Granny’s dying, but Zoraida can save her with a magic crystal of smoky quartz. Too bad the crystal is in Scotland—in a haunted castle—guarded by mind-reading, psychopathic sorcerers.
Getting inside Castle Logan is easy. Getting out––not so much. Before she can snatch the stone, Zoraida stumbles into a family feud, uncovers a wicked ancient curse, and finds herself ensorcelled by not one but two handsome Scottish witches.
Up to their necks in family intrigue and smack-dab in the middle of a simmering clan war, Zoraida and her best friend Zhu discover Granny hasn’t told them everything.
Not by a long shot.
(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique)
When Sorchia DuBois contacted me and asked me to review her story, I was more than willing to offer up my services. I love books about witches, old castles, and Scotland so all three rolled up into one…. It was a no-brainer. I just had to read “Zoraida Grey and the Family Stones” and you should too.
There wasn’t a chapter, a solitary page, where Zoraida didn’t encounter or reflect upon something magical. As we learn through flashbacks, there’s magic in all things and there’s those who weld the power of black magic. As in life, there’s always those who’ll do anything to quench their thirst for power and Michael Logan proved he was such person.
From the get go that man rubbed me the wrong way, Zoraida, too. He used his magic to tap into people’s thoughts and used seduction spells against them. That’s so very wrong. He’s so despicable. Sorchia, marvelous job on developing a character the readers will surely loathe and look forward to his ultimate downfall. Unfortunately, besides a busted nose, he’s walked away to fight another day.
As for the reason Zoraida came to Scotland — the Healing Stone. It wasn’t as simple as walking into the castle and walking back out with in her suitcase. Luckily for her, she made a sort of alliance with a mysterious and alluring sorcerer, Shea. Everything about him drew me in. His tales of the past, his broodiness, and his powerful aura. I can’t wait to see what Sorchia has planned for him in book 2.
For the ending, well, imagine the end of first Lord of the Rings movie. You know, the scene with Frodo and Sam were looking out over the land that lain between them and Mount Doom. Well, “Zoraida Grey and the Family Stones” ending gave me the same impression the LOTR ending did. The scene just stopped and you just know when part 2 picks up, something major is on the horizon, and you can’t wait to see it unfold.
Heart Rating System – 1 (lowest) and 5 (highest)
Score: ❤❤❤❤1/2
Sorchia Dubois lives in the piney forest of the Missouri Ozarks with eight cats. She edits technical writing and fiction part time, but she spends at least five hours per day tapping out paranormal romance, Gothic murder, and Scottish thrillers.
Her books delve into the riddles of life—Karma, reincarnation, psychic powers, mysticism, ancient cultures, and good old fashioned “ghosties and ghoulies and long-legged beasties and things that go bump in the night.”
A proud member of the Ross clan, Sorchia incorporates all things Celtic (especially Scottish) into her works. She can often be found swilling Scotch at Scottish festivals. Online, you can find her blog, Sorchia’s Universe, at www.sorchiadubois.com