Always be a Wolf 🐺 (Updated)

Always be a Wolf is the follow-up to We're All Animals and is the second book in Mima's current suspense/thriller series following the dark world of organized crime.

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. 

Go here to learn about the Hernandez series. Remember, you don't have to read the entire series to enjoy the book! 

It's all about energy! ⚡️ (Updated)

How important is the balance of energy between characters in a book?

Some characters have a high energy level, and others are more low energy. The key is to have the right mix to balance everything out. 

Some characters have a high energy level, and others are more low energy. The key is to have the right mix to balance everything out. I learned this lesson after writing my first book, Fire, in 2009. The story was about a rock band in the 90s, and I immediately recognized the power difference between characters. The protagonist Tarah appeared to be alone against two other band members. A fourth band member wouldn't get involved in the dispute. In comes a fifth character that automatically jumps on Tarah's side and causes a more even playing field within the book. With this, the energy level changed for the protagonist. She had more power, which enhanced her character and the feel of the book. 

Another example would be the couple in my Hernandez series. Married couple Jorge and Paige Hernandez are very similar in some ways, yet vastly different in others. Personality-wise, they are worlds apart. Jorge is loud, blunt, abrupt, and aggressive. Paige is quiet, soft, calm, and fair. The two balance each other out in many ways, which work in their various scenes together.

When you think about it, real life isn't so different. There is always an energy dynamic.

Passion and Writing 😍 (Updated)

Why are we drawn to explosive arguments, passionate scenes, and violence in books and on the big screen? Why do we love a bar fight or a good old bitch slap on our favorite series? What is it about passion in books and on the screen that excites an audience?

We love it because it's in our nature. Something is exciting about people who are passionate about love or anger. We love a character that isn't afraid to show their emotions. This is because we're often encouraged to hide our feelings, especially those that make other people uncomfortable. So watching others express themselves gives us a bit of satisfaction.

Human nature is fascinating. As much as we hate it when a fight breaks out in the middle of a wedding or during a family event, don't we also kind of move a little closer to the action? It's because we get a little jolt of energy watching people when they show such intense emotions. Why do you think dramas and thrillers are such popular genres?

A great example would be watching a hockey game, and your team is losing. You're kind of discouraged, and suddenly, a fight breaks out! Someone on your team is giving it to an opponent; doesn't this pique your interest? This is because even though your team is losing the game, at least you see that they are passionate about it. And there's something about it that makes you feel a little bit better. 

How did I get started writing? 💻 (Updated)

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. 

Support an indie author and they will love you forever ❤️ (Updated)

How can you help out an indie author? Here are a few suggestions:


1. Write a book review. It doesn't have to be fancy. It doesn't have to be very long either. Just something to let others know that you loved their book!

2. Social media!! You got to socialize. ☺️ Share, retweet, post a comment, like, share the author's
book cover on your wall. Be creative.

3. Suggest the book to your library. It gives the author a sale plus puts their book in more people's
hands.

4. Word of mouth! Talk about the books. Tell people.

These are just a few simple ideas. Thanks for the love.

We need more diversity in books 🇨🇦🇲🇽🇨🇴🇵🇭🏳️‍🌈 (Updated)

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.

BOO!! Let's talk about Ghostwriters! 👻 (Updated)

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?