The Witches of Hollystone Coven

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. For a more in-depth discussion of their beliefs, read the page entitled “Wicca”. 

“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.” 

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 was vacationing in Mexico. Sensara was the result. This may be why she is so drawn to Estrada.

Sandolino Estrada is the series protagonist. As High Priest, 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. Estrada is a free spirit who’s been involved with Michael Stryker, the hedonistic manager of Pegasus for several years. As author, Sionnach Wintergreen says, “there’s enough bisexual polyamory here to make Anne Rice swoon.” Estrada and Michael put the “edgy” in “edgy urban fantasy.”

“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.“ 

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 story is revealed in book two, 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 adopted him and introduced him to the witches of Hollystone Coven.

Daphne Sky is a landscape gardener. She is the Earth Mother among them, Estrada’s champion, and a voice of reason.

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. Maggie’s story is told him book one. 

Other Series Characters:

Michael Stryker AKA Mandragora is the hedonistic manager of Club Pegasus, a Vancouver goth club.Michael believes himself to be the reincarnation of Lord Byron and likes to play Vampire. Michael’s fascination with vampire takes a turn in book two.

“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 the closest thing Estrada has to a father.

Magus Dubh (pronounced Dove) AKA The Wee Pict is a tattooed half-fey Druid dwarf who deals in antiquities through his Glasgow shop, The Blue Door. We meet him in book two and I loved him so much, I brought him back for book three.

Sorcha O’Hallorhan is a radical Irish archaeologist from To Sleep with Stones, who will reappear in an upcoming sequel.