Monthly Archives: October 2018

Archangel’s Prophecy (Guild Hunter #11) by Nalini Singh – Dual Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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Archangel’s Prophecy (Guild Hunter #11) by Nalini Singh – Dual Review, Excerpt & Giveaway

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ARCHANGEL’S PROPHECY
Guild Hunter #11
by Nalini Singh
Release Date: October 30, 2018
Genre: adult, contemporary, Urban Fantasy, paranormal

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / iTunes / Google Play / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
Midnight and dawn, Elena’s wings are unique among angelkind…and now they’re failing. The first mortal to be turned into an immortal in angelic memory, she’s regressing. Becoming more and more human. Easier to hurt. Easier to kill.

Elena and Raphael must unearth the reason for the regression before it’s too late and Elena falls out of the sky. Yet even as they fight a furious battle for Elena’s very survival, violent forces are gathering in New York and across the world.

In China, the Archangel Favashi is showing the first signs of madness. In New York, a mysterious sinkhole filled with lava swallows a man whole. In Africa, torrential monsoon rains flood rolling deserts. And in Elena’s mind whispers a haunting voice that isn’t her own.

This time, survival may not be possible…not even for the consort of an archangel.

 

Sandy’s Review:

ARCHANGEL’S PROPHECY is the eleventh instalment in Nalini Singh’s adult GUILD HUNTER dystopian/ paranormal/ urban fantasy series focusing on Archangel’s, angels, vampires, shifters and hunters. ARCHANGEL’S PROPHECY is the continuing story of New York’s Archangel Raphael, and his consort, human turned angel Elena Deveraux. ARCHANGEL’S PROPHECY should not be read as a stand alone as the story line continues the series arc focusing on the Cascade, and the growing evil surrounding two of Cadre.

Told from several third person perspectives including Raphael and Elena ARCHANGEL’S PROPHECY follows Elena as she tasks herself with uncovering the truth behind a series of attacks and dismemberment against vampires and humans including the near fatal attack against her sister’s mate. As Elena begins to dig deeper into everyone connected with Harrison’s past, strange phenomena and environmental disasters begin to wreak havoc in Raphael’s New York territory, phenomena that directly affects our story line heroine. Slowly reverting back to her mortal self, Elena sees apparitions and warnings of impending danger and doom, doom that the Archangel Raphael is powerless to prevent or defeat.

ARCHANGEL’S PROPHECY is a love story wherein one of the most powerful beings is unable to prevent the fall-out of power, death, rebirth and the prophecy. Struggling to stay one step ahead of the approaching destruction of his heart and his soul Raphael learns that the ultimate sacrifice is only the beginning of a new awakening and his chance for a future.

Nalini Singh’s ARCHANGEL’S PROPHECY is a captivating story of unimaginable conflict; of pain and loss, of heartache and grief. As our couple battle that which they cannot see, others must battle that which remains to be seen. ARCHANGEL’S PROPHECY is a raw, real and powerful story; a startling and staggering look at devotion, love, sacrifice and the helplessness in the inability to stop the inevitable fall.

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Barb’s Review:
Archangel’s Prophecy by Nalini Singh is the 11th book in her fantastic Guild Hunter series.   Raphael and Elena take center stage once again in Archangel’s Prophecy.  It is always great to be able to spend a lot of time with Raphael and Elena, as they are a great couple…the Archangel and his Consort.

But things are changing, as the cascade threatens again.  In China, a major threat to other Archangels threatens all. In New York, Elena is on a case to find out who attacked her brother-in law, thereby putting her sister and niece’s lives in danger. Slowly, Elena begins to notice things happening to her body.  She is losing her feathers on her wings, one at a time; cuts do not heal, and each day she becomes weaker.  Being the first mortal turned to immortal, Elena realizes that slowly she is losing her immortality.  The question is why?  No one has any answers.

Elena also hears voices from an ancient long asleep, warning her about the prophecy where she must give her life for another. Raphael is desperate to find the cause that is harming Elena, and brings his ‘seven’ to help.

In the midst of this, is the mystery as to who is killing vampires, including the attack on her brother-in-law.  These are the two main storylines that Archangel’s Prophecy centers on; with Elena pushing herself beyond to do what she can to stop this killer, in order to protect her family.  Her body continues to weaken, losing part of her immortality and powers along the way. Elena is determined to ignore the prophecy and using her will to try and force it to change to a different future.  Raphael was amazing throughout, showing how much he loves Elena, and knowing if he loses her, he will become the monster he always feared.  He also knows that an ancient archangel more powerful than any of the other archangels will eventually wake up, casusing a catastrophic war that could destroy them all.

I can’t say too much more, as you really need to read this book.  Archangel’s Prophecy was an emotional wild ride that had me rushing through the pages so that I can find out what happens, which of of course made me go back and reread the last 1/3 again.  It was great to spend time with Raphael and Elena, and I enjoy their love for each other; but there was anguish, fear, worry as we watched them desperately holding on to hope.  I loved seeing all the ‘seven’ and many of their mates.  I love Illium, and look forward to whenever we get his story.  The Legion was also very good, especially with them watching over Elena and Raphael.

Just so you know, the book ends with cliffhanger, and I cannot imagine waiting another year to find out what happens.  Will Raphael and Elena find a way change the direction of the prophecy?  What exactly happens to Elena if the prophecy holds true?  Too many questions, and too long to wait.  Nalini Singh once again gives us a sensational and maybe game changing story.  Archangel’s Prophecy is a must read.

 

Copies provided by Publisher

 

Posted by arrangement with Berkley, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, A Penguin Random House Company. Copyright © Nalini Singh, 2018.

 

(Elena is in Raphael’s arms as he flies them across the night sky.)“I can almost understand what Jeffrey’s become,” Elena said. “The way he is now.” She ran her fingers through Raphael’s hair as the two of them flew on into the night. “It’d be as if you chose to leave me. I’d spend the rest of my life wondering why you couldn’t come to me, why you couldn’t trust me with your hurt and sorrow.”
I would never leave you, Elena. A lethal edge in every word. Such a thing is an impossibility.
“I know you’d never leave me, not by choice.” The Cascade shoving him full of power, other forces in the immortal world, sought to steal him from her, but Raphael would never make the choice Marguerite had made. “I was just using it as an example.”
Find another example.
Laughter burst through the anger, shattering it into icy shards that melted in the heat between them. Sinking into the force of his love and commitment, she used her most penitent voice to say, “I apologize for even using it as a hypothetical example.”
He gave her a stern look, before nodding downward. “See there.”
Following his gaze, she spotted a jetboat scything through the water. It was a sleek black thing with what might’ve been flames licking up the sides. It was hard to see in the darkness, the only light coming from the boat itself. “Fancy.”
“Look closer.”
She squinted as he dropped lower, but it was a wisp of scent that floated into the air—chocolate and fur and champagne—that gave her the identity of the man at the helm. “Dmitri? I didn’t know he had a boat.”
“That’s the Honor, Dmitri’s new personal launch.” A pause before he said, “Shall I name something after you?”
Elena pretended to think about it. “Maybe the next time you buy a jet,” she said solemnly.
“I will call it the Hunter Angel.”
Elena threatened to punch him. He laughed until his eyes were pure light and white fire danced over his primaries and it felt like intoxication. His kiss was food to her parched soul, the angel dust that coated her lips without warning luscious and erotic, delicious and addictive.


 

Nalini’s publisher, Berkley, is offering a paper copy of ARCHANGEL’S PROPHECY to ONE (1) lucky commenter at The Reading Cafe

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

NOTE: If you are having difficulty commenting after logging onto the site, please refresh the page at the top of your computer

2. If you are using a social log-in, please post your email address with your comment.

3. Please LIKE us on FACEBOOK and click GET NOTIFICATIONS

4. Please FOLLOW us on Twitter for an additional entry.

5. Please FOLLOW us on GOODREADS for an additional entry.

6. Follow NALINI SINGH   on Facebook.

7. Giveaway is open to USA only

8. Giveaway runs from October 30  to November 5, 2018

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The Memory Tree (Carson Chronicles #2) by John A Heldt-a review

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The Memory Tree (Carson Chronicles #2) by John A Heldt-a review

 

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.au / Amazon.uk /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date April 2018

Days after barely escaping 1889 with their lives, the Carsons, siblings from the present day, resume their search for their missing parents in 1918. While Adam and his pregnant wife, Bridget, settle in Minnesota, unaware of a wildfire that will kill hundreds, Greg seeks clues in his great-grandparents’ Mexico, where he finds love, danger, and enemies. At the same time, Natalie, the ambitious journalist, follows a trail to World War I France, and teen twins Cody and Caitlin rekindle a friendship with an old Pennsylvania friend haunted by her past. In THE MEMORY TREE, the sweeping sequel to RIVER RISING, several time travelers find answers and meaning as they continue the adventure of a lifetime in the age of doughboys, silent movies, and Model T’s.

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REVIEW:      Time traveling books are always a treat to read. The best part about time traveling books is you get pretty much an all-you-can-eat buffet of book genres. You get a little bit of romance, action, suspense, and the best part of all is the historical fiction. And when the book written right, the other elements like the story arc and the character development is even more enhanced.

     Another plus about this book is the numerous likeable characters. There are five children in the Carson family and they have their own personalities. They all have their likeable traits complete with their own remarkable adventures.  I thought it was really cool they all made the decision to split up in hopes of finding their parents. Each of their adventures were all equally enjoyable. Adam and Bridget stay behind in Minnesota as home base for all communication. Greg roughing it in Mexico where he meets bar owner Patricia who he ends up marrying. Natalie takes on going overseas to France to interview and write about the soldiers in the war for her job. As for the twins, Caitlin and Cody go to Gettysburg in Pennsylvania where they spend time with Cody’s first and former love Emma. Even the parents, Tim and Caroline had some adventure too in Mexico. That had to be amazing to go back in time to actually witness the birth of Caroline’s grandmother.

     As for the women Adam and Greg took on as wives, they made great choices and they fit in with the family very well. Bridget is very kind and caring but despite that she is also very courageous and intelligent. Patricia has the loyalty that can rival a pit bull. She will walk through fire to those who have her loyalty.

      One concept I want to get into that I really enjoyed was the memory tree at Emma’s home. Just trying to imagine the beauty of the spruce tree with all the ribbons tied to it is beyond breath-taking. The symbolization of tying a ribbon to a branch in remembrance of loved ones that are lost to them like death, tragedy or war. The ribbons are even replaced often to keep looking new. It really is a beautiful way to honor and remember loved ones.  

     Despite things from Greg’s adventure in Mexico catching up to them, they do get their happy ending to make it to their portal to go home and hopefully find their parents…or will they? Can’t go wrong with time travel books getting a smorgasbord of genres on top of a fun history lesson. You get crazy adventures with every character that totally enhances the story arc and character development. The only drawback with time travel novels is that they are very long books but they are worth it; you won’t regret it.

Reviewed by Xtina

Copy supplied for review

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Consumed by J.R. Ward – Dual Review

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Consumed by J.R. Ward – Dual Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / iTunes / BAM / Book Depository

 

Description:
Anne Ashburn is a woman consumed…

By her bitter family legacy, by her scorched career as a firefighter, by her obsession with department bad-boy Danny McGuire, and by a new case that pits her against a fiery killer.

Strong-willed Anne was fearless and loved the thrill of fighting fires, pushing herself to be the best. But when one risky decision at a warehouse fire changes her life forever, Anne must reinvent not only her job, but her whole self.

Shattered and demoralized, Anne finds her new career as an arson investigator a pale substitute for the adrenaline-fueled life she left behind. She doesn’t believe she will ever feel that same all-consuming passion for her job again–until she encounters a string of suspicious fires setting her beloved city ablaze.

Danny McGuire is a premiere fireman, best in the county, but in the midst of a personal meltdown. Danny is taking risks like never before and seems to have a death wish until he teams up with Anne to find the fire starter. But Danny may be more than a distraction, and as Anne narrows in on her target, the arsonist begins to target her.

 

Sandy’s Review:

CONSUMED is the first full-length instalment in J. R. Ward’s contemporary, adult FIREFIGHTERS romantic, suspense series. CONSUMED is the continuing storyfocusing on firefighters Anne Ashburn, and Danny Maguire of the NBFD 499. I recommend reading the FREE prequel novellas The Rehearsal and The Dinner for backstory and cohesion.

Told from several third person perspectives including Anne and Danny CONSUMED follows the acrimonious relationship between firefighters and partners Anne Ashburn, and Danny Maguire of the New Brunswick Fire Department (NBFD) 499. Following an warehouse fire wherein both Anne and Danny were wounded, the story line picks up ten months later as Anne embarks on her new career as a certified fire inspector, a career change that has left her bitter and insecure. No longer working alongside her fellow firefighters from the 499, Anne struggles to find a place without the camaraderie and companionship of the men who had always had her back including the man who had stolen her heart. A tightknit group of friends, the firefighters of the 499 are more like family than the blood family back home.

Danny Maguire battles PTSD and remorse in the aftermath of a warehouse fire that went horribly wrong. Never ones to follow orders both Danny and Anne found themselves in a dangerous situation, a situation that was about to affect the rest of their lives and careers. What ensues is the rebuilding friendship and relationship between Danny and Anne, and the fall-out as an arsonist hits too close home, and accusations of another nature threaten the already tepid relationship between our story line couple.

JR Ward pulls the reader into a story of family, friendship, betrayal and power. Anne Ashburn comes from a family who have loved and lost in the line of duty but not is all as it appears to be as the perfect façade begins to crumble as secrets are revealed. Danny Maguire struggles to make sense of where everything went wrong but release does not come easy as the guilt of what happened weighs heavily and long.

All of the firefighters previously introduced in the prequel novellas are present and accounted. Anne’s brother Chief Thomas Ashburn struggles with his tentative hold over a collapsing department, a department he fears no longer respects the position he holds. Danny’s best friend Robert ‘Moose’ Miller is always ready with a helpful hand but it is his new bride Deandra that threatens Moose’s stability, and those of the people working the 499.

CONSUMED follows the breakdown of leadership, the loss of control, the drama and fall-out of a department threatened by an unseen power that is determined to win at all costs. The premise is suspenseful, detailed and dramatic: the characters are flawed, wounded and broken; the romance struggles in the face of pride, betrayal and demons from the past. CONSUMED sets the stage for a potential power match between law enforcement, business and the political elite-a powerful and volatile combination of chaos and command.

Copy supplied by publisher through Netgalley

Barb’s Review:  Consumed by J.R. Ward is the 1st book in her new Firefighters series. I looked forward to reading this new series by Ward, and I am happy to say that I really enjoyed the book.

Anne Ashburn, our heroine, is the only female member of the Fire Dept station 499. She is accepted by all the guys at the station, and her brother is chief; in fact her whole family were mostly firefighters.  Anne has a crush on Danny McGuire, one of the firefighters, but his reputation with woman precedes him.  She does her best to avoid him, but they did have a one night stand that both find difficult to forget.  We learned at the end of the two short prequel novellas, that Danny saves Anne on the scene of a fire, but she lost her hand in the process.

Consumed starts about 10 months later, with Anne having recovered, and trying to get used to prosthetic, as well as apply for a job as an arson investigator. She misses the action she loved at the station, but she no longer can work there, and is forced to accept this new position.  As in anything, Anne jumps in to take a case of a recent fire, and begins to tie in other fires that might be related.

Danny, who had his own injuries, pushes himself back on the job, and is determined to get Anne’s trust and win her over.  In a short time, their chemistry is so hot, there is no way for either of them to keep their hands off each other.  Each have their own issues, involving family, heartache, but their feelings for each other continue to escalate. 

Anne’s investigation leads her to a high profile person, who is determined to get her off the case.  Danny will try to help Anne with the investigation to find the arsonist; his is concerned for her safety, as now she has become a target from those trying to stop her.  What follows is an exciting, pulse pounding, intense, gripping story, amazingly written by Ward.   

As we race to the climax, there are some surprises that I did not see coming, which did throw me for a loop.  I loved Danny and Anne together, and Ward has created a wonderful group of secondary characters in this series, showing the comradery and loyalty of the crew.  I loved loved Anne’s stray dog, Soot that she adopted.   I also thought that Ward did such a fantastic job showing us the life of firemen, and what they go through.  Though the story has a satisfying ending, there are some open issues that will continue into the next book.

Consumed was a fantastic fast paced, exciting and action packed story; a wonderful theme, great couple and secondary characters, and very well written by J.R. Ward.  You need to start this series now.

 

Copies provided by Publisher

 

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Kill the Queen by Jennifer Estep – Dual Review & Giveaway

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Kill the Queen by Jennifer Estep – Dual Review & Giveaway

Kill The Queen
Crown of Shards series – Book #1
by Jennifer Estep
Release Date: October 2, 2018

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / iTunes / BAM / Book Depository / GooglePlay

 

Description:
Gladiator meets Game of Thrones: a royal woman becomes a skilled warrior to destroy her murderous cousin, avenge her family, and save her kingdom in this first entry in a dazzling fantasy epic from the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Elemental Assassin series—an enthralling tale that combines magic, murder, intrigue, adventure, and a hint of romance.

In a realm where one’s magical power determines one’s worth, Lady Everleigh’s lack of obvious ability relegates her to the shadows of the royal court of Bellona, a kingdom steeped in gladiator tradition. Seventeenth in line for the throne, Evie is nothing more than a ceremonial fixture, overlooked and mostly forgotten.

But dark forces are at work inside the palace. When her cousin Vasilia, the crown princess, assassinates her mother the queen and takes the throne by force, Evie is also attacked, along with the rest of the royal family. Luckily for Evie, her secret immunity to magic helps her escape the massacre.

Forced into hiding to survive, she falls in with a gladiator troupe. Though they use their talents to entertain and amuse the masses, the gladiators are actually highly trained warriors skilled in the art of war, especially Lucas Sullivan, a powerful magier with secrets of his own. Uncertain of her future—or if she even has one—Evie begins training with the troupe until she can decide her next move.

But as the bloodthirsty Vasilia exerts her power, pushing Bellona to the brink of war, Evie’s fate becomes clear: she must become a fearsome gladiator herself . . . and kill the queen.

Barb’s Review:
Kill the Queen by Jennifer Estep is the 1st book in her new Crown of Shards fantasy series. I am a big fan of Jennifer Estep, and love all her series.   I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Kill the Queen, and I am happy to say I loved it; it is epic fantasy at its best. 

We meet our heroine, Lady Everleigh (Evie), at the start, as she is helping making pies in the kitchen in preparation for a big gala at the Royal Court of Bellona.  Evie, though a distant overlooked royal, with very little magical powers, stays in the shadows as much as she can; only joining in when necessary.  As she leaves to see a friend, before she has to dress, Evie begins to notice many new guards and friends of her cousin, Vasillia; when she returns and attends the gala, she senses things that seem odd.  In a short time, Vasillia, who is the crown princess, leads a revolution that becomes a massacre of major proportions. When she comes across Evie, she uses her magic lightning power to attack her, throwing her over the cliff.  This was massacre that murdered the entire Blair royal line.  Vasillia, with her people is now the Queen of Bellona, and she plans to start a war by taking over other kingdoms.  This is just the beginning.

Evie was the lone survivor, running for her life to escape during the hunt for more survivors.  She goes into hiding, and joins a gladiator troupe, who are highly trained warriors that perform shows to entertain the local people.  Evie’s job is to make her famous pies, but the leader of the Black Swan troupe insists that all team members must train to be able to fight, no matter what their job is.  She meets Lucas Sullivan, who trains all the gladiators, and he is hard on Evie.  But over time, both will begin to have feelings for each other, which will stay in the background for most of the story.  This is not a romance, not yet.  However, I suspect we will see the two of them eventually find their way to each other, sometime in the next book.  The leader of the Black Swan, Serilda, was a great warrior, and sensed something about Evie, pushing her to practice more.

Like in any new fantasy, there is a world building that tends to go more into detail early on, which can make things a little slow at the early parts.  But make no mistake, in a couple of chapters in,  this becomes an exciting, ultra-action packed adventure that was impossible to put down. I loved how Evie became close to many members of the troupe, and when she is forced to fight for her life, she will learn how to use her magic that she has hidden all her life.  Great exciting action.

Estep does a fantastic job keeping our attention, as well as creating such a fantastic heroine in Evie. I also loved most of the members of the Black Swan that were awesome.  What follows is an amazing adventure that will allow us to watch as Evie, slowly gains more confidence in her powers and well as learning to become a good warrior.  Together with her new friends, they plan save the kingdoms facing a terrible war, and find a way avenge her family, save Bellona, and Kill the Queen.  Will Evie survive?  Can she even face the evil powerful Vasillia?

This was an exciting and enthralling fantasy, with fantastic characters (even the villians); surrounded by magic, violence, death, war, and intrigue that has us holding our breaths throughout.

Bravo to Jennifer Estep for creating another fantastic series, especially in the Epic fantasy world.  I strongly suggest you read Kill The Queen.  I for one cannot wait for the next book.

 

 

Sandy’s Review

KILL THE QUEEN is the first instalment in Jennifer Estep’s CROWN OF SHARDS epic fantasy series focusing on the Lady Everleigh Saffira Winter Blair aka Evie, a young woman of royal blood whose entire family was murdered in a coup for the throne.

Told in three distinctive parts, using first person point of view (Evie) KILL THE QUEEN follows Lady Everleigh Saffira Winter Blair aka Evie as she struggles to survive in the aftermath of a murderous rage that destroyed everyone and everything that she loved. Years earlier, orphaned at the age of twelve as a result of her parents’ murder, Evie entered the magical kingdom of Bellona, a kingdom ruled by her cousin Queen Cordelia, and her daughter Crown- Princess Vasilia. Believing Evie to hold no magical powers of her own, other than the simplified and basic ‘mutt magic’, our heroine, the now twenty seven year old, seventeenth in line to the throne of Bellona, has been virtually ignored for the past fifteen years. A royal celebration in honor of the Andvarian ambassador proved otherwise as Evie would be one of only two survivors of the Blair family massacre meant to destroy all those with any bloodrights to the throne. What ensues is Evie’s journey to the status of The Black Swan, as she and her fellow warriors and gladiators set into motion a plan to avenge the death of them all.

KILL THE QUEEN is awash in Jennifer Estep’s affinity for ‘elemental magic’. Like Gin Blanco in the author’s Elemental Assassin, our heroine Evie must become an assassin in order to avenge the death of the people she loves. From weather mages, elementals, gem and metal workers, ogres, shifters and gladiators, KILL THE QUEEN follows the magical journey wherein Evie must prepare to battle to the death in an effort to prove she is worthy of the throne.

Many of Jennifer Estep’s signature go-to story line components are present including Evie’s band of misfit elementals and warriors; a potential love interest; and the mention of the Delta Queen, as well as several characters from both her Elemental Assassin, and Bigtime Series-hint, hint Easter Eggs. Not withstanding the numerous and obvious parallel similarities between the Elemental Assassin and Crown of Shards series, KILL THE QUEEN is an intriguing, magical and infinitely detailed story of magic, honor, power and greed.

Copies provided for review

 

 

Jennifer is graciously offering an $10 Amazon Gift Card to ONE  (1) lucky commenter and a paper copy of Kill the Queen to TWO (2) lucky commenters at The Reading Cafe:

1. If you have not previously registered at The Reading Cafe, please register by using the log-in at the top of the page (side bar) or by using one of the social log-ins.

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7. Giveaway open to  USA only for paper copy of Kill the Queen; Internationally for Amazon GC.

8. Giveaway runs from October 1 to 8, 2018

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