A: I lot of the names come from a combination of different words that explain what that species does. Below are some examples:
-Misreave: misery (what dark misreaves feed on) + reave (to steal, for the misreave’s ability to steal emotional energy)
-Mutomisreave: mutation (their ability to turn a human into a misreave) + misreave (the species)
-Altform mage: alter + form (the mage’s magic allows them to alter their form) + mage (the species)
-Crylupes: crystal (for their crystal fur) + lupus (wolf species)
-Ursafumes: ursidae (bear species) + fume (for their smoke like quality)
-Aquus: aqua (water quality of the horse) + Equus (horse species)
-Ripper cats: ripper (for their tendency to rip their enemies to shreds with their claws)
-Oculus viper: oculus (Latin word for eye, for the snakes hypnotizing ability)
-Terrape: terra (Latin word for Earth, for the monkeys digging ability) + ape
-Rangcoons: rabbit (animal’s head) + kangaroo (animal’s body) + racoon (animal’s tail)
-Arracuprum: arachnida (spider class) + cuprum (Latin word for copper, for the spider’s web which is made from copper)
Q: Where do you get the names of some of your terms, species, characters, etc.?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Tristan, Lucas, and Ash based on people you know? Are the places in the book real?
A: Tristan and Lucas are not people I know. However, their personality, appearance, and characteristics are traits that I have personally found appealing in guys. Also, Ash isn't based on a particular person but a lot of her characteristics and likes are a reflection of myself.
Many of the places in the book are real, such as Killbear Provincial Park (Lucas and Tristan's coven), Montreal (where Ash, Tristan, and Lucas live), Toronto, Fort York, Centre Island, and Gibraltar Point lighthouse.
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Q: How many books are in the Mages and Misreave series?
A: The Mages and Misreave series will be a trilogy. Following A Dark Desire will be A Dark Need, and A Dark ruin. There may be more books in the series after that.
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Q: Why did you call your book A Dark Desire? Isn't that a provocative title for a young adult series?
A: The book is called A Dark Desire because I tried to incorporate some of my psychology schooling background into my book. The book titles are a bit of a metaphor for addiction. In the book each character has something they desire: for Ash she desires to find her father, to be with the brothers, and find out what makes her so special, for Lucas he desires Ash and the power he feels when he unleashes his magic, and for Tristan he desires Ash and to protect his family. After each character experiences the thing they desire, they then have a need for more of it (the title of the second book is A Dark Need). However, when you let that thing you desire and get consume you, it leads to your ruin (the title of the third book is A Dark Ruin).
I was warned that my book title was a bit too suggestive for a young adult series, that it was too much like an adult romance book, but I fell in love with the title and the metaphor it stands for.
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Q: Your fight scenes are very visual, where did you get the inspiration?
A: The fight scenes for the Elemental mages were inspired by the animated television show The Last Airbender. Each Elemental mage fights similarly to the different benders in the show.
Q: How long did it take you to write A Dark Desire?
A: It took me 3 years to write a Dark Desire. I started writing February 2014, 2 years after graduating university.
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