Lance Morcan's Blog, page 93
October 23, 2013
Giveaway: 75 FREE EBOOKS – The Ninth Orphan (The Orphan Trilogy, #1)
If would like to receive a free kindle edition of the international thriller novel The Ninth Orphan then reply ‘yes’ on this event on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/event/show/908503-giveaway-75-free-ebooks—the-ninth-orphan-the-orphan-trilogy-1 …Or if you’re not a Goodreads member, then email sterlinggatebooks@gmail.com with your giveaway entry.
Only 75 copies available.
The publisher decides who receives the copies.
You will need to have an Amazon Kindle account to be able to receive this giveaway.
The Ninth Orphan (The Orphan Trilogy, #1) on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0056I4FKC
An orphan grows up to become an assassin for a highly secretive organization. When he tries to break free and live a normal life, he is hunted by his mentor and father figure, and by a female orphan he spent his childhood with. On the run, the mysterious man’s life becomes entwined with his beautiful French-African hostage and a shocking past riddled with the darkest of conspiracies is revealed.
This giveaway offer ends Sunday October 27, 11.59PM PST
October 22, 2013
‘The Scars of Ambition’ a superior sci-fi fantasy novel
The Scars of Ambition – by Jason Letts
Book splurge:
The ancient family sword’s immaculate steel blade reminded him that there were still parts of the world where this was the only weapon people had, the old ways were still alive and well, and there were creatures out there and powerful things beyond what he could ever imagine.”
Lowell Bracken had complete control. His empire, his ruthless executives, his family’s legacy, his wife, his children, they all had a part to play in the near omnipotent control he exerted in Cumeria. But a freak attack exposed how tenuous that control really is, and Lowell scrambles to preserve it, discovering he is only playing a small part in larger, darker schemes for control.
From the shadows, mysterious and disturbing threats disrupt the already-turbulent business landscape in Cumeria. When blood is spilled, the fight for survival becomes more than just a euphemism for going out of business, and the Brackens’ struggles to retain order might be the only thing keeping all of Cumeria from plunging into chaos.
Book review: 5 Stars
Plaudits for this superior read
Sci-fi/fantasy novels are not my preferred genre. So it says a lot for this first book of ‘The Cumerian Unraveling’ that I literally couldn’t put it down and I finished reading it in one sitting!
It’s a quick read. This may have something to do with the fact it’s only 95,000 words give or take, but I
suspect it’s more to do with the superior storyline crafted by author Jason Letts: it’s fast-paced and action-filled with very little downtime.
The book’s catchy tagline – “The battlefield meets the boardroom” – nicely sums up this highly original story of corporate espionage, wealthy families and political intrigue. It beautifully sets up the sequel, ‘The Vendetta Clause’. Can’t wait! -Lance
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The Kindle edition of this novel is available via Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/Scars-Ambition-Cumerian-Unraveling-ebook/dp/B00DO9HMXC/
Other books by Jason Letts:
Happy reading! - Lance & James
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‘The Pinata-Maker’s Daughter’ a worthy coming-of-age prequel
The Pinata-Maker’s Daughter (The Marisol Trilogy) – by Eileen Clemens Granfors
Book splurge:
In this worthy coming-of-age prequel to Some Rivers End on the Day of the Dead, we follow the struggle of Carmen Principia to achieve her dreams, despite her impoverished beginnings as the Pinata-Maker’s daughter in San Ysidro, California. She has a college degree in mind; her mother wants her to hone her skills in what else? pinata-making! Add relationships with men and a challenging roommate. The results are an emotional, sometimes comic, adventure in learning about the real world beyond the ivory tower of the U.
Book review: 5 Stars
It was with some misgivings that this middle-aged male read this coming-of-age tale about Carmen, a Mexican girl embarking on her journey through life in a new land. Wow…was I pleasantly surprised!
The author’s turn of phrase hooked me in from the Prologue onwards. (Try this sample excerpt: In Mexico City, I felt like a sparrow among flocks of parakeets, the colorful clothes and the chatter of thousands of people. Mama spread her striped serape to draw me close and keep me safe. I trembled against her like a shy toddler.)
Eileen Granfors’ decision to relate young Carmen’s endearing story in the First Person has proved masterful. This reader felt as though he was right there, experiencing the highs and lows of the piñata-maker’s daughter and her over-protective solo mom as they carved out a new life for themselves over the border, in southern California.
I unreservedly recommend this book to anyone – male or female – who enjoys stories about love, families, relationships, traditions and traditional values. You won’t be disappointed. -Lance
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The Kindle edition of this novel is available via Amazon at: www.amazon.com/The-Pinata-Makers-Daughter-Marisol-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00EUDYXH4/
Other books by Eileen Granfors:
Happy Reading! -Lance & James
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October 20, 2013
‘The Orphan Uprising’ maintains its 5-star rating average with another stellar review
Book three in our conspiracy thriller series The Orphan Trilogy has maintained its average 5-star rating with Amazon reviewers with a stellar review from Lynelle Clark, Editor of the respected ‘Aspired Writer’ literary blog.
The Orphan Uprising
Here’s Ms Clark’s (abridged) review:
***** Great end to a series
A sad but fitting ending to a great series. It was my privilege to read all three books in this series, and what a wonderful and exciting read it was.
Book 3 continued years later with Nine and Seventeen as the main characters. Isabella in her supporting role as wife, mother and sister-in-law brought the human aspect back in as their struggle continue to outrun and outwit the Omega Agency.
This time the Agency’s target was Nine’s son, seven year old Francis. Abducted from his home, we once again traveled the world with Nine as he searched for his son. As always you are drawn into the plot as it unfolds with its many layers, that kept you guessing and hoping until the very end…
Fast paced and well written the story meet up with the family, Isabella far advance in her second pregnancy, and Nine struggling with a heart condition when their son is abducted. It took all of Nine’s skills to search and destroy the Agency that once trained him. Now he used everything he knew against them, running against time to get his son from this diabolic group.
Led by Naylor, they did everything they could to prevent Nine…This man was brutal, ruthless, and a heartless bastard with no emotions as he tried to catch Nine and Isabella, using people as he wished with no second thought. Their was no remorse as he hunts them down, his main objective to get them out of the way to go ahead with his cloning project, with Francis as his main focus…
I loved the way the authors brought in each orphan as Nine and Seventeen met them, reminiscing about their youth before they did the ultimate…As always the book was filled with descriptive and in-depth scenes, interesting characters and great story line. From Tahiti, Greenland, America and to the heart of the DRC this was evident. Plotting and scheming with Drug Lords and Militia Captain’s to get the job done…
Nine’s determination, skills and cunningness put him ahead of the Agency, willing to risk all to save his son. His humanity more at the forefront as he raced against his own heart problems, not willing to stop until…
A great book and series I can recommend to all readers who loves a good spy thriller with all the elements of action, adventure and humanity inside to give you hours of enjoyable reads…Loved it.
For Lynelle Clark’s full review go to: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BFC66DM/
For anyone interested in The Orphan Trilogy box set (3 books in 1) go to: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BGGM05U/
The Orphan Trilogy (The Ninth Orphan / The Orphan Factory / The Orphan Uprising)
Happy reading! - Lance & James
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October 19, 2013
‘Fiji: A Novel’ at #3 on Favorite World Fiction & Literature List
Our historical action/adventure-romance Fiji: A Novel, which continues its climb on Amazon’s Bestseller List, is today ranked #3 with Goodreads members on the popular goodreads.com’s “Favorite World Fiction & Literature List”.
The list is dominated by Khaled Hosseini’s critically acclaimed The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns.
The top 10 books on this list are:
#1.
The Kite Runner byKhaled Hosseini
#2.
A Thousand Splendid Suns byKhaled Hosseini
#3.
Fiji: A Novel byLance Morcan
#4.
One Hundred Years of Solitude byGabriel García Márquez
#5.
The Joy Luck Club byAmy Tan
#6.
The Alchemist byPaulo Coelho (Goodreads Author)
#7.
The Count of Monte Cristo byAlexandre Dumas
#8.
The Shadow of the Wind (The Cemetery of Forgotten Books, #1) byCarlos Ruiz Zafón
#9.
Life of Pi byYann Martel
#10.
The Little Prince byAntoine de Saint-Exupéry (Author/Illustrator)
To view the top 100 books on Goodreads’ Favorite World Fiction & Literature List go to: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/323.Favorite_World_Fiction_Literature
Happy reading! - Lance & James
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October 18, 2013
Early reviews glowing in their praise for Man Booker Prize winner’s literary masterpiece
Eleanor Catton celebrates
The early reviews are in for 2013 Man Booker Prize winner Eleanor Catton’s historical novel, The Luminaries. Unsurprisingly, reviewers are glowing in their praise for what many critics call “a literary masterpiece”.
On Amazon, one reviewer said: “Catton’s novel is delightfully intricate, with plot, characters and timelines woven into a complex pattern.” (Seven reviewers made similar comments).
Another reviewer said: “To write such a complex and masterful work so confidently blows my mind.” (Four reviewers made similar comments).
And another said: “Really pleased I persevered, this is a very well written book, great story line and well constructed characters.” (Three reviewers made similar comments).
The Luminaries – “masterful”
The storyline:
It is 1866, and Walter Moody has come to make his fortune upon the West Coast goldfields. On the night of his arrival, he stumbles across a tense gathering of twelve local men, who have met in secret to discuss a series of unsolved crimes. A wealthy man has vanished, a whore has tried to end her life, and an enormous sum of money has been discovered in the home of a luckless drunk. Moody is soon drawn into the mystery: a network of fates and fortunes that is as complex and exquisitely patterned as the night sky.
The author:
Eleanor Catton
At 28, Kiwi author Eleanor Catton is the youngest ever Man Booker Prize winner. Born in Canada and raised in New Zealand, her debut novel The Rehearsal won the Adam Prize and was Best First Book of Fiction at the 2009 Montana New Zealand Book Awards. Internationally, it was shortlisted for the Guardian First Book Award and the Dylan Thomas Prize, and longlisted for the Orange Prize, and won the 2009 Betty Trask Award. It has been published in 17 territories and 12 languages.
Eleanor Catton holds an MFA from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, where she also held an adjunct professorship, and an MA in creative writing from the International Institute of Modern Letters at Victoria University of Wellington. She lives in Auckland.
Notwithstanding many rave reviews The Luminaries has attracted, the most “popular” review on Amazon at the time of writing was this (unabridged) 3-star review posted by Top 500 reviewer Mary Lins:
A Commitment – Not For Everyone
Gushing reviews are easy to write, (so are pans), but what to say when you know that a book is well written, innovatively and creatively structured, and is destined to be loved by many, but it just didn’t appeal to you? “The Luminaries” by Eleanor Catton, is such a book. Short-listed for the Booker Prize, this novel, that weighs in at over 800 pages, takes a bit of a commitment to get into and, once invested, it must “grab” you to continue. I got half-way through and then had to have a “talk with myself” about continuing. It just isn’t my kind of novel and continuing was going to take too much of my precious reading time. Yet, I was far enough in to see that its innovative style of folding back in on itself will appeal to many readers. It’s like a complicated pastry; the plot is kneaded and folded to produce the confection intended. This is not a novel for readers who like their plots to be linear.
Catton’s writing style is beautifully lush and vividly descriptive. Her descriptions of the myriad characters are wonderfully rendered both in the descriptions of their physical selves and of their inner selves. Catton also creates a unique and interesting setting of a New Zealand gold mining town in the mid-nineteenth century.
I’m posting this candidly honest review to help other readers ascertain if they are the type of reader who will enjoy this unique novel, or not.
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October 7, 2013
‘The Ninth Orphan’ conspiracy thriller enters Amazon’s bestseller list
Our conspiracy thriller The Ninth Orphan (The Orphan Trilogy, #1) has entered Amazon’s bestseller list in the popular Conspiracy category for kindle ebooks. This follows yesterday’s announcement that our historical adventure romance, Fiji: A Novel, has also entered Amazon’s bestseller list.
In book one in The Orphan Trilogy, Nine – the ninth-born orphan – grows up to become an assassin for a highly secretive organization. When he tries to break free and live a normal life, he is hunted by his mentor and father figure, and by a female orphan he spent his childhood with. On the run, the mysterious man’s life becomes entwined with his beautiful French-African hostage and a shocking past riddled with the darkest of conspiracies is revealed.
But can the ninth-born orphan ever get off the grid? To find out you’ll need to go on a tumultuous journey around the globe to such far-flung locations as China, France, the Philippines, Andorra, America, England, Germany and French Polynesia. The frenetic cat-and-mouse chase moves from airports to train stations and hidden torture prisons, taking the reader on a shocking, nail-biting ride into the world’s closet of skeletons that goes beyond conspiracy theories to painful reality.
Fast-paced, totally fresh and original, filled with deep and complex characters, The Ninth Orphan is a controversial, high-octane thriller with an edge. Merging fact with fiction, it illuminates shadow organizations rumored to actually exist in our world. The novel explores a plethora of conspiracies involving real organizations like the CIA, MI6, and the UN, and public figures such as President Obama as well as the Clinton, Marcos and Bush families.
Tackling genetic selection, mind control and secret societies, The Ninth Orphan exposes a global agenda designed to keep the power in the hands of a select few. The novel’s antagonists are members of a shadow government acting above and beyond the likes of the White House, the FBI, the Pentagon and the NSA. Could something like this ever take place? Or, is it already taking place right now?
This unique and unpredictable thriller also has a poignant, romantic sub-plot. The story contains the kind of intimate character portraits usually associated with psychological novels.
Buckle up for a wild trip full of death-defying action, cloak and dagger intrigue, unexpected role reversals and surprise endings.
Here’s what reviewers have to say about The Ninth Orphan:
★★★★★ “Nail biter to the end.” -My Scribe World
★★★★★ “One hell of a great story.” -Random Writings Book Reviews
★★★★ “If you’re keen on spy stories, international espionage or conspiracy theories, give this fast-paced book a try!” -Coffee2Words Reviews
★★★★★ “I was drawn into the world of espionage, assassins and DNA alterations.”
-Lynelle Clark (author of ‘A Pirate’s Wife’)
★★★★★ “Intense suspense that will keep you up at night turning pages.” -Phoenix Book Review
★★★★ “A slick spy thriller.” -Two Ends of the Pen
★★★★★ “A major must read!” -A Bit Of Everything Reviews
★★★★★ “Action packed – intense – gripping – edge of the seat.” -Review of Books For You
★★★★★ “For any spy thriller fan The Ninth Orphan is not to be missed!” -Vickie McKeehan (author of ‘The Evil Trilogy’)
If you want to see what readers and critics like about The Ninth Orphan, visit it at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0056I4FKC
Happy reading! - Lance & James
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October 6, 2013
‘Fiji: A Novel’ enters Amazon’s bestseller list
Our historical adventure-romance Fiji has entered Amazon’s bestseller list in the Australian & Oceanian section of the popular Historical Fiction category for kindle ebooks.
Fiji a bestseller
The novel is no stranger to Amazon’s bestseller ranks, having entered them previously. In fact, the paperback version is currently firmly entrenched in Amazon’s Australian & South Pacific section of its Travel category.
Fiji’s popularity with travelers is no surprise to James and I, the authors. As writers and travelers, we know from experience how valuable an understanding of a destination is before visiting it. Familiarizing yourself with a country’s history, geography, people and customs makes any visit that much more enjoyable – especially for first-time visitors.
Here’s some comments about Fiji from fellow travelers to the archipelago:
“Fiji: A Novel should be compulsory reading for visitors to Fiji.”
‘Fiji: A Novel is a must for travelers to the Friendly Isles.”
And here’s a sample of reviewer comments:
“A perfect combination of romance and action.” -The Kindle Book Review.
“A gripping and graphic story of historic Fiji.” -Great Historicals.
“I give it 5 stars because that’s the maximum allowed.” -RandomWritingsBookReviews, Suva.
“An intense story that will have you turning the pages long into the night.” -Author Susan Heim.
The story:
Fiji is a spellbinding novel of adventure, cultural misunderstandings, religious conflict and sexual tension set in one of the most exotic and isolated places on earth.
As the pharaohs of ancient Egypt build their mighty pyramids, and Chinese civilization evolves under the Shang Dynasty, adventurous seafarers from South East Asia begin to settle the far-flung islands of the South Pacific. The exotic archipelago of Fiji is one of the last island groups to be discovered and will remain hidden from the outside world for many centuries to come.
By the mid-1800′s, Fiji has become a melting pot of cannibals, warring native tribes, sailors, traders, prostitutes, escaped convicts and all manner of foreign undesirables. It’s in this hostile environment an innocent young Englishwoman and a worldly American adventurer find themselves.
Susannah Drake, a missionary, questions her calling to spread God’s Word as she’s torn between her spiritual and sexual selves. As her forbidden desires intensify, she turns to the scriptures and prayer to quash the sinful thoughts – without success.
Nathan Johnson arrives to trade muskets to the Fijians and immediately finds himself at odds with Susannah. She despises him for introducing the white man’s weapons to the very people she is trying to convert and he pities her for her naivety. Despite their differences, there’s an undeniable chemistry between them.
When their lives are suddenly endangered by marauding cannibals, Susannah and Nathan are forced to rely on each other for their very survival.
If Fiji sounds like you, view it on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0057YCZM0/
Happy reading! – Lance & James
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September 16, 2013
It’s ROCKY vs RAGING BULL in GRUDGE MATCH – out soon!
The GRUDGE MATCH trailer is good for a laugh… http://www.youtube.com/watchv=GQa2NxevFao
Warner Bros’ GRUDGE MATCH, starring Stallone and De Niro as a pair of aging boxing rivals coaxed out of retirement, looks like a real hoot if the trailer’s anything to go by.
Also starring Kevin Hart, Kim Basinger and Alan Arkin, the Peter Segal helmed GRUDGE MATCH will hit theatres on December 25 – a timely Christmas present for all those ROCKY fans.
This comedy drama’s storyline revolves around retired boxers Billy “The Kid” McDonnen (De Niro) and Henry “Razor” Sharp (Stallone), lifelong bitter rivals who are coaxed out of retirement and into the ring for one final grudge match 30 years after their last title fight.
ROCKY vs RAGING BULL one industry commentator called it. Whatever…I predict it will be a hit.
(Preview)
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September 12, 2013
Gapers Block interviews the co-author of ‘The Orphan Trilogy’
The following interview with James Morcan, co-author of our conspiracy thriller series, The Orphan Trilogy (The Ninth Orphan / The Orphan Factory / The Orphan Uprising) appeared in today’s edition of the prestigious Chicago web publication Gapers Block. You’ll see its interest in the trilogy stems from the fact that Chicago – and, indeed, Illinois – features prominently throughout.
GAPERS ★★★★ BLOCK
TODAY Thursday, September 12
The Orphan Trilogy’s Chicago connection
By Kathryn Pulkrabek
Good spies aren’t born; they’re made. Such is the case for the genetically altered spies in The Orphan Trilogy, a series of international conspiracy thrillers by New Zealand authors James Morcan and Lance Morcan.
Chicago is featured prominently as the site of the Pedemont Orphanage, where 23 orphans acquire the skills to become stealthy, cold-blooded killers. James Morcan was happy to shed some light on how the city’s famed work ethic influenced the decision to begin the story here, and to discuss whether we’ll see any Pedemont Orphanage alums skulking around Chicago corners in the near future…
Trilogy co-author James
Q: The books of The Orphan Trilogy take place in a variety of exotic locales… Why did you choose Chicago, a city with blue-collar roots in America’s heartland, as the site of the Pedemont Orphanage, the place where it all began?
Even though the orphans in our series were genetically engineered by an extremely wealthy organization, their masters want them to develop “everyman” qualities in order for them to eventually be able to integrate with wherever they go. Being a working-class city, Chicago seemed like the ideal location as soon as we started writing the trilogy.
It’s also a city where the history is evident and the ghosts of earlier generations can be felt almost everywhere — generations who built the city brick by brick and through blood, sweat and tears. It’s not Los Angeles or Las Vegas or Miami. In fact, it’s the antithesis of those cities in many ways. Chicago always struck me as a more traditional American city where hard work is respected more than anything else. The folks I have met from Chicago and Illinois in general seem to me to be people who aim to do things well and with integrity. And those are precisely the values that the head of the Pedemont Orphanage, Tommy Kentbridge, wants to instil in the orphans for them to become the ultimate spies.
Q: What’s your relationship to Chicago? What kind of research did you conduct to create a snapshot of Chicago in the 1970s?
I visited Chicago on my travels not long after leaving high school in the late 1990s. I remember arriving via Amtrak at Chicago’s Union Station at about three a.m. and waiting in the Loop for the sun to rise. I remember seeing the city slowly awaken and then swarms of people arriving for a new day’s work. This experience remained vivid in my mind for some reason, and it inspired a sequence in The Orphan Factory (book two in the series) where Nine, our lead character, is running through the city center at dawn. Being a New Zealander, so much of America was foreign to me at first, but Chicago instantly felt familiar and friendly.
We did have to do quite a bit of research to ensure that late 1970s Chicago, which is when the trilogy starts, was portrayed accurately. We discovered the city has changed a lot with certain communities being quite different between then and now, or in some cases are no longer recognizable.
Q: The Orphan Trilogy shows us that institutions are not necessarily to be trusted, while Number Nine’s individualism is the key to his freedom. Which institutions, organizations and events in particular inspired this view, and who are some individuals you admire for pursuing freedom at any cost?
A combination of things inspired The Orphan Trilogy. Certain events like the bailout of corporations ahead of regular citizens during the global financial crisis and the invasion of vulnerable mineral-rich countries post-9/11, certainly influenced our writing. In recent times, more and more citizens seem to be sensing there must be authorities within governments that are not “for the people,” but actually against the people. More than anything else, we believe that’s why our series is proving to be popular and is establishing a loyal fan base of readers worldwide.
Nine does indeed have that spark of individualism which manifests as rebellion against his masters. Yet he also represents every person who desires justice and freedom. Individuals who we admire and who influenced our themes in the series include Nelson Mandela, Bobby Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Julian Assange and Mahatma Gandhi.
Q: The trilogy’s first novel, The Ninth Orphan, is being developed as a feature film. Any chance that you will shoot on location in Chicago? Which actor would you like to see cast as Number Nine?
The Ninth Orphan film adaptation will be shot partly in Chicago and Illinois. Other locations will include Paris, Beijing, London and Manila. We have the perfect actor in mind for the lead role, but as we are also film producers, we learned long ago never to mention an actor’s name until negotiations are complete. Sorry if that sounds evasive…I guess the film industry and spy fields have much in common!
Q: The orphans are endowed with some amazing genetically enhanced abilities. If you could give yourself such an ability, what would it be?
Mentally speaking, speed-reading would be handy, as would being able to speak a large number of languages. Physically, I’d love to be a martial arts genius like the orphans are. As we mention in the novels, though, their advanced DNA is only one side of the equation, and these orphans are certainly not super heroes or anything like that. That’s just the “nature” side. There is also the “nurture” side, which is where their comprehensive education comes in. Having gone through the traditional education system and finding it laborious and uninspiring, it was fun to write about a more accelerated form of education inside the Pedemont Orphanage.
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For the full article go to Gapers Block: http://gapersblock.com/bookclub/2013/09/12/the_orphan_trilogys_chicago_connection/
The Orphan Trilogy 3-in-1 box set is available via Amazon at:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BGGM05U/
Happy reading! - Lance
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