"An emotional labyrinth"

Mary Jo Putney has once again taken the risk of incorporating controversial and difficult issues into her romances and succeeded in creating a thought-provoking labyrinth of emotional torment, personal growth, love and forgiveness.

Actor Kenzie Scott is at the peak of his brilliant career and appears to the world to have it all, fame, fortune, and a beautiful talented wife. Looks can be deceiving however as Kenzie's wife, and best friend, actress Raine Marlowe has filed for divorce, and he only has himself to blame for the break-up. When she comes to him seeking his help on a project that she desperately needs to succeed, how can he refuse her? The role she wants him to play has possible Oscar potential, plus he will be able to spend just a little more time with her before the relationship is officially over.

Raine Marlowe has spent years working on the screenplay that she hopes to direct and turn into a critically acclaimed film. But in order to get financing for the picture she must produce a bankable star to play the lead role, and that's where Kenzie comes in. Raine has to have him play the role, even if working so closely with him will break her heart all over again.

The role proves to be a very difficult one for Kenzie, who struggles to keep his sanity intact as he is forced to face horrible events from his past that he had hoped he would never have to face again. Raine, too must delve into her own troubled childhood and attempt to come to terms with her feelings of rejection and loss if she wants to be able to give Kenzie the help and support she senses he so desperately needs.

THE SPIRAL PATH is an interesting glimpse into the demanding and risky world of the motion picture industry as well as a behind the scenes look at the lives of two beautiful but troubled stars. It was fascinating to witness the pain, heartache and eventual triumph of this very complex couple.

Reviewed by Janice Bennett
Posted January 16, 2002

Summary

Can two people be real while living an unreal life?

Raine Marlowe and Kenzie Scott met on a movie set, and married in a blaze of passion and need. But pressure and separations tear them apart, and they're in the middle of a divorce when Rainey persuades Kenzie to star in the movie she desperately wants to direct. Kenzie will make a perfect tortured hero--if the character's dark secrets don't destroy him first.

Making Rainey's movie will strip them to the marrow emotionally, work them to exhaustion--and maybe forge a relationship that this time will last forever.