Holiday Classics and Republishing Favorites

by Lori Perkins, Publisher

I've been creating books in epublishing for close to a decade now, and as an editor and publisher, I''ve published a lot of Christmas titles.  It always amazes me that the Christmas zeitgeist can be re-interpreted (and recycled, if you will) so consistently and enthusiastically every year.

Every once in a while, something stands out and a new Christmas classic is born.  We see this most often in the movies we watch every year.  When I was growing up it was just A Wonderful Life, White Christmas, and Miracle on 34th Street. Then A Christmas Story came along and that became a TBS annual classic.  The 90's brought us Home Alone and The Santa Clause, and the 2000's Elf.  My son and I are also partial to Die Hard on Christmas Eve and The Nightmare Before Christmas, but we know that they are not on everybody's must-see list. We rotate through the list every year but each time we re-watch one, it brings back all the old joy (we always say how well-written The Santa Clause and Elf are) and we find new things we missed or didn't appreciate the first or second time around.

Well that also happens with re-reading old Christmas tales I published a few years ago when I was the Editorial Director of Ravenous Romance, but they faded into the past.  This year, I was fortunate enough to be able to republish four of my RR titles, and it is such a joy to reacquaint myself with the characters and situations, and remember how charmed I was by their innovation.

I had been working with Trinity Blacio on her Running in Fear series (which we will be reprinting starting January 2017 - all nine books, plus the last one in the series), and she shocked me by sending in a rather long Christmas book I wasn't expecting.  I had NO idea what it was about, and it started with some bizarre reference to an old Christmas legend.  As I read and edited on, I chuckled at how Trinity managed to bring her love of supernatural hotties to the Christmas story - two single women were going on an Xmas vacation to an island owned by vampires.  And I laughed a little more when it turned out that the main character's boss just happened to be a vampire, with a hot twin brother, whose family owned vampire island.  But as I read further into the novel, Trinity blew me away with her creative interpretation of the Christmas mythos.  Let's just say this is the kitchen sink of Christmas stories with every supernatural twist you could imagine, plus kink.  You will never read anything quite like The Naughty Angel and Her Three Very Wise Men (https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thenaughtyangelandherthreeverywisemen-2192083-147.html), unless you count the sequel, Naughty Mommy and Santa's Helpers (https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-naughtymommyandsantashelpers-2193099-340.html)  and the all new, The Naughty Stepbrothers (https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thenaughtystepbrothers-2193166-340.html).

I had also been working with Ryan Field at Ravenous with his M/M retelling of straight classics.  He had paid homage to A Christmas Carol with A Christmas Carl (https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-achristmascarl-2192087-340.html.) Set in contemporary New York instead of London of the 1840's, Ryan introduces us to Carl Smite, a miserly antiques dealer in Greenwich Village who gets visits from Christmas ghosts, including Quentin Crisp!  It's both funny and heart-warming.  I am just so glad to give this book a second chance.

Also republished this year is Forever Bound with Tinsel  (https://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html) by Chloe Stowe.  Chloe has a very hot M/M series set during Don't Ask, Don't Tell featuring a military doctor and an Air Force pilot. This was a novella set in that universe that took place over the holidays. It had been part of a three novella collection, but I remembered it being charmingly steamy and wanted to bring it back, before we re-released Chloe's entire Bound series, which we will do this year.

In addition to the books I mentioned, I have to suggest that everyone read DL King's A Scarlet Christmas (https://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html), which is a Femme Domme retelling of A Christmas Carol.  Let's face it - everyone knows Scrooge needs a spanking - and DL King really gives him one, and more.  This is a unique treasure (and there's also some Hanukah erotica in Festival of Lights).

Christmas comes to Magic University (https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-magicuniversitythecompleteseriesamagicalnewadultromanceboxset-1950518-344.html), Cecilia Tan's breath-taking paranormal tale set in a college of supernatural learning, in Christmas Magic (https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-christmasmagic-2180675-143.html).  This amazing series is a box set.  Imagine Harry Potter goes to college and they all study sex magic.  A must-read!

I am also quite taken with Rachel Kenley's Her Stepbrother's Christmas Gift (https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-herstepbrotherschristmasgiftaonceuponastepbrothernovella-1951825-340.html), which is a charming retelling of The Nutcracker with the added naughty bonus of stepbrother intrigue.  It's part of Rachel's whole Once Upon a Stepbrother series, which is fabulously romantic.

And I love our new Scoring with Santa (https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-scoringwithsanta-2184328-149.html) by Theresa Roemer and Renee Rose. It's a Hallmark quality contemporary Christmas romance, but with the expected amount of Riverdale Avenue Books eroticism.  This Santa is hot!

All these titles are 50% Off on Allromance ebooks through the holidays, so please indulge yourself. 

Hey Joe: The Unofficial Biography of a Rock Classic Just pubbed

The innovative, hybrid book publisher, Riverdale Avenue Books is pleased to announce the release of their new pop culture title based on the iconic rock song Hey Joe. The new book Hey Joe: The Unauthorized Biography of a Rock Classic is by New York Times best-selling author, Marc Shapiro, chronicles the history and origins of the song.

Legend goes that Hey Joe was a momentary blip on the pop music scene in 1965 courtesy of a Southern California band named The Leaves. It would be their only hit. But over the next 50-plus years, the quirky song about premediated murder went on to become something special, a musical rite of passage for legends like Jimi Hendrix, Patti Smith, Led Zeppelin, and countless others. Nearly 3,000 versions of Hey Joe have been recorded and release, which range from familiar, obscure and, in many cases, downright impossible to find.

“Marc’s deep research answers the questions listeners are dying to know such as who are the authors of the song and which musicians actually recorded it first,” said Publisher Lori Perkins. “Plus aren’t we all are curious to know where Joe goes with that gun in his hand?”

“Hey Joe was a rite of passage for me in the 60’s,” said Shapiro. “When I discovered the song it was literally on and off the radio in a matter of weeks and had gone on to have such a profound impact on the world of music on such a massive level. I knew it was a story that had to be told.”

The book is part, history, part mystery and part memoir. Hey Joe includes the memories of countless well known musicians who were part of the Hey Joe odyssey, a detailed look at the history of Hey Joe, the song that few have ever thought to think deeply about  and the rumors, legends and outlandish tales surrounding the song that ultimately culminate in the ultimate question.

RAB and the Morris-Jumel Mansion Host Paranormal Victorian Event tomorrrow

The Morris-Jumel Mansion, in collaboration with Riverdale Avenue Books, will hold a Paranormal Victorian Holiday Event celebrating the publication of The Morris-Jumel Mansion Anthology of Fantasy and Paranormal Fiction on Tuesday, December 20th from 6:30pm to 9:30pm. Address: Morris-Jumel Mansion, 65 Jumel Terrace, 10032. C train to 163rd Street in Washington Heights.

The evening will include readings from the anthology by award-winning fantasy writer Leanna Renee Heiber, author Gina Marie Guadagnino, and the radio play “Eliza’s House.” Guests will be given an overview of paranormal activity at the Mansion, served hot spiced wine and cider, and holiday singing will close the evening’s festivities. Victorian attire is encouraged, but not required. Digital copies of the book are available for review, and books will be for sale at the event.

The anthology features 14 tales set in the Morris-Jumel Mansion, Manhattan’s oldest house, which quartered General George Washington during the Battle of Harlem Heights, and was subsequently the home of the infamous Aaron Burr and his wife, Eliza Jumel, who reputedly still haunts the grounds. The Anthology's tales are ghost stories, science fiction, mystery, romance, erotica, time travel, visions of the afterlife, and paranormal fantasy. https://www.amazon.com/Morris-Jumel-Mansion-Anthology-Fantasy-Paranormal/dp/1626013071

“What is particularly gratifying about this collection of stories is its diversity,” said Camilla Saly-Monzingo, editor of the anthology. “The contributing writers are Latino, African-American, white, gay, straight, bisexual. They are millenials, in mid-life, and older adults. They are parents, childfree, single and partnered.”

The Morris Jumel Mansion Anthology of Paranormal and Fantasy Fiction, edited by Camilla Saly-Monzingo, is available at Riverdale Avenue Books, Amazon, iTunes, and wherever books are sold. Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/106718393149248/

4 New Editors and an Art Director named at RAB

Riverdale Avenue Books Hires Four Editors and Promotes Scott Carpenter to Art Director

The award-winning hybrid publisher Riverdale Avenue Books announced today the hiring of four new editors, Maximilian Ximenez, Camilla Saly-Monzingo, F. Leonora Solomon and Debra Hyde, and the promotion of Scott Carpenter to Art Director.

“I have worked with each Scott, Maximilian, Camilla, Leonora, and Debra in many different capacities over the years and we’re so excited to have their creative forces on our team,” said Publisher Lori Perkins. “I know their vision and insight will bring new energy to our already innovative company.”

Cover artist Scott Carpenter has been promoted to Art Director, where he will oversee the creation of the publisher’s covers and artwork.  He was Art Director at Samhain Publishing and has worked for several other epublishers creating award-wining covers for best selling authors. “I’m thrilled with the opportunity to create exciting covers across such a wide range of genres,“ said Carpenter.

Maximilian Ximenez had been named Editorial Director of the new horror imprint, Afraid. He comes to Riverdale Avenue Books with experience in the tie-in publishing department of the video game juggernaut Blizzard Entertainment. Maximilian is currently acquiring horror with “strong elements of satire or dark science fiction, as well as books featuring nontraditional antagonists like women and children who kill."

Camilla Saly-Monzingo has joined the company as an Assistant Editor.  After editing The Morris-Jumel Mansion Anthology of Fantasy and Paranormal Fiction for Riverdale, she will be acquiring titles in both fiction and nonfiction with an interest in New York history and culture. “I’m looking for stories about the real New York from its seamy sexual underside to battles over real estate, stories of the City’s Gilded Age to uncensored women’s histories yet to be told.”

F. Leonora Solomon has been named Assistant Editor.  She has been compiling erotic romance anthologies for Riverdale Avenue Books, including the Golden Flogger award-winning collection Tie Me Up. She will be acquiring titles in the Desire imprint.

Lambda-award winning writer, Debra Hyde joins the team as an Assistant Editor acquiring contemporary erotica and “classic erotica” for a new imprint that will be re-issuing long-out-of-print American and Victorian erotic titles with a 21^st Century perspective.

12 Xmas Books ON SALE at RAB

Celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas with HALF-PRICE Sales at AllRomanceEbooks and Riverdale Avenue Books

RIVERDALE, NEW YORK, December 14, 2016 – Innovative hybrid award-winning publisher Riverdale Avenue Books celebrates the holiday season with its annual Twelve Days of Christmas sale featuring an Xmas-themed book at 50% off from December 14th through the 25th on both its own website and at AllRomance Ebooks.

Said Riverdale Avenue Publisher Lori Perkins, “Everyone knows that Christmas is the most romantic holiday of the year, but most women are too busy shopping, taking care of family and decorating to enjoy the sales.  RAB gives you a whole 12 days to curl up with as many hot holiday hunks as you possibly can to get in the holiday spirit.”

Below are the titles & dates on the RAB website and AllRomance EBooks:

14th	Holiday Smut – Lori Perkins
15th	Hot for Xmas – Trinity Blacio
16th	Her Three Men – Trinity Blacio
17th	A Christmas Tail – Trinity Blacio
18th	Whips Chains and Candy Canes – FL Bicknell
19th	Capricorn: Cursed, Book One of the Witch Upon a Star series – Sephera Giron
20th	A Scarlet Christmas – DL King
21st	Scoring with Santa – Theresa Roemer and Renee Rose
22nd	Forever Bound with Tinsel
23rd	Magic University Box Set – Cecilia Tan
24th	A Christmas Carl – Ryan Field
25th	Her Stepbrother’s Christmas Gift – Rachel Kenley

Scoring With Santa Up for Pre-Sale with Gift Card

Fitness Expert Theresa Roemer and USA Today Best-Selling Author Renee Rose Release Sports Romance “Scoring with Santa”

“Flaming hot sports romance with a dash of Desperate Housewives--Roemer and Rose truly delight!"

--USA Today Bestselling Author Lee Savino

New York, NY: (December 12, 2016)—International fitness expert Theresa Roemer and USA Today best-selling author Renee Rose have teamed up to collaborate on Scoring with Santa, the first novel in the Second Chance sizzling hot sports romance series, that will be published by Riverdale Avenue Books right before Christmas.

The novel features a searing romance between a divorced career-driven mom who owns a chain of fitness clubs and Houston’s most eligible bachelor, a high school football coach. The irresistible attraction between the two could destroy both their careers.

The heroine and some of the material for this book was based on co-author Theresa Roemer’s life. Theresa owned a chain of fitness clubs called Body by Design and personal training services called Phenomenal Physiques, and won 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 first runner up for Mrs. United America concurrently.

“I was so excited to combine the back story of a real-life woman of substance and sports romance. And we all agree that Coach Charming is a perfect book boyfriend,” Said author Renee Rose of working on the project with Theresa Roemer.

The official publication date is December 20^th and the ebook is available now for a pre-pub price of $.99 for a limited time. After Christmas the ebook will be sold for $4.99.  The trade paperback can be purchased for $16.99 wherever books are sold.

The authors are also offering a $100 Amazon giftcard on their Facebook page to help readings get in the mood for Christmas, and will be appearing on various blogs and interview sites before publication

Remembering Jenni Rivera on the 4th Anniversary of Her Death

We Miss You Jenni!

It's been four years since Jenni Rivera passed away, and to honor her memory we're putting her unauthorized biography on sale for 50% off all December with coupon code Jenni2016

We Love Jenni is a frank and revealing biography of the late Mexican-American singer Jenni Rivera written by The New York Times best-selling author Marc Shapiro and journalist Charles Vazquez that goes behind the scenes to tell the riveting story of the iconic Latina, who was killed December 9, 2012 in a plane crash in Mexico.

Shapiro, author of popular biographies of celebrities such as J. K. Rowling and Justin Bieber, says the book tells the story of a woman "who never shied away from any of the huge problems she faced in life – her rough and tumble childhood, her cheating husband, her first love who in reality was a child molesting monster, her son's indiscretion with an underage girl and so much more.

"Jenni was such an amazing woman – it’s reflected in her fiery live performances and the music that would set many millions on the course for equal rights for women in a long male-dominated Mexican culture,” Shapiro added. "She was a star in a world that many of us did not know and only her sad, untimely death kept her from breaking out and having it all.”

This sale is also available at

allromanceebooks.com/Omnilitcom