Episode 56: Tempting Trolls
We’re crossing briges for this week’s topic - Trolls! Come with us as we discover the history of trolls, including those iconic dolls. Then, we dive into the genre, including Emma Hamm’s newest upcoming troll book! We rate pop culture trolls, and of couruse, end with some fan fiction fun. We can’t stop the feeling this is a great episode — listen now! #monsterromance
What Sarah read this week:
A Darkness So Sweet - Emma Hamm
Traded for peace. Sacrificed to a monster.
Maia Fremont just wanted a chance. When the opportunity to create floral arrangements for the royal wedding is offered to her, who is she to say no? But the crown is never honest, and soon enough she finds herself thrust into an unwanted union with a fearsome troll. Ripped from her beloved garden and the only life she’s ever known, she’s offered as a bride to a creature she’s only heard whispers of—rumors of brutality, darkness, and insatiable hunger.
Ragnar, a powerful troll healer, is disgusted by the human king’s deception. His duty to his people forces him to accept this lie of a marriage. His bride is a fragile human instead of the strong half elven mate he expected. Her meager magic is an insult, but honor and allegiance bind him to her. No matter how much he hates it.
Married to a beast who sees her as nothing more than a tool to strengthen his bloodline, Maia must fight for her life in the treacherous world of the trolls. But in their kingdom Deep within the mountain, she must balance her growing attraction for her gruff, surprisingly poetic husband against the lurking dangers in this strange new world—especially when the growing darkness threatens to tear them apart.
A Light so Blinding - Emma Hamm
She was the offering. He became the sanctuary.
Astrid has survived her entire life by staying silent. As a veiled priestess, she advises a nobleman who makes every decision for her. But when a letter arrives claiming her long-lost sister is alive and captured by the trolls, Astrid is ready to risk everything.
What she didn’t expect? Her nobleman is in debt. And he’s decided to pay it with her body.
Traded to the gladiator pits beneath the kingdom, Astrid is handed to a brutal troll warrior known only as the Bull. Massive. Silent. Deadly. He’s everything she’s been taught to fear, and the only one who might help her escape.
Bjorn has spent years shackled, forced to fight for human entertainment. But when a fragile human woman is gifted to him, begging for help, something ancient stirs in his blood. Honor. Purpose. Rage.
He breaks his chains for her.
Now they’re on the run through ancient wilds, cursed lands, and Bjorn’s broken homeland. But Astrid is hiding more than secrets behind her veil. Magic pulses beneath her skin. And Bjorn? He might not be the monster she was taught to fear... but the man fate never meant her to love.
A Light so Blinding ARC Review:
Sarah: UGH I love this book. I loved it. Because the world is more established, there’s less world building and more character interaction, which I enjoyed.
We meet Bjorn is book 1 – he is known as “The Bull” - a warrior captured by the enemy and forced to fight gladiator style for entertainment. He’s a beserker – which I think we have mentioned before, but sort of “blacks out”/sees read and is a key fighter for the troll population. These characters have their own set of magic as well.
Tropes Include:
-Fated Mates
–More about troll culture
-PTSD/Hurt/Comfort
-Strong Women
-Male longing and pining
-”Becoming a better man”
Some people might not like how Bjorn wasn’t magically healed, but I disagree.
I think he’s wonderful. As a person who also doesn’t do crowds well, I related to that panic sensation. I think also, this book is exactly what I needed to read in this political hellscape we’re in. It’s nice to read stories about rebellions and hope.
I think this book is also diving more into what feels like this building battle. We have also met additional characters in these book that I am genuinely invested in.
We’ve also met (I believe) our first potential same sex pairing, and I am interested to see how that shakes out.
What Jess Read This Week:
Stealing the Troll's Heart Lyonne Riley
Telise has survived on her own by being the quickest, the smartest, and the deadliest. But even to her friends, she's always been a little... Strange. She's spent her life seeking something that other humans simply can't offer her, and it's not until she tries to rob two trollkin that she realizes what it is she's after.
Raz'jin the troll has only ever wanted money—oh, and the occasional casual lay. But when he finds himself with a dagger at his throat, at the mercy of a red-headed human woman... He discovers a new and very unexpected desire in himself.
Telise and Raz'jin are both haunted by the memory of their meeting, even if such a relationship would be the ultimate taboo. Their peoples are at war, and they can't even speak the same language. But when they meet in a bar in neutral territory, perhaps their bodies can do the talking for them.
Stealing the Troll's Heart is a super steamy, enemies to lovers monster romance novella that takes place during a war between humans and trollkin. It features size difference, a language barrier, a virgin human FMC, a strong heroine, and a vulgar troll MMC with a sweet heart underneath. (It also contains wartime themes and violence.) All the Trollkin Lovers novels take place in a fantasy world of orcs, trolls and ogres that's perfect for lovers of World of Warcraft. Features a guaranteed HEA!
Rate these trolls with us:
