Eastshore Isle

I'm beginning to think he needs me as much as I need him . . . Look, there are plenty of things I just learned about the gorgeous, seven-foot-tall perfect specimen of male living next door to me: 1. Karnak can scent everything about me, including those times I thought I was alone in my hot tub and I decided to experiment with different water jet settings. 2. He's really good at finding lost kitties (not a euphemism). 3. In the four years I've lived next door to him, the orc has known-beyond a shadow of a doubt-that I'm his fated Mate. And apparently it's killing him to stay away. But our beach town of Eastshore is dying, and I'm the one tasked with saving it. No pressure, right? And the fourth thing I've just learned about Karnak is that despite being the world's largest, greenest recluse, he's also the only one who can help me save our cozy, tightknit community. Unfortunately, he has this silly idea he deserves to be alone. If I can't convince him this town is perfect for him, then how can I prove I'm perfect for him, too? Contains mature themes.

I'm pretty sure there's a rulebook somewhere that says the owner of a successful small-town bakery must be cheerful, friendly, and a little bit curvy, which means I'm nailing it. But my family doesn't see it that way, especially since there's no handsome doctor or lawyer keeping me company. They're visiting Eastshore Isle for our summer celebration, and they're planning to bring me a date to cure my case of singlehood. Desperate to escape their matchmaking, I make up a story about my own knight in shining armor, and cast the grumpy, seven-foot-tall town mechanic in this role. It's not like Cairo knows I've been crushing on him forever, so he has no reason to step up and help me out. But when my mother demands proof we're actually dating . . . Cairo delivers. Oh boy, does he ever. He's definitely not the kind of guy my family wants me to be with, and he's clearly not really interested in me. But as we spend more time together to sell the story, I realize that we might have the secret ingredient for a perfectly sweet romance. What's it going to take to convince my overbearing family-and Cairo himself-that the pair of us are perfect for Eastshore Isle? Contains mature themes.

I'm a focused and goal-oriented librarian-in-training, so there's no way I'm falling for my himbo roommate, who gives off major golden retriever vibes, right? Right. But dang. Since the moment I started renting Luxor's spare bedroom, I've been plagued with these inconvenient urges . . . so being mature, responsible adults, we've decided to deal with them. One time. Once, to rid Lux of his innocence. Once, to rid me of these distracting desires to lick him. Should've known once wouldn't be enough. My roommate (with benefits) might be the kind of guy who is always goofing off and laughing and rescuing puppies, but he's turning out to be a surprisingly deep male . . . And I'm having a hard time thinking of this as temporary. But soon I'll have to leave the adorable small town of Eastshore permanently (there's not many opportunities for wannabe librarians here), so it's best not to get too close. But with a category two hurricane bearing down on us, I'm going to learn what's truly important. Contains mature themes.

I thought my one-night stand with a hot older guy was just a rebound, but it left me with a memento that could ruin my life . . . or perfect it? My whole life, I've been the perfect daughter: perfect hair, perfect body, perfect grades, perfect career. Of course my mother would choose the perfect fiancé for me! Thank God I wised up in time and dumped the jerk, but maybe I shouldn't have jumped into bed with the first hottie who winked at me. But how was I supposed to resist? Yeah, he's an orc, and he's muscled and tatted and definitely the take-charge kind of guy. Little did I realize, when I snuck out of his bed, that he'd left me with a present. Now I'm pregnant and hiding from my mistakes with my sister on Eastshore Isle, worried that I've ruined my perfect life . . . and I come face-to-face with Giza again. When fate-or more accurately, my meddling little sister-throw us together, I'm hard-pressed to maintain the I can do it all myself attitude I've kept up my entire life, especially with the way Giza is so desperate for the chance to know his child. And the more time I spend with him, the more I come to suspect . . . I don't always have to be perfect. Contains mature themes.

The charming town of Eastshore Isle is my hiding place, but I need someone strong to keep me safe . . . I'm pretty sure there's rules about an elementary teacher hooking up with a student's parent, but what if I didn't know that's who he was? See, I've spent the last few months getting hot and heavy with this guy on the app MonsterSmash, but we haven't exchanged names. This made our parent-teacher conference a little . . . awkward. Sakkara is the town's mayor, and he has a protective streak a mile wide. I confess, I really like that, and right now, I want nothing more than to let him take care of me. Christmas is approaching, and it would be so nice to allow myself to let down my guard for a few weeks and experience the joy of the season with him and his precious daughter. But I've been hiding here from the threat of my past, and when it rears its ugly head, I know I can't put Sakkara and his family in danger. Besides, what would a guy like him-successful, strong, and oh-so-delicious-want with a gal who brings nothing but trouble? And why does he seem determined to protect me at all costs? Contains mature themes.

I've been a single mom for sixteen years, and I know there's no place left in my life for fun. Right? I grew up in the South, where there are three things you're never supposed to ask: A woman her age, a man his salary, and a single mother how the duck she's managing to juggle a job, a mortgage, and a teenage son who's suddenly become too big for his britches. I mean, where did my teensy little best bud go? Who is this bro who's so proud of his fledgling mustache and even fledgling-er biceps? I realize exactly how much my son has changed when he sets me up with the hottest cop in town. This big city charmer is an incredibly shmexy orc who-for no discernable reason-seems to like me. What in the world could he see in an exhausted, overworked, desperate-to-throw-in-the-towel-and-hide-under-the-covers single mom? I'm ready to swear off men entirely, except . . . Simbel makes me laugh. And somehow, he makes life easier and more fun. I've spent the last sixteen years protecting my heart and my baby, and "having fun" is what changed my life sixteen years ago. But can I give into the temptation Simbel represents and trust him not to hurt either of us? Or do I stick with my safe but lonely life?

My grumpy new employee acts like this is the last place he wants to be . . . so why does he watch me as if I'm the most important thing in the world? It's finally happening! After years of scrimping and saving, I have finally launched my landscaping business from the back of my garden shop. Oh, don't get me wrong-I adore making floral arrangements, helping people figure out their soil's right pH, and sharing a million other gardening tips in my shop . . . but at long last, I've landed the coveted contract to landscape Eastshore Isle's community property, which means I am going to get paid to get really, really dirty! . . . With real dirt. Under my nails, up to my elbows. I dunno what you were thinking. Except . . . I'm kinda thinking the same thing when I bring on a new employee to help with this workload. He's my surly, scowling upstairs neighbor who's never wanted anything to do with me before, and it would be much easier to handle if he wasn't also hot enough to make me pant. Who knew I had a thing for snarly orcs? But it turns out that Memnon is hiding a secret that will make my life so much easier . . . or ruin it. Because choosing between my dream and a chance to be with him is going to be impossible.

Just when I think I'm at the end of my rope, the universe sends a gorgeous, talented, and oh-so-caring nanny to rescue me. What's the catch? Every morning I wake up and remind myself I was the one who decided to kick out my horrible ex, and it's my choice to raise my kids alone. This is less comforting than you might think when I'm knee-deep in deadlines, snotty noses, defiant preteens, and desperately in need of some help. I just never expected that help to come in the form of an absolutely delicious, seven-foot-tall, green monster . . . an orc who can make a killer pot roast, organize my junk drawer, and seems to understand exactly what each of the kids needs. So what's the catch? The catch is that with this phenomenally tempting male living under my roof (did I mention what a good kisser he is?), I'm dangerously tempted to turn this relationship into something more than employer-nanny. I want Aswan, but I really don't want to screw up this dynamic. For the first time in a long while, I feel like my family is right where we should be. But when my past shows up to haunt us, I realized exactly how much I need Aswan. In every way. Contains mature themes.