My Booklandia

My Booklandia

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

RELEASE DAY REVIEW: From the Grave by Kresley Cole

Title: From the Grave 
Author: Kresley Cole 
Series: The Arcana Chronicles, #7
Publisher: Valkyrie Press
Publication Date: April 18, 2023


Synopsis: 

Kresley Cole’s New York Times bestselling Arcana Chronicles series comes to a spectacular and fiery conclusion in this final installment.

When even the gods hold their breath . . .
To defeat the Emperor and Fortune, Evie, the great Empress of Arcana, must repair her bond with Death, despite the earth-shattering developments between them.

And danger lurks in every shadow . . .
Their allies—a sea witch, a band of roving warriors, and more than a couple of rogues—overcome terrifying obstacles to help them. But when Jack makes a shocking discovery, the fallout threatens to tear their alliance apart.

One girl could deliver salvation—or doom.
If the Empress and her friends can remain united, will their powers be enough to defeat a catastrophic curse on the world, or will hellfire reign forever? The end looms for us all until the best hand wins. . . .


Audiobook: look for the audio version next week on Audible and Apple Books.


Sonja’s Review: 


Well, it was a long, difficult road to get to the end of this book and while technically my journey with The Arcana Chronicles started at the beginning with the release Poison Princess a little over a decade ago, those years didn’t feel near as long as reading the series over this past two week span with me finishing almost all of the books during the second week. I went on an emotional rollercoaster with these characters and not knowing how it was all going to work out and constantly coming up with scenarios that just broke my heart… well, it was a tough mindset to be in for like five to six days straight. I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel when I read the final page of this series, but I’ll admit that I thought I would feel just okay and not amazing like I usually do with one of Ms. Cole’s books. I was mostly confident that I wouldn’t regret reading The Arcana Chronicles not only for the reason that Ms. Cole wrote it and as she’s one of my favorite authors, I don’t think I could regret reading anything she wrote, but also because I’ve always loved and thought the premise of The Arcana Chronicles was so unique and interesting that even when these books were ripping out my heart and making me cry, I still couldn’t help but be fascinated by the story and the characters. Sure enough, after finishing From the Grave, I think I could do a re-read some day because this book was absolutely worth all the pain and doubts and the mind racing thoughts it made me obsess over. It’s truly Ms. Cole’s best book and though it made me ugly cry at times, the ending was one hundred percent perfect and made all the struggling worthwhile. It might have made me cry some good tears and sad ones, but it also had me burst out laughing and filled me up with joy and warmth at the end. From the Grave was outstanding and I think you’ll be satisfied with the series when all is said and done — so give it a chance because you should, it’s amazing and I love it so so good, good, good — goodbye! 
~ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars


About Kresley Cole

Kresley Cole is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the electrifying Immortals After Dark paranormal series, the young adult Arcana Chronicles series, the erotic Game Maker series, and five award-winning historical romances. Her books have been published in 23 countries and consistently appear on the bestseller lists in the U.S. and abroad.

A master's grad and former athlete, Kresley has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings. 

She lives in Florida with her family and too many pets. 

Thursday, January 12, 2023

REVIEW: The Wicked in Me by Suzanne Wright

Title: The Wicked in Me 
Author: Suzanne Wright 
Series: Devil’s Cradle, #1
Publisher: Piatkus 
Publication Date: January 12, 2023


Synopsis:

No one really knows what they are. Only that they're the first civilization. Aeons, they call themselves. They're immortal. Powerful. Secretive. 

And they'll come for her. 

Witch Wynter Dellavale knows that for certain. Because in unfairly trying to execute her, they started a chain of events they're struggling to stop. 

Needing safety, she flees to Devil's Cradle, the home of monsters. A place for the outcasts, the fugitives, the crazies. A place inq ruled by the Ancients, seven beings who were once banished by the Aeons.  

Among the Ancients is the infamous Cain, brother of Abel and embodiment of jealousy - who, on another note, wants her in his bed. 

There's a heavy price for the safety the Ancients offer, but Wynter will have to pay it. She can't take on the Aeons alone. And she has no intention of dying - been there, done that. 

Not that she'll be the easy prey the Aeons are expecting. They have no knowledge of the ... thing that lives inside her. You see, when witches are brought back from the afterlife, they don't always come back the same. 

And they don't always come back alone. 


Buy Links: 

Amazon: 



Sonja’s Review: 


Of course I was excited when Suzanne Wright announced she was writing a new series because she’s one of my favorite authors and I just love anything new she puts out whether it’s part of an existing series or if it’s something brand new. I don’t think I fully read the synopsis for The Wicked In Meat the time as I didn’t want my excitement to be at an unmanageable level, but I did take note of the Devil’s Cradle title and I had a good feeling about it too. It was in the back of my mind peacefully existing and then I read the latest book in Ms. Wright’s Deep In Your Veins series and that’s when my eagerness for The Wicked In Me grew. In it the hero and heroine visit a place called Devil’s Cradle which I remembered was in Ms. Wright’s new project and when I went to confirm, I saw that Cain would be the hero and I was beyond looking forward to it as I was very interested in seeing more of Cain!

So when 2022 hit, naturally, I couldn’t wait until May for the first book to come out and at some point early in the year, Ms. Wright gave us the wonderful news that this series had been picked up by a publisher. I was a little bummed for me, but even more so I was happy for her. While I didn’t anticipate a little longer of a wait, it was one hundred percent worth it! I loved The Wicked In Me from the jump and it’s honestly my new favorite series from Ms Wright now! 

I had such a good feeling about The Wicked in Me and it completely exceeded my expectations with how amazing it was! The world was fascinating, the characters were uber interesting, and the plot was exciting — I just could not get enough of this story! I had oodles of fun reading about Cain and Wynter and co, it was all so entertaining, there was never a dull moment and I might just have to read it again while I wait for the next two books in the series. This was definitely one of my favorite reads of the year and I absolutely cannot wait for more! 

~ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars


About the Author: 

Suzanne Wright lives in England with her husband and two children. When she's not spending time with her family, she's writing, reading or doing her version of housework - sweeping the house with a look.

She's worked in a pharmaceutical company, at a Disney Store, at a primary school as a voluntary teaching assistant, at the RSCPA and has a First Class Honours degree in Psychology and Identity Studies.

As to her interests, she enjoys reading, writing, reading, writing (sort of eat, sleep, write, repeat), spending time with her family, movie nights with her sisters and playing with her two Bengal kittens.

Author Links

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

RELEASE DAY BLITZ REVIEW: Munro by Kresley Cole


Title: Munro 
Author: Kresley Cole 
Series: Immortals After Dark, #18 
Publisher: Valkyrie Press 
Publication Date: January 25, 2022 


Synopsis: 

TORMENTED IN UNIMAGINABLE WAYS

Coming off torture at the hands of his warlock captors, Munro MacRieve never expected to find his mate, or to lose her just as abruptly. Driven to desperation, the ruthless warrior uses his enemies’ own powers to reunite with her—in the distant past.

STOLEN FROM HER TIME 

When a crazed werewolf crashes her wedding, Kereny “Ren” Codrina does what any cunning huntress would do: she captures him. Yet she finds herself softening toward the wounded beast—until he turns the tables and forces her into an incomprehensible future.

CAN A HUMAN AND AN IMMORTAL UNITE IN ORDER TO SURVIVE?

As danger mounts, Munro will do anything to make her undying, even sell his soul to an evil sorceress. But first he must convince his fiery mate that she belongs with him. If seduction means her survival, Munro will use every weapon in his arsenal to possess her—forever.


Sonja’s Review: 


Man, where do I even begin? I guess I should start out by saying I can’t believe I JUST READ MUNRO BY KRESLEY COLE! OMG! IT’S SO EXCITING! WOOHOO! 

Now you might be asking yourself if it was necessary for me to shout like that and the answer is yes! I don’t normally yell in my reviews, but I’ve just missed Ms. Cole and the Immortals After Dark series so much that my joy and enthusiasm for the return of both cannot be contained! I have to say that even though it took a little longer than expected for Munro to get here, it truly felt like no time had passed while I was reading. Ms. Cole was completely in her element and she delivered familiarity, freshness, and feeling. Diving into Munro and Kereny’s story was just like stepping back into this world seamlessly and it was totally worth the wait — I wholeheartedly loved Munro! 

Munro was everything I hoped for and more. Kereny was a total capable, fierce, competent boss woman and Munro was so sweet, utterly devoted to Kereny and just so into Kereny busting his chops and giving him a hard time. They both have their flaws but I adored them both on their own and as a couple. Their chemistry is electric and undeniable and I couldn’t get enough! 

Munro was strong, thrilling, and so easy to read. I loved meeting new-ish characters and especially getting to see all the old ones I love. I felt so much happiness and excitement while reading, I was one hundred percent invested and captured, it all still feels so surreal that I just read and finished a new book in the Immortals After Dark series. Munrowas amazing and beautiful and I loved it so hard and can’t wait for even more to come! 

~ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars


About Kresley Cole

Kresley Cole is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the electrifying Immortals After Dark paranormal series, the young adult Arcana Chronicles series, the erotic Game Maker series, and five award-winning historical romances. Her books have been published in 23 countries and consistently appear on the bestseller lists in the U.S. and abroad.

A master's grad and former athlete, Kresley has traveled over much of the world and draws from those experiences to create her memorable characters and settings. 

She lives in Florida with her family and too many pets. 

Tuesday, January 11, 2022

RELEASE BLITZ REVIEW: Triple Threat by K. Webster

Triple Threat by K Webster is now live! 


I'm a prisoner in a prestigious world.
A perfect princess locked in a tower.
My father will never let me go.

Not that I could leave. I would never abandon my little sister. Hope comes in the form of a devilishly handsome man with dark eyes and darker secrets.

With each encounter, I'm lured deeper into the labyrinth. The danger lurking beneath his surface calls to me, even as it warns me away.

Except there's a new side of him every time we meet. A different danger each time we touch. It's as if three different men want to devour me.

He's not just one villain. He's three.


Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Google Play, Kobo, Barnes & Noble!



Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/37CWwwG


Sonja's Review


I couldn’t wait to see if Ms. Webster would write in this Midnight Dynasty world again and if she did, who she would write about. When I found out that it was going to be the triplets, I couldn’t say I was that surprised as it’s very on brand for her to give us a villain’s or this case, villains’ story which I’m usually always on board for, but I won’t lie, I felt a bit apprehensive about that because I was not a fan of the triplets previously. Like at all. Also the fact that this seemed like it was definitely going to be a reverse harem and since I don’t really gravitate towards that trope (though I suppose it’s pretty much it’s own sub-genre at this point) that added to my hesitancy. But if I trust anyone to turn me around on characters with a trope I’m not used to and make me love them and it — it’s K. Webster. So I went into Triple Threat still a little wary, but open for the most part and I completely loved it!

The triplets could be a little frustrating at times, they’re not super into accountability, but I was surprised, though I guess I shouldn’t be re: I trust K. Webster up above there, that I really ended up loving Sparrow, he’s my favorite, I liked Sully and I think I even like Scout! Scout was both what I expected and at the same time wasn’t. I’ve thought that he was the male version of Hannah from Ms. Webster’s War & Peace series and that girl was unhinged and cray cray, so I was thinking that Scout would have the same kind of energy when I was in his head, but surprisingly, he’s a lot more sane than I thought he would be. Don’t get me wrong, dude’s still bonkers, but I actually enjoyed being his POV. Enough about Scout though, he’s fine, I feel like I should say a little about Sully and Sparrow to balance it out some. Sully is the intellectual type and I agree with Sparrow that he’s a whiner, but I guess he’s allowed to be upset that his life has been derailed even though that’s all of their faults. . . anyway, he’s super sweet with Landry and I did like him. Now as for Sparrow, I absolutely looooved him, he’s for sure the best triplet! He’s fun and playful, has a good attitude and I just love the dynamic that him and Landry have. Sparrow’s wonderful and I can’t wait to see more of him in Death Wish!

I thought I would struggle a little with the reverse harem aspect, but Triple Threat didn’t actually feel like one to me or what I imagine a standard one is. I loved how it felt like Landry was with one guy because she’s only ever with one triplet at time and I wasn’t overwhelmed with too much too soon which I appreciated. I was and totally am here for Landry and all three of her guys, I’m excited to see how it all plays out in the next book when they all have to interact together!

Triple Threat had it’s difficult moments, but I so enjoyed reading every minute of it. It was hot, thrilling, fun, and it kept me on the edge of my seat. I think it got my heart beating faster there at the end — it was just a rush to read. I loved this book, I’m so happy that I took a chance on it and I absolutely cannot wait to read Death Wish when it’s available!

~ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars

Meet K

K Webster is a USA Today Bestselling author. Her titles have claimed many bestseller tags in numerous categories, are translated in multiple languages, and have been adapted into audiobooks. She lives in ""Tornado Alley"" with her husband, two children, and her baby dog named Blue. When she's not writing, she's reading, drinking copious amounts of coffee, and researching aliens.

You can easily find K Webster on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Goodreads!

Can't find a certain book? Maybe it's too hot for Amazon! Don't worry because titles like Bad Bad Bad, This is War, Baby, The Wild, and Hale can all be found for sale on K's website in both ebook and paperback format.


Connect with K Webster


Tuesday, July 27, 2021

RELEASE BLITZ REVIEW: Skyscraper Cinderella by K. Webster


Skyscraper Cinderella by K Webster is now live! 


"Brilliant storytelling packed with a powerful emotional punch, it's been years since I've been so invested in a book." - #1 New York Times bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken

The fairy tale you know and love...
With a scorching hot twist!

This is the complete modern Cinderella trilogy in one collection.

Winston Constantine isn't a lover, he's a business venture.
A way for me to pay for college.
A ticket out.

He's never pretended to be anything other than that.
I can't blame him for making me fall in love.

"Extravagant sex, shocking fantasy, and wonderful humor too. I fell into it like a dream...a dream I didn't want to wake up from." - New York Times bestselling author Annabel Joseph


Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Google Play, Kobo, Barnes & Noble!



Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3gChGPI


Sonja's Review


I wanted to read Stroke of Midnight as soon as I saw it because I love K. Webster and I’m always down for a fairytale re-telling. When I learned that it was going to be a trilogy, I decided to wait until all the books were out before I started Ash and Winston’s story. And yeah, I know that the trilogy’s been complete since April, but I’m a big procrastinator and therefore, naturally, I put it off. I probably would have waited even longer, but after reading and really loving Pam Godwin’s Lessons in Sin, I’ve been motivated to check out this Midnight Dynasty world and took advantage of this anthology coming into play. I so loved that Skyscraper Cinderella had all three books and as soon one book ended, all I had to do was flip the page and the next book was right there and I didn’t feel obligated to wait until I finished my review before diving in again! I think I’ll seek out box sets/anthologies more often so I can continue with that, but I’ll actually get into it now. 

I loved Stroke of Midnight from the get-go! It was steamy and Ash and Winston were dirty, filthy, and their banter was just fire — I couldn’t get enough! I loved their dynamic, the way they challenged and pushed each other, and how they had fun, playful, sweet moments. This was a fantastic introduction to Ash and Win and it left me eager to see how everything would all work out! 

Moving onto Prince Charming next. I’m not going to lie, while I really loved the first book, I struggled a little with this one. Win frustrated me a lot, Ash did too a little, but I thought he would be more open to Ash and he was stubbornly trying to resist that! Which I know I guess I shouldn’t be annoyed with him based on my false expectations, but he was just a real turd. They’re like two magnets being pulled together and he was futilely trying to fight the pull and that bothered me. He’s not all bad, he did have his good moments, but I certainly was not his biggest fan by the end of this book, that’s for sure. Prince Charming was a fine book, I just didn’t enjoy it like I did Stroke of Midnight.

Now, we’re at the grand finale with The Glass Slipper and while I definitely had my problems with Prince Charming, I loved the conclusion to Ash and Win’s book so hard! Winston totally got himself back in my good graces and stole my heart and I’ve always loved Ash, she’s a star! It was exciting and kept me guessing the whole way through. It surprised me and reminded me that I never know one hundred percent what Ms. Webster is going to come up with. It was a wonderful ending to the trilogy and left me with a big smile on face and feeling all warm and fuzzy! 

I’m so glad that this trilogy got an anthology because I feel like it allows me to reflect over the entire series in a way that seems more natural to include in this review as opposed to putting it in a review that’s solely for that individual book. It was frustrating and hard at times watching what all Ash and Winston went through, some of it their fault and other times out of their control, but there was definitely plenty of fun, heart melting moments too. Getting to see how their relationship formed, evolved, and strengthened was just so lovely to be a part of. While I should technically give Skyscraper Cinderella four and a half stars as I would really only give Prince Charming four stars, I just have to give it a full five stars because of how much I loved The Glass Slipper! It left me with such a high that it deserves nothing less than five stars — I just loved Ash and Win and their story so much! 
~ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars

Meet K

K Webster is a USA Today Bestselling author. Her titles have claimed many bestseller tags in numerous categories, are translated in multiple languages, and have been adapted into audiobooks. She lives in ""Tornado Alley"" with her husband, two children, and her baby dog named Blue. When she's not writing, she's reading, drinking copious amounts of coffee, and researching aliens.

You can easily find K Webster on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Goodreads!

Can't find a certain book? Maybe it's too hot for Amazon! Don't worry because titles like Bad Bad Bad, This is War, Baby, The Wild, and Hale can all be found for sale on K's website in both ebook and paperback format.


Connect with K Webster


Tuesday, July 13, 2021

RELEASE BLITZ REVIEW: Exposed by Kristen Callihan


Exposed (VIP #4) by Kristen Callihan is now live!


Brenna

There are some people in life who know exactly how to push your buttons. For me, it’s Rye Peterson. We can’t spend more than ten minutes together before we’re at each other’s throats, which makes working together that much harder. Rye is the bassist for Kill John, the biggest rock band in the world, and I am his publicist. It doesn’t help that the man is gorgeous, funny, talented, and…never takes anything seriously. Avoidance is key.

But everything changes when he overhears something he shouldn’t: a confession made in a moment of weakness. Now the man I’ve tried so hard to ignore is offering me the greatest temptation of all—him.


Rye

Brenna James is the one. The one I can’t have. The one I can’t get out of my mind. Believe me, I’ve tried; the woman loathes me. I managed well enough—until I heard her say she’s as lonely as I am. That she needed to be touched, held, satisfied. And I could no longer deny the truth: I wanted to be the one to give her what she craved. 

I convinced her that it would just be sex, mutual satisfaction with nothing deeper. But the moment I have her, she becomes my world. I’ve never given her a good reason to trust me before. Now, I’ve got to show Brenna that we’re so much better together than we ever were apart.

Things are going to get messy. But getting messy with Brenna is what I do best.

Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble!



Sonja's Review


I absolutely adore Kristen Callihan and her VIP series, so you know I was going to be reading Exposed as soon as I could — especially because I’ve been highly anticipating Brenna and Rye’s story as I’m a big enemies to lovers fan and the tension between them was so good in the past. I didn’t have a lot of expectations going in except for that I knew it was going to be a good book and that I would love it. I wasn’t really wrong with those thoughts, but I did struggle with Exposed a bit. I don’t know if I was just in the wrong headspace for it or if I was too in my head while reading, but it just felt like something was missing. I’ve been trying to figure out what that was, but I can explain everything away except for the way I felt. 

I know when I started reading and found out that it was going to be the let’s have sex for awhile pretty much without strings attached trope, I wasn’t enthused, but I understand that it makes the most sense as Rye and Brenna have known each other for a long time now and I trusted that everything would be good since it’s Kristen Callihan. With the trope though, I kept bracing myself for the angst to come because I don’t like angst, but it never really did which I’m very glad for, I guess I just had my guard up for most of the book though. 

I think I just became too guarded and in my head with this book and that was why I didn’t enjoy it as much as the others. I think it would really benefit from a re-read someday because I’ll know exactly what to expect and I can just sit back, relax, and enjoy it fully. I know I haven’t really made this sound good, but it really was fantastic when I push my hang-ups to the side. I loved Brenna and Rye’s dynamic, they were hot, fun, and cute. I loved how much they grew and communicated and just have such a rock solid bond. 

Exposed was beautiful and the best part was honestly Rye — oh, I love that man so much! Rye is the sweetest, most devoted guy ever and he utterly, completely shined. He was my bright spot throughout the entire book and he’s without a doubt my favorite hero in this series and I think he will remain so. Rye makes me excited to read Exposed again some day, but in the meantime, I’ll be looking forward to Whip’s book next! 

~ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars

Meet Kristen

Kristen Callihan is an author because there's nothing else she'd rather be. She has written New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestsellers. Her novels have garnered starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Library Journal. Her debut book, Firelight, received RT Magazine's Seal of Excellence and was named a best book of the year by Library Journal, Best Book of Spring 2012 by Publishers Weekly, and Best Romance Book of 2012 by ALA RUSA. When she's not writing, she's reading.
 

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Tuesday, June 29, 2021

RELEASE BLITZ REVIEW: Lessons in Sin by Pam Godwin

Lessons in Sin by Pam Godwin is now live! 


There's no absolution for the things I've done.
But I found a way to control my impulses.
I became a priest.

As Father Magnus Falke, I suppress my cravings. As the headteacher of a Catholic boarding school, I'm never tempted by a student.

Until Tinsley Constantine. 

The bratty princess challenges my rules and awakens my dark nature. With each punishment I lash upon her, I want more. In my classroom, private rectory, and bent over my altar, I want all of her.

One touch risks everything I stand for. My faith. My redemption. And even my life.

As if that could stop me. I need her pain, and her heart, and she needs my lessons in sin.


Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Google Play, Kobo, Barnes & Noble!



Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/33yV6Bf

Sonja’s Review 


I was so excited when I saw Lessons in Sin because I love Pam Godwin, she’s one of my absolute favorite authors and I love forbidden/taboo romances, so it was a given that I’d pick it up when I could. And it felt so good reading her again as it’s been far too long and this book definitely had all the things I love when it comes to a Pam Godwin book! I loved Magnus and Tinsley and their love — I just adored Lessons in Sin

When I first started reading, with the intros to Tinsley and Magnus we got, I felt a little hesitant about them because I didn’t really like them right away and that got me a touch nervous if I would come to like them at all, but those feelings actually went away pretty quickly as I came to absolutely love them! I love Tinsley more, so I’ll just say that I love how Magnus pushes Tinsley because he knows she’s capable of so much, how he defends her, builds her up, how hard he is, but also how protective, sweet, and loving he is too. 

Magnus is wonderful but Tinsley is really just amazing! I love how it was totally obvious that Tinsley is Gen Z, but though she’s young that doesn’t mean that she wasn't mature because she really was. She’s smart, driven, confident, and so strong. Tinsley is always challenging Magnus and I know they technically shouldn’t feel like they’re on the same level, but they do. Tinsley and Magnus are a perfect match and I just love their relationship! 

Lessons in Sin was beautiful and gave me all the feels. I love how even though there was a good size age gap between Magnus and Tinsley, it never felt like there was one because they both felt like equals. Magnus doesn’t treat Tinsley like a kid or act like he knows better than her because he’s older. They don’t underestimate or take each other for granted. They’re just so in sync and they’re without a doubt meant to be. They stole my heart and made me cry and melt and I definitely think they’ll stay with me for awhile yet. Lessons in Sin was incredible and when I look back on my reading year, I have no doubt I’ll remember this book and couple! 
~ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars

Meet Pam

New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author, Pam Godwin, lives in the Midwest with her husband, their two children, and a foulmouthed parrot. When she ran away, she traveled fourteen countries across five continents, attended three universities, and married the vocalist of her favorite rock band.

Java, tobacco, and dark romance novels are her favorite indulgences, and might be considered more unhealthy than her aversion to sleeping, eating meat, and dolls with blinking eyes.
 

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