Why I Wrote a Book Where the Monster Stays a Monster (And Why You'll Thank Me)

Listen, we need to talk about monster romance.

Specifically, we need to talk about how I got tired of reading books where the heroine falls for a "monster" who's basically just a tall human with fancy eyes and maybe some decorative horns. Where's the DANGER? Where's the size difference that makes you go "oh that's... logistically concerning but emotionally NECESSARY"? Where are the monsters who are actually, you know, monstrous?

So I wrote THE OGRE'S BRIDE.

The Origin Story Nobody Asked For::

It started, as most unhinged ideas do, at 2 AM. I was reading yet another "Beauty and the Beast" retelling where Beast turns human at the end, and I thought: But what if she didn't want him to change? What if she looked at nine feet of green-skinned, tusk-bearing ogre warlord and said "actually, you're perfect just like this"?

What if Beauty had magic of her own?

What if Beast's castle was actually a war camp full of warriors who'd literally die for their warlord?

What if "tale as old as time" involved significantly more battles, blood, and scenes that make your Kindle beg for mercy?

And thus, Korgath Bloodstone was born. Along with him came Elara—a human tribute with a secret that could destroy them both.

Let's Talk About Our Disaster Couple::

Korgath is not your typical romantic hero. He's:

Nine feet of carved granite muscle
Gray-skinned with tusks (that stay the ENTIRE book)
A warlord who's conquered half the known world
Absolutely, irrevocably feral when it comes to protecting what's his
The type to say "little witch" in a growl that ruins you for normal pet names

Elara starts as a virgin tribute, but she's:

Secretly a witch (surprise!)
5'5" of repressed power and rage
Not here for anyone's damsel narrative
Absolutely going to set multiple things on fire (literally)
The only person who can make an Ogre Warlord kneel
Together, they're chaos incarnate. He threatens to paint mountains with blood for her. She threatens to burn down kingdoms for him. It's very romantic if you're into that sort of thing (and if you're here, you probably are).

The Tropes That Possessed Me (because you know this bitch likes her tropes and cliches)::

Listen, I went FERAL with this book. We've got:

✓ Virgin/experienced (but make it plot-relevant)
✓ Enemies to lovers (except he's obsessed from day one)
✓ Forced proximity (she's literally his sacrifice)
✓ Size difference (it's EXTREME and I'm not sorry)
✓ Touch her and die (his actual life motto)
✓ Fated mates (but they have to WORK for it)
✓ Secret magic (purple flames, baby!)
✓ Protective hero (read: psychotically devoted)
✓ Good girl (but in a GROWL)

Why Monster Romance Hits Different::

Here's the thing about monster romance that contemporary romance can't touch: the stakes are REAL. When your hero could literally crush someone with one hand, when your heroine could incinerate armies, when their love is forbidden by actual ancient laws—not just societal disapproval—everything matters more.

The danger is real. The passion is primal. The "will they or won't they" becomes "can they without destroying each other/the world?"

Plus, there's something delicious about a heroine looking at society's monster and saying "actually, he's mine now." It's the ultimate middle finger to expectations.

Content Warnings Because I Care About You::

This book is DARK. It's not "a little shadowy," it's "buckle up, bestie, we're going places." There's violence (it's a war camp), there's very explicit content (chapter 18 says hello), and there's a hero whose moral compass points directly to "whatever keeps Elara safe."

If you like your romance sweet and your heroes redeemable by normal human standards, this ain't it. Korgath doesn't get redeemed. He gets WORSE. And Elara? She matches his energy.

But Here's Why You'll Love It::

Because under all the blood and battles and size difference that breaks physics, it's a love story. It's about two people who see each other's monsters and say "yes, and?"

It's about choice—choosing the person everyone says is wrong for you, choosing power when you've been taught to be powerless, choosing love when the whole world says it's impossible.

It's about a virgin tribute who becomes a witch queen and an ogre warlord who'd kneel for no one except the tiny human who sets him on fire (literally).

What Beta Readers Are Screaming::

"I need therapy but first I need book two"

"Chapter 4 should be ILLEGAL"

"I'm never dating a human man again"

"The dedication alone deserves 5 stars"

"Ma'am the SIZE DIFFERENCE?? The GROWLING?? I'm deceased"

So What Are You Waiting For?

If you've ever:

Wanted a monster romance where he stays a monster
Thought "but what if Beauty was into the Beast BECAUSE he was a beast?"
Needed a hero who makes alphas look like betas
Wanted a heroine whose character growth includes "learning to incinerate enemies"
Required size difference content that rewires your brain
Just really wanted someone to call you "little witch" while doing unspeakable things
Then THE OGRE'S BRIDE is your new obsession.

Now available on KU, Kindle, and Paperback!!


P.S. - Yes, he has tusks the entire time. No, they don't get in the way. Yes, I explain how, kinda. You're welcome. Kinda.