EXPOSING CASEY – Deanna Lee
Kensington Aphrodisia (TPB)
ISBN: 978-0-7582-1487-4
April 2008
Erotic Contemporary Romance – 2 Novellas

Watching Casey
Boston, Massachusetts – Present day

Casey Andrews has just returned from a two week vacation after trying to get her head together. Before leaving she broke up with Connor Grant, head of security at the Holman Gallery where they both work. Connor saw her only as a casual lay, and Casey is now approaching the age where she wants more. Now the sex was good, sure, maybe even great, but she is still left with that empty feeling inside afterward. Now she is saying "no" to casual sex and trying to set her sights on a man who actually wants to get married and start a family. Connor isn't happy about losing her, but not enough to change his tune. But, when Casey meets new neighbor, Detective Shawn Tanner again, she can't help but notice his good looks and caring manner. Her first night back she is attacked in her apartment and he comes to her rescue and becomes someone she can depend on.

Shawn had definitely noticed his new neighbor, but could tell her interest was elsewhere, until the night of the break in. Shawn has one marriage under his belt; his wife had her tubes tied without telling him, ending his plans for a family. Now he is looking for a woman with plans like his for a family and a loving relationship. When they catch the burglar it turns out he was hired to mess up Casey's apartment and throw a vial of semen on her bedspread. Who would do this to her, and why? But Shawn must proceed with caution, walking the tight wire of trying to keep Casey safe, while not encroaching on her independence. Have no doubts, Shawn will take care of his own.

Two people finding someone who fits their idea of the perfect mate is at the heart of this wonderful story. How brave of Casey to take action after finding herself stuck in a relationship going nowhere. And Shawn walks the delicate line of trying to protect Casey and trying not to push her around. But, things keep going on, Casey gets involved in things Shawn can't always control, and they each are trying to tread lightly with their relationship, wanting to give it time to grow and see if it is something that will stand the test of time.

Deanna Lee has written a fresh and exciting story centering on Casey, a woman much like our sisters, friends, or daughters; a woman looking for a man and a serious relationship, not just a quick sexual encounter. And when the tension escalates and the action gets going the men in her life show their true colors. Shawn Tanner is a man looking for a woman wanting a serious relationship, a marriage and children. Ms. Lee's writing is smooth and sensuous, and enthralls me as I waited for each petal of the story to unfold. She knows what readers look for in each book they read, and gives it to us in spades.

Casey's friends Jane and Mercy are each delightful in their own ways, and totally support her in whatever way she wants to go. There's something about having friends you can rely upon when bad people are after you that proves their worth. Artist Kenneth Victor shows a violent side to his character that surprises everyone and puts him under suspicion, and of course Connor Grant, Casey's former lover. Each character is carefully drawn and breathes an added measure of interest into this great story.

Watching Casey is a fantastic read, and has all of the elements I look for: people I care about, situations that are interesting and yet true to life, and just enough of a mystery to pique our interest. Loosely related to UNDRESSING MERCY and BARENAKED JANE, EXPOSING CASEY will make you want to get acquainted with Casey's friends and find out their equally compelling stories. Expose yourself to a night of enjoyment and pick up this novella today!

Seducing Lisa
Boston, Massachusetts – Present day

Let's meet Lisa, currently happy in the medium of sculpture, and known for and called a hillbilly porn artist. She has spent several years overcoming her marriage to an abusive, wife beating, controlling husband. Now she says it like it is, lives as she wants, and to heck with being controlled by a man, even if he is hunky and has let it be known he's interested. Lisa draws us into her life with her deep reservations over whether she could ever manage to have a man in her life again. The manager of the Holman Gallery, James Brooks, has tried the past several years to get her attention, but she has successfully ignored both him and her body's traitorous reactions to him. She might enjoy their back and forth insults, but anything else is OUT OF THE QUESTION!

Lisa has shot James Brooks with paint balls, insulted him, and generally done everything she can think of to ignore him, but as head of the Holman Gallery where he shows her sculptures, it's been hard to handle his attraction to her - annoying as she is. Lisa has tried everything she can think of to alienate James, but he is determined to break through her shell. He may have a hard time keeping his exasperation under control as she sorely tries him in every area. But, his genius of an idea to offer the business suit she shot with a paint gun up for a charity auction finally gets her attention. Despite a bad marriage at a young age along with an unexpected pregnancy, James was a faithful husband for years, and just now ready for something more than a casual relationship.  The Holman Foundation that runs the gallery is also a charity and an art school, a school Lisa went to and graduated from.  James watched her mature all those years ago, and is now ready to make his move   But when James starts a full on assault on Lisa, there's no stopping the sexual sparks that flare up between them.

Is Lisa ready to activate her sex life again, and can she fit James into her life because while he brings out the sexual animal inside her, he is a very prominent man in town and expected to attend affairs that up until now she avoided with great pleasure. Can two disparate people mesh their lives together, and will Lisa finally trust James enough to stop insulting and annoying him?

Deanna Lee has reached writing perfection with Seducing Lisa. Lisa is different, unique, special, and yet still going through her mistrust of men left behind by her ex-husband. James has tried for years to catch Lisa's attention, and once he finds the littlest chink in her armor he jumps in with both feet. Written mostly from Lisa's point of view, we totally get into her skin and root for James to break through her defenses. Handled with taste, and of course red hot love scenes that make you melt, Seducing Lisa hits all the high notes.

Lisa's friends Mercy and Jane provide her complete support in whatever she does, and their men also have that male charisma that is always great. Lisa's ex-husband Greg even puts in an appearance, and provides the impetus that brings out James' protectiveness of Lisa. Plus James' son Ryan provides a moment of maturity.

Seducing Lisa is the best erotic story I have read in a long time. I was amazed at how quickly I was drawn into the story, the way the tension remained high, the interaction between Lisa and James, and the hot, heartfelt sex. Grab the novella quick, it will seduce you as it did me, and you'll thank me for it!

CeCe Johns