How to Date a Girl That Is Out of Your League

Following is a link that we would like to share with our readers.

http://www.topdatingsites.com/blog/2010/how-to-date-a-girl-that-is-out-of-your-league/  


Enjoy!

Submitted by Donna Cullen

Announcing the Launch of Fresh Goddess™ - A New Online Magazine for Women

A New Online Magazine for Women

Fresh Goddess™ is an online magazine featuring inspirational, informative and intriguing content for women of all backgrounds. Fresh Goddess™ offers women a dose of self-love merged with urban Zen flavor. Founder and editor, DuEwa Frazier created Fresh Goddess™ to inspire women to get ahead, shine bright and live with balance and inner clarity. Fresh Goddess™ addresses issues and perspectives related to health and wellness, spirit, life purpose, dating, relationships, beauty, style and more.

Frazier has experience creating online content for women. She previously wrote inspirational and self-help articles as a contributing writer for both MysisterMyself.com and MahoganyButterfly.com. Her popular column, “Fly Butterfly,” featured inspirational essays and was published at MahoganyButterfly.com. Freshgoddess.com is among several of Frazier’s online ventures including her internet radio show Rhymes, Views & News Talk Radio and official website DuEwaWorld.com.

An entrepreneur at heart, Frazier is no stranger to launching creative and successful businesses. She founded Lit Noire Publishing, a creative arts and publishing organization in 2002 with the release of her first book of poetry Shedding Light From My Journeys. Frazier has since published and edited several publications including the NAACP Image Award nominated anthology, Check the Rhyme. As a writer, her poetry, essays, editorials and arts profiles have been featured in Essence, Poetry Ink, Drumvoices Revue, Poetry In Performance, Reverie, Kweli, Allhiphop.com, DaveyD.com, Mosaic and many others.

Fresh Goddess™ readers can subscribe to the website, leave comments and follow the site via social networking. Visit Fresh Goddess and connect through social media at Twitter: @freshgoddess and Facebook: Fresh Goddess™ “Like” page.

Steps to Better Health and an Out of This World Sex life. :)

March is National Nutrition Month, a time to evaluate your food selections and eating habits. Here are a few recommendations to help you maintain a healthier lifestyle and maybe add more spice in the bedroom.

• Phone calls have fewer calories than snacks, unless you eat and talk at the same time. Try to eat more nutritious snacks such as dry fruits, nuts and seeds.
• Eat in moderation.
• Go natural. Consume more whole grains, legumes, fruits and vegetables.
• When it comes to dessert, desert the table and limit your consumption of refined sugars.
• Go easy on alcoholic beverages. Get high on water.
• Check to see if your number is up by having your blood cholesterol tested. A desirable number is under 200.
• Become a private investigator and make it your business to examine food labels.
• Walk!
• Add more spice to your life. Use herbs and spices in place of salt.
• Expose yourself to the natural sunlight. This is one way to get your Vitamin D. About 15 minutes will do it.
• Limit your fat intake to fewer than 30% of your total calories for the day.
• Make meat a side dish and not the main course.
• Keep a tight rein on fry foods. Bake, boil, broil, poach or steam.

These guidelines are just that, guidelines. There is no need to deny yourself when it comes to certain foods, unless you are on a restricted diet or under a health professional’s care. Remember, we are talking about eating naughty foods in moderation not eliminating these foods from your life forever. Enjoy!

Online Dating: 5 ways to benefit your search by Ivana

It cannot have escaped your attention that the well-trodden paths of conventional dating have been looking a little empty of late as thousands of people are taking the game online. For many it’s liberating and enables the shyer   among us to take the time to construct a profile and build a relationship slowly and carefully. Here are a few tips on how to make the most of this wealth of opportunity:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30528709@N07/4650134181/

1. Decide on your objective

Whether you’re looking for casual friendships that might become something more or you’re in the market for marriage, there are services to suit your every need. So choose your dating website carefully, as deliberate selection will lead to more fruitful results.

2. A recent – and natural – photo is vital

Of course it's tempting to use that old photo of you from 10 years ago, or the more recent one that's been edited to within an inch of its life, but by having something simple and likeable from the beginning, you’re putting yourself in far better stead to meet someone real. Of course you don't need to show what you look like first thing in the morning right off the bat, but something natural and expressive of your personality and interests will make you far more compelling.

3. It's quality not quantity

Don't be afraid to be a little specific in your profile. It’s important to remember you’re looking for someone who responds to you, not a superhero with your face. So maybe you don't have aspirations to donate your possessions to charity and go off to find yourself on top of a mountain, but finding someone who‘ll veg out on the sofa on a Sunday with you will be far more gratifying in the long run than admiring responses from people who don't match you. The same goes for the emails you send: don't hedge your bets by sending mass proposals to as many people as you can; find some who truly interest you and message them individually.

4. Easy does it

A little apprehensive of the pressure that a full-on dinner date might bring? Why not try easing yourself into it with a quick coffee Think of it as something of a pre-date: it will enable you to scope each other out, without the nerves that can sometimes overtake potentially awkward situations, and you can decide to take it further from there.

5. Don't lose heart!

It isn't about finding anyone – it’s about finding someone special. If you’ve chosen your dating website carefully and been realistic, then you’re in the same boat as very many others looking for the same kind of thing. So don't be disheartened if your search appears fruitless to begin with: you’re not looking for a quick fix, but a long-term conclusion, which deserves some time and patience.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/30528709@N07/4650134181/

Meet Marian L. Thomas, Author of My Father's Colors-The Drama-Filled Journey of Naya Monà Continues

Marian L. Thomas, reared in Chicago but lives with her biggest-supporter—her husband and their spoiled but playful dog, Winston in Atlanta, Georgia. She received her Bachelor's degree in Business Communication, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Marian writes with a box full of colors in her head. Using the analogy of a crayon box to describe the struggles and journeys of women, has become her literary trademark. Readers have been captivated by her emotional appeal and her flare for reality that continues to be weaved within the pages of her books. Her debut title, Color Me Jazzmyne, went on to become an Amazon Best-seller. Reaching #1 in the Rhythm & Blues category, #2 in Inner-Child and #7 in Performance/Voice for the amazing melodious tones developed through the voice of her main character, Naya Monà. Color Me Jazzmyne was also ranked as one of the "Top 100 Books" - 1st Qtr 2010 by the Sankofa Literary Society Review.

Marian welcomes the release of her second book, My Father's Colors-The Drama-Filled Journey of Naya Monà Continues on March 1, 2011. It is sure to be another best-seller for the author as it takes you on the journey of four individuals that lead to one destination filled with betrayal, lies and shocking secrets.

Synopsis:

Naya Monà is back on another emotional and drama-filled roller coaster as she finds herself fighting to find her voice, discover her father's past and search for her daughter. How do you find a daughter you never knew you gave birth to?

Then there's Chris - her husband. How far would one go for love? That is the question that Chris wastes no time answering. He will do whatever it takes to remove his wife’s pain, even if it means being the one to cause her the most.

Let's not forget Misty. Fame and Fortune have been the determining factor for Misty ever sense her father passed away. How far will she go, this time, to achieve it?

Introducing, Carl Thompson. Carl has found the love of his life, only she doesn’t know it. Green eyes and hazel brown hair fill his dreams for the future. Does he have enough love for the both of them?

Join best-selling author Marian L. Thomas as she takes you through the captivating pages of My Father’s Colors. This book is guaranteed to make you laugh, cry and get caught in the drama-filled story of a woman’s journey!

You're invited to get to know the author by visiting her website at: http://www.marianlthomas.com/, where readers can view book trailers, purchase her books through online retailers or get signed author copies. Or you can send her an email at info@marianlthomas.com 

The Pit Stop Schedule:

http://www.assistingauthors.com

http://azpublishingservices.blogspot.com

http://www.lorisreadingcorner.com

http://hotgossiphotreviews.blogspot.com

http://waterytart23.blogspot.com

http://lisahaseltonsreviewsandinterviews.blogspot.com/

http://rhodesreview.com

http://cindy-vine.blogspot.com

http://kristenhaskins.blogspot.com

http://authorsbyauthors.blogspot.com

http://louisewise.blogspot.com

http://bkwalkerbooksetc.blogspot.com

http://walkermuse.blogspot.com

10 Things Men Admire About Other Men

We would like to share the link to the article 10 Things Men Admire About Other Men. Enjoy!

http://www.bestdatingsites.org/blog/2011/10-things-men-admire-about-other-men/ 

This link was submitted by Mary Edwards.

The Funniest or Worst Gifts People Have Received on Saint Valentine’s Day

Today is St. Valentine’s Day. Rather than talk about the origins or what it means to take part in this celebration, we thought adding humor to this special day would be unique. So we put out a call for the funniest or worst Valentine’s Day gifts that people have received. Whether the gifts were seen as funny or downright dreadful, we could not stop laughing and hope you enjoy reading these submissions as much as we did.

 

Happy Saint Valentine’s Day!

A Justin Bieber statue. Submitted by JJ

A dead flower. Submitted by M

A Justine Bieber CD…I still have nightmares…baby baby baby oh…make it stop! Submitted by D

A Dirt Devil Vacuum cleaner. Submitted by C

Last year I got a frog that turns into a prince when you put it into water. Submitted CH

& & & &

 

On our first (and last) Valentine's Day as a couple, my (now EX) boyfriend, who had come back from drill (Air Force reserves and full time commercial airline pilot) told me he had something for me. He warned me that it wasn’t anything big but that it was something he wanted to get for me. He dug around in his workout bag then pulled out and handed me a set of bean bag juggling balls and a ‘how to’ book on juggling...as Valentine’s gifts! I’m thinking to myself, WTH? Who am I? COCO the Clown?!

Now here’s a little background on this...A few weeks earlier he and I were standing in my kitchen talking and he just happened to pick up a couple of oranges and an apple and began to juggle them. I expressed how I’d tried to learn how to juggle many times but just couldn’t manage it. So, over the next forty-five or so minutes he took it upon himself to teach me how to juggle. Never in my wildest and/or worst dreams did I think he would believe that some bean bag balls and a how to book on juggling would make good Valentine’s presents.

He even had the nerve to be surprised at my pointed lack of enthusiasm for the terrible gifts. Needless to say, he didn’t last long after that. lol

'KiKi' aka Naomi James, author of Untamed: Dacien & Tia and The Bride and The Barbarian. Now Available through Whispers Publishing www.whispershome.com    

The Third Cord - www.naomijames.blogspot.com

 

A How-to Book on Understanding the Woman in Your Life

You meet a woman, and it is love at first sight. The two of you go through the hot and heavy dating phase. In your mind, it will be a never-ending blissful and romantic relationship, but something goes haywire and the connection is doomed before it gets off the ground. Your scratching you head and asking, “What went wrong? I thought I was doing everything right for my woman.” Don’t fret, the answers are in the new book, 101 Behaviors a Guy Needs to Understand about his Woman by James Ian Woode.

The book, which debuts on February 14, 2011, is not just for men, but women will also find the book very informative and laced with witty advice. It will provide the reader with the necessary skills to keep the woman in your life happy. Starting with the dating and relationship phase and moving on to marriage, the author covers important factors that a man must consider, such as family, finances, appearance, personal hygiene, sharing in the housekeeping, time management, driving skills, dining do's and don’ts, dancing gestures, trust issues, intimacy, chivalry, and loyalty, just to name a few. Having a clear understanding of these important points is a must if the relationship is going to be sustainable.

The author does not claim to be a relationship expert, but the many behaviors that are discussed in the book, which he says, “Are fairly typical during the dating phase of the relationship,” will allow you to work toward developing a solid and lasting bond.

To give you a peak inside, here are few excerpts from 101 Behaviors a Guy Needs to Understand about his Woman:

“Your woman comes home and can’t wait to take a bath, which you already started for her. She towels off and since the water was so soothing she has already envisioned how she wants to look for you tonight. With her hair up and her shoulders peeking out above the cloth that she is wrapped in, she opens her panty drawer and notices that things have been shifted around. Her first inclination is that maybe she left it that way but then she remembers that she placed the new pair of silky panties in the front right corner and not tucked under the ugly Barbie ones that read “you KEN enter.” Believe me when I say that she knows her panties whereabouts better than you.”

“So you’re sitting there among her friends and trying your hardest to demonstrate how wonderful you are and how they should gladly accept you as a mate for your woman. However, your woman isn’t giving you the opportunity to answer any of the several questions flying your way. Your typically reserved babe leaps to intercept questions and responds for you. This is driving you nuts but you know you can’t tell her that, or her friends, at least not right now. The other ladies present take everything your woman says as gold and you realize that even though the work is being done for you, you would like to show that you can stand on your own two feet.”

“You’re newly married and over the past few months, your lovely woman has been providing you with some serious gourmet goodies. You have no trouble shoveling those beauties down your throat and compliment her on her skills in the kitchen. Over time, your gourmet babe realizes that you don’t really participate anymore in helping with her food creations. She starts giving you little messages like, “Hey honey, will you come help me in the kitchen please.” Unfortunately for her, the game is on and you don’t move from the couch. So, she throws a spoonful of handmade pasta at your head.”

“The day is going great and you and your bride-pride have been hanging out all day together. After walking through the park you decide to stop at a small deli to get a nice salad and sit on the upper deck. You hand over the credit card to the cashier who returns and whispers that it has been declined. You insist trying again before your woman sees the concern and embarrassment on your face but it’s declined once more. You turn to your babe and she rolls her eyes at you. Her expression is one look away from vomiting as she smacks you on the back and asks, “What happened to our money?”

“Recently, your woman purchased you a gym membership for a birthday present and, with her persuasive smile, has stated that she would love for the two of you to work out together. In bed, you are no longer snuggly material as she is having difficulty wrapping her arms around you. She frowns when you raise that cheeseburger to your mouth and mumbles that you need to go on a diet or something. Her nagging has become quite the routine in your conversation and she even threatens to stop feeding you until you drop a few pounds. Your woman is constantly on you about how unattractive you’re becoming and is embarrassed by the plump man you’ve become!”

“For the next few days, your woman doesn’t really say much to you and your response to her is fairly equal. The thought of watching an adult movie with your woman seems less than gentlemanly to you and you pride yourself on being the guy that you are. You tell your woman that you aren’t comfortable enough to do this and she gets frustrated with you because you are not even willing to explore other things with her. The next night in bed, your woman just lays there while you try to prove to her that you’re good enough to meet all of her needs. Unfortunately, she has other things on her mind and isn’t getting into you as much as you hoped for. Your woman asks you to get off of her and let her go to sleep. She tells you that she isn’t willing to open up for you either!”

    

Jaymes Ian Woode

About the Author

Jaymes Ian Woode, M.Ed., has worked in counseling for over 15 years, discovering and teaching how relationships can, and will be, lively, fun, and filled with romance when two people are willing. He is also a man who learns from experience and likes to pass it on. Jaymes believes that every relationship stands a strong chance to be successful if it starts on the right, and left, foot!

Check Out His Book At: www.writethroughthestorm.blogspot.com

Give The Gift of Books on Valentine’s Day

Are you stumped on what to buy that special person for Saint Valentine’s Day? Are you tired of giving lingerie, flowers, chocolate or jewelry, yet again? Why not consider giving book(s) with a twist of romance, lust, deception, scandal and revenge. Following are some of the most tantalizing books that will definitely kick start a day of passion, intimacy and desire.

White Wedding by Ursula Sinclair

Shanna Stiles hasn't been a virgin for years, but it's still her dream to have a white wedding. Her dream becomes a nightmare when, just before she walks down the aisle, her fiancé is seen kissing his best man.

She runs away from her life, and a chance encounter with the gorgeous, successful Ross Marshall leads to a week of passion and a connection neither of them expected. Ross is determined to have a future with Shanna, but someone out there won't let it happen. Shanna returns home and soon discovers disturbing secrets about the people she trusts.

With so much stacked against her, she looks to Ross for protection and comfort, and it turns out he may be exactly what she needs--except the man she left at the altar isn't giving her up without a fight.

Buy Link: Decadent Publishing

Buttercup by Sienna Mynx

Ain’t nothing sweeter than the forbidden. Her name is Buttercup. And he’ll kill them all before he’ll let her go...

It is the 1930s, the era of Al Capone, John Dillinger, Baby Face Nelson, Ma Barker, and Bonnie and Clyde. When gangsters, bootleggers, bank robbers and racketeers ruled the night and the law. Amongst them, a young bank outlaw is blazing his way to infamy. He’s known as Silvio ‘Bloodshot’ Garelli. Bitter over the untimely death of his childhood friend and his wrongful incarceration, Silvio, now again on the outside, is determined to live his life by the gun. But his love for a colored hooch dancer at a carnival haunts him with painful memories that keep him seeking answers.

Her name is Buttercup. Born and raised in a dustbowl carnival by a midget named Tiny and a fading beauty ex-Vaudeville dancer, she’s got a secret. Fate intervenes. Silvio and his band of brothers stumble upon a rural country town—and Buttercup’s carnival. She fears he wants revenge for all he’s lost due to their brief love affair. But what he wants will ignite passions, and fury, beyond either of their imaginings. And when the dust settles, so does the matter of love between them.

Buy Links:
Romance e-books  
Amazon  
Barnes and Nobel

Messalina – Devourer of Men by Zetta Brown

When life imitates art...expect to be framed. Eva Cavell is a woman with an embarrassing secret. She is sexually frustrated and believes her size and race intimidates men. In an attempt to relieve her sexual tension, every Thursday she goes to a local movie theater and allows strangers to fondle her in the dark. During one of her escapades she meets renowned artist, Jared Delaney, a smooth Southern gentleman with irresistible violet eyes. He has been watching Eva on her weekly visits and sees through her icy defence straight to the hot passion burning underneath. But Eva has an image to uphold as a tenure-track instructor at a private Denver college and as the youngest child of a prominent black family. Will she ever be able to live her life how she wants and without shame? In order to do so, she has to own up to her own choices in life.

Buy Link: Logical-Lust Publications  - Available also at Amazon.com, All Romance e-Books, and many other online retailers

Lover's Brew by Dana Littlejohn

Summer is forced to go to a Valentine’s Day party with her boss. She’s reluctant because this is a day for lovers and she doesn’t have a lover and hasn’t for a long time. At the party she meets the charming Peter Cook and he takes an instant shine to Summer leading her down a path of sensuality that she follows without thinking twice. When their time together comes to an end she worries that she’ll be fired for ducking her boss to be with Peter. Will she be able to save her job and have Peter too when the party is all said and done?

Buy Link: Amira Press

Author’s Sites:
http://www.danalittlejohn.net/
www.facebook.com/danalittlejohn

ERIS (Eternal Truths Series, Book 1) by D. Renee Bagby

Time is on their side and they can be together, assuming the truth doesn't ruin everything first.

Immortals born in the thirteenth century, Lucien Riordan and Ranulf Styr have waited centuries to be reunited with their love. Want for her cemented their friendship through time even as it tore it apart. She changed their lives, made them want better, and they plan to show her that. There’s only one catch—she’s never met them before.

Eris Brue is flattered by Lucien and Ranulf’s attention but they are her bosses. She doesn’t want to get tangled up in an office romance, especially not with two men. Their joint seduction overcomes her resolve and she gives in even though she knows they are keeping secrets that could doom their relationship.

Centuries of planning have finally come to fruition. Lucien and Ranulf have a short amount of time to make Eris love them, because once time has her, everything could come to an end.

Buy Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/eris

Author’s Site: http://dreneebagby.com/

RITE MEN FOR MAYA by Zenobia Renquist

Sometimes fishing for love requires two lures.

Maya is a half human, half merman who has decided to attend the fertility-virility rite and learn more about her merman heritage. The rite is meant to help mermen find their perfect mates, but Maya is only interested in using it as research.

Tam and Kessen are participants who are searching for their third. They are drawn to Maya and she to them. But, she refuses to acknowledge the bond and runs. Tam and Kessen must pursue her through her dreams if they hope to make their love a reality and prove they are the right men for Maya.

Buy Link: Changeling Press

Author’s Site: http://zenobiarenquist.com/

SNOWBOUND VALENTINE'S DAY (Book 3 in the Snowbound Series) by Veronica Tower

Valentine’s Day – It’s the most romantic evening of the year and Kara and Ron are planning to celebrate it right: the ballet, a romantic dinner, capped with a very special night in an expensive hotel suite. At least, that’s what they were planning before Kara’s sister calls desperately needing someone to replace her sick babysitter while she and her husband spend the long Valentine’s Day weekend in Jamaica. Suddenly Kara is exchanging roses for afternoon cartoons, the ballet for kids racing around the house, and a night with the man she loves for a long weekend snowed in at her sister’s home in suburbia. Can anything restore the fun and romance to this Snowbound Valentine’s Day?

Buy Link: Red Rose Publishing

NOT ANOTHER DATELESS VALENTINE'S DAY by Veronica Tower

It was happening again!

February was here and Kathy still didn’t have a date for Valentine’s Day. What was wrong with these guys? Kathy was sexy and fun, but no one ever noticed that come February. No, it was always some other woman who got the flowers sent to her office, the chocolates delivered to her desk, or that special piece of jewelry presented at the restaurant. And it was definitely always some other woman who got swept off her feet and taken home for a night of incredible, mind-blowing passion.

This year Kathy wanted in on the magic and she was pulling out all of the stops to make it happen. Slinky dresses, spiked shoes, alluring perfume, she’d do whatever it took to get the right man’s attention. This year, come February 14th, Kathy wouldn’t be the one sitting at home. Whatever it took this would not be another dateless Valentine’s Day.

Buy Link: Red Rose Publishing

Malicious Acts by Vivienne Diane Neal

Passion, Love and Romance Can be Shattered by Deception and Betrayal.

An anthology of five fictional short stories, focusing on men and women who will stop at nothing to get what they want. If it means disguising themselves as benevolent individuals and destroying lives along the way, they are up for the thrill. They will use romance, lust, greed, manipulation and deceit as preludes to suck unsuspecting people out of their nest egg. Some of the characters are ruthless and as well as amusing. Paradise Baptiste, a loner, wanted to have it all, at any cost and was going to fulfill her dreams at someone else’s expense. Tiana Bates was a successful realtor who bit off more than she could chew and would end up losing it all. Harry Goto, thought he was the world’s smartest con artist and above reproach, but fate was about to deal him a cruel hand. Faith Bell, a fashion designer and business owner fell in love with an attorney. For her it was love at first sight, but he had other ideas and would put together a plot that would destroy her company. Serenity Jones, thought she met the love of her life, but her dreams were about to become a nightmare on duplicity road. Which characters will end up having it all and living happily ever after or sadly ever after?

Buy Link: Lulu

Author’s Site: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B003ONO6G4

Calls for The Funniest or Worst Valentine’s Day Gifts That You Have Ever Received

Have you ever received a Valentine’s Day gift that made you chuckle or cringe. If so, we would like to hear from you.

Send your submissions to hmcsromanceinternational@juno.com and in the subject line type Funniest Valentine’s Day Gift.

February 4, 2011 is the deadline for sending in your submissions. We will go live with the results on February 14, 2011 starting at 12 AM.

Meet Jacob Burrage, Author of Caught Up

If you haven’t heard of Jacob Burrage, it will not be long before this author takes the literary industry by storm if he hasn’t already. Jacob is the Publisher & CEO of J. Burrage Publications, LLC and the author of Caught Up, a contemporary urban literature (fiction). He wrote the book in 2006. Its First Edition was published in November 2007, and the Last Edition in June 2010. The sequel to Caught Up, The Forbidden Lounge, will be released in July 2011.
 

One World Singles Magazine Blog had the opportunity to talk with Jacob. He took time out of his busy schedule to share his reasons for becoming a writer and offers some inspiring advice to would-be authors.

Q. Jacob, Please, tell our readers something about yourself.

A. Well, I am a simple young man. I was born and raised in Mississippi and I left when I was 18 to join the Army. After spending nearly 11 years in the services, I left in March 2010 and went full force with my writing and with the development of J. Burrage Publications, LLC. I started writing at around age 10 and been writing every since. In addition to contemporary fiction, I am also a science fiction writer.

Q. Who or what inspired you to become an author.

A. I can't really tell you what inspired me to write. I was an introvert growing up but my best way of communicating was by writing. I also had a very active imagination so as a child the best way to make that come alive was by writing. Besides, I couldn't draw to save my life so I had to have an artistic skill somewhere...;).

Q. Are your stories taken from current or past events?

A. Depends on the genre. My contemporary fiction takes place in the present day. My sci-fi work normally is set a few hundred years from now.

Q. Have you ever had writer's block, and if so, how did you overcome it.

A. Writer's block...hmm. I'm dealing with that right now in one of my projects I am currently working on. When I get writer's block, usually I just step away and try to refocus. I do that by listening to music and sometimes placing myself in an environment to help stimulate the flow again. But my best cure is just giving myself a break and just letting it flow because you can't force. A little known fact...music is a big influence in some of my non-sci-fi writing.

Q. As a writer, what challenges, if any, have you faced and how did you overcome them?

A. Time. Life has a way with going on its own course and sometimes priority shifts. When I was in the Army, just having the time and the drive to write was the biggest challenge I've had. I have dealt with it by rearranging some of my priorities because writing really does require a lot of time and energy.

Q. You have a company called J. Burrage Publications. How did this company come about and what type of service does your company provide?

A. JBP was formed in March 2007, a few months after I first wrote Caught Up. I started it because I didn't want to turn Caught Up over to another publisher and risk losing the full meaning and power of the story. Also, I wanted my own business and I figured I might as well make a business out of something that I love. Right now, because JBP is still in the early stages I am publishing my own work but I am looking to publish other authors in the near future.

Q. Your book, Caught Up, sounds intriguing. Could you please give our readers a synopsis of and an excerpt from the book?

A. Thank you. Here is the synopsis to Caught Up: Jeremiah Blackwood is a young, dark and very eligible bachelor who is trying to defy the odds of the stereotypical black man in the dirty south and overcome the small-town mentality that constantly threatens his success. Through hard work and determination, he honed his craft as a writer and began making his mark in the community when he met a caramel complexioned girl who could make Buffy the Body look like Miss Celie in The Color Purple.

She seemed so innocent the first time they met. Her beautiful brown eyes beckoned him into her lonely soul. Her smile was enticing, yet friendly. He knew she was the woman of his dreams. Much to his surprise, he found that not only was she far from perfect, but soon realized that she was involved in some things bigger than he could wrap his small mind around.

Find out what happens when a man gets caught up in a tangled web of lust, lies, and unadulterated drama. An excerpt can be found at http://www.jbpublications.com/the_book_store/caught_up

Q. Are you planning to write any more books in the near future?

A. Yes. I am currently writing the sequel to Caught Up. It's called The Forbidden Lounge. It should come out July 2011. I am also working on a collaboration project.

Q. What advice would you give someone who is thinking about writing a book?

A. First, if you think that by writing a book you will automatically become rich and famous...forget it. Writing the book is the easy part. Getting it out there is that hard part. It will take a lot of research and a lot of hard work. But it is a very rewarding feeling. So don't do it for the fame. Do it because it's what you really want to do, whether you want to entertain, inform, or just release. In other words, do it for the right reasons.

Second, don't get discouraged. You got to put your game face on in this world. It's just like the music industry. You might face rejection. You might get people to tell you that it is garbage. But you got to have that passion like this is a Pulitzer's Prize novel and somebody got to read it.

Third, research, research, and research again. There are a lot of agents and publishers who do not have your best interest. The publishing world is a business and what is the main goal of business? Money. If you step out in the publishing world without your game face and your guns, you just might get taken advantage of. Decide what is best for you. If you plan on going for a publisher, hire an agent (but make sure that agent is legitimate). Most of your big publishers won't even look at your work without one. If you choose to self-publish, make sure you know the ins and outs. I do not recommend going to those companies that allow you to self-publish, such as Xlibris. While such companies work for some, they are not true self-publishers. My personal rule of thumb: If they have to slap on their own ISBN then they are the publisher, not you. So all you did was pay a company to publish your book. If you do choose to self-publisher, look for a company that offer services. I personally offer services for self-publishers but that's what it is. There are no offer to publish. JBP will publish with no charge when the time is right.

Q. How can our readers and future authors get in touch with you?

A. I have several. You can email me at jb39301@jbpublications.com. You can look me up on Facebook and Twitter. The username for both is JBBurrage. I'm on MySpace at jb39301. Caught Up has a fan page called Caught Up Fan Page. Also look up my fan page on Facebook at Jacob "JB" Burrage.

Q. Thank you for allowing us to talk with you. Do you have any words of wisdom?

A. You're very welcome. It was a great pleasure. All I can say is check out the book. It's hot! ;).

Contact Information:

Jacob L. Burrage

Publisher & CEO

J. Burrage Publications, LLC

Email: jb39301@jbpublications.com

Telephone: (800) 940-5604

Links:

http://www.jbpublications.com/

Follow Jacob Burrage on:

Facebook
MySpace
Twitter
LinkedIn

10 Great Reasons to Use Dating Websites

http://www.topdatingsites.com/blog/2010/10-great-reasons-to-use-dating-websites/

Enjoy!

Sent to us by Donna Cullen 

How to Maintain a Happy and Healthy Relationship in 2011 and Beyond By Vivienne Diane Neal

Time goes by so quickly, and we are only on this earth for a split-second. So, why not try to make the best of 2011 and beyond by making some important resolutions regarding relationships.

Whether you are in a business, family, casual, or committed relationship, there are certain shared qualities that men and women should strive for in order to maintain a happy, flourishing, and healthy union.

Before establishing any type of rapport with anyone, whether it is in the workplace, a romantic, spiritual, or casual merger, it is vital to know who you are first, because you usually draw people who have similar qualities or as the saying goes, “You attract what you are.” Ask yourself the following questions: What do I stand for or believe in? Am I open-minded and fair? Do I pre-judge others based on their color, features, age, size or gender? Do I possess good moral character? Am I trustworthy? Do I have a good sense of humor?

If you do not feel good about yourself, then you will definitely be a magnet for others who will have a low-opinion of themselves; they will pass on those same attitudes to you, and they will never value you as a human being. The name-calling, the offensive remark or the putting down of an individual will always be his or her main goal in life. These negative mind-sets, which can lead to physical abuse and violence, have no place in any type of relationship. If you are romantically involved with an abusive mate, remember, love is not supposed to hurt. If the office bully is your employer or an employee, morale and production will suffer and affect the company’s bottom line.

When it comes to dating, get to know someone first before getting romantically involved with that individual. The same can be true if you are seeking a friendship or a business partner. This means observing a person’s behavior around others, namely co-workers, associates, friends, family and parents. One should always follow his or her instincts. If something does not look or feel right, do not stick around for the outcome. If a person is abusive to family members, there is no way that individual is going to treat you any better. As the great author, and poet, Maya Angelou once said, “When a person shows you who they really are, believe them.” Do not think for one second that you can change someone’s destructive behavior, because you cannot. That caustic person will have to want to make a positive transformation on his or her own.

Communication is a key component in any relationship. Exchanging ideas involves not only talking but also listening. This does not mean that one has to agree with everything a person says; it just means that each person’s opinion is just as important. You can agree to disagree and still have a great connection.

Respecting one’s cultural, racial, religious, ethnic background, sexual orientation and political beliefs play an important role as to how well we hook up and interact with others. Certain behaviors and remarks may be acceptable by some but may not be sanctioned by others. Always think before you open your mouth, because once you say something, you can never take it back. Your choice of words, and I can attest to this, can sometimes get you in trouble.

Enjoying each other’s company is essential. While life is not always perfect, why continue to work or be with someone who is miserable and ends up making your life unbearable. All the pointless drama that people bring into your life will definitely bring you down. Your friend breaks up with her boyfriend, and you end up losing your significant other. Your lover despises his job, and you no longer love your work. People who are always complaining or finding fault about one thing or another will eventually have you following their footsteps. You can be unhappy or preferably carefree all by yourself.

So, Happy New Year. May 2011 bring you good health, prosperity and great friendships and a lifetime partner.

Valentine’s Day is coming soon, and we do not want you to be alone. Why not hop on over to One World Singles and browse through the thousands of singles who are searching for someone like you.

Thank You For Your Support

2010 is ending, and we would like to take this time to thank you for your continuous support, positive feedback and thoughtful comments. We also want to thank our guest bloggers and writers who have contributed some of the most electrifying articles, which have made this Blog very popular among our followers.

We are taking a well-deserved break and will return on January 3, 2011 with some more fantastic articles, news and interviews along with more fun and entertaining features.

Seasons’s Greetings and have a Safe, Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year.

One World Singles Magazine Blog Staff

Top 5 Dating Apps for Women

Getting a date is only the first step. Making sure that it goes well and is another hurdle in itself. To make sure that the whole process goes smoothly, check out these great apps that can help you from excusing yourself from a date gone wrong to learning how to charm his socks off.

Charm Him. Even if you're certain you've found the man of your dreams, the trick is to not only to get him to notice you, but to keep him interested. This neat app promises to help women learn how to woo your date from beginning to end by teaching the tricks and the trade of attraction and romance. The app separates advice into several categories, including conversation, fashion and grooming, body language, storytelling and theory and mindset. It also tells you what not to do. Cost: 99 cents

Excuse me. For those times when you could really need an escape from your disaster date, download this app that places fake calls and texts to your phone. But unlike its competitors, this app not only lets you set a timer and shows a "slide to answer" screen, but is also offers an indistinguishable voice on the other end (so it seems like a real phone call). So if the date is going all wrong, get out when you can. And if it's going perfectly, then just ignore the call and score some brownie points for being a very attentive date. Cost: $1.99 

Coverup. In the beginning, both parties try to pretend that neither of them releases any kind of gaseous bodily odors or emissions. While we are all human and know what generally happens behind a closed bathroom door, this clever apps let's you keep up the charade for extended period of time by generating "appropriate" bathroom noises such as flushing, running water and the soft buzz of a hand dryer to disguise another kind of err, "un lady" like sounds. Cost: $0.99

Date Check. Afraid you'll end up with a total creeper? Download this free app to do a free background check on your date, including criminal records, details about home ownership and property, and other important information. Cost: Free

Little Black Book. For those of you who like to juggle dates, keep names and faces organized with this handy app. It not only lets you store a list of everyone you've ever dated, but it also lets you attach ratings, pictures, and "information" section where you can put enter your dates' favorite foods and size. What makes this app so special is that it even includes a locking system in case there is a particular person you don't want to end yup drunk dialing. Cost: $4.99

This guest post is contributed by Vanessa Jones, who writes on the topics of dating sites. She welcomes your comments at her email address: vanessa.jones42@gmail.com

Meet Stephanie Casher, Author of When Love Isn't Enough

Stephanie Casher, Author

In December 2009, three authors joined forces to form The Pantheon Collective (TPC), an independent publishing and author services company. In their first year of operation, the trio successfully published SELLOUT by James W. Lewis, which is getting rave reviews at http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982719302 and is happy to announce the release of its second novel, When Love Isn’t Enough, by Stephanie Casher.

When Love Isn’t Enough, a love story at its core, explores what happens when life and circumstances conspire to interrupt the path of true love. Set in Santa Cruz, CA, with a multicultural cast of characters, this novel tackles the themes of love, friendship, and relating in general. It is a heartbreaking tale of true love, terrible timing, impossible choices, and how you find the strength to go on when you discover that, sometimes, love isn’t enough. You can read the first three chapters at http://issuu.com/biglew1971/docs/wl1st3chaps


Stephanie Casher is a freelance editor and author of multicultural women’s fiction. She has a BA in Sociology with a Minor in Education from UC Santa Cruz, and won the Dean’s Undergraduate Award for her Senior Honors Thesis “Negotiating Identity and Cultural Capital: The Social and Structural Factors


Affecting the Educational Attainment of Bi-Racial Men of African-American Descent.” She is in the process of completing the Professional Sequence in Editing through UC Berkeley Extension. Currently living in Santa Cruz, California with her partner and two cats, Stephanie tries to spend as much time as possible in nature. When she’s not climbing mountains, swimming in the ocean, or wandering through the forest, she spends her free time dabbling in Astrology, hanging with her amazing nephews, and meditating on how to make the world a better place. To placate her inner gypsy, Stephanie travels extensively in search of inspiration. When Love Isn’t Enough is her debut novel.


One World Singles Magazine Blog had the opportunity to meet up with Stephanie to talk more about her book:


Q. What inspired you to write WHEN LOVE ISN’T ENOUGH?


A. Honestly, I started writing this book as therapy. My first experience with true love and finding my soul mate was somewhat traumatic, and I’ve always been someone who turned to writing for catharsis and healing. This novel started out as an extended journaling exercise, which ended up taking on a life of its own.


Q. So WHEN LOVE ISN’T ENOUGH is a true story?


A. Yes and No. For this novel, I definitely drew heavily from my life and experiences when crafting the storyline and the characters, but the story is not autobiographical. I changed and embellished enough of the plot to ensure plausible deniability and protect the innocent. ;)


Q. WHEN LOVE ISN’T ENOUGH is not the typical romance…what makes this book unique?


A. WHEN LOVE ISN’T ENOUGH is not a romance at all, technically. The primary rule in the romance genre is that the story "must have a happy ending." So by that definition, I cannot call this a traditional romance novel. But it is a love story, and a coming-of-age story, and there is a lot of romance in it. I felt it was important to tell a "realistic" love story, because in reality, happily ever after is much harder to come by. So what then? When do you decide its time to walk away from love, and how do you move on from a broken heart? I think these issues are very relevant, because that is what most of us experience in real life.


Q. Why should romance lovers pick up this book?


A. Because at the end of the day, WHEN LOVE ISN’T ENOUGH is a love story. The characters believe in true love, and yearn for true love, and pursue it with every breath they take. While people usually pick up a romance novel as some form of escapism, WHEN LOVE ISN’T ENOUGH provides a similar form of escape into someone else’s trials and tribulations, but with the added benefit of being able to learn from the characters’ mistakes, to possibly avoid some of those mistakes in their own life. It's about growth, triumph, and female empowerment as much as it is about finding/keeping the guy, and I think that is a message that MORE women need to be exposed to, that love should never be at the expense of your own sense of self or self-worth. So while it's not a fairytale, I believe the message is timely and has value, especially for young girls. I'm confident that everyone who reads it will find something in the story they can relate to.


Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule and sharing your journey in writing with our readers. Best wishes to you and The Pantheon Collective.


From the Back Cover - When Love Isn’t Enough:


Samantha’s second year of college started with heartbreak and betrayal. Lost, lonely, and robbed of all joy, she’d completely given up on ever finding love again when a chance encounter put her in contact with the man who would change her life.

Tony never believed in love at first sight – until he laid eyes on Samantha. But within moments of meeting her, he knew without a doubt that she was the woman he was put on this earth to love. There was only one problem – Angela, his girlfriend of five years.

Tony doesn’t want to hurt Angela, with whom he shares a rich history, but his connection to Samantha is undeniable. Angela, however, is not about to let the love of her life go without a fight.

When desperation takes a tragic turn, a chain of events unfolds that changes the course of all three of their lives forever. It is a heartbreaking tale of true love, terrible timing, impossible choices, and how you find the strength to go on when you discover that, sometimes, love just isn’t enough…


If you enjoy the work of Trisha Thomas, Mary B. Morrison, and Donna Hill, you should definitely check out the exciting debut novel from Stephanie Casher. And stay tuned for the sequel, SOUL MATES, coming from TPC Books in Summer 2011.


For an autographed copy of When Love Isn’t Enough go to TPC Website. You can also special order the book from any bookstore. Just go to the information desk, give them the name and title, and they can order it for you to pick up later. :)


Now, through the end of the year, when you purchase an autographed copy of When Love Isn’t Enough ($11 plus shipping), you can get a copy of SELLOUT by James W. Lewis for only $10! A set of books would make great gifts for the book lovers in your life, don’t you think?


Links:

www.pantheoncollective.com
http://www.stephaniecasher.com/
www.facebook.com/whenloveisntenough
www.facebook.com/stephaniecasher
www.twitter.com/stephcasher
www.shewrites.com/profile/StephanieCasher
www.youtube.com/scasher
http://www.amazon.com/
http://www.bn.com/
http://www.goodreads.com/


For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact


pantheoncollective@gmail.com
mailto:author@stephaniecasher.com
stephcasher@gmail.com