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Blog Tour for A New World for the Irish Daughter #Bookouture

ABOUT THE BOOK

Walking through the thick fog clouding San Francisco, Maggie lifts her chin and forces a smile to her lips. “We must rebuild our lives and fight for our future, no matter what…”

San Francisco, 1893: When Maggie O’Halloran steps off the train in California, she knows she must be brave for her friend Brendan and her brother Danny. Having fled both New York and Chicago, they all have broken spirits and fear having to start again. Can Maggie find courage and strength for them all?

Maggie soon finds a boarding house that will take them in. In a lively part of town, and with a colourful clientele, it is not somewhere she ever imagined staying. Until one night when they are woken by a distressing cry, and Maggie finds herself assisting a doctor to save a young woman’s life.

Working through the night by candlelight, Maggie realises this may be her true calling. When the doctor asks if she would consider training as a nurse, she says yes immediately, hopeful she might have finally found her purpose in life. Will this now give her the courage to tell Brendan how she truly feels?

But before she can risk her heart, Brendan reveals that Danny is in trouble once more. They are leaving at dawn for Alaska to mine for gold, and Maggie is both shocked and heartbroken. Should she stay, and continue the work that has given her life such meaning? Or should she sacrifice everything, and follow those she loves even further into the unknown?

🎧

UK: https://ow.ly/af8X50ZrQcQ US: https://ow.ly/pM2T50ZrQcR

MY THOUGHTS

I have read this series the whole way through, this is the third and final book in it I believe.
Though each book can be read as a standalone I highly recommend reading the series in order for a richer reading experience.
The series has taken us to so many places.
I can see the character growth in the characters. Starting out Danny was a little tike, finishing up he was in his early twenties. He started out scared and Maggie was essentially his mother because she passed away and their father was gone destination unknown at the time.
As the series progresses, he becomes a product of his environment after arriving in America from Ireland and doesn’t always make the best choices for himself and he and Maggie as a group either.
Upon arriving in America thy met Brendan who only wants the best for them and is with them for the most part throughout the three books.
Maggie doesn’t have it easy, coming to a brand-new country, responsible for a young child, her brother Danny as a young person herself. Of course, she makes mistakes along the way, but she always has their best interest at heart.
From the first to last book, we see her going from a scared young woman with not much experience to a more mature woman who has put up with a lot, more than she thought she could handle and her experiences have made her a stronger woman and given her gumption.
I loved reading about the different traveling experiences and how they fared in each place, some better than others. The descriptions of the places and their activities were very realistic and I enjoyed them.
Highly recommend all of the authors books.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Kate Hewitt is the author of many novels of both historical and contemporary fiction. Her novels have been called ‘unputdownable’ and ‘the most emotional book I have ever read’ by readers.

An American ex-pat for many years, she now lives in New Jersey with her husband, two of her five children (the others are scattered across the globe!), their two Golden Retrievers and their independent cat. Join her newsletter to receive updates and giveaways, or be part of her Facebook groups Kate’s Reads, to discuss all manner of books. Links can be found on her website, katehewittbooks (.com).

Her latest releases are A New Home for the Irish Daughter, a saga centering around an ambitious Irish immigrant during the Chicago World’s Fair, Summer Skies over Starr’s Fall, the fourth standalone in her new heartwarming series inspired by the Gilmore Girls, and Second time Around the sixtih in her Wildflower Valley’s series about modern homesteading and inspired by Little House on the Prairie. There’s something for everyone so do check them all out, and be in touch as Kate loves to hear from readers. You can discuss Kate’s books as well as others on her private Facebook group, Kate’s Reads or read her thoughts on Substack.

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The Christmas Yes List: A Heartwarming Holiday Novel

352 pages Publisher Thomas Nelson Publication date October 6, 2026

ABOUT THE BOOK

SOON TO BE A STREAMING ORIGINAL MOVIE!

All she wants for Christmas is a rejection.

Chloe Hollis is done being a people-pleaser. After one too many bad decisions–including a job that asked her to cross a line she couldn’t–she’s determined to change. Her plan? Collect ten nos before Christmas by asking strangers for the most ridiculous favors she can think of.

It should be easy.

But then? Then she meets James.

Instead of shutting her down, the charming out-of-towner keeps saying yes–to Christmas karaoke, to small-town holiday traditions, to every spontaneous, hilarious, totally chaotic idea she throws his way. And the more he says yes, the harder it becomes for Chloe to stick to her plan . . . or protect her heart.

Because James has a reason for saying yes to everything, too–and it might cost them both more than they bargained for.

As their opposite missions collide in a swirl of festive mishaps, unexpected courage, and undeniable chemistry, Chloe starts to wonder if the biggest risk isn’t rejection after all . . . but saying yes to something real.

Christmas stockings hanging on a fireplace mantel above a roaring fire, with a decorated Christmas tree nearby
A warm living room decorated for Christmas with stockings, a tree, and a glowing fireplace

MY THOUGHTS

I can’t believe I haven’t read this author yet with how many books she’s written. Then I console myself by saying, well you can’t try all the authors. I sure have fun trying though.
Grab your hot chocolate, cozy blanket and your pets, once you start this one you’re not going to want to stop.
A cute and humorous rom com filled with Christmas joy.
Of all places to meet they met at the airport.
After reading a book on self-improvement she makes a pact with herself to learn how to stop being a people pleaser.
What started out as a game gets confusing when she assumes he’s read the same book and is doing the same thing but learning how to say yes to things.
I loved the dialogue James and Chloe had, so much fun and humor in the story.
Great read.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

About the author

Melissa Ferguson is the bestselling author of titles including Meet Me in the Margins, Famous for a Living, and How to Plot a Payback. She lives in Tennessee with her family in their growing farmhouse lifestyle and writes heartwarming romantic comedies.

You can find her on her socials at @ourfriendlyfarmhouse.

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Happiness in life?

Daily writing prompt
What’s your biggest dream?
View all responses

My wish is for all of my children to be happy and do well in life.

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Bookmarked for Love: A Christian Contemporary Rom-Com Book-about-Books with Forced-Proximity, and a Curvy, Plus-Size Librarian (Checking Out Love)

320 pages Publisher Bethany House Publishers Publication date July 21, 2026

ABOUT THE BOOK

Can a jeopardized children’s library program spark a partnership that saves their careers but costs them their hearts?

When children’s librarian Martha Aldridge learns about budget cuts that will not only put her out of a job but also shut down the library’s children’s programs, she’s determined to raise the funds needed to save both. The good news is, she knows just who to ask for a large donation on the library’s behalf. The bad news? She swore she’d never step foot in his office again.

Julien King has been groomed to one day run his family’s publishing empire, and now he must prove he’s ready to take the helm by turning around the company’s languishing children’s imprint. That wouldn’t be a problem, except he doesn’t know the first thing about children’s literature. So when Martha waltzes into his office, he sees an opportunity and makes her an offer she can’t refuse. He’ll give her the money she needs for the library in exchange for her help in acquiring a bestselling manuscript that will resurrect the dying imprint. The longer they’re forced to work together, however, the more they come to realize their jobs may not be the only thing on the line.

MY THOUGHTS

Last year when I read, Hearts in Circulation I just knew I had to read the next in the series and this book is every bit as good as I imagined it would be.
I guess because I’ve been going to libraries since I was a small child I’m drawn to books about libraries and this series is a hit with me.
Martha Aldridge is a children’s librarian, she’s outgoing, personable and love creating and presenting children’s programs at her library that are wildly popular. The kids and parents alike love her.
When her position is cut she and the children are devastated.
Growing up her parents worked for a wealthy family doing housecleaning and gardening. She was familiar with their son, Julien King who is set to take over as CEO of his father’s business now.
Back then they didn’t really have much to say to each other because of the almost ten-year age difference.
I loved seeing the interaction these two had after meeting again after quite some time.
Martha is curvy and I was glad to see she doesn’t let it hold her back. Instead, she is thankful for what her body can do for her. Body confidence is always a great thing.
Martha and Julien come up with a plan to save both of their careers, and their relationship just blossoms from there.
Now I’m looking forward to the continuation of this series next year.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

About the author

Winner of the Holt Medallion and Selah Award, Sarah Monzon is a stay-at-home mom who makes up imaginary friends to have adult conversations with (otherwise known as writing novels). As a navy chaplain’s wife, she resides wherever the military happens to station her family and enjoys exploring the beauty of the world around her.

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Frankenkitty (Children’s picture book)

3-7 years 32 pages Publisher Tiger Tails Pub Date Jul 7 2026 

ABOUT THE BOOK

This lively, laugh-out-loud gothic tale in picture book form is perfect for kids ages 3-7 who love their monsters cute and their bedtime stories dramatic. Features a freakishly fun art style and a neon green Pantone on the cover!

Meet Frankenkitty–a stitched-together kitten with a haunted castle for a home and a reputation that seems to terrify everyone…even his own inventor! Only Olive, the inventor’s brave young daughter, sees the sweet side of this misunderstood kitty. But when terrible things start to happen at the castle—like mice invading the kitchen, frogs appearing in the bathtub, and Brussels sprouts showing up on the dinner menu—poor Frankenkitty gets the blame and is banished from the castle into the snow. Will Olive be able to rescue the poor kitten before it’s too late? Features a freakishly fun art style and a neon green Pantone on the cover!

Full of playful twists on classic horror tropes, this entertaining story features hilariously dramatic narration, perfect for reading aloud and getting readers ready for the spooky season.

MY THOUGHTS

A children’s picture book but yes, I loved it myself. Cute, gothic, creepy and fascinating all wrapped up in one.
Vivid colorful illustrations will capture children’s attention along with the creepily fascinating things in the jars.
Frankenkitty is scary because some don’t understand him but those who do realize he is just the sweetest kitty of all. Great for read aloud fun.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book,
All opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Maudie Powell-Tuck has been writing, editing, and dreaming about picture books for more than 12 years. She has worked in a children’s bookstore and as an editor for a children’s publisher, so she can enthuse about kids’ books ‘til the cows come home. When not writing or editing, Maudie can be found wandering around charity shops with her kids, reading, and watching embarrassingly trashy reality TV. She is forever losing her hearing aids and has dropped her phone 1,345,566 times. Miraculously it still works.

Born in a mini car in a parking lot in South Wales, Mini Grey worked as a theater designer, then a primary school teacher, before beginning to make children’s picture books, some of which have won awards. Mini lives in Oxford, UK, with her partner, Tony, and son, Herbie. She likes running along the river and down hallways, and playing with her food.

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At Leap Of Faith Farm: A Memoir For Animal Lovers

189 pages Publisher Anamcara Press LLC | Independent Book Publishers Association Publication date July 29, 2026

ABOUT THE BOOK

A leap from suburbia to farm life reveals love, loss, and resilience through twenty years of animals, harsh winters, and the unforgettable lessons they leave behind.

At Leap of Faith Farm is a tender, clear-eyed memoir about saying yes to the life you’ve always imagined—and discovering what that choice truly asks of you.

When an unexpected job offer opens the door to a lifelong dream, the author and her husband leave behind their suburban Twin Cities careers for a small horse farm in southern Minnesota. What follows is a twenty-year leap into a world of hard winters, unpredictable land, close-knit neighbors, and the daily, often demanding realities of animal care.

Told through interwoven stories and poems, the book chronicles the cats, horses, wildlife, and winged visitors who shape life on the farm. Each animal arrives with its own personality, challenges, and lessons—many of them learned in the barn through veterinary visits, and after long drives for emergency care. With honesty and grace, the author reveals the emotional and physical labor behind the pastoral dream, from joyful beginnings to inevitable, heartbreaking goodbyes.

Rich with vivid descriptions of Minnesota seasons, rural community, and the intimate bond between humans and animals, At Leap of Faith Farm is both an escape from modern chaos and a grounded meditation on responsibility, love, and remembrance. Above all, it is a promise kept: to tell the stories of those who gave so much, and to ensure they are never forgotten.

Brown horse standing beside a snow-covered wooden fence in a snowy field with distant trees and hills
A brown horse stands by a snow-covered fence in a tranquil winter landscape.

MY THOUGHTS

A very satisfying read!
The author and her husband spent time looking for just the right farm for her horses so they could escape city life. It took a while but they did it.
A bit of the book tells of their journey acquainting themself with farm life and how hard it was. Brutal weather, repairs, emergency vet visits, many unexpected things came up along the way including several riding accidents.
The majority of the book talks about the many animals they had on the farm; the author is definitely a horse person. Many wonderful stories of her horses and the kind vets who went above and beyond when they had an emergency. A poignant read, it made me tear up more than once. She took excellent care of her animals and deeply felt their deaths.
A great escape read, we get to experience it all through the author’s writing, the Minnesota winters, the many animals, domesticated, farm animals and winged. Life was anything but easy. It was time consuming, but it was worth it.
Told through stories and poetry. I very much enjoyed this memoir for animal lovers.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Cheryl Heide lives with her husband, three cats, and two horses on a farm near Baldwin City, Kansas. Her “Roaming Wind Farm” is named for the journey she has made from the time she left Kansas, through the years she spent living in Virginia, Kentucky, and Minnesota, until she finally returned to her home state. The rhythmic flow and lyrical tone of the short stories and poems she has written about the people and animals in her life reflect the love she also has for music and singing. She has published poetry and prose pieces through Guild Press in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, Meadowlark Press, several anthologies, and an article in Equus Magazine.

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The House of Pearls: A spellbinding and totally gripping novel full of family secrets and mystery

435 pages Publisher Bookouture Publication date

July 10, 2026

ABOUT THE BOOK

A photograph of three young sisters. A forgotten pearl necklace that sends her tumbling through time…

Present day: single mother Elsa Dean is shocked when she inherits a sprawling three-storey house from her estranged uncle. Elsa hasn’t seen the golden stone façade in over a decade. Then an antique pearl necklace and a black and white photograph hidden behind a secret door in the attic sweeps her back into the past. Elsa sees her aunts, the three Merriwell sisters, each make their own terrible choice that will change their family forever…

1959: When sixteen-year-old Edie Merriwell finds herself pregnant just as her beloved mother dies suddenly, she has no-one to turn to. All she has left is her mother’s last gift: a tiny seed pearl on a delicate silver chain. She never takes it off. Her sisters could never understand. And her father is courting a new wife suspiciously quickly. Within a year, gossip about the Merriwell family will reach fever pitch, and none of the sisters will ever live in the beautiful house again.

History repeats itself at this house of pearls and lies. What really happened to Edie and her baby? Elsa has been keeping her own secrets too. Will she be brave enough to confront her tangled history and lay the ghosts of the house to rest for good?

Stone cottage with lush garden and stone path lined with colorful flowers
A charming stone cottage surrounded by a colorful flowering garden path

MY THOUGHTS

I love an author whose books grab your attention and hers certainly do and keeps it right through the very last word.
If a book can be heartwarming and heartbreaking all at once this book delivers in spades.
The book is so realistic that I could easily picture the past and current time it took place very easily.
A single mom and her daughter’s bad luck turns around quickly when she inherits a well to do home in an affluent area that she hadn’t been in the home in years.
Going through the possessions she finds and old photograph and a necklace and they trigger her time traveling back in time and finding out secrets of family members that she would have never known about. The family has lots of secrets and there was a lot of drama in this family.
As each layer takes us back to the past, we see the pieces begin to become pieced together and the more I read the more I became engrossed. I read this over 400 pages book in less than a day.
My heart just aches for the injustice done and how things were more readily acceptable back in the day.
Some pretty big secrets revealed that really took me by surprise.
Excellent historical fiction. I’ll definitely be returning to this author.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Ali decided she wanted to be a writer early on and wrote her first novel when she was at primary school. She did an English degree and spent her early twenties working in various jobs in journalism, including as a reporter for the showbusiness newspaper The Stage. She started writing fiction in earnest after getting married, moving out of London to the Oxfordshire market town of Abingdon and starting a family. She has two children, a daughter and a son who is autistic and was diagnosed when he was four years old.

Ali is fascinated by families, their myths and secrets, and the forces that hold them together, split them up and (sometimes) bring them back together again. She always travels with tissues and a book and has been known to cry over a good story, but is also a big fan of the hopeful ending.

For updates and pictures, follow Ali on Twitter (@AlisonLMercer) or Instagram (@alimercerwriter), or on her Facebook page (AliMercerwriter).

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The Unexpected Caller: Amish Fiction for Your Book Club with Second Chance Romance, Friendship, and Community (The Amish Widows Club)

288 pages Publisher Revell Publication date July 7, 2026

ABOUT THE BOOK

She finds sisterhood in the Amish Widows Club–but will she risk loving again?

Leanna Mast never imagined she’d be a widow at forty-one, but it seems God had other plans. After mourning her husband for a year, she realizes it’s time to start living again. But her community expects her to remarry, and after living on her own, she’s not eager to start cooking and cleaning in another man’s home.

When she’s invited to join the Amish Widows Club, she discovers a place of belonging she didn’t even know she needed. In this group of women who support one another through sharing books, stories, and companionship, Leanna immediately feels welcome. She’s sure her life as a widow will bring her the fulfillment she craves . . . until handsome, kind Evan Keim comes calling. As their relationship deepens, her heart becomes involved. But how could she possibly leave the widows club for a dream that might be too good to be true?

MY THOUGHTS

I have several favorite Amish writing authors, and this is one of them.
I was so excited to see a new series she has put out of which this is the first one.
The Amish Widows Club is pretty self-explanatory. Widowed Amish women are invited to join the club. Here they get support as they are grieving and make new friends, some just need the support for a short amount of time and then remarry. Some believe in a once in a lifetime love and don’t want to remarry. The widows in the club are of all ages.
I enjoyed meeting forty-one-year-old widowed Leanna Mast, childless she expected to have a lifetime of marriage, but it was not to be.
Evan Keim is a widower with three sons and grandchildren. Leanna has known him a long time but hasn’t expected him to come calling and she’s not looking to remarry.
God has other plans for this couple though.
Such a beautiful, uplifting, encouraging story filled with faith and letting God lead the way. Faith, family, friendship and eventually more.
Very enjoyable story.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my won.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Shelley Shepard Gray is a NYT and USA Today bestselling author. She’s published over a hundred novels and has over a million books in print. She currently lives in northern Ohio and writes full time.

Shelley lives just an hour from Holmes County, where many of her Amish-themed novels are set. She currently writes contemporary romance and Amish fiction for a variety of publishers. When not spending time with her family or writing, she can usually be found walking her two dachshunds on one of the many trails in the Cleveland area.

She also bakes a lot, loves coconut cream pie, and will hardly ever pull weeds, mow the yard, or drive in the snow.

Shelley also spends a lot of time on line! Please visit her website, http://www.shelleyshepardgray.com to find out her latest news or to sign up for her newsletter. Shelley can also be found on FaceBook, Instagram @shelley.s.gray, or on Twitter @ShelleySGray.

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Fall For Me: A BRAND NEW small town autumn romance with enemies to lovers and fake dating from Camilla Isley for Fall 2026 (Blue Crescent Harbor Book 2)

323 pages Publisher Boldwood Books Publication date July 15, 2026

ABOUT THE BOOK

Every book in the Blue Crescent Harbor series can be read as a standalone.

A gossipy small town. A billionaire in need of a fake wife. An autumn love story for the ages. 📖🍂

Fleeing her wedding and a toxic relationship in her white gown, Peyton jumps on the first bus out of town—and straight into billionaire Liam Rockwood. Literally. Distracted by her search for a place to stay, she steps into the street and sends the town’s most eligible bachelor crashing off his bike!

Liam is furious. His suit is ruined, he’s late for an event at his hotel, and now the runaway bride responsible is trying to check in. Worse, the small-town rumor mill quickly decides Peyton must be his secret new wife.

When Liam’s father arrives ready to celebrate the “happy couple,” Liam makes Peyton an offer: a temporary marriage of convenience. She gets protection against her vindictive ex, a home, and a fresh start. He gets the wife his family expects.

As crisp fall days turn into cozy nights, they carve pumpkins, steal kisses in the corn maze, and share secrets in the dark. Suddenly, their fake marriage starts feeling dangerously real. But falling was never part of the plan…

MY THOUGHTS

Fall for Me was an absolute blast to read. Though I haven’t read anything by this author before this and that this is the second book in the Blue Crescent Harbor Series I loved it and easily jumped right into the series.
Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes to read about though we all know how it usually ends up. Predictability is okay in this case.
I loved Liam and Payton’s story. They had such fun dialogue, and the book was funny for the most part, these characters had a great sense of humor and got along peachy.
She skedaddles away from her own wedding, but she has a very good reason. She was smart it was for the best.
She meets Liam in the most unusual way. And let the fake dating begin, it wasn’t even arranged and happens by accident. Though not totally realistic the book kept me laughing and you’re in for a wild ride that you’re gonna love if you read it. Searching for the first book in the series now.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Camilla is an engineer who left science behind to enter the whimsical realm of romantic fiction.

She writes contemporary rom-coms. Her characters have big hearts, might be a little stubborn at times, and love to banter with each other. Every story she pens has a guaranteed HEA that will make your heart beat faster. Unless you’re a vampire, of course.

Camilla is a cat lover, coffee addict, and shoe hoarder. Besides writing, she loves reading—duh!—cooking, watching bad TV, and going to the movies—popcorn, please. She’s a bit of a foodie, nothing too serious. A keen traveler, Camilla knows mosquitoes play a role in the ecosystem, and she doesn’t want to starve all those frog princes out there, but she could really live without them.

CygnetRound 48 #f3a245 1,1,70,7.25

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Secrets Among the Spires: Escape to Oxford this summer with this clean and wholesome Christian romance (The Oxford Chronicles Book 1)

282 pages Publisher Avon Publication date July 16, 2026

ABOUT THE BOOK

Can a pair of later-in-life lovebirds find their way to one another along the cobbled streets of Oxford? Or will one too many bumps along the way throw their romance off course?

Everyone at St Peter’s College, Oxford adores Reverend Clara Bennett’s speeches, but none more than chorist, Tom Hartley. When Clara speaks to her congregation about seizing every opportunity for happiness, Tom plucks up the courage to ask her out on a date. By some miracle, she says yes.

As they picnic in daisy-strewn meadows and punt down the river Cherwell, sparks fly between the pair. But when a secret from Tom’s past threatens to resurface at the same time that Clara is offered a job in Cambridge, the strength of their connection is put to the test.

Can Tom prevent his past from threatening his future? Or will Clara be pushed away from her beloved Oxford forever?

This charming, Oxford-set romance about faith and finding love where you least expect it is perfect for fans of Sue Moorcroft, Cressida McLaughlin and Philippa Ashley.

A wooden bench with a black scarf and white cup surrounded by fallen autumn leaves in a forest path
A quiet wooden bench covered with a scarf and cup in a colorful autumn forest

MY THOUGHTS

A breath of fresh air. Such an upbeat and encouraging book. Just what I needed at this time.
Read in one day, just couldn’t put it down. Engaging characters and I was pleased with the outcome of the book.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Fiona Radcliffe is a British/Danish author and journalist whose debut novel was a contender for the coveted Joan Hessayon Award for new writers. Fiona holds a BA Hons in English Literature and Creative Writing, along with a Creative Writing MA from Bath Spa University and a PhD from Swansea University.

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