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!

The hero is a panther shifter and former Marine; the heroine is a witch who is not looking for a man, black cat or not. Her name is Anastacia.

Give me a good, strong name for the hero and I’ll use it in my book! I’ll use Random.org to choose a winner. Assuming my editor approves of the name, you’ll get a free copy of that book upon release.

And in the meantime, you’ll win a copy of Maui Rekindled!

The contest closes at 6 pm PT Monday, 8/30/ Leave a comment with the hero’s name and check back Tuesday morning to see if you won!

So it seemed a perfect idea to write about vacation romance. There’s something especially exciting about it. You’re in a new, exciting location and there’s a certain glow about you. And the men, oh, the men! Accents, tans, and if you’re lucky, bare skin and lots of it.

My first taste of vacation romance came in Hawaii. He was blond-haired, blue-eyed and built like a wedge. My girlfriend and I called him Hawaiian Mike. I never saw him again after, except in my dreams, but he fueled a lot of young fantasies!

How about you? Do you have a favorite hero from your vacations? If you had the chance, would you follow through on a vacation romance?

In Maui Rekindled, Maggie returns to the resort where she spent a summer working and playing alongside hot hero Gabe. Looking for confidence after her divorce, when she sees Gabe again she decides to have a vacation fling, a little harmless sex between old friends.

Gabe has other ideas. He’s always regretted losing contact with Maggie and isn’t about to let her get away this time. He’ll take advantage of the hot, sensual moments to remind her that they shared something much deeper than sex. You can read an excerpt here.

I’m giving away a free copy of the ebook, Maui Rekindled! Comment here for your chance to win. Winner will be chosen from comments on Sunday April 25.

Maui Rekindled is available now at Ellora’s Cave!

Let me know what you think of he audio, if you buy it. I’d love to pass along feedback, good or bad, to the publisher.

This time I was in for a surprise. It was #747 overall in Kindle books, and #11 in Erotica! I squealed and ran out and told my mom. Yes, I told my 82-year-old, Catholic-school-raised mother that her daughter was the author of a book that ranked #11 in erotic ebooks! And she wanted me to email her the link so she could tell her friends.

By the time I got around to shrieking about it on Facebook, I had slipped to #12. My sister told me to print it out quickly, as I was wanting to wait until I hit #1. Good thing I still listen (sometimes) to my big sis, a few hours later I was down to #15.

I enjoy hearing other erotic romance authors talk about who they’ve informed just exactly what they write. There are varying levels of acceptance, I know. But my mom was the first person I told when I sold that first novella. I knew she would be so proud that I was published, regardless what others might think.

I’m blessed to have accepting loved-ones around me in this journey. How about you? Does your mother know what you write?

Ebook piracy is taking off like it did in the music industry a decade ago. When bands discovered their sales were dropping, many had to go back to live tours to make a living. Authors can’t do that. I mean, seriously, how many people would really pay to go hear La Nora read her latest novel? It’d be great at first, but how long does it take most of us to read a novel? Could you sit and listen to someone read that long?

But I’m jumping ahead. Ebook piracy isn’t only affecting the new releases published in ebook format. Pirates are scanning copies of print books and offering them for free. Or better yet, some are SELLING collections of ebooks. Some publishers are refusing to release their books as ebooks. J.K. Rowling insisted that Harry Potter not be made available in e-format. Yet it’s out there, thanks to the efforts of some scum.

Already there are authors who have ended certain series because of the number of prior books circulating for free. They’re focusing on print publishers instead.

There are those who insist that copyright is taking rights away from them. Huh? I will never understand that one. What I understand is they can do their 9-5 job and get paid for the work they did, without question. But we authors are expected to do our job for free. Cool, set me up mortgage free, with a working car, groceries, utilities, and all, and I’ll work for free. As it is, I work two (or three) jobs to be able to keep a roof over my head while my writing backlist grows. Those hours away from my computer mean stories that will never be written.

Another argument is that authors can afford to lose some sales. Or, the pirates would never have bought the book to begin with. Or, if they like the free book they’ll go buy it, or the rest of an authors books.

Get real, people. Does your grocer let you eat a steak before deciding if you’ll buy it? If you’re concerned, look for excerpts and reviews before buying a book.

Back to contests. The latest thing to do is surf the Internet, Twitter and other social networking sites, and join the author loops to try and win free ebooks. Then offer them up on a file-sharing site so others can read it, too. It’s a game to them. They do it because they can.

Big name authors and publishers are getting involved, though, so prosecution and fines will finally be handed down. Sure, some ebook pirates will just go deeper underground, but a majority are like the woman who recently got fined in the six-figures for downloading files illegally.

Most importantly, authors are discovering that giving away ebooks hurts their sales more than helps it, because of pirates. They’ll give away print copies or items other than books instead.

I apologize to those who enter contests for the right reasons, and tell their friends about the books they enjoy, without sending the ebook to all of them. You are the reason we still write, and why we fight to keep the pirates at bay. We’re spending more hours sending take-down notices and filing complaints than we should, but maybe one day we’ll be able to use that time as we should: to write MORE BOOKS!

It’s easy to enter, instructions are at the link above. Just find the Sony ereader icon on each of the participating authors’ websites. (Hint: Mine is on the page for my newest release.) Send the list to the address supplied and you are entered!

Good luck to all who enter!

1st Prize goes to Kay Ficken
2nd Prize goes to Rebecca Berg Grimaldi
3rd Prize goes to Jennifer Mackin

Congrats to all the winners, and thanks to those of you who took the time to read and comment.

Don’t forget, my contest runs until Sunday night, 11/22. Comment here, or read the original announcement for more chances to win!