Hello, my Freaky Darlings!
I haven’t interviewed another author here in a while and thought it was time I started doing that again. So, today, I’d like to introduce you to fellow South African and USA Today Bestselling author N Gray, who also writes as Natalie Michaels. The Last Girl is her latest release as Natalie Michaels. It’s also the very first novel she wrote in 2017, but because she was still very new to writing, she didn’t publish it until now after a rewrite. She’s busy writing book 2 in the same series, which will be released in May 2024.
And now, for your reading pleasure, here’s a short extract from The Last Girl.
1987
The Cabin
Jacob
The quiet evening pierced my ears. Carefully, I climbed out of the water and onto the wooden deck without making a sound. I exhaled silently as I monitored the couple fast asleep in the boat. Tiptoeing on the wooden deck, I was careful not to stand on a creaking plank and when I reached the door, Katie stirred in the boat, mumbling someone’s name. I opened the door, testing to ensure it didn’t moan the wider I opened it, and slipped out.
I traversed the dark path to the house and entered. Leaving the lights off, I navigated my way around the living room, kitchen, until finally upstairs. I entered the main bedroom and found his suitcase again. Flipping through his wallet, I found what I was looking for and headed back down to the kitchen. Their food remained on the counter, waiting for them to enjoy, and I opened the pantry door.
Once done, I slipped out the front door and found a place hidden in shadows where I could see most of the house and waited. I heard cars driving on the ID-75 entering and exiting Ketchum and was grateful they were a distance away and wouldn’t see me or my vehicle from the road.
It was ten at night by the time Katie and her friend staggered up the path, switching on lights as they entered the house and headed for the kitchen. Katie warmed their dinner while her friend sat at the table, waiting for her to serve him.
The itch at the back of my neck started up again, but I didn’t scratch. I just rubbed the offending area and waited.
Katie dished food onto their plates and sat beside him. My body heated as I watched him eat. All was fine for a few seconds and then… he grabbed his throat. His eyes widened in horror. Red blotches formed on his face and neck. His face started swelling, along with one side of his neck. He pushed away from the table, stood up, then doubled over as if trying to expel whatever was lodged in his throat.
Katie was there to slap him on his back, but nothing helped.
Nothing would help him.
The man pointed to the stairs and then to his neck. Katie nodded and frantically ran upstairs.
Moments later, she returned, shaking her head. “There’s nothing there,” she cried.
Shock flashed in his eyes. He collapsed onto his knees, then fell on his chest and face, unmoving.
Katie dashed around, looking for something, but there was nothing that could help him. She fell to her knees and moved him onto his back so she could proceed with CPR, but his throat had already closed, shutting off all his air supply.
From where I stood, his face and neck had swollen to the point where his cheeks were red, round and puffy, and his eyes had bulged. While his fat lips had started turning purple.
After about ten minutes, Katie sat back on her haunches, crying into her hands.
I dropped the epinephrine injection on the ground and crushed it with my boot heel. Pushing through the branches, I approached the cabin with purpose and entered through the front door.
Katie flinched when she saw me and stood up. “Jacob, what are you doing here?” she asked, glancing nervously at me and then at her friend on the floor.
“I thought you might need some help,” I said mysteriously and crossed the threshold. My clothing was still damp, and I left wet marks everywhere I stepped.
Katie backed up, glancing at me and the body. “We need to call for help,” she stammered, “could you—”
“No,” I yelled, shutting her up. “No more, Katie,” I snapped. “You’ve been playing me for years. No more.” I pulled the box out of my pocket and placed it gently on the counter. “I’ve had this for a while, waiting for the right moment to give it to you. To ask for your hand in marriage. Ever since that day in the barn, I’ve loved you more than anything else. I would’ve given you the world, anything, and everything you ever wanted. But,” I paused for effect and stared into her sad, blue eyes, “you’ve made it perfectly clear where I stand with you.”
Interview with N Gray
- When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I was ten. I wrote my first short story on my mom’s old typewriter. Since then, I’ve have always wanted to write. Life happened, I started my first job, then in 2014 I started writing more and read up on self-publishing. When I saw how many authors self-published, I knew I had to try.
- How long does it take you to write a book?
My first full length novel, Ulysses Exposed, took ten days to write. I got the idea after I wrote Creature Features (a collection of short stories) and wrote every minute I had. But I didn’t publish it immediately. I left it for a month and started writing Voodoo Priest.
Before it took me about a month to write a book, but these days due to work commitments, it takes me about two-three months.
- What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
I still have a day job; I’m an analyst for a medical insurance company in South Africa. So, I only get to write in the early mornings and over weekends.
- What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I’m a panster and only have a broad outline for the current story I’m working on and for the overall series. When I sit and write, the words flow naturally. If I have to plan everything beforehand, I get bored, and the story won’t get written.
I also have to listen to music.
- When did you write your first book, and how old were you?
My first short story was when I was ten. But my first published book was only in 2017; a collection of short stories (horror). I was thirty-seven.
- What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I live near the beach and try to go for a walk as often as I can. I also paint, build puzzles, and draw.
- What does your family think of your writing?
Everyone has been very supportive. I haven’t embarrassed them—yet.
- What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
How difficult it is. Writing the book is the easy part—it’s what comes afterwards that’s hard. There are so many things to remember that you need a long checklist before you can hit that publish button.
- How many books have you written? Which is your favourite?
I’ve published 28 books under 3 pen names.
I have a lot of favourites, but I enjoyed writing Lady Hawke and her Mountain Man, Deadly Pattern, Lady Killer, and my most recent one, The Last Girl.
- Why do you write under 3 pen names?
When I first started writing and publishing, I did so under one pen name: N Gray. But then I realized that it’s best to write one genre per pen name so that one doesn’t confuse the algorithm. I now have a pen name for my romantic horrors (SD Syns), Natalie Michaels for my thrillers, and will keep N Gray for my urban fantasy and paranormal romance books.
- Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
I’ve had a few emails from readers who tell me how much they love my series and they have bought all my books. It was very heartwarming to receive.
I like to engage with them and hear what they think.
- What do you think makes a good story?
Interesting characters, a plot twist, conflict, and a splash of romance. I also like a little horror in my stories or something that’s creepy. I like to keep readers on their toes.
- As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
To write and travel around the world.
N Gray also has an online bookshop where readers can buy directly from her and is offering a special 25% discount to my readers who buy directly from her when you use this discount code at checkout: GET25%OFF
Joan De La Haye 