My goals with the Hernandez series ☠️ (Updated)

If you haven't checked out the Hernandez series yet, you might want to stop by mimaonfire.com to learn about the characters, the books and take a look at all the snappy covers. 😍

As a writer, I have a few goals that I keep in mind, specifically while working on this series:

Diversity. I've covered this issue in previous blogs and videos because it's one of my most important writing goals. Our society is made up of many kinds of people, and this should be reflected in our books. 

Equality. The men are strong. The women are strong. No damsels in distress here.

Theme. Each of my books has a theme that follows the story. For example, my latest book, We're All Criminals, focuses on freedom. 

Social issues. There's a lot going on in the world and, it's important to bring it to the surface to inspect a little more closely or perhaps, show it from a different point of view. 

Snappy dialogue. Each character has a unique way of expressing themselves, which should be reflected in their dialogue. It shouldn't fall flat. 

Subplots. Lots and lots of subplots. People need a lot of balls in the air, or they lose interest. 

Fast-moving. If you're going to write a 900-page book, you better have a hell of a lot of time (like years) or events covered, or people will lose interest by chapter 3. 

These are the key ingredients that help to make the ideal Hernandez soup. 

Let's talk about Jorge Hernandez - el diablo 👿(Updated)

Jorge Hernandez is the leader of the pack in the dark and gritty Hernandez series. The charismatic former cartel boss has come a long way from his Mexican roots to take over the Canadian marijuana industry while infiltrating many areas in the country, from the government to the media. 

A complex character, Jorge was forced to grow up quickly after the death of his younger brother, Miguel. His family became emotionally distant, ostracizing their remaining son for his accidental part in the tragedy, which forced Jorge to become stronger in his teen years. Before he was 20, this strength and his ability to emotionally disconnect proved invaluable as a criminal, which would push him up the food chain very quickly. This power grew over the years until he was the boss and his associates, in turn, became the family that he needed. 

Jorge’s charismatic personality is captivating to those around him while his enemies fear the man who was called el diablo, the devil, for a reason. Many people find this character appealing because of Jorge's blatant disregard for the thoughts and opinions of those around him. He feels no need to receive approval as he powers through life, only thinking of his family and associates at any given time. Jorge is bold, arrogant, and is not shy to express his opinion when necessary. On the flip side, he shows undeniable loyalty and love for his family. Jorge Hernandez would, quite literally, do anything for the people he loves. 

There is no black and white when it comes to the liability of a character; there are a lot of grey areas. 

 Learn more at mimaonfire.com

What is the Hernandez series about? ☠️(Updated)

If there ever were characters that not only made it their business to color outside the lines but seemed oblivious to living any other way, it would be the group in the Hernandez series. Living by their creed of love, loyalty, and winning above all, this is a series where readers witness characters who don't let anyone stand in their way. With their unique sense of what's right and wrong, we follow them down a countercultural path that goes against the usual, 'the good guy always wins' theme. And to readers, this is refreshing.

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

Except for the first two books, the series centers around the protagonist Jorge Hernandez. With his combination of daily life problems, (not to mention, his unique way of solving them) and enemies coming out of the woodwork, Hernandez shows the strength and resilience that is alluring to the reader. Somewhat of an anti-hero, this villain reveals the darker side of society, one where corruption, collusion, and conspiracy are often the name of the game.

As the CEO of Our House of Pot, Jorge gives the impression of an immigrant that came to Canada to strive while at the same time demonstrating how public image and reality are often a million miles apart. 

This is a series for people who enjoy being entertained while being open to the other side of many situations. And often, it's a side that asks as many questions as it gives explanations. But isn't that what any good series does?

Why we love the softer side of a gangster character 💀(Updated)

Throughout the Hernandez series, readers are often surprised to see the softer side of the protagonist, Jorge Hernandez. Usually abrupt, in control, and dangerous, it's a surprise to see his vulnerabilities. This especially comes to light when dealing with either his children or wife, Paige. Something is appealing about the unexpected balance of his character.

In general, I think people enjoy discovering the unexpected when it comes to characters. There's something about getting past the mask, the bullshit, to learn who someone really is that is fascinating in both the real and fictitious world. I believe it's human nature to want to understand what makes people tick. Also, to see what we all have in common despite our backgrounds and status in the world.

I have said in the past that I normally don't write a love story. I guess it's perhaps my cynicism that makes me hesitant. However, I find the relationship between Jorge and Paige fascinating and adds an extra element to the series. I think the unlikelihood of two people who don't fit in well with the rest of the world meeting each other is somewhat inspiring. Throw in a couple of children, and the protagonist is forced to not always be in control, and as the reader, you get to see him unravel.

And there's something about seeing someone unravel that makes us see humanity. Which, I believe, is what we're often looking for in the first place.

She Was His Angel ☠️(Updated)

From my press releases: 

The Canadian author known as Mima published her 13th book (9th in the Hernandez series). The book is titled, She Was His Angel. 

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

Power-hungry CEO of Our House of Pot, Jorge Hernandez, holds tight to his ruthless ways in the 8th book in the Hernandez series when he decides to take down the pharmaceutical industry in one powerful swoop. The man once known as the Mexican cartel leader El Diablo isn’t satisfied controlling the monopoly in the Canadian marijuana industry but wants to make Big Pharma squirm under his thumb. Using his political influence to cripple his nemesis, 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? 

Recognizing that he’s started a bloodthirsty game of cat and mouse with a sinister opponent, Jorge enlists the help of the only person that he considers his equal. Former assassin Paige Hernandez, one of the most dangerous women in the world, takes on her husband’s advice to do her worst. But when an unexpected adversary forces her hand in a no-win situation, Paige is left with a heart-wrenching decision of who will live…and who will die.

When the couple unites forces, they discover a bloodbath overflowing in deception and disloyalty that shakes them to the core. Together with Paige, Jorge fights their enemy to the end because he is the devil and she was his angel.

This book centers on celebrating strong, powerful women who can take on the world. I also use this platform to resurface many stereotypes that women encounter throughout their lives, as well as the struggle of balancing family and work....and of course, in Paige's case, murder.

Why I write books at the same pace as a tv show 🙀🔪📺(Updated)

If you pick up a book published 100 years ago, you'll immediately see a noticeable difference from a modern novel you'll read today. Perhaps it's the elaborate descriptions that were more important in a time when people had time to relax with a book and slip into a magical world. Remember this was before television, the internet, and Netflix, so people didn't have as many options for entertainment. Therefore, they appreciated these details.

Not to say that descriptions are no longer important, but today, people don't have time and want to dive right into the story. Also, readers want to participate in the process more than ever before. What I mean by that is that they like to imagine what that hot guy looks like rather than the mentally exhausting process of etching out his face according to your five-paragraph description. I'm exaggerating a bit but, if you're an avid reader, I know you've stumbled on this at some time. If a reader is overthinking something from my book, I prefer it be the plot, the crucial points or concept brought up by characters and not the specific, exact details of someone's face, the room they just walked into, or the garden behind their house. For example, when I refer to a luxurious hotel suite, I think most people have a pretty good idea of what that entails. I don't need to give too many specific details. 

It's hardly a secret that people have short attention spans. I was thinking about this article and had my attention diverted about seven times, so I'm hardly the exception to the rule. Rather than diving into this blog, I  thought about the television show I watched last night, conversations I had yesterday, and what I anticipated to happen later today.

In other words, readers appreciate a fast-paced book. It keeps them turning the pages. As a writer, it keeps me wanting to continue writing them too. I get bored if things aren't moving quickly, so I think that is a sign that my readers would too. Not to mention, that I see each book like a movie or television episode playing in my head. The trick is to keep caught up with my characters. Those bastards move fast! 😂

Why Counterculture should be a genre 🔪(Updated)

Most people associate the word 'counterculture' with the hippie movement of the 60s and the change in previous attitudes about government, music, social norms, and of course, overall appearance. However, it's a more general term to describe people that go against the 'social norm', and if you've ever read one of my books, you're probably well aware that this accurately describes most of my characters.

I will point out that I'm hardly the first or only writer whose work could fall under this potential category. Many books, television shows, and even movies follow a counterculture of people, often criminals or other social misfits that live a completely different lifestyle from what is considered 'the norm' to the rest of us. Often they are swept under another category, such as crime, or end up with descriptions like 'quirky', which is a little easier to digest than something as broad as the counterculture. I think people associate the word with different things, so perhaps it might cause some confusion.

The reason why many counterculture characters are also criminals is that they go against social norms. This often includes the law. You might even see it to a lesser degree when characters go off the grid, pull their kids out of schools, and live with no fixed address in the middle of the woods. Although they aren't hardcore criminals shooting people, they are probably breaking laws not because they are rebels, so much as they don't acknowledge society's rules.

Although some people mightn't agree with me, I believe counterculture themes will see growth in the upcoming years. With so many crazy things going on in the world right now, I think people will become intrigued with an alternate lifestyle fantasy as a way to escape our stark reality.

Why do (my) criminals always win? 😏(updated)

Generally speaking, most of the books you'll read that involve criminals will have the same conclusion: the 'bad guy' gets caught and we all live happily ever after in knowing that good prevails over evil. We see it in movies, on television, and in real life...

Wait. Is that true? Do we see it in real life?

In actuality, we don't always see the 'bad guys' getting captured in the real world. Other times, we see them get caught only to either get away with or barely get punished for their crimes. So why do so many books, movies, and television series center on criminals getting caught and punished?

The answer is that we seek the comfort that the story tells. Many people feel better when things end in a way that they think they should. So, in other words, not only does the criminal gets caught, but the girl gets the guy, and the sick person recovers, and everyone lives happily ever after.

It can be a little insulting to the average audience's intelligence to give every story a fairy tale ending. If you don't believe me, ask a few people what they think of some of the cute and cuddly Christmas movies we're walloped with every December and watch at least half of them roll their eyes. People want to be challenged, surprised, and sometimes, to nod their heads and say, 'I wonder if that does happen?'

In my series, the criminals get away with their crimes. They take many preventative measures, own the right politicians, and manipulate the media. But will they eventually get caught?

Good-bye 2019!! 🥳 Year end in review! 🥂

Wow!! It's the end of the year and I have so much to tell you! 🤩 First of all, I want to thank everyone for all their support this year. All those likes, shares and retweets on social media never go unnoticed. Thanks for the book reviews, watching my videos and of course, buying and reading my books! 📚 We have lots to celebrate, so let's get this party started! 🎉 Let's start with the books I published in 2019:     The Devil May Lie The Devil and His Legacy Both books are part of my Hernandez series.   Media 📺 P.E.I Writer Releases 11th Book – Journal-Pioneer, May 2019 P.E.I Writer Releases 11th Book – The Guardian, May 2019 The Devil May Lie – The Buzz PEI, May 2019 Mima  – C.E. Flores – March 2019 I recorded a lot of Youtube videos and wrote tons of blogs this year. Here's the complete list in case you missed anything 👇🏼 Let's talk about the media guy Tom Makerson 📰Dec 29      Video      Blog   What is the crazy concept behind my series? 😱Dec 20      Video      Blog   A blurb from The Devil and His Legacy 📖Dec 15      Video      Blog       Who's the Greek God? Let's talk Alec Athas 🇬🇷Dec 9      Video      Blog Why do you need a sharp book cover? 😉Dec 2      Video      Blog   How strong characters make us stronger 💪🏼Nov 27      Video      Blog   Should you read your own books? 😳Nov 21      Video      Blog The Devil and His Legacy 🦁Nov 11      Video      Blog   The story of Miguel 👶🏽 Nov 5      Video      Blog Do you have a side gig? 🤫 Oct 4      Video      Blog Does my series normalize violence? Sept 26      Video      Blog OMG! I finally fit into a genre! 😝Sept 14      Video      Blog Why I do my research backwards 😯Aug 31      Video      Blog Why it's important for art to hold a mirror up to society 🎭Aug 22      Video      Blog Writing about characters that are vastly different from you 🤫 Aug 12       Video       Blog   Dialogue that pops! 😉Aug 3      Video      Blog    The super crazy last chapter 😜July 19       Video       Blog   Choosing the right words 🤓July 16       Video       Blog Writing a pilot episode based on my book series July 11      Video      Blog   Why do you always write about criminals? 🔪 July 4       Video       Blog    Why is the first paragraph so important? 🤓 June 29       Video       Blog   Why my characters aren't shooting as many people June 16      Video      Blog   Let's talk about the conspiracy theories in my books 😱June 2       Video       Blog   Moment of pause May 10      Video      Blog    Plant the seed 🌱 May 3       Video       Blog   Can you learn from authors you don't like? 🧐 April 26       Video       Blog   Songs that inspired The Devil May Lie, April 19       Video       Blog   Do your books have social commentary? 🧐 April 12       Video       Blog   The Devil May Lie - Let's talk about a pivotal moment in the book 😱 April 2       Video       Blog   Does everyone have a creative side? 🎨 March 28       Video       Blog   The Devil May Lie - book 6 in the Hernandez crime family series 😈 March 17       Video       Blog   Does a weak moment make a weak character? Feb 27       Video       Blog    Animals and Devils 🐺😈 Feb 8      Video      Blog    Should characters ever be based on people you know? 🤔 Feb 1      Video      Blog   Let's talk about Paige Noël-Hernandez 🧘🏼‍♀️ Jan 25       Video       Blog    The loyalty factor 👊🏼 Jan 18       Video       Blog   Let's talk about Jolene Silva 👄 Jan 11      Video      Blog    Do fairy tale endings really exist? Jan 4      Video      Blog Wow! Almost 40 videos and two books this year. No wonder I'm exhausted. 🥱 Thanks again for all your support. I wish you all the best in 2020! Mima

A blurb from The Devil and His Legacy 📖(Updated)

All of my books have a theme. This is something that I usually touch on in the first paragraph so that readers have a sense of where the protagonist is in life. It could be a struggle or simply their mindset that will follow the character throughout the book. As pointed out in the title, the theme for my latest in the Hernandez series is (obviously) legacy. 


I already knew the theme for my latest book while still writing my last one, The Devil May Lie. A prominent character is murdered in it, and for that reason, Jorge Hernandez starts to question his legacy. He wonders what he will leave behind. How will people see him? How will he be remembered? From this, The Devil and His Legacy was born.

The first paragraph talks about where Jorge Hernandez starts with the concept of legacy, while the first paragraph of the last chapter shows where he ends up on the topic. My goal is to show character growth as a result of his experiences throughout the story. You can learn more by checking out the video below👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼and I promise, there are no spoiler alerts! 🤔 🤔

Who's the Greek God? Let's talk about Alec Athas 🇬🇷(Updated)

If you're familiar with my current series, chances are you've already encountered the politician that Jorge Hernandez snidely refers to as 'The Greek God'. We first met Alec in A Devil Named Hernandez, and unlike so many secondary characters, he has managed to survive through each book.

Alec is reluctant to get involved with Jorge Hernandez, knowing of his reputation but sees no way out. He's a powerful man who's quite intimidating. Also, he does have the ability to help Alec make some headway in politics which, in turn, will give Alec the opportunity to make a difference, which is his whole motivation for getting into the political game. He wants to make the world a better place.

The reader immediately sees the contrast between the two characters: a 'good vs. evil', which is why Jorge views the 'Greek God' as his nemesis. Unlike himself, Alec has a history of social work and helping people, whereas Jorge Hernandez has a history of intimidating and torturing those who go against him. The two men tend to complement one another, and sometimes it's up to Alec to be the voice of reason, but as the series moves forward, we begin to recognize what we see with all the salt of the earth characters in the series. Eventually, they all start to become like Jorge Hernandez.

The Devil and His Legacy 🦁(Updated)

If you enjoy reading about criminals, corruption, and collusion with some murder and mayhem thrown in, you might want to pick up The Devil and His Legacy, the 7th book in the Hernandez series. If you haven't met Jorge Hernandez yet, be prepared for his unapologetically brutal tactics that have both ended and ruined lives. Here's the official explanation for the series:

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 series includes:  

We're All Animals
Always be a Wolf
The Devil is Smooth Like Honey
A Devil Named Hernandez
And the Devil Will Laugh
The Devil Will lie 
The Devil and His Legacy

Here's a quick synopsis of the latest book:

The Devil and His Legacy

In the six months since the murder of his trusted comrade, Jorge Hernandez is left questioning his own legacy. While many will remember him as a loving father, loyal husband, and the aggressive businessman who took over the Canadian pot industry, others will forever see him as the predatory, blood-thirsty criminal that tore apart his enemies without a second thought.

In the seventh book in the Hernandez series, Jorge continues to force his ruthless justice on those who slink from the shadows. Whether it be a ghost from the past that should’ve stayed dead or the insidious threats to the same government he controls, no one can stop The Devil.

In the world of Jorge Hernandez, the timid will become powerful, the enemy will repent and nothing stands in the way of The Devil and his Legacy. 

The story of Miguel 👶🏽(Updated)

There's a very tragic story behind how Miguel Hernandez got his name,  and it's a story that tells you as much about Jorge as it does his son.

Anyone who follows the series is probably familiar with how Jorge Hernandez lost his brother. He often refers to a childhood incident when his older cousin drops by with a new dirtbike. Being a rambunctious thrill-seeker as a child, Jorge automatically decides he's going to take it for a spin. While his cousin is in the house, the twelve-year-old encourages his hesitant brother to join him on the bike, and the two take off. Unfortunately, Jorge is only mildly familiar with how to drive it, and the two end up having an accident where his ten-year-old brother dies.

Broken by this loss, Jorge finds no compassion from his own family. Instead, they blame him for this reckless behavior. His father savagely beats him while his mother looks on. Not only does his family hold him responsible for Miguel's death, but Jorge also blames himself throughout his life. The relationship he has with his parents never recovers, forcing Jorge to become stronger to protect himself. This incident gives us a better idea of why he grows into the man he becomes.

Many years later, Jorge has a son and automatically knows he must name him Miguel. He talks about how looking into his son's eyes heals him. Of course, his sense of protectiveness for both his children resulted from the horrific tragedy of his childhood. His sense of loyalty and family is also very important to him because he lacked in this growing up. In a way, the Miguel story comes full circle.

Does my series normalize violence? (Updated)

Anyone who's ever read my books knows there's a body count, but it didn't start that way. You might wonder how it happened.

I always say that this is the series that wasn't meant to be a series, but I can take that one step further and say it became the violent series that wasn't planned. Originally We're All Animals was meant to be a standalone book, but as the story moved forward, it became clear there was much more coming down the wire. With each book, the series grew until it became brutally violent.

The thing is that this isn't so unusual in our society. Many things become normalized over time because they build slowly into everyday life. Things escalate. Smoking starts with an occasional cigarette, often with no intentions of becoming a habit. However, many things are insidious. They grow over time until it becomes the new normal. We regularly see it in our culture, especially in the news. 

The interesting thing I noticed while working on my 12th book is how Chase - the character who has been along this journey since day one - started so naive and shocked by the same violence he later participates in. We see this in the real world too. It's not just fiction.

OMG! I finally fit into a genre! 😝(Updated)

For all the times I complained about not wanting to be stuck in a genre, I've finally found the perfect one!

Ever since my first book, I've never been comfortable classifying any of my books into a specific category. Nothing ever quite fit. There was romance, action, suspense, murder, dark humor, and even some vampires thrown in a couple, but none of these specific genres felt right. It was as though all my books included so many things that it was difficult to categorize them properly, so I chose instead to toss everything into the 'dark fiction' category. It seemed like the most accurate, if not the ideal category.

Recently, I stumbled across the concept of counterculture, and I was immediately intrigued. What was that exactly, and why did it sound so appealing? As it turns out, counterculture tends to be a way of life that goes against social 'norms'. This demographic rejects 'conventional' society choosing instead to live by their standards. 

This grabbed my attention.

In my first two books (Fire and A Spark before the Fire), my characters reject society's values by striving to become rock stars, which in itself tends to be a very counterculture lifestyle.

In my third and fourth book, The Rock Star of Vampires and Her Name is Mariah, I tackle the underground world of vampires. You can't get much more counterculture than that, can you?

Maybe so.

In my current series, my cast of characters tends to go against pretty much all social norms. They make their own laws, follow their own rules and do so without a second thought. Murder, corruption, collusion, and torture are engrained into their lives as if they were the most natural thing. That's pretty counterculture.

My books finally have a home, and it's pretty awesome.