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Gothika #3
Claw
Gothika: Volume Three
Beasts lurk in the shadows of wild and forgotten places and in the hearts and souls of men. They are the stuff of dreams and nightmares, but are they feral and savage, or just misunderstood? Creatures of myth and legend stalk these tales of dark desire and animal passions. Three men come face-to-face with such creatures and find they are much more than they seem. While there is danger, there might be unexpected benefits as well, if they can accept the impossible and dare to venture into the primordial regions where nature and the beasts still reign. Three acclaimed authors of gay romance explore the boundaries between man and beast and the place where their worlds overlap.
Isolation by Jamie Fessenden
When Sean’s marriage breaks up, he returns to his hometown, hoping to find the childhood friend who meant everything to him in his teens. He finds Jack living in a cabin, surrounded by the forest he always loved, and the two begin to tentatively repair their damaged relationship. But a large animal has been seen prowling around the edge of town, and soon Sean comes face-to-face with the beast. Jack insists the creature isn't dangerous—it's been coming around the cabin for years. It isn't long, however, before Sean discovers a far more disturbing connection between his friend and the beast.
Transformation by Kim Fielding
After being caught in bed with another male student in 1886, Orris Spencer is declared an abomination by his wealthy father. Orris is promptly banished from their Fifth Avenue mansion and sent across the continent to Oregon. Now Orris must try to find a place for himself on his brother’s farm and figure out how to deal with life as a pioneer. When he’s called on to help protect the livestock from a predator, he’s not at all certain he’s up to the task. Then he meets Henry Bonn, a strange and intriguing man who lives in a cabin in the hills. Orris’s attraction to Henry may not be an abomination—but it may prove a greater danger than banishment.
The Black Dog by Eli Easton
Constable Hayden MacLairty is used to life being dull around the tiny hamlet of Laide on the north Scottish coast. They get occasional tourists, “monster hunters” interested in the local legend of the Black Dog, but Hayden thinks that’s only a myth. A rash of sheep killings, a murdered hiker, huge footprints, and sightings of the Black Dog force Hayden to rethink the matter. With the help of Simon Corto, a writer from New York doing research for a book about the Black Dog, Hayden tries to figure out why the enormous hound is reappearing. Hayden finds himself strongly attracted to another person for the first time in his life. But between the danger stalking the hills, Simon’s inevitable return to New York, and Hayden’s mother’s illness, true love may be more of a phantom than the Black Dog.
Beasts lurk in the shadows of wild and forgotten places and in the hearts and souls of men. They are the stuff of dreams and nightmares, but are they feral and savage, or just misunderstood? Creatures of myth and legend stalk these tales of dark desire and animal passions. Three men come face-to-face with such creatures and find they are much more than they seem. While there is danger, there might be unexpected benefits as well, if they can accept the impossible and dare to venture into the primordial regions where nature and the beasts still reign. Three acclaimed authors of gay romance explore the boundaries between man and beast and the place where their worlds overlap.
Isolation by Jamie Fessenden
When Sean’s marriage breaks up, he returns to his hometown, hoping to find the childhood friend who meant everything to him in his teens. He finds Jack living in a cabin, surrounded by the forest he always loved, and the two begin to tentatively repair their damaged relationship. But a large animal has been seen prowling around the edge of town, and soon Sean comes face-to-face with the beast. Jack insists the creature isn't dangerous—it's been coming around the cabin for years. It isn't long, however, before Sean discovers a far more disturbing connection between his friend and the beast.
Transformation by Kim Fielding
After being caught in bed with another male student in 1886, Orris Spencer is declared an abomination by his wealthy father. Orris is promptly banished from their Fifth Avenue mansion and sent across the continent to Oregon. Now Orris must try to find a place for himself on his brother’s farm and figure out how to deal with life as a pioneer. When he’s called on to help protect the livestock from a predator, he’s not at all certain he’s up to the task. Then he meets Henry Bonn, a strange and intriguing man who lives in a cabin in the hills. Orris’s attraction to Henry may not be an abomination—but it may prove a greater danger than banishment.
The Black Dog by Eli Easton
Constable Hayden MacLairty is used to life being dull around the tiny hamlet of Laide on the north Scottish coast. They get occasional tourists, “monster hunters” interested in the local legend of the Black Dog, but Hayden thinks that’s only a myth. A rash of sheep killings, a murdered hiker, huge footprints, and sightings of the Black Dog force Hayden to rethink the matter. With the help of Simon Corto, a writer from New York doing research for a book about the Black Dog, Hayden tries to figure out why the enormous hound is reappearing. Hayden finds himself strongly attracted to another person for the first time in his life. But between the danger stalking the hills, Simon’s inevitable return to New York, and Hayden’s mother’s illness, true love may be more of a phantom than the Black Dog.
220 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 13, 2015
4 people are currently reading
264 people want to read
About the author
Eli Easton
83 books2,806 followersHaving been, at various times and under different names, a minister’s daughter, a computer programmer, the author of paranormal mysteries, a game designer, an organic farmer, an avid hiker, and a profound sleeper, Eli is happily embarking on yet another incarnation as a m/m romance author.
As an addicted reader of such, she is tinkled pink when an author manages to combine literary merit, vast stores of humor, melting hotness and eye-dabbing sweetness into one story. She promises to strive to achieve most of that most of the time. She currently lives on a farm in Pennsylvania with her husband, three bulldogs, three cows and six chickens. All of them (except for the husband) are female, hence explaining the naked men that have taken up residence in her latest fiction writing.
Her website in www.elieaston.com
You can email her at eli@elieaston.com
COMING SOON:
See what's in the pipeline here: http://elieaston.com/work-in-progress/
As an addicted reader of such, she is tinkled pink when an author manages to combine literary merit, vast stores of humor, melting hotness and eye-dabbing sweetness into one story. She promises to strive to achieve most of that most of the time. She currently lives on a farm in Pennsylvania with her husband, three bulldogs, three cows and six chickens. All of them (except for the husband) are female, hence explaining the naked men that have taken up residence in her latest fiction writing.
Her website in www.elieaston.com
You can email her at eli@elieaston.com
COMING SOON:
See what's in the pipeline here: http://elieaston.com/work-in-progress/
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
April 10, 2015
3.6 rounded up to 4
Claw is the third installment in Dreamspinner's Gothika series, which includes:
and
Stich features two incredible stories from Fielding and Easton, but both of these anthologies include a weaker "throw-away" story from a fourth author.
Claw is comprised of three stories by solid authors in the genre.
Eli Easton's The Black Dog and Jamie Fessenden's Isolation are contemporary, while Kim Fielding's Transformation is set in the 1880s.
All three involve wolf/canine shifters, have a mystery central to the story, and are fairly low steam (one smexy scene in each story).
Fessenden's story (~3 stars~) is creepy and sets a brooding tone, but I felt no connection to the MCs. I also didn't care for the non-ending, which leaves the reader with more questions than answers.
Fielding's story (~4 stars~) draws a realistic portrayal of Western frontier life during the late 19th century in Oregon. This is a poignant story about a man finding his way and opening his heart to something he yearns for but doesn't understand. One of the MCs, Orris (whose POV filters the narrative), is beautifully sketched, but I wanted to know more about Henry, the other MC, and found the epilogue too abstract.
Easton's story (~4 stars~) is probably my favorite, partly because one of the MCs is Scottish and (sort of) a Ginger. I couldn't figure out the mystery of the Black Dog, so this one had me guessing until the reveal at the end. This story also has the most romantic setting (hello, Scotland!), best slow burn, and strongest epilogue.
Overall, this is a solid anthology with three enjoyable stories featuring shifters. I highly recommend for lovers of paranormal who like a bit of bite with their romance.
Plus, the covers in this series are mesmerizing!
Claw is the third installment in Dreamspinner's Gothika series, which includes:
and
Stich features two incredible stories from Fielding and Easton, but both of these anthologies include a weaker "throw-away" story from a fourth author.
Claw is comprised of three stories by solid authors in the genre.
Eli Easton's The Black Dog and Jamie Fessenden's Isolation are contemporary, while Kim Fielding's Transformation is set in the 1880s.
All three involve wolf/canine shifters, have a mystery central to the story, and are fairly low steam (one smexy scene in each story).
Fessenden's story (~3 stars~) is creepy and sets a brooding tone, but I felt no connection to the MCs. I also didn't care for the non-ending, which leaves the reader with more questions than answers.
Fielding's story (~4 stars~) draws a realistic portrayal of Western frontier life during the late 19th century in Oregon. This is a poignant story about a man finding his way and opening his heart to something he yearns for but doesn't understand. One of the MCs, Orris (whose POV filters the narrative), is beautifully sketched, but I wanted to know more about Henry, the other MC, and found the epilogue too abstract.
Easton's story (~4 stars~) is probably my favorite, partly because one of the MCs is Scottish and (sort of) a Ginger. I couldn't figure out the mystery of the Black Dog, so this one had me guessing until the reveal at the end. This story also has the most romantic setting (hello, Scotland!), best slow burn, and strongest epilogue.
Overall, this is a solid anthology with three enjoyable stories featuring shifters. I highly recommend for lovers of paranormal who like a bit of bite with their romance.
Plus, the covers in this series are mesmerizing!
March 11, 2017
* I’ve read only The Black Dog by Eli Easton.
It is an excellent story by Eli Easton again. Beautiful scenery, gripping plot, likeable characters and a great mystery - the twist was really unexpected and surprising.
It is an excellent story by Eli Easton again. Beautiful scenery, gripping plot, likeable characters and a great mystery - the twist was really unexpected and surprising.
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April 18, 2015I loved writing "The Black Dog", my novella in Claw. Check out my desktop post to see what inspired the story. There's also a link to an excerpt.
http://elieaston.com/desktop-the-blac...
http://elieaston.com/desktop-the-blac...
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April 19, 2015I'm so excited to be included in the third Gothika book! I've always loved shifters, especially good old fashioned werewolves. And for those who have read my Bones series, here's a little secret: my story in this book, "Transformation", tells you how werewolves first arrived in Oregon. Unlike the Bones series, however, this story takes place in the 1880s, and it has a decidedly more gothic feel.
August 18, 2015
BR with Mish!
4 stars for the anthology as a whole.
As usual from this anthology series, Eli Easton and Kim Fielding carried the book. Gothika #4 is in the works for release sometime in the fall, so I'll be looking forward to that!
The Black Dog by Eli Easton
Rating: 4.25 stars
Date read: May 10, 2015
Eli Easton's story is quite different from the other two. Based on the Scottish myth of the Cù Sìth, 'The Black Dog' is set in the Scottish Highlands and is told from the dual POV of Scottish police constable Hayden MacLairty and American author Simon Corto. Getting the story from both sides was great. The two get off to a rocky start, but that's quickly followed by a hilariously awkward flirtation. There's also a lot more plot here than in the other two stories, which made it a more interesting. I thought that the plot and romance were well-balanced, and Hayden and Simon were a well-matched pair. Overall, I really liked this short, and it's my favourite from this anthology.
Transformation by Kim Fielding
Rating: 4 stars
Date read: May 9, 2015
I really liked this historical shifter story. There's a bit of a melancholy feel to it that made me root for Orris and Henry. I also liked how Kim Fielding incorporated Samuel and his family in to the story. They're a happy family and accept Orris, but there's also an acknowledgement of how tough pioneer life on the edges of society was. I could have done with more screen time with Orris and Henry together, but in the end I was just happy that the two had found each other.
Isolation by Jamie Fessenden
Rating: 3 stars
Date read: May 8, 2015
This is my first read by Jamie Fessenden, so I wasn't really sure what to expect. Overall, I enjoyed the short story. It was a sweet reunited-friends-to-lovers tale. Had this been a full-length novel, I'm sure Sean's inability to admit his feelings for Jack would have really annoyed. But since it was so short, it didn't bother me much and provided a good amount of angst. However, I didn't care for the ending, which was very unfinished and left me with a lot of questions.
4 stars for the anthology as a whole.
As usual from this anthology series, Eli Easton and Kim Fielding carried the book. Gothika #4 is in the works for release sometime in the fall, so I'll be looking forward to that!
The Black Dog by Eli Easton
Rating: 4.25 stars
Date read: May 10, 2015
Eli Easton's story is quite different from the other two. Based on the Scottish myth of the Cù Sìth, 'The Black Dog' is set in the Scottish Highlands and is told from the dual POV of Scottish police constable Hayden MacLairty and American author Simon Corto. Getting the story from both sides was great. The two get off to a rocky start, but that's quickly followed by a hilariously awkward flirtation. There's also a lot more plot here than in the other two stories, which made it a more interesting. I thought that the plot and romance were well-balanced, and Hayden and Simon were a well-matched pair. Overall, I really liked this short, and it's my favourite from this anthology.
Transformation by Kim Fielding
Rating: 4 stars
Date read: May 9, 2015
I really liked this historical shifter story. There's a bit of a melancholy feel to it that made me root for Orris and Henry. I also liked how Kim Fielding incorporated Samuel and his family in to the story. They're a happy family and accept Orris, but there's also an acknowledgement of how tough pioneer life on the edges of society was. I could have done with more screen time with Orris and Henry together, but in the end I was just happy that the two had found each other.
Isolation by Jamie Fessenden
Rating: 3 stars
Date read: May 8, 2015
This is my first read by Jamie Fessenden, so I wasn't really sure what to expect. Overall, I enjoyed the short story. It was a sweet reunited-friends-to-lovers tale. Had this been a full-length novel, I'm sure Sean's inability to admit his feelings for Jack would have really annoyed. But since it was so short, it didn't bother me much and provided a good amount of angst. However, I didn't care for the ending, which was very unfinished and left me with a lot of questions.
May 7, 2015
Isolation by Jamie Fessenden (P. 8-53) - 2.75 stars This story was okay, but probably my least favorite of the three (which I hate saying, because I love Jamie Fessenden). I think the reasons were 1) I didn't like Sean all that much 2) I didn't think there was any valid change that would justify when Jack went from "no, we can't" to "sure, why not" 3) the happy ending took until the very end and 4) it's an alternative happy ending which sometimes works for me, I appreciated the twist but I guess I would have liked to get to actually see the final reconciliation and not just have it alluded to with a sort-of cryptic non-ending.
Transformation by Kim Fielding (P. 55-118) - 3 stars I liked this story. Enjoyed watching Orris grow and change, and appreciated the 'wild' aspect of the shifter(s). The things that kept it from being a 4 star read for me were 1) a little too much time spent with Orris and Samuel tending the farm. While I liked this aspect, it made up too large a part of the story. And 2) the resolution. I'm not really sure why Orris couldn't have it all , and he seemed too changed in the Epilogue .
Lastly... on the one hand, I appreciate the magical quality to Orris's discovery. It was interesting to see him pick up on things and change slightly, showing an understanding of things that he hadn't previously. However, on the other hand, being the modern girl that I am, I couldn't help but think "communication!" Is there some reason we can't actually talk about this, it seemed like shifter-who-shall-not-be-named. Why with the vagueness? But again, it did make things more dramatic.
The Black Dog by Eli Easton (P. 120-201) - 4 stars What a beautiful story. I was honestly kept guessing the entire time as to the nature of the myth. Is it real or fantasy? Is it a person or an animal?
I enjoyed watching Hayden and Simon develop a friendship, and then more. Even though it was slow, it felt like the right pace. And even though chronologically it probably happened fast, it didn't feel rushed.
I also love hearing the Scottish brogue in my head as I read, although I wish the author would have written the accent phonetically to ensure we were reading the pronunciation properly. It was done on a few words, and really read wonderfully.
Received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, reviewed for Hearts On Fire
Transformation by Kim Fielding (P. 55-118) - 3 stars I liked this story. Enjoyed watching Orris grow and change, and appreciated the 'wild' aspect of the shifter(s). The things that kept it from being a 4 star read for me were 1) a little too much time spent with Orris and Samuel tending the farm. While I liked this aspect, it made up too large a part of the story. And 2) the resolution. I'm not really sure why Orris couldn't have it all , and he seemed too changed in the Epilogue .
Lastly... on the one hand, I appreciate the magical quality to Orris's discovery. It was interesting to see him pick up on things and change slightly, showing an understanding of things that he hadn't previously. However, on the other hand, being the modern girl that I am, I couldn't help but think "communication!" Is there some reason we can't actually talk about this, it seemed like shifter-who-shall-not-be-named. Why with the vagueness? But again, it did make things more dramatic.
The Black Dog by Eli Easton (P. 120-201) - 4 stars What a beautiful story. I was honestly kept guessing the entire time as to the nature of the myth. Is it real or fantasy? Is it a person or an animal?
I enjoyed watching Hayden and Simon develop a friendship, and then more. Even though it was slow, it felt like the right pace. And even though chronologically it probably happened fast, it didn't feel rushed.
I also love hearing the Scottish brogue in my head as I read, although I wish the author would have written the accent phonetically to ensure we were reading the pronunciation properly. It was done on a few words, and really read wonderfully.
Received from the publisher in exchange for an honest review, reviewed for Hearts On Fire
November 11, 2016
Mostly new authors to me. I enjoyed this!
June 2, 2015
Considering how much I love me some m/m shifter stories, this was a bit of a disappointment.
Isolation by Jamie Fessenden - 2 stars. I just did not like this one. I didn't like Sean and honestly never really warmed up to Jack either.
Transformation by Kim Fielding - 3 stars. I usually enjoy this author's stories, and while I enjoyed this one, I didn't really like the ending.
The Black Dog by Eli Easton - 5 stars. Hands down the best story in this book. Loved the characters, the setting, and the romance.
Isolation by Jamie Fessenden - 2 stars. I just did not like this one. I didn't like Sean and honestly never really warmed up to Jack either.
Transformation by Kim Fielding - 3 stars. I usually enjoy this author's stories, and while I enjoyed this one, I didn't really like the ending.
The Black Dog by Eli Easton - 5 stars. Hands down the best story in this book. Loved the characters, the setting, and the romance.
April 18, 2015
5 heart review by Vicki
Isolation – Jamie Fessenden
Sean Shows up at Jack’s cabin in the woods, hoping to reunite with his best friend and lover. The two grew up together, experimented sexually together, but Sean freaked out and married a woman instead of staying with Jack. Now, years later, he is hoping to get Jack back. Jack has other ideas though. There has been a significant change in his life, and he can’t see how Sean can fit in now.
This is a great story! A little bittersweet feeling for most of it, Sean really has blown his chance with Jack, or so it seems, there is something just a bit sad about it all. Sean tries, but Jack resists. Jack has changed, he was always in to the forest when they were kids together, but even more so now. He’s somewhat withdrawn. There is also an animal that scares Sean a couple of times, and has been scaring the locals as well, and Jack has developed an interest in werewolves…
I really need to read more books by Jamie Fessenden. I think I said that after the last anthology by this crew I read, I loved his story in that one as well. His writing is fantastic, slow and smooth. I liked that this had a limited plot and characters, it’s a short story and it worked very well. It’s not busy and frantic like some stories this length are. Jamie fits in just what he is supposed to in this one. A great story about men trying to reunite after a very long break.
Rating: 4.5 hearts
Transformation – Kim Fielding
Oh…. such a good story. This one is just a little dark too.
Kim Fielding gives us a historical story this time, set in the late 1800’s in Beaverton Oregon. Orris has been banished from his family home in New York City, after having been caught in the act with his lover Daniel. Daniel is sent to Europe, Orris sent to the wilds of the pacific northwest. Orris joins his brother Samuel and his family, on their small farm, trying to adapt to a pioneer life after his world has come undone. He’s a scholar not a farmer. But he does his best to help. Samuel has lost a lamb to a wild animal, and fears of coyotes or wolves surround the small community. Orris agrees to watch over the animals at night, even knowing he can’t shoot. He is confronted by a pair of animals one night that fascinate as well as terrify him.
I loved this story! Like Jamie’s story, it is slow and gentle, and a little sad as well. Orris has lost everything, until the end when he gets what he needs. He goes through one hell of a transformation, physically, emotionally, and mentally. I loved his relationship with his brother, Samuel really cares about Orris, and wants to help him, offering him a permanent home on his farm. But there is another plan for Orris’s future.
Kim writes a beautiful story, this one is just perfect.
Rating: 4.5 hearts
The Black Dog – Eli Easton
This story is set in a small town in Scotland, and features Hayden, the local constable, and Simon, a writer from the US. Hayden is the seventh son of a seventh son, the only one who stayed Laide, caring for his aging mother who now has dementia. He is the only constable, it’s a pretty small town, and not much happens. Until one summer day he’s called out to look at some dead sheep. A farmer has had something rip apart four of his sheep, he thinks it’s the Black Dog, a local mythical creature. Hayden isn’t so sure, but takes the sheep off to be looked at by a vet. He does decide to watch over the farm that night, to see if he can see anything…
What he captures that night is Simon!
Simon is a writer from the US, in Laide researching and writing his next book, which is on the legend of the Black Dog. Hayden realizes this may be a way to get some tourists interested in their little town, and agrees to help Simon. After spending some time with Simon, Hayden decides he needs to do his job and heads out for a drive around town. He finds a woman walking down the road whose husband has died. Hayden heads out and determines it’s an animal that has killed them man.
This gets us to the heart of this incredible story! What is the Black Dog? Is it real? How can this be? I was completely blown away by this story. I’m trying to dance around giving anything away… I didn’t see “it” coming, I was quite surprised! I loved that. So we have the mystery of the Black Dog, we have the issue with Hayden’s sick mother and how he can care for her while working, and we have the love growing between Hayden and Simon. It was awesome!
I loved this story, the plot was exciting and interesting, and Eli mentioned one of my favorite authors! The characters were fantastic, I loved the calm strength of Hayden, and the feisty spirit of Simon. There isn’t much sex, but what there is was hot and good. The solution to they mystery was perfect, I didn’t see it coming at all. The ending was exactly right. Loved it!
Rating: 5 hearts
OVERALL REVIEW:
WOW! I loved all of these stories! They were each unique from the other stories, and unique in their handling of the werewolf legend. All three were well written and well thought out. The length of each was perfect, I love these anthologies with fewer, longer stories. It gives us enough time to get in to a story, but we still get multiple stories around a theme. I didn’t read the first one, Stitch, I need to now. I read and loved Bones, and this one is just as good, if not better. If you are not familiar with these authors, this would be a fantastic way to read something by them. If you are in to werewolves but are getting tired of the same old stories, these stories are not like those! Read this book!
Isolation – Jamie Fessenden
Sean Shows up at Jack’s cabin in the woods, hoping to reunite with his best friend and lover. The two grew up together, experimented sexually together, but Sean freaked out and married a woman instead of staying with Jack. Now, years later, he is hoping to get Jack back. Jack has other ideas though. There has been a significant change in his life, and he can’t see how Sean can fit in now.
This is a great story! A little bittersweet feeling for most of it, Sean really has blown his chance with Jack, or so it seems, there is something just a bit sad about it all. Sean tries, but Jack resists. Jack has changed, he was always in to the forest when they were kids together, but even more so now. He’s somewhat withdrawn. There is also an animal that scares Sean a couple of times, and has been scaring the locals as well, and Jack has developed an interest in werewolves…
I really need to read more books by Jamie Fessenden. I think I said that after the last anthology by this crew I read, I loved his story in that one as well. His writing is fantastic, slow and smooth. I liked that this had a limited plot and characters, it’s a short story and it worked very well. It’s not busy and frantic like some stories this length are. Jamie fits in just what he is supposed to in this one. A great story about men trying to reunite after a very long break.
Rating: 4.5 hearts
Transformation – Kim Fielding
Oh…. such a good story. This one is just a little dark too.
Kim Fielding gives us a historical story this time, set in the late 1800’s in Beaverton Oregon. Orris has been banished from his family home in New York City, after having been caught in the act with his lover Daniel. Daniel is sent to Europe, Orris sent to the wilds of the pacific northwest. Orris joins his brother Samuel and his family, on their small farm, trying to adapt to a pioneer life after his world has come undone. He’s a scholar not a farmer. But he does his best to help. Samuel has lost a lamb to a wild animal, and fears of coyotes or wolves surround the small community. Orris agrees to watch over the animals at night, even knowing he can’t shoot. He is confronted by a pair of animals one night that fascinate as well as terrify him.
I loved this story! Like Jamie’s story, it is slow and gentle, and a little sad as well. Orris has lost everything, until the end when he gets what he needs. He goes through one hell of a transformation, physically, emotionally, and mentally. I loved his relationship with his brother, Samuel really cares about Orris, and wants to help him, offering him a permanent home on his farm. But there is another plan for Orris’s future.
Kim writes a beautiful story, this one is just perfect.
Rating: 4.5 hearts
The Black Dog – Eli Easton
This story is set in a small town in Scotland, and features Hayden, the local constable, and Simon, a writer from the US. Hayden is the seventh son of a seventh son, the only one who stayed Laide, caring for his aging mother who now has dementia. He is the only constable, it’s a pretty small town, and not much happens. Until one summer day he’s called out to look at some dead sheep. A farmer has had something rip apart four of his sheep, he thinks it’s the Black Dog, a local mythical creature. Hayden isn’t so sure, but takes the sheep off to be looked at by a vet. He does decide to watch over the farm that night, to see if he can see anything…
What he captures that night is Simon!
Simon is a writer from the US, in Laide researching and writing his next book, which is on the legend of the Black Dog. Hayden realizes this may be a way to get some tourists interested in their little town, and agrees to help Simon. After spending some time with Simon, Hayden decides he needs to do his job and heads out for a drive around town. He finds a woman walking down the road whose husband has died. Hayden heads out and determines it’s an animal that has killed them man.
This gets us to the heart of this incredible story! What is the Black Dog? Is it real? How can this be? I was completely blown away by this story. I’m trying to dance around giving anything away… I didn’t see “it” coming, I was quite surprised! I loved that. So we have the mystery of the Black Dog, we have the issue with Hayden’s sick mother and how he can care for her while working, and we have the love growing between Hayden and Simon. It was awesome!
I loved this story, the plot was exciting and interesting, and Eli mentioned one of my favorite authors! The characters were fantastic, I loved the calm strength of Hayden, and the feisty spirit of Simon. There isn’t much sex, but what there is was hot and good. The solution to they mystery was perfect, I didn’t see it coming at all. The ending was exactly right. Loved it!
Rating: 5 hearts
OVERALL REVIEW:
WOW! I loved all of these stories! They were each unique from the other stories, and unique in their handling of the werewolf legend. All three were well written and well thought out. The length of each was perfect, I love these anthologies with fewer, longer stories. It gives us enough time to get in to a story, but we still get multiple stories around a theme. I didn’t read the first one, Stitch, I need to now. I read and loved Bones, and this one is just as good, if not better. If you are not familiar with these authors, this would be a fantastic way to read something by them. If you are in to werewolves but are getting tired of the same old stories, these stories are not like those! Read this book!
December 10, 2015
4.5 Stars ~ fan of the 'Gothika' anthologies as I'm constantly fascinated by the weird, the unusual, the supernatural, and the paranormal. For those of you who know me, I'm sure you're not surprised in the least. Since the previous two anthologies gave me fabulous stories, I was excited to see what Eli Easton, Jamie Fessenden, and Kim Fielding had in store for me.
Isolation by Jamie Fessenden
Sean made a big mistake four years ago when he ran from Jack and what they had. He couldn't reconcile the idea of being gay, so he went to college, met a girl, and married during his sophomore year. Now he's divorced and he's come back, hoping to fix everything with Jack so the relationship they should have had can begin. Jack is living all alone, way out in the forest in a cabin, doing handyman work around their small town. He's surprised to see Sean, but he accepts his apology, lets Sean sleep on the couch, and tells him it's too late for them. What?
Something really weird is going on, reminding Sean of the strange whispering he and Jack used to hear in the woods growing up. Sean was afraid of it, but Jack was entranced, fascinated, claiming the forest wanted them to come and join with it. But Jack was always happiest in the woods, while Sean was only okay as long as he was with Jack. And after the first night Sean meets the creature, so to speak, he doesn't know what to think, and talking to Jack isn't helping.
An incredible story with a very different twist to the lore of werewolves. I'll admit I didn't care for Sean very much, but he redeemed himself at the end. The author left me wondering, and normally I don't care for that, but in this instance it was perfect. Thank you, Jamie.
Transformation by Kim Fielding
"In a quiet voice, Orris admitted his greatest sorrow. “I’ll never be loved. I’ll never belong to someone, or have him belong to me.”
The seventh son of a seventh son, Orris is found in bed with another man and banished three thousand miles away, to his oldest brother, Samuel's, and his family's farm in rural Oregon. It is the late 1800s and Orris's behavior is an abomination and not to be allowed, although he finds an ally in Samuel who doesn't think too highly of their father and high society. Orris had been studying to be a professor so he is very far out of his element on a farm, not knowing carpentry, how to care for animals, or shoot a gun at predators. Life is hard and lonely.
Orris meets Henry, a neighbor who lives up in the hills and hunts for a living, and there's something about him that draws Orris. He doesn't understand Henry's words sometimes, as if there's an underlying hidden meaning. Orris only knows that he's never wanted anyone the way he wants Henry, and when the feeling is returned, these two men explore their possibilities. But in order to be with Henry, to be changed by Henry, Orris has to give up everything including his brother and the home he's made with them.
I absolutely adored this story. The simplicity of it called to me, I think, as did the beauty of the telling of Orris and Henry's love. Thank you, Kim, you never cease to amaze me.
The Black Dog by Eli Easton
Hayden is the constable in a tiny town in Northern Scotland where the legend of the black dog has existed for what seems like forever. Hayden is the youngest of seven boys, and the only one who stayed in the area, and he now cares for his elderly mother who has dementia. His life is routine, structure, responsibility, and lonely. Very, very lonely. Until the night he meets Simon while out guarding some sheep from an unknown predator. Simon is an American author who writes fiction based around real life legends and he's in Scotland to write about the black dog.
Suddenly very strange and horrible things are happening in and around Laide, and Hayden doesn't know what to make of it all. A young couple from London camping out by the loch get attacked by an animal and the husband is killed, his throat torn right out. More and more people are claiming to see a large, black, vicious animal, and Simon has done research into the history of the legend only to discover some of the descendants still live in the area. Could it be true? Could some of them change into the black dog?
Running around trying to find answers and keep people safe doesn't leave a lot of time for getting to know someone, but Hayden and Simon do their best. Even with Hayden's fears about how his townspeople might respond, he can't help but feel the attraction. But when Hayden discovers the truth, what will happen to him and the man he's grown to love?
Oh wow, Eli. Just, wow. You outdid yourself here. I loved every moment of this story. I was amazed at the twist ~ I never saw it coming. Thank you, so much, Eli, I loved it!
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
Isolation by Jamie Fessenden
Sean made a big mistake four years ago when he ran from Jack and what they had. He couldn't reconcile the idea of being gay, so he went to college, met a girl, and married during his sophomore year. Now he's divorced and he's come back, hoping to fix everything with Jack so the relationship they should have had can begin. Jack is living all alone, way out in the forest in a cabin, doing handyman work around their small town. He's surprised to see Sean, but he accepts his apology, lets Sean sleep on the couch, and tells him it's too late for them. What?
Something really weird is going on, reminding Sean of the strange whispering he and Jack used to hear in the woods growing up. Sean was afraid of it, but Jack was entranced, fascinated, claiming the forest wanted them to come and join with it. But Jack was always happiest in the woods, while Sean was only okay as long as he was with Jack. And after the first night Sean meets the creature, so to speak, he doesn't know what to think, and talking to Jack isn't helping.
An incredible story with a very different twist to the lore of werewolves. I'll admit I didn't care for Sean very much, but he redeemed himself at the end. The author left me wondering, and normally I don't care for that, but in this instance it was perfect. Thank you, Jamie.
Transformation by Kim Fielding
"In a quiet voice, Orris admitted his greatest sorrow. “I’ll never be loved. I’ll never belong to someone, or have him belong to me.”
The seventh son of a seventh son, Orris is found in bed with another man and banished three thousand miles away, to his oldest brother, Samuel's, and his family's farm in rural Oregon. It is the late 1800s and Orris's behavior is an abomination and not to be allowed, although he finds an ally in Samuel who doesn't think too highly of their father and high society. Orris had been studying to be a professor so he is very far out of his element on a farm, not knowing carpentry, how to care for animals, or shoot a gun at predators. Life is hard and lonely.
Orris meets Henry, a neighbor who lives up in the hills and hunts for a living, and there's something about him that draws Orris. He doesn't understand Henry's words sometimes, as if there's an underlying hidden meaning. Orris only knows that he's never wanted anyone the way he wants Henry, and when the feeling is returned, these two men explore their possibilities. But in order to be with Henry, to be changed by Henry, Orris has to give up everything including his brother and the home he's made with them.
I absolutely adored this story. The simplicity of it called to me, I think, as did the beauty of the telling of Orris and Henry's love. Thank you, Kim, you never cease to amaze me.
The Black Dog by Eli Easton
Hayden is the constable in a tiny town in Northern Scotland where the legend of the black dog has existed for what seems like forever. Hayden is the youngest of seven boys, and the only one who stayed in the area, and he now cares for his elderly mother who has dementia. His life is routine, structure, responsibility, and lonely. Very, very lonely. Until the night he meets Simon while out guarding some sheep from an unknown predator. Simon is an American author who writes fiction based around real life legends and he's in Scotland to write about the black dog.
Suddenly very strange and horrible things are happening in and around Laide, and Hayden doesn't know what to make of it all. A young couple from London camping out by the loch get attacked by an animal and the husband is killed, his throat torn right out. More and more people are claiming to see a large, black, vicious animal, and Simon has done research into the history of the legend only to discover some of the descendants still live in the area. Could it be true? Could some of them change into the black dog?
Running around trying to find answers and keep people safe doesn't leave a lot of time for getting to know someone, but Hayden and Simon do their best. Even with Hayden's fears about how his townspeople might respond, he can't help but feel the attraction. But when Hayden discovers the truth, what will happen to him and the man he's grown to love?
Oh wow, Eli. Just, wow. You outdid yourself here. I loved every moment of this story. I was amazed at the twist ~ I never saw it coming. Thank you, so much, Eli, I loved it!
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews
April 28, 2015
Isolation by Jamie Fessenden- 3 stars.
Transformation by Kim Fielding - 3 stars.
The writing is good, but the author absolutely skimped on details of the world-building. And the whole leaving for the wilderness and no contact with Orris's brother left me sad, somehow.
The Black Dog by Eli Easton - 3.5 stars.
A nice mystery, and the setting was sufficiently gothic. Best novella of the bunch.
Transformation by Kim Fielding - 3 stars.
The writing is good, but the author absolutely skimped on details of the world-building. And the whole leaving for the wilderness and no contact with Orris's brother left me sad, somehow.
The Black Dog by Eli Easton - 3.5 stars.
A nice mystery, and the setting was sufficiently gothic. Best novella of the bunch.
April 18, 2015
Loved all three stories!
April 23, 2015
Isolation by Jamie Fessenden - 2.5 stars
Первая история понравилась мне меньше остальных, т.к. главные герои не вызвали симпатии. Что Шон, который в попытке быть нормальным уехал от своего лучшего друга - любовника, женился и вообще прекратил всякие контакты на 4 года. Что Джек, который просто тихо принимал все, что Шон ему преподносил. И когда после этого Шон вернулся с ожиданиями, что его примут с распростертыми обьятиями, я была в неприятном недоумении. И дальше уже радости от прочтения особой не было, хоть интерес, как все разрешится, остался. И что? Автор оборвал концовку, оставил только намек на воссоединение и возможный HEA. Да ну...
Transformation by Kim Fielding - 3.5 stars
Вот это уже было интересно. Главный герой Оррис мне понравился. Он вызвал сочувствие - почти вся семья отказалась от него из-за его любовных предпочтений, его выгнали из университета и отчего дома без работы и средств к существованию. И принял его только брат, который тоже был белой вороной в семье, хоть и по другим причинам. Оррис адаптировался к жизни на ферме вместо привычных книг и городской жизни в доме со слугами.
Но у этой истории два минуса. Первый - это Генри. Как, что, почему? Слишком много вопросов о природе его сущности. Информация дается совсем мизерная. И второй минус - опять концовка. Снова не было долгожданной сцены воссоединения, и эпилог тоже оказался не удовлетворительным.
The Black Dog by Eli Easton - 4 stars
Ну Истон снова порадовала. Мне понравились оба главным героя. Шотландский констебль Хэйден - огромный как гора и американский писатель Саймон - честный и смелый. Химия между ними чувствовалась, а инста-лав я обосновала для себя паранормальностью. Маленький шотландский городок со своими тайнами был описан отлично, и мистика сюжета мне тоже понравилась. И, наконец, полноценные концовка и эпилог!
Итого - 3 звезды.
Первая история понравилась мне меньше остальных, т.к. главные герои не вызвали симпатии. Что Шон, который в попытке быть нормальным уехал от своего лучшего друга - любовника, женился и вообще прекратил всякие контакты на 4 года. Что Джек, который просто тихо принимал все, что Шон ему преподносил. И когда после этого Шон вернулся с ожиданиями, что его примут с распростертыми обьятиями, я была в неприятном недоумении. И дальше уже радости от прочтения особой не было, хоть интерес, как все разрешится, остался. И что? Автор оборвал концовку, оставил только намек на воссоединение и возможный HEA. Да ну...
Transformation by Kim Fielding - 3.5 stars
Вот это уже было интересно. Главный герой Оррис мне понравился. Он вызвал сочувствие - почти вся семья отказалась от него из-за его любовных предпочтений, его выгнали из университета и отчего дома без работы и средств к существованию. И принял его только брат, который тоже был белой вороной в семье, хоть и по другим причинам. Оррис адаптировался к жизни на ферме вместо привычных книг и городской жизни в доме со слугами.
Но у этой истории два минуса. Первый - это Генри. Как, что, почему? Слишком много вопросов о природе его сущности. Информация дается совсем мизерная. И второй минус - опять концовка. Снова не было долгожданной сцены воссоединения, и эпилог тоже оказался не удовлетворительным.
The Black Dog by Eli Easton - 4 stars
Ну Истон снова порадовала. Мне понравились оба главным героя. Шотландский констебль Хэйден - огромный как гора и американский писатель Саймон - честный и смелый. Химия между ними чувствовалась, а инста-лав я обосновала для себя паранормальностью. Маленький шотландский городок со своими тайнами был описан отлично, и мистика сюжета мне тоже понравилась. И, наконец, полноценные концовка и эпилог!
Итого - 3 звезды.
July 31, 2020
Claw is a collective of three stories about shifters (wolf and dog): Black Dog by Eli Easton (*****), Transformation by Kim Fielding (****) and Isolation by Jamie Fessenden (***). I adore the work of all three authors, so I enjoyed the hell out of this anthology.
Transformation has a historic setting: Oregon in the 1880's. I feel like it described life as a pioneer quite realistically, with the added twist of werewolves. A very good story, I now want to read her Bones series that is also about shifters.
Isolation is a friends to lovers, second chances story, and was also good, but it didn't made my heart sing like the other two. Still, it was a solid book, written with Jamie's quirky writing style that I really enjoy.
The last book in the series is Black Dog from Eli Easton, and that book was awesome!!. It tells the story of the legend of the Black Dog in a small town in Scotland, and everything about it was on point. It kept me reading until I finished the book in one sitting. I liked both MC's, their chemistry was red hot (the heat in all three books were quite low), the plot was interesting and Ms Easton created a very atmospheric setting that raised the hair on the back of my head - as I've said, AWESOME!
And I loved the cover.
Transformation has a historic setting: Oregon in the 1880's. I feel like it described life as a pioneer quite realistically, with the added twist of werewolves. A very good story, I now want to read her Bones series that is also about shifters.
Isolation is a friends to lovers, second chances story, and was also good, but it didn't made my heart sing like the other two. Still, it was a solid book, written with Jamie's quirky writing style that I really enjoy.
The last book in the series is Black Dog from Eli Easton, and that book was awesome!!. It tells the story of the legend of the Black Dog in a small town in Scotland, and everything about it was on point. It kept me reading until I finished the book in one sitting. I liked both MC's, their chemistry was red hot (the heat in all three books were quite low), the plot was interesting and Ms Easton created a very atmospheric setting that raised the hair on the back of my head - as I've said, AWESOME!
And I loved the cover.
April 19, 2015
This third book is as good as the first two. All three stories were very good. I loved them...
April 18, 2015
Only three stories this time, when in the two previous Gothika Anthologies there have been four, but at least it is three of my favorite authors that remain.
Theme as expected from the title - were creatures- and the settings are all far away from modern cities and densely populated areas. In Fessenden's and Fielding's stories we are in the woods, though the authors have chosen different time periods for their stories. As a lover of historically set romance I must say Fielding's little novella hit a sweet spot with me and I loved every word of it from the first line to the last. That it took us a while to get to the romance only made the story better in my opinion. Fessenden's story takes place in present day, an old friends/lovers reunites again sort of story with an open end. And I know a lot of readers just hate that - not me though. And I liked it well enough, but it was a bit on the short side and I wished it had been longer for me to better get to know the characters.
Easton's story is the longest and reads like a miniature novel with two alternating POV:s instead of the single POV we meet in the other two novellas. The first chapter pulled me in straight away, and thanks to the short chapters and the turn of events when I crossed the mid-half of the story it held and even increased my interest while reading.
Now I worry this is the last Gothika Anthology, and I don't like that, I don't like it at all. It's the only anthologies where I have read and enjoyed all the stories in them, and that is rare for me.
Theme as expected from the title - were creatures- and the settings are all far away from modern cities and densely populated areas. In Fessenden's and Fielding's stories we are in the woods, though the authors have chosen different time periods for their stories. As a lover of historically set romance I must say Fielding's little novella hit a sweet spot with me and I loved every word of it from the first line to the last. That it took us a while to get to the romance only made the story better in my opinion. Fessenden's story takes place in present day, an old friends/lovers reunites again sort of story with an open end. And I know a lot of readers just hate that - not me though. And I liked it well enough, but it was a bit on the short side and I wished it had been longer for me to better get to know the characters.
Easton's story is the longest and reads like a miniature novel with two alternating POV:s instead of the single POV we meet in the other two novellas. The first chapter pulled me in straight away, and thanks to the short chapters and the turn of events when I crossed the mid-half of the story it held and even increased my interest while reading.
Now I worry this is the last Gothika Anthology, and I don't like that, I don't like it at all. It's the only anthologies where I have read and enjoyed all the stories in them, and that is rare for me.
May 15, 2015
All three of these stories are very dark but strive to leave us with a happy ending.
In Isoloation two former lovers are reunited but things have changed and the question remains as to what secrets can be told and how will they be handled.
I didn’t care for this story as much as the others – I wanted a more concrete ending to satisfy the romantic in me.
2 of 5 stars
Transformation is an historical tale in Oregon (yay!) of farmers and hunters living in the wildneress. I loved the historical aspect of being gay in the 1800s and though I was sad by the decisions that separated the brothers (both sets) I loved the overall joy that Orris and Henry found together.
4 of 5 stars
Black Dog was my favorite in this series. It was a fully fleshed out short story about a man who doesn’t know his own families secrets and when he finds out he has to make some tough decisions.
Eli is one of my all time favorite authors and this story is just as amazing as her longer stories.
5 of 5 stars
In Isoloation two former lovers are reunited but things have changed and the question remains as to what secrets can be told and how will they be handled.
I didn’t care for this story as much as the others – I wanted a more concrete ending to satisfy the romantic in me.
2 of 5 stars
Transformation is an historical tale in Oregon (yay!) of farmers and hunters living in the wildneress. I loved the historical aspect of being gay in the 1800s and though I was sad by the decisions that separated the brothers (both sets) I loved the overall joy that Orris and Henry found together.
4 of 5 stars
Black Dog was my favorite in this series. It was a fully fleshed out short story about a man who doesn’t know his own families secrets and when he finds out he has to make some tough decisions.
Eli is one of my all time favorite authors and this story is just as amazing as her longer stories.
5 of 5 stars
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April 18, 2015I love all the stories in this anthology, but I'll just say a bit about my story "Isolation." It's a classic werewolf story about a man (Sean) who has made some bad choices in his life, and is now seeking out the only person he's ever truly loved in the hopes he can rekindle what they had together. He finds Jack living in a cabin in the woods, and at first it seems there's hope. But Jack is different now, broodier, and more distant....
Read an excerpt from the story on my blog: http://jamiefessenden.com/2015/04/15/...
Read an excerpt from the story on my blog: http://jamiefessenden.com/2015/04/15/...
June 6, 2015
The Black Dog by Eli Easton - 4.5 stars - Best Story!
Transformation by Kim Fielding - 3.5 stars
Isolation by Jamie Fessenden - 3 stars - supposed to be 4 stars but the ending was so abrupt. Needs to be longer!
Transformation by Kim Fielding - 3.5 stars
Isolation by Jamie Fessenden - 3 stars - supposed to be 4 stars but the ending was so abrupt. Needs to be longer!
April 29, 2015
Read this last night, and an overall 4 stars for the book. Eli Easton's was my favorite, as it felt the most... complete, I guess?
Hated the non-ending in Jamie Fessenden's story, and the POV character drove me nuts.
I enjoyed Kim Fielding's historical, I only wish there was more to it!
Hated the non-ending in Jamie Fessenden's story, and the POV character drove me nuts.
I enjoyed Kim Fielding's historical, I only wish there was more to it!
December 4, 2015
Isolation: 3.5
Transformation: 3.5
Black Dog: 4
Transformation: 3.5
Black Dog: 4
January 12, 2016
Isolation by Jamie Fessenden- 3 Stars
Something was off about this one for me... First the rainwater from a paw print. I could not help thinking really. Then just the way they were together, they just did not mesh well at all. The way they treated each other was more like friends who are also enemies not how lovers would. I liked were the story was going but there was just a few things that just did not feel right to me with this one. Then you were just left with no idea what happens between the two of them.
Transformation by Kim Fielding- 5 stars
I loved this story so much! Poor Orris was banished by his father for being gay and went to live with his brother in Oregon. His brother's wife does not treat him well at first. He tries so hard to help as much as he can but he is not used to working with animals and shooting guns. This story grabbed me from the start and /I could not stop reading till I finished it. I knew when he first meet the two wolves what would happen and then when he meet Henry I was so happy for Orris. There was never any doubt in my mind that was his mate and who he belonged with. I really loved the time period that the author picked for this story also. The epilogue was beautiful and a perfect ending to this story! If anything I wished I could have read more about these two together.
The Black Dog by Eli Easton- 4 Stars
I really liked this story! This being in Scotland and the legend behind the Black dog was really good. I also really liked the characters in this one too. Hayden the constable, who was trying to find out what was going on behind all the attacks. Then there was Simon a best selling author who came from America to find out more about the legend for a book he was writing. This one kept me guessing through most on this story on the edge of my seat. I would never have guessed that was were it was going. All I can say is Wow when you find out!!! This story was really good!
All together I really liked this book! I would definitely recommend this book!
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Inked Rainbow Reads.
Something was off about this one for me... First the rainwater from a paw print. I could not help thinking really. Then just the way they were together, they just did not mesh well at all. The way they treated each other was more like friends who are also enemies not how lovers would. I liked were the story was going but there was just a few things that just did not feel right to me with this one. Then you were just left with no idea what happens between the two of them.
Transformation by Kim Fielding- 5 stars
I loved this story so much! Poor Orris was banished by his father for being gay and went to live with his brother in Oregon. His brother's wife does not treat him well at first. He tries so hard to help as much as he can but he is not used to working with animals and shooting guns. This story grabbed me from the start and /I could not stop reading till I finished it. I knew when he first meet the two wolves what would happen and then when he meet Henry I was so happy for Orris. There was never any doubt in my mind that was his mate and who he belonged with. I really loved the time period that the author picked for this story also. The epilogue was beautiful and a perfect ending to this story! If anything I wished I could have read more about these two together.
The Black Dog by Eli Easton- 4 Stars
I really liked this story! This being in Scotland and the legend behind the Black dog was really good. I also really liked the characters in this one too. Hayden the constable, who was trying to find out what was going on behind all the attacks. Then there was Simon a best selling author who came from America to find out more about the legend for a book he was writing. This one kept me guessing through most on this story on the edge of my seat. I would never have guessed that was were it was going. All I can say is Wow when you find out!!! This story was really good!
All together I really liked this book! I would definitely recommend this book!
I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Inked Rainbow Reads.
May 5, 2015
Gothica is still my favorite anthology series and it seems it's getting better with each installment. This time it's about werewolfes and not about wolf-shifter with mating issues (only Eli Easton is working in the grey area between both) and that's what I expect for Gothic stories.
Don't know why so many reviews don't appreciate Jamie Fessenden's story. It's the perfect opener and sets the temper quite right. He even dares to stop with a happy but open ending and that fits his story and the topic completely. Sean might not be the easiest guy to connect to and his conflict why he can't say those 3 words might be a bit strange but all in all it's believable.
I completely agree that Kim Fielding's story is the best of Claw. It has a poetic quality and this time I have no complain about her ending. Couldn't even follow up with the next story immediately because I just had to linger in her world a little longer and enjoy the mood she created.
Eli Easton created a wonderful version of Sherlock Holmes as a contemporary and I can't wait for my vacation to Scotland this year. I only have this small issue where the werewolf topic is going quite to near to a wolf shifter story especially during the hot after-effect of Simon's rescue with its similarity to insta-love mating bliss - but as I like shifter stories I enjoyed this one greatly.
Now I'm curious about the theme of the next part but whatever it will be, may it fangs or spirits or something else I'm going to read it.
Don't know why so many reviews don't appreciate Jamie Fessenden's story. It's the perfect opener and sets the temper quite right. He even dares to stop with a happy but open ending and that fits his story and the topic completely. Sean might not be the easiest guy to connect to and his conflict why he can't say those 3 words might be a bit strange but all in all it's believable.
I completely agree that Kim Fielding's story is the best of Claw. It has a poetic quality and this time I have no complain about her ending. Couldn't even follow up with the next story immediately because I just had to linger in her world a little longer and enjoy the mood she created.
Eli Easton created a wonderful version of Sherlock Holmes as a contemporary and I can't wait for my vacation to Scotland this year. I only have this small issue where the werewolf topic is going quite to near to a wolf shifter story especially during the hot after-effect of Simon's rescue with its similarity to insta-love mating bliss - but as I like shifter stories I enjoyed this one greatly.
Now I'm curious about the theme of the next part but whatever it will be, may it fangs or spirits or something else I'm going to read it.
June 2, 2015
I adore this story of loveable police officer Hayden MacLairty, and the village, in the Scottish Highlands, of Laide. The writing is really good, and I congratulate an American author getting the idea of a Scottish brogue so accurately…
I have to mention that it did remind me very strongly of the pairing Tyack and Frayne, and Once Upon a Haunted Moor by Harper Fox, but that being said I really became invested in the lives of the good policeman and the author Simon Corto who turns the village and Hayden’s life upside down.
Not only do we get a good shivery mystery regarding The Black Dog, but also the tender love of Hayden for his mother who is going downhill fast - suffering from dementia. We also see how Hayden cares deeply for the people of the village, the beautiful craggy landscape and lochs that surround them.
Simon Corto could only be seen as a bright and exotic newcomer to this ancient landscape and small village, but he certainly turns Hayden’s head and the feelings are mutual. Considering this is a short story, the relationship between the two MCs never feels rushed or forced, and the mystery concerning the Black Dog has plenty of twists and a great surprise.
I had such a good time reading this, and highly recommend it – maybe we might see more of this pairing in the future?
I have to mention that it did remind me very strongly of the pairing Tyack and Frayne, and Once Upon a Haunted Moor by Harper Fox, but that being said I really became invested in the lives of the good policeman and the author Simon Corto who turns the village and Hayden’s life upside down.
Not only do we get a good shivery mystery regarding The Black Dog, but also the tender love of Hayden for his mother who is going downhill fast - suffering from dementia. We also see how Hayden cares deeply for the people of the village, the beautiful craggy landscape and lochs that surround them.
Simon Corto could only be seen as a bright and exotic newcomer to this ancient landscape and small village, but he certainly turns Hayden’s head and the feelings are mutual. Considering this is a short story, the relationship between the two MCs never feels rushed or forced, and the mystery concerning the Black Dog has plenty of twists and a great surprise.
I had such a good time reading this, and highly recommend it – maybe we might see more of this pairing in the future?
December 12, 2019
Overall - 3.5 Stars
Isolation by Jamie Fessenden - ★★★
I liked the start of this one better than the ending. I liked the guys reuniting after years and accepting who they really are. But the final ending seemed a little unnecessary.
Transformation by Kim Fielding - ★★★
This was an interesting historical, but I felt like the relationship really didn't get to develop as much as I would have liked. There's some pain in this story for both guys. I liked the frontier backdrop of this story as well.
The Black Dog by Eli Easton - ★★★★
This was definitely my favorite of the stories in this one. I liked the classic Black Dog elements and the way it was all blended together. There were great call backs to the myth with a modern twist. Of course it left our officer of the law in a bind at times. I liked how Hayden and Simon found each other.
Isolation by Jamie Fessenden - ★★★
I liked the start of this one better than the ending. I liked the guys reuniting after years and accepting who they really are. But the final ending seemed a little unnecessary.
Transformation by Kim Fielding - ★★★
This was an interesting historical, but I felt like the relationship really didn't get to develop as much as I would have liked. There's some pain in this story for both guys. I liked the frontier backdrop of this story as well.
The Black Dog by Eli Easton - ★★★★
This was definitely my favorite of the stories in this one. I liked the classic Black Dog elements and the way it was all blended together. There were great call backs to the myth with a modern twist. Of course it left our officer of the law in a bind at times. I liked how Hayden and Simon found each other.
July 9, 2017
Three wonderful authors bring us suspense filled stories that make the hair on the back of our necks slowly rise. Gothika #3, Claw, shines a light on the dark and hidden wolf-like creatures that our nightmares are made of and our hearts seek to love. Each story gives us a unique perspective on a tried and true paranormal trope. This collection was exciting and one not to be missed. Overall Rating: 5 stars
Isolation by Jamie Fessenden
Jaime Fessenden explores the power of nature and our desire to be one with it in his contribution to the third Gothika anthology, Claw. In his story, Isolation, we meet Sean who had left the young man he loved more than anything else behind and gave in to the deep-seated fears that being gay was simply the wrong way to be. Having lived all his formative years with homophobes and racists, Sean caved and turned his back on the one thing that made him happy, his best friend, Jack.
After four years of an empty marriage, Sean returns home to find Jack and hopefully pick up where they left off. But Jack has changed, and while he may still love Sean, he knows there is a near impenetrable gulf that now exists between them. In order to prove to Jack that he is willing to give up everything in order to convince Jack to take a second chance on loving him. Sean must somehow prove to Jack that he can be the person Jack needs him to be. The only problem is the woods are calling to Jack and Sean must be willing to give up a huge piece of himself in order to be with Jack forever.
This story is left a bit open-ended at the end but full of hope. When Jack's secret is exposed, Sean has a huge choice to make. He has come back to find that the man he once loved is no longer the same person. While the love may remain, a life together is no longer certain.
Isolation was an incredible short story. It began with all pistons charged, emotionally intense and only grew exponentially as the story unfolded. Sean came home imagining that Jack would have remained in almost a frozen stasis. What he failed to understand was that while he was gone, Jack had turned to the one place he’d always felt comforted, the one thing that he had always loved when he lost the boy he thought was the love of his life. Author Jamie Fessenden unwraps, in short order, both the mystery that surrounds Jack and just how far Sean must go to prove that he still loves this mountain man. Steeped in tenderness and uncertainty, the characters hold such mystical appeal that I felt myself smiling sweetly at the end of the story. Once more this author proves he can create compelling characters and surround them with a fascinating plot that keeps you enthralled to the end.
Rating: 5 stars
Transformation by Kim Fielding
Transformation by Kim fielding was the second offering in the Claw anthology. Once more centered on wolves, this story takes us back to what seems to be the turn-of-the-century where homesteaders were making their livelihood off the land and being gay was out of the question. Disgraced and sent away by his father, Orris is then taken in by his brother Samuel. The most tolerant brother of the family, Samuel gives his brother a second chance. But they are in remote territory, and despite his brother assuring him that he could travel into Portland to have his needs met, there is little chance for any encounters, much less a relationship with another man for Orris.
While scrabbling out an existence is tough enough, there are now wild wolves roaming the area and killing the livestock. However, despite the real fear of encountering the wild beasts, once Orris catches sight of one wolf in particular, he finds himself inexplicably drawn to the beast.
When Samuel is asked to use his meager doctoring skills to help out a neighbor, Orris discovers that finding a man that shares his own proclivities was not as difficult as he once thought.
In many ways, I found Orris and his transformation from a frightened and downtrodden man into one who was willing to give everything up in order to be who he was going to be a true inspiration. In a time when being different in any way was dangerous and isolating, Orris found himself and the strength to give up everything that was safe to embrace his destiny.
This was a transformative story that clung to the ideal that we are all created equal and have the right to be happy. Rating: 4.5 stars
The Black Dog by Eli Easton
The final story in the Claw anthology is The Black Dog by Eli Easton. Set on the Scottish moors in a remote town, a vicious creature that is said to take the form of a larger than life black dog has recently killed some livestock. On the trail of the mysterious legend supposedly come to life, Constable Hayden MacLairty comes in contact with a well known author, Simon Corto who is also investigating the long lived story. As the attacks and sightings become more frequent, Simon and Hayden are thrown together again and again and each time, the normally reserved Hayden finds himself aroused and interested in the American writer. But changes are afoot for both men and the black dog is on the prowl. Now it only remains to be seen if both men survive the nightmare terrorizing the small town and find the space to let love bloom.
I so enjoy this author. Eli Easton creates such palpably real characters and is a master at finding the gentle spirit within her men while maintaining their masculinity. The added supernatural element and the town secret made this story a nail biter and a swift read. Wrapped in action and suspense, The Black Dog hid a gem of a tender, slow moving love story inside its many layers. It was just a lovely story all the way round. Rating: 5 stars
Isolation by Jamie Fessenden
Jaime Fessenden explores the power of nature and our desire to be one with it in his contribution to the third Gothika anthology, Claw. In his story, Isolation, we meet Sean who had left the young man he loved more than anything else behind and gave in to the deep-seated fears that being gay was simply the wrong way to be. Having lived all his formative years with homophobes and racists, Sean caved and turned his back on the one thing that made him happy, his best friend, Jack.
After four years of an empty marriage, Sean returns home to find Jack and hopefully pick up where they left off. But Jack has changed, and while he may still love Sean, he knows there is a near impenetrable gulf that now exists between them. In order to prove to Jack that he is willing to give up everything in order to convince Jack to take a second chance on loving him. Sean must somehow prove to Jack that he can be the person Jack needs him to be. The only problem is the woods are calling to Jack and Sean must be willing to give up a huge piece of himself in order to be with Jack forever.
This story is left a bit open-ended at the end but full of hope. When Jack's secret is exposed, Sean has a huge choice to make. He has come back to find that the man he once loved is no longer the same person. While the love may remain, a life together is no longer certain.
Isolation was an incredible short story. It began with all pistons charged, emotionally intense and only grew exponentially as the story unfolded. Sean came home imagining that Jack would have remained in almost a frozen stasis. What he failed to understand was that while he was gone, Jack had turned to the one place he’d always felt comforted, the one thing that he had always loved when he lost the boy he thought was the love of his life. Author Jamie Fessenden unwraps, in short order, both the mystery that surrounds Jack and just how far Sean must go to prove that he still loves this mountain man. Steeped in tenderness and uncertainty, the characters hold such mystical appeal that I felt myself smiling sweetly at the end of the story. Once more this author proves he can create compelling characters and surround them with a fascinating plot that keeps you enthralled to the end.
Rating: 5 stars
Transformation by Kim Fielding
Transformation by Kim fielding was the second offering in the Claw anthology. Once more centered on wolves, this story takes us back to what seems to be the turn-of-the-century where homesteaders were making their livelihood off the land and being gay was out of the question. Disgraced and sent away by his father, Orris is then taken in by his brother Samuel. The most tolerant brother of the family, Samuel gives his brother a second chance. But they are in remote territory, and despite his brother assuring him that he could travel into Portland to have his needs met, there is little chance for any encounters, much less a relationship with another man for Orris.
While scrabbling out an existence is tough enough, there are now wild wolves roaming the area and killing the livestock. However, despite the real fear of encountering the wild beasts, once Orris catches sight of one wolf in particular, he finds himself inexplicably drawn to the beast.
When Samuel is asked to use his meager doctoring skills to help out a neighbor, Orris discovers that finding a man that shares his own proclivities was not as difficult as he once thought.
In many ways, I found Orris and his transformation from a frightened and downtrodden man into one who was willing to give everything up in order to be who he was going to be a true inspiration. In a time when being different in any way was dangerous and isolating, Orris found himself and the strength to give up everything that was safe to embrace his destiny.
This was a transformative story that clung to the ideal that we are all created equal and have the right to be happy. Rating: 4.5 stars
The Black Dog by Eli Easton
The final story in the Claw anthology is The Black Dog by Eli Easton. Set on the Scottish moors in a remote town, a vicious creature that is said to take the form of a larger than life black dog has recently killed some livestock. On the trail of the mysterious legend supposedly come to life, Constable Hayden MacLairty comes in contact with a well known author, Simon Corto who is also investigating the long lived story. As the attacks and sightings become more frequent, Simon and Hayden are thrown together again and again and each time, the normally reserved Hayden finds himself aroused and interested in the American writer. But changes are afoot for both men and the black dog is on the prowl. Now it only remains to be seen if both men survive the nightmare terrorizing the small town and find the space to let love bloom.
I so enjoy this author. Eli Easton creates such palpably real characters and is a master at finding the gentle spirit within her men while maintaining their masculinity. The added supernatural element and the town secret made this story a nail biter and a swift read. Wrapped in action and suspense, The Black Dog hid a gem of a tender, slow moving love story inside its many layers. It was just a lovely story all the way round. Rating: 5 stars
October 5, 2015
Very different take on the shifter realm and how secretive men had to be in the 1800's. He is caught in bed at university with another man and is banished across the country to live in the wilds on his brothers farm. He is very citified and book smart so all of a sudden finding himself having to do manual labor and find his fit on the farm is challenging but very rewarding for him. Enter The Bonn Brothers who live up the hill and very rarely are seen except in wolf form. It was well thought out and rounded with a very hard decision for Orris to make.
April 27, 2015
(3.5 Stars)~ Isolation by Jamie Fessenden
(4.5 Stars)~ Transformation by Kim Fielding
(4.5 Stars)~ The Black Dog by Eli Easton
December 13, 2015
Isolation by Jamie Fessenden: 3 stars
Transformation by Kim Fielding: 2.75 - 3 stars
The Black Dog by Eli Easton: 4.5 - 5 stars
Transformation by Kim Fielding: 2.75 - 3 stars
The Black Dog by Eli Easton: 4.5 - 5 stars
October 29, 2019
Isolation - Jamie Fessenden - 3/5 - Sam and Jack were best friends and secret lovers through their teenage years in a small, backwoods town. But then Sam went to college and, fearing that he might be gay, married a woman and left Jack behind. Now, Sam is divorced and knows the error of his ways...knows that Jack was the only guy for him...and returns to Jack’s side. But Jack says it’s too late. Sam sticks around anyway, believing that it can’t be too late for love. But Jack warns him to avoid going out at night because a werewolf roams the area. This was a good, solid story. I liked the angst of Sam’s actions and Jack remaining remote and mysterious, sort of drawing out Sam’s pain over their separation and reconciliation. The werewolf angle was pretty good and made the ending make perfect sense...I mean, it’s gotta end that way and with a hopeful sort of bent to it, but I think I would have liked an epilogue to see how they ended up.
Transformation - Kim Fielding - 3/5 - Orris is kicked out of his home in 1880s New York and heads out west to live with his brother Sam and his family. Sam is the only one who will accept Orris and his “proclivities” but Orris is worried because he doesn’t think he’ll fit in on the frontier and doing physical chores. While on watch one night he encounters a wolf and instead of being terrified, he’s intrigued and drawn to the wolf. Later, he meets Henry, a neighbor living alone (after the death of his brother) who hints at being able to offer Orris something. Orris is so drawn to Henry that he accepts...but what? Good storytelling on the part of the author and definitely some awesome establishing of setting. However, this story is just too short to really work. Orris and Sam and family really shine, but Henry is barely on the page long enough to justify Orris making the decision he did. And as a romance, this is insta-love/lust with no real connection between the two men. So, just average really.
Black Dog - Eli Easton - 4/5 - The town of Laide has a legend about an individual who transforms into a vicious black dog whenever the town needs protection. Suddenly the townspeople are reporting a black dog viciously killing animals and even people and Hayden, as constable, is asked to investigate. Also in town and helping with the investigation is author Simon, who is going to write a book about the legend. The two develop an intense attraction and liking for each other. While he’s tracking down the black dog, Hayden discovers who the black dog actually is and worries that Simon will say something and attempts to push him away. Good story overall. I enjoyed the local legend part of this - that it isn’t really “werewolf” stuff, but more of a generation to generation gift. Simon and Hayden do have a bit of insta-lust and a connection, but they spend some time together before totally giving into it and committing to each other forever. It does move fast, but not overly so. I also really like how the author cleverly worked in the story about Banti and how that came full circle in the end. Really well written story.
Transformation - Kim Fielding - 3/5 - Orris is kicked out of his home in 1880s New York and heads out west to live with his brother Sam and his family. Sam is the only one who will accept Orris and his “proclivities” but Orris is worried because he doesn’t think he’ll fit in on the frontier and doing physical chores. While on watch one night he encounters a wolf and instead of being terrified, he’s intrigued and drawn to the wolf. Later, he meets Henry, a neighbor living alone (after the death of his brother) who hints at being able to offer Orris something. Orris is so drawn to Henry that he accepts...but what? Good storytelling on the part of the author and definitely some awesome establishing of setting. However, this story is just too short to really work. Orris and Sam and family really shine, but Henry is barely on the page long enough to justify Orris making the decision he did. And as a romance, this is insta-love/lust with no real connection between the two men. So, just average really.
Black Dog - Eli Easton - 4/5 - The town of Laide has a legend about an individual who transforms into a vicious black dog whenever the town needs protection. Suddenly the townspeople are reporting a black dog viciously killing animals and even people and Hayden, as constable, is asked to investigate. Also in town and helping with the investigation is author Simon, who is going to write a book about the legend. The two develop an intense attraction and liking for each other. While he’s tracking down the black dog, Hayden discovers who the black dog actually is and worries that Simon will say something and attempts to push him away. Good story overall. I enjoyed the local legend part of this - that it isn’t really “werewolf” stuff, but more of a generation to generation gift. Simon and Hayden do have a bit of insta-lust and a connection, but they spend some time together before totally giving into it and committing to each other forever. It does move fast, but not overly so. I also really like how the author cleverly worked in the story about Banti and how that came full circle in the end. Really well written story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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