A Step Between Realms Series by Elizabeth Austin

Madeline JaneI thought breaking up with my fiancé during our romantic getaway would be the worst part of my day. It turned out I was very wrong. In an effort to get far away from that pitiful excuse of a man, I marched my cute, plaid-covered butt into the woods, only to be attacked by demonic-looking creatures in a magical realm.I was saved, or abducted, depending on how you look at it, by a group of strong, green, kind of sexy monsters called Orcs... moreMadeline JaneI thought breaking up with my fiancé during our romantic getaway would be the worst part of my day. It turned out I was very wrong. In an effort to get far away from that pitiful excuse of a man, I marched my cute, plaid-covered butt into the woods, only to be attacked by demonic-looking creatures in a magical realm.I was saved, or abducted, depending on how you look at it, by a group of strong, green, kind of sexy monsters called Orcs. They led me to their tremendously scary, grumpy, and ready-to-mate chieftain, Brizor.Did I need to get lost in the woods to find my happily ever after?.BrizorThe magic in our world was changing, and the real monsters were descending from the North. Being the village leader kept me focused and didn’t leave much time to think about my loneliness and longing for my fated mate. I knew the gods had the fiercest female, perhaps an Ogre or a rare female Orc, put aside somewhere for me.However, the moment I caught the delicious scent of the luscious human, all my rational thoughts were gone. The female I expected no longer mattered. Nothing mattered besides the primal need to claim my sweet mate, protect her, and breed her until she never wants to leave my side.Will the mating bond be enough to keep my delicate Madeline Jane on this side of the magical wall?This story was first featured in the anthology, Into the Woods and is an extended novella. It is nearly double the original length. Check the author's Instagram for detailed CW. This spicy story is intended for mature readers. less

The Orc's Faerie Mate is the second story set in the world of A Step Between Realms. Each story focuses on a new couple that is part of an interconnected series of Monster Romances. They are best enjoyed in order.Lark is a talented faerie, renowned for her powerful enchantments. She is content in her life with her adopted family in a secluded Ogre village, and she is one of the very few in the magical community who does not want to find her fated mate... moreThe Orc's Faerie Mate is the second story set in the world of A Step Between Realms. Each story focuses on a new couple that is part of an interconnected series of Monster Romances. They are best enjoyed in order.Lark is a talented faerie, renowned for her powerful enchantments. She is content in her life with her adopted family in a secluded Ogre village, and she is one of the very few in the magical community who does not want to find her fated mate. In fact, she’d do anything to remain unmated. Her past makes her leery of love, and guilt keeps her in hiding.Dereg is a good-humored though deadly Orc who loves his family and village. He has never begrudged his position as the younger brother to the chief, enjoying the freedom of leading hunts. While traveling with his clan, he is warned of a wicked enchantress who lives among the Ogres. He’s dealt with arrogant, lying faeries in the past; he has every intention of staying away from this particular one.But a chance encounter in the woods changes everything.Check Trigger Warnings on Author's Instagram. A very short and different version of this story was originally published in the After the Anthology. less