Journal Jots – Blog
Welcome to my Journal Jots blog! This is a broad mix of what’s on my mind, allowing me to feel a little bit closer to some of the most important people in my life—YOU! From news on sales, freebies, giveaways, new releases, and excerpts from works in progress … to my thoughts on my walk with God, daily devotionals, or photos of my family, this is where you’ll find the most current glimpse into my books and my life. I invite you to subscribe in the “subscribe” box on the right side of this page to automatically receive an email whenever I post a blog. Till then, God bless and HAPPY READING!
Friday, October 10, 2026
🍁 WE HAVE WINNERS!! 🍁
🍁 AND A NEW CONTEST BELOW!! 🍁
✅ Winner of Blog-Tour $50 Amazon Gift Card!
✅ Winner of Inspirational/Historical Fict. Index Giveaway!
✅ Winner of Reading Challenge Zoom $50 Amazon G.C.!
✅ New Contest: Win Your Choice of One Paperback or Three e-Books!
✅ Join Christian Fiction Reading Challenge for Free and Get Free e-Book!
✅ Another Free e-Book???
Read my prior blog including 1st excerpt from Winnie’s story HERE!
Winner of Blog-Tour $50 Amazon G.C.!
A giant THANK YOU to all of you who took the time to enter my blog-tour contest for A WHIM AND A PRAYER!
As always, I wish all of you could win, but unfortunately only one entrant can. And that lucky entrant is …
MARION MPC
SUPER CONGRATS to Marion. Your gift card is on its way!
Winner of Inspirational Historical Fiction Index Giveaway!
On Author Melissa Jagears’ INSPIRATIONAL HISTORICAL FICTION INDEX (an AMAZING website to search out all Inspirational Historical books), entrants had a chance to win their choice of a signed paperback of A WHIM AND A PRAYER (or one of my other books) OR all 4 of the e-books in The Cousins O’Connor series, including A WHIM AND A PRAYER.
How? By answering the following question in the interview: HOW OLD WAS I WHEN I BEGAN WRITING MY DEBUT NOVEL, A PASSION MOST PURE?
And that lucky winner is: SARAH EVANKOVICH
SUPER CONGRATS to Sarah for answering that question correctly–I was twelve years old! Your signed book is in the mail!
Winner of Reading Challenge Zoom $50 Amaz.G.C.!
MEGA THANKS to everyone who attended my Christian Fiction Reading Challenge Zoom interview and asked a question. Your questions were great, and I hope you enjoyed the interview.
BUT … if you didn’t get a chance to see it, I’m running another contest below where you can win your choice of a signed paperback of one of my books or three e-books just by answering a question, so do check it out.
For now, SUPER CONGRATS to the winning question and who asked it, which was … BRITTANY MOTLEY! Your $50 Amazon G.C. has been sent.
New Contest: Win Choice of Paperback or 3 e-Books!
HOW?
1.) Just watch my Christian Fiction Reading Challenge Zoom interview at the link below.
2.) Listen for the answer to the following question, which you’ll find in the interview:
HOW DO I JUDGE A BOOK?
3.) Then send me an email at CONTACT JULIE with your answer, and I will enter you in the drawing for your choice of a signed paperback of any of my books (based on my personal library availability) OR your choice of 3 of any of my indie e-books. WINNER WILL BE CONTACTED DIRECTLY, SO GOOD LUCK!
WATCH THE ZOOM VIDEO INTERVIEW HERE
SEND ME YOUR ANSWER HERE
Join Christian Fiction Reading Challenge for Free and Get Free e-Book!
It’s not too late to join The Christian Fiction Reading Challenge for free 
because there are still three months to go where you can interact with your favorite authors, ask questions of them in the end-of-the-month Zoom chat, AND receive a free e-book from moi!
This month for October, award-winning author Tamera Alexander’s brand-new release, IN THESE HILLS is the book we are reading and discuss
ing at the end-of-month Zoom, so sign up for free and join in the fun!
Then the book for November is by award-winning author Deborah Raney entitled, WHO NAMES THE STARS, followed by December’s offering of award-winning author Beth Vogt’s TOGETHER THIS CHRISTMAS.
NOTE: The Christian Fiction Reading Challenge meme above show’s Beth Vogt’s book, Not Really Over You, but this is not correct and should be TOGETHER THIS CHRISTMAS.
SO … HOW DO I RECEIVE A FREE E-BOOK?
1.) Just sign up for THE CHRISTIAN FICTION READING CHALLENGE HERE.
2.) Then let me know you signed up for THE CHRISTIAN FICTION READING CHALLENGE by sending me an email telling me so via my website HERE.
3.) You will then have your choice of any one of my indie e-books except for my latest release, A WHIM AND A PRAYER.
Want Another Free e-Book?
You know what? Although posting a review on a book you loved is the BEST way to bless an author you like, many people don’t do it, so when someone does post a good review for me, I am SO grateful that I give them a free e-book.
If that’s you, then PLEASE let me know so I can thank you from the bottom of my heart and the top of my book list, okay? You can contact me through my website at CONTACT JULIE.
HUGS AND HAPPY READING!
JULIE
Monday, September 21, 2026
WIN FREE BOOKS & GIFT CARDS BELOW!
✅ Blog Tour with $50 Amazon Gift-Card Giveaway Starts Today, 9/21/26!
✅ Win Paperback of A Whim and a Prayer OR Four e-Books!
✅ Chance to Win ANOTHER $50 Amazon Gift Card!
✅ Want a Free e-Book?
Read my prior blog including 1st excerpt from Winnie’s story HERE!
Blog Tour with Giveaway Starts Today!
Want to win a $50 Amazon gift card?
Well, now’s your chance and it’s easy-peasy! Visit one or all of 22 blogs featured on my blog tour, and you’re in the draw to win!
She’s a former orphan
desperate to protect her heart.
He’s a best friend who protects
her from the start.
Till prayer protects them both from
a true love torn apart.
AND … the more blogs you visit, the better your chances, so GOOD LUCK and HAPPY BLOGGING!
HERE’S THE LINK TO THE BLOG TOUR AND THE SCHEDULE:
September 21
Where Faith and Books Meet
Happily Managing a Household of Boys
Woven by Words
Reading Is My SuperPower
A Modern Day Fairy Tale
September 22
All of a kind Mom
Mrs. Ryan Moser’s book and movie reviews
Beauty in the Binding
A Baker’s Perspective
September 23
Books Less Travelled
Inklings and Notions
By The Book
Christy’s Cozy Corners
September 24
For Him and My Family
Radiant Light
Lisa’s Reading
LiteraryScape Podcast
September 25
FINCHNWREN
Inspired by Fiction
The Blended Blog
Hallie Reads
Miss Pippi Reads
Win Signed Paperback OR 4 e-Books!
Here’s a chance to win your choice of a signed paperback copy of A WHIM AND A PRAYER (or one of my other books) … OR … all 4 of the e-books in The Cousins O’Connor series, including A WHIM AND A PRAYER! How?
Just head on over to the INSPIRATIONAL HISTORICAL FICTION INDEX where you can read my interview with award-winning author Melissa Jagears. Not only is it an AMAZING website to search out all Inspirational Historical books, but there’s always a giveaway going on, so it’s WIN-WIN!
Simply opt for a free entry OR you can boost your chances to win with various other options — the choice is yours!
BONUS OPTION FOR JOURNAL JOT MEMBERS ONLY: Send me an email at CONTACT JULIE to answer the following question, and you’ll automatically win your choice of one of any of my indie e-books:
HOW OLD WAS I WHEN I BEGAN WRITING MY DEBUT NOVEL, A PASSION MOST PURE?
Chance to Win ANOTHER $50 Amazon Gift Card!
September is my month for the THE CHRISTIAN FICTION READING CHALLENGE, so I hope you will join me for a Zoom chat on A WING AND A PRAYER on Tuesday, September 29 at 6 PM CDT (OR 4 PM PDT AND 7 PM EDT), where you can ask me questions AND be eligible to win a $50 Amazon gift card.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
1.) Just sign up for THE CHRISTIAN FICTION READING CHALLENGE HERE.
2.) Read A WING AND A PRAYER (now on e-sale for only 99 cents!) or maybe reread it if you already own it.
3.) Simply post a question in the chat during the Zoom on September 29 (details automatically will be sent to you after you sign up for the challenge).
4.) Then after the Zoom, just send me an email at CONTACT JULIE with your full name and the question you asked, and I will enter you in the drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card.
NOTE: If you can’t be there on the 29th, you can still enter by asking a question ahead of time at THE CHRISTIAN FICTION READING CHALLENGE and clicking on the SUBMIT A QUESTION TAB.
WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED IN MY NEXT JOURNAL JOT BLOG. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
Want a Free e-Book?
You know what? Although posting a review on a book you loved is the BEST way to bless an author you like, many people don’t do it, so when someone does post a good review for me, I am SO grateful that I give them a free e-book.
If that’s you, then PLEASE let me know so I can thank you from the bottom of my heart and the top of my book list, okay? You can contact me through my website at CONTACT JULIE.
HUGS AND HAPPY READING!
JULIE
September 1, 2026
✅ WHEW! What a Summer!
✅ We Have a Winner in the Pre-Order Contest!
✅ Winnie’s Almost Here!
✅ Free Download!
✅ Upcoming Contest: Win a $50 Gift Card!
✅ What Am I Pre-Ordering?
Read my prior blog including 1st excerpt from Winnie’s story HERE!
Whew … What a Summer!
Boy, oh boy … has it been a busy summer in Sweet Home Alabama! (Roll Tide! 🏈)
Not only is an O’Connor cousin — Winifred Dennehy — making her debut in my upcoming release, A WHIM AND A PRAYER, on September 8, which definitely kept me busy, but we’ve also been settling into Bama life and lots of quality time with family and friends!
So, check out the montage below where my son’s family came for a visit including this rainy day in the woods, my granddaughter and I celebrated the 4th, my better half won a pickle-ball award, my daughter and I are having fun, one of many beautiful sunsets, and lots of rides on the waverunner! All in, a truly blessed first summer in our new Alabama home!
Our Winner in the Pre-Order Contest!
And now … it’s Winnie’s turn to shine, and boy, does she!
Along with … the winner of my pre-order contest who has won a fairly major character named after her in A WHIM AND A PRAYER, plus a signed paperback copy, and a $25 Amazon gift card. So, without further ado, let’s give a great big round of applause for …
Cari Lee Barton!
SUPER CONGRATS to Cari and a big thank you to each and every one of you who pre-ordered A WHIM AND A PRAYER and to Randomizer who picked Cari out of a slew of wonderful entrants. I truly wish you all could have won!
Cari … I will be in touch soon!
Whoo-Hoo … Winnie’s Almost Here!
Yep, the good news is Winnie’s almost here … but the even better news is … she’s still on a pre-order discount sale until her release date of September 8, so go for the discount before her price goes up!
She’s a former orphan desperate to protect her heart.
He’s a best friend who protects her from the start.
Till prayer protects them both from a true love torn apart.
Discarded like so much trash on the steps of an orphanage at age two, seventeen-year-old Winifred Dennehy thinks God has it out for her. Abandoned by abusive parents and born cross-eyed to boot, she spent the first four years of her life battling bullies and verbal abuse. Deliverance came in the form of one Beckett Campbell, the ten-year-old orphan who became her best friend and guardian angel for life, along with an orphanage volunteer by the name of Mrs. D. When Mrs. Charity Dennehy adopts Winnie into her family, has her crossed eyes fixed, and secretly arranges for Beckett to be fostered and then adopted by elderly neighbors down the street, Winnie figures her luck has changed. But instead of attributing it to God like Beckett does, she’s inclined to believe it’s her own grit, charm, and spontaneity that has paved the way.
From the moment twenty-four-year-old Beckett Campbell saw the tiny, cross-eyed orphan who reminded him of the sister he lost, he wanted to love and protect her forever. Best friends from the start despite over five years apart, Winnie’s naïve spontaneity for wild hairs and whims keeps Beck’s mature responsibility busy and happily so. Until the little girl he wanted to protect suddenly becomes the young woman he wants to love. When Winnie insists on protecting their friendship from the fear and risk of anything more, Beck has a decision to make. Friendship forever … or a life apart from the best friend he loves. Praying that Winnie will change her mind, Beck doesn’t hold out much hope for that day. But when an unexpected turn of events alters both of their lives, it puts “a whim and a prayer” on a collision course that just might make a way.
Free Download!
Get ready for Winnie by reading about her background in A WHISPER OF HOPE, my O’Connor Christmas novella that introduces Winnie to the family. And where Charity’s up to her old tricks! Here’s the blurb:
She’s desperate for a baby.
He’s desperate for an empty nest.
Love is desperate to surprise them both.
With a husband dead set against adoption, Charity O’Connor Dennehy has barely a whisper of hope for more children, but if hope doesn’t disappoint … will it be enough to find a precious bundle under her tree?
FROM SEPTEMBER 1-5 ONLY
FREE DOWNLOAD HERE!
Win a $50 Amazon Gift Card!
Guess what? September is my month for the THE CHRISTIAN FICTION READING CHALLENGE, so I hope you will join me for a Zoom chat on A WING AND A PRAYER on Tuesday, September 29, where you can ask me questions AND be eligible to win a $50 Amazon gift card.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
1.) Just sign up for THE CHRISTIAN FICTION READING CHALLENGE HERE.
2.) Read A WING AND A PRAYER (now on e-sale for only 99 cents!) or maybe reread it if you already own it.
3.) Simply post a question in the chat during the Zoom on September 29 (details automatically will be sent to you after you sign up for the challenge).
4.) Then after the Zoom, just send me an email at CONTACT JULIE with your full name and the question you asked, and I will enter you in the drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card.
WINNER ANNOUNCED IN MY NEXT JOURNAL JOT BLOG. HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!
So … What Am I Pre-Ordering?
I can count on one hand the number of authors whose books I pre-order, and MaryLu Tyndall is definitely one. And let me just say that after reading Books One and Two in her amazing series, The Legend of the King’s Ring, I am chomping at the bit to get to her upcoming release, Book 3, The Sacrifice.
He Was Danger . . . But Still She Felt Safest in His Arms
Amos Kent Carlton has faced death before—but never with a noose around his neck. Spared at the last moment and sold into servitude, he vows to reclaim his freedom at any cost. Trust is a luxury he cannot afford… and faith, a relic he left behind long ago.
Lady Alexandra Ashcombe commands ships, land, and men with unyielding precision. But when the pirate placed under her authority begins to unravel both her control—and her guarded heart—she finds herself caught in a battle far more perilous than any she has fought in society or trade.
For the Ring of Solomon has resurfaced. Sought by those who crave its power, the ancient artifact carries with it whispers of divine authority… and devastating consequence. As enemies converge and the line between justice and vengeance blurs, Amos and Alexandra must confront the truth: Some chains cannot be broken without cost. Some love cannot survive without surrender. And some destinies demand the ultimate sacrifice.
I encourage you to check it out! PRE-ORDER HERE!
Hugs and Happy Summer!
Julie
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