At the very end, the author mentions the new book with my chapter – Don’t Ever Call Me Ma’am, by Linda Franklin. How exciting! Her book does take a fresh look at women over 40, not as preying on younger men, but as being smart, sexy, independent women proud to be over 40. That’s hard to argue with if you ask me! What over 40 women doesn’t want to be described this way?

Linda Franklin encourages women to live full, rich lives and to go for their dreams. This is a positive and empowering message. Since her background is financial, the final chapters are devoted to managing your money and she offers lots of great advice.

Feeling cougar-like or willing to admit you’re a wanna be? Great – pick up your copy today.

Linda Franklin, the founder of The Real Cougar Woman, has an interesting story to tell.  She was the first Canadian woman to own a seat on the New York Stock Exchange and manage an all-male trading department for a leading Wall Street firm.  She left the “old boys club” to start Real Cougar Woman and discover the secrets that make an over 40  woman look and feel fabulous. Today Linda helps thousands of women unleash their Real Cougar.

Chapters include topics like soul searching, hormones, sex, financial independence, anti-aging and love among others! Linda’s definition of being a Real Cougar varies a bit from the TV hype and tacky shows like Cougar Town. Instead, the author encourages women to be smart, sexy, independent and proud to be over 40! She takes a very positive and healthy approach to this feline look at maturing and falling in love with life.

This is sure to zoom to the best seller list and I am thrilled to be a part of things.  I  consider myself  a cougar because I was over 40 when I met my husband who is four years younger (and he always will be darn it!  But hey, it’s only a number right?)

Get your copy on Linda’s site or at Amazon It’s the purr-fect thing for women over 40!

While the concept is not a new one (after all, Catherine the Great entertained younger men) it has become en vogue. We can thank  Demi Moore who influenced today’s pop culture more than anyone regarding this penchant for women to rob the cradle.

Not all Cougars want to marry or commit either. Some want to play the field, starting up a girl’s club that rivals the old boys club. In fact, Linda Franklin, a Boston based coach started the RealCougarsClub.com. Yes, I’ll admit I visited – I was curious. But you can’t see a thing unless you sign up. So I did! After all, my husband is 4 years younger, so I say that qualifies me to some degree.

Starting to explore, Linda has a busy blog and plenty of interesting discussion about dating younger men and the possible complications, twists and turns involved, when you get involved…

There’s a very long, but very interesting article in the Boston Globe that discusses the trend in detail  – starting with Barbara Walters and how she brought this topic up on the View. Too bad I didn’t get to see that show! Any way, I think it’s great reading and may get your mojo going. It’s proof that there are many ways to run your romantic life, not just the plain Jane. Skim it over and tell me what you think!