What We Are Reading February Edition

Welcome to February, the month of romance when we celebrate Valentines Day. But its not all about the romance, and the Darksiders have been reading some varied and interesting books this month.

From Jenny Schwartz:

I recently reviewed Shona Husk's "The Darkling Lord" which isn't out till 19 March. I enjoy Shona Husk's books. She has an interesting ability to introduce an anti-hero and make me believe in his value -- in how he accepts his own flaws, but acts to make the world a better place -- not that he's schmaltzy about it! Henry is a bit of an anti-hero, but more heroic than anything. I liked him. I liked his complicated world (oh Detroit!) and how he navigated the real and ethical minefields. Darah was a very believable fairy; human, but not quite. Her emotional journey was enthralling. Betrayal leaves scars. A fairytale for grown ups.
I've only recently started reading Jim Butcher's "Dresden Files" and the opening of "The Darkling Lord" had the same noir vibe. Noir and fantasy - great combination.





 

From Erica Hayes:

I'm reading Nunslinger by Stark Holborn, this book will explode your head. Very cool in a weird-Western kind of way. It's about this nun in Civil War America who's on this mysterious pilgrimage, and there's this outlaw, and a creepy Union army officer whom she at first mistakes for Jesus Christ, and... oh, its too hard to explain. It's Steven King's Gunslinger, with a nun. Yeah. 





From Kylie Griffin:

1001 DARK NIGHTS:SHOW ME, BABY - Cherise Sinclair (A Master of the Shadowlands novella)

While written as a novella, Cherise Sinclair packs so much into her stories that they never feel short. 

Great characters, powerful plot lines, scenes with powerful emotion, and a feeling of immense satisfaction once the last page is turned.
Another keeper in the Shadowlands series.

EDGE OF THE ENFORCER - Cherise Sinclair (A Master of the Shadowlands novel)

Cherise has the incredible skill of packing so much in one story. I have to admit I was intrigued on how I would view a sadist hero and if this would be an issue for me as a reader (my ignorance over what motivates a sadist) but to be honest, the explanation was interwoven into the storyline of the hero and it was so believably done, without sounding preachy, it was a non-issue part of the story.
This is what I find Cherise does so well - I love her layered characters and the emotional arc's she winds into the plot.
As I usually do when I get a Cherise Sinclair book, I read it in one sitting. It's another one for the keeper shelf.

 

And for myself. Last week I read Captive Prince, by CS Pacat, volume I and II in less than 24 hours because I just couldn't put it down. Bec McMaster had mentioned it and said the same thing, so I was intrigued to see what it was all about. I can't put my finger on exactly what made this book so addictive. It wasn't the first m/m romance I'd read, nor the first slave/master romance I'd read. The world-building was a bit lacking and we never find out much in the way of background as to why these two nations were at war and much of their culture outside of the usual court intrigues remained a mystery. The writing was not bad, but also not great, there was a bit of telling going on, but the way Pacat wove the story was addictive. I guess the old adage is true in this case: if you can tell a great story, even if the technique isn't perfect, then it won't matter because you'll still capture your readers. I was disappointed to find the third book hadn't come out yet, that it was due out last year but there's currently no word on when it will release. Like many other fans, I'm dying to know how the series will resolve. Also, this is the kind of book I'd really love to see made into a movie.  

Happy Reading into March!

~ Jess Anastasi

A Bite Of... Scorched

Hello everyone, this fortnight I'd like to welcome back the lovely Erica Hayes with A Bite Of... Scorched.

 Can you, in less than five words describe your book Scorched?

Action, magic, cool, dark, secrets. Oh, and superhero crime-fighters. That's six. Live with it :)

Who is your favourite character in this book?

I love all my children equally, of course. Erm… well, it's not true, really is it? We do have favourites, even in our own writing. My heroine, Verity, is loads of fun because she doesn't understand subtlety. She tends to blurt out whatever's on her mind, and sometimes it's tastelessly inappropriate. So yeah. Kind of like me :)

But I also love her lads. There's her big brother, Adonis, who acts like an arrogant playboy but has this squishy heart of gold underneath… or is that all part of the act, too? And Verity's new friend, Glimmer. Glimmer is a mysterious masked man. Oyy.

What inspired you to write it?

I love crime-fighting superheroes! We actually have a lot of these in urban fantasy – plenty of investigators and enforcers and kick-ass ladies – but they're just not called that. The ones in my book are a bit more open about it. Possibly, there are masks and costumes and secret identities involved. You were warned… (But no capes. I draw the line at capes.)

And I've always wanted to write a conspiracy story – one where nothing it what it seems and the truth is hard to unearth and harder to swallow. I hope I've succeeded!

And here's the excerpt!

Here's a scene from Scorched, where Verity, who's just escaped from a lunatic asylum and is on the run from villains who are trying to put her back there, wakes up trapped in a strange secret lair…

A double row of screens gleamed—websites, television channels, CCTV—above a long desk covered in a mess of paper and photographs six inches deep. In a high-backed chair hunched a long lean figure, his shadow looming huge and monstrous on the wall.

He didn't stop typing. Didn't look up. Just jerked his head towards the corner of the room. "Door's that way."

So much for stealth. I cleared my throat, and stepped out where he could see me. But I still clasped my hands tightly behind my back, ready. "Excuse me?"

"You can leave whenever you want. I won't stop you. No need to break things." His voice was rough and rich, like old bourbon. His battered leather coat hung over the back of his wheeled chair. He finished whatever he was doing, and swung his chair around, skidding into the light.

Strong, lean, the same tight black T-shirt and jeans he'd worn before. A few days of beard shadowed his chin, dark against his olive skin, and his wild black hair had a single albino splash at the front. He wore a leather band buckled around one wrist, and a silver ring on his right ring finger.

Intriguing. Younger than I'd expected, for a guy who'd sent a gang of haters screaming. Warmer, somehow. I wanted to see the rest of his face.

But I couldn't. He wore a mask. A black one, like mine, tied at the back of his head and cut around sharp cheekbones that made him look feral or crazy. All I could see were his eyes, deep and starlit black.

Uh-huh. I wanted to fidget. Handsome devil, to be sure. The crazies often are, in that offbeat, intriguing sort of way. It's a rule of the universe, or something. Sick equals sexy.

But suddenly I was conscious of my scarred cheek, my bruises, the fact that I was wearing his shirt and nothing else.

I dragged in a fistful of power and swept a pile of books off his desk. "That's close enough."

Paper drifted in dust, and settled. He didn't move. Just glanced at the mess I'd made, and then back at me. His black-and-white hair stuck up in odd directions, like a skunk who'd partied too hard. He reminded me of my little brother Chance, only Chance was cheerful and careless. This guy looked neither. "Threat taken," he said calmly. "You done?"

I studied him, wary. No reaction. No move to retaliate. Whatever his augment was, he was keeping it holstered for now. Was that stripe in his hair real? He didn't seem the type to make like a skunk. "For the moment," I said at last. "But you'll talk, or maybe I will start breaking stuff. Starting with you. Who are you?"

"You can call me Glimmer."

I recalled my assailants, clawing for their eyeballs though nothing was there. Glimmer. A hypnosis trick, maybe? "Is that what your friends call you?"

"I don't have any friends." He folded his arms, and muscles bulged in the sleeves of his T-shirt.

"Figures. You always wear your mask in the house, Glimmer?"

"I have a guest. It's only polite… oh, wait." He stuffed a hand into his back pocket and offered me a little black bundle. "This was in your jeans. I kept it for you."

My mask. I snatched it, careful not to touch him, and unrolled it, enjoying the warm softness in my fingers. It smelled of him, vanilla and danger.

Okay. So he knew I was augmented. I knew the same about him. Not a recipe for friendship.

Glimmer smiled, bittersweet. "Don't mention it."

Thanks for sharing Erica and BTW, I don't mind a good cape. :p

If you want to find out more about Erica and what she's up to, or want to buy a copy of Scorched Check out the links below!

| Amazon | Kobo | iTunes | B&N | Website | Facebook | Twitter |

 

Good News Day

Welcome to this week's good news....

coming to you this week by Nicole Murphy

Lots of great things happening for the Darksiders lately, so let's get to it!

RELEASES

Hidden Mortality by Maggie Mundy has been released. 

In Bath in 1850 a witch is murdered in a ritual granting longevity to four men. What they are not aware of is that she has bestowed the same power to another called Seth to avenge her death.
Cara is a descendant of the witch and fills her days with food with her Irish-themed catering business. Her nights are another matter; they are full of erotic dreams of a mysterious lover, or nightmares with mutilated bodies. So this wasn’t the best time for her Nana to tell her she is coming into her power.
Of the original four immortals, Vincent is the only one left and to stop his own long life from fading he needs another witch to kill. Seth was meant to protect the witch’s descendants from a distance, but with Cara he can’t stay away. He has to make a choice to love Cara, or avenge the original death and possibly die himself. Cara has the fight of her life on when one man comes to kill her, and another to love her.

Buy it here (Amazon only).

Astrid Cooper has a new release out, Fireman's Cat

It's Book 2 in the Birthday Boy series and is published by Extasy Books

When the flames of passion are kindled between Brendan and Aeric, it gives a whole new meaning to c’mon baby, light my fire.

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire…Brendan Tierney, a fireman, lives quietly in the outback Australian town of Greenhill. On the eve of his thirtieth birthday, when he and his crew respond to a fire, he is trapped by the flames. Rescued from death by something he cannot—dare not—believe, he returns home, expecting his lonely life to return to normal.
He makes a birthday wish, never suspecting that wishes and dreams can come true—with a little help from his sister and grandmother and a wizard…
When Aeric walks into Brendan’s shop, the fireman’s world is turned upside down, because the sexy guy is not what he appears. Ric has spine fur. Bren hopes that the guy is long overdue for a waxing. No such luck. He discovers that his unwelcome guest is a firecat, the rarest of shifters, who can harness fire.
Aeric recognises Brendan as his forever-mate—for him, it’s love at first sight. True love is never easy when a human is involved. Bren knows nothing about cat shifters or magic. But worse—he’s been betrayed by love, and denies his own deep, burning passion for Aeric. How can Ric convince Brendan to open his heart to believe in a cat’s forever promise? Or will the past come between a fireman and his cat?

You can buy it here.

Erica Hayes has two new publications! First is Hunter's Heart.

For vampire Colleen O’Hara, work is also play. She hunts demons not just for the paycheck, but also for the thrill of the fight. It’s better than sex, at least the sex she’s had so far. But then she meets Seth, a smoldering-hot shadow demon. With him she feels an undeniable, untamable urge to blur the lines between ally and enemy, predator and prey. Meanwhile, as the barrier between hell and earth grows weaker, threatening thousands of human souls, Colleen must track down the traitor who opened the rift. Only with Seth at her side can she defeat the villain. Colleen must risk everything—including her soul—to both follow her desire and save her city from impending damnation.

Buy it here (Amazon only).

The second publication is Unforgiven in the e-anthology My Bloody Valentine.

Buy links not available at time of publishing.

'Hide N Seek' by Lilliana Rose has been published in the anthology 'The Grotesquerie' by Mocha Memoirs Press.

The game of hide and seek isn't played with innocence and has more sinister consequences for not just the individuals who play, but the also the community, and its future.
Twenty-two short horror stories written by women are here on display for your enjoyment or your perverse fascination. Within these pages, beauty becomes deadly, innocence kills, and karma is a harsh mistress.

Buy it: Amazon / Mocha Memoirs Press

Dani Kristoff has her debut paranormal romance Bespelled out with Escape Publishing

Elena Denholm is a mild-mannered half witch. As a favour to her cousin, she agrees to meet with top Sydney lawyer, Jake Royston, to negotiate a property deal. Sparks fly immediately, but before they can even take a sip of wine, let alone explore where the sizzle might go, Jake is hit by a love spell and is helpless against his feelings for Elena.

Jake may be at her mercy, but Elena is keeping her hands off — exploiting humans is a no-no. But Jake’s good looks and powers of persuasion are breaking down her resolve, and Elena knows she must do something fast.

Desperate to set things right before her resolve crumbles, Elena begins a frantic search to find the witch or warlock who hexed Jake and return him to his right mind, even if it means breaking her own heart...

Buy links available here.

COVERS

Danielle Belwater (formerly Danielle Sevenwaters) has a new YA coming out on Valentine's Day! It's called Of Fire and Roses and she shared the cover with us.

AUTHOR EVENT reminder

Urban Fantasy author Cheryse Durrant and Australian suspense author Sandy Curtis are keen to meet readers at an author lunch and two author events at Noosa and Maleny bookstores on the Valentine's Day weekend.

Curtis and Durrant will sign copies of Fatal Flaw and The Blood She Betrayed - check details in last week's post.  

Magic Thursday: Halloween (+ Blogiversary) Mega giveaway!

Happy Halloween to you all!

Three years ago we started this blog so 

Happy Blogiversary DarkSiders.

We've grown since that time and have a great group of people who love all things 

that go bump in the night.

Today we have a treat for you....

A DarkSider Halloween Mega Pack with many of our authors.

Check it out. All are in e-books unless otherwise specified.

(You can click on the covers to see larger versions)

 

 

Ruby’s Dream (Crystal Warriors #2) – The Crystal Warrior (Book One) is available free where most eBooks are sold
Seer’s Promise (Seer Trilogy #2) – Seer’s Hope (Book One) is available free where most eBooks are sold

 

(print)

 

includes Dance of Flames: An Allegra Fairweather mystery

You have to be in it to win it, so enter by using Rafflecopter below!! 

Good luck. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Bite Of... Demon Chained

This fortnight, it is my pleasure to welcome Erica Hayes, with A Bite of... her latest novel Demon Chained.

Can you, in less than five words, describe your book?

Reanimated gangster vs. feisty djinni.

It's a grown-up Warm Bodies, with fairies, and demons… It has m/m and m/f elements. Oh, and I promise: no body parts fall off. No zombies were harmed in the making of this book.



What inspired you to write it?

Well, y'know. Everyone says dead guys can't be sexy. Challenge accepted *grin*



You had me a Djinni, I'm hooked already!



So without further ado, here's the excerpt!

Cautiously, I wiped blood from my throat, smearing my choker. My pulse thrummed under my fingers. My throat swelled, tense. I didn't know what to say, how to calm him down. "Are you—"


"That asshole murdered my daughter." His voice was toneless, soft, and on the last word it cracked, but he didn't lower his pistol.


Great. I'd stumbled into a personal vendetta. Still, my heart melted. I knew how much it hurt to lose the one you loved. I'd even have felt sorry for this guy, if he wasn't aiming a gun at my face.

He stepped closer. I backed off, only to bruise my shoulder blades against the wall. I smelled sweat, piss, something else not quite fresh, and my mouth watered. A ripe smell, but any smell was chocolate cake tonight.

I swallowed. "Put the gun away, all right? I didn't mean anything."

Very smooth, Jewel. For a girl who persuades for a living, you've got a rotten line in wheedle-the-crazyman. I tried to spark my magic again, searching for a glimmer of persuasion to ward him off.

But nothing ignited. My blood slithered cold like a snake in my veins. So many years in my lamp, not casting a single spell. What if I was broken?

What if I couldn't survive alone?

He slapped his palm into the wall beside my head. His gun hovered inches from my face. I jerked back. My skull smacked the metal. I didn't want him to touch me, not with a weapon in his hand and that unsettling smell so strong. But I couldn't help noticing he'd be damn fine, if he'd only take a shower. Exotic. Strong cheekbones, curvy lips, hot dark eyes with a hint of oriental mystery, acres of long straight hair just perfect for trailing over me if it wasn't thick with dirt.

His body wasn't half bad either, despite the weird pearlescent sheen on his skin. Lickable body art, inked black thorns curling over his bunched biceps and down the inside of his forearm. Strip him off, soap him up, rinse him off . . . mmm. My skin puckered into stinging goose bumps, and delicious remnants of my arousal sparked.

Did I mention that bad men are my weakness?

I could have smoked out of there, left him to his dark revenge games. But something about his steely determination stopped me. I felt like he deserved more than my cowardice. More than just some broad who waltzes in, ruins his day and vanishes in a puff of screw-you.

I tried again. "Look, I know how you feel. I'm sorry."

"You know nothing." He leaned closer, muscles straining, and the fleshy smell intensified. Not perfume, nothing artificial or tacky. Just him, hot and male and delicious. I gritted my teeth as he prodded the cold metal barrel into my chin. I wanted him to do it harder, to feel my soft skin bruise. I wanted to kick him in the face for threatening me.

His chest hitched, like he gulped a breath, and his black gaze burned sweet acid trails over my cheekbone, my jaw, my mouth.


I shivered, and tried not to let him see it, clenching my thighs immobile. I'd expected rage, sarcasm, violence. Not this.

He looked like I felt. Deprived. Ravenous. Desperate.

Thank you so much for sharing Erica... 

Hosting A Bite Of... is so bad for my TBR pile! 

If you'd like to buy Demon Chained, or check out what Erica is up to lately, you can find her at the links below! 

Buy Links 

| Kobo | B&N | iTunes | Smashwords | 

~~~

| Erica's Website | Twitter | Facebook |