When Sorchia Dubois contacted me about visiting Whiskey With My Book I was delighted. She is such a great fit for this blog. Author and whisky drinker.
Sorchia is taking over today to talk about whisky and her latest book, Zoraida Grey and the Family Stones. I think her book might have a whisky drinker or two in it. So, please enjoy Sorchia’s guest post, excerpt from her book and then be sure to enter her giveaway.
Sorchia, I am so please to have you here today. Welcome!
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Guest Post from Sorchia Dubois
I don’t know how else to say it—I love whisky. Love it. Not in a drink-all-day-ignore-work-get-ugly-and-beat-up-somebody way. No, I just treasure a glass of a good single-malt in the evening more than some of my closest relatives. That’s all. If I had to pay a ransom in Laphroaig—well, let’s just hope I never have to make such a decision.
Since I am a writer, my loves and foibles find their way into my stories. Whisky is no exception. Nearly all of my characters drink Laphroaig, my favorite single malt Scotch. Any character who professes to prefer another beverage should be considered suspect and watched closely.
My muse revolts when I try to write in another drink. It just goes against the grain (see what I did there.) In the second book of the Zoraida Grey series, Zoraida Grey and the Voodoo Queen, our intrepid heroine finds herself in the Caribbean with a glass of rum in her hand. She drinks it because the situation calls for a drink, but her eyes mist up as she recalls her last glass of Laphroaig.
Scotch comes in several versions, the tastiest of which (in my humble opinion) are the Islays. Islay (pronounced EYE-luh) is one of the southernmost of the Inner Hebridean Islands located off the west coast of Scotland. This 240 square mile island is home to no fewer than 8 distilleries. While some Islay distilleries produce lighter whiskies, Islay single malt is known for its robust peaty taste along with the flavors of iodine, salt, and seaweed. It is often described as medicinal and, believe you me, it will cure what ails you. It’s a little pricy so I guard my stock like a dragon guards a hoard of gold.
Writing also offers the opportunity to do research. Since my chosen setting is often Scotland and since I am a proud member of the Ross Clan, I go to Scottish festivals as often as I can. Now, Scottish festivals are known for great music, excellent food, kilted men tossing large poles and other objects, and–by the way—whisky tastings. Nothing says ‘home’ more than the majestic canopies of the Whisky Tent ruffled by a cool breeze to a tune played by a band of marauding bagpipers
Generally, they give you a tasting glass—a nice cairngorm or other glass etched with the name of the festival—and access to a number of tables upon which rest a variety of beverages. You can work your way around the tent, sampling all and sundry, or you can monopolize the table dispensing your favorite. I’ve tried it both ways and despite valiant efforts, I’ve never found anything I liked as well as Laphroaig. Not only do you get to taste a variety of whisky, but you meet the nicest people.
In Zoraida Grey and the Family Stones, the main character is a small town fortune teller from Arkansas. Zoraida finds herself in Scotland learning more about her family heritage than she really wants to know. After an interrogation by the head of the clan, she’s going to need more than one stiff drink.
About Zoraida Grey and the Family Stones
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.
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Excerpt from Zoraida Grey and the Family Stones
“Doubtless, your skills will develop under the correct tutelage.” Michael uses all his dimples. Beneath his charming smile and the subtle seductive spell he casts, his thoughts are tumultuous. “Whether you are endowed with long life and other attributes the Logans hold dear remains to be seen. There’s really no way to tell. It all depends on breeding, I’m afraid.”
“What a disagreeable way to put it.” Ursula smiles at him as though he had made a charming but risqué joke in polite company. “She’s welcome no matter what attributes she does or does not have. Zoraida, you must take time to absorb these things.”
“You see now why we are so curious—even suspicious.” Michael swirls the whisky in his glass, his eyes on me. “Not many of us still practice the old ways with precision. If you have a propensity for magic, then you are a vital asset. Yet our downfall has always come from within—insurrections, treason, disorder, division, and disputes. You could be an ally, but you could just as easily be an enemy.”
I breathe in the peaty smell of my whisky. The cask from which it comes was distilled decades ago, before I was born. It is a work of art, tended lovingly, reaching maturation through the care and skill of trained artisans, worthy of respect. I knock it back and ask for more.
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Links
Grab a copy of Zoraida Grey and the Family Stones–release day is October 28, but you can preorder from Amazon now:
Zoraida Grey and the Family Stones is also available at The Wild Rose Press.
Add Zoraida Grey and the Family Stones to your Goodreads shelf:
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Giveaway
Be sure to enter Sorchia’s contest for a smoky quartz necklace which runs through my Release Extravaganza.
Now tell me about your favorite indulgence. Is Scotch your go-to or do you prefer wine or bourbon? Got a cherished mixed drink recipe or a combination of comfort food and drink you like to curl up with? Tell Auntie Sorchia all about it.
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About the Author
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.
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.
Find Sorchia at:
Blog/Website: http://www.sorchiadubois.com/
Email: Sorchia@SorchiaDuBois.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SorchiaDubois
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/SorchiaDubois/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SorchiaD
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/SorchiaDuBois/e/B00B60NOUQ/
Goodreads author page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6879978.Sorchia_DuBois
Google +: https://plus.google.com/+SorchiaDuBois
Fan favorite, Baldwin Bates, finally gets his own story and HEA in book three MIND: The Reckoning. To celebrate the new release, books 1 & 2 are both on sale for the rest of the week! You can find all three books here at : 
Whiskey With My Book 