Hello and Welcome All!
Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing Mimi Sebastian author of The Necromancer’s Betrayal.
Hi Mimi, thank you for agreeing to this interview.
Thanks for hosting me on your blog today!!
What do you do when you are not writing?
Oh gosh. Day job, spending time and taking care of family including my six year old son, hanging with my writer friends, read and…sleep.
How did you choose the genre you write in?
The stories pretty much choose me. I’ve always enjoyed paranormal/urban fantasy, so those were the first stories to take over my head. Now I’ve got multiple genre stories clamoring for attention, such as my pirate historical and possibly an adventure/suspense romance in the future.
Do you work with an outline or plot or do you prefer just to see where an idea takes you?
I do both. I plot out the major story arcs, main turning points, the character journeys, major conflicts and intrigues. I find doing that helps to avoid major rewrites later, and I enjoy doing the research. Once I have all that down, I let the rest flow and see where the stories and characters take me. That’s one of the fun things about writing, those twists and turns you don’t anticipate.
What is the hardest thing about writing?
Finding time, getting through the periods of writer’s block, and managing all the marketing and social media all authors have to do these days.
Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way wither growing up or as an adult?
It’s hard to pin down one author or book because I have lots. As a kid, I used to love these books called Alfred Hitchcock and the Three Investigators about three teenage boys who would investigate creepy mysteries. They spurred my interest in the supernatural, horror and mysteries. As far as writing goes, Ray Bradbury was an amazing writer who I admire greatly.
So, what have you written? (*Include books, novellas, short stories, poems, blogs, awards or anything of interest.)
Lots and lots of scribblings and poems, reflections and journals until finally writing my books. I have the Necromancer Series, including The Necromancer’s Seduction, and The Necromancer’s Betrayal. The third book in the trilogy is finished and waiting for my editor to review. I wrote a short story about a werewolf featured in the Necromancer Series, called the Werewolf’s Devotion. I have a pirate historical romance series called The Sea Rover’s Passion. Book one is Devil’s Island. I’m currently writing the second book, still untitled
Can you tell us about your book The Necromancer’s Betrayal?
This is Ruby, the necromancer’s, Empire Strikes Back. Everything kind of falls apart in book two and it seems like the bad guys come out ahead. In fact, as the title alludes, she takes some actions that are perceived as betrayals by people she is trying to help. Ruby is torn between a demon and a vampire, making for some heart-wrenching moments that were fun to write. (I love writing the heart wrenching scenes.) It was a very hard, exciting book to write. Ruby is poised to discover some very interesting, but frightening things about necromancer origins in book three and what she does with that knowledge will shape her future and the outcome.
Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
I’m a returned Peace Corps Volunteer and served in the Ivory Coast (and some time in Senegal) in West Africa. I kept copious journals during my time in the Ivory Coast. I tell myself I’m going to clean them up and publish my stories. Serving in the Peace Corps was an adventure. I sometimes draw on those experiences to give my stories a little extra flavor.
What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write in The Necromancer’s Betrayal and why?
I’m a horror afficionado, and there was a creepy scene in particular between Ruby and a voodoo priest. I enjoy writing scary scenes, playing up the creepiness, finding the language to create the tension and fear, the grossness without the gore.
Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from The Necromancer’s Betrayal?
Rachel McAdams. Love her look and her acting.
10 Quick Things About Mimi Sebastian
Favorite Food? Japanese
Favorite Color? My son wants me to say blue.
Favorite Movie or TV Show of all Time? The Warriors has got to be one of my favorite movies. Right now, I’m loving the Outlander tv show!
Favorite Drink? Wine
Favorite Book? Too hard!
Favorite Season? Fall (Halloween!)
Favorite Online Hangout? Screenrant
Favorite Animal? Parrots
Favorite Band or Musician? Bob Marley
Mode of Travel? Car
Favorite Vacation Destination? Beaches
Thank you very much for taking the time out of your busy schedule to take part in this interview.
MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mimi Sebastian raised herself on books and the strange and unusual, and an unhealthy dose of comics and movies. When a career as a punk guitarist failed to materialize, she completed her degree in urban planning, spent two years in the Ivory Coast with the Peace Corps, and another three years in Brazil. By day, she debates the merits of transport oriented development, by night she writes about necromancers and pirates. She’s convinced she could live off coffee, ice cream, and comic books, but is sure only one of those is good for her health.
She’s a member of Romance Writers of America and the Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal chapter of RWA. A transplant from the beaches of Florida, Mimi now wanders the desert in Phoenix, AZ, and attempts to balance writing with a day career, fantastic family, and household diva: her Amazon parrot.
Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads
The Necromancer’s Betrayal
The Necromancer Series
Book 2
Mimi Sebastian
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Publisher: ImaJinn/Belle Books
Published Date: June 30, 2014
ISBN: 978-1611945119
Number of pages: 226
Cover Artist: Patricia Lazarus
Her 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?
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“See, that’s the difference between demons and vamps. No honor, here.”
I stuttered a laugh. “Demons do not have honor.” I paused. “You have honor. You just don’t want to admit it.”
“Does an honorable vampire lust after the woman his friend desires, but can’t have?”
I laughed, taking his words as typical alpha supe flirtation, but when I looked at his face, my laughter stilled. He wasn’t joking. I dropped my gaze to the deck, and he returned to messing with the sails.
His admission had tainted our breezy conversation, and a salty awkwardness layered the air between us for the rest of the cruise. When Ewan had stumbled upon Lysander comforting me after my encounter with Dominic, I had to lie to him. Of course, that led him to imagine a much worse scenario than the actual truth, which I couldn’t reveal. Now a new, more insurmountable obstacle divided Ewan and me, but the episode with Lysander was almost more unacceptable to Ewan because I’d caused it. And now, Ewan had written our relationship off, and I was sailing in the moonlight on a boat captained by a hot vampire, who used to be a pirate, and who had given me the occasional glimpse into a passion and vulnerability that would be increasingly hard to resist. I was screwed.
We cruised into the Oakland Inner Harbor, heading for the Alameda Marina. He pulled up next to a catamaran and docked the boat. We disembarked and traversed the wooden dock, heading for one of the new oyster bars that signaled the revitalization of the once-industrial area. I clutched my scarf against the chilly air creeping along the waterfront. The nearly-full moon projected an incandescent glow onto the water, providing the only light to dispel the thickening darkness. We left the dock and took a dirt path intersecting a concrete sea wall on our left and a string of warehouses on our right. The only sound came from the water slapping against the sea wall. I darted my eyes around us and sidled closer to Lysander. The shadows lengthened, seeming to nip at my heels as we walked. Shadows didn’t have malevolent intent, did they? These seemed to crouch, ready to pounce; Seemed to whisper, “Come . . .”
Lysander gave me a reassuring look, obviously perceiving my nervousness. The lights of the bar about fifty feet ahead became visible, and I shook off my anxiousness. I was with a fricking vampire who used to be a pirate.
Lysander stumbled.
“Not very smooth for a vampire,” I said with a laugh.
He didn’t laugh back. His only response was to stop suddenly and groan. I moved to face him and recoiled at the sight of his face illuminated by the moonlight. “What the hell? You’re turning all Nosferatu on me. I liked the movie and all, but it’s not a look that works for you.”
When he met my eyes, and I saw his confusion and desperation, I realized this wasn’t some normal vampire transformation. His skin was shriveling in sick slow motion before me, prune-like, turning to the color of ash and flaking away as if burning from the inside out. “Oh, Christ. Lysander, what’s happening?”
“I don’t know,” he managed to croak from a throat that was shrinking upon itself.
Whispers, real now, louder, drifted toward us from the shadows clinging to the spaces between the warehouses. No. I’m not going crazy. Someone is out there. “Who’s there? Son of a bitch. Show yourself!”
A soft laugh answered me.
Fuck this. I turned toward the warehouses, but a tug on my pants stopped me. “Blood,” Lysander rasped.
“Where . . . oh.” He meant my blood. “We can’t.”
“I’m dying.” His voice sounded as shriveled as he looked. His skin was no more than a thin layer of plastic shrink-wrapped around protruding bones.
I slapped my head with my palm. Oh God. Oh God. I can’t do this. I wasn’t worried about transforming into a bloodsucker. I knew it took much more than a few blood exchanges to turn someone. My fear came from my own power. Like with Dominic’s lieutenant, the necromancy could taint the blood connection and turn Ly into a zombie. I took another look at him and dispelled my fear. He was dying. Maybe he was stronger than Dominic’s lieutenant. Maybe his blood would resist my power. Please.
I squatted next to him, held out my wrist, and squeezed my eyes, not sure what to expect. Getting sucked on by a vampire was supposed to feel better than ecstasy—that’s why so many people frequented the vampire club—but when the lieutenant had sucked my blood, his fangs had felt like hot pokers ramming into my neck.
Lysander jerked his fangs into my wrist, and I cried out. Okay. No pleasure here. His fangs shook, like he needed his fix bad. He tore at my skin with sloppy slurps. I gritted my teeth at the pain that scorched my wrist. My arm shook, but he held tight and sucked. I didn’t even know if this would work. I didn’t want him to die, but what would I do if he transformed into a zombie? I felt my power murmur inside me, unhappy at the intrusion, but I stamped it down, hopefully before it could taint the blood.
Lysander pulled off my wrist. The force of the movement caused me to fall back on my ass. The air and ground spun around me, and I fought off the nausea with deep breaths. The moonlight slashed across Lysander’s profile, and I sighed, relieved at the pale, vampire tone of his wonderfully tight and unshriveled skin. I reached out my hand, trembling violently, and touched his shoulder. He twisted his head, and I recoiled, seeing the same emptiness in his eyes that the lieutenant had reflected when he’d drunk my blood.
No. No. No.
Tour Giveaway
A print copy of book one, Necromancer’s Seduction, zombie playing cards, and $10 Amazon gift card. Open to US Shipping
Sarah M
October 31, 2014 at 11:30 am
Mimi, you sound like you’ve had a very exciting life from the things mentioned when asked if you draw on real life experiences. It’d be really cool to read journals you’ve written while in the Peace Corps. Book sounds good, too 😛 I just found the biographical stuff interesting.
Daniel M
October 29, 2014 at 7:19 pm
sounds great, always like the supernatural and paranormal
lori faires
October 26, 2014 at 8:42 am
The Necromancer’s Betrayal sounds Awesome!! It’s on my TBR list. Thanks to the author Mimi Sebastian & to the host.
Angela
October 26, 2014 at 3:03 pm
Thank’s for checking out the stop for The Necromancer’s Betrayal Lori. Good luck in the giveaway.
BookLady
October 12, 2014 at 7:29 pm
What a fascinating book! Thanks for sharing the great excerpt.
Stacey A Smith
September 24, 2014 at 4:15 pm
spooky looking cover art.
bn100
September 13, 2014 at 7:11 pm
Interesting blurb
Angela
September 22, 2014 at 9:21 am
Thank’s for stoping by bn100.
Voidvamp
September 13, 2014 at 10:25 am
Just my type <3
Angela
September 22, 2014 at 9:22 am
Thanks for checking out the interview and book Voidvamp.
Lori Hopkins
September 9, 2014 at 10:48 pm
I love this interview! Halloween is my fave holiday(you can have fun, it isn’t somber) and I love to celebrate it! The last necromancer series I think I read, honestly, is the Morgan Kingsley series by Jenna Black. I loved it and was heartbroken when it ended.
Angela
September 22, 2014 at 9:21 am
Thank you for checking out the interview Lori. I love doing interviews. They are fun and we get to learn some cool things about the authors we enjoy.
Linda romer
September 5, 2014 at 8:25 pm
Hello Mimi, I would love to read necromancers betrayal. It sounds like a great book. Thank you
Mimi
September 7, 2014 at 3:39 pm
Hi Linda, I hope you enjoy the read and thanks!
Judy Cox
September 5, 2014 at 6:20 pm
Looks like they will be good reads. Thanks for the interview!!
Mimi
September 7, 2014 at 3:38 pm
Hi Judy! Thanks for stopping by.
Mimi Sebastian
September 5, 2014 at 9:58 am
Ugh. Sorry. The thanks for having me on your blog got attached to the reply to Carmel. See, I’m social media deficient!
Angela
September 5, 2014 at 10:22 am
Don’t worry Mimi, I have social media difficulties now and then too ^_^ It’s a way of life now.
It was my pleasure to have you on the blog. Glad you like how the Q&A post turned out. Love hearing from authors!
Mimi Sebastian
September 5, 2014 at 2:12 pm
This was one of my favorite interviews 🙂
Carmel @ Rabid Reads
September 5, 2014 at 9:31 am
Social media is a huge time suck for me, I can only imagine what it does to an author’s writing time, but unfortunately it is a necessary evil nowadays. It’s been a while since I’ve read a book that featured a necromancer; my fav series about one is currently on hiatus, so I have a spot to fill. And, YAY! Another Outlander addict. Thanks for introducing me to this new-to-me author Angela, and great Q&A ladies!
Mimi Sebastian
September 5, 2014 at 9:57 am
Thanks Carmel. Social media is a huge time suck! And yes, I simply can’t wait until Saturday night to get my fill of Outlander. Just love Jamie! I’m also re-reading the books b/c I read them in college.
Thanks for having me on your beautiful blog today! I love how you inserted all the pictures in the interview. Thanks so much!
Angela
September 5, 2014 at 10:20 am
Carmel, Love having you stop by and checking out the post. It’s been a while for me to picking up a Necromancer book. I think the last and only book/series I’ve tried with a Necro was The Laughing Corpse (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, #2) by Laurell K. Hamilton. Very interesting series though I’ve only read the first two books and it’s been so long ago.
I had a fun doing this Q&A with Mimi Sebastian. ^_^