Romance book reviews: The Demons Daughter, by Emma Holly

*Warning* This book has adult themes mostly erotica.

Emma Holly, writer of “Personal Assets” and “Strange Attractions” as well as “The Demon’s Daughter,” is an up-and-coming romance erotica author. Normally I don’t recommend erotica because the sex can overtake a story, but in the case of Holly, this writer knows how to tell a really good story.

“The Demon’s Daughter” is about a Inspector Adrian Philips, who has been enhanced so that he can be a peacekeeper between the demons and humans. He was enhanced by a demon doctor, who is an amoral scientist willing to experiment on demons or humans for science and power. The other protagonist in this story is Roxanne McAllister, who is a daughter of a famous singer. Her mother was known throughout the world as having a marvelous voice, but also infamous for her sexual exploits.

One of the twists to this story is that the demons drink some essence from humans that gives them emotional experiences (somewhat like a drug). The higher demons can drink this essence with no problems, but the lower demons can be affected like drug addicts in our own world. It is a big problem because children have the purest essence and are stolen by procurers, humans working for demons, and sold to demons.

Inspector Philips on his own time goes to the slums to find kidnapped children. Unfortunately, the slum-dwellers think he is a procurer and beats him badly. He drags himself to a building that is owned by Roxanne… and so they meet. Roxanne has had many jobs since her mother died, including painting boudoir pictures, but now she is a famous painter in her own right.

Another character in this story is Avvar. Avvar is the city very similar to the Victorian cities of our past. There are the very poor, the very rich, and those who have been able to make a living in unfortunate ways – prostitutes, chimney sweeps, procurers, etc. If you read about the Industrial age in England, you will recognize much of the history of Avvar. In a way, it was like meeting an old friend. In others it reminded the reader of past horrors.

In this background, Roxanne finds that she is the half-human daughter of a higher demon. It is impossible for demons and humans to mingle seed, but it was done. The demon doctor/scientist and the prince of the demons become interested in Roxanne for reasons of their own.

Even though I skipped through a lot of the sexual exploits (yea, I can be a prude), the story line was interesting enough to carry me through the entire story. Emma Holly has put two characters into a fascinating world. I think I would like to read more of her books.

Movie reviews: The Exorcist – Part 1

All exorcist movies are very scary! The first movie contained some really amazing scenes such as walking in a ‘crab back’ position down a staircase, the green vomit, stabbing of the private parts, moving of the furniture just to name a few. This movie really scared me when i was younger, i could not sleep by myself for days. Then the sequel with a much mature Regen did not fail to entertain, i really loved the scenery and the demon bozuzoo in the form of an insect the writers were really creative in this movie especially in battle scene at the end of the movie where the house was eventually destroyed by these creatures.

THE BEGINNING; really had me jumping and gripping my boyfriend’s during the movie. The history of the burial ground, The demon posses boy( especially the scene with the hyenas) Last but not least the circumstances surrounding the uncovering of the church. I really enjoyed the ending of the movie with the priest and the little child it was really touching how they defeat the demon together as a team.

The best movie IS THE EXORCISM OF EMILY ROSE! what an excellent movie. The only reason i did not walk out of the cinema was my pride. I was scared from beginning to end. During her unexpected demon visitations, toucher, first visit by the demons,the church scene,boyfriend sleep over,priest attracts in the room before the actual exorcist exercise began,failed attempts to remove the demons and of course the very sad finale. I enjoyed every part of the story and cant wait for Another exorcist movie, to view on opening night.

Pondering the existence of ghosts, demons and angels – Part 15

In the bible there are many references to angels, eg. in "Matthew"

"For the Son of man is destined to come in the glory of his Father with his ANGELS, and then he will recompense each one according to his behavior."

and

And he will send forth his ANGELS with a great trumpet sound, and they will gather his chosen ones

Regarding demons, the bible also refers to them. Alternatively it calls them

evil spirits.

"So he cured many that were ill with various sicknesses, and he expelled many DEMONS,"

As for ghosts,St Mark refers to a ghost as "an apparition a spirit a GHOST"

It seems that demons are a part of us which makes us sick, angry, unhappy, perhaps unable to deal with certain situations.

A ghost is something which some people say they can see, perhaps a loved one

who has passed away. Certainly, there are not the white ghosts as portrayed

in the movies which haunt houses and frighten people.

Read what you can about ghosts in your local library.

Good luck.

Pondering the existence of ghosts, demons and angels – Part 2

An Ignored Fact Demonic Possession

It is very interesting when people, intentionally or unintentionally, ignore the things that are so active in everyday life. The idea of demons has not been only mentioned in the Bible, but has been also made into tons of video games, movies, toys, novels. Yet, very few people firmly believe their existence. The sad thing is, the majority of people do not only disbelieve the existence of demons, they try to explain it in a scientific manner and give sense to it. Psychiatric or medical diagnosis rejects the concept of demonic possession, and associates it with mental illness like hysteria, mania, psychosis, or multiple personality disorder (also known as dissociative identity disorder). However, when a patient claims that he or she is being possessed by demon or demons, that patient is regarded as being suffered from a mental disease called demonomania.

As directly quoted from Bible, a major part of one converting into a Christian is to believe that “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Apart from that, it is also to accept the Holy Spirit from entering in order to perform the task of purification. If a holy spirit is able to enter one’s body, why can’t an evil spirit?

This very thought frightens many people and that is exactly why many religious people refuse to believe in the existence of demons. Even though the Bible talks about demonic possessed men and how Jesus cast out demons.

The translated term “demonic possession” has been used many times by movies and novels, and now even scholarly articles. However, the word “possession” is not really accurate. It really should be translated into “oppression”, for demons don’t possess one but they oppress one from being conscious about the things he or she does. When one unfortunately does get oppressed by demon or demons, the symptoms are as follows:

Suddenly had the ability to speak (mainly curses) in languages one never learnt

Suddenly gained the ability to find secret (or desired) things

Suddenly gained the ability of mind reading and to foresee the future (or past) happenings

Actions beyond one’s physical limit (such as incredible strength) or suddenly physically disabled

The act of spitting or vomiting objects the oppressed one swallowed

This list of symptoms is developed during the Middle Age to determine whether one is oppressed. There

Proving the existence of spirits

If you believe in the Bible then you have to believe in spirits on some level. The writers of the New Testament assume that it’s readers understood that a spirit world existed and the human beings interact with said world. Ninety percent of Jesus’ ministry on earth revolves around spirits of some form, angelic or demonic. Jesus actually empowered His disciples with authority over certain spirits. The Bible presents a perspective that people can be influenced and even possessed by spiritual forces called demons. Exorcism, also known as “deliverance ministry,” helps people who are afflicted by spiritual forces. Many people in the Bible were harassed by spirits that would even cause them to attempt to kill themselves. These spirits hold no regard to age, gender or religious affiliation. They manifested their presence through people on street corners, in prostitutes homes and even in the Temple!

Don’t believe everything you hear about these spirits. Spirits are a separate creation, they are not “dead people” with unfinished business. The word “demon” is a lump sum term which includes various categories and levels of spiritual power. Some demons are fallen angels; others are separate creations distinct from angels. Many people believe that there was another race of disembodied human-like creatures created before humankind.

Proving the existence of these spirits is hard because they exist on a different field of view than humans are naturally accustomed to viewing. I think it is harder to prove that they do not exist.

Dealing With The Doubt Demon

The only good teachers for you are those friends who love you, who think you are interesting, or very important, or wonderfully funny. ~Brenda Ueland

The doubt demon loves artists. This sensitive bunch of individuals falls prey to it so easily, from cartoonist Charles Schulz to writer Virginia Woolf. This little demon reared its ugly head when Stephen King threw the beginnings of Carrie into the wastebasket. We all owe our gratitude to his wife, Tabitha, who picked it out of the wastebasket and encouraged her husband to keep going. Some struggling writers don’t have such champions. Many writers ask themselves: Am I good enough? Am I wasting my time? If I was really talented I would be (published, successful, rich) by now. These kinds of thoughts are evidence of the doubt demon. The doubt demon can only be conquered by a concerted effort to give it as little attention as possible. Not just by you, but by the people around you.

As a published author, and one who has been in the business for several years, it’s hard to say this, but not everyone you know will want to see your writing dreams come true. Not because they’re mean (some are), but because they are unhappy with their own life choices and don’t want to see you change or cannot share in your dreams.

Avoiding the doubt demon is basically impossible for most of us, but there is something you can do about it. When you are facing the doubt demon make sure only to speak to friends or family members who are truly invested in seeing you succeed. You can identify these individuals three ways. The:

1. Always have something upbeat to say. You say, “I just got another rejection. I must suck.” They say “No, you just sent it to the wrong editor.” If they say something like, “You get a lot of rejections maybe writing isn’t your thing,” they are not someone you want to discuss your dreams with. As artists, we know the power of the written word and how they can impact people (read any bestseller). The spoken word is just as powerful (ask any leader) and you need to protect yourself from all negative input.

2. Are basically happy. Sorry, but unhappy people can’t give you the support you need. If they’re bemoaning man troubles or their jobs they likely won’t have the energy to lift your sagging spirits. Unfortunately, the phrase ‘misery loves company’ is true. So look for happy, optimistic individuals for support. You don’t need many. One will do.

3. Make you feel good. No matter what, they are enthusiastic about your efforts, ask about what you’re up to, and are generally interested in what you’re doing. At times, when I’ve begun a story and it’s not coming together I have a friend who I always call. I know I can depend on her to say or do something that will make me feel good. If someone makes you feel bad, take them off your list.

Fighting the doubt demon is hard on your own. You need to find a cheerleader to place in your corner. As I’ve said earlier, even if it’s only one person have someone you can call to give yourself the boost you need. The wonderful thing about a cheerleader is they can come in two forms: Those who read your works and those who don’t. I know people who continue to support my writing ambitions, but who have never read any of my work. They believe in me and that’s support enough. So go out there and find your demon fighters. You deserve them.

The origins of psychology

HOW DID PSYCHOLOGY ORIGINATE?

Psychology has been around for a long time but most of us think of it as a fairly new science being only a little over 100 years old; and regarding the scientific method of psychology, this is true. However, how did psychology originate?

SHAMANISM

In the earliest days the closest resemblance to the Psychologist in ancient cultures was the Shaman. The Shaman devised remedies such as incantations, potion’s, and various other methods to help persons who were mentally ill. Mental illness was not thought of as a mental illness in those days but that a deity or demon had inhabited the person’s body and the Shaman would attempt to relieve the person of these evil spirits. In later days it would be the priests exorcising the demons from the human being.

Therefore the beginnings of psychology originated in Shamanism and religion. The first priests to practice exorcising were in Egypt and Greece. The Shaman was now a priest. Priests in those days were a curious mixture of priest, physician, psychologist, and magician. Cures were effected in magical rites. At that time the prevailing belief was demonology; and exorcism was the cure for mental illness which was not perceived as mental illness but that the demons had attacked the body. This was the beginning of practices closely related to much of modern psychology.

THE ANCIENT SCHOLARS

Free Association the hallmark of Sigmund Freud’s breakthrough in psychoanalysis was talked about in the play entitled Clouds by Aristiphanes, the Greek playwright. In his play there is a scene complete with a couch where “Socrates tries to calm and bring self-knowledge to Strepsicedes.”

Priests in the temple of the God Asclepius in ancient Greece used dream therapy to cure patients. They would have the patients sleep in the temple and the dreams they had helped the priests know what was ailing them so that a cure could be effected. The priests also used prayer, incantations, kindness, suggestions and recreational activities such as riding, walking, music, and theater. There were also some aversive measures used. These temples of healing existed during the Golden Age of Greece.

Pericles (461-429 BC), an Athenian statesman made some progress in the understanding and treatment of mental illness. However since the human body was considered sacred there was not much information regarding human anatomy or physiology.

Hippocrates (460-377 BC), who is known as

Testimonies: Why I am Pagan

I am pagan because this is my path. We all need to walk our own paths, the one that feels right for us. I was raised catholic, pretty strictly too. I went to church every sunday with my family and had to hear constantly about how I was most likely going to burn in hell for all eternity. I don’t think there should be stipulations on religion. Like, oh well you are a good person but you don’t attend church or go to confession so you’re damned. I simply cannot believe any god could take the time to create the miracle of life and then throw it away on silly rules. Paganism gives me freedom to worship as I truly believe. It inspires me to be a better person and to believe anything is possible. Go to a catholic priest and tell him after years of trying you have finally levitated and he will try to do an exorcism. Tell it to a pagan and you get a hug and a congratulations. I feel at peace with myself and the world around me. I never feel alone or despondant or angry. All I need to do is go take a walk in the park, or touch the bark of a gnarled old tree; it is then I know that I am part of something much bigger than petty emotions. I am part of the eternal spirit, and the heart of mother earth beats in my breast. From her clay she made me and to her dust I will return and maybe if I am lucky I will get to provide nourishment for a great tree and thus stay in the circle of life forever.

Who said parenting was easy?

That’s what I want to know! That person obviously was either on Xanax or only had one child. I’m beginning to think that “child birth” is not the worst pain that we mothers endure. Puberty in our teenage sons is! I have decided that the definition of puberty is the same as being Possessed.

There was a time when I would listen to other women say there house was decorated country or Victorian. (I would wonder whether I was the only one decorated by Little Tykes!) Or better yet, during my youngest sons potty training days, Toilet Papering a house wasn’t just reserved for Halloween but an every day occasion if not monitored at all times in the bathroom. I’d say the house was then decorated by “Angel Soft” but there are absolutely no angels here just possessed (or I’m sorry, puberty stricken teenage boys) in need of a good exorcism!

I’ve truly decided that I’m in mid-stage of losing my mind. I mean, I can’t even remember the names of my children. Please tell me I am not the only mother out there, that can’t remember the right name, of the right child at the right time. At that point they usually just become YOU, and then they of course remind me!

Whatever happened to the days, when parents could just say, “Because I said so”? I mean it worked for my mother. Mommy Dearest, I truly love and adore you and I know that the curse was put on me somewhere. You know the one ladies. The one that starts out like, “I hope that when you have children”, and ends with “they act just like you did”!

I have decided that the only way to go through the hectic life of raising 5 children is to have a sense of humor. We have 4 “Jocks” and 1 “Princess”. I have to keep my sense of humor in between jock straps and tierras. I have decided if you had to truly compare our home and our family it would be a mixture of “The Money Pit and the National Lampoons Vacation – Griswalds! Only problem is that Wally World is not a theme park but a frequent location where the ride is in metal carts and the goal is to provide necessary food for this family; which with 3 growing teenage boys, last all of about 24 hours in our house.

Don’t get me wrong, God is Good! Great and Amazing! And in the midst of it all he’s incredibly good to me! I just believe that he has the most amazing sense of humor as well, and with me at that. Yes, I have 4 boys and God graciously gave me a little “princess”, but she is a wolf in sheep’s clothing, only problem is she doesn’t care

Inuyasha – Son Of A Demon Dog

INUYASHA

Here’s the lowdown, “Inuyasha” is the story of a 15 year old schoolgirl named Kagome Higurashi who lives at a Japanese shrine. She just happens to be the reincarnation of an ancient priestess named Kikyo. Kikyo guarded the sacred Shikon no Tama, also known as the ‘Jewel of Four Souls’. Long ago Kikyo captured and sealed away a half-demon named Inuyasha who was attempting to steal the jewel in order to become a full-fledged demon. Kikyo ultimately died and had the jewel burned with her body.

DEEP THROW THE WISHING WELL

One day, Kagome was pulled into an ancient well and plunged deep into the past, 50 years after Kikyo’s death. This is the world feudal era Japan in the 1500’s and there she meets up with Kaede, Kikyo’s sister. Kaede realizes Kagome is Kikyo’s reincarnation and together they find out that the sacred jewel is hidden inside Kagome’s body. By accident the jewel is ripped from her body and the dog-demon, Inuyasha is released. He of course, immediately wants the jewel for himself. To thwart his attempts, Kaede casts a spell on him where he must wear a necklace that allows Kaede to control his actions with one simple word, “Sit!”. If you’re not interested in the story at this point, you’re just not getting it. This is cool stuff.

WHAT?

Inuyasha is pronounced, (ee-new-yah-sha)

KNEEL DEMON DOG

When Kagome says the magic word it forces Inuyasha face first into the ground. The precious jewel accidently gets shattered while they try to retrieve it from a giant bird who stole it. And together, Kaede and Inuyasha must find all the shards and put it back together before it falls into the wrong hands. Theirs is a match made in heaven and they must learn to get along in order to survive. A new twist on a ‘girl and her demon dog’.

DID SESSHOUMARU’S ARM EVER GROW BACK?

You know a show has to be good if a fan has to ask if one of the characters’ left arm ever grew back after the lead character hacked it off before transforming into a giant furry white dog.

SWIM FOR IT

Luckily for American fans, the good people at the Cartoon Network regularly added ‘Inuyasha’ to the Adult Swim line up. After seeing the Japanese version as well, the English dubbed version and the voice talent really help fill out the world. If you liked the Japanese animated films, ‘Spirited Away’ or ‘Princess Mononoke’ or live action fare like, ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’, ‘Angel’ or ‘Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon’, then you definitely should give ‘Inuyasha’ a whirl.

A HERO’S JOURNEY

Asides from the inventive mythological influenced set up, the ‘Inuyasha’ series and films are just really well told stories. The half hour episodes truly pack it in and give you dynamic and rich story is a compact time frame.

TALL TALES

Just to keep you guys up with the ‘Inuyasha’ universe, there have been three feature length films released, “Inuyasha: Love that Transcends Time”, “Inuyasha: The Castle Beyond the Looking Glass” and most recently – “Inuyasha: Sword to Rule the World”.

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