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Continue readingTag Archives: paranormal and supernatural fiction
Lumina by Paddy Tyrrell – Giveaway, Excerpt & Guest Post @PaddyTy @GoddessFish
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Welcome to my tour stop for Lumina by Paddy Tyrrell. Hope you enjoy your visit and don’t forget to enter the giveaway below.
Don’t ya just love that cover?
Luminaby Paddy Tyrrell
GENRE: Epic Fantasy
BLURB
A
generation designed by sorcery to destroy your people. Two races mired in
conflict. Can a pair of outcasts unite them against an enemy who would enslave
them all?
The birth of ‘bronzite’ babies in Lumina heralds the onset of war. The people
take fright at the golden children and banish them from the land. A dangerous
move. King Zheldar, commander of the black dragon, is attacking Luman borders.
If he wins bronzite support for his army of monsters, Lumina is lost.
Davron Berates cannot share his people’s hatred of the children and, on
discovering he has a bronzite brother, sets out to find him. At his side
travels Chrystala. A bronzite, she has twice his strength and three times his
determination.
When the black dragon kidnaps Chrystala, Davron is faced with a terrible
choice: save his friend or save his nation.
Blog tour – Fundinmental Topic: anything you’d like to discuss about the cover
Recently I made the big decision to publish a new cover for Lumina. I had been concerned for a while that my original cover was not attracting the right audience, and then I received a couple of review comments that highlighted there was a problem. The cover was not doing a good job of representing the excitement of the story nor giving it the gravitas merited by a war among kingdoms.
So I decided to bite the bullet and make a change, and I was determined to get it right this time! Since this involved investing in an expert, I thought long and hard about what would be important in the design. Lumina is just the first volume in an epic fantasy and so I wanted a cover that could provide a brand for the whole series, while allowing appropriate variations for the next two books. That meant having a central construction or theme and I liked the concept of an archway. I also wanted the eye to be drawn into the middle of the scene.
I thought the colors in the cover should reflect key themes from the book. Lumina is the city of light, and a light star battles the blackness of the demon in the final scenes. So a contrast of light and dark would echo this. Also, the story involves a bronzite race with golden skin and so I wanted some golden colors in the design.
The series is called The Dragonlite Legacy and dragonlites are the creatures that clean the dragon scales. Xeralith the black dragon is an evil figure:
“She was as old as the moss that ate the castle walls. Evil had putrefied her beauty, her once crimson scales stained black by Rach’s corruption. She thrust her head through the opening in the wall. Bony nodules covered her upper jaw and the dark armor plating of her head. Steam belched from her nostrils.
Jaldeen ran and hid behind the font, clinging to the carvings of the demons that served his god, as though they could protect him. He averted his face from the scalding droplets. Xeralith’s breath, heavy with malevolence, contaminated the air with the stench of burning metal and rotten meat. Stomach heaving, Jaldeen forgot to maintain his shield. Her eyes swirled and she locked her gaze on his. Trickles of flame erupted through teeth that could rip him in two. He lost control of his limbs and fell. She lunged at him and he scrambled back, his heels banging on the stone floor. The horns on her sinewy neck snagged against the outer wall and pulled her short. She screeched in frustration.’
In the first draft of the cover, I wasn’t happy with the dragon – wrong color and not scary enough. The dragon that made it into the final version is black with some nasty spines on its back – much better.
The story culminates in a big battle and the designers imaginatively replaced the ‘I’ in Lumina with a sword – I think this looks great. Finally, the cover had to be in a style attractive to epic fantasy readers. I believe the designers (100 covers) managed this very well but I would love to hear your comments and feedback.
EXCERPT
Jaldeen strode towards an ancient font at the far side of the tower and opened wooden shutters in the wall behind it. Leaning out, he checked the platform outside for any decay. It looked solid enough and he stepped over the windowsill and walked to the center. He cupped his hands around his mouth and spelled a summons, his voice a rasp of vowels that floated on the damp air. He ducked back inside. There was a thrash of wings and the tower shuddered. Xeralith, black dragon of Kuhla, had answered his call.
Any fleeting sense of power deserted him in the terror of her presence. She was as old as the moss that ate the castle walls. Evil had putrefied her beauty, her once crimson scales stained black by Rach’s corruption. She thrust her head through the opening in the wall. Bony nodules covered her upper jaw and the dark armor plating of her head. Steam belched from her nostrils.
Jaldeen ran and hid behind the font, clinging to the carvings of the demons that served his god, as though they could protect him. He averted his face from the scalding droplets. Xeralith’s breath, heavy with malevolence, contaminated the air with the stench of burning metal and rotten meat. Stomach heaving, Jaldeen forgot to maintain his shield. Her eyes swirled and she locked her gaze on his. Trickles of flame erupted through teeth that could rip him in two. He lost control of his limbs and fell. She lunged at him and he scrambled back, his heels banging on the stone floor. The horns on her sinewy neck snagged against the outer wall and pulled her short. She screeched in frustration.
AUTHOR Bio and Links
I was raised in Kent, the garden of England, and lived in an Oast House whose round rooms were once used for drying hops. Must be why I’ve enjoyed a drink ever since!
At university, I fell in love with medieval French writing, discovered The Gormenghast Trilogy, and became hooked on fantasy.
I have sailed down the Yangste, survived an earthquake in Cairo, and picnicked in the Serengeti. My travels for work and pleasure have inspired my fantasy world. I now live in France with a naughty Australian Labradoodle, a jealous cat and a squash mad husband. Our two huskies, Ice and Sapphire, are sadly now gone but are transformed into wolves and immortalised in my book. Lumina is my debut novel and the first in a trilogy.
Facebook URL http://facebook.com/thedragonlitelegacy
Website: https://www.paddytyrrell.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/paddyty
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Paddy-Tyrrell/e/B08284GP1Q
The book is $0.99.
a Rafflecopter giveawayFollow the tour and comment. The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. Follow the tour HERE.
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Books From The Backlog – Born in Flames by Candace Knoebel @Candaceknoebel #booksfromthebacklog
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Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread. If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks.
If you would like to join in, swing by Carole’s Random Life in Books.
GOODREADS BLURB
Red mirrored scales race up my arms as the haze of pain blurs my vision. My bones crack, breaking to realign. I scream. It is then that the realization of my unavoidable fate sinks in; I am of a dying race. I am dragon.
Aurora Megalos, orphaned and teetering on the edge of adulthood, thought finding her past would curb the sting of being an outcast. Having no memories of the time before she awoke on her foster mother’s doorstep, she yearns for the emptiness inside her to be filled. With her fellow orphaned best friend, Fenn, by her side, she has nothing to lose and everything to gain. But something powerful stirred within her that she couldn’t explain. Something wanted out.
In the dark of night, a crazed Seer, dubbed Mr.Creepy, erases everything she’s ever known with an impending prophecy. She now faces two paths. Return to her true home to protect a dying race against a growing evil, or stay hidden in the safety of our realm with a shot at a true love. With a vengeful Arch Enemy stopping at nothing to see her dead, she’s running out of time; a decision must be made. What would you choose?
Goodreads rating: 3.68 – Rating Details: 768 ratings · 151 reviews
I won Born in Flames and added it to my TBR on 9.24.12. Did you see that gorgeous cover? And dragons? What am I waiting for? LOL
- You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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- Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.
- Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
- I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
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Giveaway – Of Flame and Fury by Cecy Robson @cecyrobson @CaffeinatedPR
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Of Flame and Fury
Grab your copy
Read an Excerpt
About the Author
More Books in the Weird Girls/Flame Urban Fantasy Series
- You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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- If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
- Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
- Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
- I’m an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
- Thanks for visiting fundinmental!
Giveaway – Mermaidia Anthology @SDSXXTours
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- Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
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Giveaway – Mysterious Merchandise by Astoria Wright @AstoriaWright @dollycas
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Mysterious Merchandise (A Witch’s Thrift Shop Mystery) by Astoria Wright
About Mysterious Merchandise

Mysterious Merchandise (A Witch’s Thrift Shop Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Novelwright Press, LLC (March 21, 2020)
Paperback: 142 pages
ISBN-10: 1949453243
ISBN-13: 978-1949453249
Digital ASIN: B084T5NVW2
When a black cat crosses Alice Adelcraft’s path, her luck changes, as does her worldview, especially when she stumbles into A Witch’s Thrift Shop. The merchandise is mysterious, the customers are curious, and the sign on the door reads: Shoplifters will be hexed. It might all be a joke, but the body of a witch outside proves someone was dead serious. Can Alice discover who killed the witch before the magical community discovers she isn’t one of them?
About Astoria Wright

Astoria Wright is a cozy fantasy author and a poet who is inspired by rainy days, good books, and positive people. She is often found sitting by a window or in her backyard sipping tea or coffee and writing or reading cozy mysteries, fantasy novels, or poetry. Join her mailing list at www.astoriawright.com to see stories, poems, and thoughts that she only shares there.
Author Links
Webpage: www.astoriawright.com
Blog: www.astoriawright.com/updates
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/astoriawrightauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/astoriawright
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/astoriawright
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/astoria-wright
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/astoriawright/
Purchase Links: Amazon – Barnes and Noble – Kobo – Audible
a Rafflecopter giveaway ;TOUR PARTICIPANTS
March 16 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
March 16 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – REVIEW
March 16 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
March 17 – Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
March 17 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT
March 17 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – SPOTLIGHT
March 17 – Sapphyria’s Books – REVIEW
March 18 – I’m All About Books – SPOTLIGHT
March 18 – Baroness’ Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT
March 18 – eBook addicts – REVIEW
March 19 – Socrates Book Reviews – REVIEW
March 19 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT
March 19 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – GUEST POST
March 20 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
March 20 – Literary Gold – CHARACTER GUEST POST
March 20 – I Read What You Write – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
March 20 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
March 21 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
March 21 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
March 21 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
March 22 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW
March 22 – Gimme The Scoop Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
March 22 – Diane Reviews Books – SPOTLIGHT
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- I’m an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
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Giveaway & Review – Dagana by Kody Boye @SDSXXTours @KodyBoye
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MY REVIEW
I love mermaids, evil and sweet. Dagana is one of the dangerous kind, and once I find out why, I can empathize with her, but that doesn’t excuse what she’s doing now.
I live on the Gulf Coast and have yet to see a mermaid. But, there have been sightings. When her father was killed, Jessica saw a red and orange tail, nothing like she had ever seen before. After the fifth death, she figured out she would have to be the one to do something about Dagana.
She begins to research the history behind Mermaid Cover. Well, it seems pretty self explanatory to me. After all, the businesses had mermaidish names too.
We have some of the usual teenage angst, some bullying, some young romance, but Samantha, her best friend, is always by her side, through thick and thin. And, we can’t forget about Tibbles, her cat, who seems to know she needs comfort. Aren’t critters cool in that way?
I was slowly drawn into the story, wondering what she can do by herself.
Dagana is a bit different from my normal mermaid reads. I am confused about my feelings. Do I like the direction Kody Boye took with the storyline, though I do love the idea of a man writing about a young girl and a mermaid. Maybe that’s why he came up with the ending. Even though I am ambivalent about it, I don’t see how it could have ended any other way.
I think teens and young adults may appreciate this more than I did. I think they may be able to better related to the character of Jessica.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Dagana by Kody Boye.

- You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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- Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
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Giveaway – Dreams of Mariposa by L T Getty @GoddessFish
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Welcome to my tour stop for Dreams of Mariposa by L T Getty. I hope you enjoy the post and don’t forget to enter the giveaway below.
I am a sucker for a great cover and L T Getty has chosen a good one. I am so happy to share her thoughts with you today. What do you think?
Cover Etiquette
I have a pretty cover.
…oh, you wanted something of substance, did you?
I don’t have anything good to show you, but I was known more in High School for being an artist than a writer. Granted, I didn’t share my writing outside of the designated class, whereas I had conte and paintings occasionally in the hallways.
Now that I have the space I’m getting back into oil painting now, and now I’m a giant cover snob. Aren’t we all? My first reaction to seeing the cove: Well, that’s pretty, and it’ll be an easy sell for a thumbnail. The red stands out against the blue, so it’s striking.
The general feedback I’ve gotten from others is that the cover doesn’t scream ‘steampunk horror’ so much as paranormal romance. I disagree; one of my coworkers reads a ton of paranormal romance and there’s no rock hard abs to be found.
There’s some subtle details. The Studded bodice. The soft wrapping. The red lipstick isn’t to showcase Marie’s lovely lips.
Kinda contrasts to my Pinterest Book Board and What I suggested:
I could have definitely done worse in the cover department. It’s subtle, and while I’m the first one to put a plague doctor mask and disturbing imagery front and center, I’m just going to have to be really honest with y’all: it’s a steampunk horror novel. I don’t doubt that there’ll be some interest from readers from paranormal romance, but this is more about what happens when the heroine loses the love of her life and her afterlife ebbs ever forward without him, and her refusing to let go, unable to die because she’s maxed out her vamp stats.
If you are in the mood for a straight up paranormal romance, my publisher does have several titles. I’ll recommend Celia Breslin’s Haven.
So if anyone wants me to wax dramatic about the cover, I won’t. There have been many other, big name authors who got the “What were they thinking?!” covers. I can work with this.
Thanks so much for sharing with us today.
Dreams of Mariposa by L.T. Getty
GENRE: Steampunk-Horror
BLURB
Every decade, Marie must
leave her home and everything she loves to start anew. She can’t risk the
locals learning the truth of her immortality, much less her vampiric need of
feeding off fear. Fortunately for Marie, fear comes easily and she spends her
endless days mourning the loss of her beloved.
When she is summoned to the leaders of the
masquerade, she is persuaded to assist them in uncovering a mystery of powers
possibly more ancient then their own order.
As a rare daywalker of exquisite beauty, there is
no society Marie cannot infiltrate. Having spent the last few centuries growing
into her abilities, she expects to learn of the old powers, and return to her
lonely eternity of mourning.
She doesn’t expect to fall in love.
EXCERPT
“Where is this fool taking us?” one of Raoul’s men asked.
I realized then that they hadn’t been paying attention.
“Driver!” He reached his arm outside the open window to rap and get his attention, but I could smell the hiss of venom and knew it was intentional.
The horses ran quicker, and I could hear more coming up. They sought to isolate us and do their deed in the woods. Interesting choice, as there was no need to restrain ourselves without potential witnesses.
One of Raoul’s guards kicked open the door. He glided out. His gift included some manipulation of his form, and like a shadow he leapt onto the path, while his fellow went to climb up on the stagecoach.
Raoul glanced at me. “You’ll be safest in here.”
“Do not leave your men, guardian mine.”
His gaze darted from mine as I recognized the smell of flesh turning to ash, and light pierced the chest of the fellow on the roof of the coach. He exploded into dust before he could scream. The stench of sulphur was undeniable, even without our honed senses. The other fellow met a similar end a moment later.
Unfazed by the strange tool on a chain, Raoul unsheathed a rapier from his cane and struck the driver in the leg. The man was young. He met a knife at the rapier for the second strike, but the riders coming up were too late. Raoul knocked aside the gun and slashed the driver’s face before he pierced his heart. I bounced along uncomfortably as the driver was pushed forward and went under the back left wheel.
The horses squealed and ran faster. Raoul reached for the reins, but a rider came up from beside the carriage, then put her pistol in through the open window at me. I grabbed the weapon with such force I nearly knocked her off her horse and into the carriage’s paneling.
AUTHOR
L.T. Getty is a science fiction and fantasy writer who hails from the Canadian Prairies. When she’s not writing, you can likely find her driving an ambulance and dreaming about travel.
Blog: https://ltgetty.wordpress.com/
a Rafflecopter giveawayFollow the tour and comment. The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. Follow the tour HERE.
- You can see my Giveaways HERE.
- You can see my Reviews HERE.
- If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
- Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
- Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
- I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
- Thanks for visiting fundinmental!
Welcome to Harborsmouth – Devil in the Details by E J @EJStevensAuthor
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This is not my first story, nor will it be my last, of E J Stevens’ work. I especially enjoy the Ivy Granger series. Looking at the cover I was hooked.
MY REVIEW
Welcome to Harborsmouth, where the supernatural exist unbeknownst to most humans.
Ivy Granger, cofounder of the Private Eye detective agency, has an ability to ‘see’ through touch.
Written with a humorous touch and filled with quirky characters, I laughed more than I stressed, because I know Ivy Granger is on the case.
Spanky, her demon child is ill. She had saved him once, and she would do it again. He is family.
Devil in the Details by E J Stevens was a quick read, yet it was filled with supernatural goodness.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of Devil in the Details by E J Stevens.

GOODREADS BLURB
Be careful what you wish for…
Ivy Granger, psychic detective and unlikely protector of Harborsmouth, must uncover the source of her beloved demon child’s illness before it’s too late.
Devil in the Details is a delightful new urban fantasy short story set in the award-winning Ivy Granger Psychic Detective series by E.J. Stevens. Longtime fans and first-time readers will enjoy this tantalizing glimpse into the world of Ivy Granger, featuring Ivy, Sparky, Jinx, and Forneus.
Originally published in The Final Summons anthology.
The Ivy Granger series has won numerous awards, including the BTS Red Carpet Award for Best Novel, Imadjinn Award for Best Short Story, Raven Award for Best Urban Fantasy Novel, Independent Audiobook Award for Best Short Story, PRG Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Paranormal Fantasy Novel, Best Urban Fantasy Novel, and finalist for Best Urban Fantasy Series.
“I absolutely love this series!”
-My Urban Fantasies
“Ivy is one of my all-time favorite Urban Fantasy characters.”
-The Reading Diaries
“Lose yourself in the world of Harborsmouth.”
-Reading Lark
“The Ivy Granger series is fantastic!”
-Book Bite Reviews
Take a trip to Harborsmouth where you’ll encounter bloodsucking vampires, psychotic faeries, and our favorite snarky, psychic detective.
ABOUT E J STEVENS
E.J. Stevens is the bestselling, award-winning author of the IVY GRANGER, PSYCHIC DETECTIVE urban fantasy series, the SPIRIT GUIDE young adult series, the HUNTERS’ GUILD urban fantasy series, and the WHITECHAPEL PARANORMAL SOCIETY Victorian Gothic horror series. She is known for filling pages with quirky characters, bloodsucking vampires, psychotic faeries, and snarky, kick-butt heroines. Her novels are available worldwide in multiple languages.
BTS Red Carpet Award winner for Best Novel, Imadjinn Award winner for Best Short Story, Raven Award winner for Best Urban Fantasy Novel, Independent Audiobook Award winner for Best Short Story, SYAE finalist for Best Paranormal Series, Best Novella, and Best Horror, winner of the PRG Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Paranormal Fantasy Novel, Best Young Adult Paranormal Series, Best Urban Fantasy Novel, and finalist for Best Young Adult Paranormal Novel and Best Urban Fantasy Series.
When E.J. isn’t at her writing desk, she enjoys dancing along seaside cliffs, singing in graveyards, and sleeping in faerie circles. E.J. currently resides in a magical forest on the coast of Maine where she finds daily inspiration for her writing.
Join the E.J. Stevens newsletter and learn about news, events, and receive a free book. http://www.subscribepage.com/n6k1a5 Monthly news updates, tour photos, and exclusive reader perks (FREE reads & giveaways!).
Website: http://www.EJStevensAuthor.com
Ivy Granger Series: http://IvyGranger.com
Blog: http://www.FromtheShadows.info
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EJStevensAuthor
@EJStevensAuthor
MY E J STEVENS REVIEWS
- You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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Books From The Backlog – Velvet Rain by David C Cassidy @DavidCCassidy #booksfromthebacklog
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Books from the Backlog is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread. If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks.
If you would like to join in, swing by Carole’s Random Life in Books.
GOODREADS BLURB
He was born a miracle.
It will take one to save the world.
Kain Richards is the last of his kind—and a man on the run. So when this mysterious drifter falls for a beautiful and sensible Iowa farmwoman, he knows full well the perils of getting too close. And yet, for the first time in his miserable existence, life feels normal … feels real. But as those around him soon realize, reality is not what it seems. For when a tragic accident forces Kain’s hand, his astonishing secret—and godlike power—changes their lives, and the world, forever.
*** AUTHOR’S WARNING ***
VELVET RAIN CONTAINS GRAPHIC VIOLENCE AND PROFANITY
Goodreads rating: 4.01 Rating details: 133 ratings · 40 reviews
I haven’t read any of his work, but this has been sitting on my shelf since 9.18.12. The last of his kind…what kind is that? I am curious. Velvet Rain is a bit of the supernatural, time travel, romance, science fiction, suspense and mystery, so I feel this should be a good one.
- You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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- If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
- Look on the right sidebar and let’s talk.
- Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
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