The Photo Finish Series

Nate Hart is just a typical teenage boy with a passion for photography. When he is transplanted from Chicago to a small town in western Illinois, he finds a new world opening to him. But his passion for non-violence and opposition to the war in Vietnam, make him a target for a local lawman and the county draft board. When finally called for alternative service, it is nothing like others had ever experienced. Nate's life, while filled with charming women, is also wrought with peril.

Buy the complete six-book Photo Finish collection at Bookapy!

"Thank you for sharing these wonderful characters and their stories with us. I have looked forward to each new chapter since this saga began."

Full Frame

Book one of the Photo Finish Saga

“Holy shit! I think this is one of your best stories. All of them are good, but this is one of the best. The imagery was what did it. I think that as you were writing you were doing it through the eyes of the photographer not as a writer.”

Sixteen-year-old Nate Hart has been uprooted from his lifetime home in South Chicago to move to a small town at "The Edge of the World: One more step and you fall of into Iowa!" His mother has become the first female Methodist preacher in the state and Tenbrook is her first assignment. Nate just wants to be accepted into his class of 1968 Tenbrook Trojans, and not be a stranger all his life. His camera proves to be the ticket for his acceptance as he takes yearbook photos, senior retakes, and his own style of Attic Allure photos. By the end of his junior year in high school, Nate finds he has been accepted, has a girlfriend or two, and has a thriving photography business.

But all is not well in Tenbrook. A racist constable continually tries to blame Nate's best friend for a series of petty thefts and vandalism. Nate's photos lead to the constable's dismissal, but the thefts continue. Then on advice from a photography mentor, Nate begins printing his photos "full frame" to look at the composition. What he discovers will be a wakeup call to Tenbrook and change the town forever.

Review

“After teenage photographer Nate moves to a small town, he soon discovers that his new camera reveals more than meets the naked eye... Set in the late 1960's, this story follows Nate as he grows from an insecure and awkward boy with a camera to a young man with the power to see things in his models that they don't even recognize in themselves. Some have inner beauty they never knew they possessed, others a darkness that forever changes them.

“Devon Layne does it again in this first installment of a new series.”

—Steve Anderson, on Amazon

Shutter Speed

Book two of the Photo Finish Saga

"Man oh man this story just went up one more notch in my view. I struggle to find words to describe the feelings awakened by the series of events."

1966-67 was a pivotal year for Nate Hart. His family was uprooted from an unspectacular life in Chicago so his mother could begin her new career as a Methodist Minister in Tenbrook, a small northwestern Illinois town at the edge of the world. But Nate learned to find his place in this new town, upsetting a few community standards where racism and veteran care were at issue. Now, ready to start his second year in the town and senior year in high school, Nate has a girlfriend or two, a studio for his photography, and a blossoming business. And the responsibilities that come with turning eighteen in 1967, as the Vietnam War ramps up under LBJ and Secretary McNamara.

“Every now and then a gem emerges. Something that goes way beyond interesting, amusing or even titillating. The third chapter is one that belongs in the simply outstanding category. The ideas and delivery touch the soul in a way that is very rare in this modern and cynical world.”

Exposure

Book three of the Photo Finish Saga

"Nate Hart and his girlfriends are done with school and move on to college. Devon Layne paints a convincing picture of life in the late 60's and Nate's further exploits as photographer and photo journalist. I like how his characters are less than perfect, which renders them all the more human. All in all it's an engaging read and I'm looking forward to the next installment."

Fresh out of high school, Nate is ready to face the world as he heads to college in Chicago. Before his summer is over, though, he has more models to photograph, both in Tenbrook and in Chicago. He has five girlfriends to keep satisfied. And he has his share of heartbreak to face. Then there is the unexpected trauma of going to school in Chicago in the fall of 1968. Nate’s principles and commitment will all be tested before he finishes the next eighteen months.

“As With all his work, Exposure is well written, paced, and delightful to read.”

F/Stop

Book four of the Photo Finish Saga

This is a dang good series. I'm enjoying the hell out of it. Thanks very much!

1970 was a year of turmoil in the United States. Protests against the war in Vietnam took a horrific turn when it was announced that we would invade Cambodia. In an unthinkable act, National Guard troops opened fire on students at Kent State University, killing four. A Chicago policeman shot and killed a protester on the campus of the University of Chicago, thinking he was reaching for a gun. And as you'd expect, Nate Hart and his girlfriends are affected both by the turmoil in the country and in their family. It will be a trying year.

A very nice smooth progression to the total story. … Not all in life works as programmed. It is interesting to see how the four of them work well with one another. Each with their own roles. Now, have to wait for the next part with eagerness.

Over Exposure

Book five of the Photo Finish Saga

This book was a great book that seamlessly carried the story from the last book. Just like all of Devon's books the book is extremely well researched, very well written and his use of the English language was spot on and extremely accurate. I anxiousily await the next book.

It’s Nate’s final two years in college and it seems like everything is happening. The movie in LA is demanding more of his time than he imagined. Job offers are coming in. More models want Attic Allure photos. He’s being accused of child pornography. And the damned draft board isn’t through harrassing him yet.

"This, honestly, has been and continues to be a wonderful series of stories. Well told, rich in detail. A kernel of truth lodging in all the corners. It makes me anxious to read "Follow Focus" and I do hope that there will be an epilogue at the conclusion of the next book."

Follow Focus

Book six of the Photo Finish Saga

"Once I got the book, I could not put it down! Magnificent story development and build-up."

Nate and his three girlfriends have graduated from college at last and prospects are good—except for the draft board insisting Nate still has to complete alternative service. But Nate's alternative service will be unlike any that has gone before. It leads him all over the world as he and Ronda visit embassies to install new passport cameras. And there are those in the world who don't care about diplomatic immunity as Nate is hijacked, kidnapped, and sent to the heart of the war zone. It's no wonder that his hair turns pre-maturely gray.

New jobs, new homes, new family members, and challenges college just didn't prepare them for. Can the unusual family face the challenges of the first three years of real "adult" life? Is love enough?

"To me, this was the most enjoyable installment of Photo Finish! The action and intrigue were exhilarating. Thank you so much for a wonderful series!"