Welcome all!
Today I’m very lucky to be interviewing SJ Himes, author of The Necromancer's Dilemma
Hi SJ, thank you for agreeing to this interview. Tell us a little about yourself and your background?
What were you like at school?
A. In school I was a brat. I was a know-it-all, and I wasn’t shy about correcting anyone, teachers or students. It didn’t help my arrogance that I was right 99% of the time, either. But I was also a loner, to some degree. My few friends were scattered and random, and I had the bad habit of trying too hard at the wrong things, and not hard enough at the right ones. I thought I knew everything, so learning the fast and brutal way that I didn’t was a big emotional and mental blow.
Were you good at English?
A. I was, BUT--I hated the structure in which we were taught. I never read the books assigned unless my grades slipped below perfect. I excelled at bullshittery. I was a voracious reader, and I am very fast--but being required to read something kills any interest I may have in a book.
What are your ambitions for your writing career?
A. To still be doing this as a career and full time. I want to get to the point where I can drop back to maybe a book a year, and still make enough to live comfortably. Maybe two books a year, and not have to grind them out in an effort to stay solvent and relevant to readers.
Which writers inspire you?
A. Mercedes Lackey, Laurell K Hamilton, Patricia Briggs, Kathleen E Woodiwiss, and Anne McCaffrey. In the m/m genre, Aleksandr Voinov and Kaje Harper, along with Ginn Hale and Megan Derr. I want to be them when I grow up.
So, what have you written?
A. As SJ HImes, I’ve written Wolves of Black Pine, The Necromancer’s Dance, and Saving Silas (novella.)
As my alter ego, Revella Hawthorne, I’ve written the Bred For Love Series, three books there. First of which is The Prince’s Consort.
(*Include books, novellas, short stories, poems, blogs, awards or anything of interest.)
Where can we buy or see them? (* include American, European and any other relevant links. Free, free promotions or prices can be included)
A. www.sjhimes.com will direct everyone to where to buy my books, both ebook and paperback.
Give us an insight into your main character. What does he/she do that is so special?
A. Angel is a necromancer, a role that is traditionally evil and sacrilegious in almost every incarnation I’ve come across in fantasy. Yet he is not the villain, but he also isn’t the hero. I wouldn’t even call him the anti-hero...he is just a man, trying to live his life, and keep those he loves safe and happy. His necromancy is a matter of birth and training, and not about the corruption of a once good man.
What genre are your books?
A. My books are all m/m romance or erotica at this point. I am working up the courage to tackle other shades of the rainbow spectrum. I’m bisexual myself, so that’s going to be my next challenge to write about. My books are with the exception of one, all are fantasy/paranormal.
What draws you to this genre?
A I love reading m/m, fantasy, and science fiction. To combine all three is perfection for me.
How much research do you do?
A. I do geography mostly, and local history if I am incorporating real world facts into my urban fantasy books. They are all set in New England and Boston, and I grew up in those areas, so most of it is personal knowledge right now.
Who designed your book cover/s?
I use two designers--Garret Leigh and Kellie Dennis. Kellie has done most of them, @ Book Covers By Design.
Do you think that the cover plays an important part in the buying process?
It does for me, honestly. I shop for books online, and if it doesn’t catch my eye I probably won’t even stop in it.
How are you publishing this book and why?
(*e.g. Indie, traditional or both)
Indie-pubber all the way. Full creative control and higher royalties. Makes sense from an artistic viewpoint and a financial one.
Author: S J Himes
Series: The Beacon Hill Sorcerer #2
Release Date: July 2016
Genre: MM Romance, Fantasy
BLURB
Even love can die without trust.
Angel’s brother, Isaac, has returned home, and the pair begin to make slow and awkward attempts back to each other. Learning how to be a brother to a grown man instead of a parental figure has Angel adjusting his behaviors and habits, and Isaac still remains a mystery. Was it merely entering adulthood that turned Isaac away from an overprotective Angel, or does Isaac carry a secret that will keep them from finally being a real family?
Daniel Macavoy, Angel’s new apprentice, is torn between his bond with Angel and the grasping machinations of his father. Dealing with a traumatized apprentice with dangerous holes in his magical education, saving Daniel may be harder than Angel first thought—especially since the biggest problem is not revenge, but guilt.
The one shining beacon in his life is Simeon, Elder vampire of Boston’s only Bloodclan. Four hundred years old and sexy as sin, Simeon is warrior and sage, patient and cunning. The strength Angel draws from Simeon’s devotion and the newborn mate-bond between them is steadfast and true…and the fount of death magic that animates the undead lord places Angel in the midst of a power struggle for control over himself, his lover, and his family.
Through it all, Angel is beleaguered by the unwanted attention of a troll-hybrid, the adventures of a dragon in the city, and a serial killer has decided to hunt the back alleys and midnight streets of Boston.
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Buy Links: Amazon Universal Link
Buy Links: Amazon Universal Link
BOOK ONE
Title: The Necromancer’s Dance
Release Date: February 26th 2016
BLURB
In a world where magic is real and evil walks amongst humanity, a young sorcerer is beset upon by enemies, both old and new. Angelus Salvatore is the only necromancer in all of Boston, and his name is whispered warily by the undead and fellow sorcerers alike. He and his brother Isaac are the lone survivors of an attack by an army of the undead, in which Angel used a spell so powerful it forever marked his place in history. Now, years later, Angel struggles to balance his career as a teacher of the higher magical arts, his role as big brother, and a tenuous relationship with an Elder vampire from the local clan. When his brother’s boyfriend is used as a pawn in a mysterious plot to draw Angel out, Angel is once again pulled back into the old hostilities that fueled the Blood Wars and led to his family’s death.
Leaning on others for help is something Angel cannot do, and while he searches for clues into who may be targeting him and his brother, Angel finds his heart steadily growing occupied with Simeon, Elder and vampire. Dealing with death magic and vampires on a daily basis may leave Angel jaded when it comes to life and staying that way, but the more time he spends fending off the ancient vampire’s attention and affections, the more he realizes he wants to give in.
Can Angel find out who wants him dead, and keep his heart safe in the process? How can he fall for a vampire, when his whole family was torn apart by an army of the undead?
Death stalks the streets of Boston’s historic Beacon Hill….and there is no one more suited to battle against death than a necromancer.
MATURE CONTENT Contains graphic violence, male/male sexual contact, a cranky necromancer, a sexy Irish vampire, and a pesky demon.
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Buy Link: Amazon Universal
About the Author
I’m a thirty something bisexual cisgendered woman with way too big an imagination, but that comes in handy when I’m writing. I have been writing since I was a child, when I took a four page assignment on what I was going to do on summer vacation and turned it into a 100 page fantasy epic all written by hand…in crayons. No joke.
I work a day job, but I can’t share for who, since the Old Man isn’t as liberated as the people who read my books. I’m married, I have furbabies, and I live with loved ones. I adore a certain show about a British consulting detective and his grumpy army doctor, and that spawned an addiction to Johnlock fanfiction, which then evolved into me writing it. Gawd, that’s embarrassing. Put this down in the TMI section of my Bio, okay? I enjoy martial arts, movies where things blow up, and I wish I lived in a Marvel movie.
I live in the beautiful and lonely Berkshire County in Massachusetts, and I see way more wildlife than I care to on a daily basis (bears!). My perfect day is reading surrounded by friends and family who don’t think it’s odd I want to hang out but not talk, and my favorite scent of all time is a cool fall evening with leaves burning….less a scent, and more of an experience.
My writing is focused on gay and lesbian people, who are more than interesting side characters that hang out with the heterosexual MCs. My wish for the future is that when people ask me what I do for a living, I can say, “I write gay romance,” and NOT get weird looks.
My alter ego is Revella Hawthorne, and I'm writing the Bred For Love series under that name.
GIVEAWAY
Thank you for stopping by and reading!!
Thank you so much for having me!!
ReplyDeleteDelighted to have you!
DeleteThank you Lexi xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Lexi xx
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