Month of Love Guest Blog & Giveaway: An Ode to Kissing! by Tara Lain
*Giveaway Now Closed*
Everyone please welcome back erotic romance author Tara Lain to Paperback Dolls! In January Tara’s debut novel, GENETIC ATTRACTION, was released. If you missed it, you can find out what Mona Leigh and my were or check out Tara’s . After Tara’s post, there will be a chance to win an ecopy of your very own!
What better way to celebrate the joys of Valentine Month than with an ode to kissing! Most humans do it, and even many animals kiss, lick and nuzzle each other. Not sure about the birds and the bees. But anthropologists don’t really know too much about when or how it started. Some say it’s instinctive. We know it allows prospective mates to taste each other’s pheromones for biological compatibility much more directly than sniffing. Those biologists do take the fun out of things!
Among the first mentions of kissing in literature was in four Vedic Sanskrit texts. Now that’s a kiss! They knew what they were doing in 1500BC. In Rome, couples announced their wedding by kissing passionately in front of a group of people including family. Today, we’d call that a PDA of the first order. Kisses were even used to seal legal and business agreements, leading to our idea of “sealed with a kiss”. Shakespeare sometimes portrayed kisses as dangerous or deadly when shared by the wrong people as in Romeo and Juliet and the Greek myth of Pygmalion and Galatea led us to the idea that a kiss could awaken and breathe life into a sleeping beauty.
In modern times, the first inter-racial kiss ever shown on television was between Captain Kirk and Uhura on the original Star Trek. Of course, they were enchanted at the time. I knew I loved that show. In our society, two women kissing is generally more acceptable than two men, although I think Adam Lambert may be single handedly changing that idea.
And we get a lot of our ideas about kissing from the movies. So to conclude our little paean of praise to osculation, here are some of my all time favorite kissing scenes. The incredible kissing prowess of Jude Law, who made Cold Mountain HOT. The indescribably sexy Hugh Jackman who can just kiss away forever and I’ll watch. Kissing in the rain from The Notebook, and, of course, the most famous upside down kiss ever.
We all have our ideas of who does it best. Who is your favorite kisser? If you share, you may win a copy of my novel, Genetic Attraction, a M/M/F ménage in which some very serious kissing of all kinds goes on. Here’s the link if you’d like to know more. http://www.loose-id.com/Genetic-Attraction.aspx
And here is a very short excerpt from Genetic Attraction in which the heroine, an older, renowned geneticist, meets the supermodel boyfriend of her research partner. Here is her introduction (and ours) to Roan Black:
The doorbell sounded. Goose bumps erupted. This was it. She hadn’t even had time to think of what to say to the boyfriend of the man of her dreams.
Fighting a giggle, she hopped up, wobbled a little, crossed the entry, and yanked open the door.
Jesus. Was this what people meant when they said “your heart stops?” She stared.
The man standing under her porch light almost didn’t seem real. She looked up into clear green eyes so heavily fringed with lashes, they looked like they were lined with kohl. And that mouth? Looking at it had to be a mortal sin in at least three major religions. Like female beauty somehow architecturally carved into a male masterpiece.
He extended his long, slim hand and said simply, “Roan.”
His hand was so warm. “I know.”
He smiled. Did the sun just come out? Dimples. And one of those shining white teeth was crooked. Maybe nature could only endure so much perfection and had to fight back with a tiny cosmic joke.
Yikes. She flew off her feet, and breath whooshed from her lungs as he crushed her against the silky fabric of his tux and the hard, slim body beneath. She managed to get her toes back on the ground and looked up at that exquisite face framed by silky black hair.
He beamed. “Hello, darling.” He dropped his head and kissed her, full on the mouth.
Far from a “howdy” kind of peck, the kiss was soft and lingering, with the slightest hint of a warm tongue against her lips. She fought not to whimper.
Gradually, and it felt reluctantly, he pulled back. “I think I’m your date for tonight.”
Only one thing came to mind. “Holy shit.”
From a few steps behind Roan, Jake started to laugh.
Hope you enjoyed it. To be entered to win a FREE ecopy of Genetic Attraction, just comment and tell us your favorite kisser and/or kissing scene. Good luck! :)
~*~*~*~*~*Giveaway*~*~*~*~*~
At a conservative Long Island University, renowned researcher, Dr. Emmaline Silvay, has two great loves – her life-saving work, and her younger research partner, Jake Martin. The romantic love is impossible. She’s his boss and he lives with his girlfriend. The the “girlfriend” is actually a boyfriend, the beautiful and infamous supermodel, Roan Black.
Resigned to a platonic relationship, Em accepts a weekend invitation to their home, but the men have a menage on their minds. She can’t resist, doesn’t even want to. But their intentions go far beyond passion. They want her to “be a part of them”. Their three-way love defies propriety and the standards of the University that funds their work. The supermodel’s fame makes secrecy impossible. Their ménage threatens to crumble all she’s worked for. What will give way to make room for genetic attraction?
More ways to win:
+1 for each place you post about today’s contest on your blog, social network, or anywhere you can. Digg it, stumble it, twit it, share it with the world. Wherever you share it, make sure you add a link to it along with your comment.
Giveaway ends March 7th and the winner will be chosen by random.org on March 8th. We ask the winners to post a review of the novel someplace. Whether it is on their own blog, Amazon, GoodReads, LibraryThing or wherever, it doesn’t matter. Just help get the word out. Also, we will try to contact the winners, but we ask that you check back to see if you’ve won.
Tara Lain never met a beautiful boy she didn’t love – at least on paper. A writer of erotic romance, mostly ménage and male/male, Tara loves all her characters, but especially her handsome heroes. A lifelong writer of serious non-fiction, Tara only fell in love with EROM in 2009 and, through perserverance and lots of workshops, had the first novel she ever wrote accepted for publication in 2010. She’s now on book three. After an exotic life of travel all over the world and work in television, education and advertising, Tara settled in Southern California with her soul-mate husband and opened her own small marketing business. She paints, collages, and started practicing yoga “way before it was fashionable”. Passionate about diversity, justice, inclusion and new ideas , she says on her tombstone it will read,”Yes”.
Anne said…
I loved the kiss in the excerpt, it had a little more detail than usual. I really can’t remember a kiss in a book that really stood out to me that I’d remember it.
I was too young when I first saw the Star Trek kiss to understand the significance and the Spiderman kiss didn’t do much for me.
The most picturesque was probably Jack and Rose on the bow of the Titanic. There were some great kisses between Brad Pitt and Claire Forlani in Meet Joe Black (Brad at his hottest).
February 11, 2011 8:06 AM
Victoria said…
Tweeted:
You know I can remember Cat and Bones first real kiss in the cave. Electric!
February 11, 2011 8:13 AM
June M. said…
I agree with the Titanic kiss but would also add the Ghost scene and kiss where they were doing the pottery. Such a good scene.
A different than normal kisses, the reunion kiss in Brokeback Mountain. I love that movie, such a good love story.
manning_j2004[at]yahoo.com
February 11, 2011 8:21 AM
BLHmistress said…
I agree I think the Titanic kiss is just so romantic, I would say the latest that I have read and that is Gabriel’s Mate by Tina Folsom.
vampiremistress2010(at)gmail(dot)com
February 11, 2011 9:05 AM
Tara Lain said…
Wow, i’d kind of forgotten the Titanic kiss. That was a good one. Thank you all for your great comments. : )
February 11, 2011 9:35 AM
Stephanie said…
Eve and Roarke’s first kiss in Naked In Death.
February 11, 2011 11:11 AM
Stacie said…
One of my favorie kissing scenes in a movie is a sweet kiss. I love all of the first kiss scenes in Love Actually. When the little girl runs back to kiss Liam Neeson’s stepson at the airport it kills me every time. The look on the little boys face is priceless.
user1123 AT comcast DOT net
February 11, 2011 11:29 AM
Tara Lain said…
Thanks Stephanie and Stacie for your comments. I love Love Actually too, all the kisses. I’ll have to check out Naked in Death. : )
February 11, 2011 11:47 AM
Mona said…
Wow! You ladies have pulled out all the kissing stops here. I’d forgotten about some of those and some I haven’t seen yet.
I think just about any “bad boy/good girl” kiss is memorable just for pure shock value if nothing else. LOL
And Yeah, the Brokeback Mountain kiss was exceptional. I can still see them groping their way into the alley.
February 11, 2011 1:03 PM
Elvie said…
I think my favorite onscreen kiss might be the scorching one between Richard Gere and Julia Ormond in First Knight. That movie was subpar in many respects, but you got to look at Richard Gere & Julia Ormond, and listen to Sean Connery! I remember practically wearing out the tape on that kiss scene (back in the days of VCRs!) rewinding it over and over again. HAWT!
February 11, 2011 1:12 PM
Eowyn said…
I have to say that for me my favorite kiss is always going to be Rhett Butler and Scarlett. Ahhhh young love, I really wanted to be Scarlett.
February 11, 2011 1:36 PM
Nancy said…
Great post!
My favorite kisses are the old ones, like Burt Lancaster and Deborah Kerr;)
February 11, 2011 1:37 PM
Day said…
Ahhhhhhh… kissing, one of my favorite past times:)
Thank you for the guest post and excerpt.
I’m not sure whatmy favorite on screen kiss is, but I like the really passionate ones. You know…the kisses where it looks like the couple have been starving and the other person’s breath is sustaining them. Yeah…I like hungry kisses.
February 11, 2011 1:42 PM
Tara Lain said…
Thanks for the great comments, you guys. I love the Brokeback kiss as well as everything else about that great film. Burt Lancaster on the beach? Oh, yeah! All you guys know your kisses! : )
February 11, 2011 1:47 PM
Lisa P. Coder said…
loved the article on kissing! Will post this link to my FB page!
February 11, 2011 1:57 PM
Tara Lain said…
Glad you liked it, Lisa. Thanks for the FB post! : )
February 11, 2011 2:02 PM
Lisa P. Coder said…
BTW: I enjoyed the book as well. Lain did a good job combining the erotica and the character/plot development. Nice balance!
February 11, 2011 2:06 PM
Tara Lain said…
Thank you, Lisa. I’m delighted you liked it! : )
February 11, 2011 2:09 PM
KC said…
bookwise: none really stand out as THE kiss for me cause most. Although if put on the spot I’d say anything by Dageus in KMM’s Dark Highlander *le sigh*
moviewise: Only the best onscreen kiss ever is Mr. Thornton and Margaret Hale in BBC’s North & South *super le sigh and melt in a puddle of awwwness* The whole movie is builtup to that one kiss. I seriously reccommend it for anyone to see. or youtube the coles notes ()
February 11, 2011 2:25 PM
Maeve said…
Awesome post and loved the excerpt!
February 11, 2011 3:55 PM
Tara Lain said…
Thanks so much for coming by, Maeve. : )
February 11, 2011 4:09 PM
Kim Bowman Author said…
I love the pictures! What a great idea! The book sounds awesome!!
February 11, 2011 4:26 PM
Tara Lain said…
Thanks, Kim. Appreciate your stopping by. : )
February 11, 2011 4:43 PM
Di said…
great topic just before valentines day! a kiss that starts soft is best & then lookout! lots of great examples & descriptions in the earlier posts.
sallans d at yahoo dot com
February 11, 2011 5:36 PM
Tara Lain said…
Thank you, di. We’re having a great month of love. : )
February 11, 2011 5:59 PM
Bamafever said…
Great post! The pictures were a great idea. I have to say I’m with Day! The kisses where they run and jump in each others arms kissing away! * sighs* The kiss in the rain in the Notebook was awesome. I also thought the kiss in The Proposal at the end was super sexy.
February 11, 2011 8:38 PM
Tara Lain said…
Thanks so much for your comment. Glad you enjoyed the post! : )
February 12, 2011 7:57 AM
Meredith said…
Loved the kiss in the Titantic! I’ve seen those Star Trek kisses over and over since I live with a trekkie! There’s so many great kisses, it’s hard to choose.
meredithfl at gmail dot com
February 12, 2011 1:31 PM
Danielle Gorman said…
Wow this looks really good. I really liked the Titanic kiss and the kiss from The Notebook. Gotta love a good kiss in the rain. I also like the kiss between Watts and Keith in Some Kind of Wonderful. I like that the premise of the kiss is that she is teaching him even though she is in love with him.
February 12, 2011 4:26 PM
Tara Lain said…
Thank you Meredith and Danielle. That Titanic kiss seems to be the all time fave, and i missed it in the post ! Durn. : )
February 12, 2011 6:25 PM
Tore said…
I am a follower and email subscriber. Please enter me in contest.
February 14, 2011 6:30 PM
JoAnna said…
I love the excerpt! I absolutely loved the valentine’s free read!
Thanks for the giveaway!
tweet:
sidebar: beckerjo.blogspot.com
beckerjo(at)verizon(dot)net
February 21, 2011 6:55 PM
Tara Lain said…
Hi JoAnna — Thank you so much for your kind comments. Glad you liked it : )
February 21, 2011 7:27 PM
Stella (Ex Libris) said…
I just recently discovered my favourite kissing scene in a movie: it is in the 3rd season of the TV series Being Erica: whenever Adam is kissing someone I get goosebumps, he is such a powerful, dominating, gently aggressive kisser, I swoon!
In novels the kissing scenes between Sabrina and Marc in Erin Nicholas’ Anything You Want came to mind which certainly made me hot and tingly :-)
Thank you for the fantastic giveaway!
stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com
March 2, 2011 8:24 AM
Tara Lain said…
Thank you, stella! I’m going to have to track down some of these great books i’ve missed. TV too. : )
March 2, 2011 8:57 AM
Jolene Allcock and Family said…
I loved the kissing scene in Titanic, but recently I swoonded over Castle and Beckett’s hot kiss! I had to rewind and watch over a few times it was soo hot!!
june111(at)att(dot)net
March 7, 2011 10:05 AM
winnie said…
My favourite kissing scenes in movies would be The Titanic and The Notebook ones. As for books, I loved the first ever kissing scene between Cat and Bones of the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost.
chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com
March 7, 2011 2:15 PM
Tara Lain said…
Thanks Jolene and Winnie! You’re inspiring me. : )
March 7, 2011 2:20 PM
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