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Conquering Kameron
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?
Gay / Contemporary / Romantic Comedy / Interracial / Multicultural
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?
Gay / Contemporary / Romantic Comedy / Interracial / Multicultural
Kindle Edition
First published April 27, 2014
About the author
Shawn Bailey
122 books58 followersShawn Bailey hails from New Orleans, LA, where she works as a programmer and help desk administrator. Shawn loves mangas and anime. Her current hobbies are watching Japanese and Korean dramas, when she has the spare time. She’s also trying to learn to speak and read both Japanese and Korean. She’s also into Korean pop music and can often be found with her MP3 player attached to her head. Shawn is single and enjoying the heck out it.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 1, 2014
Conquering Kameron is supposed to be the story of an executive assistant who falls in love with his boss, the CEO of Henderson Publishing. Notice I said “supposed to be?” What it actually reads like is a bad porn script. Nothing in this book was written realistically, and in this reviewer’s opinion, the office romance angle was taken way too far. Having sex in the CEO’s office every day, and the other employee’s being totally fine with it? Not happening. This whole book read like a sexual harassment case that needed to be filed, which made it good for a laugh with lines like, “Your body is so accommodating Kameron. And you know how to work that booty,” or “Vernon spread Kameron’s legs, moved in closer and humped him hard,” or my personal favorite, “I love it when Michael cooks for me and does my laundry.”
The last quote brings me to another issue I had with this book. Towards the end, I felt it became downright sexist. Vernon and his cousin Jonathan are both alpha tops, while their assistants are the stereotypical twinky bottoms. If it stopped there, I’d be fine with that, but lines like the one about cooking and laundry lend a very sexist air to this book. One character in particular inspired a great deal of hatred in me because it’s basically understood that he “doesn’t take no for an answer,” yet he still maintains his position because he’s “one of the best editors in the business.” Way to perpetuate rape culture with that line/character.
The author’s writing style is only mediocre in my opinion. It felt like Shawn Bailey was trying just a little too hard to pull off sexy dialogue, but what it ended up being was ridiculous. I found more than several grammatical errors just in the first few chapters (wrong words used, punctuation, etc.), so the editing was also an issue. Between what was basically a nonexistent plot and there being no conflict to resolve, which kind of threw me, I’m rating Conquering Kameron two stars, though I feel even that might be a little generous.
The last quote brings me to another issue I had with this book. Towards the end, I felt it became downright sexist. Vernon and his cousin Jonathan are both alpha tops, while their assistants are the stereotypical twinky bottoms. If it stopped there, I’d be fine with that, but lines like the one about cooking and laundry lend a very sexist air to this book. One character in particular inspired a great deal of hatred in me because it’s basically understood that he “doesn’t take no for an answer,” yet he still maintains his position because he’s “one of the best editors in the business.” Way to perpetuate rape culture with that line/character.
The author’s writing style is only mediocre in my opinion. It felt like Shawn Bailey was trying just a little too hard to pull off sexy dialogue, but what it ended up being was ridiculous. I found more than several grammatical errors just in the first few chapters (wrong words used, punctuation, etc.), so the editing was also an issue. Between what was basically a nonexistent plot and there being no conflict to resolve, which kind of threw me, I’m rating Conquering Kameron two stars, though I feel even that might be a little generous.
August 21, 2014
This book was reviewed by Love Bytes Reviews!
August 25, 2016
The publishing company that features in Conquering Kameron would have gone broke years ago if it followed the management practices described.
June 4, 2014
2.5 Stars
“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.)
Review written for Love Bytes
http://lovebytesreviews.com/2014/06/0...
“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.)
Review written for Love Bytes
http://lovebytesreviews.com/2014/06/0...
May 30, 2022
Susah cari yang sempurna, pasti ada sedikit hal yang mengganggu. Seperti, pasti ada saja karakter yang mencoba menggoda si karakter utama dan meskipun si karakter utamanya sudah sexually satisfied tapi masih fantasize laki-laki lain, ew!
Jonathan and Michael's story looks more interesting than Cameron's!
Jonathan and Michael's story looks more interesting than Cameron's!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2015
I have mixed feelings about Shawn Bailey’s story Conquering Kameron. I adored Kameron. He was perfect, maybe a bit too perfect. I mean you find out that the man you have been dating is keeping a secret, that he is your boss. You find out that your new boss has a habit of sleeping with his assistants. And you don’t blow up? You don’t hold him accountable? You do nothing but go on with life as if nothing untoward happened? Speaking of his new boss, Vernon. I found him to be a bit stiff and not in a good way. Ms. Bailey did not flesh out his character. You could see glimpses of the type of man he was when he interacted with his cousin but they were so brief I couldn’t decide if I liked who he was. I also didn’t buy the chemistry between Vernon and Kameron, or should I say lack thereof. Ms. Bailey just seemed to think sex for sex sake was enough and I felt that it was dropped into the story because it was expected and not because it was necessary between Kameron and Vernon.
Having said that, I loved the friendship that blossomed between Kameron and Michael. I enjoyed their comradery. I could believe the growing respect between them where I struggled with Vernon. I think this story had the beginnings of being something good. I just found that it missed the mark for me.
Three Red Stars
Having said that, I loved the friendship that blossomed between Kameron and Michael. I enjoyed their comradery. I could believe the growing respect between them where I struggled with Vernon. I think this story had the beginnings of being something good. I just found that it missed the mark for me.
Three Red Stars
May 23, 2014
I really enjoyed this book, I loved the characters especially Kameron and Vern. I don't want to give away too much but they are sexy as hell together. I loved the secondary characters as well, Jonathan and Michael are perfect for each other, love their banter and flirting. George creeped me out a little, can't the guy take the hint..lol.. I thought Michael and Kamerons friendship was great, they are funny when they bust on each other and brag...I thought the author created a sexy story with some intrigue, mystery and cute funny characters. Oh yeh did I say Vern and Kameron are sexy as hell together and perfect for each other too, Love Kamerons quirks too. The only part I wanted more of is when Michael and Kameron were supposed to meet the parents, I would have liked to see how that went. I would definitely want to read more by this author This story was very sexy, sweet, awe like and funny, very cute. 4 stars review by Nanee at upallnightreadallday.blogspot.com
May 4, 2014
Sorry, cannot recommend this one as I stopped reading after . Just too fluffy for me.
June 30, 2014
Omg, that was really bad. I didn't like Kameron the moment he was introduced. Too one-dimensional, too good, too excited to work (it's not a bad thing but he was just too much and it was annoying), add very simple dialogues, cliche plot and it's obvious DNF for me.
August 9, 2016
2-2.5 It was fine and there were some cute moments, mostly by Michael who wasn't one of the main characters. Just a little simplistic for me.
July 1, 2014
DNF....made it to the first sex scene. When you start laughing during a sex scene that is not supposed to be funny...NOT good! Sigh, disappointed because I very, very rarely DNF a book.
August 5, 2014
This felt like bad porn to me and at times really sexist.
February 23, 2026
bad plot (if there is one), bad dialogue, bad everything
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews