Saskia Walker's Blog, page 148
June 15, 2011
Eroticism and the historical novel
This blog post originally appeared as a guest blog at EROTICA FOR ALL (if you don't already know this site check it out! It's a superb resource for erotica readers and writers.)
I'm reposting it here now that THE HARLOT is out, in case it's fun for any readers who've happened on the book since then. I'm also going to link to the related articles and interviews on the website, in case anyone who finds the books later on wants to know about the background ideas and writing process. It's the sort of thing that appeals to me as a reader but up until now I haven't been organising many resources like this for my own work.
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I'm currently celebrating the release of my new novel, THE HARLOT. This story is an erotic historical with paranormal elements, set in the time of the Scottish witch trials. If I had to sum the story up in one word it would be "bawdy," and that's what I love about writing historical erotic. My characters aren't the repressed people of the past, those with privilege, wealth, and a place in society. No. What I love to explore is down-to-earth, lusty sorts, those who grab life and live it to the full.
My central characters, Jessie and Gregor, both have troubled histories and walk on the dark side, surviving by the skin of their teeth. Gregor is a man hell bent on revenge, Jessie a whore who is under an accusation of witchcraft—an accusation that could result in the death penalty. Gregor rescues Jessie in order to have her work for him. He sets about teaching her how to seduce his enemy, in order to gain back land that was stolen from his family a decade before. It's a reasonably businesslike agreement to begin with, but their main obstacles are each other! Gregor is trying to teach Jessie to seduce another man, but Gregor wants Jessie. Jessie wants Gregor. They are both strong willed and both think they can control the other. Given their irresistible sexual attraction the scenario provides an explosive combination of sexuality and desire!
The power dynamic between characters in a society that was overtly male dominated is great fun to play with, but writing about sex and eroticism in a historical setting is both liberating and challenging. An author can't present a believable historical fiction without some reference to the risk of pregnancy and the sexually transmitted diseases of the time. These are the challenges. The liberation comes in the delightful nuances of the historical setting. In the early 1700′s working women didn't wear knickers! Oh yes, the accessibility issue is a whole powder keg of eroticism. The ease of throwing up a skirt and petticoats and bending a woman over, can't you just imagine what a temptation it was? :) Not to mention the whole corset, stays, bodice combo, and stockings that have to be tied with ribbons. Then there's the men…flowing shirts, polished boots and laced up breeches that left little to the imagination. I'm fanning myself here.
Aside from the central relationship in THE HARLOT there is a secondary male/male plot. The forbidden nature of their affair during that time makes it all the more enticing to my heroine, who has the chance to observe the male lovers. She draws parallels between her own situation—at risk of being put to death for witchcraft—to theirs, the forbidden unlawful practice of homosexuality. The danger posed puts its own spin on their mutual desire, and all of these things bring erotic tension that is unique to that historical setting.
The paranormal aspect of the book gave me a chance to write about pagan sexmagic some more, a theme I adore exploring. Essentially this is the belief that the most powerful energies come from the natural world and its rhythms, and that we can draw on them. The energy between two (or more) people involved sexually and emotionally is something my characters can harness and utilise. Jessie is learning about this, and as her story progresses and her relationship with Gregor grows more passionate and heated, so her magical powers are nurtured and developed, leading to all sorts of shenanigans!
In case you can't tell, I had enormous fun writing this novel. :) It's the first in a series of three. THE HARLOT will be followed by THE LIBERTINE, and THE JEZEBEL, the stories of Jessie's siblings, with lots more bawdy sex and pagan sex magic.
I'm reposting it here now that THE HARLOT is out, in case it's fun for any readers who've happened on the book since then. I'm also going to link to the related articles and interviews on the website, in case anyone who finds the books later on wants to know about the background ideas and writing process. It's the sort of thing that appeals to me as a reader but up until now I haven't been organising many resources like this for my own work.
-----
I'm currently celebrating the release of my new novel, THE HARLOT. This story is an erotic historical with paranormal elements, set in the time of the Scottish witch trials. If I had to sum the story up in one word it would be "bawdy," and that's what I love about writing historical erotic. My characters aren't the repressed people of the past, those with privilege, wealth, and a place in society. No. What I love to explore is down-to-earth, lusty sorts, those who grab life and live it to the full.
My central characters, Jessie and Gregor, both have troubled histories and walk on the dark side, surviving by the skin of their teeth. Gregor is a man hell bent on revenge, Jessie a whore who is under an accusation of witchcraft—an accusation that could result in the death penalty. Gregor rescues Jessie in order to have her work for him. He sets about teaching her how to seduce his enemy, in order to gain back land that was stolen from his family a decade before. It's a reasonably businesslike agreement to begin with, but their main obstacles are each other! Gregor is trying to teach Jessie to seduce another man, but Gregor wants Jessie. Jessie wants Gregor. They are both strong willed and both think they can control the other. Given their irresistible sexual attraction the scenario provides an explosive combination of sexuality and desire!The power dynamic between characters in a society that was overtly male dominated is great fun to play with, but writing about sex and eroticism in a historical setting is both liberating and challenging. An author can't present a believable historical fiction without some reference to the risk of pregnancy and the sexually transmitted diseases of the time. These are the challenges. The liberation comes in the delightful nuances of the historical setting. In the early 1700′s working women didn't wear knickers! Oh yes, the accessibility issue is a whole powder keg of eroticism. The ease of throwing up a skirt and petticoats and bending a woman over, can't you just imagine what a temptation it was? :) Not to mention the whole corset, stays, bodice combo, and stockings that have to be tied with ribbons. Then there's the men…flowing shirts, polished boots and laced up breeches that left little to the imagination. I'm fanning myself here.
Aside from the central relationship in THE HARLOT there is a secondary male/male plot. The forbidden nature of their affair during that time makes it all the more enticing to my heroine, who has the chance to observe the male lovers. She draws parallels between her own situation—at risk of being put to death for witchcraft—to theirs, the forbidden unlawful practice of homosexuality. The danger posed puts its own spin on their mutual desire, and all of these things bring erotic tension that is unique to that historical setting.
The paranormal aspect of the book gave me a chance to write about pagan sexmagic some more, a theme I adore exploring. Essentially this is the belief that the most powerful energies come from the natural world and its rhythms, and that we can draw on them. The energy between two (or more) people involved sexually and emotionally is something my characters can harness and utilise. Jessie is learning about this, and as her story progresses and her relationship with Gregor grows more passionate and heated, so her magical powers are nurtured and developed, leading to all sorts of shenanigans!
In case you can't tell, I had enormous fun writing this novel. :) It's the first in a series of three. THE HARLOT will be followed by THE LIBERTINE, and THE JEZEBEL, the stories of Jessie's siblings, with lots more bawdy sex and pagan sex magic.
June 13, 2011
New print book, guest blogging, and other news!
Whoa, my to-do list is keeping me busy at the moment, but I've got some bits and pieces to share so I thought I'd take a few moments to blog.
First up, today is print publication day for HOLLY'S INTUITION (Book 2 in the Erogenous Zones series) Woot! You can now buy this one in print direct from Total-E-Bound in the UK, from Amazon.com in the United States and it will pop up on Amazon UK at some point too.
I'm working on book 3 of the Erogenous Zones series now, FAYE'S SPIRIT. For those following the series, Faye's story takes place a year later than the first two, and she's getting pretty peeved that her two sisters are having such a great time in their relationships and she has yet to discover the delights of a ménage à trois. So when she finds herself ensconced for the weekend with two gorgeous guys who both flirt with her, she decides to be bold and brazen and tell them about her sisters, just to see what it might stir up. lol! Faye is a naughty minx. ;-) Faye's story is very different to her sisters because both her guys are straight, but what starts as a hot erotic experiment leads to a steamy and emotional entanglement. Readers are giving such great feedback for the first two books so I hope Faye's story hits the spot too.
In other news, the ever charming Jeremy Edwards has sent me a photo of THE HARLOT out in the wild on bookshelves in Powell's City of Books in Portland, Oregon. This makes me so happy! Big thanks to Jeremy for making my day.
There was much excitement here when I heard that my 2010 novel, RAMPANT, recently won second place in the Write Touch Readers' Award Erotica/Romantica category! Woohoo! I'm delighted with this placing, especially being amongst so many great books.
Last but not least, I'm guest blogging over at Victoria Janssen's today, chatting about the joys and challenges of creating historical realism in THE HARLOT. Click here to check it out.
That's it for now. Have a great week folks!
First up, today is print publication day for HOLLY'S INTUITION (Book 2 in the Erogenous Zones series) Woot! You can now buy this one in print direct from Total-E-Bound in the UK, from Amazon.com in the United States and it will pop up on Amazon UK at some point too. I'm working on book 3 of the Erogenous Zones series now, FAYE'S SPIRIT. For those following the series, Faye's story takes place a year later than the first two, and she's getting pretty peeved that her two sisters are having such a great time in their relationships and she has yet to discover the delights of a ménage à trois. So when she finds herself ensconced for the weekend with two gorgeous guys who both flirt with her, she decides to be bold and brazen and tell them about her sisters, just to see what it might stir up. lol! Faye is a naughty minx. ;-) Faye's story is very different to her sisters because both her guys are straight, but what starts as a hot erotic experiment leads to a steamy and emotional entanglement. Readers are giving such great feedback for the first two books so I hope Faye's story hits the spot too.
In other news, the ever charming Jeremy Edwards has sent me a photo of THE HARLOT out in the wild on bookshelves in Powell's City of Books in Portland, Oregon. This makes me so happy! Big thanks to Jeremy for making my day. There was much excitement here when I heard that my 2010 novel, RAMPANT, recently won second place in the Write Touch Readers' Award Erotica/Romantica category! Woohoo! I'm delighted with this placing, especially being amongst so many great books.
Last but not least, I'm guest blogging over at Victoria Janssen's today, chatting about the joys and challenges of creating historical realism in THE HARLOT. Click here to check it out.
That's it for now. Have a great week folks!
Walk on the Wild Side with FORBIDDEN TREASURES!
It's publication day at Walk on the Wild Side Books and todays book is FORBIDDEN TREASURES by the queen of saucy domestic BDSM erotica, Portia da Costa!
Go here to read an excerpt and find buy links.
When Alice Porter finds a chest full of vintage curiosa at an antique market, she little realizes how her discovery of the forgotten treasures of an Edwardian disciplinarian will change her life. The sexy hoard includes a punishment ledger and a well used rattan cane, and the bygone items intrigue her husband Julian too. Sharing and experimenting with the writings and the wicked implement, the lovers begin a voyage of forbidden sensuality that shocks and thrills them both, revealing dark secrets from Julian's past and bringing the two of them closer together than they've ever been before.
Approximately 10,000 words
Go here to read an excerpt and find buy links.
June 8, 2011
Steamlust: Steampunk Erotic Romance
As regular readers of my work or my blog know I've written both paranormal and fantasy stories, short and long, but when Kristina Wright put out a call for "steampunk erotic romance short stories" I got very excited! This was a subgenre I'd been dabbling in behind the scenes and I have a big project under development. So I figured if I wrote a short story for this anthology and it made it into the collection I would take it as a sign to pursue my other project as well. It was a real testing ground for me, in other words...
I was thrilled to bits to get an acceptance, and now the cover and table of contents are out!! It's so good to see my story listed there amongst such awesome writers. I'm totally made up to be part of this exciting project. (Can you tell? ;o)
Steamlust: Steampunk Erotic Romance
Table of Contents
Foreword Meljean Brook
Introduction: A Passion for Steampunk
Iron Hard Sylvia Day
Heart of the Daedalus Saskia Walker
Fog, Flight and Moonlight Sacchi Green
The Undeciphered Heart Christine d'Abo
Mr. Hartley's Infernal Device Charlotte Stein
A Demonstration of Affection Elizabeth Coldwell
Undergrounded Vida Bailey
Sparks Anna Meadows
Green Cheese Lisabet Sarai
Lost Souls Andrea Dale
Golden Moment Lynn Townsend
Liberated Mary Borsellino
Make Your Own Miracles Nikki Magennis
Rescue My Heart Anya Richards
Coming in October and now available for pre-order now from Amazon and Amazon UK.
I was thrilled to bits to get an acceptance, and now the cover and table of contents are out!! It's so good to see my story listed there amongst such awesome writers. I'm totally made up to be part of this exciting project. (Can you tell? ;o)
Steamlust: Steampunk Erotic RomanceTable of Contents
Foreword Meljean Brook
Introduction: A Passion for Steampunk
Iron Hard Sylvia Day
Heart of the Daedalus Saskia Walker
Fog, Flight and Moonlight Sacchi Green
The Undeciphered Heart Christine d'Abo
Mr. Hartley's Infernal Device Charlotte Stein
A Demonstration of Affection Elizabeth Coldwell
Undergrounded Vida Bailey
Sparks Anna Meadows
Green Cheese Lisabet Sarai
Lost Souls Andrea Dale
Golden Moment Lynn Townsend
Liberated Mary Borsellino
Make Your Own Miracles Nikki Magennis
Rescue My Heart Anya Richards
Coming in October and now available for pre-order now from Amazon and Amazon UK.
June 7, 2011
What makes a good erotic romance?
I'm over at Tumblr with Harlequin Books today, (isn't it clever how I can be everywhere at once? ;o) taking a quick look at what makes a good erotic romance for me. Click here to go looky.
June 6, 2011
In the erotica spotlight at RT Book Reviews magazine
I'm in the erotica spotlight at RT Book Reviews magazine online at the moment, chatting about THE HARLOT, with an article about writing the central characters, plus an excerpt.
Go here to check it out, or go directly to my article or excerpt.
Also in the news here today is this awesome review for HOLLY'S INTUITION (Book 2 in the Erogenous Zones series) from Silla Beaumont at Just Erotic Romance Reviews. Check out what Silla had to say!
Ooh, and HOLLY'S INTUITION is also coming out in print very soon, next week in fact. :) If you'd like to read an excerpt, you'll find one here.
Go here to check it out, or go directly to my article or excerpt.
Also in the news here today is this awesome review for HOLLY'S INTUITION (Book 2 in the Erogenous Zones series) from Silla Beaumont at Just Erotic Romance Reviews. Check out what Silla had to say!
Reviewer: Silla Beaumont
Rating: 5 Stars
Heat Level: O
Holly's Intuition is the second delectable book in Saskia Walker's Erogenous Zones series, and while book one, Monica's Secret was good, Holly's Intuition is truly exquisite. Stewart's character is especially well done, and Walker does an amazing job with his "chill" attitude toward his sexuality as well as his desire to help his lover come to terms with his own. The intense conversations between the men made me feel like a sensual voyeur, and I felt like it was a privilege to be privy to their intimate conversations. And the sex...WHEW! Between the two men together and the three of them feeling their way in and out of the bedroom, Holly's Intuition was sweet and sexy from beginning to end! Stewart's seductively dominant nature made the scenes especially erotic, and when the three of them get it on, I was sure that my Nook was going to catch on fire! Honestly, this is one of the hottest books I've read, and a large part of that is the voyeuristic vibe that Ms. Walker is able to produce in this book. I'm looking forward to reading her third book in the Erogenous Zones series about the youngest Evans sister, Faye.
Ooh, and HOLLY'S INTUITION is also coming out in print very soon, next week in fact. :) If you'd like to read an excerpt, you'll find one here.
Cover lust: GRITTY: ROUGH EROTIC FICTION
Posting this because the cover is SOOOOooooo sexy. And now I have to have the book. Yum. How hot is that?!
And with a line up like this one I know I'm in for a scorching read! Bring it on! :)
And with a line up like this one I know I'm in for a scorching read! Bring it on! :)
June 5, 2011
Reprint news: DOUBLE DARE
I have a bargain priced novel to tempt you with today. :) DOUBLE DARE is a backlist title of mine, and that means I've been able to re-release it through Walk on the Wld Side Books as an ebook at the much lower price of $3.99/£2.80. DOUBLE DARE won the Passionate Plume award for the best contemporary erotic romance of 2006. If you enjoy hot contemporary stories set in London and Paris, and missed it the first time around, this might be one for you!
Here's the summary:
79,000 words in length, contemporary erotic romance.
Please note: this novel has been previously published with an alternative cover. This title contains graphic m/f sex scenes.
You can read an excerpt here. The book is now available for download from Kindle US, Kindle UK, Smashwords, All Romance Ebooks, and Diesel Books. If you pick up the story, I hope you enjoy it!
Here's the summary:
Two hearts entangled in a steamy affair and a truth or dare game brought about by a mutual desire for erotic discovery...
Investment broker Abigail Douglas has got it all, but Abby—the woman—longs for a secret affair, a playmate who knows nothing about her high-powered business world, and Zac Bordino might just be the man. He's mysterious and sexy—just right for Abby's walk on the wild side—but very soon she finds that she wants more, and his mysterious, evasive nature makes her curious. Is there more to this sexy, entrepreneurial club owner than meets the eye? And why does she suddenly feel as if her every move is being watched?
Zac Bordino is perplexed when he realizes that the woman managing his business investments is the same woman he's having an affair with. She's pretending to be a little nobody out for a good time, and because she's a red hot number he plays along, cautiously observing her to get to the truth. From high-powered offices in London to pulse-pounding nightclubs in Paris, they find an insatiably perfect match in business and in pleasure. But when Zac begins to fall for Abby, he has to decide whether to reveal the secret link between them, or try to win her heart first.
79,000 words in length, contemporary erotic romance.
Please note: this novel has been previously published with an alternative cover. This title contains graphic m/f sex scenes.
You can read an excerpt here. The book is now available for download from Kindle US, Kindle UK, Smashwords, All Romance Ebooks, and Diesel Books. If you pick up the story, I hope you enjoy it!
May 31, 2011
Double publication day today!
Today is the big day for THE HARLOT. Yay! This is my big novel for the year, a Harlequin Spice publication. I've been talking about this one plenty already, but here's the summary just in case:
"Take one gorgeous rogue seeking vengeance and a desperate woman charged with witchcraft, toss them together with a healthy dose of lust and you've got an enticing tale of revenge, justice and magic." RT Book Reviews magazine
"This is a very erotic read and one that gradually engages the heart and pulls the reader into the story. This is one of those books where I was so strongly tempted to go to the end and find out what happened to these two. It is historically accurate and within that context is an accurate reflection of that culture. I highly recommend it and feel it is really a very fine read." Judith, Good Reads reader.
"The Harlot is about finding redemption unexpectedly, being able to trust and love again, as well as moving forward. I feel many historical romance readers and fans of Ms. Walker's will not be disappointed in this new work." Ali, Nocturne Romance reads
You can read more and find buy links here.
Also now available is a related Spice Brief novelette entitled THEIR PRIVATE ARRANGEMENT, which features three of the secondary characters from THE HARLOT.
Here's the summary:
Go here to read an excerpt and/or download the story.
I will be treating us to something fizzy to celebrate the double launch this evening! If you pick up either or both of these reads I hope you enjoy the stories. Let me know. :)
It is a Dark Era, one when a lusty lass will do what she must to survive. Even if it means bartering flesh for a palmful of coins…Forced to watch her mother burned at the stake and separated from her siblings in the aftermath, Jessie Taskill is similarly gifted, ripe with a powerful magic that must stay hidden. Until one night when she's accused by a rival, and Jessie finds herself behind prison walls with a roguish priest unlike any man of the cloth she has known.
In reality, Gregor Ramsay is as far from holy as the devil himself, but his promise of freedom in return for her services may be her salvation. Locked into a dubious agreement, Jessie resents his plan to have her seduce and ruin his lifelong enemy. But toying with Gregor's lust for her is enjoyable, and she agrees to be his pawn while secretly intending to use him just as he is using her.
"Take one gorgeous rogue seeking vengeance and a desperate woman charged with witchcraft, toss them together with a healthy dose of lust and you've got an enticing tale of revenge, justice and magic." RT Book Reviews magazine
"This is a very erotic read and one that gradually engages the heart and pulls the reader into the story. This is one of those books where I was so strongly tempted to go to the end and find out what happened to these two. It is historically accurate and within that context is an accurate reflection of that culture. I highly recommend it and feel it is really a very fine read." Judith, Good Reads reader.
"The Harlot is about finding redemption unexpectedly, being able to trust and love again, as well as moving forward. I feel many historical romance readers and fans of Ms. Walker's will not be disappointed in this new work." Ali, Nocturne Romance reads
You can read more and find buy links here.
Also now available is a related Spice Brief novelette entitled THEIR PRIVATE ARRANGEMENT, which features three of the secondary characters from THE HARLOT.
Here's the summary:
Scotland, 1715
Duggan Moore has always stirred maidservant Morag's womanly desires. Even though Duggan is in a clandestine relationship with James Grant, he wants Morag as well -- and James doesn't want to deny him any pleasure. Soon, all three are exploring their mutual passion ... together.
But officials have come to town to hunt an accused witch ... putting the threesome at risk. Can they find a way to keep their private arrangement safe?
Go here to read an excerpt and/or download the story.
I will be treating us to something fizzy to celebrate the double launch this evening! If you pick up either or both of these reads I hope you enjoy the stories. Let me know. :)
I'm guest blogging at Genreality today
I'm over at Genreality chatting about my writing journey & some of my mistakes. Click on the banner if you want to call by and see me spill the beans on some of the missteps I made on my writing journey. ;o)
