Black Bear Clan Series by Zoe Ashwood

With winter closing in, I wanted to keep my job at the village inn - but the large, brutish orc who came in one night has ruined that for me.Yes, he saved me from a handsy patron, but he didn’t have to claim me as his fated mate in front of the entire taproom, did he? Now we’ve been thrown out on the street in the middle of the night, and I have to start looking for a place to stay all over again. I’ve been alone for as long as I can remember, but this orc isn’t going anywhere... moreWith winter closing in, I wanted to keep my job at the village inn - but the large, brutish orc who came in one night has ruined that for me.Yes, he saved me from a handsy patron, but he didn’t have to claim me as his fated mate in front of the entire taproom, did he? Now we’ve been thrown out on the street in the middle of the night, and I have to start looking for a place to stay all over again. I’ve been alone for as long as I can remember, but this orc isn’t going anywhere. In fact, he claims I’m his to protect and cherish. But life doesn’t work like that. When things seem too good to be true, they usually are, and I don’t want to pin all my hopes on one male, no matter how fast my heart beats when he’s near. Her Orc Mate is a short orc fantasy romance with a full HEA. You’ll like it if you enjoy reading about size difference issues, fated mates, and big warrior-type heroes. This novella is a standalone but is a part of a larger universe filled with deliciously steamy stories. less

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... moreCaptured 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. less

At my father’s dying wish, I crossed the realm, looking for his best friend…and ended up in an orc camp.It turns out the man I’d heard so much about is actually an orc, a warrior with more scars than I can count and a surly disposition.And after reading the letter my father sent him, he declares himself my guardian - and me his ward... moreAt my father’s dying wish, I crossed the realm, looking for his best friend…and ended up in an orc camp.It turns out the man I’d heard so much about is actually an orc, a warrior with more scars than I can count and a surly disposition.And after reading the letter my father sent him, he declares himself my guardian - and me his ward.Which wouldn’t be a problem if he wasn’t intent on marrying me off to some human stranger, even though the tension between us grows with every touch and every heated, forbidden look.Sometimes, though, a woman has to take her fate and pleasure in her own hands, and after being told what to do my entire life, I’m not taking any more chances. I want to learn more about myself. And I think my orc guardian might be the right male for the job.Her Orc Guardian is an orc fantasy romance with a large, scarred hero and an innocent heroine who quickly learns she enjoys everything her body is capable of. You’ll love this story if you like reading about size difference issues, age-gap relationships, and grumpy heroes who fall for spirited heroines. This is the second book in a series of standalones - each book can be read separately and features a happily-ever-after for the main couple. All characters in this book are of age and enthusiastically consent to every spicy thing that happens. less

I escaped a life of crime to save my daughter… But my plan for making it to a safer town has gone awry. The driver of the wagon we snuck on isn’t human at all, and now we’re stuck in a traveling caravan of massive orc merchants. And the driver who first noticed me? He claims I’m his fated mate. The one person destined to be everything to him. He says we’re safe. That he’ll protect me and my little girl from the men following us. But I know better than to trust pretty lies... moreI escaped a life of crime to save my daughter… But my plan for making it to a safer town has gone awry. The driver of the wagon we snuck on isn’t human at all, and now we’re stuck in a traveling caravan of massive orc merchants. And the driver who first noticed me? He claims I’m his fated mate. The one person destined to be everything to him. He says we’re safe. That he’ll protect me and my little girl from the men following us. But I know better than to trust pretty lies. Life has taught me that I can’t rely on anyone but myself, and I intend to keep it that way. But orcs are a warrior race, and if I can learn from them, I will. And my orc mate is the perfect male to teach me everything he knows about combat…and perhaps about love. Her Orc Warrior is an orc fantasy romance with a large, scarred hero and a fiery, cautious heroine who needs to learn to trust again. You’ll love this story if you enjoy reading about size difference issues, wounded heroes, and single mothers who would do anything to protect their kiddos. This is the third book in a series of standalones - each book can be read separately and features a happily-ever-after for the main couple. less

My people have accused me of being a witch…If they weren’t so afraid of me, I’d be dead already, drowned in the icy river flowing from the orc lands. Terrified I’d turn them all to toads, they tied me to a tree in the deep, frozen forest and left me for the wolves.But the forest is home to larger beasts than wolves. Brutal orcs prowl these mountains, and when one finds me here, alone, I accept my life is over.Only I’m wrong. The strong, cautious male doesn’t slit my throat on sight... moreMy people have accused me of being a witch…If they weren’t so afraid of me, I’d be dead already, drowned in the icy river flowing from the orc lands. Terrified I’d turn them all to toads, they tied me to a tree in the deep, frozen forest and left me for the wolves.But the forest is home to larger beasts than wolves. Brutal orcs prowl these mountains, and when one finds me here, alone, I accept my life is over.Only I’m wrong. The strong, cautious male doesn’t slit my throat on sight. Instead, he rescues me, and for a moment, I think I’m saved.Until he tells me that I’m his. We’re fated mates, and he’s intent on keeping me. Forever.Her Orc Protector is an orc fantasy romance set in the world of the Black Bear Hill. You’ll love this story if you enjoy books with forced proximity, size difference issues, and a reluctant heroine who can’t resist her large, devoted hero for long. This is the fourth book in a series of standalones - each story can be read on its own and features a happy ending for the main couple. ***This is Korr and Ivy’s story! less

This arranged marriage is my last hope for a better future. The city’s best matchmaker has all but despaired over me and my brother is threatening to throw me on the street if I don’t find a husband soon. But the revulsion I feel every time anyone touches me has made it impossible for me to find a good match. All men want a willing wife in their bed, not a wretch who cringes away from the slightest brush of skin against skin... moreThis arranged marriage is my last hope for a better future. The city’s best matchmaker has all but despaired over me and my brother is threatening to throw me on the street if I don’t find a husband soon. But the revulsion I feel every time anyone touches me has made it impossible for me to find a good match. All men want a willing wife in their bed, not a wretch who cringes away from the slightest brush of skin against skin.Now the matchmaker says I have to marry the next man willing to take me on — and in truth, I need to do this for myself.But the man who chooses me is not a man at all. He’s an orc with long black hair, green skin, and more muscles anyone could possibly need. He says I’m his mate. All my life, I’ve done what others wanted, but now I have a choice. To remain here at my brother’s mercy or leave for the orc kingdom. And for once, I’m willing to head into the unknown.Her Orc Husband is an orc fantasy romance and features an orc hero who would rather spend time in his library than court a human and a heroine who will learn to enjoy closeness again. You’ll like it if you enjoy reading about size difference issues, grumpy heroes, and timid heroines who bloom in the right environment. The book can be read as a standalone with a full HEA but is set in the world of the Black Bear Clan. less

I wanted a husband…and got two orc mates instead.When my groom-to-be leaves me standing alone at the altar, I only want to escape. So I pack my bags and sneak out of my parents’ house in the middle of the night. But instead of going to a larger human city, I turn north, toward the orc lands.I’ve heard enough about orcs to know they treat women well, and I want a husband of my own - one who won’t run away but would cherish and love me instead... moreI wanted a husband…and got two orc mates instead.When my groom-to-be leaves me standing alone at the altar, I only want to escape. So I pack my bags and sneak out of my parents’ house in the middle of the night. But instead of going to a larger human city, I turn north, toward the orc lands.I’ve heard enough about orcs to know they treat women well, and I want a husband of my own - one who won’t run away but would cherish and love me instead.But now two orc blacksmiths want to claim me, saying I’m their fated mate. Morg is young and handsome, a charming male whose every touch ignites a fire inside me. But Torren, an older orc with more experience, gives me everything I need, making me feel safe and loved from the very first day.I should be happy to have either one of them - but what if picking only one will ruin all our chances of happiness? Her Orc Blacksmiths is a full-length spicy orc fantasy romance in which the heroine doesn’t need to choose between her two heroes, and the heroes develop a loving relationship of their own. It takes place in the world of the Black Bear Clan and has a full happy ending. You’ll enjoy this story if you like cozy romance vibes and size difference issues (times two). less

When your family sends you to the orc kingdom to get rid of you, you know you’ve really messed up. Perhaps scratching the face of a rich lord was an excessive reaction to his attempt to win my hand in marriage. But how could I have known he’d get an infection and lose his eye? When the entire duke’s court turns against me, my uncle offers me away to serve as his emissary to the lands of King Gorvor, disappear from the public eye for a while, and return after people forget all about me... moreWhen your family sends you to the orc kingdom to get rid of you, you know you’ve really messed up. Perhaps scratching the face of a rich lord was an excessive reaction to his attempt to win my hand in marriage. But how could I have known he’d get an infection and lose his eye? When the entire duke’s court turns against me, my uncle offers me away to serve as his emissary to the lands of King Gorvor, disappear from the public eye for a while, and return after people forget all about me. It seemed like a good idea at the start, but now I’m trying to navigate the orc court, and it’s not going great. In fact, an orc warrior has attached himself to my side, claiming I’m his fated mate. I want to hate him, because he’s always there, watching over me, protecting me - and my cat - but he’s more of a gentleman than any of the men I met in human lands. And when he offers to show me what being mated to an orc could be like, I cannot resist him for long. The issue is, I’m only here for the winter, and leaving might be more painful than I thought. Her Orc Gentleman is an orc fantasy romance and features a scarred warrior hero and a younger bookish heroine. This is an age-gap romance with size difference issues and is set in the world of the Black Bear Clan. You can read it as a standalone with a full HEA, but you might enjoy getting to know the world by starting at book one.** This is Ozork and Willow’s story. ** less

I’ve missed my one chance to find my fated mate… The moment I saw the captain, I knew. His scent unlocked a hidden part of me, a promise of a future filled with love and affection. But the Fates are cruel–they matched me to a human man who could never be mine, for his duty binds him to the southern lands while I must remain here, at the Black Bear Hill. As winter closes in, a human delegation arrives at my home, and with it, the man who’s been haunting my dreams and waking thoughts... moreI’ve missed my one chance to find my fated mate… The moment I saw the captain, I knew. His scent unlocked a hidden part of me, a promise of a future filled with love and affection. But the Fates are cruel–they matched me to a human man who could never be mine, for his duty binds him to the southern lands while I must remain here, at the Black Bear Hill. As winter closes in, a human delegation arrives at my home, and with it, the man who’s been haunting my dreams and waking thoughts. He’s everything I remember from that first brief glimpse of him–honorable, kind, and unbearably handsome. Yet the captain–Owen–is still bound by his service to the duke whose intentions toward our clan may be less than good. He’s a soldier first and will return to his post in the human kingdom once spring arrives and the snow melts in the mountains. And I will be left here, broken-hearted and alone. So I’ll keep my distance, no matter how difficult it may be. It’s better for us both. If only he didn’t have the knack for popping up whenever I am… His Orc Lady is a cozy orc fantasy romance set in the world of the Black Bear Clan. It features an orc heroine we all know and love, and her very human mate, a pairing that results in interesting discoveries and challenges the couple must overcome. While this book is a standalone–this couple gets their HEA–it’s also the eighth book in the series, so you’ll likely enjoy it more if you have read the prior stories already. less