Book Reviews, Thoughts, and Random Interesting Ideas

I found The Woodcutter King by Aerick Graham on bragmedallion.com and, after reading the blurb, added it to my TBR list. Here is my review.

Synopsis (from the author):

The whilom Wardens of Wudelic woods are watchers and sentinels of the wild. Their roots run deep like the oaks and elders. Proud as towering pines. Their history is as an old language etched into ruins, they are now known as the Woodcutters.

Eerie for their Ghost-lights, glowing orbs that sit on their brow, folks are not sure what to make of them. The patriarch, Alaric, is a descendant of the first Warden, having the ear of the woodland goddess, Lhodyn. She is the embodiment of all that is wild – capricious at best, vindictive at worse.

War descends over Alaric’s village as borderland marauders murder and enslave all. In reaction, Lhodyn seizes the village children and hides them within her woodland realm. Alaric is now faced with a hard choice, to remain and endure certain brutality while he searches for the young ones or flee with the remainder of his family, their best chance for survival.

What I liked about The Woodcutter King:

I enjoyed the way the author wove the story around the lives of the Wardens. To me it made the story not just your usual fantasy novel, but one that was truly rooted in family and what it means. The characters were nicely fleshed out, and the plot move along nice progression. Overall, an enjoyable book!

What I didn’t like about The Woodcutter King:

At times, the book moved a little slowly at times, and oddly-placed plots points detracted from the tale.

Overall impression of The Woodcutter King:

The Woodcutter King was an enjoyable book. The story wove nicely around the Wardens’ lives and the sacrifices family makes for one another. The only weak spots were a few slow moments in the story and some oddly-placed plot points. If you like fantasy, though, put this one on the TBR list!

My rating:

4 Stars

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Georgia Guidestones – My Sad Goodbye

Many of you will recall my two previous posts about the Georgia Guidestones. The first was my introduction to the monument courtesy of Brad Meltzer’s Decoded. The second when I provided an update about a mysterious cube that appeared at the site. Sadly, I have a new update.

As I noted in my previous posts, there have been many instances of vandalism of the monument over the years. Mostly spray painted graffiti, with the occasional attempt to deface the slabs, but nothing dramatic. But now, much to the dismay of many (and, to be honest, the glee of others), the Georgia Guidestones – often called “America’s Stonehenge” – are no more. On July 5, 2022, about 4 a.m., an alleged explosive device destroyed one the of large slabs. The next day, with the help of a backhoe, the remaining slabs toppled over, and the guidestones fell into the dust of history.

The GBI is investigating, and I hope they find the perpetrator. Whether you believe the guidestones were part of a New World Order conspiracy, or if you believe they were benign suggestions for how to live in the world, the simple act of destruction diminishes the opportunity to discuss and debate. Yes, people will recall they once stood, and the internet will keep the “commandments” alive, but the physical monument is now gone. Like the loss of any physical example, it becomes easier to forget.

Final thoughts:

What are your thoughts on the end of the Georgia Guidestones? I was lucky enough to visit them twice, and I never experienced any odd feelings. I didn’t experience convergence with the ley lines they were alleged to lie upon, or any other strange event. The stones were an interesting topic to debate and speculate upon, to test out various theories on who RC Christian was, and other such things, but as a writer and a Georgian, I never considered them anything more than a curiosity. Just for reference, though, here is a link to the Brad Meltzer Decoded episode about the guidestones. Sadly, I fear they will fade away in the clamor of everyday life and become just another urban legend.

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I enjoy an occasional foray into the science fiction realms, and when I saw the synopsis of Gardens of Earth (The Sundering Chronicles Book 1) by Mark Iles, I added it to my TBR. Here are my thoughts.

Synopsis (from the author):

Corporate greed supported by incompetent surveyors leads to the colonisation of a distant world, ominously dubbed ‘Halloween’, that turns out not to be uninhabited after all. The aliens, soon called Spooks by military units deployed to protect the colonists, can adopt the physical form of an opponent’s deepest fear and then use it to kill them. The colony is massacred and as retaliation the orbiting human navy nuke the planet. In revenge, the Spooks invade Earth.

   In a last-minute attempt to avert the war, Seethan Bodell, a marine combat pilot sent home from the front with PTSD, is given a top-secret research spacecraft, and a mission to travel into the past along with his co-pilot and secret lover Rose, to prevent the original landing on Halloween and stop the war from ever happening. But the mission goes wrong, causing a tragedy later known as The Sundering, decimating the world and tearing reality, while Seethan’s ship is flung into the future. The Spooks win the war and claim ownership of Earth. He wakes, alone, in his ejector seat with no sign of either Rose or his vessel. When he realises that his technology no longer works, his desperation to find Rose becomes all the more urgent – her android body won’t survive long in this new Earth.

What I liked about Gardens of Earth:

There were many things I liked about Gardens of Earth. First, the relationship between Bodell and Rose, which defied the social convention, added a nice element. Second, the time shift and the causes and consequences of it, gave the story a great backdrop. Third, the Spooks’ revelations and the results of that made for an excellent ending (but no spoilers from me). If you enjoy scifi, a little time travel, and a touch of magic, Gardens of Earth fits the bill!

What I didn’t like about Gardens of Earth:

The only thing I had an issue with was the PTSD. I realize it is a difficult topic to write about, but it could have been explored a little bit deeper.

Overall impression of Gardens of Earth:

With good characters, a great story, time travel, aliens inhabiting Earth, and so much more, Gardens of Earth was an entertaining book. If you like scifi, give this one a try!

My rating:

5 Stars

Connect with Mark Iles:

Find Mark Iles on his Amazon Author page or his Goodreads page. Visit and find all his books, buy a few, and consider leaving a review or comment!

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Stepping way outside of my regular reading genre and heading into Elizabethan England to review BRAG Medallion winner, The Jesuit Letter (The Tyburn Folios Book 1) by Dean Hamilton. Here are my thoughts on this historical fiction thriller!

Synopsis (from the author):

Ex-soldier turned play-actor Christopher Tyburn thought he had left bloodshed and violence behind him when he abandoned the war against the Spanish in Flanders, but fate has different and far bloodier plans waiting.

The innyards of London are closed due to plague and the Earl of Worcester’s Men are on the road, touring the market-towns of the Midlands.

When Tyburn accidentally intercepts a coded latter from a hidden Jesuit priest in Warwickshire, he is entangled in a murderous and deadly conspiracy. Stalked by unknown enemies, he must race to uncover the conspiracy and hunt down the Jesuit to clear his name. . .or die a traitor’s death. His only hope – an eleven-year old glover’s son named William Shakespeare.

What I liked about The Jesuit Letter:

I enjoyed The Jesuit Letter! It had nice pace, good characters (including a young William Shakespeare), and an excellent plot. The twists and turns, and a little romance, adds to the story, and the backdrop of the traveling actors provides the perfect setting. One of my favorite things was the use of Elizabethan English and the ability to look up what the words meant. Overall, an entertaining tale!

What I disliked about The Jesuit Letter:

The only issue I had with the story was the romance part seemed to be an underdeveloped plot point. Other than that, no complaints from me.

Overall impression of The Jesuit Letter:

The Jesuit Letter entertained me! It had an intricate plot, good characters, and the backdrop of Elizabethan England gave it a great setting. The intrigue behind the letter, and the ultimate outcome kept me turning pages to the end. If you enjoy historical novels set in that period, try this one!

My rating:

5 Stars

Connect with Dean Hamilton:

Find Dean Hamilton on his website, Amazon Author page, or his Goodreads page. Stop by and see all his books and maybe buy a couple!

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I’ve read all of Doug J. Cooper’s Crystal Series and the first two books of the Bump Time series (Bump Time Origin and Bump Time Meridian) and I’ve enjoyed every one. I added Bump Time Terminus to my TBR list when it released, and it finally made it to the top. Here are my thoughts!

Synopsis (from the author):

Rose Lagerford and her “sisters,” duplicates of herself from parallel timelines, love spending time together in Bliss, a virtual world where anything they imagine can come true. Their private world is maintained by Luca, the devoted family AI who satisfies their every whim. Rose couldn’t be happier. That is, until she discovers that she and her sisters are being manipulated by Luca to uncertain ends. Alarmed by the situation, she works to derail his control. But in a world where reality seemingly rewrites itself moment by moment, who can divine what is real, and what to do next? Just as her efforts gain traction, Luca discovers the plot, and his hostile response threatens them all. Can Rose overcome her fears and escape his domination? And can she learn his secret in time to save not only her own life but the lives of her sisters?

What I liked about Bump Time Terminus:

One of my favorite things about the Bump Time series is the different take on time travel and the ability of the characters to travel without impacting the past and future. Add to that the interactions between the various Roses, Diesels, and Lilahs, plus the ever-present threat from the malevolent AI bent on dominating the world, and the story takes off from there. The twists and turns as the timeline versions battle for survival and overcome the AI kept me entertained!

What I didn’t like Bump Time Terminus:

The only complaint I had about Bump Time Terminus was trying to follow the different versions of the characters. I applaud Doug J. Cooper for his numbering scheme with them, but it was still a bit difficult. Other than that, no complaints!

Overall impression of Bump Time Terminus:

I enjoyed Bump Time Terminus! Good characters, interesting time travel ideas, and the amoral AI make for a good story. If you enjoy scifi, try this one (and the entire series)!

My rating:

5 Stars

Connect with Doug J. Cooper:

Find Doug J. Cooper on his website, his Amazon Author page, or his Goodreads page. Stop by, take a look around (maybe buy a book or two), and consider leaving a comment or review!

Connect with me:

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I’ve read several of Gordon Bickerstaff’s Lambeth Group thrillers and enjoyed them all. His latest, Extreme Prejudice follows Zoe Tampsin and her team on another adventure. Here is my review of this thriller!

Synopsis (from the author):

For a price, he’ll expose a terrorist attack on London, but is the price too great?

If you fear trouble, don’t get into trouble. A foreign embassy official warns the UK government of a bomb attack on London. Zoe Tampsin’s Lambeth Group team is launched into a race against time to find the terrorists.

As Zoe unpicks the details, she suspects the informant didn’t tell her the whole story. With time running out, her team chase a promising lead only to have it wrenched from their grasp. Either the bombers were incredibly lucky, or they received a tip-off.

One of her team infiltrates the bombers. She discovers the attack has started, and her colleague Gavin Shawlens is missing, presumed killed by the terrorists.

While searching for Gavin, a massive disaster unfolds. Can Zoe stop colossal loss of life in a small community and prevent the collapse of a key pillar of society?

What I liked about Extreme Prejudice:

As with the other Lambeth Group novels, this one started with a bang and kept going. Zoe and her team are familiar characters, the plot is first rate, and the efforts to prevent disaster are heroic. Tons of action, political intrigue, and enormous stakes made for an exciting book!

What I didn’t like about Extreme Prejudice:

Despite all the action, and intrigue, I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the other books. Gavin and Holly’s relationship, to me, didn’t enhance the story. In addition, the political backdrop seemed a bit too contrived.

Overall impression of Extreme Prejudice:

The familiar characters, action, intrigue, and twisty plot made Extreme Prejudice an exciting book. While I didn’t like it as much as the previous Lambeth Group novels, it was still a good read! If you enjoy thrillers, check it out!

My rating:

4 Stars

Connect with Gordon Bickerstaff:

Find Gordon on his website, his Amazon Author page, or Goodreads! Visit, find out about his books (maybe buy a couple?), and leave a review or a comment!

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