My Orc Santa Claus

Eastshore Isle #5

by Veronika Kane

The charming town of Eastshore Isle is my hiding place, but I need someone strong to keep me safe…

I’m pretty sure there’s rules about an elementary teacher hooking up with a student’s parent, but what if I didn’t know that’s who he was? See, I’ve spent the last few months getting hot and heavy with this guy on the app MonsterSmash, but we haven’t exchanged names. This made our parent-teacher conference a little…awkward.

Sakkara is the town’s mayor, and he has a protective streak a mile wide. I confess, I really like that, and right now, I want nothing more than to let him take care of me. Christmas is approaching, and it would be so nice to allow myself to let down my guard for a few weeks and experience the joy of the season with him and his precious daughter.

But I’ve been hiding here from the threat of my past, and when it rears its ugly head, I know I can’t put Sakkara and his family in danger. Besides, what would a guy like him—successful, strong, and oh-so-delicious—want with a gal who brings nothing but trouble? And why does he seem determined to protect me at all costs?

This feel-good, low-angst, high-heat cozy romcom features the following fated Mates, protector, single dad, bad-girl-turned-good, Christmas traditions, found family, and small town (of course)

Genres: Romance, Fantasy, Paranormal, Christmas, Holiday, Contemporary, Urban Fantasy

216 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 29, 2024

About the author

Veronika Kane is the monster-loving alter-ego of USA Today Bestselling Author Caroline Lee. One of Caroline's favorite genres to read is SciFi Romance, which led her to monster romance. When she discovered it was possible to set big, buff, delicious monsters in contemporary cozy small towns, she was sold. And that's how she ended up with a new pen name and a new series.

Welcome to the town of Eastshore Isle, the only beach town on the east coast experiencing negative population growth. You know who's going to help save the town? That's right; super-sexy, laugh-out-loud orcs.

Just like Caroline's HistRomComs, except greener.

Reviews

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Orc Santa Claus by Veronika Kane
Eastshore Isles series #5. Paranormal Orc romance with erotica elements. Alternating 1st person POV. Can be read as a standalone but better as part of the series.
Nikki Rios is a new grade school teacher on Eastshore Isles. She’s ready for the parent teacher meetings where she meets Sakkara, the town mayor, and the father of the mute little girl she has grow close to. Sakkara is an Orc and Nikki instantly feels safe with him. When Nikki gets a threatening letter from her ex, she’s ready to run but Sakkara has other ideas. It’s only as they spend more time together do they realize they have a mutual connection via a social network under assumed names Turquoise and CallMeDaddy. Hot get hotter when they can play in person instead of over the phone!

We finally get Sakkara’s hea! And his daughter Emmy, so sweet, gets another protector. A family. Sigh. The heart is happy.
And so is the kteer.
Of course the Orc is going to save the damsel in distress.

Feel good, low angst, high heat romcom as described by the author.
I agree. Steamy, a problem to solve, an orc to the rescue, fated mates finding each other, and a dash of humor. A fantastic afternoon read.

[Escapist Romantic · Rating 2 out of 5]

Up until now, I’ve loved this series and gave the first three books (and the prequel, My Orc Bodyguard) 4⭐️.
My Orc Silver Fox was 3⭐️(see my review for reasons), as was Schmoozed by the Orc. I love Eastshore Isle!
Sakkara was one of my favorite characters, and I really looked forward to this book but I was disappointed. I gave it 2⭐️ for two reasons. First, I found the FMC Nikki to be inconsistent. She started off smart, fairly confident, and capable (in spite of the fear of her past catching up with her,) but she turned stupid, annoying and weak for a while, and then went back to being smart and capable. The other reason I gave this book a lower rating is the whole sexual dynamic between Nikki and Sakkara. I loved their phone interactions on the MonsterSmash app, it was good and spicy 🌶️, consent was important, and it was clear that they had spoken at length about their preferences/kinks. But when they were in person, it fell apart for me. I found their interactions to be completely unromantic, demeaning towards Nikki, and there was nothing sweet or fated-mate-like about it. Nikki constantly calling Sakkara Daddy, and acting weak/incompetent screamed of an unhealthy relationship and it was gross when she accidentally did it in front of Emmy. Nikki is obviously damaged from her past abuse and needs therapy, not her fated mate calling her a human pet and a dirty human slut. Their interactions felt borderline abusive and not like a Daddy Dom/little girl submissive slut kink. They still got their HEA, but for me, it was completely soured.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars! My favorite one of the series so far

[Brittanica Bold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, my sweet, heart of gold Daddy Sakkara. You were definitely worth the wait! This was by far my favorite book in the Eastshore Isle series to date!

Sakkara was everything I wanted him to be. Fiercely protective, a great father, a caring individual of all, and a Daddy with a filthy, filthy mouth who is ALSO a consent king! The orc was seriously perfection!

I loved how Nikki did not have the best or picture perfect background. I loved learning her secrets and seeing her trust Sakkara little by little throughout the story.

I loved getting to see more of Emmy up close and personal. Her little sassy attitude was so funny and she was beyond smart, which is always nice to see! I also loved watching her open up to Nikki as time went on and actually talk to her.

The app MonsterSmash was such a fun take on their introduction. I loved them being able to be themselves with each other right away because of the use of the app, but how the anonymity didn’t drag through the whole story. It’s also mentioned again that there are more than just orcs and humans. I love that there are minotaurs, gargoyles, vampires, etc. mentioned on the app, as that just opens up the world for future spin offs by the lovely Kane.

I loved the bit of information we learned about how male orcs are usually born as twins. Further, I loved the twin orcs we met in this story being set up for their own books to come next. I really can’t wait to see their twin dynamic play out in the best ways going forward! I already have a favorite twin…hehe.

As usual, the book was funny and spicy in the perfect amounts, and the cover is adorable 😊

Thank you to Veronika Kane for the opportunity to read this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

wonderful Monster Romance ❤️‍🔥

Yep Yet another Monster Romance by Veronika Kane, ooh I have discovered Monster Romances and i think Veronika does a wonderful job of writing them, monster smutty stuff and all. Looking forward to more.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eastshore Isle #5
Paranormal Orc with erotic elements
Monster romance
Sakkara is fiercely protective of his brothers and his daugher Emmy
Nikki is in witness protection
Emmy has had a traumatic experince and doesn't speak.
This is a found family and fated mate book

[Between pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect balance of love story, spice..ohh gotta love the Yes Daddy flavour! A heartwarming found family. And an exciting introduction for new characters as well as the sneak peek of the next book! 😎

[Lesley Smye-Rumsby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this, only thing and it's just my ick is calling a man 'daddy' in bed.

[Ashley Yungbluth · Rating 5 out of 5]

"My Orc Santa Claus" is the fifth book in the "Eastshore Isle" series by Veronika Kane. Nikki is getting hot and heavy with an orc on MonsterSmash. Little did she know that she would actually meet this orc in real life. Nikki is just trying to start over as a teacher. She meets one of her students' parents, Sakkara, who just happens to be an orc. Sakkara is drawn towards Nikki and wants to keep her safe. He knows that there is something going on with Nikki, but he doesn't pressure her to tell him until she is ready. I loved the relationship between Sakkara and his daughter Emmy. I also loved how Emmy accepts Nikki. The breakfast scene was one of my favorite scenes. I also chuckled each time Nikki's ex's name was mentioned. Veronika has done such a wonderful job with the Eastshore Isle series. I liked that I was able to read this book during the Christmas season.

[Alexandria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I continue to enjoy this series. I feel like I'm a part of the town.

In this book we get Sakkara's story. He is juggling raising his daughter, Emmy, and being the mayor of Eastshore. His me time involves a MonsterSmash app after Emmy is asleep.

Nikki is Emmy's teacher. She has no idea that the connection she made on MonsterSmash is Sakkara.

This is a fun, steamy book. I have already preordered the next book.

[Melissa Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sakkura and Nikki were definitely hitting the Daddy kink hard. The app the meet on being called MonsterSmash was just hilarious. And when he realizes who she is...priceless.
I did think it was a little odd how easily she felt into the new family dynamic, but it was nicely done.
Sakkura being the leader of the group also allowed more visibility and appearances of the others, which I loved.

[Jodi · Rating 4 out of 5]

hot and sweet!

What’s happens when you log onto to app MonsterSmash? You meet a real life Orc you call Daddy. Sakkara is not the mayor who has sole support of Emmy. Both have trauma. Nikki is a teacher under witness protection. Until her ex tracks her down. There are secrets, a need for home and family, and mostly to find love.

[GJWilliams · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sakarra’s story disappointing and offensive

An abused woman referring to her sexual partner as “Daddy” and him calling her a “slut” did not fit in w the rest of these stories. Only reason I continued to read was to see what happened when her past abusive partner came after her. Also having an 8yo female child in the house made it more offensive.

[Julianna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not fucking with the daddy kink.. and I had to skip that whole phone call sexting it’s just mad cringe and not sexy at all I was getting second hand from all those “yes daddy”’s . Not my cup of tea had to drop

[Stace]

I kept putting it down and reading something else. I just finally gave up. I like the world and I liked the first few I read but this one just wasn’t working for me this month. Might come back to it might not.

[Xerxia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t have a daddy kink, which made this book a lot harder to stomach. Also, I dislike when the MMC calls the FMC “slut” in the bedroom. So yeah, 0/2, not my jam.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sakkara was looking for a safe place to land to help his adoptive daughter feel more comfortable and blossom into the wonderful kid he knows she is. So when Karnak got a hold of him months ago to encourage him to come to Eastshore, he jumped at the chance to have Emma live in a quiet, friendly community. Here she has made friends, likes school, and seems to be coming out of her shell. Her teacher has been wonderful on understanding of the little girl's plight.

Nikki also recently landed in Eastshore not too long ago, fulfilling her dream to be a teacher in a safe environment where she could help young people (and orcs) do the best they can and helping troubled youths overcome their trauma with kindness and understanding. After all, she has trauma in her past herself. Having a bit of a kink for green, dominating men, she uses Monstersmash... basically a s** app where humans and Others meet up to partake in s**ting and phone s**. Her preferred 'partner' goes by the handle CallmeDaddy, and that really cues my cringe factor.

Sakkara and Nikki meet for a parent-teacher conference shortly before the Christmas break and Sakkara is impressed and thankful for how accommodating she is for his daughter. He also recognizes that his tkeer goes wild for her. He offers to take her out to dinner to continue the chat about his daughter, and to explain why she refuses to speak to most people. They kind of fall into the attracted to each other dating/friendship feel.

So when another teacher approaches him to let him know that Nikki is acting funny, Sakkara wastes no time trying to get to the bottom of it without actually pushing. When he realizes she's been sleeping in her car to hide, he offers his driveway and then moves her into his house when a particularly bad storm hits. He makes it his mission to keep her safe, by any means necessary because he knows, she is his fated mate. Now if he can only convince her to stay with him.

So, Sakkara is actually the mayor, having won a semi-recent election. He ran against the a-hole from Karnak's story and won by a landslide. So, naturally, he gets to be Santa Claus in the upcoming parade. Two new orcs come to town and he asks them to keep Nikki and his daughter safe during the parade, where he is performing his mayorly duties as the final float Santa Claus...

Ignoring the 'Daddy' kink during all the spicy times (which I really don't like), this book was pretty good. It was, by far, the most dramatic climax in the series that have I read thus far. The fated mate thing is still a major factor, but I felt like how the author wrote it in this book was far more believable, or at least easier to digest, then in previous books I have read from this particular series.

I liked Sakkara and I didn't mind Nikki. I thought Em was the cutest, and most accepting, little girl.

[Dr. Lillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another enjoyable Eastshore Isle story, and this one takes place during the holidays! This book centers on Nikki, Emmy's second grade teacher, and Sakkara, new Mayor and Emmy's adopted father. Nikki is a caring teacher and has really taken a liking to Emmy, whom she feels drawn to because of her troubled past. Nikki also harbors some fantasies about the Orcs and greatly enjoys the Orc protector she's found on a popular human-monster dating app, MonsterSmash. Sakkara is trying to figure out how to balance his roles as Eastshore's Mayor, Emmy's father, and his own needs as an Orc male. As it happens, Sakkara likes to be in control and dominant (but only with explicit consent given!) and has found a willing human female also on the MonsterSmash app with whom he feels he can be fully himself. What happens when Nikki and Sakkara discover that they've been on MonsterSmash with each other? And what happens when Nikki's past catches up to her on Eastshore? You'll have to read the book to find out!

Emmy, Sakkara's adopted daughter, is a delight in this book and really begins to come out of her shell, and is more of a third primary character than a secondary accessory. Emmy is selectively mute and has hardly spoken since she witnessed the traumatic deaths of her parents when she was younger. Emmy's growth from a shy girl in a previous book into a more confident girl with her friends and also to speaking with a few other people was so sweet in this book. I hope we continue to see glimpses of the girl she's becoming in future Eastshore books.

Setting the story during the December holiday season provided an even cozier and cute atmosphere for the plot elements and actions that take place. There's something extra special about a holiday-themed story that doesn't entirely revolve about the holidays, and the author pulls it off well in this book. Overall the story is made better for it happening during the holidays.

Age gap: not explicitly stated; Nikki is probably early 30s, Sakkara is probably mid 30s (he's of similar age to most of the other Orcs who came through together but also appears to be more mature). Emmy, Sakkara's adopted daughter, is 8yo.

Tropes: Fated Mates; Protector; single dad; small town; holidays/Christmas

SFCP (safe for childless people); main characters do not get pregnant/have a baby. Accessory characters (from previous books) may be pregnant.

I received an ARC version of this book in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

[Tima · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nikki, the female human teacher lead, loves her class of children, especially Emmy, the half orc female who is selectively mute. Sakkara, the male orc lead, is the newly elected mayor of Eastshore Isle as well as Emmy’s foster father, doing his best to guide and raise her after the death of her biological parents.

Neither Sakkara or Nikki has time for a relationship, so they’ve been spending time with people on a monster app, with Nikki assuming the person she’s speaking to is role playing an orc. When they meet for parent-teacher interviews, and then keep meeting, Sakkara is surprised to find himself more than a little interested.

But Nikki has a secret past that she thought she’d left behind. Unfortunately, it appears to be catching up to her…

This story is dual POV, well written and edited, and a sweet and steamy, contemporary fantasy, small town, orc/human, bad-girl-gone-good, Christmas daddy romance. I enjoyed Nikki’s courage and her resilience, given her historical challenges. I enjoyed Sakkara’s protectiveness, and his leadership qualities. I enjoyed their super steamy intimate scenes, and the perfect complement they were in the bedroom. I enjoyed the devotion they showed towards Emmy, and the corresponding character development she experienced. I enjoyed the ending, and the set up for future stories that I am greatly anticipating.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been my favorite so far! Emmy is just such a sweet little girl, and I loved reading about her opening up in Eastshore after several books of her not talking to anyone.
On top of that, there was a real threat in this book. The others had conflict, but not really any physical danger. I enjoy when the MMC has to not just protect the FMC, but has to go full primal and ready to rip anyone apart in his path to save and protect her. This book has that! My heart was beating out of my chest! I went and re-read those chapters 3x.

***spoiler***


My only beef was that they didn't really touch on what happened after the big conflict, as far as his position as mayor. He got violent in front of the entire town, but I was interested to see how the townspeople reacted to that, given that they started out fearing Orcs. None of them saw what the villain did, only Sakkara's reaction to the danger/threat to his mate. Several previous books involve people trying to get violence out of the orcs, to prove they are just wild animals, but in this book one actually does go savage (for good reason!) and we don't get to see if any townspeople overreacted to that or if he had to rebuild trust or anything.

[Lynn_G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second grade teacher Nikki is especially fond of Emmy, the young half orc who never speaks, but is whip smart. After hours, Nikki uses a pseudonym on a monster hookup site for personal gratification. When she has a phone encounter with one particular orc on the app, she’s fulfilled in ways she never had been with any human man.

Mayor of Eastshore Sakkara has raised Emmy as his own since she witnessed her parents’ terrible deaths. He’s something of a dominant and all of his instincts fire up when he meets Emmy’s teacher: he’s sure they have a deeper connection but he’s not sure how or why. When Nikki’s frightened to the point of leaving her apartment in favor of sleeping in her car, Sakkara invites her to relocate to his home.

Nikki gives in to her desire for Sakkara, (over and over) but fears she’s made him and Emmy a target of her past terror.

This was another sexy, steamy book in the Eastshore Isle series. Nikki and Sakkara (and little Emmy!) did not disappoint.

I was fortunate to have received an advance reader copy from the author and bookfunnel, and I’m sharing my enthusiastic review.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Orc Santa Claus by Veronika Kane is a heartwarming story about found family and fated mates with quite a bit of spice thrown into the mix for good measure.

Sakkara has been part of Eastshore Isle since Jess came up with her plan to revitalize the island in the first book of the series. I always wondered about his backstory, and we get those details in this book.

Sakkara has an intense need to protect those he loves from danger as a result of tragedy he experienced earlier in his life. Nikki had a rough start in life, but she’s made the most of the opportunities she’s been given. Sakkara’s protective instincts are definitely useful when Nikki’s past catches up with her.

The unexpected star of the story, though, is Sakkara’s daughter, Emmy. Kane writes her character with humor and sass. I would be interested in reading her story at some point down the road.

I’m excited to read about the newest orc additions to Eastvale Isle: twin brothers Memnon and Simbel. I never thought I’d be this into orc romance, but now I can’t get enough of it. Bring it on!

I received an ARC from the author. The opinions expressed above are mine.

[Puna · Rating 1 out of 5]

From his earlier appearances in the series I was really looking forward to Sakkara’s book. But from the very beginning there was sort of an icky vibe. The FMC seemed to go from a horrible, abusive guy to one that protected her from others but also kinda degraded her by calling her his ‘dirty human pet’ ‘human slut’ multiple times. It didn’t feel nice or sexy. It felt like she was less than. It also felt like she was used to being thought of that way so that’s what she looked for in a relationship. Like another review said, it felt boardline abusive rather than a kink.

As for her calling him ‘Daddy’ that she said it several times in front of other people, outside of the bedroom that bothered me. Have some control lady, calling him Daddy in the school where you work is bad but to then do it in front of his kid!?! Definitely inappropriate.

The last problem I had is stupid but to show/remind the reader that her last name Rios and demonstrate how Hispanic she is by repeatedly throwing in a ‘Dios’ or ‘Dios mio’ and only that really bugged me.

[Brielle S · Rating 5 out of 5]

🔥🔥🔥

I give this a 3.5 on the spicy level, out of 5. I rate my spice based on kink, descriptions, length, etc. The only reason this didn't make a 4 for me, is because even though it was consensual, the "s" word directed towards women just irritates me to high heaven. Makes me think of a sleezy person that sleeps around with multiple people. I'd say to each their own, but it was a turn off for me, sooo... Yep. The story itself was great, plenty of cozy town sweetness with secret spice. I loved how it was two people with "prestigious positions" to be closet smut lovers if you get my drift 😉.
I wasn't totally into the whole "Daddy" bit, but I loved the rest. The dom kinks are always great, (unless it's a dark romance *shudders* ick.) I wish there was more kinks in this, but it was good nonetheless.
I love family stories, and the spice was the icing on the cake.

[Sara Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Amazimg!

This story but a lot of personal issues for me, in a good way! I loved every second of it. I wasn't prepared for it to make me cry and process old wounds... But it did... And I am so grateful! Normally I read to escape and enjoy not to over think my past. But this allowed me to explore my past in a tender way and also have fun learning about the characters. It has to be my favourite so far in the series. I think I say that about all of them as I read the new ones... But this one.... This story touched my heart and my past. It will forever hold a very tender place on my bookshelf. On the fun side... It was hot! Spicy spicy oh daddy hot! Loved it! Such a great holiday book too! Loved this and can't wait for the next one. Veronika Jane's books are quickly becoming some of my favourites!

[Kim Torrance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well damn Daddy! Sakkara is one hot dominant orc. The banter between Sakkara and Nikki is great, their relationship started online with a tone of smexy texts and a hot phone call. And the moment they worked out that they had been each other's online romance was the sweetest. It was an instant connection that just strengthened throughout the book. But sadly Nikkis past caught up with her but that didn't stop Sakkara from protecting what's his.



I loved seeing little Emmy come out of her shell more in this book and finally knowing her background story. She is so lucky to have Sakkara and all her other uncles to care and protect her.

As always I fell in love with another eastshore couple and can't wait for the next book 😍

[Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it !! love this series !! love Nikki, Sakkara and Emmy.. this is their story... a fast paced rom/com drama... Nikki is Em's teacher, second grad...she has a past.. foster kid, abused and ended up in witness protection and a new life on Eastshore... Sakkara is now mayor and is lonely, having no mate, taking care of Emmy... Monstersmash app is a website for monster/human texting and more.. that's where he meets Turquoise... later meets Nikki at a parent/teacher conference... we learn more of Sakkara and Emmy's past trauma and Nikki's past... all happening at Christmas time... so good !!!
can't wait for Simbal's and Memnon's story...
received this on an ARC, my honest review...

[Grace Leonora Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas in Eastshore. Love it.
There's something about small towns that seem to just create so much Christmas. It's my favourite time of the year.
Sakkara and Nikki just give me the warm fuzzies. I love the fact they met online and then realised they knew each other in the real world.
Sakkara is such a great Daddy Dom, completely respecting Nikki's wishes and showing her what real love is 😍
Nikki makes a great extra guardian to Emmy showing that care and love can help heal.
A great start to my Christmas reading.

[K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I read an Eastshore Isle book, I say it’s my favorite one. And…. This one is no different. I love that they have an online relationship so we get to have dirty talk from the get-go and then the way I can relate to the little quips of Sakkara’s parenting is absolutely so cute and makes him just perfect! Sexy single dad + orc + vocal pleasure dom? Mmkay yes please. And Emmy is literally such a cute character in this!

I loved Nikki’s story and this is such a good little holiday addition to Eastshore Isle!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sakkara is the new mayor of Eastshore, raising his adoptive daughter and leading his brothers. He's also a secret daddy dom on an anonymous monster app.

Nikki is Eastshore's newest teacher. And she's in witness protection after helping get her abusive ex arrested.

Sakkara and Nikki don't realize they have been chatting to each other for months on the monster app.

The real star of this book is, of course, Emmy. The sassy little orc who steals everyone's hearts. I adored seeing her love for Nikki. And openly bawled at her Christmas gift for Nikki.