Taken by the Orc

Mist-Rift Monster Romance #2

by Mina Carter

She’s always loved fairy tales . . . BUT starring in one isn’t on her bucket list . . .

Not that Hope has much of a bucket list, except in her head. Forced to work for a pittance by her cruel stepfather, she has no way out of the drudgery of her life. Being mugged in the park at night is just par for the course . . . until a big, green monster rescues her.

Rather than waking up in a hospital bed with a severe concussion as she expects, she's whisked off to a fantastical land filled with all the creatures from her childhood stories. Only she quickly realizes that not everything beautiful is nice, and her big, green monster is not what she expected. A battle-scarred warrior, he might be her only chance of getting home alive.

And, well . . . it doesn’t hurt that he’s put together like a Greek god, but boasting about his . . . equipment doesn’t get him on her good list.
Saving her from certain death though . . . yeah, that might do it.

Between a witch’s curse and a treacherous court, Hope must make a choice about her future and whether her monster lives or dies . . .

Genres: Romance, Monster Romance, Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Novella, Monsters, Paranormal

138 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 22, 2022

About the author

Mina Carter is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of romance in many genres. She lives in the UK with her husband, daughter, a puppy who pays no attention to her whatsoever, and a bossy cat.

Reviews

[Sydney M Neblett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fairytale life

This book is an exciting new retelling of an old tale, and I loved it! The sweet baker who finds a backbone when she finds something worth fighting for, and the playOrc who loves to play it fast and loose until he meets someone with substance. Their meeting was by chance, or was it happenstance, with a connection that was built to last. I enjoyed the revelations as they went on their journey, and I can only hope we find out more about the people they left behind. This book was a quick, fantastic read and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Idalia Helaena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope lives a horrible life, spent cleaning floors for a cruel stepfather who always puts her down. When she gets mugged in the park, she’s not even surprised - at least, until she’s saved by a large, green warrior. Graal may have saved her life, but he also whisked her to his homeland immediately afterwards - a place she thought only existed in fairytales. But this new land is dangerous, and while Graal might be the only one who can protect her, Hope doesn’t have to like it. At least, that’s what she keeps telling herself…

This book was absolutely hilarious, incredibly well written, and low on the angst. It was the perfect palate cleanser for me, and I am so so happy I read it. Mina Carter is a new to me author, but I’ll definitely be looking into her other books after reading this one! While I don’t think there was a single bad thing about this book, I especially loved the witty banter between Graal and Hope. I was laughing so hard my face still hurts from smiling!

Hope. I loved her character development. She went from being shy, quiet, and meek to being strong, sassy, and completely willing to stand up for herself. I also loved that she didn’t give in to Graal right away. As for Graal, I actually really loved his character! Graal is a little rough around the edges, but he’s willing to do anything to protect Hope. I also think he’s got a sweet side that made me swoon! 5 freaking stars!!!

[Caitlin · Rating 2 out of 5]

lol it had potential but it was just another erotic fiction hahaha not complaining

[Nevena · Rating 5 out of 5]

🔥 “You’re mine. You have been since the moment I saw you through the mists.”
~~~
After losing her mother, Hope’s life hasn’t been easy, mistreated daily by her step-family. But despite everything she’s been thorough, she still remains one sweet, caring, clever and kind woman. She might be timid, quiet and obedient at first sight, but Hope also shows incredible courage and determination when needed. She’s so wonderful and I loved her so, so much!

Graal has always been a ladies male - charming, flirtatious and fun. Being half-orc and half-elven, he’s absolutely gorgeous. And he’s a badass warrior, too - strong, dangerous and fiercely protective. I couldn’t help but adore everything about him!

I absolutely loved everything that happened between Hope and Graal! Unlike other orc-kin, Graal craves intimacy paid companionship couldn’t give him. And, after seeing his best friend find love with a human, he’s determined to find one for himself. So he marches into the Mists, only to find the one woman who’s resistant to his charms. I loved those two together! What starts as a simple task to return Hope to her world, soon becomes a dangerous mission deep into faery territory. I loved the time they spent together (psst… there was only one bed and one bath)! Their banters and teasings were so much fun to read. And their chemistry was fantastic! Despite craving her like no female before, I adored Graal for wanting Hope to make the choice to stay with him on her own. And Hope was soon proved once again that not everything that is pretty is good and not everything that is monstrous means her harm. Those two were so perfect for each other, and when they couldn’t resist the undeniable need for one another, the passion they shared was off-the-charts hot. Yeah, Hope kissed an orc and she liked it! 😏 But, with their lives on the line, will true love be enough to save them both?

In addition, the storyline was fantastic! The orcs and the fae are still at war and nothing is what it seems. With the fairy tournaments, the revelations about Hope’s father and the unexpected discoveries about Graal’s mother, I was glued to the pages till the very end.

Overall, the story is another marvellous addition to the series! It’s filled with action, adventure, humor, danger, suspense, twists, violence, scorching hot romance and spectacular characters.

I couldn’t put it down and absolutely loved every page of it!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taken by the Orc is the second book in the Mist-Rift Monster Romance series, but could be read as a stand alone. Hope dreams of a new life, but when she’s mugged after working all day, she’s shocked when her rescuer is a monster from her fairy tales. But not all is what it seems, and Hope will quickly need to rely on Graal for survival and guidance in this strange new world. As danger lurks around every corner, will Hope fall for the orc who took her away, or will her actions doom them forever?

Oh my goodness, this book was so much fun to read! I absolutely adored all of the twists and new ways that elements from common fairy tales were incorporated into these pages! Hope and Graal had an epic quest that they needed to finish, while getting to know one another and get used to their cultural differences. Add in the sexual tension and enemy territory and this couple did not have an easy beginning to their happily ever after. Hope was great because she was brave and bold at times, vulnerable at others, and I loved that she never swooned (outwardly) at any of Graal’s pick-up lines. Which was hilarious because Graal just didn’t know how to woo a female, especially a human not from his world. But he was determined, he was protective, and he was ultimately pretty swoon worthy! I liked them together. All of their ups and downs made for a fun connection that really needed to stand up to lots of opposition. Again, I loved the fairy tale components and I loved that I couldn’t quite guess what would happen next. This book was just plain fun to read and I am loving this series so far! I can’t wait for what’s next!

[Amanda Bhear · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it! Ever since Karak found his human love Kelly in the mists, Graal wishes more & more he could fine his own human. He's one of the handsomest Orcs in camp, he wants to find someone to give him that kind of love, not the kind he has to pay for every night, to hand off someone else the next morning. He has been taking Claw, Karak's battle hound, & Kelly's Jacket into the mists, to try to hunt a human. Hope Howell's life is like modern day Cinderella story. Her parents died when she was about a teenager. Her stepfather never allowed her to learn to drive or get a license. He sold most of what she couldn't hide to save. Her mother's coffee shop was turned into a cafe that is run by him & his sons. It was in all the papers because of the great pastries put out there, everyone thinking they were the ones who did it. The thing was Hope was the one who made everything, cleaned up, & sometimes waited tables. She was always being made fun of by them & insulted. She didn't have much for money, if they saw her getting tips, they took it. She never got paid, she was told it was used to take care of her. All she had was second hand clothes, & not much of those. Her boots were about 5 yrs old but still good. When her stepfather saw a letter in her back pocket he took it. It was a scholarship to culinary school. He laughed & ripped it in half. She was devastated, & so angry! He told her to clean up or go hungry. She went outside to catch a bus to the park her mom used to take her. This time she wasn't going back! it was getting cold, she needed to do something. She got to the bus stop. She missed it. She decided to walk, & heard someone following her. Maybe home wouldn't be so bad, after all. She ducked down an alley to hide. She thought whoever was following her was gone & decided to leave. She ran into a big person, who was unhappy she knocked his whiskey bottle on the sidewalk & broke it. He was saying she would have to give him something for it. Graal had been wtching her for a while when he saw the big man grab her. He stepped in to save her, when she got a good look at him, she saw a monster & ran. He caught up with her to try to talk with her & tell her all about his good parts. She tried to inform him, he didn't need to tell her about his equipment & then ask her if she wanted to try it out! He quit trying to talk to her & took her back to the mists. When they stepped through, they were almost right next to a fae death patrol. He kept them hid & told her to keep quiet. After they passed she started asking questions about them & him. When he learned her name he asked if she of Gunther of the Howl. She didn't think she could be related to anyone from this realm. They found a place to camp. Later claw had come back, after he had already scared her half to death earlier, to see if she would pay more attention to him. Kelly loves to pet & play with him. She finds some old candy in her hoodie & pets him a little. They bed down only to be up at sunrise so Graal can get them out of enemy territory. She asks if they are lost & he says no. Her temper is getting short & she is getting tired. He is up in a tree to check where they are when he hears her call to him to look at something. He sees her go to a rose covered arc & yells at her to stop but she is already through. He jumps down to Claw & they go after her. Hope looks around & sees a hovel covered in thorns & an old crone, Graal & Claw are tied up & gagged hanging upside down in a tree. She finds herself tied up as well, as the crone comes forward to speak to her. She asks what she wants. The crone wants an apple core from the Fairy Queen. Hope tells her she will not do it unless her companions are freed & the crone provides them a safe way to get there. She agrees. She frees them & gives them a bottle & tells them to drink it lightly. She points them down the road to where to begin their quest for her apple core. They all get a small nip of the potion, making them look like elves & turning Claw into a show dog. They check into a fae inn for the night. The next morning they head to the fae court. When they get in as a Lord & Lady of one of the regions they are shown to their room. They find a secret door in the wall & go exploring. They find out that it seems there is a hole in every room, to spy on people. When they are looking around, they see into the courtroom. An Orc has been caught & brought before the queen. He was a friend of Graal's father. He never liked Graal, but he would have to save him anyway. Later that night at the ball, Graal is standing off to the side watching Hope try to get an apple core from the queen. A woman speaks to him, she knows who he is. She wanted to let him know, when she left him under the tree in the forest, she had waited to make sure someone came to take him to the camp before she left. His mother hadn't abandoned him like he thought! After the ball it is announced that a competition will be held tomorrow. The winner will be allowed to execute the orc. They all go to there rooms. The next day, the finalists turn out to be Graal & the fae Lord who captured the orc to begin with. They fight & Graal wins, he turns his back. The fae cuts him with a poisoned blade when everything is called to a frozen stop by a fairy when Hope calls for help. It is the crone but she looks like a beautiful fairy godmother now. Hope asks her to help, she tells Hope she can't do anything, but Hope can. Hope tells her she is human & has no powers. She tells her she is half. She can save him with true love's kiss or go home, showing Hope a lovely show of what could have been. Her mother's coffee shop, her & a lovely husband with 2 kids. It looks wonderful, but then she would lose Graal who she has discovered she can't live without. She kisses him, the fairy drops them at his camp. Graal takes her to meet her half-brother. He will not acknowledge her as his sister. She doesn't care, she doesn't need anymore nasty brothers of any kind. Later they go back to her world to get her things, with his green skin & tusks shielded from anyone looking at them. When she walks into the cafe, her step family is very angry that she left the first time. She was the only servant they had. They didn't know how to make anything. She tells them she wants her things & they won't see her again. He wants to know if her new Prince is going to make them do it. She tells them she is not a child & doesn't need anyone to fight for her. She is more like her father. Her stepfather gets out of her way & tells his sons to leave her alone. They get the few things she had & leave. They get back through the mists to settle in. I love it!

[Nikki Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope is Cinderella but with an evil Stepdad and Stepbrothers instead! She's treated as a serf and endures her life of drudgery in the hope that she will one day escape to culinary school. When the brotherhood of evil puts paid to that idea she runs. But she runs right into trouble when a living breathing monster walks out of the mist!

Graal is green, gargantuan, and brutally honest. His ego knows no bounds and he thinks that constantly letting Hope know what she's missing out on under his leather kilt is the way to making her his mate! These two are opposites in every way but Hope and Graal fall foul of a witch and end up in Fae society on a mission.

Hilarious and flaming hot. Graal may be uber confident in the bedroom but the poor guy just wants a snuggle afterwards lol. Hope is used to being invisible and being "seen" by Graal is a revelation. Hope definitely develops a spine during the story. She goes from meek and mousy and under the thumb to brash, ballsy and brave. She owns her relationship with Graal and is willing to face off with their biggest foes to protect him. There are a few reveals that expand the world a little and I can't wait to see what happens next!

[Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karak had his human and Graal wanted his too. Determined to make things happen as he wished, Graal got down to business and plunged headlong into the adventure. Subjected to abuse and deprivation and with little chance of getting ahead, Hope was living the sad part of what seemed like a fairy tale. But as the saying goes 'there is no evil that lasts a hundred years and a body that resists it' and Hope, like Graal, also made a decision. Interesting the turn events took and how Hope was open to exploring new things and living her own adventure with the Orc. I was amused by Graal who looked like a puppy trying to please his human and constantly bragging about his physical attributes. I really liked Hope's sharpness in dealing with the situations that came their way and the surprises for both Graal and Hope. An interesting and entertaining story with unexpected situations that reminded me of various fairy tales. Action, suspense, strong emotions, magic, mystery, some violence, romance and passion.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mists have returned yet again. Or should I say another Orc ventures through the mist to discover his mate. Only this time it's Grael's story of his search for true sweet love. Grael and Hope are both in the ride of their lives. Unlike other orcs of his kind Grael is a cuddler looking for love. He longs for what Karak and his mate Kelly found in each other's arms. And so Grael marches into the mysterious mist seeking his heart's desires only to find Hope, an abused stepdaughter. And thus begins a trek neither anticipated. What seems like an easy task of just taking Hope back becomes a battle to the death against evil fairies, discovering an unknown relative's connection to Hope, a discovery of her hidden abilities, and a survival based on love in its truest form. Hope discovers a half-brother in sorcerer Skali Howl, and I truly look forward to his story. Skali needs to meet a hard-as-nails human to give him a run for his money. This is my honest and willing review for the ARC received.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope was in a bad state. Think of a reserve Cinderella. Her step-father and his two evil sons took advantage of Hope after her mother passed. With her doing all the work at the café and them reaping the glory. When her step-father destroys her only chance to be free of him and his sons, she makes her way to a place of peace. Graal wants what his friend Karak and his human Kelly have. He follows Karak’s advice and finds his own human. I love that Hope is not weak. She is a tough cookie. Once she gets over her surprise meeting with Graal and his companion Claw, she shows her strength. And I love how she pits wits with a witch. That was so much fun. A lot gets discovered about each other. Graal’s past comes into play as well as things that Hope’s father told her. This was fun with the fairy tales being intermingled. I am wondering what Skali has planned. And where are the books Gunther Howl once possessed. And what about Gudvar. Will someone be comign to save him?

[Cristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is fastly becoming one of my favorite series. Graal not only wants a bed partner he wants someone to hold, cuddle and take care of. Fortunately his best friend suggests he goes and steals himself a female. This orc is so proud of his appendage that when he comes across a female (Hope) he thinks this proclamation will win her over. Sadly Hope isn't impressed. Having had to endure being raised by her step father the past few years since her mother died. The taunts, and neglect caused by him and his sons finally push hope over the edge. Graal may not be her prince charming but the adventure they take runs parallel to the fantasy stories her father told her as a child. Little did she know her true they were. Graal is such a fun loving character. Definitely a Cinderella story with a wise fairy godmother.

I love this series and you can so easily become a part of their world!

[Judi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the blending of a classic fairytale with fairies and others. With this mythology the Orcs are from a different dimension or realm and of course the humans are oblivious. Hope’s father’s saying “Not everything that is pretty is good, pumpkin. And not everything that is ugly means you harm.” plays in her mind often as she realizes it’s truth. An Orc looking for a mate decides to go through mysterious mists to find a human female. Graal is an accomplished warrior scary yet looking for more in his life. Their meet cute is anything but and the angst between them is palpable, but the twisty adventure they have will take you away with them into a fantastical world. This story made me happy.🥰

[Lexee Toste · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story! I loved the characters and the parallel to the Cinderella fairytale. There are some similarities that stick out but it does not follow it exactly and I loved the twists and things that made this different. I had a lot of fun with Graal and Hope. Graal doesn't quite understand why he is getting a prickly side to Hope but I loved watching these two come together. This story pulled me in from beginning to end and I loved getting to see more of this world this time around as well. We get to see some of the Faery court and learn more about them. There was plenty of action and intrigue as well as some twists in the story. I can't wait to see more in this series!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Cheri Winget · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this second book of the series. Always well written and entertaining. I had to go back to the first book to make sure Graal was who i thought he was. This book made him out to be more monsterish than the first book. Hope & Graal's interactions were very funny.
Only gave this 4 stars because Hope's mother and father's background were a bit vague. Not sure how we will get more information in other books, since their story has been done, even though it seems that Hope's appearence in this Mist-Rift world may bring a foreboding future for it. Will have to see what happens in the next book. Look forward to Skali's.
I received an ARC from the author but am willingly providing this review. Always think this author's books are well worth my time & $$, and am sure you will too.

[Gwendolyn Thaggard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Graal is pining for cuddles and affection.
He can't seem to get it from the camp ladies.
He is envious of what Karak has, but happy for his friend.
Graal travels through the mists to get a human of his own.
Yeah, because kidnapping is okay cuz she's only human..
I digress..
Hope isn't having the best luck currently.
She's been beaten down emotionally by her stepfather and stepbrothers.
They have taken over her mother's business and treat Hope like trash.
Hope shockingly forgets she's been abducted by an Orc once she and Graal embark on a mission for a witch.
Luckily for Graal he and Hope forge a deeper connection and live happily ever after.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book and am leaving a voluntary review

[Jamoz23 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Graal and his bragging about his member. Oh boy, so not a way to win a human woman over.
Hope just needs to find her strength and I’m hoping this comes out in future books.
A good fun read though the reversed Cinderella theme put me off a bit to start but then the fairytale themed happenings began to make sense as information came to light.
I liked how this played out overall, though it felt too short and just needed more to make it better.
I wanted more about Hope’s father, exactly who and what he was.
And what happened to Gunvar? Really big non answer there.
Pity her stepfather wasn’t dealt with better.
This is my honest review of this book.

[ObsessiveReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of a Cinderella story, only with a wicked step-father and step brothers. Hope has slaved away in her stepfather’s restraint since her mother’s death. Everything has been darken from her and she is treated like a servant in what was her mother’s cafe at one time.

Graal, in search of his own human, goes to the human world and finds Hope. She is essentially kidnapped back to Graal’s realm. He isn’t her idea of Prince Charming and frankly spends Tom much time thinking his large endowment is all he needs to get Hope. He is pretty vain. This story even comes with a fairy godmother to help Hope realize her worth.

[Fairymysz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ez a kötet még az elsőnél is jobb volt. Graal a legjobb barátja, Karak boldogságát látva, elindul, hogy szerezzen magának is egy embernőt.
Sikerül is a megárvult és a mostohaapja zsarnoksága alatt élő Hope-ra bukkannia. Hope, bár imádja a meséket, egyáltalán nem örül, hogy egy ork kiszemelte magának.
Imádtam a könyv humorát, a szereplőket, a történetet. Igazi romantikus mese volt, boszorkányokkal, elfekkel, orkokkal és emberekkel. Semmi sem az, aminek látszik.
És a végén kiderül, hogy Hope apjának igaza volt anno: Nem mindig a szép a jó.

Bár a két kötet lezárt, sajnálom, hogy nincs folytatás, mert szívesen olvasnék még az orkok és elfek háborúiról és persze még több szerelemről.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wow what a difference from the first book.

Honestly, I wasn't sure if I would read this one, but I saw that the reviews were much more positive than the reviews for the first book, and I was bored so I thought I'd give it a try. I'm happy I did. It's still not the best orc romance book I've read, but it's much better than the first book in this series.

The main characters actually have more substance. They have an adventure, in which they grow closer and get to know each other. We get glimpses into another part of the world. It's a nice fast read. Definitely recommend skipping the first book and starting with Taken by the Orc.

***Okay read, 3 stars***

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just an OK read. I did not feel there was really any relationship development with the characters. One minute they are just two individuals and next they are together. Granted the H was all in from the beginning, but the h seemed to just all of a sudden be interested. The main problem was the storylines that did not really go anywhere. You never really learn fully about the h's father and his "book". She barely mentions her half-brother. The witch was anticlimactic as was the whole infiltration storyline. I felt like all this stuff was going to build but instead it just fizzled. Average read.

[Nancy R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mina Carter’s Mist-Rift Monster Romance is full of romance and adventure. Once again you are taken through the mist to a world where orc and fae abound. Graal is looking for love in all the wrong places. On the advise of a friend, Graal sets out to capture himself a human female to cuddle. And the adventure begins. I loved the character of Graal…he is sweet and funny but definitely an alpha. Hope is a strong heroine who finds herself falling in love with an orc. The plot is solid…you are sorry to see the book end. Loved it!❤️❤️❤️

[Raina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second book in the series but can be read as a stand-alone. I really enjoyed this story. I tried to read it all at once but sleep decided to stop me. But I picked it up first thing in the morning. I love the two main characters. Hope is human and is treated like she’s worthless by her stepfather. Graal is looking for a mate and fate seems to have a hand in him finding hope. Seen as a monster at first. Hope soon learns more about him and what he likes to brag about. An adventure filled romance that will leave you wanting another.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taken by the Orc is the second book in the Mist-Rift Monster Romance series by Mina Carter.
Hope is having a tough time of it. Her mother died, the stepfather she thought she could count is cruel and treats her badly, her step brothers are no better. All she wants is to escape and start her life over. Walking home at night she gets mugged but is saved by a big green monster. Hope wakes up in a fairy tale but there is unknown dangers as well. I loved this book, the story is original and the characters are amazing and have wander chemistry. This is a must read.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Orcs Rock!

I was excited to read the 2nd book in the Mist-Rift Monster series by Mina Carter. This is a sweet unconventional Cinderella retelling. You have Hope living in misery with her evil step father and his 2 sons and you have Graal, an orc who’s looking for a human woman to mate. He rescues her through the mist and shenanigans ensue. Does true love have to be a handsome prince? There’s humor, adventure and deep emotions. Loved it!

[Rowena · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the fascinating Mist-rift Monster romance series gives a different take on than the normal fairytale stories we are so use to and it did not disappoint. Hope is treated like Cinderella when she lost her mom and has her step dad and step brothers in charge. Lucky Graal was looking for his own human when he finds Hope in the mist. What happens next was a fun read filled with twist that made for an enjoyable read. I can’t wait for more of this series.

[Christal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Graal's story as he takes measures to find himself a human mate like Karak. As Graal walks through the Mist, he just happens to save Hope from a criminal. Hope remembers the stories her father used to tell her and now she is living in a world from those stories. Graal is very handsome and GREEN! Their journey together has its ups and downs and they grow close together in all ways. This story has romance, humor and a happy ending.

[Billie Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Graal and Hope have such great chemistry. This is a great sort of take on Cinderella, it had aspects of the fairy tale, but in no way follows it. The world building in this story was very good, it is making the series so much richer. I definitely lost sleep to this book.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not your normal twist on Cinderella. Hope finds a lot more than memories when she gets caught up late at the park. Her adventures with Graal begin and keep moving through the entire story. Hope and Graal find out a lot about who they are and what they mean to each other. It is an exciting trip with a promise of more to come at the end.

[Leyns · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overpriced.

Initially I wasn’t going to buy this book. I was annoyed by the fact that the price was the cost of a whole book, but this would only take me an hour to read. Obviously I decided to give it a go. It wasn’t a bad book, but not worth the price tag. That’s the end of this series for me.

[Louise purfield-coak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Mina Masterpiece of Fun Romantisy

What fun! I enjoyed spending a snowy Sunday devouring this romance x fantasy x rom-com. Indeed, sex, humor (Lord Neabaler), and big green snarlly heroes were delicious! I plan to read book 3 next. I highly recommend this series as a binge read! Mina Carter never disappoints me. Hint: An Orc who thinks he is God's Gift to Women.