A Bite Of... Magical Gains

This fortnight, I am presenting Magical Gains - which was my first published novel (way back in 2011), and one that still holds a special place in my heart!

Can I in less than five words describe the book?

Genies, magic, humour, romance, fun.




What inspired me to write it?

Tim Tams. I was inspired by Arnotts Tim Tam biscuits. Why? Because they are delicious... no, not really (even though they are). I was inspired by an advertising campaign Arnotts had a few years ago, in which a pretty girl finds herself the mistress of a rather suggestive genie.

It made me think about the legal and financial ramifications that possessing a genie would have, if they were real. So, I decided to write a book about a world in which all magic and mythical creatures were real, but to make things 'equitable' (for the humans!) the government imposes taxes and limits on magic... Which brought forth 'Magical Gains Tax' - the excessive tax my heroine Primrose seeks to avoid, by refusing to take her genie Imran's wishes... and subsequently finding herself in a whole lot of trouble.




And here's the snippet!


[This scene occurs when Primrose finds herself kidnapped by a band of lusty satyrs...]


Primrose felt her body react completely against its will. About thirty Satyrs entered the candlelit courtyard in single file. They were draped in orange cloaks from their heads to their cloven

hooves.

They were mesmerizing.

From somewhere in the town house, drums were quietly beating, rhythmically and suggestively.


As if choreographed, the Satyrs parted from their single file into the direction of an awaiting Maenad, or in some cases Maenads. The head Satyr, still draped in the orange cloak, turned to face Primrose. She couldn’t tear her gaze from him. Slowly, in time with the beating of the drums, Silenus raised his hands and lifted the hood from his head and horns. His strange amber eyes locked with hers, and the effect was electric. Her heart pounded and desire for him rushed through her body like a freight train.

Primrose had never felt anything like it.

“Come to me,” Silenus murmured, his shiny white teeth flashing in the candlelight. “Share the Revelry with me.” If it had been humanly possible to say no, Primrose would have. However, no human could have turned down the Satyr after consuming Dionysus wine. Primrose’s body was so overcome by desire and lust for him there was nothing she could do but walk numbly into his embrace.


Imran woke covered in a film of perspiration. “Primrose!”


If you enjoyed that snippet, Magical Gains (and its sequels) are available in trade paperback or e-book format at all good book retailers.


| Amazon | B&N | Book Depository | ARe | Kobo |


You can also find me at these places:


http://www.nicolasheridan.com


My blog: http://www.magicalgains.blogspot.com


On Twitter: @NicolaESheridan


On Facebook

A Bite of...Magical Redemption

Today for our fortnightly 'A bite of' segment I'm introducing myself -  Nicola E. Sheridan with my book Magical Redemption, which as a happy coincidence is being released today!

How would I describe my book in five words?
Quirky genies, sexy demons, different.

What inspired me to write it?
Magical Redemption is the third in a series about Genies.
I was inspired by my sub-character Lucian from my previous release Magical Creations. Lucian was rather mean, but tried to redeem himself in the last book and so I thought I'll give him his redemption in his own book - though he really has a lot of work to do!
I also was desperate to write about some of the random mythological creatures I've come across in my research, particularly the Malaysian mythological beasts like the pelesit (evil grasshopper!), chupacabras, Hellcats, Nagas and Bomohs. I write for fun and interest, and this book typifies that.

And here's the snippet!

Lucian was in a world of pain. How long had he been hanging there? He didn’t know. The icy, London air sliced around his barely clad body with the precision of a surgical blade. He shivered.

From his invisible cell, he could see and smell people eating at a cafe. A few brave-hearted souls ate in the icy alfresco, huddling around their hot cappuccinos, oblivious to the tortured man hanging invisibly a few meters above them. Lucian’s stomach screamed with hunger.

“Hester. Fess,” he groaned, hoping against hope they would return. “Come!”

Lucian closed his eyes then sunk his chin down onto his chest. He bit his lip to stem the agony. His hands strapped high above his head were dead from lack of blood. For the millionth time, he cursed himself for his foolishness―he should never have betrayed the Family.

After several excruciating hours, Lucian reopened his eyes as he heard a soft padding on the cell floor. Bleary-eyed but relieved, he registered the forms of Hester and Fess.

“You came back,” he croaked.

The two Hellcats stared implacably at their master. Their coats, more flame than fur, flickered in the growing dark as they stepped closer. The odor of burning toast filled the magical cell.

“Did you bring anything?” Lucian gasped at the ripple of agony smashing down his spine as he raised his head.

Hester, the female Hellcat, dropped a bottle of water on the invisible cell floor. Lucian looked down in pain. He saw the heads of pedestrians walking beneath him. He looked at the bottle as it

rolled uselessly on the transparent floor.

“Hester, I can’t drink that. My arms are trapped.” He groaned and wrestled for a brief moment with the magical constraints that hung him. The Hellcat snarled and bared ebony teeth. She looked annoyed. “Fess?” Lucian asked. The second Hellcat stalked up behind his mate with a dead pigeon in his mouth. Its neck was broken, and a tiny but swollen tongue protruded from its parted beak. A low moan slipped unbidden from Lucian’s mouth. “How am I supposed to eat or drink this?”

The Hellcats’ red eyes reflected nothing but irritation. Previously, they had tried tugging Lucian down but had only succeeded in tearing the muscles in his arms and destroying the hems of his trousers.  Some part of Lucian wanted to be thankful for their efforts to bring him food and water, but the other part was furious at their inability to help.

Lucian’s throat burned with thirst. He caught sight of the bottle of water, again. This was torture upon torture.

“I’m going to fucking die here,” he cried.

If you like the sound of Magical Redemption, it will be available at all good booksellers sometime today.

In the meantime feel free to check out my other Genie books; Magical Gains here, and Magical Creations here

You can find me at my website: www.nicolasheridan.com , follow my rivetting tweets on Twitter @NicolaESheridan,  and catch up with me on Facebook.

Additionally I blog regularly about myths and mythology over at my blog; www.magicalgains.blogspot.com

Have an awesome Wednesday!