Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 22
April 24, 2025
Book Blast: THE LAST DOOR, AJAR by Michael Holly Barrett
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Michael Holly Barrett will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
It is 1945. The infamous Max Smartz, superspy; Eva Braun, wife of Adolf Hitler; Joseph Goebbels, propaganda minister; and Otto Klugg, intelligence officer, do not die at the end of World War II, but trick the guards in the Fuhrerbunker tunnels, allowing them to make their escape. Their escape plan is to reach war-neutral Southern Ireland, where Maxwell Smartz has an established base and is familiar with rural south Kerry and its people. They evade capture and eventually reach France. Here, they meet with a good friend and colleague, an undercover agent called Maurice Le Blanc, who asks them to assist him in retrieving some stolen gold bars.
After finding the fortune, the friends attempt to retrieve it in an old Dutch van but are continually thwarted and risk losing everything. To complicate matters, they learn that Max's brother, Victor, has been incarcerated in the notorious Spandau prison and is being tried for Nazi war crimes. They hatch a plot to save him, but is it worth the danger of going back to Berlin and being caught?
Read an Excerpt
Just the week before, her own death rehearsal, the one she secretly vowed not to carry out. There will be no stage debut for this actress, she kept telling herself. Hitler returned to their sitting room in a fit of giggling uncontrollably, dribbling at the same time; she hadn’t seen him like that in a very, very long time. “What, pray tell, is the matter with you?” she wanted to know, and he tried to tell her between fits of coughing and laughing; the more he recalled the more he laughed at his own recollection of what just happened. “Sit down,” he ordered her. “That Goebbels, he is a dummy and a genius at the same time. Both in equal parts. I told him what I was about to do, using my own German Shepherd dog, Blondi.” Blondi was given to him by Martin Bormann in 1941, as a gift. “Joseph knows I loved Blondi, I told him I was testing the efficiency of the cyanide tablets given to me by Doctor Shultz. He understood, as I thought, because he turned to me and said, ‘I’ll take care of it for you, as I know of your fondness for Blondi. OK, Mein Fuhrer, just go, leave it to me’. I thanked him, I went for a walk upstairs to the Reich Chancellery, and sat down and took in some fresh air. It must have taken at least a half hour before I decided to return downstairs again, and who came charging out of the guest room — only Blondi jumping all over me, so glad to see me. Then Joseph must have heard the commotion and he came bounding out too, all smiling and happy with himself.
About the Author: My humble beginnings in a terrace house with an outdoor toilet and indoor rats. The drinking water was got from a public pump in the street. We were all sailing in the Titanic,Third Class, but we were not aware of anything better. We had so much fun, swimming in the river. As kids we had wonderful imaginations.The only luxuries we ever saw were in the Cinema, usually American films, people smoking and drinking alcohol.
Everyone in the town of County Cork, Ireland seemed to be in the same boat; we made the best of it until the swinging sixties came along and changed everything. In spite of our poverty, I managed to get a College education. But opportunities were as scarce as rich Uncles. The Christian Brothers were brutal, and handy with the cane, in National School. I was lucky like many fellows my own age to get an apprenticeship as a diesel mechanic. Soon developed a taste for Alcohol, and got into trouble pretty soon, was lucky again to find A.A. and get my act together in 1978.
My hero died in 1977, Elvis Presley, the music stopped, the sixties was over, the Beatles were broken up, CCR, too. So getting sober was the best thing to do, under the miserable circumstances. I got a job as a Pipe Welder with ASME 1X certificate and began working around Europe, finally settling in warm Spain, Barcelona and met a Catalunya woman. Started writing for the first time, mostly comedies, Peter Sellers style, another hero of mine.
This is my second published book, I also self published earlier works Like ,'Gorilla Days in Ireland' by Michael Barrett, on Amazon. The Frankie Stein Enigma, and others, I paint oil and acrylic pictures, write mountains of poetry, sing and play the guitar.
' I do just about everything, that doesn't make any money for me.' But love doing what I do, writing poetry is mind stimulating, energising.
My favourite actors are William Holden, Warren Oates, Gregory Peck, and favourite detective the great Peter Falk in Columbo, a genius and Clouseau, Peter Sellers, and Peter Ustinov.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100045861996652
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-barrett-78b686103/
AMAZON.COM: https://amazon.com/dp/177962574X
AMAZON.CA: https://amazon.ca/dp/177962574X
BOOKTOPIA: https://www.booktopia.com.au/search.ep?keywords=9781779625748
ABEBOOKS: https://www.abebooks.com/products/isbn/9781779625748
BETTERWORLD BOOKS: https://www.betterworldbooks.com/product/detail/9781779625748
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April 23, 2025
Blog Tour: SUNDAYS WITH GRANDMA by Siavoche Siassi
Children's Book
Date Published: January 3, 2025
Publisher: MindStir Media
Sundays with Grandma tells the story of an ailing Grandmother who spends her last years in life fully present for her Grandson while cultivating within him an enduring hope and optimism for the beauty of life. Inspired by true events, the book is based on the author's observations of the playful relationship between his son and his mother during a period when she was battling and ultimately succumbed to breast cancer.
Told through the eyes of young grandson Noah, this is a story recounting the memories Noah had with his loving Grandma Sherry during their weekly Sunday visits. These Sundays are filled with delicious food, silly fun times with Grandma, and important life lessons. While Noah notices that Grandma is getting weaker and weaker with each visit, that doesn't stop their special Sundays together. Noah realizes when he is older that Grandma's important lessons have taught him not only about the beauty of life but also how to accept some of its most difficult moments.
Written for kids of all ages, Sundays with Grandma delicately uses the beauty of nature to remind kids who might be experiencing loss and grief that their lives are just beginning to blossom, with so much beauty and growth to look forward to in the days to come.
Review: This was a sweet story about a boyand his grandma starting with the day he first met her. It all began with aSunday. Grandma would teach him about gardening and making juices. Each andevery Sunday, Noah would visit his grandma and learn something new. As moretime went on, Grandma was getting weaker and weaker, but that never stopped thefun that Noah would have with her.
Even though this had a sad ending,this story was a testament to the lifelong span of memories and how they neverfade.
A truly touching story!
Rating:4 stars
About the Author
Siavoche Siassi is passionate about the unique role storytelling can play to connect with young audiences. A career professional in the life sciences industry, Siavoche only recently took up writing children's books, inspired by the birth of his son and the close bond formed with him while reading together as a family. Drawing intimately from personal experiences, his stories shine a light on the often challenging moments of life, with the hopes of empowering parents to navigate these conversations with their little ones.
Contact Link
Purchase Link
Blog Tour: THE MEASURE OF ENOUGH by Deonna Kay
THE MEASURE OF ENOUGH
Deonna Kay
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GENRE: Psychological Fiction/Women's Fiction
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BLURB:
Thirty-four-yearold social worker, Kacee Robinson, runs a non-profit agency helping women andchildren move away from bad situations. Kacee moved away from her own badsituation years ago and pledged never to return to her hometown of Glendale,Texas, or to the mother who abandoned her right smack in the middle of herhateful pre-adolescent years—just when she needed her most.
Nowit is Kacee’s mother who needs something from her. With the entire townrallying behind the cry, Kacee has a decision to make. She can put asideeverything she thought she ever knew about this woman who made a feeble attemptat raising her, return to the town, and conduct the necessary business like thegrown-up professional she knows she is. Or she can stand her ground, continuingto struggle with the nagging questions and residual scars of her childhood.
Beforeshe can make a decision, Kacee fears her life may be in danger and a rapid turnof events prompts resolutions that cannot be undone, setting into motion aslide of events as slick as the oil-engendered family from which Kacee wasborn.
Theechoes of the past reach out to her while in Glendale, grabbing on and notletting go as they wind her down a country road through pages of her mother’sjournals and twisting her into an unexpected new fate from which she will neverbe the same.
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ExcerptThree:
Aunt Jackie rolled her eyes in mock annoyance, but it wasclear she enjoyed his company. "You got it!" she said, matching histwinkle with hers. I heard the front door close, and it was just the two of usgirls again. An old familiar feeling cast over me.
I followed her round figure to the back bedroom, admiringher thick curly hair as it swooshed from side to side, falling over the side ofthe wide neck of her housecoat.
She stepped aside at the threshold, and I stopped abruptlyas I saw inside the room that had always been mine when I came to visit. She'dtidied up and put fresh linens on the bed, and sitting square in the middle wasBob the Unicorn, my prized possession and childhood confidante. The scenebefore me took me right back to my teenage years on a weekend getaway to herhouse. Time spent at Aunt Jackie's meant following none of Mom's rules and allof Jackie’s (which involved a lot of late, giggly nights and equal amounts ofice cream). Our days together stretched in sticky taffy ropes of brownies forbreakfast and entire fall afternoons spent painting and napping, junk shoppingand then creating the most fantastic art pieces out of that junk---justbecause.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
DeonnaKay is a native Texan, the proud mom of a young adult daughter, an over-sizeddog, and the fuzziest cat you’ve ever seen. Her passion of writing began as achild and has carried over into her adult life. She is a business owner andloves to travel, particularly to Disney World. If you enjoyed THE MEASURE OFENOUGH, please visit the author on her website to follow her future endeavorsand updates
Website:http://www.deonnakay.com
Instagram:http://www.instagram.com/deonnakaybooks
Twitter:http://www.twitter.com/writingdreams25
Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DTJGWQT9
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GIVEAWAY
DeonnaKay will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner viarafflecopter during the tour, and a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawnhost.
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Book Blast: ONLY IN SEPTEMBER by Cynthia Flowers
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions to celebrate the release day of ONLY IN SEPTEMBER by Cynthia Flowers. Cynthia will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
When Jacqueline follows her trusty Labrador Bailey down a hidden path to the beach, she's unaware that her vacation plans on a small island off the New England coast has already taken her life in a new direction. Running into an unassuming local beach comber stirs new thoughts, desires, and a self-determination she never knew she possessed. Jacqueline will need to trust her instincts and make the most of what fate has in store if she wants the future that, until now, she has only dared to dream of.
Read an Excerpt
During their return trip on the trail, they happened upon a series of small cottages. One of them was having exterior repairs done. The sudden screech of a buzz saw gave them a startle. Bailey was off leash and ran over to investigate. Stephen called after her.
The buzz saw suddenly stopped. Then someone from behind the cottage exclaimed, “Hey, I know you.”
The person behind the voice rushed out from behind the cottage and came into view. It was Michael. He looked at Jacqueline. Their eyes locked. She was happy to see him, and he seemed equally pleased to see her. Bailey jumped up on Michael like she had when they first met earlier in the week at the beach.
“Hey, there.” Michael motioned to Jacqueline. His smile was unavoidable.
Jacqueline slowly walked toward him. She didn’t want to seem too eager in front of Stephen.
“Do you two know each other?” Stephen inquired.
“Well, sort of,” Michael said with a chuckle. “We met at the beach the other day. Or, I should say, our dogs met at the beach. We just happened to be tagging along.”
Jacqueline broke her silence and elaborated further about how the pooches got along famously. “I meant to make it to the beach again before setting sail, but the week got away from us.”
“Don’t need to apologize to me. It’s Serendipity you need to square with. But unfortunately, she’s not with me today. Maybe another time,” Michael suggested.
“Considering we’re on the early afternoon ferry tomorrow, I don’t think that’s possible,” Stephen said deliberately and looked at Jacqueline to finish what he started. Instead, she looked down at Bailey to avoid Stephen’s gaze.
“Oh, well, I suspect you’ll be back, “Michael shot back. “It’s seldom that someone visits this island only once.”
As they started off, she lingered behind Stephen for a moment to clip Bailey’s collar to the leash and took the opportunity to mouth at Michael, “See you in the morning.”
He acknowledged her invitation with a wink.
About the Author: Cynthia Flowers, a recently retired advertising professional, now grant writer, resides with her husband and four-year old Labrador named Eddie, at their “sanctuary” in Upstate New York, Although previously published, this is Cynthia's first book of fiction. Early on in grade school, Cynthia looked forward to creative writing class and enjoyed reading her stories aloud to her eager classmates.
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Only-September-Cynthia-Flowers-ebook/dp/B0DWT79L6N/ref=sr_1_1
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April 22, 2025
Blog Tour: BUSTING LOOSE by Vanessa M. Knight
BUSTING LOOSE
Vanessa M. Knight
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GENRE: Romantic Suspense
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BLURB:
Ina world of lies and danger, the only thing harder than solving the case... isresisting the chemistry between them
Leticia"Leti" Ramirez has always found comfort in numbers. They're safe andreliable--unlike the disastrous setups her mom finds at the local dry cleaner.With her focus squarely on her career at Busted Detective Agency alongside hertwo best friends, Maggie and Danni, Leti is done with men and their drama.
KevinLane has been stateside way too long to still be working at his sister Maggie'sdetective agency. But the process for the Chicago Police Department is long andhe has to keep at it if he wants to succeed. He doesn't have time fordistractions like the beautiful, brainy Leti, but her long legs and killersmile are impossible to ignore.
WhenLeti and Kevin get wrapped up in a case that involves laundering money fromchildren's charities, they quickly realize they are in over their heads. Withattempted hit-and-runs and ominous threats closing in on them, they need totrust each other if they want to make it out of this alive.
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ExcerptThree:
Heading toward the right side of the decrepit building, Letisaw an archway. The outer door hung from a single hinge on one side, but shemanaged to sneak past. A blanket was shoved in the corner of the space,covering a pile of clothes and probably hiding a person’s entire livelihood.Whoever was squatting there must have gone out to find food.
She avoided the pile of stuff and peeked in through a filthywindow next to a plywood-covered door. Inside, the building was empty. Nofurniture. A beam hung down in the center of the room. The condemned signwasn’t lying.
“Hey!” a woman screeched.
Leti dipped underneath the sagging doorway and stepped awayfrom the building.
A woman stumbled toward her, through the drug paraphernaliawasteland. A tattered coat hung from her body. Fists covered by fingerlessgloves waved in the air. “Get away from my house!” The woman staggered closer.
Leti ran straight for the car. She would not fall. Not inthis lot with the glass and needles. She made it past the rattling diaper.Rattling. Leti was so out of here.
The woman yelled and kept coming.
Leti was faster but somehow the woman was gaining on her. Itwas like being stalked by Pepe Le Pew with all the smell and without the love.She was either going to have to get away or she was going to have to use KravMaga on a homeless woman. That felt wrong.
She threw open the car door and slid inside. She slammed thedoor, and the locks snapped with a click. High-pitched mumbling wafted into thecar through the closed windows. Her heart hammered in her chest.
The woman slapped at the glass. “Get out!”
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Whois Vanessa M. Knight? Well, I’m anauthor. Wow. After years and years of wanting to use thosewords, that is fun to say. It’s almostas fun as supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. Did I spell that right?
Iwrite contemporary romantic suspense.
Ilive in Chicagoland with my family and menagerie of four-legged friends. In my mind, these lovely animals doeverything as they should. I’m thealpha, keeping peace and harmony amongst my humble servants. In real life, they own me. I’m the maid, here for their feedingpleasure. Well, that and to clean uptheir messes.
Whennot catering to the needs of adorably-furry faces, I slug through the nine tofive grind and head home so I can write. Of course, that’s after I make dinner and clean the house and all theother tasks that go into family life. Soreally, I work, cater to animals and my family… and then, if I don’t fall facefirst into bed, I write. I love puttingmy characters into crazy situations and watching how they react. I hope youlove reading about them.
Ilove to hear from fans. I can be foundon Facebook and on my website.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vanessamknightauthor
AmazonAuthor page LINK: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Vanessa-M.-Knight/author/B00JZBJ3EO
Website:http://www.VanessaMKnight.com
BuyLink: https://www.amazon.com/Busting-Loose-Busted-Book-4-ebook/dp/B0DL4SXPGL
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GIVEAWAY
VanessaM. Knight will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawnwinner.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
April 21, 2025
Blog Tour: EVERYTHING YOU'VE EVER WANTED by Jess Ames
EVERYTHING YOU'VE EVER WANTED
Jess Ames
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GENRE: Women's Fiction
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BLURB:
JennaMitchell has spent her adult life under the control of her husband, her dreamsof owning her own bakery pushed aside. But at twenty-eight, she's finally readyto reclaim her life and pursue her passion. Well… almost.
Withthe unwavering support of the Sensational Six—her close-knit group offriends—Jenna can finally envision a day where she is in charge of her owndestiny, a big step forward for her. As she works at her friend’s café, Jennabegins to discover the strength and courage she needs to break free from herpast and begin focusing on her future.
Butcan she quiet the echoes that keep finding their way back to her? Will thedoubts they’ve created make it impossible for her to see—and trust—the pathforward before her chance at a better life slips through her flour-dustedfingers?
Fansof Rachel Hanna will enjoy this warm and uplifting story about self-discovery,finding the courage to start anew, and the unbreakable bonds of chosen family.
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ExcerptThree:
Since then, I'd been working hard to plan out the pastriesthat would make up the breakfasts at her writers' retreats. After months ofplanning and prep, they were finally starting up the following weekend. TheSensational Six had jumped into action and helped Paige put the whole thingtogether in a matter of a few months. It was incredible, and I was honored tobe a part of it.
I'd worked hard and had proven myself, and I wouldn't letCraig ruin that for me. I felt safer with him behind bars. Safer than I'd everfelt (outside of weekends with my grandma when I was a child).
I took a lap around the apartment, trying to cool myselfdown a little bit. I took in everything I’d done to make the place mine in thelast few weeks. I had hung white sheers and topped them with sunshine-yellowvalances. The cushion on the white rattan couch that came with the apartmenthad been re-covered with a yellow slipcover and bright white and navy throwpillows lounged along the back. The framed prints I had found in the localthrift stores surrounded it nicely, and complemented the Iceland landscapepainting centered above it that Cat had brought back from her travels and gaveme when I’d moved in. “To remind you of the great big world that’s out therewaiting for you,” she’d said. As I stopped to look at it, vibrant greenmountains complete with a waterfall flowing into an otherwise still pool. I doubted I’d ever be brave enough to travelthat far, and I admired Cat even more because she was.
I smiled at the thought, then sat back down at the table andslid my grandmother’s recipe book onto my lap. Thumbing the edges of pages Iknew by heart, I flipped to one that held a memory that was equal parts fondand painful. Lavender cupcakes. The last thing we ever baked together.
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Review: Jenna was a baker trying to makeit on her own after her disastrous marriage. With the support of her friends,she hopes to find the strength and drive to live independently and freely. Itwould be hard for Jenna though with a jailbird husband constantly calling her,demanding that she bail him out. Right away, you feel and root for our maincharacter, Jenna, here. Her story was well-read and pretty compelling for themost part. The healing process, however, was pretty slow and methodical asJenna goes through therapy, talks with friends, and reminisces about hergrandma. At times, the read felt long and tedious with the play-by-play sceneswe kept getting. I kind of wish this would’ve been faster.
The read was weighty and hugelysentimental, which made it somewhat daunting. I liked the strong women we meetin the story and it was great seeing how Jenna grew into one of them.
Overall, this was a fairly niceread of resilience and independence.
Rating:3 stars
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
JessAmes is knocking on the door of fifty, but has the sense of humor of a twelveyear old and the body of a fifty-four-year-old (according to her fitness app).
Sheis “mama” to nine, “mimi” to four, “friend” to all, an adequate wife, andliving the dream of the little girl who wanted to be a writer when she grew up.
Theyare both still waiting for that moment, so she’s writing in the meantime.
EverythingYou’ve Ever Wanted
Ebook(Kindle):
https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Youve-Wanted-Clearwater-Dreams-ebook/dp/B0D9FMKVTQ
Paperback:
https://www.amazon.com/Everything-Youve-Ever-Wanted-heartwarming/dp/B0DZJ1DTXN
Signedpaperback:
https://jessicaames.com/collections/books/products/everything-youve-ever-wanted-signed-paperback
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GIVEAWAY
JessAmes will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
April 19, 2025
Review: THE HOUSE ACROSS THE STREET by Boris Bacic
Emma is a young woman that justmoved from a city apartment to a suburban house. She looks forward to enjoyingthe peace and tranquility of a perfect neighborhood with the perfect neighbors.After all, nothing bad ever happens in neighborhoods like these, right?
Right away, Emma befriends thecouple in the house across the street. I’m naturally drawn to how thesecharacters view the false facades in their circle of people. As you read on,you sense something sinister in Nick and Christine because they seemed to knowa lot more about Emma’s new house. What was with that door in the basement?
Emma’s life gets more complicatedwhen she begins an affair with Nick, her married neighbor. It would seem thatNick and Christine were playing a twisted game with Emma. What happens whenNick actually falls in love with Emma? We get a murderous wife is what we get.But was she really the wife? We get a sick truth in here and it’s quite awhopper. A good read!
Rating:4 stars
Review: LOVES MUSIC, LOVES TO DANCE by Mary Higgins Clark
A killer was preying on thepersonal ads. One of the victims was Darcy’s best friend, Erin, who only didthe personal ads as a favor. Vowing to catch the killer that did this, Darcygoes undercover by going on dates issued from the personal ads that her friendanswered.
This takes a while, but once youget into it, it’s pretty compelling. We start off with the name of the killeronly to find out later on that he was using someone else’s name. So, inactuality, the killer could be any one of these personal ads. Who was the mancalled “Charles?” It’s always the last person you’d suspect.
A good read!
Rating:4 stars
Review: THE HAUNTED SCHOOL by R.L Stine
A new school can be tough…and itcan be creepy when it’s empty. One day, Tommy gets lost and stumbles upon aroom full of life-life statues of kids. Weird!
Somehow Tommy finds himself lostin an even weirder situation. He meets the lost kids of 1947—the first to everattend the school. It seemed that they were frozen in time and, evidently now,so was Tommy. Can he escape Gray Land and get back to the world of color?
A good read!
Rating:4 stars
Review: GOOSEBUMPS: RETURN OF THE MUMMY by R.L. Stine
This one had a bit of a slow startwith the arrival to Egypt and the cot-sleeping. Of course, Gabe got a fewpranks played on him. There was this mystery with the pendant, which wasn’tthat exciting. This was a slow read all around. Definitely not one of Mr.Stine’s greatest, but okay.
Rating:3 stars
