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!

69: Sultry Short Erotic Stories of Need and Desire

It's publication day for Alison Tyler's latest anthology -- 69: Sultry Short Erotic Stories of Need and Desire The collection is published by Harlequin and 3 of the 69 stories are mine! Woot!

For those who like their erotica fast and frenzied, the genre's most popular raconteur offers you 69: Sultry Short Erotic Stories of Need and Desire. In this delightfully dirty collection, Alison Tyler has gathered the crème de la crème of erotic fiction authors to pen sixty-nine brief romps-among them, Violet Blue, Donna George Storey, Thomas S. Roche, John Albert, Kristina Lloyd, Justine Elyot and Jeremy Edwards.

Available from
Harlequin
Amazon
Mills and Boon UK
and coming soon at Amazon UK

12 Shades of Surrender - contributing authors

As a resource for the 12 Shades of Surrender series, here is a list of all the authors involved and their sites/twitter, or Good Reads info if they have no site.  If you read and enjoy their story in the 12 Shades of Surrender series, check out their other work, and let them know! Authors love to hear from readers. :)
 
Portia Da Costa   @PortiaDaCosta
Alison Tyler   @alisontyler
Eden Bradley  @EdenBradley
Lisa Renee Jones @LisaReneeJones
Megan Hart  @Megan_Hart
Tiffany Reisz  @tiffanyreisz
Adelaide Cole
Emelia Elmwood @Emelia_Elmwood
Allegra Verde
Elisa Adams
Anne Calhoun @annecalhoun
Saskia Walker @saskiawalker

What's happening with me?

 

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah....that's the sound of me decompressing after an intense few months of "real life" issues and hectic writing. Of course real life and its accompanying issues do continue, but it's been a bit calmer and more organised around here the past few days, thank goodness.

It's only now that I look back and realise how much I got done, despite the chaos. Three novels written inside a year, (Faye's Spirit, The Libertine, and The Jezebel,) a real record for me because I'm a slow writer compared to many out there. On the writing front things will be progressing a lot more sedately from now on.

I'm expecting revisions/edits imminently on books 2 and 3 of the Taskill Witches series, which means I've been torn between getting stuck into my next project and clearing the decks at home. I'm doing a bit of both. Best part is that I've unearthed my desk from the paraphernalia that accumulates during a big writing project.  Yay! :) It's good to have it clear for the next phase -- editor feedback. *bites fingernails nervously*

Meanwhile, I've got some fun stuff coming up soon to share! I'm one of twelve authors featured by Harlequin Mills and Boon (UK office) in the 12 Shades of Surrender promotion, coming on July 1st. My Parisian Dom BDSM story GOING DOWN was selected to appear with a new themed cover. Here are all twelve, plus a closer look at the new GOING DOWN.

 

Also coming soon is a new cover and budget price for SORCERESS, my fantasy romance novel.  And a fresh new look for my website is in the works!  Hopefully we'll be unveiling that this weekend. So, it's been quiet on the blog front, but a lot has been going on behind the scenes. I'll be back to chat as soon as these various projects launch. :)

Award of Excellence - THE HARLOT is a finalist!

The Colorado Romance Writers chapter of the RWA have announced their 2012 Award of Excellence Finalists, and I'm totally thrilled and honoured because THE HARLOT is listed!

My title is in top company, some great erotic romance reads there. Woohoo! :D

Italian readers?

Are there any Italian readers out there, or do you know an Italian who might want to give my books a try? I have some copies to give away! Contact me via the email link in the right hand menu if you would like to try my books. First come first served!

Bargain reads at Harlequin!

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!

What makes a good erotic romance?

I'm over at Tumblr with Harlequin Books today, (isn't it clever how I can be everywhere at once? ;o) taking a quick look at what makes a good erotic romance for me. Click here to go looky.

ARC comments start to come in for THE HARLOT!

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.

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

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)

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.

Exciting news: Rampant is a Passionate Plume finalist

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.

In case you missed it...

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Harlot

by Saskia Walker

Giveaway ends June 01, 2011.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Check out the "Everyone's Reading" promotion!

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.

Sampler from THE HARLOT

I've put a teaser from the opening scene from THE HARLOT (Harlequin Spice June 2011) on Good Reads. Go here to check it out.

Summer sale at eHarlequin!

Click on the banner to visit the sale! If you're interested in a bargain copy of RAMPANT, you'll find it here.

Italian Romanzi Passion

This made me smile! It's the banner for Spice books in Italy, and something looks familiar... :) (Yes, I am still very excited about the Italian translaton, thank you. lol!)

Click on the banner to visit the Italian Harlequin site.

Parli Italiano? RAMPANT in Italy!

I'm excited! RAMPANT is now available in Italian! I've had several short stories translated, but this is my first full length novel translation. Seems like a good reason for a party, si..? :)

An online translator seems to think the title, SORTILEGIO D'ESTATE, means Summer Witchcraft, or Summer Spells. Any Italian speakers out there who can confirm that for me?

Anyway here is the blurb, and then the online translator's version - cos they are always good for a laugh and this one had me in stitches!!

SORTILEGIO D'ESTATE

di SASKIA WALKER

Zoe Daniels è una segretaria superefficiente, razionale e piena di buonsenso, che trascorre una sospirata settimana di ferie in un delizioso paesino sulla costa scozzese...

La sua vacanza non si preannuncia esattamente all'insegna del relax; una strana atmosfera di eccitazione erotica pervade la villetta che ha affittato, anche a causa di un misterioso e conturbante vicino, Grayson Murdoch, un professore universitario i cui interessi di ricercatore permettono a Zoe di allargare i suoi orizzonti verso una dimensione magica e sensuale. Tra apparizioni, riti dionisiaci e magia nera, Zoe si trova coinvolta in un sortilegio che dovrebbe riportare in vita l'anima di una strega. E se lo spirito che vuole impossessarsi del suo corpo è quello di una donna passionale, l'esperienza di Zoe assume i connotati di un viaggio nel mondo dell'eros più sfrenato.

*

SPELL SUMMER

Saskia Walker

Zoe Daniels is a super-secretary, rational and full of common sense, who spends a longed-week holiday in a delightful village on the Scottish coast ...

Your holiday promises to be not exactly relaxing, a strange atmosphere of erotic excitement pervades the house that he rented, partly because of a mysterious and disturbing nearby Grayson Murdoch, a professor whose research interests allow Zoe to broaden its horizons to a magical dimension and sensual. Between appearances, Dionysian rites and black magic, Zoe is involved in a spell that should revive the soul of a witch. And if the spirit that wants to take possession of his body is that of a passionate woman, the experience of Zoe takes the features of a journey into the world of eros more rampant

:o)

RAMPANT is a Joyfully Recommended title!

Thrilled to bits here, Amelia at Joyfully Reviewed has listed RAMPANT as a Joyfully Recommended title! Here's what she had to say:

Oh my…grab a bucket of ice, set it by the fan and then turn off the phone, because once you start this novel you won’t want to put it down. Rampant is by turns sexy, erotic and dark, and it kept me enthralled, page after page. I fell in love with Zoë from the opening scene. She is an independent woman who doesn’t allow herself to be lead around by the nose. Her reactions to the things that happen are realistic and heart-felt, and at times I could see myself with her, wondering what was happening and what she was going to do about it.

To say I loved the ride this book took me on is an understatement. When I had to put it down I thought about when I could go back to Carbery and see what would happen next; and when I finished it I wanted to read it again, just so I could absorb more of the story.

If you enjoy books that explore the darker side of love you’ll savor this one. I know I relished each sexy, dark angsty moment. Rampant is definitely a keeper for me, and a Joyfully Recommended title. Read full review here.

*happy* :)

I'm elsewhere today...

I'm over at Jennifer Conner's column at the Seattle Examiner today, talking about heart stopping moments & cover art. Go HERE to read more.