Gwen Arthur: Empath, sugar addict, disaster
Gwen Arthur is a sugar-mad coward who'd prefer to stay at home watching reality TV than ever have to solve a single problem. Unfortunately, the universe has other plans for her, her friends, and her fairy-inherited empathy.
1
Mixed Feelings
Why are there two monsters in Gwen Arthur's office?
She's just a therapist who likes reality TV, junk food, and not getting hit on by Mel, the werewolf PI who works in her building. By all accounts, these two creeps should want as little to do with her as she does with them. And yet somehow she finds herself standing next to her best friend Chloe, being asked to help rescue some missing kids, by two creatures she thought existed only in her nightmares.
She's gotta do it, right? What sort of jerk would just ignore a bunch of kidnapped children? Not this kind of jerk. Gwen may be a gluttonous coward whose only skill is reading the emotions of those around her, but she can shape up long enough to help save the lives of innocent kids. Even if it does force her to face her own fears, treat Mel like a decent person, and stop cramming cake in her mouth long enough to get it done.
She's just a therapist who likes reality TV, junk food, and not getting hit on by Mel, the werewolf PI who works in her building. By all accounts, these two creeps should want as little to do with her as she does with them. And yet somehow she finds herself standing next to her best friend Chloe, being asked to help rescue some missing kids, by two creatures she thought existed only in her nightmares.
She's gotta do it, right? What sort of jerk would just ignore a bunch of kidnapped children? Not this kind of jerk. Gwen may be a gluttonous coward whose only skill is reading the emotions of those around her, but she can shape up long enough to help save the lives of innocent kids. Even if it does force her to face her own fears, treat Mel like a decent person, and stop cramming cake in her mouth long enough to get it done.
2
Business With Pleasure
There's an assassin in town trying to catch a murderer, a lovesick werewolf trying to get lucky, and Gwen Arthur still has a mysterious magical marauder stealing her sugar stash.
On top of all that, Gwen's estranged ex-husband Stanley's in town asking for a favor. She's got to help, of course, if only to ease her guilt over how they left things a decade earlier. Too bad she's got no idea how to deal with a rogue admirer writing him weird letters, sending gifts to his home, and threatening to show up at a convention full of his beige-clad, sugar-eschewing fans.
Once again, Gwen's got to step out of her comfort zone to confront strange situations, learn closely held secrets about her friends, and--worst of all--hit on her worst enemy. Gwen thought her life couldn't get any stranger, but things are getting hot now that summer's hit Seattle.
On top of all that, Gwen's estranged ex-husband Stanley's in town asking for a favor. She's got to help, of course, if only to ease her guilt over how they left things a decade earlier. Too bad she's got no idea how to deal with a rogue admirer writing him weird letters, sending gifts to his home, and threatening to show up at a convention full of his beige-clad, sugar-eschewing fans.
Once again, Gwen's got to step out of her comfort zone to confront strange situations, learn closely held secrets about her friends, and--worst of all--hit on her worst enemy. Gwen thought her life couldn't get any stranger, but things are getting hot now that summer's hit Seattle.
3
Cold Feet
"Will you marry me?" Mel asks, making Gwen suspect maybe his presence has finally given her an aneurism. Of course she won't, she thinks, before he offers her the most delicious cupcake she's ever eaten.
Hang on, she reconsiders, maybe this could work.
Mel's not completely sure it can work either, but he's got a problem that Gwen seems unusually suited to solving. There's a shady marriage counselor that bears investigating and seeing as how Gwen's a therapist herself—and an empath—her help could be just what Mel needs.
The only downside for them both is that, despite no longer totally hating each other's guts, now they've got to play nice. Not completely nice, luckily; no couple goes to counseling because they get along too well.
Gwen always knew spending a week with Mel would nearly kill her.
Hang on, she reconsiders, maybe this could work.
Mel's not completely sure it can work either, but he's got a problem that Gwen seems unusually suited to solving. There's a shady marriage counselor that bears investigating and seeing as how Gwen's a therapist herself—and an empath—her help could be just what Mel needs.
The only downside for them both is that, despite no longer totally hating each other's guts, now they've got to play nice. Not completely nice, luckily; no couple goes to counseling because they get along too well.
Gwen always knew spending a week with Mel would nearly kill her.
{ 4 }
Hollow Back Girl
Gwen's back home for the worst birthday of her life.
Yes, it's nice to see her family, great to get presents, and exciting to find that her uncomplicated, unlabeled friend with benefits just so happens to be in the area. But her mother loves feeding her vegetables, Gwen can't go two minutes without fighting with her father, and her bed buddy is also a mercenary in town on some dangerous business.
Not only has something in the forest has been kidnapping hikers, but there's a weird flu going around that seems suspiciously resistant to hot tea and cold medicine. Shops are closing, streets are emptying, and Gwen's on the case, whether she likes it or not.
What was supposed to be a relaxing vacation has turned into a nightmare of midnight treks through the woods, grumpy sasquatches, and a rival mercenary who may be more trouble than whatever has it out for the townsfolk.
At least there's cake.
Yes, it's nice to see her family, great to get presents, and exciting to find that her uncomplicated, unlabeled friend with benefits just so happens to be in the area. But her mother loves feeding her vegetables, Gwen can't go two minutes without fighting with her father, and her bed buddy is also a mercenary in town on some dangerous business.
Not only has something in the forest has been kidnapping hikers, but there's a weird flu going around that seems suspiciously resistant to hot tea and cold medicine. Shops are closing, streets are emptying, and Gwen's on the case, whether she likes it or not.
What was supposed to be a relaxing vacation has turned into a nightmare of midnight treks through the woods, grumpy sasquatches, and a rival mercenary who may be more trouble than whatever has it out for the townsfolk.
At least there's cake.
5
Change of Heart
Gwen Arthur's just a cake-obsessed empath, trying to get through life without any more encounters with fairies, vampires, or demons. Mel Somerset's a gumshoe werewolf who flirts with everyone and makes Gwen want to tear her hair out.
Or, at least he should be.
Suddenly it's seven A.M. on a Saturday and Mel's banging on Gwen's door, begging her to fix the fact that he's human and can't remember how it happened. Early mornings are bad enough, but how is Gwen supposed to solve a problem she never thought she'd be lucky enough to have?
Or, at least he should be.
Suddenly it's seven A.M. on a Saturday and Mel's banging on Gwen's door, begging her to fix the fact that he's human and can't remember how it happened. Early mornings are bad enough, but how is Gwen supposed to solve a problem she never thought she'd be lucky enough to have?
6
Lady Killer
Gwen Arthur hit a werewolf with her car and then things got weird.
Someone is killing fae, putting fear into the hearts of creatures that have never before had to worry about their own mortality. Since Gwen’s gotten a reputation among the otherworldly creatures of Seattle, one comes to her asking for help. Feeling she has no choice but to say yes, she stumbles through the case--all while dealing with personal issues of her own. Her best friend is acting strange, someone’s playing a nasty prank, and there are way too many werewolves hanging around.
With her life spinning out of control, will Gwen be able to figure out why death seems to be lurking around every corner, or will she lose something more precious to her than even she can admit?
Someone is killing fae, putting fear into the hearts of creatures that have never before had to worry about their own mortality. Since Gwen’s gotten a reputation among the otherworldly creatures of Seattle, one comes to her asking for help. Feeling she has no choice but to say yes, she stumbles through the case--all while dealing with personal issues of her own. Her best friend is acting strange, someone’s playing a nasty prank, and there are way too many werewolves hanging around.
With her life spinning out of control, will Gwen be able to figure out why death seems to be lurking around every corner, or will she lose something more precious to her than even she can admit?
