Review of "The Harlot" By Saskia Walker

My book review today is "The Harlot" by Saskia Walker. The story is a historical erotic romance with paranormal elements. Below is Harlequin's description of the book:

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 burn at the stake, Jessie Taskill knows the danger of the gift she inherited—a powerful magic that must stay hidden. Until one night when she’s accused of witchcraft and Jessie finds herself behind prison walls, awaiting certain death 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 own lust for her is enjoyable, and she agrees to be his pawn while secretly intending to use him just as he is using her…

 

I will be the first to say that this is not my typical read. Then I read the first couple of pages. The story of Jessie and Gregor is very well written. Saskia Walker should be commended for creating characters that a reader can actually root for.

Jessie is an intelligent and resourceful woman which I find refreshing in a publishing enviroment of heroines that are TSTL (to stupid to live). Gregor, all I can say is...sigh.He is a dark tortured hero that is easy for the reader to fall in love with. As Ms. Walker slowly reveals to Jessie and us, Gregor's most intimate of secrets, you can actually see two people against their will falling in love.

 

The sexual scenes are graphic as would be expected of an erotic romance. They are scorching hot!  

 

My overall rating for "The Harlot" is 5 out of 5 Stars.

How I'm Going to Rate My Reviews...

I'm going to be reviewing some new and different types of books. So I'm guessing that I will have to come up with some idea on how I should do it. If anyone has any suggestions, please I beg of you LET ME KNOW. :)

This much I do know....I'm only going to promote books that I enjoy. There are so many reviewers out there that like to tear a writer done and I refuse to become one of their number. Writing is such an intimate and soul wretching endeavor and I would hate to think I discouraged anyone with cutting remarks that benefit no one. A book that has reached a reviewer/blogger has already been written, accepted for publication, most likely went through the final edits and is waiting to be read. If a book is unappealing word will leak out. That's just a fact.

What I want to show is books that may fall through the cracks. The books that are well written and most of all enjoyable! So I guess here goes. After a brief description and review I will give out stars:

3 Stars - Fun
4 Stars - Fun, Great Story (or characters)
5 Stars - Excellent addition the genre

So let me know what you think!