The premise of the story starts well enough.  The MacKinnon witch family has been cursed by Ambrose MacDonald.  But his reason is that the McKinnon family kept him from his true love centuries ago - you guessed it, a MacKinnon witch, Lenora.  I liked the epigraphs at the beginning of the book which give the reader a sense of what is to come as the story develops.  The author also does a really good job of showing the reader the personality of the main protagonist, Doreen.  As we get to know Doreen, we also get more acquainted with her cousin and best friend, Margot.  Both ladies are wonderful characters any reader will come to admire.

I suppose I am ambivalent about Doreen’s Aunts, Stella and Kayleen.  At first, Stella seems the protector for both her daughter, Margot, and her niece, Doreen.  As the story progresses, it seems Stella and Kayleen have a really cruel streak, leaving me as a reader unsure of what to think. 

The story is both captivating and confusing - exactly how many curses are there between the MacKinnons and the MacDonalds (have to toss Ada in there as well).   Yes, I do see what’s what as the story winds down, but the added subplots (curses and trials galore) don’t necessarily add to making this a better tale. I was constantly speculating on what would be Ambrose’s and Doreen’s next steps.  If that is the author’s intent - bravo.

As the story begins to wind down, the ending seems rushed.  The cause behind the curses is revealed, but at least one set of trials is left open-ended.  Did our brave protagonists, Doreen and Ambrose, just decide not to pursue the trials of the gods?  As a work of paranormal fiction, the author has creative license to create whatever reality her heart desires, but this inquiring mind wants to know.

Spice level = nil
Anticipation of spice = somewhat