T.W. Mordrake
Genre: Paranormal and Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Nocturnal Trinity
Date of Publication: May 16th, 2015
ASIN: B00WV6L28A
Number of pages: 475 pages
Word Count: 138,000 words
Cover Artist: Ravenborn
Book Description:
Entering the real world after college often educates one to the true horrors of the harsh obstacles life has to offer. For Kailey Yates the discoveries are far more terrifying and dangerous. Two days before she graduated with a degree in investigative journalism, her brother Vincent is found dead in his swimming pool with a syringe stuck in his arm. His death is ruled as a suicide, but Kailey doesn't buy it.
She suspects Vincent's new wife Cassie is the one who actually killed him. Her suspicions are drawn from his rapid health deterioration during his short six month marriage. During one of her last Skype conversations she had with Vincent, Kailey's roommate Raven witnesses their conversation and immediately senses that Vincent is being soul-drained by a succubus. Since Raven is a witch, Kailey has no doubt about her friend's perception and concludes that Cassie must be the demon responsible.
Kailey leaves Boston and flies to Seattle for her brother's funeral. While there she investigates the circumstance surrounding his death. She uncovers dark information that leads her to Nocturnal Trinity, a nightclub in the heart of Seattle. And worse, the underground club is run by a powerful alliance of vampires, demons, and witches that wish to protect Cassie at all costs, which includes killing Kailey or anyone else if necessary.
Warning: Adults 18+ due to adult theme/scene.
Available at Amazon
Kailey Yates knew that her brother Vincent would never have killed himself had it not been for his new wife, Cassie. And yet, Kailey stood at Vincent’s graveside while the workers prepared to lower her brother’s casket into the cold ground, his final resting place.
The gray overcast Seattle sky with its chilly swirling mists set the mood for the burial and the gloom that also possessed her broken heart. The towering leafless oaks in the cemetery were sinister skeletons forewarning that the dangerous kiss of winter’s death would soon settle over them, harsher than ever before.
One never escaped death, but sometimes death came too early with an unfairness that made Kailey want to scream at the heavens from her inner rage and loss. After all, her brother had been a successful attorney in his early thirties and destined to become the first in their family that had graduated from college to live a prosperous lifestyle. He was never a man who entertained suicidal thoughts.
The workers and his ritzy friends from the Langston Law Firm had come out in great number. She estimated no less than one hundred people had arrived. Never had she seen so many expensive suits and vehicles. Coming from a modest middleclass family, she never imagined she or her brother would rub elbows with the upper class of society, but he had been adamant that they would be wealthy and worked painstakingly to get them there.
While the priest gave the eulogy, the men and women stood stoically silent, their eyes staring at Vincent’s casket. The priest finished speaking and led the audience in a proper prayer, praying that Vincent’s soul found forgiveness and mercy for leaving this world by suicide.
How fitting, Kailey thought, wringing her hands. Blame the innocent for what the murderer did.
While the others respectfully closed their eyes, she gazed around, trying to see Cassie, but the two men standing in front of her sister-in-law blocked Kailey’s view. Moments after the priest finished his lengthy ill-placed prayer, the wealthy people mingled to hug, shake hands, and chat.
The slight breeze swirled Kailey’s long reddish-brown curls, forcing her to pull her hair back and letting it fall onto her back and shoulders. Her jaw suddenly tightened, hiding the wrinkles that deepened into cute dimples whenever she smiled. Her hazel eyes suddenly blazed with anger and vengeance.
Across the grave Cassie stood dressed in a form-fitting black skirt that accentuated her perfect curves and perhaps distastefully revealed more leg than what was suitable at a funeral for one’s husband. Her tight long-sleeved jacket cut off at her midriff, revealing her well-defined abs. She wore black-netted hose and velvety black high heels. Hell, streetwalkers wore more clothes in this cold weather.
Cassie hid her pale face behind a white handkerchief and sobbed. Kailey understood how a man might be immediately drawn to Cassie’s exquisite beauty. Her slender oval face with high cheekbones gave her a regal presence even at this dismal funeral. She carried herself with the utmost grace, in spite of her poor choice of attire, but she also had a seductively dark energy radiating from her.
When Cassie’s dark eyes met Kailey’s, Cassie lowered her hands and meekly folded the handkerchief. Her tearless eyes weren’t even slightly tinged red. A bit of amusement curled Cassie’s pouty lips. An odd flicker of recognition blazed in her eyes and hinted slight detestation, even though they had never met in person. Kailey felt the resentment and didn’t understand why, unless Cassie had somehow figured out that Kailey suspected her of murdering Vincent, which Kailey did. Perhaps Cassie read it in her eyes. Or worse, perhaps this she-devil could read Kailey’s thoughts.
Moments later, Cassie broke their connection and returned to her fake sobs, wiping at her eyes with the cloth in a way that demanded pity from the solemn onlookers.
One of Vincent’s former attorney friends wore a gray pinstriped suit and overcoat. He approached Cassie to console her. He was trim with brown hair, a firm jaw, and offered a tender smile as he spoke to the widow. She buried her face against the man’s chest. Obviously surprised by her approach, he gently patted her back from an awkward distance, but Cassie aggressively wrapped her arms around him. To lessen his discomfort in the situation, he finally leaned in closer and embraced her.
She nuzzled against his chest, reached beneath his jacket, and clung to him. Her body shook with what people nearby might consider being violent heaving sobs. He rested his chin atop her head and whispered. His hands gently rubbed her back, and she seemed to calm at his touch and gentle words. She stopped sobbing and became less broken.
Don’t you see that those tears aren’t real? A slight breeze rustled Kailey’s long flowing brown hair. Instead of remorse for her brother’s death, she felt a growing resentment toward his widow. A bitter taste came to the back of her throat, and she fought the rising gag reflex from seeing this woman’s blatant slutty behavior and utter disrespect for her husband. What did Vincent ever see in you?
Kailey also battled the growing urge to march across the cemetery and rattle the woman with several jabs to Cassie’s face and swift punches to her stomach.
Another place. Another time.
Kailey’s sister-in-law, even now, wore little makeup. Her lipstick was a bright red hue, which made her pale reflection appear even lighter. Her raven hair was neatly styled with silver pins and sprigs of Lady’s Breath. Her pretend tears had not smudged the dark mascara around her eyes, and with her ashen complexion she resembled a corpse better than her brother probably had at his viewing. To others, even the hundred or more attending the funeral, she appeared stately, reserved, and the perfect widow.
Well played, Kailey thought. You’ve fooled them, but not me.
Cassie was a cold parasite that had preyed upon Vincent, seduced him into marrying her, and then taken his life to possess his wealth and million-dollar estate. Kailey couldn’t act on her suspicions alone. She needed proof. The coroner had ruled her brother’s death as a suicide, but she believed it was not. Relevant details had never been disclosed to her, and she wanted answers.
Vincent had been murdered. Cassie had killed him, made it look like a suicide, and Kailey was determined to prove it.
Did you always wanted to be a writer? If not what did you want to be?
I believe being a writer was inevitable. At an early age, books captivated me. My mother read to me a lot, but I learned to read and spell before I was four years old. But, I have been a lot of things over the years—a scientist, an educator, and I will always be a researching student.
When did you first consider yourself a “writer”?
I wrote short stories as a child. When I was eleven I wrote my first novel. In the sixth grade we had to write a short story and present it before the class. Mine was a funny story and the class erupted in laughter, which showed me early what the power of words can do.
I dropped out of college after my freshman year and returned to college seven years later. I remember nervously handing in my first essay, fearful that I had done an awful job. At the beginning of the next class, the teacher read it aloud, stating how good it was. That was the moment I felt validation.
How long did it take to get your first book published?
Probably ten years.
Do you do another job except for writing and can you tell us more about it?
Currently I am writing fulltime under various pen names.
What is the name of your latest book, and if you had to summarize it in less than 20 words what would you say?
Succubus: Shadows of the Beast is my latest book.
Kailey Yates investigates her brother’s killer and discovers a group of supernatural beings also want her dead.
Who is your publisher? Or do you self-publish?
Self-publish.
How long does it usually take you to write a book, from the original idea to finishing writing it?
It really depends upon the book. With Succubus, the book practically flowed right out over a four-month period. I have another novel that I’ve been working on for ten years. For some reason, other ideas pull me away from it.
What can we expect from you in the future? ie More books of the same genre? Books of a different genre?
I see at least three more novels in the Succubus (Nocturnal Trinity Series).
What genre would you place your books into?
Succubus is paranormal romance/urban fantasy. Under other names I write science fiction and fantasy; also some children’s novels as well. Sneak by T.W. Mordrake author page on FB and like it. That’s the best way to know what else is coming out. PM me if you wish to discover the others. ;)
What made you decide to write that genre of book?
Honestly, the books decide and I follow the muse(s).
Do you have a favorite character from your books? And why are they your favorite?
Kailey Yates is a unique character. She’s bi, an atheist, and trains in MMA fighting. She only believes in something if she has the solid facts to prove it. When she’s thrust into a world of supernatural creatures that she never knew existed, she has to make adjustments quickly or die. It’s how she handles the internal struggles that make her grow and hope to survive.
Do you have a certain routine you have for writing? ie You listen to music, sit in a certain chair?
For the past couple of months, I have been writing in the university library. I don’t have access to the Internet while I am there, so I have fewer distractions with Facebook, checking emails, etc. I have churned out 8-12 pages a day, and 17 pages on a great day. The isolation is quite productive.
Do you read all the reviews of your book/books?
I seldom check anymore. Early on, I did, but I don’t really think about that now. Don’t get me wrong, authors need reviews and it’s wonderful that someone will take the time to write one after reading a book. Reviews do help authors and future readers.
Do you choose a title first, or write the book then choose the title?
It’s about 50/50.
How do you come up with characters names and place names in your books?
Often the name comes to me. The location for Succubus is in Seattle. It just came onto the page, so I did a LOT of research on Seattle and found it’s a place I’d love to live. But the city and the surrounding area was exactly where the book needed to take place.
Do you decide on character traits (ie shy, quiet, tomboy girl) before writing the whole book or as you go along?
Characters reveal themselves to me as the story unfolds. Their dialogue, decision-making, and interaction come spontaneously.
Are there any hidden messages or morals contained in your books? (Morals as in like Aesops Fables type of "The moral of this story is..")
While some might argue, none are intended. I’m not a fan of preachy books, so I try to never author one.
Which format of book do you prefer, eBook, hardback, or paperback?
I really love my Kindle, but I keep paperbacks in my car, too. I have shelves of books (hardback and paperback) and boxes of books that I have no place to set out, which is why the Kindle is a nice addition to my library.
What is your favorite book and Why? Have you read it more than once?
I have so many favorites. I’m currently rereading the early Anita Blake books by Laurell K. Hamilton.
Do you think books transfer to movies well? Which is you favorite/worst book to movie transfer?
Books are always better than the movie. Sorry, Hollywood.
Your favorite food is?
Lasagna
Your favorite singer/group is?
My taste in music is as vast as my taste in books. Too many to pick from.
Your favorite color is?
Black
T.W. Mordrake writes Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, and Fantasy. A lover of all things mystical, T.W. explores the strange, unusual, and haunted places in the U.S., which lends to the underlying charm for writing about the paranormal creatures that lurk in the dark shadows of night.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/TW-Mordrake/741088412677706
@TWMordrake
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