Ageless Love

If you follow The Blood-Red Pencil, chances are you recognize the name Morgan Mandel. She posts here. I thought, this being the month of love, I’d ask her about writing love.

How does love play a role in your latest book, Forever Young: Blessing or Curse?

The heroine, Dorrie Donato, already knows how to love, as evidenced by her strong feelings for her husband, Larry, and her devastation when he dies. She not only recalls the physical bond they shared, but also how they connected on so many other levels. When he’s gone from her life, she feels the loss immensely. She also experiences other forms of love—that for her mother, and her best friend.

Another central character, Roman Remington aka The Angel Man, dubbed so because of his hunky blond-haired, blue-eyed angelic appearance, has never known love. He finds it hard to imagine the concept. His homelife was less than idyllic, with his father running out on his mother, and his mother showing no warmth for her son. Through interaction with Dorrie, he learns the true meaning of love. Unfortunately, that love results in dire consequences for him.

I’ve heard people say that love is for the young. Since Dorrie, at 55, loves her husband, do you think her love for him changes when she reverts to 24 years old?

No, Dorrie’s love for Larry doesn’t change when she reverts back to her 24 year- old body. That’s because one of the wonders of the Forever Young pill is the recipient not only can go back to a desired age, but also can retain all previous memories. Though her life is filled with new experiences as she touts the miracle pill, she still remembers well her husband’s passing, and very much regrets it. In one exchange, she mentions if she could somehow get Larry back, she’d gladly give up being young again in favor of growing old with him instead.

Forever Young is not a Romance, although there is a strong undercurrent of love. Why did you decide to include love in this Suspense?

I can’t help including some sort of romance and love in my books. Love, whether it be for a spouse, parent, other family member, friend, pet, or on a lesser level, a hobby or occupation, is an integral part of a person’s existence. Without it, there’s a gaping emptiness. Trite but true—Love makes the world go round.

Also, since my writing life matured through the critiques and friendship by membership at Chicago-North Romance Writers of America, love seems to naturally creep into all of my books without any conscious attempt to include it.

Conversely, by belonging to the Midwest Mystery Writers of America Chapter and by going to every Love is Murder Mystery Conference, somehow I can’t help throwing in some sort of suspense in my romance books either, as evidenced in my contemporary romantic comedy, Girl of My Dreams.

Why did you decide to publish this book electronically?

I absolutely love my kindle and don’t know how I did without one before. It’s a very handy device, not heavy and so easy to take with, making it possible for me to always have a book on hand to read. I’m sure other owners of electronic readers feel the same connection with their particular choices, so I knew I had to get this book out to the electronic audience, which has grown immensely in the past few years.

Where can readers find electronic versions of Forever Young: Blessing or Curse?

This thriller is on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, iTunes, and more. If you don’t see the embedded link here for your desired format, you ‘ll find more at http://morgansbooklinks.blogspot.com, where I display short excerpts of all four of my novels, as well as all known buy links.

What about paperback copies?

By the time you read this, Forever Young: Blessing or Curse may already be at the CreateSpace store and at Amazon.com. If not, it will arrive shortly. I know there are plenty of readers out there who still prefer the solid feel of a traditional book in their hands, so I couldn’t ignore this very important segment of the audience.

Where can people find you on the web?

Right here at http://bloodredpencil.blogspot.com at least twice a month.
My personal blog: http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
My book link blog: http://morgansbooklinks.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://facebook.com/morgan.mandel
Twitter: http://twitter.com/morganmandel
Website: http://www.morganmandel.com

Those are just a start. I’m also at a number of other blogs, Facebook pages, and egroups, too many to mention. I do tend to get carried away.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that my Interviewer, Helen Ginger, did a stupendous job of editing Forever Young: Blessing or Curse. For that I heartily thank you, Helen.

You’re welcome. And I thank you for letting me be the first to read it!

The late Helen Ginger (1952-2021) was an author, blogger, and the Coordinator of Story Circle Network's Editorial Services and writing coach. She was also a former mermaid. She taught public speaking as well as writing and marketing workshops. Helen was the author of Angel Sometimes, Dismembering the Past, and three books in TSTC Publishing’s TechCareers series.