Review: Undead and Unfinished by MaryJanice DavidsonSpoilers (marked)

Purchased 7/6/2010 for Kindle $11.99 (Price st by Publisher)
Read 7/6
Publisher: Berkley
332KB (320 pages)

Synopsis
After a fight with her husband the Vampire King, Sinclair, Thelma and Louise Queen Betsy and her half-sister, the Antichrist, Laura, are persuaded by the Devil (Laura's Mom) to be pulled through Betsy's "trouble" spots in time and space. Trouble is Betsy can never leave well enough alone.

The damnable Book of the Dead is truly a thorn in Betsy's side.  If she doesn't read it she has no idea what is going on. If she does, she goes nuts.

I love Queen Betsy, Laura, Tina, Sinclair, Jessica and the whole gang.  I even like the Devil as written by MJD.  In this ninth book in the Queen Betsy series she and her half-sister, whose mother is the Devil, are sent on a little Around-Betsy's-family's-lives cruise, so Laura can become more familiar with her Supernatural abilities.  Time-travel is always tricky, what with creating paradoxes, running into yourself, altering the time-line, etc. In this instance, it seems as if Betsy is learning something about herself, her "job" and her husband.  On this trip she begins to mature a little bit.  Betsy and Laura, also get to spend quality time together.


But like I said time-travel is always tricky, and apparently for Berkley Press so is utilizing a spell-checker or proofreader (I am going to go off on a Betsy-esque tangent here). What do they think interns are for?  The first error that stood out occurred 8% of the way into the book: "ninch" for "flinch." But, I am not completely anal, so although I harrumph while reading when I see a misspelling, the one that stands out  is a "μ." Yes, the math symbol and Greek letter "mu" appears on the first page of chapter 23 in place of a "u"!  I can only infer that the interns were asleep on the job or had poor supervision or the spell check had a big "out-of-order" sign on it.  To put a mu in to a book, one either has to go to an insert symbol or insert glyph dialogue box or find the HTML code (what I had to do). Please note, I am reading a Kindle edition - the print edition may have been corrected.


I am so far below perfect at spelling and grammar myself that it would seem that I shouldn't complain, but, I did not charge me $11.99 for a book it took less than five hours to read with a lot of typos. Cheaper than a movie, but without the images.


 *********SPOILER ALERT**********************


So back to the story, about which I don't want to reveal too much, but, Betsy and Laura are zipping about Time and [mostly] the Midwest when somehow, they end up in the distant future.  At this point in the story, I became so confused that I think I had to read each page twice. It didn't help.


I certainly did not like the ending of this book, not at all. It must be the end of the series and has the biggest and most unexpected twist I think I have ever read in any book, but certainly in any of the chick-lit genre. Seriously, I couldn't sleep.


*********END SPOILER ALERT******************


There is very little of Sinclair or the other characters, at least as we are familiar with them. I missed the banter between Eric and Betsy and their conjugal cuddling. I hated that Betsy pretty much only wears one outfit throughout the entire book. Really! But, I did enjoy her banter with other characters; especially a few in Colonial America.  In honor of Queen Betsy let me utilize tiara's today and give Undead and Unfinished three-and-three-quarters tiaras out of five to MaryJanice and two out of five to the publisher.

True Blood: Season 3 - Mythological Creatures: Vampires (HBO)

A week with out True Blood is like a like seven days WITH sunshine!

Alison's WonderlandAn Erotic Collection Edited by Alison Tyler

Spice Books  Bound Galley Edition April 2010, 407 pages.

I received this as an e- book for review via NetGalley.com, no remuneration was made to me in exchange for this review.


Read July 4 - 5, 2010


Hot and Steamy Stories.


I have read other collections of eroticized  fairy tales and not been impressed with the quality or the temperature.  So, I figured this would be more of the same.  I was wrong.  This collection features stories loosely or closely tied to the actual fairy tale -- in some cases I was unable to determine what fairy tale was being adapted.  Which was fine by me; fairy tales are such that we seldom rely on character development or in a adaptation, back story.  There are about 27 adapted or new tales in Alison's Wonderland and they are all well-crafted. There's a slutty Snow White told from the Queen's POV.  The Three Billy Goats Gruff will have you looking at painters differently, a dominating Belle turns Beauty and the Beast on his (yes, his) ear, and let's say that at some brand-name theme parks with a certain mouse mascot, the shortest route may not always be straight. In the other anthology I read recently, Nancy Madore's Enchanted, I felt the stories hinted at erotica, but were tepid.  Alison's Wonderland does not have that issue.  Each story is as hot as it gets and while these may be intended for bedside  reading, they certainly aren't for children.


I really enjoyed this collection and would recommend it for anyone whose interest in fantasy has outgrown the fairy tales of their childhood and replaced it with fantasy of a more adult variety.  Five out of five on any scale!
Find Allison online at http://alisontyler.blogspot.com/ .  No mythical creatures were harmed writing this review!

Kersten Hamilton’s Tyger, Tyger Burns Brightly

Teagan is a young woman with a plan that does not involve scary adventures and falling in love with any boy. Her plan is working at the zoo and studying hard to get into Cornell Veterinary Science program. The plan starts to go awry when her friend, Abby, has a dream about Teagan being attacked by goblins and then her “cousin” Finn moves in with their close and loving family. Despite the obvious attraction Teagan has a plan and it does not involve him. But, sometimes your plans go off the tracks and just getting back to normal, just getting back home, is all you can hope for.


Written with an edge I don’t normally see in Young Adult books, there is no surety of a happy ending in this tale. Adding to the edge is the mix of Teagan’s uncanny abilities to put animals and people back together and learning about her mother’s and cousin’s heritage as Irish Travelers, the hard way. Teagan has a very young brother with an eidetic memory, an amazing sense of direction and magic that he wields through song. The veterinary science and Irish Traveler angles are unique and creative.


There is some threat of violence, some actual violence, and a powerful relationship building between the two protagonists but no sexual innuendo other than asking for a kiss. The violence is mostly suggested and in self-defense.


I really liked how the author brought the book to its end; it got there properly. Too often I find endings occur because an author seems to lose interest or the thread of the story. This is not the case here. The book is well crafted and as a continuity freak I don’t recall anything that really glared at me. I felt the author constructed her fantasy world very carefully.


Teagan and her brother accept the existence of the supernatural very quickly; but then they do get some empirical proof it would be hard to ignore.


The relationship between Teagan and Finn is one that is built on the need to trust and the deep feeling of rightness they feel together. They need each other to make it through the other world and there is no good witch to show them the way.
Teagan and Finn are flawed; Teagan learns how flawed she is during their adventure. But they are good, mature and responsible teens without being goody-two-shoes. Teagan’s brother, Aiden, plays a major role getting them through the magical wood they must survive to perform a rescue. Aiden and Teagan are close, but the real meat is the relationship between Teagan and Finn, and how they handle it.


I really enjoyed reading this book – at 300 or so pages it is the perfect weekend read that will make you wish the rest of the series was already. Available. Out November 15.


I received this e-book from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt through net-galley with the knowledge that a review would be fair and honest.

Paying It Forward: Blogs I Like

When I was just getting started a few months ago, a lot of fine bloggers were nice to me and helped me learn the ropes. I am Paying It Forward.This is good for other bloggers too: you can see what different design possibilities are, widgets you don't know about, and books and other tidbits you had not yet come across!



 Emma Michael's blog is currently focused like a laser beam on her book, The Thirteenth Chime which will be released on Friday, August 13.  And, who could blame her, getting published is a pretty big deal!
Her cover and her blog layout is terrific.  There are a cartload of other reviews and such on the site.

With over a thousand followers, Parajunkee's View,  doesn't need my help -- but you need hers! She writes great reviews and offers a Follow Friday Book Bloggers' Meme. Each week she features a different blog; two weeks ago she featured me. She also offers posts on Book Blogging 101.


I decided to follow the new blog Paromantasy because she offer great recaps of many of my favorite shows like True Blood, along with news and information. While the blog might be new it's author, Evelyn, has years of experience behind her.


Another popular blogger with a lot of followers, Diana's Book of Secrets has one of my very favorite blog designs and short, to-the-point reviews.



So bloggers and non-bloggers check out what these other nice people have to say.  Blogging is a lot about making community.

Bespelling Jane Austen an anthology

Mary Balogh: Almost Persuaded
Colleen Gleason: Northanger Castle
Susan Krinard: Blood and Prejudice
Janet Mullany: Little to Hex Her
2010, Harlequin


Date read: 7/3/2010
E-book ARC from Harelquin via Netgalley.com
Publication Date September 28, 2010


From Harlequin:
But even if the whole world was against them, it would not matter.
They were together—again. And this time they would remain together.
Until death do them part and, of course, long after that.
What if Austen had believed in reincarnation and vampires?
Join four bestselling romance authors as they channel the wit and wisdom of Jane Austen.

Almost Persuaded
In this Regency tale of Robert and Jane, New York Times bestselling author Mary Balogh brings together former lovers who have seen beyond the veil of forgetfulness to their past mistakes, and are
determined to be together in this life, and forever.

Northanger Castle
Caroline’s obsession with Gothic novels winds up being good training for a lifetime of destroying the undead with her newfound beau, in this Regency by Colleen Gleason.

Blood and Prejudice
Set in the business world of contemporary New York City, Liz Bennett joins Mr. Darcy in his hunt for a vampire cure in New York Times bestselling author Susan Krinard’s version of the classic story.

Little to Hex Her
Present-day Washington, D.C., is full of curious creatures in Janet Mullany’s story, wherein Emma is a witch with a wizard boyfriend and a paranormal dating service to run.

With the popularity of both classic and time-shifted renditions of many Jane Austen works and the immense popularity of Paranormal Romance it was only a matter of time until Austen was altered with a dash of the supernatural. There have already been at least a couple of books with Miss Austen’s work re-done with werewolves or zombies. Like Clueless, most seem to use Austen’s novels as a base for comedic romance.


This is the first anthology I have seen with treatments of Persuasion, Northanger Abbey, Pride and Prejudice and Emma. It is also the first time I have reviewed an anthology of different writers. Almost Persuaded and Northanger Castle are Regency-period while Blood and Prejudice and Little to Hex Her (Emma) are reset in our time.


It’s necessary and natural that these stories need to be condensed, so to some degree, in each, the character development rides on the work of Miss Austen. For example, we know that Knightly from Emma is a man of honor and good breeding, so even carrying a plunger in Little to Hex Her he is the Knightly we already know. Some characters are somewhat different, and others have been combined. The back story for the most part is also Miss Austen’s responsibility.


If the extent they stand on their own is a measure of success in this exercise, the Almost Persuaded, where reincarnation is the theme, and Northanger Castle are the most successful. My two favorites, however, are Almost Persuaded and Blood and Prejudice. I’m not fond of Northanger Abbey so I suppose that is part of the issue, although this adaptation is well constructed. I thought Little to Hex Her was too loosely constructed but it was written in an amusing chick-lit style.


Almost Persuaded bears the least resemblance to its progenitor, except that there are two lovers who must prevail over odds to be together. Northanger Castle is quite close in story. Pulled into our era, Blood and Prejudice has a hard time maintaining the story line in the face of modern societal norms, never the less it is engaging. Little to Hex Her just didn’t do it for me: Mullaney’s Emma was too much older than Austen’s and her father was nowhere to be found. I rather liked Knightly’s character though.


I would recommend this book to Austen fans who won’t mind her work being toyed with. As astute as Miss Austen was at discerning and describing characters, I think she must have had a good sense of humor and would find this all a cracking good time.

Watercolor by Cassandra Austen of Jane Austen Wikipedia

                                                                                           

The Thirteenth Chime Book Trailer

Things that Go Boom in the Night

Image via Wikipedia

 I thought with tomorrow being our [USA] Independence Day it would be fun to find some information on fourth of July weirdness to share.     For some reason, I thought it would be hard to find paranormal bits to share with you; it's not as if this is Halloween. I was again surprised by the internet allowing the massing of information on pretty much anything.


These stories and reports will give you something to share at your Fourth of July festivities tomorrow.  That way you won't have to discuss politics, religion or the weather!


 In this first linked blog post a grave is disturbed and yet not disturbed:
Strange State - Paranormal Mysteries: Inexplicable Expulsions Make For Mysteries: "In 1984, a large chunk of earth measuring 10'x7'x2' was ejected cleanly from its matrix in eastern Washington where it traveled a distance o..."


Janet Rudolph at Mystery Fanfare posts some books and stories with an Independence day theme:
http://mysteryreadersinc.blogspot.com/2010/07/fourth-of-july-mysteries.html


The Anchorage Daily News brings us this story of a psychic finding a woman who had gone missing on July 4.
http://www.adn.com/2009/08/10/893725/man-says-psychic-led-him-to-body.html


The Tuscon Citizen offers a full slate of Independence Day Weird:
http://tucsoncitizen.com/paranormal/
This includes Jim Morrison haunting a bathroom in Los Angeles, and the UFO festival in Roswell.



These "haunting tales" are from http://www.americanfolklore.net/folktales/pa2.html

The Phantom Drummer
retold by
S. E. Schlosser

Now when Colonel Howell of the British Army chanced to meet the daughter of the wealthy farmer Jarrett, who owned land near Valley Forge, he fell head-over-heels in love. Howell had a bit of a reputation as a womanizer, but it faded away after he met Ruth. The girl had a brother serving under Washington and none of her family liked the red coats, but so overwhelming was Howell's love for her that it conquered the reluctant maiden's heart.

Ruth and her British soldier met in a secret place near the wall of her garden, which was hidden by a small grove of trees. On the night that Howell proposed, they were standing near the wall when the sharp, merry sound of a drummer rang through the garden. At first they ignored the noise, caught up in their plans for the future, but as the sound of the drum grew nearer, Howell started looking about nervously and even peering over the wall, trying to see the drummer.

Ruth was puzzled by Howell's reaction. No one could see them in this little grove, which was why they used it for their trysts.

"What is wrong?" she cried, hurrying to him.

"There is no one there," Howell told Ruth hoarsely.  Ruth stared at him, frightened by his words. The roll of the drum still rang through the fields beyond the wall.

"But surely…" she began. She was interrupted by a phantom rat-a-tat-tat. The sound drew closer. As they listened in horror, it came right through the garden gate just beyond the trees. The invisible drummer entered their little hollow and passed right through the wall next to them. Only when it ceased altogether did Howell snap out of the fear-induced trance he was in. He convulsively clasped Ruth to his chest. No less frightened, Ruth begged Howell to tell her what it could mean.

"For the last three generations," Howell said shakily, "a phantom drummer has appeared to warn my family of a change in fortunes, some for good, most for ill." Seeing the look on Ruth's face, he tried to shake off his terror. He spoke a few words of reassurance to his newly betrothed, which neither of them believed, kissed her goodbye, and galloped away.

In a skirmish the next day, Colonel Howell was shot. He was brought to Farmer Jarrett's house for nursing, though Ruth's father was reluctant to have a British soldier under his roof. To Ruth's relief, the wound was fairly minor and would soon heal. To add to her joy, her father grew fond of the young man and consented to their marriage if Howell would leave the British army. The Colonel made this promise willingly and a secret marriage was soon arranged.

Then tragedy struck. Orders arrived demanding that Howell rejoin his regiment on the eve of an impending battle. Howell knew that to honorably resign his commission would take months, and he would be forced to fight and kill the Americans in the battle the next day. So he decided to marry Ruth, desert the British army, and hide himself away until it was safe to rejoin the Jarrett household.

Divesting himself of the British uniform, he donned the clothes of a civilian and stood with Ruth before a minister in the parlor of the Jarrett house. As he slipped the wedding ring on his beloved's finger and bent to kiss her, the roll of a drum sounded from outside. Howell and Ruth turned fearfully and listened as the invisible drummer climbed the steps, walked through the room, and exited via the far wall.

Ruth clung to her new husband in terror, while the guests and clergy murmured in awe. Then they heard rough voices outside and someone pounded on the front door. Suddenly the house was full of British soldiers, come to capture Howell based on the testimony of one of the Jarrett servants, who hated the red coats and had betrayed them. Howell was arrested, tried, and shot for desertion. At the moment he died, Ruth, sobbing alone in her bedchamber at home, heard the faint, unmistakable roll of a phantom drum.

 And from: http://www.yourghoststories.com/real-ghost-story.php?story=5120


The Man Dressed in the Revolutionary War Uniform
From: LibertyBelle
Date: 2009-01-28
Pennsylvania, US

When I was fifteen, my family moved into a house in Philadelphia that, at the time was approximately eighty or eighty-five years old. It's still standing (or was, at any rate, the last time I was in that neighborhood several years ago), and was the site of something which I, to this day have never been able to explain even to myself but has stayed with me ever since.
We were a typical nuclear family of the late 1960's. Dad worked, Mom stayed home, I had just finished my sophomore year in high school, and my younger twin brothers had completed first grade. Absolutely nothing extraordinary there.
Well, it was a summer afternoon. I was home alone. Dad was at work, my brothers were at the playground, and Mom was receiving a cancer treatment at a local hospital. I was engaged in what passed for amusing myself by sitting at the kitchen table reading a news magazine (we took both Time and Newsweek, but after all these years I'm hanged if I can remember which one it was!).
Now, the way the house was designed, there was a back door that led to a small wooden porch. We normally kept the porch door shut, but the kitchen door was usually open during the day. As I sat there reading, something (again, don't ask me what) caused me to look at the back door. There stood, of all things, a youngish man dressed in a Revolutionary War uniform. I must have stared for a good twenty or thirty seconds before it hit me like the proverbial ton of bricks that people don't dress that way, at least not anymore. It was then that the figure kind of smiled and faded. At no time did I feel frightened, only curious. I never bothered to tell my parents about it, only my best bud, who also was interested in such things.
We never were able to figure it out; until the area was developed in the late 1800's, my understanding is that it was all farmland. However there was a battle relatively close by in what was at the time, a small place called Germantown and the historian in me is still wondering... And, in adulthood, one of my brothers told me that he'd seen the same figure himself on occasion!

Alexander Skarsgard Wins But Needs Better Makeup!

So the results are in. Most of us agree that it isn't the actor, it is the makeup that is interfering with out ability to fantasize about Alexander/Eric.  One friend did come up with a hunk, Jason Lewis, who would also fill the bill and she suggests the Absolut Hunk picture in particular. You may remember him as Samantha's boyfriend in the last few season's of Sex and the City.   I am pretty sure Sookie would have dumped Bill in the first season if this were Eric.  At least she wouldn't be kicking him out of bed for eating crackers or drinking her blood.Of course, like Nutella, or red sauce this guy would make anything taste better (mixing metaphors?
who cares!).

Maybe, as fond as they are of having new characters, Eric has a nice Vampire Brother Jason Lewis could play? 

                

Eclipse brings in nearly 93M in 2 days

Is that amazing or what? Perhaps critics of the books, the movies and yes, even the fans should eat some crow. 

Here is a cute interview of Mr. Lautner holding his own with David Letterman, yesterday, July 1, in two parts.  Seriously, I don't know too many 18 year old kids who are able to speak in a cogent fashion extemporaneously on TV.  And, be charming.  I don't want to be the boys girlfriend (maybe a bit  -- it's more likely that I wouldn't mind being young enough to be his gf) I want to be his mom or aunt.  They must be proud -- he seems to hold it together, be charming, considerate of others and make good money. What a nice kid.

Another Hop at Parajunkee's View - Feature and Follow Friday

Brilliant friend to all bloggers featured me last week! Thanks PJV for your help and I'm back! Also see the Crazy-for-books hop, below!

Souless by Gail Carriger

Alexia Tarabotti is laboring under a great many social tribulations. First, she has no soul. Second, she's a spinster whose father is both Italian and dead. Third, she is being rudely attacked by a vampire to whom she has not been properly introduced! Where to go from there? From bad to worse apparently, for Alexia accidentally kills the vampire, and the appalling Lord Maccon (loud, messy, gorgeous, and werewolf) is sent by Queen Victoria to investigate. With unexpected vampires appearing and expected vampires disappearing, everyone seems to believe Alexia responsible. Can she figure out what is actually happening to London's high society? Will her soulless ability to negate supernatural powers prove useful or just plain embarrassing? Who is the real enemy, and do they have treacle tart? (http://www.gailcarriger.com/presskit.php)

If I had to describe this book in one word it would be "British."  I had never read any steampunk and another blogger recommended Souless as a good starting point. I had no idea what to expect.  What I found was that other than some odd changes in world history, supernatural creatures and a few odd inventions the proper Victorian Britain won out.  In turns, I felt I was reading Oscar Wilde, Sherlock Holmes mysteries, Jane Austen, and Jeeves and Wooster (TV not the books).  It is sort of Pride and Prejudice; perhaps it is P&P the way Clueless was Emma.

The love story between the two main characters was obvious from their first encounter in this book (they had a prior acquaintance) and that was partly what brought into the British Empire -- one wants to know what's happening; but the story of  prejudice disguised as science (eugenics), with really good financial support I did not see coming.   This is a good thing, so many plots are predictable, and series, especially so.

My experience with alternative world lit is that an author will sometimes make the world and language too difficult.  In Soulless, there was only one word obscure enough to make my need to find it hard to fulfill: "claviger" (key holder, caretaker; used in this book to describe someone who works with were wolves to prevent them getting out during full moons). I think supernatural love stories are often about redemption and rescuing the supe's humanity.  Do you agree? In this case the heroine is able to restore the Supe to a human state.

The characters were developed to the extent necessary, and the plot was amusing, but the flow and pace in combination with the characters and plot, racy but not smutty, make this a book that is tough to release.   And, it has a happy ending.

New York Times Bestselling author Gail Carriger began writing in order to cope with being raised in obscurity by an expatriate Brit and an incurable curmudgeon. She escaped small town life and inadvertently acquired several degrees in Higher Learning. Ms. Carriger then traveled the historic cities of Europe, subsisting entirely on biscuits secreted in her handbag. She now resides in the Colonies, surrounded by fantastic shoes, where she insists on tea imported directly from London. She is fond of teeny tiny hats and tropical fruit. The Parasol Protectorate books are: Soulless (Oct. 2009), Changeless (March 2010), Blameless (Sept. 2010), Heartless (2011), and Timeless (2012). Soulless won the ALA's Alex Award.

Let's Go To the Hop

I love the blog hop each week generously hosted by www.crazy=for-books.com. In this forum, bloggers network, learn and help each other. Stating this week we answer a question from Crazy-for-books:

My name is Stephanie and I started blogging because I found the "rules" for all fantasy lit, particularly modern vampire,  fascinating and I have opinions and need a forum wherein I can air them, hear and read the ideas and opinions of others. I love all kind of fantasy save horror and epic can drag me down. But, I review books, movies TV and comment on well whatever I find. Plus news when I can find it. This is from an adult perspective, I am not Goth (although I do like dark eyeshadow, and I am a few tears, way past teen! I hope I make you laugh and get you thinking!

Thanks Crazy For Books for all you do for your fellow bloggers!!!!!!!!!

While you are here, grab one of my buttons!

Meg Cabot's Insatiable Book Trailer #3: Barbie Re-Enactment

I saw this at the Bookoholic Zone and I had to replay it for you.  The Bookoholic has some great book trailers and reviews.

TRUE BLOOD - IS THERE A BETTER ERIC??? WHO?

Ah Eric,  We had such hopes.

My friend Paula sent me a drawing of a-could-have-been Eric Northman type (right).http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h310/calclan/EricNorthman.jpg

I thought I would look and see what is available in the Norse God department (5th Floor, Norse Gods, watch your step).

From a blog about Tennis we have THOR (left:

http://seshdotcom.wordpress.com/2008/04/01/telling-thor-is-he-the-greatest-of-norse-gods/

This guy, Fandral, below right, has a more Alexander Skarsgard-type body. http://www.obsessedwithfilm.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/fandral-578x1024.jpg




And, this is who will be playing  Marvel Comics Thor (if the film is made),  Chris Hemsworth (below)
(from: http://vilyathas.blospot.com/2009/11/mythology-of-thor-pt2.html).  Maybe we should hook him up with Taylor Lautner's trainer. I can see the look in this guy's face - strong jaw.




Hmm. Some, Norse Gods, look like the original prototypes for the WWWF and some are less bulked up.  So, considering that it is moot, and the man already has the job, let's play Casting Couch Director. Which actors do you think would have been a better choice for Eric in True Blood?  Give me names and I will look them up and post pictures if possible. In looking at the Norse God pics, I don't know that Alexander Skaarsgard doesn't fit the physical type; so I think it may be that the makeup makes him look scruffy. Give it your best shot.

By the way, I actually think Skarsgard is quite handsome, and there are many galleries with pictures of him where he looks more like Eric than I see on True Blood.  I am beginning to think we don't need a different Eric we need a new makeup director. In Eclipse, the cosmetics dept. really has it down.  Alan Ball - hire them or at least ask what they are using.