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Ross Siblings #2
Rock Me
Loving him couldn’t be worse than losing him. Could it?
Candace Andrews has had enough of pleasing others. In an act of birthday rebellion, she sets out to please herself—by walking into the tattoo parlor owned by her cousin’s ex-boyfriend. All she wants is a little ink, and Brian’s just the guy to give it to her.
As soon as she submits to his masterful hands, though, the forbidden attraction she’s always felt for him resurfaces…and she realizes the devilishly sexy artist could give her so much more.
Sweet, innocent Candace is the last person Brian expected to see again. She’s everything he’s not, and her family despises him. He doesn’t need the hassle, but he needs her, and this time no one is taking her away. Not even those who threaten to make his life a living hell.
Backed into a corner, Candace faces the worst kind of choice. Cave in to those who think Brian is a living nightmare…or hold her ground and risk it all for the one man who rocks her world.
This book contains explicit sex, naughty language, tattoos aplenty, family drama, a hot rock concert…and a bad boy hero who’s pierced in all the right places.
Candace Andrews has had enough of pleasing others. In an act of birthday rebellion, she sets out to please herself—by walking into the tattoo parlor owned by her cousin’s ex-boyfriend. All she wants is a little ink, and Brian’s just the guy to give it to her.
As soon as she submits to his masterful hands, though, the forbidden attraction she’s always felt for him resurfaces…and she realizes the devilishly sexy artist could give her so much more.
Sweet, innocent Candace is the last person Brian expected to see again. She’s everything he’s not, and her family despises him. He doesn’t need the hassle, but he needs her, and this time no one is taking her away. Not even those who threaten to make his life a living hell.
Backed into a corner, Candace faces the worst kind of choice. Cave in to those who think Brian is a living nightmare…or hold her ground and risk it all for the one man who rocks her world.
This book contains explicit sex, naughty language, tattoos aplenty, family drama, a hot rock concert…and a bad boy hero who’s pierced in all the right places.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 4, 2010
849 people are currently reading
21.6k people want to read
About the author
Cherrie Lynn
28 books4,883 followersCherrie Lynn has been a CPS caseworker and a juvenile probation officer, but now that she has come to her senses, she writes contemporary and paranormal romance on the steamy side. It's *much* more fun. She's also an unabashed rock music enthusiast, and loves letting her passion for romance and metal collide on the page.
When she's not writing, you can find her reading, listening to music or playing with her favorite gadget of the moment. She's also fond of hitting the road with her husband to catch their favorite bands live.
Cherrie lives in East Texas with said husband and their two kids, all of whom are the source of much merriment, mischief and mayhem. You can reach her at cherrie@cherrielynn.com, at the various social networking sites, or right here. She loves hearing from readers!
When she's not writing, you can find her reading, listening to music or playing with her favorite gadget of the moment. She's also fond of hitting the road with her husband to catch their favorite bands live.
Cherrie lives in East Texas with said husband and their two kids, all of whom are the source of much merriment, mischief and mayhem. You can reach her at cherrie@cherrielynn.com, at the various social networking sites, or right here. She loves hearing from readers!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,825 reviews
November 7, 2021
***5 STARS***
Reread: November 6, 2021 and upgraded rating from 4 stars to 5 stars.
I was in the mood for a little tatted bad boy romance and oh boy did this fit the criteria.
Where have I been hiding to miss this series and author?
Brian and Candace’s story is classic bad boy meets innocent, sheltered girl. The book opens with Candace being “rebellious” against her strict conservative parents by getting a tattoo for her birthday. She decides to have it done by her mini crush (her cousin’s ex-boyfriend) in his tattoo shop. There the spark kindles.
Brian is not the total typical bad boy. He comes from an upper class family and it is interesting to read how he transitions. This couple have a blast together and Candace discovers her wild side. The only strikes I had was dating a family member’s ex (total no no lol) and how Candace dealt with her family.
The love scenes are steaming hot (learned what an apadravya is...blushing). Dialogue is plenty and the story flows. I read it in one sitting. I was really rooting for them. The author is a talented story teller and I look forward to reading the other books in the series.
This is the second book of the series but I read it first and did not have ant difficulty with keeping up with the story line. I will go back and read book one but I wanted to start with the bad boy first.
If you want to read about a bad boy check out Brian Ross...I don’t think you will be disappointed.
Reread: November 6, 2021 and upgraded rating from 4 stars to 5 stars.
I was in the mood for a little tatted bad boy romance and oh boy did this fit the criteria.
Where have I been hiding to miss this series and author?
Brian and Candace’s story is classic bad boy meets innocent, sheltered girl. The book opens with Candace being “rebellious” against her strict conservative parents by getting a tattoo for her birthday. She decides to have it done by her mini crush (her cousin’s ex-boyfriend) in his tattoo shop. There the spark kindles.
Brian is not the total typical bad boy. He comes from an upper class family and it is interesting to read how he transitions. This couple have a blast together and Candace discovers her wild side. The only strikes I had was dating a family member’s ex (total no no lol) and how Candace dealt with her family.
The love scenes are steaming hot (learned what an apadravya is...blushing). Dialogue is plenty and the story flows. I read it in one sitting. I was really rooting for them. The author is a talented story teller and I look forward to reading the other books in the series.
This is the second book of the series but I read it first and did not have ant difficulty with keeping up with the story line. I will go back and read book one but I wanted to start with the bad boy first.
If you want to read about a bad boy check out Brian Ross...I don’t think you will be disappointed.
March 6, 2021
5 stars!
The other day, a book group I'm in asked "What was the first indie book you read?" There are 4-5 I binge read right in a row, and Rock Me was one of them. Just thinking about this book gave me the itch to re-read it, and since it's been a few years, I jumped right in. I read this book for the first time over 5 years ago, and it was just as good as I remembered in my re-read. Candace annoyed me still, but Brian made up for her annoyance plus some!
The other day, a book group I'm in asked "What was the first indie book you read?" There are 4-5 I binge read right in a row, and Rock Me was one of them. Just thinking about this book gave me the itch to re-read it, and since it's been a few years, I jumped right in. I read this book for the first time over 5 years ago, and it was just as good as I remembered in my re-read. Candace annoyed me still, but Brian made up for her annoyance plus some!
May 28, 2012
4.5 stars.
"You touch yourself in front of me and I'll pull over and have your knees crammed around your ears in a fucking nanosecond. See if I don't." ~Brian
This book was JUST what I needed to read right now: heavily tattooed and kinkily pierced bad boy hero with big heart, super cute and very steamy love story, no big bad guy, laugh out loud moments, and a happy ending.
Also "educational" lol, I learned all about "apadravyas" and their benefits heeheehee (PS, if you google that, its very NSFW!!!)
Had a little bit of a Beautiful Disaster kinda feel to it... not like 100% but I'm pretty sure if you loved BD, you'd love this. The hero, Brian, would definitely fit in as Travis and/or Kellan (Thoughtless/Effortless)'s long lost brother. And its a light read and not very long - took me just a couple hours.
Its hot, steamy, sweet and leaves you with a happy feeling :)
Some quotes:
"Do you love this girl?"
"I'm fucking crazy about her."
"Fucking crazy I've gathered. But I asked if you love her. I asked if you'll say the words. I'm talking true, enduring, unconditional, hold-her-hair-while-she's-puking-from-morning-sickness love."
"Hell, yes, I'll say the words! I love her. I told her I love her. I'll hold any frigging thing she wants me to."
"If you even dare to think the word whore again where she's concerned, I'll hang your nuts as knockers on her fucking front door, you got me?" ~Brian
How I see Brian:
For more of my reviews, visit Aestas Book Blog
And come join the Aestas Book Blog Facebook Page
"You touch yourself in front of me and I'll pull over and have your knees crammed around your ears in a fucking nanosecond. See if I don't." ~Brian
This book was JUST what I needed to read right now: heavily tattooed and kinkily pierced bad boy hero with big heart, super cute and very steamy love story, no big bad guy, laugh out loud moments, and a happy ending.
Also "educational" lol, I learned all about "apadravyas" and their benefits heeheehee (PS, if you google that, its very NSFW!!!)
Had a little bit of a Beautiful Disaster kinda feel to it... not like 100% but I'm pretty sure if you loved BD, you'd love this. The hero, Brian, would definitely fit in as Travis and/or Kellan (Thoughtless/Effortless)'s long lost brother. And its a light read and not very long - took me just a couple hours.
Its hot, steamy, sweet and leaves you with a happy feeling :)
Some quotes:
"Do you love this girl?"
"I'm fucking crazy about her."
"Fucking crazy I've gathered. But I asked if you love her. I asked if you'll say the words. I'm talking true, enduring, unconditional, hold-her-hair-while-she's-puking-from-morning-sickness love."
"Hell, yes, I'll say the words! I love her. I told her I love her. I'll hold any frigging thing she wants me to."
"If you even dare to think the word whore again where she's concerned, I'll hang your nuts as knockers on her fucking front door, you got me?" ~Brian
How I see Brian:
For more of my reviews, visit Aestas Book Blog
And come join the Aestas Book Blog Facebook Page
July 19, 2013
Rock Me is book two in the Ross Siblings series and another very sexy read. I've had this one sitting around for awhile, but kept putting it off because of mixed reviews and comments from friends. Wow, am I glad I didn't wait any longer to read this awesome story!
I adored Brian! What a great hero. His piercings and ink nearly drove me to distraction and had me searching the web for more information. Ladies, when you've got some privacy, check out this picture of Brian's Apadravya. It's his penis piercing and damn! Did he ever put that baby to good use!
I liked Candace and felt bad for what she had to go through with her family. A big part of the story was about the drama they caused for her because they couldn't accept her for who she was. Her 'journey' to freedom was sometimes heartbreaking for me because I know what it's like to be in her shoes.
Overall I enjoyed this story, though there were a couple times when resolutions seemed rushed, but all in all, I loved this one and will read it again!
I'm hoping to find more stories by Cherrie Lynn!
July 15, 2016
2 stars.
I hated the bloody annoying cow of a heroine. She was whiny, weepy, bitchy, EXTREMELY IMMATURE and unfair. I liked Brian, though.
Original rating 3.5 stars.
I'm downgrading Rock Me to 2 stars.
Read November 2012
Rating downgraded December 3, 2015
I hated the bloody annoying cow of a heroine. She was whiny, weepy, bitchy, EXTREMELY IMMATURE and unfair. I liked Brian, though.
Original rating 3.5 stars.
I'm downgrading Rock Me to 2 stars.
Read November 2012
Rating downgraded December 3, 2015
November 23, 2012
4 STEAMY BRIAN STARS
I'm starting off with a picture of MY Brian. The ONLY man I could picture the whole book was Carey Hart and let me tell you that that man is the quintessential tattooed bad boy!!!! He makes me sizzling HOT. I literally drool over him ...AHHHHH... I'm in lust!!!
Candice (the heroine) is sick of her parents running her life. They're always trying to control her and every move she makes. She's the good girl and is always doing what's expected of her. So she decides she's gonna be a little rebellious on her birthday and get a tattoo which is a big NO, NO with her mother. There is only one person she wants doing the tattoo though and that's Brian the owner of a tattoo parlor and her cousin Michelle's ex boyfriend. Candice has been harboring a major crush on him for the last 2 yrs. At the end of the tattoo and an almost embarrassing orgasm later Brian slips Candice his number and Candice gives Brian hers. After torturing herself for a week and wanting so badly to call him, she lands up running into him at the video store and they decide to hang out at her house and watch a movie together and LORD HAVE MERCY the fun begins.
Brian is having it rough. He has issues with his family. They're always judging his choices and lifestyle and making him feel bad. When Candice shows up she's like a ray of sunshine in his life and he's drawn to how warm and loving she is. They immediately strike up a flirty friendship and it develops quickly. He struggles with thinking he's not enough for her. He feels she deserves better but he needs her, he can't get enough of her, he craves her and feels a certain possessiveness over her. These feelings are really strong and strange for him. He's not like that with other girls but Candice is not just another girl. She weasels her way in to his heart.
She'd filled in the missing pieces in his life. If she jerked them out now, he would collapse, parts of him scattered so far and wide he might never gather them back together again."
The sexual tension with them is OFF THE CHARTS!!!! I loved it, absolutely loved it. It was fun and sizzling and I thought the certain piercing Brain had added extra spice to the story.
"I love it when you look at me like that," he murmured, his fingers kneading into the plump flesh of her cheeks.
"How am I looking at you?' she managed.
"Like you want to eat me alive, but you don't have a spoon." ~~ Brian
Overall I really enjoyed the book. It was more than just a book about sex, it had some depth. Candice and Bryan had to work through some family issues and Candice had to learn how to stand up for herself and be more independent. She had to learn to take charge of her life. I would highly recommend this fun, quick, steamy and heartwarming book. I can't wait to read the 3rd book in this series Leave Me Breathless.
Favorite quote
"..I'd rather look back and regret something I did when I was young and crazy, than look back and regret something I never had the courage to do, and realize it's too late."~~ Brian
I'm starting off with a picture of MY Brian. The ONLY man I could picture the whole book was Carey Hart and let me tell you that that man is the quintessential tattooed bad boy!!!! He makes me sizzling HOT. I literally drool over him ...AHHHHH... I'm in lust!!!
Candice (the heroine) is sick of her parents running her life. They're always trying to control her and every move she makes. She's the good girl and is always doing what's expected of her. So she decides she's gonna be a little rebellious on her birthday and get a tattoo which is a big NO, NO with her mother. There is only one person she wants doing the tattoo though and that's Brian the owner of a tattoo parlor and her cousin Michelle's ex boyfriend. Candice has been harboring a major crush on him for the last 2 yrs. At the end of the tattoo and an almost embarrassing orgasm later Brian slips Candice his number and Candice gives Brian hers. After torturing herself for a week and wanting so badly to call him, she lands up running into him at the video store and they decide to hang out at her house and watch a movie together and LORD HAVE MERCY the fun begins.
Brian is having it rough. He has issues with his family. They're always judging his choices and lifestyle and making him feel bad. When Candice shows up she's like a ray of sunshine in his life and he's drawn to how warm and loving she is. They immediately strike up a flirty friendship and it develops quickly. He struggles with thinking he's not enough for her. He feels she deserves better but he needs her, he can't get enough of her, he craves her and feels a certain possessiveness over her. These feelings are really strong and strange for him. He's not like that with other girls but Candice is not just another girl. She weasels her way in to his heart.
She'd filled in the missing pieces in his life. If she jerked them out now, he would collapse, parts of him scattered so far and wide he might never gather them back together again."
The sexual tension with them is OFF THE CHARTS!!!! I loved it, absolutely loved it. It was fun and sizzling and I thought the certain piercing Brain had added extra spice to the story.
"I love it when you look at me like that," he murmured, his fingers kneading into the plump flesh of her cheeks.
"How am I looking at you?' she managed.
"Like you want to eat me alive, but you don't have a spoon." ~~ Brian
Overall I really enjoyed the book. It was more than just a book about sex, it had some depth. Candice and Bryan had to work through some family issues and Candice had to learn how to stand up for herself and be more independent. She had to learn to take charge of her life. I would highly recommend this fun, quick, steamy and heartwarming book. I can't wait to read the 3rd book in this series Leave Me Breathless.
Favorite quote
"..I'd rather look back and regret something I did when I was young and crazy, than look back and regret something I never had the courage to do, and realize it's too late."~~ Brian
June 22, 2012
I adored Brian. I thought his dialogue was f'ing brilliant. Cherrie Lynn did a fabulous job with him. :)
December 8, 2011
4 stars
Overall, I really liked this book. I will admit to being confused with the abrupt decisions Candace made toward the end of the book. However, Brian more than made up for that issue. I couldn't help but fall completely and utterly in love with him. He is the reason I gave this book 4 stars.
Overall, I really liked this book. I will admit to being confused with the abrupt decisions Candace made toward the end of the book. However, Brian more than made up for that issue. I couldn't help but fall completely and utterly in love with him. He is the reason I gave this book 4 stars.
June 3, 2012
Great read! I do think Brian needs to dump Candace and hook up with me. ;-)
April 27, 2012
I gave this story four stars not because it was sexy as all get out, or because the hero, "Brian" was a "tatted-up" alpha-male, I gave it four stars because this well written story earned them. I read several reviews after I finished this book, and a lot of people loved Brian, but more of them really disliked the heroine, Candace. I have to say, I was actually quite surprised by this.
Let me explain why: Candace and Brian came from affluent familes, although Brian had become somewhat of a black-sheep; due to his personal preferences on his outward appearence. Let's face it, tattoos, aren't necessarily "taboo" any longer, but visible body piercings haven't entirely found their place in the "acceptable" concensus. That being said, I admired Brian for his "make no apologies" appearance and I thought he was adorable! Candace, on the otherhand, was controlled by her parents' need for good social position and also their need for her to find the right "kind" of perfect man. To say nothing of the overwhemlingly sheltered life she was forced to live and the fact that she was a 23 year old a virgin. Candace understandably waffled back and forth with the knowledge that she loved Brian, but also, not wanting to disappoint her parents - being with someone who might embarrass them. When Candace took some time away from Brian so she could think, I cannot tell you how much I admired her strength in taking that step back; if nothing else than to be sure that Brian wasn't some kind of rebellion against her parents. I've known many women who would no more give themselves a well-timed "selfish" break; but would blindly dive-in head first and become co-dependent as soon as "any" man proclaimed their undying love!! This story wasn't a light, airy read, it was heavy in places where it needed to be, which in my opinion, made it much more believeable.
I've come to the understanding in life that if you stay in a relationship or decide to get out, you must earn it- either way. Having regret is the worst way to live a life; making sure it's the right choice, equals happiness forever...
Thank you to my GR friend, Daphne, for the loan! :)
Let me explain why: Candace and Brian came from affluent familes, although Brian had become somewhat of a black-sheep; due to his personal preferences on his outward appearence. Let's face it, tattoos, aren't necessarily "taboo" any longer, but visible body piercings haven't entirely found their place in the "acceptable" concensus. That being said, I admired Brian for his "make no apologies" appearance and I thought he was adorable! Candace, on the otherhand, was controlled by her parents' need for good social position and also their need for her to find the right "kind" of perfect man. To say nothing of the overwhemlingly sheltered life she was forced to live and the fact that she was a 23 year old a virgin. Candace understandably waffled back and forth with the knowledge that she loved Brian, but also, not wanting to disappoint her parents - being with someone who might embarrass them. When Candace took some time away from Brian so she could think, I cannot tell you how much I admired her strength in taking that step back; if nothing else than to be sure that Brian wasn't some kind of rebellion against her parents. I've known many women who would no more give themselves a well-timed "selfish" break; but would blindly dive-in head first and become co-dependent as soon as "any" man proclaimed their undying love!! This story wasn't a light, airy read, it was heavy in places where it needed to be, which in my opinion, made it much more believeable.
I've come to the understanding in life that if you stay in a relationship or decide to get out, you must earn it- either way. Having regret is the worst way to live a life; making sure it's the right choice, equals happiness forever...
Thank you to my GR friend, Daphne, for the loan! :)
April 11, 2017
**2.5 stars**
The heroine brought this rating down. What a stupid, immature, moody child! She definitely doesn't qualify as a woman in my eyes.
Candace is 23 going on 15. She has a very protective parents who control where she goes to college, scare everybody she dates and support her financially in every way. However, Candace just bitches about it, does nothing and allows her parents to even pick her friends.
Enter Brian, the hot tattoo artist. This is a man her cousin had dated and Candace always loved. To celebrate her 23rd birthday, Candace decides to get a tattoo (in a place where her parents can't see, of course!) and Brian's the man for the job.
Some spoilers...
Thus starts a relationship where Candace is constantly running hot and cold. She begs him to relieve her of her virginity but freaks out when her Mom almost find them together. Then she stalks him when she sees him with a woman friend and dresses provocatively to supposedly tell him that nothing can happen between them. Huh? EVERYTHING is about her, so she doesn't give two figs about messing up with somebody else's wedding and when Brian needs her, she leaves him to fend for himself because if I can't be with you, it was because I loved you so much I can't burden you with my issues. Pleeeease! Have you a heard a bigger bunch of self-sacrificing drivel?
But you know what's her problem? She wants to have her cake and eat it too! She wants to have her man without any problems with her parents. She says she wants to 'save herself' but she does NOTHING to bridge the gap between them. At the end, Brian is the one that does everything!
And BTW, the way that problem was solved was VERY unrealistic. Psycho controlling parents don't become sweet and caring in a couple of weeks.
The best part of the book was Brian's apadravya (that's a genital piercing.) Needless to say, don't Google this at work!
The heroine brought this rating down. What a stupid, immature, moody child! She definitely doesn't qualify as a woman in my eyes.
Candace is 23 going on 15. She has a very protective parents who control where she goes to college, scare everybody she dates and support her financially in every way. However, Candace just bitches about it, does nothing and allows her parents to even pick her friends.
Enter Brian, the hot tattoo artist. This is a man her cousin had dated and Candace always loved. To celebrate her 23rd birthday, Candace decides to get a tattoo (in a place where her parents can't see, of course!) and Brian's the man for the job.
Some spoilers...
Thus starts a relationship where Candace is constantly running hot and cold. She begs him to relieve her of her virginity but freaks out when her Mom almost find them together. Then she stalks him when she sees him with a woman friend and dresses provocatively to supposedly tell him that nothing can happen between them. Huh? EVERYTHING is about her, so she doesn't give two figs about messing up with somebody else's wedding and when Brian needs her, she leaves him to fend for himself because if I can't be with you, it was because I loved you so much I can't burden you with my issues. Pleeeease! Have you a heard a bigger bunch of self-sacrificing drivel?
But you know what's her problem? She wants to have her cake and eat it too! She wants to have her man without any problems with her parents. She says she wants to 'save herself' but she does NOTHING to bridge the gap between them. At the end, Brian is the one that does everything!
And BTW, the way that problem was solved was VERY unrealistic. Psycho controlling parents don't become sweet and caring in a couple of weeks.
The best part of the book was Brian's apadravya (that's a genital piercing.) Needless to say, don't Google this at work!
October 15, 2012
I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!
I was just looking back at the last dozen books I've read... and WOW what a line up... and this one is no execption!! I've had this book for quite a while, and had heard only great things about it. Well... they are all true... and more. It was a wonderfully written romance with just a hint of Romeo & Juliet style to it.
Brian Ross comes from the right family from the right part of town, but he's all wrong... or so the Andrews' family believes... all but of course, Candace... and her cousin Michelle. He is 27 and the youngest sibling in the Ross family, and falls outside the norm of young urban professionals in his age group. Brian is an artist. A tattoo artist actually. He is also a canvas... displaying many of his works of art in the form of various tattoos and body piercings. He is very talented, passionate, and successful in his business. He is also hot, as in the sexy bad boy variety. And he has caught Candace Andrews eye. He dated her cousin Michelle for a while, which is how they met... but that didn't work out, and he is now available... or so she hopes!
Candace Andrews is 23, and just finishing up her degree. She is blonde and beautiful, she's smart and energetic, and has everything in life going for her, except for her overbearing, controlling family. And I do not exaggerate. Her family has chased off every potential suitor she's had up to this point. She is still a virgin at 23, and not seeing an end to the dry streak she's seen in her love life up till now.
Now... it's Candace's birthday... and she's feeling rebellious! So, she decides to get a tattoo. A tattoo that her mother will never see, say, maybe in a private spot, only she can see. And of course the one who puts it there... Brian... yes!!! What a great way to connect with him again, now that he's single. And the story takes off from here.
The story is very sweet. Candace falls hard for Brian, almost on sight... or re-sight, since he caught her eye even while he was seeing her cousin. She knows her family would flip if she was seeing him, but she can't seem to stay away.
Brian on the other hand is a little harder to read. He is definitely happy to see Candace in his shop... and do her beautiful little tattoo! But he is wary at first about any connection between them... she was after all, perfect. And he... was well, not perfect. He gets her number.. and she gets his... and the rest.. just happens between them.
The romance is HOT! I mean SMOKING HOT!! He, of course is shocked at her virginal status which puts his feelings at a whole new level, and she's pushing hard to rectify that little bump in the road!! They move fast, but Brian slows it down a bit... making it special for her... which makes it mind blowing for him.. and they can't help but fall hard for each other. But all is not well.. they still haven't told.. THE FAMILY!!!
Brian and Candace face almost impossible odds with the family dynamics, and their relationship takes several major hits its the process.. but the awesomeness that is Brian prevails!!!! OK I'm spoiling... but the HEA here is so sweet... I highly recommend this book!!!
5 STAR Romance!!! LOVED IT!!!
Here is how I see them..
Brian Ross.. SWOON!!!!!
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And here is my Candace....
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I was just looking back at the last dozen books I've read... and WOW what a line up... and this one is no execption!! I've had this book for quite a while, and had heard only great things about it. Well... they are all true... and more. It was a wonderfully written romance with just a hint of Romeo & Juliet style to it.
Brian Ross comes from the right family from the right part of town, but he's all wrong... or so the Andrews' family believes... all but of course, Candace... and her cousin Michelle. He is 27 and the youngest sibling in the Ross family, and falls outside the norm of young urban professionals in his age group. Brian is an artist. A tattoo artist actually. He is also a canvas... displaying many of his works of art in the form of various tattoos and body piercings. He is very talented, passionate, and successful in his business. He is also hot, as in the sexy bad boy variety. And he has caught Candace Andrews eye. He dated her cousin Michelle for a while, which is how they met... but that didn't work out, and he is now available... or so she hopes!
Candace Andrews is 23, and just finishing up her degree. She is blonde and beautiful, she's smart and energetic, and has everything in life going for her, except for her overbearing, controlling family. And I do not exaggerate. Her family has chased off every potential suitor she's had up to this point. She is still a virgin at 23, and not seeing an end to the dry streak she's seen in her love life up till now.
Now... it's Candace's birthday... and she's feeling rebellious! So, she decides to get a tattoo. A tattoo that her mother will never see, say, maybe in a private spot, only she can see. And of course the one who puts it there... Brian... yes!!! What a great way to connect with him again, now that he's single. And the story takes off from here.
The story is very sweet. Candace falls hard for Brian, almost on sight... or re-sight, since he caught her eye even while he was seeing her cousin. She knows her family would flip if she was seeing him, but she can't seem to stay away.
Brian on the other hand is a little harder to read. He is definitely happy to see Candace in his shop... and do her beautiful little tattoo! But he is wary at first about any connection between them... she was after all, perfect. And he... was well, not perfect. He gets her number.. and she gets his... and the rest.. just happens between them.
The romance is HOT! I mean SMOKING HOT!! He, of course is shocked at her virginal status which puts his feelings at a whole new level, and she's pushing hard to rectify that little bump in the road!! They move fast, but Brian slows it down a bit... making it special for her... which makes it mind blowing for him.. and they can't help but fall hard for each other. But all is not well.. they still haven't told.. THE FAMILY!!!
Brian and Candace face almost impossible odds with the family dynamics, and their relationship takes several major hits its the process.. but the awesomeness that is Brian prevails!!!! OK I'm spoiling... but the HEA here is so sweet... I highly recommend this book!!!
5 STAR Romance!!! LOVED IT!!!
Here is how I see them..
Brian Ross.. SWOON!!!!!
And here is my Candace....
September 21, 2019
This is my first read by this author. And with so many good reviews from goodreads i thought i give it a try.
While listening to the audiobook, i am conflicting my connection toward Candace. I do get her. Living under strict family where her mother is the dragon lady. I get it that she has no self esteem deciding her own life. I do get it all. But her character does not develop into a strong fearless woman. But into selfish, demanding and immature woman.
I am sure the author wants her character to be a positive development. So thats where my conflict is. The story itself is pretty standard. Nothing new. Brad is also typical hero who is brooding. Even Brad can not save Candace.
I do enjoy this book OK despite Candace. The sex is pretty hot. Anything else is just standard.
3 stars
While listening to the audiobook, i am conflicting my connection toward Candace. I do get her. Living under strict family where her mother is the dragon lady. I get it that she has no self esteem deciding her own life. I do get it all. But her character does not develop into a strong fearless woman. But into selfish, demanding and immature woman.
I am sure the author wants her character to be a positive development. So thats where my conflict is. The story itself is pretty standard. Nothing new. Brad is also typical hero who is brooding. Even Brad can not save Candace.
I do enjoy this book OK despite Candace. The sex is pretty hot. Anything else is just standard.
3 stars
December 1, 2010
I am giving this 5 stars for the penis piercings alone!! Hahaha! Seriously, this was a Fantastic read, I am so in love with Brian, in all his tattooed and pierced glory!! But aside from his total hotness, he is an incredible man. I knew I'd love him when I got meet him in Unleashed, and although at first I thought Candace an unlikely match for him I now see the error of my ways and I loved her almost as much!! I need to thank my GR friends for introducing me to Cherrie Lynn, I can't wait for more incredible reads from her!!
March 6, 2021
Reread - the last time I read this was 8 years ago. This time I did it via audiobook.
A birthday buddy read!!! Happy birthday,Christy.
==================================
4.52 stars Sanaa, will understand!
Candace and Brian are from two different worlds. She's the good girl whose parents dictate her life and he's the bad boy who owns a Tattoo Parlor.
Her family doesn't like him and comes between them to break them up. Candace and Brian find themselves fighting for a relationship that her family thinks will fail.
After completing this story I went back and reread A Very Naughty Xmas which is novella about their Christmas a year and half after this book.
Kara, thank you for introducing me to your book boyfriend.
SERIES:
Novella:
(#2.5)
60th book for 2013
A birthday buddy read!!! Happy birthday,Christy.
==================================
4.52 stars Sanaa, will understand!
Candace and Brian are from two different worlds. She's the good girl whose parents dictate her life and he's the bad boy who owns a Tattoo Parlor.
Her family doesn't like him and comes between them to break them up. Candace and Brian find themselves fighting for a relationship that her family thinks will fail.
After completing this story I went back and reread A Very Naughty Xmas which is novella about their Christmas a year and half after this book.
Kara, thank you for introducing me to your book boyfriend.
SERIES:
Novella:
(#2.5)
60th book for 2013
March 31, 2015
2.5 stars
This could have been such an awesome book. I loved the premise of it, loved the hero, Brian. Totally swoon-worthy. But what a fucking crappy heroine. Oh my god. Candace was such a pushover, pain in the ass, little bitch. Ugh. I don't know how he did it, I personally would have given up on her a long time ago.
Still, I liked the writing style and I will definitely give the next one a chance!
This could have been such an awesome book. I loved the premise of it, loved the hero, Brian. Totally swoon-worthy. But what a fucking crappy heroine. Oh my god. Candace was such a pushover, pain in the ass, little bitch. Ugh. I don't know how he did it, I personally would have given up on her a long time ago.
Still, I liked the writing style and I will definitely give the next one a chance!
December 21, 2015
O.M.G. this story! It absolutely loved it. At times it made me crazy, but overall a fantastic read. So glad I finally got around to reading this one! Thanks bestie! <3
August 16, 2012
One star may seem harsh, because I did actually manage to finish it, but on a basic level, it was pretty weak, even for a fluffy romance novel. Candace was one of the most insufferable characters I have encountered in a while. It seems like she was constantly crying about something, and she seemed more like a sheltered 13 year old than even a sheltered 24 year old. It was clear what she saw in Brian (he seemed like a great guy), but I couldn't figure out what he was getting out of this relationship, besides a massive headache. The plot was extremely choppy - with the characters running hot and cold, and Candace fluctuating between declaring her love one minute and heading for the hills the next minute. It felt like she was constantly making weird decisions just to create drama, which made it hard to really buy into it at all. The sexy parts were pretty sexy, but probably would have been hotter if she wasn't quite so virginal. Again, it made one doubt how it could be *so* mind-blowing for her much more experienced partner.
June 11, 2012
2.5 stars
I would consider giving this 3 stars because it's actually a decent read and the world of tattoo artists and heavy metal mosh pitters is new to me and interesting. Candace and Brian had a sweet attraction to each other (though, it bordered unhealthy (think 1-step down from "Beautiful Disaster") and it seemed almost solely based on sex time).
Still, the 2 main reasons why I REFUSE to give this book a full 3 stars:
THE GIRL HAS A FREAKING WATERBED! Are you SERIOUS? Who STILL has a WATERBED? No freaking person I konw has one and hasn't had one since the early '90s...tops. No way, nuh uh.
AND...
THE GIRL WEARS A SCRUNCHIE! I kid you not! Brian tells Candace to take her hair down and the book says she removes her SCRUNCHIE! I think SCRUNCHIES went out even before WATERBEDS!
If I didn't know better (meaning, I don't know any man named Cherrie) I might have thought this was written by a man...that would be the only forgivable reason to include a WATERBED and a SCRUNCHIE!
Sheesh.
November 21, 2012
WOW!!! I forgot how awesome Brian was in this book. MMMM so good!
First read 11/24/2012 5 Stars
What a GREAT find in Cherrie Lynn. IMHO Brian ranks right up there with Lauren Dane's Brody Brown. Actually he my be number one in my tattooed, brooding, exceptionally hot alpha male category. This authors writing style reminds me a lot of Lauren Dane's.
This is a great face paced story. I have to say that Candace got on my nerves A LOT toward the end, but we get our HEA so it's all good!
I only wish we could've gotten some sort of an epilogue. But as long as Ms. Lynn cranks out another fanfreakingtastic book number three, I can wait for my fix to catch up with Brian and Candace.
First read 11/24/2012 5 Stars
What a GREAT find in Cherrie Lynn. IMHO Brian ranks right up there with Lauren Dane's Brody Brown. Actually he my be number one in my tattooed, brooding, exceptionally hot alpha male category. This authors writing style reminds me a lot of Lauren Dane's.
This is a great face paced story. I have to say that Candace got on my nerves A LOT toward the end, but we get our HEA so it's all good!
I only wish we could've gotten some sort of an epilogue. But as long as Ms. Lynn cranks out another fanfreakingtastic book number three, I can wait for my fix to catch up with Brian and Candace.
April 20, 2013
EXCELLENT!!!! ♥♥♥♥
My Brian.....
THIS BOOK WAS HOT!!!
IT WAS A LITTLE ANGSTY AT TIMES AND MADE FEEL ALL MUSHY....
IT WAS SOMETIMES SWEET AND ROMANTIC
I LOVED IT!!! EVEN WHEN IT PISSED ME OFF.. I STILL LOVED IT!!
THE END
My Brian.....
THIS BOOK WAS HOT!!!
IT WAS A LITTLE ANGSTY AT TIMES AND MADE FEEL ALL MUSHY....
IT WAS SOMETIMES SWEET AND ROMANTIC
I LOVED IT!!! EVEN WHEN IT PISSED ME OFF.. I STILL LOVED IT!!
THE END
August 2, 2010
When someone recommended this book about a fun-loving, bad-boy tattoo shop owner, it was hard to pass up.
Reading this took me back in time, when life was just about having fun and enjoying the moment. For a steamy book, it was well done. There was more plot than porn.
The whiplash indecision of the heroine did annoy me over and over, but Brian was so incredible, he sort of buffered her behavior. I didn't want the hero to fall so hard so fast, but what do you do? He went from lusting after her to considering kids way too soon. That was a bit rushed, but AGAIN...Brian is incredible.
Reading this took me back in time, when life was just about having fun and enjoying the moment. For a steamy book, it was well done. There was more plot than porn.
The whiplash indecision of the heroine did annoy me over and over, but Brian was so incredible, he sort of buffered her behavior. I didn't want the hero to fall so hard so fast, but what do you do? He went from lusting after her to considering kids way too soon. That was a bit rushed, but AGAIN...Brian is incredible.
July 19, 2012
What can I say about this book other than READ IT!
This was suggested as a fix for my separation from Lucas in Tamarra Webber's Easy but I wouldn't call it a fix so much as an upgrade! Holy Tattooed Hotness!
Brian and Candace have known each other for years, what they don't realize is they have both WANTED each other this whole time! Candace gets a great idea to go get a tattoo for her birthday and she won't have it done by anyone else but Brian. She gets her tattoo and something more when he slips her his number on the way out and she returns in kind. The story begins to unfold, unwind and ignite!
The scenes between Candace and Brian are sweet, funny (hello video store and the whole Meet the Parents banter!) sexy, SUPER SEXY and heart warming romantic. I swear I held my breath reading this (in a 24hr period) because I couldn't wait to read what happened next and just where they would end up.
Not only is the chemistry between Candace and Brian great but the family dynamics that come into play also brought depth to the story. It is so true that you don't just get involved with a person, their entire package includes family whether you like it or not. The way in which both Candace and Brian deal with their family gave as strong character development and not a simple HEA for the ending.
I fell in love with the supporting cast of Rock Me as well. I love it when an author has a strong support system for the leads, I would love to know just what was talked about between Macy and Ghost!
This was suggested as a fix for my separation from Lucas in Tamarra Webber's Easy but I wouldn't call it a fix so much as an upgrade! Holy Tattooed Hotness!
Brian and Candace have known each other for years, what they don't realize is they have both WANTED each other this whole time! Candace gets a great idea to go get a tattoo for her birthday and she won't have it done by anyone else but Brian. She gets her tattoo and something more when he slips her his number on the way out and she returns in kind. The story begins to unfold, unwind and ignite!
The scenes between Candace and Brian are sweet, funny (hello video store and the whole Meet the Parents banter!) sexy, SUPER SEXY and heart warming romantic. I swear I held my breath reading this (in a 24hr period) because I couldn't wait to read what happened next and just where they would end up.
Not only is the chemistry between Candace and Brian great but the family dynamics that come into play also brought depth to the story. It is so true that you don't just get involved with a person, their entire package includes family whether you like it or not. The way in which both Candace and Brian deal with their family gave as strong character development and not a simple HEA for the ending.
I fell in love with the supporting cast of Rock Me as well. I love it when an author has a strong support system for the leads, I would love to know just what was talked about between Macy and Ghost!
November 19, 2012
LOVED THIS STORY!! (once I started this book, I couldn't put it down)
Brian is *sigh* friggn AMAZING!!
I loved that He didn't change who he was to accommodate his family or Candace.
...and Candace became the women I wanted her to be right from the very beginning. Strong, intelligent, sassy, and independent (she was no longer a victim, but somebody empowered).
What I liked most about Candace is the fact that she didn't try to change Brian, but let herself be who she wanted to be, and that person 'fit' perfectly with Brian.
Really liked the characters, story, romance, and the 'sex' was off the charts HAWT!!
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the ending at Candace's parent's house!
AMAZING!!
Brian is *sigh* friggn AMAZING!!
I loved that He didn't change who he was to accommodate his family or Candace.
...and Candace became the women I wanted her to be right from the very beginning. Strong, intelligent, sassy, and independent (she was no longer a victim, but somebody empowered).
What I liked most about Candace is the fact that she didn't try to change Brian, but let herself be who she wanted to be, and that person 'fit' perfectly with Brian.
Really liked the characters, story, romance, and the 'sex' was off the charts HAWT!!
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED the ending at Candace's parent's house!
AMAZING!!
February 2, 2015
If anything, read this book for Brian. I mean what's not to like, multiple tattoos and piercings :) As for Candace, I liked her and didn't like her throughout the book. The thing I disliked about her was her back and forth back and forth. She said she loved Brian, but then said she didn't know if she could be with him. My god woman...Grow Up! This book was both sweet and hot.
March 3, 2012
I have just typed up a huge review and lost it and am sitting here shouting and cussing at my computer screen AAARRRRRRRRRR.
I was glad to get to the end of this book. There is only one reason that I did finish it and that is because of Brian. I absolutely hated Candace, I often say that I dislike a character but never say that I hated them but will happily say again that I HATED Candace.
Candace was 23, Living in a flat that was leased and paid for by her parents, they also paid her college tuition and financially supported her. Right from the start Candance behaved like a teenage school girl and her friends weren't much better either! Candace had fallen in love with Brian when he had been her cousin's boyfriend but she hadn't seen him since they broke up. She had decided to rebel against her parents and get a tattoo but of course it had to be well below the panty line so that it could never be seen so I really couldn't work out how she thought she was rebelling as they would never know that she had it! So she goes to Brian's tattoo parlour in hopes that he will be there and of course he is and that is how the beginning of their relationship starts.
Candace is completely controlled by her mother and family and it seems that they only treat her like a complete doormat and they would never approve of her having a relationship with a bad boy like Brian so she thinks the best way is to sneak around so that they don't find out. All the way through I was wondering where on earth Candace's backbone was because she was a complete and utter wimp and allowed her family to manipulate and control her by emotional blackmail. The mother also financially blackmailed her by refusing to pay her rent or college fees unless she was a good girl and did what she was told but of course it never occurred to candace to do what most people in this world have to do to get by and that is to get a job!! About three quarters of the way through the book it seemed that Candace had finally developed a backbone but it very quickly disappeared again as she was prepared to allow her family to control her and force her to walk away from Brian. It was obvious that Candace's family didn't really care much about her feelings as they knew that she loved Brian and that he loved her but they just didn't want riff raff like him in their family! Instead of standing up to them and trying to come to some sound of understanding or compromise she allowed them to treat her like a doormat again.
Brian was the only redeeming factor in this book (and only reason I rated it 2 stars and not 1) and I loved him but I really couldn't understand why he wanted such a wimp of a woman who obviously didn't love him enough to try and fight for him. He deserved a woman who would love him and stand by him through thick and thin and I don't think that was Candace and I really don't buy into them getting a HEA!
I know that a lot of reviewers loved this book but sadly I am not one of them as it really wasn't my cup of tea.
I was glad to get to the end of this book. There is only one reason that I did finish it and that is because of Brian. I absolutely hated Candace, I often say that I dislike a character but never say that I hated them but will happily say again that I HATED Candace.
Candace was 23, Living in a flat that was leased and paid for by her parents, they also paid her college tuition and financially supported her. Right from the start Candance behaved like a teenage school girl and her friends weren't much better either! Candace had fallen in love with Brian when he had been her cousin's boyfriend but she hadn't seen him since they broke up. She had decided to rebel against her parents and get a tattoo but of course it had to be well below the panty line so that it could never be seen so I really couldn't work out how she thought she was rebelling as they would never know that she had it! So she goes to Brian's tattoo parlour in hopes that he will be there and of course he is and that is how the beginning of their relationship starts.
Candace is completely controlled by her mother and family and it seems that they only treat her like a complete doormat and they would never approve of her having a relationship with a bad boy like Brian so she thinks the best way is to sneak around so that they don't find out. All the way through I was wondering where on earth Candace's backbone was because she was a complete and utter wimp and allowed her family to manipulate and control her by emotional blackmail. The mother also financially blackmailed her by refusing to pay her rent or college fees unless she was a good girl and did what she was told but of course it never occurred to candace to do what most people in this world have to do to get by and that is to get a job!! About three quarters of the way through the book it seemed that Candace had finally developed a backbone but it very quickly disappeared again as she was prepared to allow her family to control her and force her to walk away from Brian. It was obvious that Candace's family didn't really care much about her feelings as they knew that she loved Brian and that he loved her but they just didn't want riff raff like him in their family! Instead of standing up to them and trying to come to some sound of understanding or compromise she allowed them to treat her like a doormat again.
Brian was the only redeeming factor in this book (and only reason I rated it 2 stars and not 1) and I loved him but I really couldn't understand why he wanted such a wimp of a woman who obviously didn't love him enough to try and fight for him. He deserved a woman who would love him and stand by him through thick and thin and I don't think that was Candace and I really don't buy into them getting a HEA!
I know that a lot of reviewers loved this book but sadly I am not one of them as it really wasn't my cup of tea.
June 3, 2012
Ummmm, so to sum up what I LOVED about this book....OM freaking G, this story was HOT HOT HOT!!! Like, good lord I need to stop reading so I can calm my racing heart SMOKING!! Cherrie Lynn quite possibly wrote the hottest sex scenes I've come across yet, and I'm a huge Fifty Shades addict so that's saying a lot!! Brian's character was just incredibly sexy, I mean this guy had my pulse racing from the get-go!! Those tattoos, the *ahem* piercings...humina humina!!! Whew!! I also really loved the plot with this story, how Candace had loved him for so long and was just waiting for her opportunity. It was a great backdrop to their romance!!
My one and only gripe with this book was the split-personality that Candace ends up having. In the beginning of the book, she's this innocent virgin who wants to branch out and be her own person away from her family; she's determined to get Brian to notice her and be bold by getting her little tattoo (GASP!!), and I loved her when she was chasing him. She was just a really neat character, and when she and Brian were doing their 'little dance' I was just dying from anticipation!! What was weird for me was that, after they finally get together (again OMG!!! *fans self*), she suddenly turns into a completely different character!! Her family treats her like C-R-A-P crap, I wanted someone to bitch slap her mother on numerous occasions, and then they turn around and dish it on Brian. She stands up for herself and Brian tells them off, and I'm thinking "you go, girl!!", but then in the next scene she's suddenly talking about how she needs her family and doesn't want a relationship with him to come between them??!! I wanted to strangle her, and I was ready for Brian to just tell her to go take a leap. There were a few more scenes after that where he essentially grovels while she is cold to him, and she just completely lost me at that point. I'm happy they got their 'happy ending' because it's what Brian wanted, but in the end Candace just was NOT worthy of my sexy dreamboat Brian!!
I give the book a 4 star rating b/c the story itself was great and the steamy scenes were incredible...just knocked a star off for the ending I was hoping for falling short!!
My one and only gripe with this book was the split-personality that Candace ends up having. In the beginning of the book, she's this innocent virgin who wants to branch out and be her own person away from her family; she's determined to get Brian to notice her and be bold by getting her little tattoo (GASP!!), and I loved her when she was chasing him. She was just a really neat character, and when she and Brian were doing their 'little dance' I was just dying from anticipation!! What was weird for me was that, after they finally get together (again OMG!!! *fans self*), she suddenly turns into a completely different character!! Her family treats her like C-R-A-P crap, I wanted someone to bitch slap her mother on numerous occasions, and then they turn around and dish it on Brian. She stands up for herself and Brian tells them off, and I'm thinking "you go, girl!!", but then in the next scene she's suddenly talking about how she needs her family and doesn't want a relationship with him to come between them??!! I wanted to strangle her, and I was ready for Brian to just tell her to go take a leap. There were a few more scenes after that where he essentially grovels while she is cold to him, and she just completely lost me at that point. I'm happy they got their 'happy ending' because it's what Brian wanted, but in the end Candace just was NOT worthy of my sexy dreamboat Brian!!
I give the book a 4 star rating b/c the story itself was great and the steamy scenes were incredible...just knocked a star off for the ending I was hoping for falling short!!
November 27, 2012
The Virgin Princess Candace falls hard for the tattooed, pierced and utterly delectable Brian.
Living on her own, Candace is ruled with an iron fist from her very controlling parents. She has to decide whether she’s willing to risk the only person she has loved from her very snobbish family. Brian also comes for a wealthy family but is an outcast and doesn’t live the high society life. Although he himself is a success, being a business owner and a tattoo artist.
Brian and Candace are two complete polar opposites, but somehow they mesh together beautifully. The sexual connection...SIZZLING HOT. Candace understands Brian and takes him completely for who he is. Brian has to decide whether she is worth changing and making sacrifices for. But as a couple they must find out if they’re relationship will last all the judgemental people in their lives.
This a fabulous read, very engaging with a lot of spice. Loved it!
Living on her own, Candace is ruled with an iron fist from her very controlling parents. She has to decide whether she’s willing to risk the only person she has loved from her very snobbish family. Brian also comes for a wealthy family but is an outcast and doesn’t live the high society life. Although he himself is a success, being a business owner and a tattoo artist.
Brian and Candace are two complete polar opposites, but somehow they mesh together beautifully. The sexual connection...SIZZLING HOT. Candace understands Brian and takes him completely for who he is. Brian has to decide whether she is worth changing and making sacrifices for. But as a couple they must find out if they’re relationship will last all the judgemental people in their lives.
This a fabulous read, very engaging with a lot of spice. Loved it!
Shelved as 'on-hold-until-further-notice'
November 15, 2012Alright, chicks. I'm finally going to read this. Yes. This has been on my TBR FOR...EV...VER. Bout time, eh? lol
UPDATE 11.14.12 - Candice does not deserve Brian. She's annoying the fuck outta me. Brian, however...HOLY MOTHER OF GOD! I looked up his piercing and I literally gawked for a good five minutes. My head was literally swimming with naughty and delightful thoughts. Holy shit. Is it hot in here? Anyway, I might have to come back to this. Not feeling convinced that Brian feels any attraction to this annoying chick. We'll see...
UPDATE 11.14.12 - Candice does not deserve Brian. She's annoying the fuck outta me. Brian, however...HOLY MOTHER OF GOD! I looked up his piercing and I literally gawked for a good five minutes. My head was literally swimming with naughty and delightful thoughts. Holy shit. Is it hot in here? Anyway, I might have to come back to this. Not feeling convinced that Brian feels any attraction to this annoying chick. We'll see...
August 31, 2011
Incredibly hot sex, great writing. Wanted to throttle Candace at the end. All the men I know like Brian would have sent her packing and never looked back.
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