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Bloodfire Orcs #2

The Orc's Unexpected Wife

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They call him The Keeper, so why isn’t my mysterious new captor more interested in keeping me?

My father always told me I was too impetuous, but when I see a chance to escape my horrible life—being forced to work on my back for the tavern-keeper who owns my brother’s debt—I take it. And some valuables on the way out. Is it any wonder I’m chased into the snowstorm…and right into the single arm of a seven-foot-tall, wounded and grumpy recluse?

The Keeper might be terrifying, but he saves my hotheaded arse from certain death, then takes me back to his cozy little cottage. I can tell he wants naught to do with me, but the fierce blizzard means he’s stuck with me…and a single bed.

Determined to be useful, I’m hopeful I can wear him down. After all, I have plenty of experience with males and their pleasure. But when I learn what it is I’ve actually stolen, I become determined to set things right. Will he help me, or has he had enough of my chatter?

get ready for a spicy romantasy with a reluctant hero who just wants to be left alone and a sassy knows-what-she-likes heroine not at all disappointed to be snowed in with a hot kilted orc!

262 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 11, 2025

163 people are currently reading
88 people want to read

About the author

Veronika Kane

37 books85 followers
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.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
Profile Image for Madison Warner Fairbanks.
3,397 reviews495 followers
April 11, 2025
The Orc’s Unexpected Wife by Veronika Kane
Bloodfire Orcs series #2. Paranormal orc historical romance. Spinoff from the Stolen Hearts series. Diverse and disability elements. Fated mates. Can be read as a stand-alone but better as part of the series.
When an other woman is bought and saved from being sold by a large green Orc, Verna takes a chance and follows through the mist in the stone circle. She’s hoping to escape her own untenable position and find a kinder protector by following the orc to his village. A blizzard prevents her from following the couple through the highlands.
Jorak is The Keeper, or protector on the orc side of the magic stones. His job is to make sure that no one other than their clan comes through the stones the one night a month the mist and magic opens the door. He sees small footprints hidden within his own and finds a human woman huddled under the trees trying to escape the blizzard. He brings her into his cottage until the blizzard passes, planning to take her to the village once it’s safe to travel.
She makes herself useful cooking, cleaning, and helping with chickens and other animals. It’s a small cottage and he has only one bed. He prefers to be alone but strangely doesn’t mind having her around.

A spicy historical romcom with plenty of humor and loving.
The village is a community where everyone is valued, everyone helps and shares. Kind of amazing.
I adore these orc romances, both the historical and contemporary. An afternoon escape that will leave you happy and maybe a bit wilted from the stream. 😉
I will drop everything for a new orc book by Veronika Kane.
Profile Image for Jen.
272 reviews2 followers
April 6, 2025
I am well and truly obsessed with these Scottish orcs. I was smitten with the Keeper in book 1, so I was thrilled this grumpy orc was our MMC.

Verna escaped Alred and followed Isadora and Torvolk to the stones. The Keeper (Jorak) finds her lost in the blizzard and takes her back to his home. Verna brings life and happiness back to this grumpy, lonely orc.

I loved seeing the parts of the story that overlapped with book one, and learning new things about the other characters. I can't wait for book 3! I'm so glad it's Myra and Vartok because I am obsessed with their dynamic already!!
Profile Image for Lynn_G.
1,113 reviews27 followers
April 4, 2025
We first met the human FMC Verna in an earlier book in the series when she comforts Isadora just before the ruthless tavern owner auctions her off, but it’s not necessary to read that book prior to this one. At the outset of this book, tavern wench Verna witnesses Isadora being won by and then whisked away by the hulking orc Torvold. Seeing her own chance at escape, she follows the unwittingly mated couple through the veil but isn’t fast enough to keep up with them as they head toward the Bloodfire clan village. After hastily taking refuge beneath the massive boughs of a for tree against a snowstorm, another orc appears and fearing for her life drags her back to his hut to ride out the blizzard.

Having lost his arm in combat seven years prior, Jorak has been punishing himself ever since by staying away from his clan under the guise of remaining vigilant as the clan’s Keeper, although he really only needs to spend a few nights there at most, as the veil between worlds is only lifted once a lunar month. When he stumbles upon the lovely redhead Verna, however, he begins to doubt his decision to hold himself apart from others. Quickly he realizes she means a great deal to him, but he’s also unconvinced that she could possibly want him as well.

As she finds herself wanting to stay with the gruff but kind orc who taught her to read and to value herself beyond whatever coin paying men have expected from her in the immediate past, Verna is certain if she does so Jorak and his entire clan will be in danger from the tavern owner.

There are some heavy themes including women being sold into prostitution, as well as living with a disability, but there are also some funny moments. There are several very spicy scenes, and these are quite well done. One of my favorite things about this novella is Jorak teaching Verna to read.

I was fortunate to have received an advance reader copy from the author, and I’m happy to share my honest review.

Profile Image for Brittanica Bold.
563 reviews70 followers
April 11, 2025
Hands down my favorite Veronika Kane book to date!!

What I loved:
1. I loved that Verna came through the veil on her own! I have missed a book in the interconnected standalone series so I’m not 100% sure, but I’m pretty sure she is the only human to have done this alone and I think that’s perfect for her stubborn personality!

2. I loved that Jorak was a wounded hero who was incredibly protective even before he realized Verna was his mate! Known for being a lone wolf, he had tortured himself telling himself that he deserved to be alone when in reality, he was so very needed by his mate and his clan. I loved watching his transition throughout the book! I also loved how he became a bit like Giza on Eastshore Isle where he became the person who taught everyone about the history of their people and their traditions.

3. I also loved that Verna was a bit of a troubled heroine. She had been sold, used, and lied to most of her life, and yet she still had such a good heart and such a softness for her mate. I loved watching her come to realize what love was and what being with someone physically COULD mean. I was so happy for her and where her life ended up taking her after everything it had thrown at her.

4. Gotta mention that praise k!nk! The way that he worshipped her and metaphorically kissed all her scars was pure perfection, but add in the “Ye’re doing so well” and I was GOOOOOONE!!!

5. I loved the take that orcs were these scary beings that the humans told their children about and most people chalked up to fairy tales. That just felt so realistic!

6. I loved learning more about the human/orc pairing and what their offspring tended to look like: males born looking like their fathers; females born looking like their mothers. I feel like every orc book Veronika gives us, she gives us a little bit more information on the orcs that I’m tucking away in my repository!

Thank you to Veronika Kane for the opportunity to read a copy of this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed above are honest and my own.
2,925 reviews30 followers
April 3, 2025
4.5 stars. Verna, the female human lead, has escaped from the tavern, where she was “working” to pay off her now-deceased brother’s debt, when the tavern owner claimed she owed him two more years. Following another female who has been bought by an orc who seemed to actually care for her (first book in series), she crosses into a mist and is shocked to find herself in an apparently different location. Hiding in a stable, she tries to work out what is going on.

Jorak, the male orc lead, has been “Keeper of the Stones” for the last seven years, since he returned minus most of one arm from battle. Supervising the portal travel on the one night of the month it is open has become his vocation. Reviewing the space after the portal closes, he’s shocked to find human footsteps following his official visitors’ horse towards the village as a blizzard starts. He races to save the individual and is even more shocked to find a female who calls to his primal mating instinct.

Jorak is sure he is unworthy of a mate, since he can’t care for her the way he believes he’s meant to. Verna is certain that no male would want her because of her (involuntary) history. Stuck together in a blizzard, can they resolve their miscommunications and resist their attraction? And is there a solution when Verna’s past catches up with her?

This story is dual POV, well written, and a funny, sweet and steamy, historical fantasy, orc/human romance. I loved the banter between the characters. I empathised with the historical hurts both carried, including Jorak’s physical disability. I enjoyed Verna’s assertiveness and her determination to change her circumstances. I enjoyed Jorak’s changing perspective on his past, as well as his persistent care and respect for Verna, especially when she didn’t expect it. I enjoyed the steamy intimate scenes. I enjoyed the integrated and supportive secondary characters. I am looking forward to the next in the series - the set up was hysterical.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.
Profile Image for JML.
1,294 reviews24 followers
August 24, 2025
4 &1\2 fabulous🌟's for The Orcs unexpected wife🔥🌟💖

I do believe Veronika Kane has me hooked on her somewhat grumpy delicious orcs in kilts with sexy Scottish accents.🔥🌟💖 this is the second in her Blood fire Orcs series and do was just as delightful as the first. We met both Verna and Jorak in the first book and together they show us how important acceptance and second chances are in life. Verna did not have an easy life she was at the Tavern to pay off her brothers debts and when she decided to help Isadora she decided to help her self and escape her circumstances. When she ends up running Bing through the veil she meets Jorak, the Keeper of the stone and her whole world changes. Jorak, became keeper 7years ago after looking control in battle and liking part of ones of his arms. He exiled himself to the standing stones thinking that his clan would be better off without him . when he finds Verna half frozen in the snow his whole life changes he learned to live again . he wants to be better for her he also wants to protect and care for her. They work side by side y danger still lurks among the stone and their is an evil in Verna's past that could destroy the happiness she's found not only with her Orc but other others who have become family to her. You need to read and find out if Jorak can save his beloved from her last or wi!! He be doomed to live without her.?! The world building is excellent MS Kane brings the right amount of historical detail into this fantasy to keep you hooked. If you like gorgeous orcs and like them even better in kilts this book is for you! Totally recommend and I can't wait to read the next one!💖🔥🌟💖🔥💖🌟🔥💖🌟🔥🌟💖🔥
Profile Image for Jillian.
Author 9 books5 followers
November 9, 2025
This is a sensational second installment in the monster romantasy Bloodfire Orcs series.

Human FMC Verna follows Isadora and her orc from book one, trying to escape her unfortunate contract at the whorehouse. She travels through a snowstorm, finds her way to the stones, and crosses the veil, only to end up at the mercy of the orc known as The Keeper, MMC Jorak. He’s gruff and used to his solitude but quickly warms to her.

I enjoyed this book a lot. It was relatively cozy and spicy while still connecting to the bigger story. Much of it was set away from the clan village, allowing the characters to spend plenty of time… getting to know each other. But it also circled back to the series plot and other characters while continuing to develop the MCs’ relationship.

I’m looking forward to book three, The Orc’s Innocent Plaything. Myra and Vartok have been featured in the other books, so I’m excited to get their POVs.

Spice 4/5
Plot: 4.5/5
Writing: 4.5/5
My Enjoyment: 4.5/5
Profile Image for K. .
402 reviews6 followers
April 5, 2025
Great Read! While the historical representation of forced sex work is such a drag, this book brings Verna’s experience into play as both a backstory and a quirk. This strong female character has such an innocence she’s held onto through it all that is sweet and I love to read it with her Orc male.

Jorak is such a prickly, broken male that his epiphany alongside sassy, subservient Verna is even more sweet. When he finally lets himself out of his head it’s exciting for his new mate and therapeutic for him and felt like a big long exhale to myself as the reader.

I love the intertwining stories in this series and can’t wait to learn more about the orcs of the Bloodfire clan and their human mates!
Profile Image for Carmen.
2,068 reviews11 followers
April 22, 2025
Learning Self Worth

I enjoyed the romance between Verna and Jorak as they both had something to learn from each other. Verna had a past of forced prostitution and abuse. When she runs away she follows the Orc into Orc lands who bid on the young girl being auctioned at the Inn where Verna was serving as fleshy entertainment. But the Orc she follows is on a horse and she is soon lost in the snow. She is saved by the Orc Keeper Jorak and the two form a sort of friendship. Without giving the story away, both need to heal the scars of their past and learn that they have worth in spite of it. Jorak was so busy trying to show Verna she had more to offer than her body that he couldn’t see he did as well. It was a great story and the sexy times were wild.
487 reviews4 followers
April 11, 2025
I was so excited that this book was about Keeper. And I absolutely loved him! My heart ached for how he was still punishing himself for what he saw as his mistake. I really loved how he got to see his village through Verna’s eyes and also through his own newly opened eyes. I loved that the village did not disappoint me.
Verna was amazing as well. So strong to not lose her sense of self and her attitude after the years of her work. She was truly a perfect compliment to Jorak. I loved their love story and how they both went through a healing journey together. Can’t wait for more!!!

I did receive an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
194 reviews1 follower
December 15, 2025
The Orc's Unexpected Wife (Bloodfire Orcs Book 2

I love Orc stories! This one is no exception! I have read the prequel as well as the 1st book and all are 5 stars! The authors stories show exactly why I love those guys. They are sweet and gentle, not to mention generous lovers, as much as they are fierce in the protection of their women and clan. Well, all women really. The modern man could learn a lot from them. These stories have wonderful humor, love, sex and great story lines. Great world building too. I could read these all day every day! Great reads! Thank you authors for the past days spent reading your books! A+++
Kathy
Profile Image for Crystal Demars.
27 reviews1 follower
May 1, 2025
Great series! Unfortunately now I “would” with Shrek.

I’ve read all the orc books by this author so far and I have loved every one!

The storyline is entertaining, the characters are interesting, I even enjoy the fluff.

The dialogue is fun to read, not too heavy. My only issue was that at one point my brain took the Scottish accent and big green guy and turned it into Shrek during a spicy scene. Sadly I just went with it anyway and am embarrassed to say I have since added Shrek to my “Hear Me Out” list. But whateves. Just more ammunition for the ole Spank Bank.
Profile Image for Lissa.
1,319 reviews141 followers
June 15, 2025
More like 3.5 stars.

I liked this book better than the first one, mainly because of the leads. I really liked the Keeper in the first book with all of his delicious angst, and he didn't disappoint. ;) I also really liked Verna, and I was happy to see her again. I just wish that the two characters had communicated with one another more...or at all.
Profile Image for JP.
1,826 reviews14 followers
November 11, 2025
Absolutely FANTASTIC 😁

This story is about learning your worth 😃. A young woman who's brother sold her to pay his debts to a tavern keeper, learns that she's been lied to by the tavern keeper 😖. So when she decides to run away, she learns that Orc's aren't the mean and ravenous creatures that they've been told their whole lives 😉. Great Story, Lots of action, intense situations yummy sexy scenes and Awesome characters 😄. Thanks again Veronika and Caroline, I truly enjoyed reading this story and can't wait to read more 🤓.
2,311 reviews11 followers
April 4, 2025
An Exciting Adventure!
This was a delightfully romantic romp into the world of The Keeper, Jorak where Verna quickly learns how to twist him around her little finger.
It is filled with excitement too as they discover some truths that could change the lives of Verna's friends and co-workers.
Well constructed characters and a cute and hot story made this book a pleasure to read and enjoy.
I read an early copy and am happy to leave my voluntary review.
Profile Image for Stealthy Dragon 623.
157 reviews
April 4, 2025
Just when I thought Veronika Kane couldn't come up with a better orc in her stories, I am falling in love all over again! The Keeper is a story I have been waiting for and I was not disappointed.

This story is filled with all the burning heat we know and love from Kane's stories. Our MCs help each other find their worth and where they belong. I cant wait to see more of them in the background of the next story!!
Profile Image for Trixie.
5,174 reviews
April 12, 2025
This story really opened my eyes to how often we can misunderstand what others are saying. Our own experiences and perspectives can cloud our interpretation of their words. It was so heartwarming to see the characters be vulnerable and brave, which ultimately brought them together and helped them admit that they needed each other. I loved that ending! I'm so happy the main characters found one another and worked through their personal issues. It felt like such a rewarding conclusion!
23 reviews2 followers
April 13, 2025
Another good Bloodfire Orc clan book. This is about two soul who feel they have no worth. One is an Orc with a missing arm and one is a human who has been treated like chattel and the only thing she has that is worth anything is her body. It is a good story on how they learn that they are needed and have so much to give to each other and the Orc clan. There are several steamy parts and some action scenes.
Profile Image for Beata Beatrix.
444 reviews10 followers
April 8, 2025
🔸️The story provided me with a right dosage of comfort, which I have desperately needed today.
The romance between 2 lonely, hurt souls was enjoyable and fun to read.
🔸️I liked Jorak's stoic & grumpy POV, and I feel Verna's resilience & boldness is remarkable.
🔸️Great choice for evening, relaxing reading.
Profile Image for Robin Ann.
1,372 reviews3 followers
May 15, 2025
Unexpected Company

I enjoyed reading the way they met when he found her, how he learned to get along with her. I admired her bravery and his understanding of her old lifestyle. Also the way he shared his knowledge of words and writing. They worked together in more ways than one as they experienced their HEA.
Profile Image for Sara Woods.
307 reviews
August 6, 2025
In Love

Green sexy smart warrior orc that I can't get out of my dreams! This book... Oh this book! Loved it! It made me cry happy tears and made me turn the fan on with the hotness of our couple together! Ohhh such hot and sexy scenes! It was fun and the ending so satisfying! Go Team Green!
Profile Image for Kim Torrance.
94 reviews
April 11, 2025
I enjoyed this one. watching the keeper come out if his shell and become part of his clan again all thanks to his mate. He also helped her see her value and find her place in the world and prove that she is wanted and worth more then what she thought.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
36 reviews1 follower
April 14, 2025
A better storyline than book 1

This book had a much better storyline than book 1. There was a little more character development with Verna and Jorak so I enjoyed this book more than the previous one.
Profile Image for Joy Hintz.
340 reviews
April 25, 2025
I LOVE THIS SERIES!!! I enjoyed this one more than book 1. Loved how Jorak and Verna were both broken in the eyes of others, but totally complemented each other as a couple! Jorak was such a grumpy orc that fell hard for Verna so I fell in love with him!! ❤️
Profile Image for Jodi.
1,779 reviews
June 9, 2025
love these books

Verna follows Isadore through the veil. Thinking to follow them to the village, she nearly freezes to death until Jorak rescues her. She disturbs his orderly life. She is what he needs. This was fun, sweet, so sexy and the sass/banter was awesome.
77 reviews
July 13, 2025
an unexpected good book

I am very picky about Orc stories and I have to say this surprised and delighted me. The characters were real and I enjoyed their journey to their happy ever lasting.

I am going to check out more books from this author.
1,631 reviews4 followers
Read
September 16, 2025
Good read🌟

The Keeper is a grump. But Verna is well aware of men and their idiosyncrasies. She knows her old boss will come for the things she took. Jorak will let nothing happen to her. Enjoy
Profile Image for Marianne.
7,189 reviews85 followers
April 3, 2025
Super orc romance. I liked it a lot! Steam, drama, and a bit of adventure..
931 reviews22 followers
April 13, 2025
Who doesn't love a grumpy/sunshine trope? I know I do! I enjoyed this so much! I had so many laughs while reading this. Then we move on to the 🌶️, I love a good orc 🍆 lol! I can't wait for book 3!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews

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