As women, we seem to be more prone to painful bloating and inflamation, especially when the heat of the summer arrives.  We go to the doctor and he takes many tests and sometimes he’s able to find the problem or as in my case, everything turns up fine, but still, every summer my feet will do that ugly swelling thing.

I don’t eat a lot of salt, and since changing the way I eat since the beginning of this year, I’ve noted that it was actually the sugar that caused most of the inflammation…go figure.

I’m beginning to become fascinated with what else that I’ve been eating that has additives that I can cut out that will aid my health or what else can I try that is natural to aid my health. I’m now looking into Nopalea which is a wellness drink made from the fruit of the Nopal cactus. I still have respiratory issues, and if I do stop the vegan diet I’m sure the inflammation of my feet will return.

Nopalea contains rare and potent antioxidants that are scientifically proven to help the body reduce inflammation. When taken daily, Nopalea can help your body:

1. Reduce inflammation
2. Cleanse itself of daily toxins
3. Promote optimal health

You can try a 32 oz bottle of Nopalea for as little as $9.99 shipping cost when you call 1-800-203-7063.

I have completed my 21 day corporate Daniel fast with my church and I felt so healthy (and the lost pounds were such a plus) that I kept it going until April 30th.  It was pretty much a vegan diet with a spiritual aspect attached based on the first chapter of the book of Daniel.  After the stringent 21 day regimen, I rewarded myself with a piece of chicken once a week, usually on Sundays.

The great results kept multiplying. My feet, which are prone to swelling have stopped doing that and my sinus headaches have lessened due to the absence of dairy, I also lost 30 pounds which was a major accomplishment for me.

That experience left me fascinated with the thought of finding out what else I’ve been eating that has additives that I can cut out that will aid my health or what else can I try that is natural to aid my health.

Maybe something like Nopalea which is a wellness drink made from the fruit of the Nopal cactus. I still have respiratory issues, and if I do stop the vegan diet I’m sure the inflammation of my feet will return. It’s free (only costs $9.95 for shipping) when you call 1-800-203-7063. Reports state that taken daily it promotes optimal health.

Today Age is Just a Number again welcomes Kimberly S. Lin who is on tour with CLNB Blog Tours promoting the release of her first novel, Recession Proof. Yesterday she shared with us via a fabulous interview.  Today, I’m going to share my thoughts about Recession Proof.  So make yourself comfy and enjoy!

Title: Recession Proof
Author: Kimberly S. Lin
Publisher: CreateSpace
Release Date: June 10, 2011
Genre: Fiction / Chick Lit
Source: Author
Reviewer: D.S. White

DESCRIPTION: (From the back cover)

Sometimes going after what you want is the hardest thing you will ever do…

Meet Helen. Smart, successful and obliviously trapped. For the past six years, Helen has given her life and her heart to her cushy corporate finance job and to Mark without question. However as the Recession sweeps the Nation, she is one of many left unemployed and with the burning question of what does she really want in life.

RECESSION PROOF is a debut novel for anyone that has settled in their career and relationship but has discovered that what really matters in life is living it.

MY THOUGHTS:

I chose this book to read because I felt I would have something in common with the main character Helen–and I did. As women, at some time or another, we all become Helen, be it choice or circumstance. Be it for a relationship, a job or whatever reason.  We find ourselves accepting treatment that is not acceptable in order to be a part of a duo, retain that job or maybe even keep peace in our family or our community.  At some point, we have to have the fortitude to decide we are worth more than what others say we are worth and to shoot for the stars.  We may not reach the height of the stars, there will be obstacles in our way, but if we believe and press on, when we look down…we will be way higher than we were before.  Great job Kimberly!

MY RATING:

4 out of 5 Mice

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: (From the back cover)

Kimberly S. Lin, a California native, graduated from UC Irvine with a degree in Economics. After college, she moved to Los Angeles and worked as a financial writer and hedge fund analyst but always dreamed of becoming a women’s literature writer. Utilizing her experiences, she writes stories that are witty, heartwarming and relatable to the modern woman. She now resides in Orange County, CA and is working on her second novel.

Today Age is Just a Number welcomes Kimberly S. Lin who is on tour with CLNB Blog Tours promoting the release of her first novel, Recession Proof, she has graciously taken the time to answer a few questions about herself, the book and the process.  Grab a cup of your favorite whatever you drink and enjoy!  Also stop in again tomorrow to read the review.

ABOUT THE BOOK: (From the back cover)

Sometimes going after what you want is the hardest thing you will ever do…

Meet Helen. Smart, successful and obliviously trapped. For the past six years, Helen has given her life and her heart to her cushy corporate finance job and to Mark without question. However as the Recession sweeps the Nation, she is one of many left unemployed and with the burning question of what does she really want in life.

RECESSION PROOF is a debut novel for anyone that has settled in their career and relationship but has discovered that what really matters in life is living it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: (From the back cover)

Kimberly S. Lin,  a California native, graduated from UC Irvine with a degree in Economics. After college, she moved to Los Angeles and worked as a financial writer and hedge fund analyst but always dreamed of becoming a women’s literature writer. Utilizing her experiences, she writes stories that are witty, heartwarming and relatable to the modern woman. She now resides in Orange County, CA and is working on her second novel.

INTERVIEW:

AIJAN:  Hi Kimberly, welcome! I’ve begun reading the book, which is hilarious, btw. So tell me…why this subject matter…why now?

KSL: I think uncertainty is a broad subject matter that everyone deals with, so is trying to find your way in life. It’s a very timeless and universal issue. However, I chose to tell it through the lens of a twenty-something going through this Recession because it is a relevant challenge that people are facing today. Also since I write what I know, it was easy  to access the emotions of being a young working professional trying to navigate her way through her career and trying to make her dreams happen.

AIJAN: How much of you went into this storyline and how much was cut out?

KSL: People always say that an author’s debut novel is typically autobiographical and I guess I can agree to a certain point. I can say that I was inspired to write Recession Proof based on some events in my life but the characters are mostly based on my imagination. I think they seem so real because I really make it a point to address the psychological, societal and familial reasons behind why characters do what they do. Also, I really flesh out their stories so that they seem real.

AIJAN: Yes, that does make it seem very real. I’m a sucker for someone who gives me a character’s motivation and addresses all parts of the character instead of expecting me to turn a blind eye to things that ought to be addressed in the storyline but are not. Here’s a question along those lines for you–What did you learn about yourself while writing this book?

KSL: That I can actually finish a book! And that editing is the hardest part of the process.

AIJAN: Yes you can and did! And we are definitely enjoying the fruits of your labor. If readers get nothing else from the book, what is the one takeaway that you hope they don’t miss?

KSL: Never settle.

AIJAN: A tough prospect in today’s world that demands more for less but I’m on board with you…never settle!

What would equate success for you, with regards to this tour?

• Purchases
• Great reviews (kudos on your writing skills)
• Message received by intended audience
• All of the above

KSL: All of the above

KSL: I’ve always been a really creative person and I think when I was a kid I wanted to be a mermaid when I grew up. I was obsessed with Ariel.

AIJAN: Lol..so many little girls were! What piece of advice would you give to first time authors?

KSL: I have a very practical piece of advice and that is to have a significant web presence. You can read more of my “thoughts” here.

AIJAN: Excellent advice! Is there any piece of advice you would like to ask from any of our veteran authors out there?

KSL: How do you cope with writer’s block?

AIJAN: Let me take a stab at answering this one for you.

Some use writing prompts, others a change of scenery, yet others take a break to “freshen” the mind. For me, the number one thing that works is staying plugged into God ensuring that I’m continually receiving His transmissions.  When my creativity starts dying off, it’s a signal to check myself.  A mental inventory of my prayer schedule, Bible study schedule and praise time usually confirms that I’ve slacked off and focused on the problems in my life which of course stunts creativity. Once I’m back on track, I can’t write fast enough to record all the ideas coming my way.  That being said, is there anything else you would like to add?

Content by Mitch Osborne

I cannot wait until Friday night! One of my favorite things to do in the winter is to have my girlfriends over for a movie night. Maine’s winter is just too cold for me to get out in, so we just plan our own movie nights at each other’s houses. This Friday I am having the girls over to my house! I am thinking we will watch a chick flick on my directv maine. I have already planned the menu and drinks! I am so excited to try a new appetizer I saw on the Food Network. It is bacon wrapped asparagus. I hope it turns out as good as it looked on TV because my mouth was watering the whole time I was watching that show and I couldn’t wait to make them. I am going to make pomegranate martinis also! We usually don’t even end up watching the movie because we get to talking or laughing and don’t even pay attention to the movie. I really feel blessed to have such great friends.

This year’s Event features 3 Prizes!

1) The First Place Prize will feature will be $600 Paypal CASH Prize for you splurge on your mom.

2) The Second Place Prize will be a Spa Perfect Relax & Rejuvinate Tote worth over $100 from Bea’s Gift Baskets and Gifts

3) The Third Place Prize will be a 3D Family Portrait on Canvas made by Emsheldesigns.

Please CLICK HERE To Get Your Entries in Early!

Written by Fermin Washington

If you haven’t even gotten on You Tube and searched the “I Love you Dog”, you have to do it! My sister told me about it and I watched it yesterday using my 4g internet. It is literally the cutest thing that I have ever seen on You Tube. I just can’t get enough. There is a husky, name Sasha, that sounds like she is saying “I love you”. I kid you not, it sounds like a person talking. I don’t know how she does it. Her owners will say that they love her and she will talk back. It is almost like a parrot. She can say some other things like “yes” and “no”. They really sound like a person talking. I thought at first that it could be fake but it has millions of views. I even looked it up on the Today Show tid bit. The pup even says “I love you on the show”. It takes her a while to start saying it, but once she does, she can’t stop. It is really amazing. I wish I could teach my dog how to do that!

Title: A Cowboy in Manhattan
Author: Barbara Dunlop
Publisher: Harlequin
Release Date: February 7, 2012
ISBN-10: 0373731531
ISBN-13: 978-0373731534
Mass Market Paperback: 192 pages
List Price: $4.99
Kindle Edition: $3.59

About the Book:

Coming out in February is book two of the author’s Colorado Cattle Barons Series, A Cowboy In Manhattan.

In book one, A Cowboy Comes Home, Caleb Terrell returned to Colorado, was reunited with his estranged twin brother Reed and also met up with sexy neighbor Mandy Jacobs. In A Cowboy In Manhattan, Reed Terrell finds a long-lost Jacobs sister for his own, New York ballerina Katrina.

Here’s a little more about A Cowboy In Manhattan:

He is Colorado to the core. And after an unexpected family reunion, Reed Terrell is also an overnight millionaire. But the cattle rancher’s biggest surprise is his attraction to Katrina Jacobs. For as much as Reed is quintessential cowboy, she is pure city-slicker.

Even with passions riding high, Reed knows an affair with Katrina can’t continue. She’d once lived the ranch life and long ago decided it wasn’t for her. Though every fiber of his being yearns for the country, can Reed risk losing the only woman who makes him crave something more?

About the Author:

USA Today bestselling author Barbara Dunlop has written more than twenty-five novels for Silhouette Desire, Harlequin Temptation and Duets. Her books regularly hit the Bookscan and Boarders’ bestsellers lists. Barbara is a two-time Romance Writers of America Golden Heart winner, and she has twice been short-listed for Romance Writers of America’s RITA award.

This guest post from Hong Alexander

My girlfriend and I just bought a new house, and we are super excited. So many of our friends said we shouldn’t get a house together since we aren’t married, and I’m glad she didn’t listen to them. I could have never afforded the house on my own, and of course I plan on marrying her as soon as we are ready. I don’t know if our friends think I’m stringing her along for some reason, but I would have never gotten into such a long financial commitment with her if I wasn’t planning to propose sometime soon. The house was too good to pass up. I know that if we hadn’t put in an offer when we did, it would have flown off the market in no time. It has a pool in the back yard, a huge master bedroom and is fully equipped for installation of an adt home security system. We are not the kind of people who would want an old house to renovate, so we were psyched when we found one that we liked and didn’t need repairs. I know we are going to happy in this house for many years, and I can’t wait to move in!

Affaire de Coeur Magazine has published books reviews since 1981 when Barbara Keenen returned from a romance book convention and decided that a literary magazine focusing on honestly critiqued books was needed. The Affaire de Coeur Magazine corporate office is located in Oakland, California. Louise Snead has been the publisher and Senior Editor since 1994 when she became the sole proprietor. It was voted one of the Top Ten Publications in the Bay Area and has been featured in Writers Market.

The readership originally started with a newsletter. As the reader’s attitude changed and their passion toward romance novels strengthened, the newsletter adapted and changed, growing into a bi-monthly magazine in which current non-fiction and fiction books from all genres are reviewed. Affaire de Coeur Book Reviews readers are selective and enjoy all different types of genres. The publication offers two choices for readers, issues sold via subscription, bookstores, and newsstands, the other as an online version (The issues are identical). AdC offers in-depth author interviews of the readers favorite novelists, educational, entertaining articles, news, trivia, contests, audio and book reviews.

There are a number of AdC reviewers who specialize in specific genres. Though books from the romance genre comprise the majority of the reviews, they review all genres—non-romance fiction, horror, urban fantasy, Christian, LGTB, mystery, non-fiction, historical fiction, and cozies, to name a few. Most recently they have added YA (Young Adult) books to their repertoire.

Knowing that the influence of book reviews can affectively increase sales for an author, our book reviewers are required to remain professional at all times. One thing that stands out among professional reviewers — a professional book reviewer will not critique the editing of a manuscript, nor will they verbally attack an author. Criteria are followed and a system is set for the AdC reviewer to follow, requiring special skills for proper evaluation.

In addition to the magazine, Affaire de Coeur has an interactive website where readers may comment on reviews, offer their own personal reviews, and participate in other interests of readership.

AdC magazine receives over a thousand books a year from authors and publishers. Over one hundred books per issue are chosen for review. The selection process is based on finding books from their readers’ favorite authors, as well as introducing new authors. Affaire de Coeur has also been commended for reviewing those books that many reviewers will not accept and are not considered mainstream. The reviewers not only read books received from standard publishing houses but also review books from small publishing houses, self published authors, POD, and E-book authors.

Visit AdC Magazine:

www.adcmagazine.com – home page
www.affairedecoeur.com – archived pages
www.affairedecoeur.com/blog – blog

Like, Follow or Friend AdC Magazine:

http://www.facebook.com/people/Louise-Snead/100000172156798 – facebook
http://twitter.com/affairedecoeurc – twitter
http://www.myspace.com/affairedecoeurmagazine – myspace

Contribution by Stevie Kirby

I decided after the debacle at my wedding that things were going too far in the cake industry here in town. There were only two ladies who made acceptable wedding cakes and since they had the market cornered they had jacked the costs up so much. My three tiered, small cake ended up costing me about $1000! Anyway, I practiced and practiced and got really good at wedding cakes and last year I opened my own shop. It was amazing at first – I’d planned ahead a lot and had all the signage done, the small business xo set up and my husband helped me convert the kitchen of the old coffee shop to a bakery suitable one. Anyway, business is great because I don’t charge an arm and a leg and I’ve got more clients now than I ever could have imaged at this stage in my career. I love what I do each and every day and it’s so great to be appreciated for it, too. The only people mad are those two ladies!

You know I’ve always wondered how some people complain about not having money yet look nice all the time and always seem to be shopping up a storm. Now I don’t mind looking nice, but I do hate shopping…unless I’m shopping for books and even then, I now prefer to do that online. Part of this aversion to shopping may be attributed to the fact that I now live in a small town in Pennsylvania where transportation is not as frequent as it was when I lived in New York.

The other part of that aversion could be blamed on the fact that I am a bit claustrophobic and I have problems making choices when there are too many to be made. Right about now, I know someone is wondering how I get anything done? Well, at first it takes planning, then it takes practice and a little upfront honesty doesn’t hurt either. The honesty comes in very handy when you first begin dating someone and it’s around a gift giving season. If you let them know you’re not a shopper, per se, they won’t raise any eyebrows when you hit him/her with a gift card to Starbucks instead of a tie he might not wear or a pair of gloves she’ll never wear.

For the claustrophobia, I shop at odd hours where stores are less likely to be crowded or I shop online. To deal with too many choices, I shop at stores like Express where they present clothing already matched up and all I have to do is pick, choose and/or refuse or again…I shop online. So that takes care of my discomfort/preferences, but how does that save me money? It doesn’t, unless I do my online shopping at a site like Savings.com where I can work through my holiday wish list and save. There are many deals, coupons and savings from trendy stores all in one place–so what’s on your list to purchase this holiday season?

When it comes to self-image it is so important that parents take time to reassure their children about the importance of inner as well as outer beauty. I recall that as a teenager when I found out that I had to wear eyeglasses, I was devastated. I did not believe that I would be found attractive anymore. To make things worse, my mom’s health insurance covered only the cheaper (sturdy) frames so that cheap eyeglasses, meant horrible looking eyeglasses.

A couple of years later when my mom’s insurance improved and I was allowed to pick more stylish eyeglasses, I felt a bit better about it, but I still felt that the fact that I had to wear eyeglasses at all was a beauty defect of humongous proportions. I could not wait until I could afford to buy a pair of contact lenses.

When I moved from Maryland to New York right after I graduated from high school and got my first job as a “grownup” I could not wait until my eighteenth birthday which heralded the arrival of my first pair of contact lenses—I felt beautiful again!

Looking back, the irony of it all is that, I look fabulous in eyeglasses—then and now; my problem is that I actually have ghastly taste in frames and even then, (see above) I was still cute as a button. The good news for this generation is that companies like Zenni Optical use state of the art materials to manufacture their lenses and create attractive yet sturday frames which are sold directly to consumers at reasonable cost. Cheap eyeglasses don’t necessarily have to look cheap to be cheap…anymore.

Hi Folks,

Sorry for the delay in posting and notification. Every year around this time I try to be superwoman and I volunteer for too many things and each year I say, I’m going to write myself a note for next year to remind myself that this is really ridiculous, and that I should practice saying, “No.”

Obviously, I didn’t get my own memo. LOL.

Anyway, the moment you’ve all been waiting for…who won the prize in the giveaway?

None other than:

Please join me in congratulating Kristy! An email has been sent to her and she has 48 hours in which to respond before I have to choose another winner.

Blessings,

According to Merriam-Webster.com when one dates it is an appointment to meet at a specified time; especially: a social engagement between two persons that often has a romantic character. When one courts one seeks the affections of; especially: to seek to win a pledge of marriage or engages in social activities leading to engagement and marriage. Courting is the equivalent of Christian dating.

Christian dating can be a bit challenging in this day and age–especially for a female. Why? Well, we are the ones who are indoctrinated from birth via commercials about Barbie and Ken figures, sitcoms like “Leave it to Beaver” and big screen movies where teens pay someone to pretend to be their boyfriend/girlfriend in order to attract the boy/girl they really want. We as women are taught, directly or indirectly, that we are incomplete without a spouse and that a wedding, honeymoon and happily ever after is our ultimate goal.

Most of us buy into that programming and set off purposefully through Junior High, High School and/or college with our feelers firmly in place as we breathlessly ask ourselves of every relationship, is he the one? Some of us are lucky; we find him and live happily ever after.  Some of us are not so lucky; as time goes by and desperation at not achieving our ultimate goal sets in, we find ourselves compromising our values just to have someone who may or may not marry us.

Yet again, some of us hold the line and trust in the One who designed and created relationships and stated that the wife is to be the help-mate and not the incomplete mate and that our completion is found in Him.  Then our season of aloneness is perceived as a gift and not a period of marking time until we find another him.  Undoubtedly, it can at times be lonely and frustrating as we try to make others understand why we make the choice that we do: to be courted instead of dated; however, we continue to hold fast to the promise that there is a time, season and purpose for everything under the heavens.

Years ago I realized that there is one thing that every creature that God created has in common–the desire to love and be loved. No matter where I was: online, at work, at church, on the bus, or at the supermarket…conversations with random strangers, revealed that people just want someone to listen to their point of view, to affirm their good points and have patience with their not-so-good points.  In essence, someone to love them. Gary Chapman’s series, is centered around love, its language and how it can be effectively expressed. If you’re looking for a gift for a family member or friend…consider this series:

About the Author:

Married more than 45 years to Karolyn, Dr. Gary Chapman is just the man to turn to for help on improving or healing our most important relationships. His own life experiences, plus over thirty-five years of pastoring and marriage counseling, led him to publish his first book in the Love Language series, The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate. Millions of readers credit this continual New York Times bestseller with saving their marriages by showing them simple and practical ways to communicate their love to their partner.

Since the success of his first book, Dr. Chapman has expanded his Five Love Languages series to specifically reach out to teens, singles, men, and children.

He is the author of numerous other books published by Moody Publishers/Northfield Publishing, including, Anger, The Family You’ve Always Wanted, The Marriage You’ve Always Wanted, Desperate Marriages, God Speaks Your Love Language (Jan 09), Parenting Your Adult Child, and Hope for the Separated. He co-authored The Five Languages of Apology with Dr. Jennifer Thomas.

Chapman speaks to thousands of couples nationwide through his weekend marriage conferences. He hosts a nationally syndicated radio program, Love Language Minute, and a Saturday morning program, Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman, that air on more than 100 stations. Dr. Chapman also serves as senior associate pastor at Calvary Baptist Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Dr. Chapman holds BA and MA degrees in anthropology from Wheaton College and Wake Forest University, respectively, MRE and PhD degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and has completed postgraduate work at the University of North Carolina and Duke University.

Dr. Chapman and his wife have two adult children and two grandchildren, and currently live in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

About the Books:

Title: The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate
Author: Gary Chapman
Publisher: Northfield Publishing; 2nd edition
Release Date: October 13, 1992
ISBN-10: 1881273156
ISBN-13: 978-1881273158
Paperback: 204 pages

Description:

Many married couples can attest that good communication with their spouse is essential to a long and happy marriage while poor communication can quickly tear the relationship apart. Despite best intentions and a loving commitment to their partner, couples can end up feeling disconnected from each other and uncertain how to improve their unhappy situation.

In this valuable tool, The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate, Dr. Gary Chapman teaches couples how to better relate to their spouse Drawing from over thirty years of experience as a marriage counselor, Dr. Chapman has identified five love languages—five ways that people communicate and understand emotional love. Couples often find that the euphoric feelings of being “in love” aren’t enough to sustain a marriage over the years. In the same way, Dr. Chapman explains, feeling love for your spouse is not enough. Couples must learn to communicate love in a way their partner can understand, using some variation of the five love languages: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch.

Dr. Chapman offers a thorough explanation of each love language and how to use it to communicate affection and commitment, all illustrated with real-life examples from his counseling practice. Throughout this book, readers will also find assessment tools to help determine the primary love language of their spouse and identify their own!

Title: The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts
Author: Gary Chapman
Northfield Publishing; 1 edition
Release Date: December 17, 2009
Format: Kindle Edition
File Size: 622 KB
Print Length: 209 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0802473156
ASIN: B0032CVAQQ

Description:

Marriage should be based on love, right’ But does it seem as though you and your spouse are speaking two different languages’ #1 New York Times bestselling author Dr. Gary Chapman guides couples in identifying, understanding, and speaking their special love language.

This guest post from Edgardo Rosa

The kids are driving me crazy and what’s making me even more crazy is that my husband isn’t helping. I count on him to go to work every day and bring home money which he does but he seems to think that means when he gets home at night he just gets to collapse and I still have to look after the kids. I love him to pieces but you know, there’s something to be said for working as a team and we’re just not doing that. Last night I asked him to watch the baby while I went online and researched Electric Company Rates in Texas for the house and he said he was watching the game. Watching the game?!? I haven’t had time all day to get online and look something up and you’re too busy watching the game? We need to sit down and have a serious talk about this but you know, I think we’re at least a few weeks away from that actually happening.

Hi Folks,

Another year has gone by so quickly I can hardly believe it and here once again is the Gratitude Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer and All Consuming Books. Gratitude Giveaways is scheduled to begin on November 17th at 12:01  AM EST and end on November 27th at 11:59 pm EST. Since this giveaway is being held around Thanksgiving, which is a busy time for many, the hosts want to give followers plenty of time to enter all the giveaways.

What’s Been Going On?

This blog has received a new look and the page rank has grown and Age is Just the Number, the book is now available in new ebook versions: (PDF, ePub, Mobi).  Through all the changes, there’s been one constant–you, the reader.  In appreciation, participation will be even simpler this year and available only to those of you who have been a follower or become a follower before 12:01 EST.

How Am I Celebrating?

Up for grabs in this International (International includes USA) giveaway is an ebook copy of Age is Just a Number: Adventures in Online Dating. Ordinarily, I’m not down with the “you must be a follower to participate” prerequisite because I figure folks will just be following for my stuff–on the other hand, this giveaway is to thank all those who have followed my blog all year so you kinda really do have to be a follower to participate.

This means that in order to participate you must have been a follower before the giveaway began at 12:01 AM EST.  That is my only prerequisite—well, that, and indicating your participation in the comments section. I’ve found a fabulous little plugin that will help me choose a winner so no Google entry forms this year.

• Comment including your name, email address and website (if you’ve got one)
• Include mention of which way you follow:
• Feedburner (email or feed) or
• Google Friend Connect (GFC) or
• Like my Facebook (FB) page, then
• Click on the linky to visit another site!
• Winners will be announced by the 30th of November.  He or she will have 48 hours in which to claim the gift certificate before another winner is picked.

That’s all there is to it.  Here’s to another great year!

Peace,

P.S. I’m participating with 4 of my blogs (if I can get all the posts up before 12:01 AM EST). These are the names and links so please check them out in the linky below (#100 – #103):

• Age is Just a Number – Online dating, relationships, articles - (This Blog – Old Followers Only)
• At the Water Cooler – Marketing and Promotional blog about all things literary - (Old Followers Only)
• Dee411 – Resourceful and encouraging site for abuse, domestic violence, suicide and mental issues – (Old and New Followers)
• Naked and Unashamed – Transparent ramblings of a singing, speaking and writing abuse survivor – (Old Followers Only)

I was recently happy to discover that five years after its publication, Age is Just a Number: Adventures in Online Dating remains entertaining, relevant and fully comparable to the many tomes popping up everyday on the Internet about online dating.

In fact, since the recent release of ePub and mobi versions, eight copies have been sold via the iBookstore and two via Amazon.com.  Nothing yet on Barnes and Noble (hint, hint people…lol).  Best of all,  all versions of Age is Just a Number are available via my new WordPress eStore. Okay…now I’m going to take off my marketing hat and share with you the event that sparked this celebratory moment.

I’ve always considered myself as pretty self-sufficient, someone who rarely needs any ego stroking or outside affirmations.  I kept right on thinking that that’s who I was, until a  recent review by RYCJ smoothed out ruffled feathers, I didn’t realize were ruffled and did wonders for my writer’s block while working on Volume II.

I didn’t realize it but some of the comments and subtle dismissals by some of my married church sisters slipped beneath the surface of my dismissal of their dismissal, festered and spread so much so that they colored my reaction to my own creation, unbeknownst to me.

Way beneath the surface was the thought that maybe, the clear purpose that I had at the inception of Age is Just a Number was skewed? Maybe a book about Internet dating from a middle-aged-African-American-Christian-woman had no value?  Maybe the fact that I was also a minister-in-training at the time was a shameful thing and not a helpful tool as I thought?  I mean, what could I have been thinking?  Maybe someone had loosened my sanctity hat when I wasn’t looking?

As a result of this implanted doubt, I stopped mentioning to anyone at church or otherwise that I am an author, with a published book.  I stopped walking around with a large purse filled with a minimum of five copies of my book.  As bookmarks dwindled, no attempt was made to reprint more.  In fact it was a good thing that in my move to Pennsylvania, I had cut off my locs, gained several pounds, nixed wearing make up, used a pen name and now looked nothing like the picture in the back of the book!  Whew…great save!

Or was it?

After some self-examination and time spent with God, I realized that had I not harbored that doubt myself beneath the surface, their dismissals would not have affected me to such an extent.  I had attached a bit of my pride and self-worth to God’s gifting which flowed through the manuscript.  Had I attributed the full glory to God, I would have been shielded from the fallout.  You see, God’s gifts are given to all of us, to reach and help His people.  He also has made it plain that those same gifts are to be used to create miracles so that those who don’t know about Him will marvel and wonder and come to know that there is more to life than the eye can physically see.  His gifts are non-returnable, however, they are meant to be used for His glory and not ours.

Lessons learned?

1. God deserves all the credit, I’m just the vessel He chose to use.
2. Know your target market. Their dismissal was not personal, they were married women who read a book geared toward single women.
3. I need to stay focused–on the assignment and on the One who gave me the assignment.

In Volume II I will have to update some links, add reviews of sites like Match.com, eHarmony and include cross reference information, like the fact that Yahoo Personals is now a part of Match.com. I’m not sure if I will personally review more dating sites other than the ones I’ve tried since there are now sites available that do reviews like Consumer-Rankings.com, Dating Site Reviews and Top 10 Best Dating Sites.  After all, aside from comparing the prices and benefits offered, one’s opinion of the best online dating sites, is a subjective thing, dependent upon our individual experience.