Her Orc Protector – Zoe Ashwood

The Black Bear Clan
4

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. 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.

This book contains:

False accusations with the intent to cause death to an innocent.

Ivy is a woman who’s forced into independence after her parents died young and then her cheating husband died the previous year. Since her parents’ death she’s cared for herself and earnt her own income, despite her husband and her village working against her.

Korr is a hunter for the Black Bear Clan and spends most of his life outside of the hall hunting. Despite his fears and insecurities, he’s a vital asset to the Clan and has friends in unlikely places.

Korr finds Ivy after her villagers leave her to die after experiencing a bad year of poor harvest and illness. While Ivy understands why the villagers behaved like this, it still frustrates and disappoints her as it means she can never return to the family home she grew up in. Korr on the other hand is worried only for Ivy’s safety and puts himself in harms way to try and protect Ivy.

I found Korr and Ivy to be such a sweet couple. The little ways in which they suffer through discomfort so the other can be comfortable are so cute and sweet.

Thanks to Korr’s history, we learn more about the history of the Black Bear Clan and what life was like before they split off on their own. While some of it comes directly from Korr, we also get an introduction to a character I kinda hope gets his own book.

Overall, I flew through this book in almost a single day as I was having a lazy relaxation day. So I didn’t dwell too much on anything as I just consumed it all so quickly.