William L. Stuart

author of The Gemstone Chronicles Series

Book Reviews, Thoughts, and Random Interesting Ideas

Tiger’s Eye Cabochons

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I haven’t done a gemstone post in quite a while. For those who regularly read the blog (and thank you for visiting), you know that I used gemstones in The Gemstones Chronicles series and how I enjoy searching for and polishing rocks. For those who are new to the blog, welcome and I hope you find interesting things and become a regular visitor. Now, back to the gemstones. As I showed in my posts about my rock polishing workbench, I have the equipment necessary to make cabochons from the rocks I find (and I have a lot of rocks). Though I have templates to make various sizes and shapes of cabochons, I like to work with the natural shapes, too. This post will have one of each. Check out my Tiger’s Eye Cabochons!

Template Tiger’s Eye Cabochon:

The stone below is an example of a cab I made from a piece of tiger’s eye using a template. It’s a large stone, as shown in the first picture, weighing in at 140 carats and 2 inches x 1.5 inches before I cabbed it and 69 carats and 1 5/8 inches x 1 3/8 inches after cabbing. I think it would make an awesome pendant. I might try my hand at wire-wrapping it (though my previous attempts at wire-wrapping weren’t exactly spectacular), Still, if at first you don’t succeed….

Tiger's Eye Cabochon Slab
Tiger's Eye Cabochon Large

Natural Shaped Tiger’s Eye Cabochon:

The second stone I want to highlight today is another tiger’s eye. This time, though, I went with the natural stone shape rather than use a template for the shape. I don’t have the weight and dimensions prior to cabbing it, but it finished at 22.8 carats and 1 inch x 3/4 inches on the longest side. As with the first stone, this one could end up in a pendant. If I had the skills, I’d do a bit of silversmithing and create a custom setting for it, but, alas, I haven’t taken any classes on that yet, nor do I have the materials necessary. I do know how to solder, though, so maybe…

Tiger's Eye Cabochon Small

What do you think? Which cab do you like better? Leave me a comment and let me know!

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Find me on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Let’s talk books, gemstones, and polishing rocks!

Coliseum Arcanist by Shami Stovall – My Review!!

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I read the first two books of Shami Stovall’s Frith Chronicles (Knightmare Arcanist and Dread Pirate Arcanist) and added Coliseum Arcanist (Frith Chronicles #3) to my TBR list. Read on for my thoughts!

Cover of Coliseum Arcanist by Shami Stovall

Synopsis (from the author):

Adventure. Competition. A duel to the death.

While on a journey to the famous city of Thronehold, Volke Savan learns of the Sovereign Dragon Tournament. The massive celebration involves hundreds of arcanists competing for fame and glory, and Volke is determined to win.

Dark forces dwell in the city, however, and rumors of the legendary world serpent spread amongst the shadows. Whoever bonds with a god-like mystical creature will gain magic beyond compare, and the queen’s guards suspect cutthroats will use the chaos of the tournament to hide their plotting.

Unsure of who to trust, Volke investigates the terrible rumors while advancing in the ranks of the tournament. Unfortunately, the true villain may be closer than he realizes…

What I liked about Coliseum Arcanist:

I enjoyed Volke’s continued growth as well as the growth of the other characters. The interplay between the humans and their Eldrin fascinated me, as did the increasing magical abilities the humans gained. Ilia started to mature more than I expected, and the mystery surrounding Adelgis’ relationship with his father adds a layer to the story. Of course, I have to mention Karna and Fain, two new characters who add intrigue and action to the tale. Don’t forget, too, the plot and overarching story that Shami Stovall continues to build.

What I didn’t like about Coliseum Arcanist:

Volke, though he continues to grow as a character, still lacks some basic sensibilities about romance, relationships, and the like. It would be nice to see him realize there are potential partners for him.

Overall impression of Coliseum Arcanist:

Coliseum Arcanist was an excellent continuation of the series. An expansive overarching plot, good characters, and plenty of intrigue and action kept me turning the pages. If you like fantasy, this book (and the rest of the series) is a great 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!

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!