The Hollystone Mysteries

W. L. Hawkin writes and publishes The Hollystone Mystery Series for Blue Haven Press. This is a cross-genre series (urban fantasy, mystery, thriller, time-travel) suitable for Teens+ due to language and some adult situations. The characters are LGBTQ. 

The series features a contemporary coven of West Coast witches from Hollystone Coven who solve murders using ritual magic and a little help from the gods.

The books follow Estrada, a flawed magician and coven high priest, as he endeavours to save his family and friends while sorting through his own personal issues.

There’s always a journey in my books—both physically and spiritually. You’ll explore sacred sites and encounter mythological creatures; even travel back through time to prehistoric Ireland.

So, join Estrada, his eccentric lover, Michael Stryker, and the witches of Hollystone Coven as they fight the forces of evil and work to bring their chaotic world back into balance.

Series Characters

The witches of Hollystone Coven celebrate and revere nature and the old gods by performing complex ceremonies at Sabbats. By combining elements from various mythic tales they create theatrical rituals and raise power. As environmentalists, they focus on saving the planet. If you’re curious about the characters who belong to Hollystone Coven, read on
“Hollystone Coven was Sensara’s creation, so she made the rules. It was a microcosm of the world, in that no one who belonged was like anyone else. The small Wiccan group was strong in its diversity. People brought unique passions and skills; as well as, idiosyncrasies, irritation, and conflict.” 
Sandolino Estrada is the series protagonist. As high priest of Hollystone Coven, he performs key rituals and ceremonies with Sensara. He is also a professional magician who specializes in medieval and gothic flourishes and performs regularly at Club Pegasus in Vancouver.
“Then, a sudden flash of fire from the stage illuminated him. A gentleman in tuxedo and burgundy silk cape, he hovered between two flaming torches. His raven hair, slicked back in a French braid, hung halfway down his back. Chiselled cheekbones and charcoaled eyes, his mouth was thick and perfect, the top lip heart-shaped. Leaping off the stage, the magician landed in a fiery flourish and bowed to the applause; then cruised the dance floor, laughing, and tossing flames from hand to hand as effortlessly as apples.”
Sensara Narato is the high priestess and creator of Hollystone Coven. A credible psychic, Sensara sometimes works with the police to find missing persons. She is a therapist and psychic healer. Her mother rebelled against her strict Japanese parents by sleeping with a Spanish gardener while the family vacationed in Mexico. Sensara was the result. This may be why she is so drawn to Estrada.
Dylan McBride is a Canadian archaeology student who was raised by his grandfather in Argyll, Scotland. He is a shy, innocent young man with strong morals. Dylan travels the world playing bagpipes in the university pipe band. He also communicates with stones. Dylan’s predicament is the impetus behind the second book, To Sleep With Stones.
“Dylan was obsessed with stone lore. His grandfather introduced him to megaliths in Scotland when he was ten and sent there by his sluttish mother (his adjective). He carried their photographs in his wallet like they were his family: magnificent stones carved with cup and ring marks; some set in circles five thousand years ago, the work of prehistoric artisans. Dylan’s grandfather lived near a place called Kilmartin Glen—a cemetery rife with the spirits of ancient clansmen and their kin. It was there that medieval grave slabs and burial cists first spoke to him. Estrada asked him what they said. It’s hard to explain. Sometimes it’s just feelings and images. Other times I hear voices. Estrada had heard of stone mages and believed he had much to learn from the boy who devoted his life to communing with stones.”
Dr. Sylvia Black is a Welsh university professor who publishes books on Celtic Studies. When Dylan arrived from Scotland, Sylvia became his foster mother and introduced him to the witches of Hollystone Coven.
Daphne Sky is a landscape gardener. She is the earth mother among them.
Raine Carrera is a journalist for an alternative press who recently joined the coven. Raine and Daphne are partners and live in the house on Hawk’s Claw Lane.
Jeremy Jones is an exceptional costume designer. He specializes in medieval clothing and ritual tools and makes a fortune through Regalia, his online shop, designing costumes and paraphernalia for film and theatre companies around the world. Jones frequents Club Pegasus and has created costumes for Estrada.
Maggie Taylor is a seventeen-year-old girl who becomes enmeshed in the charm in To Charm a Killer and wants to join the coven.

Other Series Characters:

Michael Stryker AKA Mandragora is the hedonistic manager of Club Pegasus, a Vancouver goth club. Estrada is involved in an intimate and complex relationship with Michael. Both men are free spirited and indulge in hedonistic pursuits. Michael believes himself to be the reincarnation of Lord Byron and likes to play Vampire:
“Then, Michael Stryker floated by in a shadowy sea of silk and set my mind adrift. The legendary Stryker—self-christened Mandragora—was reputed to host orgies that could rival Caligula, and be tied to organized crime through his grandfather, who was the real money behind the club. Angular and tantalizing, with a libertine charm, Stryker’s straight honey blond hair was parted in the centre and fell below his shoulders; a fitting frame for the hollow cheeks, painted lips, and black-lined eyes. He wore the look of a bygone era and he wore it exceedingly well.”
Nigel Stryker is an entrepreneur and owner of Club Pegasus. He is Michael’s grandfather and bought the club for him when he turned twenty-one.
Magus Dubh (pronounced Dove) AKA The Wee Pict is a tattooed half-fey dwarf who deals in antiquities through his Glasgow shop, The Blue Door. He is also a Druid.
Sorcha O’Hallorhan is a radical Irish archaeologist from To Sleep with Stones, who will reappear in an upcoming sequel.