Review: Another great character-driven tale from Cameron Dane
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 29, 2011
I picked this up from the publisher in electronic format when it was released and felt it's about time to add my review.Cameron excels at creating complex, multidimensional characters and bringing you into their heads. Their wants and desires and fears are all laid bare for you, and her skill in the craft is apparent in this novel. Here we have two complex individuals drawn to each other, but each having to overcome their own limitations and fears. Hunter fought in the war, and it's left him scarred inside. The flashbacks and emotions are so overpowering, they drive Hunter into fits of violence he can only control through self-inflicted pain. Because of this, he keeps his distance from the people he loves, not wanting to hurt them should he lose control. Alex, on the other hand, is a paragon of control. He controls all aspects of his life and business, and is now wealthy and believes himself to be happy. Even his love life is tightly controlled and planned out, and his affection is never freely given.If opposites truly attract, then it's no wonder these two men find themselves drawn to each other. One can barely maintain control, and the other can barely relinquish it. The contrast between the two men also makes for a compelling and engrossing tale. Many of Cameron's other tales often have suspenseful events unfolding in the background to act as the canvas upon which the romance unfolds. Here, the focus is on the two main characters as they're richly developed. Other background characters have all had their stories told in the Hawkins Ranch series, and it's a warm treat to revisit some old friends (Cain and Luke, for intance).This tale is on the darker side. The pain Hunter inflicts upon himself is normally a serious enough topic as it is, and it's handled with great empathy and sympathy by Cameron. Cameron's explored violence before in her stories, but it feels more raw and emotional in this tale as it's inflicted by the protagonist.I adore Cameron's tales, and this one is no exception. It's engaging, compelling, and gripping. The pace is good, the characters rich, and the setting perfect. It's fully a five-star story.