I’m starting something new here, posting about books I’ve enjoyed. These aren’t reviews – if a book doesn’t hold me I’m not going to share it. In this day of thousands of books being released each week, it’s easy for good writing to go under-noticed. I plan to write about the ones I think are worth your while.

LAST MAN ON EARTH by Michelle M. Pillow is a futuristic novella available through Ellora’s Cave. http://www.jasminejade.com/p-7527-last-man-on-earth.aspx

Blurb:
Dr. Micco Hagan has been charged with pairing up the last of Earth’s survivors based on genetics for optimal survival of the species. He can’t resist the opportunity to be with his dream girl, Rena Gates. Though she rejected him before the Earth ended, he hopes now she’ll find a soft spot for him.

In the time before, Rena thought Micco had only come on to her to win a bet. She never expected them to be rescued together, or to be eventually partnered. Unable to resist following orders, she discovers they have a lot more going for them than DNA matching. The sex is explosive, but can it eventually grow into love?

Don’t let the term “futuristic” scare you away if you’re not a sci-fi fan. Michelle has crafted a story that could be transferred to any time period and doesn’t bombard you with apocalyptic settings and scientific terminology. Both are included, but subtly, letting the romance hold center stage.

Rena is a strong heroine, a great match for Micco. When she’s ordered to marry Dr. Micco Hagan, the words she said to him several years ago ring through her head:

I wouldn’t sleep with you if you were the last man on Earth, Dr. Hagan!

Micco has his work cut out for him, trying to turn his marriage into a happily-ever-after. Passion sizzles between them, but still Rena holds back. I won’t spoil the ending, but Rena fights her feelings to the last!

Michelle’s love scenes are scorching hot but are well-balanced with plot action. I connected with both characters and the resolution was believable and enjoyable, even if it did leave me wanting a nice hot shower with a friend! (Buy the story and you’ll understand!)

Have you read this story, or others by Michelle? Leave a comment about your favorites, I’d love to know which to read next!

to get your blood stirred!

Here’s the blurb for my next release from Ellora’s Cave:

Feeling guilty for the lack of attention she’s paid her husband lately due to working too many hours, Lisa plans a special night. She buys a new revealing outfit, some new adult toys and prepares her husband’s favorite meal.

The only thing she neglects to do is tell her husband.

When Rick sees the lacy outfit his wife has on, he regrets bringing the boss home for dinner unannounced. Unable to push the man out the door, he steals a peek or a touch here and there to heighten their anticipation of what’s to come. The trick is not letting the boss catch on.

Watch for the book trailer and release info for Honey!

It’s hard to turn loose of a story after spending so much time with the characters. My novella, Death by Sex left home today to visit my editor. Now comes the hardest part, waiting to hear if she likes it.

How can she not? asks the writer’s ego. Two men, one bed, twelve hours…a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do. In her pursuit of “I’m not lonely” sex at the wedding of her college sweetheart and her sister, Joely finds a new definition for triple-play. In the process, she remembers just how good life was with her college buds, Tucker and Beck, always at her side.

They tell writers “write what you know”, so how the hell did I end up writing a menage a trois? Choreographing sex scenes is tricky enough, but throwing in any number of excess body parts makes it that much more complicated. Not only do you have to know whose parts are where, you also have to vary what you call said parts. Check to make sure fluids aren’t appearing when they should be contained in P.C. condoms. (That’s my message? It’s okay to have sex with two guys at once, just don’t forget the rubbers?)

Then there is talking during sex. My fellow authors insist that readers want to hear words of passion. Personally, I’ve always felt that if I’m capable of talking during sex, he’s not trying hard enough. That aside, it’s difficult not to cross the line into porn with repeated exclamations of “Oh, baby” and “Yeah, right there”.

One critique partner said someone needs to write a more realistic erotic romance, along the lines of “No, not there!” I truly believe I am the woman for that job. Given that my single years outnumber my married years by more than I want to admit (even if I add all the marriages), I have had my fill of “not there” sex.

So, stay tuned. You’ll be first to read it when I publish it here.

I have a release date for Celtic Rhythm! My novella will be included in Ellora’s Cavemen 2009: Flavors of Ecstasy II, which will be available in print and ebook on June 21, 2009

My novella, Celtic Rhythm, will be published by Ellora’s Cave in one of the 2009 Cavemen Anthologies! Here’s a taste:

Celtic Rhythm

Cait McLaird came to the Highland Games to help her business partner sell their hand-painted clothing, but watching young drummer Jake Ferguson, dressed in full Scottish regalia, play for the crowd has her imagining the kind of games she’s read about but has never dared explore.

She never dates men she meets while traveling, or she wouldn’t if they ever asked, so she is quick to relegate Jake to fantasy-lover status.

Jake sees a beautiful, mature blonde at the entertainment tent entrance and is immediately intrigued, but she vanishes before their set is finished. He slips away before the fans can catch him for autographs, and hunts Cait down in her booth. His innocent plan to ask her to join him later for dinner falls apart when he kisses her.

Cait convinces herself to experience all Jake has to offer, knowing she’ll never see him again once summer is over and she goes back to her teaching job. She can look back on this in her dotage as her Summer of Bone-melting Sex.

Jake is determined to keep the passion going into the fall and winter, and perhaps for years to come. First he has to convince Cait that his passion runs through his heart, not through his groin. Will she experience the rhythm of his love, or will she walk away?

Watch for news of the release date and snippets of more of my writing!