William L. Stuart

author of The Gemstone Chronicles Series

adventure

Boston Metaphysical Society: A Storm of Secrets – My Review!!

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Boston Metaphysical Society: A Storm of Secrets – My Review!!

Boston Metaphysical Society by Madeline Holly-Rosing Cover

Steampunk is an interesting genre for me. Part science fiction and part Victorian era, it provides a great backdrop for Boston Metaphysical Society: A Storm of Secrets by Madeleine Holly-Rosing. Read on for my thoughts!

Synopsis (from the author):

Politics and power. Demons and spirits.

When ex-Pinkerton detective Samuel Hunter married Elizabeth Weldsmore, the heir to one of Boston’s Great Houses, he knew his life would change forever, but he never expected the return of Elizabeth’s psychic abilities.

Not only do they have to keep it a secret, but Elizabeth must learn quickly how to master them. For a psychic in a Great House is a political liability which her father, Jonathan Weldsmore, knows only too well.

As the Great Houses jockey for power, the three of them must contend with treachery, subterfuge, and potentially a new demonic threat, in this political and supernatural thriller set in an alternate-history Boston of 1890.

What I liked:

I really liked the story. Samuel and Elizabeth are a great couple and the secrets they keep are fodder for the story. The paranormal aspects of Elizabeth’s gift move the tale along, and Samuel’s clashes with her over her secrets add intrigue. In addition, Jonathan’s interaction with the Great Houses and all the machinations surrounding them, plus his attempts to control Samuel and Elizabeth gives the story a lot of depth. Overall, a most enjoyable read!

What I didn’t like:

Despite all the good things in Boston Metaphysical Society: A Storm of Secrets, there was a lot of description of the clothing and the steam-powered vehicles. While I understand the clothing and the mechanized aspects of steampunk are important to the theme, there was too much of it in the story for me.

Overall impression:

Boston Metaphysical Society: A Storm of Secrets was a good book! Good characters, lots of action, paranormal gifts, Great House intrigue, and a sacrifice at the end all add up to a steampunk novel that I enjoyed. I recommend it to all steampunk fans and to anyone who might be interested in the genre!

My rating:

5 Stars

Connect with Madeleine Holly-Rosing:

Did you know Madeleine Holly-Rosing writes graphic novels? Well, if you visit her website or her Amazon Author page, you can find them and more. While you’re there, please consider leaving a review or a comment!

Connect with me:

I’m on the socials. If you are, find me and connect. I’m on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Say hi and let’s start a conversation! And don’t miss a post. Subscribe to the blog!

2121: Twilight’s Last Gleaming by Karl J. Morgan – My Review!!

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2121: Twilight’s Last Gleaming – My Review!!

2121 Twilight's Last Gleaming by Karl J. Morgan Cover

Occasionally, I like to read a bit of dystopia. Because of this, Amazon sends me recommendations in the genre. My latest dystopian recommendation was 2121: Twilight’s Last Gleaming (Revolution Book 1) by Karl J. Morgan. Here are my thoughts.

Synopsis (from the author):

Is America’s future in the hands of a fourteen year-old boy? Jack Kennedy is growing up in a nation destroyed by a corrupt, uncaring government. While the elites live in splendor in their domed city centers, the masses live in squalor and poverty. Farmers struggle to survive in walled villages to protect themselves from the terrorists and gangbangers who ravage the countryside. The elderly are banished as there is no will or money to support them. The promise of our country has become a dystopian nightmare where life is hard and hope is an illusion.

Until now, Jack’s life has been good. When his best friend ventures to the nearby Ottumwa Free City to look for his former coworkers, Jack hitches a ride and discovers our president’s horrific secret. The truth is revealed in the slaughterhouse, and their lives will never been the same again.
In this fast-paced action thriller, Jack and his friends and family must fight the most violent and terrifying forces of man and nature to stay alive. If they succeed, perhaps there is hope for all of us; if not, we are doomed and America will be forever lost.

What I liked:

Karl J. Morgan did a good job of blending hopelessness and hopefulness into a thrilling book. Jack Kennedy and his girlfriend Alexis are teens forced to fight for their lives and perhaps for a better future. The horrors they and the rest of the US face make for some creepy moments, and the picture painted in 2121: Twilight’s Last Gleaming is grim to say the least. Abe, a former Marine, was my favorite character, though Jack and Alexis are good, too. Overall, I enjoyed the book.

What I didn’t like:

I thought a few of the battle scenes were overdone. In addition, some of Abe’s skills were over the top. Lastly, the teens’ parents seemed more disconnected than I thought they should be.

Overall impression:

2121: Twilight’s Last Gleaming (Revolution Book 1) has plenty of action, good characters, and moves quickly. The battle scenes provided an excellent picture of the state of the United States in the dystopian setting. I have to warn that there is strong language throughout, so this one is for older teens and above. If you like dystopian novels with an underlying current of hope, read this one!

My rating:

4 Stars

Connect with Karl J. Morgan:

Discover more about Karl J. Morgan and his books on his website and his Amazon Author Page. While you’re there, please consider leaving a review or a comment and maybe buy a book or two!

Connect with me:

I’m on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Say hi and let’s start a conversation! And don’t miss a post. Subscribe to the blog! I look forward to meeting new friends!

The Last Descendant (Sanyare Chronicles #1) by Megan Haskell – My Review!!

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The Last Descendant – My Review!!

Sanyare The Last Descendant by Megan Haskell Cover

I found The Last Descendant (Sanyare Chronicles #1) on Indie Brag, a site that showcases the best of Indie Authors. After reading the blurb, I added it to the TBR list. Here’s my review!

Synopsis (from the author):

Raised in a realm where humans are no better than slaves, Rie Lhethannien has struggled for decades to earn a meager post in the High Court messenger service. Even training as an elite fighter isn’t enough to earn the respect she craves. Scorned by the high elves who rely on her loyalty, Rie’s closest allies are the fierce carnivorous pixies who travel by her side.

When she’s attacked on a routine delivery by assassins from the enemy Shadow Realm, Rie’s martial prowess keeps her alive…and frames her as a traitor. Facing execution at the hand of an unmerciful high elf king, Rie must forsake her oaths and flee into enemy lands to prove her innocence. The secrets she uncovers may threaten more than her honor or even her life…for war is looming in the nine faerie realms. 

What I liked about The Last Descendant:

The Last Descendant has all the great fantasy elements. Rie, a human coming into unknown powers, intrigue, battles, magic, elves, a forbidden realm, and a quest to uncover the truth. What more can a fantasy reader ask for? In addition, it’s a well-written and well-paced book. For fantasy lovers, it’s a series to keep them occupied. Well done, Megan Haskell!

What I didn’t like about The Last Descendant:

I’m not asking for an info dump, but more background on the Shadow Realm would help. I’m sure it comes out in the subsequent books, though, so I’ll have to wait.

Overall impression:

As with all the books I’ve read with Indie Brag Medallions, The Last Descendant (Sanyare Chronicles #1) is well-written and entertaining! Good characters, nice battles scenes, intrigue, and a touch of romance make it a book worth reading! I recommend this one to anyone who likes fantasy!

My rating:

5 Stars

Connect with Megan Haskell:

Find out more about Megan Haskell and her books on her website or her Amazon Author page! While you’re there, please consider leaving a review or a comment (and maybe buy a book or two)!

Connect with me:

I’m always interested in meeting new friends. Find me on the socials on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Say hi and let’s start a conversation!

A Great Day Gem Hunting!!

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As many of you know, I love to go gem hunting in the north Georgia mountains. In fact, the entire series of The Gemstones Chronicles was formulated while on a gem hunting trip to Gold ‘n Gems Grubbin’ up in Cleveland, GA.

Today, my brother John and I took advantage of the unseasonably warm temperatures and headed back up to Cleveland for a day of gem hunting. We had a great day, as the photos below will attest.

The photo below is of my entire haul for the day. Now, you have to understand, this is not sifting through a seeded bucket of dirt at the flume. Nope, at Gold ‘n Gems Grubbin’ , we dig through a pile of dirt brought up from the gold mine on the site – one 5-gallon bucket at a time. You can buy buckets, if you choose, but we would rather search the pile of dirt. It’s much more fun!

The haul!

Gem hunting total haul

The photo (please excuse the quality of the photo) shows the amethysts I found across the top nearest the ruler. Other stones include: aventurine, topaz, quartz (lemon and clear), garnet, obsidian, emeralds, sapphires, and rubies. Not bad for four hours of work.

Today’s best finds!

Dark Amethyst

This is my favorite stone of the day! I weighed this very dark purple amethyst at 83 grams (which translates to 415 carats). Given that I just released The Gemstone Chronicles Book Two: The Amethyst, it was really neat to find this stone today!!

Lemon Quartz

This is my second favorite stone of the day. I didn’t weigh this one, but it is a large piece of lemon quartz. Very clear, with few internal fractures. This might be a good candidate for having some stones cut for earrings or a bracelet.

Amethyst 2

Another very large amethyst that I found today. I didn’t weigh this one either, but you can tell by the size it is a fine specimen. It is not nearly as purple as the first stone, but still a very nice rock!

Amethyst 3

My last picture is another lighter-colored amethyst. Another very large stone, and one that I really like. I wish I could show you every one of the stones I found today, but this post would be way to long! Enjoy these few and, if you have an opportunity, go look for some of your own!! Many states have gem hunting opportunities, so take advantage of them and see what you can find!! If you do, stop by and tell me about it!

Connect with me:

Do you gem hunt? Have you read any of The Gemstone Chronicles? If so, leave me a comment and let me know. Connect with me on social media, too! I’m on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads, so stop by and say hi!

Book Two: The Amethyst – The Paperback!!

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The Paperback has Arrived!

The Gemstone Chronicles Book Two: The Amethyst – The Paperback!!

Book Two: The Amethyst - The Paperback

 

 

The Gemstone Chronicles Book Two: The Amethyst – the paperback!! I just approved the author’s proof today and it’s now available on CreateSpace! It will soon be available on Amazon and through other outlets, joining The Gemstone Chronicles Book One: The Carnelian!

If you get a chance, check it out at: https://tsw.createspace.com/title/4109277!! I’d love to know what you think of the cover, the blurb, and, of course, the book itself!

And, remember, both books are available in ebook format through Amazon and Book One: The Carnelian is also available through Smashwords! Book Two: The Amethyst will also be available through Smashwords, too! That means that you can get the ebook through outlets like iTunes, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, Kobo, and many others.

Have you read Book One: The Carnelian? If so, leave me a comment here, or better yet, leave a review at Amazon, Goodreads, or Barnes & Noble!! I would be remiss if I didn’t thank those who have already purchased my books, read them, and left me reviews. I’ve said it before, but it’s still true: reviews help me become a better author. Help me do a better job for all readers and give me feedback. I truly appreciate it!

Connect with me on social media, too! I can be found on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, or just send me an email at bill@williamlstuart.com. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to the blog!

New Toys!!!!!

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New Toys!!

I know I have been away for a while. I have been working on the paperback version of The Gemstone Chronicles Book Two: The Amethyst, enjoying Christmas with the grands, traveling to see family in South Georgia, and just generally enjoying some time off. In light of all that, look what I got for Christmas!! Yes, I had asked for a metal detector and a two drum rock tumbler and look what showed up Christmas morning!! I can now work three steps of the tumbling process as the same time. How cool is that? And, I can also take my new metal detector with me when I rock hunt. You never know what you might find. Since I live near a lake, I can explore the shoreline and see what I can find. I am excited to get these new toys for me to play with! Here are a couple of pictures I took of the new equipment.

New Toys Garrett Metal Detector

My new Garret 150 Metal Detector!! Not the most powerful detector, but a good start to a new hobby!

New Toys Two Drum Rock Tumbler

And my new two drum rock tumbler!! I can hardly wait until the next opportunity to go rock hunting!! I can tumble six pounds of gemstones at one time in this tumbler, so it’s time to find more rocks! Now if I can just convince Lana to let me buy a Bobcat….

What did you get for Christmas? Anything fun that you can use for your hobbies? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Connect with me:

If you use Twitter, Facebook, or Goodreads, find me and let’s connect. You can tell me about your hobbies (maybe I’ll find a new one from your stories) and let me know what you think of my books and my blog!