Working over the holidays isn’t what Candice would call an ideal Christmas, but she is staying strong, keeping the Christmas spirit alive as she supervises the corporate holiday party. When a strange light appears in the sky, it's not the Christmas star. Candice awakens on a spaceship amidst real-life grinches, or maybe they are alien Orcs, but they certainly aren’t human. They abducted her, yet somehow she’s expected to have a gift for the terrifyingly large green-skinned warlord.
With the future of Earth hanging in the balance and nothing but the clothes on her back, Candice has no other choice but to become The Warlord’s Gift.
Caution - This novella has adult content and may have triggers for some.
Writing is my hobby. As a child, I had a hard time learning to read, so anything I took an interest in was deemed acceptable. I have always enjoyed fairy tales, the older unsanitized versions, as well as the modern ones, mythology, science fiction, action and romance. As I read, my mind wanders, spinning its own tales. So, I figured I’d share my ramblings with you. The books I write contain little snippets from my life. I leave it to you to decide which scenes are fact, fiction, or a bit of both. I am far braver and bolder than is likely sensible, so my heroines are just as gutsy. I'd probably be categorized as an adrenalin junky. My life has been an adventure. I've done archaeology in the hot sun, am well versed with power tools, took Tae Kwon Do in college, have ridden on a Harley with a dark stranger, but never met an alien, vampire or shifter, that I know of. My stories are tawdry, feature a heroine who is gifted in some way, and will always end happily ever after. It is my opinion this is meant to be entertainment, and a depressing ending is not entertainment. Real life offers enough depressing crap. However, I have been called dark. My apologies for my horrific grammar. It is something I struggle with. It is probably connected to the slow reading thing. Believe me people have tried. I truly hope that my fairy tales make up for it.
If you don’t think to hard about the plot and reasonable action you would have this can be an enjoyable read. They brought light to topics you don’t really see in other fantasy books that you definitely think about and for that I give the book a plus.
The downside is that it’s unrealistic (except the overall plot line) the crew magically accepted the Christmas tradition and became like children. They acted the total opposite from the warrior creatures they were but this is literally a Christmas novella about green aliens so I can’t say to much about that. Quick read and surprisingly spicy.
Quick Summary I wasn’t sure about this one at first, but wow—it totally won me over! The alien Christmas vibes, sweet Ra’sk moments, and Candice’s nostalgic memories made it such a cosy, unexpected treat.
Reading Thoughts 📗So I want to be honest and say I was so unsure of this one, but I was surprised in the end. 📗The start was a bit confusing but once the story got going with the aliens it all fitting in together 📗Ra’sk was surprisingly gentle with Candice and the chemistry could be felt through the pages 📗The concept of showing the aliens Christmas I really enjoyed 📗Loved all the memories it brought up for Candice while she was sharing Christmas with the Cur’grel
Words that linger 🍷“You act like I do it on purpose! You want me to start whistling as I move around?” 🍷“You weren’t giving me a lovely gift to make up for all of this craziness. You needed a Candice alarm.” 🍷“It occurred to me that a man like you isn’t used to giving up control, so this might be hard for you.” 🍷And Candice was his, not because he’d claimed her as tribute or possessed her stunning body. It was a soul-deep conviction that he couldn’t deny.
Tropes 👽Aliens 👽Christmas Spirit 👽Abduction 👽Pierced Anatomy 👽MMC Grinch vibes
The heroine is kidnapped to be an "envoy" from Earth. The warlord is part of the "Imperium" and wants Earth. So she is supposed to negotiate a tithe so they don't invade Earth. She tries to tell them nobody knew they were coming and they don't speak their language.
So the hero tries to help her and says her "gift" is herself.
He falls in love with her and they do Christmas on his ship. He ends up giving her the entire planet of Earth as a gift. So it won't be invaded because he bought it.
I just really didn't like the beginning of the book. Kidnapping a random person to negotiate on behalf of an entire planet doesn't make any sense.
This is a great alien Christmas story. Poor Candice is shocked when she finds herself on an alien ship with large green aliens. She has to provide a gift to Ra'sk who is the Cur'grel warlord but she knows nothing of the accord and what gift is to be given. Candice knows this is serious for Earth and her fellow humans. To buy her some time, she comes up with celebrating an Earth holiday - Christmas. All the warlord's men get into the Christmas spirit, even Ra'sk. Candice and Ra'sk are falling in love. When she returns home to her parent's house, Ra'sk finds he cannot live without her and follows her. Lovely romantic ending!
Me encantó esta historia navideña, empezó de una forma muy difícil para la protagonista en una situación en la que tenía que pensar muy rápido para evitar que la situación se descontrolara, y luego el protagonista al ver que para ella la situación en la que se habia visto envuelta era muy difícil de afrontar trata de darle un respiro de la situación al celebrar la navidad después de que ella le contara y le mostrara sobre esa tradición de la tierra, donde la convivencia y el tratar de entenderse hace que nuevos sentimientos se desarrollen entre ellos
When Zach was last in town he was there for his best friend's funeral and ended up spending the night with his best friend's sister. Blake is surprised to find she's pregnant but she is so proud of her boy. When Zach comes back to town after having an injury that ends his military career he meets his son. Zach and Blake now have to navigate how their relationship will go while having some twists in the story. A great Christmas read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It was a bit slow in the beginning and at first I had trouble getting into the characters. I thought Candice was going to be a bit too much of an emotional train wreck until she pulled up her big girl panties and showed Ra’sk and his crew what the Spirit of Christmas was all about.
There was plenty fun banter, steam, and spice between the pair and by the end of the book, I was actually hoping for more of this world of alien Orcs.
A really enjoyed this Christmas book and finished it in one evening. The story revolves around a human, Candy, captured by Orcs who are ready to invade earth. She brings the Christmas spirit, meaning, and joy to the invaders.
Both Candy and the Warlord are very likeable characters and I was rooting for both of them to succeed in their goals.
Candy Kane is kidnapped from earth and forced to pay tribute of herself to the tall, grim alien warlord, but when she starts telling him about Christmas, he and the others become obsessed with the holiday, which changes the aliens' minds about taking over earth and bringing peace to the universe. Great spiciness, too!
Oh my!!! I want to be this warlords gift! Wow! What a great story! Filled with humour and Christmas fun! It was cute and sexy! The story was original and made me smile and swoon! I really enjoyed it! It is a great book to read for the holidays and one to keep reading each year! What a great tradition... And hot... Did I mention the warlord was so hot!!!
This novella has the good feels, because it’s a quick read you get the story without long drawn out drama. Just the sort of Christmas read you need to chill out with. Aliens, kidnapped heroine and nasty b…h. HEA all round 😊
What a great quick read to Celebrate the Christmas Season as a captive from earth spreads goodwill and love to an alien crew which causes the warlord to fall in love with her goodness
Stephanie West has given us a fantastic Christmas novel in The Warlord’s Gift. It is entertaining, hot and sweet. I know, I know - what am I doing reading a Christmas novel in June - but it was calling my name. Loved the ending!
I'm new to this author, I have to say I love Orc reads. This was well written and great storyline. Loved the characters and great ending. I'm looking forward to reading more.
I am not much of a Christmas fan but I am a fan of this author. Of course it was an awesome story and I only wish there was more of it. I wasn't ready for it to be over.