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The Veil Lands #2
Orc's Bride
Welcome to the Veil lands, where monsters are the only ones who can save you.
I was the best seamstress in Red Hollow.
Then I was chosen for the Blood Tithe.
One brand. One fortress of black basalt.
One seven-foot warlord who looks at me like I'm the only flame in his winter of stone.
I should be terrified. I should be looking for a way home.
But the ancient wards are unraveling.
The fortress is bleeding from within.
And I'm the only one who can stitch the magic back together.
I came here as a tribute. In his arms, I'm becoming something far more dangerous.
Decades of steel and strategy.
I was a weapon forged for my clan.
Then I claimed a human seamstress with a mouth like fire and eyes like a winter storm.
She's a slip of a thing. Fragile enough to crush in one hand.
Yet she looks at my scars without flinching.
Betrayal is rotting my fortress.
An army waits at my gates.
And for the first time, I have a weakness my enemies can smell.
Zoraya is my tribute. My property.
But the more I try to protect her, the more I realize I'm the one who needs saving.
I was the best seamstress in Red Hollow.
Then I was chosen for the Blood Tithe.
One brand. One fortress of black basalt.
One seven-foot warlord who looks at me like I'm the only flame in his winter of stone.
I should be terrified. I should be looking for a way home.
But the ancient wards are unraveling.
The fortress is bleeding from within.
And I'm the only one who can stitch the magic back together.
I came here as a tribute. In his arms, I'm becoming something far more dangerous.
Decades of steel and strategy.
I was a weapon forged for my clan.
Then I claimed a human seamstress with a mouth like fire and eyes like a winter storm.
She's a slip of a thing. Fragile enough to crush in one hand.
Yet she looks at my scars without flinching.
Betrayal is rotting my fortress.
An army waits at my gates.
And for the first time, I have a weakness my enemies can smell.
Zoraya is my tribute. My property.
But the more I try to protect her, the more I realize I'm the one who needs saving.
204 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2026
5 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a captivating read, wonderful characters and a plot that held me riveted to right to the very end
Zoraya has been living a peaceful life within Red Hollow and when she had been chosen for the Blood Tithe and the warlord that looked at her was huge at seven foot an had he not liked been interested in her she would have been left.
The fortress is huge and the magical wards are unravelling it is essential that they stand strong and it appears that the Tribute may actually be the only one that can help to strengthen the magic.
Vlorn is a weapon that has been forged over decades and yet the moment that he claimed the Tribute things began to change, who would have believed that this human seamstress could have such a dramatic effect.
The war is at the gates of his fortress and death and gred marches at them, they must stand strong and certain and they will, he is determined to stand strong.
His enemies are aware that he has a weakness in the frm of this human female amd he knows that he must stand strong in the face of his own people and his enemies if he is going to win this war.
This is a captivating read, two unlikely characters coming together to serve the same community and, in the process, finding that they have much more in common and a love begins to blossom.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the wonderful writing.
Zoraya has been living a peaceful life within Red Hollow and when she had been chosen for the Blood Tithe and the warlord that looked at her was huge at seven foot an had he not liked been interested in her she would have been left.
The fortress is huge and the magical wards are unravelling it is essential that they stand strong and it appears that the Tribute may actually be the only one that can help to strengthen the magic.
Vlorn is a weapon that has been forged over decades and yet the moment that he claimed the Tribute things began to change, who would have believed that this human seamstress could have such a dramatic effect.
The war is at the gates of his fortress and death and gred marches at them, they must stand strong and certain and they will, he is determined to stand strong.
His enemies are aware that he has a weakness in the frm of this human female amd he knows that he must stand strong in the face of his own people and his enemies if he is going to win this war.
This is a captivating read, two unlikely characters coming together to serve the same community and, in the process, finding that they have much more in common and a love begins to blossom.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading any future publications; keep up all the wonderful writing.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Zoraya is a seamstress in a small village. When the orcs show up to collect their tribute, it turns out to be her. Forced to travel back to their fortress with them, she is defiant all the way. For some reason, the orcan Iron Warlord, Vlorn claims her as his property. His to protect. But Vlorn's fortress is a hotbed of conspiracy and traitors. Zoraya is seen as a way to show Vlorn as weak, and several attempts are made on her life. When real enemies come calling, Zoraya's skills as a seamstress may be the only thing that can save them all.
Great story of a strong woman who gives her all for those who look down on her. Vlorn may think he owns her, but maybe she really owns him. I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.
Great story of a strong woman who gives her all for those who look down on her. Vlorn may think he owns her, but maybe she really owns him. I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. My review is voluntary.
March 29, 2026
So this was pretty good and I really enjoyed the work building and story... but the romance and smut wasn't really there! It starts off very interesting and devolves into a politics centered plot that feels like it ends too quickly and cleanly. I was anticipating more grit and smut but instead the Orc is just a normal guy (doesn't come across like a horde king) and the heroine is magical and super talented in such a specific way that she's needed to end a war? eh. that didn't really do it for me.
March 26, 2026
Surprisingly good!
An excellent collaboration between two authors resulting in an excellent tale of a maiden paid as a price, a feared warlord, and a powerful love story.
Thank you.
An excellent collaboration between two authors resulting in an excellent tale of a maiden paid as a price, a feared warlord, and a powerful love story.
Thank you.
March 27, 2026
Living these
Taken by force from her family, her village, by the Orc Warlord. Great storyline that kept me reading to the very end.
Taken by force from her family, her village, by the Orc Warlord. Great storyline that kept me reading to the very end.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews