Landlocked Heart Series by Kay Berrisford

It's Friday afternoon, and the last thing Ben wants to be doing is trudging through a wet forest in search of a public hazard. But duty calls, and turns out more exciting than Ben imagined when he encounters a magical ruin, an enchanted pool, and Lyle—a merman who's cursed to be landlocked many miles from the sea. Lyle is flamboyant and exciting—he's got tentacles, for goodness sake!—and Ben falls hard... moreIt's Friday afternoon, and the last thing Ben wants to be doing is trudging through a wet forest in search of a public hazard. But duty calls, and turns out more exciting than Ben imagined when he encounters a magical ruin, an enchanted pool, and Lyle—a merman who's cursed to be landlocked many miles from the sea. Lyle is flamboyant and exciting—he's got tentacles, for goodness sake!—and Ben falls hard. But Lyle's been hurt before and finds trust difficult, refusing even to reveal how to break the curse that imprisons him. Ben's just an ordinary guy, and can't help wondering if he can ever be the hero Lyle needs. less

Lyle, a merman, and Ben, his human, work together in a seaside ice-cream parlour and their life together is bliss. Or would be, if not for Ben's constant worries about career and money, and Lyle's dark past—a myriad of secrets, lies, wild magic, and foul deeds, which now threaten to catch up with him. When Lyle's merfolk family accuse him of murder, Ben and Lyle's bond is stretched to the limit... moreLyle, a merman, and Ben, his human, work together in a seaside ice-cream parlour and their life together is bliss. Or would be, if not for Ben's constant worries about career and money, and Lyle's dark past—a myriad of secrets, lies, wild magic, and foul deeds, which now threaten to catch up with him. When Lyle's merfolk family accuse him of murder, Ben and Lyle's bond is stretched to the limit. Not only does Lyle seem unsuited to Ben's dreams of domestic happiness, hismagical powers are spinning dangerously out of control. Even Lyle isn't entirely sure he's innocent. With Ben dragged deep into the enchanted processes of merfolk justice, escaping with his life—and getting home to an important job interview—is just the start of the challenge. Uncovering Lyle's inner truths without destroying their love could be a step too far… less

The road to Ben and Lyle's wedding is proving a bumpy one. Ben hasn't even told his family he's getting hitched to a shapeshifting merman, and he's not the only one worried. When Lyle's tearaway sister, Cully, whisks Lyle away on the merfolk equivalent of a stag do, she questions whether marriage is what Lyle needs anyhow. A merman should roam the seas and seek adventure, not work in an ice-cream parlour and worry about the rent... moreThe road to Ben and Lyle's wedding is proving a bumpy one. Ben hasn't even told his family he's getting hitched to a shapeshifting merman, and he's not the only one worried. When Lyle's tearaway sister, Cully, whisks Lyle away on the merfolk equivalent of a stag do, she questions whether marriage is what Lyle needs anyhow. A merman should roam the seas and seek adventure, not work in an ice-cream parlour and worry about the rent. With rumours flying among merfolk that Lyle is a dragon shifter, adventure seeks out Lyle, whether he wants it or not. Cully and Ben must set their differences aside to save Lyle from a gang wishing to steal his magical powers, which are in reality waning, possibly life-threateningly so. Lyle soon realizes it's going to take a miracle for him to make it to the wedding, forcing Ben to embrace magic and become something other an "ordinary" guy… less

After several months of wedded life, Ben is feeling the pressure. Not only has he a job and marriage to worry about, he has to sustain Lyle's waning magical powers and see through the destiny of the Dragon Rider and save Lyle's merfolk family in their hour of need. Lyle's concerned that Ben is changing for the worse, acting secretively and strangely... moreAfter several months of wedded life, Ben is feeling the pressure. Not only has he a job and marriage to worry about, he has to sustain Lyle's waning magical powers and see through the destiny of the Dragon Rider and save Lyle's merfolk family in their hour of need. Lyle's concerned that Ben is changing for the worse, acting secretively and strangely. With Ben rapidly developing powers of his own, Lyle suspects Ben is being corrupted by the sinister legacy of Prince Clewell, whose magic sword Ben has inherited. If not, their marriage is failing. less