Book Review: Frozen Flowers Fallen by Sarah Westill

About the Book:

Title: Frozen Flowers Fallen

Author: Sarah Westill

Series: Bella and the Beastmaster #1

Page Length: 162

Publication Date: Dec. 6, 2022

Synopsis: In a country obsessed with genetically inherited gifts, Bella Fenwick is no one special. At least that’s what she’s been led to believe. Then a handsome Ruthenian walks into her life, a wolf at his side. He won’t let Bella hide behind her desk and discredit the evidence she’s discovered that could lead to a murderer.

Sent by his high marshal to investigate the death of an official’s daughter, Beast Master Markus Ralston and his wolf, Lunah, don’t let something as trivial as politics get in the way of learning the truth. Markus knows Bella can help, even if she doesn’t want to believe him, and he insists on her assistance in the case. Much to Lunah’s dismay, Markus soon realizes more than the Sziverian woman’s unique talent may have drawn them together as whisperings of mate slide across his nerves anytime they touch…

Following the clues no one else has bothered to look for, they quickly realize they’re on a race against time before the frozen nights thaw and the serial killer disappears… 

LINKS:   Goodreads   |    Amazon

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My Review:

Frozen Flowers Fallen is a great start to the Bella and the Beastmaster series. It has compelling characters, an interesting plot, and it takes place in the same world as Westill’s Gen Heirs: The Guardians of Sziveria series.

Bella is a great protagonist. A clerk with no genetic gifts, Bella is often underestimated. Sent to investigate the murder of an official’s daughter, Beast Master Markus Ralston realizes Bella’s worth almost immediately and insists that she work with him on the investigation. They are such a great team!! Both are outcasts in their own way, Bella because she doesn’t have a genetic gift (that she knows of), and Markus because of where he’s from.

Markus has a lot of confidence and surety in his life, and I like how he supports, encourages, and challenges Bella. With Markus as a partner, Bella learns more about the person she is and what she’s capable of.  For her entire life, she has been told she has no real genetic gift, but some of her abilities seem pretty special, so I’m curious to see if she learns more about herself in the next book. I’m also super interested to see how the slow-building relationship between Bella and Markus develops as the series progresses. They have great chemistry, and I have a feeling their romance will be swoon-worthy!

I have to mention my favorite character in the novella. Marcus has a wolf named Lunah, and she’s fantastic! I love Lunah’s role in the story and her lovely connection to Markus. She’s fierce and sweet, and she has a big personality! Other characters, like Bella’s mother, are great too. Bella has a wonderful relationship with her mother, and I like how this family shows a very different experience and perspective than many of the others we’ve seen in this world.  It adds depth and layers to the ever-growing and developing setting.

I really enjoyed this read. It’s quick and entertaining, and the mystery is intriguing. There’s some action and suspense as Bella, Markus, and Lunah rush to solve the case before it’s too late. I also found it interesting that Bella, who is often overlooked, uses evidence that was overlooked to solve the case. There are some strong messages about race, class, and prejudice throughout Westill’s works.  

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Rating:

Favorite Parts:

• The romance.

• The intrigue.

• The setting.

• Lunah!

Recommendations:

This is a great novella for readers who enjoy paranormal romance or romantic suspense.