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Junkyard Druid Novellas #1
Blood Scent
After the loss of his girlfriend Jesse, druid-trained hunter Colin McCool swore off monster-hunting for good. Now a rogue vampire is killing the weak and defenseless in his city, and no one else seems to care enough to stop him. To end the slaughter, Colin has agreed to take up his sword one last time… but will this “one final job” be the death of him?
BLOOD SCENT
A Junkyard Druid Urban Fantasy Novella, #1
Colin’s life has finally regained some semblance of normalcy after the death of his girlfriend, Jesse. He no longer hunts supernatural creatures. He has a job working in his uncle’s salvage yard that he enjoys. He’s even planning to start college in the fall.
And, he lives inside six acres of scrap iron, steel, and magical wards that keep the fae and other denizens of Austin’s paranormal underworld far, far away from him.
Which is just how he likes it.
So when he runs across a rogue vampire on the hunt, his first instinct is to report it to the local coven leader and then mind his own business. But Colin just can’t stand aside and watch as innocent people are slaughtered.
Which is why he’ll take up his sword one last time, for one final job. But with witches, doppelgangers, and demigods involved, this gig is turning out to be a lot more complicated and dangerous than he expected.
Hopefully, this “one last job” won’t truly become his last...
(Note to readers: The events in this 30,000 word novella occur before Junkyard Druid. It can be read as a prequel to the Junkyard Druid/Colin McCool New Adult Urban Fantasy Novel Series or as a standalone novella.)
BLOOD SCENT
A Junkyard Druid Urban Fantasy Novella, #1
Colin’s life has finally regained some semblance of normalcy after the death of his girlfriend, Jesse. He no longer hunts supernatural creatures. He has a job working in his uncle’s salvage yard that he enjoys. He’s even planning to start college in the fall.
And, he lives inside six acres of scrap iron, steel, and magical wards that keep the fae and other denizens of Austin’s paranormal underworld far, far away from him.
Which is just how he likes it.
So when he runs across a rogue vampire on the hunt, his first instinct is to report it to the local coven leader and then mind his own business. But Colin just can’t stand aside and watch as innocent people are slaughtered.
Which is why he’ll take up his sword one last time, for one final job. But with witches, doppelgangers, and demigods involved, this gig is turning out to be a lot more complicated and dangerous than he expected.
Hopefully, this “one last job” won’t truly become his last...
(Note to readers: The events in this 30,000 word novella occur before Junkyard Druid. It can be read as a prequel to the Junkyard Druid/Colin McCool New Adult Urban Fantasy Novel Series or as a standalone novella.)
120 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2017
111 people are currently reading
357 people want to read
About the author
M.D. Massey
65 books566 followersM.D. Massey describes himself as the prototypical INTJ. His eclectic background provides him with a rich tapestry of experiences to draw on when crafting fiction, as evidenced by the believable worlds and relatable characters he creates.
As a former Army combat medic (91B), professional martial arts instructor (Krav Maga, JKD, FMA), and women's self-defense instructor, he possesses a unique understanding of close combat, firearms, and criminal violence that few authors can match. This knowledge provides an element of realism to the Druidverse™ novels, setting them apart from other fantasy series.
Mr. Massey lives in the Texas Hill Country with his family and a huge American bulldog that keeps him company while he writes. When he's not in his office or at the local coffee shop writing, you can find him in his garage pummeling inanimate objects or knife-fighting with his friends.
As a former Army combat medic (91B), professional martial arts instructor (Krav Maga, JKD, FMA), and women's self-defense instructor, he possesses a unique understanding of close combat, firearms, and criminal violence that few authors can match. This knowledge provides an element of realism to the Druidverse™ novels, setting them apart from other fantasy series.
Mr. Massey lives in the Texas Hill Country with his family and a huge American bulldog that keeps him company while he writes. When he's not in his office or at the local coffee shop writing, you can find him in his garage pummeling inanimate objects or knife-fighting with his friends.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
March 18, 2018
3 Star Kindle Unlimited Read
Why 3? Simply because the author referred to occurrence that happen and I have no idea how. Two for example- one, how was Jesse killed? Two,, how did a human druid have a beast inside him?
It seems the author has more of the story in his head or opted to edit out part. Maybe the stories will come up in book 1.
You know me, got to give book 1 a fair shot, after all I liked book 5. It was the missing information that clued me in that #5 was not the first in the series.
Why 3? Simply because the author referred to occurrence that happen and I have no idea how. Two for example- one, how was Jesse killed? Two,, how did a human druid have a beast inside him?
It seems the author has more of the story in his head or opted to edit out part. Maybe the stories will come up in book 1.
You know me, got to give book 1 a fair shot, after all I liked book 5. It was the missing information that clued me in that #5 was not the first in the series.
March 23, 2021
Tough to read without previous knowledge of characters.
February 7, 2019
4 1/2 For a novella, this was great. Good pacing, characters and plot. Definitely makes me want to read on in the McCool series. Yes, we miss what happened to his girlfriend, or at least how it happened and why he feels guilty but this is a novella. It is action packed from Colin saving a woman from a vampire preditor to finding that he didn't exactly do that. He then goes to the vampire in charge of the city and forms an alliance. Still he has to find the vampire that is preying on the weak so then confronts and witch and werebear that might know the location. During all of this we get his humorous snark and some friends. I think I like McCool and will try the full length novella after reading the YA first look at Colin as a high school student.
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May 20, 2018Good read! I was hoping that it would have taken place BEFORE Jesse's death, like Druid Blood did, but still a good addition to the series.
August 6, 2017
This novella's a good introduction to Colin McCool. The story contains plenty of interesting supernatural creatures. I'm looking forward to reading the first book in the Colin McCool series.
December 28, 2019
Very good, glad I read it first.
August 13, 2019
Blood Scent (Junkyard Druid Novellas, Book #1)
by M.D. Massey
Colin McCool is the protagonist in the "Junkyard Druid" series. Massey also writes a prequel series to the actual novel series, and "Blood Scent" is the first in that series. According to Amazon, all the novellas are prequel to the action in "Junkyard Druid" series, so I'm not sure what the 0.5 is in the Goodreads version of the title.
In any case, it was a fun read. I have not yet read the first in the novel series, as I wanted to approach the series with the backstory in place. So this review is without prior knowledge of Colin McCool, or of Massey's writing style.
I enjoyed the novella very much. It left me right where any good series book should leave its readers: with the main issue of the novel solved, but with the reader wanting more! Good plotting and pacing, lots of action for a novella, clearly defined characters, and a lot of snark. There was only one editing/proofing error, but it was egregious (hey! I didn't take of a star for it, but I did consider it!). It's MacGyver, Mr. Massey, not MacGuyer.
by M.D. Massey
Colin McCool is the protagonist in the "Junkyard Druid" series. Massey also writes a prequel series to the actual novel series, and "Blood Scent" is the first in that series. According to Amazon, all the novellas are prequel to the action in "Junkyard Druid" series, so I'm not sure what the 0.5 is in the Goodreads version of the title.
In any case, it was a fun read. I have not yet read the first in the novel series, as I wanted to approach the series with the backstory in place. So this review is without prior knowledge of Colin McCool, or of Massey's writing style.
I enjoyed the novella very much. It left me right where any good series book should leave its readers: with the main issue of the novel solved, but with the reader wanting more! Good plotting and pacing, lots of action for a novella, clearly defined characters, and a lot of snark. There was only one editing/proofing error, but it was egregious (hey! I didn't take of a star for it, but I did consider it!). It's MacGyver, Mr. Massey, not MacGuyer.
January 27, 2019
My first finished Read of 2019!
I actually wasn't familiar with this book, nor was I with M.D. Massey... but that changed when I bought the first Junkyard Druid Book, then found out there was a prequel and purchased THIS one, and later on (like say 2 or 3 days ago) I found out there's another prequel a book 0 if you will, so instead of going to continue reading book 1 I will be properly starting book 0 and once that's done finally continue to read book 1...
So there's the hot Colin McCool, who is trying to get back into the swing of hunting things after a long absence and having been in a run in with a Vampire one night at a bar, sees him roofie a woman's drink, saves her from the Vampire or so he thinks when he later sees a story on the news with the woman as the victim.
That starts Colin on the journey of getting out of the shadows and back into the Hunting Things Kill Things business.
I really enjoyed this read (and also am thoroughly enjoying book 1 but that'll be another review one day) and would definitely recommend this to friends.
I actually wasn't familiar with this book, nor was I with M.D. Massey... but that changed when I bought the first Junkyard Druid Book, then found out there was a prequel and purchased THIS one, and later on (like say 2 or 3 days ago) I found out there's another prequel a book 0 if you will, so instead of going to continue reading book 1 I will be properly starting book 0 and once that's done finally continue to read book 1...
So there's the hot Colin McCool, who is trying to get back into the swing of hunting things after a long absence and having been in a run in with a Vampire one night at a bar, sees him roofie a woman's drink, saves her from the Vampire or so he thinks when he later sees a story on the news with the woman as the victim.
That starts Colin on the journey of getting out of the shadows and back into the Hunting Things Kill Things business.
I really enjoyed this read (and also am thoroughly enjoying book 1 but that'll be another review one day) and would definitely recommend this to friends.
September 20, 2025
Slacker Preternatural Investigator, the last descendant of Fionn Mac Cumhaill (also translated as Finn McCool/MacCool), is hitting the bottle to soothe his battered emotions.
No more monster hunting for him!
At which point he sees a Vampire drugging a young woman in the bar he's drowning his sorrows in.
The Vampire hands him a sound beating and, later, kills the woman anyway.
It's time to get back to the day job, but first he'll need to get back in shape.
“Blood Scent” is a stand-alone read, but only just as there is a fair amount of backstory which is never explained (Jesse's death is an example).
It's very readable but not particularly memorable (or it could be me in the middle of a reading slump and just not enjoying the books I've read recently?)
The book is part of an interlinked series of Druidverse novels and novellas, many of which use the same characters.
3 Stars.
No more monster hunting for him!
At which point he sees a Vampire drugging a young woman in the bar he's drowning his sorrows in.
The Vampire hands him a sound beating and, later, kills the woman anyway.
It's time to get back to the day job, but first he'll need to get back in shape.
“Blood Scent” is a stand-alone read, but only just as there is a fair amount of backstory which is never explained (Jesse's death is an example).
It's very readable but not particularly memorable (or it could be me in the middle of a reading slump and just not enjoying the books I've read recently?)
The book is part of an interlinked series of Druidverse novels and novellas, many of which use the same characters.
3 Stars.
February 5, 2020
I’m not a fan of vampires, as a general rule. But this book handled them well enough. At least, it didn’t make them as annoying as they normally are. I enjoyed the author’s voice and the character voice he gave Colin. His world was interesting and the story engaging.
Having it set in my hometown was just a bonus - but this book DID get me into the rest of the series, so - well done, Mr. Massey!
Worth a quick read if you’re looking for an intro to a new urban fantasy story, but don’t expect the tropes, archetypes and cliches of the genre to be shifted too far off the norm. You can expect, though, an unusually clear and entertaining narrative without much extraneous noise, which is always a welcome find.
Having it set in my hometown was just a bonus - but this book DID get me into the rest of the series, so - well done, Mr. Massey!
Worth a quick read if you’re looking for an intro to a new urban fantasy story, but don’t expect the tropes, archetypes and cliches of the genre to be shifted too far off the norm. You can expect, though, an unusually clear and entertaining narrative without much extraneous noise, which is always a welcome find.
April 21, 2025
Трите звездички май ще са постоянен спътник на поредицата, но пък са напълно заслужени пълни три звездички. Тази повест се развива преди първата книга за Колин и ни показва как се е запознал с Лутър, както и повече информация за Маурин.
Май започва да ми липсва този млад Маккул, без идея, че всички искат да го манипулират и хвърлящ се с главата наред в неща, които ще му отворят куп проблеми.
Страдащ заради убийството на гаджето си, Колин е пълен парцал, но когато спасява женица от вампир, и в последствие, не успява да я спаси, той конфронтира шефа на местното вампирско сборище. Изведнъж се оказва със задача, достойна за ловеца, който е бил преди трагедията. Това ще го сблъска с древен „нос“, гнусна вещица и мечколак и общо взето ще го върне в играта, та да четем много, много книги.
Май започва да ми липсва този млад Маккул, без идея, че всички искат да го манипулират и хвърлящ се с главата наред в неща, които ще му отворят куп проблеми.
Страдащ заради убийството на гаджето си, Колин е пълен парцал, но когато спасява женица от вампир, и в последствие, не успява да я спаси, той конфронтира шефа на местното вампирско сборище. Изведнъж се оказва със задача, достойна за ловеца, който е бил преди трагедията. Това ще го сблъска с древен „нос“, гнусна вещица и мечколак и общо взето ще го върне в играта, та да четем много, много книги.
June 29, 2018
For those who have been reading the series this is a very good fill-in story, giving us a hint of Colin's tragic past which caused him to stop his training and work as a druid monster hunter. It tells us who Maureen is, how he met Luther, and some walk-on appearances by Belladonna, another prominent character in the series. It give us the story of Colin's first nudge back to his future work as a druid monster hunter.
For those who have never read the series, there are a few mysteries you will have to find the answers to in the Junkyard Druid series.
The story itself is nicely paced and an entertaining read.
For those who have never read the series, there are a few mysteries you will have to find the answers to in the Junkyard Druid series.
The story itself is nicely paced and an entertaining read.
August 8, 2021
Colin McCool is a great character. He is broken-hearted, has some magic, a curse, a group of unique friends, is a badass hunter and lives in a junkyard. What more could you introduce to the story? VAMPIRES! Are there good vampires? Lucian is the master of the city and has a rule, "Do NOT kill humans!" Seems there is a rogue vampire killing humans and Lucian has decided to lure Colin out of his retirement to hunt the rogue. This is that story. You can't put this book down once you start reading it. I LOVED it. I would highly recommend the story and look forward to reading more in this series.
June 30, 2024
Not really feeling it. Nothing original or new, not even a new take on the old stuff. A vaguely smart-ass hero with issues goes monster killing, reluctantly so because of aforementioned issues. Also, the hypocritical woke pissing on Texas irked me. So, the old lady hating on immigrants but employing a Mexican gardener is racist - the hero hating on all fae but using a half-fae for a sparing partner and a go-to girl is not. Right-o! I don't know if the author purposefully made the hero so dense or if he is so dense himself and not seeing his own hypocrisy. Not sure if I want to continue this series though I do own several books...
December 18, 2021
I picked this book up as a taste test for the Colin McCool books. I enjoyed it enough to get the first book in the main series.
This works as a stand alone. Decent characters, action packed, and engaging.
The author does repeated let you know that big stuff has happened outside this story!! You don’t need to read the other books, but the references to outside events are not subtly worked into the story. As the biggest story flaw, it’s not huge.
On the other hand, as someone who loves the blues and the white stripe, I thumb my nose at you.
This works as a stand alone. Decent characters, action packed, and engaging.
The author does repeated let you know that big stuff has happened outside this story!! You don’t need to read the other books, but the references to outside events are not subtly worked into the story. As the biggest story flaw, it’s not huge.
On the other hand, as someone who loves the blues and the white stripe, I thumb my nose at you.
October 5, 2022
Blood Scent is a very entertaining urban fantasy novella which is an introduction to the Colin McCool series. The protagonist, Colin, is determined to do whatever it takes to win against the bad guys. Of which, there appear to be many. The action had some surprises and I love the little bit of mythology that is blended into the storyline. I enjoyed it very much and plan to get book 1 of this series from Kindle Unlimited.
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from BookFunnel and this is my honest and freely given opinion.
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from BookFunnel and this is my honest and freely given opinion.
April 23, 2018
Colin McCool is such a great character. This short book was so fun to read. Colin is hired by the local vampire coven to hunt a rogue vampire that is killing humans. The coven has been unable to catch him themselves so the leader (Luther) hires Colin. And he's such a hero that he has to do the job, though he's been out of the hunting game since the death of his fiance. Full of action and snarkiness, just the way I like it.
March 22, 2018
Colin McCool back in business.
After reading about the young Colin McCool I wanted to know what happened next, did he continue fighting the fae with his best friend Jesse or did they just focus on their school work. This book gives some of those answers but not the full story, hinting at underlying issues that Colin still has to come to terms with.
After reading about the young Colin McCool I wanted to know what happened next, did he continue fighting the fae with his best friend Jesse or did they just focus on their school work. This book gives some of those answers but not the full story, hinting at underlying issues that Colin still has to come to terms with.
March 4, 2020
Now this is the grown up version of the first novella. Though the YA first installment was cute, this book had more depth and introduced new and interesting characters. I liked the universe, the way Colin is not really dealing with his grief and the action packed mythology. Now, on to the first actual novel size book of the series!
November 1, 2020
I really enjoy this guys books...this was a free download that was a quick, entertaining read...doesn't quite have the polish or extreme roller coaster ride of Butcher, but he's getting there, and it definitely left me wanting to read more...one thing missing that he had in his THEM series that I thought was a unique touch was his military experience...I definitely recommend it though.
Read
June 13, 2022So far like the whole concept. But think the narrator is f'N it all up for me. The words are stilted, fake sounding, as if holding paper trying to read very slow and almost robotic. Dam. I was looking forward to digging in to this series. Im hoping it's just the first book thing and eventually it'll get better
February 12, 2024
It is a juvenile sort of read and the writing style is simple since I believe it targets teenagers. However, I can tell that research was placed into the book and one of the things I love most is driving into mythology. This series allowed me to do that because of how rich they are in Irish mythology.
It's a nice read for a novella.
It's a nice read for a novella.
August 5, 2017
Fun read. vampires, druids, and evil madness.
Colin isn't what you expect in a Druid. He's cursed and he has a bad attitude. Just don't make him reach into his bag, and don't kill him. For you ladies, he has a girlfriend.
Colin isn't what you expect in a Druid. He's cursed and he has a bad attitude. Just don't make him reach into his bag, and don't kill him. For you ladies, he has a girlfriend.
February 3, 2018
As always, entertaining
A pleasant novella introducing Luther and some insight into Maureen, while all along weaving a merry misadventure through one of my favorite Texas towns. Enjoy the local history and I observations about a place I know well.
A pleasant novella introducing Luther and some insight into Maureen, while all along weaving a merry misadventure through one of my favorite Texas towns. Enjoy the local history and I observations about a place I know well.
February 28, 2018
Great start...
Although I read this just before starting book five, I can see that it would be a great introduction to the series. Having said that, knowing what I know about the story arc and the character development, it was a nice way to pad out the picture.
Although I read this just before starting book five, I can see that it would be a great introduction to the series. Having said that, knowing what I know about the story arc and the character development, it was a nice way to pad out the picture.
May 14, 2018
A novella early in the career of the Junkyard Druid. This is essentially a creation story. As always the series delivers entertainment. This particular story is written in a slightly more simple manner perhaps for the YA audience.
July 20, 2018
Fabulous Read
Add a fan of the Junkyard Druid series, this was a must read. It gave some insight into how Colin came to know some of the characters in the main books of the series and insight to how he got back into hunting. Definitely worth it if you are reading the main books.
Add a fan of the Junkyard Druid series, this was a must read. It gave some insight into how Colin came to know some of the characters in the main books of the series and insight to how he got back into hunting. Definitely worth it if you are reading the main books.
December 16, 2018
Enjoyable quick read
I enjoyed this little book. It seemed like this book is just before the first book in the series. We get to read about a few characters that we don’t know to much about which was nice. Plus Colin gets to fight a few dudes. I enjoyed this one a lot.
I enjoyed this little book. It seemed like this book is just before the first book in the series. We get to read about a few characters that we don’t know to much about which was nice. Plus Colin gets to fight a few dudes. I enjoyed this one a lot.
February 22, 2019
Just wonderful!
I had not read any of the junkyard Druid stories in about a year and I forgotten how great this author is.
This short little story is filled with non-stop action and witty conversation. I could not put it down.
This is a great read?
I had not read any of the junkyard Druid stories in about a year and I forgotten how great this author is.
This short little story is filled with non-stop action and witty conversation. I could not put it down.
This is a great read?
May 28, 2019
I haven't read any of the main series. Didn't love it. I don't really like Colin, he's generally full of himself and I don't have any particular desire to read the rest of the series to find out more about his history.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews