The official blog is associated with www.mimaonfire.com. Author of 18 books including the Hernandez series 🔪
Loyalty Above All
There are no exceptions.
☠️#counterculture #villains #darkhumor #bloodthirsty #antihero #criminals #fiction #Hernandezseries #Canadianfiction #darkfiction #politicalthriller #Amazonbooks #Kindle #booksworthreading
The character Jimmy Groome first showed up in my first book Fire, in 2010 and later became the protagonist in A Spark Before the Fire a few years later. Although the two books are connected, they overlap more than one being the continuation of the other. For example, in A Spark before the Fire Jimmy's story starts at age 10, when something traumatic happens to his character. However, the book follows him through his teenage years and into his early twenties, when he meets Tarah, the protagonist from Fire.
The cool thing is that you view things through his eyes, including a few incidents mentioned in Fire, where the protagonist is a woman. As you can imagine, these two characters often view the same situation through very different lenses.
Here's a summary of the book:
Jimmy Groome never really believed that his life was worth anything. An overweight and unpopular teen, it takes a suicide attempt to bring a traumatic childhood experience into sharp focus. With some encouragement from family and a counselor, Jimmy picks up a guitar and it quickly becomes obvious that he has a natural talent. After losing weight and joining a band, Jimmy goes from being a shy and insecure child to an outgoing and self-destructive young adult. In a world where sex, drugs and rock n' roll goes hand in hand Jimmy’s future is uncertain.
In this prequel to Fire, we follow Jimmy Groome on his dark path, where he decides if he'll ignite the fire inside - or if he’ll let it burn out and fade away.
Different Shades of the Same Color was my 5th book. It all started when Natasha Parsons hit her head - in a very undignified manner- at her uncle's political fundraiser. Suddenly, she finds herself exiled to the country and discovers some surprising truths about both her family and her own life. In a world of prejudice and judgment, Natasha quickly learns that we are all different shades of the same color, but is she ready to accept the darkness that lurks around the corner? The story was a slight diversion from my other books. A young woman who came across as whimsical and possibly flighty fluttered through the book in a series of crazy adventures until the shocking end.
Although the character of Chase Jacobs made a brief appearance in this book, he would turn up again in We're All Animals, with an explanation for his unusual predicament.
This was a bit of an unusual book. It captured a lot of attention when it came out in both the media and with fans.
People often ask me how I come up with book titles. The key is to pick something catchy and demands attention. That's not to say that all my titles fall under these categories, but I like to think I'm getting better at titling my books.
With my first book Fire, it was pretty straightforward. The story was about a fictional band in the 90s called 'Fire', and that's as creative as I got with that title. The follow-up was A Spark before the Fire, which was pretty much an attempt to connect the two titles, letting people know that this book was kind of the prequel to Fire. There's also a line in the book where the protagonist is called 'a spark in the sky'.
I thought my third book, The Rock Star of Vampires, had a pretty catchy title. It stems from the protagonist looking for the 'rock star of vampires' throughout the book.
Most of my titles come from a line in the book. There is a significance that the reader will discover as they work their way through the story. Other books like Psychopaths Rule the World is a combination of plot significance and my reflection on the world. Always be a Wolf is simply an idealogy repeated throughout the series, as is Loyalty Above All (there are no exceptions).
A title should capture the essence of a book and give readers a sense of the overall theme that awaits them.
Check out this video from a few years ago where I talk about some of my older titles.
There's a little something I like doing at least once in most of my books. I like switching away from the protagonist. So essentially, I have another secondary character take over the story for one chapter, usually around the middle of the book, to give the reader another perspective. It also allows me to shake things up a bit. It adds another layer to the book.
The beauty of it is that you can have a better overall view of the protagonist. For example, if your protagonist has a specific point of view about themselves, you might swing around to another character who draws a different picture. It gives the reader food for thought. Maybe the impression that the protagonist has given isn't accurate. Then again, it might change your opinion of the secondary character as well, since you will be seeing them up close and personal.
I do this with almost every one of my books and find that it gives me a different perspective. Sometimes the only way to understand where a secondary character is coming from is to climb inside of their mind. It's fascinating.
In the gripping sequel to We're All Animals, Chase Jacobs moves to Toronto with his Colombian bosses, Diego, and Jolene Silva, where they expand their elite sex party business. The underground's best-kept secret is going legit, but just as Chase starts a brand new life, tragedy strikes.
The heartbreaking lessons ahead of him are the most difficult he's ever had to face, and Chase must rely on his new family to help him through. But will his blind faith in Diego and Jolene prove to be a mistake, and has he underestimated just how far they are willing to go to prove their loyalty?
He learns there are times when passion and anger cause you to throw away the rule book even in the face of deadly consequences. He learns that words have a great deal of power but not as much power as silence. But most of all, Chase learns that in a world full of sheep, one should always be a wolf.
The series continues. Learn more about all the books HERE.
One of the most difficult questions for me to answer is what my books are about because there's no simple answer. If I had to give an overview, I'd lean toward dark fiction or counterculture, but there's so much going on in my books that it's difficult to pinpoint.
As it turns out, there are a lot of subjects that I cover in each book. For example, my first two books are about rock stars, but they're about much more. For example, Fire is about the commercialization of the music industry, the unexpected stress and pressures of fame, and the reality of our obsession with celebrities.
Jumping ahead to my Hernandez series that centers on criminals, you might be surprised to learn that the series is as much about family, loyalty, and political issues. It involves murder and violence, but there's also a close unity within the group, a strong bond that might seem unexpected in such a series.
No book is ever just about one thing, and in fact, most books are vastly complex when you try to break them down. Overall most of my books contain dark humor and even darker topics. You'll be left with something to think about when you finish the book.
People often ask me how I started writing. My story probably isn't that original, but here it is.
I was an avid reader as a child. Growing up, some of my fondest memories was going to the bookmobile and requesting books from my favorite authors. I eventually began to jot down some of my own stories, letting my creative side out because I thought it was fun. I also started to write little 'newspapers' called 'M News', which featured cutout images from magazines and various flyers to accompany some zany story that I would throw together. I also created little dramas with my Barbie dolls, stories about their lives and interactions.
I would later start writing longer stories but just dabbled in writing. My imagination was pretty big, but I wasn't great at putting it all together yet. I think I just enjoyed daydreaming.
At 16, I wrote my first full-length manuscript, a teenage drama that seemed more scandalous and fun than anything I was reading at the time. I think I sent it off to publishers, but I don't recall if I had a reply. If I did, it was a rejection.
I stopped writing after that point for several years. I started again while I was in college studying business. I grew so bored with the course material that it dawned on me that this wasn't my passion. I took a creative writing course and published my first book, Fire, in 2010.
I've published over 10 books since that time including the Hernandez series.
More than ever, I believe diversity is important in books. Having said that, when I started writing back in 2009, it hadn't even crossed my mind. Much has changed since those days; my most recent books feature characters of various ethnicities, different economic levels, some of which are from the LGBTQ community, and although I don't bring up religion often, the topic has come up a few times in my books. As a child growing up in Canada, I don't recall reading many books about characters that weren't white, which seems unusual for a multicultural country. When considering many of the books I've read over the years - including bestsellers - I believe the majority featured mainly Caucasian characters. Interesting. I now go out of my way to read and write books with characters that reflect diversity. Why is it important? Well, because it's realistic. That's our world. Why do we need it now more than ever? Turn on the news, and you might get an idea. Governments and narrow-minded groups are attempting to divide us in many different ways, but the beauty of books, movies, and television is that we can bring us together and show that we aren't so different after all.
At one time, I thought a ghostwriter was someone assisting a less experienced person in authoring a book. For example, maybe a celebrity or public figure wanted to write an autobiography and needed help putting it together. Of course, I also didn't give the topic a lot of thought one way or another. It was no big deal.
And then - get this - I spoke to someone who told me that it was common for famous writers to have someone else do the work. He specified romance novelists, but I got the impression that it didn't start and stop there. I believe some pretty famous authors also use ghostwriters.
Why do I care?
Well, like most of us, I don't respect anyone who allows another person to do the work and then take the credit themselves. That's not cool. Furthermore, if I buy your book, I want YOUR book. I don't want a book with your smiling face on the back cover and someone else's words on the pages. Isn't that kind of like buying a knockoff purse? Sure, it might say Louis Vuitton bag, but if you paid $20 to a guy selling purses in the back of his van, you're purchasing a counterfeit purse. Except, of course, ghostwriting is legal. Also, you're going to pay the same price for the book authored by the ghostwriter as you would if you bought the same book authored by...well, the person it's supposed to be authored by in the first place.
Some argue that writers run out of ideas, don't have the time to write, etc, and I have to tell you, I have no compassion. I work and squeeze in writing, social media, and all marketing for my book in my spare time, so you aren't going to get any sympathy here. Furthermore, when did an author's name merely become a trademark rather than something that represents integrity?
And what about the ghostwriters? I realize they're getting paid, but if they write a best-selling book with someone else's name on it, why aren't they also getting the credit? I sincerely doubt the super famous author will publicly acknowledge that someone else did the work for them, nor give them credit for their 'brand' becoming more successful as a result. However, I could be wrong. And hey, maybe I don't fully understand the situation. Maybe there's more to it than I know.
What do you think? How do you feel about ghostwriters? Does it matter? Would you feel differently about your favorite writer if you learned that they had someone else write their books?
El narco. A monster. Un diablo. Jorge Hernandez had been called many things, and it always made him laugh. If there was one word that could be used to describe him, it would be untouchable. Corrupt politicians combined with his charming disposition had contributed to Jorge’s success, but it was often the underlying threats behind his handsome smile that sealed the deal. He was unstoppable.
In Paige Noël, he had met his match. She was a woman as dangerous and sadistic as she was soft and gentle. The last thing he expected was to propose after an explosive first meeting, but the intense fire between them was as addictive as the thrill of violence and power.
When some of his personal enemies turn up dead, Jorge shuffles his daughter into a Canadian school, deciding that things are getting a little too hot in Mexico; but does life ever slow down in this dark underground world?
There's just something about the rebellion and going against the grain character that we love. Perhaps it is the fact that these characters sometimes do what we wish we could in real life? Is it because we get a small thrill about 'sticking it to the man'? Is there something attractive or sexy about the character that thumbs their nose at the world? What is the draw to this kind of character?
As children, most of us learned that there were 'good' and 'bad' guys in life. The 'good guys' could be trusted. The 'bad guys' should be avoided. It was overly simplified. Bad guys always had mustaches and looked shady, while good guys wore a suit or a 'respectable' uniform (and I don't mean the one from when you flipped burgers in college).
If life teaches us anything, it's that the lines in the sand aren't always so clear. Maybe the religious figure from your youth turned out to be a pedophile, or you witnessed a cop beat the crap out of an innocent citizen. Whatever it was, you may now have a slight aversion to what you once viewed as the 'good guy' and find yourself slightly intrigued by the 'bad guy', therefore making you drawn to characters who don't exactly play by the rules.
Of course, I could be overanalyzing. Maybe we just like watching bombs blowing up everywhere and some devilish character pushing the button. What do you think? Why do you love the antihero (assuming you do)? Maybe the answer might surprise you.
For some reason, I often have issues writing chapter two. I guess it's because there is so much drama in chapter one that it seems to kind of fall flat in comparison. Also, I'm responsible for setting up the story and introducing the characters in the first couple of chapters, and in the second chapter, I have to find a way to finish pulling it all together.
At least, that's what I try to tell myself.
In honesty, since recording this specific YouTube video talking about the issue, I've been going out of my way to make chapter two as dynamic as the first chapter. But for some reason, I still find it hard to get on track, very much in the same way as I have difficulty getting on track before my first cup of coffee. Or maybe my second cup of coffee. It's just an awkward chapter for me, but maybe it's a personal thing.
Is there a curse of chapter two? Maybe it's simply just a challenge.
It was the series that wasn't meant to be a series! 🤦🏼♀️ However, that's fine because some of the coolest things in life happen when they aren't planned and this would be one of them.
A former Mexican narco transitions into Canadian life with family, politics, and business while holding tight to his ruthless, criminal ways. Meet Jorge Hernandez. Go HERE to watch the YouTube Playlist about this series
Starting with We’re All Animals we follow naive Chase Jacobs from small-town Alberta to the big city, where he unknowingly is employed by a group of sinister characters.
The truth slowly reveals itself in Always be a Wolf, but a horrific tragedy rocks Chase’s world, and quickly discovers that his new family will do anything for him. Anything.
Jorge Hernandez takes over as the protagonist in the third installment of the series, The Devil is Smooth Like Honey. The beloved character is bold, blood-thirsty, and always gets what he wants because he sees no boundaries. Nothing and no one stands in his way.
In A Devil Named Hernandez Jorge is muscling in on the Canadian legalized pot industry but is distracted by enemies that crop up to threaten someone he loves. Do they really want to dance with the devil?
The collusion, corruption, and murder continue right through to And the Devil Will Laugh where he successfully takes over the pot industry despite a few obstacles that get in his way…but isn’t there always some collateral damage?
In The Devil May Lie, Jorge Hernandez is groomed for Canadian politics with hopes of saving one of the major political parties after a public uproar. Will the Canadian political landscape ever be the same again?
In The Devil and his Legacy, Jorge Hernandez starts to questions his own legacy after one of his foot soldiers is murdered. He opts for a simple life but will the simple life opt for him?
In She Was His Angel, Jorge uses his political influence to cripple his nemesis Big Pharma while simultaneously backing the incriminating docuseries Eat the Rich Before the Rich Eat You. Jorge might win the battle but can he win the war?
When a cop has the nerve to show up at his door and harass Jorge in We’re All Criminals, his fury quickly ignites. While Jorge wants to exhibit his power and publicly taunt the police, his family fears that he may have pushed too far this time.
When murmurs that a tell-all book about the former cartel leader and his ruthless, blood-thirsty ways start to surface in Psychopaths Rule the World, Jorge Hernandez is in a race against time to make sure the biography never goes to press.
When his daughter Maria steps up to someday head the familia, it is with great pride that Jorge breaks down the lessons that will secure her position in life. Giving her a glimpse into his daily activities, she quickly witnesses the stark view of the criminal mastermind at workin Loyalty Above All (there are no exceptions).
Subplots, conspiracy theories, and a cast of characters that will jump off the pages.
Loyalty above all. There are no exceptions.
I like to think this series has a bit of everything; romance, suspense, murder, political corruption, comedy (although a dark comedy, to be fair), and an unexpected family connection that you wouldn't expect. This group of people believes that loyalty is the most important thing and that you make the family you want.
Do women rule the world? Maybe not quite yet, but there's something to be said about a strong female character, whether it's in books, television, or movies.
I'm not saying that females have to be tough as nails all the time. I'm not even sure if that is realistic when talking about any characters, whether they are male or female. However, there's a happy medium between Cruella de Vil and Snow White. I also don't think women find soft, weak characters a fair representation of who we are as a gender.
I think it's important that females are neck and neck with male characters. They should be confident, have self-esteem and be intelligent. They should be independent and empowered. Most of all, they shouldn't feel any guilt or shame for showing strength.
I recently watched a television show that portrays women as weak. I know that for this particular program, it makes sense and serves as more of a warning than an accurate portrayal, but it was hard to watch. It was somewhat infuriating. It's not something I could ever do as a writer. Then again, maybe this would be a good challenge for me.
What do we learn from characters, and how does this connect with our own lives? Do I always agree with my character's decisions? Why is it important to follow along on their journey with no judgment?
Characters can teach us a lot about life. As with life, sometimes you have to let go of the wheel and let the characters take over and see where it takes you. In everyday life, it's usually a lot easier if we do the same. Not to say that you should be lying around on your couch waiting for an opportunity to come to the door, but sometimes it is better to be less controlling about your day. We often have a 'to do' list that is unreasonably long and then get discouraged when we can't check everything off. To a degree, you could say the same about characters and plots. You can't force them ahead but let them move at their speed. Having said that, my books tend to move very fast. Of course, they don't always go in the direction I expect. But if a character surprises me, that means that my reader will most likely be surprised too. And isn't that we all kind of want?
Is there a character that you love? It doesn't matter if it's on television or in your favorite book; is there someone that stands out and is exciting to read about or watch? Why is character development so important?? If there's one thing that stands out to me in a great book or television show, it is specific characters. In my mind, these personalities (or lack thereof...) can make or break a show. You can have awesome plot twists and terrific writing, but if you don't have characters that people connect with, it things can fall flat. We like variety, diverse and dynamic characters. As I've said before, we love personalities that jump off the page because they seem realistic and charismatic. They're the people you want to learn more about with every chapter or, in the case of a television show, each episode. Characters should grow, especially in a series. Just like everyday people, it seems a bit unusual to not see growth or, at the very least, a change in opinion over time. As you learn about the characters, they're often learning about themselves. Even more interestingly, the characters you're drawn to might also be telling you something about yourself.
A romance writer, I am not. However, you will find some love connections in a few of my books, specifically my most recent series involving a group of gangster-type personalities. This may not seem like the most natural place to find a romance, but then again, isn't that what makes things a little bit more interesting?
Someone once commented that Jorge Hernandez and Paige Noël-Hernandez were the 'twisted couple' of the literary world, and I certainly can't argue with that point. The couple hooked up in The Devil is Smooth Like Honey and have continued to be together throughout the Hernandez series. The pair didn't exactly meet most conventionally (I don't want to spoil the surprise 😉) but because of their shared attraction to depravity, their connection was a natural one.
What I love about this couple is that they are equals. Both are strong, vicious, and slightly sadistic in their ways, but there is also a soft side; Paige meditates and does yoga while Jorge has a very soft spot for his children. The couple is vastly different in personality. Jorge is loud, obnoxious, and blunt, whereas Paige is quiet and calmer, however, this is why it works. They balance each other out, yet neither feels the need to change the other. Perhaps this is why people find them so endearing.
One of the most common questions people ask me is how I get my ideas for books. It's not an easy one to answer but here goes!
Generally, I write about topics that interest me. I don't think about what is popular or what I think people might like to read; I write about things that I'm passionate about and that intrigues me. For example, my first couple of books were about rock stars because I love music. My second two were about vampires because I found the topic fascinating, and finally, I started to write about gangsters and criminals. This subject intrigued me because I felt drawn to the antihero concept. With all the corruption, collusion, and everything else we see in the news, it's becoming more and more evident that it's not always clear who the 'good' and 'bad' guys are anymore, and something is interesting about this concept.
For my ideas from chapter to chapter, I follow my instincts. I have a lot of snippets of conversations and scenes that show up in my mind, and I immediately jot them down. Eventually, they find a place in one of my books. Often I have no idea how or why it fits in, until it happens.
I generally follow the storyline and the characters to see where they take me. Characters have unique personalities, and like people in everyday life, you can often predict how they will react in specific situations. That in itself usually moves a story in the direction it's meant to go.
My ideas come to me all the time. The key is to be open to everything without questioning it. In the end, it usually finds a place in a book.
One of the most common questions I get asked is what my books are about, and I always struggle to answer. That's because it's difficult to accurately sum up all my books in a few short sentences. But, here goes.
My books tend to be counterculture, dark fiction. I cover controversial topics such as Big Pharma, political corruption, collusion, propaganda, and I'm just getting warmed up! I want to give readers something to think about along with being entertained.
I make a point of having my books move along quickly. Many novels tend to be slow and steady, but I feel like people want to be grabbed by the throat and pulled right into the story. People are used to watching fast-paced television shows with a lot of drama, complex characters, and non-stop action, so in my mind, books must compete. When I'm writing my books, I see them like a television show running in my head, so I write them accordingly. I believe that is where books are going in the future.
My books root for the underdog, the bad guy, or the ostracized. We can't all write about superheroes and superhumans.
So what do I write about? I like to think I write about cool topics; vampires, rock stars, gangsters, all the sexy areas the top television shows centre on. We love the antihero these days much more than we love the boy next door. We love characters that jump off the page, that are full of passion and excitement. And why should we settle for anything less?
My books are for people who like to be challenged and love action. I can tell you one thing for sure; I don't write books that your grandmother's going to be reading. 🤭
We all love a good shock - well, in our books and movies, not so much in real life. There's nothing like a great twist in a story to keep the reader staying up late at night. The goal is to keep you interested, keep you turning the pages, and excited about the story ahead.
But it's not for shock value. That's a whole other thing. Contrary to what people have said, I don't choose topics only to be controversial. My goal is to follow the story and see where it takes me. As it turns out, my imagination takes me to some pretty wild places. I guess it works out well for both the writer and the reader! 😜
You can say many things about my writing, but you can't say you were bored.
People want to be shocked. They want to be surprised. They want to be on the edge of their seat. Real-life is boring. Why should their entertainment be boring too?
The character Jimmy Groome first showed up in my first book Fire, in 2010 and later became the protagonist in A Spark Before the Fire a few years later. Although the two books are connected, they overlap more than one being the continuation of the other. For example, in A Spark before the Fire Jimmy's story starts at age 10, when something traumatic happens to his character. However, the book follows him through his teenage years and into his early twenties, when he meets Tarah, the protagonist from Fire.
