Review of Solstice by Debbie Christiana

Solstice 

by

Debbie Christiana

Overview
Time is running out for Armend Zogu. The 250-year-old family curse on his head will claim his life on his 30th birthday, the winter solstice.

Sofia Palmalosi might be just the Strega who can save him. A descendant of a long line of powerful Italian witches, her family’s magic was a gift from the Goddess Diana.

Together Sofia and Armend embark on a journey from New York, to Sicily and the ancient ruins of Diana’s temple, and back to New York, all the while fighting a battle of magic and wits with a psychopath who wants them both dead and the curse intact.

If the curse doesn't kill Armend, breaking it just might.



My review:
Solstice is such a genuine and authentic representation of the Stega tradition, it absolutely blew me away. I honestly cannot recall any other book I've read that was as authentic in its representation as Solstice. Sofia is a Strega witch and direct descendant of Messalina, a dear friend of the Goddess Diana, who was left broken-hearted by Vulcan. With Diana's help. Messalina emerged from the heartbreak a strong and wise woman. Diana gifted Messalina the Diana Dagger, "a beautifully-crafted blade with a pure gold crescent shaped hilt". The Diana dagger has been passed down to each generation of Messalina's descendants. Ever generation, one Strega is personally chosen by Diana to possess the dagger. In this generation, the chosen one is Sofia. She is gifted the dagger and bestowed the gifts from Diana herself.

Armend is a man on a mission, to save his own life. He has watched Sofia from a distance, working for her parents and falling in love with Sofia at first sight. He knows that he cannot express his feelings for her because he knows his life will end on the Winter Solstice. A victim of a centuries long curse, on his 30th birthday, he will die, unless the 2 pieces of a sonata are brought back together. Sofia's parents own an art gallery in New York City and when they start receiving threats to release a certain painting, Sofia and Armend are brought together to help find the person responsible for the threats. Armend has his own gifts, to locate a person by touching something that that person has touched. After touching the threatening letter, Armend discovers who is sending the threats and realizes that Sofia's parents are being threatened because it is believed that one piece of the sonata Armend needs to save his life is hidden in a painting that is currently on display in the art gallery. As Armend reveals to Sofia and her parents what the threatening letters are really about, they all embark on a mission to save his life. Much to his surprise, Sofia has returned the same feeling to Armend as he has for her. They're love is so pure and beautiful. Sofia will stop at nothing to save Armends life, including putting her own life at risk.

Debbie Christiana, has, in my opinion, written a Masterpiece. I truly hope that she continues the story of Armend and Sofia because I certainly have not had enough of these two. I can see this story even being made into a movie, it is that good. The detail in Solstice is so exquisite, I can feel myself in the story. I felt like I was there, on this journey with Sofia, Armend, Sofia's parents, her sister and her sister's new love interest, Aaron. I cannot say enough about Solstice. It is simply amazing and not a story you want to miss. I give this book 5 big beautiful stars.