It was supposed to be a simple job: document the husband's drug use.  However, when private investigator Shane Mullin discovers that Daniel Bint's drug of choice is men, he isn't so quick to turn over the evidence to the wife.  Shane can empathize with the closeted politician's situation.  Intrigued by Daniel, Shane begins breaking rules in his investigation.  After contacting Daniel through an online dating site, Shane loses all control.  He's lying to his client.  He's falling for and lying to Daniel, a man with no intentions of coming out and jeopardizing his political career.  What a tangled mess!  Is there any way out for the two?

Chris Owen and Jodi Payne made a liar out of me!  Before I read Sex, Lies, and Celluloid, I would have told you that I positively hate cheating husband stories, especially in gay romance.  It just doesn't work for me.  But, oh my, did this story ever work for me!  Owen and Payne have written a wonderfully complex romance.  Real life is messy and rarely simple.  Owen and Payne have captured that honesty and woven it into a sensational love story.  Both Shane and Daniel have their faults, but they are engaging and authentic characters.  Shane is sweet, funny, and quite the voyeur.  The story told from Shane's perspective allowed me to see Daniel differently.  Shane's snooping and insight into Daniel's situation was the key to my accepting the story.  Daniel is caught in an imbroglio of his own making.  He's trying his best to not hurt anyone, but that's almost impossible.  I also absolutely loved Shane's assistant, Celia.  She added a good bit of humor and charm.  I would love to read Celia's story someday.  With its fabulous mix of raunchy and romantic, I Joyfully Recommend Sex, Lies, and Celluloid.