The Dark Side Trilogy Series by Ashe Barker

Book One in the The Dark Side series.Who knows where pain ends and pleasure begins? The chance of a new life out in the wilds of the Yorkshire moors sounds too good to be true to shy musician Eva Byrne. Stifled and smothered within the cocoon of her brilliant academic career, Eva yearns for something different. Something real and exciting. Something she can feel. Excitement. Passion. Pleasure... moreBook One in the The Dark Side series.Who knows where pain ends and pleasure begins? The chance of a new life out in the wilds of the Yorkshire moors sounds too good to be true to shy musician Eva Byrne. Stifled and smothered within the cocoon of her brilliant academic career, Eva yearns for something different. Something real and exciting. Something she can feel. Excitement. Passion. Pleasure. She finds that sexy, enigmatic Nathan Darke can provide all these and more when she moves into his home as violin tutor to his young daughter. But Eva’s sensual encounters with her demanding, domineering new employer quickly evoke her deepest fears, as he introduces her to the trauma of submission and marks her with his particularly dark brand of love. But will Eva’s natural curiosity and thirst for new experiences be enough to withstand the sting of Nathan Darke’s exquisite touch? Will simple surrender be enough as he challenges her every inhibition, taking her on an erotic journey of self-discovery and liberation? Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of dominance and submission, including sex toys, pain play, anal play, nipple clamps, erotic waxing, paddling, restraints and caning. It also involves one scene where miscommunication leads to unintentional loss of consciousness. The book is best read in sequence as part of a serial story, and ends on a cliffhanger that some readers might find upsetting. less

This is a new experience for Nathan Darke, and he doesn’t like it. Not one little bit. Ever since the shy, enigmatic little violin tutor turned up in his home to give private lessons to his daughter, all he can think of is the private performance he’d like to treat her to himself. Eva fascinates and irritates him in equal measure. He’s determined to have her surrender. And he’s not prepared to wait any longer... moreThis is a new experience for Nathan Darke, and he doesn’t like it. Not one little bit. Ever since the shy, enigmatic little violin tutor turned up in his home to give private lessons to his daughter, all he can think of is the private performance he’d like to treat her to himself. Eva fascinates and irritates him in equal measure. He’s determined to have her surrender. And he’s not prepared to wait any longer. He’s in a constant state of arousal whenever she’s near, and Nathan is not accustomed to being told no by a woman. This has to be resolved. Soon. He wants her on her back, tied to his bed, naked. All that and more. But first, he needs to find a way to get past Eva’s timid reserve, convince her that she could submit to him—and love it. Eva should be easy prey for experienced, dominant Nathan Darke. He can easily intimidate her, command her. But he needs to coax her round to his way of thinking, convince her that she truly wants to explore romance on the dark side. This promises to require all his powers of seduction, usually so effortless. Will Eva be able to resist, or will she succumb to the dark art of persuasion? Reader Advisory: This short story is a scene from Darkening retold in Nathan’s perspective. You can read more about Nathan and Eva in The Dark Side series. less

Book Two in the The Dark Side series. Can she outrun the secrets of her past, or is surrender her only choice? Eva Byrne’s first encounter with the darker side of Nathan Darke’s sensuality ends in disaster. Frightened, hurt, betrayed, she struggles to regather her shattered confidence—in him, and in herself. Desperate to continue her journey of exploration and self-discovery, Eva has to convince a sceptical Nathan that she’s worth the trouble. And that she can learn to submit to him... moreBook Two in the The Dark Side series. Can she outrun the secrets of her past, or is surrender her only choice? Eva Byrne’s first encounter with the darker side of Nathan Darke’s sensuality ends in disaster. Frightened, hurt, betrayed, she struggles to regather her shattered confidence—in him, and in herself. Desperate to continue her journey of exploration and self-discovery, Eva has to convince a sceptical Nathan that she’s worth the trouble. And that she can learn to submit to him. When she is forced to reveal elements of her past she has preferred to keep hidden, both her brilliance and her vulnerability are laid bare. Will Nathan accept Eva as she is, and help her to become the woman she longs to be, or will she face yet another rejection? Terrified and intrigued in equal measure, Nathan has no idea how to deal with the exquisitely enigmatic Eva Byrne. Should he cut his losses and run, or allow their relationship to continue, and watch as Eva’s delicate beauty unfurls in his hands? Fascinated and ensnared by Nathan, Eva longs to taste what he offers and her erotic journey continues. But how much will she have to surrender to him in order to liberate her own desires? Reader Advisory: This book contains scenes of dominance and submission, including sex toys, pain play, anal play, nipple clamps, erotic waxing, restraints and caning. It is best read in sequence as part of a series. less

When his past destroys Eva's trust in her Master, can he win her back? As their turbulent, complex relationship deepens, Nathan Darke is increasingly aware that Eva Byrne has become much more to him than his submissive. She's in his home, in his family. And in his heart. Eva hasn't found it easy to trust, to believe in herself and in a relationship that can last. But happiness, once so elusive, is within her grasp. Nathan is her Master, her lover and her soulmate... moreWhen his past destroys Eva's trust in her Master, can he win her back? As their turbulent, complex relationship deepens, Nathan Darke is increasingly aware that Eva Byrne has become much more to him than his submissive. She's in his home, in his family. And in his heart. Eva hasn't found it easy to trust, to believe in herself and in a relationship that can last. But happiness, once so elusive, is within her grasp. Nathan is her Master, her lover and her soulmate. However, no sooner do they manage to find a fragile balance between them-a way of entwining both their worlds-and start to build a future, than their past comes crashing back to destroy their emerging love. Jealousy and hate brutally shatter Eva's and Nathan's delicate trust in each other, and their life together crumbles. Can they overcome the crushing pain of betrayal and deceit to regain some sort of future together, or are some wounds just too deep to heal? Are some risks too great? Some rewards just not enough? less