My Review: Thin Ice

 

 

"We do have many seasons in our lives - some happier than others.  The important thing to remember on winter days is that spring always comes . . . unless we choose to miss it by hibernating in the darkness.  Sometimes we have to make the effort to step into the sunshine."

~ Christy Reed, page 143

 

Description:

After losing her parents in a car accident and her sister to a house fire, Christy Reed has been mired in grief. Life is finally starting to feel normal again when an envelope arrives in the mail--addressed in her sister's handwriting. And the note inside claims she is still alive.

FBI Special Agent Lance McGregor, a former Delta Force operator, is assigned to reopen the case, but he's coming up with more questions than answers. If Ginny Reed is still alive--who is the woman buried in her grave? Where is Ginny? And is Christy a pawn in a twisted cat-and-mouse game--or the target of a sinister plot? As he digs deeper, one thing becomes clear: whoever is behind the bizarre ruse has a deadly agenda.




About the Author:
Irene Hannon is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than forty-five novels, including Buried Secrets, the Heroes of Quantico, Guardians of Justice, and Private Justice series. Her books have been honored with, among others, three coveted RITA Awards from Romance Writers of America, three HOLT Medallions, a Daphne du Maurier Award, two Reviewers' Choice Awards from RT Book Reviews magazine, and a National Readers' Choice Award. She lives in Missouri. Learn more at www.irenehannon.com.






My Review: 5 stars
I have to confess, I’m a huge fan of Irene Hannon’s work and I’ve been anticipating this book since reading Buried Secrets (the first in the series) right after it released. That’s given me quite a while to hope and look forward to Lance’s book. Happily, I can say that this book met and surpassed all of my expectations!

Ms. Hannon’s suspense novels are by far some of my favorites - she does such a wonderful job with them! Down to the last description, this story comes to vivid life! It’s obvious she’s done an extensive amount of research regarding FBI procedures, protocols, and the lingo. I appreciate that attention to detail very much, as it adds another depth of reality to the story. I do very much appreciate that though this book is suspense and crimes are committed, her descriptions aren’t gory. She gives the details and elaborates where it’s necessary, but she doesn’t overdo it or make me want to gag. The suspense is definitely another thing she excels at - I was on the edge of my seat more often than not and sped through the final few chapters, wanting to know how everything was going to turn out. That being said, Thin Ice is actually a little more low-key, concerning the nail biting suspense I’m used to from her books. And that’s not at all a complaint. I really enjoyed the slightly slower pace, because it allowed me to get to know the characters a little bit better. It also gave a bit of leeway for there to be a couple more serious and personal conversations, without it seeming to slow the pace of the story down.

Christy Reed is the heroine of this book and I fell in love with her character almost immediately! Life has dealt her more than her fair share of heartache, but she continues to press on and tries to keep an upbeat attitude even when she wants to give up. I loved the strength of character that I saw in her and the determination to rise above the pain. Few would blame her for surrendering, but even in her darkest moments, she tries to keep hoping. Her faith in God plays a large role in this and I loved the focused placed on trusting and relying on Him.

Lance MacGregor. Can all the ladies just sigh over him for a moment? He is so swoon-worthy! And not just in his looks. He is very much the take-charge, ex-Delta-Force-now-FBI hero that most of us, if we’re honest, absolutely adore! He’s strong and determined, while also kind and caring. Despite the somewhat stereotypical job description, he is a very realistic character. He has flaws and a few skeletons in his closet, though I do have to admit that I loved him a little bit more after I learned what they were. He’s seen a lot of horrible things in the world and has given up on God as a result. I loved watching him slowly begin to seek God again and find healing.

I also loved his relationship with Christy! Though it’s mostly professional, due to his job, the author does a wonderful job of building the tension between them without it coming across as sexual or going overboard. It does a get little steamy a couple times, but I appreciate her grace in handling it as she always does. Also, for anyone who has read her previous books, there are a few characters that make guest appearances. I love the fun in that and the way she continues to link back to her earlier stories!

Honestly, I can’t think of a single negative comment or anything I didn’t like about this book. It was superb! Irene has done another fantastic job with this story and I can’t wait to read Finn’s book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and taking the time to read my review!
As always, links are below if you'd like to look into the book further!  Have a delightful day!

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My Review: With This Ring?

Description:
In Karen Witemeyer's "The Husband Maneuver," Marietta Hawkins decides to grab the reins when the ranch foreman she loves seems to be leaving forever. Regina Jennings offers "Her Dearly Unintended," where friends stranded by a rising river pretend to be newlyweds when a dangerous stranger arrives.

Mary Connealy's "Runaway Bride" finds a Texas ranger getting more than he expected when he rescues a young woman fleeing a dangerous arranged marriage. And Melissa Jagears' "Engaging the Competition" finds a young woman forced to assist the man she's often sparred with after an accident leaves him helpless. Each tale is a fun blend of history and romance that will delight readers.


About the Authors:
Karen Witemeyer is a winner of the Carol Award and has been a finalist for the RITA Award and National Readers' Choice Award. She lives with her husband and three children in Abilene, Texas. www.karenwitemeyer.com

Mary Connealy is well-known for her award-winning, bestselling historical romantic comedies. She lives on a ranch in eastern Nebraska with her husband and has four grown daughters. www.maryconnealy.com

Regina Jennings is the author of five acclaimed historical romances. She lives outside Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, with her husband and four children. www.reginajennings.com

Melissa Jagears, author of the Unexpected Brides series, is a homeschooling mother of three little ones on a tiny Kansas farm with a fixer-upper house. Her first novella, Love by the Letter, won the 2014 Carol Award for Best Novella. www.melissajagears.com  
 
My Review: 4 stars
First off, you should know that I typically avoid novella collections like they have the plague. I almost always feel they are too short and the storylines lacking depth. That said, I actually really enjoyed this one! I knew I had to read it when I found out that two of my favorite historical authors (Karen Witemeyer and Mary Connealy) were a part of it, and they definitely didn’t disappoint! I appreciated the fact that each of the books are stories for secondary characters I’ve met in the authors’ full length novels (I’m actually not entirely positive about Melissa’s story, but I’m assuming). I believe that is part of the reason I enjoyed it so much. I already felt that I knew the characters a bit from the previous novels, so the shorter length didn’t bother me.

I usually chat about each novella, but I don’t really find that necessary, in this case. I very much enjoyed all of the characters and getting to see them find their “happily ever afters.” If you enjoy these authors and their books, I firmly believe you’ll love this collection! All of the authors did an excellent job of working with the shorter story and still bringing everything to life, then to a satisfying conclusion. It sometimes surprised me at how quickly I found myself finished with a story, but I didn’t feel as though any of them were missing something when I reached the final page. I am going to be honest and admit that I didn’t love Melissa Jagears’ novella, though I’m not a huge fan of her books (sorry!), so I was kind of expecting that. Despite that, I still enjoyed her story and hope fans of hers will, too!

Even if you, like me, tend to shy away from novella collections, I highly recommend giving this book a go! It was a delightful way to spend a few hours and I’m definitely looking forward to more collections from Bethany House!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my review!  I hope you enjoyed it!
If you're interested in looking into the book further, there are links below.  Have a delightful day!

Amazon

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The Cautious Maiden cover reveal!

Has anyone else been looking forward to finally getting a glimpse of the cover for Dawn Crandall's, The Cautious Maiden?  I have been so super excited, personally!  The cover for Vince and Violet's book?  Yes, please!  The covers for her previous books were absolutely gorgeous (as evidenced below), so I couldn't wait to see what Whitaker House would create for this book - and they did an excellent job of continuing with the "feel" of the covers and the style.   
Here is the back cover blurb, so you can be anticipating it as much as I am!

Violet Hawthorne is beyond mortified when her brother transforms her deceased parents’ respectable country inn into a brothel to accommodate the lumberjacks in the area. When her reputation is compromised, she finds herself forced to enter into an engagement with Vance Everstone. Can she trust this man she hardly knows who has a scandalous reputation in his own right?


So, to continue torturing you, I really want to share the covers in order, so you can see them all here together (we all know this is just an excuse to make you look at some of my favorite covers, again).

First is Amaryllis' book!

(The cover is actually what first drew me to this book)

 

 

Then Meredyth's

(this cover "might" be my favorite, thus far)

 

Next is Estella's

(I love the periwinkle dress!)

 

And finally, without further ado -

Violet's book!!

(Isn't it lovely?)

 

 

 

Also, to celebrate, Dawn is having an awesome giveaway over on her blog (click to visit)!  It includes: copies of the first three books, an Everstone Chronicles coffee mug, and a $25 Amazon gift card!  Be sure to stop over and enter!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and I'm honored to be able to share a favorite author's new cover art with you! 

 

 

 

Random Giveaway!

It's time for a random giveaway!!  The weather's a bit dreary here and it's January (which is just a kind of slow month for me), so time for something fun!  I'm giving away one copy of Regina Jennings' new book, At Love's Bidding!  This is actually the second book in a series, but it stands alone quite well.  I really enjoyed the first book, A Most Inconvenient Marriage and highly recommend it, if you haven't read it!
Every giveaway needs rules, right?  I only have 2:

1) I ask that you leave a comment letting me know the title of one book you're super excited to read that's coming out this year. 

2) I also need a way to contact the winner, so please include in your comment a email address where I can reach you.  Please leave it in a safe format (example[at]example[dot]com) to protect yourself from spammers.  Unfortunately, if you don't leave an email, I won't be able to include you, so be sure you do!  

And that's it!  The giveaway will be open until midnight EST Sunday, January 17th.  The winner will be chosen by Random.org and notified on Monday.  
Okay!  I think that's all! Oh, wait!  Not quite - if you'd like to learn more about the book the description is below, along with links for various sites so you can check it out!
Now, that's it!  Thanks so much for stopping by, and be sure to leave me a comment!  Have a great weekend!

From the Back Cover:
After helping her grandfather at their Boston auction house, Miranda Wimplegate discovers she's accidentally sold a powerful family's prized portrait to an anonymous bidder. Desperate to appease the furious family, her grandfather tracks it to the Missouri Ozarks and makes an outlandish offer to buy the local auction house if they promise not to sell anything until he arrives.

Upon their arrival, however, they discover their new business doesn't deal in fine antiques, but in livestock. And its manager, ruggedly handsome Wyatt Ballentine, is frustrated to discover his fussy new bosses don't know a thing about the business he's single-handedly kept afloat. Faced with more cattle than they can count--but no mysterious painting--Miranda and Wyatt form an unlikely but charged partnership to try and salvage a bad situation getting worse.


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My most anticipated books for 2016

Hello, everyone!  Goodness, it's been about a month since I've posted anything!  Sorry for kind of falling off the face of the earth.  I actually didn't intend to do a post like this, especially since I completely skipped doing my favorite reads from 2015 (too many to choose!), but a lot of my blogger friends are doing it and I'm incredibly bored, so yeah!  Here are some of the books I'm most excited for!  (Be forewarned, this is going to be a long post, because there are so many books coming out this year that I am dying to read!)
Also, I'm weird, so these are in order based on release date and then alphabetical by the author's last name.   

Reason: I love Lynette's books!  She always keeps me on the edge of my seat - and I love this cover!  It's very intriguing! 

Release date: February 2

 

Reason: Dani Pettrey and this cover. Enough said.

Release date: February 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reason:  Owen's book!!

Release Date: February 2 



 

 

Reason:  I've been a huge fan of Liz's since I read her first Love Inspired Suspense book (The Kidnapping of Kenzie Thorne, I think [read at least 3 times]), so of course, I can't wait for this one! 
Release date: March 1 

 

Reason:  Jen Turano - does any more really need to be said?  Her books always leave me laughing out loud and this is Lucetta's book! (If you don't know who that is, then maybe we should talk about expanding your To-Be-Read pile)
Release date: March 1

Reason: Melissa Tagg.  Returning to Maple Valley and getting to revisit the Walker family.  Also, this cover.  It just makes me smile.  

Release Date: April 5

 

Reason:  I really enjoyed The Lost Heiress and this book ties in with that one, also it's Brice's book!  I loved him in The Lost Heiress, so I'm super excited!  Though, I have to be honest - even if I wasn't already a fan, this cover might be reason enough.
Release Date: April 5

Reason:  Three of my favorite authors in one book?  Yes, please!
Release Date: May 3

Traces of Guilt by Dee Henderson

 

 

Unfortunately, there's no cover for this one, yet.

 

Reason:  Dee Henderson.  Anyone who knows me very well at all is probably aware that Dee is my all time favorite author.  I rarely play favorites, but her books are simply some of the best (in my opinion).  I just keep rereading them! On a slightly more random note, the way this book is listed on Amazon leads me to hope that it may be the first of a series (bouncing in my seat)!  I'm so excited, either way!

Release Date: May 3

 

 

 

 

Reason:  I love WWII fiction and Sarah always does an excellent job with all of her books!

Release Date: May 3

 

 

Reason: Dru's book!  This cover!  The Porters!  Becky Wade!  I am so excited!  But also sad, because this will be the last one in the series . . . I'll just have to read slowly, I suppose (because, we all know that's going to happen - not!).
Release Date: May 3

Reason:  Though her last book disappointed me a bit, I'm still a fan, so this one has to be on the list!
Release Date: June 7

Reason: Karen Witemeyer.  That's enough for me!  But to be honest, I really don't much care for this cover.  Sorry.
Release Date: June 7

Reason:  Mary Connealy!  Her books always leave me laughing!  I'm really hoping this one will follow a similar vein as the last series and also have a serious side, too.
Release Date: July 5

 

 



Reason: I loved her first book and this one continues the series!  Also, this cover is so beautiful!  I just love it!
Release Date: July 5

 

Reason: Once again, Lynette Eason!  And I love that the covers are following a similar style!
Release Date: August 2

 

The Cautious Maiden by Dawn Crandall

 

 

No cover for this one yet, but it's coming soon!

 

 

Reason:  I've loved her previous books and we get to see Vance redeemed (hopefully)!

Release Date: October (I don't have a specific date, yet)

 

 

 

Conspiracy of Silence by Ronie Kendig

 

 

No cover yet, but I have on good authority that it's awesome!

 

 

Reason: Ronie Kendig - need I say more?

Release Date: December (so far away!  But so many books before then to savor whilst I wait!)

 



Also, I don't have dates for these, but I believe (Okay, I'm hoping)  Hallee Bridgeman's  A Harmony for Steve will be releasing this year, along with Julie Lessman's next book, the title of which I actually can't remember at the moment (please comment, if you know what it is!).


So, there's my list!  Are there any I'm missing?  What are a few books that you're excited to read? 

Please note:  All cover photos and release dates were copied from Christianbook.com.  No infringement intended.



My Review: Until the Dawn

I'm going to be honest and admit that I really don't care for this cover.  The colors, her dress, the drive the estate on the lower half - none of them are my particular cup of tea.  It's not one I would pick randomly off the shelf, had I not known the author.  That being said, the back cover is gorgeous!  Which, unfortunately, I can't show you.  But just know that it is.

Description:
A volunteer for the newly established Weather Bureau, Sophie van Riijn needs access to the highest spot in her village to report the most accurate readings. Fascinated by Dierenpark, an abandoned mansion high atop a windswept cliff in the Hudson River Valley, Sophie knows no better option despite a lack of permission from the absent owners.

The first Vandermark to return to the area in sixty years, Quentin intends to put an end to the shadowy rumors about the property that has brought nothing but trouble upon his family. Ready to tear down the mansion, he is furious to discover a local woman has been trespassing on his land.

Instantly at odds, Quentin and Sophie find common ground when she is the only one who can reach his troubled son. There’s a light within Sophie that Quentin has never known, and a small spark of the hope that left him years ago begins to grow. But when the secrets of Dierenpark and the Vandermark family history are no longer content to stay in the past, will tragedy triumph or can their tenuous hope prevail?


About the Author:
Elizabeth Camden is a research librarian at a small college in central Florida. Her novels have won the coveted RITA and Christy Awards. She has published several articles for academic publications and is the author of four nonfiction history books. Her ongoing fascination with history and love of literature have led her to write inspirational fiction. Elizabeth lives with her husband near Orlando, Florida.








My Review:  3.5 stars
I really wish websites offered half-star ratings. Because 3 stars doesn’t do it justice, but I feel 4 is stretching my enjoyment a bit. So 3.5 would be my rating of choice. That being said, I did enjoy this book and found it quite engrossing, but there were a couple things that bothered me about it, as well, hence the indecision.

I personally adore historical fiction and Elizabeth Camden is by far one of my favorite authors in the genre. She’s known for unique characters and stories set in unusual places. Her books are always rich in historical detail and I find them entirely engrossing. I love her writing style and how she brings the characters to life within the pages of her stories. Who else could make me so thoroughly love an embittered man determined to destroy his ancestor’s home? I was pulled into the story from the first page and didn’t want to put it down, but then, something changed about half way through. I’m not sure I can even pinpoint the difference, but the story seemed to change drastically and while I still wanted to find out the ending, I found myself losing interest in the characters. Sections of the story felt contrived, as though maybe the author didn’t know where to go next and simply added an odd twist. The ending was also rather abrupt, though I’ve noticed that trend in a couple of her previous books, so I really can’t fuss too much.

I really loved Sophie, with her happiness and sunshine. She was determined to be kind and gracious, even when someone (Quentin in particular) was incredibly rude. Her joy and grace worked to balance Quentin’s bad temper and surly attitude, and seeing him through her eyes allowed me to like this otherwise unlikable man. He also worked to balance Sophie’s “Sally sunshine” demeanor so that the book wasn’t too sugary sweet. Though some may not like Quentin’s character, I found him interesting. He’s had many trials to overcome and rather than turning to faith, he’s turned to science to explain away everything or even to heal him. He battles almost constant pain and depression as a result of it. While he’s not the most lovable person to begin with, knowing his perspective helped me to understand why he was acting and reacting with such a force of temper. I enjoyed seeing his transformation as he learned to let go of his bitterness and embrace happiness again.

I’m going to be honest, the main issue I had with this story was the spiritual concepts displayed. Though some have called it “preachy,” I’m actually going to say the opposite. There is much talk of curses, magic, and Quentin’s grandfather searching for “transcendence.” Quentin himself scoffs at the idea of any god for much of the story. He firmly believes everything can be explained by science. We have several differing views, obviously, but though Sophie is the Christian in the midst of this, she really doesn’t share her perspective very often. It really bothered me that they compared Dierenpark to the Garden of Eden, but even that wasn’t my main problem. When something couldn’t be explained by science, it was almost always brushed off as magic or as simply beyond our understanding. It didn’t point to God. And there are several times when Quentin is considering God and feels as though there is a presence of “something - or someone” written exactly like that every time. I understood that he was still considering the idea of a Creator God, but the author never flat out says that it’s God and it drove me crazy! I didn’t appreciate her alluding to Him, without ever being straightforward about it. I believe doing that left the book with a murky sense of spirituality.

Overall opinion: This book is well written with excellent characters and great historical depth. If you ignore the somewhat murky spirituality and the abrupt shift in the middle of the book, it’s really a very interesting story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.

You know, I really wanted to love this book . . . I started into it so incredibly excited.  One of my favorite authors has a new book releasing?  "Yes!!"  I fell in love with her writing when I first discovered The Lady of Bolton Hill and have been an avid fan ever since.  I don't know if perhaps her writing is changing, or if my perspective and what I desire in a book has shifted.  Either way, I'm still hoping to read her next book, which releases in June, I think.  I hope you enjoyed my review and will consider stopping by again!
As always, if you'd like to look into the book further, perhaps read some other opinions, links are below.  Enjoy your day!

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My Review: One Enchanted Christmas

How gorgeous is this cover?!  Now, I may be just a teeny-tiny bit biased, because yes, I love the color blue, and lights.  Lights look great and it's just so pretty!  I love it!  I want to visit and sit on the bench (which plays a pretty big part in the story) and just enjoy the peace.  The setting looks peaceful, to me. 

Description:
Last December, mystery author Maren Grant had the most perfect night of her life. On a glimmering winter evening, she got to watch the photo shoot for her very first book and ended up on a magical date with the cover model himself—Colin Renwycke.

Fast forward one year. This December, with a looming deadline, restless spirit and her creative spark long since gone, Maren is desperate to get unstuck. And she can’t get Colin out of her head…or his year-old open invitation to spend a couple weeks writing at his family’s farm.

Drew Renwycke never planned to come home and take over the Renwycke family farm. But he’s spent too many years watching his siblings unravel, including his brother, Colin, after one terrible family mistake. If moving to Maple Valley, Iowa, renovating an old farmhouse and switching careers is what it takes to put the Renwycke family back together, he’ll do it.

But his simple plan upends when a scrappy author lands on his doorstep. And she just might be the key to coaxing his brother home. But what if he wants her all to himself? Drew will have to choose between his Christmas wish and the enchantment of a holiday romance that just might be the happy ending they all long for.



 

About the Author:
Melissa Tagg is a former reporter, current nonprofit grant writer and total Iowa girl. She writes romantic comedies in the banter-filled style of her favorite 1930s and 40s classic films. When she's not writing she can be found hanging out with the coolest family ever, watching old movies, and daydreaming about her next book. Melissa loves connecting with readers at www.melissatagg.com and on Facebook and Instagram.





My Review: 5 stars
I have two confessions: I’m not a novella person. Or a Christmas person, actually. But, I absolutely adore Ms. Tagg’s writing, so I was super excited to read this book! I was also SO ready to revisit Maple Valley! I fell in love with the town in her first novella, Three Little Words, that gave me the first glimpse of this completely charming little town. Then From the Start completely sold me on it. So a chance to revisit such a delightful place while also getting to read more of Melissa’s stories? Sign me up!

What to say about this lovely story? Well, first off, I love the her writing style! The descriptions are so unique, but so completely appropriate and give life to words on a page. And the details she continues to include just add even more depth to the town and the characters therein. I also really liked the narrative style to the story. It was quirky and funny, but so completely Melissa. It allowed the book to span a decent amount of time without the story feeling rushed or forced. It also allowed her to fill in gaps quickly, keeping it at novella length.

Maren and Drew are such compelling characters and I really enjoyed their story. Both of them are trying to figure where they belong, while fighting insecurities and questions about if the path they’ve chosen is the right one. I can definitely relate to them and I had to love how audacious Maren was in finally stepping out and chasing the question of “what if?” She made me want to follow in her footsteps, especially if they led me to Maple Valley, too.

Drew is the serious one, who feels as though the whole world rests on his shoulders, or at least the responsibility of his family. I think he wants to fix everything that’s wrong and maybe the past, while he’s at it. But everything he’s trying just keeps coming back at him. He wants to help, but doesn’t know what to do next. I could also very much relate to this and I’m sure many others probably can, as well. I enjoyed watching Maren pull him out of his shell and really get to know him. He needed someone to help shoulder his burdens and she was the perfect person to do that.

Honestly, I can’t think of a single thing I didn’t like about the story. Which, if you typically read my reviews, you’ll know that’s rather uncommon. I’m a nitpicker, but not this time. Melissa has done an excellent job with this book and I can’t wait for her next one! Though the word “novella” generally leads me to think a light story without much depth, Melissa delivers so much beyond that expectation. This story has depth, a seriousness behind the light moments that made me stop and think more than once. And despite my being a bit of a Scrooge, I adored this Christmas story!

I received an advanced copy of this book from the author for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

*I'm going to tack on to the end here that I loved the sweetly old fashioned feel of the story.  I don't know if that's what Melissa was aiming for, but I loved it nonetheless.

And that's it!  Thank you so much for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed my review and will come again soon!  This is definitely a Christmas novella that I recommend and right now, it's only $0.99* so if you need a treat and a break from all of the hustle and bustle of Christmas, this is a great way to spend a few hours.  As always, if you're interested, purchase links are below.
In case I'm not back on here before then, I hope you have a very blessed and joy-filled Christmas!

*I think the sale ends December 12.  You'll want to double check the price, in case I'm mistaken.

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