Renee Ridgeway on Breast Health and Fitness

By Valencia S. Wood
Special to MyRomanceStory

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Renee Ridgeway, author and creator of Breast Health Exercises, has more than 28 years of experience in fitness and dance. Like most fitness professionals, Ridgeway is at the forefront of making fitness routines and information available anywhere and anytime by allowing her exercise program to be digitally distributed by Arrow Publications, LLC, to the Apple App Store and Amazon’s Kindle Store.

Breast Health Exercises focuses on a series of ten 20-minute exercises that have been developed to promote increased circulation in breast tissue. The exercises can be performed anywhere and anytime. The eBook includes instructional photos, as well. It was designed to provide stress relief, promote circulation and balance through the upper-mid body, breasts and surrounding muscles.

“I thought with all the discomfort large-breasted women experience, it might be a comforting solution to have exercises to release tension from the upper body and back,” says Ridgeway. “I also wanted to include stretching and comforting gentle exercises that release this tension.”

The idea to turn her exercise program into an eBook came about through a personal contact. “One of my Pilates clients is very knowledgeable about mobile content development and he introduced me to eBook publisher and distributor Arrow Publications and here I am,” Ridgeway explains. “I realized that I could make it my business to share what I love doing most and create an eBook for those in the world who are looking to become more aware of their own health and fitness.”

The great thing about this eBook is that it garners the interest of those who are exploring the science of exercise and nutrition and also anyone who has been fighting cancer. Breast Health Exercises brings to light the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and approaching health and fitness from a disease-prevention mindset. The American Cancer Society estimates that there would be about 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women in 2011.

Ridgeway’s research uncovered the work of Dr. Timothy Birdsall, Vice President of Integrative Medicine for Cancer Treatment Centers of America (a nationwide set of clinics that practice holistic and integrative medicine). He states that one of the best ways to limit the risk of breast cancer is to change the physical environment that is conducive to cancer growth. In an interview with Natural Solutions magazine, he said that a diet high in antioxidants, fiber, fruits and vegetables lowers the risk of breast cancer.

Ridgeway’s credentials are extensive. She has earned certifications in personal training and group exercise (with a focus on anatomy and physiology) from the following organizations: Reebok University, Philbin Fitness, Resist-A-Ball, Quantum Fitness, the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) and the American Council on Exercise (ACE). Ridgeway is certified to teach aerobics, step aerobics, cardio kickboxing, body sculpting and weights with the ball, as well as yoga and Pilates on the Ball. She looks forward to becoming certified to teach Reiki, Ashtanga and Sivananda Yoga, True Pilates (Romana’s Pilates) and Muscle Activation Technique.

For Ridgeway, everything started with her love for music and dance. She began her fitness career in the early 1980s with the YMCA, working as a corporate fitness instructor. Although she wasn’t convinced that she could make a living this way, she’d knocked on the fitness door and found it opened at the YMCA by Denise Manning, the corporate director. “Denise helped to train me…that’s really how it all began,” recalls Ridgeway.

Ridgeway credits Joseph Pilates with being one of her major career inspirations, the one who sparked her interest in fitness and health. Pilates developed floor exercises that evolved into what is known today as Pilates mat work. Additionally, he created a series of exercises that focus on breath awareness and spine alignment in order to strengthen the deep torso and abdominal muscles. Martha Graham was another inspiration. Graham was one of the pioneers of modern dance and a renowned choreographer.

Ridgeway founded the Pilates in the Forest Studio, in Laytonsville, Maryland. Also, she is currently pursuing an associate degree in dance from Montgomery College in Rockville, Maryland, and plans to enroll in the University of Maryland’s (College Park) Kinesiology and Exercise Science program soon. In addition to her new studio and studies, Renee teaches Pilates and other exercises at the Aspen Hill Club in Silver Spring, Maryland.

In the future, she plans to release a specialized fitness eBook for Pilates mat work. “I want to reach those people who are shy about going to classes and make it feel like a one-on-one experience,” explains Ridgeway. The planned eBook will contain examples of Pilates exercise work that can be modified but still maintain the program’s authentic form and tradition.

She will continue to nurture her many interests—languages (Norwegian, French, Spanish and Sanskrit), dance and music—as well as study Buddhism and comparative religion.

Ridgeway is married to Lindsay Ridgeway, and they have four grown children and three golden retrievers.

Breast Health Exercises is available at the Apple App Store and Amazon’s Kindle Store.

Marge Killilea: A True Midwesterner

Arrow caught up with the award-winning 88-year-old Wisconsin writer in between her gardening activities and trying to get her plays produced.

ARROW: Killilea is an interesting name. What’s its origin?
MK: Actually, it is an ancient Irish name. My father was Irish and my mother was Austrian German. The original Killileas came over to America during the potato famine in Ireland.

ARROW: Did your family always live in Wisconsin?
MK: We’re true Midwesterners. I’ve lived all my life in Oshkosh—a real sleepy town that’s slow to accept new things.

ARROW: Is that why you write about people from the Midwest?
MK: It’s what I know. We are a hardy lot. In my stories, I like to explore the humor and quirks of people from this region.

ARROW: Are you related to Henry Killilea, who was instrumental in founding baseball’s American League at the turn of the 20th century?
MK: Yes, as a matter of fact, he was my uncle. He owned the Milwaukee Brewers and the Boston Red Sox. His story was a sad one though. He died young.

ARROW: Your stories are very realistic and down to earth. Almost as if you are talking about real people.
MK: In some cases, real life stories inspired me. For example, in my story “Claudia’s Wish” (one of the stories in Sometimes It Takes Love) there really was a handsome widower who fell in love and married a rather plain woman—or so we thought—and had children later in life. They were very happy.

ARROW: Some of your stories are so romantic—did you write from your own life experiences, too?
MK: Well…I never married. I had rheumatic fever as a child and always suffered from a heart problem. So I decided that I couldn’t give 100% to a marriage, so I just made a life for myself. I never felt like I was handicapped. I lived within my boundaries. I would work 30 hours at accounting, and enjoy western dancing and playing tennis. I even remodeled houses.

ARROW: So no true romance stories are lingering in your past?
MK: Well, I wouldn’t say that! One of my almost love affairs was a seminary student who came back to Wisconsin so concerned about book learning he was annoying. I went with him for about two years. I even wrote poems about how conceited about book learning he was. Plus, if I went to the powder room, by the time I got back, he was trying to impress another woman!

ARROW: So you were always writing—and poetry, as well.
MK: Yes, my first love was writing poetry. It’s like an addiction—like doing crossword puzzles. It’s a wonderful hobby. I have two published poetry books, one called Poetry in Color, which I was inspired to write when I was doing work for the Paine Art Center, a historic mansion with art galleries and botanical gardens in Oshkosh. I have even written six plays, one of which won a prize many years ago. My play “Bedtime Story” was even being considered for an off-Broadway production but unfortunately nothing came of it.

ARROW: You mentioned that you were an accountant. What made you choose that career?
MK: I couldn’t afford to go to college. I tried to be a secretary, but during the war years, all the men were being drafted and since most accountants were men—that field opened up to me. I got into the field through an employer who was a CPA who trained me. Besides, my typing speed was not great. I was very happy to have a career.

ARROW: Besides writing, what keeps you busy these days?
MK: Heavens. I have 13 nieces and nephews—most of whom live in the area. Then I have my lap cat, Nickie, who is my constant companion. He’s nine years old. I got him from a shelter. And of course, when the weather is fine, I garden. I used to plant trees wherever I could. The last one I planted is in my backyard and it’s a Blaze maple, which is absolutely beautiful. It provides wonderful shade for a picnic.

ARROW: How do you feel about having your books available on computers and handheld readers? A long way from the traditional print book we’re used to.
MK: It’s fascinating how things change. Do you know the education system here is switching from hard copy to electronic books? They are giving students $100 a year in high school so they can get a computer and keep it when they leave. And I got a Nook for Christmas!

Killilea is the author of People Like You and Me, which is available in Amazon’s Kindle Store and the Apple App Store. She is also the author of the Love Stories from the Heartland series, which include: Love, After All; Sometimes, It Takes Love; and When Love Comes Along. The series is available from All Romance eBooks, Amazon’s Kindle Store and MyRomanceStory.com.

(Photo Credits: Above pictures of Brownie, Marge's schnoodle, and Nickie, her lap cat, provided by Marge Killilea.)

Win with Arrow Publications

There is still time to enter two fun contests sponsored by Arrow Publications.

Cooking with Honey Recipe Contest
Readers who have their own honey-based recipes can join in the fun of the Cooking with Honey Recipe Contest and qualify for some sweet prizes, including a custom gift box that contains a beeswax candle, lip gloss and honey-almond soap. Recipes will be judged on the use of honey as an integral part of the recipe, originality, taste, presentation and ease of preparation.

The contest runs until December 31, 2011, and winners will be announced January 31, 2012. For more information visit www.arrowpub.com/familyHoneyContest.html.

What's in a Name Contest
Help Lily and Tony name their book!

Author Niambi Brown Davis has written herself into a corner, and she needs your help.

Her novella, Sanctuary, is the story of lavender-grower Lily Lomax and New York Times bestselling author Tony Marchand. Their lust at first sight turns into much more. Can their love survive when one star is on the rise and the other about to crash and burn? But here's the problem—and your challenge—at the end of the book Tony tells his publisher his next book will be written with Lily.

Now Niambi needs a name for their book and she's turning to her loyal readers for suggestions. So, tell us what should Tony and Lily call their book?

Complete details are available at www.arrowpub.com/whatsInANameContest.html. All entries must be received no later than midnight November 30, 2011. Winners will be announced December 30, 2011.

Romance Poll Results

June
To kickstart the summer reading season we asked, where is your favorite summer reading place? There was a tie at 33.3% between poolside reading and those chillin’ in their air-conditioned houses. Our remaining responses showed a three-way tie at 11.1% for reading at the beach, on the deck or under a shady tree.

July
We were surprised by the unanimous opinion of respondents to our online dating question. One hundred percent said they found online dating effective enough (some good dates/going steady). We thought there might be some peaks and valleys in responses, but there was also a unanimous “no” to online dating being very effective, having a little effect or a waste of time. We wish continued happy dating to all!

August
Maybe it was just too hot in August to argue, but we had another tie as respondents were split 50-50 on whether they enjoy romance fiction that mirrors real life or romance fiction that’s an escape from real life. Guess this also proves that in romance fiction there is something for everyone.

September
In September we asked you to tell us what you should do with the ring if the engagement ends. We heard from 50% of respondents who said, “Keep it!” The rest were split at 25% each between returning the ring and selling it.

Inspired by our In the News section, this month we asked you pick the Queen of Romance. See the choices and tell us what you think at www.myromancestory.com/moreMyRomanceStory.php.

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In This Issue

• Renee Ridgeway on Breast Health and Fitness
• Marge Killilea: A True Midwesterner
• Calendar of Events
• Introducing MyRomanceStory’s Free Reads
• Notice Board
• Now Available at MyRomanceStory.com and the Amazon’s Kindle Store
• A Good Read: The Common Sense Clicker: Guide to Online Dating
• In the News
• Latest Romance Polls
• New Day: National Domestic Violence Awareness Month
• Win with Arrow Publications
• Arrow Publications Submission Guidelines

A Good Read!

The Common Sense Clicker: Guide to Online Dating
By H. Michael Bastien

We all want to find happiness with that perfect someone.

Online dating has its own rules and etiquette, which differ from those of the bar scene or any other in-person social gathering. If you are good at meeting the opposite sex in person, you may not be so good at it online. Online dating has its own set of skills that need to be mastered. You also have to be very aware of the nuances. You risk major misunderstandings if you do not know the rules. You may wreck a great thing before it starts or not catch on to something wonderful.

Available from Amazon’s Kindle Store, OmniLit, Barnes and Noble’s NOOK Store, MyRomanceStory.com and the iBookstore. Also available in paperback from Amazon.com.

Listen to H. Michael Bastien talk about his book and online dating on October 19 and 20 on the Wellness Authors Show. You can listen in other interviews with Bastien at www.TheCommonSenseClicker.com.

Introducing MyRomanceStory’s Free Reads

Everyone likes something free! And MyRomanceStory.com’s new Free Reads section is a great place to find some of your favorite romance and erotica authors and discover some new favorites. So, stop by our Free Reads section and curl up with your computer or eBook reader to enjoy short stories by Candy Caine and Niambi Brown Davis, as well as sample chapters and excerpts from Jodi Olson, Mary Suzanne and Constance Pennington Symthe. Our Free eBooks are available in PDF and ePub formats.

Now Available from MyRomanceStory and Amazon’s Kindle Store

Heat up those crisp fall nights with these hot and spicy romance and erotica eBooks.

From Viv Isaac

Sadistic Deviations
Rich, lusty, vengeful and gritty, Isaac takes what might seem at first glance to be behavioral hang-ups and turns them into sources of erotic, sadistic pleasures. Sadistic Deviations proves that we can never get too much of a good thing...and the thing you get is daring adventures and outrageous sex.

Available from MyRomanceStory.com, All Romance eBooks, the Amazon’s Kindle Store and Barnes and Noble’s NOOK Store.

The Sadist and the Masochists
Meet the bullwhip. Bondage and submission. An orgasmic story, told with titillating detail of every touch, each delicious sensation from these three hot, horny characters. First time spankings, role playing, a woman who straps it on and the man who gets to take it.

Available from MyRomanceStory.com, All Romance eBooks, the Amazon’s Kindle Store and Barnes and Noble’s NOOK Store.

The Seductive Whip
International intrigue, vengeance. Meet the bound, gagged and willing, young virgin. These sadistic adventurers will allow you to experience the thrills of sexual submission. You'll get the sense you are right in the room with them as they couple or triple in erotic, sadomasochistic encounters that will leave you aching for more.

Available from MyRomanceStory.com, All Romance eBooks, the Amazon’s Kindle Store and Barnes and Noble’s NOOK Store.

Unexpected
By Tinisha Nicole Johnson
For Dahlia Ray, a weekend up in the mountains away from work turns into more than just a relaxing get-a-way. Is tall, dark and sexy Jackson Bell, a Denver Bronco, just another name added to her list of disappointments?

Available from MyRomanceStory.com.

From Candy Caine

Christmas with a Stranger
Two days before Christmas, sassy Allie Benson found herself stranded in a wintry wilderness with wealthy, sexy Roy Colby. Staying warm was a priority. But the heat their bodies generated went way beyond what either of them had ever dreamed.

Available from MyRomanceStory.com, All Romance eBooks, the Amazon’s Kindle Store and Barnes and Noble’s NOOK Store.

Dangerous Attractions
Can a trailer-park blonde beauty overcome her sordid past to not only find herself living the life of a privileged princess, but finding true love in the arms of a lusty, tender, bronze-skinned man?

Available from MyRomanceStory.com, All Romance eBooks, the Amazon’s Kindle Store and Barnes and Noble’s NOOK Store.

Love with a Younger Man
Amber was sick of playing second fiddle to her boyfriend’s business deals. So she decided to “cougar” it with a blue-eyed hunk of masculinity. She never dreamed her hidden past would come back to haunt her and threaten the love she found with her young bedmate.

Available from MyRomanceStory.com, All Romance eBooks, the Amazon’s Kindle Store and Barnes and Noble’s NOOK Store.

The Housewife Diary
By Dominique LaSane
The Housewife Diaries takes a peek into the lives of the residents of upscale Thomaston Estates. In this community filled with the city's elite, we soon find that money does not make you immune to troubled relationships and marriages on the verge of ending.

Available from MyRomanceStory.com, All Romance eBooks, the Amazon’s Kindle Store and Barnes and Noble’s NOOK Store.

The Romance Divine Collection

MyRomanceStory.com is also pleased to offer eBooks from publisher Romance Divine, LLC in our eBookstore. Look for your favorite authors, including Elizabeth Black, Bryn Colvin, Ronna Gage, Andrea Glenn, Bailey Griffin, Jodi Olson, J.A. Rawls, Mary Suzanne and Constance Pennington Smythe. These eBooks are available in PDF and ePub formats.

In the News

The Latest in Romance Fiction, Publishing and Books!

Ellora’s Cave RomantiCon 2011–The Time Machine
By Barbara Vey, Publishers Weekly
Ellora’s Cave Publishing publishes romance fiction they call Romantica® that reads from a little curl of steam to sizzling hot erotica, and has a tremendous following of readers. This was the 3rd RomantiCon, an event they host for their authors and devoted fans.

Read more: http://blogs.publishersweekly.com/blogs/beyondherbook/?p=4959

Library to lend Nooks, Kindles
Fond du Lac Reporter
The Fond du Lac Public Library will lend Nook and Kindle e-reader devices to anyone holding a local library card starting Monday, Oct. 10.

Read more: http://www.fdlreporter.com/article/20111006/FON0101/110060379/Library-lend-Nooks-Kindles

Shortlists for Brand New Romantic Fiction Awards Announced
Book-2-Book/Booktrade.info
The Festival of Romance is delighted to announce the shortlists for the inaugural Romance Reader Awards. Some seven publishers are represented on the shortlists, with a hat trick for independent publisher Choc Lit.

Read more: http://www.booktrade.info/index.php/showarticle/36148

Author Debbie Macomber writing again, still grieving son's loss
By Chris Henry, Kitsap Sun
Debbie Macomber has taken up her pen again and returned to the publishing world, although tentatively, since the tragic death of son Dale in August.

Read more: http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/oct/06/author-debbie-macomber-writing-again-still-sons/#ixzz1a8Kc8fcv

Book Review: Jane Austen: Blood Persuasion
By Jem Bloomfield, California Literary Review
Are “splice” books like Pride and Promiscuity: The Lost Sex Scenes of Jane Austen and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies to be read as a form of midrash? … Luckily, in the case of Jane Austen: Blood Persuasion, there is very little dilemma. Mainly because this is not pastiche, adaptation or even Jane Austen fan fiction. It’s more like True Blood fan fiction.

Read more: http://calitreview.com/19605

Top Five: Who reigns supreme in romance?
By Ann Tatko-Peterson, Contra Costa Times
It's a big week for romance fans. Nora Roberts' latest J.D. Robb novel, New York to Dallas, and the U.S. release of Jackie Collins' Goddess of Vengeance hit bookstores Tuesday. Which makes one wonder—if Mary Higgins Clark is the Queen of Suspense…who reigns supreme in romance?

Read more: http://www.mercurynews.com/entertainment/ci_18862967

Rare Pancreatic Cancer Caused Steve Jobs' Death
By Vidushi Sinha, Voice of America
Apple co-founder Steve Jobs' death at the age of 56 followed a seven-year battle with a rare form of pancreatic cancer - the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.

Read more: http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Rare-Pancreatic-Cancer-Caused-Steve-Jobs-Death--131317684.html

New Day: One Woman's Journey Through Domestic Violence

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. In his presidential proclamation, President Barack Obama wrote, “We recognize the significant achievements we have made in reducing domestic violence in America… Despite tremendous progress, an average of three women in America die as a result of domestic violence each day…even more sobering when we consider that domestic violence often goes unreported.”

Marcia Roberts is a teacher, a mother, a writer and a survivor of domestic violence and abuse. New Day: One Woman's Journey Through Domestic Violence, Roberts’s inspiring story of survival, is a must read this month and every month. Look for the eBook at Amazon’s Kindle Store and the Apple App Store.