C.H. Armstrong's Blog, page 4

[image error]It’s been a long time since I’ve read a cozy mystery, and I’d actually forgotten how much I love them. But when I discovered my friend, J.C. Kenney, had authored a new one (A LITERAL MESS), I knew I had to give it a read. I  just couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy! And when I did, I was not disappointed.

First a moment of full disclosure: J.C. Kenney has been a dear friend to me these last three years, often my mentor and always one of my biggest cheerleaders. With this in mind, you should know I was pre-disposed to fall in love with his newest novel. However, with that said, I feel completely confident telling you that I’d love A LITERAL MESS even if I’d never heard of the author. It’s that good! And the best news is that you can get your hands on a copy TOMORROW when it hits bookshelves everywhere. For now, just let me tell you that I loved the cast of characters in this novel. Allie Cobb, the “Kickboxing Crusader” (an inside joke you’ll get when you read the book) is a complete delight.

Similar to Charlaine Harris’ AURORA TEAGARDEN series, J.C. Kenney has created a homespun detective determined to dig her nose in where it doesn’t belong, and very nearly gets herself killed in the process. This first installment of Allie Cobb is page-turning, and left me completely in suspense regarding “whodunit” until the very end.

Trust me: if your genre is the cozy mystery, you’ll want to get your hands on A LITERAL MESS by J.C. Kenney. Friend or not, he’s one heck of an entertaining author!

SYNOPSIS

The first book in a new series featuring Allie Cobb brings the New York literary agent back to her Hoosier home town where a mysterious death keeps everyone on spoiler alert . . .

Allie Cobb left home for the literary circles of Manhattan to make her name out from under the shadow of her legendary father. Now his death brings her and her rescue cat Ursula back to the southern Indiana town of Rushing Creek, population: 3,216. But a tragic new chapter hits the presses when the body of her father’s hard-drinking, #1 bestselling client is found under the historic town bridge. The local police suspect foul play and their prime candidate for murder is the author’s daughter—Allie’s longtime friend.

Determined to clear her bestie, Allie goes into fact-checking amateur detective mode while trying to ignore the usual rumormongers. Those with means, motive, and opportunity include the vic’s ex-wife, his rejected girlfriend, the mayor, and a rival agent trying to mooch clients. With a rugged genealogist distracting her and the imminent Fall Festival about to send tourists descending on their once-peaceful hamlet, Allie needs to stay alive long enough to get a read on a killer ready to close the book on a new victim: Allie . . .

 

PURCHASE LINKS

Kensington Publishing | Amazon | B&N Nook | Apple iBooks |
Kobo | https://play.google.com/store/search?q=9781516108565&c=books


FIND J.C. KENNEY ON SOCIAL MEDIA

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J.C. Kenney’s Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram

Happy New Year! I can’t believe 2019 has arrived, and with it comes the countdown for the release day of ROAM! If you’ve not been keeping up, ROAM will release in just 34 short days! It feels like it’s taken forever for February 5 to arrive, and yet it also feels like time is speeding by so quickly as I get ready for launch. But more about that later…

I have so many exciting things to tell you in this first blog post of 2019! So buckle up and keep reading…I’ve got tons of secrets to share and some really awesome news!

First up is the release of ROAM and the multi-state book tour that kicks off the day BEFORE the release with a special pre-release launch party at a local high school. Yes, that’s right! I have a special day planned for the high school that inspired the high school in ROAM. I’ll be leading four presentations with students throughout the day, and the kids will have an opportunity to be THE VERY FIRST to get their hands on finished copies of ROAM. Additionally, the students will be hosting a drive to collect items for the school’s  S.O.S. room which provides necessary items (hats, gloves, blankets, easily portable foods, etc) for students in need. All students who participate will have the opportunity to win lunch with me at Rochester, Minnesota’s, own premier Italian pizza restaurant, Pasquale’s Downtown Pizzeria. Huge thank you to Pasquale for generously donating this prize for the students!

The ROAM Multi-State Book Tour is Coming!

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In keeping with the theme of the ROAM Book Tour, I’ve begun creating events on Facebook so you can keep track of where I’ll be. If you’re interested, you can use this link to find a location near you. If you see an event in your area or where you know people, I’d be grateful if you’d share or invite your friends personally! And, if you come to one of these events, please don’t remain anonymous! Introduce yourself and tell me we’ve talked or that you’ve followed me on social media or this website! I’d love to meet you!

Exciting News About THE EDGE OF NOWHERE!

[image error]Now for some REALLY exciting news I’ve been keeping close to the vest for months. About six months ago and by mutual agreement, I parted ways with my previous publisher, Penner Publishing. It was an amicable “divorce,” and was the right thing for both parties. As a result, you may have noticed that THE EDGE OF NOWHERE is no longer available for purchase from bookstores or Amazon. Don’t worry–this is actually a GOOD thing! You see, the AMAZING publisher for ROAM (Central Avenue Publishing) has bought the rights to publish this novel, and together we’re working on edits to clean up the writing and probably add new material. Don’t worry–the story is not changing! We’re simply cleaning up some of the issues I had with my original writing and may add some additional content at the end of the book. And this is where YOU come in! I’ve had tons of questions[image error] over the years about the novel, the people who inspired the characters, which parts were real and which were fiction, and even “what happened to the characters.” This is your chance to let me know what you’d like included in this second edition! If you have a question you’d like answered or resoled in this second edition of THE EDGE OF NOWHERE, send me an email! I want to hear from you! But do it soon…my edits are due to the publisher soon and I’ll be working hard on those changes in the next week so we can hit our projected release date of June 2019! That’s right…only 5 months away!  And guess what? We have a new cover, and y’all are the first to see it!

Pre-Order Your Copy of ROAM While It’s On Sale!

[image error]As always, just a heads up that you can pre-order your copy of ROAM before the February 5th release date and save money! The cover price is $14.99, but you can get your copy for much less if you pre-order instead of waiting for the release date when the price is certain to go up to the regular price. I’ve done an exhaustive search of the web and found significant price drops through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart and Target that make them (in my opinion) the least expensive outlets to purchase a copy, with a savings of somewhere between $3 and $4.50 off the cover price. So shop early! I’m including some links below I’ve found of places you can pre-order ROAM.

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million |

IndieBound | The Book Depository |

Target | Walmart

 

A Huge Thank You!

In closing, I just want to send a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me, my writing, and my publishing goals. Many of your names I know, but there are probably far more I don’t know. To each of you, I send my most heartfelt thanks! If you come to one of my signings, please introduce yourself! Pull out your smartphone and let’s take a selfie! I’d love to meet you and put faces to names!

In the meantime, I send to each of you greetings for a wonderful 2019! May this new year bring you and your loved ones many wonderful surprises!

I’m so excited to announce the WINNER of the ROAM Holiday Gift Pack Giveaway! But first, a HUGE thank you to everyone who entered! I had far more entries on the combined social media of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram than I’ve EVER had! It was so much fun seeing the entries come in, and I’m grateful to everyone who took time to enter. If you didn’t win this time, don’t worry…I have one more gift pack to give away between now and Release Day on February 5…so stay tuned.

In the meantime, CONGRATULATIONS to Kerri Ruth whose name was randomly drawn from all the entries! Kerri has won a signed ADVANCED COPY of ROAM, a Disney’s Little Mermaid fleece throw, and a ROAM coffee mug! Kerri’s gift pack will go out in the mail tomorrow!

For those who missed the giveaway, or if this is the first time you’ve ever heard of ROAM, scroll down a bit for more information. This title is now on sale at a GREAT pre-order only price from various booksellers, but the least expensive I’ve found to date is through Target Online at a 31% discount off the regular cover price. So order now and save money!

 

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COMING

FEB. 5, 2019

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SEE THE BOOK TRAILER NOW!

REVIEWS:

Goodreads | Kirkus |Booklist 

PURCHASE LINKS:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million

IndieBound |The Book Depository | Target | Wal-Mart

OTHER HELPFUL LINKS:

Add to Goodreads | Follow on Twitter | Follow on Facebook

Follow on Instagram | Get the Newsletter

 

When I started publishing a few years ago, I was under the terrible misbelief that publishing and writing was a solitary journey. I couldn’t have been more wrong. In just three years, I’ve met many wonderful people — other writers, readers, bloggers and published authors who’ve gone out of their way to help me and other new authors along the way. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that the writing and reading community is endlessly supportive of each other. It’s as though this community lives by the motto, “Pay it Forward,” and I’m deeply grateful to every single person who has “Paid it forward” for my benefit.

While I wasn’t much able to “Pay it Forward” a few years ago, I can certainly repay a kindness for a kindness. And so today I’m excited to introduce you to my friend, Anthony Renfro, and his novel, WHEN THE DEVIL CALLS. I think you’ll agree that it sounds fantastic!

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What would you do if the devil came calling?

Tom is a ghost hunter and a good one at that. He is a man without morals, without laws, a one man do-it-yourself kind of guy. Then the devil shows up, and Tom finds he is now face to face with pure evil. This sends Tom on a journey that will bring him into contact with all of those he has loved and lost throughout the years. He will reconnect with his ex wives, his kids, and himself. He will explore a side of himself that he never thought existed while the devil tries to regain the soul he is losing. In the end Tom must face down the devil or succumb to a fiery eternal damnation. Win or lose. Tom has no choice but to fight.

PURCHASE LINKS

US | UK | AU | CA

It’s hard to believe the holidays are here! Like many, I spent Thanksgiving week scouring websites for the absolute best deals I could find. And believe it or not, I’m DONE with my holiday shopping! But there’s one thing you can’t buy in stores…at least not until February 5th: ROAM.

If you’d like to get your hands on a free advance (signed) copy of ROAM — either for yourself or as a gift for a loved one — then you want to enter this giveaway gift pack! I’ll be giving away (1) Free Signed Copy of ROAM, (1) ROAM Coffee Mug, and (1) Fleece Little Mermaid Throw (believe it or not, it does tie into the story! LOL!).  All you have to do is find my post on one or more social media outlets and follow the directions to enter! You can enter once for each social media outlet for every time you follow the directions.

 

 

ENTER ON TWITTER: Use this link and follow directions to enter the giveaway!

ENTER ON FACEBOOK: Use this link and follow directions to enter the giveaway!

ENTER ON INTSTAGRAM: Use this link and follow directions to enter the giveaway!

Contest ends on December 10th, and I will notify the winner by December 12th and mail the prize pack no later than December 15th. All prizes not claimed by December 25, 2018 will be considered null and void.

Best wishes to you and good luck!

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[image error]Seventeen year-old Abby Lunde and her family are living on the streets. They had a normal life back in Omaha, but thanks to her mother’s awful mistake, they had to leave what little they had behind for a new start in Rochester. Abby tries to be an average teenager—fitting into school, buoyed by dreams of a boyfriend, college, and a career in music. But Minnesota winters are unforgiving, and so are many teenagers.

Her stepdad promises to put a roof over their heads, but times are tough for everyone and Abby is doing everything she can to keep her shameful secret from her new friends. The divide between rich and poor in high school is painfully obvious, and the stress of never knowing where they’re sleeping or where they’ll find their next meal is taking its toll on the whole family.

As secrets are exposed and the hope for a home fades, Abby knows she must trust those around her to help. But will her friends let her down the same way they did back home, or will they rise to the challenge to help them find a normal life?

Now available for pre-order at a pre-release discounted price through Amazon and Barnes & Noble!

Read What Early Reviewers are Saying:  Click Here!

PURCHASE LINKS:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | IndieBound |

The Book Depository

 

It’s hard to believe the holidays are here! Like many, I spent Thanksgiving week scouring websites for the absolute best deals I could find. And believe it or not, I’m DONE with my holiday shopping! But there’s one thing you can’t buy in stores…at least not until February 5th: ROAM.

If you’d like to get your hands on a free advance (signed) copy of ROAM — either for yourself or as a gift for a loved one — then you want to enter this giveaway gift pack! I’ll be giving away (1) Free Signed Copy of ROAM, (1) ROAM Coffee Mug, and (1) Fleece Little Mermaid Throw (believe it or not, it does tie into the story! LOL!).  All you have to do is find my post on one or more social media outlets and follow the directions to enter! You can enter once for each social media outlet for every time you follow the directions.

ENTER ON TWITTER: Use this link and follow directions to enter the giveaway!

ENTER ON FACEBOOK: Use this link and follow directions to enter the giveaway!

ENTER ON INTSTAGRAM: Use this link and follow directions to enter the giveaway!

Contest ends on December 10th, and I will notify the winner by December 12th and mail the prize pack no later than December 15th. All prizes not claimed by December 25, 2018 will be considered null and void.

Best wishes to you and good luck!

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[image error]Seventeen year-old Abby Lunde and her family are living on the streets. They had a normal life back in Omaha, but thanks to her mother’s awful mistake, they had to leave what little they had behind for a new start in Rochester. Abby tries to be an average teenager—fitting into school, buoyed by dreams of a boyfriend, college, and a career in music. But Minnesota winters are unforgiving, and so are many teenagers.

Her stepdad promises to put a roof over their heads, but times are tough for everyone and Abby is doing everything she can to keep her shameful secret from her new friends. The divide between rich and poor in high school is painfully obvious, and the stress of never knowing where they’re sleeping or where they’ll find their next meal is taking its toll on the whole family.

As secrets are exposed and the hope for a home fades, Abby knows she must trust those around her to help. But will her friends let her down the same way they did back home, or will they rise to the challenge to help them find a normal life?

Now available for pre-order at a pre-release discounted price through Amazon and Barnes & Noble!

Read What Early Reviewers are Saying:  Click Here!

PURCHASE LINKS:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | IndieBound |

The Book Depository

 

[image error]Good morning, Friends! As anyone who knows me knows, I’m maybe the most patriotic person you’ll ever meet. My father retired from the U.S. Army after serving two tours each of Korea and Vietnam, my husband’s grandfather was a WWII POW, and my own brother served 20 years in the U.S. Army. Even my mother (88) is a Woman Veteran from an era when not so many women were enlisted in the armed forces. So I believe in this country, the freedoms we’ve been granted, and I have the deepest love and respect for those who’ve sacrificed their lives for those freedoms and our right to vote as Americans. So with that in mind, I believe strongly in the need for every American to vote, REGARDLESS of their political views.

Because today is ELECTION DAY, I’ve decided to give away one advance reader’s copy of ROAM to one lucky entrant.

NOTE: (10:02AM, Central Time) I am REVISING the rules for this giveaway. I originally offered the giveaway for anyone who voted and took a selfie with an “I Voted” Sticker. I’ve been advised that this is not legal…it is against federal law to giveaway anything in exchange for voting even if you’re not promoting a particular candidate, and I guess I can see why. So…to rectify that, this giveaway is open to ANYONE WHO REPLIES with a comment encouraging others to vote.

HERE ARE THE AMENDED WAYS TO ENTER:!

Go to my Twitter or Facebook Page and find the post pinned to the top of the page with the image below.
Reply with one reason you think voting is important.
Bonus entries for (1) following me on Facebook or Twitter, and (2) Sharing the post with your friends.

That’s it! You’re entered! I’ll combine the entries from Facebook and Twitter and choose a winner tomorrow morning. I’ll even make it easier for you: click on one of the following links to go straight to the post you need to use.

Facebook Entry

Twitter Entry

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PLUS, I’ll give you a BONUS entry if you SHARE that tweet or Facebook post with your friends and followers. Just make sure you tag me so I see it. If you have problems tagging me, then send me a message so I can make sure to count your 2nd vote.

It’s really that simple!

So get out today and vote!

NOTE: Because I can no longer honor entries for “voting,” I am no longer able to offer a bonus entry for first-time voters. My deepest apologies for the confusion. 

COMING

FEB. 5, 2019

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Seventeen year-old Abby Lunde and her family are living on the streets. They had a normal life back in Omaha, but thanks to her mother’s awful mistake, they had to leave what little they had behind for a new start in Rochester. Abby tries to be an average teenager—fitting into school, buoyed by dreams of a boyfriend, college, and a career in music. But Minnesota winters are unforgiving, and so are many teenagers. Her stepdad promises to put a roof over their heads, but times are tough for everyone and Abby is doing everything she can to keep her shameful secret from her new friends. The divide between rich and poor in high school is painfully obvious, and the stress of never knowing where they’re sleeping or where they’ll find their next meal is taking its toll on the whole family. As secrets are exposed and the hope for a home fades, Abby knows she must trust those around her to help. But will her friends let her down the same way they did back home, or will they rise to the challenge to help them find a normal life?

SEE THE BOOK TRAILER NOW!

Now available for pre-order at a pre-release discounted price through Amazon and Barnes & Noble!

Read What Early Reviewers are Saying:  Click Here!

PURCHASE LINKS:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | IndieBound |The Book Depository

EDITORIAL REVIEWS FOR ROAM

“In Roam, C.H. Armstrong sings with a brilliant, powerful youthful voice as she portrays a narrator named Abby who experiences what it’s like to be homeless with her family, while dealing with the emotional and complex daily challenges of attending a new school. We, her readers, are drawn in from the first page. This lovely book has tremendous heart.” —Brandon Hobson, author of Where the Dead Sit Talking

 

“In her warm and hopeful novel, C.H. Armstrong has created a spirited heroine who triumphs over her circumstances thanks to those who believe in her; friends, family, teachers and ultimately, herself.” —Lorna Landvik, author of Once in A Blue Moon Lodge

 

“Armstrong’s book pays compassionate and eloquent attention to teenage angst and love amidst the backdrop of homelessness.” —Cara Sue Achterberg, author of Girls’ Weekend and I’m Not Her

 

“Roam is a compelling, accurate look into the life of a homeless teen. A must-read for all young people to understand the hardship of homelessness and how they can reach out to help others.” —Cathy Lamb, author of No Place I’d Rather Be

 

I love Tuesdays–they’re my favorite day of the entire week! Why? Because Tuesdays mean BOOK BIRTHDAYS! It’s the traditional day of the week for the release of new books!   Today, I’m especially excited because today is the release of Cathy Lamb’s newest novel, THE MAN SHE MARRIED.

In full disclosure, let me first say that I was given a free advance copy of this novel for an honest review. With that said, I’m happy to say that my review is in no way “enhanced” by having been gifted with a free copy.

Now, on to my thoughts on THE MAN SHE MARRIED…

If you’ve followed me for very long, you probably know that Cathy is one of my all-time favorite authors. I fell in love with her books about eight years ago when I ran across her release of SUCH A PRETTY FACE. The title called out to me and, without knowing a single thing about the book, I bought it and devoured it in one sitting. Since then, I’ve managed to read all of Cathy’s books and have fallen irrevocably in love with her characters, their wit, their heartbreak, and their human spirit.

Today I’m happy to report that Cathy’s newest novel, THE MAN SHE MARRIED, is every bit as engaging as her previous novels. In some ways, maybe even more so!

So what’s it about?

Natalie and Zach are the ideal couple who have found their soul mates in each other. But after a tragic accident, Natalie finds herself in a “Coma Coffin.” When she regains consciousness, she struggles to heal and find the woman she once was. But something’s not right. Her husband, Zach, is keeping a secret. A huge one. She knows it, but she can’t quite figure it out and, when she asks him, he’s evasive. But trust me when I tell you the secret is HUGE.

Still, knowing Zach has a huge secret doesn’t detract from his complete likability as a character. Throughout the book, the reader only gets a hint of what the big secret is; and yet it’s completely impossible to resist falling in love with him and hoping that–whatever the secret is–he and Natalie can overcome it and live happily ever after.

Fans of Cathy Lamb are accustomed to finding quirky supporting characters, and THE MAN SHE MARRIED is no different. Aside from the main characters, Natalie and Zach are surrounded by strong, loving, funny, colorful and completely engaging friends and family. It is simply impossible to resist falling in love with every one of the characters.

It is probably with no small amount of shock for those who know me–or those who’ve read any of Cathy Lamb’s novels–that I give THE MAN SHE MARRIED a strong 5-star review! Get it today–you won’t be sorry!

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THE MAN SHE MARRIED

[image error] Release Date: October 30, 2018

Kensington Publishing

(Synopsis taken from author’s website)

Natalie Shelton is in a coma.

That’s not her only problem.

A little longer summary for those who are curious:

When Natalie Shelton thinks back to how things were before the car accident, she remembers a great marriage. She and her husband, Zack, seem as strong and dependable together as the houses he builds. They live in Portland, Oregon, and Natalie is co-owner of a successful accounting firm. They’re happy, she’s almost sure of it.

Yet as Natalie lies trapped in a coma, unable to communicate though aware of everything around her, she realizes that her husband is hiding something. Zack has always been reticent about his past, which she attributed to an unhappy childhood. Now the strange calls he’s receiving, the apologies when he thinks she can’t hear him, and her fragmented memories from the morning of the accident suggest a deeper secret.

When she finally awakens, Natalie is determined to find out the truth. Sorting through clues as her brain heals, she realizes she has a rare opportunity—to reexamine the life she’s made and the man she’s made it with. But as answers come to light, she faces surprising, heartrending decisions, as well as a danger that could upend her world once again, as Zack’s past finally catches up with them . . .

 

 

 

 

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This morning I’m sending out a HUGE Congratulations to Jimmi Evey who is my first winner on the Social Media Giveaway Contest for a signed advance reader copy of ROAM! Stay tuned for future social media giveaways. In the coming weeks, expect to see giveaways specific for Facebook and Instagram users!

For those who missed the giveaway and would like more information about ROAM, check out the information below, then follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram to make sure you get the notifications for future giveaways!

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[image error]Seventeen year-old Abby Lunde and her family are living on the streets. They had a normal life back in Omaha, but thanks to her mother’s awful mistake, they had to leave what little they had behind for a new start in Rochester. Abby tries to be an average teenager—fitting into school, buoyed by dreams of a boyfriend, college, and a career in music. But Minnesota winters are unforgiving, and so are many teenagers.

Her stepdad promises to put a roof over their heads, but times are tough for everyone and Abby is doing everything she can to keep her shameful secret from her new friends. The divide between rich and poor in high school is painfully obvious, and the stress of never knowing where they’re sleeping or where they’ll find their next meal is taking its toll on the whole family.

As secrets are exposed and the hope for a home fades, Abby knows she must trust those around her to help. But will her friends let her down the same way they did back home, or will they rise to the challenge to help them find a normal life?

Now available for pre-order at a pre-release discounted price through Amazon and Barnes & Noble!

Read What Early Reviewers are Saying:  Click Here!

PURCHASE LINKS:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | IndieBound |

The Book Depository

SEE THE VIDEO TRAILER!

[image error]Happy Monday! I’m super excited today to announce a new date on my calendar! For those in Central Minnesota, I’ll be a guest author at the Winona (MN) Public Library for their NaNoWriMo Creative Writing & Local Author Fair on November 3rd from 10am to 12pm! This wonderful event is an opportunity to meet local authors, while maybe getting started on your writing goals for National Novel Writing Month and possibly improve your own writing skills.

So come out and say hi, grab a copy of THE EDGE OF NOWHERE, and register to win a signed early copy of ROAM. While there, take some time to meet some other amazing authors and enjoy one of the many workshops led by talented authors! So come on out and say hello! I hope to see you out there!

Winona Public Library is located at 151 W 5th Street in Winona, Minnesota. For more information, visit their website by using this link.

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