Fun Summer Book Updates

The Hard Work of Believing Things Are Tough All Over

Fun Summer Book Updates

Hard to believe we’re almost midway through the summer. A lot has happened since my last book update in May. Starting with the success of my most recent novel, The Dance, co-authored with Gary Smalley. It made both the CBA and ECPA Bestseller lists in June, and just a few days ago it made the CBA bestseller list again for July (the ECPA list hasn’t come out yet this month). Click on the pick and it will get bigger.

Thanks to all of you who’ve bought copies and told others to. No amount of money spent on marketing or advertising can match the power of friends telling friends, “You’ve got to read this book.” It would be so wonderful if The Dance stayed on these lists until Book 2 comes out September 1st, The Promise.

More Awards for The Discovery?

My 5th novel, The Discovery, combines a love story with historical suspense. It has already received a number of acclamations and awards:

Top Pick! from RT Book Reviews Magazine (their highest review rating)
Finalist for Inspirational Book of the Year
Selah Award winner for Best Historical Fiction (rec’d perfect score from all the judges)
Over 100 5-Star reader reviews on Amazon

Well, The Discovery was just named a finalist for ACFW’s Carol Award for Best Historical Fiction. ACFW is the largest Christian fiction organization in the country, with over 2,500 members. Winners will be announced in September in Indianapolis at their banquet on the final day of the writing conference. One other note…I happen to be the only male author who made the finals this year.

Upcoming Speaking Opportunities

Some of you know, I used to be a pastor for 25 years. Far from being a reclusive writer, I enjoy being with people and public speaking. I have firmed up several speaking opportunities in the past few weeks:

Sat, July 13 at 3pm, Speaking via video-phone to the Pacific Northwest Assoc of Church Librarians
Friday, July 19th at 11:20am, speaking via speakerphone to a Book Club in Titusville.
Sat-Sunday, July 27-28th, evening and morning, speaking at the Novel Writer’s Beach Retreat, right here in Daytona.
Sun, Sept 15th, 2:15pm, speaking as part of an Author’s Panel Workshop at the ACFW conference in Indianapolis.
Mon-Thurs, Aug 4-7th (2014), final keynote speaker as well as teaching workshops at the Oregon Christian Writers Summer Conference.

Well, that’s all I can think of for now. So grateful to God for allowing me to work doing something I love.