Saskia Walker's Blog, page 144

New publication: BEST EROTIC ROMANCE

BEST EROTIC ROMANCE is a new (annual) anthology edited by talented lady Kristina Wright and published by Cleis Press. I'm so pleased to be able to announce that this inaugural edition includes a story of mine, "Once Upon A Dinner Date."

The collection has already picked up some great reviews, including 4 stars from RT Magazine and a starred review from Publishers Weekly -- a starred review indicates a book of outstanding quality! The anthology is now available in book stores and from Amazon.com. It's also on pre order at Amazon.co.uk.

Each of these masterfully written tales contains the essence of true romance: a central love story and an emotionally-satisfying, optimistic ending. What sets Best Erotic Romance apart is the scorching hot sex and the happily-ever-after (or happy-for-now) ending. Award-winning romance writer and editor Kristina Wright and her cast of terrific romance writers have crafted stories that touch the hearts and minds of readers, and linger in the memory for a long, long time.

More costumes from The Tudors

I meant to put some more piccies up from our visit to The Tudors costume display, but I've been nursing a sore jaw/face/head after a tooth extraction this week. (It's not been pretty, I've been very growly and sorry for myself here. ;o) I'm gradually becoming more human again so here are the promised snaps:



And the one you've all been waiting for Jonathan Rhys Meyers Henry VIII costume, as worn by Mister Yummy himself! (You're allowed to take photos in the Royal Armouries, but not with flash.)


More news from me soon. I'll be hitting the half way point with THE LIBERTINE this week, so it's time to share a bit about how the book is going.

Did you enjoy The Tudors?

Here I am visiting The Tudors today - an exhibition of costumes from the hit tv series. Gorgeous costumes! On until the 30th. If you're in the North of England catch it while you can.

More from me soon. I owe blogposts.

New Walk on the Wild Side Books read from Sasha White

Hey folks, no new release from me this month but Walk on the Wild Side buddy Sasha White has an exciting futuristic read for you. Check out the details and the striking cover.

Mavericks of Space Anthology
ABDUCTION
When Max Cooper, a "damaged" ex-Coast Guard officer, wakes up naked in a strange bed with no memory of how he got there, "alien abduction" is not what pops into his head.

It's Captain Tyla Natori's job to bring males from other worlds back to her own female-dominated planet to be put "on the market." When she finds a perfect male speciman in the form of Max Cooper, however, she decides he's the one for her...and he has no choice in the matter...Or does he?

TRANSPLANT
Max made his choice to stick with Tyla and become a Transplant on Triton. Only things aren't going too smoothly, right from the start. Max wants to be Tyla's only lover, and for a Triton woman, monogamy is unheard of. Then there's the fact that the queen's ordered Tyla to marry a Durian prince in order to prevent a war.

Nothing brings two people closer together than facing a common foe, but can Max and Tyla stop the marriage and still prevent a war?

Abduction: 6,700 words Transplant: 6,591 words

"ABDUCTION by Sasha White is a quick sumptuous read that will have you squirming and wanting to abduct a love slave of your very own. Ms. White developed her characters quickly and solidly in an other worldly setting that you will want to visit again. - eCataromance Reviews

"Hot, fast-paced and erotic, the tension between Tyla and Max is sizzling. This sci-fi Erotica quickie delivers!" - Romance Divas

Go here for an excerpt and buy links!

Yummy new cover art - GOING DOWN (Jan 2012)

He was a confident man, subtly commanding, too. Would he be like that as a lover? Yes, I just knew he'd be masterful.

Jennifer hoped she'd meet someone during her six-month stay in Paris, but she didn't expect to find a captivating man like her neighbor Armand Lazare on her very first day. From their initial encounter in their building's antique elevator, he makes her feel wanton, excited and unexpectedly aroused by the way he takes control. But as much as this new desire unnerves Jennifer, she's even more eager to explore it—with Armand as her master….

Coming in January 2012!

Publication news: STEAMLUST: STEAMPUNK EROTIC ROMANCE is out!

STEAMLUST: STEAMPUNK EROTIC ROMANCE is now available! I'm beyond thrilled to have my contributor copy in my hands! :) This awesome collection is edited by Kristina Wright and published by Cleis Press. It's in stock Stateside and coming soon (pre order available) at Amazon UK. It's a total honour to have a story in this collection and alongside exciting work by such a talented group of authors. Check out the blurb and reviews:

Steamlust is romantic erotica that reflects the excitement, fantasy and rebellion of steampunk. Not sure what steampunk is? Think Victorian elegance and aesthetics meets futuristic invention and exploration. The genre of steampunk itself has transcended the Victorian (or Edwardian) eras — in Kristina Wright's inventive anthology, it can be any time period, real or imagined, that blends elements of science, history, fantasy and technology. Until Steamlust, the genre had been missing romantic relationships and erotic encounters. Steampunk erotic romance is shiny brass and crushed velvet; mechanical inventions and romantic conventions; sexual fantasy and kinky fetish. It's steam powered sexy romance!

Editrix extraordinaire Kristina Wright creates a lush and fantastical world of women-centered stories and romantic scenarios, first for steampunk fiction. Fetishizing the wardrobe, language, fantasy and rituals of steampunk, Steamlust includes alternate histories, second worlds, time travel and contemporary settings.

"Wright's anthology of sizzling steampunk romance is a sensual, passionate, and humorous collection of alternate histories, fantastical worlds, and time travel romps. The heroines are strong-willed, intelligent, technologically savvy, and elegant in their fashionable corsets. Some are attracted to men who are half-machine, as in Sylvia Day's "Iron Hard," Christine d'Abo's "The Undeciphered Heart," and Nikki Magennis's "Make Your Own Miracles." Others are seduced by the wonders of flying airships and robots in Saskia Walker's "Heart of the Daedalus" and Sacchi Green's "Fog, Flight and Moonlight." There are same-sex affairs aplenty; the best is Anya Richards's powerful "Rescue My Heart." Not content to titillate, these passionate vignettes will also satisfy steampunk fans intellectually with nuanced discussions of self-sufficient women and the roles that machines play in our lives." (Nov.)—Publisher's Weekly, Reviewed on: 09/12/2011

"With a foreword by Meljean Brook and an introduction by the editor, this erotic paean to steampunk captures many aspects of the genre. Expect the unexpected, whether it is the baron's mechanical arm in Sylvia Day's Regency, "Iron Hard," or Saskia Walker's walking insect-like creation in "Heart of the Daedalus," set after the Crimean war. Each story has its fair share of sex in addition to the invention that is out of place and time." —RT Reviews

Amazon UK
Amazon US

Here's a snippet from my story:

It had been a fanciful artistic creation, but seeing it constructed in solid metal took Nina's breath away. Awestruck, she made her way around the machine. At the side she heard the low throb of the combustion engine. She ran her hand along the underbelly and felt its heat. Smiling fondly, she felt as if she had been reunited with long-lost kin. She'd come there angry, possessive and thwarted, and yet seeing her design realized as a complete construction made her hands tremble with excitement.

At the rear she found a metal ladder that dropped from the vessel to the ground. She hitched her skirts and clambered up. Cautiously, she opened the hatch. Inside was gloomy but towards the front of the pod an oil lamp stood on a brass surface, giving out a warm, inviting light. She paused, still wary, but heard no sound other than the low rumble of the combustion engine in dormant mode. Unable to resist, she climbed inside.

Nothing could have prepared her for the beauty of the interior. Where solid sheets of sturdy welded metal characterized the exterior, inside it was all gleaming brass dials and copper pipes. The construction was immaculate and finished to a high standard. She stepped over to the control panel and ran her fingers along the casement. She was so fascinated that she did not sense the human presence behind her, not until it was too late. When she did she tensed and turned on her heel.

The man rose from a seat in the darkness beyond the hatch.

Her hand went to the pommel of her sword.

"What have we here," the man drawled, "a thief in the night who dares to touch my precious creation?"

The statement was meant to provoke, she knew that. Nevertheless her anger flared. "I am no thief." She drew her sword, pointing it around the gleaming interior of the Daedalus. "What is this, if not theft of my design?"

He laughed softly.

She assumed an en garde position, challenging him.

He stepped into the fall of light. Built tall and large, he towered over her. She cast an eye over his greatcoat and polished knee-length boots, taking in the fitted breeches and open necked shirt beneath. His dark hair fell loosely to his shoulders and his eyes were shadowed under drawn-down brows. Stubble marked his jaw. The rugged build of his features looked starker still in the half light. The sight of him made her will strong and her legs weak.

"Thief!" she declared.

He moved swiftly, his sword out and clashing against hers. "And you?" he responded, with amusement. "Lurking on the marshes in the midnight hours, like a common smuggler." With consummate skill he traded thrusts and parries with her, his blade ringing against hers.

Her heart raced wildly, but gritty determination to equal him drove her on.

He nodded approvingly at her maneuvers. "I have to admit your fencing has improved somewhat since our last meeting, my dear."

Nina smiled. She had been taking lessons. However his compliment distracted her and before she could draw breath he knocked the sword from her hand. Cursing, she glared at him. His blade flashed again, splicing the fabric of her bodice between her breasts.

Furious, she backed away and clutched her hands to the polished brass panel behind her. "Dishonorable as ever, I see, Dominic Bartleby."

"Particularly where you are concerned, my beauty." He ran the tip of his finely crafted blade into the torn fabric at her cleavage, as if daring her to move.

In an attempt to stifle the rise and fall of her chest, she bit into her lower lip. When the blade skimmed over the surface of her corset, a quiet moan escaped her.

Dominic raised an eyebrow, his mouth lifting in a sardonic smile.

Amazon UK
Amazon US

Reprint news: ONE ENCHANTED NIGHT

Hi folks, I hope you're having a great weekend! If you're looking for some saucy reading, ONE ENCHANTED NIGHT, my short erotic tale set in an ancient fantasy world, has been re-released through eXcessica and is now available for only 0.99c (it may be slightly more at Kindle.) Here's the summary:

SUMMARY:

An exotic spell unleashes a myriad of sensory delights.

In the ancient city of Suzin, Yasmin, an innocent young bride, struggles with her lusty desires. Her husband is an Emperor's captain undertaking a crusade. In his absence Yasmin's physical needs are brazen and heated, and she wishes to master them.

Seeking advice she visits the mysterious soothsayer, Mistress Munya. In doing so, she discovers that the route to mastering her passion is entirely different than she might have imagined, and infinitely more pleasurable.

Together with her male acolyte, Mistress Munya teaches Yasmin to welcome and pursue the pleasures of the flesh. Presenting Yasmin with a magical dildo, she weaves a seductive sensory spell that brings Yasmin one enchanted night of passion—together with a lifetime of female knowledge about her husband's desires and the sensual world.

Warnings: This title includes frequent and graphic M/F sex including anal play. Please note: this ebook has been previously published with a different cover. Word Count: 15,527

Available from the following online outlets:
eXcessica
Smashwords
All Romance Ebooks
Kindle US
Kindle UK
Also coming to Fictionwise soon.

EXCERPT:

"You have misunderstood me," she said, forcing herself to face the spellmaker.

The gentle wisdom she saw in the seer's eyes began to calm the dismay Yasmin felt. "I was hoping perhaps for a potion that would quell my needs until such time as my husband is returned home again." Meshing and unmeshing her fingers in her lap, she lowered her voice. "I am presently at my most fertile time, and it seems to make things even more difficult for me."

Munya smiled knowingly. "Yasmin, you will never master your desires if you attempt to quell them. That is not the way. We must embrace all of what is to be a woman—our desires, and the mysteries we hold deep within ourselves." She paused a moment. "Let me ask you this, would your husband want you to take a potion to quell your passion?"

Yasmin frowned. "Well, no. Not if he was here, but he is not here."

"Your husband enjoys your desire for him?"

"Oh, yes. He remarks upon it favorably. In fact he says it makes him want more of me than he has the strength for, and he is a very strong man." She blushed, wishing she hadn't blurted that out quite so readily.

Humor twinkled in the spellmaker's eyes. "Then you must have more faith in where your desire leads you, tonight and every night."

"But I would rather wait for my husband." Even as she said the words Yasmin found herself compelled to stare at the dildo in the box. It harnessed her attention in the most specific way, because she noticed the way the leather was sewn, lifting the head of the phallus tautly, which gave a particular bend to the object—a bend suggestive of pleasured intimate places. The head was made large and ridged, and her body grew damp and clenched in response, eagerly anticipating what it might feel like to push the thing inside her and ride it.

Lifting her tea, she took a sip of the fragrant beverage to distract herself. It didn't seem to work. If anything, the warm, flavorsome brew opened her up inside, making her more responsive to the very suggestion held in the object. The soothsayer's voice reached her still, but she could scarcely draw attention away from the object. She had never seen anything like it. Her sister had told her that many women used polished stones or carved wooden phalluses to pleasure themselves, but she had never seen one. She longed to hold it, stroke it—to put it inside her to relieve the lust that assailed her. Her body clenched as she imagined that broad head moving inside her, rubbing over every sensitive measure of her intimate flesh as it filled her up to capacity the way Anwar did.

"It is the mystery of desire that you fear," Munya said, "not the reason for it."

"My husband, Anwar, he is the reason," Yasmin murmured. Even while she wondered what Anwar would think of her for using such a thing, she felt strangely compelled to accept the box, her uneasiness about it dissipating.

Munya nodded. "You have been brave coming here tonight. I see and feel that, sweet Yasmin." Her eyes glowed with certain knowledge, and Yasmin felt it reflected in her heart. "You must trust me." She rested her hands on the table between them, palms upward. "Do you trust me?"

Yasmin nodded.

"Then put your hands in mine and allow me to lead you to your destiny."

Guest blogging elsewhere today

I'm over at the lovely and talented Justine Elyot's blog today, chatting about the recently published SEDUCING THE MYTH anthology, my story "The True Folly of Icarus" and my other work in progress.

Go here to read more.

Getting ready for the Autumn/Winter work schedule...

How did it get to be October? This year is flying by. Time to take stock!

First up we had a lovely break, much needed and enjoyed. It was a total chill out session where I did little else than rest and recoup. Now I'm gearing up for the autumn and winter work. My schedule is nice and straightforward...and totally packed. I'll need to keep up the pace and avoid being distracted by glittery things. :)

The main two projects are THE LIBERTINE and THE JEZEBEL, the next two novels in the Taskill Witches series. These two novels tell the stories of Jessie ( THE HARLOT ) Taskill's brother and sister, Lennox and Maisie. I also have a novella in progress that I'd like to complete at some point in the next few months, APPASSIONATO. All three stories are historicals set in the eighteenth century. The Taskill books are predominantly set in Scotland, and the novella is set in London. I've put my word meters up on the right hand menu, so that means I'm officially working and accountable. :o) I may zip about from one project to the other but THE LIBERTINE really ought to be project number one.

In other news, some super reviews came in while I was away from the desk. First up I ♥ Bookie Nookie gave MONICA'S SECRET a "top pick" at The Romance 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 reads." Read full review here.


Alberta at Manic Readers gave ALONG FOR THE RIDE this awesome review and 4.5 stars:

"What a ride it is! London, Edinburgh and various points in between, indoors, outdoors, in public and private, this trio heats up the pages till I thought my e-reader was smoking! This is your book if you like lots of hot hot sex!" Read full review here.

and Silla Beaumont at Just Erotic Romance Reviews gave it 5 stars and an O for Orgasmic:

"Along For The Ride is one of the hottest, sexiest, most sensual books I've read! Between the erotically charged encounter between Cal and Jason to the passionate days and nights spent with the three of them, I found myself holding off on
reading the book until I had some quality "alone time." Though the book was blisteringly hot from page one, it was also surprisingly sweet and charming."

Yay! A big thank you to the reviewers. I hope readers will enjoy the books just as much. It really makes my day to hear readers have enjoyed my work. It doesn't get better than that. :)

Have a great week, folks.

Hi Honeys, I'm home! Say hello to my new friend!

This beautiful creature is a six month old owl and I had the pleasure of holding him during our holiday in Mallorca. Isn't he gorgeous?!


Moments before this was taken we turned and looked directly into each other's eyes. He blinked, and I fell in love. I think you can see it in the daft happy look on my face. :) Anyone who has read my fantasy novella, THE STRANGELING, will know why... :)

Bron chose a sturdy oak to meditate beneath, sitting cross-legged at its base. He turned his face to the moon. Summoning the forces of nature, he enquired of the significant sources if he might draw upon them: the moon goddess, who lit the ground around him—the living creatures that moved in the hedgerows and shrubs, the faith and power of the elders at Western Tor. Preparing to harness whatever sources they offered him, he closed his eyes to what was around him and focused instead on the path back to Maerose.
Like reeds whispering in the wind, he heard their replies and felt them entering into his soul. He opened his eyes to a rush of color and light moving around him, vibrant in the still of the night. The elders pooled their power within him. It charged him with energy, with magic. He looked skyward, through the swirling light that shone down on him. The goddess of the moon had focused her attention on him, drawing her resources in from all over the land. He felt her acknowledgment and whispered the nature of his task to her, his voice riding easily on the currents of energy around him. She blessed his endeavor, sending him light and shadows to cloak himself as he saw fit. A subtle wind blew through the trees, and he rose to his feet on it. The call of a distant owl reached him, offering him passage and cover for his journey.
He took a deep breath, summoning his every resource, and his spirit lifted from his body and joined with the wise, magnificent bird. Its heart thudded within him, its blood beating into him. He saw through its eyes and took passage with it. The bird's great and beautiful wings spanned out and the night air streamed beneath them as they rose. He sensed the shift of the fallen leaves around him as he took flight, gathering power and speed. Far below, the prey scurrying in the hedgerow became visible to his eyes as he covered the distance in the guise of the night predator.
Within moments they had traveled back to Veldor's den. It stood, hunched against the wooded land, a gloomy retreat that emitted dark energies below them. Bron watched the stone walls and thatched roof as they grew closer, scanning the doorways. The owl landed on a window ledge, his silent wings attracting no attention from the men drinking inside the inn. He blinked, turning his head, spying the best way for Bron to travel through the maze-like passages to the cellar.
Bron urged the great bird on, and with one last call to the elders who channeled him their strength, he drew upon the shadows the moon goddess had offered, made himself invisible, and entered Veldor's den.

I hope you've all had a good fortnight. More of my news as soon as I'm unpacked and have myself back up to speed.