Inside Darkness

April 23, 2018
Lin (Stepping Out in Faith) opens the In My Own Skin contemporary romance series with two emotionally scarred protagonists learning there’s more to life than work. Early in his career, Cameron Donnelly, an international aid worker, witnessed the brutal murder of a gay acquaintance in Kenya. He swore to stay closeted for his own and others’ safety, and focused on the relief work he feels called to. Tyler Ang, whose beloved mother died from cancer when he was eight, grew up in the foster system and has made his way in television journalism, but feels trapped in New York City’s Chinatown beat because of his Asian heritage. After Cameron and Tyler enjoy a brief romantic encounter in Nairobi, the two reconnect in New York and savor steamy sex while resisting commitment. Cameron attempts to treat his trauma with alcohol abuse, and Tyler’s professional frustrations prompt him to look for work abroad. While some supporting characters remain underdeveloped, Lin’s deft handling of the lovers’ psychological wounds and convincing buildup of their genuine care for each other make this a rewarding story.

May 15, 2018
A journalist and an aid worker fall in love amid the hustle of humanitarian work and world news.Tyler Ang and Cam Donnelly couldn't be more different. Cam is a "lifer," a refugee aid worker who has been in the field for too many years. He's worked in many corners of the world, doing his best to better the lives of the people in his charge. But when a reporter and his crew show up at his refugee camp in Kenya, he is distracted in a way he can't let himself be, for multiple reasons. Tyler is an up-and-coming journalist looking for an angle that will make his new company realize he's better than what they're using him for. The reporting he does in Kenya is bound to help him rise in the ranks. The two share several chance encounters after Cam relocates stateside, and they decide to pursue something deeper. Unfortunately, they each have their own issues: Cam suffers from severe PTSD from his years in the field, and Tyler has to deal with blatant and unconscious racism from all sides, leading to his own uncertainty regarding where he belongs. While this isn't a coming-out story, Cam's PTSD is influenced in part by actions he relates to his being gay. Lin approaches her characters with thoughtful consideration, allowing them to grow and learn with each other's support. The love story is almost underplayed as both Cam and Tyler get their lives in order, and it works.A compelling love story that doesn't back away from dark situations.

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