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.

Tuesday 12 November 2019

DarkSider News for November 2019 - Part 2

Welcome!

We bring you more November news...


NEW RELEASES

Defender by Anna Hackett (Book 2, Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone) was released on 18 August.


Rescued from alien slavers, the only place she feels safe is in the brawny arms of a big, gruff cyborg.
Astrophysicist Dr. Jayna Lennox’s life imploded the day her ship was attacked by aliens. Through months of captivity, she’s survived by shutting down and not feeling. Then she’s freed by the House of Rone cyborgs and finds herself in the arms of huge, tough Mace. Struggling to heal, Mace is the only thing that makes her feel safe. The only person who makes her feel like she isn’t broken. But there are more of her crew members imprisoned in Carthago’s desert, and Jayna will have to delve into her darkest memories to help save them.

Born to fight and bred for rage, Mace barely survived his gang-ridden homeworld. Thanks to Imperator Magnus Rone, he’s found a place at the House of Rone. Unlike the other cyborgs, he feels, but only anger and annoyance. When a small, wounded human woman works her way under his skin, Mace finds himself feeling things he’s never felt before…along with a powerful need to keep her safe.

Jayna vows to help find her fellow humans, even if it means revisiting her nightmares and being part of a dangerous mission into the desert. But as the passion between her and Mace explodes, she finds herself with two battles on her hands: the battle to free the humans from their captors, and the war to win Mace’s scarred heart.


Available from:
Amazon US | Amazon Aus |


Centurion 
by Anna Hackett (Book 3, Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone) was released on 20 October.


Rescued from her alien captors, the only person who makes her feel safe is a cold, emotionless cyborg. 

Abducted from her exploration ship, paramedic Sage McAlister has spent months locked in cells and labs belonging to the Edull. Rescued by the cool, powerful cyborgs of the House of Rone, she finds herself among fellow human survivors on the desert world of Carthago. But despite being free, Sage feels cold inside and is struggling to cope. The only person she feels safe with—who she doesn’t feel the need to pretend with—is a deadly cyborg who feels nothing.

Forced into a military cyborg program as a teen, all Acton Vonn remembers of his past are violent missions and the cybernetic enhancements forced on him before he broke free. His emotions have been dampened to nothing for decades and he’s fine with that. It makes him an efficient member of the House of Rone. Yet the more time he spends with the copper-haired woman he helped rescue from the Edull, the more unfamiliar, strange, and perplexing things he starts to feel.

When a tip reveals that more humans are being held captive at a mysterious desert lake, Sage will stop at nothing to help rescue her crewmates. As she is drawn closer to Acton, she worries about risking her heart. Being with Sage breaks down barriers inside Acton and he struggles with the emotions he doesn’t want to feel. But deep in Carthago’s dangerous deserts, with the Edull hunting them, Sage and Acton will have to risk it all: their lives, their hearts, their souls.


Available from:




Sentinel by Anna Hackett (Book 1, Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone) was released in audio version on 17 September.


Fighting for love, loyalty, and freedom on the galaxy’s lawless outer rim...

When Quinn Bennett’s exploration ship is attacked, the security chief finds herself abducted by alien slavers. Unable to save her crew, she is taken across the galaxy and sold to a desert scavenger on the lawless planet of Carthago. Driven by her guilt and failure, she’ll do anything to escape and save the other abductees from her ship. Chained and forced into servitude, she’s waiting for her chance to strike when, across a dusty trading post, she comes face-to-face with a big, cyborg gladiator.

Jaxer Rone’s loyalty is to his imperator - the man who saved him from a lethal cyborg military program. Jax works tirelessly for his gladiatorial house and would die for his fellow cyborgs. His emotional dampeners have never functioned well, but while he feels some emotion, he never lets it get in the way of his duty. Right now, his mission is to find the stolen humans from Earth. But when he rescues the fierce, relentless Quinn, he starts feeling a rush of emotion he’s never experienced before.

Quinn and Jax join forces to track down the aliens holding the other Earth women captive. Side by side, they venture into the desert and uncover a desire hotter than the desert suns. But the aliens who captured Quinn want her back. In order to protect Quinn, will Jax embrace his newfound feelings or shut them off to keep her safe?


Available from:



Defender by Anna Hackett (Book 2, Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone) was released in audio version on 4 October.



Available from:
Amazon | Audible | iTunes |



Pets in Space 4 has the story 'Dark Guard' by Anna Hackett was released on 8 October.


For a limited time only! Pets in Space® 4 is proud to present 13 amazing, original new stories! Join the adventures as today's leading Science Fiction Romance authors take you on a journey to another world. Pets in Space® proudly supports Hero-Dogs.org, a non-profit charity that provides service animals to veterans and first responders in need. Join New York Times, USA TODAY and Award-winning Bestselling authors S.E. Smith, Anna Hackett, Tiffany Roberts, Veronica Scott, Pauline Baird Jones, Laurie A. Green, Donna McDonald, Regine Abel, Alexis Glynn Latner, JC Hay, E.D. Walker, Kyndra Hatch, and Cassandra Chandler for another exciting Pets in Space® anthology. Get the stories before they are gone!


Available from:





Children of a Greater Evil by Imogene Nix  (Book 2, 21st Century Protocol) was released on 22 October.


In the deepening darkness, hope can continue to bloom.

With the knowledge of the cybernetically enhanced, causing the populace to seek stronger, faster, and better warriors, a faction has determined they can use this opportunity to further their ends.

Senator Daniella Villede takes charge of a covert agency. Their mission is to investigate and close down those who’d overthrow the government. She’s on the rise in her political career, but as conditions change, so does her role.

Jonah McDowell is just the man to head up the security force. Drawn to Daniella, he fights against his attraction. She’s his superior, a senator, and beyond his reach.

When the unthinkable happens, Daniella turns to Jonah, but staying alive is just the first step.

Content Warning: this story contains sexual content and violence but also hope for a future where love conquers evil.


Buy links available on Imogene's website





Aducting the Princess by Mel Teshco (Book 2, Nightmix) was released on 21 October.


He's the one man who can save her...

Princess Mira is everything Mahaya wants in a woman and a shape shifter, but he’s a nobody brought up by mortals who trained him as a pickpocket and thief, a street rat. Even worse, he’s a nightmix, a human and larakyte panther offspring whose inner darkness keeps those around him in fear.
So what’s a nightmix to do but abduct the princess and save her from those who would do anything to kill her. Despite her fear and distrust, their lust burns bright, but Mira can’t trust her captor. Only time will tell if Mahaya can seize her heart forever.


Available at:





It's You by M.L. Tompsett (Book 4, Sex, Lies and Family Secrets) was released on 30 October.




Fate has a funny way of interfering in one’s life.

From the day I was born, I was predestined to be the next Queen of Darshia — me, Princess Alley Smithlyn.

The catch is I’m now betrothed to some Dark One prince from another kingdom. If I don’t find my soul mate by my twenty-fifth birthday, I’ll be walking down the aisle with this prince to prevent war between our two kingdoms.

I thought I’d discovered not one, but two soul mates while competing at the paranormal games until assassins swarmed the venue, capturing and slaughtering paranormals, especially those of royal blood. Determined to survive, I managed to get back to Darshia, and thanks to fate, my life was changed forever when I discovered I was pregnant.

With a small child to care for and my betrothed arriving for our engagement party, all seems lost — until a handsome ghost from my past arrives.

Can a man I once loved with all my heart save me, or am I destined to continue to live in a world of lies with the wrong man?

The life of a princess is never easy… but I must survive at all costs and protect not only my daughter but also my heart, if I’m going to be the next Queen of Silver.



Buy links available from Books2Read.




Non spec-fiction

Masks: Spicy Bites Short Story Anthology 2019 includes a story by Cassie Laelyn was released on 9 August.


In this collection of erotic short stories from the Romance Writers of Australia, we are transported to masquerade balls and costume parties; outback towns and moonlit beaches.
Breaking through the masks that we put up to the world, and those we hide behind for our work. The masks we seek to shield ourselves with, cannot stop the truth of love, lust and pleasure and the men and women in these stories give in to their desires with fiery pleasure.

Office trysts, one-night stands that don’t work out as expected, secret crushes, and lovers reunited.

Travel to outback Australia, Venice, and Egypt. Snowstorms and dust storms, hotels and hospitals. This collection has it all. These eleven stories of passion will entice and excite, whatever your fancy.


Available from:



Shadows of Wognan Creek by Juanita Kees (Book 4, Wongan Creek) was released by MIRA in the print collection Country Shadows on 21 October.


A collection of romantic suspense stories from three bestselling Australian authors.

Shadows of Hunters Ridge by Sarah Barrie
The House At Flynn's Crossing by Elisabeth Rose

Shadows Over Wongan Creek by Juanita Kees

Fenella Rose-Waterman is happy running The Cranky Lizard winery until she is forced to face her past. But with truth comes danger. Widower Kieran Murphy has returned to Wongan Creek in the hopes he and his young son will find healing. Instead, he finds the woman he once loved running scared, her life in turmoil and her business under threat.

In a bid to rid herself and her twins of dark memories, Antonia moves to the small rural town of Flynn's Crossing. She doesn't expect her attraction to town local Flynn. But as tensions rise over a resort development, she discovers that Flynn has his own secrets. Is her new beginning at risk of an early ending?

Buy links available on the HarperCollins website.




Break The Silence by D.K. Hood (Book 7, Detectives Kane & Alton) was released by Bookatoure on 4 November.






Available from:
Amazon US | Amazon Aus | Apple Books | Kobo | Google Play | 






PRE-ORDERS

Blackbird Rising by Keri Arthur (Book 1, The Witch King's Crown) is expected to be released on 2 February 2020.


A modern fantasy novel inspired by the King Arthur legend…

For hundreds of years, the Witch King’s sword has been buried in stone awaiting the next hand to draw it.

Many have tried. None have succeeded.

Gwen is the last in a long line of De Montfort witches whose duty it is to protect the sword of all power. But when she returns to King Island to perform the blessing, a mysterious pulse of blue light tells her that someone has attempted to draw the sword. Before she can investigate any further, demons attack. She only survives with the help of a mysterious stranger who disappears as quickly as he appears.

Gwen and her grandmother, Moscelyne, soon discover that minor gateways into Darkside—the traditional home of both demons and dark elves—are being forced open by magic.  Even worse, someone is now sending demons after the Witch King’s heirs.

As vital artifacts are stolen by Darkside and the deaths draw altogether too close to home, Gwen and Mo—with the help of old gods and an ancient order of knights once thought dead—scramble to unravel the clues and stop the murderous would-be king from claiming the crown.

If they fail and the wrong hand draws the sword of power, he can unlock the main gateway into Darkside and unleash utter hell onto an unsuspecting and unprepared England….


Buy links available on Keri's website.




Non spec-fiction

Shield by Claire Boston (Book 2, First Response) is expected to be released on 25 November. The cover model is our very own Daniel de Lorne!


His life is in danger. But the only man who can protect him is afraid to go public…

Blackbridge, Western Australia. Jamie Zanetti holds his secret close to his chest. Fearing that coming out as bisexual will ruin his small-town teaching career, he represses desires he’d rather explore. But when his handsome high-school crush Elijah returns and joins him in the volunteer emergency service, the attraction may be too much to resist.

Elijah Johnson knows where his heart lies. And after eight years of soul-searching across Europe, he’s finally ready to settle down with Mr. Right. But Elijah refuses to have a clandestine relationship, no matter how delicious Jamie’s lips feel.

While they’re thrown together in dramatic rescues, Jamie is torn apart as he fights to hide his growing feelings. But the truth might be the only thing that saves them both when Elijah stumbles upon a sinister local crime ring…

Can Jamie and Elijah expose a deadly gang of thieves and move their love into the open?

Shield is the second standalone novel in the page-turning First Response romantic suspense series. If you like deep characters, sweet attractions, and thrilling emergencies, then you’ll adore Claire Boston’s captivating story.


Buy links available from Claire's website.



Blazing Fear by Leisl Leighton (Book 2, CoalCliff Stud) is expected to be released on 12 February 2020. 


Fire stole his past - now it is threatening to burn everything, and everyone, he loves. All over again...

Flynn Findlay likes everyone to think he's in control, but the death of his wife during the bushfires six years ago changed everything. Now, even though it feels like a betrayal, Flynn can't seem to escape his growing feelings for the beautiful new doctor in town. He's never felt as truly alive as when he is with Prita - even his fear of fire doesn't seem as bad.

Dr Prita Brennan is ready for a fresh start in Wilson's Bend with her adoptive son, far from her overprotective family. It would be perfect, except some of the locals don't like the changes she's making to the practice. One of them is even making harassing calls. The handsome local horse stud owner, Flynn, is a further complication she doesn't need right now.

But when harassment escalates to arson, to save the horse stud and their children, Flynn and Prita must work together to figure out who is after her - and why they are trying to burn to the ground everything she touches.



Pre-Order from:



COVER REVEAL

Trading into Daylight by C.M. Simpson & Michael Anderle (Book 6, The Magic Below Paris).




One of their own has been taken. Two have gone ahead in pursuit. Can Marsh and Roeglin catch them before they are lost as well?

A team member taken.

Two stubborn children in hot pursuit.

And promises to keep.

Finally released from their obligations to the Grotto, Marsh and Roeglin go hunting the raiders who took Gustav...and try to catch up with Tamlin and Aisha who went after them on their own.

Can they catch up to the kids before they fall afoul of the raiders as well?

And what awaits them in the land above the caverns?




Non spec-fiction

Harbour and Protect by Claire Boston (Book 3 & 4, First Response).




Congratulations to all our DarkSiders!

Thanks for sharing in our news. Until next time, happy reading!

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