Warders Series by Mary Calmes

Julian Nash should be excited: he's just earned a huge promotion at work and is going out to celebrate. But his happiness fades when he discovers his date cheating on him an hour before. Suddenly alone when everyone knows he's supposed to have a plus one, Julian is set for a long night until longtime acquaintance Ryan Dean bails him out of the embarrassing situation. During dinner, they discover they have more than just friendship between them: there is mutual admiration and heated attraction... moreJulian Nash should be excited: he's just earned a huge promotion at work and is going out to celebrate. But his happiness fades when he discovers his date cheating on him an hour before. Suddenly alone when everyone knows he's supposed to have a plus one, Julian is set for a long night until longtime acquaintance Ryan Dean bails him out of the embarrassing situation. During dinner, they discover they have more than just friendship between them: there is mutual admiration and heated attraction. But getting to know Ryan better--and finding a place in his life--will bring Julian frightening surprises and paranormal danger he never expected or dreamed existed. less

Nineteen-year-old Dylan Shaw is possibly the most beautiful thing Malic Sunden has ever seen. After Malic rescues Dylan from an attack, Dylan makes it very clear that he is more than interested, but Malic won’t even consider sleeping with Dylan because of his age. Malic is sure he’s not good enough for Dylan, who has his whole life ahead of him, and can’t conceive of burdening Dylan with his secrets... moreNineteen-year-old Dylan Shaw is possibly the most beautiful thing Malic Sunden has ever seen. After Malic rescues Dylan from an attack, Dylan makes it very clear that he is more than interested, but Malic won’t even consider sleeping with Dylan because of his age. Malic is sure he’s not good enough for Dylan, who has his whole life ahead of him, and can’t conceive of burdening Dylan with his secrets. But the darkness in Malic’s life won’t be denied, and soon Dylan is drawn into the dangerous paranormal world that is Malic’s reality. Malic fights tooth and nail to push Dylan away, to keep him safe… no matter that Dylan is the key to Malic’s strength and the only hope for his future. less

Simon Kim is very much in love with Leith Haas, but Leith is a Warder. His job-hunting demons-is dangerous and important, and Simon doesn't want to distract the man he loves more than life with the small stuff. But he doesn't quite get that when a Warder takes a Hearth, the Warder gives his heart without reservation. When Leith claimed Simon, Leith bared his soul, leaving himself vulnerable before the only man he's certain he'll ever love... moreSimon Kim is very much in love with Leith Haas, but Leith is a Warder. His job-hunting demons-is dangerous and important, and Simon doesn't want to distract the man he loves more than life with the small stuff. But he doesn't quite get that when a Warder takes a Hearth, the Warder gives his heart without reservation. When Leith claimed Simon, Leith bared his soul, leaving himself vulnerable before the only man he's certain he'll ever love.When Simon is sucked further into Leith's perilous world-and into an alternate dimension-Simon realizes that the only strength he can give his Warder is the strength of his love. Can Simon sacrifice the control he has come to treasure for the man who already owns his soul? less

Most humans live in blissful ignorance, never dreaming of the frightening surprises and paranormal danger that lurks in the night. Most… but not all. These few who stand against the darkness are the Warders, men who fight demons and square off against all kinds of creatures from the pit with only their brothers-in-arms and their lovers—their Hearths—to strengthen them in the unending battle of good versus evil. His Hearth Tooth & Nail Heart in Hand

As a warder, Jackson Tybalt is one of the good guys until he sees the man he loves kissing another. Betrayed and angry, Jackson tempts danger and death, ignoring the pleas of other warders to be careful. It's a vile mood in which to start a romance, but that doesn't stop the kyrie Raphael, who more than anything wants Jackson for his very own. Jackson doesn't want a hearth, he doesn't want a lover-he just wants dark and painful, and Raphael will give him what he wants... moreAs a warder, Jackson Tybalt is one of the good guys until he sees the man he loves kissing another. Betrayed and angry, Jackson tempts danger and death, ignoring the pleas of other warders to be careful. It's a vile mood in which to start a romance, but that doesn't stop the kyrie Raphael, who more than anything wants Jackson for his very own. Jackson doesn't want a hearth, he doesn't want a lover-he just wants dark and painful, and Raphael will give him what he wants. But sometimes the sins of the flesh are just what a body needs to bandage the wounds of the heart, and Raphael will hide the tenderness he feels for Jackson for as long as the warder wears the guise of the Sinnerman. less

Marcus Roth is an accomplished criminal attorney by day and a demon-slaying warder by night, but he is merely one of five in his clutch—of no real significance to anyone but his hearth, Joseph Locke. Or so Marcus believes. On a trip to Lexington, Kentucky, to celebrate Joe’s grandfather’s birthday, that belief is challenged when Marcus stumbles upon a paranormal crime and ends up revealing his warder identity to Joe’s family... moreMarcus Roth is an accomplished criminal attorney by day and a demon-slaying warder by night, but he is merely one of five in his clutch—of no real significance to anyone but his hearth, Joseph Locke. Or so Marcus believes. On a trip to Lexington, Kentucky, to celebrate Joe’s grandfather’s birthday, that belief is challenged when Marcus stumbles upon a paranormal crime and ends up revealing his warder identity to Joe’s family. Faced with a traitor, demons, and the return of an old enemy, Marcus puts his own needs aside to save his friends—though in doing so, he risks losing the man he loves forever. Surviving the battle may not be enough if Marcus can’t forgive himself for forsaking his hearth. He will come to learn what it means to be the center, the nexus, and that neither his hearth nor his clutch can thrive without him. less

As a warder, Malic Sunden knows hell—it’s in the job description—but that was before he agreed to spend the holidays with his hearth’s family.Turns out that decision will be a special kind of hell all its own.Malic loves Dylan, without question. But the Shaws, Dylan’s family, they’re another story altogether. It seems the warmth of the season doesn’t extend to their son’s much older boyfriend... moreAs a warder, Malic Sunden knows hell—it’s in the job description—but that was before he agreed to spend the holidays with his hearth’s family.Turns out that decision will be a special kind of hell all its own.Malic loves Dylan, without question. But the Shaws, Dylan’s family, they’re another story altogether. It seems the warmth of the season doesn’t extend to their son’s much older boyfriend. They think Malic is a cradle-robber and that Dylan can’t possibly be serious about this relationship, especially when they see their son spending much more time with his friends than he does with Malic.Knowing that he’s been excluded and will have to confront some truths with Dylan sooner rather than later, Malic retreats, offering to do odd jobs around the house, anything that will keep him from having to interact with the family. When he meets Brad, the guy next door, it gives Malic an excuse to have a little fun of his own. But Brad may have more than a friendly night out in mind. And Dylan has a few opinions about that.The bond between a warder and his hearth is sacred, it is soul deep. As Malic is pulled into a web of danger and deceit, the one thing that will save him, the only thing, is the name of the man he cherishes. less

Most humans live in blissful ignorance, never dreaming of the frightening surprises and paranormal danger that lurks in the night. Most... but not all. These few who stand against the darkness are the Warders, men who fight demons and square off against all kinds of creatures from the pit with only their brothers-in-arms and their lovers-their Hearths-to strengthen them in the unending battle of good versus evil... moreMost humans live in blissful ignorance, never dreaming of the frightening surprises and paranormal danger that lurks in the night. Most... but not all. These few who stand against the darkness are the Warders, men who fight demons and square off against all kinds of creatures from the pit with only their brothers-in-arms and their lovers-their Hearths-to strengthen them in the unending battle of good versus evil. Sinnerman (June 2011), Nexus (October 2011), and Cherish Your Name (December 2011) were previously published individually in eBook format by Dreamspinner Press. less

Jackson Tybalt is living his best life even though, to others, it might sound a little odd. For starters, Jackson’s a warder. Duty bound to patrol the city of San Francisco, doing battle with demons and things that go bump in the night. Second, Jackson’s married to an ex-demonic bounty hunter.Raphael Caliva isn’t quite a man, more of a creature, with a very normal job as a general contractor, which he really loves. But what Raphael loves most, though, is Jackson... moreJackson Tybalt is living his best life even though, to others, it might sound a little odd. For starters, Jackson’s a warder. Duty bound to patrol the city of San Francisco, doing battle with demons and things that go bump in the night. Second, Jackson’s married to an ex-demonic bounty hunter.Raphael Caliva isn’t quite a man, more of a creature, with a very normal job as a general contractor, which he really loves. But what Raphael loves most, though, is Jackson. So much so that he's sealed his fate to Jackson’s. If one dies, so does the other. No muss, no fuss.This is the first of the surprises Jackson receives when he and his fellow warders meet one cold afternoon in February. Turns out, a blood witch they believed they’d vanquished has returned, intent on revenge. Nothing is as it seems, and now Jackson and the others have to prepare to fight not only an elusive enemy, but also the fatal curse she imparted.But sometimes, it’s not quite as bad as it seems. More a trick of light than life and death. Or is it? less