Day #9 – 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 can be found here ** Day #4 winners can be found here
Day #5 winners can be found here ** Day #6 winners can be found here
Day #7 winners can be found here
Day #8 winners!
ARC of Magic Without Mercy goes to…
Signed cover flat of Magic Without Mercy goes to…
Winners, please contact me with your name and mailing address by clicking on the little envelope button on the upper right of this page. Congrats!
Today’s book is #9…the end of the series
The title says it all
As I mentioned in the last post, I was hoping to use this title for the last book for quite some time. I think it sums up what the series is about, and also speaks to the massive choices Allie must make in this final book. My description for this cover was Allie in her leather coat and fingerless gloves, no gun, just a katana, and all the city burning to ash around her. Allie is facing a magical apocalypse–the end of the world. Once again, Larry Rostant and the Roc art department nailed it.
How does one say good-bye?
There was a lot to cover in this book, many loose ends I wanted to tie off. But I needed to recap some information from the other eight books too, so it would be fresh in the readers’ minds. The original draft has a much longer (and really, too slow) opening scene. When my editor read it, she suggested I find a way to cut it or to shorten it and fold the information throughout the remaining novel. She was right, (of course!) and I worked on doing just that in the revisions. But I also wanted a really fun/catchy first line, something I would be proud to have written for the final book in the series. It took me dozens of tries before I finally settled on the current first line, which still makes me smile: “I never expected cookies at the end of the world.”
This book brings huge changes for everyone, really. Cody, Allie and Zay, Shame and Terric, Victor, Maeve, Davy, Violet, Nola, Daniel. The whole world changes. Magic changes. Did I know all these changes were coming when I first wrote book 1? Not all of them. But some things I knew for sure:
- The series takes place over one year of Allie’s life.
- The end scene of the last book works with the first scene of the first book.
- Allie has changed greatly as a character
- People she loves die
- People she loves change
- Her father’s greatest sacrifice and plans are revealed
- Nothing will ever be the same again
As for the end of the book, I found myself dealing with a different structure than the other books. We get the end of the battle and the scene afterward, which is where my books usually end. But since this was the end of Allie’s entire journey, I needed a few more scenes to show this new world she was living in, and the new life ahead of her. So we get a scene with the members of the Authority and her friends. We get the scene in the park that finally ties up some questions about Allie’s past and her father’s choices. And we get the final scene that shows Allie that even though she has paid many prices, her life has become something more wonderful than she dared to hope for.
One last word to you, dear readers
Allie isn’t the only one who went on a life-changing journey over the course of these books. Before writing book 1, I had never published a single novel. I’d never seen a novel contract, never negotiated terms, never tried to reach out to the urban fantasy writing community (which is different than, but similar to the fantasy, paranormal romance, science fiction, mystery, horror writing community) and had never been under such life-changing deadlines in my life. I’d never done blog tours, interviews, Q&A’s. I had never tried to reach out to readers and the novel-reading community. I’d never been so harshly reviewed (I came up through short fiction, so had received my share of positive and negative reviews there), nor so highly praised.
At the start of this series, I’d barely succeeded in writing a single novel in a year. In four years time I have written twelve novels. That works out to about three novels a year–a pace that feels a little deadline-intense, but relatively do-able for me now.
These books track the beginning years of my writing journey as I continue to learn to become the best novel writer I can be…a journey that I will be pursuing for the rest of my life.
And best of all, these books have given me the chance to “meet” all of you. Whether you’ve read one, or some, or all of them, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking a chance on these books. Thank you for letting me share these people with you. Thank you for your comments, thoughts, reviews. Knowing there are people out there reading and enjoying my stories gets me through the rough days and reminds me that I have the best job in the world.
Most of all, thank you for giving Allie and Zay and Stone and Shame and Terric and all the rest of them a little place in your life.
Excerpts – Now….and the future
A quick deleted scene from Magic for a Price…
Shame and Terric walked our way. Not at a fast pace, and far enough apart weaving through the crowd that it didn’t exactly look like they were walking together, even though they moved at the same pace, in the same step.
People unconsciously turned and watched them as they passed, either smiling and leaning toward them, or frowning and shying away.
Even at a distance, the two of them certainly drew the eye. Darkness and light, life and death, sin and salvation. But beneath what magic had done to them, beneath what magic made them seem to be, I could see my friends.
Shame looked tired, but curious, his gaze locked on me as he pressed through the crowd. Terric looked tired but calm, and made a point to nod at the people he passed, or exchange a quick greeting.
“So,” Shame said as he stopped next to Zayvion and me. “What’s the rest of your plan, Beckstrom? Please tell me it is both dangerous and reckless.”
An excerpt from the work in progress–the Shame point-of-view BREAKER book that will be out next year…
(I haven’t even shared this with my editor. It might or might not make it into the actual book once it hits print. But here it is, a first-draft non-edited sneak peek:)
I glared at Terric through my sunglasses.
He glanced my way and just as quickly dismissed me.
“You two still fighting?” Zayvion asked. He and Allie stopped next to me.
They stood there, arm-in-arm, Allie just an inch or two shorter than Zavyion’s six-foot-something. She wore a tank top that showed off those kick-ass magic-born tattoos down her arm and the bands of dusty black ringing her other wrist and elbow. Now that we weren’t on the run for our lives, both Allie and Zay had put on about ten pounds, and lost the dark circles under their eyes. They smiled more, laughed more, and had that calm dedication to each other that meant they never walked into a room without being hand-in hand.
It was a little nauseating.
I figured kids couldn’t be far off now.
Zay was wearing a t-shirt and that necklace he never took off. Apparently, it had been an anniversary gift from Allie. Apparently, they were counting those sorts of things now.
“You know how Terric is. Stick up his ass.” I leaned toward Zay just a bit and pulled my glasses down. “Which he enjoys,” I added.
Allie rolled her eyes. “We haven’t seen you much lately. What have you been doing Shame?”
“Who. Ask me who I’ve been doing.”
“You have a girlfriend?”
“Been spending my nights with a beautiful, full-bodied flaxen vixen.”
“So, a bottle of whiskey?” Zay asked.
I grinned. “Ah, now. Do I look like a lad who’d kiss and tell?”
Zay gave me one of those looks of his that might wound a man who still had a heart. “You’re in a slump, Shamus. And if you don’t pull out of it, I’m going to pull you out. By your nostrils.”
“I like how you think I’m afraid of you, Jones. What are you going to do? Throw magic at me?”
“Yes,” Allie and Zay said at the same 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 FOR A PRICE
1- signed ARC of MAGIC FOR A PRICE (no pretty cover)
1- signed copy of MAGIC FOR A PRICE
I will mail internationally. I will pull winners TOMORROW–Tuesday, November 19th. 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.
65 Comments
Michelle D
Oh please – I can’t wait to find out how this fabulous tale finishes – I love that you surprise us!
Cheryl Smith
Devon – You’ve done a fabulous job with the series! How wonderful you must feel to have accomplished so much in so little time ;-). It’s always so exciting to get the next book in the series. Congratulations on your success.
Tigger
I simply cannot wait to read this last book, sad as I am that Allie’s story is ending. I am, however, excited to read Shame’s story. That excerpt was just enough to whet the appetite!
Poppy
I haven’t read this last one yet. I’m waiting until NaNo is over. Also I’m thinking of rereading the series from the beginning first. Loved the BREAKER excerpt. Thank you!
Mishel
Only one last chance to win…I probably won’t win but I just wanted to tell you that I really enjoyed reading this series. Thank you for dreaming up the awesome characters of Allie and her friends – they have provided me with hours of entertainment and escapism from the stress of university and everyday life in general.
Amy Skye
Thank you so much for sharing this! I’m so excited to read the rest!
Melliane
Thanks to you for all these amzing books, I still need to read this one but it was a wonderful discovery and one of my fav UF books, I’m sad it’s the end but good things always end.
Northwoman
I love it as I love all your stories. I am so grateful to have found this series and happy that there will be more. THANK YOU so very much.
AlainA
Thanks for the chance to win!! I love all the contests and things I learned about the series!
Colleen Champagne
It’s been so fun “meeting” you too! I have been holding off reading this last one because I don’t want it to end. Thanks so much for the fun… Now I have finish up Tin Swift.
Caitlin
Ooh, loved the Breaker snippet! I can’t wait until it comes out!
Jennzah
i am so sad to see Allie go. but im still a few books behind so i have lots to catch up on. thank you for this wonderful series and for everything else you write! <3
AYates
You’ve done remarkably well with this series for never having written a novel beforehand. Hopefully you do as well with Breaker series. Based on the little taste you’ve given us I think it will be great. Thanks for all the deleted scenes, teasers, background info as well as the giveaways you’ve provided over the last week and a half. It is an awesome way to finish the end of an amazing series. 😀
Katherine Bracken
I have been both waiting and dreading this book for so long! Waiting because I miss Allie & the rest so much & dreading because I don’t want it to end. Thankfully I can both reread & then follow the Shame/Terric spinoff. Thank you for this series – it started me reading the urban fantasy genre.
Kristi
Thank you for the sneak peak at the Breaker series through Shame’s eyes! Can’t wait to preorder!
Sara Sandor
I love this series. And look forward to your future work.
rissatoo
Thank you for the fabulous Allie series, Devon. I’ve enjoyed it SO MUCH! I have to admit, I was both looking forward to AND dreading Magic For a Price, knowing it was the final book of her series.
**I LOVED IT!!!**
I actually didn’t have the book budgeted, but decided that Tuesday that I had to have it RIGHT NOW, so I bought it for my Kindle (and ate tuna & peanut butter sandwiches for lunch all week…) Best decision ever, other than that part where I don’t have a physical copy to add to my Devon shelf — yet!? 😉
I can hardly wait to read Shame & Terric’s series! (Thanks for sharing the excerpt!)
rissatoo
Durnitall, wish I could edit my comment. Since I can’t, let me just add this:
Those sandwiches I ate the rest of the week were tuna sandwiches OR peanut butter sandwiches…not tuna & peanut butter. I may be broke, but I ain’t crazy!
🙂
Roswita
Whatever you write, I will read 🙂
sarah west
Love the books. I have not bought #9 yet because I am reluctant for the series to end. But I won’t be able to wait much longer. Especially after this post!
Colin Soule
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this series!
Jessica S.
Ooh pretty cover still!! It was a fantastic ride, Devon! So can’t wait for Terric’s books!
Tanya M
Squeee! Yay! More Shame stuff soon please! And this book was a fabulous end to aan extraordinary series. 🙂
miki
You did really well with this series so thank you
and last opportunity to win magic for a price! it must be this time for me ^^*fingers crossed*
Melanie W.
i finally read Magic for a Price. Best book EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!
Carrie Baumbach
I absolutely loved this book!! So much came together. The city came together, and everyone came out stronger. I’m so happy with the way it ended, but also sad that it’s the last of the Allie Beckstrom series.
whitewolfreads
Congrats and thanks for the awesome ride!
Sue ward
Thankyou for this series, I’ve been hooked from the start
jammastere
Wow, thanks for the sneak peak! So sad to say good bye but can’t wait to see what you will write for us next!
Mellie
This book was absolutely wonderful. I was a little sad to start it knowing it was the last time I’d get to start a journey with this exact cast of characters. But once I picked it up I couldn’t put it down. Everything ended just the way I wanted it to.
Reading these books has really been inspiring to me and I can’t wait to read your other works!
mundanename
Thanks again for doing these posts, they were great!
I can’t wait to get into more of Shame’s head =)
Melissa
I finished the book since my last comment, and I just have to say it was so fulfilling, and heart-breaking, and exactly right. *sigh* How many more months until we get Shame’s POV? (I’m really, *really* looking forward to Shame’s POV!)
ayla
just finished your last book which i loved, but kinda sad to see it end ‘COS I FEEL LIKE I MAKE SOME GREAT NEW FRIENDS LOL (whith the characters) & im curious to see whether eli makes a reappearence and if allie becomes guardian on magic in ST Johns as mama said to her that people are called to it, they are nurtured by it and in return nurture it and that the magic there chooses its it own guardian, that they are touched, changed, healed by it. as mama said she wont be forever with a knwing smile. but i still lolve your series and I can hardly wait to read Shame & Terric’s series! (Thanks for sharing the excerpt!)or your third installment of ageof steam series
THANKS AGAIN
carlam
Wow, twelve novels in 4 years.. That’s amazing.. and I say it was time for you to take a much needed break.. But, NO, I want more.. OK, relax have a great turkey day, and then start writing, knitting, and writing some more.. Seriously though wishing you the best holiday season..
colgate girl
♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ MAGIC FOR A PRICE ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥
I’ve been dying to read this but haven’t yet had the time 🙁 My objective for next weekend though as I already have a copy but would LURVE a signed one from you too if it’s going 🙂
♥♥♥ However, I would pay dearly for a knitted Stone 😀 ♥♥♥
Erin Z.
Can’t wait to read it!!!!
ericon_22 AT hotmail DOT com
Sharon Dyer
I think I may get all sniffly…the end of the Allie books. But love the excerpt from the new Shame/Terric book—can’t wait!
Nikki B.
I just want to thank you for creating & sharing Allie & co with the world! And give extra *hugs* to you for holding my virtual hand/providing comfort at 3am to ease my panic attack (via twitter) while I read through the twists & turns of Magic Without Mercy, seriously I don’t think I would have survived it otherwise! 😉 This series has been a such an amazing and thrilling ride. It will be forever one of my all time faves! So really, THANK YOU so much!! <3
Veronica foster
I can’t wait to read this and the new shame/terric book!
Sandyg265
Looking forward to reading this
Pam P
Thanks for a great series and memorable characters, Devon, one of my alltime favorite series.
Jason B.
This has been a fun tour. I look forward to the next event, perhaps for The Age of Steam 🙂
Kenny Huh
The excerpt was great! Loved it. I can’t wait till it comes out.
Kristie Quon
Love all your books (Allie + Age of Steam). I’m looking forward to reading your new book in Shame’s POV.
Tina Fontejon
Thank you for spending nine days with us. It was great to read the extras and the insights for the series.
Linda P
WOW, I am in the process of rereading the series,on book 7 now and can’t wait to get to this one. I have loved your stories and am so glad you chose to share Allie and friends with us. So looking forward to Shame and Terric’ stories. All the best in your writing future, i can’t wait to see what you have to share
Clymistra
I so love that small Breaker snippet you posted – yay for Allie and Zay making a cameo! I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy when it finally gets released. As everyone else has already said – thanks for creating such an awesome series and cast of characters – they will be sorely missed.
amanda
Hi Devon,
i just want to say thank you for writing a fantastic series. I love allie and all her friends. I am constanly raving about your books at bookclub or to anyone who will listen.
dragongirl46
oooo so shiny, and i am being good and not reading it till i am done finals. But that would be out the door if that hot puppy landed on my doorstep.
Rose
I haven’t finished this book since I’m working on NaNoWriMo but I was sooo hoping you’d post something from Shamus POV book. I feel like it is odd for me to want Shame and Terric together but I will not lie, I do. No matter what happens I am even more excited that I will see that book sometimes next year.
sthecat
I loved this series. I knew you got the ending right when the tears started.
Corrie
Last chance for an Allie book – though I am on pins and needles waiting for Shame and Terric’s story. Thank you so much for sharing these stories with us, and for your wacky imagination that brought them to life:)
Robert
One last try for an Allie Book. Will be reading it for Thanksgiving. I hope to read more of the Age of Steam novels soon as well as Shame and Terric.
Heather Johnston
I totally asked for a Stone doll for Christmas!
Bethany
Love the first line of ‘Magic for a Price’ and so excited about Shame’s series
wade2121
I’m sad that it’s the last book. Thank you for writing her stories. I look forward to Shame’s stories.
Alison C. Smith
Have enjoyed all the Allie stories. Look forward to seeing her in other peoples stories, so I won’t miss her as much.
Deborah Blake
Thanks so much for sharing Allie’s story with us. It has been lovely getting to “meet” you and I have really enjoyed taking the journey with you. As Jenny Crusie likes to say: Nothing but good times ahead.
Danielle D.
Read the book in less than 24 hours. Loved it!
Sherman
Thank you for sharing Allie and friends with us. I don’t want to say goodbye. At least we get Shame and Terric, and from the excerpt, glimpses of Allie and Zay as well. I can’t wait for the next series.
Zoraida
Thanks for sharing with us this outstounding series, i havent read this book but i know it will be wonderful and that it will leave me wanting more. Im really greatful that you let us see what you think about the world you created is really interesting! So thanks for everything!!!
Linda P
WOW, didn’t quite know where to put this, but I just finished Magic for a Price. Amazing. I reread the series just to be connected so it took me till yesterday to start the last one. Couldn’t put it down. Thank you so much for sharing Allie story, can’t wait to read about Shane and Terric. All the best
Cathy/greytfriend
I just finished Magic for a Price and I loved it, thank you once again. I hate that it’s ending but I love that the series had a plan and that every step along the way made sense, there was no getting lost in the woods here like I’ve seen in some long series. And with a plan unfortunately comes a destination, and an ending. But… I will absolutely be on board of you do the Shame book. I’m trying not to buy the extra self-pubbed novellas or stories that so many authors are putting out just because I can’t afford them. I’m a library reader and really have to stick to that other than a very, very small budget for buying during the year. But if you can’t get your publisher on board for the story (they should totally do it!) then I bet you’d be compsated for your efforts with self-pub. I hope I get to read it some day. But most of all, congratulations on this book and this series, it’s very special from start to finish. Thank you for all of your hard work.
Tracey Martin
Hi Devon,
I am a huge fan & I’ve been following the Allie B. series for 3 years after finding it through the Ilona Andrews website. I love urban fantasy & I tend to migrate toward books about magic so this series was right down my alley! I have collected the books on audio….I love listening on my iPod. I would like to know if the last 2 books will be recorded. It would be a shame if I couldn’t complete the collection. I ended up buying the last two on my Nook.
I am looking forward to the next book with Shame & Terric! I’m happy that we will get to see how Zay & Allie & the rest of the gang are!
Thanks,
Tracey
Jenn
Never ever have I cried from reading a book. Until today. Great series! Amazing writing and great characters! I love them all. I can’t wait for Shame and Terric’s books to release.