From a noted science journalist comes a wonderfully witty and fascinating exploration of how and why we kiss. When did humans begin to kiss? Why is kissing integral to some cultures and alien to others? Do good kissers make the best lovers? And is that expensive lip-plumping gloss worth it? Sheril Kirshenbaum, a biologist and science journalist, tackles these questions and more in THE SCIENCE OF KISSING. It's everything you always wanted to know about kissing but either haven't asked, couldn't find out, or didn't realize you should understand. The book is informed by the latest studies and theories, but Kirshenbaum's engaging voice gives the information a light touch. Topics range from the kind of kissing men like to do (as distinct from women) to what animals can teach us about the kiss to whether or not the true art of kissing was lost sometime in the Dark Ages. Drawing upon classical history, evolutionary biology, psychology, popular culture, and more, Kirshenbaum's winning book will appeal to romantics and armchair scientists alike.From Publishers WeeklyIn the vein of Stephen Pinker's The Language Instinct, scientist Kirshenbaum examines one of humanity's fondest pastimes. Divided into three parts, the book covers the evolutionary and cultural history of the kiss, the chemistry of kissing, and the future of kissing. In part one, "The Hunt for Kissing's Origins," Kirshenbaum examines the role kissing played in the Middle Ages--a businesslike kiss was employed as a legal way to seal contracts and business agreements. Many men did not know how to read and write, so their signature X was kissed to make it legal. Part two, "Kissing in the Brain," will appeal to anyone who has ever been curious about the chemical properties of butterflies in the stomach. Kirshenbaum writes just as gracefully about prostitutes in pop culture as she does the myriad of complicated biological and chemical processes that science uses to explain osculation. Part three, "Great Expectations," covers Kirshenbaum's personal attempt to further investigate the kiss and leaves a long list of fascinating questions that demand further research. (Jan.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved. From BooklistWhat’s the big deal? You pucker up, and there you are—right? Turns out there’s a lot more to kissing than you might think. For instance, you never forget your first kiss isn’t just a sappy sentiment; it’s apparently quite literally true, and the fact that we remember more details about that first kiss than about our first sexual experience speaks volumes about the nature of memory. Men and women kiss differently; that’s also true, but you might be surprised to learn why. Why is kissing important to some human societies, and unimportant—just plain foreign—to others? University of Texas research scientist and Discover magazine blogger Kirshenbaum draws on psychology, biology, history, and other disciplines in this highly engaging, highly informative book. --David Pitt

Stories of hunger - of "hankerings" - deep south monsters, vampires, werewolves and more from dixie horror writer Ron Kelly, bringing the darkside of the south to his own flavor of horror. This is a brand new collection, only available in digital.

An astonishingly frank self-portrait by Russia's president

Mystery ThrillerThe story of a family on the edge, and another not far behind...Sarah Catchpole was raped and beaten by her husband one too many times. When Frankie is sent to prison, Sarah and her young son, Kevin, flee London and start over in the sleepy town of Padstow, Cornwall. They meet their new neighbours and their son, Martin, who is slowly dying from muscular dystrophy. He's almost wheelchair-bound but ever hopeful of being able to walk unaided the full length of The Camel Trail, an eleven-mile stretch of scenic path near the coast.But when Frankie is released from prison and tracks them down, the hunt begins. With Kevin and Martin missing, Sarah and Martin’s parents are plunged headlong into a fight for their boys’ survival and, ultimately, for their own redemption.

Dark southern horror from a true master: An old man’s living fluids reveal a horrible secret from his past...A mentally-unstable woman uses a sexual obsession to take an unwilling hostage...Parasites from within, self-vampirism, and spontaneous decay... all stem from a voodoo curse cast upon the unfortunate survivors of a Louisiana family... This is the sick stuff.

Three favorite Little Golden Book Bible stories (Bible Heroes; Bible Stories of Boys and Girls; and Miracles of Jesus) are presented in their entirety in a quality hardcover volume. At only $6.99, it's perfect for Eastertime gift-giving! Featuring the classic tales of David and Goliath, Samson, Moses, Ruth, Jesus' miracle of the loaves and fishes, and more--this is the perfect "first book" of Bible stories.From the Hardcover edition.

JUSTICE Lucas Ellington's daughter is dead, trampled by an out-of-control mob at a rock concert turned riot. There was no trial, but Lucas has identified the murderers - the band, Whip Hand. VENGEANCE Two of Gabriel Stannard's old bandmates are dead. Whip Hand's former lead singer knows who killed them. Stannard will not be a passive target. MADNESS Rock and roll forever... until death.*** From Publishers Weekly Having written a number of short stories in the horror field, Schow has now produced his first novel, an unfocused and overlong but not totally unsuccessful thriller about madness and revenge, with no supernatural element. The narrative concerns Lucas Ellington, whose daughter was trampled to death at a rock concert. Ellington has committed himself to exterminating the members of Whip Hand, the rock group whose performance incited the audience to stampede. At first a sympathetic character, Ellington becomes gradually less soand less believable as we come to see him as an insane but cunning wild animal. The other characters are mostly cyphers, except for Gabriel Stannard, Whip Hand's lead singer, an insecure pretty boy who masquerades as an urban guerrilla, complete with large arsenal and killer friends. Both the pace and style are uneven, and the plot is fairly predictable, but there are one or two surprises that, gratifyingly, work well. Schow demonstrates that he has the raw material to produce a really good thriller, although this one isn't it.*** From Library Journal Readers of this first novel will understand why Schow wins awards for his horror stories. Lucas Ellington seeks to avenge his daughter's death at a rock concert by destroying band members one by one. The last one left alive is forced to live up to a macho image by stalking his stalker in return. Lucas is a sympathetic character at first, but increasingly his craziness is revealed. This novel deals with the dark side of rock music and media exploitation but, in a larger sense, it explores what revenge does to the avenger. Graphic sex, violence, and vulgarity may turn some readers off, but this is otherwise strongly recommended for horror collections.*** 'A clobbering good read.' - The Times 'Schow's rock music atmosphere is real and compelling, his characters finely crafted, and he writes with a lethal beauty. THE KILL RIFF is a real headknocker!' - Robert R. McCammon 'THE KILL RIFF would make a fine Roman Polanski movie in the manner of Hitchcock.' - The Philadelphia Inquirer 'A gargantuan feast of fright!' - Robert Bloch, author of PSYCHO

Aloha! I'm Talullah Bird - or Tatty, or Lu. But mostly people call me Lula. So, my big news is . . . I've finally been kissed. Eeee! I have an actual, factual boyfriend! At least, I thought he did. But things with the perfect boy aren't going to plan - thanks to his journo gal pal, Evil Jazz. And that's not all. Hoooo no. In a few days I've got to dance the hula in public, put a stop to some seriously serious criminal activity, win a race, and stop Dad from shaming me totally with his weirdiness. Frikkly frik! Where is my normal life? Huh? Where? Please, someone, tell me I'm not jinxed forever . . .

On a savage backwater world, the last ragged survivors of an expedition to hunt down the infamous war criminal known as The Beast Magrison set off into an inhospitable wilderness in search of the alien village that may be sheltering this beast. The hunters are aliens from two different species, the village is inhabited by strange aliens of yet another species, and Magrison himself is no sterling advertisement for humanity. Who's human in this situation? The answer may surprise and upset you. This novella from acclaimed SF writer Adam-Troy Castro explores the fate of the dread Magrison. Readers can find out more about the world that spawned Magrison by tracking down his Andrea Cort novels, Emissaries from the Dead and The Third Claw of God.

When there's more to winning than competing, hard decisions must be made ... Age: 8 to 12 years At last Jade can do what she has always dreamed about - ride her own pony! In the second of the Pony tales series, Jade Lennox faces a new challenge. Now that her dad is out of prison and has a job in Flaxton, she can prepare her beloved pony, Pip, for the national Pony Club Championships. She's made the junior team, and her coach is Olympic gold medallist Michaela Lewis. But when Pip develops laminitis, Jade must ride Dorian, the exquisite but temperamental grey. Can they become a partnership in time? Will Pip ever recover? And will saving another abused pony jeopardize her own chances of winning the championship? Jade faces some tough decisions. Age: 8 to 12 years