Miranda's Monster Madness | Orcs, Orcs, and More Orcs!

I had never heard of Orcs until I watched the Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings film trilogy. Pretty rough and scary looking creatures. Not the stuff of romance novels – or are they? Since being seduced by monster-themed romance novels, I’ve come across a wide array of stories featuring orc heroes. I’ve found stories ranging from rom coms to medieval fantasy – light and fun, and others that have strong elements of suspense.

For fans of contemporary and paranormal romance, there are books like Sweet Monster Treats trilogy. My favorites are the first in the series, COOKIES FOR MY ORC NEIGHBOR by Michele Mills, and CANDY FOR MY ORC BOSS by Ava Ross. In the Michele Mills book, the orc hero epically fails at avoiding the human heroine he pines over. He doesn’t think she could ever except his bestial nature. In reality, he’s a marshmallow at heart, and she secretly pines for him too. Swoon. The Ava Ross book is perfect for fans of billionaire romances. At the opening of the story, Chasity has a one-night stand with a sexy supernatural stranger. It’s phenomenal but she never expects to see him again, until he turns out to be her new boss. Lots of fab classic romance tropes there. Max is a sweetie, and he pursues Chastity steadfastly while still being respectful of her boundaries. Love it!

ORC ME BABY ONE MORE TIME by Ava Ross is part of the multi-author Monster Between the Sheets series. I discovered this series one day and binge-read most of the series in one day. It definitely gives romcom vibes. This story includes one of my favorite romance tropes – the fake relationship that turns real. Human female Rylee has been pining over the hunky orc blacksmith Gunner. Gunner is a beefcake, but sweet and shy. Rylee has been too scared to make a move, until this situation comes up forcing her hand. ORC ME BABY ONE MORE TIME is in my comfort zone of sweet and steamy at the same time. A re-read for sure. For readers who enjoy office romances, there’s THE ORC FROM THE OFFICE by Kate Prior. This is the second book in Kate Prior’s Claws and Cubicles series. Khent from the IT Department is the classic nerdy yet sexy romcom hero, yet he’s also a big and burly orc. Janice is a human, and with bad prior experience, she wants to avoid becoming romantically involved with a co-worker at all costs. The sexual tension and evolving flirtation will hit the spot for readers wanting some enjoyable brain candy.

THE ORC NEXT DOOR is the second book in Dani Wyatt’s somewhat dystopian Return of the Horde series. Although this is the second book in this series, it’s the first one I tried. I really enjoyed it, even though this type of setting isn’t usually my thing. These books take place in a world in which it’s dangerous to be a human all alone. You have to be resourceful and quick on your feet. Readers who are both paranormal romance fans and THE WALKING DEAD viewers might enjoy these books. These are not the urbane and quirky orcs of the previous books I just discussed. They are tough and battle-ready because they’ve had to be in the harsh world they’ve found themselves in. In THE ORC NEXT DOOR, Emmie – along with her acquired makeshift family – get orc neighbors. It might not be so bad, except Tigor is forever working on and around his house making noise at all hours of the day and night. At first sight, Tigor is smitten and an amusing meet-cute ensues. This love story is sweet with earthy sex scenes, and danger always lurking on the horizon, but this couple does find happiness in the end and there is hope for the future. I found Tigor to be a low-key sweetie and loved the way he wooed Emmie and watched out for her family.

Having stumbled upon Sue Mercury’s paranormal romance with a different series, I decided to check out her Orc Guardian Brides series. RESCUED BY THE ORC is the second book in the series but the first that I read. This series is a supernatural fantasy series about warrior orcs with hearts of gold searching for and finding their fated mates. Kind of a medieval setting with magic. Thorsen the Savage rescues Freya (fae ancestry) from a slave auction after she was initially captured. Thorsen, along with many of the other Sue Mercury heroes I’ve read about in other books, is strong and like a warrior knight, but he is gentle with the heroine and uber respectful about her feelings and tries to give her as much space as he can. My favorite so far in the series.

Last but certainly not least. Fans of rock star romance? Fans of supernatural characters? I have the thing for you. HIS ROCK HARD RHYTHM is the first book in Flora Dare’s Axebender Orcs series featuring a rock band. Hooray! This book is so sexy and fun. Alexis is a woman at odds with her witch heritage. She’s trying to figure out her career and who she is. Mace, orc and lead singer of a supergroup, is less conflicted and such a fab combo of sweet and hot. The romance sizzles, but the bandmates are entertaining and make you root for them and eager to read their stories as well. Lots of comic relief to balance the relationship drama and sexy times.