Global eBook Awards

My novel, Dream or Destiny, is a nominee for a Global eBook Award in the Mystery/Suspense/Thriller Mystery category (updated 7/1/11: the large category has been broken into two smaller ones) and the Best eBook Cover category. This is the first year of the awards, sponsored by publishing guru Dan Poynter, so books published in previous years are eligible.

Winners will be chosen by judges that include book bloggers, reading group members, librarians, and subject matter experts. The judges are encouraged to consider the ratings and comments received on the book’s page on the award site. Anyone can rate books on a scale of 1 to 5 and also leave comments or testimonials about books that impressed them.

If you read—and enjoyed!—Dream or Destiny, I’d be delighted if you voted your rating or left a comment about the book. If you haven’t read it, why not? You can find out whether it appeals to you or not by reading a free excerpt.

The ebook is only $5.99, and if you prefer, you can read it in print.

Several of my clients’ books are also nominees. I invite you to rate or comment on any that you read and liked.

• Historical Fiction – competing against each other
  • Adam’s Daughters: Book 2 in the Westward Sagas by David Bowles
  • As Shadows Fall: People of the Frozen Earth Book 2 by Grace Anne Schaefer
  • The New Day Dawns: People of the Frozen Earth Book 2 by Grace Anne Schaefer
• Mystery/Suspense/Thriller – competing against me Suspense/Thriller
  • Re-Deal: A Time-Travel Thriller by Richard Turner

Updated 7/1/11: More clients’ books nominated:

• Parenting/Family – Nonfiction
  • Help! What Do I  Do Now? Caring for Your Loved One with Alzheimer’s by Nancy Nicholson
• Leadership
  • Leadership: It Takes More Than a Great Haircut! by Terry Sumerlin
• Writing/Publishing – Nonfiction
  • The Rewritten Word: How to Sculpt Literary Art no Matter the Genre by Aggie Villanueva

Others may be added later, as entries are open until June 30, 2011, for ebooks published anytime up until the deadline.

Authors wishing to apply can learn more on the Global eBook Awards website.

Thanks to March 2011 Commenters

Thank you to the 80 commenters who left 111 comments in March. Your comments extended the conversation and added value and interest, and I enjoyed replying to every one of them.Every month when I post thanks to commenters, I get questions about how I compile this list. I have explained my system in detail in Compiling Thanks to Commenters.
Top Contributor (7 comments)
Dawn Colclasure	Dawn Colclasure Blog
Major Contributors (5-6 comments)
Christopher Roberts	Christopher Roberts
Dominique	4 Walls and a View
Outstanding Contributors (3-4 comments)
Kyle	Finally Fast
Mia	SBP
Christopher Roberts	Christopher Roberts’ Philosophy Blog
Lisa	Getting It Write for You
Significant Contributors (2 comments)
Christin Mowery	Christin Mowery
Dave	Charles Stewart, Cosmetic Surgery
Mihaela	Expert Design Group
Russell Davison	Russell Davison
Sensei Matt Klein	Fun affordable self defense karate for kids
Tom de Lounge	Woo Techno
Important Contributors
Adam		ireadwriterate
Aggie Villanueva		Promotion a la Carte
Albert		Spa in KL
Alex Lim		Kuala Lumpur To Langkawi
Amy Hawkins		Nicest Cell Phones
Andy		3D Video Cameras
Anne		Lifestyler Treadmill
Arnold		PD Architecture
Brenda		Passport Auto
Bruce		Dog Walkers Melbourne
Carlos		Car Loans for You
Carol N. Farris		Heavy Targets
Carol N. Farris		News and Entertainment
cathy		Loving Hands Pet Day Care
Claire		Limo 805
Dan		Prologue Branding
Dave		Subliminal CDs
Deborah Cavanaugh		n/a
Diane Lopez		AZ World
Evangeline Pua		n/a
gary		Call of Duty Black Ops Cracked
George Angus		George Angus, the Tumblemoose Writer
Helen Ginger		Straight from Hel
Holly Jahangiri		It’s All a Matter of Perspective
James		Custom Lapel Pins
Jane		Recover Deleted Files
Jaon		Video Tutorials
Jeanne Dininni		Writer’s Notes
Jeff W		Pharma Pricing
Jen		GoGo Nissan
Jenga		Sir Movealot
Jeremy		World’s Last Chance
John		Kredittkortet
John C		Kasper Suits
Joshua		Black Mold Removal Help
Juan		Prime Choice Auto Parts
Karen Swim		Words for Hire
Kate Leverenz		Kate Leverenz Photography
Kathleen		Cure Acne Fast
Kathleen		Get Rid of Bad Breath Fast
Kathy Britt		Memory Paws
Kevin		Perpindicularity
Kevin Devine		XOXO Soft
Kristina		Stop Panic Attacks Naturally
Lee		Unique Gift Baskets
louise		Netstar
Melanie		Airblown Entertainment
Michael		Lose Weight with Hypnosis News
Michael Anthony		A Veteran’s Perspective
Michelle		Classic Photographers
Mike		Staff India
Miles		My Life in Houston
Odd Jobs Chris		Finding and Discussing Odd Jobs
Paul		Houses for Sale in Houston
Paul		Slamstyle
Peter		Service Apartments in Goa
Peter Johnson		Watch TV on Laptop
Poh S.		Bangkok Online Review
Rick		Godly Quotes
R.S. Mallari		Poems of Life and Love
Sebastian		Guide Webbhotell
Steven		DM Soft Studio
Stevenson		Puppy Training Techniques
subashini	Technocrat Automation
Tara Miller		Online Psychology Degree
Tim		Sarasota Pro Wash
Wu		Microscope.Net

Easter Sunday 2011

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” ~ John 3:1-21 (ESV)

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me the opportunity to be born again of the Spirit. Thank You for Jesus’ sacrifice for my sins. Thank You for Your grace and mercy. Lead me to always live as Your child. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, who died and rose again and ascended into Heaven. Amen.

Hallelujah!

Post 1000

Just slightly over four months ago, I wrote:

In the past four and a half years, I’ve typed drivel, brilliant insights, thought-provoking words, rants, musings, or you-fill-in-the-blank, then hit ”Publish” 900 times. On my way to 1000!

In the midst of this holy weekend, I want to thank all my readers for giving me the motivation and encouragement to keep writing post after post. This is #1000!

Holy Saturday 2011

“There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house—for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’” ~ Luke 16:19-31 (ESV)

Lord God Almighty, You have told us what we must do to join Lazarus at Abraham’s bosom: Love You with our heart and mind and soul and love our neighbors as ourselves. If we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior and follow in His ways, we will spend eternity with You—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost—in Heaven. Keep me always in Your paths, Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

He Died for You

This video reminds us that Jesus’ sufferings on the cross on Good Friday were for you and for me. He was sinless, but He took on the sins of the world so we can be forgiven and washed clean. All we have to do is proclaim Him Lord.

You might also read:
Holy Week and Salvation
Good Friday

Good Friday 2011

But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’ Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.” ~ Luke 10:29-37 (ESV)

Heavenly Father, I want to be the good Samaritan, yet I find myself looking the other way—walking on the other side of the road—to avoid having to deal with pain and suffering. Turn my eyes and my feet to those in need that I may follow the example of Jesus, who served those who needed it most. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet

On Maundy Thursday, as Jesus shared the Passover meal with His disciples, He instituted Holy Communion, washed the feet of His disciples as a servant (see video below), told His disciples He was going to the Father, promised the Comforter (the Holy Ghost), commanded the disciples to love one another, and shared the final thoughts of His earthly life.

You can read the whole story of Jesus’ final lessons—in words and actions—in John 13-17.

After the Last Supper came the Garden of Gethsemane and Jesus’ arrest and betrayal. At our church, the Vigil at the Altar of Repose begins following the Maundy Thursday service. As Jesus asked His disciples to watch with Him for one hour, parishioners watch at the Altar of Repose.

Maundy Thursday 2011

And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?” ~ Luke 18:1-8 (ESV)

Thank You, Lord, that You are gracious and compassionate. If the unjust judge gave justice to the widow for her persistence, how much more will You give grace and mercy to us when we persist in our requests. In the name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

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