Rubdown

by Jon D'Amore

A story of innocence, sex, betrayal, romance, trust, murder...and secret identitiesAttractive and college-educated Jessica Ross loves her job playing piano at Valentina’s, a classy Brentwood, CA restaurant. It helps her forget her crumbling marriage. Her apartment holds all that matters; pictures of Italy, the country she longs to visit, her framed college diploma...and her piano.Suddenly, Valentina’s is sold and Jessica is out of work. Her close friend Suzanne mentions a job she knows about as a receptionist at an elite massage parlor called Diamond Jim’s, owned by Volpe, a mysterious figure no one has ever met. Jessica refuses, but once the bills pile up...she takes the job with the mindset that it’s only temporary.At Diamond Jim’s, Jessica develops a friendship with Patricia, a sexy masseuse with a degree in art. Jessica finds a creative thread that runs between them.A couple of weeks later, a raid spearheaded by Detective Tom Brogan takes place. Jessica, Patricia and several other massage therapists are arrested.Brogan believes Jessica is innocent and was nothing more than a receptionist...but the Mayor, the Police Chief and the D.A. want someone to take the fall. Volpe can’t be found, identified or tied to anything, so Jessica is charged and found guilty with running the operation. The media dubs her “The S&M Madam.”After 18 months in prison there is no life waiting on the outside for Jessica. By the time she’s released, she’s divorced and her family and friends have deserted her. Also, because of the notoriety of The S&M Madam, Jessica can’t find a job a sustainable job.Working as a waitress in a dingy diner, she sees a newspaper ad for “Erotica”...an art exhibit by Patricia.At the art gallery, Jessica meets Mario, a handsome, wealthy Italian businessman. Patricia and Jessica rekindle their friendship as Mario and Jessica begin a new one. Suzanne, on the other hand, has developed an insatiable cocaine appetite and is back in the picture.Mario makes Jessica feel like life is again worth living.It is then that Jessica plots to get her revenge on those who ruined her life. And she does.

203 pages, Paperback

Published December 2, 2020

About the author

It was the 1960s. The place was Hudson County, New Jersey…mere minutes away from midtown Manhattan. Jon D’Amore was first published at 10. A story he’d written about the Civil War was transformed into a mimeographed book and distributed throughout the county school system. He went on to write for the school newspaper.

During that time the pre-teenager also began studying the guitar, leading him to hone his love and knowledge of music and the art of composing. By his mid-20s Jon was traveling cross-country as a musician.

While touring during the 1970s, he was also a feature writer for New Jersey’s 3rd largest newspaper, The Passaic Herald News, simultaneously allowing him to enjoy the best of his favorite worlds; Playing rock & roll and writing.
In 1985, Jon found a different side of life. He said, “Goodbye and it’s been a slice!” to the music business and got a job in the corporate world.

By 1999, another change was about to take place. For more than two decades Jon knew that within him there was the desire and ability to write, it’s just that New Jersey wasn’t the place to do it. So he drove to Los Angeles…and stayed.

He started writing as soon as he arrived and didn’t stop until the manuscript and screenplay for The Boss Always Sits In The Back were completed.
Since then, Jon’s written and co-written several screenplays and articles, and is currently co-writing the screenplay “The Chess Club” with famed Disney director, Brad Raymond.
Jon still resides in California where he writes all the time… and continues to wait for the check that’s supposedly in the mail.

Reviews

[LouAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fast paced, action packed adventure novel. The characters were realistically developed through the plot and the dialogue. If you're looking for a quick adventure read, this is your book.