"Lady of a Thousand Treasures" by Sandra Byrd--Blog Tour (Review) & GIVEAWAY!

 

 

LADY OF A THOUSAND TREASURES BY SANDRA BYRD

Publication Date: October 9, 2018
Tyndale House Publishers
Hardcover, Paperback, & eBook; 480 Pages

Series: The Victorian Ladies Series, #1
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance

 

 

Miss Eleanor Sheffield is a talented evaluator of antiquities, trained to know the difference between a genuine artifact and a fraud. But with her father’s passing and her uncle’s decline into dementia, the family business is at risk. In the Victorian era, unmarried Eleanor cannot run Sheffield Brothers alone.

The death of a longtime client, Baron Lydney, offers an unexpected complication when Eleanor is appointed the temporary trustee of the baron’s legendary collection. She must choose whether to donate the priceless treasures to a museum or allow them to pass to the baron’s only living son, Harry—the man who broke Eleanor’s heart.

Eleanor distrusts the baron’s motives and her own ability to be unbiased regarding Harry’s future. Harry claims to still love her and Eleanor yearns to believe him, but his mysterious comments and actions fuel her doubts. When she learns an Italian beauty accompanied him on his return to England, her lingering hope for a future with Harry dims.

With the threat of debtor’s prison closing in, Eleanor knows that donating the baron’s collection would win her favor among potential clients, saving Sheffield Brothers. But the more time she spends with Harry, the more her faith in him grows. Might Harry be worthy of his inheritance, and her heart, after all? As pressures mount and time runs out, Eleanor must decide whom she can trust—who in her life is false or true, brass or gold—and what is meant to be treasured.

AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | INDIEBOUND

 

My Review

 

Sandra Byrd does it again with her newest book “Lady of a Thousand Treasures!”  Her first book in the “Victorian Ladies” series is full of mystery, history and romance!

Sandra Byrd is one of my favorite contemporary authors because she writes history with such a depth and knowledge that few others in the genre achieve.  “Lady of a Thousand Treasures” is a Gothic romance set in Victorian England and is a book to savor.  The opening scene of a gloomy funeral, complete with a raging storm outside, will immediately hook you.  Ms. Byrd uses amazing descriptions, bringing the reader into the story and time period. 

I love the main character, Eleanor, who really grows as a character throughout the story, both in her faith and as a person.  There is so much faith content in this story, which I love.  Eleanor prays, visits women in prison, asks the Lord for wisdom and guidance and quotes scripture.  I appreciate the realistic way she at time struggles in her relationship with the Lord.  Eleanor is also trying to test what’s true and what’s false, not only in antiquities, but also in people. She struggles with pride and striving to earn others’ approval; which was encouraging to me as well, as I’m often a people pleaser.  Eleanor’s love story is so romantic.  It’s probably the most well written swoon-worthy romance of the year!

“Lady of a Thousand Treasures” is a keeper for sure!  This Gothic, Victorian romance includes a good dose of mystery and danger, and has a beautiful message about leaving our burdens with the Lord and learning to discern the true from the false. 

Content: This is a clean read with a PG for content.  Some examples of the content are: mention of a man drinking himself to death; the devil is referred to; a man suggests a dalliance with a woman; a few subtle references to a couple’s wedding night.

 

Rating: I give this book 5 stars!

 

Genre: Christian fiction; Gothic; Romance; Victorian; Mystery

 

I want to thank Tyndale House Publishers, Sandra Byrd and Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

 

Praise for Lady of a Thousand Treasures

“Sandra Byrd’s amazing cast of characters and Victorian settings pull the reader right into the story. I became happily lost in this compelling, lovely book.” -Karen Harper, NYT bestselling author of The Royal Nanny

“Lady of a Thousand Treasures delivers mystery, romance, and suspense in a well-researched Victorian setting.” -Julie Klassen, bestselling author

“I’m always swept away by a Sandra Byrd novel, and Lady of a Thousand Treasures will be long remembered as one of Sandra’s best.” -Jane Kirkpatrick, NYT bestselling author of All She Left Behind

“Sandra Byrd is the rare writer whose evocative, prose grabs hold and doesn’t let go. The Victorian Ladies Series is off to a stunning start!” -Laura Frantz, author of The Lacemaker

“With stunning characters and impeccable research, Sandra Byrd has woven together an exquisite treasure hunt with an ending that will leave you breathless.” -Melanie Dobson, award-winning author of Catching the Wind

“Sandra Byrd’s writing is an absolute piece of art! If I had to sum up this story all in one word, it would be satisfying.” -Michelle Griep, award-winning author of the Once Upon a Dickens Christmas series

About the Author

Bestselling author Sandra Byrd has published more than fifty books over her editing and writing career. Her traditionally published books include titles by Tyndale House Publishers, Howard Books, a division of Simon and Schuster, WaterBrook Press, a Penguin Random House imprint, and Bethany House. She’s also an independent author.

Sandra’s series of historically sound Gothic romances launched with the best-selling Mist of Midnight, which earned a coveted Editor’s Choice award from the Historical Novel Society. The second book, Bride of a Distant Isle, has been selected by Romantic Times as a Top Pick. The third in the series, A Lady in Disguise, published in 2017 and was named by the American Library Association’s Booklist as one of the Top Ten Inspirational Fiction books of the year.

Her contemporary adult fiction debut, Let Them Eat Cake, which was a Christy Award finalist, as was her first historical novel, To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn. To Die For was also named a Library Journal Best Books Pick for 2011, and The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr was named a Library Journal Best Books Pick for 2012.

Please visit www.sandrabyrd.com to learn more or to invite Sandra to your book club via Skype. You can also connect with Sandra on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour Schedule

Tuesday, October 9
Review at Pursuing Stacie
Review & Interview at Clarissa Reads it All

Wednesday, October 10
Review at Faery Tales Are Real

Thursday, October 11
Review at A Bookish Affair
Feature at Naomi Finley’s Blog

Friday, October 12
Review at Donna’s Book Blog

Monday, October 15
Feature at The Lit Bitch
Review at Encouraging Words from the Tea Queen

Tuesday, October 16
Feature at Myths, Legends, Books & Coffee Pots

Wednesday, October 17
Review at Among the Reads
Review at Ageless Pages Reviews

Thursday, October 18
Review at A Darn Good Read

Friday, October 19
Review at Jorie Loves a Story

Monday, October 22
Review at History From a Woman’s Perspective

Tuesday, October 23
Review at Locks, Hooks and Books

Wednesday, October 24
Review at Library of Clean Reads

Thursday, October 25
Feature at Let Them Read Books

Friday, October 26
Interview at Among the Reads

Monday, October 29
Review at Maiden of the Pages

Tuesday, October 30
Review at A Chick Who Reads

Thursday, November 1
Review at Bibliophile Reviews
Review at CelticLady’s Reviews

Friday, November 2
Feature at Passages to the Past

Monday, November 5
Review at Broken Teepee

Tuesday, November 6
Feature at Hisdoryan

Wednesday, November 7
Review at The Book Mind
Review at LadyJ’s Bookish Nook

Friday, November 9
Interview at Jorie Loves a Story

Giveaway

During the Blog Tour we will be giving away 5 copies of Lady of a Thousand Treasures by Sandra Byrd! To enter, please enter via the Gleam form below.

Giveaway Rules

– Giveaway ends at 11:59pm EST on November 9th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
– Giveaway is open to US & Canada residents only.
– Only one entry per household.
– All giveaway entrants agree to be honest and not cheat the systems; any suspect of fraud is decided upon by blog/site owner and the sponsor, and entrants may be disqualified at our discretion.
– Winner has 48 hours to claim prize or new winner is chosen.

Direct Link: https://gleam.io/competitions/HQs53-lady-of-a-thousand-treasures 
 

"Lady of a Thousand Treasures" by Sandra Byrd Blitz & GIVEAWAY

 

Welcome to the blog blitz & giveaway for Lady of a Thousand Treasures by Sandra Byrd, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Title: Lady of a Thousand Treasures
Author: Sandra Byrd
Publisher: Tyndale House
Release Date: October 9, 2018
Genre: Historical/Gothic Romance

Miss Eleanor Sheffield is a talented evaluator of antiquities, trained to know the difference between a genuine artifact and a fraud. But with her father’s passing and her uncle’s decline into dementia, the family business is at risk. In the Victorian era, unmarried Eleanor cannot run Sheffield Brothers alone.

The death of a longtime client, Baron Lydney, offers an unexpected complication when Eleanor is appointed the temporary trustee of the baron’s legendary collection. She must choose whether to donate the priceless treasures to a museum or allow them to pass to the baron’s only living son, Harry—the man who broke Eleanor’s heart.

Eleanor distrusts the baron’s motives and her own ability to be unbiased regarding Harry’s future. Harry claims to still love her and Eleanor yearns to believe him, but his mysterious comments and actions fuel her doubts. When she learns an Italian beauty accompanied him on his return to England, her lingering hope for a future with Harry dims.

With the threat of debtor’s prison closing in, Eleanor knows that donating the baron’s collection would win her favor among potential clients, saving Sheffield Brothers. But the more time she spends with Harry, the more her faith in him grows. Might Harry be worthy of his inheritance, and her heart, after all? As pressures mount and time runs out, Eleanor must decide whom she can trust—who in her life is false or true, brass or gold—and what is meant to be treasured.

PURCHASE: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | CBD | Book Depository

Excerpt

 

SEPTEMBER 1866

WATCHFIELD HOUSE, OXFORDSHIRE, ENGLAND

 

A threading of voices spooled throughout the expansive chamber wherein we waited, voices so decently quiet as to be murmurs. All present quickened as lightning pierced the ground just outside the wide panel of windows, like a fin-ger pointing deep within the earth. Perhaps it was the good Lord’s way of informing us exactly where the soul of the recently departed had found its final resting place.

 

I did not believe Lord Lydney had ascended.

 

And yet Lydney had been my father’s friend, patron, and benefactor. Many spoke admiringly of him. Truth be told, he had on occasion been charitable to me. I had once believed he would be my father-in-law.

 

That notion had passed

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

After earning her first rejection at the age of thirteen, bestselling author Sandra Byrd has now published fifty books.

Sandra's delighted to kick off her new historical romance series with Tyndale House Publishers, Victorian Ladies, with Lady of a Thousand Treasures. The three-book Victorian Ladies series follows her historically sound Gothic romances, Daughters of Hampshire, launched with the bestselling Mist of Midnight, which earned a coveted Editor's Choice award from the Historical Novel Society. The second book, Bride of a Distant Isle, has been selected by Romantic Times as a Top Pick. The third in the series, A Lady in Disguise, was published in 2017. Check out her contemporary adult fiction debut, Let Them Eat Cake, which was a Christy Award finalist, as was her first historical novel, To Die For: A Novel of Anne Boleyn. To Die For was also named a Library Journal Best Books Pick for 2011, and The Secret Keeper: A Novel of Kateryn Parr was named a Library Journal Best Books Pick for 2012.

Sandra has published dozens of books for kids, tweens, and teens, including the bestselling The One Year Be-Tween You and God Devotions for Girls. She continued her work as a devotionalist, with The One Year Home and Garden Devotions, and The One Year Experiencing God's Love Devotional.

Please visit www.sandrabyrd.com to learn more or to invite Sandra to your book club via Skype.

CONTACT: website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram

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TOUR GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive:

• a copy of Lady of a Thousand Treasures (print to US addresses OR ebook to intl), and
• $25 Starbucks London Gift Card – works anywhere in the world at standalone Starbucks stores

Enter via the Rafflecopter giveaway below. Giveaway will begin at midnight October 1, 2018 and lasts through 11:59pm October 8, 2018. Void where prohibited by law. Winners will be notified within a week of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

 

 

Bookworms will Drool over This Book!--"Book Girl: A Journey Through the Treasures and Transforming Power of a Reading Life" by Sarah Clarkson--Review

 

 

I don’t review a lot of non-fiction books on my blog, but when I saw there was a book about books, the reading life and bookworms, I knew I needed to read and share it!  This book is not only a wonderful read, but an amazing resource, filled with book lists for different seasons of a reader’s life! 

In Book Girl: A Journey Through the Treasures and Transforming Power of a Reading Life by Sarah Clarkson, Clarkson begins each section with a little essay of her own, and then proceeds to give us some book lists that correspond with the essay.  I learned a lot from Ms. Clarkson’s essays and found them very relatable.  Ms. Clarkson argues that reading shapes who we are and it’s the lens through which we view the world.  She talks of stories helping us to understand things better in real life; they help show us what is good and give us hope to fight and cope with the evil in the world.  Ultimately, she says that our lives are a story as a part of the Kingdom of God.  I couldn’t agree more with her arguments for how important reading and stories are!

I personally have such a passion for Story.  Ms. Clarkson talks all about the exact reason why my blog is named Faery Tales Are Real, arguing for the importance of fairy tales and how they point us to the greatest Story of Christianity.  I love how she found connections between fairy tales and Biblical narrative.  I just felt through reading this book that I had found a kindred spirit, as the author talks about Anne from Anne of Green Gables and how she loves the Lord of the Rings (can I get an Amen).  The Lord of the Rings helped strengthen her faith when she was younger, in the same way that it did for me.

I highly recommend this book to any person who loves reading, no matter what stage of the reading journey they are in.  It is an excellent resource to have on hand (the book lists are amazing)! 

Content: This is a clean read.  The only content is: mentions rape when describing To Kill a Mockingbird; word damn is used.

Rating: I give this book 5 stars!

Genre: Christian non-fiction

I want to thank Tyndale Momentum, Tyndale House Publishers and Sarah Clarkson for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.




About the Author:

Sarah Clarkson loves books, beauty, and imagination, and thinks everyone else should too. She's a published author (The Lifegiving Home, Read for the Heart, Caught Up in a Story) and recent graduate of Oxford University, where she studied theology at Wycliffe Hall. She blogs at sarahclarkson.com and is a regular guest on the podcast At Home with Sally, where she chats about her current reads and imaginative discoveries. She lives in Oxford, England, in a red-doored cottage she shares with her husband, Thomas and their duagher, Lilian.

To visit the author's website click here

To purchase the book click here

Murder and Mayhem, O My!--"Murder at the Flamingo" by Rachel McMillan--Review

Murder and Mayhem, O My!   If you’ve been following my reviews for a while, you’ll know Murder at the Flamingo by Rachel McMillan is a little out of my reading comfort zone (as far as the time period and it being a murder mystery).  So I am pleasantly surprised by how much I did enjoy this book!

The story is a great one that focuses a lot on the characters and not a whole lot on the actual murder, blood and grime, etc.  Our main characters, Reggie and Hamish, are both looking for adventure and really trying to find themselves, each in their own way.  Hamish is not the usual hero, but one I think many readers will love.  Hamish deals with panic attacks and anxiety (mental health is addressed in such a loving way through Hamish’s character).  Hamish is very relatable, sweet, bookish and a real gentleman.  I really like Hamish’s love of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and the way he uses passages from the book to help calm his anxiety.  I enjoyed Reggie’s character as well.  She is very adventurous and independent.  I didn’t like how Reggie has a boyfriend (who is back in her home town), but at the same time she is sort of developing a romance with another man. 

Mystery and suspense readers will find much to love in the story of Luca (Hamish’s cousin) and his nightclub, where the mysterious murder takes place.  I enjoyed the literary references in Murder at the Flamingo and reading about the pop culture of the time.  This is published by a Christian publisher, but there isn’t any overt faith content (except characters visit a church and mention it as a safe haven for all religions) but it is still very clean and has Christian themes, such as sacrificial love.

Overall, this is a great read!  I listened to part of it through an audiobook which I highly recommend, due to the narrator who does all of the different accents.  Murder at the Flamingo presents wonderful themes of family loyalty (characters struggle with how far one should go in being loyal as compared to choosing one’s conscience), being the hero of one’s own story and learning to live in the moment.

Content:  This is a clean read.  I would rate it PG for some minor content.  This is a murder mystery that takes place in nightclubs during the 1930s, so keep that in mind.  Some examples of the content are: the main character deals with panic attacks and anxiety; references to alcohol; a man makes unwanted physical advances on a woman but is unsuccessful; a mention of the devil and hell; a mention of cursing, but the words aren’t actually written; a woman is a man’s mistress; violence and talk about the mob; a murder takes place; a lot of drinking and smoking in the nightclubs.

Rating: I give this book 3.5 stars.

Genre: Mystery; Historical Fiction; Romance

I want to thank The Fiction Guild, Rachel McMillan and Thomas Nelson for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

About the Author:

 There is nothing better than exploring the world --near and far:  whether with a notebook and passport  at the ready or in the pages of a book. 

 

 I currently explore 1930s  Boston in my noirish mysteries starring Hamish DeLuca and Reggie Van Buren set in the city's historic North End.  My Sherlockian-inspired series featuring lady detectives Jem Watts and Merinda Herringford took readers around Edwardian-era Toronto. 

​

My passion for all things Europe infuses my contemporary romances,  including the Vienna-set Love in Three Quarter Time.

​

Stay awhile and explore. I'll always have new book recommendations as well as tips and tricks on how to find the world far away--or in your own backyard. 

​

I live in Toronto, my favourite film is Master and Commander, I am obsessed with Hallmark Christmas movies, Broadway musicals and Starbucks.

 

To purchase the book click here

To visit the author's website click here

A Dashing Romance!--"Magnolia Summer" by Melanie Dickerson--Review

What's that?  Another Melanie Dickerson book?!  Why, yes, yes it is!  Magnolia Summer is the first book in Melanie Dickerson’s brand new Southern Seasons series.  Ms. Dickerson changes things up from her usual fare by taking us to the 1880s in the Deep South of the United States.  Instead of a fairy tale retelling, Ms. Dickerson writes a dashing and heroic story filled with romance set in the South!

Magnolia Summer grabs you right from the start with a gallant and heroic action scene!  Parts of the story remind me of Zorro and Robin Hood.  Ms. Dickerson does a great job describing the South.  I especially love reading about how people in the South all take care of each other.

Readers will fall in love with our independent and sometimes high strung heroine, Celia.  And the hero, Truett?  I have a feeling many girls will love him!  He is dashing, heroic, a little cocky and super sweet.  I like seeing the characters praying and talking to God. 

Ms. Dickerson writes a great story and her characters are complex and multidimensional.  What are you waiting for?  Grab yourself a copy of Magnolia Summer, sit on your front porch with some sweet tea and enjoy this wonderful story! 

Content:   This is a clean read overall.  I would rate it PG for some minor content.  Some examples of the content are: a mention of rape; a woman is pregnant out of wedlock; reference to tobacco; a woman deals with depression; a man smokes a cigar; mention that a man is drunk and looks at a woman’s figure; a trollop is referred to.

Rating: I give this book 5 stars!

Genre: Christian fiction; Historical fiction; Romance

I want to thank Melanie Dickerson and GraceFaith Press for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

 

About the Author:

Melanie Dickerson is the New York Times bestselling author who combines her love for history, adventure, and romance. Her books have won a Christy Award, two Maggie Awards, The National Reader’s Choice Award, the Christian Retailing’s Best Award, the Book Buyer’s Best Award, the Golden Quill, and the Carol Award. She earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from The University of Alabama and has taught children and adults in the U.S., Germany, and Ukraine. Now she spends her time writing stories of love and adventure near Huntsville, Alabama.

To purchase the book click here
To visit the author's website click here

A Romeo and Juliet Story During the British Civil War--"Yours, Dorothy" by E.B. Wheeler--Review

Blurb:

Based on a true love story from the British Civil War.

Dorothy Osborne's family has sacrificed everything for King Charles of England, living in exile in France after the king's defeat by Parliament. Dorothy knows it is her duty to marry well and help her family, which means finding a wealthy suitor: Royalist, or maybe French, but never a Parliamentarian, and not someone of her own choosing.

William Temple struggles to commit to his father's Parliamentarian cause, making his family wonder if he'll ever commit to anything. William wonders too, until he meets Dorothy Osborne. The connection between them is instant, but their families will go to any length to keep them apart. Can their love survive separation and the upheavals of the British Civil War?

My Review:

 

Yours, Dorothy is a highly romantic story of two star-crossed lovers based on real life events.  The narrative is set during the time of the British Civil War, when fortunes rise and fall at the drop of a hat and there is much political unrest.  The story reminds me of Romeo and Juliet, although not quite as tragic. 

I don’t know much about this particular time period, so I really enjoyed learning more while reading the story of Dorothy and William.  I appreciate Ms. Wheeler’s extensive knowledge of the time period and subject that she shares with her readers.   At the end of the book, Ms. Wheeler explains what’s true to real life in every chapter and gives little historical tidbits that tie in with the story.

Both Dorothy and William struggle with whether they should follow duty to their family, conscience or heart.  Their families are on opposite sides in the war and they face a lot of pressure from their family to marry well and form the right connections.  I find it romantic that their story spans years, (and there are long periods where they don’t hear from or see each other) yet they still can’t stop thinking about the other.  Time and distance can’t quell their love.  I also really like all of the history and how Ms. Wheeler tries to stay historically accurate.  It might have been helpful to have a family tree and to see who was on what side of the conflict at the beginning or end of the book.

Yours, Dorothy is a beautiful story of love and war.  At times though, the story moved a bit slowly for my taste.  History buffs and lovers of the British Civil War will especially appreciate this well-researched story! 

Content: This is a clean read.  There is some very minor content.  Some examples of the content are: a woman has a low cut dress; men are drunk; mention of gambling.

Rating: I give this book 3 stars.

Genre: Historical Fiction; Romance; England

I want to thank E.B. Wheeler and Rowan Ridge Press for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.
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Author Bio:

E.B. Wheeler grew up in Georgia and California. She attended BYU, majoring in history with an English minor, and earned an MA in early modern history with an emphasis on British religion and popular belief, as well as an MLA in historic and cultural landscapes, from Utah State University. Her first novel, The Haunting of Springett Hall, won the 2015 Gold Quill award from the League of Utah Writers for best YA fiction, and her adult novels Born to Treason and No Peace with the Dawn (with co-author Jeff Bateman) won the Silver Quill and Gold Quill awards in 2016. Born to Treason was a 2016 Whitney Award finalist in historical fiction. She was also the League of Utah Writer’s 2016 Writer of the Year. She’s a member of SCBWI and LDStorymakers. Her YA fiction is represented by Abigail Samoun of Red Fox Literary.

 

E.B. Wheeler is also the author of several award-winning short stories, magazine articles, and scripts for educational software programs. Her essay “Imperfect Instruments,” about faith and living with Brown-Sequard syndrome resulting from a spinal cord injury, won the 2015 Segullah Award for Excellence in Creative Nonfiction. In addition to writing, she also consults about historic preservation and teaches Utah history at Utah State University. She has worked on projects for the National Park Service, the LDS church, and the USU Museum of Anthropology. She currently serves on the board of directors for the League of Utah Writers. She lives in the mountains of Utah with her husband, children, and various pets. If she had spare time, she would spend it playing harp and hammered dulcimer, gardening, hiking, shooting archery, knitting, and reading.

 

 

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To purchase the book click here