Mwindajis

Dark Blood Awakens is a paranormal urban fantasy incorporating Black girl magic with myths from the African diaspora. As a child, Makeda's mom forced her to abandon sorcery. Instead, she pursued a career in nursing while killing monsters with her family of mwindaji. For over a millennium, the mwindaji have hunted Korlemo, a 1000-year-old vampire. While working in Haiti, Makeda's desire to recapture her sorcery skills increases. When a lead takes her to a Kentucky rural hospital searching for Korlemo, she uses Baoumali, the language of sorceresses, to reclaim her heritage. During her investigation, Makeda develops a steamy romance with the local sheriff and uncovers a macabre secret the hospital administration will kill to keep silent. With time running out, Makeda must recapture her sorcery and choose where her alliances lie. If the mwindaji cannot destroy the monsters haunting the hospital, people will die-starting with her boyfriend. Born in Illinois, Michelle Corbier attended undergraduate school at the University of California Santa Cruz, and medical school at Michigan State University. After over twenty-five years in clinical medicine, she accepted a position as a medical consultant. A member of Crime Writers of Color, Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association, and Sisters in Crime, her writing interests cover many genres-mystery, paranormal, thrillers and suspense. When not reading or writing, she can be found outside gardening or bicycling.

While Makeda focuses on sorcery, the mwindaji regroup after their failed assault in Kentucky. Korlemo, a thousand-year-old Ibori vampire, escaped. Makeda reconnects with her deceased great-grandmother. She travels to Memphis to apprentice under two sorcerers. While there, Makeda realizes the sorcerers are keeping secrets, and their motives are suspicious. But with a demon threatening her life, Makeda is eager to learn. However, the cost is significant.Since the attack in Kentucky, the ka'trete agreement between werewolves and vampires disintegrates, jeopardizing a thousand-year truce. Central to the dispute is a witch with a sinister agenda. Stakes escalate, threatening to unleash a civil war. The mwindaji's pursuit of Korlemo leads them to a growing menace in upstate New York. They uncover a larger conspiracy of werewolves and vampires uniting to kill humans. Korlemo may be the least of their worries. Back in North Carolina, Makeda rekindles her budding romance with Sheriff Michael Walker. Desirous of a committed relationship, Makeda struggles with how much to share. Because the last time she explained monsters to him, Michael almost died.The more her sorcery skills grow, the greater the threats. Alliances fray and danger spreads. Makeda considers an alliance with the mortal enemies of the mwindajis. The risks are tremendous. Support the mwindaji or pursue sorcery and claim her heritage. Factions take sides, each clambering for control and the safety of their own lineages. Mistakes lead to tragic consequences. Makeda seeks support from a dear friend as the duplicity of a loved one unravels. Born in Illinois, Michelle Corbier attended undergraduate school at the University of California Santa Cruz, and medical school at Michigan State University. After over twenty-five years in clinical medicine, she accepted a position as a medical consultant. A member of Crime Writers of Color, Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association, and Sisters in Crime, her writing interests cover many genres-mystery, paranormal, thrillers and suspense. When not reading or writing, she can be found outside gardening or bicycling.