Book Reviews, Thoughts, and Random Interesting Ideas

Halfway Drowned – My Review!!!

Readers of my blog and reviews know I’ve read the first three books of the Halfway Witchy series by Terry Maggert and enjoyed them immensely. When Mr. Maggert released the latest in the series, Halfway Drowned (Halfway Witchy Book 4), it went directly to my TBR list. Here is my review!

Synopsis (from the author):

A magical storm. An ancient shipwreck. A hidden evil.
All three are tied together as Carlie must defend Wulfric against his past, which emerges after a raging storm tears across Halfway Lake.
When government agents descend on Halfway to investigate the mysterious shipwreck, Carlie discovers that all is not as it seems.

A thousand years old, the Viking ship holds bones. And secrets.
Not everyone went down with the ship. There were survivors, but they might be less than human. They cross paths with Carlie in a showdown that will bring her own secrets to light, for saving Wulfric came with a cost. Now, it’s time for her to pay.

Dive in with Carlie as she fights to save the one person she can’t lose.
Herself.

What I liked about Halfway Drowned:

As with the other books in this series, I enjoyed the story. Carlie is her usual spunky self, and Wulfric lends both a romantic and somewhat comical relief. Granny is Carlie’s anchor and the citizens of Halfway provide an excellent supporting cast. The evil that comes to halfway from the shipwreck fits the bill perfectly, and the nerdy government agent develops into a likeable character. Overall, a Halfway Drowned is a good entertaining book.

What I didn’t like about Halfway Drowned:

I never quite grasped the purpose of Officer Domari. Additionally, this book dragged a little for me in places.

Overall impression of Halfway Drowned:

Despite the items mentioned above, I enjoyed this book. With familiar characters, good storytelling, and waffles, how can you go wrong? I’d recommend this one to anyone who’s read the first three and recommend the series to anyone who enjoys excellent books!

My rating:

4.5 Stars (rounded to 5 stars)

Connect with the author:

Witch (see what I did there) of the Halfway Witchy books by Terry Maggert have you read? I hope you read the first three so you will be primed to read Halfway Drowned (Halfway Witchy Book 4). Please consider leaving a review when you finish each. Don’t forget to visit Terry Maggert’s Amazon Author page and his website to discover his many books!

Connect with me:

If you enjoyed the review (or didn’t), leave me a comment and let me know. If you’d like, connect with me on the socials, too. I’m on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Stop by and say hi or shoot me an email at bill@williamlstuart.com!

A Little Rebellion Now and Then – My Review!!

I saw this cover on Amazon and it intrigued me. In light of the world in which we currently live, I decided a little satire might be just the thing. I took a chance on A Little Rebellion Now and Then by Scott Skipper. Read on for my opinion!

Synopsis (from the author):

When a leftwing activist from the Nixon era morphs into a conservative writer of political incorrectness, can she ever escape the evil eye of the establishment? Political winds may shift but some things never change. If you pull on the dragon’s tail, you’d best be ready to take some heat. Kate is no stranger to a jail cell, but she thought she got past that four decade ago. Then again, in a world run amuck with knife brandishing jihadists spilling from their sharia zones, maybe a jail cell is the safest place to be.

What I liked about A Little Rebellion Now and Then:

I enjoyed the parallel stories of Kate in the 70’s and her adventures in contemporary America. The common thread between the two eras (government) and how Kate fought it from two perspectives was a unique approach. Scott Skipper captured the 70’s drug use and lingo well, and Kate’s current predicament was reminiscent of Big Brother. Overall, A Little Rebellion Now and Then was an entertaining read.

What I didn’t like about A Little Rebellion Now and Then:

The story had a few gaps that left it incomplete for me. For instance, more on how Kate morphed her political views would help provide continuity. Her children didn’t appear until near the end of the book, and they seemed almost an afterthought and didn’t add much to the tale. Issues like that took me away from the meat of the book.

Overall impression of A Little Rebellion Now and Then:

A Little Rebellion Now and Then by Scott Skipper was a good read. Though not my normal genre, the book entertained me with its satirical look at issues, while giving a raw account of the 70’s counterculture and current events. I recommend this one to anyone over 18 who enjoys a flashback to the Kent State era and the current political climate.

My rating:

4 Stars

Connect with Scott Skipper:

When you read A Little Rebellion Now and Then by Scott Skipper (and you know you want to), please consider leaving a review and visiting his Amazon Author page and his website.

Connect with me:

While you are surfing, find me on the socials and say hi! I love connecting with new friends. Find me on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest.You can email me at bill@williamlstuart.com, too!

Ruins on Stone Hill – My Review!!

I went back to my fantasy roots for this review. As with many of my recent reads, this one came up on my Amazon recommendations, so I decided to read Ruins on Stone Hill (Heroes of Ravenford, #1) by F. P. Spirit. Here are my thoughts!

Synopsis (from the author):

It has been nearly one hundred and fifty years since the end of the Thrall Wars, when the four dread Thrall Masters wreaked devastation across the land of Thac. The world has been relatively quiet since, but dark things have started to rise again around the little seaport of Ravenford. Monstrous bandits stalk the woods to the west, huge creatures terrorize farms to the north, and a dark presence has taken up refuge in the ancient ruins to the south.**

The town’s only hope may lay in four newcomers: a fearless young warrior with blades of fire, an elven wizard as deadly to his friends as his enemies, a cynical halfling who just may be an assassin, and a quiet gnome whose very touch can heal. Banded together with the tall warrior, Titan, and her mercenary companion, the novice heroes set out to confront these creatures of darkness. Yet they quickly find they are facing more than just a few rogue monsters, for there is a greater force behind them all.

From eerie woods to underground caves to haunted ruins, the young heroes encounter terrifying monsters, creatures of the night, and demonic sorcery. Can they stand against the forces of darkness, or will they too fall prey to the evil that has targeted Ravenford.

What I liked about Ruins on Stone Hill:

Ruins on Stone Hill took off with a bang and the action was good throughout. The heroes prove themselves as stout companions and great friends. Joined by Titan and her companion, the band best monsters, mages, and trolls while dispensing their own brand of justice. Plenty of sword and sorcery action, short interesting quests, and touches of romance made the book an enjoyable read!

What I didn’t like about Ruins on Stone Hill:

My chief complaint about the book was the overuse of certain words like smirk and snuck. Rarely did a character smile or grin, but they smirked a lot. Besides using snuck in the narrative, a few other grammatical errors jarred me out of the story.

Overall impression of Ruins on Stone Hill: 

Despite the issues listed above, I enjoyed Ruins on Stone Hill (Heroes of Ravenford, #1)! Plenty of action, cool quests, interesting monsters, and enough magic kept me reading. I would recommend this one to any fantasy reader!

My rating:

4 Stars

Connect with the author:

Are you reading Ruins on Stone Hill by F. P. Spirit? If not, do you plan to read it? If and when you do, please consider leaving a review! Also, plan to visit F. P. Spirit’s Amazon Author page and his website to find out more about the Heroes of Ravenford series!

Connect with me:

While you are visiting and reviewing, leave me a comment about the review. Consider connecting with me on social media, too! I’m on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. You can also email me at bill@williamlstuart.com! Don’t be shy!

Spellsmith and Carver: Magician’s Rivalry – My Review!!

Spellsmith and Carver: Magician’s Rivalry by H. L. Burke showed up in my Amazon recommendations recently. After reading the blurb, and discovering the author is a military spouse, I added it to my TBR list. Read on for my thoughts!

Synopsis (from the author):

An estranged son. An adopted heir. A magical attack that forces them to work together.

The disappearance of Auric Spellsmith’s mother has strained his relationship with his father to the breaking point. Now, after five years away at the Magicians’ Academy, Auric returns home, determined to prove himself to his father and claim his birthright.

Apprentice Jericho Carver has held Spellsmith Manor together in Auric’s absence. Now his master’s son is back, and if he can’t get rid of Auric, Jericho will forfeit his career and lose all hope of wooing the master’s enchanting daughter.

Neither man intends to back down.

But then Master Spellsmith vanishes into the mysterious Fey Lands. With Fey magic threatening the mortal realm, Auric and Jericho must work together to save the man they both see as father.

What I liked about Spellsmith & Carver: Magicians’ Rivalry:

I enjoyed the interesting was magic was cast in the story. The story also showed a stark contrast between old and new ways of spellcasting (both have their advantages and disadvantages), and the use of Fey energy was cool. There were many underlying storylines in the book, which kept me entertained. Jericho and Rill’s romantic chemistry complemented the story nicely and set the stage for much of the rivalry between Jericho and Auric. Despite their rivalry, the two magicians set all aside to rescue Auric’s dad, giving the story its quest element and action. All in all, Spellsmith and Carver: Magician’s Rivalry was a good read!

What I didn’t like about Spellsmith & Carver: Magicians’ Rivalry:

There were a couple of things I didn’t like about the book. First, the cliché strained relationship between Auric and his father was too predictable. Secondly, the rivalry between Auric and Jericho seemed contrived. Other than that, no complaints from me and both were minor.

Overall impression of Spellsmith & Carver: Magicians’ Rivalry:

I liked the storyline, the underlying conflicts, and unique spellcasting. The journey into the Fey lands had enough twists and surprises to hold my attention and the book was well-written. I would recommend this one to any fantasy fan!

My rating:

4.5 Stars (rounded to 5 stars)

Connect with the author:

Did you add Spellsmith and Carver: Magician’s Rivalry by H. L. Burke to your TBR? What are you waiting for? And, while you are adding it, stop by her Amazon Author page and website and say hi! When you’ve finished reading it, don’t forget to leave a review!!

Connect with me:

What are your thoughts about the review? Leave me a comment and let me know. If you’d rather, drop me a note via email at bill@williamlstuart.com. I appreciate the feedback. Connect with me on the socials, too! I’m on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. I look forward to meeting you!

Beyond the Forest – My Review!!

My readers know I love gemstones. I even based my books on gemstones and their magical properties. When I ran across Beyond the Forest (Gem Powers Series Book 1) by Kay L. Ling and discovered the book also focused on gemstones and magic, I had to read it. Glad I did!

Synopsis (from the author):

Lana can draw arcane powers from gemstones. When she started reading the folklore, it sounded farfetched. She should have closed the books right then and walked away. Special abilities are nothing but trouble. Someone always wants you to do something impossible. Or dangerous. Usually both. Like going through a portal to save an oppressed race in another world. In this case, gnomes, whose ruler happens to be a gem master with unimaginable powers.

Lana decides an exploratory mission seems harmless. She can visit the other world and come up with a plan. Who knew there would be flying serpents, mutant insects, and goblin-like mutant gnomes? Or that she’d end up in a dungeon while the queen decides whether to kill her or turn her into an enchanted creature? The gem master hopes to rule Lana’s world next and has already put plans in motion. Lana is determined to escape from the dungeon, but then what? She has two potential allies with gem powers, and she’s afraid of both. But with two worlds in danger, and time running out, she may have to trust them.

What I liked about Beyond the Forest:

Beyond the Forest drew me in immediately. Lana’s interest in gemstones and the folklore surrounding them was a familiar theme for me. The way she meets the gnomes and enters their world was entertaining, and the mystery surrounding the hound was a nice twist. The creatures she meets and befriends provide a bit of comic relief, and there’s even a little romance. Add to all of that, the danger presented by the queen to both worlds and there’s something for everyone!

What I didn’t like about Beyond the Forest:

Despite enjoying the story, it did bog down at times. In addition, fleshing out the supporting characters would help the story.

Overall impression of Beyond the Forest:

Beyond the Forest (Gem Powers Series Book 1) was a fun and clean read. I identified with Lana and her love of gemstones, the quest was good, and the action entertaining.In addition, I enjoyed getting to know the rats and their antics provided comic relief. I would recommend this one to anyone who likes clean fun fantasy!

My rating:

4.5 Stars (rounded to 5 Stars)

Connect with Kay L. Ling:

Have you added Beyond the Forest (Gem Powers Series Book 1) to your TBR list? If not, what are you waiting for? Please take a few minutes and visit Kay L. Ling’s Amazon Author page and her website to find more of her books. Once you read the book(s), please consider leaving a review. I know Kay Ling will appreciate it!

Connect with me:

Any thoughts on the review? If so, leave me a comment or send me an email at bill@williamlstuart.com. Don’t be shy. And connect with me on the socials. I’m on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Lastly, don’t miss a post: subscribe to the blog!