Reviewed by JustJen
Title: Facing Demons
Author: Lynley Wayne
Series: Scars #3
Heroes: Seth Dempsey/Cameron Reyes
Genre: MM Contemporary
Length: 379 Pages
Publisher: MLR Press
Release Date: October 3, 2014
Available at: MLR Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Add it to your shelf: Goodreads
Blurb: When demons from his past interfere with his present, Cam knows Seth is the only one he can trust to help him face them.
At the age of fifteen, Seth Dempsey gave his heart to Cameron Reyes. Three years later, Cam shattered it when he walked away. When Cam blows back into Seth’s life years later, Seth knows he will do whatever it takes to ensure Cam doesn’t slip away again. Even if it means going up against a corrupt DEA agent and a drug cartel.
Cameron Reyes was born on the wrong side of the tracks. He fell in love with Seth, but knew the only way to keep him safe was to leave, no matter how much it hurt. Eleven years later, when his life implodes, he knows the only person he can trust is the boy whose heart he broke all those years ago.
While they fight to stay one step ahead of everyone and clear Cam’s name, can they learn to work together in order to face down the demons of the past and find the happily ever after they have dreamed of?
Review: This is the first book I’m reading of this series, though, as I believe they are all merely related in theme, I had no trouble reading it on its own. The cover, title and blurb called to me from the get go, and I was not disappointed.
Seth and Landon are best friends who have also friended Cam. They know things are pretty bad for Cam at home, but they have learned not to push or that Cam will disappear on them. Seth and Cam are a bit closer, and much to the reluctance of Cam, they start a somewhat secret relationship.
Cam lost his mother when he was a toddler, and that was the turning point for his father, who then turned into the dad from hell. He eventually became involved in drugs and a motorcycle gang, and used and abused Cam in many ways, though mostly as a punching bag and drug runner when he was a teen. After a delivery goes bad, Cam is given a choice, or not so much of a choice really, to be a CI (confidential informant), for the DEA or go to jail. For years, he has endured the beatings and putting up with the agent, living for his 18th birthday, when he and Seth would graduate, he would be free from the DEA’s clutches and be able to move away and have a real life with Seth. Before that can happen, however, things heat up, and Cam becomes more elusive and withdrawn with Seth. He eventually walks away altogether to keep Seth safe, and breaks Seth’s heart in the process. Seth, of course, has no idea about any of this, other than he has forever been unable or not allowed to help Cam and now Cam has hurt him terribly.
Fast forward 11 years, Seth is a very successful, now rich, businessman. Cam is now on the run, a wanted man, with no one he can trust, except Seth. Still not really allowing Seth to help him, he leaves again thinking to keep Seth safe. Seth calls in favors and his few trusted friends, ex-military elite members, and the rest is out of Cam’s hands. These guys struggle to almost the end with the back and forth about who is able to handle the others’ lives and issues, and who is capable of taking care of who, with neither wanting to let the other do it.
I really enjoyed this story. I’m a sucker for damaged or abused characters, and Cam worked his way right into my heart. While his actions and behavior were quite frustrating at times, they were all completely understandable given his background and circumstances.
This is a long book, and it does seem a little drawn out at times, but I still didn’t want to put it down. I really wanted to see Cam get a break and have a real chance with Seth. Even though things didn’t seem to be moving very fast, there is quite a bit of action, and I never felt the need to skim to get there faster. As I said earlier, I have not read any of the others in this series, nor have I read anything else by Ms. Wayne, but I am definitely interested in doing so now.
Overall Impression: I really liked it!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in return for a fair and honest review.*
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