From Sex and the City (Warner, 1997) to The Sexual Life of Catherine M. (Grove, 2002), literary tales of modern women's sexual escapades have never been more popular. Titillating details about the sexual lives of some of the nation's most eligible bachelors and the author's connections in the world of print journalism guarantee vast coverage in major newspapers and women's magazines. The vicarious pleasure at witnessing such bad behavior has never been so much fun. The author is a freelance journalist whose pieces regularly appear in the New York Times, Vogue, and Harper's Bazaar.

The moment I saw my elf, I knew I was going to keep her. Nick Bah, humbug. It's a cliche, but I don't care. I have little use for the holidays, even though my birthday falls on Christmas, and I don't care if the employees in my dad's company love me like they did him before his retirement. It's not a requirement of the job. So how do I find myself stuffed into a padded suit and playing Santa at the corporate Christmas party? I don't mind that much when I meet Holly, my volunteer elf for the evening. She's sweet and sassy, with curves in all the right places. All it takes is one look to know she's mine, and I'm going to keep her. Holly St. Nick sweeps me off my feet, and I start to fall for him. That's great until I learn he's the one trying to move our daycare. How can I love a man with a grinchy soul? Is there more to Nick than that? One thing's for sure. He's no saint. Pure Escapes are steamy novellas that get right to the point. They offer crazy insta-love, heart-pounding desire, and improbable scenarios. They're pure escapist fantasies. Enjoy!

Meet the infamous Ross, black sheep of the family and bully extraordinaire… I drink too much, smoke too much, screw around. I’ve hurt people, been in and out of prison. I’m a bastard, a beast. I’m a bundle of joy. I mean, my own dad tried to kill me, what does that tell you? Then again, my dad did kill my mom, so maybe it isn’t just me. Who the hell knows. The world sucks and I’m giving it the finger in every damn way, except… Except there’s a girl. Pretty. Hot. Clever. She didn’t get the memo—that she should hate me, shun me, kick me when I’m down. That the world screwed us all over. She believes in the future—and sometimes she seems to even believe in me. Big mistake. I’m bad news. I made her suffer in the past, and nothing has changed. I’m not an angel, not a saint. No good. But for some reason I don’t get, I can’t let her go down with me. I find myself trying to be better for her, pretending to be someone I’m not. And if that doesn’t ring some damn big alarm bells regarding my sanity, well… then I’m done already.

There are all sorts of Professions in this world, from Magician to Fencer, from the lowly Beast Tamer to the mighty Hero. Every adult has their own, which they can never change as long as they live. Kanata Aldezia is an icy and mysterious beauty, a fighter, and a genius without peer. Today is her Selection Ceremony: the day when a child must decide their Profession from those chosen for them by the gods. Everyone is eager to see what Profession Kanata will choose. There is even speculation that she will be the one chosen as Saint, destined to lead the Holy Church. But Kanata has a secret. There is something she must obtain at any cost. Something more precious to her than her own life—her quest for the fluff! Kanata loves fluffy fluffy critters more than anything, and would go to any lengths to pet their soft fluffy fur. Saint? No! She’s just a passing Beast Tamer!

New Orleans Police Detective Rick Easterling is no saint. He's the NOPD's best undercover cop. Known as the Man of a Thousand Faces, he's a rogue–breaking rules to solve cases his way. But when his brother dies of a drug overdose and he’s suspected of being a dirty cop, Rick vows to clear his name and avenge his brother’s death. Rookie police officer Lusinda Johnson has a personal axe to grind with dirty cops, so she volunteers to work undercover and shadow Rick. She tells herself she can remain immune to his sexy, brooding demeanor, but the longer they work together, the harder it is to see him as anything other than a hero. As “Sin” and Rick investigate the corrupt underbelly of New Orleans night life, the lies they must tell each other imperil them almost as much as the drug lords closing in. Will they learn to trust each other in time to save themselves and explore their growing love?

Having successfully signed on with a guild, Kanata and Zaggy can finally take their first step in their journey: accept quests to earn money for equipment and food! Between the beast tamer and a former demon king, what can’t they do?

An introduction to the saint who is the inspiration for giving.