Shin'ar, My Love — Marty Duncan

The end of civilization appears imminent. The Great Deluge has devastated Sumeria, home of the Anunnaki, and the rumbles of war grow ever louder.

Amid the chaos, Anunnaki princess Celi does what she can to help, working with her grandfather Mica to rebuild Lord Enki's temple in Eridu until shortly after her Naming Day, when the young woman is approached by Lord Enki's mate, Ninki.

Ninki offers Celi the opportunity to rebuild the village of Arad, west of the Dead Sea, a request Celi can hardly refuse -- even if it means separation from her love, the handsome shuttle pilot Deem. The assignment also means working with the Beag, a shorter race Celi intensely distrusts.

As Celi labors with the Beag, however, she finds that wariness waning. Then disaster strikes: a nuclear warhead has wiped out Sodom from existence -- and Deem has disappeared amid rumors he's been ensnared by Inanna, the so-called goddess of war and love. Celi can only wait and hope the gossip isn't true, and her beloved has survived what may be the end of her world.

A rousing tale of love and a civilization's tortured end, Shin'ar, My Love recalls those who came before us -- and the genesis of humanity.