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Forever Young: Blessing or Curse
Fresh beginnings turn tragic when Dorrie Donato's husband, Larry, is killed in a hit and run accident a few months after starting a new job at the Life is for Living Institute.
Discouraged and desperate, after suffering countless setbacks, Dorie accepts an offer by Larry's boss, the famous Angel Man, to be the first to test an experimental pill designed to spin its user back to a desired age and stay on hold, yet retain all previous memories. The pill seems too good to be true.
Maybe it is.
Discouraged and desperate, after suffering countless setbacks, Dorie accepts an offer by Larry's boss, the famous Angel Man, to be the first to test an experimental pill designed to spin its user back to a desired age and stay on hold, yet retain all previous memories. The pill seems too good to be true.
Maybe it is.
280 pages, ebook
First published December 16, 2011
7 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Morgan Mandel
17 books56 followersAll of Morgan Mandel's books are available at http://amazon.com/author/morganmandel
Here's info on some of them:
Morgan Mandel has released a sequel to the humorous romance, HER HANDYMAN. While not giving anything away, let's just say the new romance, called A PERFECT ANGEL, centers around a character who was undeservedly harmed by the events in HER HANDYMAN, and deserved happiness in her own right. Although both books can be read independently of each other, you'll get better enjoyment through reading HER HANDYMAN first, which is the story of Jake, the hardworking handyman who meets a rich, quirky artist, thanks to her crazy dog who threw a toy into the toilet, resulting in bedlam.
In a different vein, Morgan Mandel's thriller, FOREVER YOUNG: BLESSING OR CURSE, depicts a 55 year old widow looking for a measure of happiness by taking a pill to be 24, only to realize getting old isn't the only way to die. A chance discovery about the pill has her fleeing both from the villains and the law.
The romantic suspense, KILLER CAREER, is about a lawyer who wants to quit her practice, and finds out her decision could kill her.
Also available is the romantic comedy, GIRL OF MY DREAMS, about the madcap adventures of a straitlaced assistant who enters a reality show with the prize of a billionaire. Unfortunately, the guy she most wants to impress misconstrues her motives, thinking she's a gold digger.
Morgan's debut mystery, TWO WRONGS, is set in Chicago, with many area landmarks, including Marshall Field's before it became Macy's, including the Big Tree in the Walnut Room at Christmastime, ice cream snowmen, DePaul University, Morgan's alma mater, Chase Park, and more.
A girl is murdered. Her brother knows who did it. Or does he? What happens if your mistake sends the wrong person to prison and now he's out and looking for revenge?
Here's info on some of them:
Morgan Mandel has released a sequel to the humorous romance, HER HANDYMAN. While not giving anything away, let's just say the new romance, called A PERFECT ANGEL, centers around a character who was undeservedly harmed by the events in HER HANDYMAN, and deserved happiness in her own right. Although both books can be read independently of each other, you'll get better enjoyment through reading HER HANDYMAN first, which is the story of Jake, the hardworking handyman who meets a rich, quirky artist, thanks to her crazy dog who threw a toy into the toilet, resulting in bedlam.
In a different vein, Morgan Mandel's thriller, FOREVER YOUNG: BLESSING OR CURSE, depicts a 55 year old widow looking for a measure of happiness by taking a pill to be 24, only to realize getting old isn't the only way to die. A chance discovery about the pill has her fleeing both from the villains and the law.
The romantic suspense, KILLER CAREER, is about a lawyer who wants to quit her practice, and finds out her decision could kill her.
Also available is the romantic comedy, GIRL OF MY DREAMS, about the madcap adventures of a straitlaced assistant who enters a reality show with the prize of a billionaire. Unfortunately, the guy she most wants to impress misconstrues her motives, thinking she's a gold digger.
Morgan's debut mystery, TWO WRONGS, is set in Chicago, with many area landmarks, including Marshall Field's before it became Macy's, including the Big Tree in the Walnut Room at Christmastime, ice cream snowmen, DePaul University, Morgan's alma mater, Chase Park, and more.
A girl is murdered. Her brother knows who did it. Or does he? What happens if your mistake sends the wrong person to prison and now he's out and looking for revenge?
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 19, 2012
Middle-aged Dorrie Donato, is newly widowed and realizes she has to find a way to pay outstanding bills from years her husband had been out of work. He had started a new job at the Life is for Living Institute, but he hadn't worked there long enough for them to pay off the debts from that long financial cold spell.
The book opens with a dramatic punch as Dorrie finds her husband, Larry, dying in the garage parking of the Life is for Living Institute. She calls for help, but it is too late. Larry is dead and she is faced with an uncertain future. Larry's boss, known as Angel Man, offers Dorrie a job and an opportunity to be the first person to take the Forever Young pill. This is the project her husband had been working on, and Angel Man knows Larry would approve. The pill could take her back in years and she could remain 24 forever.
In desperation she takes the pill and agrees to be the spokeswoman for the company, telling everyone what a wonderful opportunity Life for Living is offering to people - The Fountain of Youth.
In time, Dorrie discovers that Angel Man's interest in her is not coming purely from a good heart. She also starts to see evidence that there are problems with the pill and realizes that her husband knew about the problems. Was his death really an accident?
The mystery and intrigue in the story are strongly plotted and readers will be kept guessing until the very end. And even then, the guessing can go on beyond the story. I suspect we will be hearing more about Dorrie in the future.
The strongest writing is in the sections where the author shows the reader what is happening. That opening is one of them. The myriad of emotions that Dorrie experiences when she sees " A limp object lay sprawled in the parking lot where Dorrie was to meet her husband" are ones that any woman can relate to when something terrible happens to the person they love.
There were other places, however, where there was more telling than showing, and I would skim those sections quickly to get back to the action. I also had just a bit of a problem hanging in with Dorrie when she made some choices in her personal life. I thought the grief she would be working through after losing her husband should have had more emphasis in the story. Perhaps that is because I have worked so long as a hospital chaplain and have seen how overwhelming grief can be. Especially in a relationship as strong as the one Dorrie had with Larry.
That is purely a subjective opinion, however. I still enjoyed the story and would recommend the book to folks who like a quick, easy read with a fresh new concept and some good writing.
NOTE: I am a curmudgeon and very hard to please when it comes to a book. If I give one three stars it is because it is a good book and well worth someone's time and money. It is not, however, an excellent book, one that I got really excited about reading, nor is it a great book that I want to read again and again. This is a good book.
The book opens with a dramatic punch as Dorrie finds her husband, Larry, dying in the garage parking of the Life is for Living Institute. She calls for help, but it is too late. Larry is dead and she is faced with an uncertain future. Larry's boss, known as Angel Man, offers Dorrie a job and an opportunity to be the first person to take the Forever Young pill. This is the project her husband had been working on, and Angel Man knows Larry would approve. The pill could take her back in years and she could remain 24 forever.
In desperation she takes the pill and agrees to be the spokeswoman for the company, telling everyone what a wonderful opportunity Life for Living is offering to people - The Fountain of Youth.
In time, Dorrie discovers that Angel Man's interest in her is not coming purely from a good heart. She also starts to see evidence that there are problems with the pill and realizes that her husband knew about the problems. Was his death really an accident?
The mystery and intrigue in the story are strongly plotted and readers will be kept guessing until the very end. And even then, the guessing can go on beyond the story. I suspect we will be hearing more about Dorrie in the future.
The strongest writing is in the sections where the author shows the reader what is happening. That opening is one of them. The myriad of emotions that Dorrie experiences when she sees " A limp object lay sprawled in the parking lot where Dorrie was to meet her husband" are ones that any woman can relate to when something terrible happens to the person they love.
There were other places, however, where there was more telling than showing, and I would skim those sections quickly to get back to the action. I also had just a bit of a problem hanging in with Dorrie when she made some choices in her personal life. I thought the grief she would be working through after losing her husband should have had more emphasis in the story. Perhaps that is because I have worked so long as a hospital chaplain and have seen how overwhelming grief can be. Especially in a relationship as strong as the one Dorrie had with Larry.
That is purely a subjective opinion, however. I still enjoyed the story and would recommend the book to folks who like a quick, easy read with a fresh new concept and some good writing.
NOTE: I am a curmudgeon and very hard to please when it comes to a book. If I give one three stars it is because it is a good book and well worth someone's time and money. It is not, however, an excellent book, one that I got really excited about reading, nor is it a great book that I want to read again and again. This is a good book.
January 23, 2012
Review: Forever Young: Blessing or Curse by Morgan Mandel 5 Stars
Dorrie Donato’s world crashes as her beloved husband Larry dies in her arms. His last words set the stage in this riveting drama by Morgan Mandel.
Desire, control and life twist in surprising ways guaranteed to keep readers coming back for more as Donato searches for a return to her youth and finds consequences that throw her into a tailspin. She must decide what she values and who can help her survive as Mandel drives the plot towards a vortex readers won’t see coming. Gripping details create intense emotional reactions, that is how intense this story is and it should come as no surprise for readers already familiar with Mandel’s sharp skills.
Every page leads the action deeper into the minds of characters that come to life. From side ones like Dorrie’s best friend Jeanne, her late husband’s brother Steve and best friend Keith to the antagonist Roman Remington these people could almost walk off the pages. It is likely that they’ll be remembered after the final scene ends.
This is a book for those who crave action as well as those who yearn for love. Readers of crime and intrigue will enjoy the fast pace and challenge of guessing what surprises Mandel throws next. The length is nice for devouring the story in a few days; thereby, eliminating the long drawn out books that often clutter bookshelves.
I highly recommend this as a gift for someone special or yourself. The size of the book will feel comfortable to hold or you can enjoy it as an e-read. Pricing is fair and easily compares to others in the same category. Look for this masterful book to cause a scene for years to come.
Patti McQuillen
January 20, 2012
Dorrie Donato’s world crashes as her beloved husband Larry dies in her arms. His last words set the stage in this riveting drama by Morgan Mandel.
Desire, control and life twist in surprising ways guaranteed to keep readers coming back for more as Donato searches for a return to her youth and finds consequences that throw her into a tailspin. She must decide what she values and who can help her survive as Mandel drives the plot towards a vortex readers won’t see coming. Gripping details create intense emotional reactions, that is how intense this story is and it should come as no surprise for readers already familiar with Mandel’s sharp skills.
Every page leads the action deeper into the minds of characters that come to life. From side ones like Dorrie’s best friend Jeanne, her late husband’s brother Steve and best friend Keith to the antagonist Roman Remington these people could almost walk off the pages. It is likely that they’ll be remembered after the final scene ends.
This is a book for those who crave action as well as those who yearn for love. Readers of crime and intrigue will enjoy the fast pace and challenge of guessing what surprises Mandel throws next. The length is nice for devouring the story in a few days; thereby, eliminating the long drawn out books that often clutter bookshelves.
I highly recommend this as a gift for someone special or yourself. The size of the book will feel comfortable to hold or you can enjoy it as an e-read. Pricing is fair and easily compares to others in the same category. Look for this masterful book to cause a scene for years to come.
Patti McQuillen
January 20, 2012
January 18, 2012
I truly enjoyed this story, reading a few chapters each night just before falling asleep, and looking forward to my "story time" each night! Mandel's main characters are more than three dimensional,sharing their inner thoughts as the story develops. Her settings are very easily seen through the characters' eyes, and the story line itself is just far enough fetched to hold the reader's interest through the various twists and turns of the plot.
A loving wife, too soon widowed ... feeling both the loss of her husband, too soon after the loss of her mother ... and the loss of her home setting ... seemingly rescued by the Angel Man who's smooth veneer hides a smoldering narcissism ... her friends back home worrying at a distance... the various relationships ring true in the woman's life.
The ending is not an ending, but a tease. What will happen to Dorrie? What will happen to her child? Will she fall in love with her former flame? Will she continue to remain young? Will the Angel Man return in her future? Or will the Monster come after her?
The description of the following anthology, addressing the stories of more participants in the "Forever Young" experiment, doesn't address Dorrie's future ... perhaps a third title will follow?
A loving wife, too soon widowed ... feeling both the loss of her husband, too soon after the loss of her mother ... and the loss of her home setting ... seemingly rescued by the Angel Man who's smooth veneer hides a smoldering narcissism ... her friends back home worrying at a distance... the various relationships ring true in the woman's life.
The ending is not an ending, but a tease. What will happen to Dorrie? What will happen to her child? Will she fall in love with her former flame? Will she continue to remain young? Will the Angel Man return in her future? Or will the Monster come after her?
The description of the following anthology, addressing the stories of more participants in the "Forever Young" experiment, doesn't address Dorrie's future ... perhaps a third title will follow?
January 9, 2012
Employing a unique take on the appeal of the Fountain of Youth, Mandel draws the reader in from the first sentence where Dorrie's life changes forever with a situation that leads her on a path that not only helps her rediscover her youth, but also places her life in danger.
The reader sympathizes with the pain and suffering Dorrie experiences over the loss of her beloved husband, Larry, while perhaps feeling a bit jealous over this fictional character's ability to go back in time to the lovely woman she once was. Mandel does a superb job of delving into Dorrie's mind so the reader gets to experience everything right along with her. In what I felt was an excellent decision on the author's part, the reader is also able to understand the motives of Roman Remington, Larry's boss, and the gorgeous face behind the Life is for Living Institute. Switching between Dorrie's and Roman's points of view adds an extra emotional and gripping element to the story, especially as the suspense increases.
The ending is fabulous and sets up the sequel nicely. Forever Young is definitely worth checking out.
The reader sympathizes with the pain and suffering Dorrie experiences over the loss of her beloved husband, Larry, while perhaps feeling a bit jealous over this fictional character's ability to go back in time to the lovely woman she once was. Mandel does a superb job of delving into Dorrie's mind so the reader gets to experience everything right along with her. In what I felt was an excellent decision on the author's part, the reader is also able to understand the motives of Roman Remington, Larry's boss, and the gorgeous face behind the Life is for Living Institute. Switching between Dorrie's and Roman's points of view adds an extra emotional and gripping element to the story, especially as the suspense increases.
The ending is fabulous and sets up the sequel nicely. Forever Young is definitely worth checking out.
December 27, 2012
Morgan Mandel is a very talented writer who has come up with an intriguing and unique plot. She kept me turning the pages but "Forever Young, Blessing or Curse" was unlike any book I've ever read for two reasons.
First, the subject matter. The main character, Dorrie, through a chain of unfortunate events, has to make the decision whether or not to try the Forever Young pill, which her husband had been working on before his untimely death. She opts to take the pill and, because of her decision, her life becomes a terrifying roller coaster ride.
Second, I'm accustomed to reading novels (even novels in a series) with an ending that resolves the problem or, at the very least, leaves me satisfied. As I got closer and closer to the end, I couldn't imagine how the author would tie up all the loose ends by the end of the book. And she didn't. The next book in her series will pick up where this one left off. Will Dorrie escape her enemies and clear her name? Will she and Steve rekindle their romance? I'm sure the answers to those and many other questions will be revealed in the sequel.
First, the subject matter. The main character, Dorrie, through a chain of unfortunate events, has to make the decision whether or not to try the Forever Young pill, which her husband had been working on before his untimely death. She opts to take the pill and, because of her decision, her life becomes a terrifying roller coaster ride.
Second, I'm accustomed to reading novels (even novels in a series) with an ending that resolves the problem or, at the very least, leaves me satisfied. As I got closer and closer to the end, I couldn't imagine how the author would tie up all the loose ends by the end of the book. And she didn't. The next book in her series will pick up where this one left off. Will Dorrie escape her enemies and clear her name? Will she and Steve rekindle their romance? I'm sure the answers to those and many other questions will be revealed in the sequel.
December 26, 2012
So there were two questions that I could 't get past . . . Where was the FDA during this highly public "trial", and how come Dorrie's *old* friends didn't make any comment on her drastic appearance the first time they saw her?
November 10, 2014
The book had a very interesting premise, but two things really bothered me. First, a pill that reverses aging goes on the market with no FDA involvement. Medications require years of extensive and expensive testing before they can be marketed, and even natural health supplements that don't require FDA approval must follow stringent requirements on ingredient labeling and warnings. Then I reached the end of the book--but it's not the end of the story. Somehow, when I bought the book, I missed that it was part of a trilogy. Even in a series, I expect a satisfying ending to each book in the series, even if there are loose ends left hanging for the next installment. Nothing was tied up here--the book just ended without a resolution. Readers who like cliff-hanging endings in series book will probably enjoy this.
July 16, 2013
If you could take a pill and revert your middle-aged body back to a healthier, more youthful state, would you do it? Morgan Mandel addresses the ancient quest for the "fountain of youth" in a modern, thrilling, page-turning novel Forever Young: Blessing or Curse. I was hooked from the first page, which begins the roller coaster ride with the death of the heroine's husband. I eagerly followed Dorrie's journey through grief, loss of her job, and the chance to become a "human guinea pig" in a youth pill experiment. I look forward to the next book in the series.
April 9, 2013
The story line is great. I did see a few typos but they are pretty easy to get past. I had a hard time putting this book down. I look forward to more.
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December 27, 2011This book was written by me, so I hope you like it also!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews