Day #4 – Nine Days of Giveaways
To celebrate the last book in the series, MAGIC FOR A PRICE, coming out November 6th, I am doing nine straight days of giveaways! Each day I’ll talk about one of the books in the series, will post cut scenes (if I have them), will answer questions (if you have them) and will give away three prizes!
Day #1 winners can be found here. ** Day #2 winners can be found here
Day #3 winners!
ARC of Magic in the Shadows goes to…
Signed cover flat of Magic in the Shadows goes to…
Signed copy of Magic for a Price goes to…
Today’s book is book #4…
What’s Next? A Cannon?
I live in a family of funny people. While they have been awesomely supportive when it comes to my career, that doesn’t mean they don’t occasionally comment on it. Take the cover of my books, for example. On the cover of book one, Allie has no weapon. Book 2, we see she has a knife. Book 3, the girl has a machete. And now book 4, Allie is wielding a katana. These things all happen in the books (and are part of the advancing of her character and skills) but seeing her level-up with weapons on the covers prompted a lot of jokes and guesses in my family. “What does she get next? A rifle? A machine gun? Oh–I know: rocket launcher! No, she should have a cannon on her shoulder.” Luckily, THEY don’t sit in on the cover art meetings. 😉
As for the title, I knew from the first word I wrote that Magic on the Storm was the title I wanted for the book. And happily, my publisher agreed! The series cover art is by the fabulously talented Larry Rostant, whose art I LOVE and who brought Allie to life in such an amazing way for all nine books.
Shame’s Achilles Heel
One word: Terric. He’s mentioned briefly in book 3, when Shame’s mother, Maeve is telling him that the next time they do magic, they’d bring in someone to Ground him. Shame, in a near-panic says, “Not Terric.” When I wrote that scene, I had no idea who Terric was. Why was Shame so worried? Why had he broken his normal too-cool-for-school act to make sure Terric wasn’t going to be considered for the job? Terric must be someone Shame felt uncomfortable around. But why? So I did some character research, dug in Shame’s past a little more, and found out just who and what Terric is to Shame. Once I knew all that, how could I not add him to the adventure? We meet Terric for the first time in Magic to the Storm. While Shame may argue differently I, for one, am glad he is in the stories.
Hint Hint, Nudge Nudge
Magic on the Storm did some heavy lifting to set up plotting and foreshadowing for the big story arc. Since I know some people who are reading this blog haven’t read the full series yet, I’ll try to be discreet, but basically, we see some people who we think are good behaving suspiciously. We see Jingo Jingo tip his hand–or does he? We find a pink crystal tucked away in Allie’s Dad’s laboratory…and it is not only important, it’s a hint for something big we discover in book 9. We see the cost of Shame’s hatred of Jingo Jingo. We discover just exactly what Shame means to Terric, and we see what appears to be the first time Allie and her father join together to get something done.
Use All the Words!
The writing of Magic on the Storm came far easier than books 2 and 3. So much so, I don’t really have many cut scenes. I don’t know how other authors do this, but my cut scenes come from me writing along merrily, and suddenly realizing that a paragraph, scene, or chapter doesn’t work with the advance and flow of the book and characters. I used to just hit “delete”, but then I started cutting the bits out and throwing them in a “bits and pieces” file in case I wanted to use parts of it later. So excerpts, really, are failed scenes, or scenes I loved but that didn’t work for the story (like the lavender handkerchief comment in book 2. I loved it, but it never made it into the book…even though there is a lavender handkerchief at the end of that book and only I knew why it being there was so bittersweet.)
Do I ever use the bits and pieces? Very rarely. But if I find myself thinking, “didn’t I describe this building before?” or “There was something funny he said about ice cream that would fit in here” I do mine the cut scenes for workable words.
Cut scenes–Just a couple snippets today…
Shame’s Lunch is always free…
“You have the dough,” Shame said. “Crack open that trust fund and buy a poor guy a burger.”
“Poor guy could get a job,” I suggested.
Shame shook his head. “That’s not going to happen, now is it?”
Animal, Vegetable, or Did you date her?…
“Did you date her?” I asked Zay.
“Who?”
“Mia Payne.”
“That’s what you’re thinking about when magic is trying to burn you up?”
“No, it’s what I’m thinking about now. Give. You know her. She looked worried. What’s up with that. Did you spend time with Shame in juvie?”
“No, I’ve never been that stupid.”
“So you dated her?”
“She’s fifteen or more years older than me.”
“And still gorgeous. I could see you going for an older woman. Maybe someone who likes to take control. Show a young boy how to please a lady.” Wow, I meant it to come out teasingly, but saying it made me jealous. That was stupid.
He licked his bottom lip. I could tell he was trying not to smile. “We didn’t date.”
“Look me in the eyes and say that.”
He looked me in the eyes. Was still trying not to smile. “We didn’t date.”
Fine. He was telling the truth.
“But you know her.”
“Yes.”
“Do I have to play twenty questions every time I ask about your past? Really?”
“Not every time.”
AND NOW THE GIVEAWAYS!!
You can win one of these prizes! Leave a comment here on my blog and you’re in the running. You’ll need to leave a comment on tomorrow’s post if you want to be in the drawing for tomorrow’s prizes.
Today’s prizes:
1 – signed cover flat of MAGIC ON THE STORM – Note: I have misplaced this cover flat. If I can’t find it, the winner will receive either a signed copy of Magic on the Storm, or a signed copy of any of my other books in the series.
1- signed ARC of MAGIC ON THE STORM (no pretty cover)
1- signed copy of MAGIC FOR A PRICE
I will mail internationally. I will pull winners TOMORROW–Wednesday, November 14th. If any of the winners fail to contact me within a week’s time, I will redraw names or hold a one-day post where all unclaimed prizes go to whoever asks for them first.
Leave a comment, ask a question, and your name will be in the hat for the drawing!
50 Comments
Danielle D.
Love this series! I am especially a fan of Shame! Thanks for all your work creating!
Amanda Wolf
I can’t believe this series is wrapping up! How sad are you about it, or does it feel right and complete? Can’t wait to complete the series on my shelf.:)
Patricia G
I always love learning about the process an author goes through creating characters. Sometime the inspiration seems almost otherworldly….like the characters rather than the author, dictate the plot. Neat! 🙂
Mashiara
Gah! I can’t believe I’ve missed giveaways.
I just finished “Magic for a Price” and loved it. Even if I don’t win a thing I want you to know how much I’ve enjoyed your books and look forward to reading anything you write in the future.
Amy Skye
Thy roughly enjoyed This entire series and I am really looking forward to what you’ve got in store for Shame and Terric!
MightiMidget
This series sounds like a lot of fun. 🙂 It’s on my list of things to pick up soon!
Tina Fontejon
Thanks for the extras. Love the series.
Sandyg265
I’m enjoying the look into how you wrote the books
Artur
Hi Devon, great idea. I already mail you saying but is never enough. The way mix magic to reality is so great that I wish it was possible. Great history, amazing cacharacters, especially Shame!!
Congratz! And thanks for this opportunity and books.
Bye
Evangeline Lacey
I’m going to miss this series. Currently considering a few therapy sessions to handle the withdrawal process. I adore all the characters. Allie is the best! She’s stubborn and loyal to the point of death for loved ones. A great heroine. Her daddy issues trump the average man’s (possessed by daddy). It’s been fun watching her grow. I no longer have any fingernails thanks to the suspense. Yep, going to need professional help after this series. It’s going to be hard for another author to hook me like this.
Hats off to you Mrs. Monk!
Veronica foster
Omg I love that scene with zay and Allie! Omg I would have loved to see more of that scene! And it funny about what ur family thinks about the covers. I personally love them and think they work perfectly!
Pam P
More Shame to come, yay!
miki
it’s really strange how sometimes the words take our hand and we don’t know what we will be writting ^^ Terric is that kind of immediate idea and i love that
thank you a lot for the giveaway ( i still miss the last 2books of the series so thank you for this opportunity)
Alaina
Yay for Shame!! and now i have to go back and look at all the covers. lol
thanks for the chance to win!
Corrie
I really love learning all these tidbits, please keep them coming! Also, I of course love the giveaways. This makes the series ending not as painful as it could have been. 🙂
Bethany Frear
Love the series and these are such great posts. Just finishing up reading Magic without Mercy, Magic for a Price has been calling me from the book shelf.
Tobi Summers
Haha, I love that scene between Allie and Zayvion. Also, while I think Magic in the Shadows may be my favorite cover, Magic on the Storm’s is up there too.
Samantha R
Another day, another giveaway – this is so exciting! Many thanks!!
Lora
At what point did you know how you wanted the series to end? And how did you choose to write 9 books (as opposed to any other number)?
And again, this series is amazing!
Roswita
My local bookstore didn’t order enough copies of Magic for a Price and they sold out, so I had to order it online and now I HAVE TO WAIT! This is very stressful. Can I last the three days it’ll take? Soon I will have it in my hands, though, and then I can read it in one big gulp and start bugging you for more. Thankfully I like your steampunk series. What’s next?
Jason B.
It’s fun to hear that Terric, who seems so integral now, started out as nothing more than a feared word from Shame. Can’t wait for the next behind-the-scenes surprise!
Colleen
This is so fun!
Northwoman
OK, I am running out of original ways to say I love these books, this series and am thankful for you doing the giveaways, and even more for the insights and cut scenes. And yes, I still WANT Shame so I am thrilled you are doing another series with him. Because I love the funny, the attitude. He seems much more alive to me than Zay; which is odd as he focuses on death magic, go figure.
whitewolfreads
I just have to say that all the covers in this series are awesome. Thanks for the giveaway!
mundanename
Put me down for wanting to see a rocket launcher on a cover : p
Nice dig Z gets in on Shame in that cut scene.
sato7
love the cover art and the fact that each cover has a diff color. thanks for another chance to win!
Sue ward
These giveaways are a fab idea, the magic series is priceless x
Melliane
Terric was a really interesting character to discover! It must be so difficult to remember everything from the other first books when you describe a building or other.
rosalyn cowell
Thanks again for terric and shame and stone and well of course allie and zay
Poppy
Loved the cut scenes! Love Shame always 🙂
AYates
This cover is my favorite from the series. I don’t know what it is about it but to me it felt different than the previous ones. Is the cover model the same for all the books and did you have a say in who was on it? Because she looks different in some of them. Maybe it’s just the way she is posed and the way her hair is done.
Arwen
What a great series this is. I can’t wait to read the spin off with Shame!
Sharon Dyer
Love all these giveaways you are doing! You’re fantastic!
Barbara Elness
This has been fun learning more about the series and your work process. I like the “use all the words” part of the post, that was interesting and cool. 😀
Tanya M
I so wish that “Did you date her “scene had made it to the final cut. Shadow was my fave in the series until Magic on the Hunt came out 🙂
Melanie
Your series has got me paranoid. Everytime im home alone i think every shadow is a veiled coming to get me . . . *_*
Spav
More Shame is always good news.
jammastere
I know I have very little chance of winning, but I wanted to let you know how much I have LOVED the Allie Beckstrom books! Thank you for sharing this world and the characters with us.
Sooz
I love you are doing this giveaway series to mark the end of the series. I just love Stone and Shamus! Almost as much as I love Allie and Zay!
Sally
I love the covers – I am always tempted to take them to my tattooist to see if he can create the design for me, although in a smaller way!
Clymistra
I loved your comment about having to discover who Terric was through Shame. And, as I have said a bunch of times already, I’m really enjoying the cut scenes. Thanks for the giveaway!
Debbie Mumford
This is great fun, Devon!
Caitlin
This is all just too cool… I’ve probably said this a million times before, but thank you so much for this!
sthecat
Love the dialogue between these guys. Can’t wait to read more about Shame.
Martin
Love your books but am sorry to hear you are finishing the series, is that a definite end or might you be tempted to right some more Allie at some point in the future?
Mishel
Pick me! Pick me! Pick me! I would love to win one of these prizes (particularly the 9th Allie Beckstrom book)! Thanks for the chance to win!
On an unrelated note – your family’s comments/suggestions for the book cover are hysterical!
Deborah Blake
Now I want to go back and reread them all from the beginning.
Deanna Cantrell
Who knew books had deleted scenes. Thanks for sharing!!
Miranda
I love your books and reading all these cuts is making me desperately want to read Magic for a Price. 🙂
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