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.

Valentines Day a big day for Zeus, a big day of no sex!

Zeus, King of the gods, God of the Sky and Thunder, knows he has a pretty good existence, except for when it comes to Valentine's Day. For some unknown reason, this was the one day out of the 365 that his desires are ignored by all. With unfulfilled desire pushing him closer to being dangerously angry, he's ready to demand answers from the Moirae when a woman from his past comes to the throne room.

Suddenly, the day of hearts and love isn't looking so bad. Or is it? Leda is someone he wronged in the past and wouldn't blame her if she denied him again, but he cares for her, deeply.

He is ready to do whatever it takes to have her again, but will she forgive his past mistakes?

Excerpt

“Feeling lonely?”

The two words were whispered so quietly, he wasn’t sure he actually heard them or if it was a culmination of what he had been thinking pushed the idea into his head. Casting a quick look around the cavernous room revealed no one else was there, but neither did he consider himself lonesome. Usually whenever he was in this room, he was surrounded by a crowd of people, many who were looking for something from him. The one good thing about being alone was that it rarely happened and it allowed him to think about what he wanted to reflect further upon, not what others put in front of him.

Relaxing back against the back of his throne, he took another drink from his cup and closed his eyes to savor the peace and quiet.

Except for his dislike of this particular day, his life was actually pretty good. There was nothing he lacked, although there were mistakes he’d made in the past, a few he wished he could go back and do over again.

“No women for the God of the Universe on Valentine’s Day?”

“Who is there?” A mere mortal couldn’t survive the wrath of his voice, much less the glare in his eyes as he stood up and searched the corners of the room. Whoever was out there had invaded his private time and he wouldn’t allow that to go unpunished. “Show yourself immediately or I’ll—”

“You’ll what?”

From behind the last column at the far end of the room stepped a delicate figure in a bright blue short chiton. Because of the lighting and distance between them, he couldn’t see the woman well enough to identify her by name, but he was able to see enough for his cock to stiffen between his legs.

“Who are you?” Now that he knew it was a beautiful woman, Zeus asked for help in identifying his visitor. Already he was turning away from intimidation and looking toward seduction. Hopefully The Fates would be too busy working on another string to see how his was changing.

“You know who I am, lover.”

“Lover? We’ve been together before?”

“Yes, we have.” The woman stopped moving and bowed to him. Instead of the usual gold rope twining around and through her dark brown hair, there was something white and fluttered in the light breeze. The more he saw of her, the more intrigued he was to discover everything.

“Don’t you remember me, Zeus?”

©Tilly Greene, 2009

"Together Again?", the second installment in the Mythological Messes Redux series, is available at All Romance eBook [ARe] and Amazon.

Who is Cupid?

Originally posted February 11 2008

In two days time 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.

Allow me to introduce you to...

...the hero of Tied Up For Love, to be released on April 15.

I just realized that I've told you Marsyas is the latest Ancient Greek mythological figure to be treated to a fresh ending, actually fresh start would be more apt, but then again, that is what the Mythological Messes Redux series is all about, however, I haven't shown you the man himself.

So, without any further ado, let me introduce you to the real ipotane, Marsyas. To the right is a picture from the Getty Collection of a remnant that also happens to be one of my all time favorite pieces of art.

He isn't big, less than 20", and the artist added horns which the real Marsyas didn't have, however, the man is very sexy as sin and I came to that conclusion long before I knew his sad tale.

When Research Gives Too Much Information

I have hit a difficult junction with my current WIP, part of the Mythological Messes Redux series, where I've unearthed a great deal of information, albeit interesting, but it's far too convoluted to put into a story.

Let me ask if you know anything about Centaurs?  Satyrs?  Yes, of course you do, but what about Ipotane?  Ipotane?  No?  What if I told you they were the "original version of satyrs" and yet have more in common with centaurs?  Confused?  Not to worry, I am as well and studied the subject for many years, but there you have it - too much information.

Centuars are part human and part horse.
Satyrs are part human and part goat.
Ipotane are part human and part horse.

Just in case you're wondering, Fauns are not listed above because they're part of Roman Mythology, although time has brought them into association with satyrs and the Greek god Pan, and I'm not even going to bring up the Silene issue.

Phrew, told you there was bit too much, and yet interesting, information.

Anyway, here's the question:  Should I be factual with my character who is actually a Ipotane, has previously been called a satyr, but use centaur instead because they're more known and that's what he looks like?  Feels a bit like a lie to me.  I guess I should also mention that my hero has a minor position in Greek Mythology, but I'm reworking his myth a bit so he can bet a redux - originally he died.  Yup, lots and lots of stuff circling this WIP, when really it's a simple tale of love discovered in the most unlikely places.

Well, I think there is a point when the reference books need to be put down and a line needs to be drawn, and I'm doing it here.  He is an Ipotane and I'll work that into the story. 

What do you think?

Today is a day to celebrate...

the 20th anniversary of President George H. W. Bush signing the American Disabilities Act.

Do it by reading a romance with a hero or heroine who has a disability. Now, I admit to not being able to think of any heroines that might fit, but I do know of a hero who does, actually two.

Elvis Donnelly, from Susan Andersen's Exposure, has to be one of my all time favorite heroes. He's gorgeous, sweet, and I adore him. Elvis was concerned about how Emma [heroine] and her daughter would see him, being imperfect, and that made him even more endearing to me the reader.

So, it shouldn't suprise anyone that, when give the chance to write about an Ancient Greek mythological figure - I chose Hephaestus. He may have been physically deformed in the texts, but I gave him a fabulous stick, and a sexy stride in Hephaestus Lays Down the Law.

Can you think of any other wonerful romantic heroes that have a disability that we should read? Inquiring minds want to know.

UPDATED 7.28.10
Well, that will teach me to not open my mail as soon as I get it. Last night I opened the September 2010 issue of RT Book Reviews and on page 10 is a "Trend Watch" article called 'Unconditional Love: How heroes and heroines with disabilities are winning readers' hearts' by Liz French. Great read and at the end is a reading list broken down by challenges faced. Blindness-Eyesight, Deaf-Mute, Mental Disability-Head Trauma, Scarring-Amputee-Disfigurement, Lameness-Limp, and Paraplegic-Wheelchair. It was cool to see titles and/or authors Sherry and Diana both mentioned. There were even a few others I'd read and hadn't remembered the challenge being present. Is that a good thing or not? I'm not sure. I didn't make any effort to hide Hephaestus' issues, but neither did I write it so that was the main focus of the story. It will be interesting to see how I approach the same issues next time [already in progress]. Actually, the bulk of that story is written - an erotic contemporary shapeshifter - and the physical challenges the heroine faces are there, but again, not the thrust of the story or even the romance, simply a part of who she is and unique challenges she faces.

Censorship Sucks!

Okay, I often use Photobucket for the pictures I post here and elsewhere, and they've crossed the censorship line - big time! 

Back in my university days I spent weeks studying this gentleman, taking pictures of him from every angel, and do not think he is obscene in anyway!  His name is the Lansdowne Herakles and he lives at the Getty Villa.

He's a spectaular specimen of Roman improvisation work, which is unusual because they normally flat out copied Greek originals.  Those are good, but this Herakles is spectactular.

How dare you, Photobucket!

How dare you takedown and label this fine specimen of Roman sculptural artwork as "inappropriate".  He has survived almost 2000 years - intact - will you be able to say the same thing?

A question for another day is Herakles vs Hercules - fascinating stuff.

Time for a new kind of hero!

My latest heroes aren't the traditional handsome alpha stud and yet they are in the eyes of the heroine.

Who could possibly be a new kind of hero?

Cyclopes! 

They are monsters from Ancient Greek and yet they aren't really all that bad.  They are the sons of Uranus [sky] and Gaia [earth] and were feared because they were so physically strong.  Because they were so much stronger than their father, he chose to lock them in Tartarus so they couldn't help seize power from him.  Unfortunately, while Cronus did take over and released them, he also sent them back to Tartarus because, like his father, he didn't want them to help seize power.  Third time is a charm for the Cyclopes and Zeus rescued them.  The proficiency the show in the forge was well respected and they made special items for immortals such as Hades [helmet of invisibility], Posiedon [trident] and Zeus [thunderbolts].

There are many Cyclopes, however, three brothers [Agres, Brontes and Steropes - my three heroes] in particular who are very important men and yet they were never given a chance to explore their softer sides.  Well, I changed that and gave them the opportunity to meet a woman who could do just that in "Hephaestus Lays Down the Law", and they've been with her ever since.  However, even though they live together and appear happy, all is not roses in the relationship.  The brothers have never felt such joy with a woman before and she is about to leave them unless they figure out how to keep her.

It's past time for Cyclopes to love and be loved and they're given the chance to do just that with "Cyra's Cyclopes", the fourth installment in the Mythological Messes Redux series.

You think you know all about Cyclopes by reading about them in Homer's Odyssey, but there is so much more to them than that one incident.

So, can a one eyed giant be a sexy and caring lover?  Absolutely!  Can three? Phrew, it's a red hot yes!  Pick up a copy of "Cyra's Cyclopes" and enjoy the trio finding their way through new territory - love.

Mythological Messes Redux Series
Hephaestus Lays Down the Law
Together Again?
Double Punch - NEW!
Cyra's Cyclopes - NEW!

Zeus is...

the King of Gods, ruler of Mount Olympus, the god of sky and thunder* [wait until you read Cyra's Cyclopes].  Zeus is a powerful man in touch with his sexual needs.

Yes, sex, and let's remember, that is not a dirty word.  I'm going to give you a truth some may find hard to accept:  he had loads of sex and not always with his wife.  Some interludes were had with permission and some without.  Some as a man and some not.  Most with women, but not always.  In fact, the list of his partners, willing or not, is very long, and is a part of his character.  Let's be clear, Zeus did not make a couple of errors of judgement on his way to or even as the Olympian leader.  He was a habitual philanderer.

And that doesn't bother me.

I embrace all aspects of this mythology megastar, both good and bad.  In fact, the premise behind my Mythological Messes Redux series is to address a few of the myths that disturbed me.  As an example of this, in Together Again? and continues in Double Punch, Zeus is given an opportunity to make amends for how he treat Leda - the woman he took as a swan and impregnated her with Helen and Polydeuces (Pollux) at the same time she was already pregnant with Clytemnestra and Castor.

So, let's remember, no one was perfect in Classical Greek mythology, not even Zeus. 

Enough said.

Mythological Messes Redux Series

Hephaestus Lays Down the Law

Together Again?

Double Punch

Cyra's Cyclopes [coming soon]

*=from Wikipedia

Want an Introduction to the Mythological Messes Redux series?

Mistakes aren't bad, they are often something that can be learned from, but what if they are really bad? Cruel. Whatever the original intentions may have been, it's time to set things right, no matter how difficult it is to make things right for everyone involved - mortal or immortal, they're all equal.

Today "Hephaestus Lays Down the Law" is free from All Romance and is the first book in the series, although they don't need to be read in order.  Here is a little snippet to tempt your Ancient Greek senses:

“She is my mate.”

“…my mate.”

Simultaneously, the two men looked at the other with confidence, and spoke from their hearts. Unfortunately, they had come to the same conclusion, and vocalized the same claim. Both Pollux and Castor claimed her as their mate, their other half, their one love, and that couldn’t be right.

It should’ve been a special moment, one they’d looked forward to experiencing, but it wasn’t as grand as it should be. They couldn’t claim the same mate, it wasn’t possible. They could share a woman they wanted, give and receive pleasure and fulfillment, they’d done it plenty of times. However, Castor didn’t think such a lady could possibly complete them both. Not both their hearts and souls, it would take a very special woman to be able to do that. They were twins who weren’t really twins, they were individuals.

For a second, he thought about the history of his homeland, and was coming up blank. Mount Olympus had never had a truly mated trio. There’d been plenty of gods, goddesses, immortals and mortals who explored multiple partners, but as far as he knew, there was only one true love, one mate, for each person. Despite history working against them, a solution to their particular situation needed to be found, and fast. Then it came to him, there was only one option open to them, at least as far as he was concerned.

“I think I know the only solution to our problem. We’ve been attracted to the same women before. Of course, never a mate and never with a timeline, but I think we can move forward from here. Why don’t we let Anissa decide the matter and we’ll both abide by her decision.” Castor quietly and emphatically voiced what he believed to be the best route forward and, knowing his brother, understood he would as well. Privately, he vowed to give up his chance at experiencing the once in a lifetime love for his brother. Letting him have the joy he missed by giving up his immortality to save him, even if for a limited amount of time, it was the best he could offer to make amends for his past mistakes that cost him everything.

“Fine.” Pollux’s agreement was terse. Looking carefully at the other man sitting across the table from him, Castor saw how he didn’t look to be completely satisfied, and that was something for him to worry about. He knew his brother and the man wouldn’t rest until he found what he thought was the best solution.

Fidgeting didn’t help ease the tension between his legs. He drank some of the water he’d requested with the last visit from their waiter and it didn’t help either. Out of the corner of his eye, Castor noticed his brother was in much the same discomfort as he was, and finally confessed what he believed they both were thinking. “She is so beautiful, smart, funny, and definitely adventurous. Anissa George is everything I had hoped my mate would be and so much more.”

“I’ve been hard since she walked into the meeting room. She speaks and my cock throbs like it’s never felt a woman’s wet clinging cunt before.” Pollux whispered, as if anything too loud would break his tenuous control on his passion.

“When she laughs my dick stretches further for her attention. I fear I’ll shame us and come without so much as a touch from her sweet hand, much less the clinch of her pussy.” Castor knew the awe he heard in his voice was etched on his face. Already, without even a touch, she made him feel so much than he had ever felt before, and it sounded like his brother was experiencing the same things.

“Maybe we should stop tag teaming her.” Pollux spoke up with concern. “When she returns, ask her out on a proper date. Anissa should be treated like a goddess, wooed, coddled. After you’ve had your date, then I’ll go out with her. Once she’s had a chance to get to know us as individuals, we’ll then ask her to decide which of us she would like to spend more time with.” Pollux looked to be on edge and kept glancing back to where their date had disappeared.

Castor almost laughed out loud, what stopped him was the essence of what his brother was doing which tugged on his heart. Pollux always had a plan, for everything, and, as was his habit, he was putting him first. Probably, as the eldest, he was used to being in control, but he was an adult. He could make plans and take responsibility for the outcome.

There was something else that could wreck both their plans. It was possible that she wasn’t attracted to either one of them. Castor was sure that, while they liked everything about her and wanted to get closer, the feelings may not be reciprocated. Of course, that was a brief thought, there and gone in a flash, because their desire was always returned.

“Yes, you’re right, Pollux, but I think we need to tell her what’s going on while we’re all together. I don’t want her confused, possibly thinking what we’re offering is a game or concerned one of us will be jealous of the other.”

Pollux nodded an agreement and they both relaxed, a very small bit, and lost themselves for a few moments in their own thoughts. Castor knew the next two weeks weren’t going to be easy. Even if she agreed to go out with them and wanted to get to know one of them better, he wondered if it would be any easier to have a small taste of happiness or would having none at all be less difficult to handle. After a few minutes, his brother voiced the questions that had started to concern him as well. “Did we scare her away?”

“I don’t know, although women do seem to take forever when they go to the bathroom.” Unsure of where they stood with Anissa suddenly made Castor feel edgier than usual. “Should we go make sure she’s all right?”

“No, I see her. She’s coming back to us now.” Pollux’s relief was apparent and he felt some anxiety ease and sensual tension build further.

When she arrived at the table, both men stood and Castor deferred to his brother in assisting her with the chair. Once they were all settled, he looked to Pollux to take the lead and start the important conversation they needed to have with the woman sitting between them.

“Anissa, please know that no matter what you decide within the next few minutes, your professional services are very important to Double Punch. We hope you won’t leave, but what we’d like to discuss with you, we believe, is that important to us both.” The elder twin began with a sense of calm Castor was sure he wasn’t feeling.

Series

Hephaestus Lays Down the Law

Together Again?

Double Punch

Cyra's Cyclopes [coming soon]

Romance Junkies Valentine's Day Contest is here!

Romance Junkies has a wonderful contest up for Valentine's and it doesn't end until March 31st!

Have fun trolling through this special neighborhood, where there's a multitude of prizes to be won!  I'm there and a hint on how to find Tilly Greene's goodies is to think "shoes".

Book Talk!

I'm working on 'Double Punch', which will be followed up by 'Cyra's Cyclopes' [you met them in 'Hephaestus Lays Down the Law'], and I suddenly realized that the Ancient Greek Gods and Goddesses have shown up in my writing before, and I don't mean any other book in the Mythological Messes Redux series.

They show up in 'The Painted Lady', part of the Winter Wishes Anthology.

The heroine, Saffron Hoyt, is a model doing a private commission as her last photoshoot. She's retiring because she doesn't want to watch her weight anymore. The gig involves having her body painted so she blends into a variety of paintings/sculpture such as Sandro Botticelli's Birth of Venus, Peter Paul Ruben's Leda and the Swan, and the Venus de Milo.

There is also an important appearance by Janus in 'New Beginnings: Carpe Diem'.

You haven't heard of him? Well, he isn't Greek, he's Roman, but he fit so perfectly, I had to go with him. You see, the escapees need are searching for a name to suit their new piece of paradise and the heroine, Maris, who was a librarian, suggests Janus. Amongst other things, he was the god of civilization, beginnings and endings, and blessed with a benevolent personality. Perfect.

Where is my mind at right now?

With Castor and Pollux.

Not to long ago I spent time on the Antinoos site checking out the various sculptures of these two brothers, and this was the one that I now keep posted to my laptop for inspiration. It can be found in The State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, Russia.

LIP gets 4 stars!

LIP is actually "Love's Immortal Pantheon Anthology" and it has my story "Hephaestus Lays Down the Law" between its covers.

A snippet from the * * * * review is:

Mythology is the inspiration for this collection, which resonates with lust, love and liaisons. These seven tales offer fresh takes on the gods, portraying them as flawed individuals with the same desires as the mortals they hunger for. Their randy love-play, include menages and orgies, makes for a titillating read.

Reviewed by Gail Pruszkowski, June 2009, RT Book Reviews

Pick up your copy today from Amazon, B&N, BAM, Powell's or your local bookshop

Hump Day Reflections!

Who am I spending time with while planted in a Panera's waiting for the cutie to finish his meeting before we drive another 4 hours? Here's a few hints:

Are they exciting?
Absolutely!

Are they male?
Actually, yes, and so much more.

Are they hero material?
Without question.

Who is it?

Zeus, King of the gods, God of the Sky and Lightning.

What's he talking about with me?
Interestingly enough it's about whether or not renewing past relationships work or or not.

Hephaestus Lays Down the Law is OUT!

Being one of the powerful twelve Olympians, God of the Forge and Master of Fire, meant his life was pretty good, but Hephaestus knew it could be better.

Work was going well, unfortunately his wife was cheating on him, and he can't take it any longer. Known as an even tempered god didn't mean he couldn't start a war.

This particular skirmish is personal, between he and wife. If he wins, then he keeps everything, including his heart intact, but if he loses, then he'll walk away from Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love and Beauty, for good.

Could he really walk away from the most beautiful woman to ever exist?

"Hephaestus Lays Down the Law" is now available at All Romance eBook [ARe].

Right now, my mind is in Ancient Greece!

"Hephaestus Lays Down the Law" is now available at All Romance eBook [ARe] for pre-order and will be released on the 15th. This ancient God is eager to see the light of day again :-)

Love's Immortal Pantheon Authors [Dagmar Avery, Cat Johnson, Selena Illyria, Eliza Gayle, Diana Dericci and Tilly Greene] will be talking Gods, Goddesses and Sex on ARe's "What's Hot in Romance" Radio Show on Monday, January 12th, from 9:30-10:30pm.

Stop by, listen or ask questions, either way, it'll be a blast!

A Greek god is coming your way!

Hephaestus, one of the 12 Greek Olympian gods, holds such titles as God of the Forge and Master of Fire, is the hero of "Hephaestus Lays Down the Law" and Tease Publishing will be putting it out this coming January!

How am I celebrating this wonderful news?

By making mini-mince meat pies for a Christmas party tonight. They are dead easy to do, hence my annual offering :-)

I haven't mentioned this one, but guess what?

"Hephaestus Lays Down the Law" has been revamped, expanded, and submitted to a publisher for a place in an anthology full of gods and goddesses called Love's Immortal Pantheon! Fingers crossed everyone, because this sounds like a fabulous grouping.

What is it about? Love, betrayal, and reuniting.

Who is in it? Hephaestus [of course], Aphrodite, a maenad, a trio of Cyclopes, Hermes, and oh yes, Zeus.

Where does it take place? Ummm, Mount Olympus.

Is there anything special that happens? Yup. Oh, you want me to tell you? Not a chance!

There, a few hints to tempt your reading pleasure. Next up is "My Angel" and then "Nazon".

Who is Cupid?

In two days time it’s Valentine’s Day.

One day out of the year we dedicate to roses, chocolates and diamonds, mixed in with pink and red visisions 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.