Reviewed by Donna

TITLE: Conquering Kameron

AUTHOR: Shawn Bailey

PUBLISHER: Amber Quill Publishing

LENGTH: 31,000 Words

BLURB:

Boston University graduate Kameron Santella lands a job with a prestigious publishing house, but instead of getting the job of his dreams, he ends up at the bottom of the corporate ladder, working his butt off in the mail room. One afternoon, he meets a handsome older man named Vern, whom Kameron thinks is a senior editor. Vern takes a liking to Kameron and invites him on a weekend trip to the museum and dinner. Before the outing ends, romance ensues, and Kameron finds himself falling for the silver-tongued devil. But on Monday morning, Kameron gets the shock of his life when he learns that Vern is actually Vernon Henderson, the no-nonsense CEO and publisher of Henderson’s Publishing Company whom everyone seems to fear.

Will Kameron be able to forgive Vern’s deception and build a relationship with the alluring man, especially when not only his career but his heart is on the line?

REVIEW:

“Can I help you with that?”

“Yes, if you don’t mind. I would hate for the other employees to see me so thick with desire.”

Aaaand that’s how Kameron begins his first day of work as Vern’s assistant – emphasis on the ass.

So, this book is just…yeah. I’m going to be totally honest and admit that I kind of loved it in a wrong sort of way. Like when you find yourself glancing at the TV and suddenly you can’t pull your eyes away from the badly acted out daytime drama playing in front of you. Well, maybe not you. But me. I’m one of those sick puppies who loves the ridiculously over the top Hollywood movies with the exaggerated plot and the cheesy one-liners. For me, the romance novel version of that is a circa 1980s Harlequin. I swear the 80s did everything OTT. The clothes, the hair, the ballads and the good old Mills & Boon. That’s what Conquering Kameron reminds me of. A story from the time before political correctness was, well, correct. Because seriously, there is no way in hell a company like Henderson Publishing could exist for more than a month before it was bankrupted paying out all the sexual harassment fines it would be slapped with.

“I have a few ideas running around in my head on the best approach to get you organized, Mr. Henderson. You can count on me to anticipate and satisfy your every need.”

Awww, Kameron is the most accommodating assistant a pervy older employer could ask for. When Kameron is successful in his application as Mr. Henderson’s new assistant he is first shoved into the mailroom to prove his mettle. Creepy Mr. Henderson begins watching Kameron and when he meets up with him on his way out of the building one night he takes the opportunity to ask the younger man out on a date. Kameron is instantly attracted to the man he only knows as Vern and doesn’t hesitate before jumping into bed with him. Imagine his surprise come Monday morning when he’s introduced to his new boss and discovers it’s the man he spent the previous night being plowed by. (God I just love that saying and it suits this story so I’m gonna use it!)

All of the characters in this story are such stereotypes but I think Vern is my favorite. He’s the ridiculously rich older man who has looks, power and growls a lot. Something sounding like a growl resonated through the walls this time. Michael jumped. “Do you think your cousin is turning into a werewolf? Because that would certainly explain a lot.” See, I’m not the only one to think he’s growly. Vern also has a thing for pretty, little, twinky men and is no stranger to “relations” in the work place. I truly could picture Vern chasing his nubile young secretaries around his desk. Maybe he shouldn’t judge an assistant by his dimples. Carter, his last assistant, had been cute but he couldn’t keep up. Jonathan had been smart this time and gotten him someone not only pleasing to the eye, but useful and knowledgeable about books and publishing. Carter had also been a dud in bed. All he did was just lie there. Henderson Publishing is such a progressive employer they now look for useful as well as screwable employees.

While the blurb makes it sound as though working together and sleeping together may be a source of some angst it isn’t like that at all. Actually apart from a very minor side plot of Vern trying to hunt down an author he desperately wants to sign to Henderson Publishing the whole story consists mainly of Vern and Kameron getting it on, usually at work. The only tension between the two, if you could even stretch to call it that is caused by Kameron flirting with another employee who again, inappropriately, pursues him rather aggressively at work. But a little more improper workplace behavior and our two MCs are sweet again. “Are you angry with me?” Kameron finished undressing.

Vern growled at him. Kameron took that as a yes. He trembled, dropped to his knees and crawled toward his boss. He buried his face into Vern’s crotch. “Please forgive me.”

Sorry but I just can’t get enough of quoting this book.

I liked the secondary characters in this book although to be honest they were almost carbon copies of Vern and Kameron. I don’t know why but where V & K had a creepy relationship, in my opinion, Jonathan and Michael leaned more towards cute. Maybe because they’re already an established couple when the story starts I found it easier to accept them. But rest assured Jonathan and Michael get plenty of smutty office time too. You want another quote? Ok. “Hmm, that reminds me. I could do with a little ride myself.” Michael fluttered his eyelashes at Jonathan. Those green eyes twinkled mischievously.

“I think I have some time available.” Jonathan led Michael into his office.

There were a few editing issues. At one point I got confused when a character asked a question and then the same character answered but it was actually intended to be a conversation between two different people.

I don’t mean to mock this book, well actually maybe I do, but I honestly don’t mean it in a nasty way. See, trouble is, this book made me giggle, it entertained me greatly. If it was intended to be a parody I would have given more stars. But in the end, even though I know I’ll reread this at some point I really can’t recommend it knowing most people will not be impressed.

Vernon patted Kameron on the head affectionately and then sauntered back into his office. (That’ll do pig.)

RATING:

BUY LINKS: 

Amazon 

Amber Quill

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