I have done some foolish things in my life, but mayhap the worst was trying to escape my cruel uncle by riding through the stone circle a few days before full moon. My horse throws me—because of course—and I am wounded. But then I wake up in my own bed. How did I save myself?
It turns out I did not. The huge, green, terrifying beast hiding in the barn claims he saved me. I should be horrified.
But I take one look at Mkaalad—with his tusks and his claws and his kilt and his mighty…sword—and just know: he is mine and I am his.
Assuming he can save me a second time.
This orcs-in-kilts romatasy features insta-love, hurt/comfort, fated Mates, plenty of humor, and some fun times in the hot springs!
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.
This is such a fun orc romantasy novella! It’s a prequel in the Bloodfire Orcs series and can be read in any order.
Human FMC Avaleen lives on a quaint Scottish property with her sister Myra, where they care for their mean, miserly, and ailing uncle. When Avaleen goes out for a ride on her horse and takes a fall, orc MMC Mkaalad is there to… tend to her.
I enjoyed this novella a lot, it’s a light and fun teaser to the series. It sets up the world nicely while keeping the stakes low. I liked the worldbuilding and the Scottish medieval inspired orcs. They are the same species as Kane’s Eastshore Isle orcs, even though that series is set in modern times.
This is a quick, easy, and entertaining read! I can’t wait to see what happens in the first full length novel, The Orc's Auctioned Mate.
Spice 4/5 Plot: 4.5/5 Writing: 4.5/5 My Enjoyment: 4.5/5
Bloodfire Orcs Series : 1 The Orc's Auctioned Mate (2025) 2 The Orc's Unexpected Wife (2025) The Orc's Fated Maiden (2025) - Related to this series 3 The Orc's Innocent Plaything (2025) 4 The Orc's Eager Captive (2025)
I like this series and really enjoy this universe. While I like the couple and even though the formula was the same…recognition of the mate, smell of arousal, level of experience…this installment wasn’t as exciting as the others. Still a good romantasy and solid village couple.