BookCrushin’s Deck the Shelves – Best Reads 2015

 

Welcome to our 3rd annual Deck The Shelves Giveaway! At the end of each year we do few year end posts and we combine that with giveaways to our readers to help them Deck the Shelves! This year is no different, except we have new bloggers on board to help us create bigger lists! WooHoo! So without further ado, today we bring you our Best Reads 2015! Be sure to enter the giveaway at the bottom of the page, the only requirement is leaving a blog post comment, telling us what your favorite read was this year, and or chatting about our picks, and also registering your entry in the rafflecopter!

Also if you missed our Most Anticipating Releases of 2016 – there is another chance to win on that post!

 

Kelly’s Best Reads 2015:

I say this every year, but picking my 5 favorite books I read in 2015, is quite near impossible. It is really one of those excruciating exercises, that I then ask, why do I enjoy torturing myself?! My picks are not in any particular order, and they were all 5 heart/star reads for me and almost all of them were released in 2015 as well. OK, ok, without further fanfare, here are my picks!

 

* This past spring Shannon & I went to two massive signing events and at one of them, YALLWEST, I was lucky enough to have met the sweetest Jennifer Niven, and get a copy of her book signed. Now, I am totally a weirdo and I hate reading my signed copies, because to me they are a cherished item to be petted and not read. So after owning this book for quite a few months, I finally read a new copy that was gifted to me, and holy crap why did I wait so long?! This book really, really triggered a lot of feelings inside of me and made me bawl every few chapters. A lot of this book hit home in so many ways and it was brilliant, beautiful and A MUST READ. This movie adaptation now has big shoes to fill! Grab some tissues, post-it notes, and get started!

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

Category: Young Adult, Contemporary
Publication: January 6th, 2015; Knopf
Purchase: Amazon

The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park in this exhilarating and heart-wrenching love story about a girl who learns to live from a boy who intends to die.

Soon to be a major motion picture starring Elle Fanning!
 
Theodore Finch is fascinated by death, and he constantly thinks of ways he might kill himself. But each time, something good, no matter how small, stops him.

Violet Markey lives for the future, counting the days until graduation, when she can escape her Indiana town and her aching grief in the wake of her sister’s recent death.

When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries: It’s only with Violet that Finch can be himself—a weird, funny, live-out-loud guy who’s not such a freak after all. And it’s only with Finch that Violet can forget to count away the days and start living them. But as Violet’s world grows, Finch’s begins to shrink.

This is an intense, gripping novel perfect for fans of Jay Asher, Rainbow Rowell, John Green, Gayle Forman, and Jenny Downham from a talented new voice in YA, Jennifer Niven.

 

* When people ask me what my favorite book was this year, I almost 100% answer with ACoTaR! I think since it is the beginning of a new series from Sarah J. Maas, it isn’t hard to recommend to the masses. Plus it’s freaking amazing! It was light on the Beauty and the Beast retelling, but high on the fantasy and the budding relationships. I am so stinking excited for book 2 – A Court of Mist and Fury!

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Category: New Adult, Fantasy
Publication: May 5th, 2015; Bloomsbury Children’s
Purchase: Amazon

A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beast with faerie lore.

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it… or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!

 

* We need diverse books, and as someone who considers themselves pretty damn queer, I am trying to make a concerted effort to read more diverse books and well, Megan Erickson released two pretty f-ing amazing new adult, male/male, contemporary books this year. These two books made me, laugh, cry and swoon. Like all the feels! I had never read m/m before Trust the Focus and I am officially hooked and I want everyone to read this series, book 3, Out of Frame, comes out in March 2016 and you can be sure to see it on my most anticipating list as well!

Trust the Focus (In Focus #1) by Megan Erickson

Category: New Adult, Mature, LGBTQ, Contemporary Romance
Publication: March 17th, 2015; Intermix
Purchase: Amazon

With his college graduation gown expertly pitched into the trash, Justin Akron is ready for the road trip he planned with his best friend Landry— and ready for one last summer of escape from his mother’s controlling grip. Climbing into the Winnebago his father left him, they set out across America in search of the sites his father had captured through the lens of his Nikon.

As an aspiring photographer, Justin can think of no better way to honor his father’s memory than to scatter his ashes at the sites he held sacred. And there’s no one Justin would rather share the experience with more than Landry.

But Justin knows he can’t escape forever. Eventually he’ll have to return home and join his mother’s Senate campaign. Nor can he escape the truth of who he is, and the fact that he’s in love with his out-and-proud travel companion.

Admitting what he wants could hurt his mother’s conservative political career. But with every click of his shutter and every sprinkle of ash, Justin can’t resist Landry’s pull. And when the truth comes into focus, neither is prepared for the secrets the other is hiding.

 

*Not only is this book a beauty to look at (black pages *swoon*) it was also such a fantastic adventure! Magical and thrilling, this story was just absolutely brilliant. The world building and the characters were so perfect that I have a hard time even discussing this book without just flailing and telling everyone to read it! It is set in the same world as the Grisha trilogy but you do not have to have read those first to start this adventure!

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Category: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publication: September 29th, 2015; Henry Holt & Co.
Purchase: Amazon

Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can’t pull it off alone…

A convict with a thirst for revenge.

A sharpshooter who can’t walk away from a wager.

A runaway with a privileged past.

A spy known as the Wraith.

A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums.

A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.

Kaz’s crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they don’t kill each other first.

 

* For my final choice, I am going to end with the new adult contemporary, Off the Map series by Lia Riley. I had binge read quite a few series this year and I would like to add like probably 3 of them to my list, but I will be a good girl and only chose 1, mainly because I know one of the books will be on one of my other blogger’s list so that makes me feel better about leaving those off my list. I read the first book in this series in late 2014, but I re-read it again as I was delving into our #SeriesSweep Challenge last month. This series was spectacular and the covers are so damn gorgeous! There is so much going on in these books and the love and romance of it all is just perfect. I loved that both the characters are flawed but they bring out the best in each other and my chest hurts just thinking about the beautiful overall story that was in these pages. I had a serious book hangover after binge reading this entire series and the 2 novellas! All 5 hearts!

Off the Map Series by Lia Riley 

Upside Down (Off the Map #1)

Category: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Publication: August 5th, 2014 (book #1); Forever
Purchase: Amazon (book 1)

If You Never Get Lost, You’ll Never Be Found

Twenty-one-year-old Natalia Stolfi is saying good-bye to the past-and turning her life upside down with a trip to the land down under. For the next six months, she’ll act like a carefree exchange student, not a girl sinking under the weight of painful memories. Everything is going according to plan until she meets a brooding surfer with hypnotic green eyes and the troubling ability to see straight through her act.

Bran Lockhart is having the worst year on record. After the girl of his dreams turned into a nightmare, he moved back home to Melbourne to piece his life together. Yet no amount of disappointment could blind him to the pretty California girl who gets past all his defenses. He’s never wanted anyone the way he wants Talia. But when Bran gets a stark reminder of why he stopped believing in love, he and Talia must decide if what they have is once in a lifetime . . . or if they were meant to live a world apart.

Book #1 in the OFF THE MAP series

Side Swiped (Off the Map #2) Goodreads  |  Amazon
Inside Out (Off the Map #3) Goodreads  |  Amazon

 

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Shannon’s Best Reads 2015:

* This was hands down my fave read of 2015. It was my first book by Sarah J. Maas and I was obsessed from start to finish. I’m a fae book junkie and this one turned the standard lore on its head. Not to mention it had some of the best supporting cast I’ve come across in awhile (Rhys, Rhys and more Rhys). If you haven’t read ACOTAR you need to put it on the top of your TBR for 2016.

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Category: New Adult, Fantasy
Publication: May 5th, 2015; Bloomsbury Children’s
Purchase: Amazon

A thrilling, seductive new series from New York Times bestselling author Sarah J. Maas, blending Beauty and the Beast with faerie lore.

When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow grows over the faerie lands, and Feyre must find a way to stop it… or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.

Perfect for fans of Kristin Cashore and George R. R. Martin, this first book in a sexy and action-packed new series is impossible to put down!

 

* This book was on my must read list for 2015 and I am so glad I got it in under the wire before the end of the year. It blew my freaking mind. Have you ever read a book that you were afraid to finish because it kept you so far on the edge of your seat you thought you were going to pass out? That was the 5th Wave. Now with the movie being released in January there is no time like the present to pick up this epic sci-fi.

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

Category: Young Adult, Sci-Fi
Publication: May 7th, 2013; Putnam Young Readers
Purchase: Amazon

After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.

Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother–or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.

 

* This is what I like to call the book of second chances. I had received an arc and started it but the beginning didn’t grab me so I shelved it. I finally picked it back up after seeing a few solid reviews and damn I could kick myself. This fantasy ended up being the biggest mic drop book of 2015 (IMO). If you like your books with a side of WTF did that just happen, this is the book for you. Cannot wait for the sequel.

The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Category: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publication: February 10th, 2015; HarperTeen
Purchase: Amazon

This is a world divided by blood – red or silver.

The Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old Red girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.

That is, until she finds herself working in the Silver Palace. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that, despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly power of her own. One that threatens to destroy the balance of power.

Fearful of Mare’s potential, the Silvers hide her in plain view, declaring her a long-lost Silver princess, now engaged to a Silver prince. Despite knowing that one misstep would mean her death, Mare works silently to help the Red Guard, a militant resistance group, and bring down the Silver regime.

But this is a world of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance – Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart …

 

* This was a hard book for me to read since I lost my Dad last year and he was a biker and this book is set amongst a motorcycle club. But what I found was that it reminded me a lot of my childhood and ended up filling me with so much nostalgia. Everyone knows Katie can write the hell out of romance but what I absolutely adored about this book was the loyalty of family and the bonds that were formed between all the characters. It was so well done.

Nowhere but Here by Katie McGarry

Category: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance
Publication: May 26th, 2015; Harlequin Teen
Purchase: Amazon

An unforgettable new series from acclaimed author Katie McGarry about taking risks, opening your heart and ending up in a place you never imagined possible.

Seventeen-year-old Emily likes her life the way it is: doting parents, good friends, good school in a safe neighborhood. Sure, she’s curious about her biological father—the one who chose life in a motorcycle club, the Reign of Terror, over being a parent—but that doesn’t mean she wants to be a part of his world. But when a reluctant visit turns to an extended summer vacation among relatives she never knew she had, one thing becomes clear: nothing is what it seems. Not the club, not her secret-keeping father and not Oz, a guy with suck-me-in blue eyes who can help her understand them both.

Oz wants one thing: to join the Reign of Terror. They’re the good guys. They protect people. They’re…family. And while Emily—the gorgeous and sheltered daughter of the club’s most respected member—is in town, he’s gonna prove it to her. So when her father asks him to keep her safe from a rival club with a score to settle, Oz knows it’s his shot at his dream. What he doesn’t count on is that Emily just might turn that dream upside down.

No one wants them to be together. But sometimes the right person is the one you least expect, and the road you fear the most is the one that leads you home.

 

* I’m a sucker for a good J Arm book and while I’ve enjoyed the Wait For You series, Stay With Me, has emerged as the clear star of he series.  I was absolutely sucked in to the story of the disfigured girl who’d never been kissed and the sexy as hell bartender keeping a secret. This one resulted in more than a few flushed cheeks on my part. It’s just got all the components that make New Adults fun, romance, sexiness, and great banter.

Stay With Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout/J. Lynn

Category: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Publication: September 23rd, 2014; William Morrow
Purchase: Amazon

At 21, Calla hasn’t done a lot of things. She’s never been kissed, never seen the ocean, never gone to an amusement park. But growing up, she witnessed some things no child ever should. She still carries the physical and emotional scars of living with a strung-out mother, Mona—secrets she keeps from everyone, including her close circle of college friends.

But the safe cocoon Calla has carefully built is shattered when she discovers her mom has stolen her college money and run up a huge credit card debt in her name. Now, Calla has to go back to the small town she thought she’d left behind and clean up her mom’s mess again. Of course, when she arrives at her mother’s bar, Mona is nowhere to be found. Instead, six feet of hotness named Jackson James is pouring drinks and keeping the place humming.

Sexy and intense, Jax is in Calla’s business from the moment they meet, giving her a job and helping her search for Mona. And the way he looks at her makes it clear he wants to get horizontal . . . and maybe something more. Before Calla can let him get close, though, she’s got to deal with the pain of the past—and some very bad guys out to mess her up if she doesn’t give them her mom.

 

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Sara’s Best Reads 2015:

Since I work with or have worked with several authors, I decided not to include them in my lists of books for the year, even though that was a really, really difficult decision because I work for some amazing authors. Ah-may-zing. They belong on a list unto their own, so I am going to do a shameless plug:  Go check out authors Kira Adams, S.T. Bende, Elise Faber, Laura Howard, Karen Lynch, Mya O’Malley, Stormy Smith, and Ednah Walters. Their books are incredible and you won’t be disappointed.

With that being said, here are my 10 best reads of the year. It’s been an incredible year and I feel blessed to blog with the ladies of BookCrushin! I crush on them as much as I crush on books…maybe even a little more…

(*edit–Since Sara picked 10!!! I am only going to link out to goodreads & amazon for her list (sorry) -kelly)

1.  Strikers by Ann Christy  – Goodreads | Amazon

2.  The Casquette Girls by Alys Arden – Goodreads | Amazon

3.  The Light Key Trilogy by Tracy Clark (I read all three this year; Deviate and Illuminate were published in 2015 and the first book, Scintillate, was published in 2014) – Series Goodreads | Amazon

4.  Nameless by Jennifer Jenkins – Goodreads | Amazon

5.  Lumiere by Jacqueline Garlick – Goodreads | Amazon

6.  The Duality Bridge by Susan Kaye Quinn – Goodreads | Amazon

7.  Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell – Goodreads | Amazon

8.  Use Somebody by Riley Jean – Goodreads | Amazon

9.  Uprising and Emerge by Heather Sunseri (both were published this year) – Goodreads | Amazon

10.  The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin – Totally not a YA/NA book, but a plain old, regular fiction book. It was beautiful. – Goodreads | Amazon

 

 

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Teresa’s Best Reads 2015:

I am not going to lie, I had to look at all of the Kindle purchases I made this year to remember every book I had gone through. I think my husband had it right when he said that I read books like most people eat potato chips…you can’t have just one! LOL so of the books I have read this year, here is my top 5 (Yes, I know that a couple of them are whole series’ BUT I couldn’t pick a favorite 🙂 )

Thank y’all for following us this year! If you have any book recommendations for the next coming year, leave them in the comments!
Happy reading!

1. The Irin Chronicles Trilogy by Elizabeth Hunter – * Warning! This trilogy is Urban Fantasy/Romance…Adults only* That being said…these three books are by far my favorite trilogy that I have read this year. And yes, I know what I am saying. A strong female lead character, and the Irin people have worked together to capture and secure a place in my heart. It’s a good story, if you like Angels…you’ll love these books.

The Scibe (Irin Chronicles #1)

Category: Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy
Publication: October 15th, 2013 (book #1)
Purchase: Amazon

Hidden at the crossroads of the world, an ancient race battles to protect humanity, even as it dies from within.

Ava Matheson came to Istanbul looking for answers, but others came looking for her. A reckless warrior guards her steps, but will Malachi’s own past blind him to the truth of who Ava might be? While ancient forces gather around them, both Ava and Malachi search for answers.

Whispering voices. Deadly touch. Their passion should be impossible… or it could be the only thing that will keep them alive.

THE SCRIBE is the first book in the Irin Chronicles, the new paranormal romance series from Elizabeth Hunter, author of the Elemental Mysteries.

The Singer  (Irin Chronicles #2) – Goodreads | Amazon
The Secret (Irin Chronicles #3) – Goodreads | Amazon

 

2. Rogue (Relentless #3) by Karen Lynch – I had waited for this book to be released since the first book came out. I was SOOOO excited to be able to be on Karen Lynch’s launch team for this book. It completely blew me away. I cannot wait to see what the next series is that comes out of this author’s dreams. Who am I kidding? I would read her grocery lists…

Category: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance
Publication: October 27th, 2015
Purchase: Amazon

Sara Grey is done hiding and done being afraid. The Master thinks he has her running scared, but she’s taking matters into her own hands and taking her life back. With the help of her friends, she sets out to find the one person who can answer her questions about her past, and who may be able to lead them to the Master.

On her journey, Sara faces new challenges and dangers, and learns that the world of good and evil is not as clear cut as she had believed. She makes new friends, unexpected allies, and reconnects with people from her past. As her powers continue to change and grow, she transforms from a struggling girl into a strong young warrior.

But at what cost? How much is Sara willing to sacrifice in her need for independence and her quest for the truth? And will her newfound strength be enough to save her and the people she loves when she finally comes face-to-face with her powerful nemesis? Nothing could have prepared her for what is to come, and it will take everything in her to survive the final test of courage and love.

 

3. Perfekt Order by S.T. Bende – After reading the Elsker Saga, I knew that S.T. Bende would not disappoint. Her character’s are funny, and witty, and HOT! If you are into Norse mythology, like handsome, stoic men, or food…you should get this book! The second in the series is coming out next February too…so not too late to jump on the bandwagon!

Category: Young Adult, Fantasy
Publication: December 8th, 2015
Purchase: Amazon

All’s fair when you’re in love with War.

For seventeen-year-old Mia Ahlström, a world ruled by order is the only world she allows. A lifetime of chore charts, to-do lists and study schedules have helped earn her a spot at Redwood State University’s engineering program. And while her five year plan includes finding her very own happily-evah-aftah, years at an all-girls boarding school left her feeling woefully unprepared for keg parties and co-ed extracurricular activities.

So nothing surprises her more than catching the eye of Tyr Fredriksen at her first college party. The imposing Swede is arrogantly charming, stubbornly overprotective, and runs hot-and-cold in ways that defy reason . . . until Mia learns that she’s fallen for the Norse God of War; an immortal battle deity hiding on Midgard (Earth) to protect a valuable Asgardian treasure from a feral enemy. With a price on his head, Tyr brings more than a little excitement to Mia’s rigidly controlled life. Choosing Tyr may be the biggest distraction—or the greatest adventure—she’s ever had.

 

4. Truest by Jackie Lee Sommers – This book was a nice change of pace for me this year. I had been focused on reading mostly fantasy, or romance, until this book was passed to me… and I have to say that it was really nice to sort of take a step back and read a book that makes you take a closer look at yourself. This book has great characters, who are in the twilight of their teen years and trying to figure out where the new dawn of adulthood will take them. It’s sort of bittersweet to read their struggles and in turn look at yourself.

Category: Young Adult, Contemporary
Publication: September 1st, 2015; Katherine Tegen Books
Purchase: Amazon

Silas Hart has seriously shaken up Westlin Beck’s small-town life. Brand new to town, Silas is different than the guys in Green Lake. He’s curious, poetic, philosophical, maddening– and really, really cute. But Silas has a sister– and she has a secret. And West has a boyfriend. And life in Green Lake is about to change forever.

Truest is a stunning, addictive debut. Romantic, fun, tender, and satisfying, it asks as many questions as it answers.

 

5. Darkness Series by Stacy Marie Brown – I know this series has been featured on the blog a few times before, but let me reiterate that this is definitely a NA series and not a teen read. These four books were an amazing vacation for me. They took me where the world I know, and the world of the Fae meet. This author mixes up the culture of modern times, and fantasy so well that you can’t help but think “well yea of course that’s how it works.” The seem less transitions between books were beautiful. AND the first book Darkness of Light is FREE on Amazon right now!

Darkness of Light (Darkness #1)

Category: New Adult, Fantasy
Publication: February 13th, 2013
Purchase: Amazon (book #1)

Freak. Witch. Crazy. Schizo.

Ember Brycin has been called them all. She’s always known she’s different. No one has ever called her normal, even under the best circumstances. Bizarre and inexplicable things continually happen to her, and having two different colored eyes, strange hair, and an unusual tattoo only contributes to the gossip about her.

When the latest school explosion lands her in a facility for troubled teens, she meets Eli Dragen, who’s hot as hell and darkly mysterious. Their connection is full of passion, danger, and secrets. Secrets that will not only change her life, but what and who she is—leading her down a path she never imagined possible.

Between Light and Dark, Ember finds a world where truth and knowledge are power and no one can be trusted. But her survival depends on finding out the truth about herself. In her pursuit, she is forced between love and destiny and good and evil, even when the differences between them aren’t always clear. At worst, she will incite a war that could destroy both worlds. At best, she will not only lose her heart but her life and everyone she loves. Once the truth is out, however, there will be no going back. And she’ll definitely wish she could.

Fire in the Darkness (Darkness #2) – Goodreads | Amazon
Dwellers of Darkness (Darkness #3) – Goodreads | Amazon
Blood Beyond Darkness (Darkness #4) – Goodreads | Amazon

 

GIVEAWAY:

Grand Prize – Choice of 1 Signed Book & 1 Unsigned Book from the piles pictured below!
Runner-up – Choice of 1 Unsigned Book from photo after grand prize winner chooses!

(Most Anticipated Reads of 2016 Giveaway winners will get to chose first! Go enter there for another chance to win!)

Signed books are on the Left (light side) and the Unsigned books are on the Right (dark side)! 

Open until January 16th, 2016 – Open INTL with the option to pay the difference in shipping costs-it’s so expensive, so sorry for the caveat, please enter and we can work out the details if you win! Read all the fine print in the Rafflecopter – Only requirement is to comment on this post and then enter your entry into the Rafflecopter, additional entry options are available.

 

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