Middle Aged and Dating Again

Most people think by the time they reach middle age, they soon will be enjoying retirement with their mates. But for millions of folks worldwide, life hasn't turned out that way. Because of divorce, sickness, and death of a mate, they find themselves alone, lonely, and confused. They would like to enjoy their later years with a partner. Dating again becomes necessary, and people don't know where to begin. This book will help them get started. It's a collection of 50 stories written by a man who had to start over again at age 54, when one Xmas evening he came home to find his wife of 7 years gone and the house cleaned out. Boom. No warning. He wasn't prepared for the shock, nor was he prepared to start dating. He hadn't gone to school to learn how to begin dating. This book describes his mainly humorous, sometimes sad, often reflective journey to right himself again. The book and author have appeared twice on the NBC TV Today Show in the summer of 1998. Tom was interviewed by Diane Sawyer on Good Morning America. Women readers will learn how and what men think about middle-aged dating. They will gain understanding, support, and encouragement when taking that first big step to get out there again. Each easy to read, down to earth, told from the heart and stomach chapter ends with a comments section from the author's newspaper columns, which he started writing based on his experiences. Lauraine Snelling, author of 27 books, says, "Tom Blake shares stories and comments that remind us all that life is easier when we learn to laugh at whatever state we are in. So lighten up and enjoy." The author is a syndicated columnist who has written over 1,800columns on the subject of middle-aged dating. Country music singing-legend, Johnny Cash, is quoted on the back cover of the book. "In the 20 years I have known Tom Blake, he has become an authority on dating and relationships."

I have a B.A. degree from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, and an MBA from The University of Michigan. I honed my writing skills while working as a public relations regional manager for American Airlines in New York City. I am a syndicated newspaper columnist. I write a weekly column titled, "Middle Age Relationships," for community newspapers owned by The Orange County Register, in Orange County, California. I written more than 1,800 columns in 15 years, since 1994. The columns are popular because I write with humor, passion, warmth, and in a personal and down-to-earth style. A reader commented, "You open your stomach and spill your guts for us. You are brave.