjoyed the sexy shenanigans.

Once I got to this place, I thoroughly enjoyed the story. Three hot and handsome men with no one else around to judge or criticize Daphne or her choices… It was a decent fantasy. Readers looking for a steamy hot menage style of story – three men with one woman – should find that this suits their needs delightfully. While the three men are best friends, they are not sexually intimate, but they are open and communicate their desires and talk about the changing scenarios of their desires with Daphne, so there’s no real cheating (in the traditional sense) and while Daphne is kept in the dark about their discussions and bets/deals for some time, the men are all honest with each other.

I really don’t feel this will be enjoyed by every reader – both the style and plotline are a bit on the edge of what’s romantic verses what’s erotic/dark-romance, but for readers who want something a little edgier I feel this is a well written and quite intense storyline that should appeal to many. With plenty of intimacy and some intense scenes this is a very explicit story but a full length novel that should appeal to many.

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Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

June 25, 2021 By Leave a Comment


Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Publisher: St Martin’s Griffin
Genre: Contemporary, LGBTQ, Romance
Rating: 3 stars
Reviewed by Nymphaea

What happens when America’s First Son falls in love with the Prince of Wales?

When his mother became President, Alex Claremont-Diaz was promptly cast as the American equivalent of a young royal. Handsome, charismatic, genius―his image is pure millennial-marketing gold for the White House. There’s only one problem: Alex has a beef with the actual prince, Henry, across the pond. And when the tabloids get hold of a photo involving an Alex-Henry altercation, U.S./British relations take a turn for the worse.

Heads of family, state, and other handlers devise a plan for damage control: staging a truce between the two rivals. What at first begins as a fake, Instragramable friendship grows deeper, and more dangerous, than either Alex or Henry could have imagined. Soon Alex finds himself hurtling into a secret romance with a surprisingly unstuffy Henry that could derail the campaign and upend two nations and begs the question: Can love save the world after all? Where do we find the courage, and the power, to be the people we are meant to be? And how can we learn to let our true colors shine through? Casey McQuiston’s Red, White & Royal Blue proves: true love isn’t always diplomatic.

A fun story of love conquering all.

This is my first book by Casey McQuiston and won’t be the last. The characters were fun and the story intriguing. It’s cute. Royals and the closest thing America has to royals getting together and being gay! Sounds like a winner.

The writing style sort of put me off at times. I’m not a fan of present tense writing, but this might not be a turn off for all readers. There were times when the story was choppy, but again, this might not be a bad thing for all readers. It was me. I would’ve rather had the story from Alex and Henry’s point of view, instead of the way it was done—but that’s on me.

If one is looking for super hot scenes this one might not work, but if you’re looking for cute, sweet scenes where it’s implied things are happening in the bedroom, then this one is for you.

A cute story for a lazy afternoon.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , , ,
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