The Sorrow Stone by J.A. McLachlan-a review

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 3, 2017

During the middle ages, a peasant’s superstition held that a mother mourning the death of her child could “sell her sorrow” by selling a nail from her child’s coffin to a peddler.

Would you pay someone to bear your sorrow?

Lady Celeste is overwhelmed with grief when her infant son dies. Desperate to find relief, she begs a passing peddler to buy her sorrow. Jean, the cynical peddler she meets, is nobody’s fool; he does not believe in superstitions and insists Celeste include the valuable ruby ring on her finger along with the nail in return for his coin.

Jean and Celeste both find themselves changed by their transaction in ways neither of them anticipated. Jean finds that bearing another’s sorrow opens him to strange fits of compassion, a trait he can ill afford. Meanwhile Celeste learns that without her wedding ring her husband may set her aside, leaving her ruined. She determines to retrieve it before he finds out—without reclaiming her sorrow. But how will she find the peddler and convince him to give up the precious ruby ring?

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REVIEW: 5 out of 5 for this reader folks!

Ok so you know when you read a book and after you are done you think “Where did that come from and my goodness that was strange and really really good!” NO? You will after reading this book. So out of the historical fiction “norm” that I am use to reading and I was pleasantly surprised.

The Sorrow Stone by J.A. McLachlan is a historical fiction novel with a side of superstition folklore, set in the medieval era (MY FAVE) in 12th century France. Plenty of authentic detail with regards to historical accuracy, I was very pleased that this author had done the research for what this time had to offer. I love my history and I admire an author who does their homework and weaves a fantastic story in a with true details/facts.

Lady Celeste is grieving the loss of her infant son. A superstition says that one can sell their sorrow by selling the nail of the coffin with it. Desperate for relief, she sets upon a peddler to buy it from her. Jean is said peddler, and he really doesn’t have much interest in Celeste until he sees the ruby ring on her finger. Before we know it, Celeste has sold her sorrow and her wedding ring. At first, Celeste is confused as to what had happened prior to meeting Jean, but she does recollect the importance of her ring. She must get her ring back or be cast off by her husband. Off she goes to find Jean and both have near misses and very strange journeys.

Ok so clearly I have oversimplified the story because let me tell you this is not a simple story. This is an author with excellent pacing and revealing tidbits as we progress with the characters. It is told in multi person, but the transition from one to another is done perfectly. I was never bored for one second reading this story and it felt a little like peeling an onion, so many layers and a few tears. I LOVED getting to know Celeste and Jean and as you know I love my romance .. I didn’t miss it! I loved how all things tied in and up … together.

I feel like I am not doing this book much justice here, so I will say two things to end this review. This book is INCREDIBLE and this book will keep you thinking long after you have finished it. If this is your cup of tea, then pick this book up and give it a shot.

HAPPY READING! 🙂

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Rachel T.

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J. A. McLachlan is the author of a short story collection, CONNECTIONS (Pandora Press) and two College texts on Professional Ethics (Pearson-Prentice Hall). But science fiction is her first love, a genre she’s been reading all her life. Walls of Wind was her first published SF novel. She has two young adult science fiction novels, The Occasional Diamond Thief and The Salarian Desert Game (EDGE SF&F Publishing).