Author Name: Michele Micheal Rakes
Book Name: Trainwreck
Series: Trainwreck
Book: One
Release Date: January 25, 2016
Blurb:
Detective Sergeant Vincent Sweetwater hates dead bodies. That’s why he’s an undercover narc and not a homicide dick. So why is he standing on a sandy beach in California staring at a lifeless body—oh yeah, the suicide attempt. Lieutenant Hanson is making a statement. Something about life worth living. Shows what he knows. As Vince examines the tortured body, he feels an empathy and déjà vu for the victim, her wounds are similar to scars he has only a vague memory receiving. An intense desire to find her killer fills his queasy belly as a dark game of cat and mouse begins. The young woman’s death forces Vince back into a secret life dominated by sex, perversion, and sadomasochism. Estranged from his wife he still loves and longing for the man who possessed him once, Vince buries his torment deep inside meaningless sex. *Warning: This book contains adult content and situations. NOT FOR THE SQUEAMISH. Pages or Words: 374 pages Categories: BDSM, Bisexual, Crime Fiction, Erotica, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Ménage/Poly, Romance, Thriller
Excerpt:
Vince grabbed the remote and clicked on the news. He paid little attention as he rubbed his aching hip. When Lola Romero began her news report he glanced up to see an official photo of himself in uniform. “Jesus, talk about an old fucking picture.” Despite being only twenty-three in the photo, he hadn't appeared young and fresh faced. His eyes had held a kind of darkness even then, and his best efforts were unable to hide the pain. “An L.A.P.D. Information officer confirmed the return to duty of Detective Vincent Sweetwater just one week after a horrifying display of violence toward a man who was reportedly beating his five-year-old son in the parking lot of a Home Depot in Inglewood. Detective Sweetwater was nearly killed last year in a motorcycle accident on the Pacific Coast Highway and is still under scrutiny following alleged misconduct while under deep cover with the narcotics division.” “Bite me, Lola.” Vince shut off the TV, flopping back on the bed, staring into the darkness. “Fuck my life. It was more than a year ago. Bitch.” I hate people.
Buy the book:
Meet the author:
Michele Micheal Rakes lives in a small town in the shadow of a big mountain and works as a surgical technologist assisting in the removal of tonsils and testicles. Three grown children, a one year old granddaughter named Thrasher, two psychotic Egyptian Mau’s, a husband with hair down to his knees, an Amazon for a wife, two Harley’s, and a ferret named Teeny Tiny Ferret Feet (husband insists her name Little Feet, we all know he’s wrong) life is gets pretty wild. Note: Wife recently passed away from cancer and this book is dedicated in loving memory of Mary Louise Castleman. Love you babe!
Where to find the author:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/michelerakes1 Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/michelemichealrakes Twitter: @MicheleRakes Blog: www.michelerakes.wordpress.com Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28644673-trainwreck
Publisher: Michele Micheal Rakes Cover Artist: Drai Bearwomyn Cover Photography by Dan Skinner Editing: Tina Adamski
Tour Dates & Stops:
17-Feb Book Lovers 4Ever, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words 24-Feb Love Bytes, Mikky's World of Books 2-Mar Full Moon Dreaming, Man2ManTastic, Bonkers About Books, Bayou Book Junkie 9-Mar BFD Book Blog, Velvet Panic, My Fiction Nook, Gay Media Reviews, The Novel Approach 16-Mar Happily Ever Chapter, Hearts on Fire 23-Mar Two Chicks Obsessed With Books and Eye Candy, Three Books Over The Rainbow 30-Mar Wicked Faerie's Tales and Reviews, KathyMac Reviews 6-Apr Havan Fellows, Jessie G. Books 13-Apr Cathy Brockman Romances, Inked Rainbow Reads 20-Apr Divine Magazine, Prism Book Alliance 27-Apr Molly Lolly 4-May Dawn’s Reading Nook 11-May Alpha Book Club 18-May MM Good Book Reviews 25-May Louise Lyons 1-Jun Elisa - My Reviews and Ramblings
Hi Mikey, thank you for agreeing to this interview.
How do you develop your plots and characters?
Usually a scenario comes to me and I think about the type of person I’d like to see handling the situation. Sometimes, like with Fourth and Long, it comes from my love of football. Most of my stories are very heavy on the characterization elements. I love to build a complex character.
Who doesn’t love a good hero? Tell us about your protagonist. Was there a real life inspiration behind them?
Vince is a trainwreck. He’s basically a good guy who just can’t buy a break or get anything right. Vince wants to be one of those guys people can count on, but he’s been through a rough childhood and doesn’t trust easily. Even the people he loves, he keeps at a distance, because deep down he’s afraid they’ll find out he’s a masochist. He’s afraid his wife will think he’s a sexual deviant and the man he’s in love with doesn’t want him anymore (really he does, but there is a lot of miscommunication). All three characters: Vince, Mica (his wife), and Greg are grieving, which makes it difficult for any of them to see what the other is going through. On top of everything, Vince has to find who is killing young women, because it’s his job and he feels like he knows the killer.
What real-life inspirations do you use when world building?
I like to set my stories in places I’ve been or that I would like to go to, but for the most part, I take from my own experiences. Some folks have difficulty believing some of the far out scenarios in my books, but those are the ones that are true. I think it’s funny, really, just like my mother. When I’d tell her the truth, I couldn’t keep a straight face and she’d think I was lying. When I was lying, she’d think I was telling the truth. Story of my life. When it comes to the BDSM club that Vince and Greg frequent, it’s actually a friend’s home and it’s the play I’d like to be. I’ve modeled it on how I would have my own place and not on any real club. Back in the day, people would gather privately in a group members home and that’s how I modeled ‘the club’.
Did you learn anything from this book and what was it?
There is a lot of loss for these characters and they survived. I’ve learned to survive. My wife passed away last October. I’m still trying to figure things out. My husband and I miss her deeply. Sometimes I still think, “Oh, we need to hop on the Harley’s and go to this place.” Then I remember, we’re alone, and it will just be the two of us. Learning to survive not getting to hear a loved one’s voice ever again, except in your head.
It’s your last meal on earth. What do you choose?
The last meal I had with Mary was ham, cheddar-bacon scalloped potatoes, and corn. She loved it. That’s what I want, because I’ll remember having made her happy with it.
