What could be more fitting for romance than to talk about osculating? For those who aren’t sure what the word means, let me give it to you in layman’s terms:

~ Osculate ~

Encarta Dictionary: to kiss somebody

Your dictionary.com: to touch closely

RhymeZone: to touch with the lips or press your lips against someone's mouth or other body part.

I don’t know about you, but I like RhymeZone’s definition.

Some little known facts about kissing:

*          A kiss triggers a cascade of neural messages and chemicals that transmit tactile sensations, sexual excitement, feelings of closeness, and even euphoria.

*          Kissing may have evolved from a primate mother’s practice of chewing food for her young before feeding them mouth-to-mouth.

*          Some scientists theorize that kissing is crucial to the evolutionary process of mate selection.

*          Lips may have evolved first for food and later applied themselves to speech. (Hmm, who would’ve thought?)

*          Scientists believe kissing can become addictive

*          Five cranial nerves that affect cerebral function are at work when you kiss, shuttling messages from our lips, tongue, cheeks and nose

*          Kissing unleashes a cocktail of chemicals that govern human stress, motivation, social bonding and sexual stimulation.

*          Kissing boosts pulse and blood pressure; pupils dilate, breathing deepens and rational thought retreats.

Did you ever think kissing could be powerful enough to do all that? More recent studies show that 59% of men and 66 % of women admit there were times when they were attracted to someone until they kissed them. “Bad” kisses did not factor into the equation, but rather those participating in the study indicated they just didn’t “feel right” about the kiss. In fact, the relationships ended abruptly after the lip-lock. Boy, talk about the kiss of death.  

Kissing, it turns out, unleashes chemicals that ease stress hormones in both sexes and encourages bonding between people. Both men and women had a decline in cortisol (a chemical associated with stress) after 15 minutes of kissing.

Men tend to think of kissing as a prelude to copulation (you could have knocked me over with a feather) and also prefer “sloppy” kisses. In other words, they get off on exchanging saliva to transmit testosterone, thereby increasing the sex drive in both partners.  Sneaky little devils.

Overall, the science of kissing – philematology – is still vastly under researched, but scientists are making great strides in this regard. And all along we thought we were just making contact with our mouths.

Happy kissing!

Keta Diablo writes for RAVENOUS ROMANCE. You can find her on the web at ketadiablo.blogspot.com, or visit her at Keta’s Keep  http://www.ketaskeep.blogspot.com.

Tags:

Comments 2 | Hits: 862 | Read more...

Whipped Cream Erotic Reviews awarded Land of Falling Stars 4.5 cherries! And I couldn't be more thrilled.

Here's a snippet of the review with a link to the full review. Thank you Whipped Cream. I'm humbly honored.

Reviewd by Hibiscus, link for full review: http://tinyurl.com/cylwyf

Shootings, rapes, burnings and blood all combine to make Land of Falling Stars not your mother’s Gone With the Wind. The story, set during the Civil War, has Rebels, Yankees and plantations burning down, but that's about all it has in common with my rose-colored glasses view of the time period.

I loved the character of Gavin Langdale. He went to war and fought for what he believed in, even though it was against what his friends were fighting for at the time. I loved that he was honest, loyal and a true hero. He was a hero for Sophia from the time he saved her from downing when she was a child. He was a friend to Jesse, held him on the battlefield and even delivered a letter to Sophia for him. Gavin was honest to a fault and did not sugarcoat his words to save Sophia’s sensibilities. I was amazed at the depth of his love for Sophia and that it held true even after the hard times she gave him.

There are quite a few minor characters; some were a delight to read about and others sent chills down my spine. Mule Cooper and Billy were very mean, evil men and I loved to have their characters as the definitive bad guys. Also, Vandlo and his tribe helped break the stereotype of Gypsies. I enjoyed reading about their life and loved the assistance they gave to Gavin and Sophia. One of my favorite characters was Ricochet. As you read the book, I’m sure you’ll agree with me.

I thoroughly enjoyed Land of the Falling Stars and hope to read more of the people of Arbor Rose and Fredericksburg.

4.5 CHERRIES!

Tags:

Hits: 851 | Read more...

The Girls On Books Blog Award Land of Falling Stars Four Martinis!

The Land of Falling Stars
Monday February 16th 2009, 1:30 am
Historical, Romance, Smokin' Hot, ebook

REVIEW:

Not typically a reader of Historical Romance due to the ‘bodice-ripping’ stigma that hangs over the genre, I am a bit shocked to find myself drawn more and more to them since starting this venture. Keta Diablo has woven a tale set during Civil War times that is truly engaging.

At the beginning of this story I really did enjoy the characters. Gavin is a truly tormented soul, who longs to have the love he feels for Sophia returned, but struggles with his own demons. There are times in the book where you get the feeling that even he questions the events that brought him to Sophia’s door and his part in them and the burden of guilt is evident. Sophia started off as a strong character for me. Struggling to hold onto the last vestiges of her childhood, she does her best to defend it and wait for her betrothed to return so she can marry. Her resolve begins to shred from the moment Gavin arrives at the plantation. As the story progresses though, there are times I want to slap her for being wishy-washy. Gavin’s intentions and love for Sophia were evident from the start, making it hard for me to believe that Sophia held doubts (even with Gavin’s actions).

Yeah, I can’t say more than that without giving away the story or dumping spoilers, so I will finish off with this- Even with the temptation of slapping Sophia silly at times, I still enjoyed the book. My dislike of Sophia at times is a mark of good character development, because Ms Diablo was able to invoke enough emotion for me to get upset with Sophia.

So here’s toasting the Land of Falling Stars with four martinis! Slainte!

Tags:

Comments 3 | Hits: 871 | Read more...

See what You Gotta Read Reviews had to say about Land of Falling Stars.

After receiving a "NEED TO READ" review, I'm breathless too.

Gavin Langdale walks a very long way after her leaves the war to bring devastating news to his friend, Sophia. The news will likely knock her into a dark abyss that she may never emerge from. He battles with the decision long after he makes contact with Sophia because he also battles with the emotions that have plagued him his whole life. He wants Sophia to love him the way she loves Jesse. He wants Sophia to be his not Jesse's. Gavin has a secret that could force Sophia to hate him for the rest of her life.

The author pens a story that is unlike any other. The characters are introduced as childhood friends who become adults with very complicated life experiences to deal with. The story takes place right after the Civil War when tensions run high on both sides. Emotions are tenuous at best and even more so when old relationships become new relationships. I was torn during the reunion scenes and breathless during the chase scenes. I loved all the substories and the minor characters that were such an integral part of the author's vision. Land of Falling Stars makes you believe in the possibility of retribution and the hope of finding your brass ring in the last place you look.

Thank you Gotta Read Reviews, Keta Diablo, www.ketadiablo.com

Tags:

Comments 4 | Hits: 861 | Read more...

Tags:

Comments 7 | Hits: 864 | Read more...

Tags: keta diablo | civil war

Comments 3 | Hits: 647 | Read more...