Blessing in Disguise (Red River of the North #6)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Not the best in the series, but worth the time to read
  • Blessings in Disguise
  • all the books were wonderfu.
  • Wish there were more
  • Is Blessing a Town, State of Mind or a Predicament?
Blessing in Disguise (Red River of the North #6)
Lauraine Snelling
Manufacturer: Bethany House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0764201964
Release Date: 2007-02-01

Book Description

Her first mistake was emigrating alone. Was this one even worse? Augusta Bjorklund, after discovering her intended bridegroom married someone else, decided to leave her broken heart in Norway and start a new life in America. But knowing no English, Augusta misunderstands a ticket agent's directions in St. Paul, Minnesota, and in the harried confusion, she boards the wrong train. Her Bjorklund relatives eagerly await Augusta's arrival in North Dakota. When the train reaches the town of Blessing with the woman nowhere in sight, the worried family hopes she will be on the next train. But the following morning only her trunk shows up. Arriving at the end of the line, Augusta is met by a handsome young rancher, Kane Moyer, who is waiting for his Norwegian mail-order bride…. She told him she was headed for Blessing. Why will he not take her there?

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Not the best in the series, but worth the time to read.......2003-04-08

I love this series, but Augusta isn't my favorite character and I really wanted to spend more time with the folks in Blessing. I also thought that the plot was a little too far-fetched. Most of what Ms. Snelling writes is very true to homesteading (with the usual concessions to fiction), but this was one was harder to see happening that Augusta would get that lost and not end up dead or used. God does work in mysterious ways, so I can imagine it could have happened, just unlikely. But I was glad to see more of the characters in Blessing!

5 out of 5 stars Blessings in Disguise.......2002-12-01

I read this book in the series first. I found it with the new arrivals in the library. I couldn't put it down. When I discovered it was the LAST in a series, I went to find the first book. Ms. Snelling writes in a way that compells you to continue to the next chapter to see what will transpire. It's nice to find a book written this well that is historical fiction!!!. I enjoy reading about the pioneer era in this county. These historical details are a nice addition to the plot of the "lost" heroine Augusta. However,I would suggust reading the books in order.

5 out of 5 stars all the books were wonderfu........2001-09-25

I for one would like for you to write more about the people you introduced to us in Blessing, N.D. Like, does Penny and Mary Martha have children, does Karen start a school for the deaf, does Zeb McCallister come back and etc.? What those people went through reminded me of my parents and grandparents went through when they came here from Norway many years ago. Thank you for some great reading. Ardith Haraldson

5 out of 5 stars Wish there were more.......2001-06-19

The only problem I could see with the Red River Series was that it had ended.I would very much enjoy finding out if Hjelmer and Penny ever became parents and whatever would become of Kaaren"s school.It would have been nice to see all of the Bjorkland children grown and the town grow as well.Ms.Snelling could make them into a saga instead of just a series.I thoroughly enjoyed all of the books.

5 out of 5 stars Is Blessing a Town, State of Mind or a Predicament?.......2001-06-15

I am so glad I waited for book six in this series because after book five I was ready to throw in the towel. However, this one more than compensated my determination to finish the series!

Augusta- the oldest Bjorkland daughter is finally immigrating to the United States. Her mother, Bridget is excited to have her join the staff of her new Boarding House in the town of Blessing. Henry has come into Bridget's life, but she is way too old for romance - or is she?

Kane is introduced in the book for the first time and is a bachelor-rancher who has sent for a mail order bride from Norway. He lives a whole state away in South Dakota. A lost letter of explanation lends incredible suspense and disaster to his life.

A cluster of unavoidable situations and horrible consequences because of language barriers lead to some exciting, troubling legal, spiritual and familial fiascoes which take emotional toll and tax the patience of the families of the participants.

The storyline does move from Blessing to the Ranch and the journeys of Hjelmer but Snelling does a great job keeping it systematized and integrated. I found it somewhat frustrating to have to leave a character when the author chose to jump to a different location, but I understood her reasoning.

A good portion of the book is consumed with the search for Augusta, carried out by Hjelmer and Henry at the insistence of Bridget. A generation gap complete with different expectations and considerably exclusive social mores causes part of this book to become a mystery as well.

Many of the original characters are now in the background, and this book primarily features Hjelmer, Bridget, Kane and Augusta. The manner in which their lives become interwoven is masterfully orchestrated and carried out with intrigue, suspense and emotion.

I highly recommend the complete series of six books, and I recently learned that Lauraine Snelling has instituted a down-the-line-sequel series titled "Return to Red River." The first book is called "A Dream to Follow" and I intend to read this new series as well.

I do think the author needs a finer tuned editing system to keep straight the names of her characters, but for the most part, the excitement of this final book in the series more than made up for the slight variations.
Blessings in Disguise
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Blessing Lessons (4.5) Stars
  • What a Blessing!
  • Wonderful, wonderful book
Blessings in Disguise
ReShonda Tate Billingsley
Manufacturer: Pocket
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1416525610

Book Description

The second book in an exciting and inspiring new series from national bestselling author ReShonda Tate Billingsley

They share a precious gift. . . .

Joining Rachel Jackson's church youth group has been a lifesaver for Camille, Alexis, Jasmine, and Angel. The fabulous four share everything from juicy gossip to mentoring school kids. But their loyalty is put to the test when two of the girls get caught up in problems of their own -- and may drag their girlfriends down with them.

Will they forget who their friends are?

Wealthy Alexis seems to have the perfect life -- but no one can see her fear as her parents head for divorce. Meanwhile, Jasmine is tired of being the glue that holds her mother and siblings together, and she escapes by moving in with her father. Both girls are tempted to do something drastic to get the attention they crave, and both need to hear Rachel's hard-won advice on why stealing will only get them more trouble. But when it comes to winning back Camille and Angel's trust, Alexis and Jasmine will have to find the answers in their own hearts.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Blessing Lessons (4.5) Stars.......2007-03-23

Blessings in Disguise by ReShonda Tate Billingsley picks up six months after her first book in the teen series, Nothing But Drama, ends. In the first book, we were introduced to Camille, Alexis, Angel and Jasmine, who had become a part of a Christian teen group, dubbed The Good Girlz. The first book was told in alternating, character chapters. In Blessings in Disguise, Ms. Billingsley allows the story to be told in one voice, the voice of Jasmine.

Jasmine is a plus-sized, fifteen-year old with many insecurities and a chip on her shoulder. She is plagued by feelings of being unattractive, poor and overworked by her family. She is also consumed with finding the father she has never known. Jasmine's fate changes when she discovers that Donovan a star athlete, new to her school, has genuine feeling for her. Her relationship with Donovan is a bright spot in her life, but there are always other issues.

Jasmine discovers that her friends from the Good Girlz are involved in illegal activities, and though she does not agree, she finds herself going along for the ride. She also has a lead on where her father might be located. She is convinced once she finds him her life will be perfect. What Jasmine discovers is that everything that looks good is not necessarily good for you. Finding herself in trouble will prove to her and her friends that trouble can often be blessings in disguise.

Blessings in Disguise is a fast-paced, enjoyable cautionary tale. This book is recommended for any young person and anyone who remembers being young.

Angelia Menchan
APOOO BookClub

5 out of 5 stars What a Blessing!.......2007-02-07

I have been a fan of Reshonda Tate Billingsley for only a short while but I can tell you this: This book is a great Christian read - for the young & old!

5 out of 5 stars Wonderful, wonderful book.......2007-02-01

Book 2 doesnt dissapoint as the drama with the good girlz continues. This is the type of book I've been waiting on for my daughter. Both of us loved it! I loved how the girls made wrong choices, and were able to learn from their mistakes. We need more books like this. I cant wait for the third book!
Blessings in Disguise: Blind Promises/Logan's Child/Suddenly Daddy (Love Inspired Anthology)
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Blessings in Disguise: Blind Promises/Logan's Child/Suddenly Daddy (Love Inspired Anthology)
    Diana Palmer , Lenora Worth , and Loree Lough
    Manufacturer: Steeple Hill
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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    ASIN: 0373872399

    Book Description

    This spring, three women will find love where they least expect it!

    Diana Palmer -- Blind Promises
    In a tragic accident, Gannon van der Vere had been temporarily blinded, and despite hours of prayer, kindness and sheer persistence, nurse Dana Steele couldn't penetrate his wall of darkness. Would the healing powers of true love and faith be enough to heal Gannon's hardened heart?

    Lenora Worth -- Logan's Child
    Debutante Trixie Dunaway had it all. She was the darling of Dallas, but her youthful infatuation with Logan Maxwell had torn her apart. She'd been forced to abandon the man she loved -- and her precious baby -- forever. Now, years later, Logan stood before her, a darling child at his side. Was God giving them a second chance?

    Loree Lough -- Suddenly Daddy
    Swept to the altar on a whirlwind courtship, Ciara and Mitch Mahoney had their honeymoon cut short when FBI special agent Mitch had to go undercover. When he returned, Mitch knew Ciara would be angry -- but he didn't think she'd be seven months pregnant! Suddenly, Mitch knew only heaven above could help him win Ciara's heart again . . .

    Three Moving Ispirational Romanes About The Surprising Powers Of Love
    Blessing in Disguise
    Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
    • Pretty Good
    • Decent and Easy read. A good Beach book
    • Good, few caveats...
    • Good, Not Great
    • A Deeply Felt Story!
    Blessing in Disguise
    Eileen Goudge
    Manufacturer: Signet
    ProductGroup: Book
    Binding: Paperback

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    ASIN: 0451184041

    Customer Reviews:

    3 out of 5 stars Pretty Good.......2006-09-08

    I loved the story line, but it was too drawn-out. If it had of been written on half as many pages, I probably would have given it 5 stars. The story was great, and I don't want to say much so I don't mess it up for those who haven't read it yet. But I will say that there is one particular coincidence that I really liked. (Eileen is known for her coincidences, but I love that about her.) On a lighter note, I am glad the senator's widow found a new husband - she deserved it.

    3 out of 5 stars Decent and Easy read. A good Beach book.......2004-01-12

    Blessing in Disguise is more like a blessing to an over worked mind that needs a bit of mind candy. The character of Grace Truscott, the intelligent and privileged daughter of a former senator, undertakes the task of writing her idolized father's biography. However, after only the first draft, a myriad of difficulties surface. To start, after crossing each of the many bridges on her journey, she finds she is writing a biography about a man she hardly knows. A man that lived a life very different than the one his daughter had imagined. Although these many complexities initially draw the reader in, they become an annoyance after a while, especially the complexities that take place in Grace Truscott's personal life. For one, I find it hard to believe the author, who at first introduced Grace as a strong and determined woman would bring her to points of desperation with the man she loves. The passion is not what I am knocking, but I could do without her insatiable desire to marry her lover Jack. I should add however, that while this bothered me, it in no way bothered me as much as many of the other characters, namely Jack's son Ben, and Grace's selfish and social conscious sister, Sissy. It should be said however, that one of the truths Grace finds when researching the bio leads her to the discovery of Nola, her half sister. The story itself was heartwarming, but little else. At times it is a wonder that Grace's biography ever gets finished and her personal problems ever get resolved. Nevertheless, Blessing in Disguise has a typically "happy ending".

    5 out of 5 stars Good, few caveats..........2003-10-28

    I listened to the audio version of blessing in disguise (all 16 hours!), and found myself strangely compelled by the lives of Grace, Cordelia, Jack etc. The story is the tale of Grace Trescott, the daughter of renowned civil rights leader. She is writing a controversial novel about her father. She is also involved in an interfaith relationship with an older man with older children. As if this weren't problematic enough, Grace discovers the truth about her father and his relationship with his secretary and this strains the relationship between her and the rest of her family.

    While I liked "Blessing in Disguise" it was not without flaws. Number 1. I got really really tired of Jack, Grace's boyfriend. He was whiny, "I'm too old for her....." Yep, agree with him there. He was also too immature, and too focused on his own children. I thought the age difference was icky and did not work for me. The problems with an interfaith marriage weren't even touched upon. Overall, I was really sick of Jack by the end. Grace was better off with the veterinarian.

    2. Ben. Hated the character. He is an abusive user and gets away with it. I don't buy the 'therapy cure-all' excuse at the end of the book. Ben needed more than just therapy, he needed to be locked up. His "Feel sorry for me, I'm a poor little rich kid" just wore thin... Get over yourself Ben!

    3. Cordelia: liked her. Liked her relationship with her gardener boyfriend. But what is with Goudge and writing characters who are in relationships with much older people? Seriously, two romances in one book between two people with a large age difference began to skeeve me out...

    4. Also, while I appreciated hearing about Hannah, Ben and the other minor characters, there was WAY too much time spent on the children. I would've preferred more character development between the main romantic couples and less time spent with the two teenage malcontents. (The scene where Chris ran away had me rolling my eyes in pain.

    Overall, despite my criticism of this novel, I felt it was extremely well-written. Goudge made you feel for the characters, and is an extremely talented author, making even the most trite stereotypes seem fresh. While I didn't care for some of the subject matter: older man/younger woman, younger woman/older man, rape, adultery etc. I felt she handled the topic well.

    3 out of 5 stars Good, Not Great.......2002-12-11

    This was my first Eileen Goudge book, and I think the general premise and story is pretty good. I also liked most of the main characters, but I also got frustrated with the repetition and indecisiveness of those characters. I believe this could have been an equally good, or better, book and been two-thirds as long. (I do hestitate to say something like that because I have great respect for writers' autonomy and integrity.)

    Eileen Goudge is particularly good at descriptions--her house and garden descriptions here are wonderful. Her character development of Cordelia Truscott is also excellent. Cordelia is ultimately the strongest and bravest character in this book, and it is fitting that it ends with her.

    5 out of 5 stars A Deeply Felt Story!.......2002-07-09

    This was one of the most interesting books I have read, and my first I've read of Eileen Goudge. I wasn't disappointed.
    The story is really very sad as the father had had an affair long ago that he had never talked about; and in that affair, he'd had a child, unbeknownst to his wife until after he died. The beginning of the book captures your attention right away with a tragic event, and moves forward from that point on. A lot of family difficulties and situations arise in this book that make it great to read and hard to put down.
    Blessings in Disguise: or, the Morality of Evil
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Blessings in Disguise: or, the Morality of Evil
      Jean Starobinski
      Manufacturer: Harvard University Press
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Hardcover
      ASIN: 0674076478
      Blessing in Disguise: Another Side of the Near Death Experience
      Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
      • should be more critical
      • A Wonderful Book
      • BUY THIS BOOK
      • Comments from a near-death researcher with over 23 yrs exp.
      • Facinating book!
      Blessing in Disguise: Another Side of the Near Death Experience
      Barbara Rommer
      Manufacturer: Llewellyn Publications
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback

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      Customer Reviews:

      2 out of 5 stars should be more critical .......2004-10-14

      Blessing In Disguise relates many patient accounts but in only a portion of these was clinical death recorded or reported to the reader. Many cases are used where patients were only under heavy medication or anesthesia this is not the proper study of NDE's since halucinations are too common. The book also overwhelmingly interprets patient accounts in terms of the paranormal such as astral planes, astral projection and mediums etc.. The book also seeks to see the reported NDE's in a theoretical model that is opinion. I am well read on this subject and have carefully interviewed people who told me of their NDE's. Though the book received positive reviews from other writers The reader should rely on more scientific, critical works such as Dr. Morse's CLOSER TO THE LIGHT. The book was not proof read well since there are a number of typographical errors.

      5 out of 5 stars A Wonderful Book.......2001-06-10

      I have read this book,have heard Dr Rommer speak on two occasions and have seen her on A&E. It is a wonderful insightful book. I myself have had a NDE and find the cases sited to ring true to my experience. As shown in most of the reviews,(except for 2 obviously written by the same person), and in my experiences selling this book. (I work for a major bookstore and this is one of our bestsellers), most everyone feels the same as I, including several well known experts in this field. If you have an interest in NDE's this book is a must read.

      5 out of 5 stars BUY THIS BOOK.......2001-06-04

      I happen to know Dr. Barbara Rommer. I was also one of the many people whom she interviewed for this book. This book delves into the near death experience in a way no other book has ever done. It covers the near death experience that was less than perfect. It explains the less than perfect NDE's in a way that anyone can understand. If you have ever heard Dr. Rommer speak about her book as I have several times you would absolutley want to read this book. I am actually one of the subjects listed in the book. If you fear death, read this book. Dr Rommer has been featured on many television programs such as Montel Williams. Many of you will be surprised to know that Dr. Rommer died a few weeks ago in February 2004. Thank God that the legacy of this book continues.

      5 out of 5 stars Comments from a near-death researcher with over 23 yrs exp........2001-04-17

      Barbara Rommer's book is quite extraordinary. Aside from the usual cases of heavenly abodes, angels, and cities of light, she dares to reveal more about those who have unpleasant or hellish near-death episodes. And she talks indepth about the people who experience this and their fears about what they went through. Near-death experiences are not religious experiences, nor do they reflect religious doctrines, per se. They are moments of "otherworldly" awareness that happen most often on the edge of death and to both children and adults. When we speak of near-death experiences, we're really talking about a complex dynamic that is not easily understood or explained. But true it is in the sense that this phenomenon happens to about 1/3 of those adults who face death, nearly die, or who are clinically dead but later revive or are resuscitated. With children, the figure is closer to 70%. Average length of time without vital signs is from 5 to 20 minutes. Not only are near-death experiences important because of the venue in which they occur, but because of the pattern of psychological and physiological aftereffects that tends to increase with time. Also, in many of these episodes, information is revealed or witnessed that could not have been known by the experiencer beforehand. The medical reality of near-death states can no longer be denied. That's why physicians, like Dr. Rommer, are finally speaking out. That Dr. Rommer focuses on the unpleasant aspects is critically important to our understanding of these states. I only wish that her publisher would have allowed her to carry more of her actual research findings and methodology in this book. Rather, they wanted to keep the text simple for the average reader. I think this is a mistake. "Average" readers are more intelligent than publishers think and are quite capable of evaluating and understanding good research. I have been speaking out about unpleasant near-death experiences since my beginnings in the field of near-death studies, and mostly to deaf ears. Now, finally, hellish and/or unpleasant experiences are receiving the attention and study they deserve, and without judgment or rancor. I congratulate Barbara Rommer for her courage in speaking out. And I hope she does more. If we only hear what we want to hear about this important phenomenon, we are robbing ourselves of a vast treasure-trove of material that very well could describe not only an "afterlife" - but the rich complexities of human consciousness and of our ability to change and grow, to transform.

      5 out of 5 stars Facinating book!.......2000-12-28

      In her book, Dr. Barbara Rommer shares with readers Another Side of the Near - Death Experience, i.e. the "less-than-Positive" experiences. This thought provoking book speaks through the words of the experiences themselves to those often frightening or unsettling experiences that have taken them on their journeys to the brink of death. Often for them, we find in the pages of this book their experiences, through unpleasant, become the entrance to positive and meaningful changes in their lives.

      The ten chapters in this book take the reader from a revisit with peaceful near-death experiences to some conclusions, which is titled "A Plea to the Medical Community". In between, we find well-documented chapters, which deal with, and overview of Less Than Positive Experiences. While Dr. Rommer, like many of us, cannot absolutely say that there is an afterlife, she is able to present anecdotal evidence of the probability of the continuity of life beyond bodily death.

      In the book, Dr. Rommer has interviewed over 300 patients and shares their experiences in their own words. As explained in the book, she has experienced first hand how often her patients, who fear the dying process, are really fearful of what happens after dying and therefore sometime fail to live life to the fullest. Therefore she, in this book, fulfills her goal "to allay people's fears by reporting the experiences of those who had died and been resuscitated".

      In this book you will not only find the convictions of experiences shared in openness and with honesty, but you will also find the convictions of the author openly shared regarding her life's journey of her own soul's spiritual transformation. I found the book extremely informative of her research and extremely thought provoking on the question most people ask about life and death. It makes you stop and think about each and every day we live and how we must strive to make the very most of every moment. Worth reading and re-reading.
      Blessings in Disguise
      Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
      • A beautiful tale of a life well-lived
      • Wonderful autobiography by a truly gifted, truly modest man
      Blessings in Disguise
      Alec Guinness
      Manufacturer: Akadine Press
      ProductGroup: Book
      Binding: Paperback

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      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars A beautiful tale of a life well-lived.......1999-12-24

      Sir Alec writes beautifully and simply about the his life through the lives that affected him. Funny, honest, and thought provoking. He's not at all the stereotypical stuffy Englishman, but a regular person with a huge amount of talent and alot of great stories to tell. This book should be back in print!

      5 out of 5 stars Wonderful autobiography by a truly gifted, truly modest man.......1999-10-09

      BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE stands out in my reading as one of the most enjoyable autobiographies I've ever encountered. Unlike so many actors, Alec Guinness is a truly modest man, and his wry humor and ability to laugh at himself are extraordinarily refreshing. Guinness is worth reading even if you've never seen one of his movies or plays or television appearances. It is a damn shame that this fine book is apparently out of print.
      Blessings in Disguise: How Dreams Come True
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        Blessings in Disguise: How Dreams Come True
        Carolyn M. Ball
        Manufacturer: Celestial Arts
        ProductGroup: Book
        Binding: Paperback

        GeneralGeneral | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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        Self-HelpSelf-Help | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
        GeneralGeneral | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
        Comparative ReligionComparative Religion | Religious Studies | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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        ASIN: 0890877998
        Multiple Sclerosis: A Blessing in Disguise
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          Multiple Sclerosis: A Blessing in Disguise
          Peter J. Licari
          Manufacturer: PublishAmerica
          ProductGroup: Book
          Binding: Paperback

          Family HealthFamily Health | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
          Multiple SclerosisMultiple Sclerosis | Disorders & Diseases | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
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          ASIN: 1424109426
          Release Date: 2007-02-12

          Book Description

          “Imagine you're a New York Yankee, up in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded and there are two outs… the count is full and you are down by three runs … and you hit a home run to win the game. That is the chances of it being Multiple Sclerosis.” Peter Licari had hit the home run. His stunning story takes you from his early symptoms through diagnosis; from his ignorance and fears, to his adjustments and understanding - and finally to his acceptance. His is a journey through which all people who have been diagnosed with a life altering illness can learn what they need to know: that they are not alone and that they can and will survive. He finds a better understanding of just what is important in life, finds true love along the way, and actually sees his diagnosis as a blessing!
          Blessings in Disguise
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            Blessings in Disguise
            Alec Guinness
            Manufacturer: Fontana Books
            ProductGroup: Book
            Binding: Paperback

            Arts & LiteratureArts & Literature | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books | Actors & Actresses | Artists, Architects & Photographers | Authors | Composers & Musicians | Dancers | Entertainers | Movie Directors | New Age | Television Performers | Theatre
            Performing ArtsPerforming Arts | Entertainment | Subjects | Books | Dance | Magic & Illusion | Theater
            ASIN: 0006371086

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