Lisa Jackson's Dating Tips

Dating Tip 1. If it's been a while since you dated, the Internet's a great way to brush up your skills:

Start out slow. Utilize a dating website that guarantees your anonymity until you feel confident revealing your identity. Do
not give anyone your full name, phone number, address or personals details until you've had a chance to get to know
someone ' and check them out.

Don't believe everything your virtual date writes. This is a higher-tech, faster way to meet people than personal
ads, but it's essentially the same thing. You'll find more people who say they love 'a walk on the beach and a glass of wine
in front of the fire' than you ever knew existed.

Don't meet right away. After communicating on the Internet, the next step is the telephone. Lots of people can be
clever and charming on the screen, but aren't so great at 'real-time' communication.

If you do progress to the dating stage, first meet the person in a public place. Tell a friend where you're going, and
leave them your date's name, place of work, address and phone number. If you're afraid your friend will think you're
paranoid, you can joke about it, but give them the info ' better safe than sorry. No joke.

Dating Tip2. If the Internet's not your thing, go for the tried-and-true methods for meeting someone new:
visit the planetarium, take tennis lessons, join a readers' group, volunteer at the hospital, attend a
church function. Chances are you'll meet people who share your interests. But . . .

Dating Tip 3. . . . be honest. Don't take up a sport or activity you don't like just to meet a man or a woman.
Sooner or later he'll figure out that you don't know a third down from a triple axle, or she'll catch
you referring to the art museum as that mausoleum.

Dating Tip 4. Date a long time. Con artists and crazies usually show their hand if you give them enough time.
If she's a little too interested in your financial status, or he insists you wear a tin-foil hat to protect you
from 'alien death rays,' trust your instincts and run.

Dating Tip 5. If someone is pushing you into a relationship faster than you're ready for, beware! There's a
reason they're trying to rush you, and it's probably not in your best interest to let them do it.

Dating Tip 6. Opposites may attract, but be realistic about how much you can expect another person to change.
What's endearing at first can become annoying, and little things can grow to enormous proportions.

Dating Tip 7. Anyone can be nice on a first date. You deserve kindness throughout the relationship. If he or
she isn't nice to you on a consistent basis, dump 'em!

Dating Tip 8. If he or she is just coming off a relationship, give them time to grieve, heal, whatever before you
get serious. Someone else's emotional baggage gets real heavy real fast.

Dating Tip 9. Be careful with that wish list of qualities you're seeking in a mate. Don't lower your standards,
but don't make them unattainable, either. You're looking for a man or a woman, not a god or a
goddess ' and if you narrow your focus too much, you just might overlook the perfect match simply
because he doesn't wear a suit to work or she's not a 36D.

Dating Tip 10. There are now more than 6 billion people on the planet. It's hard to conceive that you are
looking for 'the one.' Go out, have a good time, look for 'the several million' whom you enjoy.
Have some fun. Remember,dating it's not a job ' it's an adventure!

These Dating Tips are from Lisa Jackson, a favoritie romance author with a new book coming out in February that she thinks you'll enjoy.

WILD AND WICKED is a book she likens to "Cinderella" meeting O. Henry's
"The Ransom of Red Chief." It's a fun, sexy medieval romance set in Wales. Filled with castles, spells, and yes, love and lust, WILD AND WICKED lives up to its title.
Judge for yourself. You can read an excerpt of the story on her website, so check it out.