William L. Stuart

author of The Gemstone Chronicles Series

YA

The King’s Ransom by Cheryl Carpinello – My Review!!

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The King’s Ransom (Young Knights of the Round Table) – My Review!!

The King's Ransom by Cheryl Carpinello Cover

King Arthur and the legends surrounding him and the Knights of the Round Table are fascinating. Cheryl Carpinello combined the legendary figure with the coming of age story of three friends in her book The King’s Ransom (Young Knights of the Round Table), and I had to add it to my reading list. Here are my thoughts!

Synopsis (from the author):

Three Friends. Three Quests. Three Mysterious Predictions

In medieval Wales, eleven-year-old Prince Gavin, thirteen-year-old orphan Philip, and fifteen-year-old blacksmith’s apprentice Bryan are brought together in friendship by one they call the Wild Man. When an advisor to the king is killed and a jewelled medallion is stolen from the king’s treasury, the Wild Man is accused of the theft and murder. Filled with disbelief at the arrest of the Wild Man, the three friends embark upon a knight’s quest to save their friend’s life. To succeed, the three must confront their fears and insecurities, and one of them will have to disclose the biggest secret of all.

What I liked about The King’s Ransom:

Adding a coming of age twist to the King Arthur era was a neat storyline to me. Gavin, Philip, and Bryan all have different fears to confront, and each handled their quest bravely. The idealism each displayed was inspiring, and there was enough action and intrigue to keep my attention. In addition, a few interesting secrets sets the stage for a good story. Lastly, although written for ages 9-12, I enjoyed the read!

What I didn’t like about The King’s Ransom:

The King’s Ransom (Young Knights of the Roundtable) had a few predictable parts, especially during the three quests. Additionally, although I liked the characters, they were a bit clichéd.

Overall impression of The King’s Ransom:

The King’s Ransom (Young Knights of the Round Table) by Cheryl Carpinello captured the essence of the King Arthur legends and the idealism embodied in the stories. Good characters, nice plot twists, and a few surprises make the book is an excellent read for ages 9-12 (or anyone who simply enjoys a good book!

My rating:

5 Stars

Connect with the Cheryl Carpinello:

Have your or your children read The King’s Ransom (Young Knights of the Round Table)? If not, consider adding it to your list! If so, please consider leaving a review. It only takes a few minutes and means a lot to the authors! While you’re surfing around, stop by Cheryl Carpinello’s Amazon Author page or her website and check out all her books!

Connect with me:

Speaking of surfing around, why not head over to the socials and connect with me? I’m on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. Of course, you can email me at bill@williamlstuart.com, too. And, don’t forget to subscribe to the blog so you won’t miss a post!

Dragon Lightning (Dragon Dreamer Book 2) by J.S. Burke – My Review!!

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Dragon Lightning – My Review!!

Dragon Lightning by J.S. Burke Cover

I read J. S. Burke’s first book about dragons and octopuses (Dragon Dreamer) a while back. When she released Dragon Lightning (Dragon Dreamer Book 2), it hit my TBR list immediately. As a bonus, J. S. Burke is a Georgia author, so I got to read another of my fellow authors. Here is my review!

Synopsis (from the author):

Dragon Lightning is a stand-alone book and the second in The Dragon Dreamer series. It’s a fast-paced adventure with flying dragons, an undersea world, and unlikely friendships. This science fantasy is layered for readers age 9 to adult.

Drakor seems like a normal young ice dragon with a talent for making lightning swords. But he alone feels the changing heart of his island Volcano. It destroyed his beloved sire. Now he foresees their doom, but none will listen. As he seeks proof, the Volcano shakes him off into the frozen sea . . .

Arak was mocked as a worthless dreamer until he and Scree, a fearless undersea misfit, saved the dragons. Now dragons and octopi sail north in search of mythical ice dragons. They find Drakor and a terrifying reality. When Scree enters the abyss to check his volcano, she discovers everyone is in peril. Can this crew of unlikely friends save three realms?

What I liked about Dragon Lightning:

Dragon Lightning was an excellent book! The familiar heroes from Dragon Dreamer return with new adventures starting with the search for the ice dragons of legend. Arak and Scree grow as characters and Drakor adds an interesting twist. The undersea science woven throughout provides cool information, and the trials faced by the unlikely friends entertained me. All in all, a good read!

What I didn’t like about Dragon Lightning:

I had a couple of minor issues with Dragon Lightning. First, Drakor stuttered at times, and didn’t at others. It seemed inconsistent. Secondly, the battle between Drakor and his leader was too predictable. Other than that, no complaints from me!

Overall impression of Dragon Lightning:

Dragon Lightning (Dragon Dreamer Book 2) by J.S. Burke was a great read. Written for ages 9 and above, I enjoyed the characters’ growth, the science behind the story, and the story itself. If you like dragons, octopuses, and the occasional squid, this is a book for you! I recommend it to any and all science fantasy readers!

My rating:

5 Stars

Connect with J.S. Burke:

Have you added Dragon Lightning (Dragon Dreamer Book 2) to your TBR list? I hope so! Once you’ve read it, please consider leaving a review. Reviews let authors know what the reader’s think and how their work impacts readers. While you are leaving the review, check out J. S. Burke’s Amazon Author page and her website and say hi!

Connect with me:

As always, if you want to leave me a comment on my review, please do! And, if you want to connect on the socials, find me on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. You can also email me at bill@williamlstuart.com. Remember to subscribe to the blog so you won’t miss a post!

Mystical Aria: Seeking the Gallion Queen – My Review!!

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Mystical Aria: Seeking the Gallion Queen – My Review!!

Mystical Aria Seeking the Gallion Queen by Jean Neff Guthrie Cover

I had a spot open on my TBR and picked another Georgia author to read and review. This time, it’s Mystical Aria: Seeking the Gallion Queen by Jean Neff Guthrie. The book is a fantasy/sci-fi novel aimed more at tweens and early YA, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.

Synopsis (from the author):

Alien RSVP: Yes!

Psychic tween Aria Vanir, of Virginia Beach, trusts only her mother with the knowledge of her visions until she connects with technically and spiritually advanced aliens, the Gallions. Then Aria confides in her best friend, Tommy Manger. His surprise doubts and anger threaten to end their friendship. When the Gallions beam Aria, Tommy, and Aria’s tomboyish older sister, Jackie, aboard their superspaceship, Aria’s mother makes a bold move to save her daughters. None of them realize that the Navy has sent Aria’s SEAL father, William, on a mission to capture the Gallions or destroy their superspaceship. Worse, William has no idea that he’s putting his daughters in harm’s way.

Nashata, Queen Supreme of the Gallions, leads a diplomatic mission to make peaceful contact with Aria, the only human she trusts with the secrets of her people. Can Aria succeed in her quest to meet the queen in person, despite the fears and disbeliefs of those closest to her?

What I liked about Mystical Aria:

I enjoyed the way Aria used her hidden gift to communicate with the aliens. I also appreciated her willingness to accept the Gallions as friends, rather than with suspicion as the adults did. The supporting characters added quite a bit to the story, especially Aria’s sister Jackie and Tommy. The Gallions added a bit of comedy relief to the story, and their technology was cool! All in all, a nice read!

What I didn’t like about Mystical Aria:

Despite what Tommy and Jackie brought to the story, the characters were not fleshed out as well as they could have been, and Aria’s father’s reaction was too predictable.

Overall impression of Mystical Aria:

Mystical Aria: Seeking the Gallion Queen is an excellent book for the tweens and young adults. It dealt with conflict, opportunity, trust, and family all while entertaining me. Though written for younger ages, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.

My rating:

4.5 Stars (rounded to 5 stars)

Connect with Jean Neff Guthrie:

Does Mystical Aria: Seeking the Gallion Queen by Jean Neff Guthrie sound like your kind of book? Give it a try! While you’re at it, consider leaving a review. It only takes a few minutes and means a lot to authors! And, since you are already surfing around the web, visit Jean Guthrie’s Amazon Author page and her website.

Connect with me:

Speaking of reviews, if you liked (or didn’t) my review, leave me a comment and let me know. Subscribe to the blog so you won’t miss any posts. Lastly, find me on the socials and let’s connect. I’m on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. You can also email me at bill@williamlstuart.com.

The Dragon Dreamer by J S Burke – My Review!!

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The Dragon Dreamer – My Review!!

The Dragon Dreamer Cover

I enjoy reading authors from Georgia and added The Dragon Dreamer by J S Burke to my TBR not long ago. Read on to discover my thoughts!

Synopsis (from the author):

The Dragon Dreamer is a fast-paced adventure with flying dragons, an undersea world, and an unlikely friendship. It’s a science fantasy layered for readers age 9 to 99.

Arak is a misfit dragon called “Dreamer.” Determined to prove himself he leaves on a dangerous quest, is caught in a fierce sea-storm, and crashes on ice. Wounded and alone he faces death. Then a fearless undersea shape-shifter named Scree heals him and an unlikely friendship begins. When an undersea volcano erupts it triggers a towering tsunami and a deadly chain of events. Can Arak use his unique talents to save the dragons?

What I liked:

The Dragon Dreamer was fun to read. In addition, I learned quite a bit about octopi, squids, and, of course, dragons. I enjoyed the way J S Burke mingled fantasy, science, and science fiction into the story. Arak, our dragon hero, persevered through bullying and teasing. Scree, the octopus, was a bold adventurer, and together they bring their respective cultures together to help one another and improve life for both. Lots to learn here!

What I didn’t like:

To be honest, I really didn’t find anything to dislike in this book.

Overall impression:

I enjoyed The Dragon Dreamer by J S Burke! Written for ages 9-99, the story is easy to follow, deals with issues many young people encounter, and shows that a positive attitude can go a long way to making life better. Well done J S Burke!

My rating:

5 Stars

Connect with the author:

Have you read The Dragon Dreamer? If you have (or will), please consider leaving a review. Just a few words to let J S Burke know your thoughts on the book. In addition, please stop by her Amazon Author page or website and connect with her. I know she will appreciate it!

Connect with me:

If you liked my review (or even if you didn’t), leave me a comment and let me know or email me at bill@williamlstuart.com Connect with me on the socials, too! I can be found on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to the blog!

Reflections of 2016 – My Year in Reviews!!

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Reflections of 2016 – My Year in Reviews!!

2016 Image

Now that Christmas and New Year’s Eve have come and gone, I wanted to spend a few minutes reflecting on 2016 and the books I read. I didn’t read and review as much in 2016 as I did in 2015, and I need to do a better job in 2017. Still, in keeping with my belief that writers want to know what readers think about their work, I managed to read and review 32 books last year. Without further ado, here is a roll call of my reviews from 2016!

January 2016:

I started 2016 with my review of The Ruby of Helios by Scott Larson. This book is the 3rd installment of the Scepter series. If you are looking for a good fantasy series, check out this one!

2016 Reflections Ruby of Helios Cover

I discovered many new authors last year. One of my favorites was Tamie Dearen. I read the first book of her Alora YA fantasy series aptly titled Alora: The Wander – Jewel and gave it 5 stars!

2016 Reflections Alora Cover

Iron Mike by Patricia Rose rounded out my January 2016 reads. Aliens and the dystopian aftermath of an invasion of Earth entertained me!

2016 Reflections Iron Mike

February 2016:

My February reviews kicked off with a cool YA fantasy from L. R. W. Lee called Blast of the Dragon’s Fury. Book 1 of the Andy Smithson series, it was a blast to read!

2016 Reflections Blast of the Dragon's Fury Cover

Tacenda by Christine Vann was the next February read. A sci-fi novel with a unique set of characters made this an interesting read.

2016 Reflections Tacenda Cover

February’s last book was Blott (The Canvas Chronicles Book 1) by Daniel Parsons. I thought the concept of this novel was brilliant and enjoyed the read immensely!

2016 Reflections Blott Cover

March 2016:

I was happy to read a short prequel to Doug J. Cooper’s Crystal Series as my first book in March. I read the first 2 books of the series in 2015, and Crystal Horizon gave me more background on the characters. Give this series a try if you like sci-fi!

2016 Reflections Crystal Horizons Cover

Switching reading gears, I picked up the second book in Terry Maggert’s Halfway Witchy series. Book 2 is Halfway Bitten and was a wholly satisfying read!

2016 Reflections Halfway Bitten Cover

April 2016: 

April found me reading outside my normal fantasy genre starting with Lorrie Farrelly’s Dangerous. While romance novels aren’t my thing, this book is a Reader’s Favorite selection, so give it a try!

2016 Reflections Dangerous Cover

I moved to another genre to wrap up April. This time, a thriller by Bill Ward finished out a month. Deception (Powell Book 3) was a good read. My only regret was that I didn’t start with Book 1 so I had a better feel for the characters!

2016 Reflections Deception Cover

May 2016:

Greek mythology inspired my first May read. Author C B Pratt created Eno the Thracian as a Hero for Hire and The Stone Gods  is the second book in the series. I completely enjoyed Eno’s second adventure and look forward to reading more!

2016 Reflections The Stone Gods Cover

I wandered back to the fantasy genre and was pleased to be able to finish David Wind’s amazing series Tales of Nevaeh. The third and final book is Trinity: The Battle for Nevaeh. As with the first two, it didn’t disappoint! Read this one if fantasy is your thing!

2016 Reflections Trinity Cover

My fantasy reading continued with the second book of Laura DeBruce’s YA fantasy series The Quicksilver Legacy. The Temple of Paris was a good read and I’ll be reading the next installment!

2016 Reflections The Temple of Paris Cover

June 2016:

Paranormal romance isn’t normally my thing, but Jada Ryker’s Carr-Maah Consulting Agency series seemed like a good place to give the genre a try. Dog Days of Karma was a pleasant surprise!

2016 Reflections Dog Days of Karma Cover

I returned to fantasy for Andi O’Connor’s Silevethiel. An excellent start for The Vaelinel Trilogy!

2016 Reflections Silevethiel Cover

Readers of this blog know I have a thing for mysterious things and conspiracy theories. I think Bigfoot falls into the category and I also read my first Bigfoot-inspired novel in June. Revived (Snoqualmie Valley Sasquatch Book 1) by J. M. Northup was an interesting read and one that I recommend to Bigfoot (or Sasquatch, if you prefer) enthusiasts!

2016 Reflections Revived Cover

July 2016:

July brought another first for me – English cozy mysteries. Point of No Return by Diana J. Febry was my first read in the genre. While not my favorite genre, it was nice to branch out and explore something new.

2016 Reflections Point of No Return Cover

Though I read mostly Indie authors now, occasionally I return to the traditionally published authors I’ve read for years. In June 2016, I attended a Brad Thor book signing and picked up Foreign Agent. Brad Thor’s event was excellent and he is a nice guy. The book was great, too!

2016 Reflections Brad Thor Foreign Agent Cover

August 2016:

The second book of the Ben Whittle series started August for me. Eyes of the Accused by Mark Tilbury continues the excellent (though dark) thriller mysteries!

2016 Reflections Eyes of the Accused Cover

Bentwhistle the Dragon in a Threat from the Past got me back to the fantasy genre. Written by Paul Cude, this engaging start to the Bentwhistle the Dragon series was a fun and refreshing read!

2016 Reflections Bentwhistle Cover

I stayed in the fantasy genre for my next read. Mary Anne Yarde’s The Du Lac Chronicles follows Lancelot Du Lac’s descendants and their battles. Good stuff!

2016 Reflections The Du Lac Chronicles Cover

In yet another first, I reviewed a non-fiction book. Written by Daniel Parsons (remember my Blott review above), #Art of Twitter provides valuable insights into using Twitter to grow your author (or other creative) platform and meaningfully connect with others on social media.

2016 Reflections #Art of Twitter Cover

September 2016:

Jada Ryker made my TBR list for September with the second Carr – Maah Consulting Agency book Equi Knocks of Karma. As with the first book, this was a fun read!

2016 Reflections Equi Knocks of Karma Cover

Gordon Brewer’s Shield of Skool was my final September book. An old school (no pun intended) fantasy that is a good start to the Clovel Sword Chronicles, give this one a try if fantasy is your genre!

2016 Reflections Shield of Skool cover

October 2016:

Artifact by K. T. Bowes was a different book for me. Again a romance, but with distinct New Zealand and English roots. Different, but an excellent story!

2016 Reflections Artifact Cover

I’ve read a few of Jada Ryker’s books and when I found out her novel Take the Body and Run was a candidate for the Kindle Scout Program, I wanted to read it and cast my vote! As with her other books, I completely enjoyed the story!

2016 Reflections Take the Body and Run Cover

November 2016:

To start November, I went back to the fantasy world and read Vanna Smyth’s Protector (Anniversary of the Veil Book 1). Another good start to a series I will continue!

2016 Reflections Protector Cover

Doug Cooper released the 4th book of his Crystal Series and it went straight to the TBR list. Crystal Rebellion was an excellent continuation of the story!

2016 Reflections crystal rebellion cover

December 2016:

December was a busy month, but I managed to get a few reviews in to end the year. I started with Suzanne Burke’s Acts Beyond Redemption. A disturbing dark thriller filled with twists and turns, it held my attention for sure!

2016 Reflections Acts Beyond Redemption Cover

A friend challenged me to once again read outside my favorite genre. Challenge accepted and I read Lorrie Farrelly’s action romance The Guardian’s Angel. As with Lorrie’s other books, this one was an entertaining read!

2016 Reflections The Guardian's Angel Cover

The third book of Terry Maggert’s Halfway Witchy series caught my eye and I wasn’t disappointed. Halfway Hunted was a wonderful addition to the collection!

2016 Reflections Halfway Hunted Cover

My last review for 2016 was Dragon Dreams (The Chronicles of Shadow and Light Book 1) by Dusty Lynn Holloway. Dragons, elves, and the fate of the world makes this the start of a good series I will continue to read!

2016 Reflections Dragon Dreams Cover

So, there you have it. Reflections – my reviews for 2016. Despite not reading as much as 2015, I will strive to do better this year. Join me and review the books you read. The reviews don’t have to be long involved analyses. Simply saying things like “I enjoyed this book and recommend it to others” is sufficient. I know I enjoy discovering what readers think of my work and I do my best to return the favor to other authors!

Connect with me:

Do you have recommendations for me to add to my TBR list? If so, leave them in a comment, or send them to me in email at bill@williamlstuart. Connect with me on the socials, too! I’m on Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, and Pinterest. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to the blog!

Happy New Year and happy reading!

Bentwhistle the Dragon by Paul Cude – My Review!

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Bentwhistle The Dragon  In A Threat from the Past – My Review!!

Bentwhistle The Dragon by Paul Cude Cover

I’ve seen buzz out there in social media for Bentwhistle the Dragon In A Threat from the Past by Paul Cude. Since I like dragons, I read the blurb, thought it sounded interesting, and gave it a read. Below are my thoughts!

Synopsis (from the author):

Ever been addicted? Most people have at some point, but it was different for these three. They’d become addicted to their respective sports: hockey, lacrosse and rugby. What’s wrong with that? Nothing, apart from the fact they’re DRAGONS, living in the present day, in a world in which dragons disguised as humans have infiltrated the human race at almost every level, to guide and protect them.

Three young dragons, a master mantra maker, and a complete dragon stranger with more than a little history attached to him, become caught up in an evil plot by a sinister newcomer to steal a precious commodity, vital to the dragon community. How will the reluctant hero and his friends fare against an enemy of his race from far in the past?

Fascinating insights into the dragon world are interspersed throughout the book. Ever wondered how dragons travel below ground at almost the speed of sound? Or how they use magical mantras to transform their giant bodies into convincing human shapes?

In an action packed adventure that features both human and dragon team sports, you’ll learn the true story of George and the Dragon, get a dragon-like perspective on human social issues and insight into what to do if you meet a giant spider grinning at you when you’re wearing nothing but your smile!

You’d be flamin’ mad to miss it. 

What I liked about Bentwhistle the Dragon:

Who doesn’t like dragons? Especially dragons who nurture and guide humans. And dragons who can change shape and pass for humans and live among us. That is what you get in Bentwhistle the Dragon! The dragon characters entertained me, the mystery of both Gee Tee and Manson intrigued me, and the laminium ball game reminded me of Quidditch! I liked the interplay among the characters, and the three major dragons in the story (Tank, Richie, and Peter) had a delightful friendship. Overall, a good read!

What I didn’t like about Bentwhistle the Dragon:

The story dragged in a few places. In particular, Peter’s indecision and Richie’s refusal to believe Manson’s evil slowed the book. In spite of those slow parts, none of them affected the read as a whole.

Overall impression of Bentwhistle the Dragon:

Good characters, an interesting take on dragons, cool games, and who knew dragons were techies? Couple those things with a good story, and you get a nice read! I recommend the book to anyone who likes dragons and anyone ages 10 and up!

My rating:

4 Stars

Connect with the author:

Have you read Bentwhistle the Dragon In A Threat from the Past? If so, please consider leaving a review! If you haven’t read it, give the dragons a chance! In addition, visit Paul Cude’s website or his Amazon Author Page to discover more Bentwhistle books!

Connect with me:

Did you like my review? Please leave me a comment and let me know. If you want to connect with me on social media, I can be found on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads. Or, if you prefer, drop me and email at bill@williamlstuart.com. I look forward to hearing from you!