Cameron Dane

 

Author Cameron Dane offers a series that has something for everyone

Author: Cameron Dane

Series Connection: Hawkins/Quinten, Montana Series

Publisher: Loose Id

Genre: Paranormal/ Contemporary Romance/ M-F Roamnce/ M-M Romance/ Mystery/ Suspense/ Thriller

 

Last week I picked up a book by author Cameron Dane called Dreaming in Color. Reading it had reminded me that I had wanted to go back and read some more of the Hawkins series that the author had written last year. I read Knowing Caleb, which was the final book in the series, and like it so much.

 

So I spent the week reading the rest of the series and I was so impressed that I decided to write them up all in one. One of the best features about this series is that there are many different romance genres going on throughout the series. The series features three men who, although not related by blood, all share familial bond. They are all demons who shift into human. Meeting nearly two hundred years ago in their teens, the three shifter are not interested in living the way other demons do and decided to go off on their own.

 

The three must follow the rules of the demons, but they pretty much stay among themselves and hope for the day that they can break the demon curse and become fully human.

 

In the first story, Demon Moon, Cameron introduces Connor. In order to become human Connor has to find a woman who is completely and truly in love with him. If they can complete a special ritual, on the full moon that takes place on a Halloween night, Connor's demon will go away.

 

Connor is in love with Cassie. She is the woman of his dreams, but she is too young for him and he keeps away. He refuses to reveal himself as the demon and ask for her help.

 

In book 2, Fallen, Cameron introduces readers to Cain. Cain has known all his life that he is gay, but for his type of demon it is against all the rules to be with another man. If he is found out he could be killed. No one has tempted Cain in 175 years. That is until Luke. Connor asks Cain if he can help by giving Luke a job. Now it is just a matter of time before Cain takes what he wants and the demon council finds out and orders Cain execution.

 

In book three, ReneCade, the demon angle of the story is basically forgotten and Cameron introduces readers to other members of the supporting cast of the series. Ren and Cade. Ren is the sheriff's son and a young man who works for the Hawkins. He knows he is gay, but is afraid to let anyone know for fear that it will ruin his father's reputation and ultimately ruin the relationship between Ren and his father.

 

Cade is a quiet deputy that works for Ren's father. He has experienced the worst that life of a gay man has to offer and has to live with the consequences every day. When he moved to Quinten, Montana he told no one he was gay, but he can't hide his feelings for Ren. The battle between the two men and their secret about their sexual orientation keeps the story moving.

 

Book 4, Ride, is the story of the Sheriff and Risa. Risa is not only Luke, from book 2, sister. She is also Ren's best friend. She has been in love with Sheriff, Duke, ever since she was a teenager. Duke is 20 years older than Risa and is worried what the people of his small town will say when he starts up a relationship with a younger woman. Then there is the problem about the fact that Risa is a bull rider and Duke hates the fact that she is involved in such a dangerous sport.

 

And in Book 5 and what appears to be the end of the series, but who knows, is Knowing Caleb. Caleb Hawkins has always been a fun loving sort. He hinds his relationship issues behind of mask of having affairs with one woman after another. Then one day he sees an acquaintance in trouble and helps the other man out.

 

Jake is depressed and despondent over the passing of his wife. Even after four years he can't seem to get over her death. When Caleb makes him an offer as foreman of his ranch, Jake jumps at the chance and moves in with Caleb. An attraction like nothing either of them have ever felt before grabs hold of both men for each other. The only problem is that neither of the men are gay and neither want to be. As the two men come to terms with the way they are feeling for each other and what to do about it, an unknown is trying to kill Caleb. This story is where the author re-introduces the demon theme to the story.

 

Many times I've heard that authors shouldn't mix genres in a series, but I think that this series is a prime example of how well it can work. The five books hold together as a unit well, and it isn't necessary for everyone involved in the series to know that the Hawkins brothers are demons to make the series mesh together. These books are good for an easy week long read for fast readers or someone who enjoys series books. While much of the sex scenes are pretty vanilla in content, they are on the erotic side, especially in the M/M books.

 

Book descriptions from the back of the book:

 

Demon Moon

 

Rancher Connor Hawkins despises every drop of demon blood that courses through his veins. He would give just about anything to become human. The only way he can make that happen is to participate in a darkly sensual ritual under a rare full Halloween moon with a woman who loves him unconditionally. He's got the full moon, if only he can risk his heart and tell Cassandra Claire what he really is.

 

Cassie Claire thinks she already knows the real Connor, and she's been in love with him since she was eighteen years old. They've shared a unique friendship from the day her father died and Connor brought her home to live with his family. But she's twenty-three now, and on this

Halloween night she's determined to make the stoic, stubborn Connor open his eyes and finally see her for the strong, capable young woman she's become.

 

But it's hard to trust when you never have, and Connor has precious little time before the full Halloween moon wanes, not to be seen again for many, many years. He has to tell her, but if he does, will she love him enough to do what must be done?

 

They'll both find out, one passionate night under a Demon Moon.

 

Falling: An Erotic Love Story

 

Cain Hawkins is a master at suppressing his desires. After all, he's been doing it for over one hundred years. What Cain wants more than anything is a man to love, but he knows that no matter how much he craves it, it can never be. Because Cain is a Naverto demon, and to desire another man is more than forbidden, it is an act that will bring about his execution. So he keeps to himself, working with abused horses on a small patch of land, all on his own. But then his brother makes a request that Cain cannot refuse.

 

Luke Forrester just wants a job and a place where he can recover from the brutal beating he took at the hands of his former boss. He dreams of a place where he can work with the horses that he loves so much. The fact that he's had a crush on Cain Hawkins, his best friend's brother-in-law, for more than two years threatens everything. But Luke's determined not to screw things up. He will do the work and prove to Cain that it wasn't a mistake to hire him, and he won't allow the fact that he desires something more with Cain to interfere with his work one bit.

 

But working and living in such close proximity can test the best of intentions, and when one kiss leads to something much, much more, Cain must open himself in a way that he never has before. He must trust Luke completely and tell him everything about who and what he is. And together, they must find a way to fight for Cain's humanity and save him from his demon clan before he is found out and they are ripped apart forever.

 

ReneCade

 

Lawman Cade McKenna moved to Quinten, Montana in order to forget his past, one that left his face half covered in scars. He does his job with quiet authority, but otherwise wants to be left alone.

 

Ren Boone loves his job as a jack-of-all-trades for Hawkins' Ranch. If only his personal life were as uncomplicated as his work. Ren needs to get over a crush on his best friend, and he has to find a way to tell his father, the sheriff, that he's gay.

 

When sabotage hits the ecological project Ren is working on, Cade is assigned the case. Suddenly, Cade is fighting an attraction for the boss's son, and Ren starts to see the serious Deputy McKenna, a man who can no longer smile, as breathtaking and beautiful.

 

As danger mounts, tempers and desires flare out of control. Ren and Cade explode in an act of passion that sends them both reeling. A secret affair begins, one fraught with peril and misunderstandings right from the start. Then Ren makes a catastrophic mistake that almost costs Cade his life. Can Cade forgive him and let Ren back into his vulnerable heart?

 

Ride

 

Bull rider Risa Forrester and Sheriff Duke Boone have been dancing around their attraction for the better part of a year now. Almost everyone in Quinten, Montana can see it, even though Risa and Duke have never so much as kissed, let alone anything more. Risa has been in love with the sheriff for a long time and senses Duke feels something for her, too. He's so damned rigid though -- and used to being in complete control -- that he won't let go with her and act on the fire that burns between them.

 

Duke knows he can never give in to the simmering lust he feels for the much younger Risa Forrester. Their age difference alone makes anything between them wildly inappropriate, and he will not invite small town gossip to his front door by engaging in a relationship with the vibrant young woman, who also happens to be his son's best friend.

 

But when Risa begins to seriously compete against men in her bull riding career, emotions long unused start to stir in Duke, ones he cannot ignore. Duke's fear of Risa getting hurt drives the passion between them, and before Duke knows it he is knee-deep in an affair with the hottest, most wildly engaging woman he has ever known. Duke finds himself almost obsessed with Risa -- something he hates feeling -- and is constantly fighting desire he swore he would never let in his life again.

 

The need to keep Risa safe pushes Duke into a reckless ultimatum, and in doing so forces the independent Risa right out of his arms. Can Duke find a way to let go of the strict control he holds over his life and allow a woman back into his heart? And if he can, how much of his soul will he have to give to this fiery woman in order to convince her that she's the only one he wants, forever?

 

Knowing Caleb

 

Caleb Hawkins has watched his brothers fall in love, all the while knowing that for him, it can never be. Caleb has terrible secrets locked in his soul, events in his past for which he can never atone or be forgiven. Someone discovering that he is a demon is the least of what leaves Caleb trembling with nightmares.

 

Jake Chase lost his wife six years ago and has never recovered. He doesn't want to fall in love again and has shunned even a simple date, let alone something more with a woman.

 

Caleb needs a foreman, and Jake needs a job that will get him off the rodeo circuit. Caleb hires Jake. Problem solved. Only, Caleb starts noticing little things about Jake he never has in a man before. . .things like hard lips and a honed, muscular body. For Jake, six years of celibacy have pushed him to a place of sexual need and he finds his gaze straying Caleb's wayÉand watching, hungrily.

 

Can Jake let go of his wife enough to find love with a man? If he can, will Caleb let down his walls and trust Jake with his past, risking his very soul for a chance at forever?

 

About the author from the back of the book:

I am an Air Force brat and spent most of my growing up years living overseas in Italy and England, as well as Florida, Georgia, Ohio, and Virginia while we were stateside. I now live in Florida once again with my big, wonderfully pushy family and my three-legged cat, Harry. I have been reading romance novels since I was twelve years old, and twenty years later I still adore them. Currently, I have an unexplainable obsession with hockey goaltenders, and an unabashed affection for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

 

Devlin And Garrick

Author: Cameron Dane

Series Connection: Seeking Redemption

ISBN 978-1-59578-708-8

Genre: Erotic Romance/ Gay Romance/ M-M

Publisher: Liquid Silver

 

5 Hearts

 

Another emotionally charged romance by Cameron Dane from the Redemption series. In this story, readers get to get a better look at Devlin, Aiden's brother from the first book. Devlin takes a trip to San Francisco with the express goal of checking out a man. He meets Gradyn and falls in love with him in one weekend.

 

Throughout the book the author does flash backs of the weekend Devlin and Gradyn spend together exploring the emotional attachment the two develop together. Both know they time has to come to an end at the end of the weekend, but years later the two men can't forget each other. When Graydon lands into to trouble his first thought is to go to Devlin.

 

The only problem is Gradyn must remain dead to the rest of the world. His appearance completely different from the way Devlin remembered him, Gradyn isn't sure Devlin will even recognize him or if he will even want to see Gradyn, especially after the way Gradyn ended things.

 

For those who like romance books filled with conflict, emotions, gay romance and a great love story this book, and this series so far, have all of that. I'll be interested where the author takes this series next.

 

Description:

Devlin Morgan and Gradyn Connell have one thing on their minds when they meet in a bar one Friday night in San Francisco. One good, hard fuck.

 

After the hell he's been through, Gradyn knows the young man sitting at the end of the bar--with his sweet nervousness and beautiful face--is just what he needs. And Gradyn has absolutely no problem getting up to say hello.

 

Devlin knows inviting muscle-bound, tattooed Gradyn to his motel room is the riskiest thing he's ever done, but there's something in the man's warm green eyes that tells Devlin everything will be all right.

 

One explosive encounter in Devlin's motel room is the plan. Only, it turns out one hot fuck isn't enough for either man. Dinner afterward leads to another round in bed, and what follows is a weekend together that stirs more emotions than either Devlin or Gradyn ever expected to feel.

 

Fast forward five years. Devlin has never forgotten Gradyn but he has moved on with his life. That is, until he walks into his sister's workplace and comes face to face with the man from his wild weekend in San Francisco.

 

Except, this man is calling himself Garrick Langley. This man is a shell of the man Devlin remembers and hardly looks like the same person. And the biggest kick in Devlin's gut? This Garrick Langley pretends he doesn't know Devlin at all.

 

Devlin doesn't care what this man looks like or that he has a new name. Garrick Langley is Gradyn Connell, and they both know it. Devlin is a lot more secure in his own skin now, and he wants answers. This Garrick had better look out because Devlin won't stop until he uncovers every one of Gradyn's secrets.

 

Note: This title contains male/male acts of loving, including oral, anal and rimming. Also includes scene with mild bondage and spanking.

 

Dreaming In Color

Author: Cameron Dane

ISBN: 978-1-59632-978-2

Genre: Contemporary Romance/ Paranormal/ M/M

 

5 Hearts

 

For two years Colin has been dreaming about a house and a man. He knows it is all in his head, but when he comes across a rundown version of the house in his dreams on a remote Fuji island, he knows he has to investigate.

 

Marek doesn't know what what to make of the man from his past who lands on his doorstep. He has came to this island to forget about partner who was murdered two years ago. When Colin tells Marek he is there because of a dream, Marek worries that Colin is out to exact revenge from their shared past.

 

When it become apparent that Colin is just what he seems to be, a man looking for answers about his dreams, Marek realizes that Colin doesn't know the secret that has haunted Marek for years and now it is too late to tell Colin without losing him. But will Marek lose him anyway when Colin finds out?

 

Cameron Dane has done a wonderful job with this emotionally charred novel of two men and how they deal with their individual homosexuality and their past. Marek has always been in the closet, keeping himself sheltered from harm and those, including his family members, who don't approve of his lifestyle. His relationships, even his relationship with his murdered lover, had always been in secret. He is a tortured soul that many times authors have a problem relaying with just words alone, but Cameron caught the essence of so well it made the book interesting and inspiring.

 

Colin is just the opposite of Marek in that he has lived through the worst that life could offer and pushed back to live a full life. After being nearly killed at the age of 17 he isn't afraid to put his neck out there and risk the hurt again. His strength of character is one of the best things about this book.

 

To top off an already interesting story is the mystery of Colin's dreams and what brought the two men together after all those years. The answers are worth the read.

 

Description:

Can a house possess a soul and want two men to fall in love?

 

The sight of the red door saves Colin Baxter in his dream, but very quickly a man appears and the dream becomes something of raw sexual need with a person Colin can't identify. He just knows the man needs him, and Colin aches to heal his loverÉeven if the man doesn't really exist.

 

Marek Donovan just wants to be left alone to lick his wounds and recover from a terrible loss. The rundown house in Fiji suits his minimal needs just fine. He doesn't want to face the world again, and on a small, secluded island figures he's safe from everyone and everything. Particularly guilt from his past.

 

Dreams of this nameless man and his house plague Colin for two years, but he's come to care about his phantom lover so deeply he doesn't want them to end. Then Colin visits Fiji and comes face-to-face with the house from his visions, prompting him to believe these dreams just might be his destiny.

 

Colin knocks on the door, determined to find answers.

 

He doesn't expect the man who answers to be someone he already knows.

 

A Fostered Love

Author: Cameron Dane

ISBN: 978-1-59632-902-7

Genre: Contemporary Romance/ M/M

 

Cameron Dane always pens with such raw emotion that it brings her characters to life. In A Fostered Love, Cameron tells the story of two foster kids who are reunited after 15 years when the woman who took them in dies and leaves the request that the kids she helped fix up her house and sell it for as much as they can and leave the money to charity. Christian has stayed in touch with his foster mother Mari and takes the task with ease. Jonah, who left the home, and roommate Christian, after being arrested and taken away by police, joins him.

 

Over the years Jonah had kept up with Marisol, as well and was more than willing to take on the responsibility to fix up her home. With the help of two others that Marisol fostered, Rodrigo and Abby, Jonah and Christian begin to work on the house while getting to know each other again. Along the way Jonah and Christian form a friendship and a loving bond that Jonah has never in his life experienced. For a man who never had been able to show any kind of emotion, other than in his work, that was saying a lot.

 

As Jonah gives his heart, danger finds Christian and Jonah fears that something will happen to the man he's come to care for. Can Jonah convince Christian to get help before it is too late?

 

Cameron does a wonderful job in describing Jonah's character. In the news you hear stories of children who are brought up in homes like Jonah and how they wind up spending their life in jail for committing crime, after crime. Jonah's character steps away from the shackles of his past, but he still has a hard time reaching out emotionally, except with the one man who he has always had a soft spot for, Christian. There are few authors who can really delve into a character like that and make you stand up and notice. Cameron doesn't just do it in this book, but in several others I've read from her the past year. Kudos for you, Cameron for achieving that status.

 

Description from book:

Christian Sanchez never thought he would see Jonah Roberts again. Foster brothers for a short time as teens, Christian developed a massive crush on Jonah, his tough, older roommate. That all ended when the cops came and arrested Jonah, stealing him from Christian's uncertain world.

Jonah never forgot Christian, even though he cut off all contact with the boy. Jonah knew the kid with the crush on him would be better off forgetting that Jonah ever existed. Jonah stayed in contact with his foster mother Marisol, but refused to hear stories about Christian, and made the woman promise never to tell Christian anything about him.

Fifteen years later, Marisol passes away. She leaves a request that Jonah come home and help Christian renovate her house. Jonah can't refuse, even though he knows he will have to face Christian once again.

Although they haven't seen each other in years, neither man has forgotten the other. Neither man will deny Marisol her final request eitherÉeven if it means facing their past, working together, sharing the room they had as teens, getting to know one another now as men, and discovering that the brief friendship they shared has altered into a consuming, abiding love.

 

About the author from the back of her book:

I am an air force brat and spent most of my growing up years living overseas in Italy and England, as well as Florida, Georgia, Ohio, and Virginia while we were stateside. I now live in Florida once again with my big, wonderfully pushy family and my three-legged cat, Harry. I have been reading romance novels since I was twelve years old, and twenty years later I still adore them. Currently, I have an unexplainable obsession with hockey goaltenders, and an unabashed affection for The Daily Show with Jon Stewart.

 

Seeking Redemption: Aidan & Ethan

Author: Cameron Dane

ISBN: 978-1-59578-515-2

 

5 Hearts

 

Description:

Redemption, Maine. Never had the name of a town been more apt or mocked a person more.

 

Aidan Morgan made many mistakes in his young life, but moving to Redemption gave him a chance to wash away his poor choices and repair his relationship with his siblings.

 

Ethan Ashworth had the blond good looks of a hometown football star, but the picture didn't match the heart and mind of the young man living inside.

 

The new kid in town with a history of getting into trouble and an unlikely geek don't often make a match, but a unique friendship forms. With one searing kiss on graduation day, promises of a future are made. One day later Aidan is gone, and Ethan's heart is left broken.

 

Redemption, Maine. Never had the name of a town been more apt or mocked a person moreÉtwice.

 

Thirteen years ago Aidan disappeared in the dead of night, but he is home now. Aidan has come home to take the job of chief of the fire department and to reconnect with his brother and sister. He wants Ethan back too. Unable to forget their kiss, Aidan wants to explain why he went away, and he wants a second chance to win Ethan's heart.

 

Too bad for Aidan, Ethan isn't so quick to forgive and forget. He dealt with a life-changing crisis after Aidan went away. His hurt and anger at how Aidan left him alone has resurfaced, bringing the controlled man back to life. Ethan will listen to Aidan's reasons for leaving when he's damn good and readyÉand not a minute before.

 

Redemption, Maine. A place for second chances. Will the town -- and Ethan Ashworth -- give Aidan Morgan another shot to get it right?

 

My View:

I don't read a lot of gay romance, but of those I've read I've seen that generally those from mainstream authors are pretty well done. This is a great example. The issues aren't all about the pitfalls of being gay in this age, which could get boring if done too often. We already know that being gay is not easy even in today's accepting world, but they are about real life issues outside of that realm. In Aidan and Ethan's novel the story line is all about forgiveness and getting over a long hurt. This is something we can all relate with whether we are gay or not.

 

The story is well thought out and the couple involved works well together. I liked the supporting characters, as well. After checking out Cameron's web site I see that sometime in the future she might come back and visit this series. Some of the other characters deserve a second look, so I hope that happens.