Thursday, April 30, 2020

In the Non-Fiction Corner

In the Non-Fiction Corner With Lauren


The Divine Gift of Forgiveness


In his new book about forgiveness, Neil L. Andersen navigates the tough topic of repentance in a spectacular way. Repentance is not my favorite thing to read about, but Elder Andersen has convinced me it should be because of the marvelous gift that it is. He uses many stories from himself and others, scriptures, quotes and doctrinal teachings to help us understand what it means to truly repent. On the other hand, Elder Andersen also uses examples of how people had to use the atonement in their life when it was necessary for them to forgive someone else. I loved reading the authors personal stories and learning more about him and his life before he became a General Authority.

The best part of the book was when Elder Andersen talked about repentance in relation to the Plan of Salvation. The Lord wants us to repent. He isn’t angry or surprised when we sin, He has given us the opportunity to return to Him through His mercy. He knew we would all need this gift, and just like any parent, He is thrilled when we choose to use what he has given us for our benefit and when we come closer to Him. "While you have made mistakes, these sins do not describe who you are. Your identity is not defined by the sins of this world, but by the righteousness of another."

We can learn so much from the example of Adam and Eve, which Elder Andersen discusses. Elder Andersen also talks about how we can know when we are forgiven, which I think is a question all of us have. So many of my questions and concerns were addressed in this book, and I know it can do the same for anyone who wants to learn more about our divine gift of forgiveness.

Get your copy here
Here's the back copy:

"As surely as the sun will rise tomorrow," Elder Neil L. Andersen promises, "the Savior's divine gifts of repentance and of forgiveness, offered in the beauty of His encompassing love, are certain for those who come unto Him with full purpose of heart."

In this book, Elder Andersen writes especially to those who are "awakening" unto God—those who are just beginning to discover or who seek the divine gifts and power of repentance and forgiveness in their lives. The Divine Gift of Forgiveness is organized in such a way that readers can choose the section or chapter that applies most to them and study it without having to have read from cover to cover. Leaders can similarly recommend specific chapters to those with whom they work. Filled with powerful doctrine along with stories and experiences, this book will help all readers become more devoted disciples of the Savior.



Wednesday, April 29, 2020

In the Non-Fiction Corner


In the Non-Fiction Corner With Lauren


Leaning on Jesus: Strength for a Woman's Heart 

I would just like to start off by saying that I have found my new favorite author. Seriously, I think Michelle Wilson is hilarious, witty, and so relatable. Her voice really shines through and it makes you feel like you want to be friends with her in real life. And boy, does that lady know her scriptures! I loved that she gave us a book about women and for women that was real. There wasn’t story after story of women doing grand, amazing things that feel impossible to live up to. She told of every day women who do everyday tasks, just like you and me. Wilson tells of her own imperfect moments and how she found the Savior through them. I will admit, a few of her chapters did make me tear up. She perfectly portrays so many of the things that come with being a woman who is trying to find the Savior in the every day.

My favorite part of the book was her chapter on relationships. She focuses on our relationship with Jesus, but her tactics can be applied to anything. Choosing, listening, showing gratitude and wanting to love are all just little things we can do every day to show the Savior that we care about our relationship with Him. She also has a section about women in the scriptures and a quality that they possess which would could benefit us in our lives. Her chapter on Eve is beautiful and I’ll probably be thinking about the phrase, “You all might not have been here if it were Adam and Michelle” for a while. It made me laugh out loud! I loved learning about these women in the scriptures and thinking about these stories with a fresh perspective. I could not have loved this book more!

Get your copy here


Here's the back copy:

No books, blogs, or studies can prepare you for the complexities of womanhood. The joys and challenges that come with being a woman can often feel like a roller coaster of highs and lows, especially when sweet moments are tempered by feelings of inadequacy. If your journey through life too often feels like an unforgiving magnification of your weaknesses and shortcomings or you find yourself feeling alone, it is time to turn to the healing balm of the Savior’s love.

In this mix of memoir, insights, and inspiration, Leaning on Jesus takes readers through the ups and downs of womanhood, gives practical tools for a better life, and highlights the importance of cultivating a relationship with the Savior to find power, purpose, and peace. You’ll laugh and cry in equal measure as author Michelle Wilson describes her own experiences, delving into the common fears women of all ages and stages face and exploring each topic from motherhood to menopause with humor and heart. Find strength in this sweet reminder of your invaluable role as a woman, and catch a glimpse of your true magnificence in the Lord’s eyes.

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Book Review: The Noble Smuggler


I really enjoyed this book! It had mystery, intrigue, hidden identities, and romance all rolled into a beautiful story set in Kent.

Elizabeth has a difficult life as an innkeeper's daughter who is forced to serve her father's smuggler friends. But when a smuggler is shot and brought to the inn, she tends to him and starts to see him as more than a smuggler. She barely has time to recognize her feelings, however, before her father has betrothed her to an odious magistrate. Elizabeth is desperate to get away, but where can she turn?

Jonas, the Viscount Langton, infiltrates a smuggling gang to find out what truly happened to his father who died trying to stop a ship from falling into the smugglers' hands. When things go wrong, Jonas is shot and meets the lovely innkeeper's daughter. He can't reveal his true identity as the Viscount Langton, but as their connection grows stronger, he might not have any choice.

The author does a phenomenal job in setting the scene and has obviously done her homework on smuggling. The details really gave the story an extra dimension. The characters were well-drawn and believable and the romance was so tender. I loved how Elizabeth had been through so much, but her resilient spirit still kept a tiny flame of hope that she would one day find happiness. Jonas is a swoon-worthy hero, both as a smuggler and a viscount. The mystery of who is running the smuggling operation and what happened with Jonas's father kept me turning pages just as much as the romance unfolding did. The author seamlessly weaves a mystery romance together that historical fans won't want to miss. I was sad to see this one end and I really hope the Earl of Bloxley gets his own story!

Get your copy here

Here's the back copy:

Despite living at her father’s inn her entire life, Elizabeth Doyle has always managed to avoid involvement with the smugglers who frequently gather there. Until now. When a handsome smuggler is brought to her with dire injuries, Elizabeth risks everything to hide him—completely unaware that the wounded man is not who he appears to be.

When an opportunity arises to infiltrate the notorious smuggling gang he believes caused his father’s death, Jonas Ainsworth, the Viscount Langton, pretends to be one of them. But when he is wounded midcharade, Jonas’s life is placed in the hands of an unlikely savior: a smuggler’s daughter. Forced to flee before his wounds have fully healed, he does not think he will ever see her again—until she appears on his doorstep, seeking safe haven. Divided by their social standings yet united in their mutual desire to expose the leader of the smuggling ring, Jonas and Elizabeth are undeniably drawn to each other. Neither realizes, however, that they are dangerously close to uncovering explosive secrets from the past—secrets that will alter the course of their lives forever.

Monday, April 27, 2020

Freebie for Historical Romance Fans!


I just saw this deal and knew you wouldn't want to miss it! Annette Lyon's historical romance, War of Hearts, is free today only! I really enjoyed this one.

Download your free copy here 

Here's the back copy:

She flees to another continent, but heartbreak follows.

In December 1939, Anna, a journalist, is desperate to escape the magazine where Pete, her ex-boyfriend, also works. Heartbroken and still in love with him, Anna snags an assignment to cover the Winter War in Finland.

She arrives at a snowy battlefront only to discover that Pete is there too—assigned to be her photographer. She determines to be professional about the situation, until a battle breaks out with Russians invading camp, putting her and Pete in harm’s way—and putting their love to the test.

Sunday, April 26, 2020

Jennifer Nielsen's Cover Reveal Trivia Game & A Free Book!

Welcome to everyone who is doing Jennifer Nielsen's Cover Reveal Trivia game! You'll find my question below:




#9 What were the four zones of France during the World War 2 German occupation? 


Answer the question in my comments and the first correct answer will unlock that square of the cover BUT even if the square is unlocked, be sure to still answer the question in the comments because every answer will get an entry point. 

And there are some great prizes like THREE signed books from Jennifer Nielsen, INCLUDING the choice of THE CAPTIVE KINGDOM – or – the first ARC of this new historical! That is AMAZING! Don't miss your chance to win!



You can see Jennifer's cover reveal post HERE



***And in order to add to the celebration, my award-winning romantic suspense book, All Fall Down, is FREE today!***




Download your free Kindle copy HERE 


Here's the back copy:

When terrorists take Navy SEAL Rafe Kelly's brother, he'll do anything to get him back, but will beautiful hostage negotiator Claire get caught in the crossfire?

Ring around the rosy, a pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes we all fall down . . .

That simple rhyme turns negotiator Claire Michaels' current hostage situation into an international incident. Claire just wants to help get everyone out safely, but as the crisis escalates she realizes she's dealing with an al-Qaeda operative who has the means to become another bin Laden---with the potential to attack America. Claire has her own personal reasons for wanting to stop al-Qaeda, but time is slipping away as negotiations break down. Can she overcome her scars of the past in order to get the hostage out alive and possibly stop an assault on U.S.national security?

Navy SEAL Rafe Kelly is on leave to recover from a knee injury he suffered during his tour in Afghanistan and he doesn't expect to be fighting terrorists on his home turf. But when he is taken hostage and his brother is kidnapped, Rafe teams up with a hostage negotiator in order to stay alive and get his brother back. The terrorist is always one step ahead of them, however, and the situation quickly turns from desperate to deadly. Will Rafe be able to save himself and his country without anyone he loves getting caught in the crossfire?

Friday, April 24, 2020

Romance for Only .99 Cents!



If you love romance, Jennifer Peel's Swoony award-winning book, Professional Boundaries, is on sale this weekend for only .99 cents!

Download your sale copy here

Here's the back copy:

In the ultimate game of tug of war, who will cross the line first?

Kelli Bryant is all set to be the new Marketing Director of Chandler Media. After all, she has the right credentials and her colleagues love her. But her plans are derailed when her promotion is given to someone else. And not just any someone else, but her old college boyfriend, Ian Greyson, her one true love, and the last person she ever wants to see again.

Ian made a terrible mistake thirteen years ago when he walked away from Kelli, so when fate intervenes and gives him the chance to reconnect with her, he takes it. But unbeknownst to him, it means stealing her promotion.

The battle lines are drawn when the two old flames butt heads about everything from office etiquette to sales goals. Their explosive relationship spills over into their personal lives as Kelli tries to keep Ian at arm's length while he desperately tries to win her back, outside of business hours, of course. Will they ever learn how to mix business with pleasure, or will they keep their professional boundaries?

Thursday, April 23, 2020

In the Non-Fiction Corner: Catastrophes and Heroes


In the Non-Fiction Corner With Lauren


Catastrophes and Heroes by Jerry Borrowman covers true stories of man-made disasters. 

Borrowman is a master story teller, and you can tell he is well researched and deeply cares about his topic. I was surprised by these little-known histories that I had never heard of, but I was even more shocked that Borrowman is able to tell them as if he was there. He knows the facts, the names, and the stories all come to life in a very unique way. More than the heroes, though, Borrowman focuses on the story leading up to the disaster and the mistakes that were made.

The story I found most interesting was the breaking of the St. Francis Dam in 1928. This dam broke in the middle of the night, catching the community unaware and many were unable to escape. One of the heroes that the author describes is the policeman who became known as the “Paul Revere of the St. Francis flood.” This wise individual decided to alert as many people as he could. He would knock on every third door and yell for people to get their neighbors. He went as long as possible, perhaps saving many lives on his way. 

With this and all the other stories he tells, Borrowman looks for the positives and tells his readers what was learned from each of these disasters.

You can pre-order your copy here


 

Here is the back copy:

A century of the industrial age saw unprecedented leaps in technology and engineering, from the first flight of an airplane to the first flight of humans to the moon. But alongside these awe-inspiring achievements were horrible disasters caused by faulty engineering or careless judgement. Catastrophes and Heroes explores eight such disasters and recognizes the unheralded heroes who stepped up to save others in times of great danger.

Included in this collection are the stories of female phone operators who, despite being in the path of destruction after the Los Angeles St. Francis Dam collapsed in 1928, stayed on the job to warn others to evacuate, Ernest Hemingway, who assisted survivors in his own boat after a hurricane destroyed the Florida East Coast Railway in 1935, and Ernest Betts who, though knowing little first aid, saved thirty people after the streamliner train The City of San Francisco crashed in the Nevada mountains in 1939.

Filled with little-known stories and historical insights, this book explores the rich history of the marvels of engineering and technological advances in the span of a century and reveals how the perils, though disastrous, gave rise to heroism and compassion at a time when machines were supposed to do it all.

Wednesday, April 22, 2020

I Need One More Vote From You!



Voting is now open for the RONE Awards Best Historical Regency and The Marquess Meets His Match needs your vote! Here's what you have to do:

⭐️Go to the voting page HERE


⭐️Log in (or create a free account.)


⭐️Once you are logged in go back to the link above and vote for The Marquess!


Thank you so much for being so supportive of my writing. I have the best fans in the world!

Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Freebie for Historical Romance Fans!


Jennifer Moore has a new novella out called Emmeline and it is FREE today! I can't wait to read this one. I love Jennifer's writing.

Download your free copy here

Here's the back copy:

As Arthur Bremerton, Lord Mather, hurries to the opening session of Parliament, he is incensed to find his way blocked by a boisterous group protesting for women’s rights. But his annoyance turns to mortification when he finds his own cousin among their ranks, alongside a beautiful suffragette who engages him in a fierce battle of words and wills.

Emmeline’s fight for equality is just one facet of her wide-ranging interests. At the moment, her most pressing concern is how she and her mother, an eccentric Baroness, are to begin again after the family’s fortune was squandered following her father’s death. After her heated disagreement with Lord Mather, the only thought she gives the infuriating man is the hope that they will never meet again. But alas, this hope is in vain: unbeknownst to them, both Emmeline and Arthur are to be guests at a three-week house party, and fate seems determined to throw them together at every opportunity.

Monday, April 20, 2020

Have You Heard? Our New Podcast Episode is Up!



Have you listened to the Authors Off the Page podcast? Every month I chat with best-selling authors Jennifer Peel and Becky Monson about what we're writing and everything else "off the page."

This month was a little different since we couldn't actually meet because of social distancing guidelines, but it was still fun. Jennifer Peel discusses a sudden loss in her family as well as gives a sneak peek into the book she's currently working on. We all talk about how quarantine is going for us (some better than others!) and both Becky and I read a bit of our work-in-progress. Even though we're in quarantine, we still had a good time and I hope our listeners will, too!

If you've missed any of our podcast episodes, you can hear all of them HERE

Friday, April 17, 2020

Freebie for Mystery Fans!


If you love mysteries, Christy Barritt's book, Hidden Currents, is free today!

Download your free copy here

Here's the back copy:

You can take the detective out of the investigation, but you can't take the investigator out of the detective.

A notorious gang puts a bounty on Detective Cady Matthews’s head after she takes down their leader, leaving her no choice but to hide until she can testify at trial. But her temporary home across the country on a remote North Carolina island isn’t as peaceful as she initially thinks.

Living under the new identity of Cassidy Livingston, she struggles to keep her investigative skills tucked away, especially after a body washes ashore. When local police bungle the murder investigation, she can’t resist stepping in. But Cassidy is supposed to be keeping a low profile. One wrong move could lead to both her discovery and her demise.

Can she bring justice to the island . . . or will the hidden currents surrounding her pull her under for good?

Thursday, April 16, 2020

My Little Author Payday!


I saw this post on Instagram and it totally made my day! So happy that my stories are helping people get through this quarantine and giving people butterflies! 

It's like a little author payday. ❤️

How is your quarantine reading? Found any awesome books?

Wednesday, April 15, 2020

In the Non-Fiction Corner

In the Non-Fiction Corner With Lauren


I was so excited to read Glorious Truths About Emma Smith by the always enjoyable and very popular Susan Easton Black. What drew my attention even more was that it was a book dedicated to one of the most interesting characters in Church History, Emma Smith. I know a few stories about Emma here and there, but most of them are tied to Joseph. I love that the author dove into Emma’s perspective and experiences, and maybe even what she was feeling during the most difficult times of her life. Even tough topics like Emma’s views on plural marriage and her relationship with Brigham Young were discussed towards the end of the book.

My favorite part of the book was when the author talked about how Emma lived out her life in Nauvoo, her second courtship and marriage, and what happened to all her children. She was kind-hearted all throughout her life despite the trials that she had faced. What happened to the Smith family is a little known part of our Church History, but it impacted the Saints who lived in Utah as well as the ones that stayed behind to form their own church. I learned more about Emma than I had before and it made her become more real to me as I saw her strengths, but also a few of her faults. Emma Smith deserves to be recognized for the incredible woman that she was, and this book does exactly that.

Get your copy here

Here's the back copy:

Although Emma Smith was one of the most important women in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, her thoughts, feelings, and personal experiences remain largely unknown. With few writings from Emma to search, speculation about her life and beliefs has led to unsubstantiated notions that have little basis in truth. In Glorious Truths about Emma Smith, historian Susan Easton Black seeks to eliminate guesswork and present the truest possible account of Emma's story. Relying on a wealth of information from Emma's friends and family, Black weaves together the threads of history to present the phases of Emma's life and her contributions to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Discover in Glorious Truths about Emma Smith the life, love, and legacy of one of the most revered and perhaps the most misunderstood women of the Restoration.

Tuesday, April 14, 2020

My Book Needs Your Vote!



I am so excited that The Captain is a RONE Award nominee for Best Audio Book, but I need YOUR vote if it's going to be a finalist! 

All you have to do is go HERE  and create an account if you don't have one (it's free) and then vote!

Voting is only open April 19th, so keep that in mind. Thank you so much for all your support!

Monday, April 13, 2020

Missing My Hawaii Five-0

It's been over a week since the series finale and I'm really missing the show! Since we're still in quarantine, I decided to watch the first season over again. It's sort of fun to see all the little details now that we know the end from the beginning.

For example, a detail that popped out to me was when Steve has to go into work after waking up with Cath (our first time seeing them together) Danny comments on Steve smiling & how truly happy he seems. He started out smiling because of Cath & ended the series the same way. They were bookends!

Then, when Steve is handling the hostage situation on the USS Missouri, Danny is investigating the murder--and on his own calls Catherine in to help. That made me smile! I didn't remember he just did that on his own. 

On the episode where we meet Nick Taylor, one of Steve's SEAL friends (and the first time someone calls him Smooth Dog), it was sad to realize that even from the beginning most of his SEAL friends ended up dead or a bad guy. I always wished Steve had more friends that were good, you know?

The one I watched last night had a scene in the car where Steve turns on the radio and Sexy Eyes by Dr. Hook is playing. Danny hates it, but Steve thinks it's "catchy." Made me laugh. They didn't turn the radio on in the car that often!

The thing I've noticed watching these episodes is that the show had a different feel back then. There was a lot more scenery shots and the music seemed edgier to me. Steve seems lighter and it's fun to see the chemistry between Steve, Danny, Kono, and Chin working as a team. Those were fun times! 

Are any of you binge watching previous seasons of the show? 

Friday, April 10, 2020

Face Mask Fashion


I've been making face masks the last few days. I think I'm finally getting the hang of it! Fun, yet functional and fashionable! 

Anyone else out there making masks?

I used this video tutorial, since it was on my skill level. So easy!


Thursday, April 9, 2020

Free Book to Honor Former POWs


Today is National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day & so to honor the courage of the brave men & women whose spirits triumphed over the most difficult of circumstances, my military romance The Capture is free today. 

Get your copy HERE 

Here's the back copy:

A daring rescue. A need for vengeance. Everything is on the line.

Julian Bennet, head of Griffin Force, finally finds love with Zaya Altes, but the day he buys her an engagement ring, international terrorist Nazer al-Raimi abducts her. Getting her back consumes him, yet it takes nearly six months to find her. The daring mission to extract her from a hidden prison in Afghanistan is successful, but Zaya has suffered during captivity. Though she's grateful to Julian for breaking her out, she wants nothing to do with him. Before he can show her how much he still loves her, Nazer finds them and vows revenge. Can Julian keep Zaya safe and still stop Nazer once and for all?

Zaya Altes nearly gave up hope of ever being rescued, but when Griffin Force finally finds her, returning to life is harder than she imagined. While her feelings for Julian are as strong as ever, she feels too broken to recapture what they once had. Instead, Zaya jumps at a chance to trap Nazer, wanting vengeance for what she's endured. As the final showdown draws near, however, Zaya will have to make an unimaginable choice to let Nazer close to her again. But when a shocking web of betrayal is uncovered in their own ranks, their one chance to capture him is compromised. Julian and Zaya will put everything on the line, but can they survive this ultimate test and finally reach for their chance at happiness?

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

In the Non-Fiction Corner: Experiencing A Mighty Change of Heart

In the Non-Fiction Corner With Lauren


If you have ever wondered whether or not you can write an entire book on one chapter of the Book of Mormon, the answer is YES and it is absolutely marvelous. Ed Pinegar and John Welch delve into a well-known chapter, Alma 5, and teach about the 50 questions Alma asks. They separate the questions into subjects, and each subject has its own chapter, which is supplemented by other scriptures, stories, and thought-provoking quotes, some of which I had never heard. (I was just writing down and taking pictures of quotes every chapter I felt like! I wanted to keep all of these little nuggets of wisdom forever.)

As impressive and notable as the quotes were, and as much as I loved learning more about Alma’s life then I had ever put together while reading the Book of Mormon, the message of this book about making a change in ourselves is what truly made it worth every second of the time it took to read it. In the beginning, the authors talk about the meaning of having the Savior engraved upon our countenances. I loved thinking about how He isn’t water colored, scratched or typed, but He is to be a part of us, deep down. With the recent talks in conference, the book has an especially relevant chapter on personal revelation. Having the Spirit with us makes us want to repent and makes us want to have this mighty change of heart. I am crossing my fingers that Ed Pinegar and John Welch are planning on writing a book on every chapter of the Book of Mormon, I would read all of them.

Get your copy here

Here's the back copy:

When he preached his powerful sermon to the people of Zarahemla, Alma the Younger spoke with one vital objective: to reinvigorate the faith of a people whose belief was fading. Now, generations after Alma's exhortation, followers of Christ can be likewise galvanized by looking to Alma's words to motivate personal introspection. Is my conversion complete? Have I accepted the invitation to repent? Have I been spiritually born of God?

In Alma 5, readers are prompted to respond to fifty life-changing rhetorical questions from this single inspiring chapter of scripture. With topics ranging from repentance to conversion to personal revelation, look to Alma's greatest speech to remember all that you have known and felt, and embrace your potential to become the person God wants you to become.

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Historical Romance Fans Don't Miss This One!


If you love medieval romance brimming with intrigue, danger, and love, you have to get Sian Bessey's For Castle and Crown. It's on sale today for only .99 cents! Don't miss this one!

You can see my review of it HERE

You can get your sale copy HERE  

Monday, April 6, 2020

Hawaii Five-0 Recap & Review--The Series Finale

I am so sad that this is the end of the show. It's been such a great run and such a big part of my life! I'm really going to miss it. I just can't imagine not recapping and reviewing it anymore! I really hope at some future point we get a movie or special of some sort.

This is a longer recap than normal because I didn't want to miss a moment!

We start out with previouslies of Steve visiting his dad's grave and remembering the day he died, telling Danny how it's been ten years, he's feeling lost right now and maybe needs time away for perspective. Then we see Daiyu Mei giving that guy the message for Steve that she's Wo Fat's late wife. Lastly, we see Danny getting beat up for the cipher and that Steve actually still has it.

We cut to ten years ago in a China province, where Mrs. Fat is making tea for Wo Fat and Victor Hesse who are planning the op to get Hector's brother back. The trace on Steve's phone allowed them to pinpoint the location, the helo would take out the lead vehicle first, etc. Victor points out it only works if Steve agrees to let Anton go and Wo Fat assures him Steve will agree, even though Papa McG hasn't talked to Steve in a long time. Blood is blood. We do flash back briefly to a bloody Papa McG asking Steve on the phone who are these people, Steve? (Awww, so sad.) Wo Fat asks Daiyu Mei to stay because he values her input. Hmm... Back to present day where she's watching Danny and Steve at the cemetery. McG's truck is there this time and she says to follow them. (So, I guess he just left the truck there since last week he told Danny he'd drive?)

Cue music.

Steve is in his truck with Cole. He gets a call from Duke that the crime lab didn't get any prints or DNA from his house after the break-in. Cole says whatever that code is, is worth a lot to someone and he's hoping his ex-NSA guy can deliver. Steve appreciates his help. Cole goes on to say there's only one person outside of Langley with a shot at decoding the cipher, but then says to scratch that there IS someone else. A Navy Intelligence officer he met a couple years back. Super smart. She'd be up for the job, too, but I lost track of her. Steve gets a look as soon as Cole says it's a "she." Her name wouldn't be Catherine Rollins, would it? he asks. (Awwww!) Cole is surprised and says, you know her? Steve smiles and is all, yeah, I know her, man, she was my girl. We were together a bunch of years, but these intelligence types got a habit of disappearing on you, you know?" Cole is looking at him and says, sounds like it was serious and Steve tells him she was the one who got away. What are you going to do?"  (Awwww! She was his girl! The one who got away! I was so happy with that little exchange.) Cole is giving Steve a look after he says that.

They stop at an overlook to meet the ex-NSA guy and Cole asks if Steve is okay and hopes he didn't ruin Steve's day by bringing Cath up. Steve assures him he's good. The NSA guy shows up, but Steve gets a frantic call from Danny that he's got a crazy tail. He sends his location and Steve heads over there, leaving the NSA guy looking at them drive away. The tail is all over Danny and Steve hears gunshots through the phone. He's driving on the wrong side of the road to get there and when he finally does, Danny's car is on fire. Steve reaches in the driver's side and his sleeve catches fire. Cole gets an extinguisher and they figure out Danny isn't in the car. Steve immediately calls Tani to get the last twenty minutes of camera coverage at the intersection. Tani says he sounds upset and he tells her Danny's been taken. HPD shows up and he tells them to lock the perimeter down, dust the car for prints or DNA and every officer should be looking for Danny Williams. (Yeah, HPD isn't good at perimeters, Steve should know that by now.) Tani pulls up the traffic cam footage at the Chatting Table and Adam tells her to go back thirty minutes. They're all wondering why they would grab Danny (even though most of them have been kidnapped multiple times, haha), but since whoever took Danny wanted to keep him alive, they'll just treat it like a kidnapping. (Good thinking!) Steve comes in and they all see the footage of Danny being forced out of his car, hooded and led away while his car is set on fire. They run the plates but it comes back to stolen cars. Steve wants all the phones ready for the ransom call.

Danny is chained and bloody, but recognizes Daiyu Mei. He jokes that after what they did to his car they should exchange insurance info. Daiyu Mei is not amused and says that a man with two children should not be making jokes. Danny gets serious real fast and says if she touches his kids, he'll find her and kill her.

Steve comes in and Tani was able to track the two SUVs that took Danny for about a mile, but that's it. Steve wants every single person who has a badge to be looking for Danny. Daiyu Mei calls Steve and says it's good to hear his voice. He immediately tries to get a trace and asks, "Who is this?" She tells him her name is Daiyu Mei and she believes he knew her husband Wo Fat. Everyone looks shocked. Steve asks if she has Danny and she says she does. They each have something the other person wants. She has the person he cares about most in the world and he has the cipher that is rightfully hers. If he delivers it to her, Detective Williams will live. Steve wants proof that Danny is okay so she takes the phone in and shows him a bloody Danny chained up. Danny tells Steve not to do whatever she wants him to do and not to give her anything. Daiyu Mei asks if they have a deal and that Steve shouldn't make the same mistake he made with his father and allow a loved one to die because of his stubbornness. (Steve looks so angry and intense here!) He asks her where the trade will go down and she says she'll text him the info, but he better come alone and do exactly as she asks or his friend dies.

Steve is headed toward the elevator and Adam follows, asking if Steve is going to give her what she wants. Steve quickly explains that he made the mistake of hesitating when Hector demanded Lincoln and it almost cost two lives so he won't make that mistake again. Adam reminds him that the situation turned out fine and they got the woman and her son back. But Steve is all, because of Lincoln, not me. So he's going to trade Daiyu Mei the cipher for Danny's life because that's the only play he's got. Adam sees Steve's struggle and tells him that there was no way he could have saved his father that day because the odds were stacked against him, but now he has Five-0 in his corner and he was telling Adam that not long ago. Let them help find another way. Oh, and there's no guarantee that even if he gives her the cipher she'll spare Danny's life. Steve listens, but says he's going to the trade alone, but he'll call. Adam tells him good luck. Once the elevator doors close, Steve leans against the back wall and thinks about when Victor found out his brother was dead and went ahead and killed Papa McG. So sad.

Steve goes to the meet and Daiyu Mei and her goons show up. Danny isn't there and Daiyu Mei just wants to give him an address of where Danny is. That's not going to fly with Steve. He wants it live- streamed from his phone and proof that he is at that address, otherwise no deal. Daiyu Mei complies and Steve sees Danny and asks if he's okay. Danny tells Steve not to trust her. Steve gives her the cipher and runs to his truck.

Danny tells the goon not to put his phone away and that he should call his family to tell them he loves them because he has no idea what he's stirred up, and the goon punches him. Steve is speeding to the address, telling Tani to put out an All Units alert and send SWAT to the address, he's five minutes out. The goon gets a call from Daiyu Mei to say that McG is on his way, so make sure he finds a dead man. But Danny is climbing the chain to get himself free so when the goon comes in, Danny isn't chained up. He's behind the door! He whacks the goon with the chain and unlocks his cuffs before he takes his gun and shoots another goon who comes in. Danny starts shooting his way out of the house and almost makes it to the front door before a newbie goon shoots him and runs away. (I'm guessing he's a newbie because he just shoots and runs.) Steve has his sirens on and pulls up to the house. He goes in and sees Danny in the doorway. He's unconscious, so Steve wakes him up by touching the bullet hole. Ew. He helps him out to the truck when everyone pulls up. Steve gets Danny in the backseat and Tani drives to the hospital while he holds Danny and calls the hospital to make sure the surgeons are prepped and ready for when they got there. They get Danny to the hospital and he's taken into surgery. Everyone is watching him go and Steve is being told to wait there with his bloody shirt. So sad!

Steve is in the hospital chapel, hands folded, intense, bargaining with God. He says, "If you want to take somebody, take me. Not him. Take me." (It was such an incredible scene. Alex knocked it out of the park.)  Cole comes in to say there isn't any news and Danny is still in surgery. He pauses and then tells Steve that they need to get that cipher. They have a photo of it and with any luck his guy can crack it. Steve doesn't think it matters anymore, but Cole is thinking ahead---cracking that cypher will help them figure out why Daiyu Mei wanted it and what she's got planned next. It's the best chance of catching her. All he needs is Steve's permission to take the cipher to his guy. Steve can stay at the hospital. Steve rubs his still bloody hands over his face and tells him to take Quinn with him. She'll give him a hard time and says she wants to stay here and support him, but Cole should tell her the best way for her to do that is to help Cole. Cole gets up to leave and Steve hands him his gun, passing the torch in a way. Cole rests his hand on Steve's shoulder for just a moment in support. It was a really good scene.

Cole and Quinn go to his guy's house, but no one is answering. Quinn offers to go around back, but Cole just busts in. "Very McGarrett of you," Quinn says as they move through the house. They find a blood trail and broken stuff in the kitchen. The blood leads to the garage on the passenger side. Looks like someone put him in his own car and drove off with him. (At least they didn't put him in the trunk I guess.) Luckily the car is electric and probably has GPS so they can track it.

Steve and the gang are waiting in the hospital hallway. Tani is asking why it's taking so long and Lou tries to comfort her and says that he knows it's hard, but it's all in God's hands now. The only thing they can do is be there for Danny and pray for him. "Chin up, kiddo, it's going to be all right." The doctor finally comes out and says that Danny is out of surgery and stable for now. They aren't out of the woods yet, but they cleared a big hurdle. Steve asks to see him and sits down at his bedside holding his hand. They play an amazing song, All for One, and it's such a great moment as the words really speak to the brotherhood these two share.

Quinn and Cole are at a junkyard and we get a glimpse of Danny's old silver Camaro. So sad! (Wasn't that burned when Catherine was kidnapped?) There's a dog there with fresh blood on him so I guess the murderer touched him? They walk through the wrecked cars and find a dead worker and then a pool of blood underneath a smashed car. Guess they found the cipher guy. Quinn calls Lou to update him and tell him that the contact---the only guy on the island who could crack the cipher---was inside his car when it was crushed. So, Daiyu Mei probably forced him to crack the code and killed him, which means she won't be on the island much longer. Cole has an idea and Lou tells him whatever it is, just do it. We're almost out of time.

Steve is at Danny's beside when he regains consciousness and asks why Steve stopped holding his hand. Steve says he thought he'd lost him, but Danny reassures him he can't get rid of him that easy, but he's supposed to be relieved and look happy when someone wakes up. Steve says he's happy, but Daiyu Mei used him to get to Steve and almost killed him. Danny tries to keep it light by saying he's right there, chilling, but to Steve it feels a lot like what he went through with his father. Danny says Steve is annoying him already and that if he had a dollar for every time Steve saved his life he'd have twenty bucks. Steve says it would be a lot more than that before he gets a call from Cole. (So I guess Danny isn't in the ICU? No phones in there. Hmm) Danny tells him to put it on speaker, he's bored, ha! Cole tells him they cracked the cipher and it was coordinates for a cemetery on the island. They send Steve the coordinates and it's where they thought his mom was first buried. Danny tells him to go, so he meets up with Quinn and Cole at the cemetery and head down to the family mausoleum. (Why wasn't Steve's dad buried in there?) His mom's crypt has been broken into and Cole thinks someone took Steve's mom's body, but Steve nonchalantly tells him that the crypt was assigned to her after she faked her death. It's a long story. Ha! He thought it was empty, but he was wrong. She must have hidden something inside of it, then sent him the cipher so he could find it after she died. Whatever it was, Daiyu Mei has it now!

They find footage of goons robbing the cemetery and it looks like there was a bunch of cash in the crypt. One of the goons is named Roland (not a great goon name, poor guy) so they run a trace on his phone and that takes them to the Honolulu harbor. (So reminiscent of the pilot!) The team goes in and there is a spectacular gunfight. Daiyu Mei is running, doing some awesome parkour and Steve is right behind her. The goons are all terrible shots, so the team is fine. After a great chase over shipping containers, Daiyu Mei gets in a forklift. Steve gets on it, too, but falls off when she stops suddenly. The shipping container the forklift was holding nearly crushes him, but when Daiyu Mei comes down to look, he gets the jump on her. She puts her gun down and he asks her if this was all for the money? She says it was about killing her husband, but Steve tells her that Wo Fat didn't give him any choice. She says her husband had every right to that inheritance since he was Doris's son, too. (I can only assume she means since Doris took care of him when he was a kid since the DNA test showed Steve and Wo Fat weren't related.) Steve says Wo Fat was Doris's charity case because if he was her blood, he would never have ordered the execution of Papa McG. Daiyu Mei doesn't answer that and tells him to pull the trigger. Steve pauses for a second, but doesn't do it. She taunts him that Steve has his father's will and Wo Fat said he'd never met a more principled man. Steve doesn't believe her and says Papa McG never met Wo Fat, but Daiyu Mei corrects him and says not in person. (Although there was footage in the governor's office from an earlier season where John did meet Wo Fat. Hmm)

We flash back to show Papa McG answering his front door and getting smashed in the face. Then Victor telling him that his son has something he wants and if he gives it to him John goes free. If he doesn't he'll die. Victor ties up Papa McG and beats him before he calls Wo Fat to say he has Papa McG. Wo Fat wants to talk to him and apologies for the rude introduction, but he hopes Steve cooperates with them. Papa McG asks who this is and Wo Fat introduces himself as the son of Doris McGarrett. They go on to talk about Papa McG suspecting that her death was staged. Papa McG admits he was looking into it, but whatever happens, don't tell my son, it would be too hard on him. Wo Fat says he's a good man and he hopes Steve feels the same protectiveness toward him. Then back to present day where Daiyu Mei says Steve is his father and then Cole shows up. Steve tells Cole to book her. Cole cuffs her while Steve watches. So intense!

A week later, Steve approaches the beach where Danny is sitting in a chair and he sits down beside him. Danny is feeling depressed because he misses the nice nurse at the hospital who brought him Jello. Steve gives him a word of advice not to mistake a caregiver for someone who cares. She was getting paid to be nice to him. (Ha!) Danny wants to know if Steve's all packed, which he is, and points out one last time that there are beautiful beaches all over the place there, with plenty of sand, he could clear his head here. Steve brings up that ten years ago when Danny came out he hated this place. Danny blames him. And also mentions that Steve should have kept some of the money Doris gave him so he could fly first class like a gentleman. Steve is just going to get on the plane. Danny asks him what he's looking for and Steve is very thoughtful and says, "peace." It was his father who brought him back here and kept him here, trying to figure out what he was investigating and now he knows his dad actually knew his mother was still alive. Danny asks him if he's going to walk the earth like the dude from Kung Fu searching for answers and Steve says something like that. It's going to be okay, though. Danny doesn't feel like it's going to be okay, because his main dude is leaving him, but Steve assures him it's not a goodbye forever. He's got a phone right? Steve makes Danny stand up so he can give him a hug. Smiles all around, and I love you man. Danny sits back down and tells Steve not to make Danny come looking for him. Steve walks up to his house and looks back. (*sniff*)

Steve sees Eddie on the couch and goes over to give him his goodbye. (My son was watching with me and teared up at this part!) He tells Eddie he loves him and misses him and also to look after Danno, he's going to need him. There's a knock at the door and it's the gang. Lou walks in with, you thought we were just going to let you leave without a goodbye? Do you remember that time you saved my life? Steve says yeah, but Lou hugs him and says, no you don't, you know why? Because you saved my life when you met me. Love you man. (Awww. Tears already!) Adam is next and hugs Steve and thanks him for always seeing the good in him and for giving him a second chance. He'll never forget that. And they're going to miss each other. Tani is next and she thanks him for everything and says she's going to miss him so much and she can't believe he's going. He tells her he's proud of her and to be good. She smiles and says no. Noelani is next and he tells her he's proud of her and she thanks him for believing in her. Quinn gets knuckles and a hug and thanks him for taking a chance on her and for giving her a family. Steve says she's worth it and she hopes he finds what he's looking for. The gang is hugging each other on the side of the room and Lou is crying. Junior is last. Steve blows out a breath. They clasp hands and touch foreheads and breathe in before saying Ooyah. It is so poignant! They hug and Steve grabs his duffel and heads to the door. Cole is there. Steve shakes his hand and thanks him then asks him to hold down the fort for him. Cole says he's got it. Steve opens the door but turns back to give them all a shaka and says Aloha. A hui hou. (Goodbye. Until we meet again.) He walks out. (So incredibly emotional and well done!)

Steve is finding his seat on the airplane and there's a beautiful sunset as he's leaving. (Symbolic that his time in Hawaii is coming to an end?) He gets a text from Danny saying he misses him already. He's watching out the window and looking thoughtful when a woman asks if this seat is taken. It's CATHERINE! He looks surprised and she says, "Hey, sailor." (I LOVE when she calls him that.) He quickly realizes it was her that cracked the cipher. She admits she did and that Lincoln got hold of her and said he needed some help. Steve says Lincoln is a good man. Catherine jokes that he must be since Steve gave him the keys to Danno's car. (The burned one?) Steve jokes back that they can't have Danny Williams driving his own car and Cath replies, "Like he ever did." It's cute and easy between them. He asks her if she's going to sit down and she nods. While she's getting settled in her seat he can hardly take his eyes off her. They put on their seatbelts and he wipes his palms on his pants. She smiles at him and asks if he's ready? He says, "Yeah," and holds out his hand for her. She takes it and he squeezes her fingers and looks out the window with a smile on his face---like he's happy to be going into the next chapter of his life with her by his side. It was so great! I have waited so long for them to finally take that next step and love that we got to see that. I have seen the rebuild of love and trust between them (you can see my blog post about it here) and this definitely feels like the culmination of that.

(Did you miss last week's recap? You can see it HERE)

After the episode aired, Peter Lenkov, the creator said this in an interview:


I love that vision! So, after ten years, the series is over. What did you think? Did you watch?

Friday, April 3, 2020

Three Book Deal for Romance Fans!


I know some of us are needing romantic escapes a little more often these days, so I wanted to pass along this deal. THREE Jennifer Peel romances, for only .99 cents! I haven't read any of these, but they all look good.

Download your sale copy HERE


From Best Selling and Award-Winning Author, Jennifer Peel, comes a three-story collection of swoon-worthy contemporary romances.

Best of My Love - Book One

Can their friendship endure a marriage of convenience?

Jaime Seger has no delusions that her best friend, Christopher McKay, the man who has owned her heart and soul for the past twenty years, will ever see her as anything more than his faithful sidekick. After all, he married another woman. But when his wife dies unexpectedly, Jaime finds herself helping Christopher raise his young daughter, and on the end of an unlikely proposal. A proposal that promises everything she ever thought she wanted. Or does it?

As the best friends navigate married life, they find themselves torn apart by miscommunication and unrealized expectations. Jaime begins to doubt that Christopher will ever love her the way she loves him. Then near tragedy strikes and Jaime is allowed access into his private thoughts through the journal he's kept since they were in high school together. In its pages she discovers she's the main character, and it is her that he has always loved best. But after everything they've been through, is it too late? Can the best friends remain lovers too?

Beck and Call - Book Two

What happens when a dashing Englishman and a cheeky American collide? Sparks. And lots of them.

Call's life always seems to be on the cusp of working out, only to unravel at the last moment. For instance, when she finally meets the guy--the man she's been fantasizing about from afar--their first meeting is nothing like she hoped; in fact, she wishes she never met him.

But can the charming Englishman change her mind?

Midnight Promises - Book Three

Can a midnight promise endure the light of day?

Jillian knows a thing or two about the country music scene, and she wants no part of it after her country singer ex-husband. Her resolve weakens when she's seated next to country legend Cole Pendleton on a red-eye flight home to Nashville from Las Vegas. Between her emotional state, her fear of flying, and maybe a little vodka, she finds herself taking comfort in Cole's arms and lips during their four-hour flight.

Cole is determined to prove to her that he's nothing like her ex-husband, but can Jillian trust his midnight promises?

Thursday, April 2, 2020

A Quarantine Reading Challenge--Enter to Win!



Anyone up for a Quarantine Reading Challenge? For every book you complete on the list, you get an entry into a drawing for a $25 Amazon gift card! (Think of how many ebooks you could buy!)

Here's how it works. You can tell me in this blog post comments which books you've finished from the challenge OR you can go to my Facebook Author Page HERE  (The Quarantine Reading Challenge post is at the top of the page and will be up until the quarantine ends) and you can put in the Facebook post comments when you finish a book from the challenge. Either way, if you comment with your challenge completed books, I'll put your name in the drawing! Easy, peasy!

Here are the rules: Since this is a quarantine reading challenge, you must have completed the book during the quarantine. Not before.

Let's have some fun while we're stuck at home!

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

My Aloha Fic---Just For Fun

The series finale of Hawaii Five-0 is this Friday. I've wanted a happy ending for Cath and Steve for a long time and there are some rumors flying around that she appears on the last episode. I hope so!

In honor of that, here's a little fic for my McRoll friends.

Aloha

Walking away had been harder than he thought it would be. Danny, Eddie, Junior and Tani. Duke. Lou. They’d always be his ohana. But he had something---someone--- in front of him now that gave him hope that the future he wanted wasn’t lost. 

Steve’s heart rate picked up as he approached the hangar. She was in there. He knew it. He’d always been able to feel when Catherine was near. The connection between them had been strong from the beginning and over the years it had stretched and pulled, but it had always been there. Joe had seen it. Doris. Freddie. Aunt Deb. And if he was honest, he had, too. He'd relied on it, even when they weren't together.

He took a deep breath, his throat suddenly dry. Swallowing, he opened the car door and got out. He had so much he needed to say to her. But mostly, he just wanted to see her again. Hold her. Their last hug had been on an airstrip, and he’d watched her walk away. Again. It had taken everything he’d had not to call her back. He’d known then she would be the only woman he’d ever love. But he couldn’t pull her away from her job. He knew what duty meant to both of them. He’d chosen his job, once, too, but not anymore. And that was what he wanted to talk to her about today. He had to tell her what he was feeling. But would she understand?

Walking toward the side door, he stopped, his chest tight. This was it.

He opened the door and stepped through. Catherine was in the middle of the room, her back to him, facing the open doorway of the nearly empty hangar. She turned at the sound of the door closing behind him and smiled. “Hey, sailor.”

“Hey.” Steve’s pulse picked up as he walked toward her. He loved when she called him that. “Thanks for meeting me.”

She took a few steps to meet him halfway, pulling him in for a hug. His arms came around her, fitting her body against his. He relaxed and buried his nose in her hair. She still smelled like vanilla and sunshine and the scent reminded him of all the good memories between them. He closed his eyes and breathed her in again. She felt like home.

She pulled back, her brown eyes filled with concern. “Is everything okay? I heard about Doris. I’m so sorry. Even after everything that happened, I know what she meant to you.”

Steve reluctantly let her go and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I’m not going to lie. It’s been tough. First Joe. Then Mom.” He’d lost so much---and nearly lost Danny. He thought he’d have more time with all of them, but the point had been driven home. You never knew when your time was up. You had to make the most of it---and he wasn’t going to waste the chance he had right in front of him anymore. “Cath, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. About us.”

Catherine went very still, but her eyes never left his. “Me, too. That’s why I was glad you called. I have something to tell you.” She shifted away from him slightly, putting her own hands in her jeans pockets to mirror his stance. “I resigned from the CIA.”

The words echoed in his head and it took a moment to register exactly what she'd said. “You resigned?” he repeated.

She blew out a breath. “These last few years helped me fill the need of trying to make the world a safer place. I’ve captured men and women who wanted to harm my country and those I love. But it all started to seem empty, somehow. Hollow victories. There were so many times I wanted to call you to just share the day.” She gave him a small smile. “It helped to know we were both doing what we loved. It just wasn’t enough after a while. Not without you. Even if you hadn’t called, I was coming to find you.”

Steve took her hand in his, some of the turmoil he’d been going through falling away at her words. “That’s exactly how I’ve been feeling. I was doing what I loved, but something was missing.” He squeezed her fingers. “We had that something. Something good. And I let that get away because of the job. Your job. My job. It always got in the way. But I don’t want to do that anymore.” He stared at the sun’s rays filtering through her hair.“I want something more.” His gaze found hers. “With you.”

“Steve.” She looked up into his face, hope in her eyes. “What are you saying exactly?”

“I’m saying I want to put us first for once. For duty and job to come second.” He took her other hand in his, needing to touch her. “I don’t want to waste any more time without you in my life.”

Catherine bit her lip, her hands tightening on his. “I don’t either. I love you, Steve. That’s never changed. But I didn’t know if we’d ever be on the same page. And now we are.” She drew closer and put her hand on his chest, directly over his heart. “I choose you. Always. Forever.”

Those were the words he'd hoped to hear. Had she really said them? “Are you sure?” His hand slid up her arm and cupped her shoulder. He had to know. “Because I love you, too, and I’m in. One hundred percent.”

“So am I.” Her hand lifted to his jaw, brushing over the stubble. “I just can’t believe you’re here. That we’re here. I’ve dreamed about this moment for so long.”

“Really? You were dreaming about me, huh?" He let his hand trail down to her hip, outlining the curves he knew so well. "So, how did this dream end? I mean, I've got a few ideas of how I'd like it to end.” He grinned. He felt lighter, the heaviness that had hung over him for so long lifting a little with her in his arms.

“Do your ideas feature a foxhole? Or MREs?” She raised her eyebrows.

Steve could hardly hold in a laugh. He'd missed how easy it had always been between them. "Maybe."

She tilted her head toward the plane behind them. “Well, I know a place. Secluded. Private. Perfect for . . . " she returned his grin ". . . two people like us. If you're interested.”

“Yeah?” He leaned in. “Sounds good to me.” His hand slid over her cheek, his thumb brushing her bottom lip. “I’ve missed you.”

She reached up on her tiptoes, her arms coming around his neck. “I’ve missed you, too. So much.” And she pressed her lips to his.

She was soft and warm and his heart squeezed. They were together. She’d chosen him. The universe had finally aligned and they were on the same page. His hand tangled in her hair as he deepened the kiss, showing her all the things he hadn't been able to say for so long. For the first time in ages, he could see his dreams within reach. And he was ready. Ready to start the next chapter of his life with her.

But he didn’t want to do it in a hangar. He touched his forehead to hers. “Let’s get out of here.”

Her lips curved into a smile. “Whatever you say, Commander. Should we grab some dinner before we go?”

He pulled her close and laughed softly in her ear. “You know our track record with making it to dinner.”

“You know, you’re right, I’m sure we can scrounge something up later,” she whispered, pressing a kiss to his jawline.

Steve’s pulse pounded in his veins. Somewhere private and secluded with Cath was starting to sound pretty perfect. “Yes, ma’am.”

Catherine laughed and took his hand as they started toward the plane. His steps were sure as he walked into the future with the woman he loved at his side.

No matter what was ahead, they'd face it. Together.