by Beka Westrup
Clio has been drawn to a mysterious manor on the edge of the artic circle. What she discovers might have her questioning her past and her future. What sort of secrets does the owner, Nikolai, hold? Let’s find out!
Read if you like: fantasy romance, contemporary fantasy, vampires, forced proximity, slow burn, ‘she’s not mine,’ sensitive vampires, and a leading lady determined to find herself.
Clio is about to marry the picture-perfect, and often absent Duncan, but she’s feeling uneasy. Ignoring her nerves, she jets off to a snowy manor to find a breathtaking wedding venue… and possibly some answers about the death of a friend. What she finds is an inexplicable draw to the house and its incredibly captivating owner.
Nikolai has been waiting for polar night and the long freeze so that he can have more freedom to do as he pleases in the dark. When suddenly a meeting with a potential client ends with her forcing a two week stay so she can plan her wedding in his hotel. And he can’t seem to tell her no.
Beneath the Bloody Aurora is a debut by Beka Westrup and the writing is beautiful. The slow burn romance has you screaming at their silly hearts to just go for it, but it’s done so well. The forced proximity within such a beautiful setting makes you long for a getaway of your own with the Aurora Borealis as a backdrop. The couple is the main focus to the plot and I love understanding their story and the unique way they are brought together. And when they get together, it’s very spicy indeed.
The world building with magic, the Church of Light, and beasts and other vampires is interesting, but I need a little more consistency. I loved the idea of the Light and how humans and evil can corrupt it and therefore asking questions and building true faith and not blind faith is very important. A great healing story for those with religious trauma. However, the origins of the fall and how evil and beasts and vampires are created and what’s going on in that realm needed more attention. Also, without knowing if there is a sequel in the works the epilogue is a little out of place. And I love an epilogue.
Overall, a great romance story with fantasy elements and a gorgeous setting all surrounding a tale of personal growth and inner strength. 3.5-4 stars.