Claw

Coven of Desire #1

by Ellen Mint

He’s not your typical werewolf-next-door.

Layla didn’t count on a sex demon appearing in her living room. Nor did she expect to find she’s a witch, tasked with protecting the mortal realm. And now her friend, fellow nursing student and impossible crush could be a potential killer?

She’s silently lusted after Cal for a year, knowing a guy that hot, sweet, and kind wouldn’t look twice at her. All their flirting was innocent and went nowhere, until Ink—the incubus bound to her—ran into her life and bed. Next thing she knows, Cal’s growling at her while Ink flirts, and women are being ripped apart by wild animals. Couldn’t the murder monster mystery wait until after finals?

She wanted to be a nurse, not a paranormal investigator, but Layla has no choice. Apparently only witches can stop these creatures that she didn’t even know existed a month ago. But the deeper she digs, the more it looks like Cal’s deep in the middle of it all. How can she save her friend from the claws of a cult, keep her sex-craved demon happy and find a way to let both into her heart or bed?

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy, Shapeshifters, Why Choose, Magic, Romance

308 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 16, 2021

About the author

Ellen Mint adores the adorkable heroes who charm with their shy smiles and heroines that pack a punch. She recently won the Top Ten Handmaid's Challenge on Wattpad where hers was chosen by Margaret Atwood. Her books, Undercover Siren and Fever are available at Amazon as well as a short story in the Lucky Between The Sheets anthology. Married, she lives in Nebraska with her dog named after Granny Weatherwax. Her hobbies include gaming, painting, and halloween prop making. The basement is full of skeletons because they ran out of room in the closets.

Reviews

[Deana The Queen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book and am leaving a review voluntarily.

When a book opens with a fiery sex scene between the protagonist and a smoldering incubus, you know you’re on the right track.

Layla, dedicated nursing student and newbie witch, sees her life change when Ink - a smoking hot incubus - shows up on Halloween night ready not only to tutor her but also to satisfy every dark desire for which she yearns. And having a naked incubus ready to please her is shatteringly awesome, except now Layla’s long-time crush is finally paying attention to her … in THAT way.

Cal, a gorgeous blonde hunk of a study partner, is suddenly making moves, but Ink lounging about her apartment au naturel puts a kink in her potential relationship with Cal. Add in the fact that Layla discovers a dismembered woman in an alley dumpster and the fact that Cal is a werwolf shifter, and life has all of a sudden become complicated.

I was surprised how much I enjoyed this book! In all honesty, I wasn’t necessarily looking forward to another shifter book, but something tugged at my mind to take a chance on this one, and I’m glad I did. There is a ton going on here: Sultry sex scenes, a serial killer, buried secrets, a smoking hot (and nude) Incubus, a smexy werewolf, a sentient Book of Shadows, and Layla; a girl just trying to balance all of the above with passing her nursing exams.

Author Ellen Mint has created a delightful world where one can really relate to the protagonist, for who among us has not juggled a myriad of challenging classes, hot guys, and a black Sharpie that won't write when wet?

The character I adore the most is Ink. He’s genuinely funny naturally, which in my opinion is the best kind of funny. But Ink has secrets of his own, as does Cal. And what’s this about a weird werewolf cult again?

There’s plenty of blood and guts, sex, slow-burn moves, and mysteries to make this book a fun romp. A sequel (with INK!) is also in the works.

Now go and pre-order Claw.

No need to wait for the full moon with this one.

[♥Milica♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellen Mint is a master of her craft. This was apparent even while I was reading the prequel last year, and now I'm certain of it.

Occasionally, I say how I didn't want a book to end, when what I really mean is "I didn't feel like reading it all in one or two sessions, but maybe three or four". In this case, I truly, honestly, didn't want the story to end. I wanted it to go on forever and ever. It was such a joy to read.

I think reading the prequel gave me a bit of an advantage over newer readers because I already had an attachment formed to the characters and couldn't wait to see them again. But still, I don't think it's difficult to fall in love with them. Especially Ink.

I almost feel as if Ink is even better in this book than the previous one. More time has passed so perhaps he's forming his own attachment? Hint hint. He's still the best.

Layla is growing more into her witchy powers and has come a long way, I'm so proud of her.

As for Cal...WHY WHEN INK EXISTS? INK IS RIGHT THERE. ALL THE TIME. NAKED. I don't mind him exactly, he'd be cool on his own, but yeah.

The plot was surprising and engaging. So much happened, I AM AMAZED. The writing was phenomenal too.

BUT BUT BUT. LISTEN. WHY IS IT SO SHORT AGAIN?! I mean 300 pages isn't *that* short, but for this kind of story I NEED MORE!!!

I'll be eagerly awaiting the next book.

*Thank you to BookSirens for providing me with an e-ARC for which I'm leaving a review voluntarily*

[Serial Romance Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

*** Book Q & A***

* How did the book make you feel?: I’m a big fan of shifter and paranormal romance when it’s well-done. This book was an interesting take and omitted the fated mate trope we see in other shifter romance books.

* How do you feel about how the story was told?: The beginning was really something! I wish I had known about the prequel before beginning which introduced us to Ink and Layla’s bond. The beginning of the book starts with an intimate scene between the two. There is a lot of action and the plot is fast-paced.

* What did you think about the main characters?: I really loved Ink and I began to warm toward Layla. I wanted more backstory on the characters.

* Which parts of the book stood out to you?: There are some smoldering scenes!

* What themes/tropes did you detect in the story?: Paranormal witch, shifter, reverse harem

* What did you think about the ending?: This book is the first in a series.

* What is your impression of the author?: I’m glad to be introduced to this author and will look for more.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Witch, Incubus and a Werewolf. What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

Layla comes home to find a Hot and Sexy Incubus aka “Ink” in her living room; nor did she expect to find out that she was a witch who was charged with protecting the mortal realm. Incubus is there to fulfill her every desire also to teach her how to use her magic. Layla is studying to be a nurse and has been silently lusting after her classmate Calvin aka “Cal” who is a Sweet and super-hot guy that she figures is out of her league. Unbeknownst to Layla; Calvin has been having a crush on her for a while.

Women in the city are being ripped to shreds and it is up to Layla to figure out the cause of these deaths because it maybe be tied to the supernatural world and not typical human murders. This is not something that Layla signed up for. The more Layla and Ink investigate the more her clues lead her to her Cal. Not only is Cal in the middle of everything but Layla stumbled upon his secret. He’s a Werewolf. Now Layla finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery where she has to figure out how to save her friend and newfound lover from the clutches of an evil Cult, keep her sex-craved Incubus and figure out how the 3 of them can exist together.

A newbie Witch, a Sarcastic Sex-Craved Demon and a Werewolf. What could possibly go wrong? Literally EVERYTHING!!! My favorite character is Ink. He is absolutely hilarious and although he is an unfeeling demon he truly has a soft spot for Layla. The banter between Ink and Cal are funny as well because at first Ink made Cal uncomfortable but they have been slowing growing to lean on one another.

This story is all over the place and you really need to pay attention to keep up. From a newbie witch learning how to harness her powers, the sexy Demon who just randomly pops up out of nowhere and the cutie Werewolf who has been trying hard to hide who he is as well as figure out a way to take down his father who is the Alpha of the Endless Moon Cult in which he and his brothers Mark and Eli were born into.

Tragedy strikes and Cal is convinced that he cannot live without Layla and is accepting of her being with Ink since he is bonded to her until she either learns enough about her magic or she releases him and sever their bond. Layla already has feelings for Ink although he isn’t human and she secretly hopes he has feeling for her. After all Ink is funny, supportive and very protective of Layla and will not let anything happen to her because if she dies before she releases him; he will be sent straight to hell. Layla and Cal’s relationship is new but they are willing to make it work even with Ink involved.

The Endless Moon Cult is only a fraction of the dangers ahead. There was talk throughout the book about a Mr. White and now that the Alpha of the Endless Moon Cult has met his demise it appears that this Mr. White is ready to enact the next phase of his plan.

Layla, Ink and Cal literally have no idea what they are about to be up against but one thing is for certain. They will face it together.

This book ends with a Cliffhanger.

[Christopher Denton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spectacular Ending

Ellen Mint’s paranormal, reverse-harem romance is difficult to get into but well worth the effort. Claw, Coven of Desire ticks all the boxes for all werewolf, witch, and demon lovers.

The Opening

For me, the opening chapter of this paranormal romance novel was a little too “in medias res“. Two characters I didn’t yet know jumped into an “action scene”. I suppose the actions introduced the characters, but the main plot and “love interest” of this novel were not introduced or even hinted at.

Basically, the first chapter left me feeling confused and unsure where the story was headed. It appeared there was no significant conflict and the relationship arc was complete. The second chapter, however, made everything clearer. The story significantly improved from the end of Chapter Two.

My overall impression of the opening was that the author assumed the reader would read the prequel first. If I had read the preceding book, the opening would have been crystal clear. The “sex demon appearing in the living room” mentioned in the publisher’s blurb actually happens in the prequel and not this book. For this reason, I think it would have been better to call the prequel Book One and this Book Two in the series.

The Characters

Layla

At first, Layla is established as a sympathetic character simply by the virtue of being a witch and therefore interesting. In later chapters, the reader is given better reasons to root for her because of elements of her background and health that are gradually revealed.

In the opening chapters, I found it difficult to invest in Layla. In many ways, she appears privileged. I mean, she isn’t rich, but she’s young, beautiful, and has a supportive friend group. Layla boasts a lover most women would die for, and she has some awesome witch powers. Yes, she works hard, but who doesn’t? She’s an object of envy, not sympathy.

I also found it difficult to visualize Layla. It seemed like Mint either relied on the prequel or the book cover to fill me in. When Layla was described in later chapters, it disrupted my suspension of disbelief because she wasn’t what I’d imagined.

However, by the time I reached the climactic scenes of this paranormal novel, I found I liked Layla much more. She demonstrates great courage and a determination to always do what’s right, even when it might cost her everything.

Ink

Ink is by far my favorite character. He’s a succubus bonded to Layla and committed to fulfilling her every desire… in the bedroom, at least. It was interesting to read how he interacted with other characters throughout the novel.

I don’t know where to begin to say how great Ink is. He is entertaining, funny, supportive, protective, and eccentric with his revulsion for waterfowl and love for infomercials. Of course, he has a major character flaw, which I won’t reveal. However, Mint skillfully planted doubts in this reader’s mind that this flaw was as serious as Layla obviously believed.

Cal

I found Cal’s behavior confusing in the opening half of the book. It seemed like his determination to keep certain secrets could only possibly create more problems and lead to tragedy. I found his treatment of Layla implausible in the chapter where we first meet Mark. I would have liked him more if he were less explosive, but I guess that is simply one facet of his complex character.

The Plot

Once this paranormal romance gets going, the main plotline is great. If you enjoy fight scenes, werewolf standoffs, and plucky heroines, you won’t be disappointed. All the loose ends are wrapped up neatly, and the final chapter does a great job of setting up the next book in the series.

There was no mention of a fated mate, which is a common trope in paranormal romance when werewolves appear on the scene. Instead, we’re treated to the possibility of real choices beyond the realm of sparkly vampires and current social norms.

However, I was a little surprised the police and government authorities have so little input into this story. They never come back to re-interview Layla and Ink. There’s no mention of media reporters, newspaper headlines, or TV news reports in the background.

This story is entirely focused on the main characters to the exclusion of all else outside the immediate storyline.

The Setting

The modern urban setting is clear. Mint spends much more time sketching Cal’s house than Layla’s apartment, which makes me wonder if she and Ink will spend most of their time there in later books.

There is one potential problem that may be explained away in a later book. I found Cal’s house a little implausible. He’s a student nurse holding down a minimum wage job and has no family money yet he somehow obtained a mortgage for a large Gothic house.

The Prose

Mint uses truly original and inspired analogies. For example, when Layla thought about how she wouldn’t take her sandwich to the hospital if it were sick, she made me laugh out loud. The narrative is filled with wonderful little jokes and humourous analogies. The prose is generally very engaging, especially where Ink is involved.

My Opinion

For me, the beginning of this book was a bit of a struggle. But after a few chapters, I was hooked. The ending is very strong and provides a good hook into the next book in the series.

In my opinion, you’ll enjoy this book much more if you read the prequel first. In that way, you won’t suffer the confusion I did over the opening chapters and the whole journey will be smoother.

I’m going to give this book 4 out of 5. It’s a little better than other books I’ve rated 4, but I can’t justify it rating 5 when I found it so difficult to immerse myself. If Amazon and Goodreads allowed a 4.5 score, then I would have chosen that.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claw is the first in the Coven of Desire series. I mean the name of the series def gives some hints to what's about to happen.

Layla is a nursing student who recently found out she's a witch and has attached herself to a sex demon, Ink. He's also teaching her how to be a witch but also she's "feeding" him, if you know what I mean.

She has a major crush on her nursing cohort Cal too. When strange things start to happen around town she starts to investigate and finds out some interesting things about her friends.

There's a lot going on in her town than she realized. As someone is killing and leaving pieces of them, yuck.

This book has a lot of steam as she goes from Ink to Cal. The werewolf politics and cult was intriguing as they try to solve these crimes. I'm interested in where the next story leads.

[Chris B · Rating 3 out of 5]

I want sure whether to give this 3 or 4 stars. The story kept me reading and had quite few twists and turns, but the writing left something to be desired. I almost felt that the author was trying too hard with some of her phrasing and use of words, some of which made no sense. Then too, was the authors strange strategy of shortening names that also made no sense at all (Mark was often shorted to Mar for example). These were issues that threw me out of the story.
I will not be reading the next in the series because I didn’t like the author’s writing style. You may enjoy it but I just didn’t.

[S · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to say I lost interest in this story almost as soon as it began. I felt like I was trapped in a teenage sitcom, where everything is superficial and way to angsty for the actual situation. Layla and Ink were in the middle of coitus and she had to stop and run to a study session. I’m sorry but nothing in their encounter seemed to be erotic, it just felt very mechanical if she could just hop up and throw on some clothes and go.

Once she met up with the study group we get to meet Cal. For me Cal was very immature and acted like an emotional teenager when he saw Layla talking to Ink. I mean he never made his interest known so therefore he had zero rights to act like a jerk.

Most of the story Layla is chasing after Cal. After their very first time together he basically tells her he never wants to see her again. She would find different reasons to casually drop by his place or do something so that she would run into him. She pursued the relationship, I guess because he looked like a model and had washboard abs and was hung like a horse it makes his treating her like a convenience acceptable (insert eye roll). I never felt a connection between these two even though they were intimate a lot.

Ink was bound to her and their horizontal times were even more unromantic than with Cal. For me I need something more than just the physical aspects for a relationship, I want the intimacy and the build up leading to the sexy times, otherwise it’s just a physical release than you can also take care of by yourself.

As for the witch part and the mystery part it was more of a sigh. Layla harping about having to learn about being a witch while doing medical school got old after a while. Ink was supposed to be teaching her how to become a better witch but he just seemed to excel at being uselessly enigmatic.

This book is not a ménage at least it wasn’t to me, Cal did not share and Ink was mostly insolent towards Cal. I didn’t feel any connection that would make them a couple or anything approaching a ménage for that matter.

This book was a bit of a chore for me to finish because of the immature inner dialogues combined with the disjointed plot which kept me on the outside.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, I mean who wouldn't want their own incubus? I can't wait for the next one. I received an ARC for my honest review.

[Carli Liles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creativity: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

World-building: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Pacing: ⭐⭐⭐

Character growth: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Editing/Proofreading: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Claw is a paranormal/fantasy reverse harem romance. It follows Layla who is both a nursing student as well as learning to become a witch. When her witch "training" began she was.... 'assigned' a demon, though she might have kind of accidentally summoned it. Layla seems to be the type of student that learns best by doing (and maybe messing it up a couple of times). This might be why she's struggling with her nursing exams.

There's some very fun and funny banter between a myriad of the characters.

This paranormal world Ellen has built is unique and a bit confusing. There are times where it feels like there was an explanatory bit of info earlier in the book that was edited out. There are discussions that happen, especially around Layla's witch-hood that can be kind of confusing, but I think they might be meant to, as Layla doesn't fully understand witchdom, so how could the reader be expected to.

Ink is the incubus demon Layla finds herself paired with. She learns things about his powers and motivations throughout which definitely twist that relationship up. The book starts with a relatively simple bonded sexual relationship betwixt them that rapidly becomes more complex. He's sort of trying to teach her how to be a witch, but as he isn't one himself and neither of them seems to have a witch teacher to turn to, they're both kind of stumbling in the dark. It leads to some fun (if mildly confusing) conversations. There are some interesting fantasy elements that Mint has worked into the world through the witch powers.

Claw we learn is Cal, and Cal is this super cute, somewhat reserved fellow nursing student that Layla has moon eyes for (pun intended) ;). He seems very much the boy next door, though we learn quite quickly that all with him and his family is not as simple and normal as it may appear at first blush. I really like how his family history and upbringing works into the story. We meet his brothers Eli and Mark and their familial dynamic is certainly an interesting one.

The pacing was great in some places and in others, less so. There were some lulls, and other times where things moved SO quickly, I had to go back and re-read a couple of pages to make sure I got all the time and place transitions straight. But all in all, I'd give it a B+ or an A- as it didn't ever completely lose me or lull for long enough to not beckon me back to reading after a day or so of reading something else. Ultimately it was the characters that I wanted to learn more about. They're definitely intriguing and we get information about them in little drips and drops, in many ways, as they're kind of learning about each other, and it works very well and it really helps you to feel invested in all of the characters (even that wiley, believes-he's-evil incubus that has vaguely Spock-like emotional aptitude at times).

Ultimately I really enjoyed the characters and the world built (once I felt I got a good grasp on it). I would definitely recommend this to others to read, though caution that it's not something you're necessarily going to sit down and binge in one sitting. The world is a bit too complicated for that and it can take some brief rumination of the "magic implications" to understand what's going on logistically, so you can, in turn, better understand what's happening relationally and emotionally.

[Carol Rupprecht · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claw was an interesting start to a new series! I do recommend reading the prequel novella about Ink beforehand because if not, you definitely feel a little like you get dropped into something without knowing all the details. I was feeling just as clueless as Layla about why this incubus was around. The comic relief he provided was amazing though. I loved his attitude toward certain situations and how protective he was about Layla, even though we aren't completely sure on whether they are simply for selfish reasons or not. 

Layla's character wasn't what I expected her to be but I really enjoyed how real she seemed, someone that could easily be related to--working through college, wanting to be on the right track but sometimes getting overwhelmed and floundering on what to do. Even the fact that she had dyslexia was an interesting twist. It's nice to see a main character actually have difficulties learning new things instead of automatically being good at them.

Cam's character is a bit more complicated than he first comes off as, and I loved seeing different sides to someone we think we have figured out. It will be fun to see how his character grows as the series continues. I would like to see more of his shifter side come out and see how that affects the group as a whole.

Overall, I really liked this first book in the Coven of Desire series. It had a good chunk of mystery along with the steam and action, the storyline kept me interested and invested in what they were trying to accomplish with the murders and the cult, and there is plenty more to make you wonder what will happen next. I'm looking forward to seeing what steps Layla and the guys will have to take next and seeing who will be added to Layla's harem as the series continues.

[Anika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Covers like this one should be ILLEGAL! It doesn’t do the book justice at all. I tried not judging though and was immensely rewarded. THE PLOT? THE RAW EMOTION? THE LORE GOES DEEEEP. EVERYONE HAS SECRETS. YOU NEVER KNOW WHO TO TRUST!! I was immediately invested in the murder mystery, world building and characters’ backstories. One of the biggest plot twists was revealed so nonchalantly that I almost missed it and I gasped so hard that I choked on my own saliva. AND THEY HAVEN’T EVEN ADDRESSED IT YET. The biggest pluses were that the FMC is extremely likable and didn’t cringe me out (except the frequent mentioning of her dyslexia) and there’s no tiresome toxic men. The book isn’t as smutty as the description suggests and the story is so immersive that I was rushing through the spicy parts so I could find out how they are gonna solve the mysteries. The pacing is really good as well. Will be definitely reading the whole series. I JUST HAVE TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.

[Fawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite being book one, it is actually the second in this “world”, following the novella “Ink: some like it haunted.” If you haven’t read it please go do so. It will help a lot of things make sense in this story, due to you learning about the bond between him and Layla. Following that recommendation is the fact you should then promptly read this book. Despite the serious tone the plot has, those being revenge, murders, comments about past physical abuse from a father… there is enough humor, fun banter, love making, and emotional connections between lovers and friends alike to keep the story fast paced and light. Ending with a twist of a cliffhanger, not an omg what just happened but more of a dun dun dunnn style of what’s gonna happen next, I am super excited and can’t wait for the next book to come out.

[thenerdybookworm_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claw is the first book in the Coven of Desire series. This story had me hooked from the beginning.

Layla is struggling to balance her life after finding out she’s a witch. Not to mention the incubus, named Ink, whose bonded to her. He’s there to help her learn how to be a witch, but he often proves to be more of a distraction. Throw in her growing attraction to Cal (a fellow nursing student) and a murder mystery he seems to be in the middle of, makes Layla question everything. I can’t wait to read the next book and find out what happens to Layla, Ink, and Cal!

I loved Ink!! He was the highlight of the story to me. If you haven’t read the prequel Ink yet I highly recommend it, although it’s not necessary.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this story! It did start a bit slow for my liking, but it picked up and became difficult to put down.
The world building is interesting and not too difficult to follow, which is quite nice.
Layla is a good main character, her heart is in the right place and she's working on becoming a nurse. She does have her moments where I questioned her life choices, but she does her best, juggling school and trying to find a murdered and dealing with an incubus.
I liked the twists and character development of both Cal and Ink!! Multifaceted characters are always awesome!!
The book is told entirely from Layla's perspective, except for one chapter.

There is a prequel that introduces Ink in another book, but it is not necessary to read that to understand this book. I read this book without reading it and had no understanding problems.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in the Coven of Desire series brings Layla's story. The author delivers a fantastic paranormal romance with strong characters and a great story line. She brings witches, demons and werewolves , adds in magic and mystery along with humor and a steamy romance. It's well written with detailed and descriptive scenes , moves fluidly and is a great read!

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Kaila · Rating 4 out of 5]

good story.. characters.. love.. sexy and funny.. good writing that made me feel as if i was part of their lives with them. i loved it

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall 3.5 stars

Claw is the first book in the Coven of Desire series by Ellen Mint. This paranormal romance centers on new witch Layla, a sexy as sin demon, and Calvin who is a werewolf. The story was interesting, centering on a murder mystery, plenty of steam, and a lot of magic. The story does seem likes something I would love but for reasons I don't understand I couldn't fully lose myself in the story, this could have just been the mood I was in, but that is the only reason I didn't give Claw a higher score.

Layla is admirable, she is supporting herself with a full-time job while going to school to become a nurse with only the support of her fellow nursing students. However tiresome her life is, she is pushing through, going for her dreams. Layla is funny, her inner commentary was so on point. Talking to herself, trying to get herself to focus on the task at hand and to stop ogling Cal like he was a piece of meat and she was starving. Layla is a generally happy and caring person but she is stubborn and she is gonna need all of that to deal with Ink and Cal.

This is a paranormal menage, Ink is a sex demon who is bond to Layla to help her with her newly gained witchcraft and he is everything you would expect a sex demon to be, sexy, adoring, and attentive but he is also a decent witch guide who gives good advice, annoying at times, a shit starter and snarky. I like him but I'm still trying to figure some things out about him, mostly how does he really feels about Layla. I know he isn't human, doesn't act human or respond how a human would but I wanna know if there are some emotions that he hides from her. Calvin is Layla's friend and fellow nursing student. He is supposed to be the sweetheart, the good guy with polite manners and with the looks to rival Ink. Layla has been crushing on him for years and I can see the appeal but one moment that happens that change my view of him. While no one is perfect, I didn't like his response to a certain situation during a certain time. However he made up for it but it just something in the back of my mind that is lurking wait for him to mess up again, only time will tell.

The plot was a big murder mystery, people are dying all over town and it looks to be the work of supernaturals. The mystery aspect could have been played up a little more, it seems to go strong at first to feel into relationship drama. I am all for relationship drama but I would have like Layla to investigate a little more, instead, a couple of incidences happened, and then she just dropped it. The relationship dynamics in this story is interesting, Layla's status is most definitely complicated. Layla is trying to figure the whole Ink thing out, she can't really tell where the demon is standing because he keeps everything close and Cal is a bit of a mess all on his own not to mention, he has the hot/cold thing going on. However, the main surprise happened during the last chapter of the book. I did not see that coming at all and I wonder when that little problem is gonna come up in the series.

I enjoyed reading Claw and getting to know the characters and I am interested in what comes next for Layla and Calvin. The next book in the series is Fang and I think it might be told from Calvin's perspective and I know that's gonna be interesting. I would also love some scenes from Ink's perspective, I would love to know what is going on in that demon's head, who knows maybe he'll get a book too.

[The TBR Pile *Book review site* · Rating 4 out of 5]

The suspenseful plot is intricate and intense. Layla finds she has no time to devote to her nurse studies. She's dealing with the situations she keeps being tossed into and seeks to help the guy she's been in love with for so long.

Full review - http://thetbrpile.weebly.com/reviews/...

[Smut Report]

Heat Factor: There’s definitely a lot of horniness. A lot. A lot, a lot, a lot.

Character Chemistry: There’s an insouciant horny demon who’s present for sex and not emotions, and there’s a werewolf who’s…complicated

Plot: Layla is a witch, and she’s got an incubus attached to her soul, and also she has a crush on a werewolf who (might be but probably isn’t) murdering women

Overall: Didn’t work for me but if you like totally horny, totally bonkers witchy fantasy, it might work for you?

Claw begins not long after Ink. There’s not a lot of recapping, but I think all the information one would need to understand what happened before is not difficult to figure out. Ink is still bound to Layla, and he only seems to have sex and witchy stuff on his mind. Which does not bother Layla at all, except when it interferes with her nursing degree and her flirting with Cal.

The deal is that Layla has to solve these murders because they’re supernatural murders, even though she has no knowledge or training of how to do that. This is apparent when she deduces that Cal is the murderer on the slimmest of pretexts (I am talking slimmer than a sheet of paper). As you may know, if I start to think the protagonist is overlooking obvious questions in pursuit of the killer, I typically struggle to get on board with the suspense portion of the book. I didn’t get far enough into the book before DNFing to decide if I really buy into the mystery, but I did get far enough it for Layla to overcome her concerns and have sex with Cal after discovering his werewolf dungeon.

Read Erin's full review of Ink and Claw at The Smut Report

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

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[Marissa Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Claw immediately pulls you into Layla’s world and some sexy action with her incubus bond, Ink. No complaints! I am so glad I read the prequel, Ink (Some Like It Haunted), because I think it gives great background information and helps set the scene for this book nicely.

Layla is a new witch that is still learning and discovering so much, with the help of Ink. When bodies start appearing in town, Layla reluctantly starts investigating what is happening, with Ink’s encouragement. When it looks like Layla’s friend Cal, gorgeous and so sweet, might be involved, things get really interesting. We find out that Cal has a huge secret that could be a major factor in solving the murders and he might not be as sweet and kind as we were led to believe. The chemistry between Layla and Cal is incredible and has you begging for more with every turn of the page. And don’t worry, Ink is right there too, amping up the lust levels.

I really enjoyed the unexpected twists and turns that were weaved into the plot. I had some unanswered questions about Layla’s past from the prequel, and I’m a little disappointed we didn’t learn as much as I thought we would in this book. There are mentions of Layla’s somewhat troubled youth after her mom passed, but we only get the briefest of glimpses and no follow up. Maybe it’s just me that wants that information, but I think it would give us better insight into Layla and why she is the way she is. Otherwise Mint does a great job of keeping the reader engaged and leaves us with a juicy cliffhanger! I can’t wait for the next book!

[Jennifer Hines · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received this book free from Totally Entwined.*

What's wrong with wanting to be with two men? I say nothing!

Ink is basically a sex demon who knows Layla's ever desire, even before she does at times, and then proceeds to give it to her. Who in their right mind wouldn't want some of that in their lives. Not to mention he's difficult to injure, good to have for protection in a fight, and despite what he says I think he does actually care for Layla.

Then there is Cal. Hot sexy werewolf who wants nothing more than to take care of Layla in every way imaginable. He's sweet, he can cook, and he will protect his those he cares about with his last breath. Yes, he has a little family drama, but who doesn't. And honestly, who cares that he grew up in a cult, he isn't with them now.

Layla can't decide who she wants because she wants them both. There is definitely some tension between Ink and Cal but nothing that would've been expected. She keeps waiting for Ink to be jealous of Cal, but he just wants her desires fulfilled. And Cal may not initially want Ink around, but when everything is said and done he would rather share Layla with him and keep her in his life.

I don't know about you, but where can I find an Ink and a Cal?!?!

Clawed is the first book in the Coven of Desire series and it sets up a background story that will leave you wanting to know more, but luckily no real cliffhangers. If you want to know how Layla and Ink first met you can read their story in Ink. I can tell you that it was one hell of a birthday surprise!

[Nicole Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I swear this witch can get into some trouble. Layla is taking the job of protecting humankind seriously now. Ink is still front and center trying to keep her safe and studying her magic book on top of work and school. Readers get to meet Layla's crew which includes a cutie named Calvin Rollin. Layla may or may not have been crushing on this classmate and co-worker for a while. When unexplained killings start happening in her town, Layla has to find out what is going on and how to stop it. Her research leads her to Calvin and his friends. Werewolf friends. Yes, we have ran up on a pack. Not just any pack. A pack of werewolves that are more like a cult with crazy world domination ideologies.

Layla not only has to find out what werewolves are doing this and why but figure out how to get rid of them as well. With Ink by her side, anything is possible. I really think there might be more to Calvin and Layla's relationship than readers find out in this book. I get the impression that he is drawn to her and vice versa. I can't wait to see how all these players interact in the next adventure. Layla's life now includes and incubus and a werewolf. Who knows what is coming next. I am so enthralled with this series. I can't wait for the next book.

[Rosie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved reading this book it carries on from Layla finding out she is a witch and she has a demon bonded to her called Ink who knows every desire she has in her mind.
Layla is still studying to become a nurse while hiding what she is, which is quite hard with Ink appearing when she's not expecting him to.
She has a study group in said group is Cal who Layla thinks would never look at her "in that way" especially with Ink about. She can see it bothers Cal but how do you tell someone you're a with bonded to a sex demon!!
But Layla isn't the only one with secrets and what is Cal hiding.
After one study night Layla finds a dead body in a back ally and Ink makes her see it could be a creature.
So Layla investigates what is hurting these people but what will she find?
What is Cal hiding and why does he keep missing study lessons.
You have to get this book and find out.
At the end of every page makes you go on to the next and you won't put it down.
I've laughed and cried with this book and I've loved it all. Plus you have the parts that make you want a sex demon as well😁 .
I can't wait to see what comes in the next book.
I got this book as an ARC and I am leaving an honest voluntary review.

[AJ Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd never read a Reverse Harem or shifter romance before this book, so I had no clue what I was getting into when I started it. I couldn't resist demons, witches, and werewolves in one book though! I'm not sure if I'll ever pick up another romance book with either trope in it again, but I will absolutely keep up with this series and the author!

I wish I'd known that there was another book where we meet both Ink and Layla before this one, but this book can be read without that one with no problem; I just wanted more from them! The characters in this book were very well-written, and I couldn't help but love them. Ink is probably one of my favorite love interests, and Cal is right up there with him!

I may be wrong, but RH feels like a type of Polyamory. I absolutely loved that aspect of it, as it's something that isn't usually seen in romance. In this case, I thought both Ink/Layla and Cal/Layla were great pairings; it was nice to be able to see both of them without it being negative!

If you're looking for a steamy and hilarious paranormal read for spooky season, I highly suggest this one!

Disclaimer: I received a gifted copy of this book via TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

AND SO THE PLOT THICKENS!!

Man, just when I was starting to like Mark, too. What a tool -.- I'm trying very hard to reserve judgment since there could definitely be more going on, but I'm extremely annoyed with his character right now.

I love Layla and Ink together though! They're so fun and the sarcasm and wit that they play off each other is hilarious! I was a little disappointed that there weren't more steamy scenes with the two of them in this one, but I get it since this book was meant to focus on Cal and Layla.

And jeez....what a slow burn! If they were moving any slower, I feared they'd start going backwards! They seemed to switch between full throttle and complete stop on a dime, and it did get a little frustrating to read at times. I found myself almost yelling at them to just kiss and get together already. Truly the mark of a good slow burn!

Super curious what's going to happen next. We've got an incubus and a wolf....who will our unwitting heroine find next? And who is this mysterious Mr. White? Definitely going to have to read on in the series to find out. A big thank you to Ellen for letting me be part of her Street Team and read this fantastic series!

[mspotts · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun read!

I sometimes struggle with first person POV especially when the character is bratty or immature. Thankfully this was not the case with our female lead, Layla. While there were some odd phrases that popped up occasionally, for the most part the writing flowed really easily and helped get me into the flow of the story.

The characterisation was really good. I loooved Ink and actually wish more time had been spent uncovering his background and story. The main plot revolves around werewolves so I understand why Ink was sidelined a bit but he was definitely the most intriguing male of the bunch.

The steamy bits were...pretty intense! In a good way, though. Ellen Mint really knows how to build up the heat! I'd honestly recommend this book just for those scenes.

I can't say I was all that committed to the plot however, so if there is a sequel I hope it's more relationships /romance based rather than the thriller /mystery this book was.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witches, demons, werewolves and more oh my. This book has it all. The witch is our heroine Layla, a nursing student who has a Lust Demon named Ink bonded to her. Ink delivered to Layla in the previous book Some Like It Hot a book of spells that only Layla can see the writing in. Layla would be great at reading the spells if she was not dyslexic. What else is there; she is in love with Calvin who is in nursing class with her. Until murders start happening and she finds out Calvin is a werewolf and Layla also thinks Calvin is the murderer. But Layla needs to stop the murders. Confusing, you would think so but it is NOT. This book is really well written, the characters are fleshed out and I would love to meet them. I just love them all. Even Ink that Demon and I truly hope Ink has a heart. The book is really fast paced, lots of great sex and fun to read. I really enjoyed reading this book and think you will too.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ingrid Vermeulen-Quakernaat · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Ink, I was curious about Layla's sequel and her discovery of being a witch.
And that voyage of discovery was one full of sex, hilarious moments, a blossoming romance but above all full of moments of magic.

Easy to read due to Mrs. Mint's writing style. Easy language, a good pace in which events follow each other.
A story about a young woman who is going to learn how to use her spellbook with her dyslexia. A spellbook that responds to her questions when she is in need. That gives in to the sexual pleasures her incubus offers her and is open to a relationship with a werewolf.
Also a book full of suspense where Layla tries to find out who killed the women in her town and discovers the mystery of Calvin and his brothers who grew up in the cult where "Father" is the alpha.
And who is this Mr White that is frequently referred to is in the book and which is central to the final chapter?
I really hope there is a follow-up story. The end is too open to stop here!

I received an ARC for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily

[Melli Reads Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claw


A witch, a werewolf, an… incubus, oh my! 😁

This book starts off hot and heavy. So if your not into that you may want to move along. It is also about witches demons and incubus. And if your a 90s kids then i pictured Charmed while reading this. 🤷🏽‍♀️ sorry, not sorry.

They also mention a menticore and now all I can think about in onward. I digress.

I actually think this is a perfect October read! It has steam, mystery, and also is pretty funny.

I really enjoyed the story line and felt it helped to make the book move faster.

Ink is definitely my favorite character, despite the obvious (incubus 😛) he is hilarious, and right up my ally. 😉

Do you like to seasonal reads?

Melli’s Book Breakdown
-Steamy
-RH
-heroine POV only
-college student
-supernatural romance
-witches/demons/werewolves/etc

Melli’s Two Cents 😝
If you are new to RH or want to try one, this is a good one to start with. Not too intense and only two different guys.

You can follow me on ig @mellireadsromance

*I received this book as an ARC and am leaving an honest and voluntary review. 💖