'My Soul to Give', by Magali Frechette

A wonderful and kind person, Magali Frechette is a gifted artist who’s well known in the book-cover industry. In fact, she created the cover for my forthcoming Roar of Lions. When I heard that she had released her first novel, My Soul to Give, I just had to invite her onto the blog and ask her some questions.

Magali, which came first, the covers or the writing – and how did you get into these?

The writing came first. I wrote my first story back when I was twelve years old, but only started it seriously when I was around fifteen. That happened during a time I when couldn’t walk for almost a whole year. I gained weight, shut myself out from the rest of the world, and was depressed. Six specialists later they still hadn’t figured out the problem, and I was left with pain for the next two years. During that time I started writing to take my mind off reality.

Cover designs came around 2012. By then, I’d been creating photo-manipulation artwork since 2007, and that was also a way for me to deal with stress, anxiety, and depression. Eventually, I decided to try making a few covers, and I’ve been freelancing since.

What inspires you to write?

I’m not sure, to be honest. I get ideas for stories and, until I write them out, they won’t leave my mind. I grew up reading Harry Potter and was eleven when the books came out. J.K. Rowling has truly inspired a new generation of writers, but I’d always loved to read anything I could get my hands on.

By the age of fourteen, I’d read most of everything at my library. I still remember stepping into a Chapters bookstore for the first time, it had two stories and was wonderful. I felt like Belle in Beauty and the Beast. when she discovered the gigantic library.

But I should get back to the question, and I guess the answer’s that ‘life inspires me’. Well, to be blunt: escaping life does; which is why I write paranormal, dark fantasies – anything I can create a new world with, or change the one we know. I recently wrote a Thriller without any fantastical aspects; so, I guess, from time to time I like to plunge into reality as well.

Have you rewritten your earlier works, or are you considering them for future publications?

The story that’s been published is my 19th manuscript. It was edited over seventy-two times, rewritten three times, and revised once. So that one’s gone through quite a lot since the original. But yes, one earlier work has been rewritten completely, and I’m entering it in #PitchWars.

It’s actually the story I first wrote back when I was fifteen years old. It’s changed quite a bit but the characters are still the same, and so is most of the story. I know a bit more about how the publishing world works now, so it’s been changed to fit todays markets. It was originally 160k words, and I didn’t know what categories or genres were, let alone that queries, synopses, or pitches even existed.

Who’s your favourite author and why

You can’t make chose just one, there are too many! To name a few, Diana Gabaldon because I’m in love with OUTLANDER, and of course, J.K. Rowling.

I love everything written by Jeaniene Frost and aspire to be a great writer like her. I need to mention Grave Draven, but I’ll stop myself now before I make a list. Why? They are all terrific writers with brilliant stories and imaginations, I would love to meet them all and thank them for sharing their wonderful stories.

You love gaming (Diablo’s my personal favourite!), Japanese culture and TV programmes such as Buffy. Given the subject of your novel would you say you’ve been influenced by these, and if so in what way?

Ah yes – Diablo is pretty freakin’ awesome. I’d say I’ve been influenced by everything in my life, by things I love and hate. I’ve always loved games with a strong story: Final Fantasy introduced me to gaming in a whole new way that was similar to reading a book, watching a movie - and participating in this brand-new world with real characters was amazing.

As for Japanese culture, I’d say yes, that also inspired my writing. Especially from reading mangas from when I was around fourteen. They have unique storylines not found in the Western world, and I adore so many but wouldn’t even be able to name them all.

Japanese Dramas as well. I’ve watched many series, each special in their own way. They made me cry, laugh, close my eyes, and sit on the edge of my seat. I especially brought a lot of Japanese culture to a trilogy I’m writing (only book 3 left to write). As for other TV shows like Buffy, Sherlock, Doctor Who, etc, they all have one thing in common - great storytelling.

Next project?

I’m currently writing the sequel to My Soul to Give. I’m not sure what the name will be yet since The Devil I Know is already a pretty popular title, but it’s going to be a paranormal mystery romance again.

Blurb:

When Celina Leviet escapes the brutal home invasion that kills her husband, she’s left with a bullet in her gut and vengeance in her heart. An alluring demon, Mekaisto, offers an irresistible deal. In exchange for her soul, he’ll let her live long enough to get her revenge, but she must hunt and kill the murderers herself.

After sealing the contract, Celina digs into her husband’s past for clues about his murder, and what she uncovers makes her question everything she thought she knew about him.

His company never existed. His family history was a lie.

And he was involved with The Lumen, a shadowy religious order whose members know too much about demons. As the life she thought she knew crumbles around her, Mekaisto's charms become harder to resist. Forced to face a horrible truth, Celina struggles against her late husband’s betrayal and the dark seduction of the devil she knows.

Excerpt:

(This story has two points of view)

“I am a demon, Celina, and above all else, demons love the hunt.” He smirked when her eyes widened.

“So, you see having sex with someone as a hunt?”

He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “By your expression, I would say you still do not quite understand.”

“It’s your twisted logic.”

Interesting…

“I take my time, stalk my prey first, count the number of breaths she takes, imagine her screams…”

She arched an eyebrow. “That’s not at all creepy.”

Kai ignored her. “I am a creature of infinite time; the world creeps by, yet an intimate moment is so fleeting, it feels as though it is gone in less than a second.” He stopped, expecting an interruption again, but she stayed silent. “The pleasure is heightened by the danger, and in the throes of passion, I could

lose my control and revert to the form least likely to be found pleasurable by my … partner?” He lost

himself in the images in his mind, pinning down Celina’s body, taking her in a way she would never be able to recreate with a mere mortal man. “Hunting is simple. There is always one in the crowd that stands out—rarely is it the one searching for the one-night stand—no…” Kai locked his eyes with hers and goose bumps rose on her arms and legs. “No, the one unsure of what society wants her to be, the one who is desperate to be loved and appreciated. She is the one I seek.”

“So, social outcasts are your type?”

His eyes pierced her until he could see through her mind again, to all those curious little fantasies.

He smiled. “It’s about finesse, Celina. I listen to her, and as she speaks more confidently, I brush a hand over her skin”—his hand skimmed Celina’s neck as he brushed her back—“just enough so she shivers with anticipation of what my lips would feel like in the same spot.” He delved into Celina’s mind as his words worked against her disdain for him. “Then I caress her in a way she won’t notice, but her subconscious will let her lean into, let her mind take over and her body will beg for more.”

“She’d notice if…” She followed his gaze to his hand on her knee.

“Are you certain?” He’d worked his own body into a sensual frenzy as he’d drawn her into his web.

She stared at him, her cheeks flushing. “I—”

“Eventually, I suggest a night filled with pleasure.” He couldn’t contain his smile as he moved closer. “I keep touching her in small ways—maintaining physical contact at all times.” His hand inched up her side, until he tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She sucked in a breath and he cupped her cheek.

He sat close to her and her scent calmed and excited him at the same time.

“Kai?” Her voice wavered.

“Sex is fleeting.” He took her chin and drew her close. “But intimacy is endless, a continuous moment of gentle touches”—his hand dropped back to her knee, and then made its way up her thigh until she let out a small gasp—“personal boundaries broken, and pleasures that go beyond sex.”

She sat as if frozen. “It’s still a one-night stand.”

“Mine last longer—and you reveal not only your body.” His hand moved to the middle of her chest. “When you are intimate with a demon, you reveal your soul. You make yourself vulnerable and open.”

“Considering you’ll have my soul sometime soon, I’m not giving you a free sample.” She drew away from him and stood. “I won’t be your prey tonight.”

Buy Links:

Evernight Publishing: http://bit.ly/2t3IZZA

Connect with Magali:

Website: http://bit.ly/1G4NELt Facebook Page: http://bit.ly/2su1ZTS Twitter: http://bit.ly/2oRUGit Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2sci0uL

Add to your Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2rscvuM

Book Trailer: http://bit.ly/2tDtaYU

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