Welcome to the Dark Side!

A group of writers, myself included, have banded together to create DarkSide DownUnder - a blogsite of mostly RWOz and RWNZ members who love writing speculative fiction with romantic elements, whether it's fantasy, paranormal, urban fantasy, futuristic and everything in between.

Posts will feature things like Good News Tuesday, book launches, blog topics, give-aways and DarkLight on...(aka spotlight on one of our members or guests).

Our list of writers include:

• Jess Anastasi
• Maree Anderson
• Keri Arthur
• Kitty Bucholtz
• Astrid Cooper
• Rowena Cory Daniells
• Michelle de Rooy
• Jessica Dorney
• Fiona Gregory
• Kylie Griffin
• Shona Husk
• Loretta Kelly
• Eleni Konstantine
• Emmeline Lock
• Nicole R Murphy
• Janni Nell
• Tracey O'Hara
• Christina Phillips
• Jenny Schwartz
• Nicola E. Sheridan
• Nicky Strickland
• Mel Teshco
• Joanne Vogel

With Halloween fast approaching (October 31st), we thought we'd launch our site then. For anyone interested in these genres this is a site to bookmark!

Why don't you come over for a visit and we'll welcome you to the Dark Side! :-)

Guest Author: Mel Teshco (CARNAL MOON release)

Who is Mel Teshco?
A brilliant scholar...tee-hee! Seriously, I like to think I’m an ordinary person writing extraordinary—or at least interesting— stories for readers to enjoy and love.

Who influenced you or what appeals to you about this genre?
I’m not sure I have any one influence, just a scarily big bunch of books I’ve read over too many years that have helped stimulate my rather active imagination.
I wrote my latest release CARNAL MOON for Ellora’s Cave, which is paranormal erotica. I love these sexy, darker style paranormals—another reason I also fitted right in to Harlequin’s Nocturne (Bites) line.

Share a bit about your next release, when's it out and where can we buy it?
CARNAL MOON is out October 28th, 2010 through Ellora’s Cave. It is a werewolf story set in the Sydney suburbs and government bush reserves.

Tell us a bit about the hero/heroine.
The hero is a powerful alpha male whose instinct is to mate and populate the dwindling werewolf population. The heroine is in love with her mortal lawyer boyfriend, but cannot resist the 'calling' to mate with this male werewolf at the height of the full moon.

What’s next for you?
I have another werewolf story that will hopefully be released through Nocturne Bites soon. I’m also doing some frantic rewrites and polishing up of a single title book called BELIEVE, which will mean agent hunting very soon!
Other than that I’m writing an alien story for Ellora’s Cave which features three heroes :-) , and I have around three chapters of another single title started (so excited by this – one of those spine-tingling moments you have when an idea takes hold and won’t let go!).
And last but not least, the start of another possible Nocturne bites story... LOL!!! I really do need to focus!

Where can we find you next? 
28th October - LoveCats DownUnder

CARNAL MOON

Only on the first night of each full moon, werewolves cannot resist the calling, an instinctual need to mate. Living a double life has never been difficult for Holly, but in her world, if her species is to survive, all she can look forward to is down-and-dirty, uninhibited sex with a difference partner each month. She has never had a reason to complain though. Until now.

She's fallen for Ricky Mandela, her human lover. Holly can't pretend she has a chance at a family and happily ever after. these are human dreams. But she can't give him up either. Will she have to lie and cheat to hold on to the man she loves? 

Mel's other books:

You can find out more about Mel on her website.

Agents, editors & book deals...oh, my!

Ever get the feeling you've been overwhelmed by something big and by the time you stop to take stock of yourself it's too late and you find that it's swallowed you whole?

Does the avalanche analogy springs to mind?

Well, these last couple of weeks have been a bit like that. Without boring you with too many details, I'm VERY pleased and excited to announce that I now have an agent - Elaine Spencer of The Knight Agency; an editor - Leis Pederson, and a three-book deal with the Berkley Publishing Group (in the USA).

Anyone who knows a writer and the time and effort they go through to break into the publishing industry will understand just what a HUGE thrill it is and just how EXCITED I am in being able to share this news.

So, what's in the near future besides more writing? Definitely some steep learning curves and the start of an exciting career as a published author. Wow, wow, wow!

Hi world, I'm Kylie Griffin - Berkley's newly discovered paranormal romance author!

October Blog Anniversary (THE END)

Hard to believe October is almost over. It's been a great month - lots of fun, some good-read give-aways, and people coming to the party!

This is my last free give-away - two (2) books again - OUTCAST by Joan Johnston & PRINCE INCOGNITO by Linda Goodnight.

Simple Q&A today - whether you're a writer or reader, what have you enjoy reading about in my blog over this past month/year?

Is it the guest authors who drop in? The odd book review? Promotion of new authors? Some of the craft articles? Finding out information about the romance industry? Photos of conferences or my travels? The free give-aways?

Share your thoughts by 31st October (midnight Aussie EST) and you could win the last draw of my October Blog Anniversary. !!! Don't forget to leave a contact email address or check back in on the day I announce the winner! If you haven't claimed the prize in 48hrs I'll draw another name from my coffee cup.

Thanks, everyone, for helping me celebrate a Year of Blogging!

RWOz Conference Book Pack Winner!

I cleaned out my coffee cup (it's been getting a bit of a workout the last few days) and threw in everyone's name.

Congratulations to...

Julieann Thomas

Just contact me at kyliegriffin (at) clearmail (dot) com (dot) au and we can arrange to get those books to you!

Happy Reading!

WEDDING BELLS!!!

This weekend I head south to a lovely Spring wedding!

Congratulations 

(throwing handfuls of rice)

to

Michelle & Scott!

At 11.30am today, my sister and new brother-in-law tie the knot and start their lives as wife & husband. We're celebrating in fine style with family and friends with a cocktail style reception after the ceremony.

Here's to many, many years of love and happiness, my little sister and BIL!

PROMO: Mel Teshco

Get out your red pen and circle October 28th.

Why? Mel Teshco returns to my blog to promote CARNAL MOON, her new release from Ellora's Cave!

CARNAL MOON
Only on the first night of each full moon, werewolves cannot resist the calling, an instinctual need to mate. Living a double life has never been difficult for Holly, but in her world, if her species is to survive, all she can look forward to is down-and-dirty, uninhibited sex with a different partner each month. She has never had reason to complain though. Until now.

She’s fallen for Ricky Mandela, her human lover. Holly can’t pretend she has a chance at a family and happily ever after. Those are human dreams. But she can’t give him up either. Will she have to lie and cheat to hold on to the man she loves?

Can't wait for her visit!