I have long contended that the Amish and historical novels written by Suzanne Woods Fisher could take place in any setting or time period — the characters and their circumstances are true-to-life and relevant for all times and places. Her newest novel, On A Summer Tide, proves me right! 😉 This contemporary novel set on small Three Sisters Island off the coast of Maine shares many of the good things of her previous novels without the bonnets or buggies. (Although electricity seems to be optional on the remote island!) With her signature humor and easy style, Fisher has created a highly readable book that I just could not put down.

Paul Grayson has a plan to fulfill his and his deceased wife’s dreams for retirement and in the process bring his three daughters together again. His daughters Cam, Maddie, and Blaine think he is suffering from an age-related mental lapse. He is pushing 60! They have no clue about what is going on with their father or with their own lives either. Together the family, including Cam’s adopted son, not only survive, but thrive as they settle into new ways of thinking and doing things. On A Summer Tide has the best of family drama with realistic family dynamics at play. All of the main characters discover truths about themselves — especially in light of their gifts and talents — that seemingly go against what they have always believed. A budding romance, a new opportunity, and a closed door all promise different roads for the characters to follow. Quirky secondary characters and details of life in coastal Maine create a unique and colorful backdrop to the novel. Faith plays an important part in island life, but it too is naturally developed, never preachy. There is plenty of story left to be told after the last page is turned, promising more reading fun in the future. I am really looking forward to a return visit to Three Sister’s Island and the Grayson family.

Recommended.

Audience: adults.

(Thanks to Celebrate Lit for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)

First off, On a Summer Tide had a beautiful opening. If you have sisters, you'll connect right away with Cam, Blaine, and Maddie. While their approaches to life differ, and sometimes they don't even seem to like each other, the sister bond always wins in the end. After their mother's death, they drifted apart since she was the glue holding them together. Now, they barely tolerate one another.

I enjoyed the contradictory personalities of the sisters, typical oldest, middle, and youngest syndromes and the way they were expressed really brought perspective and depth to the book. I'm the youngest of three, older brother and sister, so I connected with Blaine despite On a Summer Tide being Cam's story. I loved Cam and Maddie, but I wanted to whack them with a wooden spoon a couple times.

Favorite part of the book: when Blaine accuses Maddie of always taking Cam's side. I had that exact experience with my brother when I was fifteen.

Here's the skinny:

Cam...oldest child, type A personality, knows everything, has a great job but can't see past the nose on her face

Maddie...middle child, training to be a counselor, tries to 'fix' everyone by giving them a label, pushover

Blaine...youngest, has no clue what she wants to be when she grows up, terrified of moving on after her mother's death

With a remote island setting, this is a perfect vacation read. If you happen to live on an island, I guess you can read it anytime you want, you're sure to fall in love with sand and water all over again.

The romance was nice, a steady building that felt neither rushed nor too slow. But I can't get past the sibling relationships. So much good stuff there. If you're not crazy about romance, you'll probably be okay here since there's more going on than just Cam and Seth. I can't wait for the rest of the series.

On the spiritual front, it's midway for me. Suzanne Woods Fisher certainly knows how to toe the line between not enough and too much. I feel like Goldilocks right now, everything was juuuuussttt right.

This is the first book in the Three Sisters Island Series. This is my first work by the author that I have read. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity.
Paul and his three daughters are each trying to come to terms with the unexpected death of their mom . In the throes of grief he upends their lives and moves the family to a island to a home in disrepair. They quickly become dysfunctional amid the disaster of their lives. They are unwelcome by the locals and not trusted. No one wants anything to do with them. The have no Wi-Fi much to the chagrin of the daughters. This leads to some humorous moments . They are all equally unhappy and through this unhappiness they build on their family as a unit again of love .
The author writes quite beautifully of how a family mired in grief of unexpected loss comes together to regain their lives together .
A nice escape from life . My opinion is my own.

If you are looking for a nice, light, Summer read then On a Summer Tide by Suzanne Woods Fisher is it. The characters are relatable and the faith aspect is nicely done. It will leave you with a smile on your face and anticipation for the next book in the series. I would recommend this novel to anyone who loves wholesome Christian fiction.

I was provided this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

So to be frank, this book started out as just a tiny bit too quirky for me. The characters seemed uneven, and the supposedly modern young women (all 19+) used languaging that didn't seem to fit today's vernacular. But as the book unfolded and some mysteries were revealed (that I definitely did not see coming), I grew to love this story.

Sisters Cam, Madison, and Blaine are very different. Their father Paul, a sports broadcaster who's lost his voice (!) loves them but doesn't totally understand them. Their mother passed away a few years ago, and they won't talk about it - at least, not with each other. All three of the sisters are trying to figure out their place in the world, and they are all so different. They've realized since her passing that their mom was the glue - and they are all fumbling quite a bit.

Paul decides (on a whim, as far as the girls are concerned!) to buy a campground on a small island on the coast of Maine where he met their mother, fulfilling a life long dream. The sisters are sure that he's lost it but decide they should go with him to check it out, certain he needs to be saved from himself. They quickly discover things are in worse shape than they even imagined, but the community and lifestyle soon reveals they just may find everything they've ever needed - together.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Revell Publishers in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this delightful novel about family relationships. Fisher did a good job of developing the personalities of the three sisters. They are women of strong character with lots of hurts between them. I sometimes wondered if it would ever be possible to resolve the tension among the sisters. Being with their father as he tries to restore a decrepit Maine camp turns out to be life changing for all of them. Blaine, for example, finds joy in cooking again, something she had not done since their mother had died.

Fisher deals with several serious themes in the story. A big one is honesty and telling the truth. Another major issue is forgiveness. It is explored within the context of a sensitive and well presented Christian message from the Bible.

The location of the Maine camp, on a small island near Acadia National Park, was fun. I really got a sense of the wonder of nature in the area. I enjoyed the snippets of humor here and there and there is even delicious recipe included.

This novel is a good beginning to a new series. I enjoyed being involved in the lives of the Grayson sisters and will be looking out for the next story.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review.

On a Summer Tide by Suzanne Woods Fisher is the 1st book in the Three Sisters Island series, and my first book by this author. This book tells a beautiful story of Paul Grayson who sold the family home to buy an island off the coast of Maine. Paul was a sports announcer who had laryngitis and his voice never full recovered. Paul has three daughters. The oldest is Camden, who is career driven with a son. Maddie is the middle daughter who just graduated as a family counselor, but not yet licensed. Blaine is the youngest who has attended several years of junior college, not sure what she wants to do with her life. I disliked all the girls when the book started, but they slowly grew on me. Glad I kept reading. All three sisters ended up coming to Three Sister's island to help their dad rebuild it. Be prepared to be swept up in this story and these characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Highly recommended.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you.

I enjoyed this read, and it kept me page turning along with a few chuckles.
This is a family with a strong bond, but since the death of their wife/mother, they have been missing their glue. When their Dad buys an island in Maine, they think he has dementia.
You will quickly become involved in these three sister’s lives and their Dad, and surprises abound and most of it wrapped up in love of God and family.
I can’t wait for the next book in this series!

I received this book through Celebrate Lit, and was not required to give a positive review.

I love reading Ms. Fischer's Amish books. It is one of my favorite reads. I was very excited to see she had a new book out and this one would be more contemporary. She is such a talented writer I knew I would not be disappointed. On A Summer Tide has everything you could want in a good story. It is full of love, family, faith and humor. You will genuinely care for her characters. Although the island and camp in Maine, that Paul Grayson has purchased, is not what he remembered from his collage days, it brings back wonderful memories. When the three sisters are called home for a very important meeting, the sale of their childhood home and this drastic move, is the last thing that they expected. The girls at first think maybe dad is dying, or suffering from dementia. Maybe even having a late mid-life crises. Ounce he explains to them this was a lifetime dream of his and their mothers, they are still not in on the idea. In the very first page of this novel you can see the dynamics of this family. With reluctance the girls all end up joining him in his great adventure. You will love some of the characters that live on the island. One of my favorites is Peg, a quirky middle aged owner of the diner/sundries store. She sounds quit the character with her red hair, always in short pick tails and a brightly colored head band. Life there is going to be a challenge for the Graysons. At least once or twice a day the island loses it's electric. There is no WiFi or cable, therefore no phone service, except at the dock. The big old house they are to move into is full of spiders, dust and some varmints. Not to mention the condition of the cabins. There is a faith thread woven throughout this book. The growth that each of the family members experiences is interesting and exciting. I can't wait to read the next book in this series. I want to revisit this charming family. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishers through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

ON A SUMMER TIDE is not the first book I’ve read by Suzanne Woods Fisher and it won’t be the last. She has a way of grabbing her readers and she never lets us go and now I’m kicking myself for not making time to read all of her books! ON A SUMMER TIDE is the first book In the Three Sisters Island series. Camden Grayson thinks her father has lost his mind after he buys an island off the coast of Maine. It is the island where he met his wife, at a summer camp. His wife has passed away and he lets his three daughters know that he is selling the family home and moving to the island. All three sisters join him there and are shocked at the condition of the camp. It hasn’t been used for years and it is very neglected. All the sisters think this island camp is going to be a nightmare to renovate. Such a fun story!

Besides the condition of the camp, all three sisters are going through their own problems. Cam just got to the island and her boss tells her she is needed in England for her job. Maddie is a therapist and worries about everything and makes everyone else nuts with her concerns. Blaine has been in college so long that she could make a career of it instead of majoring in one subject! She has been there for so long that the college tells her it’s time to leave! ON A SUMMER TIDE introduces the reader to a town suffering from a downturn in the economy and the three sisters who at first are at each other’s throats, but who eventually come to understand each other. Can they come together and help their dad get the camp up and running?

ON A SUMMER TIDE is filled with forgiveness, family, and love and had me staying up way too late one night to finish! I had to know where Suzanne Woods Fisher was taking us and what would happen to this family. There is so much heart in Suzanne’s writing that I was left with a huge smile on my face and my heart very happy. All of the characters are very interesting and believable, so much so that I felt as if I’ve known them for a long time. Now I need to figure out how to fit more of Suzanne’s books into my reading plans! I can totally see ON A SUMMER TIDE becoming a Hallmark movie that I would love to watch. I loved watching the sisters grow and come into their own. I have two sisters of my own and we used to fight like cats and dogs until one day, we didn’t. Haha if you have sisters you know what I mean. The secondary characters are just as important as the main family and you will come to love them all.

Let's be honest, I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this book, it was a bit different than some of my reads. Was I ever so wrong! I could not put this book down. Suzanne Woods Fischer takes you on a reading adventure. I felt connected with each character. I don't feel I lost site of who the characters were supposed to be.

After the loss of his wife, Paul Grayson buys an island. Of course his three daughters think their father has lost his mind. Who wouldn't? The story unfolds as everyone goes to the island to help their dad get an old camp ready and operational, once again. From career chasing Camden Grayson to Peg Legg, you will fall in love with everyone in this book. There is everything from sweet moments, mystery, and turns you never expect.

I have enjoyed this book so much. I am excited to read more on The Three Sisters Island Series. Thank you Revell and NetGalley for this read. All opinions stated here are of my own.

One man’s insanity is another man’s genius - Joyce Carol Oates

What an absolutely wonderful way to spend a day! This first book in the Three Sisters Island series just leaves me waiting for more. Paul Grayson purchased 51% of an island off the shore of Maine, hoping to bring his family together again. Meanwhile his daughters wonder whether he has totally lost it! Cam is a very successful businesswoman with a young son. Maddie has just graduated from college and is looking for a counseling position. Blaine just seems to find it impossible to make up her mind what she wants from life. The author has done a fabulous job of bringing out the differences in each daughter - can they possibly work together to help their father make a success of this new venture? Can the faith of their mother bring them back together again?
The descriptions of this beautiful island made me wish I could visit it. Sure, it doesn’t shine like the city, but it has a charm all its own. I was entranced by the nature walks and wished it was possible to join in. The statement made by their dearly departed mother sums up just a little of what I want to take from this story. ‘Life presents you with important choices. You can lash out, become bitter, or draw closer to God, become better.’
I received this ARC through NetGalley and CelebrateLit. The impressions and opinions given are my own.

While Suzanne Woods Fisher is best known for her Amish fiction, her Three Sisters Island debut is a contemporary romance that leans a little toward women’s fiction with nary an Amish character in sight. And believe me, once you start On a Summer Tide, you will get sucked into this story.

The book’s main focus is on the eldest sister, Cam, but the ensemble cast included Cam’s father, two younger sisters, and some island residents that are so memorable they’ll feel like people you know in real-life.

As the Greyson sisters find their way to the dying Maine island to confirm their father isn’t losing his marbles, these sisters each are hiding in their own way. I enjoyed the way Fisher peeled back the layers on each of these women, showing their insecurities, doubts, perceptions, and the way the other two see them.

There is also an organic faith element that develops in this book. There are questions, doubts, misdirection, and a slowly building desire for a peace that passes understanding. But at no point does life suddenly become easier because of a new found relationship with God.

With some fabulous unexpected plot twists and turns that just might take you by surprise, On a Summer Tide becomes even much better. I can’t wait to find out which of the remaining sisters gets the spotlight in book two of this series.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

Sometimes love hurts—and sometimes it can heal in the most unexpected way. Camden Grayson loves her challenging career, but the rest of her life could use some improvement. “Moving on” is Cam’s mantra. But there’s a difference, her two sisters insist, between one who moves on . . . and one who keeps moving. Cam’s full-throttle life skids to a stop when her father buys a remote island off the coast of Maine. Paul Grayson has a dream to breathe new life into the island—a dream that includes reuniting his estranged daughters. Certain Dad has lost his mind, the three sisters rush to the island. To Cam’s surprise, the slow pace of island life appeals to her, along with the locals—and one in particular. Seth Walker, the scruffy island schoolteacher harbors more than a few surprises. With On a Summer Tide, bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher begins a brand-new contemporary romance series that is sure to delight her fans and draw new ones.



My Thoughts: This is a wonderful story about how family roles and events mold a person and their life. Welcome to a story that brings a family back together again, where they begin to see each other for who they are and what their abilities or gifting is; how they learn to work together and learn to love one another again. It is also a story about learning to forgive, that people do grow as they live their life; that people do learn from their mistakes. It is a story about being honest with one another.


Suzanne Woods Fisher will does not disappoint in this novel. Once again she has spun a wonderful true to life tale. Living on a small island is quaint. I know, I come from a small island in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay; Smith Island. This novel reminds me so much of where I come from, no police, a small school, etc. and a small population. The author has spun a tale that makes the reader want to come to visit this place and take home some of the distinctiveness it gives the residents and visitors.



Readers will enjoy this new series, I certainly look forward to more from Suzanne Woods Fisher!

This talented author shows she can pen a great story in multiple genres—not just Amish or historical. This modern-day drama features an extended family who must deal with loss and change and trust and finding their way. The widowed father of three diverse grown sisters buys an island where he holds fond memories of the camp he once worked at with their mother. Can his dream to revive it come to pass, and will the daughters get on board or declare him crazy? I found the characters intriguing and their struggles seemed quite real. I was drawn into their story and enjoyed the island adventure. I appreciate seeing characters grow and work through issues, offering a positive example to readers. I think many will enjoy exploring this place with its slower pace and small-community closeness—something we often long for. I look forward to more in this series. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

On a Summer Tide by Suzanne Woods Fisher is a wonderful way to start off summer reading, or for that matter, any season of reading. I loved the story. As a result of a neglected promise, widowed Paul Grayson sold his family home, up and left the whirring fast-paced life of the city to buy, yes, buy! a quiet remote island. And not only does he have to contend with his three adult daughters and their reactions, but the locals are mighty leery of any newcomer, let alone this interloper who bought their island. There are plenty of quirky inhabitants on the island from Peg, the level headed owner of The Lunch Counter who can’t cook a lick, to the mayor, who likes to make an entrance and has no vision for the future, to the handsome Seth, who is an enigma wrapped up in mystery. Each of the three sisters has a unique personality and it’s captivating to get to know them as the story unfolds. So much fun is incorporated into the drama of this book and it all just draws the reader in and doesn’t let go until the end and still, this reader wanted more. Unexpected twists in the plot with some to make you smile and some to make you wonder, whoa, where’s that going to go? And of course, there’s a little romance in the girls’ lives. Would they find that the guys in their lives were the ones who would help them be their best selves or is there disappointment in store? What a great story…a story of family and community, of learning and maturing, of hope and healing. Could the fulfillment of that neglected promise be the beginning of a dream come true? This is one reader that is hoping there is a whole lot more to come from Three Sister Island.
I received a complimentary copy of this book via CelebrateLit. A favorable review was not required and opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.

(4 stars) - requires some patience but it pays off handsomely

This is a lighthearted book that starts out slowly and builds slowly. I was starting to worry that it wasn't going to hold my interest & turn into a slog to the finish, but happily, about a fourth of the way in, it caught hold & began to pick up momentum so well that by the time I reached the end, I was ready for the next book in the series.

It's as much a story of family healing as it is a romance, and I think that's why, at least in part, the beginning was hard to get into - I wasn't expecting that & found myself wondering when it was going to stop meandering thru each family members' situation & issues to focus on the development of the romantic relationship of Cam & Seth.

Once it did so, and Cam started to actually connect with Cooper instead of just focusing on his physical care, it had me fully engaged to the end.

The story takes a turn that readers might anticipate, which my brain had to stop & argue with, but after reflection decided that it *is* actually consistent with the Christian theme of God's Providential plan that the story illustrates.

So, happily, once the story hits its stride, it succeeds quite well as both a wonderful family healing story AND romance. I definitely recommend it!

Clean romance level: sweet kisses,
references to a child born out of wedlock situation but no graphic details are given
Religion: generic Christian discussions of God's Providential care and forgiveness organic to the story

On a Summer Tide is a beautifully written story of a family who is struggling to pull together as time and a past tragedy are tugging them apart. The Graysons are far from perfect, but that’s what makes their story so real and heartwarming. The family dynamic is one of dysfunction--feelings kept hidden, worries pushed aside, and selfish decision making all make for chaos. But when Paul, the patriarch, takes a gamble on a small island struggling to survive, he hopes to restore more than the summer camp where he met his wife. He wants to mend his relationship with his daughters.
The Grayson family story is woven deep within the individual stories of the three sisters: Cam, Maddie, and Blaine. While this book focuses more on Cam, giving us a deeper insight into her childhood, you will get to know all the Grayson women well by the end of the book. I loved the dynamic between the sisters. There are harsh words, doubts and even a tantrum or two, but underneath it all, they love each other and support each other. As they draw closer together, their story will make you laugh and cry. (Sometimes on the same page!)
Cam’s relationship with Seth is slow-paced and sweet. I loved how he deeply cares for the nature of the island and how he is able to use that to share his faith with Cam.
I enjoyed watching the Grayson family heal through their work on Three Sisters Island. I truly felt like I was part of the family as I cheered for their victories and cried over their sorrows. The setting was ridiculously beautiful and was painted perfectly. You will wish you could make reservations at Camp Kicking Moose!
I would definitely recommend this book. It would be a great summer read--even better if you're on the beach.

I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions are my own.

I have submitted a review for this book to New York Journal of Books where it is now posted.


"On A Summer Tide" By Suzanne Woods Fisher
Revell
April 30, 2019
10-080073498X
Contemporary Women's Fiction
320 pages


Paul Grayson's three daughters believe he is losing his mind when he informs them he sold the family home and bought 51% of a desolate island off the coast of Maine. Paul had met the girl's mother Corinna while in college when they were counselors at Camp Kicking Moose. That's where they fell in love, and he always promised they'd go back to visit. But Paul, working as a sports announcer, was so busy they never got the chance. Now at age 59, Paul is retired and widowed after his wife perished in a fire, and he's looking for a new start.

As he tells his girls about his purchase, mentioning as majority owner, he is renaming the island:

"Now everyone's curiosity was piqued. Blaine tipped her head. 'What's wrong with the name it has?'

"'Too hard to pronounce, so most don't bother. Its official name is Niswi Nummisis. . . .'

"'. . . Aren't you even interested in knowing what it means?' He had a smile on his face like a cat that swallowed the canary.

"Maddie took the bait. 'What does it mean?'

"'Niswi Nummisis is Algonquin for Three Sisters.' His grin spread from ear to ear. 'I'm calling it Three Sisters Island.' Then scarcely audible now, he said, 'Because someday, my dear daughters, it'll all be yours.'"

The girls are appalled. The oldest, Camden, 28, is like her dad with type A personality climbing the corporate ladder while also mom to seven-and-a-half-year-old Cooper whom she adopted. Middle daughter Madison, 24, recently completed her master's degree as a marriage and family counselor and is in the process of getting certified. The youngest at 18, Blaine cannot decide on a major and is floundering.

The sisters each have separate idiosyncrasies: Cam lives her career 24/7; Maddie is filled with anxiety; Blaine does not know what to do with her life. Though somewhat close, they are often at odds with each other, but will this change?

Summer is approaching and Paul wants his family to be with him to make the camp ship-shape. Little do they all know the place is fallen into ruin, which does not deter Paul. Instead, he looks at this as an adventure. With the small population of long-time Mainers, the newcomers are looked at as foreigners, which alarms the sisters. In addition, the girls are horrified there's no Wi-Fi, and the area is often prone to lose electricity. What is Dad getting them into?

Before long the tiny island casts a spell on them all, yet will they remain there? Cam is anxious about Conner who is dealing with some emotional problems, yet is also worried about her job. When she meets the local teacher, Seth Walker, she realizes he is a kind and caring man, and Connor clicks with him at once making Cam notice her son growing more outgoing and confident.

Maddie, about to be married, is having second thoughts when her future mother-in-law takes over the reins to plan their wedding without her input.

Blaine, who once loved cooking and baking with her mom, makes suggestions to Peg Legg, the colorful owner of the diner combination general store. Peg is a total flop in the kitchen and comes to depend on Blaine to whip up her fabulous meals and desserts, offering Blaine the opportunity to find her purpose.

Suzanne Woods Fisher, well known for her Amish and inspirational fiction, offers a contemporary novel of a family rebuilding their connection, adding a touch of suspense and just enough spirituality to make this a heartwarming read.

If you've never read Suzanne Woods Fisher, this is the book to jumpstart your acquaintanceship (and likely a long friendship) with her books. She writes a lot of Amish book but does venture into other genres like historical fiction and contemporary. I discovered her books by reading the historical fiction series set on Nantucket Island and loved the series; this book is the first in a contemporary series set on an island off Maine called Three Sisters Island. Whether historical or contemporary, the author has a writing style that draws you into the heart of her characters and leaves you looking forward to the next book. If you're a fan of her writing, you will doubtless be pleased and satisfied with the tale of a widowed father making his late wife's wishes come true as he hopes to rebuild the family ties with and amongst his three independent daughters on a breath-taking island filled with God's beauty but also economic decline.

Paul, a widowed and retired sports announcer, buys a large chunk of an island that holds dear memories for him and his late wife in hopes that he can revive the area and the island itself. Convinced that he needs to be coddled, his three daughters follow him to the island and their worlds turn upside down. Cam, the oldest, is your stereotypical first born who is bossy and driven in her determination towards the goal. Maddie, the middle one, is finishing up her training as a family counselor and wants everyone to be in touch with their feelings. Blaine, the youngest by quite a few years at nineteen, is a free spirit who still hasn't decided what she wants to do with her life. As the Grayson family actually spends time together, each are drawn to the island that helps them remember the good memories of their past and build new ones. The romantic thread in the story involves Cam and the island school teacher Seth, whose steadfast kindness and gentleness bring her adopted son Cooper out of his shell. But there is more! Intertwined within this sweet story of growing up and becoming a true family is a bit of mystery and some plot twists that definitely add excitement.

I can't wait for the second installment in the series! Will the island go through a true revival? Will Maddie and Blaine find their one and only? Will Paul fall in love again? So many questions....

I received a copy of the book from Revell (Baker Publishing Group) via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.