Why It’s Hot in the Desert
Zubis is the genie star of The Genie Ignites, a paranormal romance that’s a finalist in the Abalone Awards for “Outstanding Ethno-Cultural Romance.” Our reporter caught up to Zubis via satellite in the desert. Here is his interview:
Zubis appears quite comfortable sitting on a folding canvas chair in a steel-gray linen tunic, open at the neck, and pair of loose, white, gauzy trousers. [In this reporter’s objective opinion, he is devastatingly handsome.]
Q: Is it hot there at the edge of the Rub-al-Khali in Saudi Arabia, Mr. Zubis?
A: [eyebrow goes up] Just Zubis, please. Yes, it can be quite hot. Especially when the lovely Bethany O’Brien stands close.
Q: What are you doing in the desert, Zubis?
A: [appears solemn, though those curlicue glyphs, barely covered by a fall of dense black hair along his brow, have begun to glow.] I await the arrival of Bethany. Only she can liberate me from my 3,000 years of bondage. I was condemned in the time of Solomon and have waited 3,000 years for her to return…. [a glint returns to his golden eyes.]
Q: Eh…return? How old is she exactly?
A: Well, in this incarnation, she is a delectable 32 years old. But her heart first belonged to me when she roamed the earth as the Asima Uruk in the time of Solomon.
Q: So what happened to her?
A: [The rugged lines across his brow deepen with concern.] She died. I was cursed and could not save her.
Q: Wow. That’s sad. Now what?
A: She will come. I will remind her of what we once had and she will be mine again. [He brings his fingers to his lips and his gaze is distant for a moment.]
Q: Sounds pretty straightforward. What’s the hold-up?
Ouch! Was that an electrical shock that you just shot at me?!
A: Hold-up? [He rises to his feet. He is quite large.] Have you ever stood bent against the fury of a harmattan, the gritty West African trade wind, as it bites into your flesh? Have you flicked a scorpion from your ankle before it could strike? Have you felt the unmitigated fury of a female jinni as she uses her wicked wiles to betray your true love? Have you ever lost everything you cared about until only the hope of love remains?
Q: Um, no.
A: Then you should read The Genie Ignites. [He winks and seats himself.]
Q: Well, um. Geez. What was I saying? [fanning self] Any wishes left in those snazzy trousers of yours?
A: [His gaze is steady] I think I could pull one more out…
Q: Okay, that’s a wrap! [Speaking to someone off camera: Book me on the next flight to the desert!]
A: Hold on, lovely. No need to fly. We have the power of the jinn at our disposal. With a flick of your finger, you can download my chronicle and I will meet you there.
Q: You got it, handsome! Somebody download The Genie Ignites to my smart phone STAT!
Join me as I fly first class on Genie Air, glass of champagne in hand and nibbling a savory serving of honey-and-currant couscous. Hurry along, now. The second book in Zubis’s series, The Genie Smolders, releases later this month.
Best Wishes,
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