The Necromancer’s Redemption Excerpt

I’m still somewhat dazed after completing my Necromancer Series trilogy, but the final book is out and here’s an excerpt depicting Ruby and Ewan’s mad dash to escape creatures in the demon realm. Enjoy!

“We need to move. We shouldn’t stand around in one spot for too long.”

I did my own scan of our area, suddenly anxious. “So where are we exactly?”

In response, a piteous howl sounded in the distance, and I cursed while a tremor rippled through me. That wasn’t the answer I was looking for.

Ewan grimaced. “These are the Myz forests. Consider it our version of Tolkien’s Mirkwood Forest.”

“Yea,” I said with mock enthusiasm. “I was hoping for another questionable, scary forest teeming with demon rejects.” Of course, of course the goddamn Death Cult Sanctuary had to be located in a place where demons avoided, where nameless beasts wandered, where I had to search for a questionable relic that may or may not rip my world apart.

Ewan took the lead and led us down a path thick with trees. Their roots protruded from the ground like tentacles of the Kraken itself, busting past the frothing waves. Branches swaying above us formed a canopy. Their thick foliage blocked out the daylight while the ground bore the wet smell of decaying organic matter. While this resembled a human jungle—on acid—experience had taught me that the next moment could introduce any number of strange creatures or flesh eating flora. The more I stared, flicking my gaze side to side, back and forward and up, the more I caught a shake of leaves or twinkle of orb-like lights.

To temper my nervousness, I broached the topic of Ivo and the fight. “Won’t Ivo seek us out when he finds out Damon is alive?”

“He won’t find out, not for a while. For all he knows, I delivered a fatal stab to Damon. Portia took Damon to the home of her allies where he can recover, buying us some time before Ivo discovers the truth.”

Or we’d all die and it wouldn’t matter.

Ewan slowed his pace and tightened his grip on his sword. He twisted his head back. I’d nipped at his heels as we walked, so much so that I plowed into his back when he stopped suddenly. He gazed intently at a spot in the thick cluster of trees beside us, drew closer and swiped at a bunch of moss, revealing a statue. Black lines ran like distended veins over the red stone figure. It loomed a good five feet taller than Ewan. As he cleared away more moss, I stood back and stared with dismay at the wolf-like statue, fangs extending from a long snout. It stood on hind legs held up by an almost human torso, and claws. Freakishly long claws.

“Is this a real creature?” I asked.

He tapped the edge of his sword on the torso. “These marks. These things were long thought extinct, but . . . ” He scanned the area again. “We should get to the Sanctuary.”

I gave the red, black smudges Ewan had pointed out one more look before taking off after him. “What are the marks?”

“Possibly a ritual to waken them from slumber. If they still exist that is.”

I glanced behind me again and resumed my position at his heels. And once again, I plowed into him. Damn it. “Can you please . . . ?”

He clamped a hand over my mouth, which really covered half my face. Continue reading

The Necromancer’s Redemption Release

It’s out! I’m honestly overwhelmed and amazed to have completed this trilogy. At times, it ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????made me cry, others, it made me laugh, and lots of times, made me pull my hair out. The best part however, was hearing from readers who loved the characters, especially Ruby, the necromancer. People seemed to appreciate her strong, independent nature without being a physically strong heroine. Ruby kicked ass in her loyalty and love for her friends, mental strength, and resiliency, even when she was literally going mad.

Find our more about The Necromancer’s Redemption on Amazon, and check out my Giveaway!

To celebrate my release, I’m offering a copy of my short story booklet, The Werewolf’s Devotion, (read about it here) and a $15 Amazon giftcard to one person who leaves a comment with their zombie name! I’m a Famished Flesh-eater!

Find your inner zombie here: http://www.playbuzz.com/epicreads10/what-type-of-zombie-are-you

I will choose one person via random.org at midnight EST Sunday (the 29th).

Is this the last we’ll see of our heroes? I don’t think so. I have some novella ideas simmering in my head, maybe even one featuring Kara and Jax 🙂 But first, I’d like to start on a new series, more of a supernatural thriller, dealing with voodoo, or the Orisha religion that originated with the Yoruba people in West Africa. I’m very excited about it. And, of course, my ongoing pirate historicals.

Don’t forget to check out my new release mailing list for information on new releases and sales on both series. Sign up here: http://eepurl.com/-rc6L

J.C. McKenzie New Release!

A new release from J.C. McKenzie featuring a Tempest! I’ve yet to read a paranormal featuring one so I’m intrigued 🙂

LON RIDES THE WAVES, LIVES BY THE TIDES, AND NOTHING CAN HOLD HIM DOWN, BUT WILLA MAY BE THE ANCHOR HE NEEDS.

Title: The Shucker’s BooktiqueTheShuckersBooktique_w9189_750

Series Name: Lobster Cove

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Cover Artist: Debbie Taylor of DCA Graphics

Theme(s): Shapeshifters, supernatural

SubGenre(s): Paranormal/Urban Fantasy

Rating: Spicy (PG13)

Keywords: Shifter, Paranormal, Fae, Urban Fantasy

Amazon | Chapters | iTunes | Kobo | The Wild Rose Press

Blurb

After her fiancé dumps her and her beloved Aunt Jenny goes missing, Willa Eklund travels to Lobster Cove with a broken heart to search for Jenny while running her bookstore. When a mysterious man visits the Shucker’s Booktique on a stormy night drenched in rain and covered in mud, Willa’s heart melts under his stormy gaze. She wants Lon and the answers he may have, but he also has a secret. Can Willa trust him?

Lon Devlin is a Tempest, a water sprite who can only take a human form during stormy nights. He rides the waves, lives by the tides, and nothing can hold him down, not even a beautiful woman. When he visits his mortal friend, he discovers she’s missing and her intriguing niece has taken her place. He wants Willa, but he also wants answers. What happened to Jenny?

Excerpt

Thump! Thump! Thump!

No! She gasped. It couldn’t be. The banging on the front door of the booktique had to be a figment of her imagination. She couldn’t will Lon into existence. Why would he come back? Especially if he was involved. Unless…cold ice prickled up her spine…unless he needed to eliminate her to take care of loose ends.

No. Crazy thoughts, Willa. He could’ve taken care of her the night before. No, her heart hammered against her chest for a different reason. But it didn’t matter. The knocking on the door wouldn’t, couldn’t be him.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Could it? She clutched her hot mug in both hands and turned toward the doorway leading to the bookstore. From the kitchen in the back room, she had a clear view through the store to the front door, but not who stood on the other side.

“Willa!” Lon growled. “Wake up and let me in!”

Willa gasped and almost dropped her cup. The tea sloshed around and some spilled over her hands. It burned, but she didn’t move. She couldn’t breathe. Somehow the air got trapped inside her throat. Why was he here? What did he want?

Oh God, let it be me!

About J.C.

View More: http://photos.pass.us/headshot2Born and raised on the Haida Gwaii, off the West Coast of Canada, J.C. McKenzie grew up in a pristine wilderness that inspired her to dream. She writes Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance.

J.C. McKenzie’s Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | The Wild Rose Press | Amazon

 

The Necromancer’s Betrayal Release

Finally! Book two of my necromancer series is here! I’m excited to bring you The Necromancer’s Betrayal. See below for an excerpt and information on giveaways.

The Necromancer's Betrayal, Necromancer Series, Mimi Sebastian, zombies, Ruby MontagneHer powers have been hobbled. Her enemies are growing stronger.

Old loves challenge her. And her worst betrayer may be herself.

Necromancer Ruby Montagne is battling for her life in the realm of demons. Unfairly branded for the death of a fellow necromancer, she’s got to prove her innocence without the full use of her magic. And the real culprit is still on the loose.

While someone is stalking her friends among the witches, Ruby searches for answers inside the dark intrigues of both the demon and necromancer worlds. Ruby must confront this new, sinister threat while reconciling her feelings for her former lover, a demon warrior. Only it’s difficult . . . because a sexy vampire is making it clear that he’d like to be a lot more than just friends.

The competition for Ruby’s trust heats up as the enemy pushes her toward a dark side that could threaten the entire realm. Yet what can Ruby do when she’s not even sure what she is? With the fabric separating the realms at stake, she must decide whom to trust. But will the ultimate betrayal be her own?

AMAZON

Necromancer’s Betrayal will be on tour with Bewitching Book Tours and will feature a tour wide giveaway. Click here to visit the tour page. Stops include:

July 15 Spotlight
Share My Destiny
July 18 Guest blog
Mythical Books
July 24 Spotlight
The Zombie Survival Crew
July 31 Spotlight
Deal Sharing Aunt
August 4 Spotlight
Addicted 2 Heroines
August 7 Interview
The Simple Things in Life
August 8 Spotlight
Fantasy Book Lane
August 11 Spotlight
Cassandra M’s Place
August 13 Interview
Author Karen Swart
August 15 Spotlight
Emma Weylin
August 18 Character Interview
Eclipse Reviews
August 21 Guest blog
Barb Taub
August 29 Top Ten List
Darkest Cravings

 

Stay tuned, or like the Necromancer Books Facebook page, as I’ll be running a few contests and promotional activities during the month to celebrate the release including this Goodreads Giveaway, which starts on Monday the 14th.

Excerpt

I particularly like this excerpt because it takes place in a demon realm version of a red light district and brings out a different side to some of the characters, such as Ewan. Tivor, a new ally, is a demon Chronicler or keeper of demon historical records. Enjoy!

Tivor turned down a less crowded, narrower passage, and if I’d hadn’t known better, I’d have said we’d entered a red light district of sorts, with demons stumbling about as if drunk. I raised an eyebrow at Ewan, and he just smiled and waved me onward. Tivor ducked into an opening in the rock. Damon had to bend almost ninety degrees to clear the entrance to what could only be a bar packed into a small cave, as dark and musty as an aged British pub. Stone benches lined the walls circling a stone pillar in the center out of which an enormous, multi-eyed, octopus-like creature served up drinks with his tentacles. I clasped Ewan’s arm. “Why is Cthulhu the bartender?” Continue reading

The Werewolf’s Devotion short story release and giveaway

It’s finally here! The Necromancer Books, The Necromancer's Seduction, The Werewolf's Devotion, Mimi SebastianMy short story from the world of the Necromancer Books. A small tale, but Brandon holds a special place in my heart 🙂 as does the lovely cover done by Kim Killion.

I’m only offering The Werewolf’s Devotion booklet as a giveaway via various contests, blog spots, etc. So as part of the release, if you comment on my blog or send me an e-mail at mimi@mimisebastian.com and put Werewolf Devotion in the subject line, today and tomorrow, I’ll pick one person to receive the booklet. And, if you hop on over to Camelia Miron Skiba’s blog today, check out her review, and leave a comment, and/or hop over to TiffyFit’s Reading Corner on Facebookfor additional opportunities to win the booklet 🙂

I’ll announce the winners Friday. If you leave a comment instead of e-mailing me, please leave your e-mail in your comment and I’ll contact the winner with specifics. Thanks for stopping by!! And thanks Camelia and Tiffany for participating!

Back cover copy:

I wheeled around. I hadn’t noticed anyone behind me.

Brandon’s quirked eyebrow reached the bangs of his wavy brown hair. His thin frame, straddling a wood cathedral chair, belied the power visible underneath his worn jeans and . . . surprise fluttered through me at the sight of his priest habit. A werewolf priest?

He stood and walked over, taking my hand in a firm shake. He smiled. “I’m used to that look.”

I’m not even going to try to understand how a wolf can reside within a priest. As if reading my thoughts, he said, “Even the beasts need to confess.”

-Excerpt from The Necromancer’s Seduction

Before the werewolf priest, Brandon Ross, ever met the necromancer, Ruby Montagne, he’d adopted a quiet life in the Northeastern Brazilian countryside. There he dedicated himself to the parish and immersion in the local culture, even if it brought temptation in the beautiful town doctor, Solange Neves.

Now discover the story of how Brandon became a werewolf and the troubled past he seeks to escape. As he struggles to make sense of the new, darker power that has taken control of him—of the monster he has become—will Solange be his salvation or his ruin?

Writing a Book Series-Author Guest Panel

Thanks for joining us today. I’m stoked about today’s post. In my ongoing discussion on constructing a book series, I asked a group of writers, who are in the process of, have written, a book series, to provide some insight into their process and books.

My panel includes V.S. Nelson, Camelia Miron Skiba, Shanyn Hosier, Mary Buckham, and Gina Conkle. I’m very excited to have this incredibly talented panel of authors bringing varied knowledge and experiences, some traditionally published and some self-published, writing different genres that include romance (including a LGBT ménage romance!), paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and historical. Next to their pictures below, I included a brief description of their book series. At the end of the post, please find a brief bio on each along with a picture of their latest release or cover to one of their series!

Mary BuckhamMary Buckham: I’m writing two series. One in fiction, one in non-fiction. The fiction one is an Urban Fantasy series focused on a group of five human women with unique gifts recruited to fight growing agitation from the preternatural world that exists side-by-side with the human world, though unknown to most.  They do this via a new agency called the INVISIBLE RECRUITS, which echoes the theme of women in the shadows, fighting their own fears and limitations as well as battling threats unknown to most humans. The initial books in the series focus on Alex Noziak, part/witch, part/shaman, who must learn to embrace her gifts to help her team and others or die in the process. The non-fiction series is called WRITING ACTIVE SETTINGS, which explores different elements of utilizing setting on the page as a dynamic, powerful craft tool in several distinct ways.

Shanyn Hosier, Desert MenageShanyn Hosier: Desert Menage is comprised of three books. It follows three characters—Beth, Paul, and John—and their triadic relationship from its comically tenuous beginning in Nine Dates, through its evolution into a strong and equitable bond in Tri Me, culminating with the threesome facing unique and politically charged challenges in Wholly Trinity as they strive to live more openly and begin a family together.  Amanda Ryder (series) never asked for her special gifts—she’d been born with the ability to see, hear, and sense things around her no one else could. But her family never believed her innocence and accused her of witchcraft. Her father threw her out of the house on her eighteenth birthday, when an exorcism went horribly wrong. The series follows Amanda as she makes her way in the world, meeting others with paranormal talents, struggling to find her place. It’s not always easy, especially when “good” guys don’t always make “good” choices.

V.S. NelsonV. S. Nelson: Long ago, seven stepped forward and volunteered for a mission to protect Earth from an evil that escaped their world. Today they are known as those that run Guardians Inc., a world renowned protection agency. Although the books in the series are multi-plotted, each book centers on one of these heroes and their quest for true love.

Camelia Miron SkibaCamelia Miron Skiba: My series is a 5-story historical romance series called Dacian Legends (Born In Vengeance and Born In Sin already released; Born In Darkness will come out 2015). Each book follows the story of one of the members of a Dacian brotherhood in their quest for revenge, honor and love.

Gina Conkle, Norse JewelGina Conkle: Midnight Meetings, a 3 book series with Sourcebooks, tells of men and women entwined with the once golden Sanford family. The Industrial Revolution looms ahead and each character must adapt.  A pivotal “midnight meeting” changes lives in each book.

All the series sound great and some I’ve had the pleasure of starting to read! I’d like to observe something here, which I find very interesting. The book titles are connected in some way (all very creative and intriguing), and we definitely see this with many book series.

We have V.S. Nelson’s two published books in her Sekhmet’s Guardians: Eternal Lovers and Eternal Nights. The eternal already clues you in to the immortal aspect.

Cami’s Born In Vengeance, Born in Sin, etc…touching upon each hero’s conflict/story.

Shanyn’s Nine Dates, Tri Me, and Wholly Trinity which all play into the ménage theme.

Mary’s Invisible Recruits, Invisible Magic, Invisible Power. Automatically I wonder, why invisible? Mary explains the invisible relates to internal and external conflicts.

Gina’s Midnight Meetings, which I find a fantastic idea., and the series title immediately clues you in.

My Necromancer Series: Necromancer’s Seduction, Necromancer’s Betrayal, and tentative third title of Necromancer’s Redemption. Each title reflects a specific theme for the heroine’s arc (and other characters as well).

If you visit these authors’ websites and look at the book covers, you see a design theme as well. All this helps the reader connect immediately to the series, and also shows the author put a lot of thought into the look of their series, etc.

One of the challenging aspects for me in writing my series has been filling the reader in on what happened in the previous book. I’ve seen authors do this in various ways, and I think the method used depends on the type of book series. How have you approached filling the reader in? Continue reading

Writing a Book Series – Character Arcs

Good to be back after a brief hiatus. Juggling revisions on one book, my own editing on another, and actually writing the third has been a hair wringing task, (lots of new gray hairs) but I’m still on track to meet deadlines, thankfully, and, am currently reviewing galley proofs for book release July 15!!

This was a tough post to write because characters are such fundamental parts of our stories. And how to make them grow and change over a series even tougher. I don’t claim to be an expert, and am sharing my learning process. One thing is for sure, nothing turns me away from a series more than, after the third or fourth book, the protagonist doesn’t learn or grow. They become plot devices. Argh.

I began writing my necromancer book when my protagonist, Ruby, invaded my head, told me about her power over the dead and how she struggled with it, and I got excited, started writing, and thought, well this is a story of how she masters her power.

Well, yes, but no. As I explored her character more, I realized it was also a story about how she changes her beliefs about herself, her world, and her power. Even more exciting.

What is character growth? Change? External events can drive the character forward (more of a plot driven scenario). Changes in the character’s skills and knowledge take the arc a bit deeper, but deepen it more, and you get the internal changes, the beliefs, that make the story more interesting. I always loved the interplay between Scully and Mulder in The X-Files. Okay, I just loved the damn show. But Scully really changes, in many ways, more than Mulder. She starts out very scientific and skeptical and slowly over the series, she faces death, kidnapping, possible alien experimentation, and she becomes a believer. But it wasn’t just belief in aliens, but in herself, in her relationship with Mulder. At times, she had to convince him to keep believing.

So how to approach character change over a series? Before continuing, I must insert disclaimer here again.

I’m speaking from my experience of writing my series and what worked or didn’t work for me. Everyone has different writing styles and different stories. There are also many different types of book series. My series is set in the same world throughout, with the same characters, and has a major story arc that will only get resolved in Book Three.

The latter is important because this discussion centers on a character’s growth over a series of books. Think Jim Butcher’s Dresden series or Kelley Armstrong’s Woman of the Underworld characters, such as the werewolf Elena.

Ruby’s growth revolves around her ever growing and changing necromancer skills, her past, and the past history of necromancers.

In Necromancer’s Seduction, Ruby is seduced by her power and by her love interest. How does she respond to the seduction? How does it affect her beliefs? The book ends with Ruby making a major decision that has very important consequences for her growth, but also for the plot. The second and third books begin with her dealing with the consequences of her decision from the previous book. Did she make the right decision? Did the end justify the means? And how does the decision impact her relationships with the other characters? And her relationship with her power?

I loved writing about her struggles with her decisions. How maybe her decisions were not the best, but they seemed like the best decision at the time and were certainly justifiable, the lesser of two evils, so to speak. Either way, her decisions lead her in the direction I need her to go for the next book. (Maybe not exactly the direction she would have chosen, but I’m mean like that J )

So: external change, event leads to new capability/new use of power creates new circumstances/consequences results in change in belief/decision.

Ruby goes through this cycle in each book. She explores a new necromancer power, related to the plot, which leads to a change in belief and a decision, but with each book, the stakes go up, the skill she learns and uses is more difficult and leads to more significant and perilous consequences. The advantage to writing a series is the author can explore different stages of that growth.

Here are some questions to frame this journey:

What propels the hero on his or her journey? Why does s/he need to go on the journey? Does the hero have a mentor or someone to talk to? What are the mentor’s motives? Why does the hero keep going forward? What tools does s/he have at his/her disposal?  Did the hero fail or succeed? Why do we care if the hero is successful or not? What was the hero’s major struggle in each book? With his/her power? Personal or romance?

Lots of questions.

In addition to exploring different facets to the heroine’s growth, a series also provides space to show the hero faltering. Book Two has both Ruby, and her main love interest, Ewan, both struggling immensely. External forces, split loyalties, or decisions made in order to defeat the bad guys drive them apart. Ruby stumbles quite a bit as she navigates her new powers and other things I won’t reveal, which lead her to commit an act that is morally questionable. She comes to terms with her actions in Book Three.

Ewan is quite confident in Necromancer’s Seduction, and over the three books, he has to break down and reform himself before he can be the demon he wants to be for Ruby, and to help her in the end. If he doesn’t go through that process, he will not be at that strong place, mentally or emotionally, to help her.

The relationship with the villain also plays an important role in the hero or heroine’s growth. In the beginning of the story, the villain has more choices and tools at his disposal, which makes him more powerful. It’s the opposite for the hero or heroine. Every scene and plot point strips away options from the hero until the black moment. At the black moment, the hero’s belief, ego or some cherished value is destroyed. Then a new choice presents itself that wasn’t available before because the hero wasn’t ready to make that leap of faith (Saito to Cobb in Inception—“Don’t you want to take a leap of faith? Or become an old man, filled with regret, waiting to die alone.” Love it!)

Ultimately our hero prevails because, while the hero grows and embraces new beliefs that drives her/him to take actions that ultimately lead to success, the villain adheres to inflexible and intolerant beliefs that keeps him/her from growing, and unable to take the actions or make the right decisions, which lead to his/her demise.

Speaking of the devil, each book in a series can have an ultimate black moment, but the series as a whole should have a major dark moment where the hero makes a choice that would have been unthinkable or unavailable in some way at the beginning of the series. Harry Potter, in the end, comes to the realization, the belief, he is a Horcrux, and accepts, understand he has to die in order to kill Voldemort. Fortunately, he doesn’t.

On a side note, I’m a big fan of the television show Game of Thrones. What I like is how some characters begin as unsympathetic and bad, then they suffer various experiences which test their beliefs, and they become better. Like Jaime Lannister. He friggin pushed Bran off a window when Bran saw him having sex with his sister, Cersei. Jaime starts out as conceited and ruthless, but he changes, and we begin to like him, or I do, at least. I need some new characters to like as my favorites keep getting killed off, sigh, Red Wedding, sigh Robb Stark.

How have you seen, treated character growth? How has the villain helped or hindered the hero’s growth?