Print availability of my books in the UK (or lack of)

Several British readers have asked me about print availability of the Taskill books, THE LIBERTINE and THE JEZEBEL. I've chased this up with the publisher so I hope to have some news for you soon!

The usual course of events is that my US printed books are available via import on Amazon. For some reason this hasn't happened with the Taskill Witches books. Book one came out in print in the UK and books 2 and 3 are currently digital only. The imports haven't been made available as they usually would.

It's frustrating for print readers wanting to follow the series, and that's frustrating for me too. The irony is, if I'd self published those titles I could have had a print-on-demand version out at the same time as digital, but I'm currently helpless with no way to get books 2 and 3 to my print readers in the UK and elsewhere outside the US. I'm sorry! Hopefully this situation will alter soon. 

How to Write Erotic Fiction - Sex is not enough!

Want to write erotic fiction? Try these quickie top tips in this video guide from Mills & Boon - How to Write Erotic Fiction - Sex is not enough!

Rosy, Raunchy Romance from Victoria Blisse

When I want an uplifting erotic read one of my favourite go-to writers is Victoria Blisse. There's a real feel-good factor about her erotic writing and it comes from the combination of her inimitable saucy approach to the subject matter and the down to earth good lovin' she conveys so well. It tickles me in more ways than one and makes me happy. Do yourself a favour, check out her latest title!

Rob and Lou’s Wild Weekends.
 Hold on tight, it’s going to get wild! Rob and Lou could pass you in the streets and you’d likely not notice them. They’re in their thirties, have a family and jobs to hold down and they do it with smiles on their faces. But occasionally they get a little time off and that’s when things get seriously sexy.

Light-hearted and fun, this mini-anthology features episodes from this couple’s wild weekends. Making the most of the mud, finding the erotic nature of an apron and even having a sexy visit to a fish and chip shop. Rob and Lou make the mundane much more pleasurable so join them on their kinky ride.

Includes a bonus short story Damsel in Distress and excerpts from other ebooks by the award winning queen of rosy, raunchy and rubenesque erotic romance, Victoria Blisse.
 

Find more info here

 Smashwords.Amazon.co.uk  Amazon.comAll Romance Ebooks

Stepping back and taking stock

All three of the Taskill books are now loose and I'm starting to hear from readers who have read all three. It's an amazing place to be. I never even thought I'd have the opportunity to write three big books linked this way and to see them popping up all over the world is making me pinch myself.

Stepping back, I see that readers are either loving the books big time…. or absolutely hating them. :) It's not a bad thing, much better than middle ground reactions. I'd much rather an emotional response (even if I really wished everyone liked them!) I've had several emails asking me if there will be more Taskill books. I'd like that, I'd especially like to write Ailsa's story. Ailsa was a secondary character in THE LIBERTINE and I'd love her to have her own book.

Some readers who haven't enjoyed the books didn't seem to be aware they are erotica, and one or two have been offended that the first one is about a whore. I feel bad that people are offended. It's there in the cover copy though, and I am the sort of writer who will try to address the gritty reality, even if I'm writing a romance. Conversely, a couple of erotica readers complained there wasn’t enough smut. Lol!  It just goes to show, you can't please all of the people all of the time, and it wouldn't be a real world with human variety if we could do that.

One of the things I learned along the way happened when I was guest blogging. I was quizzed about what specific genre the books are. I couldn't really answer in short order, which made me feel like a dolt! The books are cross genre, but can't be pinned down as (for example) erotic paranormal, because the paranormal theme is not the main theme. They are historical set, but not focusing on the historical. It was an interesting experience for me, because in all honesty I just set out to write passionate tales during the period of the Scottish witch trials -- adventurous stories where the characters would be impacted by their place and time and circumstances, and how love and lust play their own part in destiny. I rarely think about pigeonholing a genre beyond the fact that my stories will always have erotic and romantic content.

As always, this writing journey teaches me new things about myself every day!

In other updates, I can now share that the Taskill books will appear in Finnish as well as Norwegian and Swedish. THE HARLOT is already out in Italian and "Il Libertino" follows very soon, in June. And the latest news is that HARLOT is now available in Russian. Here's the cover – an amazing site for me to see!

In personal news I had some time out and I'm now working on completing my current project, THE BURLINGTON MANOR AFFAIR, over the next few weeks. Then I'm taking a proper break from writing for a few months. (That pesky real life stuff putting demands on me again, how dare it!? ;o) I'll then start work on my next HQN novel later in the year. 

For those readers looking for the continuation of the Witches on Wednesdays series, it'll be back up and running soon.  

Quick update

There are still a couple of Witches on Wednesdays posts to be made, but right now they are on hold because things are hectic with stuff on the home front and a big deadline. I will get them up when things calm down a bit.

In the meantime if you're reading the Taskill Witches books and you're looking for the background posts you can find the ones that have been posted so far by clicking here.

US covers

UK covers

Video review of THE LIBERTINE from Australia

This is a totally new experience for me, I've had a book promo by video, amazing! Great fun and a great intro to the book for readers.Big thanks go to Harlequin Australia for this!

Join me at the Smutketeers today

To celebrate publication of THE JEZEBEL I'm hanging out with the Smutketeers today & I've got an Amazon book voucher to give away to one person who posts a comment. Click on the pretties to hop over there. :)

Publication day! Taskills books, here. there and everywhere

Lots of things happening today in my (Taskill) world, but I confess I've had to concentrate really hard not to get muddled here, with lots of different dates and formats going on. ;o)

So let's start in the US, where today is publication day for print and digital formats of  THE JEZEBEL! Yay! Print books should be in stores now and it's available at all the usual online retailers. It's also available in audio book.

Once ignited, a witch’s carnal curiosity knows no bounds... 

On the run from her powerful benefactor whose unscrupulous interest in her magic has forced her to flee, Margaret Taskill has never needed a hero more. In order to gain passage from England to her homeland in Dundee, she plans to win over a rugged Scottish sea captain with the only currency she has: her virginity. 

Maisie submits to Captain Roderick Cameron’s raw sexuality in search of protection, but as their initial attraction grows into obsessive desire, devastating powers are unleashed within her. 
But the journey threatens to take a dangerous turn, forcing Maisie to keep close the secret truth about what she is, and keep the superstitious crew—unhappy at having a woman on board—at bay. With Maisie’s wealthy sponsor giving chase, 

Roderick must stay one step ahead of the British Navy before her seductive magic causes a full-scale mutiny. He may believe he has full command of his ship, but he’s about to get much more than he bargained for.

Also now available Stateside is THE LIBERTINE in digital download. 


Meanwhile, in the UK today it's the digital publication day for both THE LIBERTINE and THE JEZEBEL. You can download both books direct from Mills and Boon (soon, hopefully, when the site updates) or from Kindle and other retailers right now. No idea about print there as yet, so if you want these in print it might have to be via US import, whenever they become available. (not showing at Amazon as yet but I'll ask for info on these soon..)

And in Australia today is print publication day for THE LIBERTINE. You can get it direct from Harlequin Australia or through Booktopia. I have no idea about digital there, but I assume it will follow.



His powers could save her from ruin, or guide her swiftly to it.

Lennox Taskill is a dissolute rogue and powerful witch whose only loyalty is to his coven – his disdain for humanity sealed when his mother burnt at the stake. So when the wife of a wealthy landlord comes seeking his help, the beguiling Chloris Keavey unwittingly presents Lennox with his greatest opportunity for distraction . . . and retribution. 

By failing to produce an heir, Chloris faces a terrible threat: being turned out by her heartless husband. Now she vows to get with child, even if it means surrendering her body – and soul – to Lennox’s seductive magic. 

But with a witch-hunt brewing, Lennox and Chloris are soon risking everything for their forbidden nights of ecstasy . . . and to protect the secret that could cost them their lives.



Confused about the staggered dates/formats? Yes. Yes I am. ;o)) However, I shall attempt to stay on the ball as Norwegian, Swedish and Italian versions are due in various formats at various times over the summer. And you thought  being an author was just about writing. ;)

If you pick up any of these, happy reading! There are some lovely reader comments coming in at Good Reads, thanks to everyone who has posted about the books.

Book contest - lots of goodies to win

A quick heads up, there's a copy of THE HARLOT to win -- along with many other yummy books -- over at TRR today. Click on the graphic to hop over.

Grab yourself (or a friend) a bargain read

Now that the Taskill series is well under way the Kindle version of the first book in the series, THE HARLOT, is currently on sale price at Amazon! If you haven't read it yet, you’ve got yourself a bargain price. If you’ve already tried this one, why not pass the message to a friend.

UK readers can pick up the novel for 0.99p
US readers can pick it up for $1.51.

I don't know how long this promotion will last so grab it while you can!

 I'll be updating availability of THE LIBERTINE and THE JEZEBEL in a couple of days – the release dates have been staggered in different countries so it’s a bit confusing (for me ! ;o) but I'll do a full rundown soon.

Hope you all have a lovely Easter.

Everybody...

“Everybody is special. Everybody. Everybody is a hero, a lover, a fool, a villain. Everybody. Everybody has their story to tell.” 
― Alan Moore, V for Vendetta

Witches on Wednesdays - Law and Order in Lowlands Scotland

So what would happen if a person was accused of witchcraft in Lowlands Scotland, under the law of King James IV/I?

First, the local Bailiff (justice keeper/sheriff/magistrate) would be called. The accused individual would be incarcerated in the Tolbooth (ie in a jail cell) until trial. The term Tolbooth describes a town hall or guild hall where tolls would be paid and where a cell/s would house criminals. Witch Hunters (ie specialist magistrates) were called in to examine the accused for signs of the devil – marks or blemishes that indicated they were in league with devil. Often that was enough evidence, without a trial. Bad news if you had a birthmark, ay! The punishment under the law of King James was death, first by hanging and then the body was burned – just to be sure.

This is the Edinburgh Tollbooth on Cannongate. It was built in the late 1500's and the building now houses the People's Story Museum. This collection focuses on the everyday folk of Edinburgh over the centuries. Whilst small in comparison to the main museums in Edinburgh, it's a terrific collection and gives a real sense of life over the centuries. It also houses some items that were used to maintain law and order and an original cell to give visitors an idea what it was like in past times. 


One of the first things you see on entering the museum is this official notice enforcing the law against throwing stones at the executioner and prisoners during an execution. Were the stone throwers in favour of the criminal, or aiding the deliverance of justice by showing their anger at the wrongdoer, or did they enjoy it as a show? A mixture, I suspect. It gives a sense of what the scene might have been like...

In my reading on the Scottish witch trials I learned that in one instance the villagers stoned an accused woman then trampled her body to death beneath a wooden door, such was the fear and persecution surrounding "evil" witchcraft.These factual stories influenced the way I described the death of the Taskill's mother, which was also the moment when the three young siblings (Jessie, Lennox, and Maisie,) were torn apart. The scenes haunt all three of the Taskill Witches, inevitably, and it is Lennox above all who wants justice and battles injustice wherever he sees it--and he often gets a mite hoteheaded when he does.

From THE LIBERTINE:

Lennox swallowed down the shock he felt. She'd hidden herself very cleverly all through their time together. He realized that now. Hiding her shame, keeping the secret. Tracing the scars with his fingers he attempted to hold back the anger he felt when he felt pain there. It was as if he'd been thrashed, not her. It pumped into his fingertips, and it was not just this beating, but more. The anger he felt in response to the images that flared in his mind would not be kept in check—images of Chloris, and images from his childhood, pictures of his mother being stoned.

Chloris flinched at his touch on the raised skin.

That made his anger worsen. Forcing back the images of his own mother, lying on the ground stoned and bloody, frustration bit into him, his ire rising all the while. He voiced his opinion. "You wish to fall pregnant to a man who does that you?"

Her head lifted and she stared over her shoulder at him, dismayed.

"Answer me!" His indignation was making him unreasonable. He could see that fact reflected in her eyes, but he couldn't help being angry.

"It will not happen again," she snapped, "if I fall pregnant."

Lennox cursed aloud. "If you believe that then you are a fool."

Chloris jerked back in astonishment. It was she who looked angry now, the shame that had marked her expression quickly changing as she pulled her clothing into place, covering the scars she had so cleverly concealed during their relationship. "What do you know of me and my situation?"

Lennox felt that old anger and frustration, that which was borne of powerlessness, the mood that turned into white heat in his veins. He saw the men who stoned his mother almost to her last breath, then hauled her bloodied body upright so that she could take the final steps to the gallows where she would be hanged and burned. He'd cursed them all, until they bound and gagged him, but he had never forgotten the looks on their faces. Their fear twisted into glee, that ugly thing that turned them to animals. It disgusted him. "A man who does that to a woman will never change. There will be another cause for him to beat you, another day."

Below are some of the tools of the trade from the 1700s, including shackles and a neck brace. I was particularly freaked out by the pitch fork looking item on the left, which clicks around the neck of a criminal on the run. Yikes!

Part of an old cell in the People's Story Museum is maintained just as it was in the 1770s. The first time I saw this, it inspired me to include a cell scene in one my Taskill witch stories. That became chapter two of THE HARLOT, which is set in Dundee Tolbooth earlier in the 1700s. In the scene Jessie has been incarcerated on a charge of witchcraft, and awaits the arrival of the witch hunter who will examine her for the marks of the devil. She fears she will end her life as her mother did, but a rescuer is nearby... 

Now, whilst the cell inspired the scene, I did take some liberties with my version, and I'm woman/author enough to admit it. ;o) In actuality these cells would have been tiny and airless, with multiple occupants, strong wooden doors and little if any light source. For the purposes of the novel, I described the cell as having iron bars, in order that Jessie Taskill could see her rescuer, Gregor Ramsay, by the candlelight that falls form a sconce in the corridor outside. 

Here's a snippet from the scene in THE HARLOT:

Rising to her feet, Jessie stalked into one corner where she stood with her arms folded across her chest. When the guard rattled his key and shoved it into the lock, she looked at it longingly. She could easily make it drop from his belt as he walked away, but she could not take the risk right at that moment, especially not with two of them watching her.

“Luck is on your side, Jessica Taskill,” the guard said. “The minister has risen from his bed to sit pray with you awhile.” 

Jessie pressed her lips together while she battled the urge to tell them her beliefs did not match theirs. She managed to resist sparring out of bad humor, because she knew that if she kept quiet and acted penitent, he would be gone all the sooner.

The minister stepped into the cell and the guard locked the door behind him. The guard gestured with the candle he held aloft in his hand. “If she gives you any trouble you be sure to call out, Minister. I will hear you.” 

Jessie looked at the Minister for the first time. He wore a wide brimmed hat and his head was lowered, which made it difficult to see him. Squinting in the gloom, she ducked her head a little, trying to catch sight of his face.

Then the guard set his candle in a sconce outside the cell. The light filtered in and she was able to properly assess the build of her caller. He was a large man, tall and bulky around the shoulders, unlike any minister she had ever seen. He wore the long somber cassock of the church, true enough, and it was buttoned from collar to hem, but she spied a fine ring snaked around his little finger, and expensive leather boots on his feet—silver-buckled boots.

“Thank you,” the minister replied. “I will say a few prayers with the sorry lass, and I’ll call you when I am ready to leave.”The guard nodded and lumbered off.The other man kept his head lowered until the sound of the guard’s footsteps scuffing along the hallway faded. What little candlelight fell into the cell from the hallway beyond was not aiding Jessie’s quest to study his face, and she leaned closer, her curiosity lifting by the moment. His jaw was solid and when he turned his head to listen to the guard’s retreat, she saw his mouth. Wide and passionate it was, and scarred from one corner to his cheekbone.

Recognition flared in her. “That guard is a fool,” she whispered. “No minister would wear fancy boots such as those.”

To close today's post I've included a snap of the museum's notes on the actual occupants represented here. So much inspiration in history! Next time I'll post about some of the factual stories around the witch trials in Scotland and England that inspired me.