Who is the real cupid?

Originally posted February 11 2008

It’s Valentine’s Day!

One day out of the year we dedicate to roses, chocolates and diamonds, mixed in with pink and red visions of romance and a baby wearing wings, carrying a bow and arrow. Wait a minute, a baby with a weapon? That's right. So, what makes Cupid right for the job? I'm not so sure he is, Eros might actually be better qualified for the position.

Both Ancient Greece and Rome had their own mythology and pantheon of deities to worship. Over the centuries the two groups have been combined, separated or listed side by side for comparison. Needless to say it’s sometimes difficult to know what’s true to their mythology and what isn’t. That said we definitely know that Eros was the God of Love for the Ancient Greeks and Cupid is the God of Erotic Love and Sex for the Romans. Unfortunately, that’s where it stops being clear-cut and simple.

In Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes, Edith Hamilton states Eros was depicted as a “beautiful serious youth”. H.J Rose’s says in A Handbook of Greek Mythology that he was “handsome young athlete”, but before both of these characterizations were made he represented love, lust and intercourse as one of the oldest gods in Greece. Where worshipping of the god was important it’s been discovered he was the deity for attractive young men and boys. Across the Adriatic, Cupid was depicted as a child who had the same traits as those already noted. Like Janus, it was questioned whether Cupid had two distinctive sides to his persona or was actually two separate individuals.

After gaining Aphrodite, Goddess of Love and Beauty, as his mother along with three prospective fathers, Eros image of male lust and sex was further encouraged. One probable father was Hermes, a phallic god and another was Ares, God of War. It seems even in the ancient world a warrior encouraged a woman’s desire to grow exponentially. The third potential was Aphrodite’s father, Zeus. This union was viewed as sexual passion so strong and out of control it has no limitations. This association with the uncontrollable made Eros a dangerous god. The parent issue was similar for Cupid. Jupiter and Venus were also noted as his parents, as were Nyx and Erebus. Both possible couples helped define and solidify various qualities of his character.

Both Cupid and Eros seem fairly interchangeable at this stage, except for their appearances and the Ancient Greek god having elements of danger associated with him. It's at this point the two figures actually appear to swap personalities.

It wasn’t until Alexandrian times that women come into picture for Eros. This happened when the ideal relationship between men and women moved from being mere sexual desire to one of love from the heart. Because of this supposed softening to his characterization, the God of Love’s importance to men was lessened. With this change in attributes, as well as society moving away from worshipping gods and goddess, he became a chubby child with a wicked bow, seen mainly in connection with Aphrodite and subordinate to others.

Cupid gained some clout as a god of love with an appearance on the romantic stage with the Cupid and Psyche’s love story, written in the second century [A.D.] by Apuleius. The story depicted Cupid as a young man and involved very adult issues found in romance like love, jealousy, mistrust and forgiveness. Unfortunately, it seems as if it wasn’t enough to allow him to be depicted as anything but a baby for Valentine’s Day.

So, what do you think? Does it make sense for Cupid to be the image of Valentine's Day? He is a child afterall. Maybe Eros [erotic love] would be better suited for the holiday that encourages lovers to put their hearts out there for their lovers to see and experience.

A really big contest from @Eververse and the prize has to do with #AADSAV!

Something Darker by S. A. Price

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The one thing Syrus Alcot, the God of Death Osiris in the Egyptian Pantheon, wants in all the worlds is the woman he loved and lost returned to him. When he gave up his powers, and freedom for a life of service he was promised her return. That was over one thousand years ago. A member of a team of dark gods charged with keeping humanity safe, he leads a loveless existence in New York City, searching for the one thing that could bring his wife back to him, a lapis scarab that was lost to him ages before.

 

Gwen Stapleton, a mild mannered librarian, is unaware that she holds the key to not only Syrus’ happiness, but her own. Seemingly stuck in a hopeless relationship with a man she doesn’t love, she has no idea that a chance meeting in Alphabet City will start a landslide to her heart’s content. Because Gwen is the keeper of the scarab, and is everything Syrus has ever wanted… and he’s not the only one.

An Ancient evil is waking, and its servants will stop at nothing to see it seize its rightful place as the new pantheon of earth. And in order for Syrus and his team to save the world, Gwen is going to have to accept him, and show that love does make all the difference.

 

Order Print or Kindle

 

There's the drool worthy hint, now for the information!

To celebrate the release of Something Darker, the Price sisters who write as S.A. Price are doing something really big ... Authors After Dark: Savannah big!

 

Here are the dirty yet so very easy details:

Want to win your way into Authors After Dark? For those of you that don’t know, Authors After Dark (AAD) the fastest growing lit convention in the country that is reader-centric, focusing on readers engaging authors about their books and their careers in a fun party atmosphere. 2013 AAD is in Savannah, GA August 15-18^th and it is going to be AMAZING. Vampire Ball, Elemental Ball, Semi Formal awards dessert ceremony, Riverboat event, Parties, bouncy castles, panels, tattoos, corsets and so much more! You do not want to miss this.

So Stella, the convention director is also an author, and she’s giving away an amazing prize to celebrate the release of her new self pubbed book: SOMETHING DARKER. What’s the prize? A VIP Package to AAD (either 2013 or 2014--- if you are already attending 2013, you get 2014 comped!) including A VIP Access badge, Free parking, hotel amenities (not room unless we get the book in the 100’s at Amazon), A basket of goodies from Stella and Audra, and Breakfast with them on Tuesday before the con and some other amazing goodies!

Runners up will win a Nook, book baskets and this was just added A non location specific day pass to the day of a readers choice for the con (Which normally isn’t sold or given to anyone that doesn’t live in the immediate area of the con! Worth 100$!!!)

Not a bad prize for a 2.99 book right?

So you ready to win one of these fabulous prizes?  Well, its easy ... send your receipt showing purchase of Something Darker to everversestella@gmail.com.  Put “SOMETHING DARKER CONTEST ENTRY” in the subject.

Contest runs until February15th with the winner being announced on the 18th ... what are you waiting for, get going!

When on vacation why not revisit a couple favorite locations found in my books!

Earlier I mentioned going to the Oxford Bar in Edinburgh from Ian Rankin's Rebus books and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.  So, when we went south to Leeds in Yorkshire where I went to university, we thought why not visit a few spots I put into seriously kinky My Angel from the Good Bad and Kinky series?

We were shopping, walking from arcade to street, when I realized we were trolling through the arcade I'd chosen to host a sexy lingerie shop the couple visit and pick up a few interesting items.  It was dressed for Christmas but not in an over-the-top kind of way ... I found the decor rather elegant.

Next we meandered down Briggate and once we passed the Victoria Quarter and Harvey Nichols, we kept our eyes peeled to the right and there it was, up high, a sign denoting the pub we were looking for and it was there.  Walking down the subtle short enclosed pathway or gulley, we stepped out into an open space between the buildings.  From there it was a simple choice of where to go for lunch ... Whitelock's!

With a fine pint of Old Peculier ... honestly, the BEST! ... we sat down for a beef pie, monster chips, peas and sprouts while talking with the sweetest older gentleman ever.  He was a local who had had a stroke so everything "fine" or "fair" which was fine with us.  You see that is the best part of visiting the older pubs, the locals you find within on a cold day taking a rest and a pint.

Lovely!

We visited bonnie Scotland, Edinburgh actually, and it wasn't nearly long enough!

This year we decided to shake things up and fly into Edinburgh instead of London and take a couple days to see the city again.  Let me state this at the beginning, we're going to fly that way again and stay for longer, we loved Edinburgh before and fell in love all over again.

We were staying just off the Royal Mile so walked it a few times and Princes Street even more, but something we'd never done before and wanted to do this time was see the Royal Britannia.  This is the royal yacht that has recently be laid to rest in Leith and boy was it worth a visit.

I admit to thinking before we got there that it would be a bit boring and we'd move through quickly, boy was I wrong.  It was fascinating to see how the royals and laymen lived together in such small quarters, boy to I mean small!

Halfway through the 3+ hour tour we stepped into the tea shop and had lunch, so decadent.  Cutie ordered a cuppa [actually a little pot that holds about three cups] and I a hot chocolate ... yum!  From there I had a sandwich ... crusts were left on, and the cutie had cullen skink, a fishy thing so I passed on tasting but he enjoyed.

From top to bottom, rear to stern [?], we took in the ship and would recommend others make the short and easy trip out to see it.

There was shopping to do, it was Christmas time after all, and pubs to visit.  The two I'll note here are Oxford Bar from Ian Rankin's Rebus books and yeah, it is exactly how he writes it!  The other was Royal Cafe from Chariots of Fire movie.  Nope, don't remember the scene but the friend of ours who lives there and recommended a few places to us said it was a must visit and he was so very right.  We loved this pub so much we went next door to the restaurant for dinner.

My problem with eating in Scotland is the copious amount of seafood but here they had a single ever so small quail leg resting on a cushion of garlic mash potatoes for me and a bowl of mulles et frites for the cutie followed by a glass of fine whisky for afters ... a when in Rome kind of thing.

First Footing is NOT a lost tradition!

originally posted 12.31.10

As midnight looms Auld Lang Syne, credited to Scottish poet Robert Burns, is sung by all. The song, with its universal appeal, has been adopted by people around the world as a way to bid a fond farewell to the old and welcome the new with open arms. Kiss your friends, hug strangers, and shake the hand of your enemy, all while sharing toasts with whisky.

And now the real party begins with first-footing!

First-footing takes place in Scotland and by some in northern England - we do it where my cutie comes from. It's a custom that has been around for a long time. Roots to this tradition go asfar back as the Viking invasions and have changed little. How it works is that the first person to enter a home after midnight has passed, should be male with dark hair and carrying tokens cementing good luck for the residents. A lump of coal, whisky and an oat cake are the most common gifts to offer and in return, uisge beatha, water of life (whisky), and food are shared, and then leave by the back door.

Sound fun? It is because throughout the night, as long as the chilled limbs can move, and one more dram can be shared, first-footing continues, house to house, party to party.

Have a good and safe holiday!

Still have that warm sharing feeling? I hope so!

Christmas is a time for giving to others, mainly family and friends, but maybe you have something left to share with someone ... a lovely woman who I've met and worked with ... who needs a little help with a brick wall to climb over.

I know what you're thinking: Tilly never posts a specific need when asking for help.  No, I don't, which goes to show exactly how personally this touched me and how much your help is needed in this case.

Visit the link and share what you can, every dollar will help!

http://www.gofundme.com/1qcy2w

There is so very much fabness going on with the NEW @ellorascave website!

The fabness [yes, I made up a new word] is happening with Ellora's Cave NEW website and I thought I'd fill you in on them, so here it goes:

Gift Cards!  Yes, there are gift cards for you to get for yourself to help make shopping easier, and to give to a friend ... all good stuff!

Search!  You can now just type in an authors name, book title, whatever, and search the website for an answer ... cool!
 
Domain!  JasmineJade was fine, but I am so happy to have it all as in all the imprints and boutique  are under one name ... ELLORA'S CAVE!

I told you it was all fabness :-)

Now that you know, head over and check it out for yourself ... start with my page and books!

Enjoy the new discovery!

The Safe, Sane and Consensually Wild fashion show in LEATHER BRIDE by Tilly Greene is here!

LEATHER BRIDE by Tilly Greene
Contemporary Erotic Romance + Bondage, Fetish and Exhibitionism

Order eBook from Ellora's Cave|All Romance|Amazon

There are two things on Mimi’s mind—her lover Rick, and how he’s finally given in and bound her. Everything is wonderful until a mysterious trip calls him away.

Mimi tries to back out of walking the runway at the Safe, Sane and Consensually Wild fashion show, where she and her lover were set to model leather goods. She’s the muse behind the collection and the designer, her friend, won’t hear of her not modeling.

A misunderstanding threatens to tear them apart, but a fashion show could bring Mimi and Rick closer together.

WARNING! Leather Bride has lots of sex and some of it involves leather and toys. Here’s more of a WARNING: as the heroine has a thing for leather, some of the toys are made of leather!

 

Excerpt

Nerves and adrenaline ran wild through Mimi. A trickle of sweat slid down her spine and eventually settled in the small of her back. The day was exciting, terrifying and dreadfully sad. There was no doubt she’d survive the upheaval to her private life, but first she had to make a shocking and very sexual walk down the runway all by herself.

As quietly as she could while wearing extremely high heels, Mimi took a deep breath as she carefully stepped out onto the dark stage. In the inky blackness, she prepared to strike her opening pose. Trying to find calm, she kept repeating her goals for the event.

While acting as Armand’s muse and model, she was there to entice and surprise people who knew what to expect from his shows. She needed to encourage buyers to buy and impress magazine editors to put the ensemble both on their covers and between them. Then there were the fashionistas and BDSM lifestyle aficionados in the audience to wow and persuade to wear something similar to a special event, even if it was a private party. If she could accomplish what the designer hoped for, then her nervousness would be worthwhile.

In a moment of weakness, she thought about how Rick had planned to be there, participating in the never to be repeated experience with her as a couple. However, she was the person requested to show off her friend’s designs and she was alone. Unlike her usual self, Mimi was unsure, restless and maybe a little scared. She wanted it all to start soon, because she was sure once the first steps were made, everything would be fine, especially because of what she wore.

Leather.

She loved leather and Armand had surrounded her in the material that helped her sensuality flourish and expand into new areas. It gave her great pleasure to wear and smell it.  The way it held her tightly, highlighting her curves, boosted her feelings of desirability. Add in a chance to anonymously act the naughty model slash muse and Mimi knew she wouldn’t find it difficult to have fun strutting her friend’s clothes in front of an audience.

Traditionally in a fashion show, the final model sent down the runway represented the designer’s piece de resistance in the form of a bridal gown. Times had changed, but her friend wanted to make the connection to the past once again, albeit to an unconventional bride. When Armand first asked if she’d be willing to make the walk as he’d described it, she’d been hesitant. Not because she was ashamed of showing her body, she was pleased with her real woman’s figure and its curves.

However, she knew the fashion world could be a cruel arena for anyone who colored outside the box and his show was further away from normal than he’d ever gone before. He’d instantly pooh-poohed her concerns and confided the audience was hand-picked because of their openness to the different and raunchy. After that, he continued down the path exactly as he’d envisioned it and added an element to ensure she wasn’t recognized.

Mimi focused on taking slow, calming breathes through her nose as the time for her grand reveal raced closer. She concentrated on how he’d designed each piece specifically for her and savored the moment. Her pussy clenched with pleasure as she inhaled the delicious aromatic quality wafting up, surrounding and encasing her body. The alluring fragrance from the leather, along with the type of garments she wore, had moisture building in her slit. Unfortunately, all it managed to do was remind her there would be no fulfillment from her lover later.

Each item she wore for the show left her feeling as special and beautiful as any woman about to walk down the matrimonial aisle, only with an added dash of erotic spice. The bride she portrayed and felt akin to freely chose to dress entirely in white leather. She was sexually vulnerable and ready to submit body and soul to her mate.

Time seemed to have stopped as she stood there in the dark, perched on five-inch stiletto-heeled leather boots. They smoothed up her legs until they stopped mid-thigh. The fit was perfect and looked painted over her flesh.

One of the more symbolic pieces of the outfit was found on her arms and depicted the real submission Armand’s bride and she both willingly accepted. From her wrists stretching up to her elbows were stiff leather arm binders, items worn often by people who enjoyed restrictive movement in their love play. Using five sturdy ties the two bands were locked together, ensuring her arms remained secured behind her back and unable to bend or move.

The position of her arms helped stretch her posture to perfection, which was further enhanced by the classic Victorian style corset of leather she wore. She loved wearing corsets, as they pinched in a delicious manner and presented her large breasts for delightful treatment.

The shape of the cups allowed her taut red nipples to rest over the hard rolled edge where they remained perched and eager for attention. Laced tightly up the back, she knew how the precise line of ribbons looked seductive and promised as much in the wearing as in taking it off. The end of the laces had been tucked beneath the bottom of the piece to keep them from disturbing the smooth seductive curves the leather took above her hips, over her small belly and straight across the small of her back.

With her arms secured behind her, Mimi was left in an exposed position. The audience would be able to plainly see what was missing from Armand’s design: panties. There was nothing to hide her tidy blonde curls, her barely visible lower lips or the dark crease splitting her ass. The lovers of all things fashion forward and outrageous were in for a real treat.

Copyright © 2012 Tilly Greene

Order LEATHER BRIDE by Tilly Greene in eBook from Ellora's Cave|All Romance|Amazon

Tilly Greene

Scorching romances full of twists, turns and ties.
www.tillygreene.com

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A Guest eBook/Book Talk Day with @HelenaHarker and her Master's Submission!

Master’s Submission by Helena Harker

An Ellora’s Cave Quickie

When Bethany reads her Master’s note, she expects it to contain the usual set of instructions telling her how to prepare for their Friday evening play session. But her Master asks for the unexpected—he wants her to be his Domme. Bethany is terrified at the prospect, but she doesn’t want to disappoint Master. She’ll need to tap into her inner dominatrix if she’s to give her newly submissive lover what he needs.

Order from Ellora's Cave and Amazon

 

Excerpt:  Chapter One

I stood by the bedside table, where Master had left his instructions on a piece of red paper he’d transformed into an origami swan. Beautiful. A shame to unfold it, really. Every Friday night, he left me prep work for the scene he wanted to act out when he returned from the office.

Sometimes he made simple requests, asking me to answer the door dressed only in my leather collar and crotchless panties, and then kneel at his feet after he entered. Or he gave me more detailed instructions, where I had to cook a three-course meal, light candles, make up the bed in satin sheets and lay out the various crops and floggers in a straight line on the mahogany desk by the window. Master loved scenarios involving costume play, especially when I wore my corseted Victorian gown, and he tied me to the bed, ravishing me while I begged to be set free. Other times I draped myself in filmy veils and posed as a harem girl, shimmying my hips in an improvised belly dance. When I finished removing the veils, dropping them one by one at his feet, he played the sultan and demanded sexual favors.

I held the paper swan to my nose, inhaling its scent. His scent. I caught the faint hint of musky cologne, Fetiche, which I bought for his birthday. One fold at a time, I straightened the paper, tingling in anticipation. What did he desire this evening? Bondage? Spanking? A session with the flogger that ended in a frenzy of fucking? Warmth spread through my pussy as multiple possibilities spun inside my mind. Closing my eyes, I pressed the paper against my lips.

When Master wrote his notes, the pen left indentations in the paper. The precisely looped Ds and bold Ys reflected his assertive personality.

 Dearest Bethany,

Tonight, your task is to be my Domme. Do what you like with me.

Your humble servant,

Dylan

 

What? Domme him? I didn’t have a clue how to be a Domme. I’d always been his submissive. We’d been together five years and for that entire time, I’d acted as his willing servant, surrendering to him, pleasing him. The roles suited us to perfection. My previous relationships were the same. I’d always been with a Dom, and never, ever considered any other role for myself. Being a sub fulfilled me.

I read the note a second time. He signed it Dylan, his real name. All the other messages had been signed Master.

What do I do? What do I do?

Order Master's Submission from Ellora's Cave and Amazon

Find Helena Harker at her Website: www.helenaharker.com and
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/helena.harker.9

 

Talking erotic research on Booked and Loaded + they have a giveaway! #AADSAV

Today I'm over on Booked and Loaded under the Authors After Dark Author Spotlight talking about Research for Erotica.

There's an interesting - never thought I'd use it - quote, dirty hints and details about the soon to be released Leather Bride [November 21st!], a Booked and Loaded giveaway from my backlist, and much more ... all fabulous fun!

Head over there and check it out, make a comment ... who knows, you might win :-)

NYC is a glamorous world and the pleasure found there is pure decadence... it's PLEASURED IN NEW YORK CITY!

Pleasured in New York City by Tilly Greene

Contemporary Erotica + Bondage

Order at ARe|Amazon|BN|Smashwords

After months of begging, she was wearing sexy scraps of next to nothing, tied to his bed and seconds from being taken. Mary had given him all the permission and voiced all the trust needed for him to bind and possess her until she screamed with satisfaction.

Any second he was going to strip her, touch her bare body wicked way, take her to heaven and she was going to be screaming her pleasure…any second now…

New York City is a glamorous world and the pleasure found there is pure decadence.

WARNING: This erotica bondage short is all sex!


Excerpt

“Oh, baby girl, you look so sexy. Give me your safe word. Let me hear you say the word so I know you remember it.”

“I trust you, totally, and won’t need it.”

“Humor me,” he murmured while running a hand down her arm until a fingertip circled around her armpit. She almost giggled and then the word he was looking for was spoken in a clear tone.

“It’s frost, but I know I won’t need it.”

“Promise me you’ll use it if you’re scared or hurt by anything we—”  She cut him off before he could finish his plea.

“Stop! Enough of this! Come here and love me.”

Richard sat beside her on the bed. His cock pulsed with need to bury itself inside her tight grasp. Leaning over, he pressed his lips against hers, testing the resiliency of her soft plump folds. Mary meant the world to him. When he hadn’t been looking, he’d found the one woman who completed him. He’d do anything in his power to make sure her life was peaceful, full of love and joy, and his lover.

It was only a year ago, he’d walked into a gallery in Chelsea for an opening and, with one look, his entire world turned upside down and inside out. He’d been left uncomfortably open and vulnerable before her and yet didn’t question the discovery. Instead, he went with the flow of unimagined power and the woman who brought it and this new side of him to the surface.

Taking her bottom lip between his teeth, he looked into her green eyes and tugged, before letting the fold go. Once released her lips didn’t close but remained enticingly parted as she panted for air. There was a hunger radiating from her that he wanted and would have after he teased it a bit further toward breaking.

“Do you remember the night we met?”

“Of course. I was attending the opening in a well-respected gallery for an up-and-coming artist who the critics were touting had unbelievable talent, ability, and finesse. She was everything they said and more. Her carved stone appeared so fluid-like. You were too handsome and so sure of yourself. Walking up and introducing yourself in your deep sexy voice, then offering me a glass of champagne drew my attention away from your other flaws. No doubt from the minute you saw me, you’d quickly determined I’d be an easy catch for a stud like you, and I was. Now will you fuck me?”

“Hmmm, so demanding and eager. You know how much I love that about you. So much so, I’ll ignore the flaws bit.” He could tell she was anxious for what was coming her way. Her body fairly vibrated with need and had already ramped up until she was seconds away from shaking out of her skin. There was no rush. He wanted to enjoy every inch of her body.

“How about if I beg? Will you take me then?”

Registration Drive! Bookie Award Voting! I'm talking #AADSAV people!

The Authors After Dark 2012 attendees nominated their favorite books, authors and communities for the Bookie Awards and I was one them - so exciting

Shifter Non-Wolf Novel of the Year
Blood and Silver by James R. Tuck
Croc & the Fox by Eve Langlais
Come Back by Tilly Greene
When a Dragon Lusts a Woman by Dagmar Avery and Charlotte Steele

Yah!  Now it's time to vote - actually those attending are the only ones who can vote, which leads me to the second thing I wanted to tell you.

The AAD Savannah registration drive is on and bigger than ever before!

The bestest readers conference is more than 50% sold and the organizers want to get that number up to 75% by Christmas.  How they're going about doing that is offering some seriously fabulous incentives.  There are such things as 2 VIP badge upgrades and 2 registrations for 2014 as well as drinks, books, meals and more with a variety of authors!

Check out the list here and then go register!

So, if you're already registered, then VOTE!  The polls have officially opened and ends on November 15, winners will be announced at the Bookie Awards Ceremony in Savanna, Georgia in August 2013.

The Authors After Dark 2013 con will be held in Savannah, GA and registration is now open.

Looking forward to seeing you there and talking BOOKS!