William L. Stuart

author of The Gemstone Chronicles Series

Recommendations and Reviews

Aerenden: The Child Returns by Kristen Taber – My Review!!

by Leave a Comment

I decided to read a few of my fellow indie BRAG Medallion authors’ books. I started with Kristen Taber’s Aerenden: The Child Returns (Aerenden #1). Read on for my review!

Aerenden Cover

Synopsis (from the author):

Murder. Monsters. Magic. To Meaghan, these words belong in newspaper articles and children’s stories, not her carefully planned life. Until the day she and her friend Nick witness her parents’ brutal demise at the hands of red-eyed creatures. They flee into the wilderness where Nick tells her the creatures, known as Mardróch, came from another world to kill her. He gives her a choice–face the Mardróch alone or escape through a portal into a distant kingdom.

It isn’t much of a choice.

Ærenden is a land more beautiful and sinister than Meaghan could have ever imagined. Vines attack. Monkeys freeze their victims with a glare. Soldiers create bombs from the air. Even Meaghan’s newly discovered empath power turns into a danger she cannot control.

But control becomes the least of her worries when she learns the truth behind the kingdom’s fifteen-year civil war–a long-buried secret that could cost Meaghan her life.

What I liked:

I enjoyed the way Kristen Taber melded the modern world with a medieval feeling Aerenden. The action was good, and Meaghan and Nick made good characters. The Mardróch was sufficiently evil and Garon, as the ultimate bad guy in the story, made for a great villain. I liked the way the author wove magic into the story as well. Overall, an entertaining book!

What I didn’t like:

Nick and Meaghan’s relationship was unnecessarily choppy and the transition from modern times to Aerenden was a little odd to me. Other than that, no complaints.

Overall impression:

Aerenden: The Child Returns was a good story! Good characters, nice pace, and a little romance kept me turning the pages. I recommend this one to fantasy readers of all ages!

My rating:

4.5 Stars (rounded to 5 stars)

Connect with Kristen Taber:

Find Kristen Taber on her Amazon Author Page, Goodreads Page, or her website. Find out what she up to and more about her books. While there, consider leaving a review or a comment and maybe buy a book or two!

Connect with me:

Find me on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Pinterest, and Tumblr. Say hi and let’s connect!

Die Every Day by Gordon Bickerstaff – My Review!!

by Leave a Comment

If you follow my reviews, you know I reviewed a couple of Gordon Bickerstaff’s Lambeth Group Thrillers. When Gordon Bickerstaff released Die Every Day: For the Rest of Your Life, I added it to my TBR list. Read on for my review.

Die Every Day Cover

Synopsis (from the author):

A woman is murdered in a Glasgow city hotel room. Police have everything they need to charge a suspect. Caught at the scene, he confessed, and he’s filled with guilt and remorse. With undeniable evidence; the police expect him to plead guilty.

Rumours suggest the man will plead not guilty and tell his story. If he faces trial, the truth will cause international outrage and the government will fall.

Faceless mandarins in corridors of power are determined he will remain silent.

Lambeth Group agent, Zoe Tampsin, is ordered to make him plead guilty. What she discovers will crush her soul and place her next in line to be murdered.

Who is pulling the strings? What secrets are they hiding?

What I liked:

Just like the other Lambeth Group Thrillers, Die Every Day starts with a bang and keeps going. Zoe is back as the heroine, but she’s trying to juggle her own issues as well as Gavin Shawlin’s latest predicament. Despite the mission to make an alleged killer confess, she finds much more to the story. She faces personal demons and yet, in true Zoe fashion, comes out ahead! How? No spoilers from me, so read this one to find out!

What I didn’t like:

In spite of all the good things in the book, Gavin’s circumstances were a bit hard to believe. In addition, some of the background machinations were a stretch.

Overall impression:

Die Every Day by Gordon Bickerstaff is an excellent addition to the Lambeth Group thrillers. With good characters, nice plot, and tons of action, the book doesn’t disappoint. If you like thrillers, read this one!

My rating:

4.5 Stars (rounded to 5 stars)

Connect with Gordon Bickerstaff:

Find Gordon Bickerstaff on his Amazon Author Page or his Goodreads Page. Find all his books (maybe buy a couple) and consider leaving a comment or a review!

Connect with me:

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

Grave Digger Academy by C. A. King – My Review!!

by Leave a Comment

A while back, I read Finding the Fountain of Youth by C. A. King and enjoyed it. Another C. A. King book, Grave Digger Academy, popped up in my recommendations, so I added it to my TBR list. Here are my thoughts!

Grave Digger Academy Cover

Synopsis (from the author):  

There is a reason why people don’t believe in monsters and it’s not because zombies, vampires, mummies, and ghosts don’t exist…

Welcome to Grave Digger Academy- the last place anyone wants to end up.


****************************************************************

It’s Makayla’s first year in the paranormal academy system. When all three of the schools she applies to deny her entry, there’s only one left. Unfortunately, she’s more interested in finding a way out of Grave Digger Academy than in learning its curriculum.

Gravediggers actually do the digging. Grave Diggers, however, keep buried bodies where they belong—six feet under.

This year’s students are about to learn corpses can be temperamental, and when the dead refuse to cooperate, there’s Hell to pay.

What I liked:

Grave Digger Academy was a fun read. I enjoyed the humor and almost lighthearted feel of the book. Makayla was a spunky character and her ability to involve others was a nice touch. The mystery surrounding her family added another layer to the tale. Overall, a good start to the series!

What I didn’t like:

My only complaint about Grave Digger Academy was the timeline seemed accelerated in places. I understand you can’t cover every day of a school year, but time jumped around a bit.

Overall Impression:

Grave Digger Academy by C. A. King was a quick read. Good characters, good humor, and a lighthearted tone made it a fun book. If you enjoy YA paranormal fantasy, read this one!

My rating:

4.5 Stars (rounded to 5 stars)

Connect with C. A. King:

Visit C. A King on her website or her Amazon Author Page, read about her many books, and maybe buy a couple. While there, please consider leaving a comment or a review!

Connect with me:

Find me on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Say hi and let’s connect! Remember, shares, comments, and likes are always welcome and greatly appreciated!

A Chance at the Moon by Linda Lee Greene – My Review!!

by Leave a Comment

I stepped outside my normal genres again and picked up A Chance at the Moon: Love. Betrayal. Murder. by Linda Lee Greene. Here are my thoughts.

A Chance at the Moon Cover

Synopsis (from the author):

Was it chance or destiny’s hand behind a man and a woman’s curious encounter at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas? The cards fold, their hearts open, and a match strikes, flames that sizzle their hearts and souls. Can they have the moon and the stars, too? Or is she too dangerous? Is he? Can their love withstand betrayal?! Can it endure murder?! Amid the seductions of Las Vegas, Nevada and an idyllic coffee plantation on Hawai’i’s Big Island, a sextet of opposites converge within a shared fate: a glamorous movie-star courting distractions from her troubled past; her shell-shocked bodyguards clutching handholds out of their hardscrabble lives; a dropout Hawaiian nuclear physicist gambling his way back home; a Navajo rancher seeking cleansing for harming Mother Earth; and from its lofty perch, the Hawaiian’s guardian spirit conjured as his pet raven, conducting this symphony of soul odysseys.

What I liked:

A Chance at the Moon was an entertaining book! Linda Lee Greene did a good job of creating her characters and touched just enough of the paranormal to add an element of intrigue. The story was part thriller, part romance, and part mysticism and all merged into a good tale. If you enjoy romance, intrigue, and a lush writing style, read this one!

What I didn’t like:

While I enjoyed the story, sometimes the flowery prose was a bit much for me. In addition, Koa’s mission seemed a little too contrived, and the ending left me wanting some closure.

Overall impression:

A Chance at the Moon: Love. Betrayal. Murder. was a nice read. Good characters, intriguing plot, romance, and a touch of the paranormal kept my attention. This would make a good rainy day, snowy day, or beach read!

My rating:

4 Stars

Connect with Linda Lee Greene:

Find Linda Lee Greene on her Amazon Author Page, her Goodreads page and her website. Discover her many books (and maybe buy a couple) and consider leaving a comment or a review!

Connect with me:

I’m on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Pinterest, and Tumblr. If you find me, say hi and let’s connect. As always, likes and shares are greatly appreciated!

Household Spirits of Eastern Europe – My Review!!

by Leave a Comment

If you’ve read my blog, you know I write fantasy. As part of my research about mythical creatures, I ran across A Study of Household Spirits of Eastern Europe by Ronesa Aveela. I added it to my TBR list (one of the few non-fiction books I’ve read for pleasure). Read on for my thoughts!

Household Spirits Cover
Synopsis (from the author):

Eastern European mythology and folklore contain a rich, colorful blend of Christian and pagan tales, customs, and rituals. Many have lost their original significance, but others are still practiced—especially in remote, rural locations.

House Spirits, the first in a series of books, will take you on a journey to discover nine fascinating house spirits you may never have heard of. Here are a few tidbits about what you can expect to find within the book’s pages:

– Unusual noises at night in your attic may be a Talasum or a hungry Stopan.
– Sacrificing a black hen and sprinkling its blood in the foundation of a new home keeps the building and occupants safe from evil spirits.
– Builders often measure passersby with string or “capture” their shadow in the mortar of a wall to make structures strong.
– Forgetting to wash your dishes at night and leaving your house messy anger a Kikimora, and she’ll get her revenge.
– Don’t kill a snake because it may be the spirit guardian of your home.
– Have you heard of the Bannik? Taking a steam bath will never be the same again after you learn about his habits.

That’s not all. You’ll learn historical facts, discover fascinating and horrifying stories, and enjoy beautiful illustrations to gain a complete experience of these elusive house spirits.

What I liked:

A Study of Household Spirits or Eastern Europe was a fun read! I learned much about the spirits and their quirky ways. I also learned how to attract the spirits (or at least get them to move with you) and how to get them to leave. All told, it was an entertaining learning experience!

What I didn’t like:

There wasn’t much to dislike about the book except many of the spirits had similar characteristics. Combining them might make it an easier read.

Overall impression:

If you want to learn about Eastern European household spirits and their interesting and sometimes terrifying ways, read this book! If nothing else, if you don’t live in Eastern Europe, you’ll be happy they aren’t in your neighborhood!

My rating:

5 Stars

Connect with Ronesa Aveela:

Find out more about Ronesa Aveela on her Amazon Author Page or her website. While you’re there, consider leaving a comment or review and maybe pick up a book or two!

Connect with me:

I’m on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Pinterest, and Tumblr! If you find me, say hi and let’s connect!

Trouble at Clenchers Mill by Diana J. Febry – My Review!!

by Leave a Comment

I’ve read a couple of Diana J. Febry’s books and enjoyed them. I saw Trouble at Clenchers Mill and added it to the TBR list. Here are my thoughts.

Trouble at Clenchers Mill Cover
Synopsis (from the author):

Somebody wants Richard Fielding dead.
Richard was looking forward to making a fresh start with his new wife, Alicia when they moved into Clenchers Mill. Then the attacks started.
Detained in the hospital after an unusual accident, he dismisses the claim his new wife is trying to harm him. He’s convinced the property attacks are the childish pranks of locals annoyed by his plans for Clenchers Mill. As a successful property developer, he’s seen it all before. Mindful of Alicia’s reluctance to involve the police he instructs Kate and Simon to make discreet inquiries.
Kate and Simon are keen to find the culprit, but are inexperienced and blissfully unaware they are dealing with a determined killer toying with their prey before they strike. Their first case may prove to be their last.

What I liked:

As with Diana Febry’s other books I’ve read, Trouble at Clenchers Mill was a well-written mystery. In keeping with the cozy mystery genre, there isn’t any graphic violence, which is enjoyable for me. The author did an excellent job of spinning the tale and hinting at blossoming romance between Kate and Simon. The secrets uncovered and the peril the characters encountered added a lot to the novel. Very entertaining!

What I didn’t like:

My only complaint about Trouble at Clenchers Mill was the conflict between the pro-hunt and anti-hunt groups. It added a bit to the story, but if further developed could enhance the mystery.

Overall impression:

Trouble at Clenchers Mill was an entertaining read! Good characters, an intriguing mystery, and plenty of suspects made the book a fun read. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, read this one!

My rating:

5 Stars

Connect with Diana J. Febry:

Visit Diana Febry’s Goodreads page or her Amazon Author page to find out more about the author and her many books! While you’re there, consider leaving a review or a comment and maybe buy a book or three!

Connect with me:

Find me on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Pinterest, and Tumblr! Let’s connect and talk about books! Don’t miss a post, either. Subscribe to the blog!