"What we call luck is really the result of attracting what we hope, wish or pray for into our lives through techniques that we can purposefully direct," says Nwokogba, who has studied numerous religious and metaphysical traditions, from his childhood in rural Nigeria to his adulthood in metropolitan Los Angeles. "To get what you want, you need to know what you really want and ask for it in the proper way."

Nwokogba illustrates the principle that you may not be conscious of your true desire with the example of a parent in urgent need of money for their child's upcoming surgery. "It's not really money that you need," he points out. "It's Baby Doe's recovery and good health, regardless of how that happens to come about." The book includes instructions for group petitions, visualization, meditation and holding a thought in mind before falling asleep, which he argues is far more powerful than verbal affirmations.

One of the challenges of asking for what you want is recognizing the response to one's request, which may come in a very unexpected form. Nwokogba notes too that the universe places limits on what we can ask for, since we can't receive eternal life on earth or anything that goes against the law of karma, that whatever we sow, we reap in accordance with divine purpose.

"We are pleased to offer Isaac Nwokogba's book through the 1stBooks Library," says President Tim Jacobs. "It has some fresh, insightful things to say and we believe it's well worth the reader's attention."

Seeds of Luck (ISBN 1-58820-103-1; paperback, list price $12.42) is now available through 1stBooks Library at www.1stbooks.com, 800-839-8640, online retailers, and bookstores nationwide.