Friday 20 September 2013

PROMOTIONAL SPOTLIGHT - RELINQUISHING LIBERTY BY MAUREEN MAYER

Book Information supplied by Girls Heart Books Blog Tours
Title-Relinquishing Liberty
Series-Second Chances Book #1
By-Maureen Mayer
Genre-New Adult
Publication Date- August 26th, 2013


BLURB supplied by Girls Heart Books Blog Tours
On the outside, Liberty Davis appeared to have it all…a loving family, a tight knit circle of friends, and a bright future ahead of her. Everything was perfect. That is until her brother tragically took his own life, turning her whole world upside down.


Left to pick up the pieces of her broken family, Liberty is faced with focusing all of her attention on helping her parents cope with the loss of their son, while putting her own life on the back burner. But what no one seems to realize is that she is just as broken inside.


Now, four years later, twenty year old Liberty is taking back the reins of her life. She leaves behind everything she’s ever known, hoping to make a fresh start…one where she isn’t faced with the constant reminder that her brother is nothing more than faded memory. What she didn’t expect to find along the way was Shayne.


Tall, dark and tattooed, Shayne Thompson has developed quite a reputation for being a player. Despite everyone’s negative perception, Liberty still finds herself drawn to him. When she learns that Shayne knows all too well what it feels like to lose someone you love, she finds that they have a lot more in common than just a physical attraction.


When Liberty discovers a secret from Shayne’s past that threatens to tear them apart, she begins to question everything she’s ever felt for him. Will Liberty choose to follow her heart or will she give up the one person who finally made her feel whole again?


**This story contains language and sexual scenes, some of which may be unsuitable for younger readers.**


LINKS
Createspace (paperback):https://www.createspace.com/4393520

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Maureen Mayer was born, raised and currently resides in Buffalo, NY with her loving and supportive family and boyfriend of 8+ years. She’s always had a love for the outdoors, and when the city isn’t buried under snow, she can be found hiking, fishing, camping or lying on the beach. She’s a sucker for off-color humor, but holds a sweet spot for sick and twisted horror films.


Thanks to authors like J. K. Rawling, Stephanie Meyer and E. L. James, Maureen has rediscovered her love for reading. When she’s not writing, you can find her curled up in bed with her kindle, diving into a steamy romance novel. She is currently working on her first new adult novel and hopes to self-publish it late this summer.


LINKS


Facebook Events-
Tour-  https://www.facebook.com/events/544085662312262/


AUTHOR INTERVIEW


What is your name, where were you born and where do you live now?
My name is Maureen Mayer, but all of my friends call me Mo. I was born, raised and currently reside in Buffalo, NY.

Did you always want to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
Surprisingly no. When I was younger I had dreamed of becoming a Marine Biologist. I went to Canisius College, got my Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, and I even did an internship at the Buffalo Zoo. Yup. That’s right. I was the one that got stuck shoveling animal shit. Haha. But seriously, overall it was a great experience.
I’ve always had a love for animals, and I knew that one day I wanted to have a career working with them, but unfortunately there aren’t many job opportunities here in Buffalo.

When did you first consider yourself as a "writer"?   
Well, I guess I would say the moment I started putting ideas down on paper I considered myself a “writer”. I’m an avid reader, and the more I read, the more I wanted to write a book of my own. Problem was...I had no idea what to write! I actually had a conversation online with Amanda Stone about this a few months ago. She told me that before she starting writing her book, Breathe Into Me, she knew she wanted to write about something that she had never seen before in a book. Not long after that, an idea sparked in my head, and it grew from there into what is now Relinquishing Liberty.
But honestly, I don’t think it really hit me until I pressed publish online. Then I felt like a true writer.

Did it take a long time to get your first book published?
I started writing Relinquishing Liberty during the last week of February, and I finished it the last week of June. Including re-writes, editing, formatting and self-promoting, I spent about six months working on the book before I hit publish. But the actual self-publishing process, through Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Createspace, was fairly simple. Plus, I had a lot of help from other authors. I don’t know what I would have done without them!

Do you work another job as well as your writing work?
I was working as a receptionist at a law office before I started writing. Unfortunately, I’ve had to deal with chronic migraines/headaches which have prevented me from working there any longer. It’s bittersweet, though, because I probably never would have written Relinquishing Liberty had it not been for me being stuck at home, in pain, with my mind left to wander.

What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarise it in less than 20 words what would you say?
The name of my book is Relinquishing Liberty. Hmm, summarizing it in less than 20 words...that’s tough! “Relinquishing Liberty is about a young woman dealing with love, loss and trying to take back the reins of her life.” Ok, so that was 21 words!

Who is your publisher? or do you self publish?
I self-published. I knew from the very beginning that I wanted to self-publish.

Do you have a "lucky charm" or "lucky routine" you follow when waiting for your book to be accepted by a publisher?
I haven’t submitted my book to any publishers yet. I want to enjoy the freedom of writing and self-publishing and be in control of the whole process while I still can.

How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
It took me about four months to complete. I had originally planned on writing about 80,000 words and finishing it within three months. However, the characters refused to shut up, and I ended with a novel that was just over 100,000 words!

Which of your books were easier/harder to write than the others?
This is my first book, but I think now that I have gone through writing one book, it should be a little bit easier this time around. *fingers crossed*

What can we expect from you in the future?  ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?
I will probably stick with the same genre for now. I really enjoy New Adult books and that is primarily what I read. I would love to write Young Adult novels as well.

Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series?
I’m currently working on the second book in the Second Chances Series. The title is Unforeseen Heartbeat, and this story will focus more on Maddie. However Liberty and Shayne’s story will filter over into this book, they just won’t be the main focus. There will be one more book in the series, Brett’s story which is untitled, and I have plans for a stand alone book after the series wraps up.

What genre would you place your books into?
I would place my book in the New Adult genre.
It is my favorite genre to read and I feel that at my age (26) I can relate to the characters more.

Do you have a favourite out of the books you have written? If so why is it your favourite?
Since this is my first book, my baby, I have to say it will probably always be my favorite.

Do you have a favourite character from your books? and why are they your favourite?
I would have to say Brett is my favorite character. He is such a sweetie throughout the whole book, and even though he comes off a little overprotective (ok, that might be a bit of an understatement...he is really overprotective), deep down he has such a big heart and just wants what is best for Liberty.

If you had to choose to be one of your characters in your book/books which would you be? and why?
Definitely Maddie. She is such a little spitfire and has such a great sense of humor. She says what she wants and doesn’t hold back. It’s impossible not to love her!

How long have you been writing?, and who or what inspired you to write?
I have only been writing for six months. As soon as the idea for Relinquishing Liberty hit me, I started writing and haven’t stopped!

Where do you get your book plot ideas from? What/Who is your inspiration?
Some ideas have come from personal experiences, and others were just ideas that popped in my head. I had the basic plot of Relinquishing Liberty planned out, but most of the ideas hit me while I was writing. Plus, I have to give credit to all of the fantastic authors/books I have read that inspired me to write my own!

Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?
I usually sit in bed while I’m writing. I hate sitting at a desk, and unless I can find a computer chair that doesn’t kill my back, I’ll probably continue writing in bed. I also listen to music while I write. It varies from almost any genre (thank God for Spotify!), but lately I like writing while listening to waterfalls, waves, or thunderstorms.
There are three things I absolutely have to have while I’m writing too: my laptop, headphones, and Red Bull.

Do you have anybody read your books and give you reviews before you officially release them?ie. Your partner, children, friends, reviewers you know?
Usually I’ll use my boyfriend as a guinea pig while I’m writing, just to get his thoughts on how well my writing flows. I also LOVE my beta readers. They gave me great feedback after I finished writing Relinquishing Liberty, and I’m so glad they took the time to read it in its raw stage. Reviewers are great too because they have given me their honest opinions, which helps with my writing process in the future.

Do you gift books to readers to do reviews?
I have given away a few ebooks as prizes and asked them if they would kindly leave a review.

Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?
Yes, I do. Whether they are good or bad, I read each and every review. I like to read others’ opinions and grow from their constructive criticism.

What was the toughest/best review you have ever had?
I’ve had some great reviews so far. I absolutely love to see that people enjoyed reading Relinquishing Liberty. There has only been one review that slightly irked me because I felt like the reader didn’t really understand what I was trying to convey throughout the story. At one point Liberty is thinking, I never allowed myself to get close enough to anyone because honestly, what was the point? I knew they'd eventually leave me and just the thought of having to say goodbye tore me up inside. Then the reviewer went on to say that Liberty contradicts herself because she developed such close relationships with the characters that she meets along the way in the book.
The whole point of Liberty leaving home and coming to Savannah was to overcome that mentality and make a fresh start. Her brother’s suicide really affected her in such a away that she never wanted to build any lasting serious relationships; it was too difficult for her to say goodbye, so she avoided them all together. But the connections she feels with Brett, Maddie and Shayne are so strong, that she can’t help but let them in and break down the walls she had built up after her brother’s suicide.
The best review I’ve had was from a woman whose brother died in Iraq about 6 years ago. Her family basically freaked out and became distant from one another, so right away she was able to relate to Liberty’s character. She then went on to say the nicest things about my book, and I was so touched by her kind words that it brought tears to my eyes.

Would you ever ask a reviewer to change their review if it was not all positive about your book/books?
Not at all. They are entitled to their own opinions, and not everyone has the same taste in books. However, sometimes I do feel the need to clear up any confusion the reviewer might have had, for example the review I discussed above, but I would never ask them to change their review.

How do you come up with the Title and Cover Designs for your book/books? Who designed the Cover of your books?
I knew that I definitely wanted Liberty’s name in the title, but it took me a very long time to come up with the rest of the title. I knew that I wanted it to be about her being freed or released from the life she was living. The moment “relinquishing” popped in my head I knew that I had hit the nail on the head.
Robin Harper of Wicked By Designed designed my book cover and she did such an amazing job. The hardest part was picking out a stock photo for the cover, and I’m pretty sure I went through hundreds of photos until I found the one. I couldn’t be happier with the way it turned out, and I’ve gotten numerous compliments.

Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?
I started writing the book before I came up with the title. When the ideas hit me, I have to get them down as soon as possible before I forget them.

How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books?
I tried to come up with names that I haven’t seen in other books. I have only seen the name Liberty in one other book, and that was after I began writing Relinquishing Liberty. Shayne and Brett are also names that I haven’t seen very often in books, and Maddie I named after my niece.
As for places, I live in Buffalo, so if was easy for me to relate to that while I was writing. I have family that lives in Georgia, and after doing some research about Savannah and Tybee Island, I knew that was where I wanted Liberty to end up.

Are character names and place names decided after their creation? or do you pick a character/place name and then invent them?
The characters’ names I chose after I had developed what their personalities would be like and who would be main characters and supporting characters. Places on the other hand, I chose before writing about them. I had to do a little research before I was sure what places I wanted to include in the book.

Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?
I decided on character traits before writing. The only character who really surprised me was Brett. I knew that he was going to be the sweet, brotherly, overprotective type of guy, but I really wasn’t expecting him to develop such strong feelings for Liberty.  He got in quite a few arguments with her as well. After a while, I felt like he was writing his own scenes, and I had no control over them!

Do you have a basic plot/plan for your book, before you actually begin writing it out? Or do you let the writing flow and see where it takes the story?
I have the basic skeleton of the story planned ahead of time, but for the majority of the book, I let my writing flow and watch the story unravel beneath my fingertips. A lot of times ideas will pop in my head at the most inconvenient times, like while I’m in the shower, or driving, or trying to sleep. I always make sure to keep my phone and a notebook nearby so I can quickly jot them down.

How do you market/promote your books?
I use whatever outlets I can to get the word out about my book: facebook, twitter, my blog, goodreads, pinterest, etc.
I also started having giveaways and joining other authors’ giveaways before the book even released, so people would get pumped up about my book before I published it.

What do you think makes a book a really good/bestseller ?
When an author can make you feel such a wide array of emotions just by reading the words that they produced on a page...that, to me, makes a bestseller. If you have the reader swooning, laughing, ugly crying and altogether feeling completely satisfied by the end of a book...that’s a bestseller. And cliffhangers...don’t even get me started on those! I personally love cliffhangers. When an author has you clinging to the edge of your seat, dying to see what happens next, that’s a bestseller. I don’t think books should necessarily be based on sales and rankings, but by the amount of enjoyment one gets from reading an amazingly well written book.

Have you ever suffered from a "writer's block"? What did you do to get past the "block"?
Yes! The last month of writing Relinquishing Liberty I had horrible “writer’s block”. I knew where the story was going, but the words just wouldn’t flow. I had to step back for a good week or two before I finished writing the book.

What do you do to unwind and relax? Do you have a hobby?
I’ve always been an outdoorsy girl so I love hiking, fishing, camping and going to the beach. Even just going for a walk completely clears my mind and allows me to relax. That, and watching movies. My boyfriend and I are huge movie buffs; comedies, rom-coms, horror films...you name it, I love them all!

Have you ever based characters on people you know or based events on things that have happened to you?
I can definitely see a bit of myself in Liberty. And it wasn’t until I finished writing the book, that I found a lot of similar qualities between Shayne and my boyfriend. He is by far my Shayne!

Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "The moral of this story is..")
The moral of the story in Relinquishing Liberty is to always believe in second chances. That will definitely be a recurring theme throughout the series.

Is there a certain Author that influenced you in writing?
I think it’s a culmination of several authors who influenced my writing. Molly McAdams, Jillian Dodd, Kelly Elliott, Tina Reber, Kahlen Aymes, Monica Murphy, Lila Felix, J. Sterling...I could keep going, there are so many!

Which format of book do you prefer, ebook,hardback, or paperback?
Definitely ebook. It took a long time for me to make the jump from paperbacks to a Kindle, but I am so happy that I did. Although I will purchase paperbacks if I can get them signed!

What is your favourite book and Why?  Have you read it more than once?
I read Taking Chances by Molly McAdams almost a year ago, and all I can say is that it is the greatest heartache I have ever experienced. Molly literally ripped my heart out of my chest without any warning, but by the end of the book I was so happy with how the story turned out that I was crying tears of joy. That was the first time a book made me break down like that. It took me a good three weeks before I could start another book because I just couldn’t get over it. I grew so attached to her characters, and I didn’t want to let them go!

Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favourite/worst book to movie transfer?
Honestly...no. I always prefer books over movies. I loved the Twilght series, but the movies were just so damn corny! And yet somehow I still got sucked into going to see every movie!
One movie that I actually enjoyed just as much as the book was The Notebook. It will always be one of my favorites!

What are you currently reading? Are you enjoying it? What format is it?(ebook, hardback or paperback)
Right now I am reading an ebook copy of Near & Far by Nicole Williams. I love all of her books, and so far I am hooked on this one!

Do you think ebooks will ever totally replace printed books?
Although ebook sales will most likely always outnumber paperback sales, there is nothing like holding a paperback or hardcover book in your hands. The first time I held my own book, it felt so surreal.

Do you think children at schools these days are encouraged enough to read? and/or do Imaginative writing?
I think children should be encouraged to read books that interest them, rather than required reading. I remember when I was in school, I hated English and Language Arts classes. I found them boring and was forced to read books that I didn’t want to. I’m not sure what classes are like for kids now, but I was never encouraged to do any creative writing. Looking back, I wish I had been.

Did you read a lot at school and write lots of stories or is being a writer something newer in your life?
Reading is more of a re-discovered passion for me, but writing is a completely new endeavour!

Did you have a favourite author as a child?
Lois Lowry. I loved The Giver.

Do you have a treasured book from your childhood? If yes, what is it?
One of my favorite books when I was a kid was Love You Forever by Robert N. Munsch. I definitely plan on reading it to my kids one day.

Do you have a favourite genre of book?
New Adult for sure!

Is there a book you know you will never read? Or one you tried to read but just couldn't finish?
There was one book I read that I wish I hadn’t finished. It was A Good Student by Elliott Mabeuse. The story was way too repetitive. Literally, the same situations happened over and over throughout the book, and by the end I just felt like I had wasted my time reading it.

Are there any New Authors you are interested in for us to watch out for? and Why should we watch out for them?
Two of my favorite new authors are Dawn Martens and Emily Minton.
   Dawn is the co-author of Chase and Kade in the Resisting Love series, and I immediately fell in love with the characters. I was honored to beta read the last book in the series, Derek, which will be released in September!
   Emily and Dawn co-authored Whiskey Lullaby, the first book in the Love Songs series. Emily also just finished writing Windows, and I had the pleasure of beta reading both of these fabulous books. You can expect to see both of them out this fall!

Is there anything in your book/books you would change now if you could and what would it be?
I thought about writing Relinquishing Liberty from both Liberty and Shayne’s perspectives, but after I finished the first four chapters I knew that I wanted to keep it just from Liberty’s POV.

What do you think about book trailers?
I love them! When I saw a trailer that was made by Mollie Kay Harper for Jasinda Wilder’s Falling For You, I was in tears by the end!

What piece of advice would you give to a new writer?
You have to believe in your own writing and not let the negative reviews get to you. That was the hardest hurdle for me to get over. I constantly questioned whether or not my book was even worth reading and self-publishing. But I can honestly say, that I love my book and so far I’ve gotten some great feedback from readers.

Do you or would you ever use a pen name?
I think if I ever write YA books, I might consider using a pen name, just to set myself apart from the NA books.

If you could invite three favourite writers to dinner, who would you invite and enjoy chatting with?
Molly McAdams, Tara Sivec and J. Sterling! I can only imagine how crazy things would get with those three!

Where can readers follow you?
Your Twitter Details? @AuthorMoMayer https://twitter.com/AuthorMoMayer

And any other information you wish to supply?


Purchase Links:

Createspace (paperback): https://www.createspace.com/4393520





EXCERPT

I reached for the hem of my shirt and lifted it over my head. Shayne’s hands trailed up the sides of my body, but he stopped before he reached my bra. “Don’t you think we should eat something first? You slept straight through dinner, and I don’t want you passing out on me.”
He had a point. I climbed off of the bed and slipped out of my shorts before opening his bedroom door. Shayne gave me a puzzled look.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“To get something to eat. I’m craving something…sweet.” I winked at him before leaving the room.
I left a trail of clothing leading to the kitchen and opened the fridge to find exactly what I needed to prepare “dessert”. When Shayne finally appeared, his dessert was ready and waiting for him on the table. I got the whipped cream bikini idea from a scene in Varsity Blues, and I think I did a pretty good job; I even remembered to add the cherries on top.
“Fuck, baby, you look good enough to eat.” He stalked towards me, licking his lips.
“Well that was kind of the idea. Why don’t you come over here and get a taste for yourself?” I sprayed some whipped cream on my finger and slowly sucked it off, teasing it with my tongue and clearly getting a response out of Shayne. The bulge threatening to rip through his pants was a dead giveaway.
He pulled his shirt over his head in one swift movement while I traced my tongue across my bottom lip admiring him. His jeans hung low on his hips, the top button undone, and his feet were bare as they padded across the linoleum floor. The way the moonlight trickled in through the window and highlighted every single one of his rippling muscles… Dear Lord, I was about ready to say screw the dessert, tear his pants off and fuck him right here!
When he reached me, I was propped up on my elbows, and he placed a hand on either side of me, caging me in. He slowly bent forward, and dipped into the whipped cream surrounding my breast. His tongue swirled around my nipple and scooped the cherry into his mouth while he gently nibbled at my rosy bud.  I threw my head back as pleasure surged throughout my body, drawing a soft moan out of me.
“Mmm, so fucking good. I’ll never get enough of your sweet, delectable body. In fact, I think you’ve now become a staple part of my diet.”
My body arched towards his mouth as he moved over to the tightly beaded peak awaiting him. “Well I guess it’s a good thing we live together now, in case you get any late night cravings.”
“Late night, morning, afternoon…I crave you all the time, baby.” He slid my body closer to the edge of the table so that my legs were dangling over the edge, and he kneeled down in front of me. “Now for the main course.”
He lifted my legs over his shoulders and dove right in, lapping at the whipped cream surrounding my sex, mixing it with my own creamy arousal. I ran my fingers through his silky hair, holding him in place while my pelvis rocked against him, and he continued to devour me. His velvety tongue circled my entrance teasingly before leaving a moist trail leading up to my throbbing clit. He flicked over my swollen nub rhythmically, leaving me just teetering at the cusp of my climax and then he would switch to soft gentle strokes that left my head spinning, delirious with desire.
“Please, Shayne. I need you to make me come. Please make me come.”
He smiled up at me with a hungry look in his eyes, and I knew that was all the begging he needed. He sucked my clit with fervor, taking it between his teeth and gently nibbling away at the sensitive flesh. At the same time, he reached up and pinched my nipples, rolling them between his fingers, and paying no attention to the sticky mess he was making. A shockwave of intense pleasure shook through me, and I shouted Shayne’s name over and over.
“Remind me to write a thank you letter to Cosmo.” I breathed out, panting heavily as I came down from that earth-shattering orgasm.
“Oh, that one was all me, sweetheart. Cosmo had no influence over those moves.” I giggled as Shayne leaned forward and licked more whipped cream off of my breast. He took my hands, slinking them around his neck and lifted me off the table with my legs wrapped aro
und his waist. “Why don’t we get this sticky mess cleaned up before I get you in bed and have my dirty way with you?”
He carried me off to the bathroom, where we hopped in the shower and thoroughly lathered each other up. He even took the time to wash my hair, gently massaging the shampoo into my scalp as I leaned my head back into his chest. I was in heaven…or so I thought, until he carried me back to bed and made love to me, slowly exploring every inch of my body until the sun was just about to come up.



GIVEAWAY



CHARACTER BIO'S


Liberty Davis: People say your life can change in an instant...that is exactly what happened to sixteen-year-old Liberty, the day she found her brother’s lifeless body. Growing up in Buffalo, Liberty had a pretty normal childhood: a loving family, a tight knit circle of friends and a bright future ahead of her. The day her brother took his own life, Liberty’s family was thrown through the wringer, but unfortunately her parents never recovered. Liberty was forced to put her life on the back burner, including dropping out of college, while she took up the role of the parent. Four years later, Liberty made the rash decision that she’d had enough and that for once she had to put herself first. With no destination in mind, Liberty left home to make a fresh start and found herself settling in Savannah, Georgia, where the people she befriended helped her break down the walls she had built up after her brother’s suicide.



Shayne Thompson: Shayne didn’t have the greatest life growing up. Losing his mother at a young age was a devastating blow and led him to lash out on those around him. By the age of 10, every cop in town knew his name. He was a reckless kid with a chip on his shoulder and constantly getting into trouble. As he got older, he began to use sex as a means to cope and built up quite a reputation for sleeping around with every girl in town. To add to his growing list of problems, he lost his best friend, Wade, to suicide after he returned home from Afghanistan. Shayne was determined to rid himself of his man-whore reputation, and while his friends went off to college, Shayne remained in Savannah working for his dad on his deep-sea fishing charter boat. He devoted all of his time to work and his family...that is, until the day Liberty fell into his life.

Brett Harrington: Brett is your typical southern gentleman. Not a single girl can avoid his charming ways...not even Liberty Davis. After an accidental run in with Liberty, Brett found himself captivated by this beautiful auburn-haired Yankee. Brett fell for her hard and fast, and when she showed up at the restaurant where he bartends, he thought it was too good to be true. Unfortunately she sees him as more of an over-protective brother than a love interest, and ends up gravitating towards the town bad boy. Brett and Shayne had a falling out in high school, and since then, there has been bad blood between them. Brett wants what is best for Liberty, but not if it means losing her altogether.

Maddie Harrington: Blonde, bubbly and boisterous, Maddie is an in your face kind of girl. She says whatever is on her mind without any reservations, and her sense of humor is as colorful as her crazy personality. When Liberty arrived in Savannah, Maddie was instantly drawn to her and they quickly became close friends. Maddie’s trust in Liberty allowed her to divulge a secret from her past, one where she was faced with making one of the hardest decisions of her life all on her own. Only Brett and Liberty know her Maddie’s secret...but there’s always more than one side to every story.



BOOK SOUNDTRACK


Can you share your idea of the perfect soundtrack to
‘Relinquishing Liberty’ with us?

I tried to put these songs in order of when I’d hear them play while reading the book:


Justin Timberlake – Mirrors


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