PROMISCUOUS - R. Moreen Clarke
Kensington Aphrodisia
ISBN: 978-0-7582-1681-6
May 2008
Erotic Contemporary Romance

Florida - Present Day

Deandra Morgan is a woman unafraid of going after what she wants, and what she wants is a rich man to take care of her.  She’s set her sights on Marshall James, a local real estate tycoon, and their first meeting is everything she hopes it will be and more.  He whisks her off to the Bahamas on his private yacht and they are having a wonderful time, until Deandra sees a picture.  In it, Marshall has his arms around Connie Jefferson, a woman Deandra hasn’t seen since high school.  Connie had been the good-girl, and Deandra most definitely was not.  It’s obvious that there is something between Connie and Marshall, and now that Deandra’s got Marshall interested in her, she’s not going to let anything come between them.

It’s been two years since the wonderful afternoon Connie spent with Marshall and, though they’ve become very good friends, that’s the only relationship they have.  She’d like more, but apparently Marshall doesn’t feel the same way.  When she meets Victor, Connie is charmed and is beginning to think Victor will be able to help her forget Marshall.  Then she sees Marshall with Deandra.  Each couple has been dating for awhile, but suddenly Connie and Marshall are questioning their respective relationships, and wondering “what if”. 
 
PROMISCUOUS is an interesting erotic tale.  Deandra unapologetically uses her body to get what she wants, and is determined to make a better life for herself.  She’s not exactly a likable character, but is she irredeemable?  Marshall has no illusions about what kind of woman Deandra is but, since he’s not looking to give up his bachelorhood any time soon, her “unsuitability” doesn’t bother him.  He describes Connie as the kind of girl you take home to mom, and his mother, Viola, does indeed see Connie as a suitable future daughter-in-law.  Her privileged upbringing and job as an attorney make Connie more the type of woman Viola sees her son with, but she’s not exactly a goody-two shoes.  Her romance with Victor is already a bit rocky when she runs into Marshall and Deandra, but seeing her dream man with someone so beautiful doesn’t give Connie much hope for a future between them.

A complex story, PROMISCUOUS is a little heavier on the sex than the romance for the first half of the book.  There are also a few surprises in store for both Connie and Deandra that may help to explain the animosity Deandra feels for the other woman.  PROMISCUOUS is an absorbing novel, that is worth checking out.

Jennifer Bishop