This ChocLitSaturday, is quite a special one as I have an exclusive SURPRISE reveal to share with my readers and the lovely ChocLit authors I’ve been blessed to get to know during our ChocLitSaturday chats! I hadn’t even realised I had tipped my hat towards this reveal until I received the reply back from ChocLit about the questions I had pitched regarding their new imprint #DarkChocLit!
As soon as I heard of the news being tweeted, I had to respond directly and therein, I decided hosting a *special* interview between the publisher and the novelist who would debut the imprint would be quite a smashing way to celebrate *Dark Choc Lit*!
Who knew ChocLit had a cheeky surprise of their own?!
A foreshadow of what was to come as Jorie took to the twitterverse to converse about what #DarkChocLit might contain and how the ChocLit authors themselves happily conceived ideas of where the imprint would lead them to traverse as writers.
This initial tweet of mine was posted soon after finding there was something quite smashing afoot at ChocLitUK – there was a new IMPRINT about to make it’s debut to ChocLit readers (and authors); wherein we would be challenged by the context of the stories for harder hitting story-lines and a gritty realistic edge of where real-life composites of character and life circumstances might give us a heartier read than a traditional Rom; as this new imprint was navigating the waters of ‘Realistic Rom’ rather than a traditional HEA.
Ooh wow! #ChocLit has a #darkchocolate side to their offerings!? Sounds quite murderous to me! @ChocLituk @Laura_E_James #awesomesauce news!
— Jorie Loves A Story (@joriestory) October 29, 2015
This initial chatterment of joy started a bantering between myself and Ms James, before a full broach of the topic was launched during #ChocLitSaturday (on Halloween!) when Ms Harris tweeted out this curious Q:
What does 'Dark Choc Lit' signify? #ChocLitSaturday
— Liz Harris (@lizharrisauthor) October 31, 2015
As you will read shortly, I’ve gathered together to give the conversation new life and a continuance of thought on the topic itself, you will find that #DarkChocLit begs to ask questions of both readers and writers; whilst giving you a delish new imprint to read for a challenging new read of Romance!
The Chesil Series:
Published by: ChocLitUK (@ChocLitUK)
Book One: Truth or Dare?
Love’s a dangerous game…
Kate Blair’s sick of unrequited love. She’s quietly waited for Mickey for the past six years and finding a compass-carved heart, with their initials scratched through the middle, only strengthens her resolve: no more Mickey and no more playing it safe. It’s time to take a chance on real love and Declan O’Brien’s the perfect risk.
He’s handsome, kind and crazy about her so it’s not long before all thoughts of Mickey come few and far between. But old habits die-hard. Kate may have started to forget … but has Mickey?
Formats Available: E-book *sadly I thought this was in paperback
Book Two: Follow Me, Follow You
You save me and I’ll save you
Victoria Noble has pulled the plug on romance. As director of the number one social networking site, EweSpeak, and single mother to four-year-old Seth, she wrestles with the work-life balance. Enter Chris Frampton, Hollywood action hero and Victoria’s first love. His return from LA has sparked a powder keg of media attention, and with secrets threatening to fuel the fire, he’s desperate to escape. But finding a way forward is never simple.
Although his connection with Victoria has lasted the test of time, has he been adrift too long to know how to move on? With the risk of them breaking, will either #follow their heart?
Formats Available: Paperback, Audiobook and E-book
Book Three: What Doesn’t Kill You – launching #DarkChocLit
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger – but how strong can one person be?
Griff Hendry knows what it is to be strong. After a turbulent past, he’s dedicated himself to saving lives, working as a coastguard along the breath-taking shores of Dorset. It’s Griff’s belief that everyone is worth saving – which is why he can’t forgive his father, Logan, for what he did. Griff’s future is plunged into uncertainty when his wife, Evie, tells him she wants a separation.
The revelation is a shock and leads Griff to question what Evie could possibly be hiding – and she isn’t the only one holding back. Griff’s troubled stepdaughter, Tess, also harbours a dark secret. As the truth is uncovered, Griff is forced to accept that perhaps he’s never understood what real strength is.
RELEASE DATE: 26th November, 2015 – ebook version
Formats Available: this is a Digital First release! print and audio should follow next!
Genre(s): Contemporary | Romantic Suspense | Realistic Rom | Emotional Drama
For a look inside this story visit Ms James post on What Doesn’t Kill You | The Romaniacs
Converse via: #DarkChocLit + #ChocLit
Thank you so much for indulging me today, Jorie, and for your interest and enthusiasm for ‘What Doesn’t Kill You’ and the new Dark imprint from Choc Lit.
What Doesn’t Kill You is being released under Choc Lit’s new imprint Dark Choc Lit, however, this is the 3rd novel in the Chesil series. What was your reaction in finding out this release in particular would help launch the new imprint and how do you feel it celebrates the intentions behind Dark Choc Lit?
James responds: I felt honoured, excited and thrilled at the same time. What an incredible opportunity! My two cats and I were the only ones in the house when I found out, so I celebrated with them. By celebrate I mean they gave me a strange look and then shot through the cat flap while I whooped and cheered in the kitchen. I couldn’t wait to let my family know. Their reaction was more in line with mine. And they can’t fit through the cat flap.
My style of writing has been described as ‘romance without the soft edges’ ‒ a line I’ve borrowed for my author tag ‒ and, ‘romance with its feet firmly set in reality’. I write issue-led romances, which can travel down dark alleys. Choc Lit describes its new imprint as ‘compelling, emotional, hard-hitting novels. Not your typical romance story’, and I think that captures the heart of ‘What Doesn’t Kill You’. But however treacherous the journey, readers of romance know they will end up in a happy or hopeful place.
I personally love realistic fiction, as I have read releases from both INSPY and mainstream markets – wherein I appreciate the eclipse of both realistic life experiences against the backdrop of compelling relationship-based fiction where romance might take a small backseat to the drama but it’s woven inside the story to offer readers hope and a threading of light out of adversity. My favourite discoveries for Realistic Fiction or Realistic Rom are the following stories where I found myself heart-centred to the character’s lives: Etched On Me by Jenn Crowell; The Language of Hoofbeats by Catherine Ryan Hyde; For Your Love by Beverly Jenkins; and Chain of Mercy by Brenda S. Anderson.
My lasting takeaway was the same as yours — irregardless of the hardships, we all can achieve a future path alighting on a road of hope underscored with a renewal of happiness. The measure of which only each individual can decide for themselves how far they’ve come to put the past behind them and to step forward where the past doesn’t become vindictive of their future.
When you originally composed the first novel Truth or Dare? did you envision this being part of a series or did the series develop organically after you completed it?
James responds: I didn’t realise I was developing a series until I started writing my second novel, ‘Follow Me Follow You’. The main link is the setting. I live on the south-west coast of the UK, in Dorset, which is part of the Jurassic Coast. It’s a wonderful area, with traditional seaside towns, wild countryside and gorgeous beaches, and I wanted to share its beauty with the reader.
Apart from Chesil Beach and the surrounding area, there is another link between ‘Truth or Dare?’ and ‘Follow Me, Follow You’, but I’m not sure anyone has spotted it yet. It’s to do with a character named in the first book, who appears in ‘bleats’ in the second. The link between book two and my new novel is more obvious, with cameo appearances from two of my favourite characters.
I love hearing you’ve stitched together little hidden clues between the stories – however, I won’t be able to decipher this for myself, as I unfortunately learnt the first story is not in paperback at this time. Perhaps I can still noodle it out by references in the second as I do love when writers find ways to creatively tie together continuity between their stories in a continuing series. It’s something that delights me as a reader, to find how without even letting it become forced, a continual line of familiarity is found.
I haven’t heard of this part of England previously, and by your description of it, I can see what inspired you to set this series at this locale! What a delightful area to curate the lives of your characters, at a place where time can soothe your stress by a slower paced state of living.
What draws your spirit into crafting realistic and edgy dramatic Rom where the darker shades of psychological suspense are tied keenly together with a relationship developing in the background?
James responds: When I was young, I wanted to become a doctor. I had a keen interest in what made people tick, and I wanted to study to become a child psychologist, but to do so, I needed a good mark in my maths exam. That was never going to happen. Numbers and I have a strained relationship at best. I turned to words and music as a way to understand the world. My love of reading, my obsession with lyrics from artists such as Kate Bush and Stevie Nicks, and my desire to know what drives humans led to me writing my own songs, scripts (I was a Theatre Studies student), and poems, which ultimately lay the path for writing ‘Truth or Dare?’.
I’m intrigued by how people can respond differently to the same situation, and the effect one person’s experiences, actions and reactions have on others, be it within their family, within their romantic relationship, or in the wider world, and I get to explore those reasons from the safety of my kitchen. I am extremely fortunate to have a good friend who is a cognitive behavioural therapist, and she has helped me a great deal with my research.
Life is fascinating.
I had to laugh outright – as mathematics is a dragon I never slayed myself! I like how you’ve developed not only a psychological fingermark on characters but you’ve taken it to a keen level of insight on the sociological aspects as well. Your threading of story and case scenarios do evoke a proper sense of writing stories wherein realistic circumstances can provide key fodder of insight on how to overcome both adversity and heartache. It’s cluing into this responsive system by observational and cunning research you’ve tapped into a way to give realism a new thread of interest to readers who are seeking stronger stories within Rom.
As you have gained insight into writing a bit as you’ve gone along with this series (attending workshops, etc.) how do you feel your confidence has grown in writing down the bones of a novel on the fringes of completing your fourth novel for Chesil Beach? What do you find the most enjoyable part of writing the characters and story-lines?
James responds: I have learned so much over the last few years, and continue to do so. The writing fraternity is lovely, kind and generous, and experienced writers are always willing to share their time, advice and experience. The way I plan has changed over the course of three novels, and I find I’m more meticulous now, but some of that is down to working to deadlines ‒ they’re great for focusing one’s mind. I’ve tried various planning techniques taught to me by fantastic tutors and have found a mixture of two or three works best for me. I start with an idea, then create and develop the characters, and then throw all sorts of horrendous conflict at their feet. I always know how I wish for the story to end, but there is still room for organic growth, especially if I see or hear something interesting that relates to the issues in the story. I’m yet to find a title for book four, which is unusual for me, but I know my hero, Ash, (he raises my heart rate), and I understand the journey my heroine, Jo, has to take, so all I have to do now is put it down onto paper …
I enjoy the entire process, from researching personality types to living in the edits cave for three weeks every year. Typing ‘The End’ is always an emotional moment for me.
I oft wonder how I will react when I reach the point of penning ‘the end’ to my own stories – I believe I shall share your reaction, as it’s such an intensive experience being a writer. Our characters and our worlds are quite dear to us as they are a part of us, long before we cast them out to the world where readers can find them. I loved reading how you’ve grown as a writer and how you’ve taken the journey of being a writer as one where growth and personal reflection is not only warranted but important to keep striving towards bettering your own writerly style and voice. I, too, reflected on this part of my own journey in a recent Guest Post which will soon be featured on priyaprithviraj.wordpress.com.
When it comes to emotional drama within a relationship, how best do you approach creating the intensity of thought and emotion inside your character which can then translate to your readers?
James responds: As a rule, I’ll call on my own experiences. While I may not have lived what I put my characters through, I understand, as most people do, what sadness is, how it feels to fall in love, how dread can turn one’s stomach, how the dizzy highs of euphoria can make young and old alike want to sing and dance, so I recall those feelings and hopefully express them on the page in a relatable way. As a reader, I certainly draw on my own experiences and relate to the characters.
I definitely concur with being able to draw empathy round circumstance and situations that we might not have personally lived but can explore in fiction. It’s how we creatively express a way to be relatable and understanding to everyone that paints a portrait of our own character and heart.
Why do people in relationships harbour secrets when truth has such a curious way of bubbling to the surface? Do you think it’s a trust issue or do you think it’s a signal of having a low self-worth to where being in a stable and loving relationship might feel out of reach for them? How did you sort out what the root cause for keeping secrets in regards to Griff, Evie and Tess in What Doesn’t Kill You? How did you knit the layers together for instance?
James responds: In my novels there are many reasons people keep secrets ranging from shame to fear to confusion to wanting to spring a surprise on a loved one. Not all secrets are bad.
Without giving too much away, the secrets Griff, Evie and Tess harbour are kept in order to protect the people they love, to protect themselves, and to some extent, particularly in Tess’s case, to allow time to work out what is the right or best thing to do.
The secrets developed as a result of the characters’ personalities and their backstories, all of which will be revealed …
I completely agree with your assessment about Twitter (as per your interview with Dorset Writers Network) wherein the twitterverse has a lifeblood on social interactions and connections in lieu of sales pitches. I have found the greatest joy for me as a reader is being able to interconnect with authors; not only the ones I’ve read or are planning to read, but the ones I might not have even discovered yet. It’s a beautiful bookish community and I, personally appreciate less pitches and more personal chatter. How have you found your own balance within this niche of social reading and communication?
James responds: I love social media as a way to connect with friends, family and fellow readers and writers. It is a wonderful platform from which to learn, meet like-minded people, and chat and have a laugh. You’ll find me on Facebook more than Twitter, as I struggle to keep up with the speed of Twitter, and I usually have more to say that the 140 character limit allows. I’m wandering into the world of Instagram at the moment, which I’m enjoying, but I’ve not yet quite got the hang of it.
I love connecting with other authors and readers, and having a tweet or a Facebook status liked or replied to makes my day. I retweet and share articles and posts which I find interesting, and often leave comments on friends’ Facebook statuses, and I have a writer’s profile page, where I post details about my work. As authors, we do have to promote our books, and sometimes a straight-forward pitch works well, but I understand the mix should be 80/20, with 80% of the time being social interaction and 20% being sales promotion. I estimate a good dollop of my network time is spent sharing photos of my daft cats and liking others’ photos of cats. I have bonded with social media users over a mutual love for animals.
It’s purr-fect.
What great questions, Jorie. Thank you so much.
You’re quite welcome Ms James! I had the foresight to be on Twitter right as you were sharing the happy afterglow of excitement of #DarkChocLit which set the course for me to pull this exclusive interview showcase together – not only spotlighting your release to debut the imprint but the accompanying Q&A with ChocLitUK directly wherein I ask curiously specific questions and took away a lovely surprise for not only myself but for everyone who loves ChocLit!
I am as enthused now as I was in late October to read the stories which will generate out of this lovely new imprint inasmuch as you will find I am itching to read other forthcoming titles! What is most remarkable is how keenly insightful ChocLitUK is developing their publishing company with a forethought of awareness for what today’s contemporary and modern Romance reader is seeking out of finding heart-stirring and uplifting relationship-based Rom stories written by writers like you who give us convicting narratives, realistic characters and a well of joy during the hours we’re devouring the satisfying reads that are becoming a ChocLit girl’s favourite inventory of Romance!
Thank you for giving such heart-felt responses and for sharing tidbits of insight on behalf of your series for those of us who haven’t yet had the pleasure of reading it. It was a delight to feature you!
Jorie finds an unexpected surprise of her own by way of her Inbox! Shortly after she posted this showcase LIVE, she happily discovered Falling in Love Again a ChocLit Treat (a shorter short story) awaiting her eyes to drink in with a smidge of a glimpse of what #DarkChocLit and What Doesn’t Kill You will have in store for her when she’s able to read the debut of this lovely imprint!
ChocLit has a special additional treat for their Rom readers – by email you can sign-up for their ChocLit Treats – a feast of stories told in shorter versions of short stories wherein you get a ‘tasty sampling’ of their author’s collective works by either a prequel short-short to a story already published; a Christmas round-robin story told by multiple ChocLit authors points of view; or a completely stand-alone tale altogether! There are many variants of possibilities with the Treats, and I have been meaning to highlight their delightfulness for quite a long while now! Today, felt like the best time to announce my joy in being on the receiving end of the Treats, as I hadn’t expected to open my folder and spy a treat involving #DarkChocLit!
The quirkiness to the opening of this little Treat is the fact James has a way of conveying point of truth clarifying disclosures with a bit of cheekiness. Rather than embellish the obvious, she digs you straight into the heart of where Linda is at this moment of time of her life. It’s a rapid set of facts enveloping you as you find yourself curious for more insight into how she’s arrived at this psychological state inside of a hospital ward.
James captured Linda’s soulful yearning to understand what she cannot conceptalise so brilliantly, your drawn into her depths – you rally behind Linda as she searches past a darkness of unknowing and strives to remember what cannot be retrieved. It’s one of the best shorts I’ve read about memory loss and about a soul’s willingness to push past what is possible in order to fight to recover what once was cherished.
If this is any indication of #DarkChocLit, check please!
I want my order of heart-stirring dramatic Rom now!
An Exclusive chat with a publicist at ChocLit about #DarkChocLit:
Dark ChocLit is a new imprint where the focus on the stories of Rom are edgy with realistic story-lines and emotional drama. I noticed ChocLit releases these types of stories every so often and I was curious if it was a genesis of new interest by readers to find more of these realistic tales that sparked the inspiration to develop the imprint?
ChocLit responds: We felt that Laura’s book, What Doesn’t Kill You, was a wonderful, powerful story that needed to be told – but, as the issues covered in the book are more heavy-hitting than in previous Choc Lit novels, it was decided that a new imprint was necessary so that readers could differentiate between our ‘normal’ line and these grittier, more realistic tales. So, the new imprint is to appeal to readers who like the darker side of romance, but is also our version of a ‘trigger warning’ for more sensitive readers who might be disturbed or upset by the content.
Whilst Choc Lit doesn’t do the ‘fluffier’ side of romance as a rule, What Doesn’t Kill You definitely has a darker tone than anything we’ve released before. ‘Dark Choc Lit’ seemed the perfect way to describe it.
Originally when I first heard of #DarkChocLit, I thought it might imply the psychological suspense and/or nefarious intentions contained within high levels of thrillers set against the backdrop of a Romantic drama. What kinds of stories can readers expect to find being released under this new imprint? Are there stories within ChocLit’s line which would hint towards what is coming next?
ChocLit responds: If you want a taste of Dark Choc Lit, we would recommend reading any of Laura E. James’s novels (Truth or Dare, Follow Me, Follow You). Her previous books were not released under the Dark Choc Lit imprint and aren’t quite as dark as her new novel, What Doesn’t Kill You, however, their focus on heavy-hitting issues like bereavement, long-term illness and domestic abuse will give you a hint of the kind of issues you can expect to see covered in the Dark Choc Lit list.
If you’re looking for a more succinct definition of the new imprint, all you need to do is read the strapline for Dark Choc Lit: “compelling, emotional, hard-hitting novels. Not your typical romance story.”
Sums it up nicely!
Will this be the first of different imprints to expand the ChocLit family line of Rom? If so, what other imprints might readers expect to find in the future?
ChocLit responds: That would be telling ;)
We do have a few ideas in the pipeline. Our next priority is a crime imprint and we already have a potential name, which we can exclusively share with you – ‘Death by Choc Lit’.
Keep your eyes peeled for that one!
As most new releases are Digital First, will the Dark ChocLit line follow the pattern of being released into print and audiobooks after the initial publication date? If so, will there be an easier way to obtain the audiobooks as right now the best distributor is Whole Story Audiobooks but they do not ship to the USA? (they carry the full catalogue of ChocLit novels and novellas; whereas their sister company in the USA does not)
ChocLit responds: Yes, Dark Choc Lit will follow the same publication route as all of our books. All Dark Choc Lit books will be available digitally first and then may go into paperback/audio release depending on a number of factors, including sales and reviews.
Unfortunately our audio books in CD format are not available in the USA. There is no plan to make them available there at present. However, the majority of them are available to download as audio digital files from Amazon.com – although, it should be noted, this is only if you have an ‘Audible’ account.
This is probably the saddest news for me however I did uncover this truth on my own but had hoped it might have a happier ending if I had asked directly where to curate the audiobooks stateside as sometimes a reader cannot find the right source for audiobooks. Especially being I am not on Audible, as I elected to be a part of iTunes and Downpour instead.
Dear hearts,
did you catch the hidden secret SURPRISE?
I am unsure about your readerly habits but I personally am OVER THE MOON for consuming Crime Fiction and this lovely new imprint by ChocLit has me swooning with curiosity! If you pop over to my Story Vault you will soon denote a hearty array of Cosy Historical Mysteries, Traditional Cosy Mysteries, Suspense & Thrillers, Techno-thrillers and a few select Hard-Boils this side of Cosy! I can barely wait with wicked sweet anticipation to see what #DeathbyChocLit will bring us all!
Blessedly I still have a few serials left of Murdoch Mysteries to keep me on pins awaiting #DeathbyChocLit! I seriously love a lovely sophisticated yarn involving murder and intrigue!
The only disappointing bit for me is I had planned to review Truth or Dare? and Follow Me, Follow You in the New Year – whilst waiting the print release (*fingers crossed!*) for What Doesn’t Kill You. However being that I mistakenly mistook Truth or Dare? to be in print, I will simply have to read the second novel and then the third without the honour of knowing how the Chesil series began. A bit of a woeful reality for me, as I dearly love reading serial fiction in order as a rule of thumb – this will have to be one of my few exceptions where I let go of that preference. As I’ve become so intrigued and invested inside the series through this interview showcase, I simply want to read the stories!
This exclusive Q&A with ChocLit and interview with Ms James is courtesy of:
In case you’ve missed my ChocLit readings:
I read my first Moorcroft Contemporary Starting Over this Summer. (review)
I happily soaked inside (and devoured!) my second Zana Bell novel Fool’s Gold! (review)
I was positively surprised by Harker in The Untied Kingdom. (review)
I disclosed my next ChocLit reads on #BookishNotBookish No.6
And, visit my ChocLit Next Reads List on Riffle
to see which stories I fancy to devour in 2016!
Don’t forget to Replay the Bookish Chats via #ChocLitSaturday by visiting us on Nurph! Til soon, I hope we’ll see you chatting with us! Spread the joy of #ChocLitSaturday to your bookish friends, all are welcome! Visit my post on #ChocLitSaturdays vs #ChocLitSaturday for more information! And, the words I expressed about #ChocLitSaturday on my spotlight for The Wild One by Janet Gover. Remember you can also drop in on the conversations are your able too!
We will be returning in January 2016 for ChocLitSaturday on Nurph!
Be sure to leave your thoughts and comments on behalf of the wicked sweet news shared today by ChocLitUK
and on behalf of the interview with Ms James!
Similar to blog tours where I feature book reviews, as I choose to highlight an author via a Guest Post, Q&A, Interview, etc., I do not receive compensation for featuring supplemental content on my blog. I provide the questions for interviews and topics for the guest posts; wherein I receive the responses back from publicists and authors directly. I am naturally curious about the ‘behind-the-scenes’ of stories and the writers who pen them; I have a heap of joy bringing this content to my readers.
Likewise my mini-review of a ChocLit Treat was for my own edification as I was not obligated to post my ruminations on it’s behalf. I am a newsletter subscriber to ChocLitUK and the mailing list for ChocLit Treats.
{SOURCES: Cover art of “Follow Me, Follow You”, “Truth or Dare”, “What Doesn’t Kill You”, author photograph for Laura E. James, author biography, book synopsises, and book reviewer badge were all provided by ChocLitUK and used with permission. #ChocLitSaturdays Banner created by Jorie in Canva. Comment Box Banner made by Jorie in Canva. Coffee and Tea Clip Art Set purchased on Etsy; made by rachelwhitetoo. Tweets embedded due to codes provided by Twitter.}
Copyright © Jorie Loves A Story, 2015.
I’m a social reader | I love tweeting my reading life:
#DarkChocLit dramatic NEW imprint #chocolatelovers #amreading #Romance w/grit <3 https://t.co/DzG2D3Dtqg! @ChocLituk pic.twitter.com/iqy4wCdKzQ
— Jorie Loves A Story (@joriestory) November 29, 2015
Comments via Twitter:
Great interview, @joriestory and @Laura_E_James! :-) https://t.co/IrhRWlBFwZ
— Clare Chase (@ClareChase_) November 29, 2015
@joriestory I'm going to give it a read shortly with a brew ?? xxx
— Daniel Riding (@danielriding) November 29, 2015
@Laura_E_James Pleasure! Really interesting read. :-) @joriestory @ChocLituk
— Clare Chase (@ClareChase_) November 29, 2015
@joriestory Thank you lovely Jorie.:-) Have a fab week. x
— Choc Lit (@ChocLituk) November 30, 2015
Love it! Thank you, Jorie :) https://t.co/lO9bjXmpKc
— The Romaniacs (@TheRomaniacs) November 30, 2015
Fab new @ChocLituk imprint – for lovers of DARK @ChocLituk pic.twitter.com/9ZBiuicqB6 https://t.co/PSuazBKkNh
— Berni Stevens (@Berni_Stevens1) November 30, 2015
@joriestory I just read it, Jorie. Fab interview :)
— Jan Brigden (@JanBrigden) November 30, 2015
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