Writer Wednesday Archives | Page 13 of 19

Writer Wednesday: Meet Tina Glasneck!

Posted on October 28, 2015 by Margaret — No Comments ↓

Whoa, wait? It’s Wednesday? Again? How does this keep happening? Yeah, who cares? We LOVE Wednesdays, because it’s Writer Wednesday!

Today I’ve got fellow Virginia Romance Writer Tina Glasneck in the hot seat (I hope it’s hot – it’s getting darn chilly outside!). Tina took time out of her very busy schedule (mom to very young kids, as well as a writer – need I say more?) to share a bit about herself and her writing. Wahoo! So settle in, drink some hot chocolate for me, and leave Tina some comment love when you’ve finished reading all about her.

What inspires you to write?

I often think that if I didn’t write, I’d go mad. Writing is like standing outside naked and asking people what they think. It is sometimes hard, lonely, difficult and the path isn’t always filled with sunshine and butterflies. Yet, I still couldn’t imagine my life without my being able to put pen to paper or to caress my keyboard keys. Not everyone will understand the art of my stories, but those that do, they help to keep me coming back to sit down and share parts of my soul, which I’ve bled onto the page.

Which type of romance do you love most, and why?

I love paranormal romance, and time travel romance. Simply put, there is something magical about magic, and the ability in such a world to exist. All things are possible, including the bending of time, and space. Additionally, there is something about a dashing Lord, and a heroine who doesn’t feel the need to be subservient to him (due to her modern day disposition and constitution).

Name one interesting thing you learned in researching/writing your last book.

I am working on creating my first time-travel romance, and in doing so, I had to dig into Viking mythology, and ascertain how far south in modern day Germany the Vikings made it. One thing that I learned while doing all of this research was about the Brothers Grimm, who lived in Kassel during the 19th century. In fact, they compiled their famous fairy tales in Kassel. This of course led me down the road of recreating fairy tales like they used to be. And, in my latest release, 7 Twisted Fairy Tales, I take flash fiction and look at things from the villain’s point of view.

Name two things people don’t know about you.

Two things that people don’t know about me? Well, that is a hard one. Often I feel like an open book.

The first thing is that I collect castles (fortresses and palaces). I’ve always had an affinity for all things medieval, and everything that has to do with knights in shining armor. I still dream of one day owning my own castle (This is still on my to-be-accomplished list; I’ve already found my knight).

Secondly, I am a romantic; I mean an over-the-top-love-will-conquer-all-and-there-is-nothing-stronger-than-love romantic. So, you probably aren’t surprised by the fact that parts of my life I would actually consider to be part of a fairy tale. I was married in a castle on the outskirts of Kassel, called The Sababurg. It is the Sleeping Beauty Castle, and is surrounded with lovely roses. As you can see, my time travel romance will actually have a little bit of truth. 🙂

7 Twisted Fairy Tales

Do you like fairy tales? Dive into the familiar tales of your youth, but be forewarned — these aren’t your normal fairy tales. They’ve been recreated, fractured, made darker, more sinister. These flash fiction tales are sure to make you look at fairy tales in a new way. Embrace the twisted.

Released specifically for Halloween, and is a collection of flash fiction stories.

Find it on Amazon!

Want to connect further with Tina? You may find her here:

Website: www.TinaGlasneck.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TL-Glasneck-Author-of-Romance-and-Fantasy-1429774030592558/ or https://www.facebook.com/TinaGlasneck

Twitter: @TLGlasneck and @TinaGlasneck

Author Bio:

Tina Glasneck is a crime fiction writer, and aspiring romance writer. She believes in the power of love, complicated stories with complex characters and beautiful settings. Inspired by Jude Deveraux and Kathleen Koen, Tina strives to create stories that keep readers engaged, love that sweeps one away, and a love powerful enough to pull you along for the ride. To learn more about Tina and her melange of writings, visit her at www.TinaGlasneck.com

Thanks so much for sharing some of yourself with us today, Tina!
I, for one, am looking forward to that time-travel romance, indeed, so hurry up and finish writing it, will you?

Writer Wednesday: Meet Debra Druzy

Posted on October 21, 2015 by Margaret — 28 Comments ↓

Didja miss us? Didja miss us? Writer Wednesday was on hiatus last week while I worked to meet an editing deadline, but now we’re BACK and we’ve got contemporary romance author Debra Druzy in the interview hot seat (well, really, I hope it’s just a comfortable, relaxing, warm seat, because I want authors to enjoy being here).

I don’t know about YOU, but with a book entitled Sle eping with Santa, Debra’s got me dying to know more about her and her books (if Santa looks like the guy on her cover, I’m so in)! So settle in while Debra takes over the mic and shares a bit about herself, and what’s next for her writing.

Thank you for having me on your Writer Wednesday blog, Margaret. And Hello to your fabulous followers!

I’m Debra Druzy, author of Sleeping With Santa, a contemporary romance. These questions were a nice break from revising my current work in progress. And a helluva lot easier than third grade Common Core math homework.

What inspires you to write?

Everything. Dreams. Conversations. Driving. Grocery shopping. Doing laundry. Watching the news. Music is especially inspirational—I call it songspiration.

Which type of romance do you love most, and why?

Contemporary is my favorite because I relate to the time, place, and language better than some other genres.

Name one interesting thing you learned in researching/writing your last book.

I learned that I must plot the story rather than write from the seat of my pants. I can’t drive my car anywhere without my GPS guiding the way, so I don’t what made me think I could write without knowing where the story was going.

Name two things people don’t know about you.

I can’t fall asleep with the television on. [ML says: People can do that? I sure can’t!]
I was born the day the Mets won the World Series, the first time.

What fellow romance author do you recommend reading, and why?

I have the privilege to beta read for two writer-friends. Arla Dahl’s Immoral Virtue Trilogy gives the Salem witch trials an erotic twist. I consider Arla’s style Fifty Shades of Shakespeare. And Stephanie Kepke’s Goddess of Suburbia is a chick-lit romance. I compare reading the story to taking a road trip with a good friend as she recaps a nervous breakdown with heart and humor. I have to mention Cherry Adair—she is a fabulous writer and mentor. If you like action-adventure-romance, check out Cherry’s books.

What one piece of advice do you wish you’d had when first starting out?

Plot first!
It’s fine to sit and free-write to get the juices going and warm up the muse. But like cooking, driving, building a house, sewing a dress—having a recipe, a map, a blueprint, a pattern to follow is a tremendous help. Set up the framework for the story before layering the details.

What’s your favorite romance novel of all time, and why?

Although contemporary is my favorite genre, Thea Devine’s historical romance, Secret Pleasures, is my favorite story. It’s a little bit of everything decadent—murder, mystery, romance, erotica. I bought the book when it first came out to read on my train ride to work, and it proved to be a naughty escape during the long roundtrip commute. The paperback is still in my nightstand drawer.

Thanks again, Margaret. And thanks to your followers for stopping by.

If you haven’t slept with Santa yet, you can get the SLEEPING WITH SANTA
e-book on sale for only 99 cents, until October 29.

When Nick reluctantly accepts the temporary transfer to the Scenic View Fire Department he doesn’t plan on playing Santa Claus for the kiddie Christmas party. Sticking around town for the special assignment will give him a chance to get to know lonely, local sweetheart Lily and find out why she wants nothing to do with him.

Lily is a lifelong fixture in Scenic View, sick of living hand-to-mouth in a place where everyone’s nose is in her personal business. Just when she’s ready to move out of town, she meets the gorgeous newcomer, and it’s lust at first sight. The only thing is she doesn’t date firemen, which is too bad, because charming Nick seems like a real keeper.

With a little Christmas magic and help from the Santa suit, will Nick find a way into Lily’s heart and change her mind?

You’re gonna have to sleep with Santa to find out.

Get SLEEPING WITH SANTA for .99 October 16 – 29.

Find it here:

TWRP store: http://tinyurl.com/n2fqx4x

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1628307374

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/sleeping-with-santa

All Romance EBooks: http://tinyurl.com/owen27w

Bookstrand.com: http://www.bookstrand.com/sleeping-with-santa

iTunes: http://tinyurl.com/ok8vx8b

BN Nook: http://tinyurl.com/ko9rohd

For more information and links for where to buy, please visit http://www.debradruzy.com/

A bit about Debra:

Debra Druzy is a married, stay-at-home mom, writing romance in between running errands and doing household chores. Sleeping with Santa is her first published book, but there are plenty of unfinished stories in the closet and under the bed, which is probably bad for feng shui, but a good lesson in persistence pays off.

Want to connect further? Find Debra here:

Debra Druzy Online: http://www.debradruzy.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/debradruzyauthor

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/DebraDruzy

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/debradruzy/

Thanks so much for being a part of Writer Wednesday, Debra! It was a pleasure to have you with us!

Writer Wednesday: Meet Katherine Bone

Posted on October 7, 2015 by Margaret — 14 Comments ↓

Ahoy, mateys! It be Writer Wednesday! That most fabulous Writer Wednesday, I say, fer which we ~~capture~~ invite authors ta board ship an’ hoist an ale while sharin’ a tale. I be eyein’ it most pleasurably that romance scribblin’ lassie Katherine Bone done popped by ta ~~mop tha poop deck~~ spill a bit o’ her secrets! (Okay, I’ll go back to my native tongue, though I am an avid participant in International Talk Like A Pirate Day every September 19th. Arrr!)

Katherine writes sweeping adventures on the high seas . . . adventures in love, that is (well, okay, with swell escapades and unexpected events for good measure). Grab yer parrot and a cracker, and settle in for a wee chat wit’ Lady Katherine, lest ye be forced to walk tha plank! (Oops, yeah, hard for me to give it up once I start. Scurvy dog!)

What inspires you to write?

Love, swashbuckling heroes, my favorite movies, books, and tv shows. Writing stories that ARR an anchor of hope to those who read them. Finding that special research nugget that thrills my piratey senses!

Name one interesting thing you learned in researching/writing your last book.

I love researching for the books I write! History draws me in almost as much as the idea that love conquers all. For my new Regent’s Revenge Series, I’ve been spending a lot of time researching Exeter, United Kingdom. Exeter dates back to the reign of Julius Caesar, 54 B.C. The most south-westerly fortified settlement in England, it was surrounded by walls to protect Romans from unsubdued Britons there—think Boadicea. Major cathedrals and castles dating back to the 11^th Century still stand after the Norman Conquest and WWII bombing. Lieutenant Lapenotiere carried the Trafalgar Dispatch and raced his post chaste featured in My Lady Rogue, A Nelson’s Tea Novella #2, through Exeter in 1805. (I discovered Exeter while researching that book. Isn’t that cool?) Exeter has played an important part in history throughout its existence. LOVE that people are still digging up Roman coins there too!

What fellow romance author do you recommend reading, and why?

There are so many great romance authors publishing books today, but I’m particularly jazzed about Author Virginia Taylor‘s South Landers Series. Ms. Taylor’s writing is captivating, sizzling, and unforgettably fresh. Set in Victorian Australia, Starling is the first book in her series. Starling was a FANtastic read I couldn’t put it down! And I’m super jazzed that the second book in her series, Ella, releases October 13th! (I preordered it months ago and have been eagerly awaiting it.) Go out and buy these books now, if you haven’t already, me hearties. Huzzah!!!

What’s your favorite romance novel of all time, and why?

My favorite romance of all time would have to be Kathleen E. Woodiwiss’s Come Love a Stranger. I loved that book so much I named my daughter, Lierin, after the heroine. Come Love a Stranger featured amnesia and twin sisters. But what struck me most was the tortured hero who loved his wife and fought for her even when she couldn’t remember him. (Fell in love with alpha heroes here.) Epic romance at its best!!! My second favorite book would have to be Phantom by Susan Kay. Phantom is a romance that will stay with you forever!

Now available for pre-order:

Once Upon a True Love’s Kiss Anthology, featuring USA Today Best-selling author, Julie Johnstone, who joins best-selling, award-winning authors, Katherine Bone, Collette Cameron, Jillian Chantal, Samantha Grace, Alanna Lucas, Lauren Smith, and Victoria Vane in this delightful limited edition, containing eight tantalizing kiss-and-tell stories. Meet dashing, wildly charming rogues, spies, pirates, rakes and their extraordinary, intrepid heroines as they whisk you along on sweet to sizzling romantic romps in these wickedly entertaining historical romances.

Here’s what you’ll find from Katherine in that fabulous anthology:

THE PIRATE’S DUCHESS by KATHERINE BONE –

Duty forces him to take on the pirate code, but honor brings him back.

Prudence, Duchess of Blackmoor, has one desire—to be happy again. After struggling to overcome the horrifying death of her husband, she accepts an earl’s offer of marriage, confident she’s taking a step in the right direction. But demons, refuse to die, and Prudence finds herself caught in an intricate web of deceit that threatens the very foundations of all she holds dear.

Tobias, the Duke of Blackmoor, crosses the line when an assassination attempt on him fails. To restore the reputations of friends under attack by the same villain, and ensure his wife’s safety, he stages his own death, becoming The Black Regent, a notorious pirate bent on brandishing justice, never thinking he’d survive. But to his amazement, he has, and now the darkest-kept secrets are not worth losing the duchess his wife has become.

Find the pre-order anthology here: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and Kobo

National Bestselling Historical Romance Author Katherine Bone has been passionate about history since she had the opportunity to travel to various Army bases, castles, battlegrounds, and cathedrals as an Army brat turned Officer’s Wife. Who knew that an Army wife’s passion for romance novels would lead to pirates? Certainly not her rogue, whose Alma Mater’s adage is “Go Army. Beat Navy!” Now enjoying the best of both worlds, Katherine lives with her rogue in the south where she writes about Rogues, Rebels and Rakes, aka Pirates, Lords, Captains, Duty, Honor, and Country and the happily ever afters every alpha male and damsel deserve.

Want to connect further with Katherine? Find her here:

Website: www.katherinebone.com

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/katlbone/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/katherinelbone

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/katherine-bone/50/759/483

Instagram: http://instagram.com/katlbone

Tumblr: http://katherinelbone.tumblr.com/

Tsu: https://www.tsu.co/katherinebone

Facebook- Official Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Katherine-Bones-Official-Fan-Page/134578253291785

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Katherine-Bone/e/B009MO30MU/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

Goodreads Author Page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6535406.Katherine_Bone

Thanks so much for making us one o’ yer ports of call today, Katherine! ‘Twas a pleasure, indeed!

Writer Wednesday: Meet Kathleen Bittner Roth

Posted on September 30, 2015 by Margaret — No Comments ↓

#WriterWednesday. #WriterWednesday! Whee haw, it’s #WriterWednesday!

Today we have Kathleen Bittner Roth joining us all the way from Budapest! Isn’t the internet grand? Budapest, people! I’ve had the pleasure of being Facebook friends with Ms. Roth for some time now, and I always look forward to what she has to say – she’s whip-smart and has great insight.

I hope you enjoy this little interview, and leave her a comment or two!

Thank you for having me as your guest today, Margaret!

[ML: Thank YOU for joining us! Woo hoo! Romance author in the house!]

What inspires you to write?

When it comes to inspiration, I’m a real addict. I live in Budapest, Hungary, a fascinating city both historically and architecturally. Just about any place I go around here is a visual inspiration. People inspire me as well. Not long ago, my twelve-year-old nephew asked if I would include him in one of my stories. Since I write historical romance, I didn’t think I could. He’s fascinated by anything having to do with WWII. Suddenly, an idea popped into my head to transpose his age from 12 – 21, make him a P-51 Mustang fighter pilot and a story was born. I just returned from Northern France for some fabulous WWII research. Talk about inspiring!

Which type of romance do you love most, and why?

I love historical romance, particularly those stories set in the Victorian era, a time when women were willing to stand up and fight for their rights, when new laws were being set in place, and when the idea of marrying for love was taking hold. Aside from getting carried away in a setting far removed from the oftentimes raw world of today, I love the research.

Name one interesting thing you learned in researching/writing your last book.

My latest book, Josette, which released yesterday, takes place in New Orleans in 1857. My heroine runs an exclusive shop for women where she concocts creams that are meant to both heal and keep a woman’s skin soft and ageless. Of course, this meant tons of research in order to write as much as one paragraph in the story. I found it fascinating that back then spider webs were placed over a wound to protect and enhance healing. I wonder why we stopped using some of the natural remedies that actually worked.

Name two things people don’t know about you.

Thing one: I was once a serious ballet student.

Thing two: I lived four years along the Adriatic Sea in Opatija, Croatia. Emperor Franz Joseph built the town as a spa area for his wife, Empress Elizabeth. Soon, the wealthy followed suit which accounts for all the grand old baroque villas both in town and lining the coast. If you ever get a chance, vacation there.

What fellow romance author do you recommend reading, and why?

Heather Ashby’s Love In The Fleet series. Not only does Heather write riveting stories, she is ex-Navy herself. She also co-writes with active pilots so her details are spot on. Heather donates half her royalties to Fisher House to benefit families of wounded soldiers and sailors.

What one piece of advice do you wish you’d had when first starting out?

I wish someone would have told me not to listen to naysayers, to listen carefully to my intuitive heart, write what I love, and connect with good, supportive critique partners. Early on, I made the huge mistake of showing what I had written to someone I respected but who knew nothing about the industry. This person tore me and my work apart. Devastated, I put my manuscript aside for years. She also dogged me to use a pen name so as not to embarrass my family. I boldly write under my own name and my relatives love my work.

What’s your favorite romance novel of all time, and why?

The Devil In Winter by Lisa Kleypas. The banter between the hero and heroine is priceless, the hero is a badass I loved and detested at the same time, and the lamblike heroine turns out to be strong-willed and tough as leather. The chemistry that builds between the two, and the personal growth that takes place keeps the story moving forward on several levels. I couldn’t put the book down. Once finished, I started reading it again for a slower, more seductive read.

And now, a bit on Josette!

“Monsieur Andrews, welcome to my home.”

At the smoky, velvet sound, Cameron swung around. Every function in his body–heart, breath, blood ceased to function.

She was lovely. More than lovely.

Tendrils of raven hair framed a face so exquisite, it disarmed him. Her mouth, a soft, dewy pink, parted. And those eyes, as dark as Creole coffee, intelligent and assessing, roamed over him and then back to take hold of his. He needed to step closer, to stroke her skin. To possess her. But would his wealth and worldly experience be a match for the free-spirited Cajun-born widow?

Across the oceans, between worlds old and new–two lost souls find themselves at a crossroads.

Find Josette on Amazon and Barnes & Noble!

Kathleen Bittner Roth thrives on creating passionate stories featuring characters who are forced to draw on their strength of spirit to overcome adversity and find unending love. Her own fairy tale wedding in a Scottish castle led her to her current residence in Budapest, Hungary, considered one of Europe’s most romantic cities. However, she still keeps one boot firmly in Texas and the other in her home state of Minnesota. A member of Romance Writers of America®, she was a finalist in the prestigious Golden Heart® contest.

Want to connect with Kathleen?

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kathleen.bittnerroth.author

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/bittnerroth/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/K_BittnerRoth

Website: www.kathleenbittnerroth.com

Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing a bit of your very exciting life with us, Kathleen!
Wishing you the best with Josette, and all of your romances.

Writer Wednesday: Guest Post from Kathryn Barrett

Posted on September 23, 2015 by Margaret — No Comments ↓

Writer Wednesday is back! Par-tay!

This time, we’re shaking it up a little bit. Instead of a standard interview, Kathryn Barrett is taking over the whole shebang (with my blessing, of course, especially since she was already subject to my quizzing in March) and giving us a little insight into her novels, including her latest, True Gold.

It’s kind of fun sitting back with the rest of y’all and seeing (okay, reading) what she has to say.

(Also, if you haven’t checked out her first book, Temptation, you should! I adored it – and have both Redemption and True Gold in my stack of books to read next!)

You gotta have friends…and so do your characters

Like any author, I love my characters, but sometimes, I love their friends more. My third release, True Gold, features a character who first appeared in my last book, Redemption. He’s the head of the company the main character works for, and he makes a brief appearance at the end, a supportive boss and friend. But as I was writing Redemption, I wanted to know more about this guy, who first appeared to me as a shadowy figure, a quiet man who didn’t have many friends, but who’d formed a friendship with Claire because they were very much alike in temperament.

My first book, Temptation, also features a friend of the main character Laura, who was also the hero of Redemption—Matt Grayson, a Hollywood A-list actor and director who, I knew, had been recently reunited with his true love.

When best friends pop in for brief appearances in my books—or even in the many book ideas that for now exist only in my head—I want to know their story too. When I first started writing I’d often be led astray by these friends. At its midpoint, the book I was writing became dull and difficult, so I let myself be distracted by the shiny new friend who’d appeared. Who is he? What’s her story? What’s he hiding? The tantalizing secrets they held intrigued me, tempted me away from the current work in progress. Finally I had to get tough with myself and just finish the book, promising myself I’d go back and write the other stories—discover what that character was all about—later.

I think friends are easier to include than family members. There’s a reason why so many romance heroes and heroines are orphans: parents are often an inconvenient complication in a plot—unless they’re estranged, they need to show up once in a while if the story is to be realistic. But a friend can pop in long enough to offer valuable advice a character needs to get beyond the Black Moment she’s found herself in.

Other authors I like write the same sort of loosely connected stories: Nora Roberts, Susan E. Phillips, and Judith McNaught, whose books first convinced me I needed to write romance. And the best thing is, there’s never a shortage of story ideas. As long as a character isn’t totally friendless, there’ll be someone in my head, waiting in the wings for his story to be told. And then, I get to check in on my previous characters, too, as they inevitably make an appearance in their friends’ books.

What about you? Do you like to read or write about friends of previous main characters?

TRUE GOLD:

Connor Forrest is a self-made billionaire only one generation removed from the emerald turf of his mother’s Ireland. Jaded by the high risk, high tech investment world he inhabits, he has little time for introspection, poetry, or true love. A piece of perfectly thought out logic, on the other hand, makes him weak in the knees.

Rebecca Evans is a brilliant computer programmer disguised as a ditzy blonde. She’s looking for love, but people are not as predictable as mathematical equations.

A fall in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park sends her straight into Connor’s arms, but getting into his heart is a much harder task.

Can Connor learn that true love, like gold futures, is worth a little risk?

Find True Gold here:

Simon and Schuster: http://books.simonandschuster.com/True-Gold/Kathryn-Barrett/9781623422158

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/True-Gold-Kathryn-Barrett-ebook/dp/B00ZPNZJIU

Amazon.co.uk: http://www.amazon.co.uk/True-Gold-Kathryn-Barrett-ebook/dp/B00ZPMWPK6/

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/true-gold-kathryn-barrett/1122135938

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/true-gold/id1006823331?mt=11

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/true-gold-1

BooksAMillion: http://www.booksamillion.com/search?query=9781623422158

Bio:

Kathryn Barrett reluctantly put aside childhood dreams of becoming an author and took a more practical approach, majoring in Business Administration in college. But after marrying an Air Force officer, she realized a career in high finance didn’t suit an itinerant lifestyle. She happily returned to her first love, writing stories that feature larger-than-life characters, family relationships, and of course, a happy ending.

Her award-winning novel Temptation was published in 2013, followed by Redemption in 2014.

Having lived all over the world, Kathryn and her family have recently relocated to northern Virginia. She enjoys long walks with her squirrel-obsessed dog, traveling to tiny European countries, cooking vegan feasts, and, only occasionally, she still reads the Financial Times.

Website: http://kathrynbarrett.com

Twitter: @KathrynSBarrett

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKathrynBarrett

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Kathryn-Barrett/e/B00BHSWH00/

Thanks so much, Kathryn!
I, for one, LOVE series interconnected by siblings or friends (as all my stories will be).
I’m so glad you could share your insights today.

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Writer Wednesday is back! Par-tay!

You gotta have friends…and so do your characters

TRUE GOLD:

Find True Gold here:

Bio:

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