The Book
Solstice
by Debbie Christiana
Genre: Paranormal – Romantic suspense
Publisher: Black Opal Books
Published: May 4, 2013
Cover Artist: Cindy Hammock
Book Description
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 is 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.
In order to break the curse, Sofia and Armend must connect two pieces of a violin sonata that Armend’s ancestor composed for his forbidden love.
Together they embark on a journey from New York to Sicily, to 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.
Excerpt
Once in a lifetime you meet a person who takes your breath away. Not because you want them to, but because they are meant to. – Author unknown
Sofia paused on the marble steps outside her parent’s art gallery. The Manhattan street below bustled with New York activity. People shouted, cabbies leaned on their horns, and a siren wailed in the distance.
The warm October sun beat down on her, yet it couldn’t quell the chill that quivered down her spine. She stood still and waited. From the corner of her eye, she caught a glimpse of two casually dressed men. They appeared to be in a heated conversation, but from behind their dark glasses, Sofia knew they watched her every move.
Could she get to the front door of the gallery before they made their move? She climbed a step and stopped. She rifled through her purse and ascended another step. Three more to go.
Powerful arms snaked under hers.
“Sofia Palmalosi?” a blond man with a southern drawl asked.
She didn’t answer.
“Please come with us,” said the dark haired man.
Defiant, she crossed her right leg over her left and dropped to the ground. “Ms. Palmalosi, don’t do this,” whispered an irritated voice. The man on her right tried to lift her without drawing unwanted attention, but she remained seated in her resistance.
“Don’t make a scene. We’re trying to help you.”
Sofia closed her eyes and relaxed her body. With deep cleansing breaths, she cleared her head and summoned the Lare, the spirits of her ancestors. In her mind, she repeated the incantation.
Dear ancients ones, powerful and wise
Many times to you I’ve prayed
Please reach down from high in the sky
And offer to me your gentle aid.
The wind picked up and cool gusts blew against her face. Her eyes fluttered open. Bits of litter and leaves spun within the vigorous whirlwind that surrounded them. The men on each side of her fought to keep their balance against the unexpected squall. Their free hand flailed in the air as if they were swatting at a swarm of hornets. The Lare wouldn’t hurt them. They were mischievous, not malicious. Sofia sat patiently as first one, then the other man, let go of her, needing both hands to break their fall as they tumbled to the ground.
From behind, another pair of firm hands gripped under her arms and raised her to her feet. This time her legs straightened and supported her. The wind had calmed. The Lare had vanished.
“What the hell are you doing?” a new voice demanded.
The arrival of another person wouldn’t cause the Lare to disappear. Unless…
“What Mr. Palmalosi asked us to. Make sure his daughter arrived safely to his office.”
“She’s not a criminal.” The third man steadied her on her feet. His warm breath was on the back of her neck. “Sofia, are you all right?”
She’d had enough. “Why is it—” She whipped around and was stopped short by dazzling, steel-blue eyes. She cleared her throat and continued. “You know my name, but I don’t have a clue who any of you are?”
“I’ll let your father explain.” Mr. Steel Blue shooed the two men away. “I’ll make sure Ms. Palmalosi gets to where she is going.”
The taller of her two assailants spoke. “Ma’am, we’d like to apologize.”
“You both work for my father?”
The stockier man nodded at Mr. Steel Blue. “Yes. All three of us do.”
“My parents have never had security quite like you before.”
They mumbled an apology or obscenity and left.
Sofia crossed her arms over her chest and looked to the last man standing for an explanation. Once more, spellbound by his eyes, she took a step back and caught her breath. She should be doing the bewitching, not him.
He stood a few inches taller than she did. His black hair was longer than most men chose to wear theirs these days. He sported a neatly trimmed beard.
He held the gallery door open for her. “Your parents are waiting for you.”
Intrigued by the handsome man who caused the Lare to vanish, she went inside.
Buy the Book
Guest Post
Thank you Krystal, for having me as your guest today.
I’ve always loved the moon especially when it’s full, which comes in handy when you’re a paranormal romance writer. Why has the moon mystified and mesmerized us since the beginning of our existence?
A few possibilities: Before we could flip a switch for light, the moon provided a soft illuminating glow to the darkness of the night. We can stare at and enjoy the moon for as long as we want, unlike the sun. It was the one thing in the sky that changed. Everyday the sun was the same bright round orb. The stars and constellations kept their place nightly, but the moon had a sequence of phases it followed each month. Many ancient civilizations considered the moon feminine and worshipped a Moon Goddess. Before we could blame hormones for our menstrual cycle, they believed a woman’speriod followed the lunar cycle.
While doing research for my latest release, Solstice, I discovered the moon plays an important role in many different areas of witchcraft. Many witches charge and cleanse their tools and crystals by the light of the full moon, drawing their power from the energy of the moon. Sofia, the heroine in Solstice is a Strega (Italian witch) and dedicates her new wand under the full October moon.
Sofia also finds the full moon very romantic and she’s not alone. Many a poet has written about the trials of love under the moon. Cyrano de Bergerac referred to the full moon as ‘his friend’ and ‘only witness’ of his love for Roxanne. Shakespeare mentions the moon in almost all of his plays, 52 times in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” alone.
Beethoven was inspired to write his Moonlight Sonata, Billie Holiday Wished on the Moon and who could forget Van Morrison asking for one more Moon Dance, along with countless other musical tributes to the moon.
Why do we find the full moon so amorous? The moon moves the tides; does it move something inside us as well? Some animals howl at the move; does the full moon bring out our primal instincts? I think the mystery is better left unsolved. An explanation may take away the allure of spending a sensual night under the full moon with your love.
The nextfull moon is on Monday, July 22nd. I wish you all a clear sky and someone special to share what Sofia would affectionately refer to as Bella Luna.
About the Author
Debbie Christiana
Debbie Christiana would sit in her room as a little girl and write stories about ghosts, unexplained events and things that go bump in the night. She combined her love of the paranormal with her fascination of unusual love stories and decided to write paranormal romance. She has two novels published with Black Opal Books, TWIN FLAMES and SOLSTICE.
In 2012, she had two short stories published. The Land of the Rising Sun, was one of ten included in the anthology BITES: Ten Tales of Vampires and The Thirteen Steps is featured in BELTANE: Ten Tales of Witchcraft. Debbie is a member of RWA and the International Thriller Writers, Inc. She is the Secretary of her local RWA Chapter of Connecticut and Lower New York. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and three children.
Author Links
Giveaway
