January 2022 newsletter 🌨

 What's the big news out of December 2021? It's time to catch up! 🎄😁📺 

Of course, the BIG news from December is my NEW book, Loyalty Above All (There are no exceptions). This is my 16th book, the 11th book in the Hernandez series. Just in time for Christmas! 

In case you missed it, here's what the book is about: 

The fact that Jorge Hernandez is contemplating ‘doing good’ in the world should be enough to send a shiver down anyone’s spine. He may be living a seemingly legit lifestyle with his family in Canada, but don’t be fooled; this former Mexican cartel boss holds a powerful grip on everything from politics to media, and he’s never beyond getting a little blood on his hands. 

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 work. It doesn’t matter if he’s yelling at the prime minister or making plans to take someone down; Jorge does so with a powerful and unapologetic swoop. But how much is he willing to reveal? Is he ready for his daughter to learn about his brutal, murderous side? 

In a world where trust is essential, Jorge teaches her the powerful lesson; Loyalty above all. There are no exceptions. 

You can find this book at all your favorite retailers including Amazon, Chapters, and Apple. 

I also posted a few videos/blogs talking about my writing:

Christmas themes in my books 🎄🎄🎄

     Video

     Blog

Why I don't write warm and fuzzy books 🧸

     Video

     Blog 

Loyalty Above All (There are no exceptions) ☠️

     Video

     Blog 

I will soon be sending out my year-end review newsletter, which will catch you up on everything you missed from the year. What does that include? All the videos, blogs, new books, and media attention in one newsletter. See last year's year-end HERE. 

We also can't forget the book birthdays for January!

Different Shades of the Same Color was released in January 4, 2016.

And of course, my first book, Fire was released on January 20, 

Now you're up to date! See you in February! 

Loyalty Above All (There are no exceptions) ☠️

If you read the back cover description of my latest book, Loyalty Above All (There are no exceptions), you're only getting the prevalent theme in the story. Jorge Hernandez has two nemeses throughout the series; the prime minister of Canada (Alec Athas) and Big Pharma. This book is no different. 

Let's check out the synopsis before I explain what I mean.

The fact that Jorge Hernandez is contemplating ‘doing good’ in the world should be enough to send a shiver down anyone’s spine. He may be living a seemingly legit lifestyle with his family in Canada, but don’t be fooled; this former Mexican cartel boss holds a powerful grip on everything from politics to media, and he’s never beyond getting a little blood on his hands.  

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 work. It doesn’t matter if he’s yelling at the prime minister or making plans to take someone down; Jorge does so with a powerful and unapologetic swoop. But how much is he willing to reveal? Is he ready for his daughter to learn about his brutal, murderous side? 

In a world where trust is essential, Jorge teaches her the powerful lesson; Loyalty above all. There are no exceptions. 

The likelihood of Jorge and Alec ever becoming best friends is highly unlikely. Jorge will always have an issue with the man who once had a relationship with his wife, even though it was probably about twenty years ago. Although he insists his frustration with the prime minister is because Canada's leader is too much of a 'pussy', deep down, we know that there's something else that incites his anger. The two men have one heated battle that takes things up a notch in this book. While behind the scenes, Jorge continues to control the Canadian prime minister. 

Jorge's long-standing battle with Big Pharma is also unlikely to end anytime soon. You have to remember that Jorge started his fortune in the cartel. In his eyes, people were getting their drugs from both him and Big Pharma however, the latter didn't have any consequences to their actions, despite both were selling drugs that people used to get high. In his view, they were legalized drug dealers. When he took over the cannabis business in Canada, his battle against the pharmaceutical industry only grew more contentious and remains ongoing. 

I like to keep as many irons in the fire as I can to keep things interesting. This book is no exception. 

Why I don't write warm and fuzzy books 🧸

When people learn that I'm an author, they're often surprised to learn that I write about violent criminals who think nothing of murdering from time to time. Perhaps I don't give off that crazy vibe as much as I thought I did, or maybe it's because I'm a woman, and generally speaking, female authors are more known for books that fall more on the softer side. It's not something I give a lot of thought to but from time to time, I do get asked why I don't write books that are warm and fuzzy. 

In truth, I tend to read darker, sinister books, so it's not surprising that I also choose to write them. As a writer, it mightn't surprise you that I also tend to write what I see reflected in the world around me, and you don't have to look far to understand why I write about a protagonist that is rich, powerful and isn't afraid to get blood on his hands. This is merely symbolic of the elites that rule our world - thus, my title Psychopaths Rule the World from earlier this year. 

Although I don't write warm and fuzzy books, I tend to show the softer side of characters. To not do so wouldn't be a fair reflection on human nature. Even the most rotten, soulless person has an unexpected sentimental side, just as the kindest person you know may occasionally have a temper tantrum. People are complex, and so are characters. 

Maybe someday I will write warm and fuzzy books. As soon as our world becomes a warm and fuzzy place. 

Any day now. 

Christmas themes in my books 🎄🎄🎄

You wouldn't think that Christmas themes quite fit in with books about criminals, corruption, and murder, but I managed to do it in my 15th book, Psychopaths Rule the World. Not such a stretch when you consider how many psychopaths seem to show up during frantic moments at the mall and of course, family events (we all got at least one in our families!) at Christmas time.

As I've mentioned in previous blogs, I love contradictions in my books, and you don't get much more of a contradiction than murder at Christmas. I will admit that this is a theme I've noticed in other books (usually with a detective trying to find the person who killed the bakery shop victim or something of that nature), but my books tend to be a tad more brutal. For example, in Psychopaths Rule the World, one person is brutally murdered with a very heavy Christmas ornament. There's also a haunting scene at the end of the book that might traumatize you, but let's not get into that right now. 😉

I wanted to get some Christmas in my last book, but it wasn't always easy to work into the story. After all, this isn't exactly a family that bakes cookies, watches holiday movies, or makes snowmen on the lawn. Granted, I do love contradiction, so wouldn't it be fun to see gangster Jorge Hernandez do any of those things?

Of course, you have to give me credit because at least Psychopaths Rule the World has a festive color for the cover♥️

December 2021 newsletter🎄

 What did you miss in November? Let's catch up! 

A NEW BOOK IS COMING SOON! This will be the 11th book in the Hernandez series. Each book is standalone so don't feel you have to start from the beginning (but you might want to!)  I will send you a cover image and description as soon as I have it. 

Check out my latest videos/blog posts!

How much symbolism is in my books? 🧐

     Video

     Blog

Why authors need to stop stressing about book reviews and awards 🏆

     Video

     Blog 

What else is new??

I"m now on RUMBLE - come check out my videos. I'm slowly posting everything from YouTube however, it will take some time. 

I also joined TikTok - look me up @mimaonfire - which is the same for Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

How much symbolism is in my books? 🧐

I can't speak for other authors, but the symbolism is a big part of my writing process. Jorge Hernandez brings a whole collection of symbols that relate to the world around me. Whether he's stabbing someone in a fit of rage or telling the Canadian prime minister what to do, my protagonist is demonstrating (in a very literal sense) what many of us think the super-powerful do in the real world. 

Jorge Hernandez's approach to life may seem brutal and exaggerated to those who read my books, but this often represents the more subtle ways that someone in his position may affect the average Canadian. For example, Jorge Hernandez may kill someone (literally) in my books. In the real world, it may be the actions that someone powerful takes that cause death. Let's say they created a product that hurt people or made a decision that had a tragic effect on citizens. 

Not to suggest that there aren't powerful people who murder people, but that's a whole other topic for another day.

Getting back to what I was saying, Jorge Hernandez often takes a very literal approach to what the elites may not as boldly demonstrate in the real world. For example, he openly talks about controlling the government. Although we may not doubt that the super-powerful do control the government, chances are you aren't going to get many of them admitting it. Then again, we are following his character around and are aware of his many private conversations where he talks about things we like to believe is just the arrogance of a dramatic character, but don't we kind of think this happens behind closed doors?  

One of the best examples is my latest title, Psychopaths Rule the World. Although it sounds like a powerful title that may be a tad exaggerated, many people might be inclined to agree. The cover for this book has two men shaking hands with blood dripping off them which says it all, wouldn't you agree?

Why authors need to stop stressing about book reviews and awards 🏆

If you're a fiction author, you've felt the pressure to have as many book reviews as possible! 

Of course, it doesn't stop there, does it? You're encouraged to have as many as possible, and they must give away enough of the plot to make it sounds mind-blowing without spoiling it for the potential reader. And of course, they must get close to five stars but not five stars because that seems suspicious, but anything under two and you may as well bury your head in the sand and perhaps, your writing career with it.

And book awards! If you won awards, then you've made it, baby! 

Does this sound a tad intimidating? 

This isn't to suggest that I don't enjoy having a great review thrown my way. I also wouldn't snub an award. However, much like the shameful act of not writing enough words a day, I believe this also fits under the same category of unnecessary stress that authors put on themselves. 

Just write a great book. Don't fixate on the other stuff.

The truth is that having a lot of reviews give you a boost on Amazon, but most people will read your book because it captivates their attention and connects with them in some way. They're going to read your book because they checked out a free preview and found it interesting enough to continue. They're going to read your book because they saw you speaking in an interview or a video (see below) and liked what they heard. They're going to read your book cause they loved the cover or because a friend told them about it. They probably won't read your book only based on how many stars you got in a review. 

I'm not an expert. I only know what's encouraged me to buy a book. It's never been because it won an award. I've also never relied on book reviews because savvy marketers offer services to write them. I also know that our tastes vary. A book I love might not be for you and vice versa. 

It's not a race or even a competition. It's about finding your readers. 

Your November 2021 newsletter is here! 📺

What's up for November? 🍁

As it turns out, October was a pretty uneventful month. I continue to work on my next book in the Hernandez series, but I'm not sure when it will be out. I'm pretty busy with work and life, so I haven't had as I'd like to finish the book. However, I'm getting there...

I continue to look into selling merchandise, but the research is time-consuming. I'm looking for the best quality and value without charging too much for the product. I ran into that previously with high shipping costs. I also am looking into new places to upload my videos. I did look briefly at TikTok, however I'm not sure if it's the right spot for me. Don't get me wrong, the site is fun, but I might not be a good fit for an author. 

I do have one new video and blog to share with you:

Why do I pick certain book titles? 📇

Blog

Video

And, of course, a new feature to my newsletter, book birthdays! 🎂

In November, we celebrate two of my books:

The Devil and his Legacy - November 12

We're All Criminals - November 23

Thanks for checking in! Don't forget to like, share and/or subscribe to my YouTube channel!

Have a great November!

Mima 

Why do I pick certain book titles? 📇

Most of my book titles aren't selected just because they grab attention or suit the book, but also because they sometimes make a statement that I think is relevant. It might say something about human nature, the world we live in, or be a belief that I have about the world. 

I'll let you be the judge. Here are a few titles to consider:

Psychopaths Rule the World 

Do I have to explain this one?

We're All Criminals

Isn't there a 'bad' side to all of us? Do we not all have a dark side?

We're all Animals

In essence, we are all animals. Do we not have natural instincts that relate to those of animals? Are people all that different from one another?

Always be a Wolf

A quote throughout the series is; in a world full of sheep, always be a wolf. That seems pretty relevant in our times.

In the end, I guess it depends on the author's style and motives. Maybe they want a silly title that shows a lighthearted side to their writing. Then again, they might want something dark that suggests murder, crime, or horror. For me, my motive as a writer is to make people think. I guess I feel that if I can't get them to read the book, maybe I can accomplish this (to some degree) by demonstrating my titles. 

October newsletter 🎃🎉

It's the spookiest month of the year and that fits right in with my Hernandez series which doesn't need a special occasion to play the evil card. Jorge Hernandez is pretty good at terrifying people throughout the year. 

Let's check out what was new in September!  

To start with, I had an awesome article about my writing in the local newspaper - check out the article here (I believe you can sign up for FREE or click on the image in this newsletter and read it from the photo). It was probably one of my favorite articles about my writing and I was very excited when I read it.

Anything else?

I have one new video/blog to share with you:

How do I meet my characters 🤝

Blog 

Video

Last, but not least, I've added a new feature called BOOK BIRTHDAYS! With this, I will showcase whatever book has a 'birthday' for that particular month. For October, A Spark Before the Fire turns 10!! 🥳 This wasn't my favorite of my books, however, it was fun to write. Here's a quick review of what it's about:

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 go 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.

Thanks for the support!!

Mima 🌸

How do I meet my characters 🤝

It might surprise you to learn that meeting a character isn't all that different from meeting an actual person. I mean, there are some obvious differences, but in theory, it's quite similar. What do I mean? Let me explain.

When you meet a person, it takes time to get to know them. You can make assumptions about them, get your first impression, but it tends to take time to unravel the complexities of a human being. People are complicated. They're a series of experiences, heritage, genes, and self-concepts that makes them both fascinating and at times, difficult to understand. 

Characters are also complex, a product of their environment, experiences, and views of the world. And contrary to what many people might think, you can't decide ahead of time exactly who they are and fit them in a neat little box. It usually takes writing about them and seeing them in various circumstances and conversations to slowly reveal who they are and how they fit into the world. 

So, in essence, I meet my characters when they come along in the story, but getting to know them is a whole other thing.

- Mima

September Newsletter 🍁📰

Thanks for checking out my September newsletter! I only have a few things to report for August, so let's get started.

Most of my focus in August was on promoting my latest book, Psychopaths Rule the World. Hopefully, I've done so with new and creative ways to capture people's attention and interest. It's a struggle when you're up against famous names, but I do my best to let people know about my books. I'm currently contacting various libraries throughout the world. And of course, I'm also writing my 16th book. With working full-time, it's been a challenge, but I hope to have another book out this year.

Another project I've been working on is updating all my older blogs (eventually, I may do the same for my videos) so, I only have one new video/blog to share with you:

How Jorge Hernandez always gets what he wants 😱

     Blog

     Video

This is part of the Hernandez series of videos. For the complete playlist, go HERE. Don't forget to subscribe to my channel 😬

Have a wonderful September 🍁

Mima

How Jorge Hernandez always gets what he wants 😱

Despite his gangster ways, it may surprise you that murder is not Jorge Hernandez's automatic go-to when solving a delicate problem. But before dusting off his gun, the former cartel boss has a few tricks up his sleeve when dealing with uncooperative individuals. 

The first thing you have to know is that Jorge Hernandez can quickly analyze any circumstance. Having been in many dangerous situations over the years, it's his instinct that has kept him alive. Needless to say, he can read a room fast and with accuracy, which helps him quickly figure out the best way to manipulate and intimidate anyone who gets in his way.

What can start as an unnerving conversation can quickly grow very intense. Anyone who casually writes off Jorge Hernandez as all talk should know better than to assume there will be no action. This is usually where the threats come in. Keep in mind that he has a powerful, frightening presence, which tends to bring the point home. This is a man used to going up against brutal criminals, so when dealing with the average person, who, at worst, might be an asshole, his methods tend to border on terrifying.

But make no mistake. If all else fails, Jorge Hernandez thinks nothing of murdering. You just better hope he mercifully makes it quick and painless. 

My August newsletter 📰

Thank you for checking out my August newsletter. I'm reviewing what you might've missed during the hot days of summer!

As you might already know, I experimented with selling products with my book covers on them during July. Although the concept was great, I, unfortunately, had to close my store with a particular print-on-demand company because I felt their postage rates were too high. The good news is that if you ordered products from them, they should be arriving shortly, and I'm looking into some more affordable options. It was a learning experience and one that I'm still....well, learning about, as it turns out. I will say that I had a lot of interest from people wanting to buy products, which is exciting! 

What videos and blogs were new in July? I have a couple of new ones, and of course, you can always go back to check out my entire channel or blogs. Learn about my books, writing, and how I got started. 

Check out what was new in July:

Music and how it inspires my books 🎵🎸🥁

     Video

      Blog 

I'm not my characters 🙀

     Video

     Blog

That's about it for this month! I'm working on book #16 and already know what #17 is about and I'm super excited.  I'm also thinking of starting up a personal blog again soon. 

If you enjoy my videos, don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel. 

Enjoy the rest of your summer. Thank you for your support. 

Mima. 

I'm not my characters 🙀

Shortly after publishing my first book, Fire, in 2010, I was surprised when people started to inquire if the protagonist's story was based on my own life. This came as a bit of a surprise to me. It never would've crossed my mind that people would assume that my books were autobiographical, but apparently, that was a common belief. 

As it turns out, I didn't spend my 20s in a rock band, with two of my bandmates in love with me. I didn't become famous, and most of all, my life wasn't quite as exciting as that of my protagonist, Tarah. Although, my protagonist and I did indeed have similar physical traits (petit and blonde), and that's pretty well where our similarities ended. If anything, I was living vicariously through my characters while writing the book. 

I would later write about vampires in The Rock Star of Vampires, and Her Name is Mariah, which seemed to end any speculation that my characters were representative of my own life. After all, I'm pretty sure no one thinks that I'm a vampire. Of course, if there had been any uncertainty, I'm sure that ended when I started writing the Hernandez series, which centers on a man who used to be in the Mexican cartel. 

Then again, one never knows what people think.

In my opinion, it's never a great idea to write about your own life or that of others you know, even if the book is technically fiction. In the end, it becomes more autobiographical, and rather than following a character and telling their story, you're telling your own. I can understand why someone might want to do this, but I would warn that this brings things a little too close to home, making it more difficult to see both sides of a story. To write a good book, I think you have to show other perspectives, not just that of your protagonist. Also, you have to consider whether or not you want people to figure out it's about you. There are things you might not want to share and books, even fiction, are deeply personal when unraveling your characters. 

That's not to say that it's always a terrible idea. If you decide to write about characters based on you, my advice would be to distance yourself to get a broader view.  I would switch up some details just to make sure no one catches on.  😉

Music and how it inspires my books 🎵🎸🥁

As I've mentioned in previous blogs, music has always been an inspiration to my writing. Scenes in my books often remind me of the specific songs I was listening to when I first envisioned them, long before they found their way to the pages of my book.

I think this is pretty common with authors. However, I'm not sure if it works the same way for them as it does for me. I don't pick specific songs that I think should inspire a scene, but quite the opposite. Sometimes the most random, unexpected songs will stand out to me, and with them comes a vision of a scene between my characters. Sometimes I don't even know where it will fit into a future book or when, but I know that it has a relevance that will come to light eventually.

One great example is the song Peace Sells... but Who's Buying by Megadeth. This song inspired a scene in one of the books in my series  (I think it was The Devil May Lie) where a man attempts to intimidate Jorge Hernandez. Things happen, as you can imagine, and it ends up with Jorge's associate, Chase Jacobs, hitting the man with a bar stool. I see the scene so clearly every time I hear the song and forever will associate the two. 

Of course, it's not just songs that inspire specific scenes that count, but also the music that helps me during the actual writing process. People might be surprised to learn that I tend to listen to meditation-style music while I write. I want something calm, relaxing and that helps me get centered when I'm writing. This causes me to find balance and helps me to think more clearly, not to mention allows a flow that comes naturally. You never know where a chapter will end up and, that's exactly what I want. 

My July newsletter 📫

I thought it would be fun to start a video newsletter to accompany my standard, monthly newsletter that I send out at the end of each month. I do this in order to review my latest news, videos, and of course, book information to keep everyone up to date. Check it out!

The BIG news for July is that my NEW book is out! Psychopaths Rule the World can be found in most online stores. Here are a few links:

Amazon.com

Book Depository

Amazon.ca

Barnes & Nobles 

Kindle

Kobo

iBooks

Target

Also, you can find my latest book in the July edition of The Buzz. 

You can also check out my latest videos/blogs:

Are your characters RUDE?? 🙀

     Blog

     Video 

Psychopaths Rule the World 🔪

     Blog

     Video 

Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe to my videos. If you hit the bell, you'll receive notifications each time I have a new video up.

Thank you for your support!

Mima 🌸

Psychopaths Rule the World 🔪

A former Mexican narco transitions into Canadian life with family, politics, and business while holding tight to his ruthless, criminal ways. Meet Jorge Hernandez.

This is the tenth book in the Hernandez series but if you haven't had a chance to check them out yet, I think you'll get to speed quickly with this new book.   

Elevator pitch:

When rumors of a tell-all book about the former cartel leader and his ruthless, blood-thirsty ways start to surface, Jorge Hernandez is in a race against time to make sure the biography never goes to press.

Full back cover synopsis:

There are few things that Jorge Hernandez thrives on more than being in the spotlight. Whether it’s his revealing docuseries, Eat the Rich Before the Rich Eat You, his short stint in politics, or his occasional live stream interviews, Jorge thrives on public admiration despite his insistence that fame is silly. However, his wife Paige has concerns that his need to be the center of attention might one day shine a light into some very dark corners.

When rumors that a tell-all book about the former cartel leader and his ruthless ways start to surface, Jorge is livid. On a mission to uncover the author that plans to expose him as a bloodthirsty vigilante who uses intimidation and corruption to rule his empire, he encounters numerous roadblocks in his race to stop the book from going to press. 

How underground must you go to get away from Jorge Hernandez and his rage? Will a counter book telling a fictional account of his life help to alleviate the problem?

In the tenth book in the Hernandez series, Jorge fears he could drown under the potential media glare. But could a shark like him ever sink, especially when psychopaths rule the world? 

Are your characters RUDE?? 🙀

I never really understood why so many writers feel the need to make their protagonist the saint and innocent victim of life, but I tend to play my cards differently. There are many of my characters that might be considered rude, and I'm ok with that. 

It all started when I wrote about a guy named Jimmy Groome in my first book (who came along as the protagonist in my second book, A Spark Before the Fire) that I discovered that writing about characters with an edge is fun. Although we learn that Jimmy was originally quite shy and bullied as a child in his back story, he eventually became a talented musician, which brings with it, popularity. That's when his rude side came out and often to those who were mean to him in his childhood. His remarks were often downright mean, but you could understand where this snappy attitude came from as a reader. 

Later, I would write about a sassy, young vampire named Mariah (Her Name is Mariah) who was bold and had an attitude, but we understood once you know her back story. She grew up with an alcoholic mother and a father who left the family while Mariah was still a child. She grew a sharper edge because she needed it to survive. Determined to be no one's victim, Mariah never felt the need to hold back on her direct comments and attacks. 

Of course, my sharpest, most abrupt, and rudest protagonist of all would have to be Jorge Hernandez (Hernandez series). He has few limits when it comes to rudeness. When you're on his bad side, Jorge has no limits to what he will say, with little concern about hurt feelings. Often a fine line between rudeness and threats, he once told an annoying telemarketer that if they called again, he would find them and cut their fucking throat. Needless to say, he's pretty extreme in his rudeness. 

Rude characters can seem inappropriate to the very sensitive but let's face it, they're kind of fun to read (and write) about because they say things that sometimes, we wish we could say too. 

- Mima