Genre: Horror
Reviewer: Maryann
Get It At Amazon | Publisher | Universal Buy Link
About The Book
A new kind of vampire…
Artist Ernst Doud has been living with his secrets for over a century: feeding, killing and creating art to assuage his guilt. All of that is about to change. Sergio, the lover that he turned decades before, the lost love that he thought he had killed to prevent him from turning into a monster, is back and hunting him.
Fearful that Sergio will destroy his friend Shelly, Doud takes her and goes on the run, only to find new dangers closing in. Even being a monster himself may not be enough to save them.
The Review
Hollywood in 1916 – two men wonder what it would be like being the only two left on earth.
Objects D is an eclectic gallery owned by Shelly. When a customer stops in, he expresses a particular style of paintings that are done by Doud. Shelly knows Doud doesn’t sell his paintings anymore. The last time he came into the gallery, he removed all of his paintings. Shelly tries to discourage the man, but says she’ll try to find Doud, and asks the man to check back the next day. The man leaves his card.
Ernst Doud doesn’t have any acquaintances or friends. He is very much alone, and that’s for the best. He’s an artist and has been in LA for six years, but he’s thinking it’s time to leave. He has a strange technique and substance that he uses to paint with. It causes much confusion for him, and he knows he needs to stop.
Shelly has known Doud for six years and considers him a friend, but doesn’t really know much about him. Regardless, they get along. When she finally contacts Doud, she tells him about the customer and gives him the man’s card. When he sees the name – Sergio Insana – he grabs Shelly and they go on the run. Shelly hasn’t got a clue as to why she’s been “sort of kidnapped” by Doud. But it’s the best way that he can protect her. He also knows he’s going to have to reveal himself to her. How is that possible, when he doesn’t even know what he really is?
He met the young Italian, Sergio, a long time ago. Doud thought they had made a connection. But Doud blames himself for what happened to Sergio. He knows what Sergio turned out to be, and he needs to take care of his mistake, a mistake which has had Doud hiding and missing so much of life, living with guilt, loneliness, fear and confusion. He’s been running from Sergio, but now he needs to find him.
Doud has a house on the outskirts of Barstow, and that’s where he and Shelly go. Then a terrifying experience happens at the house. As much as he tries to explain himself to Shelly, she can’t believe what she’s seen. Shelly, Doud and Sergio are up against a deranged terror, and they will have difficult choices to make.
M. Christian has penned a strange and spooky story with Running Dry, pitting human against the inhuman. It’s eerie, creepy, and has lots of gruesome, gory happenings and fight scenes. It’s at turns suspenseful, intense, horror-filled and a real page turner.
I liked Doud and felt sorry for him. He’s a sad soul who is conflicted because he finds himself doing the one thing he thought he wouldn’t do. He has to make difficult decisions and face what he’s been hiding for so long. He misunderstood Sergio for so long.
I liked Sergio too. The connection that they have is special. There’s no physical intimacy between Sergio and Doud, but emotionally it comes through loud and clear.
As for Shelly, just what is she looking for?
I highly recommend Running Dry – the excitement never stops, and its vampires are anything but stereotypical. It’s the first time I have read something by M. Christian, and it left me wanting more. Outstanding.
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.
