Saskia Walker's Blog, page 137

The countdown is on! Giveaway for THE HARLOT

It's less than three months until THE HARLOT is published on HQN books in the USA, and Mills and Boon Spice in the UK. To begin the countdown I'm running a giveaway over at Good Reads.

There will be five copies each of THE HARLOT (1st Feb release), THE LIBERTINE (1st March release) and THE JEZEBEL (1st April release) closing just before each title is released. The first giveaway is now live!



 
    .goodreadsGiveawayWidget { color: #555; font-family: georgia, serif; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; font-size: 14px;
      font-style: normal; background: white; }
    .goodreadsGiveawayWidget img { padding: 0 !important; margin: 0 !important; }
    .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a { padding: 0 !important; margin: 0; color: #660; text-decoration: none; }
    .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a:visted { color: #660; text-decoration: none; }
    .goodreadsGiveawayWidget a:hover { color: #660; text-decoration: underline !important; }
    .goodreadsGiveawayWidget p { margin: 0 0 .5em !important; padding: 0; }
    .goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink { display: block; width: 150px; margin: 10px auto 0 !important; padding: 0px 5px !important;
      text-align: center; line-height: 1.8em; color: #222; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold;
      border: 1px solid #6A6454; -moz-border-radius: 5px; -webkit-border-radius: 5px; font-family:arial,verdana,helvetica,sans-serif;
      background-image:url(http://www.goodreads.com/images/layou... background-repeat: repeat-x; background-color:#BBB596;
      outline: 0; white-space: nowrap;
    }
    .goodreadsGiveawayWidgetEnterLink:hover { background-image:url(http://www.goodreads.com/images/layou...
      color: black; text-decoration: none; cursor: pointer;
    }
 
 
    Goodreads Book Giveaway
 

   
       
   

   
     
          The Harlot
     
     
          by Saskia Walker
     

     
         
            Giveaway ends January 20, 2013.
         

         
            See the giveaway details
            at Goodreads.
         

     
   
   

      Enter to win

Re-release news: MONICA'S SECRET is published today

The second re-release of the week!! How about some menage this time? :) MONICA'S SECRET is book one in the Erogenous Zones series. Out of all my books listed at Good Reads MONICA'S SECRET is readers highest rated Saskia book. I've been blown away by the great responses I've had to this story!  If you haven't read this one before and you pick it up now, I hope you enjoy it too. First up, here is the series outline:

EROGENOUS ZONES is a contemporary erotic romance series about three sisters who have psychic abilities, and the very special men who love them.

Monica, Holly, and Faye, have more in common than simply being sisters. They are all psychics, each with an ability that manifests in a different way. For busy London girls finding the right man in the city isn’t always the easiest thing to do, especially when you have a psychic skill that ties in to your sexuality.

Over the course of a year each of the Evans sisters discovers that two men can handle what one lone man can’t. In three deliciously decadent ménage à trois affairs, the sisters fall in love with men who not only want them with a passion, but learn to love their psychic skills as well. Step into the Erogenous Zones with Monica, Holly, and Faye.

This first book in the series is reissued in digital download for around $3.99/£2.99. (it might be slightly more at Amazon where they control the price) Here is the new cover, which  is by awesome Frauke Spanuth at www.crocodesigns.com.  I've also posted the copy, some review comments, and download links.

Willingly bound and seduced by two masters...

Two men have walked in to Monica Evans’ life, and it isn’t ever going to be the same. Owen Clifford and his lover, Alec Stroud, are investigating fraud at Monica’s place of work, a luxurious London hotel. From the moment they meet, the chemistry between the three of them is off the scale.

But Monica has a secret, and it isn’t anything to do with fraud. Like her sisters, Monica is a psychic. In Monica’s case the gift is psychometry—when she touches objects or people she can experience their sexual history. Can she ever truly share that with a lover, let alone two bisexual lovers? Something about Owen and Alec captures her though, literally. Willingly bound and seduced by two masters, Monica opens up to them, physically, emotionally, and psychically.

Owen and Alec have been looking for their third and they believe Monica might be the one to complete their lives. But Monica’s secret isn’t the only barrier these two have to break down in order to win their woman. Fraud, duplicity, and mysterious threats add to their complications. For Owen and Alec, the challenges are stacking up and the race is on.

 Reader Advisory: This book contains graphic sex scenes including bondage, domination, MFM, and MM scenes.

"'Monica's Secret' is a sensual voyage into Monica's paranormal view of the world, including mystery, intrigue, suspense, and a scorching, sexual ménage à trois. What makes this ménage so exceptional is Saskia Walker's brilliant blend of physicality, trust, and vulnerability. I highly recommend 'Monica's Secret' to anyone wanting to be swept away by a great story with strong, believable characters, a touch of the paranormal,and last but certainly not least, scalding hot sex. You will not be disappointed." Reviewed by Queer Magazine.

"' I loved Monica’s Secret...The plot is believable and has enough twists and turns to keep the reader actively involved in both the love story and the mystery...If you are cool with ménage and enjoy a good mystery and a smoking love story, this is a great book for you. 4.5 Ravens." Reviewed by Blackraven's Reviews.

"I was totally consumed from the very beginning of this book. Not only are the characters likable, smart and hot, their sexual encounters were off the charts...wow! The cherry on top was that there was actually a story I was interested in and I truly wanted to know the outcome. I just can't say enough great things about this book. I really encourage you to get it if you are even a little intrigued by menage." A Top Pick at The Romance Reviews.

"'A great read. 4.5 stars." Reviewed by Sensual Reads.  

Read an excerpt here. 

 Available from the following outlets:
Kobo
All Romance Ebooks
Kindle US
Kindle UK
Smashwords , and other online retailers.

Re-release news: RECKLESS is published today

Have you read RECKLESS, my 2008 novel? If not now is your chance to get the re-released version at a good price. I still love this story, a steamy hot romance with a mystery/suspense thread, and it's set in Spain. Rights have reverted to me so it's now available in digital download for around $3.99/£2.99. (it might be slightly more at Amazon) Here are the cover, copy, some review comments, and download links.

At the age of twenty-nine London art valuation expert Katrina Hammond is evolving into a stronger, more sexual woman. When she subsequently finds herself at the center of a struggle for power and dominance between two brothers, she welcomes the darkly erotic charge the situation brings.
Katrina's job is to value a collection of art objects for auction in the Catalonia villa of the Teodoro family, where Sergio Teodoro rules. Sergio is a dominant master who compels her attention. Nicolas, his younger brother - a disinherited artisan - also seeks her out. One brother will win her heart, but danger awaits Katrina in the shadows of the Teodoro villa. As she uncovers the subterfuge surrounding the collection, she finds that there is more to Nicolas and Sergio’s battle than meets the eye, and more to her growing allegiances than may be good for her.
80,000 words in length, hot contemporary romance.
Please note: this novel has been previously published with an alternative cover. This title contains graphic sex scenes.

 "RECKLESS is unique and unlike any romance I have ever read. Saskia Walker is a genius; the turn of events in RECKLESS shocked me completely...Arousing, enigmatic and gripping, RECKLESS is on my ‘highly recommended' list. If a dark romance with many suspenseful, surprising, and erotic moments is what you crave, then RECKLESS is the book for you!" Romance Junkies

"Saskia Walker delivered everything I love in a good erotic romance and more. I literally sat down and read this book in one sitting." Queue My Review

"Reckless is an erotic, suspenseful novel that leaves the reader on edge." The Romance Studio

"Reckless is a thrilling read."Coffee Time Romance

Available in digital format from these outlets: 
Kobo
All Romance Ebooks
Kindle US
Kindle UK
Smashwords, and other online retailers. 

What am I up to?

Hey folks, how are you doing? Yes, I'm back and busy at my desk. I know, you thought I was still languishing under a parasol and had forgotten to catch my flight back. Nope. Got back to a busy inbox and lots to do, so this is the first time I've had a chance to post on the blog.
First up was AAs (Author Alterations, as they are known at Harlequin,) for THE LIBERTINE. (This stage is also known as proofs or galleys.) It's always a bit never wracking at this point, the final chance to pick up and change any errors, and I'm always praying I don't miss anything. That's now done and gone and the next time I see the book it'll be in print. (eek!) Next up I'm expecting AAs for THE JEZEBEL to arrive. Having a back-to-back trilogy certainly makes for a busy round of events in these final stages for the author.
I've also been working with the folks at Vixely, who produce a magazine for ipad readers. They are launching an erotica collection and selected two of my short stories to be illustrated and included. It's an exciting venture and lots of great erotica writers are involved. You can check it out here.
Alongside that, two of my previously published novels have reverted to me recently, RECKLESS and MONICA'S SECRET, so I'll be making those available at cheaper price soon. It had got to the point where I didn't even want to promote RECKLESS because the publisher had it at a whopping $15 for an e-book download and $19 for print. *faints* Sometimes I wonder if they even want to sell books, you know. Enough said. Thankfully most publishers have a bit more savvy. ;) So, if you haven't read either of those and would like to give them a go, I'll be posting more details very soon.
The BURLINGTON MANOR AFFAIR books, my current project, have been filling my mind. I've already got a chunk of writing under my belt and I now have solid deadlines to meet, so I'll be focusing completely on those two titles over the next five months. I'm so thrilled, because this was an idea I first pulled together early in 2008. While I was at the RWA conference in San Francisco that year I proposed it to a publisher I'd been working with for novella length, and they were very interested. When I began putting a formal proposal together, on my return home, it was clear to me that novella wasn't the right length, so I put the story on hold while I considered what best to do with it. Now it's been commissioned by Harlequin for the HQN line and it's going to be two books. Perfect. I've lived with this couple, Carmen and Rex, and their story has been in my mind on and off in the years in between, so it's great to be able to clear my desk and focus solely on them for the next few months.
I'll post again soon with news about the backlist publications. In the meantime, if you're looking for something to get you in the mood for Halloween, my story THE STRANGELING is a fantasy romance story based around Samhain, and it's available for around $2.99../£1.97. If you haven't read this one before you can take a peak at an excerpt here. 

I'm out of town...

...until mid October.

See you then!

Some snaps from our trip to Pendle Witch country 1612/2012

Last weekend was the 400th anniversary of the Pendle Witch trials - the most sensational witch trial in English history. For a great summary of events, check the story out here.
To commemorate the event we decided to have a bit of a driving tour around the area. It coincided with my birthday, and this also counts as research for me. :) I learned a hell of a lot along the way thanks to the commemorative events Lancaster put on, and the excellent historians at Lancaster castle.


The group of witches that went on trial were from a small area in Pendle Forest. First up we went to Roughlee, because I wanted to visit a commemorative sculpture there - that of Alice Nutter, one of the women who was charged and hanged. What's fascinating about Alice is that she seems unconnected to the rest. The majority were indeed a ragtag bunch, impoverished con artists and grave robbers who sold enchantments and the like - courting the image of witchcraft and leading a dangerous life. Alice was from a family of yeomen, respected in the area, and not impoverished. It is thought that the possible reason she did not defend herself from the charges of witchcraft was because she was a catholic, and on the day she was said to be heading to a coven meet she might have been on her way to a secret mass. Her two brothers were priests and her son was in Europe training to be a priest. At the time being a catholic was almost as heinous as being a witch. Did she stay silent to protect her loved ones? We will never know. You can read more about the statue here.


This statue was everything I hoped it would be. Alice is portrayed stepping up to the gallows in chains. I felt incredibly moved by it, thinking how she and the other women and men would have felt. After months in a dungeon jail, to meet their end like this.

On to Newchurch in Pendle. Here in the church of Saint Mary's many of the Nutter family are buried and Alice's family brought her remains back to be buried here. Check out the church tower - that carving below the clock is an "eye of God" added to protect the locals from pagans and witchcraft. Baffling - wasn't the presence of god in the church/crosses etc enough? Apparently not. It's also interesting to note that the eye of god symbol seems almost pagan in its design. The plot thickens.

Below, looking out across the graveyard with the Pendle Hills in the back ground.  



Pendle Witches Brew. How did that get in here? Ahem. Hey, it was my birthday!

Let's shop! Witches Galore in Newchurch is a treasure trove of goodies to buy, fun stuff and excellent resources.

One of the commemorative events run by Lancaster council was this exhibition. It has toured but we saw it at Lancaster Museum. Two rooms with items relating to witchcraft and artists interpretations of the Pendle story. One of the fun things was an interactive feature for the kids (hah!) a wheel of fortune you could spin that decided whether or not you were a witch. Try as I might, I was found innocent on every turn. Damn. Mark, however, was found guilty first spin.

Above, this is a window display in Waterstones in Lancaster. Underneath the feature were many of the books written about trials and the witches. Noteworthy - on our tour of the courts/jail in Lancaster Castle, the guide said there were no records extant. The only record is a slim pamphlet "The wonderful discoverie of Witches in the countie of Lancashire" that was written by the court clerk, Thomas Potts, during the two day trial, and which many much longer books have evolved from - i.e. most of what is written as history is in fact speculative fiction.
Hanging out with locals :)




This is Barley. Barley is such a pretty village and is most notable because of the very recent discovery of a buried cottage thought to be the home of a practitioner of witchcraft - complete with walled in cat. Is it the home of one of the people charged? We don't know. Archaeologists are working on it now and I'm hoping that we will be able to see it all one day in the not too distant future. You can read about the discovery here.


Barley is the starting point for the witch walk, a path around Pendle Hill. As a special commemoration, people were invited to attend in costume. On the day the witch trials began in Lancaster, the world record for the most people dressed as witches in one place was set. Four hundred and eighty-two people set the new record, which has never been previously attempted. You can read about the event and see some great photos here.



Lancashire really love their witchcraft heritage - witches are everywhere! Buses, pub signs, you name it.


Lancaster Castle, the only working castle in the UK, i.e. the courts are still held here. Up until 2011 it was also a functioning jail. If you get to the area, a tour is a must. So much to see and learn! On the 18th August - 400 years to the day the trial opened - we stood in the very place it happened. The room had changed function over the years, but it was nevertheless a special experience to be there where it happened, and to see the old cells (and the various devices used to elicit confessions, ugh!) Alas photos are not allowed inside (because it's a working court) but you can check out many of the details online, here and here or google Lancaster Castle for some pictures. You could also visit the witches' dungeon, where they were kept for many months before the assizes (i.e. the travelling judge came to town.)

Below, spotted close to the castle, this ballgown in a window - made entirely from book pages. Don't ask me why or what for, I haven't a clue, but had to snap it.



So much to see, fun to be had, and alongside all of that, the 12 Shades of Surrender books launched in print and I got to see them in W H Smiths. Yay! First in Burnley, then (last pic below) in Lancaster the next day.






Thank you Lancashire! I'll leave you with a fun clip from the witch gathering - enjoy!

Mills and Boon Spice offer 4 books for 3

Cover reveals: The Taskill Witches series, coming in 2013

Tada!! Here they are, the three covers for the Taskills.

There may be a few little tweaks to the final versions as yet, but the concepts and images are done. I'm so happy with them! Hope you guys like them too. (You can click on the images for larger versions.)

THE HARLOT, Jessie Taskill's story, 1st February

THE LIBERTINE, Lennox Taskill's story, 1st March
THE JEZEBEL, Maisie Taskill's story, 1st April

News galore: new book contract and new books!

Lots of news to share today!
First up is the exciting news that I've been offered a new two book contract with Harlequin. I'm so thrilled and excited that I am ditzy in the head at the moment! (more ditzy...? ;) I love working with my editor there and I'm delighted that we'll be working together on two more books. Here's the official announcement from Publishers Marketplace:

August 9, 2012


Fiction:
Women's/Romance 
Saskia Walker's THE BURLINGTON MANOR AFFAIR, in which long withheld and forbidden desires are played out in a passionate battle over ownership of a British stately home, again to Susan Swinwood for HQN, in a two-book deal, by Roberta Brown of the Brown Literary Agency.
 Woohoo! There will be celebrating tonight!
The two novels are contemporary set erotic romances and they will come out on the HQN line after my Taskill Witches series -- which is scheduled for February (THE HARLOT) March (THE LIBERTINE) and April (THE JEZEBEL) in 2013. I won't know when these latest two are due out for a while yet, but I'll be working to complete and submit the first book before December 1, so you'll hear more about that while I'm working on it.
Meanwhile, I've now seen proofs of the first two covers in the Taskill Witches series. I'll soon be able to unveil all three, yay! I can't express how happy I am with the covers. The HQN art team create awesome book covers and these are no exception. They feature simple, iconic images that capture the essence of each story perfectly. They're going to be gorgeous looking books and it's so thrilling to be able to imagine them in print now.
Today is also the publication day for the Italian translation versions of the 12 SHADES OF SURRENDER series. For the Italian series my story FORBIDDEN RITUAL (a shibari BDSM love story) was chosen for translation.




 
And if you're a UK print book reader, the 12 SHADES OF SURRENDER series has been released as two print volumes. You can order them on Amazon: volume one here, and volume 2 here, and they'll be available at other venues soon. The collection will also be available in print in the US and worldwide during September.



I've also been celebrating with my pal Portia Da Costa because her wonderful erotic romance novel IN TOO DEEP was re-released as a mainstream book with a beautiful new cover.




Just check it out, how sexy as that! If you're in the UK and you haven't already read this title I urge you to pick it up. It's a wonderful story, it's everywhere in the shops at the moment including supermarkets and WHSmith, and there are lots of special deals about. You really can't afford to miss this story.
It's beautiful and sunny in Yorkshire at the moment, and I hope you are enjoying good weather and good books wherever you are. Have a great weekend!

69: Sultry Short Erotic Stories of Need and Desire

It's publication day for Alison Tyler's latest anthology -- 69: Sultry Short Erotic Stories of Need and Desire The collection is published by Harlequin and 3 of the 69 stories are mine! Woot!

For those who like their erotica fast and frenzied, the genre's most popular raconteur offers you 69: Sultry Short Erotic Stories of Need and Desire. In this delightfully dirty collection, Alison Tyler has gathered the crème de la crème of erotic fiction authors to pen sixty-nine brief romps-among them, Violet Blue, Donna George Storey, Thomas S. Roche, John Albert, Kristina Lloyd, Justine Elyot and Jeremy Edwards.

Available from
Harlequin
Amazon
Mills and Boon UK
and coming soon at Amazon UK