The Right Kind of Wrong

 

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Maybe only someone who’s been behind bars can understand how to set her free. Fresh out of jail, Jamie Pierce is desperate to change his ways and become a better person. He wants to earn enough money to get out of London for good and live a quiet life somewhere in the country. But then he meets Harriet Jones, a beautiful young fashion designer who is plagued by self-doubt, and suddenly leaving doesn’t seem so simple. Harriet has spent years trying to win her father’s affection, but time and time again she’s been left feeling that she just isn’t good enough. When she starts to fall for her rough-around-the-edges neighbor, she knows her father would never approve. It was only meant to be a fling, but maybe the person who seems so wrong for her could be just the kind of person she needs. Can Jamie help Harriet learn to believe in herself, or will she remain trapped in her own prison of self-doubt? Content Warning: explicit sex

Excerpt

"I guess that's a hint for me to go." Jamie sighed. "Shame, I was enjoying myself."
He hopped off the stool, and despite the rising panic about her work, Harriet felt a warm glow at his words. "Really?"
"Geez, don't sound so surprised. Why wouldn't I be enjoying myself in the company of a beautiful woman?" Jamie stared down at her with that burning, intense gaze of his.
Harriet squirmed. Years of being criticized had made her unable to take a compliment. "I'm not beautiful."
She broke her gaze away from his, and looked back at her work. Work was what she knew, what she understood, not compliments and looks of strange, gorgeous men whom she had invited into her home with no real idea why.
She felt his fingers under her chin, lifting her face so that she had to look back up at him. Even though she resisted slightly, his fingers were firm.
"You are the most beautiful woman I've ever met," Jamie told her, and he looked so serious.
Harriet wanted to believe it. But she knew she wasn't beautiful.
"Can I kiss you again?" There was a fleeting moment of indecision in his eyes, like maybe he shouldn't, but all Harriet wanted was for him to kiss her again.
"Yes." Her voice was trembling. There were so many reasons why she should have said no. But she wanted this. She wanted Jamie.
His eyes fixed on hers until his soft lips found hers. Harriet savored his gentle kiss this time, marveling at his skill to ignite a passion within her that she wasn't even sure she had. When he pulled away, Harriet was left breathless.
"You seem nervous," Jamie said, taking her hand, which was physically shaking.
"I…I haven't touched a man since my husband and I separated," Harriet admitted.
Jamie's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "You seem too young to have been married already."
"Yes, well, it didn't work out," Harriet said bitterly. She looked away, trying to push down the emotions that threatened to resurface—rejection, abandonment, the feeling of never being good enough. But she was good at controlling the pain by now; she'd been doing it ever since she was a child.
"I'm sorry." The fire between them was in danger of fizzling out as they stood there awkwardly, but then Jamie kissed her hand. "Anybody would be a fool to leave you."
Jamie pulled her closer and started kissing her again. He tasted of beer, and Harriet hated the taste usually, but like with everything else, he made the wrong seem so right, and she loved it.
She kissed him like she couldn't get enough. Boldly, Harriet raised her hands up to cup his face, the beginnings of stubble feeling grainy against her palms. She was more turned on than she could ever remember. Harriet pulled away, suddenly nervous. It wasn't like her to do things like this, and it scared her just how much she wanted it.
"It's okay, we don't have to take this any further. We don't really know each other," Jamie said a little breathlessly.
Harriet tried to hide her disappointment, but she knew he was right, and she wasn't the kind of girl to be this forward.
"But I'm up for it if you are." Jamie's voice was more serious, and his words sent waves of desire through her body.
Given her tendency to overthink things into inaction, she decided to let her body take over. There were a hundred reasons why she shouldn't do this, but she was going to go with the one reason she should—she wanted to.

Author Info

I have always believed that the best stories are the ones that you can't put down, the ones that transport you to a different place and make you believe in the characters. This is exactly why I write… I have always loved the escapism that reading and writing provides, and there is nothing more exciting than imagining your own set of characters, and then letting them practically write the story for you. Writing has always been a dream of mine, and I'm lucky to have the kind of people around me that have always nurtured and encouraged my passion.
I live a cozy little life in Wales, and when I'm not writing I'm taking care of my young family, studying for a degree in Classical Studies, and training to become a nail technician. I love traveling to new places, meeting new people, and experiencing new things…it's all great inspiration for my books!
I also love to hear from my readers or other writers, so contact me at: emilywood.author@gmail.com or check out my blog at: http://emilywoodauthor.blogspot.co.uk/

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Two Times as Hot

  

 

One Good Girl...
After her sister snags a hot Oklahoma cowboy, Emma Hart figures it’s her turn to saddle up. And with two country boys pursuing her at once, she’s in for a wild ride...
Two Sexy Guys...
Lieutenant Colonel Logan Hunt can’t deny the heat between him and Emma is fierce. But Logan isn’t looking for anything serious...just a chance to blow off some steam. So why is he crazy jealous when he sees pro bull rider Jace Mills trying to charm Emma into bed?
Winner Takes All...
Logan knows he and Emma could have something special—and not just because she’s smokin’ hot. Now he has to find a way to prove that even a no-strings-attached guy like him can stick around for the long haul…

Review

****Kensington Books through NetGalley provided me with a copy of this book for my honest review****
Emma Hart was in Oklahoma with 2 missions, to find her sister Becca a new man to let her hair down with and to get her the dream job she secretly submitted her resume for at OSU. She soon discovered the $10 rode tickets were the best investment she'd made on the trip as they meet not one but two hot cowboys, Tucker Jenkins and Jace. While things with Jace don't turn out as Emma had hoped, a year later Emma finds herself at her baby sister's rehearsal dinner and the maid of honor for the big event the next day. However, running into Jace again is the least of her problems like she originally
thought. Enter Lieutenant Colonel Logan Hunt, the groom's boss, surrogate older brother and best friend, and this city girl's about to be thrown into a future she never saw coming via a sexy military man.
I've read a lot of Cat Johnson's books, so when I saw this one available on NetGalley I had to request it. The author has a way of making you fall in love with her characters. Emma and Logan were so realistic you could pick them off the pages and put them into your life. The side character development was not lacking and set things up for the rest of the series, making you ready to start the next one. The romance wasn't fairy tale but was very sweet and heart felt. The heroine wasn't afraid to kick ass, even while showing her vulnerabilities. I also have a soft spot for cowboys so this one was perfect! 

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Arrested by Love 18+

This book is recommended for mature readers, it contains adult content.

 

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 1/2

 In the steamy world of bestselling romance author Virna DePaul, there are bad boys and good girls on both sides of the law. And when they mix, it’s always an explosive combination. Now the three novellas of her contemporary Red-Hot Cops series are available together in this eBook anthology:
COPPING TO IT
Though Claire Fullerton, a respected journalist, isn’t afraid to walk on the wild side, she’s terrified that unleashing her inner vixen will expose her to getting hurt. But when Claire is captured by a notorious gang of bikers, she recognizes a friendly face from her darkest fantasies: undercover cop Ty Williamson, who has managed to infiltrate the gang to bring them down from the inside. Now Ty’s determined to bind Claire to him and prove that he wants all of her: the good with the bad. In fact, the badder she is, the better they’ll be—together.
COP APPEAL
People used to call her Sure-Thing-Sarah, but the only thing Sarah Larson’s sure about these days is the torch she’s carried for undercover cop Luke Anderson. Four years ago, Sarah made the biggest mistake of her life: leaving Luke to marry another cop. Now, a year after her divorce, Luke’s back in her life—ready to convince Sarah that he’s the one when it comes to love. But Sarah has a big fear—that her dangerously possessive ex-husband is out to make sure that her second chance at happiness is destroyed forever.
COPPING ATTITUDE
As a former centerfold, Jenna Mills is a pro at deflecting male attention, and with good reason. A painful past has made her mistrustful of all men—and hell-bent on getting revenge on one in particular. But first she needs help overcoming her fear of physical intimacy. And honorable cop Noah James might just be the perfect place to start. Noah’s used to making a woman feel safe, in bed and out. But when Jenna makes him an indecent proposal, Noah’s willing to give her everything she’s asking for . . . and more.
Arrested by Love is erotic romance intended for mature audiences.

Review

****This book was part of a blog tour I was given a copy for my honest review****

  This book has three short novellas in it that are connected by the male leads who are in law enforcement. All three of the stories had these alpha males somewhat saving the females, physically or emotionally. There was a lot of sex, which is to be expected because it is an erotic romance. The scenes are written well, detailed, diverse and you need a cold shower hot. The only thing that kept me from really enjoying any of these stories was that I felt like there wasn't a storyline. I need to have some sort of connection to the characters in the books I read to get into them and really enjoy them, I didn't have that with any one of the three of these. If you like fast reads with lots of hot monkey sex then Arrested by Love is the book to pick up. 

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Ruin

 

  

Kate Bell isn't perfect. Not even close. The things she got up to in college would cause her parents to fall off their pedestals in shock. Home for the summer vacation, Kate settles in for a long, boring break in the tiny backwater of Winter with folks who still treat her like she's twelve.
Then Ben Parker arrives and suddenly Winter gets interesting. He's hot, mysterious and good with his hands. Kate falls for him instantly, but her cop father warns her to stay away. But how can she stay away from someone as compelling as Ben? Someone who thinks she's perfect just the way she is?
When Ben's secrets catch up to him, not only is Kate's heart in danger of being broken, but Ben's entire future could be ruined.
RUIN is a new adult contemporary romance intended for mature readers. It contains strong language and sexual situations.

Review

****C.J. Scott through NetGalley provided me with a copy of this book for my honest review****
Kate Bell can't believe she's back in winter for her summer vacation. While other parents are going to the beach with their college student children, she's stuck in the most boring town that is slowly dying before her eyes. This is going to be a summer like every other one, spending time with her friend Jane who is taking care of her grandmother, spending time with her parents who have no variation in their weekly schedules, that is until Ben Parker comes drifting into town. He's secretive, sexy and mysterious, all traits Kate can't resist. But when she finds out the truth, will their feelings for each other be enough?
I loved this book, there was emotion, drama, feel good moments, and mystery. What a great group of characters! Kate was slightly immature but just in a typical college student kind of way, and I loved watching her mature with her experiences. Ben was wise beyond his years, but broken and I wanted to reach through the pages and make things better for him. The mystery of Ben's secrets and how the town of Winter tied into everything kept the story fast paced if not a little rushed and you glued to the pages. I would have loved for it to be longer so the pace could have been spread out a little better and gotten more detailed, but I still loved the story that C.J. Scott wound. 

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Spring Training

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 For baseball superstar Garrett Donovan, his contract with the New York Empire baseball team meant he’d finally have the means to secure a future for his family. He should focus on that…not on the sassy, beautiful Jessa Montgomery — or what she looks like naked. Getting involved with the daughter of the Empire’s owner would be career suicide. Jessa is a distraction he can’t afford.
Her father had warned her never to get involved with his athletes, so his request that she keep an eye on his new star player came straight out of left field. The last thing Jessa needs is another spoiled, egotistical ball player to deal with. But Garrett is none of those things. His no-nonsense attitude and smooth Southern charm make her blood burn and her knees weak. Giving into temptation, she is consumed by the pleasure she finds in Garrett’s arms.
Jessa wants to protect his career. Garrett won’t let anything get in the way of their passion.
A passion that could cost him everything.

Review

****This book was part of a blog tour I was given a copy for my honest review****

Jessa has practically grown up on the baseball field; her father owns the New York Empires and has taught her everything she needs to know. Her father has a strict role of her not dating any of the players, so when he sends her to baby-sit his newest "golden boy" she expects to meet a spoiled, rich boy who she will constantly have to do damage control for. Instead she meets Garrett, Garrett is happy to finally be able to stop worrying and take care of his family and their future. Once he meets Jessa he wants her and while the two of them don't want to risk his career, they may find out that the passion that burns hot between them is more important than anything else. This book was good; the chemistry between the two main characters was off the charts hot. Jessa is a bit of a tomboy and I liked that, she has some insecurities from being the only child with no mom and thinking her father wished she was a boy I thought that was realistic and played into the conflict that happens latter in the book. Garrett is not the ladies’ man that people think he is he is a sweet man who is trying to do right by his family. I loved him, he had the most to lose and yet he really pushed for more knowing it could ruin him. The love scenes between the two of them were hot and plentiful about halfway through the book I started to get a bit bored with the book because as good as those scenes were, I wanted more. The author gave me the more that I needed not long after I started getting restless, the pace of the book picked up a bit and I was once again rooting for this couple to make it. Overall Spring Training is a good light read with plenty of spice and a group of adorable characters.

Parker Kincade is an award-winning erotic romance author of The Martin Family Series. Her first novel, One Night Stand, won the category of Best Erotic Romance in the Celtic Hearts Romance Writers Golden Claddagh contest and was named finalist in the Romance Writers of America/Passionate Ink Stroke of Midnight contest.
Parker lives in the southern United States with her husband, children and beloved boxer sidekick. She loves reading, playing golf, spending time with her family and friends, ice cream from the ice cream truck, taking her dog to the park and watching old musicals.

Links: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Group Blog

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Levi's Ultimatum 18+

This book is recommended for mature readers, it contains adult content.

  

 

Levi’s Ultimatum is book 2 in the Purgatory Masters series, Book 1 is Tucker’s Fall and is available now.
In search of someplace to belong…
Levi Hawkins was a typical fun loving, hard partying college student with his whole life in front of him — until one tragic night ripped his world apart and left him adrift with no home or family to return to. After a soul crushing stint in Afghanistan, he spent a decade wandering the globe searching for something or someone to make him whole again. Weary of regret and consumed by loneliness, he puts his heart on the line and turns to the only people still connected to him by blood.
He found an obsession…
A chance encounter at a lakeside café puts single mother Tori Ford directly in Levi’s path and he’s ready to stake a claim. She wants to keep her life simple. Work hard, raise her daughter, save some money and one day open the pie shop she’s always dreamed of. She doesn’t need complicated and she certainly doesn’t need a wickedly hot Dominant to take control of her future. Except when he touches her she yearns for the pleasure and passion of submission. But Tori can’t take another heartbreak and she can never trust Levi with her heart or her daughter if he won’t open up about the darkness slowly consuming him.

Review

****Gypsy Ink Books through NetGalley provided me with a copy of this book for my honest review****
Levi Hawkins has a dark past that he and his family have put a lot of effort into hiding. He's sick of traveling the world searching for a place he's already found, home.
Toni Ford has an ex-husband she's ready to move on from, she's not ready to complicate her life with another man, especially a dominate one like Levi. When she walks into the dining room of the small restaurant she sells pies to and finds her beautiful little girl talking and coloring with a gruff tattooed man in desperate need of a shave she should be terrified, right? But this man is different she can see it in his eyes. When both peoples secrets start to come back to haunt them, who can hang on to the newly formed ties, and who will be left devastated?
I read this book as a standalone. While it made me want to read the first book, I didn't feel like I was lost, but as with everything where the characters overlap I think it's ideal to read the first book before picking this one up. I immediately fell in love with Levi, like full out fan girling love. I have such a weakness for a Dominant man, but he wasn't just the bossy man, he was also vulnerable at times and so very adorable with Toni's little girl Hannah. Toni I didn't connect with nearly as much, but the story and Levi made up for that. I never saw the twists and turns coming and it left me on the edge of my seat! There was nothing textbook predictable about the underlying mystery in this story.   

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The Serpent's Tooth Trilogy

 

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Lord Esterleigh's Daughter
As a child, Anne Fairfield dreams of the father she never knew, the hero who died fighting the French and their Indian allies in a land across the sea. Her mother’s stories, and fantasies of her own devising, sustain and nurture her through a poor and lonely existence. Until one winter night, a strange man comes to call, and the life she has known comes crashing down like shattered glass.
Forced to confront sordid truths, secrets and lies, the headstrong young woman begins to learn that, like generations of women ruled by their hearts, she is destined to follow in their footsteps.
Set against the backdrop of 18th century England, Lord Esterleigh’s Daughter is the first book in “The Serpent’s Tooth” trilogy, which follows Anne from the rural countryside, to London society and into the center of the American Revolution.

Courting The Devil (May contain spoilers)
Four years after a near fatal blunder uproots her from her home and inheritance, Anne Darvey, daughter of the Marquess of Esterleigh, finds herself an indentured servant on a farm near Fort Edward in New York, as the British army advances toward Albany. Driven by guilt over the pain she has caused her father and grief over her lover’s death, she sets out to deliver a message. The consequences lead to the discovery that all is not as it seems, and sets in motion events that lead to love and danger.
Set against the backdrop of the American Revolution, Courting the Devil is the second book in “The Serpent’s Tooth” trilogy, which follows Anne from her childhood in the rural English countryside, to London society, and into the center of the American Revolution.

The Partisan's Wife (May contain spoilers)
Faced with an impossible choice, Anne Marlowe is torn between her husband’s love and the hope of her father’s forgiveness. As American forces follow up on their tide-turning victories over the British at Freeman’s Farm and Bemis Heights, Peter is drawn deeper into the shady network of espionage that could cost them both their lives.
Is his commitment to “the Cause” stronger than his hard-won love for Anne? Will her sacrifice tear them apart again...this time forever? Or will they find the peace and happiness they both seek in a new beginning?
The Partisan’s Wife follows Anne and Peter through the war torn landscape of Revolutionary War America, from the Battle of Saratoga to British-occupied New York and Philadelphia, and beyond.

Review

****These books were part of a blog tour I was given copies of all three for my honest review****

In the 18th century young Anne has grown up believing that her father was a hero who died in battle.

She has spent her whole life dreaming about him and putting him on a pedestal as this man to be worshiped. When she is sixteen her world is turned upside down when she learns that her father wasn't a hero he isn't even dead, he left her mother when his family didn't approve of her. He is a wealthy English lord, he is ready to acknowledge Anne and have her take her place as his heir. However, she is not so eager to forgive and forget with members of the Esterleigh family plotting to keep this from being a happy reunion Anne’s new life is not ideal. In book two Anne has been kidnapped, sent to New York as an indentured servant during the Revolutionary War. The farm is a battlefield and Anne sees her chance to escape and find her lovers’ best friend. Book three is the conclusion to The Serpent Trilogy Anne is trying to find her father to make amends, the trio travels to New York with a war going on it's not it's not smooth sailing. Once in New York Anne and Peter are separated while they both try to reach their own goals. I read all three books back to back in a few sittings so I am going to review all of them at once, I really liked this trilogy. The characters were well written and while I personally hated Anne’s father, his actions were understandable for the time period. Anne grew up a little bit during each book, she had such a hard time of it that I wanted to save her, but she had a strong will and that kept her going. Peter was a good guy in the first book by the end of the third book I wasn't his biggest fan, but again because of circumstances and the time period I understand his actions. The book itself was really wonderful, sometimes with historical fiction books there is so much information and set up that at times it becomes, well more of a history lesson than a story. With this book it's not the case at all; the author focuses on the story, but weaves in bits of information so that you can see the whole picture without being overwhelmed. The book is well researched I was impressed with the amount of information the author included. I think the storyline on the last book was somewhat murkier than in the first two, somethings were a bit confusing. Overall I really enjoyed reading this trilogy, if you like historical fiction books with a good romance this series is definitely one to check out.

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I Like Your Form: Confessions of a Personal Trainer

Guest review from Texxie at PRUF Reads.

Links: Goodreads Amazon

 

1/2

After graduating from high school and working several dead-end jobs, JD lands a job as a personal trainer at a newly opened gym. At first he is inexperienced and shocked at how much money people are willing to drop to train with him. But soon he starts to learn the ropes of the business. It’s not long before JD carves a niche for himself training well-to-do housewives and successful older women. As he gives into these women’s demands, he is faced with an internal struggle: he wants to make money and retain clients, but he knows that what he is doing is wrong. If his girlfriend or one of his clients’ spouses ever found out about this other life he’s leading, everything could blow up in his face and it could mean the end of his career. But for the time being, what’s wrong with enjoying the attention of many attractive, sexy women who seem to be more than willing to please young JD? This hilarious and honest collection of stories includes advice for both personal trainers and clients and a look at the lesser-known-side of personal training.

Review

****The author provided me with a copy of this book for my honest review**** 

"And just like that I became one of those douchebags in the gym."

~J.D. Holmes

...and then some.

When the lovely Jillian contacted me in regards to reading and reviewing a book because I was "the first person" she thought of, I couldn't help but be intrigued. I mean who else better to review a book about a personal trainer and his sexapades than a reader/reviewer/fitness instructor?! I was eager to dive right in. I'm a big on covers and this one in particular is fantastic, quite the eye catcher (maybe not as effective as that author pic but I digress. *wink*)

I Like Your Form is a hard book for me to categorize. It's something of a quirky, often crass, how NOT to type of book. Young J.D. was the epitome of the term "man-child" He had the young trainer physique but the mind of a horny preteen and quite possibly the most gullible person alive. As I read story after story about him tumbling into bed, or desk, or massage table, or car seat, with these older women I kept thinking to myself, how stupid can one guy be?These weren't the most subtle women on the planet and young J.D. just kept snowballing. This book doesn't come across as though he's gloating, the author repeatedly admits that he himself didn't get his "appeal" and that he did nothing to draw these women in, with the exception of giving them the full hour they paid for and listened to any and everything they wished to discuss during their training session. Did I mention he's stubborn as well? Even as he saw the hole he was digging himself into  he continued jackhammering away...literally.

I'll be honest, there were times where I thought to myself, "Omg, this guy is so full of shit." At the same time, I found myself nodding yes as I read his recollections of how things can be in a gym setting. He was spot on when he broke down the different types of trainers and gym members. I got a good laugh out of that and I'll be the first to admit, I shared some of my favorite lines with a friend as we adjusted our spin bikes before class and then with a different friend after our Zumba cool down. What can I say, it was quite the conversation starter and provided some extra entertainment as I walked through the weight room, labeling everyone based on J.D.'s words. I appreciated his brutal honesty as well...

How many times have you walked into a gym and been greeted by a heffer? Chances are not often, if at all, unless it's a gym that caters only to very overweight people. I cannot recall for the life of me seeing a porky gym receptionist, but I have never set foot inside a Curves, so I could be way off.

Insensitive? Maybe? A bit harsh? Probably. Still, it is what it is and he held no punches. 

Throughout the book, the author gives great advice on how to avoid tempting pitfalls in the business, and based on his history, he would know! There really wasn't a "no no" that he didn't dabble in. He admits to be selfish, emotionally and morally stunted, and just an overall asshole. He spent his trainer years sleeping with damn near any woman who would let him and given his seemingly aversion to using protection, I'm glad that he didn't catch anything that he couldn't throw back. He looks back and realizes how lucky he is given all he's done. While I found some of the stories a little over the top, I can see his appeal without fully seeing the man himself. The author has a charming, off beat, boyish quality to his personality that even lines like this...

There's nothing worse than sticking your tongue in something that smells of a lush tropical garden but turns out tasting like the top of a nine-volt battery.

still left me grinning ear to ear and then questioning my own sanity as I "awww'ed" him a couple of times. This book isn't for everyone. He seems to be a lot like me when it comes to conversation cursing. It just comes out, and made sense with the topic at hand. For me, it actually added to the book, gave it a laid back feel that I could roll with. This author has a voice, and a talent for sure. I hope to read more from him in the future. 

Like most guys, I didn't know what to do with my life. After floating around for some time after high school, I somehow got a job as a personal trainer. There was nothing that could have prepared me for what seemed like an overnight transformation from average guy to a rock star. Along with a hefty paycheck, the added benefits to the job were mind-blowing, which I don't have time to discuss here. From housewives to co-eds to gay guys, I've trained them all with quite a few unbelievable stories over the years. I had been sharing my decade long experience with friends for some time so it seemed right to get it on paper and share it with the world. I still find the gym life fascinating and write a weekly blog about the odd things you come across when you set foot in any fitness center. Keep lifting & keep laughing
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