Why you should travel to the darker side of fiction

I admit, it’s not something I usually read. The very thought brings me out in a rash. I could never watch a horror movie after The Birds (and that was eons ago)
That was until I read a short story by a good friend of mine:

Meet DM Wolfenden

Now, it’s clear she has a ‘different’ view of what makes a great read – she was horrified (pun intended) when I didn’t know who HP Lovecraft** was. (Even Googling the man and his works freaked me out!)
Evidently, on that point we can agree to disagree.

But, this lady knows how to tell a good story.

Twisted? Often.    Chilling? For sure.    Dark? Always.

DM Wolfenden is a British author, who loves to write about the darker side of life, she describes her writing as a little dark with a lot of heart. From vampires to poetry, serial killers to people looking for love, full length novels to short stories there is something for everyone one and with prices starting as little as 99c, her stories won’t break the bank.

The first story I read of hers was Carly. To this  day, it is still one of the best short stories I’ve read. Here’s a snippet:

After he laid me down, he washed my wounds with disinfectant, he put plasters on almost every little scratch. He kissed each plaster.” She pulled the scrunchie out of her hair, and put it around her wrist. Absentmindedly, she scratched her head.

“He kept going on about how much he loved me, how he didn’t want to hurt me, but I needed to be punished. Something about the stars and the signs, how they meant we were to be together. I had to promise not to try and leave him again.” Her hand went to her pocket, and she took comfort in knowing the pictures were still there.

“He fed me soup. He even gave the dog some, but only after I pleaded with him. I asked about Lisa again.” She stared into Vanessa’s cold eyes. “He said, not to worry about her, she’s with Nessie now.”

Vanessa’s face paled. “He said Nessie? What did that mean?”

Carly pursed her lips and shrugged her shoulders. “Don’t know. Wouldn’t tell me.”

Vanessa closed her eyes for a few seconds.

This story has a sinister undertone, but also a heart-tugging backstory. It’s a clever suspense tale and – I promise you – you won’t see that twist coming.

If you follow it up with The Box, Then I guarantee you’ll be hooked. Read on …

The hospital smells hit me the moment I stepped inside, like sour disinfectant. Why do they all smell like this? The corridors seemed to go on for miles, and my head spun in the harsh light. Each step I took felt like I was walking through the gates of hell. Did I really want to do this? No, but I had to!

A nurse stopped me when I entered the ward.

“I’m sorry, but visiting hours are over. You will have to come back tomorrow.” Her face was quite firm.

“I have to see my dad. He called me, and said they were going to operate on him in the morning. What does he need an operation for?” I kept my voice purposefully low, I don’t know why.

“What’s his name, love?” Somehow, she looked ten years younger as her face softened. She walked behind the nurse’s station.

“Philip Doves.” I replied and wrapped my arms around my stomach. Just saying his name made me feel sick, and want to run away.

But, I kid you not, there’s more to come. Wolfie’s most recent publication is a beautiful story that will have you laughing and crying – until it hurts. Winters Day is a Rom Com (yes, from the Mistress of Dark Fiction!!) and therefore, of course, there has to be an evil antagonist lurking not too deeply below the surface.  Check this out:

She stood in the living room. There was blood on the chair nearest her, her blood. The side table lay smashed on the floor. In the carpet shards of glass sparkled like diamonds as the winter sun shone through the window. She jumped when Peter touched her arms.

“Why don’t you go and have a soak in the bath? I’ll clean up.”

She nodded.

She lay down in the warm water, bubbles encasing her, the smell of vanilla and coconut filling the room. Her emotions went wild. She silently cried as the anger, sadness, fear, then finally relief flooded through her.

See! I told you so.

But, the best is yet to come.

DM Wolfenden is offering a free copy (direct to kindle) of each of these stories to the first people who head over to her Facebook page and Like and leave a comment saying where they have seen this offer.

Tell her “Twinnie” sent you 🙂

Click here for her Author Page on Facebook or to follow her on Amazon UK  or US.

I still haven’t told you about Bernie & the Beast, another fantastic short story with some very foreboding moments. Not forgetting her debut novel Behind Blue Eyes,which is the most original vampire story you’ll ever read.

If I were you, I’d head over to Facebook and Amazon and get to know DM Wolfenden better.

Rumour tells me she’s working on an awesome Zombie novel next. Shush …. you didn’t hear it from me (okay, so yeah, she scares me a little!)

**Yeah, I got his name wrong first time round – I called him Lovelace. Proves my point – I had – have – no idea who this man is? It is a man, right? 🙂