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New Beginnings #1
Sol's Solstice
Due to home instability thanks to their mother's mental illness, Sol and Ben are used to be shuttled between relatives. Sol is used to flying under his family's radar, unless focusing unwanted attention away from his more outgoing, older twin. The day comes when he pays a steep price for attempting to shield his brother when an abusive relative decides to vent his rage and own self-loathing. It means losing Ben, but both boys gain a life without fear. That is, until the day Mama and Daddy manage to track their sons down, wanting to heal their broken family at the urging of their new pastor. Finding himself running for his life after their brand of spiritual counseling bears unwanted fruit, he is nearly run down by a car driven by Seth. Can Seth help Sol find his way back from the darkness? And will he gain Ben back, only to lose himself once more?
147 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 17, 2014
24 people are currently reading
129 people want to read
About the author
Leona Windwalker
34 books99 followersLeona is a longtime staunch supporter of human rights and environmental causes. Her favourite genre to read is M/M fiction and she particularly enjoys science fiction, fantasy, and action/suspense subgenres—especially if they have a nice seasoning of romance. She has far too many books on her Kindle, has overloaded her phone with even more and, when not reading, writing, being driven to distraction by her children, or being overlorded by her three cats, can be found trying to locate the portal that the sock monster uses to steal socks from her dryer.
pseudonym for Loretta Johns
***Works by this author are protected by Muso. Please help support the author who is supporting her family by only purchasing legal copies***
pseudonym for Loretta Johns
***Works by this author are protected by Muso. Please help support the author who is supporting her family by only purchasing legal copies***
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 7, 2019
This story could have been so much more than it was. It read like a first very rough draft of a novel in need of much work and revisions. The multiple POVs suddenly changed, the characters were not developed, romance was non existent, the cult and the subsequent events connecting to it were hastily put together. This story is a rock that could have been polished into a diamond, had the author took time to work on it and used beta readers. I loved the premise, the conflict and all the angst but I hated how sloppily it was put together. I have no idea why someone thought this was ready for publication.
January 14, 2015
A Joyfully Jay review.
1.5 stars
This is a poorly written drama about attempts at religious programming and being held against your will. The romance here is secondary and extremely hard to buy into given the way it is depicted. If I had been made aware of the religious or cult like tones before selecting this book, I would have passed up front. However, this aspect of the book does not come out right away and initially it is the telling style of writing, lack of in depth characterizations, and the overall tone that did not agree with me.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
1.5 stars
This is a poorly written drama about attempts at religious programming and being held against your will. The romance here is secondary and extremely hard to buy into given the way it is depicted. If I had been made aware of the religious or cult like tones before selecting this book, I would have passed up front. However, this aspect of the book does not come out right away and initially it is the telling style of writing, lack of in depth characterizations, and the overall tone that did not agree with me.
Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.
January 25, 2015
Original Blog Post: eARC Review: Sol's Solstice by Leona Windwalker
We would like to thank author Leona Windwalker for donating an ebook copy of Sol's Solstice, to #1 lucky commentator who gets chosen. Make sure to leave a comment in the link to get a free ebook copy of Sol's Solstice.
Review by: multitaskingmomma
My Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Sol is just turning eighteen when his world fell off from right under his feet. His twin, however, made it through and got into a really great world where he now has opportunities to grab that can make his future so much better. They may be twins, but there is nary the semblance of 'one for both and both for one' that most of us read about when the main character is one set of a twin. For Sol, it was survive or die on the street. It could have gone good when his parents found him again, but it did not. His parents are a bit on the dark side so his life just went downhill from where he was already down. On a day that surprised even him, he gets the opportunity to escape.
This is where the fairy-tale twist comes in.
Seth is just driving through when he almost side-swipes a young man in conservative chinos and button down shirt. What was wrong with the picture? The man was barefoot and scared as heck. He obviously had some form of PTSD and all Seth could think of was to help. And he did. He takes him home, gives him food, medication and a bed, and soon, he finds himself giving more of his heart.
Seth and Sol have a relationship that Sol really was not totally comprehending. All he knew was that Seth was his savior and he loved him. When his parents come back and his long lost twin reappears, his mind almost breaks when once again, he is trapped in a situation that could turn fatal. All he needed now was for his Seth to find him and get him out of the hell.
There is a lot going on in this story. There is romance, suspense, kidnapping, torture, brainwashing and just bad medicine all around. However, far from becoming confusing, the story of Sol keeps going until his happiness is handed over to him. Again, I think 'fairy tale.' Should he have not landed on his butt and gotten rescued by someone such as Seth, then he would have long been erased from this planet. Seth is a great guy and he is loaded enough to give Sol all he needed.
What troubles me is Seth, as a character. I didn't really get to know him at all, not like I did Sol. Sol is a beautiful man and what happened to him was traumatic and tragic. His HEA is well-deserved, but for the 'but' in Seth. I wish I got to know more of him for he gives me a good feeling so I know he is a good man.
Overall, this is a light read and even if this is a bit lengthy, it reads short, and this is what made me keep going till the end. It made me feel good despite the unfortunate events that unfolded. I may have rated this low but I really liked this. In fact, I caught myself talking out loud about how unfortunate Sol's circumstances were. I guess what I want to see is this re-edited and made longer, then it would have left a bigger impact on me.
We would like to thank author Leona Windwalker for donating an ebook copy of Sol's Solstice, to #1 lucky commentator who gets chosen. Make sure to leave a comment in the link to get a free ebook copy of Sol's Solstice.
Review by: multitaskingmomma
My Rating: 3.5 of 5 Stars
Sol is just turning eighteen when his world fell off from right under his feet. His twin, however, made it through and got into a really great world where he now has opportunities to grab that can make his future so much better. They may be twins, but there is nary the semblance of 'one for both and both for one' that most of us read about when the main character is one set of a twin. For Sol, it was survive or die on the street. It could have gone good when his parents found him again, but it did not. His parents are a bit on the dark side so his life just went downhill from where he was already down. On a day that surprised even him, he gets the opportunity to escape.
This is where the fairy-tale twist comes in.
Seth is just driving through when he almost side-swipes a young man in conservative chinos and button down shirt. What was wrong with the picture? The man was barefoot and scared as heck. He obviously had some form of PTSD and all Seth could think of was to help. And he did. He takes him home, gives him food, medication and a bed, and soon, he finds himself giving more of his heart.
Seth and Sol have a relationship that Sol really was not totally comprehending. All he knew was that Seth was his savior and he loved him. When his parents come back and his long lost twin reappears, his mind almost breaks when once again, he is trapped in a situation that could turn fatal. All he needed now was for his Seth to find him and get him out of the hell.
There is a lot going on in this story. There is romance, suspense, kidnapping, torture, brainwashing and just bad medicine all around. However, far from becoming confusing, the story of Sol keeps going until his happiness is handed over to him. Again, I think 'fairy tale.' Should he have not landed on his butt and gotten rescued by someone such as Seth, then he would have long been erased from this planet. Seth is a great guy and he is loaded enough to give Sol all he needed.
What troubles me is Seth, as a character. I didn't really get to know him at all, not like I did Sol. Sol is a beautiful man and what happened to him was traumatic and tragic. His HEA is well-deserved, but for the 'but' in Seth. I wish I got to know more of him for he gives me a good feeling so I know he is a good man.
Overall, this is a light read and even if this is a bit lengthy, it reads short, and this is what made me keep going till the end. It made me feel good despite the unfortunate events that unfolded. I may have rated this low but I really liked this. In fact, I caught myself talking out loud about how unfortunate Sol's circumstances were. I guess what I want to see is this re-edited and made longer, then it would have left a bigger impact on me.
January 4, 2015
3.5 STARS
The vague blurb and the cutish cover in no way prepared me for such a dark book. However, to be honest it, was the messed up, “bad” events in this story that I loved. Kudos to the author for going there actually. It would have been simple and kind of the norm to wrap everything thing up in a picture perfect HEA, all characters miraculously healed both physically and mentally. But instead, while the characters relationship gets the required HEA, they are left with realistic scars and problems that don’t just magically disappear. Much of my rating hinges solely on how much I enjoyed the surprisingly angsty direction this story took.
My full review of Sol's Solstice can be found at Love Bytes
http://lovebytesreviews.com/2015/01/0...
The vague blurb and the cutish cover in no way prepared me for such a dark book. However, to be honest it, was the messed up, “bad” events in this story that I loved. Kudos to the author for going there actually. It would have been simple and kind of the norm to wrap everything thing up in a picture perfect HEA, all characters miraculously healed both physically and mentally. But instead, while the characters relationship gets the required HEA, they are left with realistic scars and problems that don’t just magically disappear. Much of my rating hinges solely on how much I enjoyed the surprisingly angsty direction this story took.
My full review of Sol's Solstice can be found at Love Bytes
http://lovebytesreviews.com/2015/01/0...
December 19, 2014
Not heard of this author before but took a chance and ordered this book. A very gripping storyline. To say I loved it isn't really the right term, because it certainly isn't a fluffy love story but an unusual and difficult storyline. Well told. This is going to be one of those stories that makes you think because this kind of thing is real. It will be on my mind for a long time.
December 22, 2014
HOLY HELL!! Very seldom have I come across a book that pulled me in from the very first page, and actually made me want to give someone a MAJOR smackdown!! Leona Windwalker has written a gripping, emotional, gritty debut novel that I would recommend to EVERYONE! I look forward to reading many more books from this talented author.
August 22, 2015
I'm not sure where to start with this one. The plot is implausible, the MC has no chemistry or reason to be together, and everything is stacked against Sol. The first few chapters WTF popped up again and again. Then I felt compelled to finish just to see what other weird idea ended up in this plot.
August 7, 2016
I was thrown by the way the story flowed. It would be easier to critique the negative reviewer than the story itself. I can only agree that the blurb might be off, but the passion of the story outweighed that. Well done Leona and here's to more of your stories to come.
August 19, 2020
An M+M story involves identical twin brothers who end up separated by the child welfare system. The story involves incompetent parents, violent kidnapping, religious cults, and homophobia.
March 25, 2018
This book was very confusing and even though that narration was quite good I felt like I did not understand what was going on, ALL THE TIME. At first, I did get into it but the moment the parents came into play the story just threw me out and I could not get back in.
the plot twists into extreme situations but it seems like Sol is almost not really experiencing them. He is both naïve to a point its painful to read and yet undergoes so much. I could not believe the plot line at all and every new development, from his freakish parents kidnaping him and the colt thing…. It was just too convoluted for me to follow or enjoy.
the characters were too flat, I could not connect with them and it might be because of all the things going on in the book that really took the focus from the characters. I would have liked it to be a story that has less action and more emotion.
the plot twists into extreme situations but it seems like Sol is almost not really experiencing them. He is both naïve to a point its painful to read and yet undergoes so much. I could not believe the plot line at all and every new development, from his freakish parents kidnaping him and the colt thing…. It was just too convoluted for me to follow or enjoy.
the characters were too flat, I could not connect with them and it might be because of all the things going on in the book that really took the focus from the characters. I would have liked it to be a story that has less action and more emotion.
January 30, 2015
I really wanted to love this book but I couldn't quit wrap my heart around it, I didn't totally love the two main characters I wanted more from them. I expected more of a romance and wanted one but the story itself did have unexpected twists and turns that kept me turning the pages. There is drama, emotion, suspense and angst a plenty. There's a lot going on and some quit gripping. I thought the author wrote a unique story of twin brothers and the lives they live. I wanted to know Seth more I felt his character had a lot to offer but we didn't get too close to his character. 3-3.5 stars review by Nanee at upallnightreadallday.blogspot.com
April 4, 2015
DNF at 24%. I am very surprised at the high reviews on Amazon and here at Goodreads. Sorry, but nothing about this rings true.
August 28, 2019
I did finish but it was hard. A lot of the story just not good.
January 16, 2019
This probably only just tipped high enough to get into a 3* as there were too many really? REALLY??? and WTF moments for me to fully buy into the story.
I won the audible version at Love Bytes and the premise seemed good. At first I thought Sol (or Soul as he was pronounced) was 8 rather than 18 because he was just portrayed very young to me (maybe that is how 18’s in Georgia are but totally alien to me).
Whilst yes his living situation is toxic, there were obviously big holes in what I would expect from authority - police, social services etc. The big evil here was the church and it definitely reinforced what I feel is wrong about sects - that brainwashing by bad individuals.
And again I’m sure hospitals should know enough to identify boot injuries and advise authority in their duty of care to the comatose individual but....
Seth and Sol together were very cutsey, again probably to far for me. I liked Martha. Seth portrayed as older than the ‘couple of years’ he had on Sol.
Sol’s reactions to locked doors, church, parents were all understandable and his troubles were not easily solved.
Ben is another issue - how could he just abandon and judge his twin.
I did get involved in the story to need to know what happened to all the bad ones - they were dealt with in a few sentences - I always want harsher justice in these cases!!
I won the audible version at Love Bytes and the premise seemed good. At first I thought Sol (or Soul as he was pronounced) was 8 rather than 18 because he was just portrayed very young to me (maybe that is how 18’s in Georgia are but totally alien to me).
Whilst yes his living situation is toxic, there were obviously big holes in what I would expect from authority - police, social services etc. The big evil here was the church and it definitely reinforced what I feel is wrong about sects - that brainwashing by bad individuals.
And again I’m sure hospitals should know enough to identify boot injuries and advise authority in their duty of care to the comatose individual but....
Seth and Sol together were very cutsey, again probably to far for me. I liked Martha. Seth portrayed as older than the ‘couple of years’ he had on Sol.
Sol’s reactions to locked doors, church, parents were all understandable and his troubles were not easily solved.
Ben is another issue - how could he just abandon and judge his twin.
I did get involved in the story to need to know what happened to all the bad ones - they were dealt with in a few sentences - I always want harsher justice in these cases!!
September 21, 2019
Audio Review
This is a first read by this author and also first from the Narrator. story First.
I liked the premise of the story it was kinda dark... definitely not for the faint of heart as Sol's family is kinda messed up. His mother keeps getting sent to mental facilities and his dad takes care of his mom leaving the twin boys with an abusive uncle. They are separated into foster systems and Sol pretty much ends up on his own. He meets Seth and finally learns to trust him.
The romance side is very slow burn which works perfectly for this book and we watch the two men build faith, trust, and love in each other.
There are lots of twists. I would have liked to know a little more about Seth though.
The Narration I was torn on. The pacing wasn't great and it felt like I was being read to. However, I did like how the narrator did separate the thoughts and there were a lot of them. If nt the story could have been very confusing.
If you like angsty stories, dark romance with a happy ending, May/December, Rich/poor and a slow burn give this a go.
This is a first read by this author and also first from the Narrator. story First.
I liked the premise of the story it was kinda dark... definitely not for the faint of heart as Sol's family is kinda messed up. His mother keeps getting sent to mental facilities and his dad takes care of his mom leaving the twin boys with an abusive uncle. They are separated into foster systems and Sol pretty much ends up on his own. He meets Seth and finally learns to trust him.
The romance side is very slow burn which works perfectly for this book and we watch the two men build faith, trust, and love in each other.
There are lots of twists. I would have liked to know a little more about Seth though.
The Narration I was torn on. The pacing wasn't great and it felt like I was being read to. However, I did like how the narrator did separate the thoughts and there were a lot of them. If nt the story could have been very confusing.
If you like angsty stories, dark romance with a happy ending, May/December, Rich/poor and a slow burn give this a go.
May 25, 2018
Ok-ish.
The premise was a decent one but overall this story all fell a bit flat, in my opinion. I didn't get any emotion from it, had no connection with the characters, and it certainly did not leave me teary eyed (which was what I was looking for when it was recommended to me).
I found it very odd that Seth could walk into a meeting in one sentence and in the very next sentence walk out of the meeting, with zero details of what happened in between. Sol suffers a vicious attack described in 2 sentences and yet the author takes an entire page to describe a building.
Throughout the book I felt the author expended her energy describing the minutiae while the main events just happened as if by rote, which made the events feel predictable and unremarkable. This is my first time reading this author.
The premise was a decent one but overall this story all fell a bit flat, in my opinion. I didn't get any emotion from it, had no connection with the characters, and it certainly did not leave me teary eyed (which was what I was looking for when it was recommended to me).
I found it very odd that Seth could walk into a meeting in one sentence and in the very next sentence walk out of the meeting, with zero details of what happened in between. Sol suffers a vicious attack described in 2 sentences and yet the author takes an entire page to describe a building.
Throughout the book I felt the author expended her energy describing the minutiae while the main events just happened as if by rote, which made the events feel predictable and unremarkable. This is my first time reading this author.
February 13, 2020
I usually read a chapter and listen to a chapter of a book because of my hearing difficulties. Unusually, with this one, I read more than I listened. Although Matt Standley narrates clearly, I felt he has little expression and rushes sentences.
That said, I loved the story of Sol and Seth. It is well plotted and gripped me from start to finish. Don't expect an angst-free ride with this one. It wrenches the heart and while I'd like to believe this couldn't happen in real life, I am certain it does.
Sol and Seth get a very hard won HEA and it is more satisfying because of this. Sol's twin brother, Ben, changes from being rather selfish to a more well-rounded person as the book progresses and I am looking forward to reading his book next.
That said, I loved the story of Sol and Seth. It is well plotted and gripped me from start to finish. Don't expect an angst-free ride with this one. It wrenches the heart and while I'd like to believe this couldn't happen in real life, I am certain it does.
Sol and Seth get a very hard won HEA and it is more satisfying because of this. Sol's twin brother, Ben, changes from being rather selfish to a more well-rounded person as the book progresses and I am looking forward to reading his book next.
August 7, 2020
This romance has a plot so timely and detail so harrowing that I thanked my stars to be alive for its very plausible and satisfying conclusion.
My first Leona Windwalker book was not very well written and I set it down after just a few pages. This one is Leona doing everything right, to our great good fortune as readers. There is a cohort of MM romance writers of my own generation who dedicate ourselves to proving through fiction that love is indeed the solution to what the world needs. Leona's story of Sol, short for Absalom, and his twin brother who survived a terrible childhood and nearly became casualties of it, touches us in all the important ways.
Sex does happen but is de-emphasized in favor of life challenges the characters face.
My first Leona Windwalker book was not very well written and I set it down after just a few pages. This one is Leona doing everything right, to our great good fortune as readers. There is a cohort of MM romance writers of my own generation who dedicate ourselves to proving through fiction that love is indeed the solution to what the world needs. Leona's story of Sol, short for Absalom, and his twin brother who survived a terrible childhood and nearly became casualties of it, touches us in all the important ways.
Sex does happen but is de-emphasized in favor of life challenges the characters face.
July 24, 2018
Good love story
Sol was trying to make his way through life after leaving the foster care system, when his biological family kidnaps him and keeps him locked up in a room or forces him to attend "church meetings" to set him straight from what they see as deviant ways. He escapes and stumbles into Seth who takes him into his home and shoes him what love and family really is. But sadly his family won't leave him be and he is once again abused and held captive. Luckily Seth won't give up on Sol or their love.
Great story and characters you can care for.
Definitely recommended.
Sol was trying to make his way through life after leaving the foster care system, when his biological family kidnaps him and keeps him locked up in a room or forces him to attend "church meetings" to set him straight from what they see as deviant ways. He escapes and stumbles into Seth who takes him into his home and shoes him what love and family really is. But sadly his family won't leave him be and he is once again abused and held captive. Luckily Seth won't give up on Sol or their love.
Great story and characters you can care for.
Definitely recommended.
August 22, 2018
This is my review of the audiobook:
From the blurb, I thought there would be more focus on Sol and Seth and their new relationship. Instead, Sol was constantly fighting for his life, and Seth was trying to save him. I enjoyed Sol and Seth together, I just wish there had been more focus on them as a couple. The characters were well written, and it was easy to hate Sol's parents and the other church members. Based on this one, I had to wait a bit to read Ben's story. I wasn't sure I would be able to like him as a lead. (I'll post that review separately.)
The narration wasn't bad, but it was a bit wooden. I'd like to hear this narrator loosen up, then I think I could easily enjoy his voice.
From the blurb, I thought there would be more focus on Sol and Seth and their new relationship. Instead, Sol was constantly fighting for his life, and Seth was trying to save him. I enjoyed Sol and Seth together, I just wish there had been more focus on them as a couple. The characters were well written, and it was easy to hate Sol's parents and the other church members. Based on this one, I had to wait a bit to read Ben's story. I wasn't sure I would be able to like him as a lead. (I'll post that review separately.)
The narration wasn't bad, but it was a bit wooden. I'd like to hear this narrator loosen up, then I think I could easily enjoy his voice.
August 4, 2019
Excellent
Heartwarming, and tearful , Seth and Sol had a struggle before them due to Sols' deranged thinking parents. Those so against gays that they would stoop so low as to hurt or kill another are truly sick. The story made me feel good, and sad 😢
Heartwarming, and tearful , Seth and Sol had a struggle before them due to Sols' deranged thinking parents. Those so against gays that they would stoop so low as to hurt or kill another are truly sick. The story made me feel good, and sad 😢
May 21, 2018
I really loved this story.. It was dark.. it was sad.. it was amazing.. it wasnt all that sexy which was ok also.. it had romance and sweetness along with the sad and heartache.. i love how Seth doesn't abandon sol when everything goes to hell.. i loved ben and i am hoping he gets his own story but that sol is still included in it.. this was amazing and so many emotions. i am so glad i got to review it
March 21, 2019
Very good
I read this book in one setting. It was very good and very sad at times. I will be reading the next one in the series.
I read this book in one setting. It was very good and very sad at times. I will be reading the next one in the series.
July 4, 2019
This book was an eye opener, I’d like to think that this behaviour doesn’t exist in the day and age, however it sadly does. Written well.
April 7, 2020
Great
A great story line and the characters are great . It’s got some triggers so please read the advice about this book. A great read
A great story line and the characters are great . It’s got some triggers so please read the advice about this book. A great read
June 14, 2019
🌟🌟🌟🌟 3.5 stars
🔥🔥🔥 Heat Level: 2.5
🎧🎧🎧🎧 Narration: 4
Has great bones.
I enjoyed the premise of the story. It sounded great and like it could be deep, profound and healing but unfortunately fall a little short at places. I really liked the characters and I felt so much for Sol. He had such a hard life. He was broken and beaten but kept getting back up. I loved Seth's caring and protective nature. I was enraged by Sol's parents and 'church'. The foundation of this story was great and the narration was really well done but I wanted more. More depth, more healing and more progress with the relationships, more time for the story to develop. I look forward to seeing where the story goes with Ben's story and if we will see more of Sol's recovery as Ben's story progresses. I hope to see a satisfying conclusion to both bothers lives and story.
Thanks for reading! For great stories, reviews and more please visit https://bookstattoosandtea.wordpress.com 📚
🔥🔥🔥 Heat Level: 2.5
🎧🎧🎧🎧 Narration: 4
Has great bones.
I enjoyed the premise of the story. It sounded great and like it could be deep, profound and healing but unfortunately fall a little short at places. I really liked the characters and I felt so much for Sol. He had such a hard life. He was broken and beaten but kept getting back up. I loved Seth's caring and protective nature. I was enraged by Sol's parents and 'church'. The foundation of this story was great and the narration was really well done but I wanted more. More depth, more healing and more progress with the relationships, more time for the story to develop. I look forward to seeing where the story goes with Ben's story and if we will see more of Sol's recovery as Ben's story progresses. I hope to see a satisfying conclusion to both bothers lives and story.
Thanks for reading! For great stories, reviews and more please visit https://bookstattoosandtea.wordpress.com 📚
April 21, 2015
This book has been getting some great reviews, but it wasn't really the book for me. The romance is really secondary, and I had a hard time connecting to the MCs, Clearly, many others have a different opinion, so give it a go if it sounds good!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews