What do you think?
Rate this book
The Dark Side #1
The Dark Side
Elliot Jones cannot wait to get on with his life. After years of working for St. Louis’ most renowned and most despised therapist as a personal slave, he’s ready to strike out on his own. With a real estate license in hand, he will be able to make a career out of his love for homes and interior design. What he doesn’t know is that his entire life is about to change. Thanks to his often careless younger brother, he finds himself in the clutches of St. Louis’ most notorious citizen, John Dyer, the owner of the Dark Side bar. John Dyer is a man you don’t cross. He’s a man who skirts and, from time to time crosses, the line between legal and criminal. Can Elliot let down his defenses and see what lies beneath that gangster persona?
John Dyer is one of the most infamous men in St. Louis. He runs the Dark Side Bar and also happens to be an over two-hundred-year-old vampire. Tossed out of his home coven, he’s gathered this group of men and built a life for themselves in this city that doesn’t ask too many questions. He thinks dragging in Buck Jones’ brother will be a simple way to collect a debt, but when he meets Elliot, he is floored by the most beautiful and gentlemanly person he’s ever seen. Elliot is the beloved that he’s searched for. Can John overcome the reputation that he and his bar share and capture Elliot’s heart? Elliot will learn that life on the dark side isn’t as bad as it seems.
John Dyer is one of the most infamous men in St. Louis. He runs the Dark Side Bar and also happens to be an over two-hundred-year-old vampire. Tossed out of his home coven, he’s gathered this group of men and built a life for themselves in this city that doesn’t ask too many questions. He thinks dragging in Buck Jones’ brother will be a simple way to collect a debt, but when he meets Elliot, he is floored by the most beautiful and gentlemanly person he’s ever seen. Elliot is the beloved that he’s searched for. Can John overcome the reputation that he and his bar share and capture Elliot’s heart? Elliot will learn that life on the dark side isn’t as bad as it seems.
62 pages, ebook
First published July 9, 2016
104 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
B.A. Stretke
171 books405 followersB.A. Stretke is a Gay Romance and fiction author who publishes through Dreamspinner Press, LLC, and Amazon.com
B.A Stretke began writing as a hobby. He read his first Jane Austen novel as a teen and was instantly hooked. The age-old dream of being a novelist took hold. Now long into adulthood, and a few years as an editor under his belt, B.A. is a full-time writer. B.A. spends his days reading, engaging in sarcasm, and plotting the next storyline, often leaving little headspace for much else. He loves hiking through the Northern Michigan woods he calls home, often finding inspiration for his books. Writing and finding that perfect cup of coffee occupy the rest of his time.
B.A. Stretke lives in Northern Michigan with one royally spoiled cat and his dear friends and family.
You can connect with B.A. Stretke on his website: www.bastretke.com
Follow me on twitter at https://twitter.com/BAStretkeWriter
Like me on Facebook! - B.A. Stretke
B.A Stretke began writing as a hobby. He read his first Jane Austen novel as a teen and was instantly hooked. The age-old dream of being a novelist took hold. Now long into adulthood, and a few years as an editor under his belt, B.A. is a full-time writer. B.A. spends his days reading, engaging in sarcasm, and plotting the next storyline, often leaving little headspace for much else. He loves hiking through the Northern Michigan woods he calls home, often finding inspiration for his books. Writing and finding that perfect cup of coffee occupy the rest of his time.
B.A. Stretke lives in Northern Michigan with one royally spoiled cat and his dear friends and family.
You can connect with B.A. Stretke on his website: www.bastretke.com
Follow me on twitter at https://twitter.com/BAStretkeWriter
Like me on Facebook! - B.A. Stretke
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 20, 2016
I shouldn't really write a review for this one because it'll mostly be about the negatives.
Bottom line, I kinda, sorta liked it. Though the eye-rolling moments were about 80% of the book.
Bottom line, I kinda, sorta liked it. Though the eye-rolling moments were about 80% of the book.
November 5, 2020
Decided to pick something quick and easy last night and this was it. The whole story was okay, I guess.
January 21, 2021
Okay
It just okay. The description with the title gave me the belief that the book had a darker edge, than it did. Also, it was pricey. 2.99 is a bit much for a 62 page book. It also would have benefited from an additional 62 words for the story to feel complete.
This in no way turn me off of BA Stretke. He is still one of my favorites.
It just okay. The description with the title gave me the belief that the book had a darker edge, than it did. Also, it was pricey. 2.99 is a bit much for a 62 page book. It also would have benefited from an additional 62 words for the story to feel complete.
This in no way turn me off of BA Stretke. He is still one of my favorites.
October 6, 2020
Cute and entertaining
This story looks like it may be one of the earliest stories written by the author. It was entertaining and cute like all of Mr. Stretke’s short books. However, I just wish that the Author would consider upgrading the lines the so called centuries old Vampires say. Maybe use some classic poetry to get inspired because this guys, that are supposed to be two hundred something years old, say the most mundane and insipid lines ever. I mean, mi heart doesn’t swoon and I don’t feel moved to the point of feeling Jealous when they talk to their beloved or for ever love, and since we’re talking about a fairytale kind of love, where the characters find their soulmate, as a reader I kind of expect to be swooning and practically melting with the romantic lines. Other than that, I enjoyed reading and will continue reading more from this series.
This story looks like it may be one of the earliest stories written by the author. It was entertaining and cute like all of Mr. Stretke’s short books. However, I just wish that the Author would consider upgrading the lines the so called centuries old Vampires say. Maybe use some classic poetry to get inspired because this guys, that are supposed to be two hundred something years old, say the most mundane and insipid lines ever. I mean, mi heart doesn’t swoon and I don’t feel moved to the point of feeling Jealous when they talk to their beloved or for ever love, and since we’re talking about a fairytale kind of love, where the characters find their soulmate, as a reader I kind of expect to be swooning and practically melting with the romantic lines. Other than that, I enjoyed reading and will continue reading more from this series.
May 5, 2021
Love this Story!
This was such a good start to a new series I love how the John is a take no excuses me and my crew live by our own set of rules type of person. He's a hard ass that takes no crap from anyone and doesn't apologize for being who he is. He sets his own rules but acknowledges Master Stone as the head Vampire in charge. I enjoyed his and Elliot's story it was a very good start to this new series from beginning to end and I can't wait to read, learn more about each character! Very well written and the storytelling kept you entertained and wanting more. Five stars!
This was such a good start to a new series I love how the John is a take no excuses me and my crew live by our own set of rules type of person. He's a hard ass that takes no crap from anyone and doesn't apologize for being who he is. He sets his own rules but acknowledges Master Stone as the head Vampire in charge. I enjoyed his and Elliot's story it was a very good start to this new series from beginning to end and I can't wait to read, learn more about each character! Very well written and the storytelling kept you entertained and wanting more. Five stars!
November 29, 2018
I enjoyed this short romance between Elliot and John (vampire). Elliot seemed like a very proper, cute, little guy who changed the dark ways of John by being his beloved. The plot was interesting, and I wish that there were a second book involving, Race, but I see that there isn't. This was sweet, and as usual, I do love reading this author's work. :)
August 18, 2022
I thought this was a great start to a new series. In my mind I could see Elliot all dressed to the T's stand alongside of John. It was sweet. Looking forward to reading the other books in the series.
September 23, 2025
Great story with Elliot getting introduced to the vampire world, in particular John Dyer.
Elliot's story i.e. how he gets to know all, is quite good.
It will be interesting to find out what happens to Buck & Jules.
Elliot's story i.e. how he gets to know all, is quite good.
It will be interesting to find out what happens to Buck & Jules.
October 13, 2020
Darkness has a new future!
Elliott is absolutely delicious and John is perfection.this short opens up a world to be explored Love 💘💘💘among fierce men who walk on the wild side
Elliott is absolutely delicious and John is perfection.this short opens up a world to be explored Love 💘💘💘among fierce men who walk on the wild side
October 31, 2020
Rating: 3.5
November 3, 2020
PoV jumping was just too much for me.
May 20, 2021
Elliott
This was a nice beginning to this series. I am looking to see how these characters grow and find love.
This was a nice beginning to this series. I am looking to see how these characters grow and find love.
September 26, 2022
Eh, middle of the road all over -- sorta scary bad guy, kinda steamy sex scenes, decent writing but not great. At least it was short?
December 4, 2023
I like John and Elliott. Sometimes the dialogue is a little sappy and things move at lightning speed but I do enjoy these quick easy reads. They fill my fated mates fix.
October 29, 2025
3,46⭐️
October 29, 2020
A new mm romance
Elliott is home expecting his brother Buck for dinner when two men kick in his door, affirm his identity and kidnap him. He is taken to the Dark Side bar where he is to!d his brother owes a huge gambling debt to John Dyer the owner. John immediately knows Elliott is his beloved and comes up with a plan to woo him. He tells him that Buck has three days to come up with the money and that he has to stay as collateral. We have the wooing of Elliot, sex, betrayal, confusion and Elliot walking out. There is a HEA as is typical for this author but the journey is fun and worth the read.
Elliott is home expecting his brother Buck for dinner when two men kick in his door, affirm his identity and kidnap him. He is taken to the Dark Side bar where he is to!d his brother owes a huge gambling debt to John Dyer the owner. John immediately knows Elliott is his beloved and comes up with a plan to woo him. He tells him that Buck has three days to come up with the money and that he has to stay as collateral. We have the wooing of Elliot, sex, betrayal, confusion and Elliot walking out. There is a HEA as is typical for this author but the journey is fun and worth the read.
August 19, 2016
A feel-good (if eye rolling) time waster/diversion
Sappy, smutty short of a vampire finding his human beloved
Thus work had some promise, as the protgonists were sympathetic and had a bit of character for a short work, and there were a couple of very brief but heated, smutty scenes. For a brief story, there was a decent ebb and flow of a quick "found and claimed my fated mate" (vampire's beloved) plot. However, the writing was a bit uneven, and the ending a bit too saccharine for my tastes.
It was "o.k." (3 Amazon stars / 2.5 Goodreads stars)
Sappy, smutty short of a vampire finding his human beloved
Thus work had some promise, as the protgonists were sympathetic and had a bit of character for a short work, and there were a couple of very brief but heated, smutty scenes. For a brief story, there was a decent ebb and flow of a quick "found and claimed my fated mate" (vampire's beloved) plot. However, the writing was a bit uneven, and the ending a bit too saccharine for my tastes.
It was "o.k." (3 Amazon stars / 2.5 Goodreads stars)
September 4, 2016
Quick and fun
B.A. Stretke is one of my guilty pleasures authors. I know that they will never be long enough, but it's always a fun, sexy story. This one was almost perfect, but I think that the villain might have changed in one of the drafts and it wasn't picked up in editing because I thought that it was pretty clear that one person was the traitor, but then, there was this whole part talking about another character doing it.
B.A. Stretke is one of my guilty pleasures authors. I know that they will never be long enough, but it's always a fun, sexy story. This one was almost perfect, but I think that the villain might have changed in one of the drafts and it wasn't picked up in editing because I thought that it was pretty clear that one person was the traitor, but then, there was this whole part talking about another character doing it.
July 17, 2016
Enjoyed it!!
I love ALL of B.A. Stretke's books, so if you like his writing then I recommend you get this book. It's a good read. Liked the story line and cannot wait for the next book.
Devoted fan
DB
I love ALL of B.A. Stretke's books, so if you like his writing then I recommend you get this book. It's a good read. Liked the story line and cannot wait for the next book.
Devoted fan
DB
August 16, 2016
I liked it.
Liked it, but it could've told more about the unresolved issues that was left hanging about Jules and whom ever leaked about the club.. it didn't fall through on that. It was more about the Beloved thing and them bonding. It just kinda feel short.
Liked it, but it could've told more about the unresolved issues that was left hanging about Jules and whom ever leaked about the club.. it didn't fall through on that. It was more about the Beloved thing and them bonding. It just kinda feel short.
January 8, 2021
Way too short
I’m totally hooked on all these “beloved” stories. I think John got off way to easy. His lover should have made him sweat a little before accepting their new life together but the story in general is cute.
I’m totally hooked on all these “beloved” stories. I think John got off way to easy. His lover should have made him sweat a little before accepting their new life together but the story in general is cute.
July 15, 2016
I really liked this book. I wish it was longer or maybe a sequel would be really great.
July 17, 2016
Dark indeed
I really like B.A.'s short stories. Sometimes, I wished they were longer and this was one of those times. Very entertaining.
I really like B.A.'s short stories. Sometimes, I wished they were longer and this was one of those times. Very entertaining.
July 31, 2016
3.5 stars
February 3, 2018
Better second time around
Really enjoy Stretke vampires, and while this was good, a bit short, wanted more, maybe because of some redundancy in parts, but good
Really enjoy Stretke vampires, and while this was good, a bit short, wanted more, maybe because of some redundancy in parts, but good
July 27, 2016
KU
The book ended while I was still waiting for it to get to the story. Did not like.
The book ended while I was still waiting for it to get to the story. Did not like.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews