TruLOVE
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Author Archives: Jeff
Infinity Diaries
ARIS RETURNS: A Vampire Love Story
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By Devin Morgan
Psychologist Sarah Hagan thought she had her life under control. She pulled herself together after a painful (and unexpected) divorce. She’s currently dating a successful but neglectful attorney—a relationship that is adequate, if not totally satisfying. She has a few good friends, lives in a beautiful condo in the heart of Chicago, and loves her work as a therapist. From the outside, it looks like her life is almost perfect.
It only takes one patient — a handsome younger man named Carlos who is on parole for car theft — to put her well-ordered life into a tailspin. As she regresses him with hypnotherapy, she discovers an unusual presence. Is this some elaborate alter ego that Carlos has created or is something much stranger going on? In Sarah’s attempt to help Carlos deal with his issues of anger and a troubled past, she is captivated by the persona she uncovers through hypnosis – Aris. Aris reveals that he is a vampire whose story begins in the time of Alexander the Great. His retelling of his lives, involvement and apparent demise in the court of Henry VIII keep her spellbound and hungry for more.
On top of grappling with a phantom vampire, Sarah begins to have the most disturbing (and sensual) dreams. They awake the emotion, passion and vulnerability that she thought she had buried for good. The dreams both terrify and excite her as she struggles to make sense out of her world turned upside down. Sarah genuinely cares about Carlos as a patient and wants to help him find his way to a better life, but he has brought chaos, confusion and danger into her neatly buttoned-up reality. And if that’s not enough to deal with, she is inexplicably drawn to Aris in a way she can’t begin to rationalize. Can Sarah possibly love this vampire “ghost” or will he destroy everything she treasures?
An Interview with Aris the Vampire:
On many occasions I have interviewed authors just before the release of their newest work, but this is the first time I have ever had a conversation with the main character of an historical fiction novel. I must admit as I sat in the bar of the Biltmore Hotel waiting to have a heart-to-heart with a two-thousand-year old vampire, I had my doubts about the validity of the whole situation as well as the sanity of my editor for sending me on such a wild goose chase….Read More
About the Author:
Devin Morgan is not only a writer of thrilling romance novels by night, but also a practicing clinical hypnotherapist and founder and director of the Rishi Institute where she teaches hatha yoga by day. Before Devin focused on all three of these careers after she shuttered her corporate business as a printing broker, she embarked on a mid-life journey to the Middle East in a search for personal happiness.
Devin received both her yoga instructor’s certificate in 1992 and her clinical hypnotherapist certification in 1994, after which she began instructing clients both one-on-one and in groups. She has presented workshops both domestically and internationally and led retreats in England, Egypt, Jordan and Israel as an active part of the world wellness community. Her Rishi Institute is recognized by the Yoga Alliance, a national organization that sets high standards for the teaching of yoga in this country. Over the years Devin has taught thousands of people. Her personal happiness is created by helping to change the world one person at a time.
Devin’s greatest joy, however, is derived from reading and writing books. Sharing her knowledge and stories, both real and imagined, with readers around the world allows her to touch so many more people. She began writing non-fiction books on subjects related to health and wellness. Now, she is leaping into the world of fiction with a brand new twist on vampire romance with Aris Returns, her first book in The Infinity Diaries, a trilogy of death, love and reincarnation.
Devin lives, practices and writes in Los Angeles, California.
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Gatsby Girls
Reply
She was an impulsive, fashionable and carefree 1920s woman who embodied the essence of the Gatsby Girl — F. Scott Fitzgerald’s wife, Zelda. As Fitzgerald said, “I married the heroine of my stories.” All of the eight short stories contained in this collection were inspired by Zelda.
Fitzgerald, one of the foremost writers of American fiction, found early success as a short story writer for the most widely read magazine of the early 20th century — the Saturday Evening Post. Fitzgerald’s stories, first published by the Post between 1920 and 1922, brought the Jazz Age and the “flapper” to life.
During a moment of great transition in American life, Fitzgerald’s stories confirmed what girls everywhere were beginning to suspect. There was a very big world out there, and there was a party going on where women bobbed their hair and everyone drank and flirted shamelessly.
Fitzgerald’s heroines are brave, charming, resourceful, beautiful and always entertaining.
By the time that The Great Gatsby hit bookstores, F. Scott Fitzgerald was an old friend to readers in America. He had been publishing his stories in the Saturday Evening Post for five years. With a readership of 2,500,000, more people read the Post every week than any other magazine.
A foreword by Jeff Nilsson, archivist for the Post, adds historical context to this wonderful, new collection, which is highlighted by an introduction written by Fitzgerald himself. Each story is accompanied by the original illustrations and the beautiful cover images from the Post. Read the stories that made F. Scott Fitzgerald one of the most beloved writers in America — and around the world — still today.
Matthew Broderick + Sarah Jessica Parker
When Carrie Met Ferris:
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t slow down once in a while, you could miss it”. A quite appropriate motto uttered by a baby faced 26-year- old celebrity with a future as bright as Ferris Bueller himself.
Matthew Broderick was a hot item in the early 1980’s. Continue reading
Betty White Is Still Shining Bright
The Woman
With a career spanning seven decades, Betty White continues to amaze us with her talents in acting, singing and comedy. White first began her career in 1939, shortly after her high school graduation. Wasting no time, White sang for a television show on a small Los Angeles network, modeled, and performed for the Bliss Hayden Little Theater. Continue reading
Padma Lakshmi Is Our Top Chef
The Woman
Padma Lakshmi’s career began when she was discovered by a modeling agent in India at sixteen years old. The agent recognized her striking beauty, and he knew that she could be the first Indian model to walk the runways in Paris and Milan. Lakshmi had success as a model, but was also interested in pursuing her passion for culinary arts. She created a cookbook called Easy Exotic, which garnered her “Best First Book” at the World Cookbook Awards in 1999. Continue reading
StarStruck Romance Reviews
From Kirkus Reviews
An intrepid young matchmaker in Hollywood sparks chemistry with an old flame, an ex-flame and an A-list actor, all while finding love for her clients in this engaging romance.
Cynthia Amas has no trouble juggling her new dating service and a slew of fresh clients from among the Hollywood elite. Her best friend, the outspoken Lolita, has her hands full running a dog-grooming business catering to the stars and managing her three dogs of varying sizes and temperaments, who bring her juicy gossip (at least she hears them talking!) from dogs whose masters are Hollywood stars. Continue reading
BroadLit Announces a Two-Book TruLOVE Collection Partnership with Ron Hogan
Scandalous! Provocative Love Stories from
The 1970s and 1980s Are Back
The headlines are shocking:
- The Night My Husband Demanded an Orgy”
- “Bedroom Roulette”
- “We Joined Our Teenager at a Free Love Farm”
- “Someone Is Making Obscene Phone Calls to My Wife. . .Is It Our Son?”
- “I’m a Housewife – But I Quit!”
In the 1970s, the women’s movement was on fire, and while pre-marital sex and living together may have been revolutionary in the ‘60s, it became mainstream in the ‘70s. The sexual revolution was born and women finally had time to ask the question “What do I really want?” The women of the 1980s were extraordinary – it was the age of the “superwoman.” With their skill, power and success they proved to themselves — and the world — that they were equal to men. They believed it was possible to have it all, but were still searching to find the right formula!
Capturing the mood and the mores of the times and torn from 1970 and 1980 editions of True Love and True Romance Magazines, BroadLit’s editors are proud to announce their upcoming TruLOVE Collection series books and their collaboration with romantic fiction aficionado and book blogger Ron Hogan. Hogan, co-founder of Lady Jane’s Salon, a monthly reading series dedicated to romance fiction, and founder of Beatrice.com, one of the first book-related websites, will guest edit and write introductions for two TruLOVE Collection books: Bedroom Roulette: Love Stories from the ‘70s and Women Undone: Love Stories from the’80s.
Ron Hogan has been the primary host of the monthly Lady Jane’s Salons since 2009. He also produces literary events throughout New York City, and was one of the first people to launch a book-related website, www.Beatrice.com. Hogan also publishes a digital magazine entitled Beatrice, which often includes interviews with some of today’s best writers. Mr. Hogan is “looking forward to digging into the back issues of True Love and True Romance Magazines to see what kinds of stories I will find. A few years ago, I wrote a book about how the social and cultural upheavals of the 1970s were reflected in Hollywood’s movies, so it’s going to be fascinating to see how True Love and True Romance addressed the sexual revolution and the feminist movement. I’m also a relatively late arrival to romance fandom, and while I have learned something about the genre’s history from smart fan/critics like Sarah Wendell, working on these two anthologies should be an eye-opening experience!”
“We are delighted to be working with Ron on these anthologies,” says Nancy Cushing-Jones, chief publishing officer for BroadLit. “Not only is he a pleasure to work with, but he also brings a fresh eye and perspective to romance, love and sex in two significant decades of our cultural history. We can’t wait to read his introductions to each collection and to each story included.”
Bedroom Roulette and Women Undone are scheduled for publication in February 2013 and will be available for purchase for $3.99 each on all major e-retailers. The first four TruLOVE Collection books, When Love Goes Bad, Falling in Love . . . Again, Forbidden Love, and Losing It for Love, are currently available for purchase on all major e-retailers
including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, as well as on AllRomance.com and on BroadLit’s own branded romance hub www.TruLOVEstories.com. The fifth and sixth TruLOVE Collection books are currently in production and scheduled for publication in September 2012: Finding Love in Strange Places and Secrets of Love. All BroadLit books are distributed by Perseus Books’ Constellation Services.
About BroadLit™
BroadLit is unique in that it brings to the market a combination of classic and new romance material through its many multi-media channels. BroadLit’s website hub, TruLOVEstories.com, is specifically designed for women looking for a little romance seasoned with humor. The site offers novels, stories, games, merchandise, contests, videos, and other opportunities for building a strong community. BroadLit is a Los Angeles-based company launched by the owners of Broadthink, a boutique branding and new business development media company.
In addition to bringing back to life the assets of True Romance and True Love Magazines, it is also publishing original contemporary romance novels such as its Second Acts romance series. The first two books in this series, Sleeping with Dogs and Other Lovers and Starstruck Romance and Other Hollywood Tails are also available for purchase for $7.99. Also coming in October is the first novel in a new vampire romance series, Aris Returns, book one in The Infinity Diaries series.
Media Contact
Stacia Kirby
+1-206-363-1492
Title:
When Love Goes Bad
TruLove Collection
Book by: BroadLit
Edited by: Cynthia Cleveland, Nancy Cushing-Jones and Barbara Weller
Published by: BroadLit
Published: April 2012
Price:
Digital $3.99 USD
Digital $3.99 CAN
Print $14.99 USD
Print $17.50 CAN
Fiction
Romance Contemporary
ISBN# 978-0-578-09849-4
Title:
Falling in Love…Again
TruLove Collection
Book by: BroadLit
Edited by: Cynthia Cleveland, Nancy Cushing-Jones and Barbara Weller
Published by: BroadLit
Published: April 2012
Price:
Digital $3.99 USD
Digital $3.99 CAN
Print $14.99 USD
Print $17.50 CAN
Fiction
Romance Contemporary
ISBN# 978-0-578-09847-0
Title:
Forbidden Love
TruLove Collection
Book by: BroadLit
Edited by: Cynthia Cleveland, Nancy Cushing-Jones and Barbara Weller
Published by: BroadLit
Published: September 11, 2012
Digital and Print
Price:
Digital $3.99 USD
Digital $3.99 CAN
Print $14.99 USD
Print $17.50 CAN
Fiction
Romance Contemporary
Digital ISBN# 978-0-985-54049-4
Print ISBN# 978-0-9855404-9-4
Title:
Losing It for Love
TruLove Collection
Book by: BroadLit
Edited by: Cynthia Cleveland, Nancy Cushing-Jones and Barbara Weller
Published by: BroadLit
Published: September 11, 2012
Digital and Print
Price:
Digital $3.99 USD
Digital $3.99 CAN
Print $14.99 USD
Print $17.50 CAN
Fiction
Romance Contemporary
Digital ISBN# 978-0-985-54047-0
Print ISBN # 978-0-9855404-7-0
Author Julia Dumont Tells All (Almost)
Your first book in the Second Acts Series is called Sleeping with Dogs and Other Lovers. How did you come up with that title?
All women have known men who are real dogs. The fact is a lot of women prefer the bad ones. The irony is a lot of the good ones are super bad. This series brings together many of my passions: dogs (actual dogs), good-bad boys, and romance. Oh, and sex.
Tell us about the message in your novel?
Although women can’t necessarily have it all, they can definitely have a lot. I’m in favor of figuring out what turns you on — in boardrooms or bedrooms, between spreadsheets and silk sheets, with friends, colleagues, and lovers — and pursuing those things with the passion they deserve.
How much of the book is realistic?
Almost nothing in the book is literally autobiographical, but that said, there are clear parallels throughout. Without going into graphic detail, I had one romantic stay in a ridiculously fancy hotel suite that was similar to Cynthia and Max’s in that it lasted much longer than we’d originally planned. Very hot and heavy. I almost had to be taken out on a stretcher.
If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your book?
I try not to dwell on regrets. You can work on a book almost forever if you choose to. It’s more of a process for me. I’d rather start a new book than think about the woulda-coulda-shouldas of something I’ve already finished.
What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Aside from some decidedly steamy passages in my diaries, the bulk of my writing has been scholarly . . . literary. So, that’s a big change of pace, obviously. I’ve been a professor for a long time and I’m quite widely published . . . but nothing that would pop up on Amazon, and definitely nothing involving sexually explicit romance and irreverent humor. But, as I say, I’ve been journaling faithfully since pre-pubescence, so if anyone is looking for a seriously juicy memoir, I’ve got an entire closet of hardcover journals just aching to be outed.
Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
Well, all writing is about discovery — learning to express what you know and feel. The process helps one learn things . . . or at least discover things you didn’t realize you already knew. Writing about romance and sexual sensation is no different. You tap into sense memories to recall and/or invent certain situations and sensations. I have to say that the process is itself pretty erotic. I sometimes have to stop and find my husband. Without getting too personal, I admit that when I’m stuck I occasionally enlist him. He is a very willing research subject.
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
I’ve been writing every day since I first scribbled my name…so, before kindergarten certainly. I can’t say that I’ve always wanted to write books for a living, but my world has always been wrapped up in writing and books.
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
It’s hard to choose one, but if I had to, I’d probably go with Faulkner. I just adore him as a stylist. There is more tragedy in one of his sentences than entire bookshelves of other writers. But he’s not terribly relevant to these novels I’m writing now. In terms of romance, I love a lot of what some might call lowbrow or trashy or whatever . . . Cartwright, Steele, etc. But nothing can compete with D.H. Lawrence, just in terms of eroticism and style. Nobody else does that. When I was fifteen and first read “Your breasts, your knees and feet! I feel that we / Are a bonfire of oneness, me flame flung leaping round you / You the core of the fire, crept into me,” I couldn’t get it out of my head for months. That’s not true . . . years. Also: “Be a good animal, true to your animal self.” Now that’s a sentiment I can relate to. As could Cynthia and her clients.
What are you working on now?.
Well, the second book in the series, STARSTRUCK ROMANCE AND OTHER HOLLYWOOD TAILS is out — and I’m now working on the third. In STARSTRUCK ROMANCE, as Second Acts Dating Service grows in size and popularity, we delve deeper into Cynthia’s life and loves, as well as the lives of her friends and clients. It’s a romantic rollercoaster. And the culture in and around Hollywood — actors, directors, and so on — figures prominently. I lived in Los Angeles for a few years and knew quite a few people in the industry, so I’m drawing on that experience.
I’ve also started a new blog on TruLoveStories.com in the voice of Cynthia, the main character. She insisted on doing the blog and I found myself unable to refuse her. It’s sort of a love/dating tips column, but laced with an attitude and humor that’s all hers. I’m calling it “Love, Lies & Dating.”
An Interview with Aris the Vampire
Limited Time Sale: Aris on Kindle for $0.99!
Books now available:
Aris Returns: A Vampire Love Story
Aris Rising: The Court of Vampires
Aris Reigns: The Kingdom of Vampires
By Melanie Fairchild
On many occasions I have interviewed authors just before the release of their newest work, but this is the first time I have ever had a conversation with the main character of an historical fiction novel. I must admit as I sat in the bar of the Biltmore Hotel waiting to have a heart-to-heart with a two-thousand-year old vampire, I had my doubts about the validity of the whole situation as well as the sanity of my editor for sending me on such a wild goose chase.
Then he walked into the room. The whole atmosphere changed. The lights appeared suddenly softer, more inviting. The chatter in the room more subdued, almost mysterious. The late afternoon sun fell through the skylights with a soft golden light in such a way that he didn’t even cast a shadow on the hard marble floor as he walked toward me. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more handsome man; over six feet tall, black wavy hair, golden skin and deep dark eyes, his face ageless, his presence commanding. He had the attention of every woman in the place. It was impossible not to stare at him. I realized I wasn’t breathing as I lifted my hand to draw his attention. He owned the room as he walked toward my table, a smile of recognition spreading across his perfect features.
I had to do some conscious yogic breathing when he leaned down to shake my hand. His fragrance was overwhelming. It was an olfactory representation of a combination of everything virile and noble and potent that I had ever or could ever imagine. I mean, it was GOOD! He smiled as he sat down. There were no fangs on his straight, white teeth, but there was a sparkle in his eye as he caught me checking out his canines.
Laughing nervously, I waited for him to settle into our booth across from me. His cream-colored summer sweater outlined the contour of his powerful shoulders as he waited for me to speak. Another moment of silence, then without thinking the words escaped from my lips.
MF: Are you hungry?
(He closed his eyes just a little. His eyelashes were so long and thick they cast shadows like brushes on his high cheek bones. He stared at me for a moment then smiled.)
ARIS: That depends on what’s on the menu, does it not?
(Note to my readers: At that moment, the guy could have devoured anything I had that he wanted. I cleared my throat and stammered for a moment before I could go on. He laughed, pleasantly amused, and the sound made me stammer even more; his laugh was deep, rich, real. I took another deep breath as I gathered my thoughts. This was supposed to be a vampire. I am supposed to be a journalist. Whether this man was out of his mind or not, I was facing a once in a lifetime opportunity. I became determined not to come under the spell of this enchanting creature. I retrieved my lap top from its carrying case and began to type with a determination I didn’t feel.)
MF: You are known by the name Aris. Do you have a last name?
ARIS: Aris is my last name. It is my only name.
MF: And you say you are a vampire? It is difficult to believe that vampires really exist.
(Note to my readers: This said even though the man was too gorgeous to be human and the scent of him produced strange stirrings in places inside me I never knew existed before.)
MF: Can you prove there is such a thing as vampires?
ARIS: Can you prove there is not? (Again, that wonderful laughter. I ignored his question and continued.)
MF: Are there more of your kind?
ARIS: Many more of my kind, many different breeds of what you call vampires. Some are earthly beings. Those are the vampires of legend. The evil, blood drinkers who hold no value for life be it human or others of their own species. They live without laws or conscience; they slay without reason or remorse. Their murders are undetectable. They live in darkness, avoiding human contact except to torture or kill.
My breed is different. We do drink blood, but our makers were from another world. They came to earth as explorers, scientists. Most returned to their home planet but two stayed on. It was from the female that a society of half-breeds was born. We are half human and half alien, human beings with alien venom in our veins. We are able to sleep and eat yet we have no need to do so. If we eat, our human system processes the food to our human cells. If we don’t, the alien venom that circulates through our veins sustains us. If we choose to breathe, our lungs process oxygen to our human cells. We appear very much the same as you except for our great beauty and our ageless countenance. We walk among your kind without your suspecting what we are, the Immortals.
MF: You are telling me that you came from aliens? (The most bizarre thing about this conversation was that I believed everything that golden voice told me as gospel truth.)
ARIS: Yes. We are called vampires because we have the need to drink blood, however, unlike the earthly variety, we are sustained by the blood of animals for the most part.
MF: The most part?
ARIS: Yes. There are cycles when we must have human blood; soon after our changing and then periodically throughout our immortal existence. Today it is very easy to find human blood without taking a life; blood banks fulfill our need. In the past, we did drink from humans but under law, only from the wicked and only for sustenance. We are quite humane.
MF: Under law?
ARIS: We have a government, a king and queen, those two who remained on earth when the star voyagers returned to their planet. There is a co-ruling body, the high council, which consists of changlings such as I am. There is an ancient code of ethics to which our culture adheres and the penalty for breaking the code is extinction.
MF: Where is this governing body located? Where does your society live?
ARIS: I am not at liberty to say at this time.
MF: Alright, then how is a vampire extinguished?
ARIS: After a trial by the council and a verdict of conviction, the Immortal is eliminated by an ancient and mystic ritual. While it is rare for one of us to transgress the law, it has happened in our history and to one to whom I am very, very close. It is not pretty and is not something I shall discuss further at this time.
MF: If you won’t discuss dying, how about living? How long do vampires live?
ARIS: That I cannot answer. As of now, none of us has reached our expiration date. Immortal, remember?
MF: What in the world does it feel like to be immortal?
ARIS: Please forgive me for saying humans do not grasp the theory of eternity, so how could you ever grasp the theory of immortality?
MF: Okay, you might be right about that. Then, let’s discuss something that humans can grasp. Love. Are you able to experience love?
ARIS: (His eyes clouded for a moment. He smiled again before he began to speak.) Yes, we are able to love. Once we find our mate, it is for eternity. Centuries ago I found my eternal partner. She was mine then snatched from my protection. I lost her and myself. I wandered through time and lifetimes in search of her.
MF: And did you ever find her?
ARIS: That, Ms. Fairchild, is a whole other story.
(Note to my readers: His eyes glazed as a great chasm of silence grew between us. I waited for him to speak but he sat motionless, like a bronze statue in a museum. I realized I must be the one to bring him back to present time so I began questioning him once again.)
MF: Aris, can you mate with humans? (I hope I didn’t sound as hopeful as I felt.)
ARIS: No, we must mate with our own kind, however, if we desire to meld with a human for eternity and the human chooses to become one of us, they are changed into an Immortal. Then mating is possible.
MF: How does that change happen?
ARIS: Through another ancient secret ritual. I am not at liberty to disclose it to you at this time, however, I can tell you that the human must be a willing participant with full understanding of the consequences of the ritual. It is private and sacred, shared only by the two who are joining.
MF: (I could feel my face get red as the blush rushed my cheeks but I knew my readers would want to know the answer. I cleared my throat.) How do vampires . . . do it? I mean, do they have sex?
ARIS: (He looked a bit taken aback for a moment, then chuckled before he answered.) Yes, we have intimate relations. Our mating is similar to your kind, remember, we are half human. Yet it is quite a bit more involved, lasting for hours, even days if we desire (Oh reader!!! Those eyes!), and more deeply passionate than I could ever put into words.
MF: (It was clear from the dead silence that followed, he wouldn’t say anything else about the sex life of the Immortals yet frankly, dear reader, sex had been occupying a large part of my mind since he walked into the room. I tactfully changed the subject.) As a being that has been on the earth for 2,000 years what would you say is one of the greatest lessons you have learned about human-kind?
ARIS:Such a difficult question. (He leaned toward me as he gathered his thoughts.) I believe the most profound lesson that time has taught is that although fashion and transportation, world leaders, names and boundaries of countries change and evolve, the human spirit remains basically the same. There is evil and greed, empathy and charity. I have found your species has a grave fear of the unknown and a deep courage to overcome doubt and terror. All things in your society seem to advance yet not the human psyche. Your technology has traveled far beyond your logic, your reason. Yet even as you seem to lose your humanity and become a part of the mechanical, digital chaos that surrounds you, there is one core value that is wound throughout all of history. It seems that the one constant basic drive of humanity is the desire to receive and give love. Love is as I am, immortal. It never begins and never ends. It simply is. And you? May I ask if you have ever experienced a love that seemed without end?
(As I sat across from this otherworldly, infinite being, perhaps for the first time in my life, I actually experienced the profound depth of my heart opening to eternal love.)
MF: Yes Aris, I believe that I have.
