Anna Hackett's Blog, page 7

OUT NOW – Hell Squad: Tane

I am so excited that the final Hell Squad book, TANE, is out now!

Hell Squad has been a series close to my heart for many years. These characters, and their struggles and triumphs, feel real to me, and I know so many Hell Squad readers feel the same.

It is bittersweet to be at the end, but these battle-hardened heroes and heroines have fought for so long. At its core, Hell Squad is all about love and hope, and while I feel sadness to be at the end, I *loved* writing Tane’s story.

I hope you love it too.

Scroll down to enter the special Tane release day giveaway — there’s a Hell Squad swag pack up for grabs.

As the battle against the invading aliens reaches its endgame, a group of bad boy bikers and mercenaries will stand and fight for humanity’s survival…

Tane Rahia is good at one thing—fighting. Before the alien invasion, he fought as a mercenary in the worst jungle hellholes. Now, he’s the leader of Squad Three—aka the berserkers—and he’s fighting to protect his brothers, his friends, and the last of humanity’s survivors. It doesn’t matter if he dies, he knows he belongs in the shadows, doing the dirty work and taking dangerous risks so others don’t have to. There is no warm woman, no love, and no redemption for him, and especially no small, sweet alien woman who he struggles to ignore. 

Abducted from her homeworld by the Gizzida, Selena endured captivity and torture. Then she found herself on a distant planet called Earth and rescued by tough, heroic humans. She’s recovered, made a new family for herself, and come into a power that she never knew she possessed. She’s determined to experience everything life on vibrant Earth has to offer and to protect her new home. And she discovers that one battle-hardened, intense man is the only one who ignites a passionate desire that leaves her breathless. 

The humans have fought hard, but now the Gizzida have created three deadly, humanity-ending bombs. Tane’s not happy that Selena’s help is vital in the fight against the aliens, and nor is he ready to face her stubborn confidence nor the white-hot desire flaring between them. But as they enter their final make or break fight, Tane and Selena know they need to fight as one. They may not survive the final battle, but they have to try: for their friends, for the planet, for humanity.  

Get your copy of Tane






Amazon US

Amazon Other

Amazon Paperback






Hell Squad Audiobooks

The audiobooks for both Survivors and Tane are going into audio production as we speak, so I hope to see them live toward the end of July. Stay tuned!

To listen to samples of the current Hell Squad audiobooks, then just visit my AUDIO page.

Anna Hackett · Marcus (Hell Squad Book 1) Preview



Hell Squad Extras



Berserkers

For bonus short stories and custom Hell Squad artwork, then visit my EXTRAS page. To purchase any Hell Squad swag (like mugs, shirts, magnets etc), then visit my ZAZZLE store.

Hell Squad Swag Pack Giveaway

To celebrate the release of Tane, the final story in this series so close to my heart, I have a Hell Squad swag pack to giveaway away to one lucky winner. The giveaway is open internationally! Just enter via the Rafflecopter below and do the options that you’d like.

Hell Squad Swag Pack



a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post OUT NOW – Hell Squad: Tane appeared first on Anna Hackett.

Cover Reveal – Hell Squad: Tane

The stunning, action-packed conclusion to the Hell Squad series is coming!

I am all kinds of emotional about the final story in this series that has been so special to me for so long. From the first time Marcus and Elle, battle-hardened former Marine and former socialite, exploded into my imagination, I had NO idea how much I would fall in love with all these tough, heroic characters fighting for survival in the middle of an alien invasion.

Post-apocalyptic romance can seem like an unlikely combination, but this series has so much love and hope in it, and I have loved writing every single story.

Now, it is time to bring you Tane Rahia’s story — the leader of the tattooed, badass berserkers. These are tough, rough men — former mercenaries, bikers and criminals — who will risk everything to save their planet. It is also the story of an alien woman, abducted from her planet and put though hell, who has found a new family here on Earth. She will fight for her new home, and for a love she never dreamed possible.

Our survivors have fought so hard, and it’s time for them to get the ending they deserve.

Here is the cover reveal for Hell Squad: Tane. I also have a BIG giveaway to celebrate Tane’s cover. Scroll down to enter.

Hell Squad: Tane
Hell Squad #20
Release Date: Tuesday June 2nd



Cover by Melody Simmons



Excerpt from Hell Squad: Survivors featuring Tane

Tane Rahia strode into the Enclave’s Command Center.

Several men stood at the front of the room. It was the middle of the night, so most of the comp stations were empty.

General Adam Holmes and Niko Ivanov, the Enclave’s civilian leader, were both looking up at the large screen on the wall. One side of the screen showed a middle-aged, African-American woman in black fatigues. Her face radiated intelligence and authority. He knew she was Major General Michaela Marshall, leader of Groom Lake Base. The other side of the screen was currently blank.

Beside Adam and Niko, Marcus Steele and Roth Masters stood off to the side. The two squad leaders spotted Tane and nodded. He lifted his chin. That’s when he saw Finn Erickson sprawled in a chair.

“Finn,” Tane said.

“Hey, Tane,” the Hawk pilot replied.

“Tane, good, you’re here.” Holmes nodded at a comms officer behind a comp. “We’re ready.”

The screen flashed and the face of another man appeared beside Michaela’s.

The man had to be related to Erickson.

“Alexander,” Finn said.

“Hi, brother.” The handsome man smiled. “How’s your redhead?”

“Spicy and sweet as always,” the Hawk pilot answered. “You need to find yourself a woman.”

Alexander’s smile was wide. He looked like a man who’d won a prize. “Actually, I have. Although she’s a blonde. Tough as steel, but sweet on the inside.”

“Really?” Finn grinned. “Happy for you. I look forward to meeting her.”

“Alexander,” Holmes said, with a quirk of his eyebrow toward Finn. “You have information on the third bomb?”

Alexander’s face turned serious. “We found it. We found the third bomb.”

Tane felt a leap of excitement in his gut. “Where?”

The man’s pale-blue eyes shifted to Tane. “My woman, Liv, was living not far from our base—”

“Alone?” Tane hated the idea of a woman out there alone, easy prey for the aliens.

“Mostly. She does have an enormous wolf as a pet.”

A wolf? Tane caught Marcus’ gaze and they both raised their brows.

“She saw increased alien activity not far from her home and alerted us,” Alexander said. “I went in myself to investigate.”

Images appeared on the screen.

“Fuckers,” Roth muttered.

“That’s it.” Holmes thumped a fist on the table. “We have the location of all three bombs.”

“Now what?” Michaela asked.

“We monitor and surveil,” Holmes said. “And during that time, we find a way to neutralize these bombs.”

“We wait too long, they’ll detonate them,” Marcus growled, in his gritty voice.

“From what we can tell, they’re still perfecting the genetic fluid.” Holmes clasped his hands behind his back. “And I’ll be frank, we don’t yet know how to defuse the bombs without setting them off.”

The men in the room all muttered.

“We will find a way,” Holmes continued, his tone like iron.

“Hell, yeah,” Marcus said.

Tane nodded. He wanted this done, the sooner the better. Enough people had died at the hands of the Gizzida, including his parents and extended family back in New Zealand.

Both of his brothers, who fought beside him every day, had recently fallen in love with good women. They deserved some fucking happiness.

Not that there would be happiness for Tane. His soul had been stained long before the aliens had come.

“Adam, I hope your resident alien allies are still helping?” Michaela asked.

Tane stiffened.

The general nodded. “Both Gaz’da and Selena are assisting our tech and medical teams.”

Gaz’da was a renegade raptor who had defected, and was helping the human survivors. Selena was also an alien, but of another species, abducted and tortured by the Gizzida.

She also held a damn lot of power in her tiny, slim body.

And was as beautiful as hell.

A muscle ticked in Tane’s jaw. He had no business thinking about Selena.

“Our teams are working around the clock,” Holmes said. “Everybody, stay alert and ready. As soon as we can, we will go in and destroy the bombs. And we will be one step closer to driving the Gizzida away for good.”

On the screen, Alexander and Michaela nodded.

Marcus turned. “Are you guys ready to go to hell?”

Roth nodded.

Tane had already been to hell and back. He’d do another trip. “Bring it. The Gizzida are going down.”

Tane Cover Reveal Giveaway

To celebrate the reveal of Tane’s cover, I have an awesome Berserkers Swag Pack to give away to ONE lucky winner. It has a signed paperback, custom Berserkers art print, Blue Mountain tea from my favorite tea shop, dino earrings, and magnets, stickers, and trading cards!

Use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Just select the options you’d like to use to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway




Hell Squad

In the aftermath of a deadly alien invasion, a band of survivors fights on…

Join Marcus Steele and the toughest commando team fighting for humanity’s survival—Hell Squad. Battle-hardened soldiers, men and women who never give up.

Heroes will rise…when they have someone to live for.

More Hell Squad



Hell Squad Audio

The post Cover Reveal – Hell Squad: Tane appeared first on Anna Hackett.

Team 52 Cover Reveal and Surprise New Release!

I have two exciting things to share today: a brand-new Team 52 cover AND a surprise House of Rone release. Surprise!!

I have been so motivated to write knowing that readers are stuck at home, stressed out, or busy working in essential services and might need an escape in their limited time off. After I sent Mission: Her Shield off to my editor, I worked a little extra last week to write a brand-new House of Rone novella.

So scroll down to see the new Team 52 cover for Mission: Her Shield (this is Axel and Nat’s story and OMG I love this cover) and to see all the information for Guard (House of Rone #5) which also has another rocking gladiator cover (this book contains two novellas and a bonus short story).

I am also celebrating the cover reveal with a giveaway of signed paperbacks!! Scroll right to the bottom to enter.

COVER REVEAL



Mission: Her Shield
Team 52 #7
Release date: 21st April 2020

Hero: former Army DELTA force soldier, Axel Diaz

Heroine: Team 52 archeologist, Dr. Natalie Blackwell

Cover artist: Melody Simmons

ADD Mission: Her Shield to your TBR on Goodreads:

Mission: Her Shield





Excerpt from Mission: Her Freedom (Team 52 #6) featuring Axel and Nat

The sounds of
gunfire exploded through the room, followed by the rolling clank of a tank.

“Oh, come on!” Blair
shouted. “I was in cover. You couldn’t have made that shot, Diaz.”

“I did. Your ass was
hanging out, Mason.”

They were all in front
of the big screen in the rec room. Axel had to admit, playing war games on a
screen was a hell of a lot nicer than being under fire in real life.

He’d unfortunately been
under fire in some hellholes in his lifetime.

His heart pounded
hard for a moment and his breathing quickened. He missed Delta sometimes. He’d
worked on the edge, defending his country, and he’d been fucking good at it. Someone
had to do the dirty work to keep their country safe.

But he’d done his
time, and besides, he was still defending his country by working with Team 52.

If he still had
nightmares, he figured that was normal.

If he was still
broken inside, he figured that was normal too. Some pieces never went back
together.

Axel knew that he’d
never inflict those nightmares on anyone else.

“Brooks, watch out!”
Callie yelled. “Sniper.”

Axel turned his head
and saw Callie leaning against Brooks. They were both grinning at each other. Axel
let out a big sigh. They may as well have had a neon sign over their heads, saying
“in love.”

Truthfully, he was
happy as hell for them. And the rest of his teammates who’d found someone worth
holding on to. Hell, Seth even had a baby on the way.

But it wasn’t for
him. His mama would be disappointed, but he was never dragging a woman
down in his muck. If he needed sex, thankfully Las Vegas was full of a variety
of women looking for a good, temporary time.

Then he thought of
big, up-tilted eyes so brown they looked black, and shiny, dark hair, and a face
so beautiful it made his gut cramp.

No. His hand
curled around his game controller.

She wasn’t for him.

But his mind ignored
him, thinking instead of Natalie’s gorgeous body that she showed off in her
tight skirts and fuck-me shoes.

He blew out a
breath. Nat ticked every fucking fantasy box he had.

But they worked
together, and he wasn’t shitting where he worked. He glanced at Brooks and
Callie again, then he rubbed the back of his neck.

He wasn’t going to hurt
a woman like that, especially a woman like Nat.

But fighting the
pull of her was getting damn fucking hard. Especially since he hadn’t hooked up
with anyone for…he calculated. Hell, a couple of months.

Get a grip, Diaz.

A chime sounded, and
he glanced over to see Brooks lean down and grab his tablet. Then, the man stiffened
like he’d been stung by something.

“Nat?” Brooks said to
the tablet with a frown.

Sounds came from the
tablet—screams, crashing.

Then Nat’s panicked
voice. “Brooks, I need help.”

Axel shot out of his
chair and raced over. He leaned over Brooks’ shoulder.

“Nat, what’s
happening?” he barked.

The image of her
flickered. “It… happen… attacking…”

The signal was
breaking up.

“Clear it up,” Axel
demanded.

“I can’t from here,”
Brooks said. “Computer room.”

Brooks moved
quickly, sprinting out of the rec room. Axel glanced at the others and then
followed. They all thundered down the corridor.

When they burst into
the computer room, Nat’s fear-lined face was up on all the screens.

“It’s attacking us.”
Her hair was tangled around her pale face. “We need help.”

Behind her, Axel saw
a large, modern conference room filled with chairs. Many were tipped over, and
he saw that half the roof had collapsed in.

“Nat, what’s
happening?” Axel yelled.

Her dark gaze locked
with his. “Axel.”

She was so afraid. His
heart thumped in his chest. “Mi cielo, I’m here. We’ll get you out.”

She bit her lip and
another crash echoed behind her. “Please—”

All the screens went
blank.

“Get her back!” Axel
yelled.

Brooks tapped
frantically on his keyboard. He cursed. “I can’t. She’s gone.”

No. Axel
swiveled and punched the wall.

“Brooks, get in touch
with the Greek authorities.” Lachlan’s tone was hard. “Find out what the hell
is going on.”

“We need to get to Greece,”
Axel said.

Lachlan stepped
forward. “Axel—”

“Now!”

Lachlan watched him
a beat, then nodded. “Everyone, gear up. Wheels up in forty minutes.”

“Twenty,” Axel
barked, ignoring the curious glances from his teammates.

He had to get to
Nat.

ADD Mission: Her Shield to your TBR on Goodreads:

Mission: Her Shield





NEW RELEASE




Guard
House of Rone #5
A Novella Duo



Out Now

Cover artist: Melody Simmons

From the dangerous desert sands to the deadly glitz of
the city, the lawless desert planet of Carthago is filled with lethal cyborg gladiators
risking it all for the women who capture their hearts. GUARD contains two
novellas and one short story all set in the Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone
series.

Dark Guard: lethal cyborg Zaden will do whatever it takes
to guard and protect beautiful, sweet Calla from mysterious
attackers.

NOTE: previously released as part of the 2019 Pets in
Space Anthology

Abducted from her homeworld, Calla Ryss has spent months in a cell,
surviving her captors—the metal-scavenging Edull. Deep in the deserts of the
lawless planet of Carthago, she knows that there is no chance of escape. The
only thing that gets her through is her friendship with a fellow abductee, a
woman stolen from Earth. But everything changes when they are rescued by the bone-chillingly
dangerous cyborgs of the House of Rone, and Calla finds herself staring into
eyes of metallic silver.

Zaden lives for the House of Rone. His cyborg enhancements help
him keep a ruthless hold on his emotions, and loyalty is the only thing he
allows himself to feel. And the rare spurt of annoyance at the cyborg hunting
cat that refuses to leave him alone. But when sweet, lovely Calla falls into
his arms, Zaden starts to experience emotions he’s never felt before…which is
dangerous for a cyborg whose enhancements are in place not to increase his
lethal abilities, but leash them.

When mysterious attackers attempt to snatch Calla, Zaden vows to
be her guard and keep her safe—with some unsolicited help from a certain cyborg
cat. But there is more at stake than just Calla’s safety, and as she and Zaden
are drawn into an intoxicating storm of emotion, they will risk their hearts,
their lives, and their freedom to rescue another innocent captive.

Cyborg Guard: on a dangerous mission into the desert,
female cyborg loner Seren must act as bodyguard for champion gladiator Xias—a man
who pushes every one of her buttons.

NOTE: this is a BRAND-NEW, never-before-published story

Seren dan Stal was once the pride of the Dan Nonian Warrior
Academy, but when her people were wiped out by a virulent virus, she is the lone
survivor. Now, her home is the desert world of Carthago, and she works hard to
honor her father and her planet by being the best cyborg fighter at the House of
Rone. She has no time for fun or frivolity, and that especially includes the
always-smiling showman gladiator Xias.

Xias grew up on the streets of Kor Magna and lost the most
important fight of all—protecting his sister. He vowed to become a champion for
her and to never lose again. He commands the sands of the desert arena, is loved
by the spectators, and would die for his imperator, Magnus Rone. But then he
finds himself becoming far too fascinated by a prickly, dangerous, and gorgeous
female cyborg.

In the desert city of Kaffit, Xias and Seren must work together
on a mission for Magnus. Xias pushes Seren to feel, and she inspires his need
to protect and pleasure. Together, they uncover a scorching-hot hunger that won’t
be denied. Now, they just need to survive long enough to see if that hunger can
grow into love.

Includes the short story – House of Rone: Beginnings

Soldier 47 is the most lethal cyborg in the Orionix Military
Program. But when a young cyborg, Jaxer, is slated for deactivation, Soldier 47–also
known as Magnus Rone–will risk everything he knows to save his friend.

Get your copy of Guard:





Amazon US





Amazon Other





Team 52 – House of Rone Blog Giveaway

To celebrate the Team 52 cover reveal and the release of Guard, I have a signed paperback from each of the series to give away to ONE lucky winner The giveaway is open internationally!

Just enter using the Rafflecopter below. Only do the options you prefer!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy weekend. Stay safe!

The post Team 52 Cover Reveal and Surprise New Release! appeared first on Anna Hackett.

Cover Reveal: Paladin

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

Join Imperator Magnus Rone and his lethal cyborg gladiators as they risk it all to rescue abductees from Earth.

Today I am SO excited to share the cover for the next House of Rone book, Paladin. This story belongs to Toren and Simone. Cyborg Toren was horribly injured by the alien Edull, leaving him deluged by unfamiliar and overwhelming emotions. But there is one calm in the storm, the newly rescued survivor from Earth, Simone (and her genius and a little wild daughter, Grace).

Take a look at the cover below and scroll down to enter my House of Rone blog giveaway to celebrate the cover reveal and win signed paperbacks.

Paladin
Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone #4
Release date: 24th March 2020

Huge shout out to cover designer Melody Simmons!

Excerpt from Centurion (House of Rone #3) featuring Toren and Simone

“I want you to fix me!”

Sage winced at Toren’s rage-filled
roar.

They were standing in the middle of
Medical, and she watched as the cyborg grabbed a stool, spun, and tossed it
against the wall.

It crashed down, hitting a cart of medical
equipment. Items spilled across the floor.

“Toren.” Avarn advanced, hands
outstretched, looking resigned.

Toren stood there, his chest
heaving, his muscles strained.

“There’s nothing wrong with you,
Toren,” Sage said. “Most people feel like you do.”

His hot gaze hit her almost like a
physical blow, and she fought the urge to step back.

“All I feel is rage, pain… It’s too
much.” He pressed his hands to his head.

“Give it some time,” she said
calmly. “It’ll settle down, and you’ll learn to deal with it.”

His head jerked up. “I can’t
function like this. I’m not allowed to work.”

Avarn stepped closer. “Once your
emotions are in control—”

“I don’t want to feel!” Toren’s
hands curled into fists. “I don’t want to be like this.”

“Toren.” Acton’s cool voice cut
through the tension.

Sage felt a flood of relief at the
sight of her man in the doorway.

“What do you want?” Toren snarled.

“I want you to calm down,” Acton
said.

“You still have dampeners,” Toren
bit out the words like an accusation.

“Which I don’t use now. If I can do
it, you can.”

Toren’s shoulders sagged. He looked
broken, beaten.

Then he dropped to his knees and let
out a roar of frustration. Sage moved straight to him, wrapping her arms around
him.

“You’re not alone,” she told him.
His body vibrated with emotion under her touch.

The doors opened behind Acton, and
Toren’s head snapped up.

Simone stepped inside.

The woman wore a fitted blue skirt
and patterned white shirt. Her glossy, black hair rested over one slim
shoulder.

She stared at him, and his face
twisted, different emotions crossing his features.

Simone walked over and Sage stepped
back, watching.

What was this? She knew that
Simone and Grace had been in to visit Toren a few times over the last few days
since their return from the desert.

“You’re strong, Toren,” Simone
said. “You’re not just your enhancements. Use that strength now.”

They stared at each other—Simone
standing, Toren on his knees. Toren made a sound—part pain, part rage—then lunged
at Simone.

Acton took a step forward, Sage
stiffened, and Avarn moved.

But Toren just wrapped his arms
around Simone’s waist and buried his face against her belly.

Simone stroked his blond hair. “It’s
going to be okay.”

The damaged cyborg held on like the
woman was a lifeline. Sage sensed the storm of emotion in the room ease a
little.

Acton took her hand and together,
they quietly left Medical.

“He’s hurting so badly,” she said.

“He needs time to heal and adjust.”

“Simone seems to be a calming
influence.”

He tugged on Sage’s hair. “I’m
beginning to think that you women from Earth are capable of anything. He’ll be
fine. We’ll make sure of it.”

That was the House of Rone. They
got on with it and did what needed to be done, no matter the obstacles in the
way. Just like the way they’d rescued, protected, and helped the Helios
survivors.

The House of Rone took care of
their own. They’d help Toren. And Sage suspected the cyborg would have a little
extra help from a new pair of residents as well.

House of Rone Blog Giveaway

To celebrate the Paladin cover reveal, I have THREE signed paperbacks from the original Galactic Gladiators series to give away to ONE lucky winner The giveaway is open internationally!

Just enter using the Rafflecopter below. Only do the options you prefer!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post Cover Reveal: Paladin appeared first on Anna Hackett.

Cover Reveal – Hell Squad: Survivors

In the aftermath of a deadly alien invasion, a band of survivors fights on…

We’ve watched Hell Squad, Squad Nine, and the berserkers fighting back against the aliens. Now, as the final endgame of the Gizzida rushes to its conclusion, we’re taking a look at some other survivors outside the Enclave and in different parts of the world.

Today, I have the cover of the next Hell Squad book, Survivors, to show you. I LOVED being back in the Hell Squad world and writing these stories. This book contains a collection of three action-packed novellas (and you’ll get some glimpses of characters you know and love).

I also have a super fun giveaway to celebrate (dino earrings!!) Scroll down to enter.

Hell Squad: Survivors

Hell Squad #19

Release Date: Tuesday February 11th

Cover art by Melody Simmons

Survivors contain three novellas:

Nate — starring off-grid, loner Marine, Nate Caldwell. He lives alone in a cabin in the Blue Mountains avoiding the aliens and any survivors…until a young woman on the run from the raptors explodes into his life.

Dak — starring Captain Dak Vaughn, the head of security for Groom Lake Base in North America. He only has room for his job — keeping all the survivors alive — and no room for the tough, attractive new recruit who gets under his skin.

Alexander — starring engineer turned base leader, Alexander Erickson, brother of Hawk pilot Finn. He leads a tiny base of survivors in the snowy climes of Norway and has to join forces with an independent, older woman whose attention he’s been trying to capture.

Excerpt from Hell Squad: Dom featuring Nate Caldwell

Nate Caldwell made his way silently through the trees, his axe resting on his shoulder. As he neared the clearing ahead, he heard a sound overhead and froze.

A quadcopter shot by, an alien ship following closely behind. Laser fire arrowed through the air, and then he lost sight of them.

Quietly, he stayed in the shadow of the trees, waiting to see if he could glimpse or hear anything else. He’d heard the commotion to the north earlier. The humans had fought another skirmish with the aliens.

He hoped the soldiers had given the scaly bastards hell.

He stared into the sky where he’d seen the aircraft. A part of him, the warrior, wanted to grab his weapons and join the fight.

Fight. Kill. Protect.

Gritting his teeth, Nate tamped the battle urge back down. Thinking of soldiers made him think of his old team. For a second, the Blue Mountains disappeared, and instead there was hot desert sun, the sound of laser fire, the shouts of his fellow Marines.

Then there was pain and the rich scent of blood.

His fingers dug into the handle of his axe. He dragged in a deep breath. Then another. And another.

For the next few minutes, Nate worked through his breathing routine until his pulse rate slowed.

The breathing techniques were the only thing he’d taken from the short time he’d spent with a therapist after he’d left the Coalition Marines. That had been long ago. After a different, long-gone war.

That battle was long gone, like his fellow Marines.

Nate let out a sharp whistle and his dog bounded out of the trees. The blue heeler was lean and fit. He rubbed the dog’s head. “Come on, Blue. No more fighting for us.”

After several deployments in the Middle East, Nate had come back from war to his family home in Colorado. He’d had trouble adjusting and settling back into regular life. PTSD, they’d told him. There had been medication, group therapy, prolonged exposure therapy.

He shifted the axe, and crouched down to pick up the pile of wood he’d chopped earlier. He tucked the wood under his arm.

Nothing had helped him back then. He’d had horrific nightmares, angry outbursts at his worried family, then he’d started drinking. After that, he’d started fighting.

He blew out a breath

Nate had been drowning, and when he’d broken a man’s jaw and another man’s arm in a bar fight, he knew he was spiraling down and nothing could stop it.

Then he’d learned that he’d inherited a cabin in the Australian Blue Mountains, from a great-aunt. Old aunt Janine had been a battle-axe. The few times he’d seen her as a kid, she’d scowled at him and told him not to bring his dirty shoes inside her house.

He had no idea why she’d left the cabin to him, but she’d saved his life.

Through the trees, his cabin came into view. It was small, made from wood, with a tiny deck at the back. It hadn’t changed much from when Janine had lived here. He’d repaired parts of it, including most of the roof. He enjoyed working with his hands.

Pausing, Nate breathed deep, pulling in the crisp mountain air.

He’d come here just a few months before the alien invasion and gone off-grid. He’d disappeared from the regular world, keeping in touch with his family via email. He’d left all the responsibility and expectations of life behind. The cabin had a generator, water from a stream, well-used garden beds. It was completely self-contained.

Then the aliens had come and destroyed the world.

After the invasion, he’d followed the news on the radio until the stations had gone silent.

He’d tried to contact his family, but there’d been nothing.

Shit. He blindly scanned the trees and hoped his parents and brother and sister had survived. He wished he’d talked to them more. Wished he hadn’t caused them so much worry and heartache.

Nate had seen plenty of the aliens in the mountains. Luckily, the bastards didn’t like the trees. He’d done recon, gathering intel on them, but steering clear of their big ugly, scaled asses.

He dumped the wood by his back door.

He also knew about Blue Mountain Base, and the survivors who’d gathered there. He’d watched them, too. Knew about the squads.

He’d seen them fighting back. He’d watched the Hawks in the sky, seen the armor-clad soldiers. A part of him had yearned to help.

With a huge swing, he thrust the axe into the wood pile. Then he reached up and yanked his damp T-shirt over his head. He rubbed his sweaty face with it.

Nate barely had any body fat. Living off the land and what he hunted, as well as being active every day, kept him in better shape than his Marine days.

Sometimes he missed a beer with friends. Conversation. Sometimes he missed women—their soft bodies, sweet smells, and sliding his hard cock into warmth instead of his callused hand.

Shaking his head, he stomped up the steps and into his cabin.

Blue Mountain Base had been destroyed by the aliens months ago. The survivors had left in a convoy, and he assumed they’d found another shelter. He still saw Hawks in the sky on occasion, so he knew they hadn’t died.

The battle-hardened Marine in him rose up again. You could be helping, using your skills to fight.

No. He stomped over to the old-fashioned kitchen, pulled out one of Aunt Janine’s heavy, etched glasses, and filled it with water. He drank it in two large gulps.

 He’d done all the fighting he could. He was thirty-seven years old and still had nightmares. Even if he’d wanted to, he couldn’t face fighting the aliens on top of that.

Wrenching open a cupboard, he grabbed Blue’s bowl. He had to feed his damn dog. The blue heeler was sitting beside him, waiting patiently. He watched Nate with soulful, gold eyes.

“Just you and me, Blue.”

Blue’s tail thumped the faded, lino floor.

With a grunt, Nate dumped some meat from a rabbit he’d caught that morning onto the bowl and set it on the floor. Blue dove in.

Being alone kept Nate sane. He straightened, looking out of the window at the trees beyond. And alone was how he was going to stay.

Hell Squad Giveaway

I have a fun Hell Squad Giveaway to celebrate the cover reveal for Hell Squad: Survivors. FOUR winners will each win a Hell Squad trading card (signed by me!) and a funky set of dino earrings (or are they Gizzida earrings?!)

Use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Just select the options you’d like to use to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Hell Squad books at all Retailers

The first TWELVE Hell Squad books are now available at all retailers. Hell Squad: Devlin is now available and Hell Squad: Theron is currently going love at Apple Books, Barnes and Noble, Kobo etc. NOTE: the Hell Squad books will slowly move out to other retailers about one per month.

More Hell Squad

Hell Squad Audiobooks

Don't miss out on Hell Squad narrated by Jeffrey Kafer and Samantha Cook!

Hell Squad Audio

Happy listening!

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Happy New Year and Hello to 2020

I’m still not sure where 2019 went, but I *love* the feeling of standing right at the beginning of a new year. All those bright, shiny possibilities.

A huge thank you to all my wonderful readers. As with any year, there are ups and downs, challenges and wins. In 2019, I was so grateful to my long-term readers who’ve been enjoying my action romance for the last few years, and my new readers who discovered my books in so many different ways.

Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow. – Melody Beattie

During 2019, I released 12 short novels and two novellas (one in my novella duo Hunter and one in the Pets in Space 4 anthology). These books were across five different series, and I launched a new spin-off series (Galactic Gladiators – House of Rone).

I also had 24 books come out as audiobooks this year (wow!!) That all adds up to over 540,000 words written and over 120 hours of audio

Cover Reveal: Mark of Eon and Anna’s BIG Christmas Giveaway

The fierce warriors of the Eon Empire want nothing to do with Earth…but when ravenous insectoid aliens threaten to invade, the humans of Earth need to get the Eon warriors’ attention.

It all started with one kickass woman abducting a powerful Eon war commander. Now, the Eon Empire and Earth have a tenuous and budding alliance, but when fierce Space Corps marine, Lieutenant Jamie Park, is stationed aboard the Eon warship, the Desteron, she finds herself butting heads with the ship’s arrogant, hard-headed medical commander Aydin Kann-Ath.

Watch the sparks fly!

I am thrilled to be showing you the cover for the next Eon Warriors book, Mark of Eon and to celebrate both Mark of Eon and the holiday season, I have my BIG Christmas Giveaway! So don’t miss out.

Mark of Eon

Eon Warriors #5

Release Date: Tuesday December 31st

Cover art by Melody Simmons

Excerpt from Kiss of Eon featuring Jamie and Aydin

“Stevens!” Jamie Park yelled into her comm. “Taro!”

“I see them, Lieutenant,” her space marine answered.

“As do I,” the warrior responded.

Terran and Eon soldiers shot forward, engaging the bugs.

Jamie swung her sword, slicing into one of the aliens. Damn, she loved a good fight. With controlled slashes, she sliced up the bug.

Another arrowed toward her and she raised her weapon. Using her suit’s propulsion system, she flew forward, skewering the Kantos alien.

When she wrenched her sword back, she saw that her team had fully engaged the enemy.

Sorry, bug brains, no snacks for you today. She swiveled and flew closer to the injured couple. She slid her sword back over her shoulder.

“Hey, Captain.”

Allie looked up. The woman looked like she’d had a rough day.

“Damn glad to see you, Jamie. Brack’s hurt.”

Jamie could see from the warrior’s sluggish movements that he wasn’t doing well. “We’ll get you both back to the Desteron, and you can get poked, prodded, and healed.”

Taking a second, Jamie studied Allie—who was wearing Eon black-scale armor just like the second commander. Interesting.

Under their helmets, the pair looked like they’d been through hell.

Then Allie jerked. “Jamie, look out!”

Spinning, Jamie moved fluidly into a combat stance. She and her marines practiced space combat daily.

One of the bugs was coming straight at them. This one was bigger than the others, moving more aggressively. The alpha bug. Throwing her arms out, she let her combat knives slide down her forearms and into her hands.

Then she attacked.

Jamie used the propulsion from her suit to spin around the bug. It tried to match her movements, but her knives were already flashing. She sliced one of the bug’s legs off with two well-aimed slashes.

Oh, yeah. Jamie spent hours honing the edges on her blades.

Injured, the alien drew back, remaining legs flailing. She spotted another bug coming up from the side to attack Allie and Brack.

Fuck. Jamie shot forward. “Allie, move!”

The captain jerked, trying to spin the second commander around. But they were too slow.

And Jamie wasn’t going to be quick enough.

She threw one knife, but it missed by an inch, sailing past the bug’s head.

The bug’s focus was on Allie.

Jamie hit the control for max propulsion, pressing her arms to her sides. She exploded forward, ramming a shoulder into Allie to knock her out of the way.

The bug’s sharp pincers rammed into Jamie’s gut.

Oh, damn. That hurt like a motherfucker.

“Jamie!” Allie’s cry.

Jamie swung her knife around, cutting into the bug’s head. Its pincers were moving, tearing up her belly. She yanked her knife back, and then stabbed the alien in the eye. She twisted the blade.

The bug released her, floating away. Its ugly mouth opened, and there was no sound, but she could easily imagine the screech it would have made.

But then her knife slipped from nerveless fingers.

She felt blood oozing out of her. As her body floated backward in space, she saw the Desteron and the Divergent in the distance, flying close, working together.

She drifted, her mind floating. There was no pain now.

Alone. She’d been alone most of her life. Even when she’d lived with the assholes who’d contributed to her DNA, she’d been alone. Then through all the foster homes.

She’d made a family for herself at Space Corps. Her squad of marines both loved and cursed her, which she took as a sign that she was doing a decent job as their leader.

But Jamie wondered if any of them would mourn her death for long. She’d be replaced, their work would go on, and she’d fade from their memories.

She felt wetness on her cheek and realized that it was a tear.

She hadn’t cried since she was a terrified child, hiding from her drunken, abusive parents.

“Jamie!”

Sound crashed back in on her…and so did the pain. She groaned.

Hands gripped her arms. Then Allie’s helmeted face was in front of her.

“Stay with me, Lieutenant.”

Her captain, her friend. Jamie tried to nod, but her muscles wouldn’t respond.

“A shuttle is on the way to pick us up,” Allie said.

Jamie turned her head, blinking. The bright-blue lights of the Eon shuttle were blinding. It zoomed toward them.

She drifted off again, her thoughts scattering. Suddenly, hands were on her, and then she was being lifted.

More lights. Pain. Fuck, the pain was frigging horrible.

Then blackness. The next thing she knew, she was lying on a firm bed. Then there was a deep, male voice.

“Let’s see those eyes open, marine.”

Jamie blinked. The face of a handsome Eon warrior came into view. His brow was creased in concentration, his neat brown hair fell over his forehead, calling attention to his rugged face.

“I’m alive?” Her voice was barely more than a croak.

“Yes.” He arched a brow. “And I’m planning to keep it that way. I had to use our healing havv to patch you up.”

She knew the Eon havv was similar to the helian. A red fluid of bio-organisms that could heal up wounds spectacularly.

Her gaze snagged on his hands. He had big ones, with long, well-shaped fingers. They had a few nicks and scars. Not a man who sat at a desk all day.

“You’re in Medical,” the warrior said. “Aboard the Desteron. I’m Medical Commander Aydin Kann-Ath.”

“Allie? Brack?”

“Alive, thanks to you. Captain Borden is all healed up, and hovering over the ever-stubborn, but healing, Second Commander.”

“I heard that,” came the rumble of Brack’s voice from nearby.

Jamie didn’t have the energy to turn her head and look. Damn, she hurt so much. She was damn glad Allie and her warrior were alive.

“You’re in pain.” The medical commander shifted, and she saw him lift a pressure injector.

Jamie stiffened. “No drugs.”

He frowned at her. “It’s a painkiller—”

“I don’t like them.” She tried to grab his arm and missed by a mile. Her parents used to dope her up when she was a kid.

“I’m not allowing you to be in agony,” he said firmly.

“Do it and I’ll break your kneecaps.”

He made a scoffing sound. “I might be a doctor, but I’m also a fully-trained Eon warrior.”

She glared at him. “I could take you.”

Then he smiled. God, it was a damn nice one.

“I look forward to you trying, when you can actually stand.” Before she could stop him, he touched the pressure injector to her neck.

She growled, but the pain instantly started to dull. “Bastard.”

His lips quirked. “I think you’re feeling better already.”

Then he leaned closer, and she felt him touching her neck. He smelled good. Really, really good. She stiffened. The drugs must be affecting her brain.

“I like your face,” she murmured.

He stilled, surprise a quick ripple on his features. “I like yours too.”

“And you smell nice.”

His lips quirked. “You suffer adverse effects from the drugs.”

“Told you I didn’t want them.” She felt the unfamiliar urge to pout.

“I thought you space marines were tough?”

The medical commander shifted, turning to move away, and her belly clenched. Jamie’s hand shot out, and this time, she managed to grab his wrist.

Her fingers brushed over the thick band that she knew housed his helian symbiont. She felt warmth pulse up her arm.

He turned back to her, frowning.

“Don’t…” Jamie swallowed, could barely force the words out. “Don’t leave me alone.”

Something moved across his handsome face. Then his warm fingers closed over hers.

“I’m not going anywhere, Jamie. I’m right here.”

God, it was so weak to need someone else. “Don’t tell anyone.” Her words were a whisper.

He seemed to understand her. “Your warrior reputation is safe with me.”

And that was all she needed.

With his warm presence beside her, she closed her eyes and let sleep take her.

Anna’s Big Christmas Giveaway

To celebrate the cover reveal for Mark of Eon and the holiday season, I have a BIG Christmas Giveaway!! For each of the 12 days of Christmas, I have 12 prizes (consisting of an Aussie calendar and a signed paperback) to giveaway to 12 winners. Most of the calendars are Aussie Firefighter Calendars!

Just enter using the Rafflecopter below (just select the options you’d like to do). The giveaway is open internationally and will be open until the day after Christmas Day!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Wishing you and yours love, light and lots of merriness this Christmas

Eon Warriors Audiobooks

The Eon Warriors books are all available in audiobook! The amazing Vivienne Leheny is the narrator and she is absolutely brilliant at infusing emotion, humor, and character into the audio versions of these stories.

Eon Warriors Audio

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New Release – Mission: Her Freedom and Artwork

They are a covert, black ops team known only as Team 52. Their mission: to secure and safeguard artifacts deemed highly dangerous and classified…and protect the women who capture their hearts.

Join Lachlan Hunter and his military team for their high-octane missions.

Hooray! It is release day for the latest Team 52 book, Mission: Her Freedom. I also have some fun, amazing artwork done by my author buddy, Lana Pecherczyk.

A badass combat medic will do anything to save her friend and teammate, but on the run from some very bad guys, she starts to look at her tattooed tech geek friend in a very different way…

Former Naval Intelligence officer Brooks Jameson might have lots of muscles and ink, but he’s a proud geek. He loves computers and his job—taking care of all things tech for his covert, black ops team of badasses—Team 52. But when he finds himself snatched off a Las Vegas street and in the hands of some very bad people who are after a powerful, dangerous artifact, he knows he’s in a fight for survival. Then his teammate Callie Kimura—gorgeous and way-out-of-his-league—strides through the door to rescue him…

Callie’s childhood and career in the Air Force taught her to never risk loving anyone, because losing them leaves you bleeding. She has everything she needs as the medic for Team 52, and when Brooks gets abducted, she’ll do anything to get her friend back. But when they end up on the run together, Callie starts to see the hunky geek in a very different light.

As Callie and Brooks battle to stop a deadly artifact being used in an evil plan, they ignite a scorching desire that shocks them both. But some scars—and the demons that made them—run deep, and Brooks knows he’ll need all his intelligence, patience, and love to convince the beautiful combat medic to let her heart be free.

Amazon US  Amazon Other  Sample

Here is the custom artwork of Callie and Brooks. Squee!

Art by Lana Pecherczyk

But wait, there’s more. I also have some custom artwork of grumpy scientist Ty and his heroine, River:

Art by Lana Pecherczyk

And in case you’ve forgotten the previous artwork for Team 52!

More Team 52 Info

 

The post New Release – Mission: Her Freedom and Artwork appeared first on Anna Hackett.

Team 52 Cover Reveal – Mission: Her Freedom

They are a covert, black ops team known only as Team 52. Their mission: to secure and safeguard artifacts deemed highly dangerous and classified…and protect the women who capture their hearts.

Join Lachlan Hunter and his military team for their high-octane missions.

Today I’m showing off the awesome cover for Mission: Her Freedom! This story stars Team 52’s tattooed, hunky tech geek, Brooks Jameson. He’s been taken captive by some very bad people and knows he needs to do everything he can to survive.

For Team 52 fans, the cover is going to give away Brooks’ tough, badass heroine: combat medic Callie Kimura. As these two friends and team mates fight for their freedom, they start to look at each other in a very different way…

Mission: Her Freedom

Team 52 #6

Release Date: Tuesday November 26th

Mission: Classified

Hero: Tech geek Brooks Jameson

Heroine: Former Air Force pararescueman Callie Kimura

Artifact: Classified

Cover artist: Melody Simmons

Photographer: Wander Aguiar

Excerpt from Mission: Her Safety (Team 52 #5) featuring Brooks

Brooks stepped into his favorite Las Vegas computer store. It was packed with parts and equipment. He always loved coming in here.

“Eamon, my man,” Brooks called out.

“Brooks.” The store owner, the same age as Brooks, stepped out from behind the counter. He wore a pair of coke-bottle glasses and a wide smile.

While Brooks had never been the stereotypical geek—he’d loved sports and people too much—Eamon looked every part the cliché nerd. He wore a sweater-vest over his shirt, was round at the waist, and already had a bald spot. But the man had made a killing from his chain of computer stores, so he no longer lived at home with his parents. Last Brooks had heard, he now lived with a tall, well-endowed former showgirl who was head over heels for him.

Eamon’s eyes lit up. “I got it.”

Excited, Brooks watched his friend set a box down on the counter. Brooks flipped it open and saw the part he’d been waiting for. Rare and expensive as hell, it was just what he wanted.

“It took a lot to find it,” Eamon said.

“Great work, buddy.”

“What are you planning to do with it?”

Brooks winked. “Top-secret.”

“Well, enjoy.”

“I’ll transfer payment today.” Brooks picked up the box.

“I know you’re good for it. Tell me how it works out.”

Brooks exited the store. He was late to meet the team at Griffin’s. Everyone wanted to celebrate a job well done and officially welcome River to the team.

Hell, Ty—of all people—had fallen in love. Brooks shook his head. The love bug was definitely going around.

Setting off down the sidewalk, Brooks shifted his shoulders. He wanted to meet someone too. In fact, he wanted the whole package when it came to a woman—sexy, smart, caring. He sighed. Unfortunately, he always seemed to attract the wrong types. It didn’t help that he worked with some of the best women out there—smart, brave, gorgeous.

And way out of his league.

He saw two big guys approaching ahead on the sidewalk and moved to the side to let them pass. He was contemplating how much money he’d lose to Blair at the pool table, when the back of his neck prickled.

The two burly, neckless guys were watching him.

The muscles along Brooks’ shoulders tensed.

Something made him glance back over his shoulder. Two more men were moving in behind him.

Fuck.

He quickly darted left, crossing the street.

The four men broke into a jog, coming after him.

Brooks hustled and launched into a sprint. He’d barely reached the other curb when gunfire broke out behind him.

Shit. He hit the ground, the box with his new part crushed beneath him. He leaped up and ran, dodging between two parked cars.

He kept running, and heard footsteps coming in fast behind him. Ahead, he spotted a small park, just starting to turn green again after the winter. He swiveled, running into it. As he pounded down the path, he dodged some teenagers on skateboards. He reached into his pocket, found his electronic fob, and pressed down on the alert button.

Circling some trees, he leaped over a park bench, and came back out on another street. If he could just get to where he’d parked his truck, he’d be home free.

A heavy force slammed into his legs, tackling him from behind. His box flew out of his hand.

Hitting the ground with a grunt, Brooks rolled, already pulling his fist back. He landed a hard punch to his attacker’s face.

“Fuck!” the man exploded.

Brooks didn’t spend all of his time in his computer room. He worked out daily, and trained with Team 52. He wasn’t afraid of a fight.

He slammed the guy in the head again, kicking his legs. Another punch, and the guy’s eyes rolled back in his head.

Yeah, he’d been expecting a tech geek.

Brooks shoved the guy off him, and leaped to his feet.

Two more men rushed at him. As one swung out an arm, Brooks landed a hard front kick into the man’s gut. He flew backward.

You picked the wrong guy to tangle with, assholes. As the second man moved, Brooks launched into a roundhouse kick. The guy fell like he’d hit a wall.

Another guy stepped back, looking wary.

Suddenly, something pinched Brooks’ chest. An electric shock ran over him, and his teeth clashed together. The pain was agonizing. Fuck.

He looked down to see the prongs of a Taser attached to the front of his shirt.

Fuck. Fuck.

Then his legs gave out and he dropped to the concrete, his body twitching.

Darkness swallowed him whole.

Team 52 Geek Giveaway

I have a FUN giveaway to celebrate Brooks’ and Callie’s cover! I’m giving away some cool “Geek is the new sexy” mugs in honor of our techie geek hero and a signed Team 52 paperback. I have FOUR of these sets to give away.

Just use the Rafflecopter below to enter, just select the options you’d prefer to do, and if you see any errors, click the link to go directly to the giveaway. Open internationally for the next week! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Team 52 Audiobooks

The amazing Stella Bloom is the narrator for the Team 52 series and she’s done a brilliant job bringing the team and their adventures to life.



Audio

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A Great Cause: Why I Write for Pets in Space® 4 By S.E. Smith

A huge, big welcome to fellow Pets in Space sci-fi romance author, S.E. Smith! Her story in the anthology is called MADAS’ FALLING STAR (part of her Lords of Kassis Series) and stars a warrior, a warrior princess, and a super cute pet called L’eon.

—

This is my fourth year of writing a story for Pets in Space® and I couldn’t be prouder to be a part of something that has taken on a life of its own and a project that gives back so much to our community. What do I mean? Well, Pets in Space® 4 is one of those very unique opportunities that you get in life to pay it forward.

When I was in 8th grade I remember our teacher having us write an essay about what we wanted to do when we were older. I had my life mapped out — I wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps. I was going to graduate, go to college, spend a couple of years after I graduated traveling, then join the Air Force. My teacher was impressed with my plans. LOL. Well, I didn’t necessarily follow them all the way. I had a few detours and never joined the Air Force (I was an officer in the Civil Air Patrol which I was proud of) but… I did marry an Air Force veteran. Many of my family members all belonged to the military in one form or another over the years, serving with pride. When Pauline and Veronica first approached me and asked if I would be interested in participating in an anthology that benefited Hero-Dogs.org, I researched them and knew this was one way I could help support not only veterans, but first responders as well.

Life is about giving. In a world that sometimes feels like we have forgotten, it only takes one act of kindness to help us remember that what we give is the legacy that we leave behind. I am proud of the amazing authors who have participated in this charity. To date, we’ve been able to donate almost $8000 while giving readers hours of enjoyment. Join me in paying it forward by supporting Hero-Dogs.org and the outstanding authors in this years Pets in Space® 4!

PS: The Pets in Space® 4 Anthology will only be available for a limited time! Don’t miss out on this amazing collection of stories before it disappears! More info here: https://petsinspaceantho.com

S.E. Smith is an internationally acclaimed, New York Times and USA TODAY Bestselling author of science fiction, romance, fantasy, paranormal, and contemporary works for adults, young adults, and children. She enjoys writing a wide variety of genres that pull her readers into worlds that take them away.

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