House of Rone Cover Reveal: Defender

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.

I have another action-packed Carthago adventure coming! Are you ready for a big, gruff cyborg? Mace has been fighting his entire life…but the rough, gruff cyborg might be just what human survivor Jayna needs.

I also have a giveaway of signed Galactic Gladiators paperbacks to celebrate the cover reveal *and* a fun audiobook giveaway as well! Scroll down to enter.

Defender
Galactic Gladiators: House of Rone #2
Release date: 20th August 2019

Cover by Melody Simmons
Photo by Paul Henry Serres

Excerpt from Sentinel (House of Rone #1) featuring Mace and Jayna

His boots thumped on the stone as he walked down the corridor. He was ready for a shot of home-brewed liquor and some sleep.

As he passed a closed door, he heard a thump and a muffled noise. He stiffened. He knew exactly whose room it was.

Mace charged through the door.

An object whizzed at his head and he caught the vase before it smacked into his face.

A pair of startled brown eyes looked back at him.

“You have good aim,” he told Jayna.

Her eyes were wide and panicked. She made a sound like a frightened animal, and he wasn’t even sure she saw him.

She stumbled backward, crouching low. He knew that even though she was free, in her head, she was still stuck in the hellhole the Edull had trapped her in.

“Jayna.” His voice was deep and firm. Mace couldn’t sound soft and reassuring if he tried.

Her breathing was too fast. He’d seen so many beaten, terrified people stuck in the fight rings when he’d been forced to fight. He watched the blows beat them down until they’d crumpled.

But Jayna hadn’t crumpled.

“You’re safe, remember?” he said.

She shook her head, her matted hair flying around her face.

“You’re hyperventilating.” Mace had no idea why this small woman got to him so much. “Slow your breathing. You don’t want to let the Edull win, do you?”

She snarled and glared at him.

Mace shrugged. “I’m not going to coddle you. I’ll say their name. I’ll remind you that you drakking survived.”

Her glare deepened. Good. He liked seeing her spirit. They thought they’d broken her, but they hadn’t. And besides, her breathing had slowed.

“The Edull can’t get you here. I won’t allow it.”

She rose and took tentative steps toward him. Then she raised a hand, her fingers brushing the bare skin of his chest.

A flash of heat washed over him and Mace frowned. What the drak? He didn’t like being touched. As a kid in the gangs, people either wanted to beat you or touch you in no way an adult should touch a kid.

But as Jayna closed the distance between them and pressed her face against him, he realized her touch didn’t bother him like it should. He noted that the top of her head didn’t even reach his shoulder.

He lifted a hand and pressed a palm to the back of her head. Despite the tangles and knots, her hair was silky. Her warm breath puffed on his skin.

The unfamiliar urge to pull her closer and wrap his arms around her hit him. Scowling at the wall, he stopped himself.

Mace knew himself well. He was rough and hard, with no soft edges. He’d been raised with fists, kicks, and punches. Fighting was all he knew.

No, that wasn’t quite right. In the last few years, he’d learned loyalty. To Magnus, who’d saved him, to his fellow cyborgs, to the House of Rone.

Caring for others was a weakness. He’d seen so many innocent fighters die in the organized fights the gangs had forced him into. He’d watched men try to protect their women, women try to protect their children. They’d all died, their weaknesses exploited.

It paid not to get too close to anyone. They always died or betrayed you.

“Get some sleep now,” he told Jayna.

Pretty eyes peered at him through tangled hair. Despite her traumatized appearance, her gaze was steady. Like she could see all his dark secrets.

Mace stepped back, then he swiveled and stomped out of her room.

He didn’t want anyone in his head or under his skin. Jayna was House of Rone now, so he’d protect her and make her feel safe, but that was it.

Drak. He really needed a double shot of liquor.

Galactic Gladiators Paperback Giveaway

To celebrate the latest House of Rone cover, I have signed Galactic Gladiators paperbacks up for grabs. I have SIX paperbacks to give away to SIX lucky winners. The giveaway is open internationally!

Just enter using the Rafflecopter below (if the widget doesn’t work, just click the link). Only do the options you prefer!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bonus Audio Giveaway

But wait, there’s more! I have a super fun audiobook giveaway.

I’m giving away 3 audiobook downloads each of Anna Lowe’s REBEL DRAGON, Ellis Leigh’s SAVAGE SURRENDER, and my audiobook EDGE OF EON. So THREE lucky winners will each win a set of the three action-packed audiobooks.

New to audio? This is the perfect way to give it a try! You can listen to audiobooks while you drive, cook, or while taking a walk. Each of these audiobooks are Whispersynched, which means you can switch between listening and reading without losing your place. Please note: the download codes are only valid for the US (sorry, that’s all they’ve given us)!

To enter:

To enter the audio giveaway, just leave a comment on this blog post and tell me you’d like to win the audiobooks! The giveaway is open until Tues 13th of August. Winners will be selected randomly and announced after the giveaway closes.

99 thoughts on “House of Rone Cover Reveal: Defender”

  1. I would love to win these Audiobooks! The brightest and most exciting part of my day is when I can pick up one of your books and just immerse myself in one of your worlds. What did the commercial say “Take me away Calgon”. Well Take me away Anna!!

    1. I’d love to win the audiobooks!!

      You are one of my favorite authors!!

      Every time a conversation comes up about books, your name is the first out of my mouth!

      I love love love your galactic gladiators series.

  2. Always love your covers.
    And especially the snippets in the books for the next one. They’re perfectly selected to keep one excited and wishing for the next book.

  3. You are the romance writer I always come back to! Gimme action, compelling story, strong characters AND a sexy arse please!
    Just read the excerpt for book one and I need to have it!
    Thanks for your amazing creativity!

  4. Amazing cover! Your covers are always the very best! I can’t wait for Mace and Jayna’s story! I hope you have a very happy birthday!

  5. Awesome cover!!!!! Again!!!
    I’m really looking forward to Mace and Jayna’s story. The snippets of Jayna we were introduced to were very compelling, and as I said in another post, new – in that we’ve not truly seen someone like Jayna on Carthago yet. All our characters from Earth went through horrific experiences and were badass strong, yada yada, but Jayna is someone who was beyond horrifically abused, broken and put in situations where one would have to retreat so far that one is a hair’s breadth away from madness just to survive. I’m so excited to see how you, oh Word Master, Anna, write Jayna’s story back from that place of darkness and madness, and how Mace finds that redemptive light with her. So jazzed!!!!

  6. Oh wow! Every time I think that this book couldn’t be better than the last you prove me wrong! I can’t wait for mace and jaynas stories!

  7. My favorite series is the Galactic Gladiators and Eon Warriors but the series that began it all for me was the Hell Squad series. I’ve read almost every book in all three. Hope you never run out of stories to tell.

  8. Carrie McConnell

    Yay ? another House of Rone! I’m always ready for an Anna Hackett book to arrive. I’m really happy that you found a way to continue the Gladiator series without compromising the stories. It doesn’t make you ask why the author didn’t just end the whole story and move on. It makes true sense that they didn’t just take people only from the station.

  9. I am super excited for the house of Roan! I love cyborgs, however I’m going to be honest an say Edge of Eon series has my heart right now. No matter which one you read, Anna is an incredible writer!

  10. I love the cover but must admit that I love the snippets more because this book looks like the kind that wrings you out and I love it when you write books like that, well I like all your books but there are some that grab you and this looks like one of those, can’t wait for the book!!!

  11. I would love to win these Audiobooks!! I love all your books and I read the other authors as well! These are perfect for my collection. Thanks Anna! Happy writing!

  12. I have all your books on my iPad. I have never ‘done’ an audiobook before though. Keep them coming Anna, your stories are my highlight xxx

  13. Rebecca Oxborrow

    I have all your books on my iPad. I have never ‘done’ an audiobook before though. Keep them coming Anna, your stories are my highlight xxx

  14. Thank you for the chance at an Audible win! I’m on my 3rd audio book (newbie) and it makes the commute home much more bearable. Currently listening to Undiscovered. 🙂 Absolutely adore your mind, Anna!

  15. I love the new cover for GG: Defender. I also love you House of EON series. I would like to win one of the audio books you are giving away, too. Keep on writing your stories for the rest of us to devour!

  16. I would love to win the audios but if I did, I’d have to gift Edge to someone else since I already have it.

  17. Would love the audio books! I’ve just recently started listening to them and I love that I can “work” while I enjoy a book. Finally managed to be able to immerse myself in books almost all day.

  18. MACE- OMG I LOVE THE DEFENDER COVER!!!!

    I want to win a paperback AND audiobooks! I already own yours (Edge of Eon), which is awesome, by the way! I’m a huge reader and over the summer I’ve read the Hell Squad and Galactic Gladiators (no joke- every last one of them!) twice, as well as the Edge of Eon series and Sentinel, the first Treasure Hunter Society and Team 52 books. I’m partial to aliens, so I’m SUPER excited about the House of Rone series!!!

  19. I’d love to win these audiobooks, my daughter and I will be traveling to Georgia from Nashville Tennessee, it’s a 12 hour ride one way so we like to get audiobooks to listen to to make the ride go quicker! While I have read your books I’d like to introduce my daughter to your books!
    Thank you for all the great books you write!

  20. I would love to own the audiobooks. Your series is attention-grabbing. I am sure your audiobook would be wonderful. As yet, i am still trying to get them to our library chain.
    I would enjoy reading authors you recommend.
    Good luck with the Ruby Award.

  21. I love listening to stories while I’m doing stuff. I love to read but listening to stories gives me more freedom to move around. I also love the fact that you’re an Aussie. All the places you talk about in your Hell Squad books I can relate to because I’ve been there! It brings a form of realism to your stories. Looking forward to the next 500 books!

  22. WOW – enticing cover and tease – Love it. I so would love to win one of your paperbacks. I always look forward to reading your books – I enjoy your characters – and I am elated that you started a new gladiator series. Can’t wait to read Defender – I have never been disappointed in any of your stories. All the best.

  23. I am so excited for House of Rone and I would love to win the audiobooks! I’ve never tried them so it’s the perfect opportunity! Thanks Anna!

  24. I love this series! I was going to comment my favorite book, but I just can’t decide!! Looking forward to Mace & Jayna’s story!

  25. I would love to win your audio books. Great way to relax after a long day at the office. Just listen and let the adventures take you away. Love your Eon & Gladiator books. Would like to see more books in the Eon series.

  26. Ann-Marie Hayes

    Have only just started to read your books absolutely loved the Sentinel am looking forward to the Defender

  27. Oh my goodness, this new book has a gorgeous cover and sounds sooooo good! I am rereading all of the Galactic Gladiators right now and can’t wait to start this series! You are such a talented author!

  28. Faith Crookshank

    OMG! I just love your books and would love to have a audio one. I am going on vacation soon and this would be a great travel one to have.\
    Thank you in advance.
    Faith

  29. I would love to win the Audio books ? the book cover and blurb are great. Cant wait to read book blurb hooked me ?

  30. Oh boy, oh boy. I can’t wait for this next one. I love the gladiators, and now they arecalso awesome cyborgs. 😀

  31. Shannon Ferguson

    Hi Anna! Fabulous cover, of course. I have a thing for tattooed alpha men with scruff on their faces, so you really pulled me in with this cover. I can’t wait to read it!

  32. HOT looking Mace! I think we need to take a spin through Anna’s thoughts to see more of these sexy guys! Whew! I thought it was just the 100+ weather here in California, but it’s all of Anna’s boys visiting us! LOL

  33. Hi Anna,

    Please continue to write amazing gladiator stories among all the other fantastic stories you right. I would love to win any of your work – either written or audio. However, if there is anything better than reading your books, it would be closing your eyes and listening to your stories about adventures all over the galaxy.

    Thanks!

  34. Love your books. You manage to give characters depth, exciting action and hot/sweet romance all within smaller word counts. I like to read you on KU and then buy the ebook. I have many of your audios but not nearly all of them and would love the opportunity to add another one to my library. Thanks for sharing your passion and love of action and romance!

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