I am very excited to be a part of this Release Blitz for Riley Edward’s new romantic suspense NIXON’S PROMISE (Gemini Group Book 1). This book had me completely immersed in the romance, the two suspense plot-lines and the formation of the Gemini Group. This book had everything I am looking for in a romantic suspense!
Below you will find the book description, my book review, the author’s information and social media links and a Goodreads giveaway. Good luck on the Goodreads giveaway and I highly recommend you start this series now!
***
Book Description:
Former Navy SEAL Nixon Swagger was home.
After twelve years of service and twice as many deployments, all Nix wanted was quiet. He’d sought the solace of the land he’d grown up on and found the peace he needed to silence the noise and figure out his next move. Nixon’s stay was supposed to be temporary. He wasn’t supposed to meet a feisty, head-strong woman who made his pulse race and set his body on fire. Falling in love hadn’t been part of his plan. Taking a government contract to stop a homegrown terrorist group hadn’t been either, but when the organization threatens to attack Philadelphia, he had no choice but to accept.
McKenna Wilson was living. Every day was the same. Raising her two teenage siblings didn’t leave time for much else. Most days, she was okay with that. Then she bumped into the sexy war hero and, in an instant, her world changed. She had no idea falling for Nixon would be so dangerous. Now she was going head-to-head with the small-town’s dirty sheriff who was hell-bent on ruining Nixon and avenging a fifteen-year-old grudge. She’d lost her heart, but losing her life wasn’t part of the plan.
Nixon Swagger had learned a few things as a Navy SEAL—adapt, improvise, and overcome were among the many. In the middle of an inferno, so ominous even Dante wouldn’t buy a ticket, Nixon must adapt to his new surroundings and overcome multiple threats before he loses the woman he loves.
***
My Book Review:
RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars
YEAH! Riley Edwards is writing a whole new series featuring
more smokin’ hot former SEAL’s for us to fall in love and lust with.
NIXON’S PROMISE
(Gemini Group Book 1) by Riley Edwards is a romantic suspense that not only
gives you a feel good romance, a strong and drool-worthy alpha hero, an intelligent
and loving heroine and a page turning suspense, but also sets you up with more men
to follow into future books.
McKenna Wilson is trying her best to raise her two siblings
after the death of their father and mother, her step-mother. McKenna was hoping
small town life would be good for them all and give them time to slow down and
grieve, but the teens are having problems adjusting. While in town picking up
feed for their animals, McKenna is helped by the sexy war hero she heard was
back in town.
Former SEAL Nixon Swagger has been back home for six months.
He is looking for peace and quiet in his small hometown as he works to fix up
his family’s farm his father left him while he decides what he wants to do with
his future. Nixon has no plans to stay, but when he helps rescue a feisty brunette
beauty’s feed bag his plans instantly change. Nixon knows the McKenna is the
one woman for him and he will slowly work to intertwine their lives, but
sometimes small town history can interfere.
Just as Nixon and McKenna begin to see a future together,
Nixon is asked to get his old team together to help DHS with an anti-government
group, but not everything is as it seems. Nixon and his team find themselves
having to adapt on the fly with very little time to stop a plot that surprises
them all only to come home to a life-or-death situation that has culminated
from the past.
I could not put this book down! I love Nixon and McKenna. Nixon
is the type of alpha hero that everyone dreams about. He is completely in charge
and yet understanding and it is displayed in the way he helps McKenna with her
siblings’ teenage angst and grief, the way he protects McKenna and the way he
appreciates her intelligence and computer skills. McKenna always worried about
everyone else, so when Nixon was able to help her it was done out of love and
not control. Both of these characters are mature adults and respect each other.
The sex in this book is explicit and smokin’ hot. Get your fans ready!
There are two suspense threads in this book. There is a
story-line that revolves around corrupt local law enforcement that begins long
before this story and carries over into Nixon and McKenna’s present. There is
also a story-line that revolves around Nixon’s team of friends and the
formation of the Gemini Group which will lead into more stories in this series.
The pace of the suspense of both threads just keeps building and building into
not one, but two climaxes.
I highly recommend this book and author! I am also anxiously waiting for the other Gemini team members’ stories. You will definitely want to start this series now with book 1.
Riley Edwards is a bestselling multi-genre author, wife, and military mom. Riley was born and raised in Los Angeles but now resides on the east coast with her fantastic husband and children.
Riley writes heart-stopping romance with sexy alpha heroes and even stronger heroines. Riley’s favorite genres to write are romantic suspense and military romance.
THE MacINNES AFFAIR by Blair McDowell is a contemporary
romance intertwined with a historical romance with a mystery subplot. The
present MacInnes and Glendenning investigate a mystery and the history tied to
their MacInnes and Glendenning 19th century ancestors. This is a
standalone romance read.
The Present
Canadian Lara MacInnes is getting away from her broken
engagement with a trip to Athdara castle B&B in Scotland. Athdara castle
has been in the Glendenning family for generations and the current generation
has done everything to ensure it continues on for many more. None more so than
the handsome Highlander Iain Glendenning. As Lara and Iain begin to discover
how much they have in common, they also discover the journals of a long ago
Glendenning woman in love with Lara’s very great-grandfather.
The Past
Elspeth Glendenning is in a carriage accident and rescued by
a rugged Highlander named Lachlan MacInnes. While the clans may have been
feuding since Culloden, Elspeth and Lachlan fall in love. They discover the
carriage wreck was not an accident and the two are caught up in events beyond
their control.
Lara and Iain research the long ago romance and historical
events that intertwine their two families. As these two work to uncover a
murder mystery from the past, they fall in love as well. Can this generation of
MacInnes and Glendenning’s solve a mystery that persists from their clans’
past?
I really enjoyed reading this entertaining contemporary and
historical romance mix. It was not what I was expecting from the genre listings
on the description because it is not a time-travel or paranormal romance. It
has two time-lines that intertwine, but no one travels to another time. That
said, both plot-lines are well written and I never felt confused as the two
stories shift from past to present and back again. The present day romance
progresses at a believable pace and the historical romance is filled with
situations that are appropriate to that time.
This is the type of book you can just fall into and get
engrossed by the history and mystery and not want to put down. This is the
first book I have read from this new to me author, but I will definitely be
looking for others.
Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.
I am very excited to once again be featuring a new Freya Barker romantic suspense book. This author’s heroes and heroines are always realistic portrayals, a little older and more seasoned by life, with an element of suspense that brings them together.
10-Code is the fourth book in the Rock Point/La Plata County FBI series. All of the books in this series are easily read as standalones, but believe me, you will want to read them all!
***
Book Description:
As a forty-one-year-old mother of three boys, working two jobs, Marya Berger doesn’t have the time or energy to consider a relationship. Especially after a lifetime of poor choices in the romance department. But when the disappearance of a young boy strikes a little too close to home, and a younger man she’s tried to ignore offers his help, she doesn’t stand in the way.
Single father, Dylan Barnes, the junior member of the La Plata County FBI team at thirty-three, has his focus firmly on his job and his son, Max. He’s certainly not looking to complicate his life, when he finds himself at his son’s soccer game, sitting beside the spirited brunette he can’t get out of his mind. Fate, however, appears to have different plans.
When an unspeakable crime draws the attention of the FBI, Dylan finds himself torn between his job and his instinctive need to protect Marya and her boys.
***
Goodreads book link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45158145-10-code?from_search=true
***
My Book Review:
RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars
10-Code Rock
Point/La Plata County FBI Book 4 by Freya Barker is a new FBI romantic suspense
which returns to Rock Point and is the fourth book in this series. While there
is character crossover from the previous books in this series, it can be easily
read as a standalone without confusion.
Marya Berger had her dead-beat husband walk out on her and
their three boys five years ago. With the help of her mother and working two
jobs, she has done her best. Between the boys, her jobs and her past poor
dating choices, Marya does not have the time or energy for romance.
FBI agent Dylan Barnes is firmly focused on his career and
his son. He is very lucky to have his mother and step-dad close to help with
his son when his job interferes. At his son’s soccer game, Dylan is surprised
when Marya shows up. He learns her middle son plays on the team and the two
boys have a lot in common. This Marya is different than the buttoned up woman
he buys coffee from at the book store. She is spirited and sarcastic and he
finds he cannot quit thinking about her.
When a young boy the same age as both Marya and Dylan’s sons
disappears, and Marya’s ex-husband shows up out of the blue demanding to see
the boys, Dylan is torn between his job and his need to protect Marya and her
boys.
This is a wonderful romance with two people who truly
deserve each other and a HEA. The road had more than enough bumps in it between
Marya’s ex-husband, Dylan’s ex-fling and the suspense plot surrounding the
boys. The sex scenes are explicit and realistic as they try to just grab
whatever time is available as they deal with everything going on in their jobs
and lives. Ms. Barker has the characters dealing with what age to get children cell
phones, on-line gaming, predator danger and codes for dangerous situations.
This is another home run from this author. Her characters
are always flawed in ways everyone can relate to, the romance is hot and the
suspense keeps you turning the pages to the end. Excellent book, excellent
series and excellent author. I highly recommend you pick up a Freya Barker
romantic suspense and get reading!
***
***
About Freya:
Freya Barker inspires with her stories about ‘real’ people, perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy.
She is the author of the Cedar Tree and Portland, ME Series, the Northern Lights Collection and the Rock Point Series. She is also co-author of the SnapShot Series.
To see Freya’s complete backlist, or to find out what is coming down the pipe, visit freyabarker.com.
Today I am excited to share the Feature Post and Book Review for Susan Stoker’s new release DEFENDING HARLOW (Mountain Mercenaries Book 4). This addition to the series has the men working a case right at home in Colorado Springs.
Below you will find a guest post from the author, an excerpt, my book review, the author’s bio and social media info and a Rafflecopter giveaway.
You are going to love “Black” and Harlow’s story. As always, good luck on the Rafflecopter giveaway!
***
Guest Post: A Mountain Mercenary’s Sneak Attack with
Author Susan Stoker
Defending Harlow is
book 4 in the Mountain Mercenaries series. Each book features one of the men
who were recruited by the mysteries “Rex” to work on his team to help rescue
kidnapped women and children. In this book we meet Lowell “Black” Lockard who
was a Navy SEAL before he became a Mountain Mercenary. He joined the group
because after his stint in the Navy, he realized that he was happiest when he
was being useful, helping others. He’d been close to his fellow SEALs when he’d
been on active duty, but somehow he was even closer with his fellow Mountain
Mercenaries.
They worked together, they played
together, and they simply enjoyed spending time with each other both during
missions and when they were living their lives in Colorado Springs.
Black loves that his friends have
found women that completed them. Gray met Allye when he rescued her from a boat
in the middle of the Pacific Ocean and they had to swim for hours to safety. Ro
met Chloe when her brother was holding her hostage in his house and was about
to pimp her out from his strip club. And Arrow met Morgan when they’d been down
in the Dominican Republic to rescue a child who’d been kidnapped by her non
custodial father. Turns out, Morgan was one of the most famous missing people
the United States had ever had, and she’d been held for over a year before
she’d accidentally been found by the Mountain Mercenaries.
He loves that his friends are happy,
but realizes that he is…bored. He wants someone to laugh with. To talk to at
the end of the day. To break the routine of his life. He envies his friends for
having that.
Meeting Harlow is a turning part in
Black’s life. She makes him laugh and he’s intrigued more than he’s ever been
by a woman before. And realizing they went to the same high school once upon a
time makes him even more curious. But there’s a problem…Harlow has had bad date
after bad date and she’s sworn off dating forever.
But Black won’t give up. He decides to “trick” her by refusing to call what they’re doing as ‘dates.’ They’re just “hanging out.” And the more he spends time with her, the more he likes her…and vice versa. Harlow will have to decide whether or not to take a chance on Black, and he’ll have to figure out how to neutralize the threat looming over Harlow and the women’s shelter she works at or else the semantics of what they’re doing will be a moot point, because someone might end up dead.
***
Defending Harlow Excerpt
Neither said anything for a while as
they drove toward downtown.
Finally, Harlow asked, “Where are we
going?”
“The Pit.”
“Where?”
Lowell smiled. “Since this isn’t a
date, and we’re talking about the shelter, I decided I should take you to the
place where me and my team conduct business. The Pit.”
“It sounds scary. Please tell me there
aren’t snakes on the floor and Indiana Jones isn’t going to pop up and run
pell-mell through the place being chased by members of an ancient civilization
because they want their artifact back.”
Harlow stared at Lowell when he threw
his head back and laughed loud and long. She couldn’t help but chuckle herself.
The man sitting next to her was so different from any man she’d dated in the
past—no, wait … this wasn’t a date. Nope. Not even close.
“I can’t wait to tell the others that.
No, Harl, The Pit is a combination bar and pool hall. It’s pretty much a
hole-in-the-wall kind of place.”
“Why do you do business in a bar?”
Harlow asked.
“To be honest, I’m not sure. The Pit
is where we were interviewed when we were first asked to join the Mountain
Mercenaries … I’m assuming you know about the team?”
She nodded. “A bit. Loretta told me.
I’m sorry if she spoke out of turn, but she was trying to reassure me that you
knew what you were doing and could help us.”
“I can help you,” Lowell confirmed.
“And in a nutshell, me and my teammates are all former Special Forces soldiers,
and we work for Rex, getting women and children out of untenable situations.”
“Why mercenaries? I mean, it doesn’t
sound like that’s what you guys really are.”
Lowell shook his head, and a small
smile formed on his face. “Why do women always concentrate on that word?” he
asked, more to himself than her.
Harlow answered him even though he
hadn’t really asked. “Because. It’s weird that you call yourselves something
that you technically aren’t. I wouldn’t start a catering business and call it
Harlow Photography.”
“Point taken. I don’t know why Rex
chose that name. Probably because it was catchy and sounded better than
Colorado Badasses, or Your Worst Nightmare.”
Harlow couldn’t stop the bark of
laughter that escaped. “True.”
“The bottom line is that it doesn’t
matter what we’re called. We’re six men who go where we’re needed and do what
we have to do to rescue those who need a helping hand. I know women are
empowered, and there are many who are just as talented at what they do as we
are. But the fact remains, there are a lot of men out there who feel the need
to subjugate and beat down the women and children in their lives. They take
advantage of teenagers who are too young to know better or those who have had
horrible lives. They hurt them and force them to do things against their will.
It’s not right, or fair, and me and my friends are playing a small part in
trying to right those wrongs.”
Harlow wasn’t sure how their light and
playful conversation had turned so intense, but she turned slightly in her seat
to better look at Lowell. His teeth were clenched, and the hand on the steering
wheel was holding on so tightly, she could see his knuckles turning white. He
obviously felt deeply about the topic and his job, and Harlow couldn’t be more
proud of him.
“I’m proud to know you, Lowell
Lockard.”
He looked at her in surprise. “What?”
“The world needs more men like you and
your friends. I don’t know why men like the ones harassing the shelter are the
way they are. Why they feel the need to exert their power over those they deem
weaker than them. But I’m glad you’re there to help tip the scales. Other than
the high-speed-chase guy, generally I haven’t been afraid of my bad dates, I’ve
just been disgusted by or disappointed in them. But I know there are a lot of
women out there who’re in bad marriages and relationships, and it helps knowing
there are people who care. People who will put their own lives on the line to
help get others out of those situations, if asked.”
Lowell pulled into a parking lot of a
dark and seedy-looking building, and Harlow wasn’t surprised to see the neon
sign above the door that said The Pit. This was exactly the
kind of place where she imagined Lowell and his fellow badasses would meet.
He stopped the engine, brought the
hand he was still holding up to his mouth, and kissed the back of it. “Stay
put. I’ll come around.”
He went to let go of her, but Harlow
held on to his hand. “This isn’t a date,” she said, not sure if she was
reminding him or herself. “It’s a work meeting. I let you pick me up, but I
should’ve driven myself. And I can open my own door and pay my own way.”
Lowell leaned into her, and Harlow
forced herself not to pull back.
“I know this isn’t a date. You don’t
date. I heard that loud and clear, Harl. But in my world—and make no mistake;
when you’re with me, you’re in my world—a man opens a door for a lady. He walks
on the outside of the sidewalk, he picks her up whenever possible, and he pays
for drinks and meals. If it makes you feel better, you can think of this as a
business expense I can write off on my taxes.”
Harlow stared at him for a beat, then
nodded. What else could she do? She didn’t want to like Lowell’s world, but she
had to admit it felt good being there. She’d had doors shut in her face when
men had entered ahead of her and hadn’t held them open. She’d had to pay for
her own meals on dates. And she’d even had an experience when she’d literally
almost been run over by a bus in Seattle because she’d been forced to walk on
the outside of the sidewalk near the curb.
“Okay,” she said.
“Okay,” Lowell said with a small
smile. Then he squeezed her hand once more and climbed out.
“Not a date, not a date,” Harlow
chanted to herself quietly as Lowell walked around his car to come to her side.
He opened her door and held out a hand. Taking a deep breath, Harlow put her
hand back in his and allowed him to help her up and out of the low seat.
He didn’t let go of her hand once she
was standing next to him, though. He simply shut the car door with his free
hand and led her toward the door of the bar.
Not a date, she told
herself once more as Lowell smiled at her and pulled open the heavy wooden
door.
***
My Book Review
RATING: 5 out of 5 Stars
DEFENDING HARLOW (Mountain Mercenaries Book 4) by Susan
Stoker is a romantic suspense that has the men of Mountain Mercenaries working
a case in their own hometown. When a women’s and children’s shelter is
threatened, these dedicated men work to discover who is responsible and why.
All of the books in this series can be read as standalones, but there is more
character crossover in this book than in the previous books.
Ex-Navy SEAL Lowell “Black” Lockard has watched his
teammates find their forever matches one by one and even though he is not ready
for forever, he would like to find someone to share his time with. When Black
shows up for his turn to teach self-defense at the women’s shelter, he is
surprised to see that the new chef is an acquaintance from high school. Harlow
is a beautiful person, inside and out, and Black wants to see more of her, but
Harlow does not date.
Harlow Reese loves her job and all of the women and children
in the shelter. She is surprised when the boy she had a crush on in high school
walks in to teach self-defense to the women. Recently a group of young thugs
has started harassing the women and children and Harlow asks Black for his
help. With Harlow’s “No Dating” rule, Black has to find a way to do things with
Harlow without calling it a date. He starts by being available at all times to
keep her safe and he begins to find that Harlow means more to him than he
planned.
The threats escalate and Black pulls in all of the Mountain
Mercenaries to help find who is responsible. Can Black and the Mountain
Mercenaries keep the shelter and its’ occupants safe as they work to uncover
the threat?
I really enjoyed the mix of romance and suspense in this book in the series. Harlow’s list of bad dates had me laughing out loud. She had bad things happening around her at the shelter, but she was not abused as the previous heroines. Lowell was an interesting mix of understanding and caring for Harlow, but he has a dark side that is revealed in this story. These two were perfect for each other and I cheered on every step Lowell took to get Harlow. The suspense plot was well written to keep the story fast paced and interesting. The sex scenes were explicit, but not gratuitous when they did occur.
I can highly recommend this book and the entire series! I am
looking forward to Ball’s story next.
***
About the Book
Title: Defending Harlow
Author: Susan Stoker
Release Date: June 4, 2019
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Summary
Lowell “Black” Lockard, former Navy SEAL, has
watched his fellow Mountain Mercenaries settle down with the women of their
dreams, but he’s convinced he doesn’t need love. Then he gets a call from
Harlow Reese—a chef at a local women’s shelter—and begins to reconsider his
decision.
After being
continually harassed by a local band of punks, Harlow asks Lowell to give the
women of the shelter lessons in self-defense. She doesn’t expect him to take
such a special interest in her safety, but he insists on escorting her to and
from work, never taking no for an answer. Not that Harlow minds the personal
touch…especially when it’s coming from her former teenage crush.
Despite her long history of bad dating luck, seeing Black again makes Harlow rethink her self-imposed celibacy. Easy on the eyes and hard to forget, the man has morphed into an alpha stud. And Harlow may be exactly the type of woman Black is looking for. Making her feel safe isn’t only a duty; it’s a pleasure. But the threats are escalating. The motives are a mystery. And as the danger burns almost as hot as their passion, there’s much more at risk than their hearts.
Author Biography
Susan Stoker is
a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling
author. Her series include Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes, SEAL of Protection,
Delta Force Heroes, and Mountain Mercenaries. Married to a retired Army
noncommissioned officer, Stoker has lived all over the country—from Missouri
and California to Colorado and Texas—and currently lives under the big skies of
Tennessee. A true believer in happily ever after, Stoker enjoys writing novels
in which romance turns to love. To learn more about the author and her work,
visit her website, www.stokeraces.com,
or find her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/authorsusanstoker.
DEFENDING MORGAN (Mountain Mercenaries Book 3) by Susan
Stoker is another exciting romantic suspense addition to the Mountain
Mercenaries series. All of these books can be read as standalones, but there is
character crossover with each book adding another HEA to the group of friends.
Ex-Navy SEAL Archer “Arrow” Kane is part of a team sent by
Rex, the leader of the Mountain Mercenaries to the Dominican Republic to rescue
a kidnapped child. The team is surprised when they find the child, they also
find an American woman who has been missing from Atlanta for over a year.
Morgan Byrd was abducted and disappeared while out with friends. Her father kept her story in the news and never gave up hope of finding her. Arrow recognizes her and has an instant need to protect this strong and brave woman. He wants to know how and why she ended up in Santa Domingo and so does Morgan.
Arrow offers Morgan a safe place to stay until the Mountain
Mercenaries can find out who wanted Morgan gone, but not dead.
This book is not what I was expecting, although I should
have. While Morgan was abducted, she was sexually abused and tortured. The
descriptions are not graphic and mainly handled behind a psychologist’s closed
door, but as you can imagine there is a very slow build up to any type of intimacy.
I cheered every step forward Morgan made. Arrow is amazing in his respect and
patience. The talks the couple shared displayed their intimacy. Their
relationship builds at a realistic pace with the inclusion of professional
help. I was shocked at the end when the villain of this story was revealed and
I had a hard time accepting it. It was a surprise that left me unsatisfied.
I still find this series to be entertaining and I love
watching each mercenary meet his perfect match. These books all have strong,
alpha male heroes and heroines who have been through terrible circumstances,
but remain resilient and loving. I am looking forward to reading many more HEAs
in this series!
Thanks very much to Net Galley and Montlake Romance for
allowing me to read this ARC.
GATEWAY CRESCENT (Bendixon Sisters Book 2) by Brenda
Margriet is a contemporary romance set in British Columbia. This romance is the
second in the trilogy and features the youngest of the three Bendixon sisters.
It can easily be read as a standalone, but it does give you glimpses of book 1
as the timelines run simultaneously.
Josephine “Jo” Bendixon loves bright colors, singing and
life in general. Her two older sisters believe she is flighty and never finishes
projects she starts and this is hurtful to Jo. She does not share that she is
teaching herself computer coding and she is working toward combining all of her
interests into a career. When her volunteer job at the library is taken away,
she gets the opportunity to work at Gateway Crescent teaching disabled children
computer skills. At the same time she volunteers to work with Luke on the end
of school year music concert in the park.
Luke Donwell is the music teacher at the local high school.
He loves working with teenagers, but he has always had a deep faith and contemplated
becoming a Catholic priest. He has set up a weekend away at the seminary to decide
if the priesthood is what he truly wants to do with his life. When his friend’s
younger sister, Jo volunteers to help with the end of the year concert and a
new music therapy program at Gateway Crescent, he is glad for the help, but
being with Jo makes him begin to question many of his long-held beliefs.
Jo and Luke work well together and both are surprised by the
attraction each feels for the other. Luke is up front about his possible
vocational change and Jo encourages him to keep his weekend obligation even as
both have feelings of more than friendship. Luke has a major decision to make
for himself, but it will effect all who love him.
I must admit that I do not usually read romances with religion
as a major focus, but I loved the first book in this series and all of the
Bendixon sisters. Luke is a complex character who pulled me in with his faith
and beliefs and is an extremely caring and giving person, but also at times he
demonstrated the intolerance of others’ beliefs that makes me dislike religious
doctrines. Jo is a loving, free spirit who may not have found her true calling
yet, but is open and searching. Jo and Luke’s story was a heartwarming romance
with many realistic bumps in the road. The secondary characters all added depth
to the storyline. There is one sex scene and I felt the author handled the
emotions and dialogue in a realistic way that was true to the story.
I enjoyed Luke and Jo’s romance. I also enjoyed the glimpses
of book one that remind you of that sister’s story. I am looking forward to reading
the oldest Bendixon sister’s romance next.
Written for and posted first on The Romance Reviews.
