A pair of short novels that explore a richly sensual relationship between a dynamic, dominant woman and a much younger submissive man. MINDING MARGERY. At 18, Kenneth is a sheltered, handsome youth with remarkable sexual stamina. During adolescence, Ken he became enamored with his mother's lesbian spouse, Margery, a beautiful woman 14 years his senior. To keep Ken safe from immoral young college girls, Margery initiates, to his delight and with his mother's consent, a program of supervised sexual relief, masturbating Ken daily. However, when Margery moves out after his mother’s death, Ken falls into a downward spiral, arrested only when she becomes his specially appointed guardian. Margery revives her program of sexual relief, now combined with a regimen of corrective discipline, intended to make Ken ideal husband material. In GRATIFYING GRETCHEN, Kenneth, now forty-one, drifts into the hands of the older and dominant Gretchen Brantwell, a professional masseuse who recognizes Ken's submissive nature. Once her control over him is established, she begins distributing his sexual services to other older women who share her female supremacist viewpoint. Finely crafted erotic fiction that celebrates the ripe, mature bodies of seasoned, sophisticated women.

When men stop making lecherous catcalls and Spanx get comfortable in your lingerie drawer, when marketers target you for Activia instead of $200 premium denim, when you have to start wearing makeup to get that “I’m not wearing any makeup” glow and are “ma’amed” outside the Deep South, it may dawn on you that somehow you have crossed an invisible line: You are not the young, relevant, in-the-mix woman you used to be. But neither are you old, or even what you think of as middle-aged. You are no longer what you were, but not quite sure what you are. Stephanie Dolgoff calls this stage of a woman’s life “Formerly,” the state of mind and body she herself is in now: Her roaring twenties are behind her, but she’s not in hot flash territory, either. My Formerly Hot Life, showcasing Dolgoff’s wacky and wise observations about this little-discussed flux time, demonstrates that becoming a Formerly is intensely poignant if you’re paying attention, and hilarious even if you’re not. From fashion to friendship, beauty to body image, married sex to single searching, mothering to careering (or both), Dolgoff reveals the upside to not being forever 21—even as you watch the things you once thought were so essential to a happy life go the way of the cassette tape. You may be formerly thin, formerly cool, formerly (seemingly) carefree, formerly cutting-edge, but in reading My Formerly Hot Life you are reminded that you are finally more comfortable in your skin (formerly obsessed with your weight), finally following your instincts (formerly ruled by the opinions of others), and finally happy with where you are (formerly focused on the guy or job you thought would take you where you thought you should be). While you may no longer be as close to the media-machine-generated idea of fabulous, you can do many, many more things fabulously. Wildly entertaining and inspiring, My Formerly Hot Life proves that once you let yourself laugh about that which is passing, life is richer, more fun, and more satisfying. Despite what you’re led to believe, growing older most certainly means growing better.

Smile! It's not just the end of your marriage, it's the beginning of your second chance!Missy Benson has a two and a half carat diamond engagement ring with color grade H, VS2 clarity and a value of $36,000. It's absolutely gorgeous, practically flawless, and let's be honest, really big!But what the successful Chicago realtor doesn't have anymore is a husband. After 12 years of marriage, her husband, Paul, a handsome, wealthy attorney has devastated her by breaking up their marriage for Priscilla Sommerfeld, a young, personal trainer, who according to Missy's sassy assistant, J.J., looks more like a Las Vegas stripper than a fitness expert.Not sure what to do with her ring, and with no financial issues to worry about, Missy decides to put it up for sale on Craigslist. The price: 99 cents! The catch: She gets to pick the buyer. In essence, she's looking for the perfect guy, but not for herself. Her hope is to regain faith that good men do exist, and that marriages can last forever.Now referring to herself as "the divorced girl," Missy interviews dozens of young men who are vying for the huge ring. It's a contest that includes outrageous characters, hilarious and sentimental stories, and two finalists, both of whom Missy adores and who she must choose between. Then there's Parker Missoni, the sexiest contestant by far, who drives her crazy with his brutal honesty, and at the same time stops her heart with his deep brown eyes.Divorced Girl Smiling is the story of a woman's journey to do whatever it takes to heal herself from divorce. It's about acceptance, reflection, taking accountability for mistakes, and appreciating all of life's wonderful gifts. In other words, if you have the guts to put the past behind, admit your mistakes, embrace your future, and give love another chance, you will surely be a divorced girl smiling.

The Bible is clear that women as well as men are created in God's image and intended to serve him with their lives. But what does this look like for women in the church? Helping church leaders think through what a Bible-centered women’s ministry looks like, this collection of essays by respected Bible teachers and authors such as Gloria Furman, Nancy Guthrie, and Susan Hunt addresses a variety of topics relevant to women. Whether exploring the importance of intergenerational relationships, the Bible’s teaching on sexuality, or women’s roles in the church and the home, this book of wise teaching and practical instruction will become a must-have resource for anyone interested in bolstering the health and vitality of Christian women in the context of the local church.

Millions of Americans are finding themselves on their own as they head toward retirement. Some are solo by circumstances, others by choice. Baby Boomers all of them, they are driving new trends in housing, work, caretaking and traveling, while also redefining what it means to be part of a community. These partner-less pioneers are rewriting the book on retirement as they learn what it takes to successfully retire solo and remain happy, healthy and independent in the coming years. Being solo is no longer just a stop on the way to a happy ending. For an increasing number of people, it's a lifestyle choice and the destination. Solo is a natural, dynamic state that we experience as we cycle in and out of life stages, living arrangements and relationships. The new reality is that most of us will spend more time solo than in a married or committed relationship over the course of our lifetime. And: It is almost certain that we will be solo during the later years of our lives. Nearly 10,000 Baby Boomers turn 65 every day - a reality that began in 2010 and is expected to continue through 2029. Few feel financially prepared for retirement. Those who are married are likely counting on a spouse's income to help save for retirement and to provide a second Social Security check in the future. Statistics, however, indicate that most married Boomers are destined to become solo again, whether through death or divorce. In short, there are no guarantees in life, whether you are solo, married or somewhere in between. It is likely that you will have to continue working, start a business or come up with another source of income to supplement whatever Social Security benefits you may earn. Have you thought about how you will spend your time in retirement, how or where you may want to live, how you will stay active and healthy in the years ahead, or who will be there for you as you grow older? You should. It's never too late, or too soon, to develop a plan to protect your independence and make sure that your coming years are happy, healthy and brightened by a sense of community. Retiring Solo will show you how to begin. --------------- Author Lori Martinek is a successful serial entrepreneur and an advisor and mentor to business owners. As a small business owner for nearly 30 years, Lori knew that she needed a plan to secure her future and protect her independence as she grew older. As a vibrant single woman with a passion for outdoor activities and social causes, Lori also wanted to protect her health and her mobility, stay active and engaged in the world around her, create a sense of community that would provide social opportunities and support, and find a way to 'live alone, but together' with other active adults. Her journey to create her personal retirement rebalancing plan also produced this book.

It's never too late for love... Holly has given up on dating, but the hot new guy at the office has his eye on her. The only problem is that he’s way too young for her. Nate can’t possibly be interested in a curvy 45-year-old when he can have his pick of women half her age. Or can he? The minute Nate lays eyes on Holly he is done. Done dating. Done playing around. Done looking. He’s finally found the one – he just needs to convince her he’s serious about her and that their age difference doesn’t matter. As they count down to the end of the year, can Nate convince Holly to make loving him her New Year’s resolution? “Countdown to Love” is the fourth book in the Good with Numbers holiday novella series. This steamy standalone workplace romance is a fun short read featuring a seasoned independent woman, a cocky younger man, meddling friends, and a holiday HEA. Keywords: contemporary romance, romantic comedy, later in life, midlife, friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, instalove, second chance, reunited, short read, romance novella, romantic novella, love at first sight, unexpected love, alpha male, curvy woman, strong female lead, steamy, series, humor, rich, funny, millionaire, billionaire, seasoned romance, comedy, romance, love, work, workplace, mature couple, romantic, silver fox, milf, bbw, boss, Christmas, Christmas romance, holiday, holiday romance, older woman, younger man, older woman younger man, OWYM, cougar, boy toy, party, New Year's Eve, New Year

From celebrity life coach and motivational speaker, Tony Gaskins Jr. and his wife, Sheri, comes an essential guide with hard-hitting truths about a woman’s undeniable influence on a relationship—and the power she has to change her man for the better. Tony Gaskins has inspired others by sharing his truth—drawing millions of followers online and making him one of America’s foremost experts on love and relationships. Now, he and his wife explore a woman’s positive impact on a relationship in this practical and accessible guide that walks you through a series of irreplaceable lessons on making personal changes that foster healthy relationships. Tony and his wife, Sheri, draw on their own relationship successes and failures as they examine the eighteen time-tested truths about how a woman’s influence can shift a relationship for the better—if used correctly. Including advice for women such as “you are not a maid,” “show don’t tell,” and the “72-hour rule”—where the woman makes herself totally unreachable to her partner—Tony and Sheri tackle all of today’s important topics such as misogyny and the “grown boy syndrome,” while never losing the empowering and empathetic tone that Tony’s loyal following has come to love and trust. Whether you are single, dating, engaged, or married, A Woman’s Influence is a hopeful response to a culture where men behave badly and women are victimized all too often. By providing a vision that empowers women to know their worth and simultaneously bring out the best in men, this guidebook can help you make a lasting, positive change to your relationship.

Persons of all ages struggle to survive losses and rewrite their life stories. Self-help books abound, yet seldom do we stop to consider living resources, the wise old persons who are among us. Gerontologists Janet L. Ramsey and Rosemary Blieszner have recorded narratives of spiritually resilient German and American women and offer here a rare combination of listening, personal story telling, and professional reflection. Avoiding simplistic answers and acknowledging the ambiguity of human experience, the authors give voice to a remarkably unheard group: strong old women. In this unique book you will find unforgettable stories of courage and faith but also provocative suggestions on how to enrich your clinical and academic work through an increased emphasis on spiritual coping. The authors also emphasize the importance of acknowledging emotions in spiritual experiences, and integrating faith and close human relationships.

Aging with Grace by the Power of the Gospel Whatever season of life you're in, God has equipped you to flourish—to live in the transforming power and beauty of his grace. As we age, we can easily lose sight of this message as cultural ideals glorifying youth take center stage. In this book, Sharon W. Betters and Susan Hunt offer present-day and biblical examples of women who rediscovered gospel-rooted joy later in their lives. Equipped with a biblical view of aging, Aging with Grace will help you encounter afresh the gospel that "is big enough, good enough, and powerful enough to make every season of life significant and glorious."

For fans of David Sedaris and Nora Ephron, a humorous, irreverent, and poignant look at the gifts, stereotypes, and inevitable challenges of aging, based on award-winning journalist Steven Petrow's wildly popular New York Times essay, "Things I'll Do Differently When I Get Old." Soon after his 50th birthday, Petrow began assembling a list of “things I won’t do when I get old”—mostly a catalog of all the things he thought his then 70-something year old parents were doing wrong. That list, which included “You won’t have to shout at me that I’m deaf,” and “I won’t blame the family dog for my incontinence,” became the basis of this rousing collection of do’s and don’ts, wills and won’ts that is equal parts hilarious, honest, and practical. The fact is, we don’t want to age the way previous generations did. “Old people” hoard. They bore relatives—and strangers alike—with tales of their aches and pains. They insist on driving long after they’ve become a danger to others (and themselves). They eat dinner at 4pm. They swear they don’t need a cane or walker (and guess what happens next). They never, ever apologize. But there is another way... In Stupid Things I Won’t Do When I Get Old, Petrow candidly addresses the fears, frustrations, and stereotypes that accompany aging. He offers a blueprint for the new old age, and an understanding that aging and illness are not the same. As he writes, “I meant the list to serve as a pointed reminder—to me—to make different choices when I eventually cross the threshold to ‘old.’” Getting older is a privilege. This essential guide reveals how to do it with grace, wisdom, humor, and hope. And without hoarding. Praise for Stupid Things I Won't Do When I Get Old: “Unbelievably witty and relatable, I alternated bursting into laughter and placing my hand over my face in horror thinking, Oh my God, is that me? I often say, at this age we have something young people can never have…wisdom. My dear friend, Steven Petrow, has wisdom to share in this honest, funny, wry guide to keep us young at heart, without desperately hanging onto our youth. I am buying this book for all of my friends!” —Suzanne Somers, New York Times bestselling author of A New Way to Age “Stupid Things I Won’t Do When I Get Old is an irreverent, funny, honest look at aging and all the things we take for granted as normal parts of aging. They don’t need to be. If you struggle with getting older and want to find a fresh perspective on lessons learned about what NOT to do as we age, and what TO do to stay young in heart, spirit, mind and body, read this book.” —Mark Hyman, MD, #1 New York Times bestseller author of The Blood Sugar Solution 10-Day Detox Diet, and Head of Strategy and Innovation at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Functional Medicine. “Steven Petrow resolved to do things differently than his parents had when he gets old because he wished they’d been able to enjoy life more. His solution? He created a list! In this book, he shares the secrets to living a full life regardless of our age. It's all about the decisions we make every day. My advice in a nutshell: Read this book and keep it handy.” —“Dear Abby” (Jeanne Phillips), nationally syndicated advice columnist “It’s never too early to imagine what your life will look like as you age. And as I once wrote, ‘We are not hostages to our fate.’ Petrow’s book will help you plan, think, and redefine what it means to get older—and even laugh while doing it.” —Andrew Weil, MD, New York Times bestselling author of Spontaneous Healing and Healthy Aging: A Lifelong Guide to Your Well-Being “Steven Petrow not only has a great attitude about life, he is wise about how to live it. Like me, he says we should embrace our one life 100% and not let a number—our age—get in the way of anything! Steven’s book will help you rethink the word “aging” and approach this next chapter with a positive and proactive attitude. Plus, this book is fun!” —Denise Austin, renowned fitness expert, author, and columnist “Steven’s writing feels like sitting with a friend—one who is unusually gracious, warm and frank.” —Carolyn Hax, author of the nationally syndicated advice column, Carolyn Hax Praise for Steven Petrow: "Steven Petrow's Complete Gay & Lesbian Manners helps gays and straights navigate the subtleties of the same-sex world." —People "Move over, Emily Post! When it comes to etiquette for members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community—as well as their straight friends, family members and coworkers--author and journalist Steven Petrow is the authority." —TIME "What could've easily become a novelty book has emerged as an exhaustively researched, essential resource thanks to advice columnist and etiquette expert Steven Petrow." —The Advocate "From having kids to planning funerals, Steven Petrow's Complete Gay & Lesbian Manners has most facets of gay life covered. Ms. Post would approve." —Entertainment Weekly "An indispensable refresher course...on what's proper in modern...life." —Kirkus Reviews