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!

I grew up Catholic, so you can guess how much sex was discussed in my household. Even though I came of age in the 70s, my girlfriends didn’t discuss it much either.

When my daughter became of age, she had no qualms about discussing it. Not the “Gee, mom, can I have some advice?” discussions. The concept that I might know more than she did would have made her laugh. No, we’re talking, “…and then he-” type conversations.

You remember how you hated to think about the fact your parents were having sex? It’s worse when it’s your kids. And then you meet the boyfriend in question. Don’t smile at me, dude, I know where that mouth has been!

Thankfully, my daughter has outgrown the need to tell, just in time for me to start writing steamier love scenes. We still talk sex, but now it’s in terms of my stories. She’ll call me after attending a “passion” party and list the games and toys I need to research to add to a story. She called just now on her lunch break to talk about those late night radio talk shows geared toward young people’s love lives. We now have the premise for another story.

She’s now the cool girl at those toy parties, when she announces to all “My mom writes erotic romance.” I’ve lived my life in such a way to make my kids proud. Who would have guessed that for one, that moment came when I sold my first erotic romance novella.

I needed the names of some fun-sounding drinks for a story-in-progress, so I went to my resident young person/alcohol expert, my daughter Andi. As it turns out, she has a bartending book she bought her fiance that lists a whole series of X-rated drinks. She began reading drink names and our minds took off wandering. Do you really want to put your mouth around something called a Fuzzy Nipple? Eewwww!
The ingredients sound yummy enough: vodka, peach schnapps, Triple Sec and OJ. I am sure I could toss a few back. Perhaps, after a few more, everything about my partner would become fuzzy, nipples and all. I’ve been on a few dates where that could be a good thing, sort of like how everyone looks good at closing time.
I just can’t help it, though. When I hear the name I think of those furry men in the old porn movies, like Ron Jeremy, and suddenly I have the feeling of a hair caught in my throat, and the gagging that follows…
Excuse me, I need to go rinse my mouth out. I’ll pass on the fuzzy nipples.