If I had to describe what my books are about I would have to say they‘re about women of a certain age, hopelessly looking for love but unable to find it until they find themselves. And sometimes the love they were looking for is self-love. I also hope that my stories inspire women. In fact, along with this theme, I’m planning to feature inspiring women on this blog.

The two women I find to be most inspiring this week are Oprah and Bethenny Frankel, but maybe not for the reasons you may think.

I’m not a big Oprah fan - I don’t watch the Oprah Show - I don’t write on my twitter profile that “I do everything Oprah tells me to.” The Oprah show I do watch is the 25-year behind-the-scenes show on her new network, OWN. This is where I see Oprah speaking her mind, revealing opinions that I do agree with. She doesn’t always agree with her producer’s way of thinking or even the audience, nor do I. So why is she so successful? She knows what her audience wants. She’s there to serve her audience, although she may not think the same way they do. But sometimes she does and they love her for that. I love it, too, when my way of thinking is aligned with others, but when it’s not, I must speak my mind. And I love how Oprah does that.

Actually, she’s a fabulous role model for women in their 50s - becoming comfortable with who you are often begins your 40s, when you‘re taking on new challenges, asserting yourself, enjoying some of the freedoms that age brings. But women in their 50s, wow, watch out. Women are stronger, more assertive, more independent, more willing to be themselves and not look for other people’s approval. She reminds me of my grandmother at that age - and I’m really bonding with her - lol! She makes being 50-something seem like an amazing place to be. My first blog was called “chicksover40” but, wow, but the fifties are even better!

Bethenny Frankel reminds me of all I set out to do with my chicksover40 blog. She just got married, had a baby, and her business is soaring behind this hemisphere. She’s juggling it all, although it’s challenging for everybody. I think she’s taken on too much - she should enjoy more quiet time with her new husband and baby. But when it all comes at once, it’s hard to say no to any of it. The fear is, and often comes true, is that when you start to say no to some of it, it all goes away. And that is so unfortunate.

But not only is Bethenny inspiring because she is taking it all on, but she inspires other women to be the best they can be, too. Oh, sure, she has a potty mouth and she seems totally out-of-control, but I totally understand her issues and have been cheering her on. She’s, in some way, the role model for many of the heroines in my books because we share some of the same abandonment issues.

So, what women inspire you and why?

(To find out more about my heroines, check out Cyn in Real Women Wear Red and Lucky in The Tom Jones Club - both available on amazon or check out my web site for more information.)