On the bright side, this book is one of those that you shouldn't worry too much about falling into the hands of teenagers that you fear are too young to read adult materials because while Saskia Walker also writes erotic romances, this one with its perfect positive sunshine figurehead characters can be read by young kids without having to ask their parents embarrassing questions about the main characters' coital antics. For me, though, while this book is well-written, my issue with it is that it is probably too much like a fantasy story for very young adults for me.
While this is Walker's second romantic fantasy, Walker is no stranger to the writing world. She also writes erotica, and it certainly shows in this book. The intense desire felt by Elishiba for Amshazar is tangible, and the sex scenes (despite some purple prose here and there) are definitely hot. There's also the lovely touch of sexual culture in this book. Both Karseedia and Aleem have their own practices and freedoms. Karseedia trains nubiles in the sexual arts, but keeps them as slaves. Hanrah also turns out to be homosexual, and in love with one of the nubile promised as a gift to Elishiba. In contrast, Aleem seems to embrace a number of sexual freedoms. Elishiba is no blushing virgin. She's already been involved with the head of the Immortals (Aleem's elite guard) but has had to distance herself from him due to the arranged marriage. Her handmaidens, the twins, seem to embrace a certain playful, sexual freedom as well, especially when it comes to the seduction of one of the nubiles, Kerr.
There's heterosexual sex, homosexual sex (or at least boy-on-boy action), and masturbation of both the male and female variety. That's a lot of sex. ;)
I bring this up because for whatever reason, the freedom taken in this book was a welcome relief. Walker doesn't treat sex as any sort of taboo in this culture, nor does she make a big deal out of the sex scenes there are. Oh, sure, Hanrah's mother is furious over his relationship with Kazeen, but not because she's homophobic, but because he's the Emperor and must produce heirs. In some ways, this book reminded me of a far less complex version of Kushiel's Dart. Well, without the pleasure-as-pain comparison.
March is turning out to be hugely busy here, and on the writing front I have four deadlines to meet, four short stories of varying lengths. As you can imagine, it’s a bit chaotic in the old brain department! The good news is one of them is done and gone, and one of them should be finished up later tonight. Two out of four sounds a helluva lot better -- I can feel the pressure subsiding a wee tad. ;-)
In publication news, only three and a half months until RECKLESS is published! Yay! I can’t wait to see it in print. It’s now available for advance order online, and sites in the US are offering a hefty discount if you place your order now. You can check out an excerpt HERE, and here are the various links, in case you want to give it a gander:
The book is just a very enjoyable read. I loved the emotional depth to the characters, particularly Elishiba, who is a very solid heroine. The is pretty tight and rolls right along, and despite the book's short length, there's no shortage on the romance, sex, and personal sacrifice the characters have to make. There's tragedy in this book, and that's an impressive punch for 219 pages. The story wraps up well, though I couldn't help but wonder if Walker might write a sequel, because the epilogue implies possible future adventures, and I'd enjoy seeing these characters again.
Along for the Ride is a titillating roller coaster ride of lust. The heat between Georgie and Cal is enough to start a fire, add in Jason and it becomes combustible. Not the run of the mill erotic romance, there is plenty of shocking naughtiness in this story and it will keep the reader fanning themselves throughout. The sex scenes are amazingly hot with a ton of spice. I enjoyed reading the story; it kept me wondering what was coming next. I was pleasantly surprised with the new and inventive ways the story took sexual twists. Ms. Walker has done a very nice job and I look forward to reading more by her. Dawnie, 4 angels from Fallen Angel reviews
The problem of navigating myriad roads to sexual excitement is solved by Alison Tyler’s little compendiums of naughty goodness. She has compiled a series of items of delicious filth, bound them loosely into themes and delivered them as an Erotic Alphabet for your delight, delectation and fumbling....The richness of fantasy might even encourage you abandon your battery-operated friend in order to orchestrate a brand new real life experience with your loved one. I find myself persuaded to purchase a pair of white pants and a thick tipped biro – not sure? Try searching out “Sign Your Name” by Saskia Walker in K is for Kinky and you might find yourself doing the same. Corylus, for Blogcritics
Saskia Walker’s "Sign Your Name" starts the anthology with a comparatively mild deviance. Not that there is anything mild about the sizzling hot sex scenes in this raunchy tale of pens and penetration. "Sign Your Name" contains Saskia Walker’s signature style of writing intelligent, fun fiction. With her usual panache she produces the most powerful and passionate eroticism. Ashley Lister, for the Erotica Readers and Writers Association
