In every walk of life, and nearly every age as well, there are those folks who, for various reasons, are ‘squeaky clean’ - and you almost never run a risk of offending anyone if you keep that thought in mind. There are those occasions, however, when you want to tell the folks on the other side of that line about something they might enjoy. But in a general audience, it can be tricky to do this. I know. I have the reputation of being a G-rated person, but still sometimes, I do get a bit bawdy and can appreciate another facet of life. Maybe not as a steady diet, but…

This is a review of a book that might not appeal to everyone, but should prepare the reader for what they’ll find within the pages. (By the way, I am 71, and the author of the book is 72, and we’ve yet to meet.) I would not, for the life of me, impose my standards on anyone else, but then I don’t watch TV either, and am constantly shocked by what I hear about it! I think in today’s society, it’s a rare person who isn’t aware of the changes in civility regarding language and sensuality. That said, I truly did enjoy this book immensely, and will certainly read it again and again. If you cannot tolerate a more risqué kind of language, then perhaps this wouldn’t be the book for you – or your aged grandma. On the other hand, she just might surprise you and prove to be younger-at-heart than you’d previously supposed.

The author of Gray Pleasures, Robert W. Birch, is a retired sex therapist who knows whereof he writes. He practiced for some 35 years in the Columbus, Ohio, area, and still writes for various publications on this topic. My only very minor quibble is that he knows all the four-letter words and uses them with great joy and abandon. He’s an excellent writer and capable of creating marvelous characters and intriguing plots. This was his second foray into fiction, after having published several non-fiction books. Since this book was published, he’s written two novella-length humorous, erotic science fiction books and a full length paranormal, erotic mystery. Talk about mixing genres!

Gray Pleasures is a book for grown-ups. Really grown up. And older and wiser. It’s a wonderful love story - with a bit of mystery thrown in and a huge serving of erotica. (Yes, older people do think of such things!)

Mary Grace is a widow, who’s discovered more about herself in the last two or three years than she ever knew before. She’s active and busy, and very much charmed by the 70-ish poet Nick, who comes to speak at the Senior Center where Mary Grace plays bridge. They click, and being a very with-it lady, Mary Grace looks him up on the internet and discovers that he’ll be doing a book-signing at the local book store very soon. Off she goes to meet the poet who so intrigued her during his little talk.

Nick has been a bachelor for some years, but has dated and had relationships, one of which threatens to completely overset the new romance. Nick is honest with Mary Grace about the past as they become closer, and they are able to overcome the tragic situation.

Nick is a creative lover, introducing Mary Grace to all kinds of new things - and sensations - and she is a most receptive student. Together, they prove that there are other routes to satisfaction than those considered typical or ordinary.

Seriously, I hope the author can be convinced to write more of this type of book. After all, we all like to read about characters who look like us. And goodness knows, there are enough of us older folks around these days to provide a good market for more books of this kind.

Gray Pleasures is available in print from Lulu or through the author’s website. He also writes poetry (some bawdy, some not) at http://www.poetry-nut.com.