The Creatively Green Write at Home Mom: Running with the Orc by Loretta Kendall #MonsterRomance

DIY Mini Book Charms

If you’re an eBook reader like me, you miss out on having those pretty bookshelves lined with books. Space can often be a factor, so book charms can be a great way to fill that need and have a keepsake of your favorite books.

You can create a mini bookshelf, book bangle bracelets, keychains, and more in just a few minutes, which you can save as a reminder of your favorite reads.

To get started on this crafty bookish project, you’ll need:

Mini Book Cover Photos printed on photo paper, sized to your mini book charm (I suggest doing this in Canva)
Clear Self-Sealing Laminating Sheets
Vinyl scraper tool
Color inkjet printer
Mod Podge (or glue stick)
Cutting mat
Hobby craft knife
Paper cutter or detail scissors
Mini book charms (My favorite is the Bead Treasures Fairy Tale “Once Upon A Time” Book Charm from Hobby Lobby)

Create and Print Your Covers

Choose the book covers you want to turn into charms. Resize them to fit your mini book blanks or your desired charm size. Printing on glossy photo paper gives the covers a more realistic bookstore look and helps the colors stay vibrant. Let it dry to avoid smearing the image in the next step.

Laminate the Covers

Place self-sealing laminating sheets over your printed covers. Smooth out any air bubbles using your vinyl scraper tool. I like to use these to seal the color from the printer to avoid smudging.

Note: You can substitute clear Mod Podge here, but I find it leaves an uneven surface and looks less like a real book cover. Resin may be a better option if you want that high gloss shine.

Carefully Cut Out the Covers

A paper cutter works well for straight edges, while detail scissors work here as well.

Fold the Spine

Gently fold along the spine area so the cover begins to take shape like a real miniature book.

Attach the Cover to the Charm

Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge or glue stick to the mini book charm base. Carefully line up your laminated cover and smooth it down firmly to avoid wrinkles or bubbles. Once dried, you will need to clean up the edges with a razor tool.

Turn Your Mini Books into Accessories

After everything dries completely, attach your charms to bracelets, keychains, mini bookshelves, bookmarks, or display jars. They also make adorable gifts for book club friends, librarians, and fellow readers.

Helpful Tips

Use high-resolution cover images for the sharpest results and use the cover for both sides. Often, the back cover blurb on physical books will be blurry at this thumbnail size.
Print out multiple books on one sheet to save on paper waste.
Use a Sharpie to clean up the craft book edges to blend with your cover.

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Check out more of my bookish crafts at https://loretta-kendall-shop.square.site/s/shop

And don’t forget to check out my new book release, Running with the Orc, available on Amazon and all major retailers.

Running with the Orc

Loretta Kendall

Genre: Monster Romance

Publisher: Loretta Kendall

Date of Publication: May 15th, 2026

ISBN: 9798234054067

Number of pages: 244

Word Count: 75,000

Cover Artist: LK Creative Designs

Book Description:

Daisy survived two years in orc captivity with one rule: Don't get caught during the run.

Sassy burlesque comedian, Daisy LaRue, always believed her orc captors kidnapped their pretty victims for nefarious reasons. Humans, fairies, pixies, and other beautiful beings, all taken from their homes and forced to survive in a world built on a brutal game of hunter and the hunted.

But do the orcs want them for lunch… or love?

When Daisy is finally caught during the orcs' quarterly run, she discovers the so-called monstrous men might not be the villains she pegged them to be. The one who caught her may turn from enemy to temptation.

In a world where nothing feels certain, she’ll face a battle far darker than captivity when her captor, Commander Bramwell Grognak, reveals the truth of a twisted history built on the study of eugenics. With the handsome orc at her side, Daisy takes a stand against the hidden evils of a society once built on honor and tradition.

As love becomes the greatest challenge they face, this world may be worth fighting for.

Amazon BN

Running with the Orc: Excerpt 3

“Let me down, you fucking asshole!” she yelled, kicking and screaming.

I hate what I was about to do, but I was already stressed, so I dropped her to her feet and spanked her ass hard. When I let go, she just looked stunned. Almost… turned on?

Her wide eyes flickered with a confusing mix of outrage and unwanted desire. “Uh…” she swallowed hard with a rosy blush on her cheeks. Surprised at herself to be aroused in such an awkward moment, she turned toward the house and started walking away in a huff.

I saw that same look the night she cut my face. The more danger she was in, the more turned on she was. I think that’s why she kissed me so hard my eyes almost popped out of my head that night.

No woman has made me feel the way she did from that kiss, and even with a cut on my face and blind in one eye afterwards, I wanted her so badly I thought I’d go insane. It’s the only reason I kept my distance from her for so long. Wanting her and protecting her has become a battle I’ve chosen to fight every day. I couldn’t understand for the life of me why I wanted a woman who cut me up like a raging lunatic and screamed like a psychopath as she did it.

Sure, I do. I still have orc in me, and a strong woman gets our fire going. Daisy had more spunk in her than most warriors I’d fought beside in battle. I knew right now she was struggling between wanting to care for me and hating my guts. I knew it wouldn’t be long before she’d be back to her old self, causing trouble and taking a stand.

I bit my lip trying not to laugh. Even though she was mad at me, she still liked that little tap. Naughty woman. “You have a little fairy in you, Daisy.”

“Shut up, asshole.”

About the Author:

Best-selling, award-winning romance author Loretta Kendall is an Indiana girl at heart, splitting time between writing steamy, swoon-worthy love stories and keeping up with her comedic sidekick husband. When she’s not lost in a world of words, she’s probably in the movie theater watching the latest release or trying to keep her poor, defenseless Venus flytrap plants alive. ~ RIP Molly Sue, Poe, and the twins.

Outside of writing, Loretta has a soft spot for vintage horror monsters, pinup fashion, and multimedia art. As a former pageant queen, celebrity makeup artist, photographer, and talent agent spanning twenty-two years in fashion and entertainment, her life experience gives a unique spin on her stories and their lively characters.

Loretta’s love for storytelling shines through in every book, blending real love with the perfect touch of comedy, glamour, and outright chaos to captivate her readers.

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