Hi everyone. I got an email from Amazon to advise that they now ship from within Canada. Here is a copy of the email:
This is great news all around. I have gone onto my dashboard and set all my Canada paperback print prices now, and some of the ones Amazon had put in auotmatically were somewhat high and needed lowering significantly, so I would urge you to do the same as soon as you can.
Hope you all find this helpful!
See you soon 🙂
Hi everyone. I just had to share this book review for Eventide, by Mae Clair, over at Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore today … I loved the Hode’s Hill Series, as this review shows, lol >>>
Although not officially available until after Christmas, the latest book by Mae Clair is on Pre-Order – Eventide (A Hode’s Hill Novel Book 3) for December 31st, so an opportunity to giv…
Hi everyone, another reblog of a book release … this one from uber supportive author and blogger Sally Cronin. Hop on over and check out her book of poetry and short stories >>>
Delighted to share the news of my own new release today. Life’s Rich Tapestry : Woven in Words is a collection of verse, micro fiction and speculative short stories. About Life’s Rich T…
Hi everyone. I’m thrilled to reblog Don Massenzio’s post about his newly released audiobooks. Go check them out at his place 🙂 >>>
I know I have been away from my blog for a bit and I’m starting to dive back in. That doesn’t mean that my author life went totally dormant during that time. I spent the time working wi…
Hi everyone! My latest book, a Christmas Romance Novella, gets some love over at Craig Boyack’s place today >>>
Let’s all welcome Harmony Kent today. She has a fun new Christmas romance story to share with everyone. Take it away, Harmony. *** Hi everyone, Harmony here. I’m so thrilled to be visiting wi…
Source: Oh Baubles
Hello everyone. Check out this awesome post on idea generation from Staci Troilo over at Story Empire today: if you’re ever stuck for story ideas, this isn’t to be missed >>>
Ciao, amici! I wanted to discuss idea generation today. I’ve always known this was a possibility (and maybe I’ve even subconsciously done this before), but after a long discussion—…
Harmony Kent
Posted in blog tour, Cover Reveal, guest post, New book release, short fiction
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10 Comments ↓
Hi everyone. Harmony here. Today, it gives me great pleasure to showcase the book cover for the latest anthology from All Authors, which I’m involved in >>>
First, the blurb …
Stories included:
Hi everyone … I have a question on writing and reading a series for you over at Story Empire today >>>
Hello SErs. Harmony here. At the moment, I’m writing a trilogy, and I have a question about how you like for each book in a series to end. Cliffhanger or all tied off and settled? Or somethin…
Check out this great post on writing for specific time periods by Mae Clair over at Story Empire today >>>
Happy Monday, SEers! You’re with Mae today as we wind down to the last week of November. If you live in the U.S., that means it’s almost Thanksgiving. I wish you a happy Turkey Day in …
Source: Researching Other Time Periods
Welcome to this year’s Christmas book fair where I will be sharing the books of all the authors on the shelves of the Cafe and Bookstore with their most recent review in the last six months. I will…
Check out Craig Boyack’s latest book, Serang >>>
I think some of you are suffering from tour fatigue, and I am, too. Between two books, it’s been a long process. I hope you’ll indulge me one last post about Serang, and it will be mine…
Source: A bit about Serang
My latest book gets some Christmas love over at Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore Christmas Book Fair … I’m thrilled! >>>
Delighted to share the news of a Christmas themed new release from award winning Harmony Kent.. on pre-order until December 6th at 99p/99c – Oh Baubles: A Christmas Romance Novella. About Oh …
Check out today’s Friday Book Share from Staci Troilo over at Story Empire >>>
Ciao, amici! This is my last book share for the year, so I’m going to do something a little different than usual. I’m choosing five books. That’s right, not one,but five. Why? Tw…
Hello everyone. Today, it gives me great pleasure to welcome fellow author, Sarah Stuart, who is showcasing her latest book release. Her post says it all, so I’ll let her take it from here >>>
Hi, Sarah here, everybody. Harmony kindly tweeted my latest release when it was on pre-order, so thank you, my friend, for hosting me now it’s live. I do have a secret! Back in 2014, Harmony read and reviewed my first book, Dangerous Liaisons. She obviously enjoyed the story – she gave it 4 stars – the fifth fell to her claim that it needed an editor. Obviously, I was upset! Most definitely not on speaking terms with this… this person who had insulted my baby. That lasted until I admitted the truth – Harmony was 100% right.
Three more books in the Royal Command Family Saga – edited and proofread – followed, and then I changed tack from steamy sizzle to Christian YA, and even dipped a cautious toe into horror. By now, I was seeing Boxed Sets advertised, so I approached my cover designer. Her first effort was traditional. Four book-ends showing the title and the front of Dangerous Liaisons – nothing wrong with it, but I wanted “different”.
All the books are written as standalones, each with a happy ending. To achieve that, minor threads had been left “more or less” covered. Imagine a tapestry that looks great from the front until it’s stretched for framing. Missed stitches show as holes and dangling wool ends appear as worms. I reread all four books and then wrote Sizzling Sunset, a novella that rounds off everything. Introducing my huge cast, who appear slowly throughout the saga, would have been impossible, so Sizzling Sunset will remain exclusive to the new book.
“Michael, a poverty-stricken amateur actor makes superstar abetted by wife Elspeth. Unknown to Michael, Elspeth and their daughter are influenced by a literary heirloom. Seductions, betrayals, kidnap, blackmail, & murder follow. The Spy, an unscrupulous journalist, is out to prove rumour true & see Michael jailed for incest, hiring a hit man, or both.”
Amazon Book Description
Michael, a poverty-stricken amateur actor/singer, makes it to superstar, abetted by Elspeth, his beloved wife. Michael faces an overwhelming celebrity lifestyle, whilst The Spy, a sensationalist journalist, spearheads media attacks.
Elspeth, only daughter of a wealthy Scottish laird, persuades Clement, a multi-millionaire impresario, to cast Michael in a starring role. The musical is a spectacular success in London’s West End and on Broadway.
But, unknown to Michael, Elspeth and their eldest daughter, Lisette, are influenced by a literary heirloom originally owned by Margaret Tudor and her potentially dangerous command, “find love where ye may”, which leads to risqué seductions and infidelities.
Success and wealth beyond Michael’s wildest dreams, and his love for Elspeth, are marred by one mistake that haunts him. Blackmail, child-kidnap, a brutal murder, sex-trafficking – all ammunition The Spy uses in his attempts to bring down Michael, the Diamond Superstar.
Tempted? Maybe; I’m holding the price at 99p/99c for a little longer.
viewbook.at/RoyalCommandFamilySaga
Find me at – authorsarahstuart.com
https://www.amazon.com/Sarah-Stuart/e/B00MA9XLHI
Again, thank you, Harmony, for your hospitality. Sarah xx
Thanks, Sarah. I have my copy on my ereader and can’t wait to read the whole series. Best of luck with everything! Hugs, Harmony xx
Hi everyone. Harmony here with another book review for you. This one is a little bit different in that it’s an audiobook. Fellow author and friend, Verwayne Greenhoe, offered me a free copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Here are my thoughts >>>
A husband writes about his romance, marriage, honeymoon, and life with the woman of his dreams. Tender moments of love and intimacy build a strong relationship that can not be torn apart by her history of sexual abuse as a child, her slow decline into dementia and Alzheimer’s. Written by the author of the February 2018 Rave Review Book Club ‘Book of the Month’ selection, “The Totally Unnecessary Death of Amanda Dawn,” the reader gets to feel some of the joy, the love, the intimacy, the happiness, the pain, regret, and the sadness of this relationship over the course of forty plus years. From the shyness to the sadness, the author reveals it all. When his wife could no longer remember it, Verwayne Greenhoe remembers for her in “I Remember Judy – A Love Story. ”
This is my first review for an audiobook. It’s a bit different because a lot of issues are hidden to the listener, not having a text to read. Anyway, here goes …
First up, many thanks to the author, Verwayne Greenhoe, for a free Review copy of this audiobook from Audible.
As the book description says, this is first and foremost a true life love story. I felt that the author wrote cleary and honestly. Sometimes, for me personally, a little too honestly at times. I found myself wondering if I would want my husband to share some of that same deeply personal stuff at some unknown point in the future … I’m not so sure I would. But that’s a personal thing, not necessarily an editorial one.
Many times, the writer apologised for writing about how many times they told one another ‘I love you’ and other such beautiful things that he says may come across as ‘goofy’. I can assure him that they don’t. If they are, then that makes my husband and I just as goofy, because we’re that way with one another all day every day, lol.
The narrator did a good job of rendering the author’s voice. On a very few occasions, while trying to narrate an adult female voice, I felt it sounded patronising and too much of a little girl voice, which made me cringe at times. The rest of it was well done and pleasing to the ear.
A few issues of word repetition and unecessary fillers (she nodded her head, instead of she nodded, or he shrugged his shoulders, instead of simply he shrugged, or overusing the same word in close succession, and that kind of thing) interrupted the flow, but all in all, I enjoyed this audiobook immensely. It’s a new way of ‘reading’ for me, but one that I enjoyed.
The audio production sounded professional, and the story itself is a lovely poignant listen. I give this audiobook a solid 4 stars.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
My latest non-fiction book, Creative Solutions for the Modern Writer, gets some love over at Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore Christmas Book Fair, along with a wonderful collection of authors and books >>>
Welcome to this year’s Christmas book fair where I will be sharing the books of all the authors on the shelves of the Cafe and Bookstore with their most recent review in the last six months. I will…
Check out this useful post from PH Solomon over at Story Empire today … I could have done with knowing all this when I first set up as an author >>>
Good morning story Empire readers, P. H. here today with another edition of Author Essentials. Previously to foundation topics were discussed, domain name choices and establishing an email address …
Hello everyone. Today, I have two book reviews for you. The first is a review for fellow author and friend Bette A Stevens with her book of Haiku. The second is a review read I had from NetGalley about a mother who spirals into madness and depression. Sad to say, once again, it looks like the indie read is the better one. Here are my reviews >>>
Inspired by The Pine Tree State—Maine’s diverse landscape, natural beauty, rural communities, and independent people—the author’s 150 haiku poems, along with 49 of her photographs, reflect the Maine she knows and loves. Bette A. Stevens’s imagery draws the reader into her world of wonder and delight. My Maine takes readers on a poetic journey through Maine’s four seasons. Whether you’re a native Mainer or from away, Stevens’s short story poems and photographs will resonate. The collection opens with a haiku tribute, “Maine Pines and People.” The journey continues with the rejuvenating spirit of “Spring Awakenings” and “Summer Songs”; then on to more of the magic and majesty of the places and people of Maine in “Autumn Leaves” and “Winter Tales.” This is a poetry collection to be slowly savored, made even more delectable with the author’s original drawings and photographs. In addition to its poems and photographs, My Maine includes state symbols and interesting facts about The Pine Tree State.
A wonderful collection of Haiku. The author obviously loves the state of Maine in all its seasons. I enjoyed this little book enough to be inspired to put my review into a Haiku too …
Evocative words
Awesome, alluring pictures
A wonderful book!
I’ve read all of Bette Stevens’ books and admire this writer greatly. My Maine gets a solid 5 stars from me.
Kyra Wilder’s LITTLE BANDAGED DAYS, in which a protagonist experiences a slow slide into insanity as the isolation of her new life engulfs her; moving to Geneva for her husband’s job, she settles in with her two young children; everything seems perfect in their beautiful new home, but her husband’s frequent, extended absences and the weight of the quiet loneliness after her children go to bed soon become unbearable, to Sophie Jonathan at Picador USA, for publication in early 2020.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Pan MacMillan for a free ARC of this book.
While the story started out well enough, it soon proved to be a slow and tedious read. None of the dialogue is within quote marks, which can make for difficult reading at times. Also, we’re in the head of the main character all the time who is slowly spiralling into madness. At no point could I say this was a fun or entertaining read, and with the unsatisfactory ending, I now wonder why I ever spent about five hours reading this novel.
While some of the writing was well executed, I don’t get the point of the book. It isn’t fun. It doesn’t entertain. I can see no message or point to it at all. It gets a soft 2 stars from me.
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
Slowly, I’m working my way through my TBR, which is still beastly enough to be scary, lol. 🙂
Hi everyone. Today, I have another book review for you. I first came across this book via a reblog on Sally’s Cafe and Bookstore and loved the review so much, I got a copy. I finally got around to reading it and wish I’d done it much sooner. Here’s my review >>>
Delve into the deeper reaches of the human condition and the darkness that lives there.
A girl haunted by her sister’s drowning. A boy desperate for his father’s affection. A woman forced to make a devastating decision. A man trapped by his obsessions.
Experience tales of love, loss, murder, and madness through this collection of flash and micro fiction.
Take a peek behind the smile of a stranger. Get a glimpse inside the heart of a friend. Scratch the surface and discover what is hidden beneath.
These stories will open your mind, tug at your thoughts, and allow you to explore the possibility that, even in the brightest moments, something is Hinting at Shadows.
Each selection is approximately 100 words, with a bonus section of Microbursts in which each story is told in 50 words or less.
This is a collection of flash fiction broken up into four sections, and it is an easy and quick read.
Having said that, brief as these snippets are, they go deep. I reckon I shall be re-reading this one over and over again. Here are a couple of lines that stood out for me:
‘Till the earth of who I was. From this mangled mass of roots, let something whole and healthy break through. Let something beautiful grow.’ and …
‘My life ebbs away, sailing from the shifting shore of my body like a piece of driftwood floating out to sea.’
And another one, which made me chuckle–I could relate to this one! … ‘The doctors say “insomnia” and prescribe pills. I say “writer” and pick up a pen.’
The writing was that good that I wanted each story to continue, but this is flash and micro fiction, so they don’t. Some of the stories are more like teasers and slice-of-life but brilliant nonetheless.
I read this in one go and couldn’t put it down. It gets a solid five stars from me.
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
Check out this post on editing by Joan Hall over on Story Empire today >>>
Hey, SE Readers. Joan here today with a subject near and dear to our hearts. Writing. Okay, little joke there. If you weren’t interested in writing, you wouldn’t be reading this blog. We all know e…
Hi everyone. I have a question on whether or not you can read through a book full of errors if the story is a good one … check it out over on Story Empire >>>
Hello SErs. Harmony here for another Friday Writing Question. After years of reading books and enjoying so many different authors, I then began writing and publishing for myself. At some point, I r…
Source: Friday Writing Question
Harmony Kent
Posted in AmWriting, Cover Reveal, Kindle Unlimited, New book release, short fiction, Story Empire
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10 Comments ↓
Hi everyone. As promised, here is a sneek peek from my latest book, Oh Baubles, a clean Christmas Romance Novella …
Christmas Romance Novella
I hope you’ve enjoyed this little excerpt. From December, I’ll be on a couple of blogs around the web, and I’d love to see you there. I’ll be sharing some more snippets of Christmas romance fun and frolicks with you. Here’s the line up …
Monday 2nd December, Craig Boyack on Entertaining Stories
Tuesday 10th December, Joan Hall on JoanHall Blog
Thursday 12th December, Mae Clair on From the Pen of Mae Clair
In the meantime, have fun! And thanks for all your support, everyone 🙂
Pre-order link: http://mybook.to/OhBaubles
Just 99 cents / 99 pence!
©Harmony Kent 2019
Hi everyone. Today, it gives me great pleasure to post my review of Eventide, the third and final book in the Hodes Hill Series by Mae Clair, fellow author and friend. I received a free advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I’ll let the book and my review say the rest >>>
The darkness is coming . . .
The old house near Hode’s Hill, Pennsylvania is a place for Madison Hewitt to start over—to put the trauma of her husband’s murder, and her subsequent breakdown, behind her. She isn’t bothered by a burial plot on the property, or the mysterious, sealed cistern in the basement. Not at first. Even the presence of cold spots and strange odors could be fabrications of her still troubled mind. But how to explain her slashed tires, or the ominous messages that grow ever more threatening?
Convinced the answer lies in the past, Madison delves into the history of the home’s original owners, only to discover the origin of a powerful evil. An entity that may be connected to a series of gruesome attacks that have left police baffled. No matter where she turns—past or present—terror lingers just a step away, spurred on by a twisted obsession that can only be satisfied through death…
Thanks to NetGalley and Lyrical Underground for an ARC of this book.
I have read all of Mae Clair’s Hodes Hill books, and this one is by far my favourite. I loved the mix of the supernatural with typical ghosts spiced up with a deadly and terrifying ghoul. All in all, this is a great series that works well both to read as a run on and for each book to stand alone, although you get more by seeing the character progression throughout the series if you read them in order. Having read of Madison, the main character, in previous books and seeing her struggle through the eyes of others, it is nice to see her getting a book to herself, and what a strong heroine she turns out to be.
The plot runs both in the past (1800s) and in the present day and gives you plenty of mystery, suspense, and twists in both timelines. While I sussed out that something was up with the historical brothers early on, I completely failed to work out what it was, so kudos to the author for that bit of cunning.
I highly recommend this book and will be reading more from this writer. A solid five star read.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
You have to check out this post on Stock Characters by Craig Boyack over at Story Empire. I love it! >>>
Hi gang. Craig with you again. Earlier this year, I wrote a series here about The Hero’s Journey. This is a link to PART ONE. Then I went on to write several Expansion Packs. Those are easy enough …
Source: Expansion Pack: Stock Characters
Hi everyone. Harmony here with another book review to share. This one is from an advanced review copy provided via NetGalley and Random House UK. I greatly enjoyed this read, and here’s the book description and my review …
Every town has its secrets. Lesley Kara knows them all . . .
From the author of 2019’s biggest crime thriller debut, The Rumour, comes an addictive new novel . . .
It’s been 192 days, seven hours and fifteen minutes since her last drink. Now Astrid is trying to turn her life around.
Having reluctantly moved back in with her mother, in a quiet seaside town away from the temptations and painful memories of her life before, Astrid is focusing on her recovery. She’s going to meetings. Confessing her misdeeds. Making amends to those she’s wronged.
But someone knows exactly what Astrid is running from. And they won’t stop until she learns that some mistakes can’t be corrected.
Some mistakes, you have to pay for . . .
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for the ARC of this book.
We meet Astrid, a recovering alcoholic … sober now for 192 days, seven hours and fifteen minutes.
Then we meet the cute hunk, Josh … who still needs to recover from the sudden and tragic death of his mother.
Then there are all the supporting characters and a true-to-life small-British-town feel. A great mix.
I found this to be a fun read, which didn’t go too deep and kept things fairly light despite the content matter. The experiences for both the alcoholic main character and for her supporting characters were realistic, and I felt for the MC and her mother most especially. While I did guess who the culprit was way early, I still enjoyed the getting there part.
The plot has some good twists in there, and following Astrid while she teeters on the edge of the sober-wagon makes for an intriguing and mildly suspenseful read. I found myself rooting for her, and I could easily understand her struggles. I felt that her character arc was well portrayed from weak and a little pathetic to growing stronger and more determined to solve her own problems and get on with her life.
I give this book a strong 4 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it.
***
NOTE ON RATINGS: I consider a 3-star rating a positive review. Picky about which books I give 5 stars to, I reserve this highest rating for the stories I find stunning and which moved me.
5 STARS: IT WAS AMAZING! I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN! — Highly Recommended.
4 STARS: I WOULD PULL AN ALL-NIGHTER — Go read this book.
3 STARS: IT WAS GOOD! — An okay read. Didn’t love it. Didn’t hate it.
2 STARS: I MAY HAVE LIKED A FEW THINGS —Lacking in some areas: writing, characterisation, and/or problematic plot lines.
1 STAR: NOT MY CUP OF TEA —Lots of issues with this book.
Check out this fun post on apps for writers from Mae Clair over at Story Empire >>> Would you dare the Write or Die?? >>>
Hi, SeERs. It’s another Mae Day on Story Empire. As writers we’re always looking for ways to increase our creativity and our productivity, right? Today, I’m sharing several apps t…
Source: Cool Apps for Writers
Harmony Kent
Posted in Cover Reveal, Kindle Unlimited, New book release, short fiction, Story Empire
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14 Comments ↓
Hi everyone. A very happy Harmony here! My latest book, a Christmas Romance novella just went live on Pre-order 🙂
(Doing my happy dance.)
It’s a nice quick read at just 64 pages, excluding front and back matter.
Here’s the cover and blurb for you …
After a tragic accident one Christmas, Charlene loses her husband and her leg.
Scarred and damaged, the losses leave her lost and reeling, and a long recovery lies ahead of her.
When John, a hot young physiotherapist, comes into her life with his ripped abs and good-god good-looks, she can’t imagine he’d give somebody like her a second glance.
Then she falls for him.
Can Charlene overcome all obstacles to gain back her life and find true love once more?
Find out in this fun-filled, clean Christmas romance novella from award-winning author Harmony Kent.
The universal Pre-order link is:
and the eBook and paperback go live on December 6th.
Watch this space, as I’ll be posting a teaser sneek peek for you soon!
Thanks for stopping by 🙂
©Harmony Kent 2019
A quick, easy, and FREE method of backing up your precious manuscript >>>
Hello SErs. Harmony here. It always saddens me beyond measure when I read that a fellow author has lost all their hard work due to a computer failure, lost laptop, or any number of other reasons. W…
A new book from C S Boyack with a cover I love! For more about this, check out the original post >>>
I allowed myself that extra hour of sleep the time change provided. This isn’t my first book, so I didn’t completely panic when I got up. I went through my morning routine, fed the dogs…
Source: It worked. It’s a book
An interesting post on research in writing today by Mae Clair over on Story Empire >>>
Hi, SeERs! It’s another Mae Day on Story Empire 🙂 I know research has been discussed multiple times, including some brilliant posts by my colleagues at SE, but I hope you’ll indulge m…
Source: Research: How deep do you go?
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