Lori Perkins's Blog, page 18

NAKED IN 30 DAYS Just Published

- Certified Personal Trainer and Former Mrs. Texas Shares Her Coveted Secrets to the Fat Shredding Diet that Allowed Her to Stand Naked in New York City’s Rush Hour Traffic at the Age of 54 -

New York, New York, March 15, 2016 – Fitness expert, former U.S. Open bodybuilding champion, certified personal trainer, and media personality Theresa Roemer shares her coveted secrets to being in the best shape of your life, physically, mentally, and spiritually in just 30 days in her new book NAKED in 30 Days: a One Month Guide to Getting Your Body, Mind and Spirit in Shape, available today online at Riverdale Ave Books and on Amazon ($19.99 paperback, $9.99 Kindle edition). NAKED in 30 Days is a wildly effective day-by-day program that guides the reader through 30 days of diet and exercise, not only for the body but also for the soul. The new book shows women how to change their approach to food and exercise in order to comfortably and confidently stand naked with themselves and the partner they love.



The collaboration for NAKED in 30 Days included Dr. George Davis, a board certified emergency room doctor and co-owner of a wellness center in The Woodlands, Texas; Heather Smith, a licensed nurse practitioner specializing in women’s health and well-being; and Sean Smith, Theresa’s personal trainer and owner of Sparta Fitness in Conroe, Texas.

“Everything in your life will change on the ‘NAKED’ program. You will be the happiest you’ve ever been: your body will feel amazing; your relationships will improve; and you will have more energy than you have had in years, maybe decades,” said Theresa Roemer, author of NAKED in 30 Days. “Give me 30 days and I will give you a new body, mind and spirit.”

NAKED in 30 Days is divided into two parts: In Part I Theresa shares her personal story, taking the reader through her deep personal relationship and history with fitness. Part II guides the reader through 30 days with each day divided into three components: the daily exercises, the meals, and spirit/mind coaching. The program is simple and direct, and will appeal to women of all ages and experience levels, from those just starting to establish their fitness and diet goals to even the most experienced fitness enthusiasts looking to change up their routine.

For more information and to buy the book, visit Nakedin30days.com.

ABOUT NAKED IN 30 DAYS

NAKED in 30 Days is a revolutionary diet and exercise program designed by U.S. Open bodybuilding champion and former Mrs. Texas United America finalist Theresa Roemer. The NAKED in 30 Days program gets you physically, mentally and spiritually in the best shape of your life in just 30 days. Drawing from a lifetime of fitness expertise, Theresa Roemer shares the diet and exercise she uses to shred fat and build muscle. More than a workout program, NAKED in 30 Days is a jump-start to a new life: Shred fat, build muscle, be a better you, and always feel happy NAKED.

ABOUT THERESA ROEMER

Roemer is an author, media personality, entrepreneur and small business owner based in Houston, Texas. Theresa’s passion for health started at a young age. As a child Theresa was diagnosed with rheumatic fever many times over, which caused her to have a heart murmur; she was sickly and her doctors diagnosed her with a lifetime of physical constraints. Determined to prove the doctors wrong, Theresa began her lifelong journey to stay active, healthy, and physically fit. Theresa took the U.S. Open title in bodybuilding at the age of 40, and held the titles of Mrs. Houston U.A., Mrs. Texas U.A., and was the 1st runner up for Mrs. United America concurrently. Theresa’s passion for health inspired her to write Naked in 30 Days to empower women to feel as vibrant and healthy at 45 and beyond as they did at 25. Visit Theresa onwww.theresaroemer.com, Instagram Theresa_Roemer, Facebook Theresa Roemer LLC and Twitter @TheresaRoemer

Call for Stories for Anthology with Morris-Jumel Mansion

The Morris-Jumel Mansion, in collaboration with Riverdale Avenue Books, will be publishing an Anthology of Paranormal Romance and Fantasy Fiction based on the Morris-Jumel Mansion.

We are looking for stories featuring the Morris-Jumel Mansion, Manhattan's oldest house, in the past, the present, future, or in an alternate universe. The stories must prominently feature the Morris-Jumel Mansion, and may include its historical inhabitants (including Madame Eliza Jumel, Stephen Jumel, Aaron Burr, and other Revolutionary War and pre-Revolutionary War characters, slaves and servants), the Mansion’s visitors, fictional or otherwise, and/or hauntings, visitations, or supernatural beings (including angels, devils, werewolves, vampires, etc), with elements of time-travel, science fiction, erotica/romance, paranormal, steampunk, or gaslamp fantasy.

An information session delving into the fascinating history of the Morris-Jumel Mansion and its inhabitants will be held at the Mansion for writers, including a walk through of the house and property, a historical overview, and question-and-answer session, on Saturday, March 12th at 5pm. Light refreshments will be served. To RSVP, please email mjmanthology@gmail.com. Also, please use this email for any questions you may have, or to schedule a private tour with the anthology’s editor.

Attached please find a useful list of incidents and inhabitants at the Morris-Jumel Mansion, and a short biography of its controversial​​​​​​ inhabitant, Eliza Jumel.

Submissions:

The deadline for story submissions is June 30th, 2016, with the book scheduled to be published online and in print by the end of October, 2016.

Stories should run between 2000 and 5000 words. If you have something longer, please email mjmanthology@gmail.com to discuss the parameters of your story with the editor. Submission does not guarantee publication. Authors will be notified if and when their story is chosen for publication.

Brief History of the Mansion:

The Morris-Jumel Mansion is the oldest house in Manhattan. Built in 1765 by Royalist couple Roger Morris and his wife Mary Phillipse (of the famed Sleepy Hollow and Yonkers Phillipses), the house went through phases as a quarter for George Washington during the Battle of Harlem Heights, a Royalist barracks for soldiers loyal to George III, a tavern, and the home of the famed Madame Eliza Jumel, who, despite humble beginnings, became the richest woman in Manhattan due to her financial prowess. The daughter of a prostitute, Eliza was born in a brothel in 1775. Through her intelligence and initiative she raised herself into wealthy circles. Her first husband, Stephen Jumel, was a French wine merchant. The couple purchased the Morris-Jumel Mansion as a country estate. After the death of her first husband, Eliza married Aaron Burr, and he came to live in the Mansion. Burr, who had been vice president under Thomas Jefferson, is best known to modern students of history as the man who killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel. It may surprise some to know that he was also an early supporter of women’s rights and anti-slavery. He was a complex and ambitious man, who, along with his famous opponent, is portrayed to powerful effect in the Broadway musical “Hamilton.” Eliza divorced Aaron Burr, citing infidelity, and he died the day the divorce was finalized. Eliza Jumel died at the age of 90, though some say her spirit still inhabits the house. After Eliza’s death, the Mansion and its contents were fought over by rival familial factions for 20 litigious years. In 1903, the Mansion was purchased by the City of New York for preservation.

Format for Submissions:

Submissions must be sent as a MS Word document attachment to mjmanthology@gmail.com, with the subject line Morris-Jumel Anthology.

Submissions must have your real name, pen name (if any), email address and phone number, as well as a brief author bio. All submissions should be Times Roman 12 point, double spaced.

Remuneration:

This will be a Riverdale Avenue Book, which will pay 33% royalties on digital and 8% on print. Royalties will be split on a pro rata share among the authors, paid quarterly.

Copies of the Book:

Each author will receive a pdf of the completed anthology, as well a one copy of the printed book. The author may order additional copies at 50% of the list price.

Rights:

The author retains the rights to the story, but for a period of two years from the publication of the Anthology the author agrees not to authorize or permit publication of their story in any book, compilation or other anthology, nor to provide the story for free on the Internet.

Please pass this request for stories on to other writers who you think might be interested.

We are thrilled to be embarking on this project, and hope you choose to join us for this adventure in storytelling.

Trump This! An Unauthorized Bio of the Presidential Candidate by NY Times Bestselling Author

If you only discovered Donald Trump with the television show The Apprentice or with his recent entry into the Republican race for President of the United States, the chances are you think you know quite a bit about Donald Trump. But the reality is that, like all larger than life personalities, Trump has cultivated his public image well. He’s been selective in what he’s let out and, when pressed, he’s been quick to deny.

Trump This! The Life And Times of Donald Trump: An Unauthorized Biography digs deep into the truth that is Donald Trump looking into his family, childhood and early years in New York City, all of which made him the man he is today. You’ll learn that Trump’s grandfather ran brothels during The Gold Rush years and that his father allegedly ran with The Ku Klux Klan. Trump punched out a teacher in the second grade. New Yorkers know that Trump lived a wild, sexually charged life at Studio 54 as a single man, but few know the true story of how Trump avoided the draft. And the details of the affair that wrecked his first marriage were chronicled in the tabloid press of the times. All of this is interlaced with the tale of the rise and fall of and rise of his New York real estate empire.

“There have been many books written by and about Donald Trump, but no one has looked at him through the pop culture prism. As a native New Yorker, Donald Trump has been an almost daily part of the city’s landscape. Now the whole country gets to really see this larger than life New Yorker. I think this makes Trump This! a unique biography,” said Publisher Lori Perkins.

"Writing this book literally on the fly was definitely a challenge.” Said bestselling author Marc Shapiro. “Things were happening daily, things that had to be addressed. In the weeks after I turned in the original manuscript I would wind up adding five additional chapters just to keep this book as up to the minute as possible which is the reality when you're writing about politics and politicians."

Shapiro acknowledged that for even the most ardent followers of Donald Trump, there are things in this book that will surprise and enlighten. "The reality is that Trump, outside of the tight knit business community, was a well kept secret to the man and woman on the street until The Apprentice went on the air. For those people, this book will definitely fill in the blanks."

Interview with Sephera Giron, Author of the New 12 –Book Witch Upon a Star Romance/Horror/Astrology Series

So Capricorn: Cursed is the First Book in the series. How did you come up with the idea for this series?

The idea for this series evolved out of my general interests in the occult arts and a couple of trips to Salem. RAB publisher Lori Perkins has always encouraged me to embrace my witchy ways and translate them onto the page. She was a huge force in helping me organize my thoughts to bring these ideas to life.

I’ve been a tarot counsellor and astrologist for years and have read for hundreds of people looking for love, looking for money, and looking for happiness. I’ve been an eclectic witch for over 20 years and though I’ve been invited to join covens, I remain solitary. However, the idea of covens and love spells always intrigues me and so I thought, why not write about them?

It seemed like a fun idea to have a coven of single lady witches who represent each sign of the zodiac. The lady of each sign will have an opportunity to cast a love spell with the coven during her birth month. Each book will follow a lady through her spell and romance.

Although all of the ladies are witches, they are all very different, much like real witches. Since most of them live in Hermana, a fictional magical little town like Salem, most of them have metaphysical jobs as well such as tarot reading, or ghost hunter and there’s a waitress, art teacher, and even a flight attendant.

Through the series, we also discover that some of them might not even be human.

What’s in store for these characters?

As the series progresses, we will learn more about many of the ladies, not just the “star of the month.” Their exploits will bring them to the brink of danger, often supernatural, and they will have to battle ghosts, demons, and other creatures while they sort out their love lives.

We will also learn more about how the town of Hermana was founded, who Lucy is, and what secrets she keeps hidden from her coven.

You have such an interesting background. How does that dovetail with your writing?

I’m filled with curiosity and if something intrigues me, I will explore it and most of the time, it ends up in my writing work. I learned how to read tarot cards because I was a suddenly single mother and needed another part time job that I could do freelance while I raised my kids. Through tarot, I’ve met so many interesting people and it’s true that everyone has a story to tell. I become very inspired by some of my clients. Only after I explored my own metaphysical gifts, that I learned I’m descended from Spanish fortune-telling gypsies on my father’s side and my maternal Finnish great-grandmother was the neighbourhood dream interpreter.

What else are you working on?

I’ve been writing horror novellas for Samhain. I’m the Canadian Chapter Head of the Horror Writers Association for the past 20 years which keeps me pretty busy. In February, we’ll be launching our new podcast, just in time to highlight Women in Horror Month. My story, “The Lodge” will be part of the Frankenstein Project anthology that Rothco Press has put together from our recent trip to the Stanley Hotel. I’m co-editing an anthology with Christopher Jones about Toronto horror stories that will be released Halloween, 2017. I’m also working on a story that will be in a Ouija Board anthology next year.

What’s the future of publishing (can you read it in the stars?)

We are in a wild west right now, which, as an Aquarius, I find very exciting!

There will always be publishing and the inventive and creative writers will always find a way to be published.

I believe that people will always love to hold and smell a book even though we all love our technological devices. I think hybrid publishing is here to stay, as in paper co-existing with ebooks. I also believe savvy authors will publish with several houses as well as self-publish their own backlists and weird little projects that don’t fit into a specific marketing slot.

Consumers have already figured out that stuffing a kindle full of free books means nothing. Readers have gotten over the shiny new toy phase of e-readers and are now back to demanding quality editing and a damn good story.

WWE Wrestling Diva Tammy "Sunny" Sytch Tell-All Autobio Just Pubbed

“I Spilled My Guts Out In This Book,” Says Sunny

New York City– (Feb. 4, 2016) – World famous wrestling diva Tammy Lynn “Sunny” Sytch has written a tell-all autobiography titled A Star Shattered: The Rise & Fall & Rise of Wrestling Diva Tammy “Sunny” Sytch which will debut online on RiverdaleAveBooks.com.

A Star Shattered: The Rise & Fall & Rise of Wrestling Diva Tammy “Sunny” Sytch from RiverdaleAveBooks.


The legendary Sunny is known as the original WWE Diva and she is one of the most popular female wrestling personalities of all time. Her achievements include being a two time Slammy Award Winner, a member of the WWE Hall of Fame, the New England Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame and Pro Wrestling Illustrated Manager of the Year.

All of her loyal fans know that her career has had more than its share of dramatic highs and lows. For the first time, Sunny takes the reader behind the scenes to learn what was really going on with this incredibly talented and vulnerable athlete.

“I didn’t hold anything back,” says Sunny. “I spilled my guts out in this book. I think it’s raunchy, obscene, racy and heartfelt. Readers will go with me in the ring and on the road, through my romantic relationships, my domestic abuse, my battling cancer, my incarceration, getting sober and much more. I don’t regret one moment of my life. I’ve been battered and should be bitter but instead, I learn from my experiences and move on. I’m excited about what the future holds for me.”

“Sunny’s story is so real and raw and inspirational. She gives the honest truth about the inside world of wrestling in the 90s and 00s, as well as what it was like to be a woman in an abusive relationship battling her own demons and taking control of her life in the aftermath,” said Riverdale Avenue Books Publisher Lori Perkins. “Everyone will see a piece of themselves in Sunny’s story.”

This week, Vivid Entertainment, the world’s leading adult film company, is releasing Sunny Side Up, a celebrity sex tape starring Sunny at Vivid.Com She will be joining such celebrities as Kim Kardashian, Kendra Wilkinson, Pamela Anderson and the legendary Chyna who have also starred in Vivid-Celeb.com movies.

Queer Latina New Adult First Novel Just Pubbed from RAB

“Even if Holden Caulfield was born in the Bronx in the 1980’s, he could never be this awesome.”
–Inga Muscio, author of Cunt

The just-published queer first novel, Juliet Takes a Breath by Gabby Rivera features a young, newly out Puerto Rican protagonist, Juliet Milagros Palante. Obsessed with her first feminist book, Juliet contacts the author, Harlowe Brisbane, and sets up a summer internship. Out of the Bronx, and off to Portland, Oregon, Juliet confronts white feminism and coming out to her family while navigating the world of queer politics.

Juliet Milagros Palante is my new hero. Rivera pours her heart into ours with this story. Juliet Takes a Breath shows us that we must be vulnerable to survive the learning and un-learning necessary to become who we are, especially when we carry many identities on our strong, soft shoulders.
Phoenix Danger, co-creator of Phresh Cutz, Brooklyn

Rivera explained why she wrote this book, “I never experienced a character like Juliet Palante in my life. Not in a book or a movie. There were no brave, kinda awkward, thick-bodied, girl-loving Latinas from the Bronx in literature or media. And so, I'm super honored that she gets to run free and be out in the world. Riverdale Ave Books made my queer brown dreams come alive by publishing my first novel, Juliet Takes a Breath.”

Riverdale’s Publisher Lori Perkins said, ”I am truly proud to be publishing this novel. It brings first wave feminism and fourth wave feminism together, and all the issues we juggle, to the forefront in a really positive way.”

“Rivera cuts your heart right open with the most original young lesbian character I've read in years, seamlessly weaving together racial politics, awkward teenage romance and a queer coming-of-age that manages to both center on and transcend the identities it represents.”Riese Bernard, CEO of Autostraddle

About the Author
This is Gabby Rivera’s first published novel. Gabby has worked with Autostraddle for almost five years. In that time, she’s written about feminism, kissing girls, Nicki Minaj, radical politics and falling in love with queer brown communities. She is currently working for a national non-profit organization dedicated to serving LGBTQ youth populations. She’s fostered LGBTQ youth groups, QTPOC healing spaces, and taught as a multi-media artist for arts and social justice-based organizations. She was born and raised in the Bronx.

Interview with the Author of a Hot M/M Fae Series

Rory Ni Coileain has given us a world where macho hunky faes come to Earth and must find their human soulmate... or die. And the fate of the world lies upon their completion of this bond.

She's been working on the series for four years, and has won numerous awards and nominations for her unique world and view, most recently her 5th SoulShares novel, BLOWING SMOKE finished second in the Best Erotica Novel category in the Preditors & Editors Readers' Poll and received an Honorable Mention in this years' Rainbow Awards.


What was the inspiration for the SoulShares series?

I'm not sure it was any one thing... I love the idea of fated mates, but I always thought it was just a little too easy to meet your happily-ever-after, fall blissfully in love, and ride off into the sunset. So I thought, what about fated mates, where one of the pair is from a race that doesn't believe in love and tends to think of humans as pretty toys?

Have you always been attracted to M/M fiction?
I actually didn't think I could write M/M. At all. I started as a favor to a dear friend, who had read a lot of my M/F role-play fiction and begged me to write some M/M. I wrote what was supposed to be a one-off story for her.... and here I am, four years later!

Why Fae?
They're very pushy. *winks* Seriously, the fey folk are in my Irish blood, and I love the range of possibilities. In my books, the "Fae" are the most human-appearing of the inhabitants of the Fae Realm, but there are others, based on Irish and Scottish legend and lore for the most part.

What’s in the future for SoulShares?
For Rory, the author? I'm currently working on UNDERTOW, SoulShares #7, and then the eight-book story arc will wrap with STONE COLD. And I have a few other stories in the hopper -- a few shapeshifters, a contemporary Christmas story, a contribution to an anthology commemorating the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death, a set of Gille Dubh stories. I even have a few ideas for novellas set in the SoulShares world, if people want to see what happens next....

Interview with Louisa Bacio about Her New Novel Learning Curves and Lesbian Fiction

Louisa Bacio just published the second novel in her Sex University series, Learning Curves, which features an all-girls school where women learn to explore and express their sexuality. Previous tales in the series have included Christian Mingle, where the author sent a character much like Anna Duggar to Sex U after a national scandal, and Physical Education, Book One, as well as Summer School.

What inspired you to write a Lesbian novel in the Sex University Series?

When it comes to writing romance, the characters speak for themselves. They choose their love interests. After book 1, Physical Education, I wanted to revisit the character of Margaret, the police officer. She’s a bit dismissive of the school, and looks down on Amanda for attending.

There’s a bit of a turnabout that comes in book 2, where Margaret needs to find herself, and also feel protective toward someone else.

When did you publish your first lesbian story/novel?

My first F/F story came out in the anthology I Kissed a Girl in 2009. “Two’s Company” follows a progression of a ménage that eventually becomes F/F.

How did you come up with the idea for Sex University Series?

Honestly, undercurrents come from Anne Rice’s (writing as Anne Rampling) Exit to Eden. There is the connection to the freedom of sexuality. At Sex U. students get to explore their interests without any fear of censorship or ridicule.

We need more open communication about sexuality in the world. It’s one of the base human needs, and yet so many people prefer to hide it.

What’s in the future for the series?

So far, Ms. Lucy has been a secondary character. She’s found love with Clarissa, but their relationship is built on a rocky foundation. Next up is The Master Class, where someone from Clarissa’s past comes back and shakes things up.

Any more lesbian novels/stories in the works?

Always. I’m so close to finishing a F/F retelling of “Sleeping Beauty.” “The Master Class” is a F/F/M, which may not the most popular pairing, but I think it’s hot.

Call for Short Stories for Superbowl Smut Anthology

When I was the Editorial Director at Ravenous Romance, we did an annual Superbowl anthology filled with delightfully smutty stories that could be read during the actual event or during half time (or that was my fantasy). It always sold well, and I liked to think of it as my own personal contribution to the erotica world.

So I want to renew that tradition, and am calling for a whole new batch of football erotica stories for this year’s SUPERBOWL SMUT. Reprints are most welcome. This is a pansexual anthology, so Het, M/M, F/F, ménage and all combinations and variations. Hey, we’ll even take football-playing vampires, (if you’ve got some).

Our readers like multiple partners, so the more the merrier. Brings a new meaning to huddle! So think of high school football hunks (everyone has to be over 18), college trading, coaches, pro football, love amongst teammates and love between teammates and fans. And I want to see a really hot story about half time!!! We could even do one about people who write those great Superbowl commercials! Be creative, please!

As in all in-house RAB anthologies, there is no advance but we pay a pro rata share of all royalties which are 33% for ebook and 8% for print, and every contributor gets a print copy. We're looking for stories of 2500-5000 words. Pass the call around! Send stories attached as a word doc, with an up-to-date bio (even if you think I have it) to: lori@riverdaleavebooks.com Deadline is Jan. 15, 2016.

Magic U Box Set with NEW Xmas Story on Sale

Riverdale Avenue Books will publish Cecilia Tan’s Magic University: The Compete Series as a six-title box set with a brand new story for the holidays, Christmas Magic.

Magic University is award-winning author Cecilia Tan's new adult erotic romance series. Follow Kyle's adventures as he arrives at Harvard, discovers he's magical, and learns he's destined to study at the magical college hidden in plain sight. Kyle's story ultimately is a quest to find true love, and many lessons must be learned and many risks taken on that journey. While studying sexual magic, Kyle comes to grips with bisexuality (a necessary trait for a sex magician), partakes in erotic rituals, finds strength in a circle of friends and lovers, and risks his heart for those he loves, but always yearns to find that one true love who will make him complete.
It’s Christmas at Gladius House but Frost isn’t feeling very festive. Kyle will do anything he can, though, to set Frost’s world alight. Set a few months after the final events in the Magic University series, the novella runs 15,000 words and contains erotic scenes

Tan explained what inspired her to write the new story. "So many significant scenes take place around the winter holidays in the Magic University books--Kyle's first time kissing another man, his confrontation with his best friend, and so many others--it just made sense to me to set a new story at Christmas. I wanted to explore a bit more about Kyle and Frost's relationship in the aftermath of the series, which ends at Halloween. So Christmas had perfect timing."

The six-book Box set goes on sale for $9.99 on December 16th. Available only for a limited time! For one low price get all four full-length Magic U. novels, the complete collection of 17 short stories, and one brand new novella, Christmas Magic! Who better to tell a Christmas tale than Frost?