Spice

The final novel in Jameson's Fate trilogy (after Honey) has a few standout moments that make it shine. Retired adult film star Liz Carter has been celibate since she left the industry to raise her son alone. It hasn't been easy; she's had to adjust to life in New York on a freelancer's budget, as well as getting used to the scars of a double mastectomy after breast cancer. Sean O'Malley is a boxer and retired stripper who runs an afterschool program for kids. Liz is ready to take him to bed, but she doesn't know that Sean has an agenda: he's trying to infiltrate her support group for retired adult industry workers as part of his doctoral research. Sparks fly and sexual tension heats up even as the plot coasts along without quite making sense. The sex scenes are interesting, but the most emotionally compelling portions are in Sean's side plot rather than the main action. Fans of the prior installments will be pleased. (Nov.)