By Katherine Dorsett
CNN
(CNN) -- Once upon a time there was a princess who was living quite happily and not pining away for her prince or trying to avoid being killed by her evil stepmother.

The story of "Princess Bubble" is being told by two real women who are living their own happy lives.

"After my 17th wedding as a bridesmaid and many baby showers later, I became the godmother or surrogate aunt to many little girls. As we played Barbies and Cinderella together, they would tell me that the princess had to find the prince in order to live happily ever after," says Susan Johnston, co-author of "Princess Bubble."

"I pointed out that I have not found a prince, but I have a fantastic life. I wanted these girls to know they can have a fantastic life no matter what stage they are in," says Johnston.

The fairy godmother in the book tells Princess Bubble, "True happiness is found by loving God, being kind to others, and being comfortable with who you are already! Happy princesses are people who enjoy others and like themselves."

The book is based loosely on the lives of authors Johnston and Kimberly Webb. Princess Bubble is a college graduate, a homeowner and works as a flight attendant to satisfy her desire to travel and meet people. Johnston and Webb once worked together at Delta Airlines and have college degrees.

"I've had countless women all over the nation tell me they wish there had been a book like this when they were little. Now they know that being single doesn't mean they are alone," says Johnston.

The book is aimed at empowering young and adult readers to take charge of their lives.

The star of the book, Princess Bubble, is unlike other traditional fairy princesses. For instance, she does not have a wicked stepmother and has never been surrounded by seven dwarves. She also does not have a prince and is perfectly happy on her own.

Are the authors anti-man? "We are not anti-prince. We are anti-damsel in distress," said Johnston. "True happiness comes from within and is to be shared. We can't make someone else responsible for our happiness."

The authors paid to publish the book. "We thought the message of this book was important and it needed to be out there in the universe," says Webb.

"Some 51 percent of adult women in our country are single, so I thought the timing of the book was right," says Johnston.

Johnston and Webb say they would not mind getting married one day. However, like Princess Bubble, they understand they'll be happy with or without a prince. They are destined to live happily ever after.

"I've dated a lot, but I think it is better to be single and wish you were married then to be married and wish you were single," Johnston says.


Find this article at:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/wayoflife/08/22/princess.bubble/index.html#cnnSTCVideo