2024 COVERS

Lawless In Leather
Winterfall Destiny
Mated to the sapphic orc
Fae's Fate
Broken: A Romantic Science Fiction Eco Adventure
Wolf's Prize
Knightqueen
Wicked Ways
Unbreak My Heart
Curiosity Killed the Vampire
From Across the Sea
Angel In Armani
Edge of Night
The Witch's Tangle
Three Vampires And A Baby
Banshee, Death and Disarray: Holly Harrow: A Point Muse Cozy Paranormal Mystery
Damaris: A Scifi Alien Romance
The Shattered Court
Moon Blessed
Falling for Mr. Fake It

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, 3 November 2020

DarkSider News for November!

Welcome!

Hope you had a fabulous Halloween. Here are some belated treats for you! 





NEW RELEASES


Awakening the Warriors by S.E. Gilchrist (Book 3, Darkon Warriors) was released on 29 October. 


Trapped in a prison cell on an alien planet, she has one chance of escape.

Fran must have been crazy to leave her ordinary (and safe) life and volunteer as a colonist to terra-form a new earth. Now she is trapped in a prison cell on an alien planet a zillion miles from home and bound for a hideous death in notorious research chambers.

She has one chance of escape. Awaken the long dormant sexual urges of the Darkon Warriors shackled in the next cell.

A desperate job, but someone has to do it.


Buy links:




Wicked Wings by Keri Arthur (Book 5, Lizzie Grace) is now available in audio format.


In a reservation where magic has been unrestrained for entirely too long, there is no rest from the wicked…

After dealing with the fallout of a shape-shifting, fire-throwing demon, Lizzie, Belle, and Aiden are hoping the reservation will finally catch a break from the constant influx of evil. Those hopes are quickly dashed when Lizzie comes across the scent of evil and tracks it back to the clean-picked bones of a man.

As it quickly becomes obvious that this is not a one-off situation and there’s now a demon with a taste for human flesh on the reservation, another problem arises in the form of a White Lady—a ghost not only seeking bloody revenge, but demanding Belle’s assistance to get it.

And she won’t take no for an answer.

But the greatest threat of all might be the witch who is a magical bloodhound. A witch who’s been sent to the reservation to by one Clayton Marlowe…

Lizzie’s husband.








Mutant Unveiled by Mel Teshco (Book 1, Freaks of Nature) was released on 10  October. 



A mutant tortured and barely alive. A woman restrained by a society she no longer trusts.

When Khalisa first sets eyes on the barely conscious mutant, Zielle, she isn’t prepared for the anguish within at seeing firsthand what the scientists in the Dome’s facility are doing to the ‘monsters’ who live outside the air-cleansed compound. But then she’s always rebelled against the rules. Always questioned and defied everything she’s been told since she and her brother, Dwight, were captured and saved from outside, where the chemical fallout would have turned them mutant too.

What she and her brother don’t know is that they are dormant mutants whose powers are yet to be triggered. They are also the last hope of saving a mutant clan, whose leader, Zielle, volunteers to be captured by the evil humans so that he can find and rescue the mutant siblings. But it’s only Khalisa he can free, and on the run from the humans who’d do anything possible to recapture them, he has to convince Khalisa that he’s on her side…and that the sizzling chemistry between them is just an added bonus.





Hellcats (anthology) has a story by  Efthalia and was released on 1 September. 



Revenge, reckoning, and redemption: HELLCATS, THE ANTHOLOGY has it all.

Presenting sixty nine stories of feline adventure that will make you chortle, chuckle, gasp, and guffaw.

We have: Pirates, cowboys, and spacewalkers.

Soul suckers, seers, and swashbuckling heroes.

With guest appearances by Mr. Darcy, The Madwoman in the Attic, and Hunter S. Thompson as a cat.

In the far reaches of outer space, cats crawl and pounce, shift and slaughter.

While back on Earth, the wicked are punished, the weak avenged, and the good guy wins against all odds.

We have paranormal fantasy, sci-fi, swords and sorcerers, cozy mysteries, romance, literary fiction, and much, much more.

All proceeds from this anthology will go to support a 79 year-old grandmother Erada who has been hounded through the courts and is in danger of losing her home.

The HELLCATS are a group of writers who banded together to try to prevent that from happening.

Help the HELLCATS help Erada keep her home.


Buy links:



The Killer Knight and the Murderous Chairleg by Kelly Ethan (Book 1, Point Muse Cozy Mystery) was released on 31 January. 


There’s a murder in the library, a killer knight stalking victims and a nosy librarian turned sleuth. Let the mayhem begin…

Xandie Meyers thought all her troubles were over when she moved to Point Muse, Maine. Instead, she inherited her great-aunt’s supernatural library and a snarky, talking cat. Not to mention a family of chaos-causing witches, furry law enforcement and a card-carrying demon from hell…and a dead body.

Xandie Myers is suspect number one and she has no clue who’s targeting her. Sherlock librarian needs to swing into action and sniff the real killer out before she becomes the next victim—or ends up in jail for murders she didn’t commit.

Can Xandie survive long enough to navigate her freaky new world? Or will things that go bump in the night have her for a midnight snack?

If you like snarky dialogue, murder and mayhem, then you’ll love book one in Kelly Ethan’s Point Muse Mysteries, a new cozy paranormal mystery series.


Buy links


The Dastardly Dragon Killer and the Poison Breath by Kelly Ethan (Book 2, Point Muse Cozy Mystery) was released on 31 March. 


There’s a murder in the art gallery, a dragon slayer on the loose and a nosy librarian turned sleuth.
Let the mayhem begin…

Xandie Meyers thought she’d found her place in the supernatural world when she moved to Point Muse, Maine. She even made new friends in the form of one Priss Makepeace. But instead of settling into a peaceful new life, Xandie’s dealing with rampaging zombie gnomes, bad luck, and now a poisoned dragon body has turned up in the art gallery.

The Dragon clan is snarling for vengeance and her new friend is the prime suspect.

Xandie has no choice but to let Sherlock librarian swing into action before an innocent woman is jailed for a crime she didn’t commit and Point Muse dissolves into chaos.

Can Xandie survive long enough to navigate her freaky new world? Or will things that go bump in the night have her for a midnight snack?

If you like snarky dialogue, murder and mayhem then you’ll love the next installment in Kelly Ethan’s Point Muse Mysteries, a new cozy paranormal mystery series.


Buy links



The Murderous Monster and the Stony Gaze by Kelly Ethan (Book 3, Point Muse Cozy Mystery) was released on 31 May. 


There’s a murder at the pet show, a monster on the loose and a nosy librarian turned sleuth. Let the mayhem begin…

Xandie Meyers and Point Muse had settled into a peaceful routine after a spate of supernatural murders and mayhem. But the peace is upset with the grand opening of Point Muse Springs Resort and its drawcard event, the Supernatural Pet and Familiar Show—S.P.A.F.S for short.

Not everyone is happy with the resort opening and the pet show coming to town. A series of accidents, hoof and horn disease and gastro plagues the contestants.

But when the competition favorite is turned to stone and the show takes a fatal turn, the prime suspect is Amelia Harrow. Witch, Vet, pet show hater and Xandie’s Aunt.

Xandie has no choice but to turn Sherlock librarian and go undercover at the pet show with a trash-talking pug named Colin.

It’s time to pet up, win the show and solve a murder…


Can Xandie survive long enough to navigate her freaky new world? Or will things that go bump in the night have her for a midnight snack?


Buy links



The Cursed Crow and the Deadly Hex by Kelly Ethan (Book 4, Point Muse Cozy Mystery) was released on 31 July. 



There's a murder at Harrow House, a cruel crow stalking old friends and a nosy librarian turned sleuth. Let the mayhem begin…

With barely a breath to relax, Xandie Meyers and her family of Harrow witches now must deal with a new problem.

One that dropped dead at their feet.

Someone is targeting old members of Elspeth Harrow’s, Morrigan Coven. The same Elspeth Harrow who happens to be Xandie’s long lost Grandmother.

People are dying and all signs point to an inside job. Xandie has no choice but to swing into Sherlock librarian mode.

Between bizarre accidents, a defanged vampire, reanimated animal corpses and a search for a missing doomsday device, Xandie barely has time to sniff out the killer. A villain that’s always two steps ahead. But whoever the murderer is they hadn’t counted on the stubbornness of Harrow witches and one nosy librarian.

Can Xandie stop a supernatural apocalypse? Or will things that go bump in the night have her for a midnight snack?


Buy links





The Slanderous Siren and the Grievous Gift by Kelly Ethan (Book 5, Point Muse Cozy Mystery) was released on 31 October. 


There's a murder in the Playhouse, a vengeful Siren on the loose and a nosy Librarian turned sleuth. Let the mayhem begin.

After finally agreeing to go on a date with Police Chief and bear shifter, Zach Braun, Alexandra Meyers, aka Xandie, assumed it would be plain sailing.

Not in Point Muse.

Now the Librarian to the supernatural Great Library of Alexandria and her family of Harrow witches have to deal with a new set of problems…

A vengeful Siren, a dead ex-girlfriend, a traveling Playhouse of drama-loving actors and an old nemesis, all with an ax to grind. With bodies dropping at every curtain call, all signs point to Zach Braun as the killer. Xandie has no choice but to swing into Sherlock Librarian mode.

Otherwise their first date might be their last…

Can Xandie stop a supernatural apocalypse? Or will things that go bump in the night have her for a midnight snack?


Buy links



Non spec-fic


Taming Keys by Khloe Wren (Book 12, Charon MC) was released on 10 October. 


It’s the past that shapes us into who we are destined to become.

In 1993, Benjamin “Keys” Taylor had it all. A rewarding career with the Marie Corps and the love a good woman waiting at home, until a night out on shore leave sets in motion changes he never saw coming.

Once back on home soil, he was unable to resist his need to see his woman, Donna. In his haste to reconnect, he inadvertently put her in the crosshairs of an enemy. One that was set on destroying the one Keys loved the most in order to hurt the Charon MC.

Surviving the fallout was not easy for either of them, but their love for each other was strong enough for them to make it through. Now, they find themselves with a new house guest, a young woman who’s been horribly abused and needs their help. But her presence is bringing those old, vicious memories all back to the forefront, once more testing the strength of their love for one another.






Inking Eagle by Khloe Wren (Book 1, Charon MC) is now in audio format.



The sins of her father will be her undoing...unless a hero rides to her rescue.

As the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks nears, Silk struggles to avoid all reminders of the day she was orphaned. She’s working hard in her tattoo shop, Silky Ink, and working even harder to keep her eyes and her hands off her bodyguard, Eagle. She’d love to forget her sorrows in his strong arms.

But Eagle is a prospect in the Charon MC, and her uncle is the VP. As a Daughter of the Club, she’s off limits to the former Marine. But not for long. As soon as he patches in, he intends to claim Silk for his old lady. He’ll wear her ink, and she’ll wear his patch.

Too late, they learn that Silk’s father had dark secrets, ones that have lived beyond his grave. When demons from the past come for Silk, Eagle will need all the skills he learned in the Marines to get his woman back safe, and keep her that way.






Her Shallow Grave by D.K. Hood (Book 9, Detectives Kane and Alton) was released on 10 July. 


She runs her trembling fingers over the dark, damp walls surrounding her. Above her head, she hears heavy footsteps. She knows she has nowhere to hide and as the door to the cellar is flung open, she finally sees his face.

It’s winter in Black Rock Falls and, as tourists flock to the small town to take in the snowy mountain peaks, one visitor makes a sickening discovery. The frozen body of a young woman hangs from a tree on the outskirts of town. Detective Jenna Alton is called in to investigate.

Jenna’s stomach turns as she surveys the ice-cold remains, and she’s soon alerted to similar burial sites nearby. With no missing persons reported, Jenna and her deputy, David Kane, fear Black Rock Falls is being used as a dumping ground for bodies.

As the body count mounts up, Jenna is more determined than ever to find the person responsible. But as she tries to catch the killer out, he outsmarts her once again and Jenna begins to wonder if he knows her next move. Could he be closer to her than she thinks?

When the investigation takes Jenna to a homeless shelter right in the heart of the community, she fears for the life of a woman who hasn’t been seen for a few days. It’s clear the killer is beginning to escalate, so Jenna ramps up the investigation and puts herself in unthinkable danger. Can she catch the murderer off guard, or does he already know she’s on her way? Has Jenna finally met a killer she can’t catch?


Buy links
Ebook

Print

Audio



Feels Like Home by Dakota Harrison (Book 1, With Love, From Kurrajong Crossing) was released by Tule Publishing on 20 July. 



He’s the last person she ever wants to see again…

Zac Hartford swore he’d never return to sleepy Kurrajong Crossing, but after finally making it big in the music business there’s only one thing left on his mind—to ask for forgiveness from the only woman he’s ever loved. If that means stepping foot in the town that turned its back on him, so be it. He’s not there to cause trouble. He’ll simply find Cat, say his piece, and leave.

The last person Catherine Van Alden expects to see in her tiny cupcake shop is Zac—a man she hasn’t seen or spoken to since he destroyed her family and vanished all those years ago. Her desire to think the best of him hasn’t changed a bit, but he’s obviously keeping secrets and she can’t let him into her life again. Not without opening up a world of hurt and feelings best left behind.

When the truth is finally revealed, is Cat strong enough to go after the man she never stopped loving?







The Talk Around Town
 by Dakota Harrison (Book 2, With Love, From Kurrajong Crossing) was released by Tule Publishing on 20 August. 


Moving to this small town might just be a huge mistake.

City girl Emma Johnson moves to Kurrajong Crossing determined to escape her troubled past and forge a bright future filled with new friendships, experiences, and even a pet cow. When the town starts a bet to see which of the many eligible bachelors around town will take her out first, she plays along. They’ll figure out soon enough that she isn’t interested in romance or relationships. Not now, not ever.

Country vet and cattleman Gabe Jameson knows the gossip surrounding pretty newcomer Emma will taper off eventually. In the meantime, he’s willing to lend a hand and help with emergency repairs to her rickety old house. It’s not as if it’s a date, or that he wants it to turn into something more. Pretty women are trouble, and Emma is stunning. Besides, he’s sworn off love forever.

It seems they might have something in common after all…






PRE-ORDERS



Alien Rescue by Marie Dry (Book 4, Zyrgin Warriors) is expected to be released on 26 November. 



Description to follow. This is Zanr and Rose's book.


Pre-Order from:





Non spec-fic


His Christmas Escape by Shona Husk is expected to be released by Escape Publishing on 27 November. 



One gourmet party. Six potential couples. The taste of love?

Nico De Luca has been doing his best to keep his family together and off the street since he was sixteen. Everyone thinks he’s doing such a good thing, but they never care about the cost to him. With his stepfather fresh out of jail … again … trouble is brewing.

Coming home after travelling is always bittersweet for Jade Russell. She loves seeing her sister and friends, but her parents have made it very clear she’s not welcome. Christmas is full of fake happiness and spending money on junk people don’t want. She sees it in the parents’ eyes in her job as an elf taking photos with Santa.

When Nico meets Jade in her elf uniform, he is enchanted. When they meet again at a Rainbow Cove Christmas lunch, he realises Jade is out of his league. She knows what she’s doing with her life. She has a life. Following Jade makes stepping off the path easy and, before he knows it, freedom is within Nico’s grasp. But if he leaves, he can never come back …






Christmas at Kissing Point contains a story by Peta Crake and is expected to be released on 4 November. 




Welcome to Christmas at Kissing Point, home of hot summer nights, white sandy beaches and love.

Five tales of Christmas love from five Australian authors that will leave you wishing you’d been extra good for Santa .

The sleepy seaside town of Kissing Point comes alive at Christmas when it fills to the brim with summer holidaymakers. But this year there are more than carols and the scent of Christmas barbeques in the air. This year, Santa is playing Cupid , as five couples get a chance at love, helped along by warm summer nights and sparkling ocean waves.

An unlucky-in-love postwoman, a one-night stand lover and an interfering ex. A new-to-town baker, her prickly landlord and a spark that has nothing to do with faulty wiring. A movie stunt double, a neurologist and a love seat rumoured to be magic. Old school sweethearts and a half-forgotten marriage pact. A Christmas hating billionaire, his hardworking PA and an impossible-to-keep deal.

Five couples, five chances at love and a Merry Christmas in Kissing Point…


MISTLETOE & WHITE CHRISTMAS MARTINIS by Peta Crake
Kissing Point postwoman Shelley, can’t wait for Christmas to be over. Her family is away and her scumbag ex is spreading salacious rumours about her. Then the man she has been dreaming about since a drunken one-night stand three years ago arrives in town. But reality can never be as good as a rose-coloured memory, can it?


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Promises in the Dark by D.K. Hood (Book 10, Detectives Kane and Alton) is expected to be released by Bookatoure on 25 November. 



The young girl pushes against the backseat of the family sedan, fighting to free herself from the crude ties restricting her hands and feet. As the car speeds toward the edge of town, she looks back at her family home, and watches in horror as it is suddenly engulfed in a mass of flames. Trembling with fear, she turns toward the driver and hears only laughter. She knows that the worst is yet to come...

Detective Jenna Alton surveys the charred remains of the large suburban home, stopping to pause at the three lifeless bodies of the Wood family. Jenna knows she's looking for a serial killer, but her priority is finding the missing teenage daughter last seen on the night of the inferno.

Days later, Sophie Wood's body is discovered floating in a shallow pool of crystal-clear water--known locally as Dead Man's Drop--but Jenna still doesn't know who would target the quiet family in such a brutal attack.

Delving into the family's past, she makes a shocking discovery--a link between the killer and someone connected to her deputy David Kane. If Jenna is right and the killer is back and seeking revenge, then she must act fast to keep her deputy safe.

When another girl is taken, Jenna and David follow the trail into a network of underground caves on the outskirts of town. With little time before the killer claims his next victim, they race into the pitch-black tunnels, unsure whether they have just walked into the killer's trap. Can they find the girl in time and escape the caves without the killer chasing them down?


Pre-Order links



COVER REVEAL




Phoenix: The Rise by Efthalia (Book 3, Phi Athanatoi)


She wants justice. He wants to make things official. But for a demi-god and vampire there are bigger battles. 

Demi-god Carissa Alkippes has fought her equal share of demons and Olympian gods, when one battle ends another begins. Only this one may destroy the thin veil between supernatural creatures, gods and humans. To make things worse Zeus offers her a ‘get in and out of Olympus’ card, which paints a dangerous target on her back. Now she must get a handle on her power.  

With new enemies hunting her down, Carissa must use everything she knows to protect those she loves from being collateral damage. 

Xen Lyson, has seen much in his immortal life and walking Carissa down the aisle is at the top of his vampire list, but when an ancient libation bowl turns up, so does Discord and Death. 

Now they have fight not only to protect humanity, but themselves too. Will they defeat their enemies in time to tie-the-knot




Fortunes, Friends and Murder by Janni Nell (Book 5, Little Shop of Spells Cozy Mystery)




NEW PEN NAME


Claire Boston
will now be writing her fantasy stories under the name, Claire Leggett

Claire Leggett has loved dragons, magic and everything fantastical since she read The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton. As a child she used to sneak to the bottom of the garden in the hope of finding fairies. Alas she never found any, so she brought them alive in her own imagination. Her stories are full of magic, adventure and escape.


When Claire’s not writing she can be found creating her own handmade journals, swinging on a sidecar, or in the garden attempting to grow something other than weeds.


Claire lives in Western Australia with her husband, who loves even her most annoying quirks, and is currently learning how to crochet.

Find Claire at her new website.


This means that Claire has rebranded her fantasy books to reflect the change. 



The Assassin's Gift  (Book 1, The Emperor's Conspiracy)



She’s trained to kill. But is her prey the man she’s ordered to eliminate… or the one who sent her?

Princess Lien reserves her loyalty for her uncle, the emperor. Groomed as his secret assassin after he took her in, her first target is the khan of the barbarians responsible for her parents’ murder. But her supernatural speed is no help when the monarch betroths her to the man she’s meant to slay.

Waking naked in the enemy camp far from the palace and her pet dragon, Lien is horrified to find she’s imprisoned by the ruthless tribe—and they know her true mission. Refusing to believe her uncle betrayed her, she vows to become his spy. But as evidence that she’s on the wrong side mounts, it will test her fidelity and honour.

Can Lien unravel a web of deceit in time to stop the real traitor?





The Healer's Curse  (Book 2, The Emperor's Conspiracy)



She’s their only hope. If only she could wield the power to save them…

Geriel hates that she’s the weakest healer in her tribe. And when a deadly disease sweeps through her village, she despairs she’s not good enough to rescue her people. With the outbreak spreading and her gift unstable, she’s sent on a desperate mission to locate the herbal cure deep in enemy territory.

Seeking to better control her powers with guidance from a skilled dragon, she falls in with a ragtag band of freedom fighters. But even with her mentor’s mystic teachings, villagers are still dying. And as war closes in, Geriel fears she’s losing the race against time.

Will Geriel find the cure and unlock her talents before her kind fall to the blight?





The Servant's Grace  (Book 1, The Emperor's Conspiracy) is due for release in February 2021.



A tyrannical ruler. A hidden heir. Can a simple handmaiden save her realm from doom?

Lady’s maid Shan works for a privileged family, though she longs to see all servants treated fairly. But when she’s caught with equality propaganda, no favours can keep her from execution. With no other way to save herself, Shan reveals her ability to turn invisible and agrees to a risky mission spying on the emperor.

Slipping through the palace corridors to collect evidence of the callous monarch’s plans, Shan discovers the true heir to the throne may be alive. But with attempts on her mistress’s life and the emperor determined to root out any plot against him, even her power to vanish might not be enough to save her.

Can a lowly servant become the key to saving an empire from a bloodthirsty despot?




~~~

Congratulations to our DarkSiders.

Thanks for joining us. Until next time...happy reading!

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