Demon Spawn

Demonverse #1

by Margie McDonnell Welsh

DEMON SPAWN In the beginning, God tried to destroy the Nephilim, children of human women and defiant angels. The problem was, some of them survived and multiplied. And while mankind didn’t mind finding Neanderthals in their gene pool, they drew the line at Demon Spawn, especially when both Heaven and Hell opened Divine Embassies in Washington to monitor their progeny. Nobody wants to find demons in their family tree, including social worker Sahara Mancuso. After she does, her happy home life blows up in a cloud of brimstone. When she’s demoted at work, she fears her career is over until she’s reassigned to head a pilot program for Nephilim foster kids. The job comes with its own hate group, needy children, demonic pets, a Homeland Security handler and growing paranormal abilities she doesn't know how to control. She needs a crash course on Demons for Dummies, and all she has is an angel on one shoulder, a demon on the other, and a lot of dark secrets, some of which threaten to destroy her. In the end, it is her inherent humanity that helps her choose good over evil, even if she has to use demonic abilities and break into Hell to do it. Now all she has to do is find a way out.

Genres: Fantasy

245 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 25, 2020

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

[Sorina Ungureanu · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wildly original dark fantasy I didn’t want to put down

I’m a big fan of stories that open in the distant past and then suddenly drop you into the present – and Demon Spawn does this in the most thrilling way, with a 10,000-year leap from ancient times straight into today’s world.

Sahara is a character you can’t help but root for. She’s going through the worst moment of her life when she finds out (along with her husband and basically everyone else!) that her DNA is 50% angel... or demon. No one’s sure. Which might explain her dry, unexpected sense of humor that made me laugh out loud in the most intense moments.

And then there’s Maxiel. Her guardian angel. I’m officially obsessed. I’d like one, please.

The writing style is poetic and sharp, with plot twists that caught me completely off guard. The story is full of tension, heart, and a touch of surprise pregnancy – a trope I secretly love and didn’t expect to find in a book about angels and demons. But it works. So well.

I absolutely fell in love with Margie McDonnell Welsh’s Demonverse, and I’m so glad I discovered this book now – because I need to know what happens next.

[Lavinia Garner · Rating 5 out of 5]

so good loved it wanted to finish it in one sitting but unfortunately mother duties called to me and I couldn't but finished it that night when children went to bed

[Mike DeLucia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliantly Written and Full of Imagination

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I picked this up, but it hooked me right away with its original premise. The author clearly has a gift for creative storytelling. The story pulls you in quickly and keeps you curious from start to finish. It’s smart, creative, engaging, layered, and imaginative—a refreshing and original read!

[Susan Baranoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

O.M.G. what a hoot! Baldergate meets The Holy Bible!
This book was not at all what I expected from the cover or the title and I was so delightfully and happily surprised. With the wit of Christopher Moore, the cleverness of Jasper Fforde, and the vocabulary of William Buckley, Margie McDonnell Welsh has constructed a universe of delightful creatures, complex characters, a fistful of popular culture references that will have readers of a certain age howling with appreciation and recognition.
In a battle between good and evil, heaven and hell who will prevail? All the players in the Biblical pantheon will make an appearance in one way or another and what's a Nephilim caught in the middle to do? Not all the answers will appear in book one! Read on Macduff!

52Books Summer Reading Challenge 2024
Prompt #11: UNEVEN BARS: Series with uneven number of books

[Tracey Gerrard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic fantasy story!

This book definitely grabbed my attention from the beginning and kept me gripped until the very end. The author has done a smashing job of creating a fantasy world with good and evil, angels and demons and lots more in between. Demon Spawn is a well-written story with lots of tension and a cast of characters that you will love. Recommended!

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve just finished this book after saving it for my Christmas holiday read. Once started I didn’t want to put it down. The characters are instantly likeable and are developed nicely as the story progresses.

The plot line unfolds nicely with a few unexpected twists along the way. Margie blends biblical references with dark urban fantasy along with humour.

Definitely worth your time reading and I look forward to the next book.

[Ethel Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 Demon Spawn
I just finished reading "Demon Spawn" by Margie McDonnell Welsh. I bought the first three soft covered books -- and I am so glad I did!! For those who know me well, you know I'll read a cereal box if I cannot find something else to read. My tastes range from books about Angels, to Sci-Fi, fantasy, true crime, paranormal, mysteries, intrigue, anything by Ann McAffrey, National Geographic, Forgotten Realms, Jane Auel, etc.
Demon Spawn ticks ALL the boxes -- "there be dragons", there also be demons and angels, a Great Dane, and gates/doorways between dimensions, Heaven and Hell. There are human interactions compounded by Fallen Angels' angst and demons' interference. There are injustices, on many levels, and there is justice prevailing -- though not in ways you expect and perhaps not long term.
There are history lessons, current events, new world orders, law enforcement, information "leaks", those who have much, those who have nothing, and political intrigue. There is a ten thousand year old mystery to be revealed. There is forbidden love and all the pain and heartache that go with it. Every page or so I learned something new based on references that you'll have to read the book to discover.
The book started slow, for me, because there was a lot of back history that had to be spelled out in order for the rest of the stories, characters, and facts to make sense. It was so worth it! The characters are deep, especially the Fallen, pain, fear, hope and the "why's" behind them add to the rich and varied matrix of the story. There are stories within stories for the main characters. It would make a great movie and/or TV series.
Once I got through the slow beginning, the book became a binge-read -- I literally could not put it down!
I bought the paperbacks, so that I can reread them even if the power is out (yes, at one point I was using my cell phone flashlight app to read), and I want the old-school connection to the content. I promise you, there is something for everyone in this book and I highly recommend it to my friends and family. I honestly don't think you will be disappointed. It is an adult read, saved for later for my grandkids. Enjoy!!

Although the site (below) has this catergorized as "romance", and there is some romance in it, it is more of an adventure, paranormal, Angelic, Demonic, roller coaster ride, in my opinion. Why not read it and form your own opinion? It's a win win no matter what you think of it.

https://www.romance.io/series/605c8a3...

[Kirsty Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, full of great characters and a pace all of its own. This is a story not to be missed. I love Sahara and Maxiel, and am all looking forward to book two.

[Dekaydreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story, and will no doubt read the rest of the series. Interesting premise, with some better viewpoints on Western religion than I'm used to, and some great action along with romance. Still not really into the whole omnipotent, omniscient One God thing, especially since the evangelical crowd has turned everything and everyone "not them" into a reason to spew hatred and violence in the name of that God. Also, for an all-powerful, all-seeing being, God as depicted here is not so much of either of those things. Seems he might have been better off just floating about encompassing the universe instead of mucking about endlessly trying to create other beings, who, apparently, always wind up turning out evil -- even the angels...

My reason for four rather than five stars has more to do with misuse of homophones, and punctuation. Sorry, these are both things that my brain will snag on, and is, for me, a distraction from the flow.

[Frieda Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Demon Spawn

I must say that I like the way in which Ms. Welsh tackled this story. I am a Christian, & except for a touch of bad language which was so little that I actually just skipped over it, I have no issues with her book. We Christians have imaginations, too! The book includes Biblical passages from which the story was based, then she brought it into our time. Our world. The #1 takeaway I have though is that she points out the fact that NONE of us are all good or all bad! The Lord God Almighty made us all! Maybe the reason He tells us to not judge each other is because we are actually judging HIM, His Creation, without realizing it! I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series!

[Beth Hildenbrand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margie McDonnell Welsh has started me on my new favorite series!
The Nephilim have been outed in our world. Our main character Sahara, a Nephilim,is unwilling charged with becoming their defender. She finds herself caught between the emissaries of Heaven,Uriel and Hell, Maxiel.
While finding herself drawn to Maxiel, Sahara learns her own power.
With the help of a wicked cool Gardner and some bad ass scrabblies Sahara kicks ass, human, angel,and demon. This is a must, must read!
I've already purchased book two. I want some scrabblies of my very own. You don't want to miss this one!

[Phil Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite books I have read. I am an avid reader of all types of books and this one hit the jackpot. It was captivating, I couldn’t put it down. each character has their own personalities. The descriptions and actions of some you can almost believe you can actually see them .
Can’t wait to read her next book in the series.

[Cindy Gauthier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Right up my alley

I've loved the supernatural genre since I was a little girl, watching "Dark Shadows" with my mom.

This story kept me riveted from beginning to end. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series, and seeing where it all ends. Luckily, there's four more books. :)

[Joelene Hile · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoied this book! Its very fast paced, but the characters draw you in and you get attached quickly.

[L.D. McRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured it. The concept is unique. The dialogue has made me laugh, and boy are demon angels hot. It's slow burn and I'm still not certain who the FMC is going to end up with.

[Beatrix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully different

Demon Spawn is an exceptional book, so much so that I have read it twice and still find it difficult to do it justice with a single review. It was fast moving and easy to read, but still interesting with deep issues moving beneath the surface.

First of all I should say that it is rather wonderful to find a book with a clearly original idea, and yet here we have one. In the book of Genesis we learn of the Nephilim, part human, part divine. Let us imagine that their descendants still walk among us, their immortal roots forgotten down countless generations, until modern DNA technology alerts the world to their presence. And so the story begins, with a wave of public hysteria against those who are seen as somehow different.

I found the whole book wonderfully entertaining to read. Imagine a cop drama, where you sitting in a cell waiting for your lawyer to arrive and in walks an angel instead. That’s the kind of original creativity we are getting here, with both good angels and fallen angels playing out their parts on the streets of a city like Dallas.

On a higher level I was struck by how well planned this all was, part of a major conflict where the mundane world collides with the divine, throwing up issues both great and small. Both sides have plans, and within those plans there are lies, deceptions and misunderstandings.
I am not going to give you spoilers, but every chapter throws up enjoyable little twists. How do Angels and Demons get money? What sort of place would they find to rent?

There is also a serious moral side to the book, with characters struggling to deal with issues of good and evil, of freewill and determination, and matters of conscience.

The writing style is excellent as well, with nice descriptive passages;
“I had managed to weave my way around the stands of hardwood hickory and pecan trees, through fields of wild rye and yellow cone-flower.”

There are one-liners which grab your attention: “We have a problem in Purgatory…”

I was particularly enchanted by a sequence where time stands still for humans so that the divine agents can deal with something. It was so well described that I could feel it.

As the story develops to its climax there are full on action sequences and a good satisfying ending which leaves the door open to the other books in the series.

Oh, and there is romance, or at least, the possibilities for romance, but things don't always run smoothly when devils meet demons.

[V.E. Huntley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of books about angels and demons, particularly those that incorporate authentic lore. The author did so expertly in this book. To avoid spoilers, which I hate to give away in reviews, I'll keep this review brief.

The MFC, Sahara, is half human, half angel/demon, but she assumes she’s part demon. She's a strong, resilient character whose life has fallen apart due to the revelation of the Nephilim, people who have DNA markers showing they’re descendants of angel/demon and human couples. She has a guardian angel, who is a fallen angel, and I just love him. The banter between Sahara and Maxiel is perfection, as is the chemistry.

As Sahara tries to adjust to this new knowledge about her heritage and the turn her life has taken, the world is falling apart as Nephilim are being persecuted. There are secrets and a reason Sahara has her own guardian that the reader knows, partially, but Sahara doesn’t. God is playing with his children, and somehow Sahara is tied to his game.

The author wove all these threads and layers together beautifully. The book ends with a light cliffhanger, and I can’t wait to start book 2.

[Bruce Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book stands out as something different, which is always a good thing, especially when so much in the fantasy genre can be bland and derivative.

Demon Spawn had its own distinct style. It was modern, it was American, it was detailed but fast moving. It was easy to read but still interesting, and of course, it had some wicked romance. All of these things helped it to stand out as the work of a professional author, both experienced and enthusiastic.

The story begins with a police car and ends with a torture chamber. Along the way we encounter a variety of demons, devils, dogs, doctors and even the odd deity, but the real action centers around the Nephilim, a legendary caste first mentioned in the Old Testament.

One powerful and important aspect of the book, as a whole, is that it draws the reader into considering philosophical and emotive issues such as free will, as the various immortal entities try to work out what is going on.

This first book is the start of a major series, which is good news for those who are already hungry for the next volume.

[Lisa Deerwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Demon Spawn is an entertaining read about Sahara, a social worker who loses her job when it's discovered that some people have demon DNA and she is one of them. But in a twist of fate, Sahara is put in charge of foster children who are in the same situation. Sahara navigates this new reality under the guidance of an angel from heaven and an angel from hell.

The pacing is fast and the world building is well done. One thing to note, the author takes liberties with religion, and if someone is dogmatic about religion this would not be the book for them. But if you're looking for a fast paced, supernatural romance it's worth a read.

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great! I loved the take on the angel and demon thing. I happened to spot one of my favorite indi authors pitch this authors books so I picked this up.
DO NOT SKIP THE PROLOGUE!! Or you're going to want to put the book down at some point... Or maybe not if you're freaky lol. I almost was like oh hell no until I remembered the Prologue.
Sahara is an awesome character and such a good person. Idk how I feel about Max though. He's so stuck on duty. This book was a page turner and I loved it! Great read!

[M i c h e l l e G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re wanting a break from an overload of world building and slogging through at least half of a book before it gets good, this is a good series to try. I love that it’s centered around angels, fallen angels, the nephilim and God himself even makes an appearance. So far, so good