Pro Resumes Made Easy Book Review and Tour

I read Pro Resumes Made Easy (The Made Easy Series) in exchange for honest review from Reading Addiction Blog Tours. The book was written by Andrea Plum. This post does contain Amazon affiliate links and images.

Excerpt: From media kit. 

Chapter 1 – Some basics

What is the purpose of a resume? If you ask most people, they will tell you it is “to get a job interview.” Yes, that’s right it is designed to get you a job interview. But a resume is also designed to sell you, or generate enough interest in you to make the reader make contact and schedule a meeting time. Your resume has had enough impact, that out of the hundreds of resumes a recruiter receives in their email inbox daily, yours has stood out.

If you’ve heard the saying that recruiter’s look at most resumes for between 5 and 20 seconds, it’s true. Add to that equation the fact that resumes are now received via email inbox, and you need to consider the fact that this means that the top third of your first page will be the first thing the recruiter sees when they click open the attachment.

I’ll be running you through the step by step process I use when writing a resume. My resumes are written in a way that they;

• Catch the recruiters eye immediately
• Give them a reason to keep on reading
• Stand out by writing them in a way that only 5% of all job applicants use effectively; and
• Works with scanning software sometimes used by recruiters
• Makes the reader want to meet with you!

About the Author: from media kit

Andrea started her professional resume writing career in 1998, forming a professional resume writing service online for all professions.

In April 2011, she successfully transitioned the business over to new management, in order to focus on her specialty niche, IT professionals, Executives and Managers.

Why?

Well, in Andrea's words "Executives and Managers are accustomed to collaborating to produce cutting edge results, and so are professional in their dealings enabling a unique and top class result and enabling me to write even better career marketing documents."

This doesn't mean that if you are not an executive or Manager she can't help you. It simply means that unless you understand this is an investment and will involve some work on your part (providing the information needed) then it's probably best you look elsewhere that's all. 

My Review:

I wanted to read the book after reading a post in a group on Facebook about how to create the perfect resume to get a job. The post was discussing the right length of a resume. For me, I was told a perfect resume was one to two pages from a recruiter at a job fair. She said she preferred one page and mine at that time was two pages. The recruiter basically said to keep it short and simple, and provided more details at the interview. Finally, the recruiter said to be more detailed. Instead of saying, you have responsibilities in x, y, and z, provided examples of x, y, and z instead.


Pro Resumes Made Easy (The Made Easy Series) consists of 18 chapters, which helps you create a professional resume, cover letter, and reference page, in addition to tips for job interviews and common mistakes with resumes. A resume is a summary of your current and past job experiences. A resume can help you get or not get a job. Job applicants need to create a resume, which will capture the recruiters attention quickly.

For example, Drew discussed how you don't need to use the word resume as the title of a resume. I am guilty of this big time. Next, Drew discussed how you don't need to include name, address, and telephone as headings.

Interesting story: I usually create my own resumes. A few years ago, a friend asked to re-do my resume and I gave him the information. When I got his revised copy, I was shocked. It was a nice resume, but he padded a lot of the information. For example, I used to work at a manufacturing plant. One of the first jobs I had was assembly and production. I later worked as a machine operator, material handler, and final tester. When I was working assembly and production, my job was to make boxes, then fill the boxes with completed parts, in addition to taking the production to the warehouse.

My new resume said I was responsible for floor layout. It also said I was fluent in software, I never heard of. I could not use the resume.

Other tips I liked in the book include:

• Include the position you are applying for. 
• If you include hard skills, provide evidence of experience. Providing evidence helps your resume stand out more to the recruiter. For example, instead of saying I have customer service experience. I can say I received customer service training when I worked at both Aramark and Atlanta Expo Cafe. I can also provide examples of how I applied the training. For example, when I worked at the Cafe, a elderly lady in a wheelchair, needed assistance getting to a table. The restaurant space was small and not laid out for wheelchairs. I moved some tables and chairs around, then asked her if she wanted me to push her to where she wanted to go. I helped her through the food line, then sat her and her family down at their preferred table.
• Drew mentioned how you can provide problems, discuss how you resolved the problem, and then provide the results.
• Include keywords, just in case, the recruiter uses scanning software. 
• Don't forget to include your contact details. Contact details should include home phone number, cell phone number, and email address. You also can include address. On another note, I was told never to include address in a resume. The reason being is that some recruiters will not hire someone based on distance from home to the job. If they need you to come in at the last minute, and you live an hour away, the job may not be a fit for you. I have worked at jobs, which was over an hour away by public transportation. I had one job, which was 10 minutes by car, from my house, but over an hour away by bus. My house and job was on the same street, but since the street was long, it was covered by two busses. I had to catch one bus to get part of the way to the job and another bus to get to the job. I getting up earlier to walk to the one of two stops to catch the second bus, instead of waiting on two busses. I also have walked to the job, which took me about an hour as well. I stopped doing that quickly. 

The book is available in paperback for $10.02 and on Kindle for $3.99. If you have Amazon Prime, the book is Prime-Eligible and you can receive it within 2 days. 

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Why is the Sky Blue? Book Review, Blog Tour. Reading Addiction Blog Tours.

I reviewed Why is the Sky Blue by Shabana Muhajir, in exchange for review from Reading Addiction Blog Tours.

My Review:
The story is about two little boys and their mother, who visit the beach. One brings his art supplies and the other brings his toys. It's an nice day at the beach. After some observation, the boys ask their mother, why is the sky blue? The book then moves into an explanation of why the sky is blue. So, the book is now part children's and part educational (science). The mother explains the colors of the rainbow and the order of colors in the rainbow. The book also explains wavelengths (Brings me back to high school) and briefly touches the speed of light. The book also has a speech bubble about the earth's atmosphere. Finally, the book ended with an experiment with rainbows. There is also a glossary at the end of the book.

I loved reading the book. It was a quick read. I chose the book to read to the kids. Love any children's book, which is interesting, but not too long to lose attention. The book touches different aspects of science. great to incorporate into a homeschool curriculum. Loved reading the book.
About the Author: Copied from RABT

Shabana, a Canadian, spent her early years in various countries and now lives with her husband, two sons in Singapore. She has a Master’s degree in Education from Newfoundland and a Master’s in Business Administration from Windsor, Canada. She worked for a telecommunication company in Canada and Singapore for thirteen years as a marketing and business development professional. She’s currently working as a Director at a consulting firm, and serving as the Vice President/room parent co-ordinator of the PTA at her sons’ school. She loves to read both fiction and non-fiction books. Her kids are also avid readers and love performing experiments and finding out how things work. She conducts weekly experiments with them based on their interest and level of understanding. It was her boys’ curiosity and endless questions that led her to write her first book, Why is the Sky Blue?  She plans to write a series of non-fiction books on thought-provoking and interesting topics for children.

Facebook page is www.shabanamuhajirauthor
twitter page is @shabanamuhajir
webpage is www.shabanamuhajir.com

Links to Buy
www.amazon.com/author/shabanamuhajir
Book is now listed on www.bookdepository.com with free shipping worldwide.

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Reading Addiction Blog Tours: The Pact Book Review and Tour

I read The Pact by Graeme Brown, in exchange for review from Reading Addiction Blog Tours.

About the Book:

Will Lesterall grew up in his father's castle, safe from the outside world, full of Goblins, Ogres, Trolls, Knights, and Kings. The pact has kept the kingdom safe. Will is drawn into a conflict of Gods and a woman. The conflict requires blood and loyalty, in addition to changing Will for good. 

Buy Links

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Kindle (America)

Publisher

My Review:
The book was a good, quick read, full of mystical creatures and kingdom battles. Next, The book did contain a lot of characters, which was a little confusing in the beginning though. The book is meant to be read slow or you will get lost easily. 

The beginning had many kingdoms gathering together at Fort Lesterall for food and fun, in addition to celebrating the Pact. Fort Lesterall is flourishing and thriving for over 200 years. The Pact has kept the kingdom protected from harm. Will has been sheltered at the Fort for most of his life, because of the Pact. He has little real-life experience, except for the life behind the fort. Will has always been intrigued by his Uncle's stories of Goblins, Knights, and Trolls. The Pact will soon be challenged by the Unborns (Goblins), which means war. Will wants to protect the Fort and willing to fight for his kingdom. 

Author Bio: (copied from website)

Graeme Brown is has been enchanted by the epic fantasy genre since he was a child, and consequently he started creating his own world with its stories at the age of thirteen. Influenced by writers like J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert Jordan, and George R. R. Martin, he has finally brought the first of those stories to life with his debut title, a short story called The Pact—48 pages that will whisk you away to a dark, medieval fantasy world with gritty realism. When he’s not
writing, he can be found exploring number theory problems or writing computer programs, training for a marathon, or unwinding in a yoga hot room. He has also explored other facets of art, both as a hobby and a profession, including vector graphics, pen and ink, classical piano, and web design. Despite being a full time student and a junior editor for Champagne Books, he makes sure to do a little writing every day. He is presently busy with the first of many sequels to The Pact, A Thousand Roads. For more about Graeme, visit his blog, Blog or on Twitter



Excerpt: (from media kit)

The Stablehouse climbed three stories, a narrow building just twenty feet shy from touching the top of the double outer wall that surrounded the castle’s north flank. Lights shone in the top floor windows and a few others at ground level, where the horses were kept. Will hurried across the dark stones. The soft tap of his shoes against the cobbles echoed in the empty Square. In the middle, where the ground sloped down toward the sewer drains, the statue of Amarr the Barbarian cast a long shadow. Will passed into it and stopped. He heard voices. Two men spoke in hushed tones, but their words carried when the wind wasn’t gusting. “It’s that hag, I tell ya,” came one voice. “She’s roundin’ them up, preparing one of her big spells, she is. I heards there’s a sacrifice comin’, and she means to raise the dead.”

“Don’t be stupid, Roth.” Will recognized the raspy tone at once. It belonged to Mern, the whitesmith, whose half-slashed throat had never fully healed. Will squinted, but couldn’t see where the voices came from, other than realizing they drifted over from the dark, walled yard outside Hellistead’s Tavern. “I’ll not have ya callin’ me stupid. Oh no. I know what this is about an’hoo. You’re just afraids, justs protectin’ yurself. Ya know whatcha got in it, ands I don’t blame you for bitin’ your tongue.” “Quiet, you hay-brained crofter,” Mern spat. “Tonight’s not a night to whisper about such treacheries. The Lord Ham will cut your tongue out, and the world’ll be a better place for it if he does.” “Old Cren will put it back, if he do, but I says he’d best act quick, or he’ll be lacking for the parts as fits him proper. The night’s black, Mern, and it’s gettin’ blacker yet.”

There was a hollow clatter, then sharp hisses. The man who spoke improperly cursed in words that would have made Grandma Mae gasp then Will heard quick footsteps and a series of clunks. He looked back to the castle, to where father gathered his fighters, then the other way, to the Stablehouse. If father’s in trouble, I have to warn him. Will knew his words wouldn’t be taken seriously, though. He began to run across the stone expanse. Fort Lesterall won’t fall. Mern’s a wicked man, and whoever that other one is, he’s got no wits. Cren’s just an old woman who lives in the woods. She probably doesn’t even exist. The side door to the Stablehouse opened as Will arrived, revealing a long labyrinth of stalls lit by rows of hanging lanterns. Jak peeked from behind the door, and Will slipped inside. When the older boy closed it, the dangerous night seemed far away. They were alone, Jak peering at Will, a curry comb still clasped in his hand.

He was broad-limbed and of average height, with tousled hair the color of wet earth and eyes like onyx. As usual, he smelled of straw and horse manure, but that only made him all the more inviting. Jak grinned. “I thought you’d hurry over after the feast proper. Too many clouds tonight, though. I’m afraid we won’t be spying Hell’s Cap, but I’ve another surprise for you. Found it myself, last night.”“We won’t be going to the groves, Jak.” Will lowered his voice. “The Unborns are going to attack. Alter Dun showed the Red Token. That means the Unborns have challenged us. The Pact is broken. Even as we speak, my father’s gathering an army.” “Of course he is.” Will turned toward the metal spiral stair. Barrik, a wiry man with saltand-pepper hair and a bushy moustache, bent his impressive height as he descended from the second floor serving quarters. “I’ve a hundred retainers to see to and that’s lots of horseshit, my little prince.

A good thing they’ve taken to the barracks. I’m full, and there’s a thousand more coming, twenty companies marching under you uncle’s banner knight, Telliken. If we hold the night, then there will be others, and we’ll feed the Unborns hell like they haven’t seen in centuries. But if what I’ve heard’s true, then they have hell to feed us first, before we can draw breath.” Will gaped at the Master of Stables then shook his head fiercely. “Fort Lesterall cannot fall.” Barrik grunted, though it sounded like a laugh. He picked up a pail and carried it to a nearby stall. “I wish I believed that, lad, but this world’s not run on luck, I’m afraid. A man forges his own blade then learns to use it, or he gets cut by everyone around him. This world’s a fierce battlefield, a bitch with a thousand teeth.” “We can fight with them,” Jak insisted. “I’ve practiced with the sword you gave me lots of times in the groves. I’m not bad.” “You would be with armor on.” Barrik came out of the stall with a pail full of black dung. He looked at Will, at Jak, his expression grave. “No, you boys have another errand...

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Reading Addiction Blog Tours Crashing the CongressMan's Wedding Book Review and Tour

I read Crashing the Congressman's Wedding, in exchange for review from Reading Addiction Blog Tours. The book was written by Elley Arden. The book was published by Crimson Romance.

My Review:
The book starts out with Alice, getting ready to go to the wedding of the man she loves. The problem is that Justin is not getting married to her, but to someone else. Justin is also a congressman and his marriage was arranged for business purposes.

The book was a great read and it flowed well. I liked reading the book. It was not too fast or not to slow of a pace. The wedding scene was hilarious. Alice has to stop the wedding using a tiara as bait. She ran out first, with Justin following behind looking for answers. Justin went from a wedding to taking Alice and her dog out of town to escape drama, yet may ruin future business plans and his reputation.

I love the flow of the scenes. The beginning was fast paced and the rest of the book followed suit. I enjoyed reading the book.

Excerpt: (from media kit)
Alice jumped a wave, and Justin was assaulted by a flash of creamy skin and black lace. She was swimming in her underwear. Catching sight of a pile of clothes out of water’s reach, Justin shook his head. Apparently, she had ditched her dress. Why was he not surprised? “What are you doing?” he called above the surf. She flashed him a smile he hadn’t seen in years. “I’ve never been to the ocean.”  His untucked shirt tails whipped in the wind, and with the strength of his hands he fought  the chaos. “I guess that explains it.” She stayed smiling, considering him with the same hypnotic eyes he knew as a child. Back then, he wondered what she saw when she looked at him. Now, he was afraid to know the  “I’m going to get the bags and the dog out of the car, and then I’ll bring you a towel. Be careful. No further. You hear? In fact, stay closer to the beach. The undertow is strong, and I’d like to avoid another rescue.” A few steps up the beach and her wail hit his back. “I don’t need to be rescued.” But she did. Somebody had to keep her from making rash decisions, like stopping weddings and swimming in the ocean half-dressed. He slowed his pace and closed his eyes. That someone couldn’t—shouldn’t—be him. On an inhale, he opened his eyes and returned to the surf. “Fine. No more rescues.” “Good, because I’m not a baby. I can take care of myself. Stop telling me what to do. Stop treating me like you’re my father or my brother. You’re not. You’re just a guy. I’m just a girl. And you make life too complicated.” She raised her arms to her side and fell backwards into Justin’s heartbeat quickened as he searched the choppy water, waiting for her to surface. Her father died an alcoholic and her brother looked destined to follow. Not being lumped in their category was a good thing, but where did that leave him? Relief flooded him when her head broke the surface. She pushed soggy curls from her face, and raising her arms over head, spun until a wave knocked her off her feet. She was definitely not a baby. But if he was just a guy and she was just a girl, then bringing her with him was an even bigger risk. He had obligations, expectations and an image to uphold. In trying to avoid a scene at the church, he’d put himself in one hell of a compromising situation.


Amazon




About the Author:(copied from website)
Elley Arden is a born and bred Pennsylvanian who has lived as far west as Utah and as far north as Wisconsin. She drinks wine like it’s water (a slight exaggeration), prefers a night at the ballpark to a night on the town, and believes almond English toffee is the key to happiness. Elley has been reading romance novels since she was a sixteen-year-old babysitter, sneaking Judith McNaught and Danielle Steele novels off the bookshelves of the women who employed her. She started her first manuscript when she was twenty-five, writing during babies’ naps. A total of three children and ten years later, the manuscript was complete. Little did she know, her journey to publication was only beginning…Elley writes provocative contemporary romances for Crimson Romance.

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Scarred Love Book Review and Tour

I read Scarred Love, in exchange for review from Reading Addiction Blog Tours. The book was written by M.S. Brannon. 

About the Book: (copied from Reading Addiction Blog Tours)
Darcie Claiborne spent several years of her young life living with a monster, always fearing what he would do next. Clasping onto her last ounce of hope, Darcie releases a scream. It’s her final attempt to live; to survive the villain of her reality. Sweeping her up in his arms, Darcie’s knight in shining armor rescues her from the hell she’s been living; from the stepfather she's feared for all those years.

Reggie Evans has been forced to grow up before he’s ready when his mother dies of an overdose, leaving him responsible to raise his younger brothers. One fateful night, Reggie jogs by an old, run down house and discovers a young girl clinging to life as she screams for help.

Three years later, Darcie is healing and always protected by the man who saved her, but now she's fighting with something she isn't prepared to face. The growing love for the man who saved her life three years ago, the same man who’s nine years older. All the while, Reggie fights to protect Darcie from the demons of her past and new ones of her present.
Excerpt: (from media kit. copied). 

Darcie ~ Age 12
“Darcie, your stepfather does these things because you refuse to listen to anything I tell you,” my mom says while swallowing a handful of pills with her glass of red wine. “Just stay out of his way, be in your room when he’s home and it will give him less of a reason to punish you.” I’ve been putting up with Robert’s punishments for eight years and I’ve come to the conclusion that I will never escape them until I leave. My mom takes pills and drinks from her bottle of wine several times a day. When she’s not drinking or downing pills, she’s sleeping. I despise my mother. She’s weak and I fucking hate her. She tells me I deserve punishments and she’s probably right, but what she’s neglected to tell me is why she allows him to do it. I barely remember what our life was like before Robert Stein, but I know it was never this horrible. We managed  o have fun and I never lived in fear. Why did she let Robert change her? Isn’t a mother supposed to protect their child? Once a child is born, isn’t their mother expected to possess this sixth sense, that same kind of sense that can allow women to lift cars off their children? My thoughts fade as soon as she squeezes the ointment on her finger and rubs it onto the fresh cigar burns on my back and thighs. Robert never gave me a reason why he did it other than he couldn’t find his ashtray.

My Review:

I wanted to review this book because I have been physically and emotionally abused by my ex. This was a sensitive topic for me and I wanted to do the book review justice. Darcie was abused and beaten by her step-father as a child. The opening scene was pretty graphic. Not for the faint of heart. It will also break your heart. She wants the beatings to stop. She desires death to end the pain. She is screaming inside. Her mother is dead and her father wants her to perform her mother's former duties. She does find salvation and the book fast forwards to three years later. 

The book was a good read. Like I said, some scenes were hard to take, and will break your heart. The book also moved at a decent pace. 

About the Author:(copied from RABT)
M.S. Brannon was born and raised in the Midwest. She still resides there today with her wonderful husband and son. When she is not writing or reading, M.S. Brannon spends time with her family, watching movies, and discovering new music. She writes romance because she believes love and heartache is the rawest emotion one can experience.

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Email: MBrannon16@gmail.com
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Links to Buy

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Precious Embrace Blog Tour

I reviewed Precious Embrace, in exchange for review from Reading Addiction Blog Tours. The book was written by Dana Mason. Precious Embrace is the 2nd book in a series. The First book was Dangerous Embrace. The book was published by Sapphire Star Publishing. The book is available on Kindle, Nook, and Paperback.


About the Book: (copied from Sapphire Star Publishing)
A second divorce and a new baby wasn’t the vision Alison Hayes had for her future. Now a single mother with two young boys, she wants to focus on her kids and what’s left of her stagnant career. When Detective Johnny Rhay Bennett breezes into her life with his country-boy accent, she wants to run. She doesn’t need another man in her life, or another reason to make people talk. But when her worst nightmare becomes a reality, Johnny is the only person who can pull Ali out of her despair, forcing her to stay strong and not give up hope of finding her missing child. Who falls in love after a one-night stand? Johnny Rhay doesn’t believe it’s possible until it happens to him. With Nashville in his rear-view mirror, he’s determined to convince Alison she loves him too, even if it means moving to the West Coast. Ali’s not easy, and she’s living on just this side of bitter after her divorce, but Johnny doesn’t care. He’s up for the challenge. At least, he believes he’s up for it until baby Micah is stolen right out from under his nose. Now Johnny has to keep it together and get that sweet little boy home safe before his dreams of having a family vanish too.

Short Excerpt:
Ali lowered her eyes. She didn’t want him to see the truth when he looked at her. Gosh and what would people say if she started seeing Johnny before finalizing her divorce? Regardless of her feelings, she needed to control herself, and not jump into another situation like she did with Carl. She shook her head at that. “It’s not punishment, just cautiousness. I’m doing what I think is best for my family.” She cleared her throat. “Can I ask you a question?” He nodded dropping his head down to look at Micah. “Did you know you were moving out here when we were together in Maui?” “I had lunch with Brian and Julie in Hawaii after you left. I mentioned to him that I was thinking of leaving Nashville. He suggested Santa Rosa.” He lifted his eyes to meet hers. “My turn.” Her heart did a little skip and she nodded in agreement. “How did you feel when you got on that plane in Hawaii to go home?” Ali propped her elbow on the table and rested her head in her hand. She remembered distinctly how she felt when she boarded her plane. The reminder made her stomach flip-flop. She’d never felt like that in her life. She’d only stayed in Hawaii for a couple of days. Johnny had begged her to stay for a few more, but at two months old, she couldn’t bear leaving Micah for that long. Johnny had another week before going home, but he insisted on taking her to the airport. Said he didn’t want her to go alone.
They’d stayed up all night, even watched the Maui sunrise together. The night reminded her of being a teenager, fighting sleep to stay on the phone with a boy…talking about everything, yet talking about nothing important. Simply being together was enough for them in the moment. It was such a great night. She’d never forget how she felt being there with him. “Why would you ask me that?”“I answered your question, you answer mine.”“Honestly.” Her voice lowered and her eyes focused on her plate. “Crazy…exhilarated, and scared, and free, and sad, and special, and miserable, and…loved…all at the same time.” Ali frowned and wanted to cry. She shook it off and stood to clear their plates, almost knocking her chair to the ground in her rush to get up. Their night together had been a wonderful break from her regular everyday troubles and her regular everyday life…but it wasn’t real life, and she couldn’t pretend differently. She was a wreck of a woman, with a new baby and a pending divorce. “Ali,” he said as she stepped to the sink. “How about when you got home—when you got back to Santa Rosa?”“Why do you want to know this? It doesn’t change anything.” she said,
slamming the plates into the sink. “Did you feel lost…lonely? Like you had just walked away from something you would never feel again?” Ali looked up to find him standing right next to her. “How—”
“How did I know?” he asked before she could get her sentence out. Ali stared at him not sure what to say. “How do you?” “Because I felt exactly the same way. Watching you fly away killed me.” He
leaned his hip on the kitchen counter, cradling the sleeping baby in his left arm. “When I got home to Nashville, I felt sick with it.”

My Review:
I enjoyed reading the book. The book starts out with Johnny visiting Ali. They had a one-night stand a few months ago and she never expected to see him again. Johnny just moved into town permanently. Ali is in the process of a divorce, but her and Johnny are still attracted to one another. Johnny still wants to be friends, even if they are not lovers ever again. 

The book was well-written and flowed well. I did enjoy how Johnny interacted with Micah, Ali's son. I wish I had someone, who interacted with my children to that extent. Definitely hard being a single parent. I can definitely relate. 

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