Vegetables vs. Ice Cream: Loving and Hating Cameron Martin in "Because You're the First."

One of my readers, who just finished the book, asked me the other day, what was my opinion of Cameron, the main male protagonist in the story.  Seems she really hated the guy!!

Well, I guess on the surface, who wouldn't hate him? He professed to love Kassandra as a teenager, then was unfaithful in a most heinous way, causing her to react in a way that causes a tragedy.  As an adult, he never really comes clean with her about who he is, and what has gone on in his life. 

So okay; he isn't exactly a Boy Scout. But let's face it, ladies, in our heart of hearts, is Mr. Stability really who we dream about? It's kind of like eating vegetables and exercising; you know it's good for you, you should do it, but does it appeal to you on a gut level? Not really.  If the truth is to be told, you would much rather have ice cream and cake.

Cameron is kind of that ice cream and cake. He's charming, he's seductive, he's mysterious and exciting. Does ice cream and cake make you fat and raise your cholesterol? Sure, but we still eat it. My reader said Kassandra made bad choices.  I guess you could say that is true.  But how many of us have been where Kassandra was? We want that thrill; that person that makes our heart pound, our breathing quicken, who makes everything we see in our lives just a little more vivid. 

I think most women, at least once in their life, has a Cameron Martin.  We get taken in by the passion and the seduction.  We gorge ourselves on it all, filling up to the brim.  But as we all know, you can only do it for a while, and then you get a big stomach ache, and need serious relief.  We come down to earth. We go back to, maybe not vegetables, but at least eating less junk food. 

I'm sure a lot of men would take issue (my own husband for one) that I am comparing men to brussel spouts and desserts.  But the street goes both ways; I'm sure plenty of men have had their experiences with a woman who they were taken it by, and then the whole thing burnt itself out.  It's just natural that something so intense, with nothing more stable to base it on, is going to collapse. 

So is it fair to hate the Cameron Martins of the world?  I think the world is a lot less black and white. The Camerons of the world will always be there, and we will always take them in, for better or worse. 

That is one really great thing about novels, and movies, and plays.  We can get our junk food fix without gaining a lot of weight, and becoming ill.  We are able to experience these things vicariously, in the comfort of our normal lives. 

So next time you need a Cameron, head to your Kindle!! I'm sure you'll find him there. You'll have a whole lot less pain and gas.   You can love him, and hiss at him too.  What could be better!!