The Orc and the Innkeeper

Elderberry Falls, Book 1

By: Cora Crane

Narrated by: Jack Calihan, Rose Dioro

A spunky human innkeeper drowning in magical pests, a brooding orc brewmaster, and the fake engagement that could save them both.

I've poured my heart and soul into reviving my aunt's inn after her passing, but a pixie dust mite infestation threatens to destroy everything. Their glittery trails of destruction have infiltrated the guest rooms, and the cost to eradicate them will leave me penniless.

I'm desperate for a solution.

Enter Thorak Ironfist, the orc who once tormented me in high school. Now a wealthy brewmaster, he's determined to expand his ale empire into the human realm. But prejudice stands in his way. When a potential investor mistakes him for the muscle instead of the brains, Thorak blurts out that his human "fiancée" handles the business side of things.

Fate intervenes when I overhear his fib.

I seize the opportunity and strike a deal: I'll play the part of his devoted human partner if he financially aids me in banishing the pests.

What could possibly go wrong?

©2024 Cora Crane (P)2025 Tantor Media

so glad there is an audio book

I have read this book a few times and was so glad to see it on audible! The readers did a good job and the story is just so sweet. Past bully turns into love interest, with groveling and some good sexy :-P.

very cute story

It is a more modern day story, but it still keeps the charm and magic of the orc fantasy.

Lovely

Cora captured the hurt of one’s past bleeding into the present so beautifully! Love truly can heal a damaged or broken heart. I loved this love story so much. An amazing deep dive into the elderberry falls series

Sweet and Simple

Even with the spicy scenes, there is a sweet innocence about this story. It’s fairly low angst with characters who communicate better than most, confronting issues before they spiral too out of control. Low action, so not a lot of excitement, but the storyline kept me interested. Performances were stellar.

Adorable Soft Enemies to Lovers Story

I really enjoyed it. The plot was great and I’m always a fan of enemies to lovers. The steamy scenes were well written and adding magic to even that aspect I thought was very clever.

The only thing I wasn’t thrilled about was how easy it was to have certain characters overcome prejudice against other species (which was clearly coded as racism). Considering the time line of the book, it felt more like either those characters should have off the bat been portrayed as being unsure of their prejudice or open minded. Then again, this is a fantasy novel! I just personally didn’t like the portrayal that anyone could be shown the error of their prejudice by someone with an “open mind”.