Free Lunch Free Read

Hi y'all! How's everyone doing?

Recently, my sister-in-law became pregnant and became sensitive to most odors. Hence, she couldn't cook. I was concerned, because she and the baby needed nutritious food, and her husband (my brother) couldn't cook. Normally, she didn't like to receive favors, so I brought out all the reasons (for the baby's good, etc) to convince her to have dinner with us sometimes, whenever I cook. To my surprise, she didn't even demur, but immediately said yes!

Then, a week ago, a friend announced her pregnancy. Unlike my SIL, this friend didn't cook at all. So, um, kind, good-hearted me offered her a meal at my place too. Instant acceptance!

This led me to conclude, anything free is good. No one would reject it. If the free stuff is offered by a stranger, then there may be some suspicion, coz there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. But when it's offered by a friend, well, it's a blessing and heartily accepted.

So, my friends, to show you how I treasure each and every one of you, I'm offering you all a free read. I hope this would tide you over until my next release At Long Last, Love on July 3.

Journeying to the back of beyond to claim the inheritance left by his great-aunt, Tyler Morrison never expects to find hot, sizzling passion with a woman whose touch scorches him, who makes him ache like no one has before.

Elise longs for love, and she believes she has found it in Tyler, who delights in bringing her to the heights and soaring with her. Night after night, in the darkness where magic has the most potency, they indulge their insatiable appetites and satisfy their lusts. Yet, Elise harbours a deep secret, a secret that has the power to destroy the very thing she has ever wanted…

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Visit my website and join my yahoogroup for up-to-date news on contests and books. Want to know more about me? Read my blog or join me at Six Sexy Sirens !

The Science of Kissing

Hi there, I'm Madison Blake, and it's my turn to post today. And seeing that I'm in an august company of writers makes me tremble...a lot. I'm in awe.

So. I'm a relative newbie at Ellora's Cave, having my first story "Perhaps Love" published last May 15, 2008. Not quite one year old yet. *grin* Since then, it's been a thrilling ride (and Perhaps Love is out in print in the Erotic Emerald anthology!), and for that, I have to thank my wonderful editor, the fabulous management and authors at EC, especially the froggies. Thanks, everyone!

Oh yes, before I forget, my latest book "Psychic Heat" was released last April 17! It's a paranormal menage set in the future. I won't say anymore, so go check it out!

Recently, I've come across an article on the science of kissing. Interesting, huh? The article traced the possible origins of the kiss and explored why people kiss, especially when a single passionate kiss transfers up to 250 colonies of bacteria.

When you think about it, it's a little...icky.

I remember in "Pretty Woman", Julia Roberts wouldn't let Richard Gere (sorry, forgot the characters' names) kiss her on the mouth, because for her, it was way way way more intimate than sex. Not that I agree 100%, but when you think about it, a kiss is usually the first step between people who are saying "I like you. You're not a stranger anymore. You're a friend, maybe more than a friend." You're letting the other person into your personal space, where he has the power to hurt you, while at the same time, you're making yourself vulnerable. It also works the other way around.

One theory as described in the article was that kissing evolved as a way of communicating good intentions. When you kiss, his teeth are very near you (your lips, your tongue!) and there's the inherent power to deliver physical hurt, but it's like he's saying, "I won't hurt you, in fact, I'm opening myself to you."

Another theory has it that kissing began as a way of screening potential partners by scent. Something like rubbing noses and allowing the person to smell the scent released by your body. Hmmm...definitely an interesting way to decide whether someone is a worthy candidate. I can just imagine the conversation going this way:

An extremely attractive man comes up to you at your friend's wedding. "Hi gorgeous. What's your number?"

"May I have a sniff before I tell you?"

But hey, I watched "17 Again", and Matthew Perry's wife wanted to smell his younger self (played by Zac Efron) to establish if he was indeed her husband. So, is there any truth to this theory?

The article goes on to reveal that a far simpler explanation is that our lips are supplied with a lot of nerve endings, making them particularly sensitive. So when you kiss someone you love, you experience a rush, causing you to like the activity so much you'll do it over and over. That rush is the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is "responsible for those crazy feelings you experience when you're swept off your feet".

In addition, I believe (and this theory's all mine) we also associate kissing with feelings of warmth and love, belonging and security and safety. Cherished. To convey these feelings as much as to feel them in return. After all, you don't kiss--really kiss--someone you hate, do you?

What about you? Why do you think kissing is such a popular activity?

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Hang out with me on my personal blog and my group blog with five other authors at the Six Sexy Sirens blog. Visit my website and join my quarterly low-volume mailing list for updated news on my books and contests, etc.

*Source: Cosmos Magazine (Issue 15)