Sunday, July 31, 2016

The Ritual of Grain -Snippet Sunday

12:00 AM 24 Comments
It's Snippet Sunday, a Weekend Writing Warriors'  blog hop!

 This is the last snippet from  Feillor: God of Lammas, which is now available! Squee!

Last time, Salina had explained to Feillor, god of Lammas, that she had been doing a (naked) ritual when she'd inexplicably shown up in his realm. The pair debated whether her ritual was more vital than the one he'd been doing. We ended with, Now, do not speak anymore,” he went on, raising his scythe toward the heavens. “I must complete the ritual of first harvest, preferably before winter arrives.”

We pick up a couple sentences later, after he says a quick invocation to begin his ritual...

Feillor’s blade sliced through the air, cutting through the thick grain. Every stroke sent out shock waves of supernatural energy, warming the already sun-baked field. Salina stood there with her mouth open, letting the breeze caress her skin and blow back her hair while she watched a god perform a harvest ritual. As a pagan, she was overwhelmed by the honor of being the first human to observe this moment. Not only that, but the god himself was mesmerizing, both with the skilled, confident swings of the scythe, and the way Feillor’s powerful muscles flexed and gleamed in the rays of afternoon sun.

She stayed put while he cut a swath through the field, though not in a straight line as she would have suspected. He moved diagonally, one way and then the next, the lines created by his strokes crossing one another at precise, familiar points.

“A pentagram,” she murmured, feeling more in her bones than seeing with her eyes the fact that he had just carved out the symbol of her faith.

 Moved by the power and symbolism of his act, she picked up a small handful of cut wheat stalks and began a dance offering in thanks for the harvest, moving her body in the same side-to-side motion as the waving grain. The field responded, the tall wheat bending more than the current breeze could explain, the amber stalks following her movements except when she turned herself about in circles.



What do you think?  



Feillor is preparing to bring in the first harvest before the celebration of Lammas, a task that has grown more deplorable considering humans no longer show respect for the old ways. He raises his scythe to cut the sacred wheat and nearly "harvests" a woman who appears out of nowhere. Sensing the Fates' meddling hand in the sudden arrival, he demands that they return Salina to earth. The Fates agree on one condition: he must go with her and stay in the mortal realm for three days.


Salina refuses to let a local developer destroy the precious woods where she conducts her most sacred pagan rituals. A prayer for guidance is interrupted when she is sent to the immortal world--almost straight into the blade of a horned god's scythe. She thought her prayers to Herne were being answered, but she learns that Feillor is actually Herne's son--and that he has little interest in the matters of humans. When he is zapped to Earth with her for three days, she decides to convince him that her cause is worth fighting for, and that not all humans deserve his scorn.


Feillor's ideals are challenged during his time with Salina, whose fiery beauty and passion for her cause stirs something he hadn't felt for far too long. Admitting the truth about his view on humans may open his heart to the witch who is quickly enchanting him. But between danger she faces and the Fates returning him to his realm at the exact wrong moment, an epiphany alone won't be enough to see her in his arms at last. He will have to put aside his mortal prejudice and act in the best interests of a race he thought he could no longer abide.


Read Book 1 of the series, Dominus: God of Yule--and follow the link inside to get Book 2 free!
Buy on Amazon

~ * ~ ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~ *







For more awesome snippets, check out 


~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~ 
I'm J. Rose Allister, wife, working mom, and the author of over twenty-five books. Somewhere in between one and the next, I love hanging out here on my blog and over on Twitter. Give me a comment or follow-I love chatting with people!

Friday, July 29, 2016

Now Available: Feillor: God of Lammas

12:00 AM 0 Comments
Feillor: God of Lammas

Book 6 of the Sons of Herne series


Trapped in the last place he wanted to be...he will find the only thing he ever wanted.


Feillor, god of Lammas, is bringing in the first harvest for his sabbat ritual, a task that has grown more deplorable now that humans no longer demonstrate respect for the old ways. He raises his scythe and nearly “harvests” a beautiful woman who appears out of nowhere. Sensing the Fates’ meddling hand in the mortals sudden arrival, he demands that they return Salina to earth. The Fates agree on one condition: he must go with her and stay in the mortal realm for three days.

Salina has no intention of letting a local developer destroy the precious woods where she conducts her most sacred pagan rituals. Her prayer for guidance is interrupted when she is taken to the immortal world—almost straight into the blade of a horned god’s scythe. She thought her prayers to Herne were being answered, but she learns that Feillor is actually Herne’s son, and that he has little interest in the matters of humans. When he is zapped to Earth with her for three days, she decides to convince him that her cause is worth fighting for—and that not all humans deserve his scorn.


Feillor discovers much in his time with Salina, whose fiery beauty and passion for her cause—as well as for challenging his ideals—stirs something in him that he hadn’t felt for far too long. Admitting the truth about his view on humans could open his heart to the witch who is quickly enchanting him. But between the danger she finds herself in and the Fates returning him to his realm at the exact wrong moment, his epiphany alone won’t be enough to see her in his arms at last. He will have to use his power to act in the best interests of the race he had given up on.






Excerpt:

“Either silence your tongue or rise up so I may hear it properly,” he said. “Your words are muffled within the stalks of sacred wheat you are crushing.”
She shoved herself up on her knees, her long hair thankfully falling over the breasts she belatedly realized were exposed. She folded her hands over the thatch of hair between her legs as she sat on her heels.
“I didn’t mean to damage your wheat. I…I don’t even know where I am.”
“You are in the sacred fields of Avinar. Where no pure mortal has ever tread.” His voice was rich and deep, every bit as commanding and smoldering as she would have expected from a god.
“How did I get here?”
“How indeed.”
She risked a glance upward to find him staring down at her with the scythe hoisted casually over his shoulder. Blessed be, he was so…male. Every enticing inch was sculpted and bronzed, much like the statues of gods immortalized in classic Roman-Greco fashion. He wasn’t much more clothed than she was, wearing some kind of suede cloth around his hips and ankle boots to match. Cuffs of hammered gold clung to his forearms. All his muscles were on display, each one a taut, bulging testament to his gender. He was the sort of male that sparked inside women the need to surrender to his touch, a desire to bear his very children.
His long, reddish-brown hair was pulled back, save for a few wayward strands that blew across his carved features. His eyes penetrated her with an intensity that stopped the breath in her lungs, very masculine, but far from human. As was the rack of horns on his head that had given away his identity the moment she saw him.
“Didn’t you bring me here because you heard my prayer?” she asked.
A touch of derision fired his gaze. “I did not.” He paused. “Whom do you believe you were praying to?”
“To you. You’re Herne the hunter, god of the forest.”
He arched his already raised brow. “You are mistaken, but only by generation. I am Feillor, god of the harvest. Herne is my father.”
“Your father?” She blinked. “Then I really have no idea what I’m doing here.”
“I think I do. And I am not amused by it,” he added, raising his head and calling out overhead. “Not in the least.”
She glanced upward, seeing nothing but an impossibly colored gold and blue sky. “Who are you talking to?” she whispered. If there was something bigger and more intimidating out there than he was, she wasn’t sure she wanted it to answer him.
He sighed and lowered the blade so it touched the ground. “The ones who will have to send you back.”
“Can’t you do that? You said you’re a god.”
His eyes narrowed. “Sending someone through the veil between worlds is not within my power. At least, not a human who has just weathered a crossing.” He lifted his chin. “Rise, she who prays to the old ones.”
With a shiver, she got to her feet, feeling his scrutiny slide over every molecule. If only her hair had been a few inches longer, she could completely cover the key parts he lingered on. His stare felt like a palpable force, a possession of her flesh. The nipples her pale waves were barely concealing stiffened.
“Do you always pray while naked?” he asked, and there was a faint whiff of humor in the tone. “Or did your clothing somehow stay on the other side?”
She spread her hands a bit to better cover herself. “I often go skyclad for rituals. And my friends call me Salina, by the way. It rolls off the tongue easier than ‘she who prays naked.’”


About the Sons of Herne series:

The god Herne has appointed eight of his most virile, headstrong sons as keepers of the pagan holidays. To honor their sabbat, each must join with a mortal female in a ritual to maintain the balance between worlds.

The Fates have secretly conspired to grant the gods one thing they lack--a true union of male and female that will last beyond the passion of a sabbat joining.

Herne’s sons will wrestle with the conflict between sacred duty and their own yearnings, a struggle that will not only challenge their beliefs, but may threaten the success of rituals that must be observed lest the mortal and immortal worlds collide in chaos.

Thursday, July 28, 2016

My First Bestseller - Throwback Thursday

12:00 AM 0 Comments

On select Thursdays, I like to share a throwback to past writing, book trailers, or randomness about me and/or writing life.

Every piece of writing I've ever done holds a special place in my heart. Each one brings back memories of sweating blood over the right words, the right characters, the right twists in the story at the right moment. Penning stories quickly became a passion, a pursuit I would have continued had I never earned a dime because I loved doing it. That said, I WAS sort of dreaming that someday, I might entertain scores of readers while I was at it. 

Three novels and numerous short stories, essays, anthology pieces, and an entry in the Chicken Soup series came and went before I would get anywhere near a publisher bestseller list, and for a while, writing even took a backseat to the day job along with some freelancing in the editing and submissions field. While working as an editor, I got inspired by the world of erotic romance--and I decided to jump in with both feet and launch a new pen name. Quitting my editing and submissions jobs, I tackled this idea to write a smoking HOT romance. A title idea came to mind first: Kata Sutra. The story that grew out of that would be a menage based in a dojo, a setting I had spent some time in while training in karate years before. Sprinkle in some hard muscles, danger and intrigue, secret motives, and plenty of hot sex and Kata Sutra came to fictional life. 

Writing my first menage wasn't the easiest task. I finished most of the rough draft before realizing that one of the male characters had taken a big backseat, and not only was he hiding secrets from the other two characters, he was hiding them from me as well. Eventually, I learned what Makoto was really all about, and the final draft was ready for readers.

 To my shock, readers were hungry for the tale of my sexy martial arts teachers, and Kata Sutra began climbing the charts right away. The book topped out at around #5 on my publisher's bestseller list, was well reviewed, and became a recommended read as well as a book of the month contender.




Kata Sutra
by J. Rose Allister

Master Your Passion...

When Desiree signs up for eight weeks of self-defense classes, the last thing she expects is hands-on, two-on-one training in erotic arts from a pair of muscled and breathtakingly gorgeous karate instructors. But can their passion survive the secrets each of them is hiding?


EXCERPT--  ADULT (R):
Shaking herself loose from the grip of shock, Desiree launched herself into the room and inserted herself between the two men before either could make another move.

“Stop,” she said, taking on Evan's usual commanding tone. “Stop it, both of you.” Adrenaline fed her in gasps that matched the ragged breathing of the two winded opponents.

“Desiree.” Mak shook sweaty locks from widened eyes. “You're still here.”

She knelt between them, placing a hand on both their superheated, hardened chests to keep them in place. “What the hell is going on? First you're peeing over each other to see who can squirt a stream of sparring instructions the highest—all of which failed, in case you hadn't noticed. Now you're going Bruce Lee on each other to see who gets a shot at me?”

The two flicked accusing glances at the other, but other than forceful whooshes of breath, they kept silent. “Or is pretending to fight over a female standard practice in Upper Belt Sparring?”

Mak pulled his torso upward, but she pushed him back. “Uh-uh. Not until I get an answer.”

He complied with a sigh and folded his arms behind his head. “How about it, Desiree? I've seen the way you look at me. I felt a connection. Tell our teacher here that you and I have a date with Tiger Balm.”

Evan ignored her attempt to hold him on his back and pushed up to lean on one hand while shoving back a sheen of his dampened blond waves with the other. “And when you're letting him down easy, don't forget the part where you almost kissed me after the last class.”

Her eyes flew wide. “I almost kissed you?

“Don't deny it.” His voice, still breathless from the match, dropped to a low growl that shuddered through her. “Your nipples were so hard I thought they'd rip right through your top.” His eyes dipped. “Like they are right now.”

The parts in question tightened even harder. What the hell did he expect? She had her hands on two muscled, panting, gorgeous men. Men who wanted her.

“And I say it's because of our pre-class warm up.”

“Enough!” She tossed her head back, shaking hair from her face and trying to keep composure. “I'm not a wishbone, guys. You can't tear me in two and get what you want.”

The whole thing was unbelievable. What the hell should she do? Evan, godlike and powerful, yet intimidating. Mak, personable and charming, yet with a hint of danger of his own. She hadn't had a date in months, sex in even longer. Now two of the hottest guys she ever imagined inside of her were fighting over her like snarling wolves. Just like a dream—a truly wild, out-of-this-world fantasy. Sculpted bodies all hers for the taking. She merely had to choose which one.

A rush of pleasure flooded her abdomen through the thought of being so desired, along with the tingling contact of her palms against two hot, male bodies. How could she pick between them?

The answer snapped into place against this thought. Something she'd never dreamed, let alone considered possible outside a fairly wild fantasy life. Did she dare?

She fought to keep her voice calm. “You've shared a lot of things in this dojo. You share a passion for karate. A voice here among the students. A friendship. A friendship I'd like to share.” She skimmed her hands over both their chests until she grazed their nipples. “With both of you.”



~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~ 

I'm J. Rose Allister, wife, working mom, and the author of over twenty-five books. Somewhere in between one and the next, I love hanging out here on my blog and over on Twitter. Give me a comment or follow-I love chatting with people!

Monday, July 25, 2016

Cover Reveal: Sons of Herne 6

12:00 AM 0 Comments
My latest cover is here!

Folks who read my Snippet Sunday offerings got a quick peek at my promo splash for Sons of Herne 6, but today is the official unveiling of my new cover!

Here it is, the cover of 
Feillor: God of Lammas, which will be released Friday!





So, what do you think about Feillor? Is he a hunk or what?

Sunday, July 24, 2016

Debate with the Gods -Snippet Sunday

12:00 AM 35 Comments
It's Snippet Sunday, a Weekend Writing Warriors'  blog hop!

 Greetings! Feeling reinvigorated by my mountain writing retreat. I'm happy to say the WIP I've been posting from,  Feillor: God of Lammas, is being released in the next week.


Last time, Salina had appeared out of nowhere in the realm of the god Feillor. He spoke to the thin air, complaining that he wasn't amused by the human's sudden arrival. We ended with: “Do you always pray while naked?” he asked, and there was a faint whiff of humor in the tone. “Or did your clothing somehow stay on the other side?”

We pick up with her reply...


 “I often go skyclad for rituals,” she replied, spreading her hands a bit to better cover herself. “And people call me Salina, by the way, since it rolls off the tongue easier than ‘she who prays naked.’”
“Rituals?” he asked, noticeably stiffening.
“Yes, especially ones that are this important.”
The next tour of her body was done with a different sort of regard. “Not as important as the one you just interrupted,” he said, and then he turned away.
“That’s debatable,” she said, biting her tongue when he whipped back around with a harsh glare.
“If you feel it appropriate to debate with the gods, it is little wonder none of them have answered. Now, do not speak anymore,” he went on, raising his scythe toward the heavens. “I must complete the ritual of first harvest, preferably before winter arrives.”

What do you think?  




Feillor is preparing to bring in the first harvest before the celebration of Lammas, a task that has grown more deplorable considering humans no longer show respect for the old ways. He raises his scythe to cut the sacred wheat and nearly "harvests" a woman who appears out of nowhere. Sensing the Fates' meddling hand in the sudden arrival, he demands that they return Salina to earth. The Fates agree on one condition: he must go with her and stay in the mortal realm for three days.


Salina refuses to let a local developer destroy the precious woods where she conducts her most sacred pagan rituals. A prayer for guidance is interrupted when she is sent to the immortal world--almost straight into the blade of a horned god's scythe. She thought her prayers to Herne were being answered, but she learns that Feillor is actually Herne's son--and that he has little interest in the matters of humans. When he is zapped to Earth with her for three days, she decides to convince him that her cause is worth fighting for, and that not all humans deserve his scorn.


Feillor's ideals are challenged during his time with Salina, whose fiery beauty and passion for her cause stirs something he hadn't felt for far too long. Admitting the truth about his view on humans may open his heart to the witch who is quickly enchanting him. But between danger she faces and the Fates returning him to his realm at the exact wrong moment, an epiphany alone won't be enough to see her in his arms at last. He will have to put aside his mortal prejudice and act in the best interests of a race he thought he could no longer abide.


Read Book 1 of the series, Dominus: God of Yule--and follow the link inside to get Book 2 free!
Buy on Amazon

~ * ~ ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~ *







For more awesome snippets, check out 


~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~ 
I'm J. Rose Allister, wife, working mom, and the author of over twenty-five books. Somewhere in between one and the next, I love hanging out here on my blog and over on Twitter. Give me a comment or follow-I love chatting with people!

Wednesday, July 20, 2016

Change Your Scenery to Boost Writing Productivity

12:00 AM 0 Comments
On Select Wednesdays, I post tips and strategies for writers. 

CHANGE YOUR SCENERY TO BOOST WRITING PRODUCTIVITY
by J. Rose Allister

Writers can be creatures of habit. In fact, a good deal of writing wisdom suggests that routine plays a vital role in  productivity. Writing at the same time of day, in the same place, with "ritual" accompaniments (a cup of coffee in a I Heart Writing mug, inspiring music, your lucky writing shirt) all help to train the creative portion of your brain to recognize that the starting pistol has gone off. Time To Write.

I'm a firm believer in this type of ritual. Establishing effective writing habits greatly boosted my own word count. But as a creative medium, there are times when breaking out of the mold can help spark a better flow, inspire a sluggish brain to perk up and take notice of ideas all around us.


GET OUT AND WRITE


From time to time (on a schedule, if you must), pick up that laptop/notebook and take your writing session to a new location.  This needn't be an exotic Bali island hideaway (though I'll certainly cast a vote for it). A simple trip down the street will do. The point is to give yourself a change of scenery, a fresh perspective from which to write. Suggestion settings:

Awesome library..had my first author headshots done here!
Library
Backyard
Park
Beach
Mountains
Museum
Mall
Friend's yard
Local historical site
Bookstore
Your apartment/condo's clubhouse
Bed and breakfast
Hotel
Coffee House

Writing here...a heavenly idea!
Ideally, your change of scenery place will not be too busy or distracting, especially if, like me, you find yourself easily diverted. I find malls and coffee shops great places for people watching and research, but for actual writing, well, I get distracted in places where Stuff Is Happening.  Hence why my current getaway this week is a private cabin in the mountains, rented specifically for the purpose of getting a writing boost.  My creative side--and my word count--has never been happier.

Next time you're feeling stifled by routine, change your scenery. It might even be more effective than chocolate. Although in my case, I like to double the odds by having chocolate while at the change of scenery. No point in taking chances. 
Writing on the deck of a mountain cabin was awesome!

~*~*~*~
For more gab, please join me on Twitter or Facebook. I love talking to people!

J. Rose Allister is the author of more than twenty-five books, primarily romance and erotic romance. A former editor and submissions director, she now works as a mild-mannered hospital secretary by day, naughty writer by night.

Sunday, July 17, 2016

I Am Not Amused -Snippet Sunday

12:00 AM 29 Comments
It's Snippet Sunday, a Weekend Writing Warriors'  blog hop!

My blog tour is underway and I'm preparing for a writing getaway to a mountain cabin next week. I can't wait!  
I'm editing Sons of Herne 5, Feillor: God of Lammas, which will release at the end of this month. 


Last time, Salina appeared out of nowhere to find herself in the realm of the god she'd just been calling on...or so she thought. We ended with: “Who do you believe you were praying to?” he asked, a touch of derision firing his gaze.
“To you, of course—Herne the hunter.”

We pick up with her reply...


“I am Feillor, god of the harvest, son of Herne.”
“If you aren’t Herne, then I have no idea what I’m doing here,” she said, blinking at the sheer muscle of his physique.
“I think I do, and I am not amused by it,” he called out, raising his head as she shouted the last.
“Who are you talking to?” she asked, glancing upward to see nothing but an impossibly colored golden-blue sky.
“The ones who may as well send you back right now,” he said, lowering the blade of his scythe so that it rested on the ground. “Rise, she who prays to the old ones.”
With a shiver, she got to her feet, feeling his scrutiny slide over every molecule. If only her hair had been a few inches longer, she could completely cover the key parts he lingered on.
“Do you always pray while naked?” he asked, and there was a faint whiff of humor in the tone. “Or did your clothing somehow stay on the other side?”

What do you think?  



About Feillor: God of Lammas

Feillor is preparing to bring in the first harvest before the celebration of Lammas, a task he undertakes for his own realm, not for the benefit of the humans who long ago abandoned respect for nature and the old ways. He raises his scythe to cut the sacred wheat and nearly "harvests" a woman who appears out of nowhere. Returning the earth woman means dealing with the Fates, who will grant his request to send her back on one condition--he must cross to the human realm and stay there for three days before deciding gods should abandon mortals forever.

Salina has no intention of letting a construction company gobble up the precious woods where she conducts her most sacred pagan rituals. She is praying for guidance when she is taken swept away to the realm of immortals--and almost straight into the blade of a horned god's scythe. She believes her prayers to Herne have been answered, but instead she learns that Feillor is actually Herne's son--and that he has little care for humans. When she is stuck with him for three days back on Earth, she decides to that she is just the witch to convince a god that the mortal realm is worth saving.

When forces in her world and his own combine to draw them apart, Feillor must come to terms with budding respect for humans-particularly the witch he aches to join with in the ritual of harvest.


About The Sons of Herne series:

The god Herne has appointed eight of his most virile, headstrong sons as keepers of the pagan holidays. To honor their sabbat, each must join with a mortal female in a ritual to maintain the balance between worlds.

It is the year of The Thousand Seasons, and the Fates have secretly conspired to mark the end of an era by granting the gods one thing they lack--a true union of male and female that will last beyond the passion of a sabbat joining.

Herne’s sons will wrestle with the conflict between sacred duty and their own yearnings, a struggle will not only challenge their beliefs, but may threaten the success of rituals that must be observed lest the mortal and immortal worlds collide in chaos.

Read Book 1 of the series, Dominus: God of Yule--and follow the link inside to get Book 2 free!
Buy on Amazon

~ * ~ ~ * ~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~ *







For more awesome snippets, check out 


~ *~ * ~ * ~ *~ *~ * ~ *~ 
I'm J. Rose Allister, wife, working mom, and the author of over twenty-five books. Somewhere in between one and the next, I love hanging out here on my blog and over on Twitter. Give me a comment or follow-I love chatting with people!

Tuesday, July 12, 2016

Quick and Cool Coffee Ice Cream

12:00 AM 0 Comments
It's Too Yummy Tuesday!

On select Tuesdays I share delicious recipes either inspired by my books or that are just plain delicious!


Living out here near the desert, summer temps often top 100 degrees (and sometimes sneak into the 110's). Cooking over a hot stove is the last thing on my mind, so I'm always on the lookout for recipes that are quick, cool, and require zero heat. Today's ice cream recipe fits all three!

I saw this recipe on Facebook's Tip Hero page a while back. Click HERE to visit it.

Quick and Cool Coffee Ice Cream

 Ingredients

3 Tbsp instant coffee powder
3 Tbsp water
1/2 can sweetened condensed milk
2 1/2 cups heavy (whipping) cream

Directions

Stir coffee into water until dissolved. Combine remaining ingredients with electric mixer until whipped nicely. (This makes it nice and light/creamy.)

Cover and freeze, stirring a couple times, about 3-4 hrs until desired firmness. Or I use our hand-crank ice cream maker to speed things along. Serves 3-4. Except when you eat a ton of it, which I tend to do. Oops. :)

Enjoy!
~~~

J. Rose Allister is the author of more than twenty-five books, primarily romance and erotic romance. A former editor and submissions director, she now works as a mild-mannered hospital secretary by day, naughty writer by night. Connect with her on Twitter or Goodreads. She loves talking to people!

Monday, July 11, 2016

Chillin in Summer Blog Tour!

12:00 AM 0 Comments



I'm kicking off my Chillin' in Summer blog tour today! Visit http://tiny.cc.ChillinTour for a list of the stops I'll be making and to enter my daily giveaways! I'll be giving away an ebook prize and a fun fridge magnet every day*, and at the end of the tour all entrants will have a chance to win a $25 gift card.

Today I kick things off over at Smokin' Hot Reads, who gave Dominus: God of Yule 4 1/2 stars!


Experience the wintry god of Yule during the searing heat of summer...
Follow the tour!

*For full details and official giveaway rules, visit the tour page.

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