Newberry Honour Award Winner & National Book Award Winner. Matt is six years old when he discovers that he is different from other children and other people. To most, Matt isn't considered a boy at all, but a beast, dirty and disgusting. But to El Patron, lord of a country called Opium, Matt is the guarantee of eternal life. El Patron loves Matt as he loves himself - for Matt is himself. They share the exact same DNA. As Matt struggles to understand his existence and what that existence truly means, he is threatened by a host of sinister and manipulating characters, from El Patron's power-hungry family to the brain-deadened eejits and mindless slaves that toil Opium's poppy fields. Surrounded by a dangerous army of bodyguards, escape is the only chance Matt has to survive. But even escape is no guarantee of freedom . . . because Matt is marked by his difference in ways that he doesn't even suspect. Praise for The House of Scorpions: 'It's a pleasure to read science fiction that's full of warm, strong characters... that doesn't rely on violence as the solution to complex problems of right and wrong. It's a pleasure to read.' Ursula K. LeGuin 'Fabulous' Diana Wynne Jones Also by Nancy Farmer: The Sea of Trolls Land of the Silver Apples The Islands of the Blessed The Lord of Opium

Mountain Bodyguard - Cassie Miles Caring for six children was supposed to be the toughest part of Lexie DeMille’s new job. Then their massive Aspen residence was attacked and it was clear someone had a very personal vendetta to settle. A job that required TST Security and its best bodyguard, Mason Steele. His focus should only have been on securing the remote mountain hideaway. But unraveling Lexie’s secrets became critical to the case and to his own private agenda. Something about her had driven her assailant into a violent rage. And that same thing blurred the parameters of Mason’s detail — and would test his every survival instinct. Private Bodyguard - Tyler Anne Snell Orion Security Group’s mission is to protect those in serious danger. So when Oliver Quinn’s latest assignment unexpectedly brings him back into Darling Smith’s life, he knows it’s going to be his most challenging case yet. And from the moment he comes face-to-face with the beauty from his past, Oliver can’t deny their history is going to make for some tension-filled days — and frustrating nights. But keeping her safe, even though she denies she needs his help, has to come before exploring their lingering feelings. She may not have asked for his protection, but with the killer on her trail, she can’t afford not to have it... The Colton Bodyguard - Carla Cassidy Wrongly imprisoned for murder, renowned horse trainer Greta Colton gets sprung by Tyler Stanton’s falsified alibi. The incredibly handsome oil tycoon’s desire has been burning for Greta ever since they met.and he wants her in his bed and working with him on his farm. Throwing caution to the wind, Greta accepts Tyler’s brazen invitations. And with danger mounting, they reluctantly risk their hearts. But when a shocking Colton secret surfaces, can Tyler protect Greta from a treacherous family reunion? Someone means to kill her...and take all that’s hers!

When he agreed to guard her, he never bargained on having to guard his heart. Brilliant scientist Linnea Newberry is on the adventure of a lifetime, traveling the Santa Fe Trail with her grandfather, Dr. Howell, on a botanical expedition to Colorado Territory. She longs to be valued for her contributions and not seen as a helpless liability. But at every calamity she faces, her grandfather threatens to send her home. After watching his ma suffer and die in childbirth, Flynn McQuaid has sworn off women and marriage forever. Headed west to start a new life, he has his hands full not only taking care of his younger siblings but also delivering cattle to his older brother. He doesn't need more complications. When Flynn rescues Linnea from drowning during a river crossing, Dr. Howell promptly hires Flynn--unbeknownst to Linnea--to act as her bodyguard for the rest of the trip. As Flynn fights against the many dangers of the trail, he soon finds himself in the greatest danger of all--falling for a woman he's determined not to love.

He takes care of other people's kids ... but he craves a family of his own. Enter a single mom waitress with a broken heart and a whole lot of trouble behind her. Army vet Dan is still figuring out how to deal with being a three-legged bear, but it turns out kids don't care how many limbs he has as long as he's willing to be a climbing frame. He didn't come to Autumn Grove to be a babysitter, but before he knows it, he's got a job changing diapers and braiding hair. Now if he could just catch the eye of the beautiful woman who makes his bear stand up and say "Mine." But Paula has been burned one too many times. With two kids to worry about, Autumn Grove's only diner to run, and a deadbeat ex, she's not ready to open her heart again. Even to an amazing guy who's great with kids, with shoulders to die for and amazing eyes and ... Okay. Maybe she's not holding back her feelings as well as she hoped. Return to Autumn Grove in a standalone paranormal romance with heat and heart, featuring a few familiar faces and a brand-new couple fighting for their HEA.

His second chance is her salvation ... Big, tatted-out bull shifter Maddox used to work as a thug for hire, but now he's a drifter with his old life in ruins. All he knows is that he wants to be better than he was. When he hitchhikes into the small town of Silvermine, Arizona, he's not planning to stay. But first he helps out a teenager in trouble, and the next thing he knows, the kid's alluring aunt walks into his life, and runs away with his heart. For the first time in his life, Maddox has something of his own to protect. Blind tea-shop owner Verity has been caught up in a dangerous struggle with the town's corrupt sheriff and a greedy landowner trying to force her to sell. First Maddox saves her niece, and then he offers to help her save her business. Teaming up might be the solution she's been hoping for, but Verity has spent her life learning not to believe in happy endings. And with a sheriff who would break every law to stop them, it'll take all his strength, her wits, and their courage to get out of this alive ...