William L. Stuart

author of The Gemstone Chronicles Series

Book Reviews, Thoughts, and Random Interesting Ideas

Dread Pirate Arcanist by Shami Stovall – My Review!

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I read Knightmare Arcanist (Frith Chronicles #1) by Shami Stovall, enjoyed it, and gave it a 5 Star review. I also added Dread Pirate Arcanist (Frith Chronicles #2) to my TBR. Read on for my thoughts!

Cover of Dread Pirate Arcanist by Shami Stovall

Synopsis (from the author):

Pirates. Griffins. A lost treasure worth killing for.

While protecting the newborn griffins on the Isle of Landin, Volke Savan and his adopted sister, Illia, run afoul of the Dread Pirate Calisto, the same cutthroat who carved out Illia’s right eye. As a master manticore arcanist, Calisto’s strength and brutality are unrivaled, so when Illia suggests they bring him to justice, Volke wonders if they’ll have what it takes to fight the corsairs on the high seas.

What I liked about Dread Pirate Arcanist:

I liked the way Volke and Illia’s characters grew both within the story and with each other. I also liked Luthair and how he and Volke continued to meld. The plot of the story made it read almost like a standalone, but it had enough threads to carry the story forward into the next book. The encounter and pursuit of Calisto adds a nice revenge theme to the story as well. Overall, an excellent second installment of the series.

What I didn’t like about Dread Pirate Arcanist:

Despite all the good aspects of the book, I thought Volke, at times, came across a little whiny and it was a bit of a distraction. In addition, Addy still is a little bit one-dimensional to me.

Overall impression of Dread Pirate Arcanist:

Good characters, a nice balance of action, and a good story make Dread Pirate Arcanist a great second book of the series. If you like fantasy, give this one a try!

My rating:

4.5 Stars (rounded to 5 stars)

Connect with Shami Stovall:

Find Shami Stovall on her Amazon Author Page, her Goodreads page, or her website. Visit and discover all of the Firth Chronicles (and maybe pick up a few for your own enjoyment).

Connect with me:

I’m on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest, so if you find me, say hi and let’s talk books!

Knightmare Arcanist by Shami Stovall – My Review!!

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I found Knightmare Arcanist (Frith Chronicles #1) by Shami Stovall on bragmedallion.com, home of award winning indie books. I read the blurb and was intrigued by the concept. I bought it and added it to my TBR list. Here is my review!

Cover of Knightmare Arcanist by Shami Stovall

Synopsis (from the author):

Gravedigger Volke Savan wants nothing more than to be like his hero, the legendary magical swashbuckler, Gregory Ruma. First he needs to become an arcanist, someone capable of wielding magic, which requires bonding with a mythical creature. And he’ll take anything—a pegasus, a griffin, a ravenous hydra—maybe even a leviathan, like Ruma.

So when Volke stumbles across a knightmare, a creature made of shadow and terror, he has no reservations. But the knightmare knows a terrible secret: Ruma is a murderer out to spread corrupted magic throughout their island nation. He’s already killed a population of phoenixes and he intends to kill even more.

In order to protect his home, his adopted sister, and the girl he admires from afar, Volke will need to confront his hero, the Master Arcanist Gregory Ruma.

What I liked about Knightmare Arcanist:

Aside from the book’s concept of bonding with a mythical creature, I truly enjoyed reading the story. Volke is a nice character, beaten up a little bit by life, but nonetheless loved and cherished by William and his best friend and adopted sister Illia. Illia, too, is an interesting character, with her own challenges. To watch them persevere through their trials was entertaining, as was the growth of their respective eldrin. The supporting cast added tension and conflict to the story and the meeting with Gregory Ruma was a great conclusion to much of it, though it set the stage for much more. Overall, a great read!

What I didn’t like about Knightmare Arcanist:

The repetitive nature of Volke shifting into a combined character with Luthair (his Eldrin) got a little boring. I thought Addy’s character could be developed more. Other than that, no complaints!

Overall impression of Knightmare Arcanist:

The unique concept, intrigue, budding (or not) romances, and the pursuit of Gregory Ruma made for a good story. The character growth and the plot twists and turns added much to the story and kept me turning pages. I’d recommend this one for anyone who enjoys a good fantasy read!

My rating:

5 Stars!

Connect with Shami Stovall:

Find Shami Stovall on her Amazon Author Page, her Goodreads page, or her website. Find all her Frith Chronicles books as well as her other works. Leave a comment, a review, and maybe buy a book or five!

Connect with me:

Find me on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest! Let’s connect and talk books!

Rock Polishing Hobby Bench Part 3 – The Final Product

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If you’ve been following along, I’m at the end of my rock polishing hobby bench series of posts. The first post was the wall I built, the second was my industrial/steampunk inspired light (made of pipe), and now, the final product, the workbench itself. In keeping with the industrial look, I used pipe to build the base, 2X6 lumber for the top, and mounted all my toys for polishing rocks and gemstones.

The bench base:

Let’s start with the base. I used 3/4” pipes and pipe nipples to create a sturdy foundation for the top (important because I don’t want it to collapse). The entire base is just under ten feet long and about twenty-four inches wide. I built it to accommodate a barstool height chair and it works perfectly. Just the right height to work the stones.

Here is the base after I painted it black to match the light (got to be coordinated, you know).

Pipe base

The bench top:

The top, as I mentioned above, is made of 2X6 lumber. Nothing fancy, just off the shelf interior pine boards. I used my pocket hole jig to create screw holes to join the boards together (makes it sturdier, I think). I sanded it lightly, mostly to remove the markings from the boards, then put it on the floor, top side down so I could attach the base. Below is the assembled top.

Bench top

I attached the base using 1 5/8” drywall screws through the flanges I installed on the top of each nipple. Nice and secure. Then, I asked John, my rock hunting companion and brother, to help me move it into the basement (which meant taking it across the lawn and through the basement door, rather than trying to take it down the stairs inside). Once we got it there, we centered it on the wall and that was that!

The equipment:

I cut a hole in the top for my Highland Park cabochon drive belt to pass through and reach the motor that I mounted below the bench. I built a small belt guard to keep things from getting caught up in the belt (safety first), and drilled a few holes for water and drain lines. In addition, I mounted my Rock Rascal next to the HP equipment. Of course, I left room for faceting equipment (one day). I also added a variable speed bench grinder with a felt polishing wheel for final buffing of the stones.

At the very end of the bench, I left space on the wall for my homemade flat lap. Now all my toys are in one place, and it’s easy to move from one to another. I even added some anti-fatigue mats on the floor, just for comfort when I’m standing up on the hard concrete.

The final product:

Bench with rock polishing toys

There you have it! The final step of the project. I’ve used it a lot since I finished it and everything works just as I wanted it to. Overall, a fun project that wasn’t too difficult, and I’m sure it will keep me busy with the rocks I’ve collected.

What do you think? Any suggestions to improve it? Connect with me on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, or Pinterest and let me know! Happy rockhounding and rock polishing!

The Covenant Within by R.A.R. Clouston – My Review!!

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I love to read and review Indie Authors (since I am one myself) and I find many of the books I read at BragMedallion.com (two of mine are there, too). The Covenant Within by R.A.R. Clouston is one of my finds. Here are my thoughts!

Synopsis (from the author):

Most people dream, many experience déjà vu; some believe in reincarnation. But what if it really was possible to relive the lives of your ancestors?

American CEO, Jack Sinclair, is tormented by dreams of people he doesn’t know and places he’s never been, making him wonder if he is going insane. A phone call from a psychiatrist in Edinburgh wakes him out of another dream. She tells him that his estranged twin brother has committed suicide. Filled with mixed emotions, Sinclair travels to the Orkney Islands off northern Scotland to attend the funeral and soon discovers troubling circumstances surrounding his brother’s death.

To uncover the truth, he journeys into the shadowy world locked behind the veil of consciousness via what the psychiatrist calls genetic memory. This vast ancestral inheritance is passed down through DNA and surfaces only in dreams, déjà vu, or visions of past lives. With the doctor’s help, Sinclair relives dramatic events from his distant past and discovers a dark secret about his family that traces back to the hill called Calvary. Throughout, he is pursued by unknown killers; and by another force of evil from which he cannot escape: the beast of his onrushing insanity.

What I liked about The Covenant Within:

The concept of genetic memory intrigues me and, when I saw it was a major part of the book, I had to read it. I enjoyed the way it was incorporated into the story and provided a great way of showing Jack Sinclair’s family history. I also liked the twists and turns and mystery of who was trying to kill Jack. The romantic element added nicely to the story. Overall, it was an entertaining book!

What I didn’t like about The Covenant Within:

Jack Sinclair’s temper tantrums and his inability to express his feelings were too predictable. In addition, I thought more background on his brother would have helped the story.

Overall impression:

I liked The Covenant Within! The genetic memory theme, along with the memory episodes reliving Jack’s family story kept me turning the pages. If you like mysteries, thrillers, and a bit of science, this might be a book for you!

My rating:

4 Stars

Connect with R.A.R.Clouston:

Visit R.A.R. Clouston’s Amazon Author page, his Goodreads page or his website to discover his books and more about the author!

Connect with me:

I’m on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Say hi and let’s connect!

Rock Polishing Hobby Bench Part 2 – The Light!

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You recall my post about my rock polishing hobby workbench, where I built the wall I needed. Today’s post is about the light fixture I built to shine light on my projects. Read on for the details!

The building of the light fixture:

I like the look of some of the industrial fixtures I’ve seen, so I decided to make my light from metal piping and paint it black. Here are the fittings I started with:

Light fixture fittings

I had to work out the dimensions before I bought the piping, how the fixture would mount to the wall, and where the wires had to end to ensure I could get power to the lights. I also wanted to have the fixture wired to a switch to make it easy to turn on and off. All of that went into the design. I assembled it, wired each socket, and ran the wires for power.

After getting it assembled and the wires pulled, I wired it temporarily in my garage so I could test it. Guess what? It worked!

Light fixture electrical test

I mounted it to a 2X4 so I could paint it. It kept the fixture upright so I could get all sides of it painted. I also made sure to put tape over the sockets to keep paint out of them. I think it turned out nicely.

Painted Light Fixture

Installation:

Mounting it on the wall was a little awkward given the length of it, but I used a couple of 2X4s to hold it at approximately the height I wanted, then loosely screwed it into the studs on one end and in the middle. I ran the wires through the wall and then tightened everything and removed the 2X4 supports.

When I had the electricians wire the wall, I asked them to put a wire from the switch to a junction box for me to connect the fixture. I made sure I turned off the breaker (safety first!) before I wired it. I pulled the fixtures wires into the junction box and connected them to the power wire the electricians left me. Once I had it wired and the junction box cover installed, I closed the breaker and flipped the switch and there was light!

The finished product:

I added some Edison light bulbs in keeping with the steampunk-inspired industrial look, and left the air ducts, AC coolant lines, and joists exposed to add to the look. I like the way it turned out and it gives me 300 watts of light over the workbench. Seems like a lot, but since the workbench will be ten feet long, a lot of light is needed.

The finished light fixture mounted to the wall

What do you think? Connect with me on social media and let me know. I’m on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. You can also email me at bill@williamlstuart.com.

The Vulture in Fall by Bekah Clark – My Review!!

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I reached the end of the Rise of the Hawk series by Bekah Clark when I read The Vulture in Fall. Here are my thoughts on the fourth and final book!

The Vulture in Fall by Bekah Clark, Cover

Synopsis (from the author):

Trelaren’s influence has spread across Aemonsha, leaving chaos and destruction in his path. Maevan must rise to the challenge of running a kingdom and vanquishing the dangerous threats assisted only by Torrell.

While Maevan fights for all of Aemonsha, Granada is struggling to rule Cardea and protect the Frozen Fortress. With the enemy fast approaching Granada believes she can either be a great leader OR a woman in love; can Sol convince her she can be both?

As Korla and Renna arrive at the Summer Palace, so does the news of Aemonsha and Trelaren’s army. Coran and Meirei are forced to decide whether to flee the Summer Palace or stay and fight; even if it means risking their unborn child.

Will Maevan fulfill her destiny by becoming the queen her mother would be proud of and vanquishing Trelaren, or will she succumb to the dangerously powerful telepath altering Aemonsha forever?

What I liked about The Vulture in Fall:

I enjoyed the finale. There was enough action to keep me interested and the intrigue surrounding Trelaren’s treachery added a lot to the story. The relationships that grew throughout the series all resolved at the end (though I won’t say how), and the outcome of Maevan’s battle with Trelaren was satisfying. Overall, the book had excellent characters, good action, and was a good story.

What I didn’t like about The Vulture in Fall:

My only complaint about the book was that it focused more on the romance and personalities than it did on the resolution of the underlying conflict. Not enough for me to take away a star, though.

Overall impression of The Vulture in Fall:

The Vulture in Fall (Rise of the Hawk #4) was a satisfying end to a great series. If you like fantasy with a healthy dose of romance, The Vulture in Fall, along with the first three books of the Rise of the Hawk series will fit the bill!

My rating:

5 Stars

Connect with Bekah Clark:

Find Bekah Clark on her Amazon Author Page, her Goodreads page, or her website. Stop by and check out all of her books, including The Vulture in Fall. Buy a few and don’t forget to leave a review when you finish!

Connect with me:

Find me on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, or Pinterest and let’s connect!