The Robber and the Witness By Danielle Grandinetti + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Robber and the Witness by Danielle Grandinetti, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I am LOVING the covers of Danielle's novellas. They're just so beautiful. She's also one of the sweetest people I've ever met! Check out her guest post below, and don't forget to enter the giveaway!

About the Book

Title: The Robber and the Witness 
Series: Christmas Cabin Historical Romance Novellas #3 
Author: Danielle Grandinetti 
Publisher: Hearth Spot Press 
Release Date: July 21, 2026 
Genre: Christmas Historical Romance/Mystery

Christmas … a time of reunions and unexpected surprises.  

A simple favor, a best friend's promise, and the end of the line. 

Wisconsin, 1931—When Gideon Lundgren agrees to escort his best friend's sister to Manitowish Waters, plans go awry when she witnesses a robbery. He thinks he's merely escorting the girl he once knew, but she's grown into a charming beauty. 

Evangeline Whitaker's older brother always warned that her kind heart would be the death of her. It might at that. First, when she's an unwitting accomplice to a robber. Second, when her childhood crush becomes her bodyguard. 

With a robber on their trail and a tangle of emotions between them, Evangeline and Gideon detour to his boss's cabin to wait out the ensuing manhunt. However, Evangeline's Christmas spirit might be the death of them both. 

One cabin in the Northwoods … a decade of Christmas miracles.  

A sweet 1931 Christmas mystery featuring a closed-door romance between a protective bodyguard and the woman who witnessed too much.

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Buy from the Author | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

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Guest Post

1. What are the challenges of writing a novella compared to a full-length novel?
 
I love this question because I hear so much about the challenges, but for me, novellas are easier to write than full-length novels.

I got my start by writing short stories, in fact, I had over half a dozen, or more, published short stories before I ever signed my first novel contract. I still love writing short stories. They’re fun and ... snackable.
Novellas let me build more world-building into what could be a short story. I can include multiple points of view and chase the mystery threads better. They also allow me to slow a short story down to explore the depth of characters and plot.

While a lot of authors, I suspect, think of a novella as a shortened novel, I come from the opposite perspective. Novellas are an intense immersion into a story rather than a shortening of a story.

I think the best analogy lies in track and field. Novellas are like running the 400 meters. Long-distance runners (novelists) can compete in the 400 meters, but they won’t have the speed of a sprinter. However, sprinters (short-story authors) might not have the endurance to win a 400 meters. Though both long-distance and short-distance runners can compete in the 400 meters, their opposite specialties and failings tend to level the racing field.

However, sprinters tend to be a bit better at the 400 meters than long-distance runners. Take Team USA’s own Quincy Hall, the reigning Olympic gold medalist in the 400 meters. He’s a sprinter, but he dug deep in his last 100 meters to win gold. It’s an incredible story.

The other part of writing novellas that I appreciate is the more frequent wins. Writing a novel takes longer, therefore, one cannot write as many in the same amount of time as an author could write multiple novellas. When writing gets hard, those wins boost an author’s confidence.

While novellas have their own set of challenges, one of the biggest hurdles is how to view them as an author. My hope is that my readers can disappear into one of my novellas for an evening, not returning to the real world until they reach the end.

About the Author

Danielle Grandinetti writes award-winning 1930s historical romantic mystery and suspense. She is the 2026 Holt Medallion winner and a second-generation Italian-American. Fueled by tea and nature, she crafts hope-filled historical romance novels exploring immigrant heritage, found family, and cozy Midwest traditions. Find her at daniellegrandinetti.com.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a signed paperback of The Robber and the Witness, a notebook/pen set, and a wooden ornament!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 22, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 29, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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Moms of the Bible by Rhonda Stoppe + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Moms of the Bible by Rhonda Stoppe, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I think that moms of the Bible have so much to teach us. I know this book will be so beneficial to women who are going through motherhood with children at home! I'm going to be gifting my copy to my daughter. Thanks to JustRead and the author for sending me a print copy. Don't miss my author Q & A below and then be sure to enter the giveaway.

About the Book

Title: Moms of the Bible: Life-Changing Lessons from the Fearless, Flawed, and Faithful 
Author: Rhonda Stoppe 
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers 
Release Date: March 10, 2026 
Genre: Christian Non-Fiction/Parenting

Biblical Encouragement for Everyday Motherhood 

Have you ever whispered to yourself, I’ll be a better mom tomorrow…but tomorrow never comes? Maybe you’re comparing yourself to other moms and feel you aren’t measuring up. But don’t lose hope. Just as moms in Scripture learned from life’s ups and downs, with God’s help, you can become the mom you long to be.  

Moms of the Bible explores timeless life lessons from Bible moms of all types, revealing how their stories of failure, faith, and hope can help you fulfill your own calling with confidence. From the redeemed Rehab to the horrible Herodias, each story unveils eye-opening insights and powerful applications that can help you as you seek to raise up children who impact their generation with fearless faith. 

Author Rhonda Stoppe engages you with the warmth and wisdom of a trusted friend who’s been there herself. For mothers of all ages and stages―including step, adoptive, foster, and grandmothers raising their grandkids―this uplifting look at the moms of Scripture will empower you to influence the culture in profound ways through your sacred ministry of motherhood. 

 PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Harvest House | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop | BookBub

Also Available

  

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Author Q & A

1. How did you determine what lessons to apply to each mother you used as an example?

Here’s what I found over and over as I wrote Moms of the Bible––these fearless and faithful women were not remarkable because they were perfect. They were remarkable because they were available and faithful. They kept showing up, even in the hard and scary days that made absolutely no sense. The life-lessons from their courageous stories clearly surfaced and almost wrote themselves. 

As I researched and wrote about each mom in the Bible, I was drawn to surprisingly unusual insights from their lives. Rather than simply relying on the familiar stories I knew about mothers in scripture I took deep dives into their stories, found not only in the Bible but also from biblically sound commentaries. Each life-lesson clearly surfaced as I considered how their story could encourage, uplift or inspire my readers.

2. What made you decide to use some not-so-stellar moms as examples? 

I get asked this question more than any other when people hear about this book. Because when most people think about a book called Moms of the Bible, they picture the highlight reel of faithful, heroic moms. You know, the moms who got it right. And while I also included those moms in the book, I made a deliberate decision, if I was going to create a book that is going to be a resource that actually helps real women in the highs and lows of their motherhood journey I could not leave out the hard stories.

I didn’t just want to write the highlight reel of the stellar moms in the Bible. Because I feel like most of us as moms need also to read about flawed mothers we can relate to. I wanted to discover insights from some of the flawed mothers like Eve, Lot’s Wife and Herodias. Oh wow did I find relatable stories. Some of us struggle with feelings of mom guilt––longing to do better. Others of us were raised by “bad moms” and we don’t want to repeat the same destructive habits with which we were brought up. These chapters offer help and hope for change.

3. How do you hope young moms will apply these stories to the way they raise their children? Motherhood is not a consolation prize for women who have nothing else to offer. It is not what you do until you discover your real purpose. Motherhood is one of the most strategically significant, and eternally impactful callings that exists in all the earth.

Being a mom is one of the most important callings upon a woman’s life. Culture tends to discount the value of motherhood. And as a young mom it’s easy to lose yourself in the new role of motherhood. I remember feeling frumpy and less-than as I compared myself to the mothers who seemed to have it all together. This book inspires moms to realize that God will help them in their vital role. And to understand how mothers who partner with God in this ministry of motherhood will not only influence her generation but generations to follow long after she is gone. Down through the ages, God has chosen mothers to influence the world for His Kingdom. “The first Bible teachers of world-changers in history were not theologians but their mothers.”

4. We know that the role of a mom is so important, why do you think the Lord used so many mom's to teach lessons in the Bible?

Oh I love this question. And it’s honestly one that just wrecks me about God’s ways––in the best possible way.

From the beginning, God has chosen to partner with moms to carry out His redemptive plan. Consider that for a moment. The God of the universe––who spoke the world into existence, parted the red sea and raised the dead to life––chose ordinary, imperfect, and sometimes terrified moms as vessels He would use to change the world.

I think God used so many moms in Scripture so moms so that every mother––in every generation––would relate to their stories, and see herself. I believe young mom who feels invisible and alone can look at Hanna’s story and know God sees her tears. And for the mother who is terrified about the world in which her children are growing up can look at Jochebed and know the same God who watched over Moses in that basket is watching over her babies too. 

5. Is there a mom you wanted to highlight, but didn’t. 

I would liked to have devoted a chapter in the book to Deborah. She was called a “Mother in Israel” who woke up––and woke others up! She bolstered the courage of Barak by going with him into battle. Sometimes being a warrior for Christ isn’t so much about raising our own sword to fight, but rather it is to wake up people in our generation who God is calling to fight for His Truth. My prayer is that my book, Moms of the Bible will do just that, wake mothers up and bolster their courage.

6. What's something that surprised you as you were researching these moms?

What surprised me was how much my heart connected with each of the moms I studied and wrote about. It felt like I was spending time with these women. Along side of them I felt what the regrets they must have felt, cried the tears they must have cried, and celebrated the way they must have celebrated when God showed up and used them in their frailty for His greatest good in their stories.

What also surprised me was the story of Queen Esther whose influence as Artexerxes step mom likely gave him a heart that was tender toward her Hebrew people, which in turn caused Artexerxes to allow the Jews to go back to their homeland and rebuild their walls.

7. What's something that's stayed the same from generation to generation of moms that you found as you wrote this book? 

What stayed the same was how God’s providence is all throughout scripture. He always has a plan. He raises up moms in His perfect time in history to do through them exceedingly and abundantly above all they could ask or imagine. And for the hopeless people who refused to bow to The Lord, He used sovereignly used them to bring about His plan too––even if they were in rebellion to Him. Because God’s plans will not be thwarted. Not then. Not now. And not in the future.

About the Author

Rhonda Stoppe is a biblically sound speaker and host of the award-winning podcast Old Ladies Know Stuff. A trusted voice in the Christian living community, she is the best-selling author of 7 popular books and a frequent guest on Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk and Focus on the Family. Rhonda has been joyfully married to her pastor-husband, Steve, for 45 years. They have 4 children and 15 grandchildren. Connect with Rhonda at NoRegretsWoman.com.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 14, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 21, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

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Ribbons of Guilt By Laura Thomas + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Ribbons of Guilt by Laura Thomas, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! As a HUGE fan of Christian romantic suspense, I was excited to host today's tour. Be sure to check out the book excerpt below (because you know it'll draw you in) and then enter the giveaway!

About the Book

Title: Ribbons of Guilt 
Series: Bite of Betrayal #3 
Author: Laura Thomas 
Publisher: Mountain Brook Ink 
Release Date: July 5, 2026 
Genre: Christian Romantic Suspense

A marriage in crisis. A betrayer in the wings. A life at stake. 

Harriet Duval has it all—a handsome French husband, a delightful young daughter, a successful career as a professional ballerina behind her, and a beautiful future in a charming village in the English countryside. Even her beloved sisters can’t see the painful truth she hides beneath her perfect mask… 

Successful businessman Leo Duval is at a breaking point physically, emotionally, and spiritually as he is forced to harbor secrets in Paris while his marriage in England dissolves before his very eyes. 

The magnetic pull of Harriet’s old dancing life and the shocking murder of a Swan Lake ballerina causes her to question everything: faith, future, family. When the killer begins targeting the Duval family, Leo and Harriet’s vulnerable marriage is tested by an unimaginable traumatic event. Will the guilt they carry divide them when they need each other most?  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop | BookBub

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Book Excerpt

“Leo, do you trust me?”

His forehead wrinkled. “I do.”

“Remember when we first met and you said I was born for the stage?”

“Yes.”

“When you used to say I was a performer who could play any part and dance whatever was required of me?” 

“Absolutely.”

Her pulse quickened as she devised a plan. Betray the betrayer.

Leo tucked her windswept hair behind her ears and nodded. “I used to tell you that all the time. I’m glad you still remember. You were amazing. Always.” 

“Thanks.” Harriet stretched her spine as long as possible and lengthened her neck. “It’s time.”

“Time for what?”

 “I need to put the mask in place for the performance of my life.”

About the Author

A multi-award-winning Christian author, Laura Thomas writes heartwarming encouragement for your soul—especially in her numerous romantic suspense novels, Christmas novellas, teen fiction and children’s books, as well as her non-fiction writing.

Laura is a certified writing coach, a book-loving chocoholic mom and nanny, and is married to her high school sweetheart. Originally from the UK, they now live the empty nest life in Kelowna, British Columbia, with their French bulldog! 

Connect with Laura by visiting laurathomasauthor.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $50 Amazon gift card and an ebook copy of Captured in Frame!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 13, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 20, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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Names of God: Growing Strong by Grace Fox + GIVE AWAY

Welcome to the Blog Tour for Names of God: Growing Strong by Grace Fox, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours! I think it's so important to understand the meaning of the names of God. To know the different characteristics of who He is is such a blessing! Be sure to check out the guest post below and then enter the giveaway!

About the Book

Title: Names of God: Growing Strong 
Series: Names of God Devotional Studies #3 
Author: Grace Fox 
Publisher: Aspire Press 
Release Date: July 7, 2026 
Genre: Christian living; devotional study

Have the demands of life left you weakened and weary? Do you struggle to get back up after life has knocked you down? 

Every day requires a fresh dose of inner strength if we are to keep putting one foot in front of the other. Growing Strong, the third book in Grace Fox’s Names of God series, explores seven Hebrew names of God that will encourage you and fortify your faith:

• Adonai—Lord and Supreme Master
• Yahweh Ropheka—The LORD Your Healer
• Yahweh Makkeh—The LORD Who Smites
• Ruach Elohim—Spirit of God
• El Emunah—Faithful God
• Yahweh Tsuri—The LORD Is My Rock
• Elohei Tehillati—God of My Praise

Designed to ground you in truth and help you understand the attributes of God, each session includes:

• The meaning, biblical context, and pronunciation of the Hebrew name
• Compelling examples that illustrate the name’s impact in the lives of historical biblical characters and contemporary women
• A guided prayer
• Reflection questions
• A video link providing additional insights from Grace Fox

Most books about the names of God seek to be informative, but this series treats readers to Grace Fox’s warm, honest, and heartfelt devotional style. You’ll not only dive into the meaning behind God’s names but also nurture your relationship with him and deepen your understanding of his character. 

Perfect for individual or small group study, Growing Strong will help empower you to “do all things” through Christ as you grow in his strength (Philippians 4:13 KJV).  

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Tyndale.com | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ChristianBook | Bookshop

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Guest Post

Mimi: Is there a name of God that stands out to you differently than all of the others? I know for myself, when I became a single mom years ago, Jehovah Jireh was the one that stood out and has ever since.

Grace: One of my favorite names of God is Yahweh Tsuri which means “the LORD is my Rock.” It’s believed that King David referred to it while uniting his people to fight enemy nations—“Praise be to the Lord my Rock [Yahweh Tsuri], who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” (Psalm 144:1 NIV)

Here’s why Yahweh Tsuri is one of my favorite names of God: Yahweh, translated as LORD in our English Bibles, refers to the Creator of the universe, the One for whom nothing is impossible. He is self-sufficient and self-existent. He always was and always will be. He is the great I AM, always present and relevant.

The name Yahweh depicts God as strong and trustworthy at all times. But there’s more: it also infers that He longs for relationship with His creation. Mentioned more than 6,000 times in the Bible, it’s obvious that He wants a personal connection with us. 

Tsuri refers to a rock, possibly a large boulder or even a mountain, that offers shelter from elements and enemies. It also infers steadfastness, like the stability that strong pillars lend to a structure of which they are a part. They’re designed to be strong enough to prevent the building from toppling even if the earth beneath it quakes.

The name Yahweh Tsuri assures us that God, for whom nothing is impossible, is our shelter and source of stability amid change, chaos, and circumstances that shake us to the core. He is our Rock in our hard place, and He strengthens us in that space.

Understanding this name’s meaning restored my battle-weary soul several years ago when the ground beneath me gave way: Over a two-month period, six of my friends died, a family member betrayed me, and COVID came within a hair of claiming my only brother.

Grief, shock, disbelief, and fear rocked my world. Amid the chaos, however, Yahweh Tsuri sheltered me with His presence and held me steadfast through His promises. I rose early every morning to read my Bible, and He directed me to passages that spoke of His unending love, faithfulness, and attention to my cries.

Each time a fear tremor struck, I recalled God’s Words and focused on them rather than on the circumstances threatening to topple me. I praised Him for being all-wise, compassionate, and sovereign over my life and my loved ones. I also gave thanks for His presence even on the days I couldn’t feel it and for His promise to bring good from a season that felt so bad. Living from the truth of who God is as manifest through the name Yahweh Tsuri strengthened me and enabled me to survive that most difficult season, and I am forever grateful.

About the Author

Grace Fox is the author of 16 books including "Names of God: Living Unafraid" which won the Christian Editor's Choice Award 2025. She’s a popular media guest and Bible teacher at international women’s events, a member of the “First 5” Bible study writing team (Proverbs 31 Ministries), and an annual contributor to the ""Mornings with Jesus"" 365-day devotional published by Guideposts.

Grace has been a career missionary for more than 30 years. She and her husband co-direct International Messengers Canada, a missionary sending agency with 300 staff in more than 30 countries. They recently moved back to shore after living fulltime aboard a sailboat in Vancouver, British Columbia. Married in 1982, they celebrate three grown kids and 15 grandchildren. 

Connect with Grace by visiting gracefox.com to follow her on social media and subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(2) winners will each receive a copy of "Names of God: Growing Strong," a copy of "Names of God: Knowing Peace," a $25 Amazon gift card, and a photo with one of God's names on it -- taken and designed by the author and suitable for framing!

Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight July 7, 2026 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on July 14, 2026. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US/CAN only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.

Enter Giveaway

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What If We Broke The Rules By Tara Grace Ericson

What if We Broke the Rules

by Tara Grace Ericson

Publisher: Silver Fountain Press

Series: The Heart of Nashville

ISBN: 978-1949896800

I'm a Tara Grace Ericson fan. Hands down, I always enjoy her stories. I was a little worried I might not be able to get into this one as much as her others since I'm not a hockey fan. I don't dislike it, I just don't watch it or know anything about it. Well, I had nothing to fear! It got 5 stars from me! Thanks to the author for sending me her story for review.

Summary:

She lives by the rules. Falling for him would break every one of them.

Pierce Schumacher, Nashville’s favorite hockey bad boy, is used to winning with charm, talent, and a little recklessness. When a late-season injury threatens his playoff dreams—and his future—Pierce is benched, humbled, and stuck in rehab with the one woman immune to his smile. Healing was supposed to be physical, not a crash course in patience, self-control, and a faith he’s never taken seriously.

Physical therapist Lindsay Granger trusts rules because rules don’t lie. They don’t flirt, don’t make promises they can’t keep, and they don’t break your heart. When her partner goes on maternity leave, Lindsay is left fulfilling her clinic’s contract with the Nashville Nightcrawlers—an assignment full of loud arenas, fragile egos, and one dangerously charming hockey player she has no intention of trusting.

Confident, sarcastic, and relentlessly hardworking, Lindsay keeps her heart under lock and key—especially from athletes who look like red flags in skates. Overthinking is a habit she can manage. Crossing professional lines is not.

As playoffs loom and sparks fly, Pierce and Lindsay must navigate strict workplace boundaries, relentless media scrutiny, and feelings that refuse to stay professional—knowing one wrong move could cost him his career, her reputation, and the hard-won faith they’re both learning to trust.

A faith-threaded, heartfelt hate-to-love romance featuring an surprisingly deep hockey player, a snarky and secure heroine, and a story about grace and the growth of friendship and love in the rockiest ground.

My Review:

I wasn't sure how much I'd enjoy a hockey player story. I was a bit "meh" about it. BUT (and that word should be bold) What if we Broke the Rules was about so much more than the sport. And clearly you can see that I gave it 5 stars.

While it strongly starts off with a lot of hockey lingo and information, it quickly turns to the main characters in the story! Lindsey is a physical therapist who ends up working with the the Nashville Nightcrawlers. One of their stars, Pierce Schumacher injuries himself during a game and she has to help him with rehab. 

I appreciated Lindsey's professionalism and the fact that she's not wowed by the fact Pierce is famous. Piece for his part has an incredible growth arc in the story: professionally, personally, and spiritually. Lindsey, for her part, has to learn to trust, but it's a fine line for her with the professional and personal and she's not interested in crossing that line. 

The story builds on the two of them working to rehab Pierce's injury. As you'd expect, Pierce is a bit cocky and all he wants is to get back on the ice. There are important games he needs to be in and he's willing to put his career on the line with his focus on the game.

Thank goodness Lindsey sees the bigger picture and does her best to convey that to him and challenge him when he overdoes it or thinks he knows better. You really feel for both characters as you read the story! Of course, there's one bad apple in the story and while I won't name the person, let's just say, they'll leave a bad taste in your mouth like it did me.

I appreciated how the romance part of their story grew. It was very sweet although a struggle at times. The faith thread is an important piece as well and is highlighted wonderfully in the story!

About the Author:

Tara Grace Ericson lives in Missouri with her husband and three sons. She studied engineering and worked as an engineer for many years before embracing her creative side to become a full-time author and mom. 

She loves cooking, crocheting, and reading books by the dozen. She also loves a good “happily ever after” with an engaging love story. 

That's why Tara focuses on writing clean contemporary romance, with an emphasis on Christian faith and living. She wants to encourage her readers with stories of men and women who live out their faith in tough situations.