THE NAUGHTY LADY FROM SHADY LANE

Well, this doesn't happen very often...

2012-01-21T14:09:00.000Z

...so I think I'll be cracking open a nice bottle of wine later, to celebrate!

I hope that all the readers who've picked up MINDING AMY recently will enjoy this story. It's one of my frothiest stories and I love it, so I hope you do too. Thanks for giving it a try!

Take a Walk on the Wild Side with Portia Da Costa!

2012-01-17T06:57:00.001Z

My pal Portia has a new mini anthology for your delectation! DARING INTERLUDES is a collection of stories themed around the frisky sexual games played by established pairs of lovers, and the emphasis includes both sweeter play and far more edgy scenarios.

In The Concubine, Merry spices up Rick’s convalescence by telling him one of her super sexy stories and transporting him to a fantasy kindom where a beautiful and sensually accomplished courtesan lives.

Silver Screen is a walk on the wild side for the heroine when she’s compelled to take breathtaking erotic risks at the behest of her wickedly imaginative lover.

Vickie and Terrence both have sexual secrets, and neither quite knows what’s going on in the other’s head when they’re in bed, making love. But one day, Vickie reveals her Naughty Thoughts… and discovers a brand new, thrilling Terrence. A powerful man who likes to play spanking games.

To find out more and see buy links, go here.

Final freebie for January - MINDING AMY

2012-01-14T12:59:00.000Z

If you haven't read my fun contemporary, MINDING AMY, you can grab it for free on Kindle for the next few days. This one is hot romance rather than erotica, with a cozy mystery thrown in for fun. The story is around 62,000 words in length. It's set in London, Sussex, and Yorkshire. This will be my last giveaway for January!

Here's the copy:

Sassy London journalist, Amy Norton, is on the trail of a missing TV celebrity. When her over-protective father hires a bodyguard to accompany her during her investigative work, she’s furious. Things only get worse when she realizes the bodyguard is the guy she mistakenly approached on a blind date the night before. She was all over the man and embarrassed herself, big time. The last thing she wants is to have him obstructing her investigation, gorgeous though he is.

Undercover Investigator, Sebastian Armitage, is amused and fascinated by the situation and sets out to charm the pants off the hot-headed Ms Norton. She is one sexy lady, and he wants her. Before long they embark on a red-hot affair, but how is Sebastian going to point out that she’s going about investigate work the wrong way, while keeping her sweet?

Now available to download for free from:
Amazon
Amazon UK
For five days only!

On free reads and feedback

2012-01-09T08:02:00.000Z

Last weeks free read, FORBIDDEN, is now over. If you gave it a try, please consider leaving me a rating or a review at Amazon. This kind of feedback helps other readers find new-to-them authors they might enjoy too. It also helps me to know what aspect of a story worked best for a reader, and what didn't!

If January has left you strapped for cash don't forget I still have another shortie, THE DEVIL YOU KNOW, that is free at *some* outlets.

Leonie Carlton went to the other side of the world to avoid Mike Racine, because she loved him too much to stay. Their impetuous, fiery physical relationship was passionate and fulfilling, but Mike wasn’t the type to settle down.

After a year working on a coffee plantation in Queensland, Australia, Mike arrives on her doorstep. Despite her resolve to stay cool and distant Leonie is thrown into turmoil by her old lover from the moment he says hello. She knows she can’t afford to fall for him again. But Mike has traveled the world to win Leonie back. The question is, how far is he prepared to go to get her to hear him out?

7,000 words in length, contemporary erotic romance.

Please note: this short story was previously published in THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF HOT ROMANCE. It contains frank language and graphic m/f sexuality, including some domination/submission and bondage.

You can read an excerpt here.

Available free from:
ARe
Barnes & Noble
Diesel
Smashwords

Also available to buy from:
Kindle US
Kindle UK

Happy reading!

Back to work blues? How about a naughty free read?

2012-01-03T10:05:00.000Z

Back to work today, huh? Well, if you want a bit of heat to brighten your lunch break you can pick up my short story, FORBIDDEN, free on Kindle for the next five days!

FORBIDDEN is my modern day twist on the Lady Chatterley's Lover theme, and it's a story I particularly love. If you pick it up I hope it brightens your day (or your night, if you decide to take it to bed. ;-)

Emmanuelle Forsythe is the daughter of a lord, but she's embarking on a secret, forbidden affair with her father's estate manager, Jacob Finch. Jacob is as much a slave to their mutual desire as she is, even though he has been warned off.

On the night of her twenty-first birthday party, while the banker who her parents want her to marry is ensconced with her father, Emmanuelle defies her family's expectations by escaping to make love with Jacob in the gardens. Her behavior is decadent and passionate, a brief taste of something magical that she believes she can never truly own. But Jacob wants more than one night and asks her to keep seeing him, whatever the consequences.

13,000 words in length, contemporary erotic romance.

Please note: this short story contains frank language and graphic m/f sex scenes.

Kindle US
Kindle UK

PS: If you don't have a Kindle, you can download and convert the story to a different format by using Calibre. :-)

The Hub - this is where I work.

2012-01-02T20:24:00.001Z

On New Years day I gave my desk and office a tidy so I took a photo. Yes, this is my desk...after I tidied. :o)

I call it The Hub. Everything is handy and I know where to find it. I fell in love with the corner desk design when I saw it in Ikea. It's perfect for me. It doesn't follow any Feng Shui rules whatsoever, but it works really well for the space I have available. Even more importantly, the corner acoustics work well when I use my Dragon Naturally Speaking speech recognition software, which (because of my physical limitations) I wouldn't be able to work without.

Along the top shelf all my paperwork is within easy reach in box files. The magazine rack I mostly use for stationery supplies, and the shelf over the PC space has lots of my beloved knicknacks including my Rob Zombie action figure, Darth Maul, my steampunk hat, candles, my Bast cat, etc etc. No, of course these things aren't a distraction...why would you think that? ;^)

As you can see, the whiteboard is also full of fun and inspirational stuff (and, oh yeah, my deadlines list, the important part. lol!) and this gets updated every so often.

So, my January work schedule looks like this:

1. Complete current novel. 36,000 words to write, then edit and proof whole novel.
2. Write, polish and submit short story of 3K.
3. Do taxes.
4. Edit Faye's Spirit novel when it arrives from editor.

For many writers that wouldn't be a big work load. I'm constantly awed at how much some writers can produce, and how fast, but for me this is big and I'm trying to stay calm. ;o) I got behind because of real life chaos and much of that appears to be ongoing. Wish me luck!

In other news, I've got a free read coming up tomorrow, and I'll also be posting some reading recommendations -- I've read some great stories recently.

New publication: GOING DOWN, a Spice Brief

2012-01-01T14:11:00.001Z

Hey folks, I hope you're enjoying this shiny new year! :)

Today is release day for GOING DOWN, my latest Spice Brief. (And I'm sharing this publication date with the lovely Alison Tyler ! Alison's title A TASTE OF CHI is also out today!)

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....

Now available for download from Harlequin in the US, and from Mills and Boon in the UK. (Coming to Kindle and other retailers in February)

EXCERPT:

"Just as well I like a good challenge," I murmured to myself as I assessed the antique elevator shaft in my new abode. The ostentatious wrought iron affair was the most complicated contraption I'd ever seen.

When I'd arrived at the apartment block the evening before I'd used the stairs, allowing the concierge to take my luggage in the elevator. I wanted to get my bearings, and as I climbed the stairs to the fourth floor I took in the elegance of the beautiful building, a nineteenth century block in the 15th Arrondissement of Paris. I'd been allocated a small apartment there for my six-month stint working in the city.

The elevator ran up the center of the building. The much more solid looking marble staircase wound around it, and I'd peered in at the elevator shaft as I worked my way up to the fourth floor. Although daunting, it was a beautiful thing, all black metal and designed in the Art Nouveau style. The frenzy of decorative metalwork did not distract me from the fact that the floor appeared to be scarcely more than a metal grid and one could see the cables and the whole shaft from inside and out.

This morning I had my smartest outfit and heels on and I figured I'd better try it out. The question was how to operate it. I leaned in to the metal gates and peered down the shaft. The elevator was stationery, two floors below.

"Going down?"

I jolted upright, startled to find I was no longer alone.

Turning on my heels I faced the man who had spoken.

I don't know what surprised me the most, that he had approached me without me realizing, or that he knew I was English and had spoken to me in my own language. He was obviously French.

French and gorgeous.

Dressed entirely in black -- open necked shirt and jeans, with a tailored leather jacket --he observed me with blue eyes that contrasted starkly with his swarthy skin. His black hair was cropped close, the square line of his jaw, angled cheekbones and strong forehead giving him a distinctive look. Even though I wore my highest heels, he towered over me. He had to be a neighbor. Perhaps he'd been on his way down the stairs when he'd caught sight of me. I straightened my skirt, aware that I'd probably just given him an eyeful as I peered down the shaft. He gestured at the elevator gates. "It bothers you, the cage?"

The cage. What an intriguing moniker, and so appropriate. "Not at all," I fibbed. "I think it's beautiful, I just wasn't quite sure how to operate it."

"Allow me to demonstrate."

He rested his hand against my back briefly, encouraging me. The momentary contact made me sizzle. He pressed the call button. It was round, ivory, and encased in gleaming brass. The elevator cable tightened with a loud creak then the mechanism whirred into action and the cage loomed up from below.

"Some of the tenants in this building won't use it, but it is quite safe and an object of some beauty." The seductive allure in his voice had my attention well and truly hooked.

"Absolutely, it's a work of art in itself."

There was an approving expression in his eyes.

Once the elevator shunted into position, he unlatched the gates, internal and external, and rolled them apart. I stepped into the cage, as he called it, and he closed the gates behind us. The shunting of metal and wheels, and the resolute sound of the internal latch did make it feel cage-like, and yet light shone through here and there beneath our feet. He pressed the button for the ground floor and the elevator jolted into action. Adrenaline pumped through my veins and I staggered slightly on my heels.

My companion turned to face me and his mouth moved in sensual appreciation as his gaze made a slow circuit of my body. I felt stripped to the bone. I'd never felt such intense scrutiny. It wasn't staring exactly. It was as if he could gain the measure of me by looking at me that way. He stood with one hand around a decorative metal coil, the other rested on his hip. His posture was so self-assured, appearing languid but as if he could pounce at any moment. What was more unnerving, the way he made me feel, or the fact I could see the elevator shaft between the metal fretwork beneath my feet? As we descended I felt as if I was on a dangerous precipice, in every way.

When his gaze returned to meet mine, his mouth lifted at the corners. Had I met with his approval? Moving my laptop case from one hand to the other, I tried not to feel quite so self-aware. It was hard not to, and my outfit -- which had seemed business like and professional -- now seemed far too tight-fitting and alluring. It was the way he admired the curve of my body at breast and hips that made me feel that way. Almost as if I'd been touched. What would it be like, I wondered, to really be touched by him?

A super hot freebie for the New Year from Portia Da Costa

2012-01-01T05:00:00.004Z

My buddy Portia is offering AN APPOINTMENT WITH HER MASTER, a brand new to digital short story, FREE for two days via Amazon.

I've read this story and it is a super hot and sexy BDSM read, so follow the links below between 12:00 am Pacific Standard Time, 1st January and 11:59 pm Pacific Standard Time, 2nd January to snag this edgy story of a young woman's initiation into the darkly delicious world of erotic domination and punishment.

Here's the blurb:

Shy, but secretly sexy and imaginative, Mary-Anne Green fantasizes about having her bottom spanked by a stern and powerful master, the beautiful, cultured hero of her wildest dreams. She longs to feel the hand of a dominant man upon her, punishing her flesh, then caressing it to the heights of exquisite pleasure.

It seems that these wild scenarios are destined to remain solely in her imagination, until one day Mary-Anne meets her dream master online. Their chemistry is electric from the very first moment, and their fantasies and desires a perfect, sizzling match. In email after email they share everything. Dark urges, wicked wishes... painted pictures of fiery, passionate punishment.

But what happens when Mary-Anne and her Master decide to meet each other? Will the delicious, painful magic survive the transition to reality? Will their intimate bond be all they hope for, and perhaps more?

Download from Amazon.com

Download from Amazon.co.uk

An Appointment with her Master is also free to borrow from Amazon.com for the next 90 days, if you're a US Amazon Prime member.

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T20:06:00.000Z

Sending out good wishes for a wonderful New Year's Eve!

See you in 2012! Woohoo!

A photo tour - Christmas 2011 on the Yorkshire coast

2011-12-30T14:32:00.006Z

We had a mini tour of some of our favourite places along the Yorkshire coastline and the North Yorkshire Moors over Christmas. Here are some images from the experience. (Click on the photos for a larger version.)

Here I am in Whitby, on the jetty with the abbey on the cliff top behind me.

Swans in the harbour at Whitby.

Panorama shot of Whitby taken from the jetty.

The Dracula experience, Whitby.

At Pickering Castle.

Pickering Castle Gate - love the tree shadow on this one!

North Yorkshire Moors from the summit, one of my favourite spots in the world. Check out the awesome lenticular clouds we had in Yorkshire that day!

The North Yorkshire Moors. I always think of Stoker in his carriage up here. :)

Panorama shot of Robin Hood's Bay taken from the grounds of Raven Hall at Ravenscar.

A taste of Yorkshire. :) The fireplace at the lovely Raven Hall.

Just chilling. :) Happy Christmas.

The view during breakfast at Raven Hall, overlooking Robin Hood's Bay.

Christmas Eve dawn sky in Scarborough.

Sunrise, Christmas Eve.

Scarborough's North Bay - surfing on Christmas Eve.

Flamborough Head lighthouse, Boxing day sunshine.

Boxing Day sunshine on the beach at Bridlington.

Panorama shot from Bridlington Promenade.

Tour map, with places where photos were taken marked in red.

Publication day: WINNER TAKES ALL

2011-12-30T10:34:00.001Z

WINNER TAKES ALL ~ a short contemporary erotic romance novella, is now available from eXcessica! This title is a re-release, and is now available at a much cheaper price, so if you haven't already read it you can now pick it up for only 99c/86p (it might be slightly more at Amazon.com) Here are the details:

It started as a game, but they are both playing to win.

Tina meets Shaun at a monthly meeting of eccentric game players in a British manor house. Shaun is a loner, highly competitive, and devastatingly sexy. When he challenges Tina to a sexual relationship, she can't resist.

In a dangerous game of seduction, sassy Tina might have met her match in Shaun. He is a forthright, dominant lover, and the atmosphere of competition extends to their more intimate moments as they pursue a passionate affair. Each encounter ups the stakes, but what has started as a game rapidly grows more intense. Both players realize they have to play their way carefully, to win the prize. But what is real, and what is gamesmanship? In a relationship brimming with conflict, the ultimate challenge will be getting their opponent to reveal their true hand.

This title includes frequent and graphic M/F sex including some bondage and domination. Please note: this story has been previously published with a different cover. 15,022 words.

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

EXCERPT:

"You need someone to challenge you."

Tina jumped. She'd been walking up the stairs that night when Shaun strode out of the darkness on the landing. He was stripped to the waist. His bare torso was pinup-worthy. She tried to drag her gaze from the sleek tautness of his chest muscles. It was hard. The palms of her hands itched to stroke his shoulders and biceps. A nagging ache in the pit of her belly rapidly made itself known.

"You need someone to challenge you," he repeated.

"And how the hell would you know what I need?" She hoped it sounded dismissive. She meant it to.

He ignored that. "You are an intelligent woman. You need an intelligent man to spark with."

God, he was intolerable.

Her blood was beginning to boil. "I need you to give me a break is what I need, you arrogant prig."

It was a knee jerk reaction. She wanted to swallow her words as soon as she had spoken them.

Shaun, however, seemed totally unfazed by her hasty and rather rude response. There was a determined set to his lips. "I'm serious, you need a challenge."

His expression was indeed serious, and his words were laden with suggestion. He also seemed to be closer, without having moved. She felt the heat from her blood rise to the surface of her skin and began to turn away from him, moving toward the doorway to her room. She couldn't let him know he affected her that way.

He reached out and grabbed her wrist, drawing her back toward him. "No." His tone was controlling. "You're not going anywhere. I haven't finished with you yet."

She tried to tug her hand from his grasp, but he held tight. His sharp masculine scent was already chasing itself inside her body, seducing her senses. She attempted to give a dismissive laugh. "And who are you to decide?"

She let him hold her hand aloft though, because there was something immensely satisfying about the way he held her wrist so tightly. His eyes were alight with desire, she could see it plainly now. It was confirmation of his lust for her and it led a dark thrill through her entire body.

He didn't reply to her question. Instead he traced his free hand up the line of her arm, to rest on her shoulder. Her breathing grew constricted at his touch. Heat blossomed on her skin beneath his fingertips, making her keenly aware of the powerful magnetism between them.

"We're going to drive each other up the wall," he whispered, low and suddenly soft. "You know it's true."

"What makes you think that?" she retorted.

His gaze rested on her breasts, and once again there was a knowing look in his eyes. She could feel her nipples tugging on the fabric of her shirt and it was obvious that he could see it too. His eyes glittered in the faint landing light. "Because you want me."

"You've got a damned cheek!" How dare he be so blatant?

That comment was meant to embarrass her. She couldn't deny it though. His knowing look of his annoyed her immensely and she reacted—pushing him away and back against the wall, swiftly, her hands locked around his upper arms. It was an instinctive action that was meant to assert her independence, but the way he flashed his eyes at her made her realize what she had done.

"And I want you too," he added, when she was about to turn away.

Tina froze. His remark shocked her to the core. She was so startled that she lost her grip on him. Shaun took his chance and had her back in his control instantly. He backed her up against the opposite wall. Their bodies ricocheted together. Before she knew what was happening, they were kissing. She had wanted to hit the arrogant beast for his attitude, and yet there she was, kissing him.

She yielded against his mouth and pressed herself full against him—she wanted to feel his every ounce of being against hers. His mouth felt strong and passionate, her lips parted and melted beneath his touch. The musky scent of his cologne and his skin took hold of her, like another hook on her desire, reeling her in. His hands were on her hips, hers were flat against his chest, where the muscle was strong and defined. Vibrant, barely contained lust shot between them, the heat of their bodies soaring as they embraced.

"Your room or mine," he murmured when they drew apart to catch their breath.

She was unable to respond because his hands moved higher, beneath her breasts, where their firm grip sent a dizzying charge through her. He stroked her breastbone gently with one thumb, his hands squeezing her possessively while he held her gaze.

Then footsteps sounded on the stairs behind them, forcing the issue.

Tina's heart thudded. The door to her room was right there by her side. Desire overruled any objection that more logical thought might have offered in that moment. She wanted more. She swung the door open and stepped inside.

Glancing back, she beckoned him in.

Total-E-Bound Christmas sale

2011-12-28T08:37:00.000Z

Go here to check out the books!

Seasons greetings!

2011-12-17T16:45:00.000Z

Life got a bit crazy here so I wanted to quickly touch base with my readers and friends before we spin into Christmas itself. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday, with lots of good cheer!

We'll be away on the beautiful east coast of Yorkshire for the holiday itself, and I'll stay in touch via Twitter.

After Christmas I'll blog about the current and next project, my 2013 HQN novels. I'm into the second half of work on THE LIBERTINE now, and I've been doing research for THE JEZEBEL alongside that writing. I'm loving these characters, the siblings of Jessie Taskill (THE HARLOT). :)

Keep warm, take care, and have fun!

New Walk on the Wild Side Books release: FIRE AND ICE by Portia Da Costa

2011-12-05T07:06:00.000Z

There's a super sexy new read for you over at Walk on the Wild Side Books today. Portia da Costa has a yummy festive season story for you and it's the perfect pick me up after your Christmas shopping. Treat yourself, you'll love it! Here are the details:

Surrender to sexual healing...

Super efficient P.A. Cally Hobbes is head over heels in love with her handsome boss, the urbane and delicious Innes McKenzie. Day after day, beneath her cool, businesslike exterior, she's simmering hot for him, and she knows he's not entirely immune to her either, despite their perfect, above board working relationship.

Icy weather, a broken central heating system, and a dose of 24 hour flu suddenly change everything. With Innes alone and laid low in his frozen flat, Cally's golden chance to get close finally arrives. Innes is freezing, and she's burning for his touch, so what else can a girl do but climb into her boss's bed to warm up his chilly limbs with a dose of body heat?

An overnight recovery quickly leads to a very different kind of therapy... making all Cally's dreams of passion flame into life. Sex with her beloved Innes is everything she's fantasized about, and more. Much, much more.

But will their mutual desire and tender feelings survive a return to office propriety? Working together as P.A. and boss again, can Cally and Innes share the lasting glow of love?

10,000 words = approx 35 pages. Author's note: this is a slightly revised version of a story that appeared in The Mammoth Book of Hot Romance.
FIND AN EXCERPT AND BUY LINKS HERE!

Bargain reads at Harlequin!

2011-12-04T12:48:00.003Z

Harlequin have some great offers in the run up to Christmas. Keep an eye on the site! Here's today's offer:

All ebooks are 50% off with coupon code HALFEBOOK11 at Checkout!

Go here for the ebook store, and here if you want to check out my Harlequin titles for this offer.

This is the page you need to bookmark for all the Christmas offers!

New publication: BEST EROTIC ROMANCE

2011-12-03T14:22:00.000Z

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

2011-12-03T12:36:00.000Z

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?

2011-11-27T18:18:00.000Z

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

2011-11-05T19:42:00.000Z

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)

2011-11-02T17:03:00.000Z

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!

2011-10-10T07:46:00.000+01:00

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

2011-10-08T13:59:00.000+01:00

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

2011-10-05T07:59:00.001+01:00

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...

2011-10-02T19:41:00.001+01:00

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!

2011-09-27T18:38:00.001+01:00

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.

Away from the desk

2011-09-10T12:05:00.000+01:00

Hi Folks! Just about to leave for a holiday/vacation. I may be able to tweet, I may not. Hoping so! I'll be back at the desk on the 25th.

Take care of yourselves and have a good couple of weeks! :)

STEAMLUST animation by Nikki Magennis -check it out!

2011-09-08T14:26:00.000+01:00

This animation has me in total awe. Nikki Magennis has made this wonderful piece of stopmotion artwork for STEAMLUST, a forthcoming anthology of steampunk erotic romance short stories. The book comes out in just a few weeks. What a talented woman she is! Check it out. I love it to bits!

Steamlust - an animated film from Nikki Magennis on Vimeo.

Find out more about the book here.

Reprint news: ALONG FOR THE RIDE

2011-09-08T09:52:00.001+01:00

ALONG FOR THE RIDE, my first erotic novel, is available with a new cover and a new lower price. If you enjoy my work and haven't picked up this older title before, you can now download it for only $3.99/£2.81.

Soon after her arrival in London, Georgina Montgomery finds herself modeling privately for one of her art college tutors, the Austrian artist Calvin Rolf. They become lovers and when Cal introduces her to his Fleet Street photographer sidekick, Jason Sutherland, a steamy ménage à trois affair follows. Georgie discovers that being involved with two gorgeous men is a heady intoxicant, and she quickly casts all her inhibitions aside. She’s in her element, but their idyll of sexual adventuring in London is interrupted because a paparazzi scandal threatens to erupt around them.

Jason has taken intimate photos of an old flame, Chloe Mac, now a pop star and media darling. His cousin is after the images to sell to the highest bidder, and Jason has to get to the photos in Scotland before his cousin does. Cal and Jason decide to hit the road, and Georgie comes along for the ride.

But the paparazzi hunt results in Georgie’s kidnap, and danger ups the emotional stakes for everybody involved. Georgie has to put her new found sexual power and confidence to good use, and territorial claims of the heart are about to be made.

Warnings: This title contains explicit scenes that some readers might find objectionable including m/f/m, m/m, anal play and some BDSM.

Find an excerpt and reviews here.

Available from:
eXcessica
Kindle US
Kindle UK
Barnes & Noble
ARe (on sale at the moment!)
Smashwords

New free read! THE DEVIL YOU KNOW

2011-09-05T07:05:00.002+01:00

Hi folks! I have a new free read for you. This short story was originally published as part of THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF HOT ROMANCE and is now available to download as a solo short story.

Leonie Carlton went to the other side of the world to avoid Mike Racine, because she loved him too much to stay. Their impetuous, fiery physical relationship was passionate and fulfilling, but Mike wasn’t the type to settle down.

After a year working on a coffee plantation in Queensland, Australia, Mike arrives on her doorstep. Despite her resolve to stay cool and distant Leonie is thrown into turmoil by her old lover from the moment he says hello. She knows she can’t afford to fall for him again. But Mike has traveled the world to win Leonie back. The question is, how far is he prepared to go to get her to hear him out?

7,000 words in length, contemporary erotic romance.

Please note: this short story was previously published in THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF HOT ROMANCE. It contains frank language and graphic m/f sexuality, including some domination/submission and bondage.

You can read an excerpt here.

Available free from:
ARe
Barnes & Noble
Diesel
Smashwords

Also available from:
Kindle US
Kindle UK

Happy reading! If you enjoy the story, please consider leaving me a reader rating at the site you downloaded it from. :)

Saskia

Where I'm at, and a new recommended read to check out.

2011-09-01T09:22:00.000+01:00

I haven't been on online much recently (not even on twitter, which is my most likely regular hangout these days,) so I thought I'd better say a quick hello. My online time is severely limited at the moment and I have a project to wind up in the next ten days. That has to be my priority when I'm at the keyboard. Once I get that done and submitted, I get to rest and recuperate for a whole two weeks in sunny climes -- a long awaited and much anticipated holiday! Yay!

Not that I actually sit in the sun of course, what with me being of a more gothic persuasion and all that (old habits are hard to break ;o) but there will be lazing around under an umbrella (coated in sun block) while reading, listening to audio books, chilling, and generally rebooting for the work that lies ahead (ie the next two novels in the Taskill witches series! Can't wait to get stuck in to that. :)

Meanwhile there's a couple of publications to mention. First up today brings a terrific new read from my awesome critique partner and friend, Portia Da Costa. Portia's new Spice Brief, ANOTHER CHANCE, is now available through the Harlequin site and the Mills and Boon site in the UK. It should arrive at other outlets in the coming weeks. I loved the story to bits, it's a rewarding emotional read as well as an incredibly sexy one too. Here's the cover and the blurb:

It’s been a long time since Maud Piper has had a lover, particularly one who can give her what she really wants: the masterful hand of a strong, powerful man. The sting of pain that turns into pleasure.

Only Maud’s late fiancé had been able to satisfy her. Not even watching her employers at Blaystock Manor, the Marquis and Marchioness, in their own rough love play brings her the release she longs for—until she is caught in the act by William Graves, the estate’s ruggedly handsome steward. Can he give Maud another chance to experience the pleasure she craves?

The highly anticipated sequel to Portia Da Costa’s Chance of a Lifetime.

Go here for an excerpt!

More reading news and updates before I head off to the Med.
Meanwhile, hope all is well with you guys.

Contest winners

2011-08-19T07:08:00.000+01:00

Thanks to everyone who took part in the birthday giveaway!

There were ten entrants so the Man of the House was asked to shout out random numbers between 1 and 10.

The winners are:
5 - Victoria
9 - Angel
8 - Claudia

If you haven't left your email address, please get in touch with your postal address. saskiawalker (at sign) gmail. com with no gaps.

It's my birthday so I'm giving away presents!

2011-08-17T14:52:00.002+01:00

Happy birthday to me. I'm three hundred and eleventy today! :o)

To celebrate, I'm giving away three print copies of NAUGHTY BITS 2, a Spice anthology that is filled bumper to bumper with hot naughtiness. For your chance to win, please leave me a comment on this post. (If you're reading this post at Good Reads or my author page at Amazon, please call by here: http://www.saskiawalker.blogspot.com/ to enter.)

Naughty Bits 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the successful debut volume from the editors of SPICE BRIEFS, delivers nine unapologetically raunchy and romantic tales that promise to spark the libido.

In this collection of first-rate short erotic literature, lusty selections by such provocative authors as Megan Hart, Lillian Feisty, Saskia Walker and Portia Da Costa will pique, tease and satisfy any appetite, and prove that good things do come in small packages.

Open until 6pm GMT August 18th when I'll ask the Man of the House to shout out numbers at random. No geo restrictions on who can enter.

Look how small I am...

2011-08-16T09:59:00.001+01:00

Photo of me taken at the Liverpool Tate Gallery. I really am this small….

… I wish. lol!

“Robert Therrien is renowned for experimenting with scale. The artist conjures up a world of the unexpected by creating objects that draw attention to details usually overlooked in the everyday world. At the heart of this display is No Title (Table and Four Chairs), a colossal table and chair set that stands almost ten feet high. No Title (Table and Four Chairs) has a deceptively childish charm and visitors to Tate Liverpool are invited to walk around, through and under this spectacular yet somehow commonplace work.”

Find out more here.

Publication day: PLAY FOR TODAY

2011-08-15T06:00:00.004+01:00

*Please note, this is a rerelease of a previously published title.*

When I first started writing erotica one of the things I wanted to do was write plenty of erotic tales featuring committed couples, as well as those about the physical and emotional attraction between strangers meeting for the first time. In fact my second publication ever was a committed couple, "The Welcome Home" which appeared in the SEDUCTIONS anthology.

Today is showcase day at Walk on the Wild Side Books and this time the showcase title is my story, PLAY FOR TODAY. This novella is about a committed couple who are actors, and they are also heavily into sexual roleplaying in their intimate time together.

Here's the official summary:

Acting out their parts has never been so sexy…

Two upcoming British actors—Toni and Max—choose to take the slow boat to New York so they can learn their lines along the way. In the midst of a stormy sea, Max suggests they pass the time with a bit of sexy role play. As the rough seas take most of the passengers to their cabins, Toni and Max get into character for some erotic acting of the intimate kind. Soon their mutual desire collides with the forbidden affair of their characters—an inexperienced young woman and a wily seducer—with scintillating results.

10,000 words in length, contemporary erotic romance.

Please note: this naughty role play story has been previously published with a different cover. It contains frank language and graphic m/f sexuality.

This one is now available to read for just 0.99c (it may be a little more on Kindle US, and it's around 80 pence on the UK sites) Currently available from: Amazon, Amazon UK, ARe, and Smashwords. It will filter through to other outlets soon.

Here's an excerpt:

He lowered his head and kissed the curve of her neck inside the ruffed edging of her gown. The delicate touch sent wild electric threads darting under her skin. He stepped away, looking farther down the corridor at the opposite wall. He nodded his head in that direction. “How fortuitous, an auditorium.”

Toni looked up and saw that the double doors were marked with a sign announcing it was the ship’s cinema. She hadn’t been inside and was quite curious. She followed Max through the doors.

“Perfect,” he declared, gesturing at the small area in front of the rows of cinema seats. A heavy velvet curtain hung in front of the screen, panels of its fabric illuminated by spotlights that shone down from above.

“Step into the footlights,” he invited, “and I’ll allow you a chance to start over again in character.”

“You will allow me a chance, huh?”

“If you will keep slipping out of character…I’ll have to get tough on you.”

“Is that a promise?” She strolled past him.

He reached out and hauled her back in his arms, quickly outlining her breasts with one hand, leaving her breathless. Max was every bit as horny as she was. Then he kissed her, sudden and forceful, hauling her in against him. His tongue probed into her mouth, making her long for him to probe other places, too.

“We can’t really do this, not here, someone might come in,” she murmured when they drew apart, even though she clung to him, the feeling of his hard body against hers making her needy.

“Life is all about the risk, is it not?” he said, reminding her what acting was all about. “It is a risk that you have to take, Mademoiselle Isobel, if you want to become a woman.”

“You torture me with the possibilities.” Laughing nervously, she glanced at the illuminated window at the back of the small cinema, where she supposed the projectionist might appear at any moment.

He ignored her remark, apparently intent on pushing her on with the task. “Do you remember what we discussed yesterday, about their first time alone?”

The question leveled her somewhat. She nodded, took the first seat on the row and looked up at him as he towered over her. God, her lover was gorgeous. At times like this, she longed to hold him. He was her perfect match and her heart ached for him, as did other parts of her. Going into character was now crucial. “I fear I cannot eat the breakfast that you have brought for me, Gerard.”

“Are you ill, Mademoiselle?”

“It is a malady of some strange sort, yes, but not a sickness.”

His eyes were filled with certainty, so darkly sexy. “If it is the condition which I believe you are referring to, I feel sure that I have the cure.”

“Gerard,” she exclaimed, when he dropped to his knees and began to push her heavy skirts up from her ankles. His action wasn’t in the script. In the play, he asked her about her heart and whether it beat harder at certain times, as did his. Even though the suggestion of arousal was there all the time, their passion was realized behind a closed door. Not so in this dress rehearsal. He had his hand up her skirt already.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “Apart from the cook we are alone in the house, and she will not come up from the servant’s quarters.”

“Promise?” She glanced nervously at the doorway when his hands moved between her thighs, pushing her heavy gown up as they went, making her heart thud with excitement.

“I promise. Now, allow me to apply pressure to your…malady.” His hands rested around her stocking tops for a moment before pushing her skirt up to her waist, exposing her.

Available to read for just 0.99c (it may be a little more on Kindle US, and it's around 80 pence on the UK sites) from: Amazon, Amazon UK, ARe, and Smashwords. It will filter through to other outlets soon.

Writer at work

2011-08-13T09:56:00.002+01:00

A week in translation

2011-08-11T14:50:00.000+01:00

My postie brought two translations in one week! It's the first time that's happened and it was fun to see them both with their language, covers and the Euro stickers.

On the right is the Italian version of THE HARLOT, called Desiderio a Vendetta (which means "desire and revenge"!) On the left is the German version of a Black Lace Wicked Words anthology retitled Heiss and Sundig ("hot and sinful"!) :)

Publication day at Walk on the Wild Side Books!

2011-08-08T13:39:00.000+01:00

This week we have a novella by Anne Calhoun - check it out!

With a marriage in trouble, there’s no such thing as fighting fair…

Jersey girl Natalie Copeland is ready to give up on a decade of marriage. Her husband Shane disappeared into the long, stressful hours necessary to make partner at his investment firm, and now their once-hot sex life has gone ice cold. She knows fighting for the man she loves against the adrenaline rush of deals and dollars is a fight she can’t win.

The fast-track to partner came a high price, but Shane’s not going to lose Natalie over his work. He knows winning back his headstrong, passionate wife won’t be easy. Proving he’s in their marriage forever will take everything he’s got…and on Wall Street and in love, there’s no such thing as a fair fight.

Go here for more info and buy links.

New publication: SEDUCING THE MYTH

2011-08-04T08:09:00.000+01:00

Seducing The Myth, an erotic anthology edited by Lucy Felthouse, is now available for download!

This collection contains a stack of awesome fantasy tales by terrific writers. My contribution is called The True Folly of Icarus, a play on what naughty deviance might have distracted Icarus from caution during his legendary winged flight. :)

Here's the summary:

Seducing the Myth: Myths and Legends with an Erotic Twist is a collection of 24 tantalising tales that lead you on a decadent journey through mythologies the world over. As well as stories from the popular Greek and Roman periods, this anthology will also delight you with Arabian, Arthurian, Hindu, Jewish, Norse, Slavic, Sumerian and Welsh myths and legends. Add in a delicious sprinkling of fairies, mermaids and ancient fertility rituals and you have a recipe for a wickedly erotic read!

Available for download here:
Kindle US
Kindle UK
Smashwords
All Romance Ebooks

I'm in the author spotlight

2011-07-27T07:53:00.000+01:00

I'm over at the Minxes of Romance in the author spotlight today. Go here if you'd like to read the feature.

MINDING AMY - at knock down price

2011-07-21T09:07:00.000+01:00

My hot contemporary romance novel, MINDING AMY, is on sale at All Romance Ebooks. You can currently pick it up for only $2! Here's the info:

Sassy London journalist, Amy Norton, is on the trail of a missing TV celebrity. When her over-protective father hires a bodyguard to accompany her during her investigative work, she’s furious. Things only get worse when she realizes the bodyguard is the guy she mistakenly approached on a blind date the night before. She was all over the man and embarrassed herself, big time. The last thing she wants is to have him obstructing her investigation, gorgeous though he is.

Undercover Investigator, Sebastian Armitage, is amused and fascinated by the situation and sets out to charm the pants off the hot-headed Ms Norton. She is one sexy lady, and he wants her. Before long they embark on a red-hot affair, but how is Sebastian going to point out that she’s going about investigate work the wrong way, while keeping her sweet?

62,000 words in length, hot contemporary romance. Please note, this title contains explicit language and graphic sex scenes.

Available in PDF and Epub. If you'd like to grab a copy, you'll find it here.

The care and feeding of YOUR inner sex goddess

2011-07-20T08:57:00.000+01:00

Female readers who mail me about my work often say how much they enjoy my sexually confident protagonists. I never write about women who don't want sex, that's a given. They can desire seduction, yes, and they can want to push their own sexual boundaries further than they've been before, but they are rarely coy and they never have guilt about the act of sex.

Getting reader feedback on an angle like this is music to my ears, because my aim is to write stories about women who are grounded enough that we can identify with them, but who also have that confident, sassy side to them that we can’t always muster when dealing with the everyday chaos of life. In fact, research has shown that women are narcissistic readers — we really do like to identify with the female characters, we especially love to discover that she is attractive to other characters in her story, and we revel in all the passion and romance that leads to.

When I first began writing I was lucky to work with an editor called Lonnie Barbach. Lonnie included my work in a book called SEDUCTIONS. Lonnie is a psychologist who has done research on women and arousal, and she found that reading erotic books

functions as an important part of our sexuality. That information cemented a feeling that I’d had about reading and writing erotic material, and what it can do for a woman. Personally, I like to think of this process as nurturing our inner sex goddess.

Yes, our inner sex godess. We all have one, and she lets you know when she’s around — you feel that spark, notice the flash in your eyes when you look in the mirror, and feel that little bit more naughty and more confident than usual. But sometimes our inner sex goddesses can feel left out because we are too busy doing mundane, everyday things. Being an inner sex goddess, she needs special attention to flourish — and primarily she needs that attention from you.

One thing is for sure, read a good sexy book and our inner sex goddess wakes up and takes notice! Reading erotic books feeds her soul, but what else can we do to keep her playful and active in our lives? Here are a few ideas:

• Think about that sexy woman inside you and try to draw her out. Give her an identity. Is she bawdy or sultry? A Xena, Cleopatra, or a Mae West type? Once we have a picture of that aspect of ourselves, we can conjure her up to give ourselves a boost.

• Your inner sex goddess is the one who has an appreciation for the sensual, erotic qualities of life. She’s the one who likes to burn candles and incense and look at sensual imagery. Think about the unique things that appeal to your senses. It might be a special fabric, scent, or a particular time of day or night. Be aware of what it is, nurture it, and indulge in it.

• If you’re in a situation where you don’t feel as sassy as you would like, it sometimes helps to ask what your inner sex goddess might do. My inner sex goddess can be a very naughty lady, and she inevitably comes up with a suggestion for me!

• If we’re having a rough time, it’s sometimes hard to spoil ourselves. Spoil your inner sex goddess instead! It might be as simple as walking barefoot in the grass, taking a scented bath, reading that arousing chapter over again, or listening to the lyrics of a favourite track. Be aware of the sensual response, nurture and carry that response inside you, make at last.

The most important thing of all is to nurture that special aspect of you that makes you the sexy woman you are.

Walk on the Wild Side with Portia Da Costa!

2011-07-18T07:56:00.000+01:00

It's publication day at Walk on the Wild Side Books and my pal Portia Da Costa has a real treat for you! This time it's an anthology, and it's a real bargain for a bunch of steaming hot reads in a variety of themes. Check out the info!

Blurb:

Portia Da Costa presents five short, sexy works that have also been published as standalones, all bundled together in a naughty medley offering over 40,500 steamy words at a super value price, half the cost of buying all the individual items separately!

This frisky erotic potpourri includes tales of BDSM, exhibitionism, m/m, m/f/m, an office lust/hate relationship... and zombies! Obviously not all those elements are in one story... but who knows, one day that might be one helluva project to tackle! ;)

Here's the lineup:

The Efficiency Expert - erotic short story

Still stinging from a stringent management review at her workplace, office girl Susie encounters the very last man she wants to meet when she hits her favorite bar to relax and unwind. Gorgeous Noah Stevens is the ruthless company troubleshooter who's been making her life hell for the past three weeks, but after hours, he soon proves that his dedication to "efficiency" can work wonders in the bedroom.

Glint - short story of exhibitionism and voyeurism

While enjoying a lazy day at the beach, sexy holidaymakers Suzy and Gavin see a sudden glint of light flash from the headland overlooking their patch of sand, and realize that somebody's watching them through a pair of binoculars! Far from being alarmed, hedonistic Suzy finds the forbidden scrutiny deliciously exciting, and turned on by her own latent exhibitionism, she and Gavin decide to put on a titillating performance… and really give the distant voyeur something to watch!

Wesley and the Sex Zombies - erotic horror short story

Computer wizard Wesley Greensward is having a terrible day. His girlfriend is cheating, his best friend has let him down and he hates his job. Then, in a grungy motorway service café, a vision of unearthly loveliness walks into his life. It's the most beautiful woman he's ever seen... and the most beautiful man.

But while Wesley weaves an erotic fantasy about these two mysterious and delectable strangers, Luciferia and Maximillian are plotting and planning too... and their arcane scheme might mean the end of Wesley's life!

Forbidden Treasures - BDSM novelette

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.

Power of Three - romantic/erotic menage novella

Sun-drenched days and lush steamy nights stir strange desires in singleton Laurie Jones. She's been betrayed by her philandering fiancé, but that doesn't mean her libido is dead, no way. In fact the rampant hedonism of the lovers' resort where she's spending her solo honeymoon only makes her feel hornier than ever; especially when she watches her raunchy neighbors cavorting in a blatant threesome.

But relief is at hand for Laurie in the form of Ed and Denny, two gorgeous hunks sharing another nearby cabana. Golden boy Denny, and dark, enigmatic Ed are red hot for each other, but they also adore women too, and the sexy, generous pair quickly draw Laurie into a sizzling erotic ménage that not only expands her sexual horizons in a way that blows her mind, but also heals the pain inflicted upon her by her lost fiancé.

Author's note:

These stories contain explicit scenes of erotic activity and experimentation, including sex with multiple partners, spanking, caning, exhibitionistic sex and voyeurism and male/male lovemaking.

Go HERE to read an excerpt and to find buy links.

New publication: FORBIDDEN

2011-07-11T11:14:00.000+01:00

It's publication day over at Walk on the Wild Side Books and the story being showcased today is FORBIDDEN. This one is a short erotic romance from yours truly, and it's my modern day twist on Lady Chatterley's Lover. :-) This story is around 13,000 words in length and is priced at 0.99c. Here's the summary:

Emmanuelle Forsythe is the daughter of a lord, but she’s embarking on a secret, forbidden affair with her father’s estate manager, Jacob Finch. Jacob is as much a slave to their mutual desire as she is, even though he has been warned off.

On the night of her twenty-first birthday party, while the banker who her parents want her to marry is ensconced with her father, Emmanuelle defies her family’s expectations by escaping to make love with Jacob in the gardens. Her behavior is decadent and passionate, a brief taste of something magical that she believes she can never truly own. But Jacob wants more than one night and asks her to keep seeing him, whatever the consequences...

Please note: this short story contains frank language and graphic m/f sex scenes.

You can find an excerpt and buy links here

If you pick it up, I hope you enjoy Emmanuelle and Jacob's story!

True heroes

2011-07-11T07:32:00.000+01:00

see more crazy cat pics

Find me elsewhere today

2011-07-08T11:01:00.000+01:00

I'm guest blogging at the British Romance Fiction blog today, chatting about inspiration, The Harlot & Lowlands Scotland. Go here if you'd like to check it out.

Happy Birthday Total-E-Bound! (book sale!)

2011-07-08T08:00:00.002+01:00

Lovely new review for HOLLY'S INTUITION

2011-07-05T16:35:00.001+01:00

Delighted to see this new review for HOLLY'S INTUITION from Lucy Felthouse at Erotica For All and Blog Critics. HOLLY'S INTUITION is the second in a series of three, and it's always a worry that the books stand up against each other. In the reader comments at Good Reads, many readers are stating which their favourite (of the first two) was and why, which is always *really* useful feedback for an author. Anyway, here's a snippet from Lucy Felthouse:

Wow — this is one hot book! Holly's Intuition is the perfect mix of sexiness, character development and plot. I loved all three main characters and enjoyed how the story progressed. Sadly, it had to end, but I'm definitely living in hope that Ms. Walker will revisit these three at some point in the future! A brilliant read and one I'd recommend to erotica fans, particularly if you like m/m/f threesome tales. Read more

Woot!

A new read from Portia Da Costa

2011-07-05T07:15:00.000+01:00

Congratulations to my pal, Portia Da Costa, on a new publication today! This one is a very special erotic paranormal novella entitled A TOUCH OF HEAVEN. It's a superb novella-length read, so go treat yourself! Here's the summary:

Pleasure with a perfect stranger can be divine

When Miranda Clay first sets eyes on her neighbors’ temporary house-sitter she gets a delicious, erotic treat that she hadn’t bargained for - mysterious Patrick likes to sunbathe without his clothes on! Mesmerizing and golden, her new friend is more than just a handsome face and a perfect male body though, and his healing hands and his uncanny natural empathy quickly dispel Miranda’s aches and pains and her fears of growing older. But as the pair are drawn ever closer, and their physical intimacy becomes transcendent, a stunning revelation and an agonizing choice threaten to part them even while a lasting love blossoms.

Go here for an excerpt and buy links.

A Passionate Plume award for RAMPANT!

2011-06-30T13:19:00.001+01:00

I'm so thrilled to be able to share this news!

I got up this morning to discover that my first Harlequin Books novel, RAMPANT, has won the 2010 Passionate Plume award, paranormal/time travel category. SO exciting! There were so many great books in the line up and it's a tremendous honour for RAMPANT to receive the award.

A big thank you to everyone involved in running the contest and the Passionate Ink chapter, and to all the judges. You can read the full line up here.

You know what this means.. yes! Parteeeeeee time! :D

The moment she arrives at her rented vacation cottage nestled in Scotland, Zoe Daniels feels it--an arousal so powerful she's compelled to surrender to the unusually forceful carnal desires...with nearly anyone who crosses her path. Crawford Logan, the boat builder with the wayward grin. The devilish restaurateur Cain Davot, who seems to know more about Zoe than he lets on. And even her sexy neighbor Grayson Murdoch, whose eyes delve deep into her soul as he explores every inch of her body.

Yet there's something unsettling about the way the locals watch her, something eerie about these overwhelming encounters. Zoe knows she's not quite in control of herself and begins to wonder if there's any truth to the legend of Annabel McGraw, a powerful, promiscuous eighteenth-century witch who once owned the cottage, and whose spirit is rumored to affect anyone who stays there. Zoe doesn't believe in anything that even hints at the occult, but now strange visions are turning frightening...and only one man's touch can bring her back to earth.

Just because

2011-06-28T10:25:00.000+01:00

It tickled me..

Mary Poppins

X-ican T.B.C | Myspace Video

Can you learn from my mistakes?

2011-06-23T08:41:00.000+01:00

Building a career in publishing can be a really tough job, and often it's a long haul too. I'm in a good position now, contracted for a couple of years, (which is the most security a writer can ever bank on) and I work with some terrific people in the industry.

Being where I'm at enables me to look back at my journey. I recently shared some of my thoughts over at the Genreality blog and I'm reposting it here in case it's useful to anyone who calls by. If you want to ask any questions, please do!

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Hi folks, it’s wonderful to be here at Genreality to share some of my writing journey. Can anyone learn from it, I wonder? Hmm. Well, I’m pretty sure someone can learn from my mistakes. ;-)

My first paid work was contracted almost fifteen years ago, and it was a short story for the UK Black Lace line. Since then I’ve had short fiction published in over eighty anthologies. I’ve published ten novels, four of which were trade paper books with New York publishing houses. Most recently I received a new two book contract, this time with the mass-market publishing line HQN. It’s been a winding road, and it’s been quite a journey. I’m now a full time author and I work with some terrific people. I really couldn’t wish for better, but as I look back I confess I take a deep breath and shudder, because I can see the missteps and blundering errors I made along the way, things that took me two steps back after one step forward. For a while there it was quite a catalogue of disasters. How on earth did I manage to stagger through this far?!

Hard work and the love of writing kept me at it, basically. I love to learn and I was constantly learning and honing my craft. I adore the storytelling. I also had tenacity on my side, and…a huge great dollop of luck. Yes, luck. Lucky breaks happen when we submit at the right time for that editor, and we can’t know when that is going to be. I’m hesitant to give aspiring authors advice as a result of my mixed fortunes, but I figured I can share some of the advice I read that worked for me, and some that didn’t.

The first thing I quickly learned was that some of the things you read about publishing may never apply to your individual path. There’s no one way to do this, even though some people might seem to suggest there is. (Their way being the best way, of course ;-) Here are some bits of advice I read that made me fret: “follow the market,” “brand yourself,” and “write the book of your heart.” I heard these things over and over around the time I started to submit novels for consideration. Follow the market — okay, we need to know what editors are buying, but it was actually luck that I was writing the right sub genre when it was required. And yes, the best thing we can do is write the book of our heart because it’ll be the best piece of writing we can do. If we’re enjoying the writing the reader will enjoy it too. If we’re not enjoying it, it shows. That makes sense. But what if the book of my heart doesn’t fit the market, and how could I brand myself when I was writing lots of different subgenres?

Other writers out there had these great slogans about their work but I couldn’t find anything that represented mine. The best thing I could do was to pick out the most consistent theme in my work and offer that as a brand. My work is characterised by eroticism and strong storytelling. That’s the closest I ever got to a brand because I’ve written erotic fantasy, paranormal romance, contemporary erotica, historical romance, even a bit of futuristic. I write a lot of cross genre stories too. My next publication, for example, is a historical paranormal erotic romance set in Scotland. (The Harlot) I’ve written different lengths for different markets in different countries. I’ve sold to the biggest romance publisher in the world and I’ve also had my work published in Penthouse and Bust. Branding what I was doing wasn’t ever going to be easy. Bottom line is I just want to write good stories that readers enjoy. The good news is I got through anyway.

Another piece of advice I read was to make a five-year plan. What, like a five-year dream, I wondered to myself. ;o) I mean, come on..! This isn’t like a regular job where we can study for qualifications and move forward as a matter of course. I was working in an area where things change all the time, not only markets but the whole face of publishing is forever changing. I’m a realistic type and I knew I might never be contracted by a big house. The whole concept of a five-year plan seemed alien to me. The important thing here is to aim high but to keep one foot on the ground, because if we get carried away with the dream the rejections hit very hard (and yes I have a box full of them, it’s been a big learning curve,) and that eats away at our motivation to write. We can make a five-year plan but we need to consider it a guiding star rather than a goal because we need to be flexible and ready to change when the industry changes.

One of the best pieces of advice I read (and I really do want to reiterate this one) is to investigate a publisher as much as you can before you submit, and be wary of new publishers with no history. Yeah, I could really understand that. Trouble is, it’s so tempting. New publishers are eager to fill their slots and things move so much quicker. Very tempting for a new author, and I confess I fell for it. Several times over. Hence the missteps and errors I mentioned earlier. Let me explain.

The first time I erred I’d read the warnings but I figured this one was reasonably safe because it was an established publisher who was opening a new erotic line. My first novel was contracted and I celebrated….and then waited. And waited, and waited. My work was totally locked in, and a year later the line was cancelled having never opened. I didn’t even hear this devastating news directly from the publisher or editor. I heard it from another author. I was never officially notified. I had to contact them and beg for my rights back. In retrospect I consider it a lucky escape. At the time I was gutted about the lost year.

Then a year or so later I did it again. I know, can you believe it?! An exciting new line from a publisher who was interested in fantasy and paranormal romance. I was dazzled by promises of mass-market titles and audio books and exciting growth and development plans. I plunged in and was fast tracked. Shortly after my two titles went to print the line changed direction completely from short fantasy romance to big urban fantasy, and my books and those of several other authors were suddenly wallflowers in warehouses. These things happen, publishing is a business after all. But once again I was a casualty of publishing and it was a huge disappointment. Luckily I did manage to get the rights back and those stories have better homes now.

Then I heard about this exciting new e-publisher starting up in my own country. No way, I said! Not falling for that one again. But…it was here in the UK, and it did sound exciting, and they were actively looking for authors. I held back for a long while, and when I did investigate I went in with extreme caution. I submitted a short story that was a rights returned project. That meant I could investigate without committing any writing time. Yup, finally got the old brain in gear by this point. ;o) As it happens, that new publisher turned out to be a terrific one. I’m still working with them years later and have a substantial backlist there.

On balance I would reiterate this gem of advice: always investigate publishers thoroughly, research on the net and be brave and email other authors asking questions. If there is negativity there you’ll soon hear about it. If it’s a new publisher on the block, be doubly cautious. Let some other fool tread the path first, someone like me. ;o)

In closing, here are some of the best bits of advice I can offer to new writers. Keep your head in the clouds but your feet on the floor. Never stop learning. Love what you do, it’s the love of the craft that will keep you going through the hard times. And my favourite: “read, write, submit, repeat.” If you’re not in you can’t win. Good luck!

Just because....

2011-06-21T19:48:00.000+01:00

It's not often I do big public gushing displays of sentimentalism, but...

awwwwwwwwww..... Check this out!

Walk on the Wild Side with Portia Da Costa!

2011-06-20T06:55:00.000+01:00

It's showcase day today for Portia's new erotic novella, POWER OF THREE, a steaming hot ménage à trois story. Check it out!

Here's the blurb:

It's no fun being dumped almost at the altar, but newly not engaged Laurie decides to make the best of things and enjoy her honeymoon at an exotic Caribbean resort all on her own. The plan is to lie in the sun, read a book, do a bit of birdwatching and exploring... anything to take her mind off her rat of an ex fiance and the bimbo he got pregnant.

But it's not easy to forget about love and sex when everyone around her at the resort is getting in on. Pretty soon, she's using her binoculars to spy on creatures a bit higher up the evolutionary scale - the hot threesome in one of the adjacent cabanas, and the gorgeously hunky gay couple who are also staying just across the courtyard.

These delicious men - Denny and Ed - especially fire her senses and make her forget her romantic woes, and when she realises that they're watching her while she's watching them, what else is a girl to do but accept the invitation of a lifetime, and become part of a threesome herself?

But what if her luscious faux honeymoon menage is only the beginning of better and hotter things to come?

You can read an excerpt and find buy links HERE.

Lovely review for HER FANTASY

2011-06-16T19:46:00.000+01:00

Thanks to Wendy the Superlibrarian I have a review of HER FANTASY to share! It's not too often that this length of story gets picked up for review, so it was hugely encouraging to see such a postive commentary over at The Good, The Bad and The Unread. Here's a snippet:

What I enjoyed about this short story is that there is an actual flesh and blood story. It’s not just a bunch of sex scenes strung together. I really feel like Walker shows me a world, a slice of a developing relationship, and I honestly find myself charmed by the romance. I like Anya and Warren. In fact, in between the hot sex and the eventual ménage a trios episode, there’s a lovely sweetness here. I also like that after the ménage it’s not just “Oh, well, that was fun.” These two actually ::gasp:: talk about it and where their relationship is heading. Read full review here.

Wahay! That made my day! I have a half finished blog post about writing ménage stories. Must finish that and post soon.

Eroticism and the historical novel

2011-06-16T07:26:00.000+01:00

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.

New print book, guest blogging, and other news!

2011-06-13T14:16:00.001+01:00

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!

Walk on the Wild Side with FORBIDDEN TREASURES!

2011-06-13T08:57:00.001+01:00

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!

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.

Steamlust: Steampunk Erotic Romance

2011-06-08T19:46:00.002+01:00

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.

What makes a good erotic romance?

2011-06-07T11:21:00.000+01:00

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.

In the erotica spotlight at RT Book Reviews magazine

2011-06-07T07:54:00.002+01:00

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!

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

2011-06-06T20:36:00.002+01:00

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! :)

Reprint news: DOUBLE DARE

2011-06-06T07:24:00.000+01:00

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:

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!

Double publication day today!

2011-06-01T07:49:00.000+01:00

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:

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

2011-05-31T12:08:00.000+01:00

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)

It's Walk on the Wild Side release day!

2011-05-30T17:46:00.000+01:00

Risque Business by HelenKay Dimon is now available to download and is showcased at Walk on the Wild Side Books today! Mmm, I love this cover. ;-) Go here to read an excerpt and check out this delicious read from HelenKay.

Kari Reynolds is a human resources specialist on a short-term assignment at Coleman Engineering. It’s her job to lead workshops but there’s one big problem – the boss, Matt Bradford.

Being near Mr. Tall, Dark and Smoking Hot brings out Kari’s naughty side. One look at him makes her forget what’s appropriate in the workplace, and she’s smart enough to know the heated glances he’s shooting her way have nothing to do with business.

Now all she has to do is convince Matt to ignore her job title and try a little office pleasure…

Approximately 11,000 words

Awesome review of THE HARLOT!

2011-05-28T12:22:00.000+01:00

There's an awesome review of THE HARLOT at Book Binge and it made me beam! I can only hope that anyone who picks up the book enjoys it this much. The reviewer has not only teased out all the themes to share with other readers, she's also summarised them way better than I could have. ;-)

This novel is one more delightful addition to Ms Walker's literary portfolio and is one of those books that entertains as it educates. A reader cannot help but be better aware of the culture of those bygone days, yet the timelessness of the power of love to overcome the greatest of prejudices stands tall. I liked this novel a lot and wholeheartedly recommend it for the lovers of historical romance fiction. I give it a rating of 4.25 out of 5. Go here to read full review.

"Bewitching nod to the Memoirs of A Woman of Pleasure"

2011-05-25T11:00:00.001+01:00

It's just a few days until THE HARLOT's official publication date, and the book is already in stock and shipping from various on line retail sites. This is both exciting and nerve wracking!! :-)

The Harlot is an important book for me, my first big historical for Harlequin and the first of a series of three linked books set in Scotland at the time of the witch trials. I loved this story, and of course I'm hoping that readers will love it too. Several ARC reviewers have posted comments at Good Reads and other review sites, and this initial response has been really encouraging. It's also been reviewed at Amazon and other places by the legendary Harriet Klausner, who had some observations that made me GRIN!

This is an exciting, enticing eighteenth century romance with a touch of whimsical witchcraft. The lead couple is an ideal pairing of an obsessed avenger and a vigorous harlot who understands supply and demand as her body is the only commodity she can sell without being burned to death. Readers will appreciate Saskia Walker's bawdy historical with a bewitching nod to the Memoirs of A Woman of Pleasure.

My biggest influence in writing this erotic novel was Fanny Hill -- a book I adore! -- and I was delighted when someone picked that up.

There are a couple of givewaways running. Two copies up for grabs over at Erotica For All, and a five copy giveaway at Good Reads, both of which close on the 1st June.

Now shipping from Amazon.com
Now shipping from Barnes and Noble
Available for advance order from Amazon UK

A hot new Walk on the Wild Side read!

2011-05-23T16:09:00.000+01:00

Mmmm, a new Alison Kent read. What more could you want to brighten up your Monday?
Alison Kent is a legend in erotic romance, and I'm heading off to pick up my copy of this sexy new read: AT HIS MERCY.

When car trouble sends Lise Kimball into the sweaty, sultry Mississippi south, she wants nothing more than a new tire and a place to spend the night before continuing her trip to New Orleans.

What she doesn’t want is to find herself stranded in the company of Donovan True, a man as controlling as the one who drove her from Atlanta.

Except Donovan takes charge in ways Lise has never known. Being at his mercy might be exactly what she’s been looking for.

Approximately 12,000 words

Go here for an excerpt and buy links.

Eroticism and the historical novel

2011-05-21T08:22:00.000+01:00

I'm guest blogging over at Erotica For All today, chatting about eroticism and the historical novel. I'm also giving away two copies of THE HARLOT. Click on the banner to find out more.

In other news, THE HARLOT is now shipping from Amazon.com in the US! Wooohooo! I guess this might mean it will be in bookstores soon, although I can't be sure of that. Official publication day is June 1st. If anyone happens to see it - let me know. Or if I beg and plead, would you take a photo for me? :) I'll love you forever if I get to see my book on shelves. :)

New publication: MINDING AMY, contemporary erotic romance

2011-05-16T07:04:00.003+01:00

Today's the day - my first publication at Walk on the Wild Side Books! Yay!! MINDING AMY is a fun read, a hot contemporary romance that's around 62,000 words in length. It's set in London, Sussex, and Yorkshire. Here's the copy:

Sassy London journalist, Amy Norton, is on the trail of a missing TV celebrity. When her over-protective father hires a bodyguard to accompany her during her investigative work, she’s furious. Things only get worse when she realizes the bodyguard is the guy she mistakenly approached on a blind date the night before. She was all over the man and embarrassed herself, big time. The last thing she wants is to have him obstructing her investigation, gorgeous though he is.

Undercover Investigator, Sebastian Armitage, is amused and fascinated by the situation and sets out to charm the pants off the hot-headed Ms Norton. She is one sexy lady, and he wants her. Before long they embark on a red-hot affair, but how is Sebastian going to point out that she’s going about investigate work the wrong way, while keeping her sweet?

Excerpt:

Amy attempted to jerk free of his grip but he moved closer still, locking her in against the wall of the corridor with the bulk of his body. He was so close that her skin tingled, her traitorous body responding intimately to his proximity.

“You weren’t this business-like yesterday,” he commented in an insinuating tone, knocking the conversation right down onto a personal level.

“That was an error on my part and you know it.”

“An error?” He moved one hand and ran his finger along her jaw. “I didn’t think so, and neither did you…at the time.”

Lust surged through her, threatening to steal away her last ounce of poise. The way he touched her was so intimate and suggestive. It made the pulse in her groin thud wildly. “I’m not happy about having a minder,” she blurted, latching onto that fact.

“The woman I met yesterday not only needed a minder but was glad to have one, if I recall correctly.” The look in his eyes was so teasing it was downright rude.

He was enjoying this, damn him. She narrowed her eyes. “That’s low.”

He shrugged one shoulder. “It’s the truth. You can’t deny it.”

She pressed her lips together tightly, her heart pounding.

“The woman I met yesterday was also much more agreeable,” he added.

She shook her head in disbelief. Everything was a challenge to him. “You really have no shame.”

“Neither did you, yesterday.”

Oh, boy. He really was going to torture her with that. It was getting increasingly hard to maintain eye contact.
“This is now a business arrangement.”

He ran his finger down the lapel on her jacket, moving dangerously close to her aching breasts. “Then give me our ‘business arrangement’ meeting point, and we’re done….for now.”

“Seven o’ clock, at the pickup point outside Euston station.”

“I’ll be there.” He stepped away, freeing her.

Amy stared at him in disbelief. He was by far the most attractive, sexiest man she’d ever met, and for the next couple of days she had to put up with him stalking her every move. The thought made her light-headed.

She straightened her jacket and walked away, her heart still racing. Focus on the job, she told herself, but all she could think about was her companion...

Now available to download from:
Amazon
Amazon UK
ARe (with a discount for the first two weeks!)
Smashwords

Because I've been able to put this one out myself I've had control over pricing. :D So this one is priced at just $2.99 (that's £2.10 on Kindle UK.) If you pick up the book I hope you enjoy the read!

ARC comments start to come in for THE HARLOT!

2011-05-15T13:40:00.002+01:00

It's just a couple of weeks until THE HARLOT is due out and I'm starting to see comments and reviews from reviewers who picked up the ARC at netgalley. I've been nervous about the book's reception so it's been very promising indeed to see that readers are enjoying the story! Here are a few of the responses:

"One word... Wow! If you want a lot of steam (I'm thinkin' twenty-minute-sauna-110F-at-least steam here), with a bit of (accurate) historical stuff, and a decent plot thrown in, then this book is for you! It was my first book by Saskia Walker (received through netgalley), and it certainly won't be my last." Ruth, Good Reads reader.

"I really enjoy books by Saskia Walker. I have a hard time categorizing her books, and I like that. I’ve yet to read a book by Walker where I wasn’t thoroughly entertained by the story and the arousing sexual scenes....Overall- I loved the adventure, the paranormal elements and of course, the smoking hot sex scenes." Michelle, Good Reads reader

"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 find read." Judith, Good Reads reader.

"The Harlot is a story of two people thrown together, separately in search of redemption from their past, both wanting revenge for wrongs affronted to them and the hardships they had to endure. Secretly, each desires to be loved and be in a world where they’re wanted and can feel like they belong. I enjoyed learning more of Jessie and Gregor's past, it was a very sensual story filled with many of encounters. I wish I had a little more warning when it came to some of the content but having never read one of Ms. Walker's stories before; I wasn't quite sure what to expect.Overall I think the story line was good. 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

"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

Very, very relieved author here! I hope that all readers who pick it up enjoy as much as these have. Fingers crossed! If you're interested and want to pick up a copy the best advance prices on the print copy are at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Alas Amazon Uk don't have it listed for pre-order as yet, but I've been chasing that and hope it comes up soon.

A new Walk on the Wild Side release: GLINT

2011-05-09T07:14:00.001+01:00

If you're in the mood for a sexy indulgence for a bargain price, you need to check out Portia Da Costa's latest erotica ebook quickie, GLINT.

Here's the summary:

While enjoying a lazy day at the beach, sexy holidaymakers Suzy and Gavin see a sudden glint of light flash from the headland overlooking their patch of sand, and realize that somebody’s watching them through a pair of binoculars! Far from being alarmed, hedonistic Suzy finds the forbidden scrutiny deliciously exciting, and turned on by her own latent exhibitionism, she and Gavin decide to put on a titillating performance… and really give the distant voyeur something to watch!

Yum, I adore this cover. I've also read (devoured) this story and I can promise you're in for a very naughty tale indeed. What a great way to start the week!

Go here to read an excerpt and find buy links!

A quick photo trip around North Wales

2011-05-08T22:24:00.003+01:00

We're home from our semi-annual trip to North Wales, and I've got a few photos to share. The main goal this time around was to visit Portmeirion, a quirky Italiante village that also served as the filming location for the 1960s cult TV show THE PRISONER. We also squeezed in a couple of other beauty spots.

Llandudno bay, one of my favourite spots on the North Wales coastline.
We had super weather, but we always seem to get lucky when we visit Wales.

The gateway to Portmeirion village! This is a great example of the architect's trademark style.
Clough Williams-Ellis used Italian design sympathetically rendered to merge into the natural landscape. He threw in recycled architecture and artifacts, and put it togeher with a sense of fun that reflects the principles of surrealism. Here the coloring on the facade is faded out to make the buidling look much older than it is, and the addition of many smaller windows makes it look larger. You can find out more about the location at www.portmeirion-village.com. There's a gorgeous hotel on site, and many of the properties in the village are now available as self catering units.

More quirkiness - can you spot which windows are real, and which are painted to look real?
Lots of surrealism here.

Portmeirion village on the cliff, the hotel pool and the estuary coastline.

The fire engine depot at Portmeirion!

This is the house that NUMBER SIX was designated in THE PRISONER (it's tiny!)
It now houses The Prisoner souvenir shop.

Over the door - proof :)

You can buy all sorts of goodies including the blazers here,
and inside they had the actual NUMBER SIX jacket in a frame.

The piazza, because every Italianate village has to have one, even if it's in North Wales.
The colonnade at the centre is recycled.

And here I am at Caernarfon castle.

A lovely short break. Now it's back to work.

Still time to enter to win

2011-05-08T11:46:00.002+01:00

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Harlot

by Saskia Walker

Giveaway ends June 01, 2011.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Off to North Wales

2011-05-03T06:40:00.004+01:00

I'm away from the desk for the next few days as we make our escape into beautiful North Wales. Amongst other plans, we'll be visiting Portmeirion, which won't be exactly like this...but it will be a bit like it. ;-)

Have a great week!

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE'S first release!

2011-05-02T16:45:00.000+01:00

WALK ON THE WILD SIDE'S first release is a sexy duo from talented Charlene Teglia

, and it's now available!

From the jungles of South America to a big city high-rise, where there’s trouble, you’ll find...MEN OF ACTION.

Shoot to Thrill
Gabriel Everest had a simple plan; infiltrate, attack, exfiltrate. Unfortunately, he encountered a major complication in Dr. Miranda Gray. Blowing the target would have to wait until he could rescue the hostage, but saving the girl and getting away without alerting the opposition is harder than it sounds when she’s determined to take direct action of her own.

Third Time’s the Charm
Loving a cop isn’t easy. Faced with an emotional distance their physical attraction couldn’t bridge, Lynn Taylor walked away. Twice. But Nick Logan isn’t ready to let her go. When an elevator mishap leaves them trapped together in the dark, can two lovers find a way to make the third time the charm?

Originally published in The Mammoth Book of Special Ops Romance and Passion: Erotic Romance for Women, these stories have been revised and expanded for this ebook edition.

Go HERE to read an excerpt and find buy links.

Publication news! DREAM LOVER is out.

2011-05-02T16:31:00.000+01:00

Dream Lover: Paranormal Tales of Erotic Romance is now out! This gorgeous book of short stories is edited by the awesome Kristina Wright and pubished by Cleis Press. It contains my rather dark and gothic tale, Where the Heart is, which was inspired by the moors near where I live in Yorkshire.

Supernaturally sensual and captivating, Dream Lover is a feast of fanciful delights. Kristina Wright, editor of the popular Fairy Tale Lust presents a potent potion of fun and sexy tales filled with male fairies and clairvoyant scientists, as well as darkly erotica tales of ghosts, shapeshifters and possession. Dream Lover asks the reader to explore the realm of the otherworldly and answer the question... who is your dream lover?

Now available from book shops and online retailers such as Amazon.com. It should also be at Amazon UK any day now.

Here's an excerpt from my story!

Raw fear hit her. She was out on the moor and dusk was fast turning into night. The folklore witches were probably the least of her worries. Who knew what madmen were out here? Never mind the UFOs, more recent reports of big, wild cats preying on the local farms had hit the news. The tradition of the dark moor had called to her regardless, that fatal attraction of fear and desire latching her to the place, beckoning to her relentlessly. It was no one’s fault but her own, whatever happened. Hot, futile tears stung the back of her eyes.

She’d strayed from the path. It felt significant.

The sound of footsteps focused her. She recalled the sound from earlier.

“Hello?” It was a feeble effort that caught in her throat.

A dark shape blocked out the remaining light—a figure looking down at her. It made her think of the local TV news, a man scared witless by what he thought was a big cat, an escaped panther, a few weeks back. Was she going to find out why he’d been so afraid? Friend or foe? That’s what they called out during the war. Halt, who goes there, halt, friend or foe? As if any fool would say “Foe,” and get shot on the spot. So she didn’t ask if it was friend or foe, she just hoped, and prayed to a god she didn’t believe in.

The figure moved across her line of vision, squatted and leapt—on all fours. She gulped for oxygen, her heart hitting panic rate, her mouth drying. It thudded down into the ditch, the dark shape moving toward her, but as it did, light spilled behind it, haloing it. Moonlight—had she been out that long?

“Please, don’t hurt me.” Her voice was barely audible.

The creature, whatever it was, started to move towards her leg, where it was hurting so badly. Oh, Christ. She could feel it touching her, moving against her, nudging up the torn fabric of her combat pants. She writhed when she felt the flap of torn fabric lifting and then the rasp of a hot, damp tongue over her sensitized flesh, broad and wet.

Healing you now.

The words shot through her mind as her hands grasped at the earth. When she tried to rise up the creature moved, swift and sure, and began to run his nose along the length of her leg, toward her groin, like a wild animal in heat. Vulnerability and humiliation suffused her. Every nerve ending was wired, her blood rushing. She had to do something. She lifted up on her elbows and as she did, she came face to face with him.

He — undeniably he — was feral, wild as the moor itself, but she recognized him as the man she had dreamed about. He was strong and he had her held down, his body squatting over her, as fit and feral as a big wild cat, pure feline. His eyes were black, his hair long and unkempt shrouded his face, his clothing covered in a long cloak making his shape indistinct. He cocked his head on one side, and opened his mouth, breathing in her scent across his tongue, audibly rasping it in. Never had she felt so much the object of someone’s attention. Someone, or something. His face, to all intents and purposes was human, and yet…

“Edgar?” The question came out of somewhere deep inside her, and she reached out and stroked his head, instinct driving her.

His head lifted and he nodded at her. That simple sign sent relief flooding through her. His eyes were glistening with some secret inner power. The spirit of the moor? The suggestion whispered around her mind. Was he the truth behind the big cat reports, this feral, half-man creature?

A sense of calm descended on her, briefly. “You are Edgar, and you are in my dreams.”

He growled low in his throat, his hands clutching at her arms, as if pleading for her recognition. Then his head dropped back, and she saw his handsome face in the moonlight. His lips lifted back and he bared his teeth.

When she saw the fangs, her blood pressure dropped away into nothing. She was jolted back again barely moments later, because he hauled her body over his shoulder and lifted her. He moved fast, scrabbling out of the ditch with her body easily latched over his shoulder.

Publication news: WITH THIS RING I THEE BED is now available!

2011-04-27T09:47:00.003+01:00

With This Ring I Thee Bed is a new collection of delcious wedding themed erotica edited by the lovely and talented Alison Tyler. What better theme for the week of the British royal wedding?! :)

This book is a Harlequin Spice publication and it's now available from stores in the US and from online retailers including Amazon.com. You can preorder the ebook version for download on the 1st and print copies will be at Amazon.co.uk soon. I've just received my contributor copy and it's a gorgeous anthology, packed with steaming hot stories!

In this sizzling new treasury, erotica maestro Alison Tyler has assembled over two dozen titillating tales of couples taking each other to new heights of happily bedded bliss. Imagination and experimentation are the watchwords as sexy spouses live out fantasies both intimate and elaborate: naughty new settings, new toys ... even new partners. There are virgin brides, wicked wedding nights, impetuous swingers and some kinky couplings that give "tying the knot" a whole new meaning! Seductively spun by such genre luminaries as Kate Pearce, Kristina Wright, Cheyenne Blue, Portia Da Costa, Rachel Kramer Bussel and Janine Ashbless -- plus a teasing little tale from the editor herself -- these stories prove that the honeymoon is just the beginning!

Here's an excerpt from my story, One Last Time:

Why have you come back, Frank?

The last customer had left and I slid the bolts home, closing the world out. We were alone. Turning my back against the door, I stared across the pub at him. He sat at the bar as he had done all evening, brooding and watchful. When I’d gone about my business serving the other customers, he’d followed me with possessive eyes, making no attempt to hide the fact he wouldn’t be leaving when time was called. I’d requested space and yet here he was, back again—and on a Sunday night when he knew it would be quiet and I’d be locking up alone. Frustration welled in me. Why did he have to make splitting up even harder than it already was?

As I walked back to my post I was unable to stop myself noticing the breadth of his shoulders through his worn leather jacket, the way his thick, dark hair brushed his collar, and the outline of his buttocks through snug jeans.

“What do you want, Frank?” I stepped behind the bar, picking up the bar cloth as I went. Moving quickly, I rubbed the cloth across the polished wood surface of the bar, trying to ignore him, but his hand shot out and closed over my wrist, halting me.

My back stiffened, tension beading up my spine. The demanding grasp of his hand on my wrist made my heart trip. I silently cursed myself, because this is what he did to me, so easily. I was aroused by this simple action – an action that merely hinted at the immensity of his power and self-control. My resistance faltered, as he knew it would. My hand fisted inside his grip.

“I want you,” he whispered.

I tried to tug my hand free, but couldn’t. “I told you, it’s over.”

I’d told him that the week before, and he’d stared at me for the longest moment, then nodded and left. Not even a goodbye kiss. I’d shoved my emotional amour into place, but deep inside I was hurting, badly. And now, a week later, he was back. Did he want to say goodbye, properly, or did he think I’d buckle and give in to him?

“Mel, you also told me that you loved me.” His eyes blazed across the bar at me, so intense that I couldn’t look away.

My chest tightened, my hand slackening inside his grip. I did love him, and I knew that would never change, but Frank’s a long distance trucker and he loves the road.
“I need a man who is there for me at the end of the day,” I responded, as levelly as I could, “not someone who passes through every couple of weeks to show me a good time.”

“One last time, here and now,” he said. It was a statement of intent, not a request.

Our eyes remained locked, and everything that had been between us surfaced in my memory. This man knew me, inside and out. He could tell what I was thinking, and his thumb stroked the side of my hand. Even though I knew it was wrong, heat pooled in my groin, my body anticipating him. I opened my mouth to object but my core clenched, showing me how much I needed him, and I couldn’t deny it. Instead of words, I heard only my own labored breathing.

Taking charge, he pulled the cloth from my hand and cast it aside.

Reaching into his pocket, he brought out his handcuffs and put them down on the bar between us.

“Frank…” It came out on a whimper, because I knew that if he restrained me I’d be begging for him. That’s how it was. I tried to level my breathing, closing my eyes for a moment, before glaring at him. He knew my weaknesses far too well. When I looked back at him, he nodded at me. I withheld a plea.

He clasped both my hands and drew them across the bar towards him, making me lean forward onto my forearms. Threading the cuffs through the decorative brass rail that ran along his side of the bar, he made ready to tether me to it.

“You may think that you can deny this thing between us,” he said, and I felt the cuffs slide into place. He paused, and I heard one click and lock, before he moved his attention to the other hand. “But I noticed the way you were looking at me tonight, and I know that you want this as much as I do.” He clicked the second cuff into place.

Frustrated by his ability to be so sure when I was awash with doubt, I blurted out my feelings. “Of course I want this, but that doesn’t mean this is good for me. This is stopping me from meeting another man, a man I could settle down and make a decent home life with.”

He didn’t respond to that.

Instead, he put his thumb on my lower lip to stop it trembling. I glared up at him, half in anger, and half in pent-up desire. One corner of his mouth lifted and he stroked his thumb over my chin in a tender, affectionate gesture. Then he stepped away, and as he walked the length of the bar and joined me behind it, I swallowed down the mental resistance, because I did want him. Badly. That was part of the problem. When it came to Frank, I was an addict.

Closure, this would give us both closure. I twisted my head and looked back at him. “Promise me, this is the last time.”

Giveaway winners announced

2011-04-26T12:48:00.000+01:00

Many thanks to everyone who entered the contest to win an advance copy of THE HARLOT! I asked the Man of the House to call out three numbers between one and fourteen.

The winners are

1 - Sam Crescent
4 - Nina Pierce
8 - Lisa D K

Mail me your postal addresses via the link in the right hand column and I'll get the books in the post this week!

Thank again to everyone who entered!

Sales news! Two new novels in the pipeline...

2011-04-22T17:23:00.000+01:00

Okay, it's official now, & my agent has given me the go ahead to share my exciting news. I'm giddy! :)

I have a new two book deal with Harlequin, and I'll be writing the next two for the HQN line. This means that they will be available in mass market format. Wooohooo!!!

The books are linked to THE HARLOT (which is coming soon) & the titles are THE JEZEBEL, and THE LIBERTINE. More adventures, hot romance & forbidden magic in the time of the witch trials in Scotland. :)

Here's the official Publisher's Marketplace announcement:

Saskia Walker's THE LIBERTINE, and THE JEZEBEL, continuing her historical series about magical siblings during the time of the witch trials in Scotland, to Susan Swinwood at HQN, in a two-book deal, by Roberta Brown of the Brown Literary Agency.

Once I've pulled myself together and partied myself dizzy, I'll post about the new books and how they fit with THE HARLOT's story. Right now this has to be done...

Look what I've got! (Book giveaway for The Harlot)

2011-04-20T17:51:00.011+01:00

Squeeeeeeeee! My author copies of THE HARLOT have arrived, over a month before it's due in the shops!

Spice books are always gorgeous, and this one is no exception. Wow! I keep turning it over in my hands (with a stupid grin on my face :o) because I LOVE the way the book looks and feels. You can't see it in the photo but the colour on the back cover and spine is picked up from the heroine's skirt and it works so well. I'm absolutely thrilled to bits with it.

Okay, so who wants to read a copy before it's officially out and gets to the bookstores? Leave a comment on this post and I'll give away three copies by asking the Man of the House to shout out random numbers. We'll do the draw at 10pm GMT on Easter Monday.

And if you haven't already found it, there's a giveaway running over at Good Reads too.

COVER COPY:

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.

Who do you write like..?

2011-04-19T20:48:00.003+01:00

This fun writing analyser came via Sommer Marsden, who writes like Stephen King, and Alison Tyler, who writes like James Joyce. Me too on the Joyce! Give it a try, it's fun!

I write like
James Joyce

I Write Like by Mémoires, journal software. Analyze your writing!

Ready to take a walk on the wild side..?

2011-04-18T08:48:00.002+01:00

I'm very excited to announce a new project I'm involved in, Walk on the Wild Side Books! Under this umbrella you'll find steamy fiction by a group of authors who are established in print and who are now exploring the adventurous world of independent digital publishing.

Click on the image below to check us out! You can find out about who we are and what we'll be doing, and you can get a taster of the range of titles coming up through May. In the welcome message you'll also find a launch contest. Simply tell us how you read your ebooks and enter the contest to win the first Walk on the Wild Side title from each of us!

And just because we're celebrating the fact we're live... :)

Coming Together with Sommer Marsden

2011-04-13T13:09:00.004+01:00

Check this out! Sommer Marsden is an awesome writer, and if you treat yourself to this book you're not only guaranteed an excellent read, you'll be supporting a very worthy charity.

Description: Psychic medium Martee Hollywood and the Seekers tackle three cases in this compilation to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Together, they face a house full of lusty ghosts who don't want to cross over, an Indian girl who lost her love and then her life, and a mysterious intruder who can't seem to be hurt or stopped -- all while falling in love, into bed, and into one strange case after another. The paranormal world has never been sexier.

Find it here.

Catching up with all my news!

2011-04-11T11:12:00.009+01:00

Hi folks, I hope this finds you greeting the new week with a smile. We've just had the most amazing weekend here in the north of England -- sunshine, not a cloud in the sky, and even some (gasp!) heat. A taste of summer! Some of our neighbours even ventured as far as lighting barbecues... of course some of our neighbours have been known to light barbecues in the freezing cold rain, but that's another story. The unexpected glorious weather put me in a good place to start the week. Yay!

I've been busy learning a lot of new software recently and I have to say my brain hurts, but in a good way -- i.e the kind of way that helps to keep it in shape. ;) Writing wise I've got a short story and a novelette on the go at the moment, as well as working on scene outlines for FAYE'S SPIRIT (the novel I will be working on during May.)

I've also had some more terrific news about RAMPANT. Following on from the Passionate Plume finalist listing, I am able to share the news that RAMPANT has been listed as a finalist in both the CRW 2011 Award of Excellence and the Write Touch Readers' Award. I'm blown away about the positive response this novel is having!

Meanwhile, judging by the UK Kindle charts, people are giving my work a try and downloading the free version. Yay! If you are one of those readers and you're new to me, thank you so much for picking up the book. I hope it's been a good read for you.

In other news a lovely new review came in from You Gottta Read Reviews for UNASHAMED, my most recent collection of short erotic stories. Here's a snip!

"I have said it before and I will say it again, Saskia Walker is the queen of steam and she does not disappoint her readers with this compilation of short stories in Unashamed. This time she has assembled eighteen of what have to be the hottest, most explicit and completely unusual tales that I have read in some time, stories that I am sure will become favorites after reading this book. The stories range from the macabre, to the strangely innocent, to D/s and anything in between; each one completely different from the next, illustrating Ms. Walker's mastery of the written word. This author is not presenting her readers with “cookie cutter” versions of the same stories over again, each one is its' own entity. Was I surprised? Certainly and, I was also more than pleased."

Big grin from me! Happy readers make me happy! :)

My work plans for the near future are to finish up working on these two shorties I have on the go at the moment. I need to do that soon because we're having a bit of a break around Easter time for some house maintenance and chill time, followed by a quick trip to Wales to visit Portmeirion in early May. Portmeirion is the place where the cult TV series THE PRISONER was filmed and I've always wanted to visit. I'm very excited about being able to do so at last! I plan to blog about that after the event, so if there is anyone else out there who is a fan of the series and hasn't been able to visit the location I'll have photos and reports.

Have a great week!

Exciting news: Rampant is a Passionate Plume finalist

2011-04-05T11:41:00.009+01:00

I got some very exciting news yesterday! I'm thrilled to announce that my 2010 Spice novel, RAMPANT, is a finalist in the Passionate Plume Awards, in the Paranormal/Time Travel category!

Very, very happy that the judges liked the story and thought the book was a good read. It's an honour to be a finalist, and I'm amongst great company! Go here to see the full list of finalists.

Yes, there will be some partying here. :)

PS: If you haven't read this novel and would like to do so, you can currently get a free ebook download for a limited period. Go here, or if you are a UK Kindle user you can get a free copy sent direct to your Kindle.

Learn more about me and my books

2011-04-02T11:57:00.001+01:00

There's a new interview with me over at Erotica For All. Click on the banner if you want to check it out!

Just because...

2011-03-23T21:16:00.005Z

Just because...it tickled the art historian in me. No, really. :o)

Check out the "Everyone's Reading" promotion!

2011-03-22T06:45:00.001Z

I'm delighted to announce that my novel RAMPANT is currently part of the Mills and Boon "Everyone's Reading" promotion, representing the Spice line!

This means that for a limited time you can download the novel for free, along with eleven other Harlequin Mills and Boon books. Click here to check them out.

New cover art: THEIR PRIVATE ARRANGEMENT, a Spice Brief

2011-03-17T14:06:00.004Z

Check out the gorgeous cover art just in for my June Spice Brief, Their Private Arrangement!

Yum. I love it to bits, and it's sooo fitting for the story... :}

This novelette features three of the secondary characters from THE HARLOT, which is due out during the same month. Here's the summary for the Brief:

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?

Read more about Morag and her men in Saskia Walker's THE HARLOT, out June 2011 from Spice Books.

ARC now available for THE HARLOT

2011-03-16T21:24:00.003Z

THE HARLOT (my June Harlequin Spice novel) is now available to reviewers at NetGalley!

A suprise giveaway event for my Spice novels

2011-03-16T19:48:00.003Z

Monica over at the Bibliophilic Book Blog is running a special promo giveaway for my Spice novels. Hop over to her site if you want to check it out!

Looking at historic objects from the Scottish witch trials

2011-03-15T16:16:00.015Z

Last week I posted this photo, taken at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh. In it I'm posing (rather nervously!) close to some lethal looking thumbscrews from the time of the witch trials in Scotland! *shudder* I promised I'd share a couple more of the amazing artefacts in the museums collection.

First up, a bit of background to my interest in this type of collection.

As many of my readers know I've been writing stories inspired by the history and folklore from the time of the Scottish witch trials for the last few years. My interest in Lowland's folklore first came about when we visited Fife back in 2003. We stayed in a fisherman's cottage in the East Neuk of Fife and the main plan was to kick off work on a historical set on the coast, while Mark (my Real Life Hero) went mountain biking in the area. Success on all fronts -- Mark covered many miles and I did some good writing while I was there. The cottage we stayed in was right on the seafront (much like Her Haven, in RAMPANT ;-) and I made notes and wrote several scenes for a historical novel I'd had an idea for. Then I stood by the window and wondered who had lived in the house. As I looked out at the fisherman pulling in their crab baskets, the character of Annabel McGraw from RAMPANT came to me in this line:

She used to stand here, looking out at the fishermen hauling in their catch. She watched their muscled arms work while she decided which of them she would win away from his wife that night...

The line appears in RAMPANT, and it's our first introduction to Annabel's ghost. :-)

While we were out and about in Fife I'd begun to learn about the history of witchcraft and persecution in the area, and that set its own wheels in motion for stories set in Fife. Annabel was a persecuted witch and she is the catalyst for everything that happens in RAMPANT. She is also featured in her own little introductory story, YIELD TO ME, which is a free online read at the Harlequin site. Annabel is the character I've had most feedback from readers about, and she is loved -- even though she was a bad girl and did wrong. ;-)

Since that first trip we've been back to Scotland several times and I always combine research time with leisure time. Edinburgh has a wealth of history in the galleries and museum collections, and each time we visit I see and learn something new. Because of my background in art history I always like to use primary sources where possible when writing (i.e. I'd rather study objects from the time, or a painting done during the actual period I'm writing about, than read a book about it) and there's so much extant history to see and learn about in the UK that I consider myself lucky to be able to get to it. At the National Museum of Scotland they have heaps of amazing artefacts from right across Scotland's history, including quite a collection of metalwork and wooden stocks from the witch trials. These are the grim gadgets that could force a confession from a total innocent wrongly accused, or perhaps a widow woman who knew how to use herbs to cure the odd ailment.

In the photo below you can see another set of thumbcrews with padlock and key, and iron branks with a gag - an item used by the Kirk particularly to silence women accused of gossip. Nice, huh?

Below, manacles and more thumbscrews - someone was having fun creating lots of various designs and ways to crush bones here. Often the accused were kept in these devices for days, without food, water, or sleep, to get the necessary.

Branks with a chain, below, also called "witches bridles." The jagged edge cuts into the skin on the neck to enforce a confession. Often times the cause of the accusation was something as simple as talking in one's sleep...

It's hard to take in how brutal these items are, and the fact that torture and pain were used to extract a "confession" which would then often result in death, but this was a harsh time where lack of knowledge bred fear and those in power could manipulate and use that fear.

I've included the photo below, although this particular item was used on enemies of the crown or government, not witches. Known as "The Maiden" it is a shocking and crude execution device. (No quick, sharp blades here, just heavy bludgeons!) For those accused of witchcraft the preferred means of execution was a public hanging, followed by burning of the dead body – just to be sure, I guess... Stoning and even more brutal deaths were reported, including one case where a woman was crushed to death beneath a house door, by fellow villagers who'd been convinced of her true nature by those who had extracted the confession.

The reason I'm giving a little smile in this photo? A school trip were fleeting through the exhibition while we were taking our photos and this one little lad was intent on chasing a pal, until he paused to look at what we were photographing and squealed loudly when he realised what it was. I couldn't help smiling so you've been spared the grim expression I had when first approaching the gruesome object.

I'm still learning about the legacy of persecution and there is much more to explore. Importantly, it’s the element of secrecy that such trials might have brought about that characterises my fictional accounts of practicing pagan witches during those times. The foundation of paganism is belief in nature and its power. My editor felt that was what was appealing about my stories -- that the magic was covert, and its pagan origins led to convincing scenarios for a paranormal erotic world, a world that secretly existed beneath the ongoing fear and turmoil in Scotland throughout times of religious and political upheaval, the battles and subsequent union with England.

The fictional characters began to multiply in my imagination, each with their own tale to tell! My editor particularly loved Annabel's back story in RAMPANT, and went on to commission THE HARLOT, a novel that is set wholly in the early 1700's, where both the legacy of persecution and the nature of pagan sexmagic are further explored. THE HARLOT is due out in a couple of months. The heroine in that story is called Jessie Taskill, and she (along with her two siblings, Maisie and Lennox) witnessed their mother's execution for witchcraft when they were children. They were subsequently separated, but their inherited and learned powers thrived in secret, and as adults they each hope to seek each other out. Later this year I will be writing THE LIBERTINE (Lennox Taskill's story) and THE JEZEBEL (Maisie Taskill's story.)

In the meantime you can read a sample from THE HARLOT here. ARC's will be available for reviewers at Netgalley very soon!

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.

Book giveaway for HOLLY'S INTUITION

2011-03-08T09:39:00.005Z

There's a PDF of HOLLY’S INTUITION up for grabs over at Erotica For All. Click on the banner to find the contest, and leave a comment to enter!

Publication Day: HOLLY'S INTUITION

2011-03-07T08:45:00.001Z

HOLLY'S INTUITION, the second book in the Erogenous Zones series, is out today!

Holly's neighbours, Joshua and Stewart, are fit, gorgeous, and gay -- or that's what she thinks. Then one day, after coming to his aid following an accident, she forms a deep connection with Joshua, and subsequently becomes a psychic voyeur into his love life with Stewart. Holly has never experienced anything so intense, erotic, and arousing before, and despite her confusion about why this has happened to her, she can think of little else but being in the bed with the two men.

Joshua is trying to come to terms with being gay, and he's about to announce his sexuality to his family. But now Holly has entered the scene and he's drawn to her as well as to his partner, Stewart. Since his accident he feels close to Holly. She calms him…and arouses him. Sharing Stewart with her shouldn't be this much of a turn-on, but it is.

Stewart is bisexual, and his attraction to Holly is something he's been keeping under wraps for the sake of his relationship -- until he discovers Joshua is attracted to her as well. When they end up in a threesome, sex has never been this hot, but Joshua is even more confused about his sexuality as a result. Then Holly confides her psychic ability, adding a whole new dimension that none of them can ignore. Her intuition has brought them together, but will it also tear them apart?

Available now from Total-E-Bound.

Here's an excerpt:

Stewart grabbed his backpack, threw it over his shoulder and downed the remains of his breakfast smoothie before leaving the kitchen. He walked the length of the hallway as quietly as possible and was about to head out of the front door when Joshua emerged from the bedroom, yawning.

Stewart paused to admire his lover. He was lacking in self-consciousness, barely awake as he was, and completely naked. His cock was at half-mast and it made Stewart want to touch him. There was nothing quite as good as making Joshua come. There was that little bit of resistance in Josh that tripped something in Stewart. Even when his expression begged Stewart to show him how good it could be, Stewart could see it. It made it all the more satisfying when Joshua finally let rip and gave himself over to his more primitive urges.

“I didn’t wake you, did I?” Stewart asked. Joshua still needed as much rest as he could get, recovering from an injury as he was.

“No, I’m just about to get in the shower. I was trying to catch you before you left.” Joshua scrubbed at his closely shaved black hair. “I’ve been meaning to ask you, have you seen Holly recently?”

Stewart shook his head.

“I was thinking we should invite her over to dinner. I want to thank her for what she did for me after that loon knocked me off my bike, but I haven’t seen much of her since I got home from the hospital. We used to chat every morning, but now that I have to get the Tube to work I’m leaving earlier and I haven’t coincided with her. If you see her will you ask her over?”

Stewart nodded. “Sure, I’ll call on her when I get back from my shift.” He winked. “Always happy to invite an attractive woman over for dinner.”

Joshua lifted an eyebrow.

“What? You haven’t noticed the way she looks?” Stewart grinned. Holly Evans was understated for a woman in her mid twenties, but she had a subtle vibrancy Stewart admired. Intelligent, curious eyes, or something, he couldn’t quite pinpoint it. Aside from that her waist-length dark-blonde hair and tall, curvy figure gave her a statuesque look that had caught his attention the moment she’d moved into the flat next door to his. Sweet-natured she was too.

“Of course I’ve noticed,” Joshua replied, “but that’s not why I’m inviting her over.”

“No, you wouldn’t want to spend too long looking at her, not with you being gay now and all.” Tension gathered in Joshua’s expression and Stewart knew he shouldn’t have teased him before he’d had a chance to wake up properly. Some days he couldn’t tease him about his sexuality at all, but Stewart was trying to edge Joshua towards an easier understanding of it, and that was no easy job since Josh had only admitted his attraction to men six months earlier. “Is Saturday good for you?” he added, in a relaxed tone, moving the conversation on.

“Friday would be better,” Joshua responded. “Saturday I have to visit my parents. They’re having some sort of a family get-together after the rehearsal for my sister’s wedding.” His expression brightened, as if he was waking up. “Hey, if we have Holly over on Friday it’ll give me a chance to spoil someone who really appreciates a good meal.”

Stewart gave him a fake punch in the shoulder. “You’re a good cook, but your tastes are too rich for me.” He slapped his belly, all hard muscle from his hours in the gym. “Protein,” he added in a demanding tone.

“Carbs,” his cyclist lover responded, cheekily.

It was a familiar point of contention. However, it was good to see Joshua feeling social again. He loved to cook for people, but in the days since his accident he’d been a bit withdrawn. This was a good sign, and having Holly over for dinner would be fun.

Before Stewart left he closed the gap between them and kissed Joshua full on the mouth, cupping the back of his head in one hand. Joshua responded, his hands on Stewart’s hips making Stewart wish he didn’t have to open up at the gym that morning. He was getting hard, and a morning session would be appreciated. Time was against them, though.

“You’d better hit the shower, and fast,” he said huskily as they drew apart, glancing down at his lover’s naked body, “or neither of us will get to work on time.”

“Later,” Joshua said with a laugh, and nodded at the door.

“I’ll hold you to that.”

“Good.” Joshua stroked his erection provocatively, with humour in his eyes.

Available now from Total-E-Bound.

Back at the desk, thumbscrews, and a bargain or two!

2011-03-06T16:31:00.012Z

Hey folks, I'm back at the desk after a few days in Edinburgh. I'll post about our trip later in the week -- because it was partly to do some research for one of my 2011 projects, THE LIBERTINE, (the sequel to THE HARLOT, which is due out at the end of May) and I'll share more details about the research trip and the Taskill Witches soon.

As a taster, here's a photo of me in the fabulous National Museum of Scotland, a collection we visit every time we head up because there's so much to see it's impossible to take it all in on one visit. I'm standing with some of the artifacts from the time of the witch hunts in Scotland (check out those thumbscrews in the display case! Can you see me twitching?! ;-) Anyone who has read RAMPANT knows about my fascination with Scotland in the time of the witch trials, and I continue to write in that setting in the Taskill Witches series. More news on that soon!

Meanwhile, are you looking for a bargain read? My Smashwords books are 50% off through to March 12th. Go here to find the four books included, and the discount code is given on site when you click on the book. This offer includes two collections of my erotica short stories: UNLEASHED and UNASHAMED.

Re-release news: THE STRANGELING

2011-03-04T13:30:00.002Z

THE STRANGELING, a fantasy romance novella, has been out of print but is now available as an ebook from eXcessica publishing. Here's the summary:

In an ancient, magical world Maerose of Riversbend is a valuable prize. A young and gifted maiden, she senses that the dark night of Samhain—five moons away—will bring untold change. As that fateful night approaches she is first kidnapped by a stranger, then rescued by a mysterious elder who keeps her bound and tethered, as if she is his and his alone.

Locked in their battle for supremacy, Maerose discovers that she is the physical key capable of undoing a hundred-year-old curse that threatens their land. It is through her dormant sensual power that they can drive back the evil spirits about to rise from the dead. Seduction and magic surround her, and she must mate with a man of faith on the dark night of Samhain at the very gates of the underworld. Willing submission to her destined lover will unleash her power, but who will be the one to win her heart—Bron, or Veldor?

If you'd like to read an excerpt you'll find one here, and you can download the book from the following sites:

eXcessica
Smashwords
All Romance ebooks

Here's what some of the reviewers had to say about it:

"THE STRANGELING is the sort of story that haunts the reader long after the last page is turned. Saskia Walker has a true gem with this superb fantasy novel coupled with all the elements to make a great paranormal romance as well. This reviewer will definitely be keeping an eye out for further fantasy novels from this fabulous author!" Debbie, for CK2s Kwips and Kritiques.

"Fantasy fiction fans who also love a steamy romance will flock to The Strangeling, an erotically charged story about a beautiful woman with the power to defeat the armies of the underworld….titillating and highly descriptive fantasy story that offers up truly erotic sex scenes blended with nature magic and ancient wisdom. Author Saskia Walker succeeds at weaving powerful imagery with delicious romance." Marie, for Curled up With a Good Book

"STRANGELING is so much more than erotica or magic. At it’s heart, STRANGELING shows how believing in ourselves and taking a chance really can pay off.…If you are looking for a straight Romance, you’ll be very disappointed in THE STRANGELING. However, if you want a very well written, Erotic Fantasy, this books for you. I know I sure enjoyed it, and hope you will too." Dee and Dee Dish

New publications for the 1st of March!

2011-03-01T13:00:00.000Z

Hey folks, all being well I'm currently galivanting in Edinburgh and this has popped up when it's scheduled, on publication day. :)

HER FANTASY, a short contemporary erotic romance novella, is published by Spice Briefs today!

Here's the tease:

“Which sexual fantasy is your ultimate turn-on?”

How is Anya Reid supposed to control her lust for her sexy coworker Warren McClure when he asks questions like that on their very first date? She has wanted Warren and to be more adventurous in bed for a long time, but she never expected him to be so direct…or to correctly guess that a ménage is her secret desire.

Soon Warren isn’t just talking about Anya’s fantasies—he’s making them come true. But does he want a true relationship, or is he only interested in their erotic games?

Go here for an excerpt and here to download the story.

Also out today is FAR FROM PERFECT, a delicious romance from my pal Portia Da Costa. I've had the good fortune to read this one and it's Portia at her most sensual and romantic. Check it out!

Enduring passion, turbulent emotions, and an engagement of convenience…

Four years ago, Anna Felgate seduced Nick Lisitano, a family friend she’d known all her life and always had a crush on. It was only supposed to be a one night thing, and the chance to lose her virginity with an experienced older man and legendary lover… but one taste of passion with Nick branded her soul for all time.

Four years ago, Nick Lisitano had a single night of peerless lovemaking with the one beautiful young woman he’d told himself he could never, ever have. Scarred by his parents’ nightmare relationship, he’d sworn off commitment forever in favour of temporary liaisons, but he knew Anna deserved deep, enduring love.

A far from perfect match, the two agree to forget their ecstatic night and manage to maintain a cordial distance for four long years. Until a family crisis brings the two of them together again and Nick makes a daring proposition… that they enter into a temporary façade of an engagement, to lift the spirits of his dangerously ill father. Against her better judgement, Anna goes along with him, even in spite of the perilous emotional turmoil that she knows being close to Nick again will bring.

But with genuine feelings for each other, and a volcanic mutual attraction that’s just bursting to reignite, can Nick and Anna keep to the terms their pragmatic agreement? Or will the passion of past become a present affair… and maybe more?

Go here for an excerpt and buy links.

Happy reading!

A French translation for RAMPANT!

2011-02-21T18:55:00.009Z

RAMPANT is now available in French translation, with a gorgeous new cover! It was such a thrill for me to see this version. I love the cover, and the title too. "Envoûtement" means "Witchery," a terrific alternative. Although I only have a smattering of French I can tell from the blurb and the bio that the translator, Alba Neri, has done a lovely job of expressing my enthusiasm for Scotland and the inspiration I found in the landscape, history, and folklore surrounding witchcraft. Thank you, Alba!

Here's the cover copy:

Présentation de l'éditeur

A peine Zoë a-t-elle atteint le petit village de Carbrey, perdu au nord de l'Ecosse, qu'elle se sent envahie par d'étranges sensations. Vibrant d'une énergie nouvelle, intensément sensuelle, elle a l'impression, sur cette terre mystérieuse, de devenir une autre femme. Bien plus désirable, et surtout follement désirante. Loin, très loin de la jeune femme sage qu'elle était à Londres... Est-ce bien elle qui, incapable de résister au désir brutal qui l'anime, ne peut trouver l'apaisement que sous les caresses de son ténébreux voisin, Grayson Murdoch ? Elle encore, la maîtresse insatiable qui, prête à tout pour éteindre le feu qui la dévore, soutient les regards lourds de désir de tous ceux qu'elle croise, ces hommes et ces femmes au comportement étrange qui la troublent au plus haut point ? Comme si on l'avait ensorcelée... Et pourquoi pas ? Tout, ici, ne parle-t-il pas de légendes, de magie et de force tellurique, capables de réveiller les désirs les plus enfouis ?

Biographie de l'auteur

C'est lors d'un voyage dans le nord de l'Ecosse que Saskia a eu l'idée de ce roman si troublant : définitivement inspirée par le décor sauvage et par les sensations uniques que cette terre lointaine faisait naître en elle, elle a voulu offrir une expérience aussi intense à ses lecteurs. Mission réussie : on se laisse prendre avec plaisir à l'écriture aussi romanesque que sensuelle de Envoûtement.

Available from Amazon.fr and direct from Harlequin France.

It also looks as if might be available in the UK at some point, from Amazon.UK, so if you want to practise your French ... ;o)