Saskia Walker's Blog, page 139

Witches, witches and more witches... a veritable coven, in fact.

Been quiet around here, huh?! Mostly it was because a whole load of stuff has been happening on the home front (necessitating a lot of routine changes) and then came crunch time on THE JEZEBEL, the third and final book in the Taskill Witches series. Jezebel is now on my editor's desk. Wooohoo! Everything is now crossed that my editor likes what I did with it. 
I loved telling Maisie Taskill's story and especially enjoyed bringing the three Taskills back together. The underlying story in this series is that these three Scottish siblings were torn apart as children when their mother was put to death for practising witchcraft. As adults they are living their lusty lives and hiding their craft in a time when witch hunts are still going on (although the series is set towards the end of this turbulant period in British history, when change is imminent and the laws on "witchcraft" are about to be changed.) The three Taskills are also trying to find one another again, but it's because of the lover they meet in their own story that they cross paths with their kin again. It was a joy to write books two and three, and I hope readers who enjoyed Jessie's story in THE HARLOT will love these characters and their unfolding tale as much as I have loved working on them. 
Next up will be my editor's revisions, then the final edits and into the hopper they go. Last I heard the books are scheduled to come out back-to-back on the HQN line in early 2013, but I'll update when I get confirmation from my editor. I'll also post about the various production stages.
I'm catching my breath now and looking ahead. Interesting plans for August to share! It's the 400th anniversary of the Pendle Witch trials, the largest and most sensational witch hunt in Britain.  It coincides with my birthday (I'm eleventy hundred and eight! :) so what better treat for me than to visit Pendle witch country and take part in some of the fab stuff going on for this anniversary?
We plan to visit some of the villages in the area as well as the courtroom where the trial was heard -- it's still an active court room! Also the judges' house, where the witch hunter stayed. I'll be sure to take pics whenever I can -- not allowed in the court building itself because it's an active HMP and courtroom, but lots of other stops will be snapped. Meanwhile, if you are far away and would like to check it out, you can do an interactive online tour here.
There will be shopping *grin* and supping of Pendle Witches brew, of course. We were hoping to visit the Moorhouse's brewery while we are there, (they have a super tour package) but alas we need to be a bigger group. Another time for that one, but rest assured we'll be imbibing in the local pub instead.


Something I can't do myself but coincides, is the launch of the Pendle sculpture trail, featuring commissioned works from four artists that chart the story of the witch trials, placed along one of the most popular walks in the area. You can read about that here.  So, after a rough few months on the home front, I'm excited about getting that booked. Can you tell? :o) The only problem is I'll probably come home wanting to write my very own witch story set in the eerie Lancashire countryside . Hang on, did I say problem? What problem? ;)

Looking for some new kinky reads for the weekend? :)

Today is publication day for my new short read, FORBIDDEN RITUAL, a Spice Brief. It's now available direct from Harlequin for $2.39.

High-powered executive Imogen prides herself on being an independent woman who doesn't need a man. She only yields when she's with Giles, a younger colleague who shares her taste for domination and submission. He revels in watching her lose control, while she enjoys his powerful nature and an edge of pain to heighten her pleasure. 

Imogen is satisfied with their secret arrangement until Giles asks her try shibari, a form of rope bondage--the ultimate ritual in submission and display of trust. His request pushes Imogen beyond her comfort zone, forcing her to explore her boundaries and her relationship with Giles. He's already her master in the bedroom, when she allows it. But can she let herself take their bond to the next level?

Go here to find out more and download the story.  




Also now available is my pal Portia's latest menage novella, TEMPTED BY TWO!


When executive woman Katie Warren arrives in the picturesque village of Little Marplethorpe for a country holiday, to reassess her life and her future, she doesn't bargain on ending up in a hot three way love affair with a man she's admired from afar... and his gorgeously handsome male partner.


Marcus Dane and Owen Foster are lovers, committed for a lifetime, but they both enjoy the company of women as friends and bedmates too. Encountering Katie at an exhibition of his work, Marcus knows she's just the kind of bold, daring, imaginative woman who'll relish sharing erotic games with Owen and himself.
But what none of the trio expect is that their intense, steamy threesome will quickly deepen into a bond that's a lot more than just simply fabulous sex. Go here to find out more. 

Happy reading!  :)

Quick heads up

Totally out of the blue, I've been away from my desk on a family emergency for the last week. It's been a traumatic time and I'm behind with everything here, but I'm back at the coal face now and gradually pulling myself together. If I owe you email or anything else and you think I might have missed it, please do send again. Thanks!

From deep in the writing cave...

Hi folks. I'm deep in the writing cave at the moment, working on THE JEZEBEL, the third in the Taskills series. It's going well but I'm a tad behind on my schedule so there isn't time for much else at the mo. In a couple of weeks 'll have more time to chat and news to share.

Meanwhile, I wanted to pop my head and wave, and to remind you about the fun Scavenger Hunt going on at the mo. Click on the graphic to read about the fun and the prizes!    

The BDSM-apalooza is now on!

Just a reminder to call by the home of the Smutketeers over the next two days for some great chat about BDSM and some awesome giveaways! See you there. :)  

Coming soon - BDSM-apalooza!

Make time on your schedule to call by the home of the Smutketeers on the 9th and 10th of May for some great chat about BDSM and some awesome giveaways!

The Curious Reader's Guide to Erotic Romance

Awesome article on erotic romance over at the Harlequin blog. Go here to check it out!

Weekend winners announced

I asked the man of the Man of the House to call out 2 numbers between 1 and 16.

The winners are 7 & 14:
Pati
Savannah

I'll be in touch shortly for your postal addresses!

Meanwhile, thanks to everyone who came by and commented. Call back next weekend when there will be another BDSM weekend giveaway! :)

Weekend giveaway: SEX, LIES, AND BONDAGE TAPE

SEX, LIES AND BONDAGE TAPE is a contemporary erotic novella that appears in the KINK anthology together with Sasha White's WATCH ME. To celebrate the resurgance of interest in BDSM stories I'm giving away 2 print copies of the KINK anthology! :) (and if you already have this one, stay tuned as I'll be doing more giveaways here soon.)

SEX, LIES AND BONDAGE TAPE is one of my favourite powerplay stories. The story has a humorous edge and follows the relationship of two very physical people who like to turn the tables on each other. :)

Here's the summary:

Fitness instructor Kelly Burton is a woman on a mission, and this time it's sneaking backstage at a rock concert to get super star Clayton Warren's autograph for her friend. What she doesn't factor in is becoming privy to a big media secret, nor being captured by a sexy security guy who sends her pulse racing.

Backstage security man Tommy Samson's speciality is sending rogue groupies on their way with a playful spank and a threat, but this woman is responding to his behaviour in an entirely different way and very soon they're locked in hands-on-combat of an intimate kind, kicking off a sequence of crazy sex games back and forth across London.

When Kelly wants to track Tommy down, she has to resort to being a 'groupie' all over again, shanghaiing Clayton Warren and doing a deal over his big media secret to get hold of Tommy's contact details. Kelly is a stubborn, independent woman who plays the men at their own games, but it only makes Tommy want more, and what Tommy wants Tommy goes after.

Here are some reviews:

"This is one laugh out loud, shake your head and fan yourself story. Kelly and Tommy start off with an attraction that neither can or want to deny. In addition though, there are a few misconceptions between them. Their sexual encounter involves a little kink, a little sizzle and a little laughter and once it's over, both have regrets about how it ends. What's hilarious are the lengths they both go to in order to contact each other again. I enjoyed that Kelly was a strong, outspoken woman who affected those around her in a positive way, leaving a warm feeling to accompany the meltdown from their game of kiss chase - but I won't give that away, read this keeper! " 5 stars. Trang, for Ecataromance.

"The story sizzles from the minute the heroine meets the hero. The love scenes are intense, passionate and well crafted. I found I enjoyed the cat and mouse game between the lead characters, and the way Kelly finally got her man, was inspired. Both Ms. Walker and Ms. White have created an anthology that erotic romance lovers dare not miss." 5 Kisses. Cerri, for Romance Divas.

If you want a chance to win a print copy of KINK, with both this and Sasha's story, just leave me a comment on this post. You can enter wherever in the world you are. Two random winners will be drawn on Monday morning.

Scavenger hunt - coming soon!

Click on the logo to read about the fun and the prizes!