An Echo of Angels

by Margie McDonnell Welsh

An Echo of Angels

Twenty-five years ago, Hell’s long-standing war with Heaven spilled over into the human world. In the battle for control that followed, Lucifer loosed his version of the four horsemen of the Apocalypse, all but ensuring mankind’s extinction until a faction of Fallen angels and Djinn defected from the Dark to fight on the side of God. Before the war was over, the enemies of our enemies became our allies, forming a coalition of humans, angels, Nephilim, demons and scrabbly Djinn, all working together to save the world Lucifer would die trying to destroy.

But evil never dies, and Lucifer had taken out an insurance policy to ensure his own survival, inserting his conscious, cannibalistic, DNA into humanity’s gene pool where he planned to hide until it was safe to come back from the dead.

A generation after the war, three of his four corrupted genetic spawn are vying to house his returning soul and rule the human world. Only one remains Light, Princess Alexa, the only human-angel-Djinn hybrid in existence, God’s prophesied three-in-one child. Alexa is determined to fight the Dark, but with her inner demon on one side and her Guardian angel Forcas on the other, it’s a gamble to see whether good or evil will win her soul.

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 13, 2026

About the author

I've always wondered where to start an author's biography. In truth I have been writing my entire life.

I’ll start with my professional writing career, which began at the age of twenty-four when literary agents Donald MacCampbell and his partner Maureen Moran found a home for my first romance novel and the next five.

Beloved Pirate - written under pen name Margie Michaels - (Second Chance at Love) Jove Publications 1981

Mirage - written under pen name Margie Michaels - (Second Chance at Love) Jove Publications 1982

Untamed Desire - written under pen name Margie Michaels - (Harlequin Temptation) Harlequin 1984

Banish The Dragons - Margie McDonnell - (Loveswept) Bantam Books 1987

Conflict of Interest - Margie McDonnell - (Loveswept) Bantam Books 1988

The Land of Enchantment - Margie McDonnell (Loveswept) Bantam Books 1988

The romance writing lasted a decade and it was an amazing time in my life. But as they say, life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans. Life happened, my plans were disrupted, and I left romance behind.

I spent the next two decades taking care of my four children (AKA my beloved demon spawn, the inspiration for the DEMON series), and my writing projects consisted of Star Trek fan fiction and fundraising stories for The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada. Star Trek writing was fun. Writing for the foundation was rewarding. Eventually though I came back to my first love, novels, and though I’d outgrown light romance, urban fantasy and its dark secrets called to me.

With the help of my second husband and soulmate, I began to work toward that dream. A covid-19 diagnosis, and subsequent lockdowns, gave me lots of time and inspiration to work, resulting in the three urban fantasy novels in my new DEMON series:

DEMON SPAWN (Available on Amazon December 2020)

DEMON LORD (Available on Amazon December 2020)

A PLAGUE OF DEMONS (Available on Amazon January 2021)

DEMON FIRE (Available on Amazon in Fall 2021)

With any luck, our real plague will be over soon, but my demons, angels, Fallen angels, scrabblies, Nephilim and the humans populating my DEMONVERSE will still have stories to tell. I shall be happy to share their adventures with you.

In the meantime, if you'd care to learn more, please visit the DEMONVERSE facebook page and either of my two websites at:

facebook fansite for the Demonverse: -

https://www.facebook.com/margiemcdonn...

Websites:

https://mmwdemonverse.wixsite.com/online  

and

https://www.demonverse.xyz

Reviews

[Lars | Reading is fun and mental]

I had the pleasure of getting an ARC of this novel which is the first of a series. From the opening pages I was immediately thrown into the characters and the world development which Margie so gracefully opens before your eyes, offering present situations with background reveal to give the characters wonderful depth and personality. Her writting style is very natural and scenes flow together with ease building the tension between characters and the situations that quickly unfold. It was a book that took me from cover to cover with ease and am sure that readers will enjoy its colorful imagery and fantastical world with which she has built. If you enjoy Djinns and Fallen angels, God's and fantastical creatures with a bit of romance, it is a book you should defintely put into your queue. Enjoy

[Kirsty Barrett]

Margie has done it again! Excellent and worth the wait.
These characters are alive with demonverse energy. I love Alexa, and Forcas too. The Gardeners ability to skirt his own rules are truly a masterpiece.
Nice to see the old gang again, and the new friends that are beginning to emerge to help move the Echo's series forward.
I'm excited for the next book.

[Kirsty Barrett]

Margie has done it again! Excellent and worth the wait.
These characters are alive with demonverse energy. I love Alexa, and Forcas too. The Gardeners ability to skirt his own rules are truly a masterpiece.
Nice to see the old gang again, and the new friends that are beginning to emerge to help move the Echo's series forward.
I'm excited for the next book.

[Eleanor Wagner]

Just….WOW!

This is some story! This author put clever, thought into a story about good and evil and had me hooked.
Interesting and clever take on the subject matter. Love the badass women characters. Can’t wait for the next in the series, and I’m not typically a series reader!

[Cindy Gauthier]

OMG! OMG! This book was totally worth the wait. My only disappointment is having to wait for the next one.

If you've read Margie's Demonverse series, this is a splendid addition to that 'verse. If you haven't read it, go do that NOW!

[Dekaydreader]

Oooooh, lovely continuation of the Demonverse! Romance, nice amount of spicy (forbidden) heat, and plenty of tension and excitement. Lots of little goodies tucked in---don't know if they're intentional or not, but fun, nonetheless. Good thing my TBR is jam-packed, or I'd be dying to get the rest of the scoop on this adventure, and I definitely do not want to harry the author, but, can't wait!

[Ethel Clarke]

I have read the five books in the previous Demonverse series and I have written reviews for them. You don’t need to read the earlier series – the Prologue sets this book up nicely – but you may find it helpful in grasping the nuances left to the reader’s imagination.

I ordered the paperback “An Echo of Angels” as soon as possible. Then I tracked the package from Amazon, who surprised me by delivering it a day earlier than projected. I rarely pay so much time tracking orders.

When it arrived, I opened it immediately and began reading it with the same enthusiasm I have for ice cream! Putting it down to do anything else felt like unnecessary disruptions – until I got to the end of Chapter 13.

My husband noticed that I put the bookmark in the book, closed it carefully, and set it aside. He wanted to know why I wasn’t reading it? Because, I told him, I didn’t want it to end and I’d just realized I was very close to finishing it.

There are characters in this book who feel like family members. Forcas, for example, reminds me of my “Big Brother” (not by blood, but by mutual choice). He passed in 2013. Much of Forcas’ attitudes, analysis, view points, although based on personal knowledge of Heaven and Hell, comes across as an older sibling telling a younger one, “You’ll do it because I said so!”. I miss my Brother and am delighted that I can reunite with a portion of his essence through this book. No one is as hard on him as Forcas is on himself. He is in a constant state of being judged by Heaven, by Hell, and by himself.

Alexa responds to Forcas and his opinions, decrees, boundaries, and strong arm tactics the way any teenager approaching the magical birthday when she’ll be an adult and can make decisions for herself does – teenage angst, outright rebellion, pushing boundaries, making sometimes dangerous decisions, and discovering what works and what doesn’t. She has an extra set of issues we and our totally human children never faced however. She has 3 fathers and a once human mother who is a bit more than human at this point in the Demonverse. Thanks to all the “extra stuff” in Alexa’s DNA, she can, with the help of some unique friends, make her wishes come true. Being inexperienced, some of those wishes land her in dangerous surroundings.

I fell in love with Mischief and Mayhem and, if I ever get a couple of tabby cats, I fully intend to name them after these little authors of mischief and mayhem involving Alexa and, proper and improper actions. The first wish they fulfilled for Alexa is covered in the Prologue, you will want to read it before you get into the main book.

Unlike any other teenager, Alexa has very strong and very real feelings for Forcas, and he for her. He also has a very strong interest in surviving the wrath of Alexa’s parents. It’s a fine line they walk while navigating constantly changing environments, surroundings, geography and threats. Add The Gardner, God, the Almighty, and you have a future in a state of flux for everyone which only He can see.

This is an amazing addition to the Demonverse and I can’t wait for the books yet to come in the Echoes series.

[Beatrix]

The stuff that dreams are made of ...

In her five part Demonverse series, Margie McDonnell Welsh established herself as a writer of Dark Fantasy Romance. Now she is back, with an Echo of Angels and she will not disappoint her following.

There’s a new girl in town, a new player in the game…

There have been many wonderful stories which portrayed a young person coming of age, a testing time for both teenagers and their parents, but it all takes quite a different turn when that beautiful young girl is a demon hybrid with arcane powers!

Early in the book there is a wonderfully enjoyable scene involving a TV interview, which is hilariously funny but also provides a brilliant way to recap the events of the first series, so that anyone starting with this as their first book can be quickly brought up to speed.

This new series really offers a new style and a totally different approach. Whereas the original Demonverse involved the traditional problems of biblical demons intruding on a modern world, the new series is fast moving with sharp modern thinkers on both sides. Not surprisingly, though, there comes a point when we start to experience the shadows of the past.
We find that in their own world the devils and demons have rivalries and powers struggles of their own, and those who would stand against them need training and planning if they are to survive.

“Which species do you identify with?” someone asked at the press-conference, so very much in keeping with the times we live in.

As always with Margie’s writing there are some really clever ideas, simple but wonderful. I liked the sequence which played out in “The Devil’s Bar” a raucous tavern found somewhere in the backstreets of hell.

There is also romance, and as we are dealing with demon lords and demon lovers, it tends to be forbidden romance of the spicy kind. How often can a girl say that she grabbed her lover by the horns?

That’s as much as I can say without spoilers, but if you are into dark fantasy sexy demonic romance then you will not be disappointed.

[Ovidiu Damian]

What stayed with me most after finishing this book is the idea of free will. “The Gardener” (aka God) isn’t just a distant presence — He’s at the core of everything, constantly pushing the story toward questions about choice, destiny, and what it really means to be human… or not. You can feel it even in the forbidden, charged connection between Alexa and Forcas.
The story itself is built on a very strong premise: 21 years after Lucifer was thought defeated, he returns — not through destruction, but from within. Three demon-spawn children are already living on Earth, their consciousness still their own, but always at risk of being overtaken in a moment of weakness.
Then there’s Alexa — the fourth. A prophesied hybrid, a three-in-one child born of the Nephilim Sahara and Maxiel, a dark lord of Hell, carrying djinn and Lucifer DNA. Raised under the protection of Forcas, a fallen angel and former ambassador of Hell, she’s not interested in staying safe. She chooses action, stepping into the Hidden Hands — the secret organization hunting the very threat she’s connected to.
It’s a bold setup and a strong start to a new series. I’m very curious to see where it goes next, especially when it comes to The Gardener’s plans for the next generation of humanity.

[Sarah Jacobson]

WOW!

I hadn't read the demonverse series before hand, but that didnt seem to matter. Everything was explained as this story moved on.
I thoroughly enjoyed the world building and character development in this one. The author is absolutely second to none when it comes to demons and angels and everything in between. Her world is perfect, the characters phenomenal. I loved this.
Lucifer has been dead for years, but his DNA is hidden inside nephilim, waiting for his return, and inside Princess Alexa. Her DNA has three contributors.
Forcas and Alexa were amazing. She is a princess of hell, and fallen Angel Forcas is her guardian. The bond between them is more than it should be. I loved this. Alexa just can't seem to stay out of trouble and Forcas is always there. Fighting the challenges of temptation, his oath and job to protect her are the most important. I LOVED HIM!
I've never read a book in this genre with such vivid imagery. I try not to add spoilers to my review, so reviewing such a book is difficult.
Ms McDonnell Welsh is a fabulous story teller with one 'hell' of an imagination. I think I need to acquaint myself with the previous series. This author is NOT one to miss. Recommended! Well deserved 5 stars!

[Susan Baranoff]

Technically 4.5 but I round up.
I tried to read this from the point of view of someone who had not read this author’s previous "Demonverse Series" and, from what I can deduce, it works as a stand alone novel or a book 1 of the next series without a 5 book prequel as "required". It is more fun if you pick those up at some point, maybe while waiting for Book 2 of this series.

This was a fun romp from Earth to the North Pole to Hell and Heaven and back again with the daughter (Alexa) of our favorite characters from the prior set of books as the newest leading Lady-somewhat-in-distress. Just don't say her name in front of that AI bot many of you have listening in your homes as the first laugh out loud moment came in Chapter 1 as demonstration of said confusion.

I love the author’s writing style which has bite, humor, and intelligence. A little bit "Private Benjamin", a little bit old school D&D, a little bit older school Dante's Inferno if it were written as an actual comedy. If you like Christopher Moore, Connie Willis, Matt Dinniman all mixed with a little Liane Moriarty, you will enjoy this 1st book in the "Angels" series.

52BookClub 2026 Reading Challenge
Prompt # 24: An uneven number of chapters

[Tracey Gerrard]

Princess Alexa and Forcas!
This author created an amazing paranormal fantasy series with Demonverse, and this continues into the Demonverse Echo series.
In this story, Lucifer is dead. Or is he? His DNA lives on in humans, and one who is part angel, Djinn, and light. Princess Alexa is about to face her demons and the challenge of her life.
Forcas, who is God’s Ambassador to hell, a dark angel who has now turned light, has been assigned as her guardian angel to keep her safe. This is not an easy charge, as Alexa can’t seem to keep out of trouble. There’s also the threat that could lead her into the dark. Not one to be kept out of things, she joins the Hidden Hands, who are an undercover team out to eliminate the threat of the demon spawn.
There’s a romantic bond between Alexa and Forcas, one that could lead them into a lot of trouble. Will that stop them?
This story held my attention throughout, and I especially enjoyed the chapter where both Princess Alexa and Forcas faced a challenge of temptation.
I’m looking forward to what comes next in the series and hope there’s more from Alexa and Forcas.
Highly Recommended!

[Gail McGuire]

Good vs Evil Fantasy That Echoes the Human Condition
Margie McDonnell-Welsh has created a winner of a fantasy concept with the Demonverse series. And this book is brilliant. Her writing bursts with wit and imagination. I love the concept of a host of theological beings becoming humanity’s unlikely allies in the battle for who will rule the world. The conflict is insightful. The plot is powerfully charged with emotion and adventure that stimulates both heart and mind. The character’s depth and layers of intrigue pull you into the conflict, competing agendas, and colliding motivations. The relationship between Alexis, born into the battle as a Princess of the Dark and Light forces, and Forcas, the former fallen angel, now her protector is electric. The stakes they face keep you on the edge and flipping pages. I admired Alexa’s spitfire courage and recognized characteristics of today’s youth in her. I found Forcas to be a standout character. He’s the perfect tortured hero. Margie’s portrayal of God is particularly charming and heartwarming. This is a delightful, engaging, and uplifting read. I highly recommend it!

[Josephine Wrightson]

10 out of 5…. I need more stars

OMG…. She’s done it again. I didn’t think the author, Margie McDonnell welsh could beat Demonverse, but woo hoo. She did, an amazing read and a roller coaster ride, I’m in, and will be huddled in my corner waiting impatiently for more. So, I’m appointing myself the official Margie main fan and go between—we need the next book. We really do. My position as Main Fan will be to keep giving you a reminder we are waiting impatiently. Loved it. I’m so pleased you didn’t leave the stories at the end of demonverse, the character’s have grown so much and fast become part of the readers lives. Well done all of you, I can’t wait to see what happens next. It’s another story I would thoroughly recommend, from its hot, mindful and often intense characters to the gardener, who always see through the pretence and believes in love, be you a demon, human, scrabbly or mix.
The story flows, is return with heart and expertise which leaves you simply wanting more. As I do… brilliant.

[Sorina Ungureanu]

“The devil inside your head” just got a whole new meaning for me.
21 years after Lucifer was thought defeated, he returns from within — through the minds of his demon-spawn children, always waiting for a moment of weakness. Alexa, a powerful hybrid carrying even Lucifer’s conscious voice inside her, steps into danger as bait to stop them.
But what completely pulled me in was the forbidden love story. Alexa and Forcas — a fallen angel, former ambassador of Hell — have that dangerous, irresistible chemistry. He’s exactly that kind of dark, complex man you know you shouldn’t want… and still do.
I read this alongside my husband — he was busy with moral dilemmas and free will, while I was completely gone over Forcas.
PS: I think I might be betraying Maxiel… but Forcas is something else.

[WJ Donovan]

Hot naughtiness is coming, but it's a stretched teased thing, a romance with hints of 007 mixed into this first installment of the MMW demonverse. Having read all the demonverse books in the series it is fun to see good old morning star, the light of the dawn may his essence glow, make a come back at the cellular level, one should read the previous series to get the full picture, but this offering can be read as a stand alone. Pent up sex, and an exciting ending makes the story pop, but for me its those little bits of coherence when the fiction blurs with the dark web of our world, such as sex trafficking that I like, the darker the better.

[L.D. McRae]

Brilliant!
Wow, just wow! I’ve been not so patiently waiting for this book since reading Demon Born, book five in the Demonverse Series, some time ago. Ms. Welsh did not disappoint! This author is a truly gifted writer. My advice… gobble up everything Ms. Welsh writes! I sure have! You won’t get any spoilers about the story from me. All I’ll say is that I fell in love with Forcas way, way, way before this book was ever written!

[Shirley Bear]

A delightful spin on Christian mythology. Alexa and Forcas and their forbidden desire takes us on a roller coaster ride throughout this first book in the author's new demonverse series. I found myself laughing, gasping, and reading bits out to my partner. The worldbuilding is incredible, and I'll likely search out the first series to find out more about all the demons, jinns, etc. An Echo of Angels deserves all the great promo it is receiving. Highly recommended.

[Alan D]

The daughter of three fathers grows up

Alexa is a woman who has never been normal, and has discovered that she is becoming increasingly less so. She has to find a way to deal with her unwanted heritage before it wrecks her life. Fortunately, her guardian angel Forcas is there to help. If only they could keep from distracting each other.

[Amanda Sheridan]

This is the first book I’ve read by this author and it didn’t disappoint. Alexa (a princess) and Forcas her fallen angel guardian are a great duo. I loved the dynamic between them as well as their mental connection. Oh, and when they lost the connection, what they had to do to get it back was ‘divine.’ I will definitely be reading a lot more of this author’s work.

[Denay W]

I loved this book so much. I was much happier with the gardener this time around. I love how the world was expanded and I was very pleased with the FMC and MMc and I can't wait to see where the next book takes us! I want my Lucifer daddy back 🤣

[Petar Kostadinov]

Good read even though this is not my favorite genre. The story is well written.