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2/5 Stars
Solstice Sizzle works best when it focuses on the magical aspects of the story.
Nova had her witch powers suppressed from birth by a non-magical mother who lived in fear of what she didn’t understand. Her mother is gone now and Nova is frustrated and angry.
Johan is from a family fully aware of their identity and powers, but in his pursuit of a high-powered legal career, the medium has fallen out of step with his abilities.
They meet at Crystal Sands, their friend, Edi’s alternative healing and new age shop. Edi is helping Nova rediscover her magic and find her natural ability, and Johan, reeling from a bad court case, is on holiday to clear his head and reignite his medium abilities.
Nova and Johan’s attraction to each other is instant… and this is where the story falls flat for me.
I never felt an ounce of sizzle or chemistry between the couple.
Though their thoughts about each other were wild and rampant (and REDUNDANT), they came across as juvenile. Their supposedly “sexy” banter was annoying, and when they do have sex, it’s like watching two high schoolers fumble around under the bleachers.
And again, the banter. Who talks like that? Just stop.
Edi posits Nova’s inability to discover her power is because of a psychological block. Then Nova has an epiphany. Just. Like. That.
Johan is burning candles and meditating… and plotting to jump Nova’s bones again, when he feels a presence near.
He figures out who it is and the connection to Nova and eventually, he will help the two connect.
I wish there was more pop and sizzle to the supernatural elements of the story. I don’t need bleeding walls, but some type of conflict or element of danger to heighten the suspense or intensity of the scenes would have been nice. Instead, it felt like teens around an Ouija board on a Saturday afternoon.
There is plenty of substance here for a paranormal story, but much like the ghost in book 1, it felt rushed through so the focus could return to Nova and Johan, who are simply the weakest links. It never felt like they were moving forward or growing, just shallow and horny.
This paranormal romance read didn’t work for me because it was paranormal-light and romance flat.
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Johan Rogers is a sharpshooting family lawyer who is close to burn out. This is affecting his ability with the Magiks and his once reliable skill as a medium. On a whim, he’s come south to Edi’s shop, Crystal Sands, for a break over the summer solstice. He’s looking for fun, nothing serious, and definitely no commitment.
That’s how things start with the stunning Nova. But then a side of him he’s repressed to be a lawyer begins to emerge. Can he get a handle on his emotions, or will Nova help him to realize his full potential with the Magiks?
Nova McGinnis is struggling to find her unique skill with the Magiks. She’s been repressed too long, and despite Edi’s help, her ability is erratic at best. It’s been nearly a month of trying and she’s made minimal progress. Frustrated, she sees Johan as the perfect distraction.
It was meant to be just a summer love affair, but things are developing into something more lasting. Will a hot love affair prevent Nova from discovering her Magik ability, or help her?
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