William L. Stuart

author of The Gemstone Chronicles Series

Bill Stuart

The Belgravia Sanction – My Review!!

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I’m a big fan of Gordon Bickerstaff’s books and his heroine Zoe Tampsin and enjoyed each of the books I’ve read. I added The Belgravia Sanction to my TBR. Read on for my review!

The Belgravia Sanction by Gordon Bickerstaff Cover

Synopsis (from the author):

In a remote Scottish cottage, two men and two women die from gunshot wounds.
Police believe one killed the other three before committing suicide.
One of the four worked undercover for the Lambeth Group, and his team leader is missing.
To find out what happened, a second team will follow the bread crumbs.
Led by Zoe Tampsin, they expose a terrorist group operating in plain sight.
An attack is imminent.
It will destroy the special relationship between the UK and the USA.
Zoe and her team prepare to stop them.
Unaware of a deep-seated traitor, determined to stop her at any cost.

What I liked about The Belgravia Sanction:

Gordon Bickerstaff does it again.  He brings Zoe Tampsin back for more adventures and this one has a personal impact for Zoe. The plot moves quickly, the action is first rate, and the characters play their roles perfectly. The violence was appropriate for the book (and there is plenty), and the story itself was plausible.

What I didn’t like about The Belgravia Sanction:

This installment of Zoe Tampsin’s adventure was quite a bit darker than the previous books. While not expecting a lighthearted romp, there was a coarseness to this novel that didn’t hold my attention.

Overall impression of The Belgravia Sanction:

Gordon Bickerstaff’s latest Zoe Tampsin novel has a lot going for it. Good and familiar characters, intrigue, and action, make this a high-stakes thriller worth reading. Despite all of that, the darker tone and overall coarseness didn’t work for me as well as the previous books.

My rating:

4 Stars

Connect with Gordon Bickerstaff:

Find Gordon on his website, Amazon Author page, or follow him on Twitter. Say hi, leave a review, and maybe buy a book or two!

Connect with me:

I’m on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Find me and let’s connect!

Venture (The Crystal Series Book 2) – My Review!!

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I read and reviewed Elements (The Crystal Series Book 1) by Nia Markos and enjoyed it. That led me to read Venture (The Crystal Series Book 2). Here are my thoughts!

Venture by Nia Markos Cover

Synopsis (from the author):

In the second installment of The Crystal Series, Alexa is determined to continue on the search for the Kaemorra, the crystal which the prophecy foretold will save the world, alone. With Liam injured, Aidan missing, she cannot count on help from anyone.

Believing she is the cause of both men’s plight, it becomes impossible to ignore what she must do, who to trust with her heart. Fearing her life was never her own, the ache she experiences over the absence of one of the brothers forces her to come to a realization.

Perils, dangers await her at every turn. In order to save the one she loves, she may have to forfeit her own life. Just when it seems she has the upper hand, her actions have the most unfortunate results.

“Aidan is not coming back. Deal with it. You are mine.” The words passed his lips, showing no emotion.

What I liked about Venture:

Just like the first book, this book had a familiar feel to it. I enjoyed Alexa’s growth as a character. The rivalry between Aidan and Liam, the mystery surrounding the Kaemorra, and the dangers involved with her powers make for a good story. Will she succeed? You’ll just have to read the book!

What I didn’t like about Venture:

Even though the romantic rivalry is a major part of the story, for me it was a bit redundant. Other than that, I didn’t find much to dislike.

Overall impression of Venture:

I enjoyed this installment of Nia Markos’ Crystal Series. Venture moved the series along nicely and set up the third book well. Lots of action, plenty of intrigue, and unresolved romantic entanglements kept me turning the pages. I recommend it for fantasy fans.

My rating:

4 Stars

Connect with Nia Markos:

Find Nia Markos on her Amazon Author page, Goodreads page, or on her website! While visiting, please consider buying a book or two and leaving a review!

Connect with me:

Find me on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest and say hello! Let’s talk books, submarines, quantum physics, or conspiracy theories. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to the blog!

Elements by Nia Markos – My Review!!

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Elements – My Review!!

As an indie author, I like supporting other Indies by buying, reading, and reviewing their work. I took a look at The Independent Author Network looking for fantasy to read. I found Elements (The Crystal Series Book One) by Nia Markos. Here are my thoughts!

Elements by Nia Markos Cover

Synopsis (from the author):

“What would you do if you suddenly discovered that nothing about life was as you thought it was and all your choices seem to have been made for you centuries before you were born? That’s the reality young Alexa faces, and how well she copes will determine the fate of her world and that of the preternatural. Now, if only someone would explain what is going on!”

For eighteen-year-old Alexa finding a place to put down roots after being forced into a nomadic life by her paranoid mother was not as simple as she had believed. Her attempt to settle down in the coastal town of Beverly comes to an abrupt halt. Within months an explosion levels her apartment building, and all her preconceived ideas of her world come to an end.

Now on the run, Alexa can only follow Bet, her roommate, into the unknown, where the worlds of the Sidhe race of faeries, warlocks, daemons, and shadows, threaten her very existence.

Pulled into a prophecy that she together with Aidan, the Sidhe Prince, would right their worlds, Alexa finds herself fighting against the prophecy’s telling of her being bound to Aidan. What makes it worse is her increasing attachment to his brother Liam.

With her destiny set centuries ago, can she save their worlds in time, does she have a choice in whom to love, or will choosing her own path lead to their destruction?

What I liked about Elements:

There is much to like about Elements. It has a familiar feel to it (though I haven’t read any of Nia Markos’ work before). Being of Irish and Scot descent, stories of the Sidhe fascinate me and the way Nia Markos worked them into the story was excellent. Alexa is a good character, and Aidan plays his role well. Liam, too, figures prominently into the story. All told, an entertaining fantasy novel and a good start to the series.

What I didn’t like about Elements:

Although I enjoyed the story, Alexa and Aidan approach to their relationship and the constant reference to it got a bit old. In addition, Eliana’s character was too flat to me and needed to be fleshed out more.

Overall impression of Elements:

Nice story, good characters, the underlying conflict, and Alexa’s growth into her powers made Elements an enjoyable book! If you like YA fantasy, read this one!

My rating:

4 Stars

Connect with Nia Markos:

Find Nia Markos on her Amazon Author page, Goodreads page, or on her website! While visiting, please consider buying a book or two and leaving a review!

Connect with me:

Find me on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest and say hello! Let’s talk books, submarines, quantum physics, or conspiracy theories. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to the blog!

Water Creatures In America??

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If my readers recall, Lana and I visited Scotland for our 30th anniversary and we had a blast. We visited St. Andrews, Rosslyn Chapel, Edinburg Castle (complete with tea), and much more. I even got a picture of me wearing a kilt standing next the River Ness in Inverness! Great memories, indeed. One of our favorite spots was Loch Ness. We drove around much of the loch (which is quite a trip given the loch is about 24 miles long). Unfortunately, we didn’t see Nessie, the most famous of water creatures, but it was still an amazing visit.

American Water Creatures:

Chessie:

Why am I bring up Nessie and Loch Ness? Did you know in the United States, we have sightings of our American versions of Nessie! Probably the most famous of the American unknown water creatures is Chessie. Said to reside in the Chesapeake Bay, Chessie was first sighted in 1936 by a military helicopter. Since then, there have been more sightings, including one that turned out to be a manatee! The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uses Chessie in their efforts to raise awareness of the Chesapeake Bay area and the need to protect its resources. I couldn’t find a picture of Chessie.

Champ:

 Similarly, Lake Champlain on the New York – Vermont border (and extending into Quebec, CA) has Champ or Champy. Champ was first sighted in 1819, when a Captain Crum claimed to see a sea serpent and the account made the local newspaper. Other sightings were reported and prompted P. T. Barnum to offer a reward for anyone who could bring him the monster. Apparently, he never had to pay the reward. Like Chessie, I couldn’t find a good picture of Champ to share.

Altamaha-ha:

Altamaha-Ha Water Creature Drawing
Altamaha – Ha Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0)

My favorite of the American creatures is Altamaha-ha! This creature lives in the Altamaha River in Southeast Georgia near Darien. The river, which empties into the Atlantic near Brunswick, GA, is the third largest fresh water source feeding into the Atlantic. According to local legend, Altamaha-ha is 20-30 feet long, with the head of a snake. Others describe it as a mix between an alligator, a sturgeon, and a seal.

I’m sure there are legends of other water creatures in the U. S. and around the world. Please forgive me if I didn’t mention your favorite. While Nessie remains the most famous of them, I thought these others deserved a mention.

What do you think? Are these just myths or are they real? Leave me a comment and let me know!

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Dragon Thunder by J. S. Burke – My Review!!

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I read the first two books of the Dragon Dreamer series (The Dragon Dreamer and Dragon Lightning) and enjoyed both! When J.S. Burke released Dragon Thunder, I added it to my TBR list. It’s up now for review and here are my thoughts!

Dragon Thunder by J. S. Burke Cover

Synopsis (from the author):

Drakor foresees the doom of dragons, but Mardor refuses to listen. No one thinks the youngster will challenge this huge, powerful ruler!
Now Drakor is the unexpected leader in a new world, where deadly problems grow faster than the unnatural storms. And as hard as it was to win that terrible fight, leading is harder. As Mardor incites a rebellious clan, Drakor questions everything. How can the clan survive if they can’t work together? And can he survive another brutal fight with that giant?

As the world plunges into winter, Arak and Scree offer their help. But Drakor’s seafaring friends face their own threats. Only one thing is clear: Everyone is in danger.

What I liked about Dragon Thunder:

I enjoyed the trip back to the worlds of dragons and octopuses! This one doesn’t involve Scree and Arak as much, but they play important roles. This book delves into the leadership growth of Drakor and the Ice Dragons. With lots of action in a new world, dangers that lurk around each corner, and challenges growing daily, Drakor’s trials make for good reading! If you enjoy a bit of dragon fantasy, read Dragon Thunder!

What I didn’t like about Dragon Thunder:

My only complaint was Mardor’s repeated insubordinate actions. One or two would have sufficed, but I thought more than that was unnecessary and distracted from the story.

Overall impression of Dragon Thunder:

As with the rest of the series, Dragon Thunder entertained me! I enjoyed getting to know Drakor more and liked the way he solved problems. If you like dragons, conflict, and a good story, read this one!

My rating:

5 Stars

Connect with J. S. Burke:

Find J. S. Burke on her website, her Amazon Author page, and her Goodreads page. While you’re there, consider leaving a review or a comment (and maybe buy a book of two)!

Connect with me:

I’m on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Find me and let’s connect! If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to the blog. As always, likes and shares are greatly appreciated!

Jacksonboro GA – A Cursed Town???

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While doing a bit of research recently, I ran across an article about the “cursed” town of Jacksonboro (or Jacksonborough), Georgia. Interest piqued, I delved deeper into the story. I found a fascinating tale of a traveling preacher, whiskey, and mysterious events that may continue to this day! Given that I like mysterious things, I had to write a post about it. Follow along to find out what I discovered.

First I have to give a little background and history on both the preacher and the town. Let’s start with the town.

Jacksonboro, Ga Seaborn Goodall House
Seaborn Goodall House Jud McCranie CC BY-SA 4.0

Jacksonboro:

Jacksonboro was originally the county seat of Screven County and lies on Hwy 301 roughly halfway between Augusta and Savannah in southeast Georgia. Wikipedia tells us Jacksonboro was the Screven County seat from 1795 – 1847 and home to Seaborn Goodall. Mr. Goodall was the Mason, Clerk of the Superior Court, pioneer in establishing the Methodist faith, and a prominent citizen. His house, built in 1815, is the only remaining building in Jacksonboro. The county seat moved from Jacksonboro to Sylvania in 1847. I mention Mr. Goodall because he plays an important role in the story, so bear with me.

The Preacher:

Lorenzo Dow is the preacher. If you aren’t familiar with Dow, he was quite the character. The Wikipedia description, quoted below, doesn’t paint a flattering picture:

Lorenzo Dow was personally unkempt. He did not practice personal hygiene and his long hair and beard were described as “never having met a comb.” He usually owned one set of clothes: those that were on his back.

Dow was also a fierce abolitionist, which made him unpopular in the Southern States. More on that later. He allegedly traveled over 200,000 miles preaching his fire and brimstone sermons. It’s said that crowds of 10,000 spectators attended his open-air sermons. His preaching style was different than most in those days. He screamed, shouted, insulted, begged, and challenged people’s beliefs. It’s believed he preached to more people than any other preacher of that time.

Another interesting fact about Mr. Dow is that his autobiography was second only to the Bible as the bestselling book in the country.

The Curse:

So, what is the intersection between, Lorenzo Dow, Seaborn Goodall, and Jacksonboro and how does whiskey play a role? How did this lead to a curse? As the legend goes, Lorenzo Dow arrived in Jacksonboro around 1820 and scheduled one of his signature fire and brimstone sermons at the Methodist Church. Jacksonboro, known for its rowdy nature, numerous saloons, and general lawlessness, didn’t take kindly to Dow comments.

During his sermon, they threw bricks and stones through the church windows. Incensed, the preacher went to a local saloon, grabbed and iron tool, and broke open a barrel of whisky, spilling its content on the floor. This, in turn, incensed the citizens, who then attacked Dow. Luckily for Dow, Seaborn Goodall pulled him out of the saloon and sheltered him in his house. The next morning, Dow departed Jacksonboro to a barrage of tomatoes and eggs, all the while calling for the citizens to repent.

The story says Dow reached the bridge leading away from Jacksonboro and cursed the town – except for Seaborn Goodall. The townspeople laughed it off and returned to their ways.

Soon, though, winds came and blew roofs off houses. Mysterious fires claimed other dwellings, and the local creek, not known for flooding, became prone to flash flooding, and swept houses away. Over time, the town, with the exception of Seaborn Goodall’s house, disappeared.

Jacksonboro today:

Seaborn Goodall’s house (also known as the Dell Goodall House), still stands today. Despite being abandoned for years, it remained where the other buildings didn’t. A DAR chapter restored the house and tours are available on Saturdays.

In case you wondered, over the years, businesses have tried to establish themselves, but none have flourished – despite being on a well-traveled road. Cursed or not, it is odd!

What do you think? Was Jacksonboro cursed by Lorenzo Dow? Was the destruction of Jacksonboro’s buildings natural or supernatural? Leave me a comment and let me know!

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