(Reviewed by JD Jung)
I must admit that the name “Jenna Jameson” was what enticed me to read the novel, Spice. I also must admit that initially I wasn’t expecting much. Was I wrong!
Liz Carter aka “Spice”, an internationally known porn actress, quit the lucrative adult film industry after getting pregnant. She moved back to New York to start a graphic design business and raise her son. Though she now earned a “legitimate” living, she became a victim to breast cancer and her savings were wiped out due to cancer treatments. The story actually starts when her son turned nine years old and her cancer was in remission.
This illness forced her into financial straits and she continued to suffer from self-esteem issues due to her scarred body. In order to protect her son, she also had to make sure that her past wasn’t exposed to the wrong people. Needless to say, she needed help on so many levels. This led her to establish a support group to assist former adult entertainers transitioning back into society. This group called “FATE” stood for Faith, Acceptance, Trust and Enlightenment.
As their leader, she was very protective of the group. That’s why when an attractive Irishman and ex-male stripper, Sean O’Malley, contacted her to join, she hesitated. Yes, he was charismatic and she was sexually attracted to him. However, her gut nagged at her that something wasn’t quite right. It turned out that not only did he lie about his intentions- he was a PhD student doing research- but he held another secret. He discovered that his sister who recently died from an overdose was also a porn actress. Was there a connection between the drug use and the adult film industry? He wanted to learn more about every aspect of adult entertainment to try and piece together his sister’s life and death.
Spice is not only a page-turner filled with romance and graphic, steamy sex. The story explores a woman, who at not yet thirty, has seen a lot of life and has experienced more than her share of disappointments. She just wants to do right by everyone, but shake-ups occur around every corner. Though you feel for Liz, the author looks at her objectively; there is no pity- party here. The supporting characters are also opened up so you see their flaws and motivations.
This story kept me absorbed until the very end. I usually don’t care for romance novels, but this one is enjoyably different. I think many others will feel the same and find themselves pleasantly surprised.
