2024 COVERS

2024 covers

Welcome to the Dark Side!

We are writers mainly from Australia and New Zealand who write speculative fiction with romantic elements. Be it fantasy, paranormal, dark urban fantasy, futuristic and everything in between.

Monday 23 July 2018

DarkSider News for July - Part 3!



Welcome to the latest DarkSider News!

Even MORE to share this month, so here's another edition of the DarkSider News for July...






NEW RELEASES


Imperator by Anna Hackett is Book 11 in the Galactic Gladiators series and was released on 8th July.



Space station security specialist Sam has done one thing since her abduction by alien slavers...fight to survive. But now one strong alien gladiator stands at her side and Sam knows she is no longer alone.

Thrust into a lawless desert arena, Sam Santos has done terrible things in order to stay alive. As the Champion of Zaabha, she's been fighting to find a way out. Everything changes when the Imperator of the House of Galen sacrifices his freedom to help her. The hard-bodied, fierce man has vowed to help her escape, but getting out of Zaabha is only the first deadly task they face.

Galen was bred to be a royal bodyguard and protect his prince. With his planet now destroyed, he's grown powerful and forged his wealthy gladiatorial House on the desert planet of Carthago. All Galen knows is honor, service, and sacrifice. Now his life depends on working with one battle-hardened woman of Earth as they fight together to survive. But Sam Santos is not what he expected. Tough, yes. A brilliant fighter, for sure. But there is a softer side to the woman as well. And Galen finds himself irrevocably drawn to all of Sam's captivating facets.

Then they uncover a devious plot by the Thraxians that could bring down the foundations of the Kor Magna Arena and all they hold dear. Galen and Sam will stop at nothing to defeat the evil alien slavers, even if it means war. In amongst the fighting, Sam may finally show a man who lives for everyone else, that he deserves more than just honor and freedom, but love as well...if they survive the coming battle.

Note to readers: This sci fi romance contains a lot of action (think wild fights and daring escapes), tough gladiators (the warriors of the House of Galen and the House of Rone) and a steamy romance (between a sexy, mysterious imperator and a tough fighter from Earth). So if you like it fast, and gritty, and sexy, this is for you!


Available from: Amazon US | Amazon Aus | 




Guardian by Anna Hackett is Book 9 in the Galactic Gladiators series and was released on 29th June in audio. 




Rescued from alien slavers, former cop Dayna wakes to discover she's host to a powerful alien symbiont, and the only man who can help her is the mysterious and dangerous casino owner, Rillian.

Dayna Caplan has dedicated her life to protecting others...and now that she's no longer a captive at the desert arena of Zaabha, she desperately wants to help find the last of the other human women who were abducted by the Thraxians. But now she has to deal with the intense hunger and powerful new abilities the alien living inside grants her...and the person forcing her to confront her new reality is the cool, enigmatic, and far-too-attractive Rillian. 

Rillian has wheeled and dealed his way to the top of the food chain on the lawless desert world of Carthago. He lets no one close and keeps iron-clad control on his life...which is vital to keeping the lethal power within him in check. But one human woman - tough, stubborn, and fascinating Dayna - works her way under his skin, and he finds himself obsessed with protecting her. But as dead bodies start appearing in his casino as a deadly warning, dangers are closing in on them. 

With their allies, the gladiators from the House of Galen, Rillian and Dayna find themselves fighting for survival on every front. On the hunt to find Zaabha and the lost humans, they will face murderers, slavers, and the deadliest of all challenges...the aliens living within them.


You can find a sample and buy links on Anna's website.




Skyfire by Donna Maree Hanson is Book 5 in the Dragon Wine series and was released on 13th July.




Deliciously dark fantasy…

“Shatterwing has all the fantasy ingredients I love: tormented heroes, a truly twisted villain – and a brand new take on dragons!” Glenda Larke, (award winning author of The Stormlord Trilogy)

“Dark and compelling, with strong characters and a sense of grim inevitability that pulls you along with the story.” Craig Cormick, (award-winning author of the Shadow Master Series.)

The story continues…

On the devastated world of Margra, where man-eating dragons are tamer than the humans, a small band of heroes fight for a brighter future.

After a battle with the malevolent baron and the evil dragon creature, Gercomo, to prevent the life giving dragon wine being sequestered in the doomsday city, Eternity, for use by the rich elite, Salinda turns her attention to the looming disaster that threatens their very existence.

With the aid of the powerful cadre, an ancient source of power and knowledge, Salinda fights to save her planet, Margra, from the final moonfall—an event that will destroy the already ravaged planet.

Currently safe within the underground city of Barraheim, a heavily pregnant Salinda knows that the end is looming and that a solution must be found. Plagued with doubt, she ponders whether her child be born before moonfall or born at all.

With Nils’s, her alien mate incapacitated and others in her band recovering from injuries, Salinda struggles to decipher an ancient text that speaks of a machine that might help them.

And in the dark spaces beneath Barrahiem lurks something else, something mysterious and dangerous…


Available from : Amazon US | Amazon Aus | Kobo




Arcane Awakenings: Books 1 & 2 by Shelley Russell Nolan is a collection of two novellas in one book. It is due for release on 21st July. 



A hidden past. An uncertain future.

In Angel Fire, all Andie wants is acceptance, a task made difficult thanks to the nightmare that's plagued her for the past fifteen years. Then she learns it's a terrifying memory of the night she lost her identical twin. When Angel's spirit calls to her, begging to be saved, Andie is determined to discover what really happened the night her sister died.

The story continues in Wild Lightning, when Celeste wakes in a mental institution with no memory of who she is or why she can shoot lightning from her fingertips. Spurred on by a vision of Angel, Celeste escapes and searches for answers as her captors close in.

Andie and Celeste must battle ruthless adversaries as they seek to uncover the truth, but will this lead to a future more dangerous that what they've left behind?

Arcane Awakenings – a fast-paced paranormal fantasy novella series.



Available from: Amazon US | Amazon Aus | Kobo | iBooks | 




Non spec-fic titles


Miss Elspeth's Desire by Imogene Nix is Book 1 in  The Search Duology. It will be released by Beachwalk Press on 16th July.






Elspeth Forster, the eldest spinster sister and part owner of Forster Shipping Line, has never known passion. But that’s about to change.

After their youngest sister marries, Elspeth and her middle sister Isabelle decide to use their ships for more than just business by taking the adventure of a lifetime. In India she might find a man who can teach her all the things that will keep her warm in her advancing age. But she never expected that an unscheduled stop would put her within Aeddan Fitzsimmon’s sights.

Returning from a top-secret mission, English spy, Aeddan Fitzsimmons, finds passage on the Zephyr, a vessel in the Forster fleet. From the moment he steps aboard, the statuesque redhead entices him like no other ever has. Now in India he has a new mission: keep the elegant Elspeth safe from those who’d use her connections for their own purposes, while wooing her into his bed.


Buy links available from Imogene's website





Once Upon a Player by Christina Phillips is Book 2 in the British Bad Boys series, which was released by Entangled Publishing on 16th July.  




Falling for the player was never part of the plan…

Violet

When my mum gets sick, I volunteer to fill in for her and clean some hot jock’s penthouse. I’ve heard all the rumors about him, so the plan is get in, clean some toilet bowls, and get out. After my last experience with a “sports hero,” I’m done with that sort of guy.
But Lucas Carter is full of surprises. He wants to help me clean and is nothing like the toad the press has made him out to be. Resistance may be futile for some girls, but not me. Then he asks me to help him with the interior design of his new place. I can’t say, no. It’s going to look great on my resume.

Unfortunately, spending time with Lucas is dangerous. He’s so charming and sweet, but I can’t let myself forget––once a player, always a player.



Available from: Amazon | Amazon Aus |  iBooks | B&N | Kobo | 



Whitsunday Dawn by Annie Seaton was released byHarlequin MIRA on 23 July.
*updated: this is not part of the Porter series as mentioned in an earlier version of this post*


With the pristine beauty of the Whitsundays under threat, can they expose the truth in time? Australian author Annie Seaton brings to life a new area of romance - Eco-Adventure. Perfect for fans of Di Morrissey. 

When Olivia Sheridan arrives in the Whitsundays as spokesperson for big mining company Sheridan Corp, it should be a straightforward presentation to the town about their proposed project. But when a handsome local fisherman shows her what ecological impact the proposal will have, Olivia is forced to question her father's motives in the project.

Struggling with newly divided loyalties, Olivia is thrown further into turmoil when she is mistaken for a woman who disappeared more than 60 years before. When it becomes clear that Captain Jay is also keeping secrets, Olivia realises that there is more to these sunshine–soaked islands than she ever expected.

Seeking to uncover the truth, Olivia is drawn into a dangerous game where powerful businessmen will stop at nothing to ensure their plan goes ahead, even if that means eliminating her…

Against the epic Far North Queensland landscape, this is the story of two women, separated by history, drawn to Whitsunday Island where their futures will be changed forever.





PRINT



EBOOK





Cotton Field Dreams by S.E. Gilchrist (Book 1 in the Mindalby Outback Romance series) is featured in the print anthology, Heart of the Town. It was released by Harlequin MIRA as on 23rd July.



Can its determined inhabitants save a dying country town? 

Four different writers tell the story of Mindalby, a beautiful country town threatened with extinction when its cotton mill closes.

Cotton Field Dreams by S.E. Gilchrist

Sasha comes to the small town of Mindalby to recover from a traumatic event with vengeance on her mind – the last thing she wants is a relationship. Local single dad, Cole, is drawn to this smart determined nurse, but could Sasha' secrets destroy the relationship before it has begun?

Starting Over by Susanne Bellamy
More than a Promise by Lauren K McKellar
A Daughter's Choice by Lee Christine


Available from: Amazon Aus | Booktopia | 




PRE-ORDERS


Moonfall by Donna Maree Hanson is Book 6 in the Dragon Wine series and is expected to be released on 31st August.




Deliciously dark fantasy…

“Shatterwing has all the fantasy ingredients I love: tormented heroes, a truly twisted villain – and a brand new take on dragons!” Glenda Larke, (award winning author of The Stormlord Trilogy)

“Dark and compelling, with strong characters and a sense of grim inevitability that pulls you along with the story.” Craig Cormick, (award-winning author of the Shadow Master Series.)

The story continues…

On the devastated world of Margra, where man-eating dragons are tamer than the humans, a small band of heroes fight for a brighter future.

After a battle with the malevolent baron and the evil dragon creature, Gercomo, to prevent the life giving dragon wine being sequestered in the doomsday city, Eternity, for use by the rich elite, Salinda turns her attention to the looming disaster that threatens their very existence.

With the aid of the powerful cadre, an ancient source of power and knowledge, Salinda fights to save her planet, Margra, from the final moonfall—an event that will destroy the already ravaged planet.

Currently safe within the underground city of Barraheim, a heavily pregnant Salinda knows that the end is looming and that a solution must be found. Plagued with doubt, she ponders whether her child be born before moonfall or born at all.

With Nils’s, her alien mate incapacitated and others in her band recovering from injuries, Salinda struggles to decipher an ancient text that speaks of a machine that might help them.

And in the dark spaces beneath Barrahiem lurks something else, something mysterious and dangerous…



Pre-order from: Amazon US | Amazon Aus







SALES


Cassie Laelyn has sold her debut paranormal romance novel, Unforsaken,  to The Wild Rose Press. It will be published in 2018. More details to follow as it comes to hand.







EARLY 2018 RELEASES
Since the website is slowly being updated, news of the following releases had been missed...

The Importance of Ernestine by Elizabeth Dunk was released by Escape Publishing on 4th April.


Love isn’t easy in the cutthroat world of Australian politics...

Cecily Carter and Gwen Fairford have both started a fantastic new life in Canberra – jobs they love, a fabulous friend (each other) and even, it seems, the perfect men. Or at least, they could be perfect, if they changed political allegiances.

Alec Moncrieff and John Worthing are leading perfect lives: great jobs, a great friend (each other) and even great new relationships. But when they are caught out in a lie, everything begins to fall apart. Alec, so used to manipulating everything to his own satisfaction finds he can’t manipulate his way out of his feelings. And Cecily’s past is about to roar into the public domain. Will Gwen and Cecily give their men a second chance, or is love just another empty campaign promise?




Buy links available from: HarperCollins




Secret Confessions: Down and Dusty is the complete collection of short stories which also includes Elizabeth Dunk (previously mentioned for Mel Teshco and Rhyll Biest). It was published by Escape Publishing on January 12th 2018.



Welcome to the heart — and heat — of Australia…

They say that no one has secrets in a small town — these women prove them wrong.

Eight stories from some of Australia’s hottest writers in Australia’s hottest genre. From the bar stools of the local pub to the wide open plains of the biggest stations in the world, these tales travel the dusty roads to the heart of Australia and the women who understand how to work hard — and play even harder.

In the latest in the wildly successful Secret Confessions series from Escape Publishing, the women of Down & Dusty invite you into their lives — and their bedrooms.


Casey: Rachael Johns
Lucky: Cate Ellink
Kelly: Fiona Lowe
Brooke: Eden Summers
Clarissa: Mel Teshco
Skye: Rhyll Biest
Maree: Elizabeth Dunk
Frankie: Jackie Ashenden



Available from: Amazon US | Amazon Aus | B&N | iBooks








AROUND THE WEB


On Sale


Bernadette Rowley has 50% off her books on Smashwords.




Dragon Wine: Volume One by Donna Maree Hanson is on sale now for .99c. It contains the first two parts in the series, Shatterwing and Skywatcher


Buy links:  Amazon (Aus) | Google Play | iBooks | Kobo |








Blogs


Christina Phillips had a release day blog post on the ARRA blog for her release, Once Upon a Player.  














ON THE WEBSITE

Pages that have been created or updated: Adina West, Nicole Murphy, and Elizabeth Dunk








Congratulations to all our DarkSiders!



Thanks for reading our news. We'll see you next time...

1 comment:

  1. Congratulations everyone. This is like a box of chocolates with all the shiny new releases.

    ReplyDelete

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