Showing posts with label historical erotic romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label historical erotic romance. Show all posts

Thursday, March 12, 2020

Just who is the cat and who is the mouse? #GayRomance #BDSM #HistoricalRomance @KetaDiablo



Craven and his friend Anthony are in over their heads the night they're caught spying on Beresford Hall. When Craven meets the dark, mysterious Dominic Beresford, he wonders if fate really does step in and take you by surprise when you least expect it.

Dominic Beresford has led a licentious existence, one that includes wealth, luxury and a carefree attitude when it comes to sexual liaisons . . . until the night he catches two young men spying on his property. Intending to frighten them into never breaching the privacy of another again, he takes them at gunpoint into Beresford Hall.

He is inexplicably drawn to one of the young spies, Craven Saunders, and cannot fathom how this handsome young man was able to turn his world upside down in such a short time. Dominic’s game of cat and mouse suddenly runs amuck.

The question is . . . just who is the cat and who is the mouse?

Review Snippets

Magnolia Heat is well worth the read. I will be looking for more from Ms. Diablo in the future (especially if Craven and Dominic are involved.” Book of The Week and 4.5 Stars” Whipped Cream Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Carnal delights that are erotically written and hot, hot, hot to read. The sexual interactions are incredibly well written.” Rainbow Reviews 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book moves along at a very fast pace, keeping you on the edge of your seat, panting for more. Magnolia Heat is a great read!” Dark Divas 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The way Diablo breathes life into her characters is fabulous. From the sexy mysterious Dominic Beresford to the unassuming student Craven, I was hooked from page one!” Moonlight, Lace and Mayhem, 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Excerpt

Perhaps you’d care to tell me your name and why you were snooping about my private property?”

Craven Saunders, sir, and we weren’t snooping―”

What do you call it, young man, agate-picking?” He shook his head, his voice stern. “I detest it when someone lies to me. If you’re determined to spy on others, be man enough to admit it.”

Yes, sir.”

Yes, sir, what?”

Craven’s tone took on the innocent pleading of a child. “We were spying, Mr. Beresford, but I promise it won’t happen again.”

Oh, I’ve no doubt about that, Mr. Saunders.” He arched his neck, the sleek, hair shining like onyx beneath the candlelight in the room. “I must inform you, my valet, Higginbotham, claims you’ve been spying for weeks. Knowing Higginbotham is an honest man, I conducted an investigation myself last Friday eve.” The man swiped a hand across his erotic mouth, the gesture turning Craven’s knees to marmalade and his already dry throat to an arid desert.

Craven hung his head. Damn, he could do nothing but confess. “Your man spoke the truth.”

When Craven garnered the courage to look at him again, the man gave a shake of his head. “Craven, an odd name, is it not?”

Yes, sir,” he interjected. “It means―”

I know what it means―weak, spineless, fearful.” The world tilted on its axis when the man took another step toward him and raked him over with those deep blue orbs. “Do the adjectives describe you, Saunders?”

No, Mr. Beresford, sir, I don’t believe they do.”

He studied the man, captivated by smooth, silky cadence of his voice. If indeed Beresford stood before him, Anthony couldn’t have been more correct. Magnificently stunning, he oozed male virility. The dim light of the bedchamber could not hide it. His mouth full, his nose straight, every feature of his face must have been crafted by a skilled artisan, or, perhaps, a patient God. Craven couldn’t drag his gaze away from the man’s luminescent orbs. His stomach somersaulted and he longed to be touched by him, fucked senseless. Had he been out in the sun too long that day?

Well, we shall test the theory about your namesake.” The man’s languid once-over sent shivers down his spine. Closing the remaining distance between them, he took Craven’s chin between his thumb and index finger and forced him to look into those piercing eyes. “What makes you think my name is Beresford?”


Get your own copy of Magnolia Heat by Keta Diablo


About the Author

Keta Diablo lives in the Midwest part of the United States on six acres of gorgeous woodland. When she isn't writing or gardening, she loves to commune with nature. A pair of barn owls returns to the property every year to birth their young and show them off in the high branches of the oak trees. Nothing more adorable than these white fluffy babies with heart-shaped faces. A lifelong animal lover, Keta devotes her time and support to the local animal shelter. Emma LaPounce, a rescued feline, has been her furry companion for the last ten years.

Keta is an award-winning and bestselling author who writes in several genres: Western Romance, Historical Romance, Paranormal Romance and Contemporary Romance. Occasionally, she writes Gay Romance. Her books have received numerous accolades, including RWA contest finalist, Authors After Dark finalist, Top Pick of the Month and Recommended Review from many top review sites, and Best Romance Finalist from The Independent Author Network.

Keta would love to have you follow her on the Net:


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Monday, April 1, 2019

A steamy historical romp - #Victorian #Giveaway #Review

The Ambitious Barrister cover

Blurb

Sarah-Ann Jennings is quite happy to satisfy her master’s lust. Forced into domestic service by a penny pinching aunt, she is determined to make enough money to secure her own future and that of her eccentric younger brother. She rather enjoys him, besides.

There is, of course, no question of any emotional entanglement between them. Mr. Alfred Grand is a cold-hearted fortune hunter in search of a wealthy wife, after all.

For all that, when Sarah-Ann comes to suspect that somebody may be trying to poison him for reasons of their own, she is ready to put all her energy and determination into finding out who it is. This steamy romance set in the mid-Victorian UK is definitely for over eighteens.

Review by Lisabet Sarai

The Ambitious Barrister and the Maid is a short, snappy story with engaging characters and a satisfying happy ending - though the author keeps you in suspense about the latter until the very last page! Sarah-Ann is a clever and decidedly modern young lady who recognizes that her "virtue" has far less value than the advantages she gains from becoming her employer's mistress. Alfred Grand, the barrister of the title, is a typical male, a bit blind to the machinations of the women around him, but a gentleman through and through. I particularly liked his generous approach to sex; he is not the sort to shortchange his partner's pleasure. 

Indeed it's clear early on that Sarah-Ann and Alfred suit one another well, but of course in the Victorian era, respectable men from high born families couldn't marry their maids, no matter how delectable those young ladies might be. At least, this is the theory. In any case, Sarah-Ann is not particularly eager to give up her independence and become someone's wife. 

I'm not sure how accurate the historical aspects of this tale might be, but that's not really the point. The novella celebrates female intelligence, determination and desire. Sarah-Ann may be pretty, but that's not why she's so special.

This isn't a deep book, but it's a lot of fun.


Excerpt

Any bed that has you in it, my girl, must be a more desirable one than without.” So saying, he sat down and drew me towards him, lips parted. His mouth moulded mine. I liked that kiss, though a detached part of my mind could still note how he had been at the tooth powder again. He was a vain man, I knew, and besides, he made a habit of drawing in unwary witnesses with his flashing smile.

After more kisses, and much fondling and stroking through my nightdress, his hand slipped under it to fondle one breast, the fingers teasing the nipple.

After yet more kisses, each one deeper and more passionate, he broke off fondling me to draw my nightdress down to my hips, gazing delighted on my body and marvelling at my breasts. Being so newly grown, they were round, and stood up as proudly as was a certain part of him that I was soon to discover.

Such pretty ones: you have the body of one of those statues of Venus, come to life and warm.”
I am quite shy of seeing yours, Sir, this being my first time.”

He smiled. “Then we’ll introduce you to it slowly.” He slipped the dressing gown off his shoulders.

I had guessed him to be well made, and so he was, with the muscular lean build and the chest raised above a hollow waist and hard belly of an athlete. Seeing him undressed, I was pleased to note his proportions were as fine as I had guessed.

He drew me to him to kiss again. I ran a shy hand down over that chest, and over his belly. There I paused. Hussy though I might be, I was yet too shy to explore further.
 
His breath rasped as he said, “Should you be shy of greeting Alf?” He drew his hand down. Mr. Grand’s first name was Alfred.

I am always happy to oblige you,” I said, and let him slowly move my fingers under his dressing gown. Of course, unlike the shameless Molly with her wicked young man, I had never had to do with a man’s organ before. Many girls were terrified of them, but I found Alf interesting. He was standing to attention, of course, and a perfect size. That flesh felt strange to my fingers.


About the Author


Marianna Green is lives in the UK, has a geekish fascination with English Literature and History, and an irrepressible sense of humour.

Goodreads link:
The book is currently only $0.99. 




Marianna Green will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.



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Monday, July 30, 2018

A scandalous, naked rendezvous! #HistoricalRomance #BlogTour @BarbaraMonajem

The Redemption of the Shrew cover

Barbara has some wonderful prizes to give away during the tour. Please be sure to enter with the Rafflecopter below. Be sure to enter every day for your chance to win. You may find all the blog tour locations here.

About The Redemption of the Shrew

Nothing is more painful than rejection—particularly when completely naked!

Gloriana Warren doesn’t want to wait for marriage. Beneath her shrewish exterior is a kindhearted woman who uses her fortune for good. It doesn’t matter that the man she’s set her sights on claims impoverishment. She’s in love and determined to marry him. But her attempt at a moonlight seduction ends in disaster.

French marquis Philippe de Bellechasse has had it up to his gorgeous dark eyes with being pursued by lusty ladies. His escape to England from the violence of the French Revolution took a toll on his finances as well. Gloriana may be gloriously naked, but he’s just not ready to submit to her seduction.

But when a precious family artifact is stolen, Philippe must convince Gloriana he’s not the guilty party. He’ll steal it back for her, but on his terms. Gloriana, believing he despises her, has plans of her own. Working at odds is dangerous, but working together can be more so. Is Philippe willing to risk his heart again for a deliciously tempting shrew?






Excerpt

A clandestine meeting, particularly where nakedness is involved, is best arranged for a moonless night.

Or so Gloriana Warren told herself, for her mother would never have uttered such a scandalous dictum. Unfortunately, it was tonight or never. Tomorrow, the man she had sworn to love forever would leave Lancashire and return to London—without her. They wouldn’t be able to marry for years because of his stupid scruples about money.

Men and their tedious pride! She and the Marquis de Bellechasse loved one another. They shared the same lofty ideals. She had a substantial dowry. Marrying now made sense. Not only that, her mother would die happy.

So Gloriana was taking matters into her own hands. She had planned the upcoming encounter in glorious detail—every word, every gesture. As she emerged from the summerhouse to greet him, he would stand and stare at her, transfixed by her beauty.

Darling Philippe,” she would say, reaching for him, offering herself without reserve. “Love is eternal. It cannot, must not be denied!”

Ah, ma belle,” he would respond, his hand on his heart, his voice throbbing with desire. “I adore you. What a fool I was to think we could wait for years. Even another minute is too long. Tonight, I shall make you mine!”

She would fling herself into his waiting arms, swept away on the tide of his passion.
She wasn’t sure exactly how it would go after that, apart from plenty of kissing, but judging by her previous experience of Philippe’s kisses, it would be the most thrilling experience of her life.

She sneaked out the French doors, arms full of blankets, and glanced back up at Garrison House. Not a glimmer of candlelight showed in the windows. She hurried through the rose garden and skirted the lawn, keeping to the bushes and out of the moonlight. In the secret room under the summerhouse, she and her darling Philippe would be safe. Tomorrow they would announce their engagement to Mama. They would send for a special license and be married within a week.

Ten minutes later, she had set up a makeshift bed under the summerhouse and removed all her clothes. Shivering more from excitement than from the chilly night
air, she waited for Philippe to arrive.

Tonight would be the most perfect night of her life.

~~~

The Marquis de Bellechasse left his horse in a convenient copse and made his careful way forward, pausing at the edge of the trees. Garrison House was reassuringly dark, but moonlight reflected off the ripples on the lake. The summerhouse gleamed white on its little knoll, exposed on all sides. He paused, listening. No sound disturbed the darkness except a nightjar complaining from a nearby oak. He hoped and prayed no one else was up and about tonight. He couldn’t afford to get caught with Gloriana Warren, but nor could he bring himself to ignore her passionate plea to see him once more before they parted.

He loved her—to the point of folly, judging by his current behavior. He had already said farewell, and yet here he was, trespassing on her brother’s estate at midnight to say it again. He dreaded her inevitable tears.

The door to the summerhouse stood wide open, which meant Gloriana was here already. Fine. Best to get it over with now. He took a deep breath and set out across the lawn.

He had almost reached the doorway when she came into view, rising from out of nowhere, her face pale, her hair loose around her bare shoulders. He halted, staring, his heart thundering. She continued to rise, her breasts round and luscious in the light of the moon. His eyes slid helplessly down the curve of her hips to the darker patch at the apex of her thighs . . .

Mordieu. He shook his head and began to back away. “No, chérie. We must not do this.”

She set her feet on the floor—she must have emerged from a trapdoor—and beckoned with those sweet arms, smiled with those lush lips. “Philippe, my darling, please come to me. I love you so much.”

No, ma belle, I cannot.”

But love—” She faltered, then continued toward him, arms wide. “Love is eternal. It must not be denied.”

Sacrebleu, she was declaiming like a shoddy actress on the stage. The thought revolted him. Surely his idealistic Gloriana could not cheapen herself so. Anguished, he put up his hands to fend her off. “It is not possible, Gloriana. Not yet. It would not be right.”

She hurried forward, her breasts jiggling enticingly. “Truly, we mustn’t delay. My mother may not have long to live, and seeing me married well is her dearest wish.”

He didn’t care in the least about old Lady Garrison, who was the worst sort of snob. He shook his head. “No. To wait is best.”

Philippe, I cannot wait. I need you now.” She reached for him, her nakedness inches away.

He gritted his teeth and took another step backwards. His imbecile cock was reacting to her, but he had long ago gained control over its demands. “I am sorry, but I must go.” He turned away.

She wailed, a sharp, keening sound, and immediately a shout came from nearby. Her brother? No, he was in London. A gamekeeper?

Whoever the man might be, he was lurking here on purpose. So much for love, Philippe thought. Gloriana was just another lust-crazed woman trying to trap him into marriage. He turned and ran. Pursued by shouts and then shots, he reached his horse and galloped away.

About the Author


Winner of the Holt Medallion, Maggie, Daphne du Maurier, Reviewer’s Choice and Epic awards, Barbara Monajem wrote her first story at eight years old about apple tree gnomes. She published a middle-grade fantasy when her children were young, then moved on to paranormal mysteries and Regency romances with intrepid heroines and long-suffering heroes (or vice versa).

Barbara loves to cook, especially soups. She used to have two items on her bucket list: to make asparagus pudding and succeed at knitting socks. Asparagus pudding proved to be pretty horrible, and she is too fumble-fingered to make socks. Now she just sticks with writing books. She lives near Atlanta, Georgia with an ever-shifting population of relatives, friends, and feline strays.


Social Links


Use the Rafflecopter below to enter Barbara's drawing. 

Increase your odds of winning by visiting her other tour stops:  https://reviewsbycacb.blogspot.com/p/blog-tour-barbara-monajem.html



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Tuesday, May 29, 2018

Review Tuesday: Better to Marry Than to Burn by Michal Scott - #ReviewTuesday #Historical #BlackSociety

Better to Marry cover


Better to Marry Than to Burn by Michal Scott
The Wild Rose Press, 2018

In the post-Civil War Black township of Frederick Douglass, Texas, only married men are welcome. The mayor’s wife and her Purity Patrol have run off all the prostitutes. Now they’re insisting that all single menincluding widowers—must get themselves wives, and have children, to insure the ongoing sustainability of the town.

Freed slave Caesar King doesn’t want a mail order bride. Ignoring the town’s bridal lottery, he places his own ad in newspapers back East. He’s looking for a partner, someone to help him manage his land and to bear his offspring. Love neither required nor sought, his advertisement states.

Caesar has already known love, in the person of his deceased former wife Emma. He doesn’t expect to get lucky twice.

Back in Philadelphia, Queen Esther Payne needs an escape. Her family, stalwarts of Black society, refuse to put up with her headstrong nature and her liaisons with other women. She answers Caesar’s advertisement, misinterpreting his comments about wanting to establish a “legacy”. When she arrives in Texas, Queen finds that Caesar isn’t the sort of man she expected—and vice versa. She’s ready to have sex with him, but completely unwilling to consider children. He wants her, has the rights to her body as her spouse, but is willing to take things slowly the way Emma taught him, if that means she’ll ultimately surrender. Sparks fly as the irresistible force meets the immovable object in a contest of wills and flesh.

I bought this book after reading an excerpt offered by the author when she was a guest at my blog. This is not something I do very often, but Queen’s voice and character really grabbed me, as did the quality of the writing. Then there was the sexual tension—I really wanted to find out what would happen between Queen and Caesar (or “Mrs. King” and “Mr. King”, as they address one another in the excerpt).

In a sense, I was not disappointed. Better to Marry than to Burn is original, engaging and historically rich. However, it is much too short. The conflict that stands between Queen and Caesar is not likely to be resolved in their first encounter. There was enough literary meat in this book to make a novel, but instead we have just a longish short story. Because of that, even though I really enjoyed the characters, the setting and the premise, I felt a bit cheated.

In her blog post, the author talked about the research she did for this title. She left me wanting more.

Saturday, October 14, 2017

"A Delight" from Cerise DeLand (#historical #erotic #notorious @CeriseDeLand)

Wild Lily cover

By Cerise DeLand (Guest Blogger)

I'm tickled to announce release of WILD LILY, just reviewed by The Romance Reviews with 5 Stars!

Beginning a Victorian romance series, Those Notorious Americans stars a family ready to charm all of Europe with their wit, their good looks…and their fortune.

Here’s a limerick to typify the series:

Find an heiress a duke, a marquess or count,

A baron'll certainly do, never doubt.

But a prince'd be too high

A price to pay. Why?

Cuz love's rare for a gel without clout.

Money can buy anything. Can't it? When American robber baron Killian Hanniford decides to expand his business empire, he sails to Europe in 1877 and takes his family with him.

His two daughters—Lily and Ada—are beauties, accomplished and educated. They want for nothing, except a chance to find husbands who love them for themselves, not their dowries.

His niece, Marianne, is a charming widow who wants for nothing…except perhaps an amusing and temporary lover.

Killian’s son, Pierce, is young, impetuous and too ruthless for any young woman to take on as a husband.

Even Killian himself—without a wife for many years but increasingly bored by his mistress—is shocked to learn he can fall in love.

Tragic, isn’t it, to learn that money can buy anything… but love?

WILD LILY, Book 1, October 10 2017
DARING WIDOW, Book 2, February 2018
SCANDALOUS COUNTESS, Book 3, Summer 2018

WILD LILY, Book One, Those Notorious Americans

Money can buy anything, can’t it? Those brash Americans, their dollars and charms work wonders. Until they learn that money can buy anything...but love.

Lily Hanniford has all the qualities an impoverished nobleman could want in a wife. She’s beautiful, educated and funny. Too bad, she has a penchant for riding astride like a man. Too bad, she’s an American with a shrewd, wily father. But she’s unwilling to be sold to the highest-ranking nobleman. She wants a purpose in life…other than presiding over a drafty castle and a loveless marriage bed. Then she accidentally meets a man she can’t resist.

Julian Ash, Marquess of Chelton, doesn’t need a wife. He needs luck at cards…or a way to persuade Killian Hanniford to pay more for his family’s shipping line. But Lily is charming and her wild streak appeals to Julian who has always followed the society’s rules. Now he discovers that being wild with Lily is not only fun, it’s necessary to his life. And so is she.

They struggle to throw convention to the wind. But can they be wildly happy together if they can’t heal old wounds?


"Ms. DeLand's WILD LILY is as pleasing to the ear as it is to the eye. It's rare to call an historical erotica romance a delight but this one was downright gleeful to my love of language." ~ Gabrielle Sally, The Romance Reviews 5 STARS http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/viewbooks.php?bookid=25728

Excerpt

They ran like children along the stone path up to the servants back door of his country house. It was unlocked and Julian thrust it open, pulling Lily inside.

Come. Here’s the kitchen. No fire, but it’s warm and dry. Sit there.” He looked her over. “You’re drenched. Hell.”

He took four huge strides, disappearing into another room and clanging about. If he kept up that racket, the whole house would soon be awake.

She rubbed her arms, grateful to be out of the storm, but wary of servants who might have been roused.

When he returned, he had his hands full of toweling.

Grateful to be rid of the blanket that smelled of horse, she shrugged it off and folded it. He hurried to wrap a large towel over her head.

She giggled. “You could wake the dead the way you scoured that room.”

My housekeeper is quite deaf.”

You’re kidding.”

Not at all. She’s never been quick to any sound.” He scrubbed her head with too much dedication.

Ooof.” She picked up a corner of the towel to glare at him.

Sorry. You need to dry your hair.” He rubbed her scalp.

She clamped her fingers around his wrist. “If you don’t stop, sir, I’ll be bald!”

Sorry.” He bent to peer at her. “Take off your jacket.”

She balked. She had removed her corset for this adventure and if she took off her jacket, it would be apparent that she was a rather loose woman. In more ways than one. “Ah. I don’t wish to. Unless… Do you have anything to replace it?”

Not yet. I will.” He dropped another towel around her neck.

Splendid. I’ll wait.”

No. You will not.” He began to pick at the buttons on her coat.

She slapped his hands away. “Stop that.”

You do it then. I’ll not have you die of cold at the risk of a layer of clothing.”

She clutched her stock to her throat. And true, it was wet, but she had few choices here. “It’s not just any layer.”

Confusion overtook his brow. “What?”

Can you please find me another coat?”

I will if you promise to begin to unbutton that now.”

She tsked. “Hard bargainer.”

He stood. “I’ll be back with brandy and when I do, you’ll have that jacket off.”

Fine, fine.” Fretting over that, she undid her last two buttons. Beneath it, the cold cotton of her blouse was damp. Under that, her skin was ablaze with the delicious nature of her predicament. But what Julian didn’t know was a good thing. “Hurry, please.”

He left her, ran up the steps and away. In the silent house, she marveled that no one had yet heard them. How many servants did he have? And were they all deaf?

She shrugged out of her jacket, covering her wet blouse and her beading nipples with the ends of a towel. Shivering in the damp cotton and trying to focus on how soon she’d be warm didn’t work.

Julian returned within minutes, a large coat in one hand and a man’s shirt—his?—in the other.

I can’t wear that.” She had admired his form, his broad chest, his muscular build. He was fit, firm, a marvelous example of manhood, but she was more than adequately endowed. And his shirt, tailored as it was, would not adequately cover her attributes.

Why not?” He held it up. “Perfectly fine linen. Clean.”

She ground her teeth. “It won’t fit.”

Of course, it will.” He quirked a brow. “Oh. Um. Won’t it?”

He had this odd expression on his face which by infinite degrees turned to recognition and then, he laughed.

She tapped her foot on the stone floor. “You’re not helping, dear sir.”

Still chuckling, he stepped toward her and put his hands around her waist to draw her to her feet. “I see that. I am sorry.”

She couldn’t help but cuff him. “Take me back.”

Wet?”

As I am, yes! Now.” She took his hand and marched them both toward the window.

But lightning streaked the sky and a loud boom shook the house.

She lurched backward.

Against his all too solid chest.

He embraced her, one hand in her hair, one cupped her nape and the lure of his warmth was irresistible. She sank against him, reveling in his support. He was assurance and beneath his riding pants, he was aroused.

She didn’t want to move or even breathe. Could he find her attractive? Still? Even though she’d told him at the opera to ignore her? He certainly did find her company appealing. Much as she’d always declared she’d never tolerate a man as demanding as her father, she liked a man with a mind of his own.
This man.

I like you,” she told him astonishing herself for saying what she felt for him.

He trailed his fingers up into her hairline and turned her head toward him.

Do you?” he asked, his voice wistful. “God knows I like you.”

Her heart did a little jig. “Now, I know, too.”

We are neither of us very clever.”

But honest.”

Lily,” he said her name, a plea more breath than sound. “Lily, darling. Shall we be more than honest?”

Oh, Julian.” In the dim light, she could make out the fire in his beguiling eyes. To wait any longer to taste him would be a waste. Casting caution to the wind, she swung totally into his embrace and pushed up on her toes. She slid her arms around his shoulders, the towel falling to the floor, and with only hot urgency between them, she said, “Yes, let’s be.”



WILD LILY FB Party! TEATIME WITH CERISE AND SUSANA celebrates Cerise's release of WILD LILY! Authors! Fun!



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