writing – M. Inks

November 2023

Smashwords Winter Sale 2023

Smashword’s annual winter sale is coming soon. Hundreds of books will be on sale through Smashwords, and all of my books will be free on Smashwords only. The link goes live on December 15th 2023.

What I’m Listening To: The Deck

Having finally caught up to the most recent episode of Crime Junkie, I decided to give The Deck a listen. If you are a true crime mystery-lover, you can’t miss either Podcast produced by Audiochuck.

What I’m Working on: The Undead Sorcerer

My latest work, The Undead Sorcerer, can be found on Wattpad. The ebook is free, and updates are released every Wednesday.

Alistair Knightwalker, former Old Grove General and infamous war necromancer, can’t stand one thing – the sun. After a spell gone wrong, Allistair found himself cursed beyond repair and walked away from his glory days as a general. But, when a mission calls for his talents, Allistair can’t help but wonder what could be. He’s hiding a sinister secret and, what’s more, plays with darker magic, the complete opposite of the blessed first paladin, Justina Ward. By her holy sword, she might purify and smite the devil herself. Yet, despite her commitment, how can Justina ignore a soul in need? Especially one so suave and alluring? Jealousy will make its move, plotting and planning from the shadows. In a guild of strangers, who can be trusted, who can’t be trusted? Allistair’s skills are still as top-notch as ever, but the old General has lived a nightmare almost too frightening to retell… he’s going to need a miracle.

October 2023

Spooky Season is ending, and the Holiday season is beginning. It’s another busy time of the year for many that I hope will be warm and cheerful.

NaNoWriMo

NaNoWriMo begins November 1st! What is NaNoWriMo. For short, NNWM is a writing challenge that begins November 1st. The goal is to draft a 50,000-word novel in 1 month. The official site is full of resources for writers, from story plot charts and character prep sheets to plot generators. Check out NaNoWriMo for your next writers’ challenge.

Goodreads

Thank you, reviewers on Goodreads! The “Vampire’s Detective” has an average rating of 3.71, and “Riverdale Renegades: Thirteen of Hearts” averages 3.56 as of October 21st. I’m thankful for everyone’s support and time to read and leave an honest review of my books.

The Undead Sorcerer

A new story is coming to Wattpad. Check out the “Undead Sorcerer” on Wattpad, November 1st. 2023. Chapters will update weekly, late chapters bi-weekly. Follow on Wattpad for updates.

Winter Sale

As the month of December approaches, keep an eye on Smashwords for their annual Winter Sale. For participating authors, hundreds of fiction and nonfiction books will be free or on sale on Smashwords only. So if you’ve had your eye on any books on Smashwords, the time is soon!

Sharp Flowers

Sharp Flowers is #834 out of 6.3k stories tagged “Suspense” on Wattpad. Thank you to everyone who’s checked out the story! The ebook is still free to readers on Wattpad. Last I tested it, no account should be necessary just to read.

October to November

Thank you for catching up with me this month. I appreciate all the support I have received for my writing. Before I wrap this up, check out the beginning of “The Vampire’s Detective”‘s sequel.

Chapter One

The National Criminal Investigation Division: Special Unit

I pull Matt into the bar. The Corn Husk Bar has the best drinks in Cedar Creek that are open all night with the best music. Matt’s green eyes light up when he realizes the energetic beats are real beyond the doors under the dazzling colored lights.

“Is it okay for us to be here, Mat?” I ask him, and he shrugs at me.

“Sure, this looks fun!” Matt encourages me.

“But what if… you know…” I warn him.

“Nothing’s going to happen,” Matt rolls his eyes at me, and I feel my face flush.

“How can you be so careless?” I raise my voice at him, tightening my fists at my sides. Doesn’t he realize what could happen?

“If something happens, we’ll just move again,” Mat reminds me. I look away at the bar to hide the face I feel overcome me – disappointment again. I need a drink. “Where are you going?” Matt calls after me. Matt’s fingertips brush my shoulder as I drive into the crowd and swim for the bar. It’s busy like always, gathering a crowd from all the nearby small burbs – mostly Cedar Creed and Wheatbrook. The neighboring town of Wheatbrook is a lovely, cookie-cutter, picket fence town. Cedar Creek, where Matt’s family moved to, has trees and fields for miles between the neighborhood and the tiny downtown. Cedar Creek has its charm; the sky is always clear, and the unimaginable rests in Cedar Creek. But I’m afraid Matt’s family might have other plans. They’re always moving, and I can see why. Despite his family having a secret, Matt likes to run around, live free, and do as he pleases. For example, I know that secret. He barely made an effort to hide it. No wonder they’re constantly moving. They’ll have to move if Matt messes up, and I expect he will. I don’t know if I’ll leave my life here for him.

“You seem down. Can I buy you a drink?” someone offers.

“No, I was just about to,” I consider leaving, but when I look up into the light blue eyes of the deep voice offering me a drink, I forget for a split second. A coy smile spreads across his lips. “No, I was just about to leave,” I recall, gaining my senses again. What the hell, Victoria? Get it together, girl! I intend to keep walking, but his hand on my arm stops me. “Hey-,” I start to protest, but his grip cuts me short. It hurts! What is his problem? I don’t even know him. “Let me go,” I complain, pulling back, but to no avail. My attempt to pull away causes his nails to scratch my arm.

“You smell weird, girl,” he grumbles, and my eyes snap to his face. My gut sinks like a stone in water. I shouldn’t have left Matt’s side. I quickly scan left and right, but Matt isn’t anywhere in sight. What if he left?

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I disagree, still pulling to get away. Forget the pain, I need to get away. His yellow eyes narrow on me.

“Liar,” he sneers. Pain rattles my nerves. How can he tell I’m lying? “You smell too much like a wolf, but you’re not a wolf,” he points out, the end turning into a snarl. Several people nearby notice the growling, the situation becoming evident. One stranger even tries to intervene, and the man shoves him with his free arm like he’s nothing.

“HEY!” Matt yells. At last, I’m unhanded, and Matt nails him in the face – chaos ensues. The bar floor runs for the door, clearing out of the place at the sign of trouble. “What’s your problem?” Matt snaps at my attacker, swinging for him again, but his fist is caught.

“She is not a she-wolf,” he complains, and the next move cracks Matt’s forearm. Matt is swept off his feet, kicked, and sent rolling across the wood floor. As he storms after Matt, not finished even while he’s done, I lunge after the madman. But he senses me coming, turning on me with his jaws wide open. The next thing I know, I’m reeling back with a dripping wound. Bone, I think I see bone. This – I was afraid of Matt being found out, but I never could have seen this coming. How could we have been so foolishly selfish?

“Cedar Creek Police Department, hands in the air!”

Dawn Mallory

I can smell the coffee the minute I walk into the police department. Chatter flows from the breakroom, and I can feel the light, flutter of joy and excitement. The secret is official; we’re partnered with the National Special Criminals Division. From now on, we are sworn to protect humans and the supernatural and investigate ordinary and paranormal crimes.

“Amanda, come, have some lunch,” Chief Yaeger encourages. The counter hosts an array of breakfast treats to celebrate the department’s achievement. It feels like an appropriate way to celebrate together since we can’t reveal the existence of the National Special Criminals Division.

“Morning, Dawn,” Liam greets me in the office.

“Morning, how are you?” I ask.

“Better now that classes are done,” Liam admits with a huff.

“It’s a lot to take in,” I agree. But here we are, and there’s no going back.

“I never realized Cedar Creek’s woods were so lively,” Liam admits.

“It’s not lively until you see it,” I remind him.

“Right. Right,” Liam agrees, nodding to himself, tapping his temple in thought. Training videos paint a strategic, coherent plan that, even when faced with horrors, still feels surreal, like a video game walkthrough with cheats and spoilers. Accidents in the field body cameras from our agency, repurposed for training, can also feel surreal, like a horror movie. Together, they create a more honest picture, but the reality of that training is it’s still just a picture. “So, are you our department and agency liaison?” Liam guesses.

“I’m not entirely sure if I’m the right person to be the liaison,” I admit.

“What about Chief Yaeger or Captain Jamal? It should be someone in charge of the department, don’t you think?” I suggest. “Think about it. Then I wouldn’t have time to finish any groundwork,” I point out.

“Groundwork? What do you have in mind?” Liam wonders.

“I want to go through the old cold cases in the archival room,” I tell him, and he raises his brows at me. “What?”

“Nothing-,” Liam lies, and I sense his cold unease, shaking in a place like ice.

“Is there something wrong with the archival room?” I ask, and then I realize what it is as soon as I ask. “You don’t believe it’s haunted, do you?” I wonder as I sit at my desk.

“You have to admit, that legend’s been here as long as you’ve been a deputy,” Liam reminds me. Touche. And it’s not like I can say haunting isn’t real anymore. Liam sits down across from me; his foot nudges mine. I glance in his direction, curious if it was intentional, but his focus is trained on his computer. “If there’s anything you wanted to do or go anywhere after work…” Liam starts, still typing away at his computer. I’d love that.

“Mallory, Adair?” Amanda pages from the front desk.

“We’re both here,” Liam replies.

“There’s a fight in progress at the Corn Husk Bar. Witness reports suggest the suspect is not human. No exposure has been reported,” Amanda explains.

“Understood, we’re moving,” I answer. Our kits are prepacked, but we can’t afford not to double-check. If we’re missing equipment and something unexpected happens, we could be as good as dead. “Ready?” I ask.

“Ready,” Liam assures me. We roll out from the police department to the scene. The grand, old, heavy front door swings shut behind me. Sunset casts long, gloomy shadows, blurring the world of those who walk in the day and at night. As I turn for the car, the rapid flutter of sparkling wings dance by my eye. “Which one do you want?” Liam asks. I turn on my heel, but it’s gone. I could have sworn I’d just seen a butterfly go by. “The offender or the one on defense?” Liam continues.

“The aggressor,” I decide, and Liam chuckles and shakes his head. “Are you surprised?” I question.

“Not at all, but would you wait a second sometimes?” Liam complains, and I frown at him.

“Why would I wait?” I wonder.

“So I can watch the takedown,” Liam tells me.

“Seriously?” I scoff at him, and he hides a guilty smirk behind his hand. I roll my eyes at him. I’m unsure if I should be annoyed with immaturity or a little flattered.

“Transport is in transit,” Amanda informs us over comms. By the time we get there, the fighting has moved outside. I spot a woman running away from the bar into the woods, followed by two other men.

“Dawn, go,” Liam urges, and I fly out of the car. The man nearest the woman turns on me, and he reeks of blood. He unleashes a furious snarl, and a wave of rage rolls over me. The hot flood of anger hurts my flesh, making every hair stand on end – it’s hard to think straight. All I can do is duck and dodge his frenzy of swings and claws swiping. I can’t be on the defense forever, and I refuse to be overwhelmed by these emotions! The surge rushes up my temples – it’s exhilarating. My fangs lengthen in anticipation. I hold my ground and bear the brunt of his claws sinking into my stomach. The werewolf snarls and snaps his jaws in excitement before I embrace him and sink my fangs into his throat. Snarls turns into a yiping, desperately tearing flesh to get away from me; he stumbles and is easily knocked down. I slap the handcuffs on, leaving the second wolf up to Liam. “Come on,” Liam encourages them to lunge. The second they do, Liam flashes a silver pocketwatch at them.

“Wait, wait, wait! Don’t hurt Matt,” the woman pleads.

“Victoria!” Matt is begging, straining against the handcuffs.

“Let’s go, buddy,” I order.

“Name is Xavier,” he corrects me. Victoria runs to Matt, who Liam handcuffs. The flashing lights are coming down the road, and transport to the agency will be here soon.

“Do you two know each other?” Liam questions. Victoria breaks from crying for a second to nod – her overwhelming worry quite evident. “And how is it the two of them started chasing after you?” Liam asks.

“You got it all wrong. I wasn’t chasing her,” Matt complains.

“He was trying to protect me,” Victoria explains, and it’s all coming together now. I stop and pull Xavier back towards myself. He grumbles to himself, stiff as a board.

“Do you know who I am?” I whisper in his ear.

“An ugly bit-” Xavier starts, cut off by the pinch of my claws in his arms. But that’s nothing compared to the searing ache of his claws in my abdomen a few minutes ago. “Fuhhh,” he groans.

“Hellsing Agency. We know exactly what you are, how to keep you locked up, and how to suppress your inner wolf,” I introduce us. Xavier’s shoulders sag, and he drops his head. “You have a right to remain silent…” I begin. The three are silent while I read them their rights. “M’am, can I talk to you?” I ask her, leaving Liam to march the two werewolves toward the transport truck and call from a medic. I watch, waiting for them to get a reasonable distance from us and for Liam to draw his pocket watch. The added silver watch dampens their strengths.

“My name is Dawn. Would it be too much to tell me about what happened?” I question Victoria. The strawberry blond crosses her arms and shifts her gaze to the wolves.

“They can’t hear us. Trust me,” I promise her. “Were they trying to hurt you?” I ask her.

“No. Never. Not Matt,” Victoria immediately tells me with a huff, “I don’t know where the other guy came from,” she adds. Victoria must be speaking about Xavier.

“Did he – the other guy, say anything before trying to hurt you?” I question further. She frowns, trying to remember.

“He said that I smelled like a wolf. But I wasn’t a wolf,” Victoria recalls. I avert my gaze and try to keep my face from showing my disgust. So he didn’t like a werewolf-human couple, what an ass. Paramedics are arriving, along with another car coming in hot. A couple spots the two; they seemed focused on Matt. They look older and kind of like the young man. I trust Liam to handle the growing situation while I pass Victoria off to the medical team to address her injuries, though they don’t seem severe. She’s lucky to have had Matt looking out for her.

“And that’s my partner, Detective Dawn,” Liam introduces me as I walk over.

“Where’s Victoria?” Matt demands to know, earning a sharp look from the new two.

“This is my wife, Tsuki. I’m Mori, and you’ve met our son, Matt,” Mori introduces his family, glaring at his son once more as if the first wasn’t enough.

“Is Victoria okay? She was hurt,” Matt interrupts again.

“I told you to be more careful,” Tsuki lectures him under her breath.

“Victoria’s on her way to be examined by a medical team and-” I begin.

“What happened?” Mori demands to know, “This is exactly what we were talking about, Matt. And you got that human girl injured,” Mori lectures him.

“Detective, is she going to be okay? Is there a chance this will turn her?” Matt ignores his father’s lecturing.

“They’re going to clean up her wounds, take a good look at how severe they are, and watch over her for a couple of days to see if she turns. Okay?” I explain. The three mumble to themselves, soaking in the situation. “I would like to suggest you take your son home and sleep on this,” I add.

“M’am,” Tsuki speaks up, “Who are you people?”

Tag: writing

The Vampire’s Detective

Minks Updates: March 2024

From Active to Quiet

Missed eBook Week

The Work-In-Progress Progress

Check out the Reviews

Smashwords Sale Coming Soon

Read New Chapters Every Wednesday

Minks Updates