The Harper cousins thought they had life figured out until they became fathers to rambunctious boys. Matt, Markus, and Mason found out that fatherhood isn't what they expected. With the Gray DNA, there's bound to be chaos as hilarity ensues with parenthood. The Harper cousins will navigate fatherhood with the help of their spouses and family. Did I mention the grandparents are a set of crazy quints? With this bunch, all bets are off. Author: Johanna Delacruz Publisher:i&i Publisher
Here Comes the Harpers
����Elias
����I stood on the ground as Bradley Wilson hung upside down from the swings. Someone tapped me as I looked at Owen.
������You know our dads will hurt us when they find out what we did,�� Owen said.
������The twit should have kept his hands off, Deacon.�� I shrugged.
����Bradley moved his lips and waved his arms, but I looked at him with boredom. Why do people think yelling at me works? I��m deaf and turned off my hearing aids. Silence is golden, and in Brad��s case, necessary.
����Let me explain a few key details. My name is Elias Harper. I��m Nora and Matthew Harper��s oldest boy and was born deaf. Nate and Deacon are my dipshit brothers. Nate enjoys a beat-down because he doesn��t leave me alone. Deacon can��t stay out of trouble because, well, he��s Deacon and a dumbass.
����Someone tapped my back. I turned to see Dad standing there, shaking his head. He pointed at my ears. I rolled my eyes and turned on my hearing aids.
������Why?�� Dad asked me.
������Why not?��?
������I have to bail you out when you get into a fight with the Wilson kids, Elias. Do you want to end up in juvie?��?
������Are you threatening me with a fun time?��?
����Never ask my dad that question. He lacks a sense of humor while dragging me home, using my shirt as leverage. What can I say? I��m my father��s child or someone else��s child. My bet is on Cousin Markus. Shh, don��t tell Dad.
����?
����*****
����?
����Matt
����When I thought about having kids, I didn��t plan on having three unruly boys with smartass mouths. I questioned Nora if she had a secret fling with Markus. My question earned me a look from her.
����I dragged Elias into the house as Nora came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dishtowel. Nate and Deacon came walking down the hallway, saw me, then turned.
������Freeze!�� I said, making the boys stop. I released Elias and shoved him at his brothers. ��Which one of you pain in the asses caused this mess with Bradley Wilson?��
����Elias and Nate pointed at Deacon. I gave my boys a skeptical look. So much for them having each other��s backs.
������Look, stay away from the Wilson boys. It��s bad enough I have to deal with their asshole father,�� I told the boys.
������Well, he created asshole sons,�� Nate said.
����I gave Nate a look as Elias smacked him upside the head.
������In my defense,�� Deacon said.
������You don��t have a defense. You��re twelve and might not live to see thirteen,�� I told Deacon. ��You��re all grounded until we get sick of you hanging around the house.��?
����The boys groaned and stormed to their rooms as they fought on their way. I heard giggling and glanced at Nora.
������It��s your fault. You forgot the raincoats,�� Nora told me.
������I still say Markus had something to do with this.��?
����Nora threw a candy dish at my head, and I ducked. Then she went into the kitchen.
������Love you!�� I spoke.
������Screw you!��?
����Here��s what I learned about parenthood. It��s a damn trap. You start with these sweet angels who turn into holy terrors. You hope they don��t kill each other. That was dreaming on our part.
����Welcome to fatherhood.
����?
����*****
����?
����Markus
����A crash resounded from the bedroom. I checked to see what the boys did now and found a broken bed with Jayden and Kayden standing there. I put my hand over my face and shook my head.
������Why?�� I asked, lowering my hand.
������Well, I told Jayden to catch me. He missed. The bed was a casualty,�� Kayden said.
������Did it ever occur to you that beds are for sleeping and not part of the circus? Oh, I forgot, this is my circus, and you��re my monkeys,�� I said.
������We��re not monkeys,�� Jayden said, looking at Kayden, who shrugged.
����Okay, I should explain something. Hayden and I adopted twin boys. We thought, hey, let��s have a family. We didn��t know the twins would be the dimmest bulbs in the pack.
����Matt said it was payback for my secret rendezvous with Nora. Matt��s an idiot, but I digress. I��m sure Matt was there when he knocked up Nora. While I dealt with Tweedledum and Tweedle dumber, Mason had his hands full.
����?
����*****
����?
����Mason
������Are you shitting me?�� I asked.
������I don��t think that��s possible,�� Owen said.
������It��s possible but doubtful,�� Oliver said.
������Stop talking,�� I said, ready to throttle my boys. ��Who told you it��s a fantastic idea to hang Bradley Wilson on the swing set?��
������I shall not tell a lie. It was Nash,�� Owen said.
����I wanted to hurt Owen. My boys can��t tell the truth if it bit them in the ass.
������That is a lie. It was Grayson,�� Oliver said.
����I glared at my boys, who stood there like they did nothing wrong. ��You��re grounded and never seeing the light of day.��?
������What?�� They asked. ��That��s not fair!��
������Then tell the damn truth for once in your godforsaken lives!�� I spoke.
������Well, I guess grounding it is,�� Owen said.
����I want to hurt my boys, but Skylar won��t let me. If they don��t end up in the clink, it��ll surprise me. If I survive the teen years, I��ll be lucky. If my boys survive it, it��ll be one hell of a miracle.
����?
����*****
����?
����Casey
����I came home to hear yelling and swearing. I tried to sneak out when Larissa caught me. I turned to face my wife. ��Hi, Hunny.��?
������Don��t hi, Hunny, me. Do you know what our boys did?��?
������No, but I��m sure you��ll tell me.��?
������They super glued the teacher to his seat and got suspended.��?
������We hung banshees on a basketball net.��?
����She pursed her lips and gave me a look.
����The boys waited for me to say something.
������You��re grounded,�� I said.
������What?�� Nash asked.
������It was your idea!�� Grayson said.
����Larissa crossed her arms.
������Well, uh, um, bye,�� I said, leaving. Yeah, I��m not dealing with that train wreck I call my sons. I know I��ll catch hell later. Sometimes, a father needs a break.
����I met with Matt, Markus, and Mason. When things get too rough at home with the boys, we escape. Yeah, our spouses would hurt us later, but it was worth it.
����Here comes the Harpers, and then some.
����?
����
Carrington Carrington Jones grew up with seven brothers and sisters. He has a happy-go-lucky nature with a tender heart, which sets him apart from his siblings with their personalities. He meets a woman who captures his heart. The only problem is she has a husband. Carrington’s brothers advised him against pursuing it, especially Mason and Charles, understanding it’s a terrible idea. Carrington can’t stay away from the woman. What happens with romance blossoms? Will Carrington discover his happiness, or will his heart get broken? A forbidden romance is enticing but arises in tragedy. Carrington will discover that it’s not romance where his heart lies but what occurs from it. Author: Johanna Delacruz Publisher:i&i Publisher
Matthew Harper always does the right thing. He doesn’t drink or smoke and protects his family, but he lets his past rule him. After dealing with the loss of his girlfriend Sadie, he thought he could move on, but ghosts of the past resurface. It made him close off his heart to someone who could love him more profoundly than the ocean. What happens when a past love resurfaces, making him rethink his earlier decisions? Will he get a second chance at happiness he deserves or breaks another’s heart again? It takes help from some cousins and an unexpected situation to show Matthew that we can’t let the past rule our future. The heart wants what the heart wants. *The Gray Series spin-off series. Author: Johanna Delacruz Publisher:i&i Publisher
Oliver Harper is a unique person. He doesn’t care about frivolous ideas or someone in his life to complete him. He prefers a conversation that stimulates his mind. When Oliver starts college, his friends and cousins join him. The problem with this bunch is they’re crazy. Have you met the Gray/Harper family? They define bat shit crazy. Olivier will navigate his way through college with the help of his family and cousins. He’ll meet and fall in love with the most unexpected person who’ll stimulate his mind. College life is about to explode. Author: Johanna Delacruz Publisher:i&i Publisher
Growing up next to the Harper boys, Tori Williams learned to hold her own with them. Her brother Gabe is best friends with the boys, and Tori deals with the youngest Harper boy, Deacon. There’s a slight issue when Tori dates Bradley Wilson, whom the Harper boys can’t stand. Wanting to keep Tori from her idiot ex-boyfriend, Nate and Deacon develop a plan of their own. Elias Harper graduated college and returned home to work in construction. While Nate and Deacon scheme to keep Bradley from Tori, another issue arises when Elias takes an interest in a particular neighbor girl. What happens when four years change people? Will a love connection happen, or will someone get burned? With the Gray gene cemented in your DNA, all bets are off. Follow Elias as he discovers who held his heart while growing up. Author: Johanna Delacruz Publisher:i&i Publisher
Lex and Piper are ready to settle down and have a family of their own. After celebrating the wedding of Michael and Lyric, something significant happens to Lex and Piper, which turns the Gray family upside down. Will they be able to get through this, or will they falter? With the help of The Gray Brothers and The Gray Sisters, Lex and Piper will learn the meaning of what it is to be a Gray. Love and humor go a long way for this family. Follow Lex and Piper on their journey as we find out if they can find their way back to each other. Author: Johanna Delacruz Publisher:i&i Publisher
As the quints head into their third and final year of college, they are going to discover the thing that truly matters most - family. Follow them on their journey as the sisters deal with situations beyond their control. That is when the family becomes essential, especially the Gray Family. Now all they must do is get through the next two years with minor issues. Considering these are The Gray Sisters, expect the unexpected. With a little bit of help from the Brothers and a whole lot of humor, anything is possible. Author: Johanna Delacruz Publisher:i&i Publisher
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.
When Zora was sick during the early days of her pregnancy, Ezrah was with his first love, Piper. When Zora got into an accident and called Ezrah, he said he was busy, when in actual fact, he was buying shoes for Piper. Zora lost her baby because of the accident, and throughout her stay at the hospital, Ezrah never showed up. She already knew that he didn't love her, but that was the last straw for the camel's back, and her fragile heart could not take it anymore. When Ezrah arrived home a few days after Zora was discharged from the hospital, he no longer met the woman who always greeted him with a smile and cared for him. Zora stood at the top of the stairs and yelled with a cold expression, "Good news, Ezrah! Our baby died in a car accident. There is nothing between us anymore, so let's get a divorce." The man who claimed not to have any feelings for Zora, being cold and distant towards her, and having asked her for a divorce twice, instantly panicked.
Natalie used to think she could melt Connor’s icy heart, but she was sorely mistaken. When at last she decided to leave, she discovered that she was pregnant. Even so, she chose to quietly leave his world, prompting Connor to mobilize all of his resources and expand his business to a global scale—all in a bid to find her. But there was no trace of Natalie. Connor slowly spiraled into madness, turning the city upside down and leaving chaos in his wake. Natalie finally surfaced years later, with wealth and power of her own, only to find herself entangled with Connor once again.
Janet was adopted when she was a kid -- a dream come true for orphans. However, her life was anything but happy. Her adoptive mother taunted and bullied her all her life. Janet got the love and affection of a parent from the old maid who raised her. Unfortunately, the old woman fell ill, and Janet had to marry a worthless man in place of her parents' biological daughter to meet the maid's medical expenses. Could this be a Cinderella's tale? But the man was far from a prince, except for his handsome appearance. Ethan was the illegitimate son of a wealthy family who lived a reckless life and barely made ends meet. He got married to fulfill his mother's last wish. However, on his wedding night, he had an inkling that his wife was different from what he had heard about her. Fate had united the two people with deep secrets. Was Ethan truly the man we thought he was? Surprisingly, he bore an uncanny resemblance to the impenetrable wealthiest man in the city. Would he find out that Janet married him in place of her sister? Would their marriage be a romantic tale or an utter disaster? Read on to unravel Janet and Ethan's journey.
"Sign the divorce papers and get out!" Leanna got married to pay a debt, but she was betrayed by her husband and shunned by her in-laws. Seeing that her efforts were in vain, she agreed to divorce and claimed her half of the properties. With her purse plump from the settlement, Leanna enjoyed her newfound freedom. The constant harassment from her ex's mistress never fazed her. She took back her identities as top hacker, champion racer, medical professor, and renowned jewelry designer. Then someone discovered her secret. Matthew smiled. "Will you have me as your next husband?"