title: Return to Dark Earth
author: Hackett, Anna
description: His career plan never included becoming one of the galaxy's most infamous treasure hunters. And it certainly never included his one weakness: Nera Darc.
  Astro-archeologist Niklas Phoenix loved his job studying and safeguarding artifacts at the Institute of Historical Preservation...until he learned that it was all a lie. Forced out of the Institute, he joins his treasure hunter brothers, but now the Institute is trying to lure him back for the ultimate treasure hunt--a return to the planet that seeded life throughout the galaxy. But only one thing convinces him to go--his deadly, seductive rival has joined the expedition.
  Dangerous and enigmatic, Nera Darc has made a life for herself where she calls the shots and bows to no one. Niklas Phoenix has become her dark obsession and on the lethal mission to Earth, they are compelled to join forces to survive. But Niklas threatens to tear down Nera's internal walls and melt the ice around her heart...but she knows caring for someone is just a weakness others can exploit.
  As Nik and Nera strip away each other's secrets, a brilliant passion is unleashed, but the dangers of Earth strike from every side, and a darker enemy is closing in.
  Note to readers:
   This sci fi romance contains a lot of action (think rival treasure hunters, mutant vegetation and mysterious enemies), cool offsiders (an ambitious treasure hunter and a dangerous security agent) and a steamy romance (lots of sexy times between two people who've been dancing around each other for years). This is treasure hunting sci-fi style. So if you like it fast, and fun, and sexy, this is for you!
  Includes preview of On a Barbarian World (Phoenix Adventures #8)
  Q & A with the Author
  Q - How would you describe the Phoenix Adventures series?
  A - Treasure hunters in space! A few readers have said it's like Indiana Jones set far into the future. All the books in the series are fast, fun thrill-ride treasure hunts for old Earth artifacts. There is lots of action, adventure, space opera, and of course, romance. I'm thrilled the books in the series have won so many awards from a SFR Galaxy Award for Most Fun New Series to a Prism Award for Best Futuristic Romance (On a Rogue Planet) to the Romance Writers of Australia Romantic Novella of the Year (Beneath A Trojan Moon).
  Q - Why did you want to write the series?
  A - I love action, adventure and romance. And I love science fiction romance and all the endless possibilities. Combine all that with a fascination with ancient artifacts and the Phoenix Adventures were born. I really wanted to capture what the expeditions of old must have felt like - trekking through jungles or desert sands and stumbling across crumbling ruins. Since all the good stuff has been found nowadays, I looked to the future and jetted off into space.
  Q - What order should I read the books in?
  A - All the Phoenix Adventures books are stand-alone adventures - many readers have entered the series with later books in the series. However, characters from the early stories do appear in later books, so I think it adds something to the reading experience to read them in order. Here's the order I suggest:
  - Among Galactic Ruins (prequel)
  - At Star's End
  - In the Devil's Nebula
  - On a Rogue Planet
  - Beneath a Trojan Moon (novella)
  - Beyond Galaxy's Edge
  - On a Cyborg Planet (novella)
  - Return to Dark Earth
  - On a Barbarian World
  - Lost in Barbarian Space
  - Through Uncharted Space
  - Beyond Distant Stars (coming soon)
  The Phoenix Adventures Science Fiction Romance Series:
  - Science Fiction Romance
  - Action Adventure Romance
  - Space Opera
  - Futuristic Romance