He’s the most feared monster in the realm. And she’s what he needs to win his war… has a wicked plan for Lady Norr, and for ending this war once and for all. She’s going to become his captive — and the perfect snare for Lord Norr.
There’s no possible escape, and soon Lady Norr is dragged off toward Orc Mountain in the powerful arms of her greatest enemy. A ruthless, commanding warlord, with a velvet voice and mouthwatering scent, who awakens every forbidden hunger she never knew she had…
But Grimarr refuses to accept half measures — in war, or in pleasure. And before he’ll conquer Lady Norr’s deepest, darkest desires, she needs to surrender everything.
Her allegiance.
Her wedding-ring.
Her future…
And with her husband’s forces giving chase, Lady Norr can’t afford to play such a dangerous game — or can she? Even if this deadly orc’s plans might be the only way to save them all?
_____________________
A dark, steamy, full-length standalone fantasy romance for adults. Happily ever after guaranteed.
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An addictive and compelling book that was impossible to put down! I don’t know how I ended up reading the first story last, but it was just as detailed and full as the ones that come after it. Jule’s character is just a tool to be used by powerful men who can’t appreciate her. She’s strong, but women are made powerless, she feels stuck in her role, but she plays it well, despite the rampant cruelty. Grimmar is the captain of all the Orc clans and can’t be trusted at all. I mean there were points in the story when I thought he was perfect for her, but that turned out to be lies, or sometimes not, but still he also played with her emotions. Jule struggled to learn about the Orcs and at the same time, the author set up the background of the whole story arc through gradual exposition and dramatic unfolding, wrapped around some extremely hot and heavy Orc loving. The story brought me to tears a few times, and that never happens to me. Emotionally, I was wrung out by the time the plot starts to climax, and I didn’t see how this story would end in Jule’s favor. From start to finish, this book will have you on edge, hoping for the best but seeing the worst of men and Orc’s as they try to get what they want.
For those who like their romance darker, THIS IS A KEEPER!!
Originally read on KU. Bought it halfway through for KEEPS!!
Okay, here’s the disclaimer. If you want everything hearts and flowers, DO NOT READ THIS BOOK! If you aren’t into anal (only once or twice), DO NOT READ THIS BOOK! If you aren’t into exhibitionism, DO NOT READ THIS BOOK! If you aren’t into scheming on many strategic levels (ie., Game of Thrones or I, Claudius), DO NOT READ THIS BOOK! Now, no whining!
As for this review, it is rife with some small spoiler details. Again, no whining!
Gist: A noble lady of an abusive marriage is kidnapped by an orcish captain (of five major clans) while her husband left her and his estate unguarded while he actually whoring in a neighboring town. (She thought he had left to fight the warring orcs!) The orcish captain is hellbent to seduce her to him, tying her to him via biological pheromones, eager to have her bear his children. But this is just the tip of the ice berg. This whole story is like dealing with Cardassians. They like their schemes as levels upon levels to the point you can’t figure out where you are. I was highly impressed at this author’s intellectual stamina. Gah! I would need a school chalkboard just to keep track. (And I thought I, Claudius was tedious!!)
Editing: Better than the usual, however, it still could have had three final read throughs like I prefer when I’m editing. Still can’t stand the improper use of “past” when dealing with verbs. (WRONG!) I was impressed with her use of period speech though there are a few continuity issues. (“Placard over one’s head” was most used in the 1970s-1980s! A sign hanging around one’s neck would be far more appropriate!) I still can’t get over the creative use of commas, and she needed someone to clean up her paragraphs with multiple voices. Fortunately, the storyline was so engaging, I could somehow continue reading it. (PLEASE get a better editor!! Hell! I’ll do it for free without credit!!) Please understand that I am VERY impressed with Fenn’s writing capabilities. Highly talented. Hell! I wish I had discovered this writer! And I rarely say this! That’s how much I was impressed. However, she really needs a clean-up editor to do what s/he does best — clean up a writer’s work. Come on! I don’t expect most writers to know how to self-edit! I see a writer’s job to craft a story for my entertainment. It’s no sin! It is a sin to allow that many mistakes, however, and that falls directly on the head of the editor who, I think, is acting like a glorified proofreader. (Girl! Message me via Goodreads, for gods’ sakes! goodreads.com/borderbumble)
Characters: Extremely engaging. It’s been a long time I’ve been pulled into a storyline where I had to come up for air a few times. I know the criticisms about the Orc Captain Grimarr, but think of him as a master strategist. One who was willing to punish his honor beyond one’s ability to endure. He, too, had wrong impressions about humans and how to treat a woman. After all, if you had a son-of-a-bitch of a father as a role model, what else could you say? At least he was willing to change his actions. But keep in mind. You are being immersed into an alien culture. They don’t play by the usual rules. You cannot make judgement calls because of this. This is the major lesson Jule, our heroine, must understand as she learns what is the REAL truth, about her status, about her role as a female in a male-ruled culture, about the long war between humans and orcs, about who was ultimately responsible for this blood bath spanning centuries, about the probable genocide of orcs in general. (Maybe a lesson WE need to learn and soon!) I loved the side characters who were fleshed out more than usual. Personally, I would have no problem being swept away by one of these orcs as long as I could be loved as deeply and truly as Jule was.
World-Building: Excellent. I was extremely pleased that she took the time to develop her world. Reminded me a touch of the complicated nature of Lord of the Rings (but do NOT try to make comparisons because there isn’t any!). I would so hope that there could be sequels, but I doubt it will be done. I could think of too many possibilities, including some great threesomes!! I do appreciate the indepth look at orc sexuality and how it works seamlessly in their culture. My heart just was crushed by the cruel history of the orcs’ situation. Again “We need Earth women” scenario but better.
Speaking of sexuality, there was plenty of sex throughout, and towards the end, I speed-read through some though she wasn’t going into the great detail like at the beginning, but I must give her kudos on some of the creativity used and how Jule’s representation of her relationship with Grimarr helped his agenda (though she may or may not have been STILL manipulated by Grimarr in the first place!! See what I mean about Cardassian scheming?!!). At least it wasn’t as repetitive as in other books. Is it rough? Of course! Non-consensual? I don’t care. She said yes, and sometimes I’m in the mood because he did offer her a better life than what her legally wedded husband was giving her. Hell! Anything in this story’s universe was better than him! But it does give you a look of the helplessness of a woman caught between conniving cousins and warring neighbors.
I cried in parts, especially towards the end. I have yet to read such a heart-wrenching farewell night in my entire life! Gah! I think I would have had a coronary under such stress. Literally! (Where’s my nitro?) It’s that damn good.
So if you think your heart can take it, BUY THIS BOOK!! I’ll be rereading this for the next few weeks for sure just to make sure I didn’t miss a single thing the first time around, it was that riveting!
So what are you waiting for? BUY THIS BOOK!! Dammit! Hahahahaha!!!… (Insert evil laughter!)
What a fabulous book! I didnt know what to expect when I purchased this book. I thought it might be good. I didnt expect it to be a unbelievably beautiful, tragic love story with characters I couldnt get out of my mind. I fell in love with the Lady Jule and Grimarr. I couldnt put this book down but now I am sad it has ended. I will have a book hangover for a while from this fabulous love story!!
This really was a fascinating fantasy type historical romance which was much more than it originally seemed.
A creature romance with a love/hate relationship at its centre.
Left by her handsome but uncaring and cruel husband Lord Norr at there manor house with no defences to protect her and her household from marauding orc’s Jule is taken hostage in chains by the Orc’s captain Grimarr.
He wants her as mate not only for himself but to dent the pride of her husband.
This one is definitely aimed at adults and the content here was steamy hot and incredibly detailed with a really descriptive style of narrative when it came to the antics of our two lovers.
This was all sorts of kinky fun with plenty of Grimarr’s huge monster appendage and all its actions included in graphic and erotic detail throughout, bloody loved it.
Also as I mentioned earlier this had so much more happening and despite the erotic narrative this also had a deeper message to impart.
All about prejudice both hidden and intentional and acceptance of others despite there appearance and origins.
My only complaints with this were sometimes the antics and actions of the individuals involved here infuriated me, so much so that at times I wanted to scream in pure frustration.
I also thought this could have benefited with some insights from Grimarr instead of just Jule.
This really was an incredibly enjoyable read that had a lot more depth than what I was expecting.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
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