Watchworks Stitch (Gothika Book 1)
MM Romance/Steampunk
Dreamspinner Press
April 20, 2014
75 pages of a 294 page anthology
Gothika: Volume One
When a certain kind of man is needed, why not make him to order? Such things can be done, but take care: Much can go wrong—but then, sometimes it can go wonderfully right. Imagine...
In The Golem of Mala Lubovnya, a seventeenth century rabbi creates a man of clay to protect the Jews, and the golem lives a life his maker never imagined, gaining a name—Emet—and the love of a good man, Jakob Abramov. But their love may not survive when Emet must fulfill his violent purpose.
In Watchworks, Luke Prescott lives as a gentleman in a London that never was. His unique needs bring him to famed watchmaker Harland Wallace. Romance might blossom for them if Harland can come to terms with loving a man and keeping him safe.
In Made for Aaron, a young man in an asylum for being gay met the love of his life, Damon Fox. Twenty years later, Aaron thinks his life is over when Damon dies and then disappears from the hospital. Aaron is determined to find the truth, but secrets hide the unthinkable.
Reparations unfolds on the harsh planet of Kalan, where weakness cannot be tolerated. When Edward needs help, his life becomes entwined with exceptional cyborg slave, Knox. But when Knox remembers things he shouldn’t know, the two may pay a blood price for their taboo alliance.
Reviewed by Melissa Brus
Member of the Paranormal Romance Review Team
Watchworks is one of four stories in an anthology of “monster” themed MM romances. In this novella, Jamie Fessenden creates a very moody, yet very moving, steampunk romance. Watchmaker Harland Wallace and his journey of getting to know Luke Prescott challenges the reader to reconsider what defines our “humanity”. It also challenges preconceptions of what is a “monster”. This short story is packed with beautiful descriptions that truly transport the reader effortlessly into this amazing world that Fessenden has created. The ability to bring the reader to care so deeply for Luke, especially as his history is revealed, is a true talent. Watching Harland wrestle with his desires is, on its own, a coming out story. The added stress of Luke’s certainly intensifies Harland’s struggles to be true to his feelings. There is some violence in this story. It is not gratuitous in any way. It is, in fact, the turning point for Harland and Luke. I completely fell in love with Luke’s gentleness and kindness. The fact that he was the most endearing character, truly demonstrates the author’s skills in imbuing his characters with depth. This story alone is worth the cost of the anthology. (Then you get the added bonus of three other great stories.)
0.5