Demons: Jase & Cassie

by R.J. Van Cleave

Demons is the first book in the MacLane Family series. It is the story of Jase & Cassie and does NOT have a cliffhanger ending. Due to ‘adult content,’ this book is best suited for readers 18 years of age and older.

Jason “Jase” MacLane grew up surrounded by money. Being half of Anderson-MacLane Industries had its privileges and provided a rather comfortable life for Jase and his siblings. Sure his family worked hard for that money, but to the opposite sex, that’s what made Jase so damn attractive. His luck with women, and love sucked. It took a few ex-girlfriends, and one cheating ex-wife, to cement the idea that he’d never be worth more to a woman than the amount of money he had in his bank account.

Cassandra “Cassie” Middleton grew up in a working-class family, surrounded by more love than money. When her parents died, Cassie stepped in and took care of her teenage sister while putting her own life on hold. It took one selfish ex-boyfriend, and one distant ex-husband, to prove to her that she was better suited for the role of caregiver and mother than for what she wanted most – to be desired and loved for who she was, rather than for what she did.

When Cassie buys the old Potts Farm out from under Jase, the compost hits the fan, and then the sparks fly. Cassie sees Jase as more than a means to financial security, and Jase sees Cassie as more than a mom and a provider. However, the demons from their past relationships prevent them from seeing themselves for who they really are. It will take trust, perseverance, one hell of a wild ride, and the willingness to risk it all, just one more time, to find the love they both deserve. Sometimes, you just need to find the right person to help you drive out your demons…

Genres: Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

427 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 14, 2014

About the author

R.J. Van Cleave was born and raised in a small town just east of San Diego, California, where she still resides today. From the time R.J. was a small child, she wanted to be a doctor or have babies. In the 6th grade, one very special teacher, and a nun to boot ignited a love for science in her that is still there today. Then in high school, one phenomenal English teacher introduced her to American and British literature, and her love for books and writing took off. High school was also when she met and fell in love with the young man who would later become her husband.

R.J. graduated from the University of San Diego in 1994, with her Bachelor of Arts in Biology, and a minor in English Literature. When she was told not to put off having children, she opted not to go onto medical school. Instead, she got a job in the biotech industry as a virologist working on feline vaccines and finally married her high school sweetheart. They welcomed their first daughter in 1998, and in 1999, R.J. decided to become a stay at home mom. The arrival of fraternal twin girls surprised them in 2006. Obviously, the doctors were wrong about the 'not putting off having kids' thing.

2011 was the turning point in R.J.’s life. Her mom and mentor died suddenly from undiagnosed lymphoma, and that rocked her world. She inherited her elderly father and her mother’s two dogs, and life changed dramatically. In June of 2013, R.J. decided to finally follow the advice her mother had given her years ago - to write down the stories of the characters that had taken up residence in her head. A three-part series and at least ten more books in the works was the result.

R.J. enjoys watching TV shows such as Castle, Big Bang Theory, CSI, Rizzoli & Isles, Mike & Molly, and pretty much and other police/crime/comedy that she can record on her DVR. Not one for coffee, she's addicted to English and Irish breakfast tea (which she drinks ‘British style’ just like her mom), and Tazo Chai tea lattes (homemade is good, but the Starbucks baristas make them SO much better). She would love to hear from her readers, so please, drop her a line, and introduce yourself.

R.J. can be contacted by e-mail at rjvancleave@gmail.com,
or find her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/RJVanCleave

Reviews

[Jo - •.★Reading Is My Bliss★.• · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, so I went into this thinking it was going to be a sweet love story set in the country and it is but there is so much more happening than a romance.

Cassie moves to a home in the country in a bid to escape the LA lifestyle. She is a divorced mother of gorgeous twin girls and has plans to turn her little patch of land into a sustainable organic business.

The McLane family live next door and unbeknownst to Cassie, the eldest son Jase was the other bidder on the house she bought. He is pissed that he was outbid and full of attitude when they finally meet. He had a bad experience with his ex-wife and has already made up his mind about the sort of person Cassie is. What he wasn’t expecting was to be completely attracted to her and the feelings she evokes in him.

Cassie is blown away by the attitude and arrogance of Jase McLane. Who the hell does he think he is?! Most annoyingly, why does he have to be so damn good looking and make her feel things she hasn’t for a very long time.

Jase was molten chocolate lava cake that was all gooey and yummy and decadent, in fact, that it made you want to lick the plate.

At this stage I was anticipating a slow building sweet love story between these two with lots of sweet moments of interaction between Jase and the twins, Sophie & Julie. There is a bit of that but I think there could have been so much more.

Both of them carry around their own demons. Jase has huge trust issues and he is slowly coming to learn through spending time with Cassie that there are nice women in the world. Cassie too has her own issues, her self esteem is completely shot after she feels like she failed to get her ex-husband to love and want her, she wasn’t enough for him. What man could possibly find her attractive, especially Jase, he is every woman’s walking wet dream.

To me this would have been enough of a plot for a romance story but for some reason some other shady characters and events were interjected into this story and I felt like they were not necessary, they gave the chance for Jase to show his heroic side but didn’t really add to the overall story.

The story felt a little bit rushed towards the end and some moments that could have been really beautiful moments were just touched on. As a reader I really wanted to feel these moments but was left wanting more.

[Debi Barnes- Mean Girls Luv Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Demons: Jase and Cassie (The MacLanes) was a good debut novel for RJ Van Cleave. Demons follows Jase MacLanes and Cassie Middleton and their rollercoaster of a relationship.

Cassie is a single mom of twins who moved away from her LA life and purchased a Potts farm. Cassie is strong, independent and pretty kick ass but she has not always lived the glamorous life.

Cassie’s now has four hot MacLane boys as her new neighbors. Jase is the oldest and is hooked at first sight but he fights their connection due to his past. Jase was “the perfect mux of bad-ass make and boy next door, even if he had something brooding behind those gorgeous green eyes.”

Cassie and Jase’s journey was a drama filled one. I think at times I was like, come on! Enough of the road blocks, let’s get these two together. Personally, I think there could have had one less dramatic event but all of them didn’t carry on for a long time so it was okay.

I will say that this book one of the most hilarious scenes I have read in a book in a long time. Let’s just say that it involved a hot man and the feminine product isle. I literally laughed out loud. This book also had a set of twins in it. I am finding this an overused trend but RJ told it how it really is. I too am a twin mommy so reading how it really is was refreshing.

I think RJ did a great job and I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Damages: Justin and Mary. We got to see them a little towards the end of the book and I am definitely going to tune in!

I received an ARC for an honest review

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Money is one thing Jason's family has always had, but he didn't let that define him. He went to college and then enlisted, and when he found a woman he thought he loved he married her even if it was a bit of a shotgun wedding. 3 years later when he finally finished his tour of duty he found out just what kind of woman she really was and after her sudden death he turned his back on women, until SHE came along and knocked him on his a$$.

She was looking for a place to start over and thought the farm was just the place to do it. When she met the fmaily next door Cassie got more than she ever expected. With her past being what it was and her two little girls taking all her attention along with her new home she had no desire to find a man. But when HE walked in thinking he knew everything even his high and mighty attitude couldn't stop her girly parts from taking notice.

Their pasts are keeping both of them from trying to go foward, but with pushes from those around them they might get the happily ever after if only their willing to let go of their demons.

Jase is a smartmouthed alpha male who think he know everything. Cassie is a girl who does it all for herself and never asks for help. The two bring balance to each other. Cassie knocks Jase down a few pegs and Jase shows Cassie the beauty in herself and that she doesn't have to do everything alone. I loved seeing their story play out and watching them grow together.

[Jessica]

I was trying really hard to finish this one because while I wasn't living it out was enjoyable enough but it just wouldn't freaking end. Hero has trust issues...pretty clear where they came from, but he uses that as an excuse to be a major jerk at the beginning and lame the rest of the way through. Heroine has body image/self esteem issues but we're never actually told where those came from. I liked her personality and especially her snark. But this wasn't a romance book. It was a series of montages that had no real substance then random info dumps and so many characters i stopped even trying to keep track. The mcs spend no real time together have never even been on a date and only kissed like two or three times and yet they're thinking love? That makes no sense...like sure..lust fine but love? Nah. They didn't even have a single thing in common that I could find.  The writing style also didn't appeal to me but I don't really know how to describe why. There was a lot of stream of conscious writing and thoughts that didn't seem to truly match the character butt that wasn't really it. I guess the best way I can say it was the writing didn't draw me in and make me need to see what happened...Just indifference. But the quitting point was when I realized I wasn't even halfway through the book. Though I didn't hate it I didn't like it enough to read another 200 pages

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cassandra "Cassie" Middleton knows that her marriage was not built on love but was for the sake of her twin girls. After an amicable divorce, Cassie decides to move with her girls to Old Potts Farm and reinvent her life. She had not expected her hot tempered neighbor Jason "Jase" MacLane to have a problem with er or to seem to suffer from foot in mouth syndrome.

Jase had a plan for Old Potts Farm, level it and wipe away the last remaining memory of his wife. Jase had a marriage that was a facade and when he finally saw her true colors it was too late. Jase doesn't want to find Cassie attractive, but he can't help himself especially when she is all riled up. Can Jase let go of his past and find a future with Cassie or is he going to spend the rest of his life hiding behind his fears?

Very funny story, it has its share of drama too but when Cassie and Jase are together they bicker and in such a way you find yourself chuckling out loud frequently. I thought this was a delightful read, fully engaged from beginning to end. Looks to be more books in the future, can't wait.

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book because I won book 2. It said I could read it as a stand alone but I like to read the series in order when I can. While I was waiting for Damages to get to me I read Demons and am very happy I did. I enjoyed it very much (and even stayed up until well into the morning to finish it).

[Paula Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it,loved Cassie she was sweet but totally kicka**,read it in one sitting and can't wait for the next one in the series

[Trudy Dowling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been reading a lot of samples in preparation for an author signing. It took ten samples, that I didn’t finish, before I started Demons: Jase and Cassie’s story. I quickly purchased the ebook because the sample just wasn’t enough. As soon as I finished Demons I bought the other two ebooks that are available.
I really like the Cassie. She has purchased a farm in need of love in order to give her and her twin girls a fresh start. Jase, a neighbor, had wanted the property. He was not happy—picture—open mouth insert foot when he met the new owner. He was definitely good for a few laughs in the beginning. There were also laughs at Jase’s expense. His younger brothers enjoyed ribbing him. His brothers enjoyed forcing him into awkward situations.
The way the story developed had me giddy for romance. So many books lately seem to rush into the bedroom without building a relationship first. The chemistry is amazing. That keeps Jase coming back to Cassie, but he has to learn to trust and open himself up for love.
Jase has to work hard to win Cassie’s heart. Life has left her swimming in self doubt. Cassie is afraid to love. She is afraid of repeating the past.
There were a few nail biting moments. I didn’t expect them, but they added to the story. One situation in particular helped pave the way for the rest of the story. Sometimes people just need a little push in the right direction. But just like real life, Jase and Cassie hit quite a few bumps in the road. The bumps kept me hooked. Jase had me swooning. Cassie had me wanting to hug her and tell her all would be alright. (Even though at times I wasn't quite sure if the would be alright).

[Ginger Snaps · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met Author R.J. Van Cleave recently at an Book Signing event in San Diego, and that was how I learned of this series. This was a sweet love story between Jase & Cassie, who happen to become next door neighbors when Cassie buys the farm next door and moves in with her 4 year old twin girls. Due to the demons in his past, Jase has all sorts of assumptions about Cassie, all of which are completely wrong. Cassie has her demons from her previous marriage and relationship prior, that affects how she sees herself, but she is kind and loving and is always putting everyone else in front of herself. She manages to find a way to get the farm up and running, growing organically and selling her homemade skin care products while fighting her attraction to her neighbor Jase, who keeps giving her hot, then cold vibes. He's falling for her too, but he's fighting it tooth and nail. I love how Cassie is not a ditsy woman constantly needing to be rescued and keeps her wits about her as a single woman living alone. This is the first book in a series, where Jase is the oldest of four brothers. One of them is already married but the other three are single. I loved getting to know all the side characters in this small town not far from San Diego, and I very much look forward to reading the next book in the series, which focuses on Jase's brother Justin. This is a standalone with an HEA.

[Heather Carver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg I loved this book. I loved Cassie and her witty, sassy personality. Love Jase and his Alpha ways!

Cassie has struggled a lot in life. She is ready to finally move on and be happy even if it is alone. She moves out to BFE to raise her daughters and farm. She doesn't expect to run into the MacLane family and fall in love with them. While she gets along with them all Jase has an attitude. She loves to put him in his place though!!!

Jase has sworn off all women. They are nothing but trouble that he doesn't want anything to do with. He knows the moment he meets Cassie that she is a game changer, but he can't stop putting his foot in his mouth and messing up! He wants Cassie, but he doesn't. He doesn't need a woman in his life, can he fight this attraction or will he fall?

This book will have you laughing, crying and saying 'Oh' 'Awe' a lot. It's not often a book has me laughing out loud. I could relate to Cassie and see myself saying a lot of what she does!!! I also like how there isn't the unnecessary drama in this book. It is all real. Loved this first read by RJ Van Cleave!! I CANNOT wait to red Justin and Mary's book!!!

[Audra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dropped a star due to spelling and grammar mistakes.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't really know what to expect when reading Demons, I had never heard of it or this author before but am happy I did read it. I thought the story line was great and the characters were all very likable. I did think the brothers were a bit immature for their age but other than that it was a great read!

[Starla Lowry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing story of a family and learning to love again. I cannot wait for the second book.

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Can't wait to get into the rest of the series!

[Andrea Doss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book

[Crystal Singer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by RJ and I really enjoyed it!!!!! It was laugh out loud funny, sexy, sweet and full of the right amount of drama! I'll for sure be picking up the others in this series!