Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.” —Groucho Marx

Friday, December 28, 2012

I hate Cell Phones by Mike Ronny/ Short story review

I was contacted by Mike Ronny and asked to review his short story.   Considering I hate phones of all kinds, I could readily agree to read this short.   After 31 and  1/2 years in a customer service area, I think you can understand my sentiments.

This short story was about an old man, alone except for a son and a brother, nearing the end of his time and having to accept the changes being made for him on his behalf.  He wasn't a pleasant person and resented change and I found this main character easy to relate to.   Things that he encountered in the story are things that all older folks are faced with, although how we react may be entirely different.

Mr Ronny presented a believable short story, with a very well developed main character.   It was at times humorous and then again sad.   It was very thought provoking.   I enjoyed it and yet, I didn't enjoy it.   For me it was a very real dilemma.  I appreciated the opportunity to read and review.

This was a read and review that I offered with no payment or influence from the author.   These are my words and my thoughts.   I was not compensated in any fashion.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Dangerous Deception/ PICT VBTour Promo& Give Away






SYNOPSIS:  (this is the 2nd book in a series, but can be read as a stand alone)

Vic Deveaux’s glory days as a winning jockey have ended, but he refuses to accept that pile of horse hockey! 
When the West family asks Vic to take an easier position at their Thoroughbred farm, Westwood, he becomes enraged and teams up with two greedy stable hands in a scheme to kidnap the youngest son, Shane. 
Things turn ugly when Vic discovers that his new-found friends have murder on their minds. Suddenly Vic finds himself between a rock and a hard place. He has betrayed his good friend, Eric West, but will he participate in his son’s murder as well? 
Not content to sit at home and wait for her men to bring her brother home, Kate West convinces homicide detective, Carl Lugowski, to check out a hunch at an old abandoned mansion. Soon they’re trapped in a hornet’s nest of a notorious biker gang. 
Oh yeah, Vic’s deception has placed the West family in more danger than they know what to do with!


My Review:   Due to serious Health issues I am unable to read and review at this time.  I sincerely apologize to Ms McDonald and will read and review at a future date.




ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

For twenty-six years my life whirled around a song and a dance: I was a professional dancer/choreographer for most of my adult life and never gave much thought to a writing career until 2005. Don’t ask me what happened, but suddenly I felt drawn to my computer to write about things I have experienced (greatly exaggerated upon of course) with my husband’s Thoroughbreds and the happenings at the racetrack.
Surprised? Why didn’t I write about my experiences with dance? Eh, believe it or not life at the racetrack is more…racy. The drama is outrageous—not that dancers don’t know how to create drama, believe me, they do but race trackers just seem to get more down and dirty with it which makes great story telling—great fiction.
I didn’t start out writing books, The Unbridled Series started out as a TV drama, and the Hollywood readers loved the show. The problem was we just couldn’t sell it. So one of the readers said to me, “Cindy, don’t be stupid. Turn your scripts into a book series.” and so I did!
In May of 2011 I took the big leap and exchanged my dancin’ shoes for a lap top—I retired from dance. It was a scary proposition, I was terrified, but I had the full support of my husband, Saint Bill. It has been a huge change for me. I went from dancing hard five hours a night to sitting in front of a computer. I still work-out and I take my dog, Harvey, for a daily run. I have to or I’d be as big as a house. Do I miss dance? Sometimes I do. I miss my students. I miss choreographing musicals, but I love my books and I love sharing them with you.



a Rafflecopter giveaway





 
Every eBook received for review on the tours for Partners In Crime are given in exchange for an honest review. The eBooks are sole property (copyrighted) of the author and should not be sold, distributed to, or exchanged among other people not part of the tours, nor should they be listed on file sharing sites. Failure to comply with this disclaimer, will result in removal from all future tours.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

GIVE AWAY/ signed PB copy of Return to Arethane

16-year old Emily has accepted her fate with each weakening beat of her heart, but after her best friend's brother and sister arrive in town and turn out to be more than what they appear, Emily's life is turned upside-down. When their friendship includes confronting wizards who harbor dark secrets and dancing with an elf prince, Emily discovers there are some things still worth living for.
My original Post & review about this amazing story is at http://bethartfromtheheart.blogspot.com/2012/09/return-to-arethane-by-kelly-riadsg-vbt.html

Author Bio:

Kelly Riad is from Texas where she lived with her husband and a house overrun by pets. She now lives in the San Francisco Bay area and is determined to bring the y'all to the West Coast.  While she published her first book - a handmade pop-up titled "The Lost Puppy" - in the fifth grade to much acclaim by the first graders, she only recently picked the craft back up. "Return to Arèthane" is her second published novel.

For an opportunity to receive this book absolutely free in paper back, please enter the rafflecopter below:
  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow our Giveaway Blog Hop  for additional potential for winning:

Dec. 17th - The Rest Is Still Unwritten
                - Mercy Amare
Dec. 19th - Just Me, Myself, & I
                - Jessabella Reads
Dec. 20th - Beth Art From The Heart
                - Splash of Our Worlds Books
Dec. 21st - BooksBooks&MoreBooks
                - Lost in Fictional Worlds
Dec. 22nd - **QWERTY**
Dec. 23rd - Escaping...One Book at A Time
                - Bookish Things & More
Dec. 24th - GingerRead Reviews
                - YA Book Addict
Dec. 25th - I Read Indie
Dec. 26th - Anatea's Bookshelf
                 - Fictional Candy 
Dec. 27th - Behind A Million And One Pages
                - Doodle's Book Blog
Dec. 28th - Just A Booklover
                - Paranormal Reads
Dec. 29th  - Vamps And Stuff
                 - Night Owl Reads
Dec. 30th - For The Love Of Film And Novels
                 - 5 Girls Book Reviews 
Dec. 31st. - The Stuff of Success 
                 - Pure Textuality 

Thanks for joining in the fun for this great giveaway and Good Luck!!!

 

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Mad World/ A Supagurl VBT PROMO







EPIDEMIC:

“The Black Plague is ancient history. It killed 100 million people nearly seven centuries ago, halfway around the world from the technologically advanced research center at Stanford University. Scientists there have recently begun examining samples of bone marrow from plague-infected corpses unearthed in Europe. All the necessary safeguards are in place. What could go wrong?
Alyssa and Jake are away with their class on a highly anticipated year-end trip to Broadway with their senior acting class when all hell breaks loose at home. Traveling back, and trying to find their families, they encounter deadly results. Riots are breaking out. People are being evacuated. And they have no idea what's happening to their families. 
Horrific ordeals, heart-pounding tragedy, and chance encounters harden them for what lies ahead. Faced with tormenting decisions, they're forced to follow their instinct for survival at any cost - even when the cost is a heart-wrenching decision of life or death.
A harrowing adventure of frightening discoveries, horrifying confrontations and narrow escapes in Epidemic, the first installment of the Mad World series. 







SANCTUARY: 

"The year is 2017, and the Black Plague infection has swept across most of the United States, leaving death and chaos in its wake. Martial law is the rule rather than the exception, with outbreaks cropping up when they're least expected. Alyssa and her friends must not only battle outbreaks of the disease, but also find themselves pursued by government agents – men and women determined to track them down at any cost.

Fleeing north to the fabled Sanctuary, Alyssa, Jacob, DeAndre, Caitlyn, Risa and Luke face disturbing ordeals and terrible tragedy as they encounter unbelievable situations in their struggle to reach safety. Using their skills and wits in their fight to survive against ever worsening odds, they weather hardship, betrayal, and the ever-present specter of death as they flee north, all the while vowing to protect one another – and most of all their precious 5-year-old Luke, from a world gone mad.

Sanctuary, the second installment in the Mad World series, is a heart-rending adventure of astonishing revelations, tragic discoveries, agonizing separations and devastating losses that test these friends to their limits. With heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat suspense at every turn, this is a story you will not be able to put down."


Due to personal health issues, I am unable to complete a review at this time.    Hopefully I will be able to complete the review soon.   I do so apologize to Ms Provost.

Character Profile:

Author bio:

"Samaire Provost lives in California with her husband and son.
Her love of paranormal stories, odd plots, and unique tales as well as the works of Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett, Susan Cooper, Madeleine L'Engle and Stephen King has deeply influenced her writing."

Author Links:
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/samairep
Twitter - https://twitter.com/samairep
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6453849.Samaire_Provost
Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Samaire-Provost/e/B008PVTXMW
 a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Disclaimer:  I read for my pleasure.   I may receive ARC copies for review purposes, but I am not compensated for my reviews .  I like to read and I like to share my reviews.   I post my thoughts without prejudice or bias.  The words are mine and I write reviews based on my humble opinion.  I will admit, I seldom meet a book I don't like.

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Unleashing God's Power by Jimi Akanbi/RABT Promo Blitz


Christian/Non-Fiction
Title: Unleashing God's Power
Author: Jimi Akanbi



Date Published:11/6/12

Synopsis: 

An inspirational book for mid level to mature Christians. The book discusses eleven key steps to maximizing the power of God in a Christian's life. The author uses great analogies to connect things of the Spiritual to things of the natural. He also discusses deep uncommon truths about praise, prayer, Holy Spirit and faith. The book is definitely bound to empower and increase a Christian's faith, in turn, experience supernatural results in life.

Author Bio
I am Jimi Akanbi. I am a Christian nonfiction author, who is sold out to God. I live in Atlanta, Georgia USA. I have an MBA in Finance from Mercer University, Atlanta Georgia. I am currently an active member of the prayer and intercessory team at my church. I have also served God as an usher and protocol officer at my previous church. I have undergone a formal ten week bible training course. My interests include writing, counseling, ministry, movies, sports, music and more. I was miraculously called by God to be in the writing ministry, and I am acting in obedience.



 
Excerpt

Remember, when power of God fell on Jesus disciples, and He sent them out to do the work of God’s kingdom, they came back to Him amazed, saying, “Even demons obey us in your name.” Let me say this, Christians have the highest authority ever because the source of our authority is from God, who is omnipotent (all powerful). Our authority is more powerful than that of any government or monarchy in this world. Note we are in this world but not of this world. However, most Christians do not operate at this high level of power due to various factors, including:
* Lack of faith
* Lack of knowledge
* Lack of personally experiencing God
* Lack of time for God.

The power you receive from God can be likened to that of a computer; what you put in is what you get out, or as it is said, you reap what you sow. The more knowledge you have of God the more power you will grow.

Excerpt

Chapter 1: Understanding and Strengthening Your Faith in God

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 11:1
Belief is a by-product of faith. The following is a scenario that will shed light on belief and faith in God. If there is an empty house in front of you and I tell you that the house is owned by someone, although, you have not seen anyone in the house, will you not believe me? Yes, you will and this means you have faith in the law of nature. The law of nature says that every house built is owned by someone, even if not yet purchased, then in this case the builder or the bank owns the property. The same way we must believe and have faith in God.
What does it profit, my bretheren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him?
If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food
And one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
James 2:14-17
It is written, faith without works is dead. Pay close attention to what is being said. Let’s look at an example of how putting your faith to works operates.
If I show you a strange house with a vicious dog barking in it, but you cannot see the dog but can hear its aggressive barks, if I tell you to go into that house, for sure, you will say No.


This shows two things:
1. Although, you cannot see the dog but you can hear it bark means that you believe and have faith that there is a harmful animal in the house.
2. You have put your faith to works by rejecting to enter the house.
This can be likened to having faith in God and obeying his commandments. That is, the vicious dog can bite or harm us if we enter the house. The attack from the dog is compared to the consequences we will face for disobeying God’s commandments and principles.
Believing in God’s commandments is likened to believing that the house has a dog in it. That is, we cannot physically see God but we hear his word and commandments which should give us faith in God.
The same way you did not physically see the dog in the house but you heard its bark.
You not entering the house because you heard the dog’s barks is an act of putting your faith to work. That is, you know the dog is in the house but you cannot and did not see it. The same way you must put your faith to work by not seeing God physically but hearing his word and commandments and obeying them.





Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange for this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*



Monday, December 17, 2012

Veer/ A Supagurl VBTour



Veer (A Clayton Falls Novel)

Only when you let go can you learn to live.

Between the death of her mother and pushing through law school without her best friend, it's been a tough year for Becca. Needing a break from Boston, she moves to a tiny coastal North Carolina town for a relaxing summer. After bumping heads repeatedly with a local cop, she realizes her summer will be anything but quiet.

Three years after a career ending injury ruins his chance to play Major League Baseball, Gavin has a distrust of northerners and lately girls in general. He wants nothing to do with a girl who is only in town for the summer.
When the two give in to their impossible attraction, they realize that they may just have found the key to freeing themselves from the ghosts of their pasts.

MY REVIEW: 

Well now this is my kind of romance read!!     I like a romance where the intimacy is basically up to the reader's imagination and not spelled out explicitly!    Call me old fashioned, but I like it much better when it's up to the reader.  

The romance was good.   I liked that both main characters, Becca and Gavin, were wounded individuals.  It gave them room to grow and overcome their issues together.   Neither wanted to be hurt and each had to learn to trust and recognize the feelings of their hearts.   I loved the beach setting.  I felt like I was present under the moonlight, watching the stars and the light reflecting off the water....Big Sigh!   Frosting on the cake was the inclusion of a lovable labrador!!

Ms Ivy writes beautifully and the story moved quickly forward to a satisfactory ending.   The ending seemed maybe a tad rushed, but it was an acceptable ending to an enjoyable  romantic read.


Author Bio:
Alyssa Rose Ivy is a Young Adult and New Adult author who loves to weave stories with romance and a southern setting. Although raised in the New York area, she fell in love with the South after moving to New Orleans for college. After years as a perpetual student, she turned back to her creative side and decided to write. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two young children, and she can usually be found with a cup of coffee in her hand.

Link to Alyssa :
http://www.alyssaroseivy.com/
https://www.facebook.com/AlyssaRoseIvy
https://twitter.com/alyssaroseivy
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5047249.Alyssa_Rose_Ivy
http://pinterest.com/alyssaroseivy/
http://www.amazon.com/Alyssa-Rose-Ivy/e/B005D1M9N2/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1349190742&sr=8-2-ent

Disclaimer:  I read for my pleasure.   I may receive ARC copies for review purposes, but I am not compensated for my reviews .  I like to read and I like to share my reviews.   I post my thoughts without prejudice or bias.  The words are mine and I write reviews based on my humble opinion.  I will admit, I seldom meet a book I don't like.



Sunday, December 16, 2012

Sunday Post, 12-16-12


http://www.caffeinatedbookreviewer.com/
The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer ~ It's a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead.
What a week this has been!  This week I was actually able to purchase a couple of  E Books!

Purchased  E Books




River's Recruit--Awesome read from Charlotte Abel!  And then Submerged by Dani Pettrey which I have not read as yet.







Freebies from Amazon this past week:



Thanks so much AMAZON!



My Week in blogging:

Monday:       The Disappearance of Grace by Vincent Zandi/ PICT VBTour and Guest Post
Tuesday:       Text Appeal by Lexi Ryan/ Barrage and Review with CBLS VBTours*
Wednesday:  River's Recruit by Charlotte Abel/ SG VBTours*
Friday:          Warrant For Love by Sheryl Browne/ RABT Tours/ turned to Promo w/guest post
                     Feature & Follow Friday

Next week's happenings:

Monday:        Veer by Alyssa Rose Ivy/SGTours review
Tuesday:        Unleashing God's Power by Jimi Akanbi/RABT  Promo Blitz
Wednesday:   Mad World/ SGTour reviews of Epidemic and Sanctuary


I am seriously trying to slow life down.  I find myself overbooked and getting behind and I am in great pain from sitting and reading at my computer.    So, my reviews and postings will slow down in the upcoming weeks.   By doing so, I hope to spend a little more time away from the computer and squeeze in more of my own personal reading pleasure.   

The greatest man I ever met, passed away Friday night.  He was my pastor and if anyone could be welcomed to heaven, I am sure he was.   I will miss him greatly.   So my heart hurts selfishly for myself.  RIP Brother Butcher and thank you for all the many years you blessed me as my pastor, mentor and friend.

Have a great week my Peeps.   In light of the horrendous events in Connecticut, hug your young uns close and treasure those you love.   Bless you all!



Friday, December 14, 2012

Warrant For Love by Sheryl Browne/RABTour PROMO

 



Contemporary Romance / Comedy
Title: Warrant For Love
Author: Sheryl Browne
Date Published: 8/1/12

Warrant for Love
Love, blackmail, lies, adultery, entrapment.
Three couples in a twisting story that resolves perfectly.
Life for Paul sounds like your typical country song. He comes from a broken home, his wife is divorcing him, he's got no place to live, he's losing custody of his son, and his sergeant, who's sleeping with his wife, is a loud-mouthed braggart who won't let up on him – not even at work.
Leanne's caught her (now) ex cheating on her again, but before she can give him the what-for, she's wrongfully arrested for soliciting – by Paul and his partner. One thing leads to another and things could be looking up for Paul, except for Leanne's friends – quarrelling mom Nicky and financial goddess Jade – have it out for her ex.
Leanne wants closure, Paul wants a home, and Nicky and Jade want revenge. Blackmail, lies, adultery, entrapment. Will it all work out in the end or will Paul uphold the law? It soundslike he needs a Warrant for Love.

MY REVIEW:   will be forthcoming, due to health related issues.

 For additional Perspectives, please follow our tour:


Virtual Book Tour December 3 - December 16

December 3 - Reading Addiction Blog Tours - Meet and Greet
December 4 - My Cozie Corner - Review
December 6 - TE Garden of Books -Review 
December 11 - My Reading Addiction - Review
December 14 - Beth Art From the Heart - Review/Guest Post
December 15 - Bless Their Hearts Mom - Review/Guest Post




Sheryl Browne


Author Bio:
Now residing in Worcestershire, Sheryl Browne grew up in Birmingham, UK, where she studied Art & Design. She wears many hats: a partner in her own business, a mother, and a foster parent to disabled dogs. Creative in spirit, Sheryl has always had a passion for writing. A member of the Romantic Novelists' Association, she has previously been published in the US and writes Romantic Comedy because, as she puts it, "life is just too short to be miserable."
Sheryl's debut novel, RECIPES FOR DISASTER - combining deliciously different and fun recipes with sexilicious romantic comedy, is garnering some fabulous reviews! Sheryl has also been offered a further three-book contract under the Safkhet Publishing Soul imprint. SOMEBODY TO LOVE, a romantic comedy centring around a single policeman father’s search for love, his autistic little boy and the boy’s Autism Assistance Dog, launched July 1 with an immediate 5* review.  WARRANT FOR LOVE, bringing together three couples in a twisting story that resolves perfectly, released August 1, and A LITTLE BIT OF MADNESS releases on Valentine’s Day 2013.
Twitter: @sherylbrowne

Buy Link


Guest Post: Advice for beginning writing on Romantic Comedy

As part of my book blog tour I was invited to offer practical advice for beginning to write Romantic Comedy.
As mentioned elsewhere, my road to publication has been a long one and it’s only now I feel qualified to impart such advice.  My first ever romantic comedy was picked up by an agent, you see, who hailed it as a bestseller and was then possibly reduced to tears – along with yours truly – when it didn’t sell.  Overuse of barbed wit and slapstick I gleaned from feedback was the reason why.  I’ve been told by the BBC I have a flair for comedic situations vis-Ă -vis sitcom, but in regard to novel writing, back then, it was obvious I had some lessons to learn.
I wrote, embarked on a creative writing course, took on board every piece of advice and, finally, I think I got there.  I’d like to share some of what of learned along the way, in the hope it might help make the road a little less bumpy for anyone else starting out on the romantic comedy writing journey.
So what is romantic comedy?  It’s a boy-meets-girl, falling in love story.  And as we know from as far back as Greek Tragedy, falling in love never goes smoothly.  People do strange things when cupid’s arrow strikes.  As much as any sensible woman knows that true love should be more than skin deep, she will probably decide her bum is too big and go on a crash diet – and then indulge in copious amounts of pleasure-inducing chocolate-coated endorphins when the relationship goes wrong.
Men flounder when love throws their carefully organised emotions into chaos.  Suddenly, they’re indecisive.  They don’t know what women want.  They’re vulnerable.  They’re human.
Based on my own experience then, along with feedback from publishers and agents, we have to stay away from slapstick and keep our characters real.  When we laugh at characters in a romantic comedy, we’re actually laughing at ourselves.  We’re amused because it’s familiar, comedic or embarrassing situation we could – maybe have – found ourselves in.  That heart-freezing is-my-dress-tucked-in-my-knickers moment when exiting the loo at a posh do? 
So, we’re highlighting the situation with caricature, yes, but in order for the parody to work, our characters need to be fully formed people our readers can relate to.  Sex And The City pulled it off beautifully but, in reality, most women have never owned a Jimmy Choo shoe, nor could they aspire to.  If a woman is a secretary, home-maker, mother, care-giver or bank-teller, she’s not likely to have a wardrobe stuffed full of designer – unless she’s robbed the bank, of course.  Hmm?  Could  there be a story in there somewhere?   Your heroine might be the ditzy blonde no man understands. She might be uber-efficient but emotionally deficient, but she has to have depth. 
To illustrate my point – and at the risk of blowing my own trumpet, I’d like to use a couple of snippets from reviews for one of my books, Somebody to Love, a story around a single father and his autistic little boy:
Characters jump of the page & make you instantly care about them. Captures the essence of love, life, family & highs and lows of parenting a special needs child.

…Autism spectrum disorder - the child in question quickly became my favourite character.

Sheryl’s writing is fabulous. She manages to make you laugh out loud constantly and her stories are so natural and true to life.

I feel that this story has been written with real warmth and heart, with a wry humour at the ups and downs that life throws at people.

Time and time again, these lovely reviewers talk about the ability to portray real people they can relate to.  Women, as we know, come with a whole gamut of emotion, as do men.  They are real people with all the faults and flaws on show.  Someone your reader identifies with and wants to get to know.
Readers want compelling characters, people they care about.  They might seem to be incompatible, they might think that they are, but we need to believe love will find a way.  The might start out as emotionally vulnerable, incomplete people with necessary inner and outer conflict – think Notting Hill.  William and Anna, worlds apart and the odd stacked against them.  Plenty of outer conflict there.  The inner conflict? Could a lowly bookshop owner from Notting Hill ever really be good enough for a film star from Beverley Hills? Could Anna ever hope to make him see she was ‘still just a girl standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her’?  Basically then, we need to see the characters conflicts.  We need to see them confronted and ideally resolved by the relationship. 
And so, to the climax. Again, keep it real.  Unless you can come up with a fresh take on kissing in the snow in your underwear, chances are it’s already been done, and done well.
In summary, Romantic Comedy tends to follow a formula: boy meets girl, boy gets girl, despite all obstacles, eventually.  The difficult bit is making your reader laugh with your character as he/she falls over those obstacles, because the reader is empathising with the character, because they’ve been there.
Happy writing!

 



Disclosure of Material Connection: I am a member of Reading Addiction Blog Tours and a copy of this book was provided to me by the author. Although payment may have been received by Reading Addiction Blog Tours, no payment was received by me in exchange f
or this review. There was no obligation to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are entirely my own and may not necessarily agree with those of the author, publisher, publicist, or readers of this review. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision’s 16 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning Use of Endorcements and Testimonials in Advertising*