Keepers of the Lake Series by Emilia Hartley

He guards a secret. She means to discover it.Cole Barton is a sentry, living alone at the edge of a lake, keeping away all who would run afoul of the monster that lurks beneath its depths. At least, he keeps all away until Jude Drake arrives and refuses to be run off. The sexy, powerful, gold dragon shifter is more than a match for his own giant beast, and she seems intent on uncovering the secrets he wants to keep hidden... moreHe guards a secret. She means to discover it.Cole Barton is a sentry, living alone at the edge of a lake, keeping away all who would run afoul of the monster that lurks beneath its depths. At least, he keeps all away until Jude Drake arrives and refuses to be run off. The sexy, powerful, gold dragon shifter is more than a match for his own giant beast, and she seems intent on uncovering the secrets he wants to keep hidden. Even more unsettling, the lake monster is calling her, wanting to use her to break free from the sorcery that imprisons him. Cole would never allow his old leader to do that to any woman, but he’s particularly insistent that Jude not fall prey to the monster’s trap. Something about the gold dragon calls to Cole’s soul. The lake monster can’t have her. Cole will see to it, even if he has to deny his own heart and push Jude away.Never again will he lose anyone he cares about to the monster.Jude Drake knows why her cousin keeps sending her off to settle trouble around the country. Two gold dragons are too many for a single territory. Jude wants to settle down, though. She’s tired of her nomadic life, tired of cleaning up problems she had no part in making. She needs her own ground to rule, and with this lake territory she’s come to, she thinks she might have found it. The ground speaks to her, and she can see herself putting this broken clan back together. This is where she belongs, she’s sure of it—on this lakeshore, with this surly cabin rental manager.Now if only she could convince the man and the land to give up their secrets and let her make her place here, she’s sure she could be happy.Cole is the first book in Emilia Hartley’s Keepers & Legend series. Like all Emilia’s books, this one is steamy romance with a strong female lead, a super-hot male shifter, and a satisfying HEA. It can stand alone but is even better when read in connection with the others. less

She’s loved him since before he changed her, but he won’t even admit he remembers her.Charlie wasn’t always a dragon, but she was always trouble. Getting turned as a teen only intensified her struggle against authority. Her parents never knew what to do with her. Neither did the dragon clan they passed her off to when she became too much for them to handle... moreShe’s loved him since before he changed her, but he won’t even admit he remembers her.Charlie wasn’t always a dragon, but she was always trouble. Getting turned as a teen only intensified her struggle against authority. Her parents never knew what to do with her. Neither did the dragon clan they passed her off to when she became too much for them to handle. Charlie was never meant to be a submissive, but for years she’s been ordered around, insulted, and shamed until she barely recognizes herself. In a last bid to recover some dignity, she seeks out the man she’s almost sure is her fated mate, the dragon shifter who changed her.Now, if only he would recognize her the way her heart recognizes him.Of course, Alec recognizes Charlie. He would know her anywhere. His soul calls to hers. He wishes she hadn’t shown up on the clan’s old stomping ground, though. It isn’t safe in the old cabins near the lake. Alec’s best friend Zane has been caught in the lake for so long that he’s become a monster. Alec feels guilty enough about that mistake. He refuses to let Zane hurt Charlie. So, he must pretend he doesn’t know Charlie. That way, she’ll go far away from the lake, and Zane won’t be able to hurt her. She’s in danger every moment she stays.Unfortunately, Charlie’s clan may be every bit as unsafe for Charlie as the lake. Whether she stays or she goes, Alec could lose her—permanently.Alec is the third installment of Emilia Hartley’s steamy Keepers of the Lake series. A great story on its own, this book is even better when paired with the others. And, like all Emilia’s books, it has a strong female lead, a hot shifter guy, and a satisfying HEA. less

He never has trouble with women—until he finds the one he wants.As an undefeated MMA fighter, Asher Knuden attracts women faster than sugary drinks attract wasps. He’s good looking. He’s confident. He’s charming. And he has more money than he knows what to do with. His winning streak (at least with women) ends, though, when he comes across a little fox shifter who stirs his blood like no other... moreHe never has trouble with women—until he finds the one he wants.As an undefeated MMA fighter, Asher Knuden attracts women faster than sugary drinks attract wasps. He’s good looking. He’s confident. He’s charming. And he has more money than he knows what to do with. His winning streak (at least with women) ends, though, when he comes across a little fox shifter who stirs his blood like no other. He’s more than ready to change his flirty, uncommitted ways for her—but she’s not even remotely interested. In fact, she acts as if he’s a villain she needs to escape whenever he comes close.How can he convince her that they’d be good together if they’re never even in the same room?Zara Torres has had more than enough of overbearing, violent men. Even though she has moved halfway across the country to avoid them, she’s still half terrified of her father and the fat middle-aged fox her parents plan for her to marry. The last thing she needs is a big, bloodthirsty dragon homing in on her like she’s his fated mate. She’s seen his fights on TV, and she doesn’t need any of that kind of destruction in her life.She’s just a little fox, and she wants to be left alone.So why does she feel like throwing herself into Asher’s arms every time he comes around?Asher is the fourth book in Emilia Hartley’s Keepers of the Lake series. Like all Emilia’s books, this one is steamy romance with a strong female lead, a super-hot male shifter, and a satisfying HEA. It can stand alone but is even better when read in connection with the others. less

When his mother dies, he has to connect to someone.He can’t handle being totally alone. But Link Webster hasn’t seen his father since he was fifteen. He didn’t care before, but now Link wants to find the man who abandoned him. Unfortunately, his father’s old clan hasn’t seen the old man, and they’re anything but welcoming. In fact, the only dragon who seems to have any time for him isn’t even a member of the clan... moreWhen his mother dies, he has to connect to someone.He can’t handle being totally alone. But Link Webster hasn’t seen his father since he was fifteen. He didn’t care before, but now Link wants to find the man who abandoned him. Unfortunately, his father’s old clan hasn’t seen the old man, and they’re anything but welcoming. In fact, the only dragon who seems to have any time for him isn’t even a member of the clan. Kiera is a visiting dragon, a sweet submissive who was nearly broken by her former clan. Link longs to protect her and to love her the way she deserves to be loved.He has no clan or family to offer her, though.Kiera is visiting her friend Charlie in hopes of finding the strength and happiness that Charlie found away from their old clan. She’s not strong and sassy, like Charlie, though. She doesn’t know how to look people in the eye or say what she wants. She’s also not worth a good man’s love. She did too many awful things to survive in their old clan. Link makes her hope, though. He thinks her opinions matter, that she has a future. She doesn’t understand why everybody else, even Link, thinks he’s a monster.She’s seen monsters, and Link isn’t one.But can she be strong enough to help Link and the others see what she sees?Keepers of the Lake: Link is the latest steamy romance by Emilia Hartley, author of Tooth & Claw and Rogue Dragons series. Like all Emilia’s books, it has a strong female lead, a hot shifter male, and a satisfying HEA. less