Title: Echoes of Blood
Author: Fiona Glass
Genre: Paranormal, Romance, Vampires
LGBTQ+ Category: MM Gay
Publisher: Self
Reviewer: Maryann
Get It On Amazon
About The Book
Daniel Poole is a man on the run – from his ex-lover, from his civil partnership, from life itself. His flight takes him to his home city of Liverpool, to a job at the university, and to his old passion for dressing up. Colleague Edmund sends him to the Fallen Angel, a gay club that specialises in New Romance. There Daniel starts to live again.
He meets and falls for two different men: elfin Nick and the stunning Vincent, who take him under their wing. But when Vincent attacks him and drinks his blood, it’s left to grave young stranger Michael to help.
As rumours sweep the city of men being murdered, Daniel begins to fear for his sanity as well as his health. Who is the mysterious master who appears to control Vincent and Nick? And what is the link to the famous Ninth Legion of Rome, which disappeared?
Only by going back to what he fears most will Daniel find the answers he craves, and someone to fill his lonely sky.
The Review
“Echoes of Blood” is a dark novella about Daniel Poole who is a professor of ancient history. He likes his job but sometimes struggles in getting his students motivated in the subject. He’s also dealing with his ex of eleven years, whom he can’t seem to avoid. Daniel can’t see the urgency in signing legal documents for ending his civil partnership with his ex. After all, he and Tom were never married and Tom chose to cheat. He’s lonely at this point in his life and has only one friend in colleague, Edmund, who suggests Daniel go to the Fallen Angel.
The Fallen Angel just may be the place where Daniel can loose the fear of being alone. Daniel meets two strange and mysterious men: Nick and Vincent. Even though he’s leery of both these men there is something that draws him back to them. On one night of companionship, Daniel finds he is somewhat shaken from his experience and meets his rescuer Michael. But what Daniel discovers leaves him with choices to make.
Fiona Glass creates an amazing story taking the reader back in history and telling the story of Vincent and the Ninth Legion of Rome. There’s a hint that Michael’s story could very possibly be even more intriguing and I wonder if that will ever come about.
Even though “Echoes of Blood” is short the author does a very good job at providing an in-depth look at Daniel and how he deals with life after his break-up. I found myself caught up in the emotions of Daniels choice. I saw it as both bad and good. For someone who loved ancient history it would be such an experience. But would the life time of being a vampire be worth it.
I appreciate the way the author wasn’t overly explicit with the scenes of passion, it helped to balance out the violence and gory scenes which added surprise to the tale. There are all types of vampires tales: some great, some good, some not so good. “Echoes of Blood” was definitely good, and a page-turner for me.
The Reviewer
Hi, I’m Maryann, I started life in New York, moved to New Hampshire and in 1965 uprooted again to Sacramento, California. Once I retired I moved to West Palm Beach, Florida in 2011 and just moved back to Sacramento in March of 2018. My son, his wife and step-daughter flew out to Florida and we road tripped back so they got to see sights they have never seen. New Orleans and the Grand Canyon were the highlights. Now I am back on the west coast again to stay! From a young age Ialways liked to read.
I remember going to the library and reading the “Doctor Dolittle” books by Hugh Lofting. Much later on became a big fan of the classics, Edgar Alan Poe, Mary Shelley, Bram Stoker and as time went by Agatha Christie, Ray Bradbury and Stephen Kingand many other authors.
My first M/M shifter book I read was written by Jan Irving the “Uncommon Cowboys” series from 2012. She was the first author I ever contacted and sent an email to letting her know how much I liked this series. Sometime along the way I read “Zero to the Bone”by Jane Seville, I think just about everyone has read this book!
As it stands right now I’m really into mysteries, grit, gore and “triggers” don’t bother me. But if a blurb piques my interest I will read the book.
My kindle collection eclectic and over three thousand books and my Audible collection is slowly growing. I have both the kindle and audible apps on my ipod, ipads, and MAC. So there is never an excuse not to be listening or reading.
I joined Goodreads around 2012 and started posting reviews. One day a wonderful lady, Lisa Horan of The Novel Approach, sent me an email to see if I wanted to join her review group. Joining her site was such an eye opener. I got introduce to so many new authors that write for the LGBTQ genre. Needless to say, it was heart breaking when it ended.
But I found a really great site, QRI and it’s right here in Sacramento. Last year at QSAC I actually got to meet Scott Coatsworth, Amy Lane and Jeff Adams.
