Dark Siders First Birthday & Massive Halloween Bash!

An update on the fantastical Halloween party being held over on the Dark Side Downunder blog tomorrow! Here's the full list of fabulous giveaways on offer, taken directly from the blog (because it's awesome just the way it is!!!)

The DarkSiders have gathered and have got a

scarily amazing grand prize, followed by a couple of runner up prizes.

Spookily Fantastic Grand Prize....

• A copy of Rogue Gadda AND a t-shirt by Nicole Murphy
• A copy of Captive AND a bookmark by Christina Phillips 
• Either a print copy of The Goblin King or an e-copy from backlist by Shona Husk
• Love Bites Anthology volumes 2 AND 3 featuring Alexis Fleming
• How Do I Love Thee? edited by Valerie Parv (featuring Alexis Fleming)
• Emerald Ice by Alexis Fleming
• Scent of A Man (ebook) by Maree Anderson
• Vengeance Born tote bag from Kylie Griffin 
• A choice of one ebook by  Cathleen Ross
• A copy of the King Rolen's Kin Trilogy by Rowena Cory Daniells
• Allegra Fairweather: Paranormal Investigator AND South of Salem (ebooks) by Janni Nell
• Darkness Rising AND Darkness Unbound by Keri Arthur
• Death’s Sweet Embrace by Tracey O’Hara
• Winged and Dangerous series (three ebooks) by Mel Teshco
• A Song and Fire and Ice calendar from Eleni Konstantine

Runner ups....

One

Heart & Craft includes chapters by Alexis Fleming and Kelly Ethan. 

The Crystal Warrior by Maree Anderson

Guilty as Sin by Denise Rossetti

Project Man by Alexis Fleming

A bookmark from Christina Phillips

Who's Your Daddy? anthology featuring Alexis Fleming

Two

Heart & Craft includes chapters by Alexis Fleming and Kelly Ethan

Poisoned Kiss AND Blood Cursed by Erica Hayes.

Passionate Peridot anthology featuring Alexis Fleming

A bookmark from Christina Phillips

Three Wishes (ebook) by Jenny Schwartz

What do you have to do to win?

Come along and comment during our blog bash during 

Monday October 31st, and answer the question.

Food for the Muse

I was talking about hero inspiration with my CP Amanda Ashby the other day, as my editor wanted ideas for the cover conference for my next book *cue much excitement my end!* I've always thought Henri Castelli was a great model for the hero of that book because of his absolutely mesmerizing eyes (OK the rest of him isn't half bad either!!) I've had a bit of a crush on Henri for a few years now (in between my long time crush on Clive Owen!) and totally blame the lovely Cari Quinn for introducing me to his gorgeousness! As it's been a while since I showcased the perfection that is Henri I thought I'd remedy that today, seeing as it's a public holiday here in WA due to the Queen being in Perth!

Sophie's Magical Covers!

My good friend and CP, Amanda Ashby, has just unveiled the covers for her upcoming MG series, Sophie's Mixed-Up Magic - and they totally rock!!! The model is exactly how we imagined Sophie looks and the little details on each cover, that tie in with each book, are just super cool.

The first two books, Wishful Thinking and Under a Spell are out in June 2012 and the third book, Out of Sight will be out a few months later.

And here is the unofficial blurb (culled directly from Amanda's blog!!)

The day before sixth grade Sophie Campbell accidentally gets turned into a djinn and then has to learn how to control her powers and hide it all from her mom (who is still super stressed since Sophie's dad walked out on them four years earlier). She also has to stop her new, recently-deceased djinn guide, Malik from ruining her life. Let's just say that chaos ensues!

Behind the Scenes of Creating a Cover

If you've ever wondered about the process that goes on behind the scenes to create a book cover, then hop on over to fellow Berkley author Kylie Griffin's blog. Not only is she showcasing the stunning new cover for the second book in her forthcoming Light Blade series, Alliance Forged, but she also has Part One of a fascinating interview with the artist who created both covers.

And here's the captivating lowdown on book 2!

(Book #2 in the Light Blade series)

Berkley Sensation

Release date JULY 2012

There is no mercy in the demon realm. No escape. In this place of desperation and conflict, anyone who is not purebred is virtually powerless. Until a blind priestess lays claim to a half-breed warrior, body and soul…

Hunted and marked for death by Na’Reish demons for their half-blood heritage, the Na’Chi are searching for a new home—something an alliance offered by the human leader could provide. With both races divided by prejudice, when Light Blade rebels brutally attack the Na’Chi, the alliance seems doomed to fail.

Varian, leader of the Na’Chi, a hybrid race of gifted warriors, is cursed with the darker impulses of his demon heritage. Controlling the part of himself that craves the high of the battle is a struggle he’s afraid he’ll lose—until he meets Kymora Tayn, a priestess driven to serve her deity. While he’s unwilling to trust anyone outside his people, he finds himself drawn to Kymora’s strength and passionate nature, and discovers she has the power to calm the darkness inside him.

When the Na’Reish raid human territory for blood-slaves and kickstart a war, the key to the survival of both races—Na’Chi and human— is an alliance. However, when Kymora is kidnapped, pitting human against human, Varian realizes he must embrace his darker half, not only to save the alliance…but also the woman he loves.

Welcome to the world!

On Tuesday our gorgeous Ava gave birth to her kittens! There were some complications and we had to rush her to the vet's for an emergency Caeserean. Luckily they managed to save two of her four kittens, and here she is with her two little sons, Theodore and Bartimaeus.








Theodore is the darker one, and spends all his time either nursing or sleeping. Bartimaeus, on the other hand, spends half his time on his back waving his legs around and somehow manages to maneuver himself all over the box using this method! He also makes a lot of noise and I think he might well live up to his mischievous namesake!!!

Halloween Birthday Bash

The fabulous Dark Side Downunder blog is one year old on 31st October! And to celebrate we're having a Halloween party and birthday bash with giveaways! There's a grand prize plus prizes for two other lucky people.

Some of the giveaways on offer include:

Dark Angels books 1 and 2 by Keri Arthur

Scent of a Man by Maree Anderson

King Rolen's Kin trilogy by Rowena Cory Daniells

Rogue by Nicole Murphy


Captive by Christina Phillips

... and more!

Going to be heaps of fun - more details nearer the time!!

Super Amazon Sale on Forbidden & Captive

Just did a fly-by at Amazon and discovered that both Forbidden and Captive are on sale at bargain prices! Forbidden is only $2.53 or buy both books together for just $8.37. And the Kindle edition is only $2.40!

Yes! A Splash Party is on the Horizon!

It's hard to believe, but the end of 2011 is rapidly approaching. And to help with the celebrations The Romance Review is holding a mega party throughout the month of November. It's going to be huge and fabulous with lots of games and masses of prizes, including a copy of Forbidden up for grabs! So don't forget to mark your diaries (but don't worry I'll remind you nearer the time!!)