His Orc Lady (Black Bear Clan, Book 8) – Zoe Ashwood

Brilliant finish to this wonderful, escapist romantasy series.

What a fantastic way to wrap up this series. I’ve been waiting for this story since we were first introduced to Mara and I was not disappointed. She’s always been the one to care for others and now she’s finally found the one to care for her.

This is a sweet, funny, intense, spicy romance with an orc FMC and human MMC. I loved getting to know more about these two characters; about Mara’s turbulent history and how she created a role for herself in the orc clan, and how Captain Owen was instantly smitten even though Mara ran from her feelings. 

I was sad that this is the end of the series but delighted to see that there will be a new spin-off series coming. I can’t wait.

This is a superb series of orc romance books and it’s my absolute favourite. I love the author’s writing style, its so easy to read. I love the characters and their development throughout the stories. It’s pure escapist fantasy and I cannot get enough of it.

All the books in this series can be read as standalones but I would recommend reading them in series order. Chances are, if you love a good monster romance with a fair bit of heat and a happy ever after, then you will want to read the whole series anyway.

The reading order for this series so far:

Her Orc King (Black Bear Clan, Book 1)

Her Orc Guardian (Black Bear Clan, Book 2)

Her Orc Warrior (Black Bear Clan, Book 3)

Her Orc Protector (Black Bear Clan, Book 4)

Her Orc Husband (Black Bear Clan, Book 5)

Her Orc Gentleman (Black Bear Clan, Book 6)

Her Orc Blacksmiths (Black Bear Clan, Book 7)

His Orc Lady (Black Bear Clan, Book 8)

Available from Amazon

Black Bear Clan, Box Set 1 - Zoe Ashwood

Spicy Monster Romances With A Happy Ever After

This box set contains the first three books of what is, in my opinion, one of the best series of monster romance novels available. The books can be read as stand alone novels but I would recommend reading them in order.

These stories are set in a fantasy world of Orcs and humans. There are descriptive scenes of a sexual nature between consenting adults. The world building is great and the characters are relatable.

Zoe Ashwood has an appealing writing style—it’s easy to get lost in her books. Each story is filled with all the things you want in a romance novel; a determined and independent FMC, a large (very large) cinnamon roll Orc male, a little conflict, a little danger along the way, a lot of spice, and a happy ever after. The stories are entertaining and the spicy parts are well written and detailed.

If hot monster romance is your thing, you can’t go wrong with this series.

Available from Amazon

Her Orc Blacksmiths (Black Bear Clan, Bonus Book) - Zoe Ashwood

All Good Things Come in Threes.

The author has kicked the spice level up a notch. This book features the first throuple of the series. Two very enthusiastic mates for our lucky lady. One very large bed for them all to share. What more could a woman want?

This is a superb series of Orc romance books and it’s my absolute favourite. I love the author’s writing style; its so easy to read. I love the characters and their development throughout the story. It’s pure escapist fantasy and I cannot get enough of it.

This series is full of spice and this book is no exception—there is a good amount of spice in this book, especially towards the end—let’s face it, that’s what most of us are here for. This author knows how to write a good spicy scene. You won’t be disappointed.

All the books in this series can be read as standalones but I would recommend reading them in series order. Chances are, if you love a good monster romance with a fair bit of heat and a happy ever after, then you will want to read the whole series anyway.

The reading order for this series so far:

Her Orc King (Black Bear Clan, Book 1)

Her Orc Guardian (Black Bear Clan, Book 2)

Her Orc Warrior (Black Bear Clan, Book 3)

Her Orc Protector (Black Bear Clan, Book 4)

Her Orc Husband (Black Bear Clan, Book 5)

Her Orc Gentleman (Black Bear Clan, Book 6)

Her Orc Blacksmiths (Black Bear Clan, Book 7)

This book will be available from Amazon later in 2024

Her Orc Gentleman (Black Bear Clan, Book 6) - Zoe Ashwood

Spicy monster romance with a HEA

This is my absolute favourite series of Orc romance books. I love the author’s writing style; its so easy to read. I love the characters and their development throughout the story. I love the wonderful trope of ‘human female escapes unpleasant living situation and ends up mated to a very large, protective, cinnamon roll of an orc’. It’s pure escapist fantasy and I cannot get enough of it.

This series is full of spice and this book is no exception—there is a good amount of spice in this book—let’s face it, that's what most of us are here for. This author knows how to write a good spicy scene. You won’t regret choosing this book.

All the books in this series can be read as standalones but I would recommend reading them in series order. Chances are, if you love a good monster romance with a fair bit of heat and a happy ever after, then you will want to read the whole series anyway.

The reading order for this series so far:

Her Orc King (Black Bear Clan, Book 1)

Her Orc Guardian (Black Bear Clan, Book 2)

Her Orc Warrior (Black Bear Clan, Book 3)

Her Orc Protector (Black Bear Clan, Book 4)

Her Orc Husband (Black Bear Clan, Book 5)

Her Orc Gentleman (Black Bear Clan, Book 6)

Available from Amazon

Stranded with the Kraken (Clearwater Monsters, Book 1) - Zoe Ashwood

Cosy, spicy, monster romance

This is the first book I’ve read with tentacle action. Who knew I’d like it!?

Stranded with the Kraken is book one of the PNR Clearwater Monsters series. It’s a long novella which is spicy from the start and stays that way throughout the story.

Our human FMC is snowed in with her hook-up, who happens to be a kraken shifter. All of those tentacles. What else is there to do when you’re snowed in during a power cut?

If you like forced proximity, cosy romance, big cinnamon roll monsters and a lot of spice to go with it, then I wholeheartedly recommend this.

Available from Amazon

Her Orc Husband (Black Bear Clan, Book 5) - Zoe Ashwood

Spicy, Spicy Monster Romance

I really enjoy reading this series. I hope the author writes many, many more books in this world she has created. This is the fifth book in this paranormal monster romance series. The story is set in a fantasy world of orcs and humans. There are very descriptive scenes of a sexual nature between consenting adults. 

I love the characters this author writes. Women who escape an oppressive human world and large (very large) orc males who are fiercely protective of those they love.

All the books in this series can be read as standalones but I would recommend reading them in series order. Chances are, if you love a good monster romance with a fair bit of heat and a happy ever after, then you will want to read the whole series anyway.

The reading order for this series so far:

Her Orc King (Black Bear Clan, Book 1)

Her Orc Guardian (Black Bear Clan, Book 2)

Her Orc Warrior (Black Bear Clan, Book 3)

Her Orc Protector (Black Bear Clan, Book 4)

Her Orc Husband (Black Bear Clan, Book 5)

Available from Amazon

Her Orc Protector (Black Bear Clan, Book 4) - Zoe Ashwood

Spicy Monster Romance with a HEA 

I love this series. This is the fourth book in this paranormal monster romance series. The story is set in a fantasy world of Orcs and humans. There are very descriptive scenes of a sexual nature between consenting adults. 

These are very spicy monster romance books with relatable female main characters and large (very large), cinnamon roll males.

Each book can be read as a standalone but I would personally recommend reading the series in order. They are perfect for a cosy night in.

If fun and spicy monster romances are your thing, then you’ll love this series.

The reading order for this series so far:

Her Orc King (Black Bear Clan, Book 1)

Her Orc Guardian (Black Bear Clan, Book 2)

Her Orc Warrior (Black Bear Clan, Book 3)

Her Orc Protector (Black Bear Clan, Book 4)

Available from Amazon

Her Orc Warrior (Black Bear Clan, Book 3) - Zoe Ashwood

Fight and Flight. A spicy monster romance. 

I am really enjoying this series. This is the third book in this paranormal monster romance series but each book can be read as a standalone. The story is set in a fantasy world of Orcs and humans. There are very descriptive scenes of a sexual nature between consenting adults. 

Zoe Ashwood has an appealing style of writing; it’s easy to get lost in her books. The worldbuilding is great and the characters are relatable. I've read several of her other books and I've enjoyed them all. 

Hazel is on the run from the local mafia. She’s stabbed her boss and she may not survive the repercussions of that. Her only option is to take her young daughter and run. The only way out of the city walls is to stay hidden in the back of a wagon, so the corrupt guards can’t report her escape. 

Vark is surprised to discover a couple of stowaways in his wagon. He is even more surprised when he realises that one of them is his mate; something he had given up hope of. He will protect her at all costs but she is flighty, scared and trusts no-one. He will have to try and find a way to convince her to stay. 

This is a fun and spicy monster romance. If that’s your thing, then you’ll love this series.

The reading order for this series so far:

Her Orc King (Black Bear Clan, Book 1)

Her Orc Guardian (Black Bear Clan, Book 2)

Her Orc Warrior (Black Bear Clan, Book 3)

Available from Amazon

 

Her Orc Guardian (Black Bear Clan, Book 2) - Zoe Ashwood

Newly independent FMC meets reluctant, grumpy love interest. 

I really enjoyed this book. Zoe Ashwood has an easy to read writing style, which flows beautifully. This is the second book in a new paranormal monster romance series but each book can be read as a standalone. The story is set in a fantasy world of Orcs and humans. There are descriptive scenes of a sexual nature between consenting adults. The worldbuilding is great and the characters are relatable.I've read several of her other books and I've enjoyed them all. 

Poppy is on the run, alone and destitute. After her father died she was left with nothing but a locket left to her by her Mother and a letter her father wrote with instructions for Poppy to deliver to his friend. Her step-mother has reported her to the authorities, accusing her of theft for taking her own belongings. Poppy’s only option is to travel and search for her father’s friend. What her father didn’t tell her was that this friend is an Orc.

Steagor finds Poppy starving and feverish in the woods. He reads the letter that Poppy’s father has written to him, which requests that he take on the role of Poppy’s guardian, protecting her and finding her a suitable husband. A task he feels honour-bound to carry out, despite recognising Poppy as the true mate he has been seeking.

I raced through this book in one evening. It is filled with all the things you want in a romance novel; a little conflict, a little danger along the way, a lot of steam and the story ends with a happy ever after. 

If you like Monster Romance with a determined and independent FMC, then this is the book for you.

The reading order for this series so far:

Her Orc King (Black Bear Clan, Book 1)

Her Orc Guardian (Black Bear Clan, Book 2)

Available from Amazon

 

Freed in Love (Nora Moss Series, Book 3) - Zoe Ashwood

The action-packed conclusion to this tale of witches and sea dragons

This is the third and final book in the Nora Moss Series, a Paranormal Romance and Reverse Harem series. The book is primarily set in Greece and has very descriptive scenes of sexual interactions between all four of the main characters; three males and a female. 

Nora Moss is a witch who feels that magical knowledge should be shared with all witches and not just held by a select few covens. Her mission is to access the extensive secret libraries of the Scottish Coven by entering their annual magical treasure hunt. All is not what it seems, however. Secrets are revealed and Nora’s mission to have knowledge shared amongst all witches will either succeed or fail spectacularly, ending in tragedy.

My wish at the end of book two was that the trio become a full harem and I’m delighted to say, I got my wish.

This wonderful world of Witches and Sea Dragons is one I like to get lost in. Sadly, I have a feeling this might be the last time we are brought to this place. I hope that’s not the case though.

I really enjoy Zoe Ashwood’s writing style and story telling. The stories are well paced and beautifully described. The characters are relatable and develop well throughout the book. 

If you’ve read Zoe Ashwood’s other two series (Sea Dragons of Amber Bay and Norse Sea Dragons), you’ll be familiar with this world of Witches and Sea Dragons. This new series runs parallel to those. 

Available from Amazon

 

Dissent (A Charity Anthology)

Her Orc Mate, a short story by Zoe Ashwood

This review is specifically for Her Orc Mate, a short story by Zoe Ashwood published in the first volume of this charity anthology. 

This is the story of Rose, a human woman, and Uram, an Orc warrior male. Rose lives a life of travelling from place to place, finding shelter and work where she can. Uram recognises her as his fated mate and defends her honour against the drunken human males who frequent the bar she works in. When Rose is fired from her job over the incident, Uram takes her on a journey to his homeland, where she can be safe. 

This is a short love story with a happy ever after. After reading it, I wanted to know more. Fortunately, Her Orc Mate is a short introduction to the world of humans and orcs featured in Zoe Ashwood’s new monster romance series, The Black Bear Clan. If you like monster romance and unusual pairings, this is the series for you.

DISSENT is a charity romance anthology with NEW, never before published content from 150 authors of all romance genres. All proceeds from the eBook and paperbacks will be donated to organizations benefiting reproductive rights in the United States, particularly in areas where people need them more than ever. 

Available from Amazon

 

Her Orc King (Black Bear Clan, Book 1) - Zoe Ashwood

Steamy Monster Romance With A Happy Ever After

This was a fun book. Zoe Ashwood has an easy to read writing style, which flows beautifully. I've read several of her other books and I've enjoyed them all. 

I raced through this book in one evening. It is filled with all the things you want in a romance novel; a little conflict, a little danger along the way, a lot of steam and the story ends with a happy ever after. 

It’s the first book in a new paranormal monster romance series. The story is set in a fantasy world of Orcs and humans. There are descriptive scenes of a sexual nature between consenting adults. The worldbuilding is great and the characters are relatable.

If you like Monster Romance with a determined and independent FMC, then this is the book for you.

Author’s Blurb

Captured by slavers, sold at auction to brutal orcs, and dragged halfway across the realm…

I never thought I’d say this, but being kidnapped by a band of pillaging bandits wasn’t the low point of my life.

No, that came when a massive, scarred orc king decided I was his mate and refused to let me leave his cave.

Orcs are a vile race without a shred of propriety, and their king is the worst of all - he expects me to accept their wicked ways and doesn’t understand that my thoughts scatter whenever he removes his shirt. He insists on taking care of me - both my body and soul - and won’t take no for an answer.

But trouble brews in this remote kingdom. The orcs are keeping secrets, and I want to learn the truth. And I’m no longer certain I want to return to the human world. Maybe I want to stay right here, in King Gorvor’s arms.

Her Orc King is an orc fantasy romance with a big, scarred hero who falls hard for the stubborn human heroine. You’ll love it if you enjoy your books with a hint of kidnapping, size difference issues, and lots of steamy scenes. This is the first book of a series of standalones - each book can be read separately and features a happily-ever-after ending for that couple.

Available from Amazon

 

Cold Seduction (Ice Planet Rendu, Book 3) - Zoe Ashwood

Spicy alien space romp on a frozen planet! 

This is the third and final book in the Ice Planet Rendu trilogy, an Alien Sci-Fi Romance from Zoe Ashwood. The book is set on the mostly inhospitable frozen planet of Rendu and features both human and sentient alien beings. There are several descriptive scenes of consenting inter-species sexual activity between an alien male and a human female. 

I have really enjoyed reading this fun alien space romp. Smart human females and hot alien guys. What’s not to love? I enjoy the world building, the characters, the story and the spicy scenes.

This story tells the tale of the last remaining unmated ad Naals brother, Lhett. He’s rough, rugged, covered in battle scars and he can’t see how any female would want to be with him, let alone the tall blonde human he was assigned to guard for a while. 

Hanne has her own battle scars though. She’s escaped an abusive relationship with a powerful man on Earth and has no intention of returning there. She likes Lhett but experience has told her that powerful men aren’t always the best choice, so she will stay on Rendu, regardless of whether or not he is interested in her.

What follows is the story of two damaged people coming to terms with their pasts and finding each other in the process. Like the previous two books, this has a happy ever after, plenty of action and no cliffhangers.

The reading order for this series is as follows:

Book 1: Cold Attraction

Book 2: Cold Temptation

Book 3: Cold Seduction

Available from Amazon

 

Cold Temptation (Ice Planet Rendu, Book 2) - Zoe Ashwood

Grab a cuppa and a snack and curl up on the sofa with this fun alien romance. 

This is the second book in the Ice Planet Rendu trilogy, an Alien Sci-Fi Romance from Zoe Ashwood. The book is set on the mostly inhospitable frozen planet of Rendu and features both human and sentient alien beings. There are several descriptive scenes of consenting inter-species sexual activity between an alien male and a human female. 

This is a lighthearted and fun look at alien-human romance. I really enjoyed it. These books are long enough to develop characters and build worlds, yet short enough to read in one sitting. Like book one, this has a Happy Ever After and no cliffhangers. It can be read as a standalone but it is better read as part of the series.

Human zoologist, Mika Yadama, is in her element. A strange new world with an abundance of new creatures to catalogue. She has little fear and no idea which animals are approachable and which want to kill her. Sady for her, it seems that most animals on this planet want to kill her. She’s highly likely to die from petting something she shouldn’t pet. Her guardian for the duration of the human visit is Kol ad Naals, who seems to be keeping as much distance from her as possible now that the political situation on his planet has been resolved. Kol wants Mika more than anyone he’s ever met but she’s leaving with the delegation and he is tied up investigating a series of break-ins. His duty to the new Queen and his people must come first but Mika is distracting and maintaining that distance is not as easy as he thought it would be.

The reading order for this series is as follows:

Book 1: Cold Attraction

Book 2: Cold Temptation

Available from Amazon

 

Cold Attraction (Ice Planet Rendu, Book 1) - Zoe Ashwood.

Some like it Hoth! Creating steam on an ice planet.

This is the first book in the Ice Planet Rendu trilogy, an Alien Sci-Fi Romance from Zoe Ashwood. The book is set on the mostly inhospitable frozen planet of Rendu and features both human and sentient alien beings. There are several descriptive scenes of consenting inter-species sexual activity between an alien male and a human female. 

Zoe Ashwood has a fun and easy to read style of writing and the books are the perfect length for an evening on the sofa with a duvet and a cup of your favourite drink. The story has a Happy Ever After and there are no cliffhangers. Alien relationships are fun! Lots of differences to explore and new worlds to discover. 

Humans have recently discovered that they are not alone in the galaxy and their first foray into space is on a fact finding mission to Rendu, supported and protected by the Rendian Armed forces. The journey between planets takes months and the ship arrives back at Rendu to political upheaval; the King has been murdered and in his place is a Regent who is controlling the young princess and he most definitely does not have the interests of his people at heart. How will this impact the human delegation? The visiting humans must be kept safe because the Regent wants trade and contact with Earth but they must be controlled because he has also reinstated unsafe practices which cannot come to light if he is to maintain power.

Adriana is the human anthropologist responsible for learning Rendian culture and history. Her guardian while she is on Rendu is Taron ad Naals, whose mission is to keep her safe and in the city for the six week duration of the human visit. Needless to say, all does not go to plan and the relationship between the two ends up more than just colleagues. 

If you're new to Alien Sci-Fi Romance, this is a good one to start with.

Available from Amazon

Captured in Love (Nora Moss Series, Book 2) - Zoe Ashwood

Witches, Sea Dragons and near-death experiences fill this steamy RH PNR.  

This is the second book in the Nora Moss Series, a Paranormal Romance and Reverse Harem series. The book is primarily set in Iceland and has very descriptive scenes of sexual interactions between all three of the main characters; two males and a female. 

I really enjoy Zoe Ashwood’s writing style and story telling. Her world of Witches and Sea Dragons is one I like to get lost in. The stories are well paced and beautifully described. The characters are relatable and develop well throughout the book. 

If you’ve read Zoe Ashwood’s other two series (Sea Dragons of Amber Bay and Norse Sea Dragons), you’ll be familiar with this world of Witches and Sea Dragons. This new series runs parallel to those. 

Nora Moss is a witch who feels that magical knowledge should be shared with all witches and not just held by a select few covens. Her mission is to access the extensive secret libraries of the Scottish Coven by entering their annual magical treasure hunt. Following her near death experience in Egypt on the first leg, she, along with her boyfriends Levi and Raphael, have headed to Iceland to collect their second token. 

Iceland is a place where witches have not been seen in decades. The tokens they need to collect are deep under the sea and underground in a long abandoned Sea Dragon city. The mission is fraught with danger and it’s starting to seem as though the deadliest traps are set up to target Nora specifically.

Secrets from Levi’s past catch up with him and the relationship between him, Nora and Raphael could unravel just as they seem to be settling into being a trio. Once again they find themselves on the same path as Isak and his real identity becomes apparent. Nora finds herself drawn to him and I, as a reader, am now wondering if this trio is destined to become a full harem. Please let it become a full harem!

Available from Amazon.

Cursed in Love (Nora Moss Book 1) : Zoe Ashwood

Steamy RH PNR. Witches, Vampires, a mission and an unexpected rage fuelled ancient god. 

This is the first book in a new series from Zoe Ashwood. This is a Paranormal Romance and Reverse Harem series and has very descriptive scenes of sexual interactions between all three of the main characters; two males and a female. 

Nora Moss is a witch on a mission. Tired of ancestral magical knowledge being held in the hands of a few old covens, her goal is to share the knowledge with all witches. She gets her chance when she tricks her way into an annual magical treasure hunt organised by an old Scottish coven, with the grand prize being a full day’s access to their extensive library of grimoires. 

Fellow competitor, Isak tries unsuccessfully to warn her off but Nora is undeterred. With the help of her best friend, Levi, the witch she’s been secretly in love with since childhood, and her vampire ex boyfriend Raphael, she sets out to Egypt on the first leg of three in the hunt. Along the way they meet Isak again. There is something strange about this large Icelandic male. He doesn’t seem like an ordinary witch. In fact it’s possible that he might just be something else entirely. 

If you’ve read Zoe Ashwood’s other two series (Sea Dragons of Amber Bay and Norse Sea Dragons), you’ll be familiar with this world of Witches and Sea Dragons. This new series runs parallel to those. 

The story is filled with action, danger, violence and a fair amount of descriptive sexual activity between all three main characters. 

As ever, the world building is great, the magical system is easy to understand and the characters are likeable and relatable. I enjoyed this book and I’m looking forward to the next one. 

Available from Amazon