Julie Lessman - Journal Jots

Friday

Aug052011

Journal Jots

Friday, August 5, 2011 at 10:04PM

WELCOME TO JOURNAL JOTS ...

A weekly journal on FRIDAYS where you can learn what I'm up to on my books, giveaways, fun things I'm doing or even my own personal devotional for the day. It's 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! So please stop by from time to time, and if you have questions or comments, I'd love to hear from you via the "Contact Julie" tab or via my Facebook page. Hugs, Julie

FRIDAY, MAY 25, 2012:

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost but now am found

Was blind, but now, I see.

— Amazing Grace, John Newton

“Mom, sing Amay … sing Amay!”

You know, it still makes me smile after all these years—and, yes, tear up—that precious request my daughter would utter over and over again from the moment she could talk. “Mom, sing Amay.”

And so I would, rocking her in my arms in the middle of the night while I nursed her as a baby or when storms or nightmares would waken her as a toddler—Amazing Grace was definitely number one on the Lessman top 100 Billboard. So, why that song and not other wonderful children’s hymns like This Little Light of Mine or Jesus Loves Me? Well, first of all, Amazing Grace happened to be one of the few songs I knew by heart, at least the first stanzas, and then secondly … well … it’s the song of my life. And yours.

For me, it’s also a song that fits perfectly with this upcoming holiday—Memorial Weekend. Yes, this is the holiday we celebrate and remember our veterans, those men and women who gave of themselves so unselfishly and in many cases, their lives, to ensure that we, as Americans, remain free. We owe them a great debt and our undying gratitude for the sacrifice they made. Our life of freedom as we know it would not be possible without them.

But taking it a step further, neither would our life of freedom—spiritual or otherwise—be possible without a God Who also gave of Himself in every way, even His life, to set each of us free. And, I’m happy to say, a God who does not remember the sin of a wretch like me.

I woke up this morning not really sure what my Journal Jot would be. Mind you, I usually have an inkling based on something that happens to me in the prior week or a devotional or Scripture I read in my daily devotional time. But this week? I knew I was going to have to wing it because nothing readily came to mind.

Oh, it was a great week, to be sure—filled with wonderful things like a 13-mile bike ride with my honey on Grant’s Trail, a part historical/part residential biking trail where I literally talked the poor man’s ear off; a wonderful dinner out with the miniature love of my life, my granddaughter Rory; a new cover for book 1 in the Heart of San Francisco series Love at any Cost, which I hope to release in my summer newsletter; and incredible 70-80 degree weather all week in which I wrote up a storm on Marcy and Patrick’s prequel, A Light in the Window, for which—drum roll, please—I only have two and a half scenes to go!! So, yes, truly a wonderful week, full of God’s blessings.

And then when I woke up this morning and checked e-mails, I read a post by one of my dearest friends, Casey Herringshaw (yes, the same Casey who won my contest to have a character named after her in A Heart Revealed) entitled “Be a Mary Newton.” OH MY! What a thought-provoking and, I might add, beautifully written post by a young woman whose name you will see in bookstores one day, mark my words. Casey did such a wonderful job on this post that I encourage you to read it for yourselves at Casey’s blog, Writing for Christ—The Audience of One. The gist of it is that although John Newton is the man who garners all the praise for writing one of the most powerful hymns in Christianity—Amazing Grace—it was Mary Newton, the woman who loved him, that fought the spiritual battle for his soul. Truly an unsung hero, Mary, through the amazing grace of God, fought for and won the freedom of the man she eventually married … and she did it on her knees.

WOW, Casey’s post got me to thinking! Men and women go to fight and retain our freedom, but how many of us truly take our spiritual warfare as seriously as we should? You know, that single young woman who should be praying on a daily basis for that mate that God will hopefully bring her some day or that single woman who had to break up with a boyfriend because he wasn't a believer? Or that wife whose husband is not a believer or only a surface believer without an intimate relationship with our God? Young women, young wives—we need to be relentless in our prayers for those we love or will love. And you gals out there with a good-to-great marriage who think you’re off the hook? Think again! Because the truth is that each of us have been enlisted by God to enter the spiritual trenches on behalf of those we love.

I will never forget a time early in my marriage—about four years in, before kids—when my husband sat me down to tell me that he was worried I was becoming too fanatical about God and he thought it would ruin our marriage. Mind you, I married a good man who accepted Jesus as God and Savior and went to church, but he did not understand the relationship I had with Christ. Did not understand the love affair I had with God. You see, I didn’t just believe in Jesus—I lived and breathed Him like those amazing lyrics from Michael W. Smith’s famous song, Breathe—“this is the air I breathe, Your holy presence living in me.” God was—is—my All in All. Back then, as now, I devoured the Bible on a daily basis, prayed with a prayer partner on a weekly basis and practiced spiritual warfare every moment of every day, binding and loosing according to God’s Word. And, yes, my sweet husband thought I was over the top.

I can still remember the phone conversation I had with my sister that day about Keith’s fears—and his ultimatum that I pull back from God just a bit. Although my sister and I were raised with religion, neither of us really “knew” God or had an intimate relationship with Him until I came to Him first at the age of 23 and then brought her to Him years later, actually just weeks prior to this particular phone call.

“Keith says he’s worried I’m a fanatic and will ruin our marriage,” I sobbed to my sister that day, a woman who was virtually just a baby in Christ. “What are you going to do?” she asked, knowing that I espoused the dreaded “submission” precept laid out in Ephesians 5:22—"Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbandsas you do to the Lord,” a Scripture, I might add, in which the Lord quickly showed me to replace the word “submit” with “respect.” “Well, I guess I’ll have to pull back from God somewhat,” I whispered, a heaviness settling on my soul like a shroud.

Silence. “Kate?” I said, wondering if I had lost her on the line. “No,” came her response. “Pardon me?” “I said no, Julie, you cannot pull back from God. That is exactly what the devil wants you to do because not only will it hurt you, but it will hurt the man of God your husband will be one day if you persevere.”

I blinked. Somewhere overhead, the sun came out and hope shafted into my heart like the rays of sunshine shafting through window, drying my tears. I realized then that I was in the spiritual trenches—not just for my husband, but our future children and all the people I loved in my life. From that day on, I toned down the Christian-eze and talked less about the Bible to my husband, trying to live it instead as Francis Assisi so wisely advised: "Preach the gospel at all times and when necessary, use words." And then I ramped up the prayer—BIG time—and lo and behold, today I literally have a marriage “made in heaven” with a husband who loves God with all of his heart … just like his "fanatical" wife!

And so, on this Memorial Weekend, let us remember the veterans, yes, but also the God whose amazing grace not only saves “a wretch like me,” but allows us … empowers us … and yes, requires us … to fight the spiritual battle for those we love in trenches overflowing with His amazing grace.

I leave you with some “amazing” examples of God’s grace in my life—a precious granddaughter who is the beautiful result of years in the trenches for my husband, my children and now my grandbaby, Aurora "Grace." The first one is at a wedding with both of her grandmothers, "JuJu" and Nana Freeman. The next one is a pic Amy took of Rory this week when we babysat her—Keith put his baseball cap on her in our living room. The next two are my daughter-in-law Katie with Rory and then Rory in highchair. If you look close, you can see she has lips just like her mother and like I have never seen before. They have a natural dark rose lining as if a lip liner had been used, and the inside are a pretty pink. My daughter-in-law can literally just wear lip gloss and look like she has lipstick on. I am SO jealous!! :)

May your weekend be overflowing with “Amay” until all those you love have been truly “found.”

Hugs,

Julie

NEXT WEEK I ANNOUNCE THE WINNER OF MY CONTEST!!! You still have time to enter until May 31^st and you have three chances to win!! Either win a signed copy of any of my books, including A Love Surrendered, a $50 gift card or have a bit character named after you in Steven’s story, A Love Surrendered, due out in October. DETAILS ON THE CONTEST TAB OF MY WEBSITE, SO CHECK IT OUT!!

NEW FEATURE ON MY WEBSITE!! I read somewhere (Publisher’s Weekly, I think), where authors need to put excerpts on their websites because it increases sales, but I have been MOST negligent in this, so I have remedied that. I now have a tab on my website called “Excerpts,” where I list my favorite romantic and spiritual scenes from each of my books, including my upcoming novel, A Love Surrendered. So spread the word if you know anyone you think might like my books—just direct them to my Excerpts link for a taste of my writing style, okay? Thank you SO much!!

YEP, THE SALE IS STILL ON … Steven’s story, A Love Surrendered is ON SALE IN PRE-ORDER!!! For a very limited time, you can pre-order A Love Surrendered for only $7.72, which is almost half off, so if you plan to order it, NOW is the time to do it and if you do, PLEASE like the link, okay? Here are the links, but keep in mind that CBD.com’s sale price may not be loaded yet:

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/isbn=0800734173/bakerbookhouseA

Barnes and Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-surrendered-a-julie-lessman/1108614896?ean=9780800734176&afsrc=1&itm=1&r=1&z=y&

Christianbook.com:

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?isbn=9780800734176&event=AFF&p=101150

FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2012:

Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,

for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

—Joshua 1:9

Okay, I’ll be the first to admit that without fail, I cry or tear up at weddings and graduations. I know, I know—HUGE surprise!! So, since this is the season for both, I’ve been doing a lot of weeping lately, but that’s okay because it’s all been good.

Like last night. My precious daughter Amy graduated from law school, and yes, her dad and I have gone through thick and thin with her over the trials (no pun intended) and tribulations of becoming an attorney. Mind you, she knew what she was getting in to because she bought the book, Law School for Dummies, when she was a senior in college, right about the time she was bemoaning the fact she didn’t have a boyfriend. Imagine her joy when one of the chapters in the Dummies book began with: (note: can’t find the book now to verify the quote, but it was something like this) If you have boyfriend or girlfriend, dump ‘em, if you have a spouse, sit 'em down and give ‘em the cold, hard facts—your life now belongs to law school!

Amy graduated summa cum laude from Truman State (called the Ivy League of the Midwest) in three years, a rare achievement, I am told, so I really didn’t expect law school to be that difficult for her. But sadly, the Dummies book was right on—law school all but owned her, an experience akin to three years of physics/chemisty/math … in another language!! The legal world is literally another mindset one has to learn and a logic that by most of our stands, is not logical, where everyone competes against the other for top ranking. Not a fun experience, trust me, at least not for Amy and her parents. You think I’m weepy?? Try studying the suggested 500 hours for a bar exam. The day Amy’s books came, the box was a literal foot and a half high of the biggest, densest 2” manuals you have ever seen—eight of them—with about as much white space as a moonless night.

Mind you, we’ve lived with this for three years now, fully aware our daughter was about to receive her juris doctorate (Dr. Amy as she requested I call her), but you know what? All of us have been so slammed with work, deadlines, life, that it wasn’t until I sank down in that padded theater chair of the St. Louis University auditorium that everything came in to focus—the hard work, the tears, the roller-coaster of angst, hopes and fears. I watched my daughter walk to the stage with 299 other law graduates to the tune of Pomp and Circumstance, and the moment struck hard, welling tears in my eyes. This was one of life’s high points—the top of the roller-coaster when you’re entitled to scream as loud as you can with your hands in the air (and yes, of course I did) before you plunge back down into reality with book deadlines and studying for the bar.

But I have to say, the moment that wrung the most tears from my eyes was when the chaplain opened the ceremony with an invocation that included our Scripture quote today. Oh my … the dam burst on that one, I can tell you that because when push comes to shove and everyday trials of living give way to pinnacle moments like this, it truly is all about God. Acknowledging Him for His hand in our lives, His guidance and His daily blessings. To slough off that discouragement and fear and KNOW that He is God, and not just God, but a God who loves each of us with a fierce and everlasting love.

Yes, my daughter has achieved much by completing three years of law school, but the trials and tribulations so inherent in life are not over with the hooding of a juris doctorate or passing the bar, no. She now enters a legal community glutted with freshly minted lawyers like herself, scrambling for positions that aren’t there in a weak economy. And yet she has something far greater and far more powerful than a legal degree. She has a God Who not only has a plan and purpose for her life—and ours—but a God Who, as our Scripture today points out, “is with us wherever we go,” whispering in our ears, “Fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee …” —Genesis 26:24.

You know, I don’t care if one has a PHD, medical degree or law degree, as far as I am concerned, the only degree that is really necessary in today’s world is the “degree” of confidence and faith we have in a God who is bigger than any achievement and higher than any pinnacle of success. If we have nothing else and have Him, it is more than enough.

Happy weekend and may you celebrate the greatest achievement of all—a God Who gave His life so He could turn around and give it right back—to us. Abundantly, exceedingly more than we think, hope or pray!

Hugs,

Julie

NEW CONTEST TILL MAY 31ST!!! Three chances to win!! Okay, everybody, this is your chance to win a signed copy of any of my books, including A Love Surrendered, a $50 gift card AND have a bit character named after you in Steven’s story, A Love Surrendered, due out in October. DETAILS ON THE CONTEST TAB OF MY WEBSITE, SO CHECK IT OUT!!

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/isbn=0800734173/bakerbookhouseA

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-surrendered-a-julie-lessman/1108614896?ean=9780800734176&afsrc=1&itm=1&r=1&z=y&

Christianbook.com:

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?isbn=9780800734176&event=AFF&p=1011504

FRIDAY, MAY 11, 2012:

“Stand firm …

without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you.

This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed,

but that you will be saved—and that by God.

—Philippians 1:28

Have you ever read a book where the villain was SO hateful and awful that you wanted to string them up? And, no, I’m not talking about Charity O’Connor here, although I have received a number of e-mails in the past asking me to “slap Charity for them” or that they wanted to see her “maimed or killed.” Let’s face it, when we read a book or watch a movie where the bad guy (or girl) does something awful, you either want to throw the book across the room or spit at the TV screen, or at the very least, rail out loud. Or … at least I do. But even if you are one of those who does not keep a bottle of Windex by your TV or your walls have nary a dent or scratch from a book, you still get mad, right?

And when someone makes us mad, NOTHING feels better than making them mad right back. For instance, I still remember how my sweet, little, compliant son would respond when I spanked him (which I rarely had to do because he was just that good of a kid). I had this little paddle and if the infraction warranted it, I would give either my son or daughter one whack on the bottom and send them to their room. Well, the first time this happened with my boy, instead of crying, he looked me straight in the eye and smiled as if he hadn’t felt a thing, which, of course, I promptly rememedied. But that look in his eye, like you are not going to get to me, Mom, so typifies our human nature, doesn’t it? It’s kind of our way to spit in the eye of those who make us mad.

This morning in my Joyce Meyer devotional, Hearing From God Each Morning, Joyce referenced our Scripture above in a devotion entitled “Frustrate the Enemy.” She talks about satan (sorry, I never capitalize his name if I can help it and neither does Joyce Meyer, apparently …) and what our response should be when he comes slinking around. She says, “This verse encourages us not to be frightened or intimidated when the devil comes against us,” but to “show (him) that he cannot handle us.” Not only does this demonstrate to the Lord that “we have faith in Him,” but it also “releases (God’s) power into our situations and deliver us.”

Sweet spit, I couldn’t agree more!! Some of you will remember a prior Journal Jot where I talked about stubbing my bare toe on the steel leg of the bed when I was a brand-new Christian in my 20s, and since I have incredibly sensitive feet, it hurt like the “devil.” With a cry of pain, I grabbed my toe and fell down, curse words rising to my tongue, ready to spew. It was during a time of my life when I was radically obedient to God or tried to be, so instead of curse words, I forced other words out of my mouth, screaming, “Praise God, praise God, praise God …” over and over as loud as I could and before I was through, I was laughing on the bed with tears in my eyes.

Another Journal Jot talks about the time I was at a Fuddruckers with a friend and wanted lemonade in the worst way, but my friend insisted on buying me lunch, so I just got water instead. She wasn’t a believer, and I remember talking to her about Christ, about what He had done for me in my life and how much joy I now had. I got up to refill our drinks, and the craziest thing happened. You see, the water spigot was a little white tab on the lemonade spigot, but when I pressed my cup underneath with my finger on the white tab, something in my brain said, “Nobody will know if you take lemonade instead.” Mouth watering, I distinctly remember this fierce passion for God rising up in me so strong, that I literally rammed my finger hard against the white tab till I thought it would break. As water flooded into my glass, a rush of what I can only describe as a surge of adrenalin joy flooded my body, racing my pulse and tingling my skin. This is just a glimmer of the joy your obedience brings to me, the thought came, and I swear I was near trembling before my glass was full. WOW … that was the day I learned that obedience can be a rush!!

In both of the cases above, I clearly remember taking GREAT pleasure in “spitting in satan’s eye” via my obedience to God and therein, felt the flow of God’s joy and approval for me in both situations. Consequently, I have learned to spit in the devil’s eye whenever possible by 1.) Praising God in ALL things, 2.) Speak Scripture into the situation (i.e. Thank you, God, that You cause “all things to work together for good for those who love You and are called according to Your purpose,” 3.) Stand firm with a smile on my face, letting satan know that he is nothing but rancid snake meat crushed beneath the heel of our God.

So I challenge you today to find out just how satisfying it is to spit in the devil’s eye with your obedience to God, your praise and thanksgiving to him and standing firm in the face of adversity because after all, you are on the winning team. And you know what? You just may find yourself, like me, laughing a whole lot more than before …

Happy weekend and may it be full of lots of wonderful spit and shine!

Hugs,

Julie

HAVEN'T READ A HEART REVEALED YET??? Here's your chance to win it THIS NEXT WEEK -- MAY 15-21, 2012 -- when I talk about THE TOP FIVE ROMANCE BOOKS THAT HAVE IMPACTED MY LIFE at Book Review Sisters. Hope to see you there -- here's the link:

http://www.bookreviewsisters.com/

NEW CONTEST TILL MAY 31ST!!! Three chances to win!!

A PASSION MOST PURE IS $2.99 ON KINDLE AND NOOK AND $2.39 ON CBD.COM E-BOOK!! This is your chance not only to get a great deal, but to win a signed copy of any of my books, including A Love Surrendered, a $50 gift card AND have a bit character named after you in Steven’s story, A Love Surrendered, due out in October. DETAILS ON THE CONTEST TAB OF MY WEBSITE, SO CHECK IT OUT!!

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/isbn=0800734173/bakerbookhouseA

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-surrendered-a-julie-lessman/1108614896?ean=9780800734176&afsrc=1&itm=1&r=1&z=y&

Christianbook.com:

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?isbn=9780800734176&event=AFF&p=1011504

FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2012:

Therefore …

let us throw off everything that hinders

and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance

the race marked out for us,fixing our eyes on Jesus,

the author and perfecter of faith.

—Hebrews 12:1-2

When I woke up this morning, it was raining—not just in St. Louis, mind you, but in my mind and in my heart. It should have been light out, but it was dark as night, inside and out, and I could feel the tears welling beneath my eyelids, just begging for a chance to rain along with the weather.

It should have been a good week—I finished my edits for Love at any Cost and the galleys for A Love Surrendered, I got to jump back in to Marcy and Patrick’s prequel A Light in the Window, watch my precious grandbaby one day and made a great showing in the Family Fiction Magazine’s Readers Choice Awards. Which, by the way, many of you helped me to do, so I cannot thank you enough for your ongoing support and friendship—you are a true blessing in my life! Here’s the link if you want to check out the winners across all genres, but note that the best way to view it is to download the PDF for the May/June issue:

http://www.familyfiction.com/magazines/

So, what happened to put me in such a funk? Well, to be honest, I didn’t really know. All I knew was that Wednesday I wrote like a house afire on Patrick and Marcy’s prequel and loved it!! And then yesterday? The clouds started rolling in. All of a sudden I hit the wall and not only hated everything I wrote, but found myself staring at the blinking cursor with no idea what I should write. Well, I thought to myself, that’s okay—everybody has writer’s block sometimes, and if I just keep writing, it will pass. So I did. But it didn’t. It only got worse until by evening time, I was not only depressed, I was completely unable to write anything—not e-mails, not my book, not my Journal Jot, nothing.

I prayed and tried to write some more, and I did, but it was complete drivel and for the first time in a long time, fear skittered through my body with the thought that it would never come back—that passion for the written word, that love affair with God and romance, that ability to bleed onto the keyboard. Oh, I was bleeding, all right, but it was inside—in my heart and in my soul. And as God is my witness, I didn’t know why.

Last night before I went to bed, I asked Keith to pray with me, and he did, telling me that he’s lived with me for almost 34 years now, and this, too, would pass. Somewhat comforted, I hunkered down with a book (my release from the terrors of the mind) and read till midnight, confident that, as Little Orphan Annie so boldly belted out in the musical of the same name, the sun would, indeed, come out tomorrow.

Only it didn’t. It was, as I said above, black as night … and so was my mood. “Do you have time to have coffee with me out on the porch swing?” Keith asked, and I jumped up immediately, something I usually don’t do on Fridays because that’s when I post my Journal Jot. But there was no gas in the tank, no fuel for the fire, no passion with a purpose. Just a drizzly black sky and a blank computer screen.

“How are you today,” Keith asked, the scent of our hazelnut coffee mingling with that of wet leaves and mulch. “Did your funk leave?” “No, I said, scooting closer, craving his warmth and love to shore me up. “If anything, it’s worse, and I don’t now why.” “Well,” he says in his usual calm manner, tightening his hold, “if there’s anything I’ve learned about you over the years, Julie, it’s that something triggered this, so let’s think back to see what it is.” “I don’t know,” I say, squinting into the misty woods as if the answer were written on the profusion of rain-slick leaves. “I was fine on Wednesday, and then Thursday everything went south.

And then it hit me—a situation earlier in the week where dear friends who I had expected to rejoice with me over the blessing of the Family Fiction awards never said a word. Not. One. Word. Maybe they didn’t get my e-mail, I thought to myself, so I let it go because my next thought was maybe I wasn’t supposed to send it to them anyway. You know, the tooting your own horn thing, which I really despise doing, but it’s a catch-22 with an author. You see, promotion is key, and you have to promote whenever you can, so I did—thanking my reader friends on Facebook for the honor they bestowed on me and sending an e-mail to my dear friends—not just once, mind you, because I thought maybe they didn't get it, but two and three times with no response. There were so many of you who congratulated me on FB, and I thank you for that, but then I started feeling badly about even posting there because the last thing I want to do is make other authors feel sad or envious. Which, let’s face it—is inevitable with awards in a competitive industry like publishing. And I should know—and you should too—because God knows I've written—and repented—about it enough on this blog!

So, I started to spill this out to Keith, and the tears came and the bitterness grew and the day got darker and darker. Suddenly, everything was bringing me down—the dirty floor in the kitchen, the fact I haven’t ridden bikes with Keith in a while, the fact that I only made hot dogs and beans for dinner last night … It was a snowball—no, a hail ball—raining down on my life, damaging my joy and battering my passion to write.

“One of the things I love most about you, Julie,” Keith said, “and probably the #1 reason I married you beside the fact that you’re cute (debatable right now with a pinch in my brows and red-rimmed eyes), is that yes, you are a handful and a royal drama queen and sometimes you mess up a lot, something Amy doesn’t understand about you, but I usually do—most of the time …” He smiles. “But I can honestly say I have never met anybody who rights themselves more quickly than you when you’ve sinned, and that always makes me respect you and love you all the more. For instance, you’re bitter right now, and you’ve allowed it to steal your joy, your sun, your passion for writing, but I know that the minute you repent before God, forgive those friends and let it go, you will jump right back up and move on with what He has for you to do. Because yes, people’s approval is important to you, but you ... simply cannot move or breathe without God’s.”

Suddenly the rain stopped, the clouds broke, and the sun came out—literally and figuratively. I knew then what I needed to do. I am an author for God—His grace and anointing allows me to do what He’s called me to do—but not with a wall of bitterness in my heart, shutting it out. Justified by the world, maybe. Justified by God? Never.

And so I laid it down—this sin that “so easily entangles” as our Scripture so wisely points out today, repented and “fixed my eyes on Jesus,” the Author and Perfecter of my faith … and yours. And now? Well, now my heart is light and my fingers twitchy, ready to get back on the keyboard and pour—my love, my passion, my faith in this amazing God—into every word I write. Because the rain has cleared and the sky is blue and the truth dawns bright like the sun, assuring me once again that the very “imperfect” faith of this author is being perfected daily by the “perfect” Author of Life.

Thank you SO much for your precious friendship and may your day and your weekend be free from rain, the dark of night and anything else that hinders, filled instead with the blazing light of His amazing glory and love.

Hugs,

Julie

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/isbn=0800734173/bakerbookhouseA

Barnes and Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-surrendered-a-julie-lessman/1108614896?ean=9780800734176&afsrc=1&itm=1&r=1&z=y&

Christianbook.com:

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?isbn=9780800734176&event=AFF&p=1011504

FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012:

^“Her body tensed beneath his lips

and he knew this was it—the moment of reckoning.

When Katie would tell him the truth or lie through her teeth.

Taut with both passion and anger, Luke coaxed, trailing her collarbone with kisses

while toying with the strap of her gown . . .

—A Love Surrendered

Ahhhhhhhhhh … One book down in the "Heart of San Francisco" series, two books to go!! This week I worked on edits for Love at any Cost, and although it wasn’t as nearly as bad as A Love Surrendered when I had to cut 50,000 words, I still had to cut 5,000 words to meet my contracted word count. In order to do so, my editor “suggested” I cut a scene from the subplot of the widowed matriarch (Cait) and her rogue brother-in-law (Logan)—you know the one she was engaged to before he cheated on her and she marries his brother? Well, I love Cait and Logan’s sub plot sooooo much, that I worked like crazy to cut everything but their story, although I did trim the scenes somewhat. So I wasn’t sure if my editor was going to approve, but WHOO-HOO, she did and I got the nod today, telling me the check’s in the mail!! ;)

Ironically, I also received the galleys for A Love Surrendered this week as well, so I jumped on that yesterday after I finished the edits for Love at any Cost, and WOW, am I having a good time or what??? I honestly didn’t think I liked A Love Surrendered as much as the other O’Connor books after I wrote it, but going through the galleys today and yesterday, I am falling in love with this story, which is SUCH a relief! It’s SO much fun sit out on my lower deck (it was in the 70s yesterday!), feet up and hazelnut cinnamon coffee by my side while I edit the galleys, laughing, crying, blowing my nose with all the Kleenexes I’m going through. I’m telling you, this one rips my heart out, but then it’s no secret I’m a weepy type of gal, so maybe it’s just me!

Sooooo … in honor of finishing one book and almost done with the galleys on another, I thought it would be fun to celebrate! To do that, I’m going to introduce a new contest AND give you a brand-new excerpt from A Love Surrendered to whet your appetite like the galleys are whetting mine.

And now, one of my favorite love scenes from A Love Surrendered … It’s between Katie and Luke because obviously I can’t have too many “love scenes” between Steven and Annie since they aren’t married, after all. :) Anyway, Luke has just found out that his new (and pretty) intern saw Katie studying with Jack, her old fiancé whom Luke despises, in the Hartford Law Library. Luke is irate, but also guilty because he hasn’t told Katie that he has a new intern with whom he’s been working MANY late hours. In this scene, Luke is coming home to try and coax the truth out of Katie … Hope you enjoy it!

Happy Weekend!

Hugs,

Julie

Opening the door into a dark parlor, Luke tossed his coat over the faded blue armchair rather than the brass coatrack Katie insisted he use, knowing it would ruffle her feathers. He intended to ruffle more than her feathers if she didn’t come clean, explaining just why she was cozying up to Jack. He peered toward their bedroom, where a shaft of light spilled down the dark hall, and then paused to suck in a stabilizing breath. He would give her every opportunity to confess, of course. He didn’t want to go off half-cocked like she would if she found out about Lauren. Besides, working late with an intern to prepare for the biannual board meeting when Bobbie Sue and Gladys were out of commission was a lot different than chumming it up with an old boyfriend.

“Luke—is that you, I hope?” Katie called, her voice groggy, like she’d fallen asleep.

“It better be,” he said, strolling into the bedroom with a wry smile. He sat on the bed to give her a quick kiss before removing his shoes and socks. “Unless maybe you were expecting somebody else?” He rolled the dirty socks in a ball and aimed it at the hamper across the room, where it ricocheted into a corner. Ignoring his faulty throw, he unbuttoned his shirt.

She reached her arms overhead in a lazy stretch and yawned, an open book flat on her lap. “Nope, my boyfriend couldn’t come over tonight, so I figured I’d wait up for you.”

Not funny, Katie Rose.

She delivered a sassy smile, her sleepy blue eyes and mussed blonde hair lending a sweetly seductive look that both annoyed and triggered his pulse at the same time. She leaned to glance at the clock on the nightstand, letting loose a low whistle. “Goodness, McGee, anyone would think you had a girlfriend, working as late as you do.”

Blood gorged his face, prompting him to rip the buttoned shirt right over his head, tie and all, hoping to deflect the heat in his cheeks. Crumpling it, he stood and sailed it and the tie toward the hamper, missing it by a mile.

Katie chuckled. “Gee, you’re zero for two. Hope you’re not losing your touch.”

He turned to face her, not missing the swell of breasts straining her nightgown when she reached to angle the clock. His mouth went dry, reminding him the last thing he wanted to do was to lose his “touch.” “Hope not,” he said with a faint smile, trying not to focus on her gown.

“So . . . are you hungry?” She sat up. “Because I can warm up the stew . . .”

“No.” The late hours he’d worked all week had certainly heightened his appetite . . . but not for food. He studied her while he unbuckled his belt, wishing she didn’t look so darn sexy in his bed when he had a bone to pick. He dropped his trousers and folded them before hanging them in the closet, then slipped into the bathroom to brush his teeth and change into pajama bottoms. Returning, he flipped off the light and crawled into bed, pulling her into his arms as he sucked in a deep breath. With a gentle kiss to her head, he exhaled his stress, praying the encounter with Jack was only by chance. “So . . . how’s Kit?”

She snuggled in, teasing the smooth skin of his chest with soft, little kisses that almost pushed Jack from his mind. Almost. “Well, she learned all her colors this week and drew a picture of you and me under a rainbow with her crayons, so she’s real excited to show it to you.”

He sighed. “I can’t believe she’s going to be three,” he said, grateful Katie had bonded so closely with his adopted daughter. “Seems like she was just a baby.”

“Well, she’s not a baby now,” Katie said with a grunt, “and she’ll spit in your eye if you tell her so. She’s even taken to selecting her own clothes, refusing to wear anything I suggest. Today she wore a striped romper with a plaid blouse. I thought my eyes were going to cross.”

He chuckled, thinking for the hundredth time what a good mother Katie was. He suddenly thought of Jack, and his smile went flat. Now to make sure she remained a good wife . . . “How’s school?”

“Draining, especially the seminar Monday night. I was spent when I finally picked Kit up from Lizzie’s.” She trailed a finger over his bicep and down his arm, slowly circling his palm with her thumb. “I felt like you with all the hours you work. I don’t know how you do it, Luke.” She nuzzled his neck. “When’s the board meeting over again?”

“Three weeks,” he said, his voice a near croak. He forced himself to focus on the problem at hand rather than the thrum of his body. “So . . . other than the seminar Monday night, what have you and Kit been doing with the rest of your evenings?”

Her thumb ceased. “Nothing much, lots of books, games, walks—you know, the usual.”

He paused, fiddling with the strap of her gown. “So you just stayed home all week? Didn’t go anywhere any else, like your parents’ or Lizzie’s?”

Her chest expanded and released with a heavy draw of air before she responded. “Well, I did go out last night,” she said slowly, voice breathless. “Mother watched Kit while I went to the law library.”

The air eased from his lungs. “Alone?”

She hesitated a moment too long. “Yes, of course. Meg couldn’t go.”

“Aw, you hate studying alone.” He massaged her arm. “Run into anybody you know?”

He felt the shift of her throat when she swallowed hard. “Uh . . . yeah.” She rushed to kiss him full on the mouth, swaying her lips against his. “Mmm . . .”

Heat jolted, and he rolled her over, kissing her thoroughly before trailing his lips to her throat. “Who?” he whispered, the scent of her almost making him forget that he cared.

She moaned softly, ignoring his question while she tunneled fingers into his hair. His lips wandered lower. “Who, Katie?” he asked again, and her body went completely still. He looked up, heart thundering. Tell me the truth, Katie—please. “You all right?” he asked quietly.

Her mouth opened and closed as if she wanted to speak, but nothing came out, blue eyes blinking so fast, he thought she might cry. All air wedged in his throat. Please, Katie, don’t lie . . .

“Luke,” she began with a chew of her lip, “you know how I’ve struggled with contract law and you’ve been too busy to help?” She avoided his eyes. “Well, I . . . ,” a shaky breath quivered out, “accepted someone’s offer to tutor.”

He didn’t breathe.

She stared for several seconds, eyes clouded and teeth grating her lip in a way that meant she was weighing her options. Disappointment stabbed when she lunged to take his mouth with hers, pulling him down. “I love you, Luke McGee,” she whispered, “and I missed you so much, it hurt.”

Yeah, I know the feeling. Tempering his frustration, he gently fondled her lips, taking his time with a languid kiss that made her go soft beneath his hold. In a slow and measured tease, he explored her mouth with his own, eliciting a moan deep in her throat when he gently tugged at her lip. “Who?” he whispered again, mouth straying to the lobe of her ear.

“What?” Her eyes were closed and her breathing shallow.

His mouth meandered to the curve of her throat, keeping pace with his hands as they skimmed the curve of her body. “I was wondering who helped you?”

Her body tensed beneath his lips and he knew this was it—the moment of reckoning. When Katie would tell him the truth or lie through her teeth. Taut with both passion and anger, Luke coaxed, trailing her collarbone with kisses while toying with the strap of her gown . . .

She shuddered beneath his lips, voice barely audible and as soft as a guilty thought. “Jack.”

His lips stilled on her skin. The lids of his eyes weighted down with relief before heat surged that had nothing to do with the lure of his wife’s body. “Jack?” he rasped, the word more of a hiss than a name. He jerked to a sitting position, shocked at the venom that flowed in his veins. “You asked Jack to tutor you?” He pierced her with a gaze that made her squirm.

Wincing, she shot up, hand clutched to his arm. “But you told me to get help . . .”

His mouth went slack. “From your teachers, Katie Rose,” he ground out, “not your former fiancé.” He slashed taut fingers through his hair, feeling the tug of the couch. “Oh, I’ll just bet old Jack is flying high over this one, worming his way back in.”

“He is not worming his way back in, Luke, he’s helping an old friend.” Her eyes sparked, matching a tone way less conciliatory than before. “Because,” she said with tight emphasis, “her lawyer husband can’t find the time to come home, I might add, much less tutor his wife.”

He leaned in, lips compressed along with his jaw. “Yeah, well, I work for a living, Katie Rose, which, I might add,” he said, mimicking her words, “apparently allows my wife the time and luxury to dally with her old boyfriend.”

“Dally?” she breathed, all color blanching from her face. Her petite body rose up several inches to slant in, meeting him nose to nose. “My GPA in contract law has gone from near-failing to dean’s list, you Neanderthal, and no thanks to you.”

She may as well have bopped him with his own club—heat blasted his face. Translation: My old boyfriend was there when my husband wasn’t. He swallowed hard, guilt the perfect stabilizer for jealousy. “You’re on the dean’s list?” he said quietly, pride battling the angst in his gut.

The jut of her lip softened, catching his eye, stirring his pulse. She folded her arms with a grunt. “Yeah, well, I guess all that ‘dallying’ must have paid off.”

He exhaled heavily, hands mauling his face before they dropped to the bed where his fingers strayed to circle her thigh. “I’m proud of you, Sass,” he whispered, “really I am, and I apologize for not being here when you needed me.” Cupping her face, he bent to brush a tender kiss to her lips, then pulled away, eyes locking with hers. “But I have a right to know, Katie—did you ask him, or did he offer? And where and how long has this been going on?”

She stared at her fingers, now laced with his. “Four months,” she whispered, muscles tugging in her throat. “At the law library. I ran in to him one day and he offered to help.”

“Oh, I just bet he did.” His fingers nudged her chin till her gaze connected with his. “Four months?” he repeated. “You’ve been meeting with that clown for a whole semester?” He expelled a noisy breath, torn between kissing her senseless or shaking her silly. He opted for the first and pushed her to the pillow hard, descending with a kiss meant to restake his claim. “Never again, Katie Rose,” he whispered when he finally came up for air. “Jack is out of our lives for good, is that clear? No tutoring, studying, or dallying of any kind beyond hello and goodbye. The next time you need help, you come to me, no matter how busy I am, understood?”

She nodded, eyes glazed and chest pumping. Her gaze strayed to his mouth, and his blood heated by several degrees, but he restrained himself to drive the point home. “It’s just not smart, Katie, for a married woman to spend time alone with a man unless he’s the dean, a blood relative, or a priest.”

Or an intern? The thought singed the back of his neck, setting his jaw. Lauren’s different, he argued in his mind, an employee and nothing more. And hired by Carmichael, not me.

A soft smile tilted her beautiful lips. “You’re right, and you have my word—I’ll never spend time with Jack again.” Her eyelids lowered to half mast, delivering a smoky look that tingled all the way to his toes. She licked her lips, mouth parted and words breathy. “I’m sorry, Luke, I know how I’d feel if you did that to me ...”

He swallowed hard.

Issuing a seductive smile, she trailed fingers down his bare chest. “From now on, you’re the only tutor I need.” She tugged him down until his mouth mated with hers. “But it’s only fair to warn you, Mr. McGee,” she said, breathless against his skin, “with extra classes this summer, I may need a whole lot of work.”

He descended, settling in with a broad grin. “No problem, Sass,” he whispered, his mouth playing with hers. “You can depend on me to work you hard till you shine. But just to make sure . . .” Lips skimming her jaw, he eased his way down, dislodging the strap of her gown with his teeth. “We better begin tonight . . .”

FRIDAY, APRIL 20, 2012:

^“He must increase, but I must decrease.”

—John 3:30

You know, ya gotta love John the Baptist. I mean, come on—the guy is as about as down-to-earth and real as you get, the true salt of the earth. His clothes were made of camel hair and leather, he ate nothing but locusts and honey, and speaking of sodium chloride, his tongue was salty enough to call a spade a spade … or a Pharisee a brood of vipers. Let’s face it—he was a truth-seeker. A bottom-liner. A no-nonsense type of guy. Everything I love.

Which is why I thought of him this week when the Christy Award finalists and the Genesis Semi-Finalists were announced, because that is the moment of truth for so many of us Christian writers. Will we final? Are we good enough? Will we impact people with what we write? You see, the Christy Awards are the Christian Oscars, and I don’t care what kind of Inspy fiction you write, there’s gotta be a longing in your heart to snatch one of those babies. At least for me there is, especially since I’ve been a die-hard fan of Catherine Marshall since I was 23, the author who wrote the novel, Christy, for whom the Christys are named.

I didn’t final, of course, a bottom line that always brings me back down to earth with a not-so-gentle thud, but to be honest, stone-cold reality is where I like to be. Not floating on a cloud, mind you, but on solid ground where the truth lives and breathes and anchors you to what is really important. And the truth is—it’s not about me. It’s about Him. Good ol’ John the Baptist in a nutshell—we must become less so Jesus can become more. This has been an endless mantra for me and something I strive for despite the blood in my veins and the humanity in my soul.

Last week I wrote about the evils of comparing in my Journal Jot, which essentially is what contests are, elevating some over others, and I honestly have nothing against that. In fact, I love American Idol, the Oscars, the Grammys and the Olympics—they’re exhilarating and fun to watch and, quite frankly, competition is healthy and important to our society. Without question, excellence in music, movies or sports brings pleasure to the masses, yes, but not finaling, winning or placing? Who would believe that it has its benefits as well? You see, those things bring one’s focus back to why we as Christians do what we do, be it sing, write, dance, perform, compete or just live our lives. For His glory and His pleasure. Like my good friend and author Cathy Gohlke said in her recent Seeker post entitled "The Road Less Traveled to Publication": “Suddenly, I had not only permission to do what gives me joy, but the assurance of God’s blessing. I felt like the Olympic runner Eric Liddel (from the movie, Chariots of Fire), who felt God’s pleasure when he ran, only for me, it was, “When I write, I feel God’s pleasure!”

God’s pleasure—the place where each of us truly wants to be. To give Him pleasure with our obedience, our prayers, our lives … and yes, even with our attitudes of humility and thanksgiving when we don’t final, don’t win, don’t make the grade. And the beautiful thing is that His pleasure is eternal, not fleeting like awards that can tarnish with age or taint our humility, bestowing instead a holy glow when He says, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

No, I didn’t final in the Christys this week, but I sincerely congratulate those wonderful authors who did and my prayers are with them. The good news is, however, that I did final in the Rochelle, and so help me, God, it brought tears to my eyes. So, what’s the Rochelle, you ask? No, it’s not a contest like the Christys, but in a bottom-line, rubber-meets-the-road, John the Baptist kind of way, it’s a prize far greater, bringing joy to my soul and pleasure to my God. You see, I received an incredible e-mail earlier this week from a beautiful reader friend by the name of Rochelle, which was a wake-up call to remind me just why I write in the first place. It’s for His pleasure and glory. Not mine, not my editor’s, not the Christy committee and not the Christian market. It’s for Him, first and foremost, a lesson I had to learn all over again in the wake of the Christys, and all because a sweet lady by the name of Rochelle took the time to send me this letter:

I have a friend whom I truly enjoy and care about. She is a reader and we have discussed some spiritual things before. Based on that, I recommended your books. We had a deal. I would read one of her books and she would read one of mine. She has fallen in love with the O'Connors and is falling in love with God in the process. She recently told me that after reading your books she felt the need to go back to church and so she, her husband, and 2 children have been attending church regularly and are even taking classes in the church to learn more about God and His love for them. Thank you for being able to share Christ with those who may not have been easily drawn to Him in any other way.

Okay, somebody, quick—pass me the Kleenex, please! I mean, seriously, does it get any better than that? Not for me, my friends. True, it doesn’t shine or glimmer like a Christy nor can I plop it in my signature line, bio or resume, but somewhere way, way up in the heavens above, there’s a holy God smiling, and I gotta tell you, I can feel His pleasure clear down to the tips of my painted toes.

My Journal Jot last week spoke of the fact that we are all pieces of the puzzle in God’s heart, like Faith O’Connor tells her little sister in A Hope Undaunted, “You own a little piece of God’s heart, like a piece of a puzzle that’s missing. A piece nobody else can fill.” Yes, some pieces are louder, more vibrant and colorful and stand out in a pile of die-cut cardboard, but all are truly needed to create the whole that brings pleasure to the creator … or in our case, the Creator. “Now you are the Body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” —1 Corinthians 12:27. Colorful or no, bestseller or, award winner or no, we are all important pieces of God’s heart, not only vital to the joy and pleasure of the Almighty, but the pleasure of others when we emulate Him. Like another author friend of mine, Sharon Hinck, so beautifully wrote in the excellent devotional, Mornings with Jesus, which I highly recommend:

“When the first snowstorm of the winter arrived recently, I set up a jigsaw puzzle. As I worked on it throughout the week, I glanced passed the pieces that seemed dull and uninteresting. My eyes were drawn instead to the key red piece for the roof, or the vibrant blue bit over the treetops. I shoved aside a muddy brown piece and left it to wait at the side of the card table. But when the puzzle was complete, that last piece was vital. Each piece, each shape, each color, contributed to the finished work. God hasn’t called me to be every piece in the puzzle or even to be the brightest or shiniest piece. He asks me to be the specific piece He has made me to be.”

The specific piece He has made me to be. Oh, the reward in resting, enjoying, thriving as the piece—the author, the mother, the daughter, the wife, the friend, the person—He created us to be! As God is my witness, I will take it over a thousand Christys because I have learned—as Katie O’Connor learns from her sister, Faith, in A Heart Revealed—that “His will is … the path to our highest pleasure.”

And so, I want to thank dear Rochelle for taking the sting out of not finaling this week and also my sweet friends, Gabe S. and Jen C., for your God-breathed encouragement during a week that my soul desperately needed to soak it up. Like Aaron and Hur in the Bible who held up Moses' hands during battle so the Lord's will could be done, you held my hands up until the battle against discouragement and jealousy could be won, and it was! And for my precious friend, Laura, who I know was praying for me just like I was praying for her. You are remarkable blessings, all! Finally, I want to thank good ol’ quirky John the Baptist for teaching me that less is more—me becoming less so Jesus can become more—the true path to peace and joy in my writing, my family and in my life. What a guy! And, oh my, what a God!

FUN WEEKEND EDITION IN SEEKERVILLE!!! Everything from how to know if your agent is good to why old books smell PLUS Christian Retailing video clips of Mary Connealy, Deb Giusti, Audra Harders and me talking about our THREE FAVORITE BOOKS. Join us at http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2012/04/seekerville-weekend-edition_21.html

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/isbn=0800734173/bakerbookhouseA

Barnes and Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-surrendered-a-julie-lessman/1108614896?ean=9780800734176&afsrc=1&itm=1&r=1&z=y&

Christianbook.com:

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?isbn=9780800734176&event=AFF&p=1011504

Happy Weekend, all!

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2012:

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said,

Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons ..."

—Acts 10:34

I gotta be honest—I love Scripture, I do, but frankly, the Scripture above is one of the few that always rubbed me the wrong way. I mean, the idea of God not respecting us, which is how I always read it, just grates, you know?

I know, I know, that’s not what it means—it means God shows no partiality. Which, from the perspective of a CDQ (caffeinated drama queen) who was often the butt of family jokes growing up and clearly not the favorite of a mother who fawned over my baby sister, should be a relief. And it is. God has no favorites—He loves each of His children the same.

And yet, as human beings, we want to be special. We want to outshine others. We want to be #1, the favorite child, the “best” friend, the thinnest girl in the room, the top worker, the most popular person, the best-selling author. We compare, which is deadly. Because the truth is we are “special” —to a God who loves each of us for who we are, no less or more than anyone else, and yet, somehow, “special” all the same. Faith O’Connor tells her little sister, Katie, in A Hope Undaunted, “You own a little piece of God’s heart, Katie, like a piece of a puzzle that’s missing. A piece nobody else can fill.” And I honestly believe that’s true—we are that special to God, each of us—uniquely special in that no other person can fill that part of His heart devoted to us, no one. We are that beat of His heart that would be out of rhythm without us, and yet He does it all without comparing.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. —Isaiah 55:8.

And THANK GOD!! Because if God compared us to each other like we compare ourselves to each other, it would be a very sad day for the world. Comparison is a cancer that eats away at all that God has called us to be, all that He hopes to give us as children of His heart.

“Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance. — Psalm 16:5-6

And yet, we do it. Over and over and over again. And it not only hurts us, but it hurts God who made each of us in His image and calls each of us “the apple of His eye,” — Zechariah 2:8.

For instance, just this morning, Keith came in to thank me for something stupid like making coffee for him mid-morning with cinnamon on the grounds. “You’re so good to me,” he said, and I winced. “Not near as good as you are to me,” I say, knowing full well that if my daughter were present, she would make gagging sounds over the “love fest” we always display in our home.

But that’s how I feel—like Keith gives WAY more to me than I do for him. Why? Because I compare. Let’s see, Keith makes most of the money, pays the bills, does work inside of the house and out, helps me with computer stuff and artwork ALL the time, never makes me walk, but always drops me off at the door, constantly comes to see me downstairs on the lower deck throughout the day to say hi, chat or give me a kiss, brings me a snack at 5:00 PM, tells me I’m good-looking (that alone is worth the price of the ticket!!) and is just flat-out kind and understanding whenever I lose my cool (like daily!).

Me? Uh … I clean the house on special occasions (when my prayer partners come over every three weeks, holidays and when we have company), do laundry every week and a half or so, cook a meal maybe once a week (my daughter is into cooking these days in a big way, so PRAISE GOD!!), make our bed, make coffee … uh … uh … yeah, that’s about it. All I can say is THANK GOD Keith doesn’t compare, or I would be up the proverbial creek … although, he would probably not only bring me the paddle, but get in and do all the work! Sigh.

I HATE comparing because it always means one little girl in the class is an outcast while another is the leader of the clique. Since I was one of the youngest from a family of thirteen, when all my siblings were in school, I had to attend all three kindergarten classes during the day because my parents didn’t want to make a special trip to pick me up separately. Fortunately for me, I became the teacher’s pet (she gave me and me alone a peppermint each day!) and would you believe, kids used to fight over holding my hand on the playground? Pretty heady stuff for a little girl who was ostracized by her own family, let me tell you.

And then reality struck like the back of a hand when we switched schools and the trauma of it resulted in an outbreak of psoriasis on my arms and legs, forcing me to wear knee socks and sweaters during the hot weather so kids wouldn’t make fun of me. A futile attempt on my part since the old nun who taught 2^nd grade used to ask me in front of the whole class, “Are you sure it’s not leprosy?” Any of you who have read A Hope Undaunted will remember this very story from Katie’s past as well. And, like Katie’s story, I changed schools in the 5^th grade, hardened and determined to be myself no matter what people thought. So I ditched the socks and sweaters and lo and behold, the sunlight cleared up my psoriasis and I became one of the most popular kids in the class again.

One would think that this ping-pong popularity would make me determined to be part of the in crowd, but it had the exact opposite effect. I HATE partiality and favoritism and find myself drawn to those who others ignore. That is the chief reason I am SO big on encouragement because we ALL need it—to feel God’s love through someone’s kind words, sweet smile or a soulful prayer. That year in the 5^th grade, the in crowd invited me to join them and I very nicely turned them down, choosing to play on the playground with the kids that the in crowd spurned, because I used to be one of them. And to be honest, they were more fun and kind anyway.

This week I had the incredible pleasure of reading for endorsement a book by one of my dearest friends, Laura Frantz—Love’s Reckoning—and it is simply one of the best books I have ever read in the CBA, affecting me like few other books have ever been able to do. It’s haunting and stunning and heart-wrenching and exquisite ... so was I tempted to compare? Oh, you bet, and next to Laura, I truly felt like a hack and would have been severely depressed if I didn’t love Laura the person so darn much. But just as the inclination came to belittle my own writing in the face of Laura’s, God whispered in that still, small voice of His that I am His and He has called me to do exactly what I am doing in exactly the way I am doing it. “Do not turn to the right or the left, Julie, but keep your foot from evil,” He whispered (Proverbs 4:27), “do not compare because I do not!”

Go ahead, I challenge you to think about the areas in your life that trouble you right now, that bring you down and cause problems. Are any of them related to you comparing yourself, your situation, your family, your job, your person, your life to anyone else? If so, it’s a cancer, and God implores us to stop it—to not look to the right or the left, but straight ahead, eyes fixed on Him and the path He has chosen for each of us.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. — Jeremiah 29:11

Like Faith O’Connor tells Katie, in A Hope Undaunted: “If I’ve learned anything from painful experience, Katie, it’s that God’s will is the path to my ultimate happiness … and yours.”

Trust me, like Faith, I have learned this lesson first hand—more times than I can count. And what I have discovered when I find myself comparing is that the antidote, the chemo to this cancerous mindset is repentance coupled with a heart of gratitude. So THANK Him for all He has done in your life and all He yet plans to do. PRAISE Him in the good and praise Him in the bad, spitting in the eye of adversity because God holds you in the palm of His hand, and there is simply no better place to be. Always remember that each one of us is special, unique and wonderfully made in His sight, and we are, as Emma Malloy says in A Heart Revealed, “treasured possessions of a passionate God.” You own a piece of God’s heart that no one else can claim, you are that special, so never forget it. Trust me, God never does ...

HOLY COW, THE SALE IS STILL ON … Steven’s story, A Love Surrendered is ON SALE IN PRE-ORDER!!! For a very limited time, you can pre-order A Love Surrendered for only $7.72, which is almost half off, so if you plan to order it, NOW is the time to do it and if you do, PLEASE like the link, okay? Here are the links, but keep in mind that CBD.com’s sale price may not be loaded yet:

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/isbn=0800734173/bakerbookhouseA

Barnes and Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-surrendered-a-julie-lessman/1108614896?ean=9780800734176&afsrc=1&itm=1&r=1&z=y&

Christianbook.com:

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?isbn=9780800734176&event=AFF&p=1011504

HAPPY WEEKEND, ALL!!

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, APRIL 6, 2012:

"This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."

—1 Corinthians 11:24

I know this may surprise some people, but to me, Easter is my favorite day of the year. Yes, Christmas is nice with all the magic of Christ’s birth, Christmas carols and cookies, the scent of pine and cinnamon, family and snow (except for those brats who live in Florida, and yes, Joetta and Heather, I am talking about YOU!!). But there is just something SO holy and SO special about Easter, you know? I guess because it helps me to remember all that Christ did for me—a sinner who never did and does not now—deserve either His grace or His shed Blood.

And yet I have both—a miracle that never fails to bring tears to my eyes. Why? Because I flat-out don’t deserve it. Yes, I’m a nice person who loves to encourage and love on people and seeks after God with all of my heart, but I am also flesh. And in my mind that flesh—be it road anger at someone driving too slow or jealousy over someone else’s contest win or failings that have hurt my heart AND His far too long—negates any goodness I may think I have. “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.

Yes, “fallen short” … and continue to do so every day of my life.

Which is EXACTLY why Easter is so important to me. To remember that despite a mountain of sins that seem to grow taller everyday, I am forgiven, washed clean by the Blood of Christ, prostrate and sobbing in the rain at the foot of the cross. No matter the wounds I inflicted on Christ’s broken body this very week alone, Easter looms—a beacon of hope that God loves me no matter what I do, say or am because the truth is I am His and with the mere utterance of my sorrow from a truly repentant heart, I am free. Free!! From myself and the guilt that constrains, free to be all He’s called me to be—a child of the King, cloaked in the holy warmth of God’s forgiveness, mercy and love. OH, what a joyous day!!

And so I remember. Remember not just what He did for me, but what He continues to do in the life of this staunch Christian who just can’t seem to get it right. I remember—with painful gratitude—that because He died, I live.

Last Sunday our pastor told a wonderful story, which, no surprise, had me sodden with tears. It seems there was this elderly couple celebrating their 65^th anniversary, and so the family held a large party for them with lots of family, friends, food and presents. The old couple were ushered in, tottering ever so slowly to two chairs at the front of the auditorium. Holding hands, they sat and watched the celebration with tired but contented smiles, enjoying the music the family had selected from the couple’s era. All at once, the couple’s song began to play, and the man wobbled to his feet, offering his sweetheart a gnarled hand. Frail fingers took his as she rose, legs unsteady but smile sure, the two shuffling in a circle at an unhurried pace. Their arthritic bodies were jerky, slow and stiff … until the man leaned close to his wife’s ear and whispered something that brought a shy smile to her lips. Their laughter was soft and low and so intimate, those watching felt almost an intrusion. All at once the man dipped his wife back with shaky motion and then again with a grace that seemed impossibly smooth. Before everyone’s eyes, their dance seemed to whirl into the past where he was tall and handsome and she, small and shy, the beauty who’d first caught his eye at summer ice cream social. Time fell away, taking with it the aches and agony of age while they moved as one, fluid and fearless like the young lovers they used to be. Remembering a past that had brought them so much joy.

Remembering. It’s what it’s all about for me at Easter. Remembering—really remembering—how He took me from the darkness into His glorious light. Remembering that without Him, I would be lost. But on Easter—oh, precious Easter—I am miraculously found!!!

May each and every one of us take the time to remember this Easter and be found anew, resting in the arms of a gracious Savior and a truly glorious God.

Since Easter is a celebration of rebirth, I thought it would be fun to share pix of my new granddaughter Rory, who has given me a glorious rebirth as a mother of sorts, allowing me another chance to finally get it right. :)

Rory at 6 months:

My daughter Amy and Rory:

A shower Amy & I gave at our house (the famous lower deck where I do most of my writing!):

LAST-MINUTE GIVEAWAY!!

Join me for a last-minute giveaway at Journeys by Joy through Monday, April 9. Just leave a comment and be entered to win your choice of any of my books including A Love Surrendered when it releases. Here's the link:

http://www.journeystojoy.net/2012/04/have-you-read-julie-lessmans-books.html

THE SALE IS STILL ON … Steven’s story, A Love Surrendered is ON SALE IN PRE-ORDER!!! For a very limited time, you can pre-order A Love Surrendered for only $7.72, which is almost half off, so if you plan to order it, NOW is the time to do it and if you do, PLEASE like the link, okay? Here are the links, but keep in mind that CBD.com’s sale price may not be loaded yet:

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/isbn=0800734173/bakerbookhouseA

Barnes and Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-surrendered-a-julie-lessman/1108614896?ean=9780800734176&afsrc=1&itm=1&r=1&z=y&

Christianbook.com:

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?isbn=9780800734176&event=AFF&p=1011504

Happy Easter, all!!

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 2011:

“I have become all things to all people

so that by all possible means I might save some.”

—St. Paul, 1 Corinthians 9:21-22

What can I say—when God handed out “passion,” I got a boatload. Not just passion for God, my family and romance, although those things obviously top the charts for me, but passion in everything I do. As a CDQ (caffeinated drama queen), I talk fast, walk fast, eat fast and brush my teeth fast, scouring with a vengeance. Good heavens, is it any wonder I have receding gums???

I cry just about every time I worship God at church or with worship music on my treadmill, over commercials or when I simply think about God’s goodness to me. The truth is I am a weepy, emotional, passionate woman who is also passionate about the truth. Not a good combination if you’re looking to impress the world or want to be considered “the norm,” which I will be the first to admit, I’m not. Not in my personality nor in my writing. I feel deeply, I believe deeply and I live deeply.

Which is why what you read from me is what you get. Whether writing novels or blogs or letters or e-mails, I literally open a vein and bleed onto the keyboard because it’s who I am, who God made me to be. Some people like it, some don’t. But I have to be honest—the ones who don’t have a way of making you feel less, like you are not all God expects you to be, like you are a disobedient stepchild who needs to be disciplined. And I gotta tell you—if God had treated me like some of these people do, I wouldn’t be writing this to you today, nor would you be reading my books because there flat-out wouldn’t be any.

What is it with some people, that they cannot see the forest for the trees? Cannot see that Jesus commands us to love others, not judge them? Goodness, Jesus would turn their world upside down today with His penchant for having dinner with sinners or defending prostitutes! And don’t even get me started on what they would think of St. Paul, who chose “to be all things to all people for the sake of Christ.”

For me, being a passionate CDQ is a good thing most of the time, but the flip side for a person who feels this much is that when someone cuts you with words, it hurts like the devil. Mmm … appropriate phraseology, I’d say, because that’s his M.O.—condemning rather than convicting, hurting rather than healing. And unfortunately, all too often it’s other Christians he uses to do it.

Like the letter I just got from a disgruntled reader yesterday who called my books “indecent,” saying “there is no place in Christian fiction for this depth of detail,” and that “there is enough of this stuff in the world” without it being in the Christian market as well. And you know what? She’s right. There IS “enough of this stuff in the world,” which is all the more reason the Christian community needs to rise up and fight fire with fire and be “all things to all people for the sake of Christ.” This disgruntled reader would be shocked to learn that most of my friends, Christian and non, read secular romance, which, of course, generally promotes the world’s amoral lifestyle rather than God’s. What’s wrong with this picture? I mean if the world can take something that God created and use it to sell its amoral agenda, then why can’t Christians utilize this God-given passion to promote Him and His precepts?

Look at the world today—it’s obsessed with illicit passion. Hollywood promotes adultery and unmarried couples sleeping together as sexy, and I can count on one hand how many young, unmarried women I know who are still virgins today, Christian or no. Why? Because passion is important! Not just to romance readers, but to everyone on the planet. We were created that way by a passionate God who analogizes His own depth of love for each of us in a very passionate love letter called “Song of Solomon.” And what happens? The world uses this beautiful, God-given gift to shove sin down peoples’ throats, and I, for one, am really sick of it. I want to use passion the way it was intended—to teach people God’s precepts and therein, His love. It’s the cry of my heart, and I hope and pray that for my readers, my stories of romantic passion translate into passion for God.

But those who disagree with me do give me pause to think … and to pray … that I stay the course with God’s plan and not my own. I thank them for their passion for purity, which I assure them, is as fervent as mine and which inspires me to be even more vigilant and careful in future stories I write. And, yes, I do understand the concern and “passion” of those who feel Christian romance must remain chaste and pure. But on the other side of the spectrum, there are Christians like me, who worry that “chaste and pure” will not reach the majority of Nora Roberts or Hannah Montana or the MTV crowd anymore than old-time Gospel music will reach those who listen to Christian rock such as Pillar or Underoath. The Body of Christ is just that—a body of human beings at varying levels of faith. It’s not one size fits all in reaching people for Christ, but it’s the cry of St. Paul who said “I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.” Salt … in an unsavory world.

And so, I will do what I always do when I receive letters or reviews like this—I will pray for God’s abundant blessings on this person and then for anointing to respond properly and lovingly. Because as much as I hate stubbing my own toe, the last thing I want to do is stub or inflict pain on any part of my body—“the Body of Christ.”

Thank you SO much for allowing me to vent today, and I cannot adequately express my heartfelt appreciation to those of you who support me with your friendship and love. YOU are an extension of God’s love in my life and I pray that I can be the same to you.

BE INSPIRED!! CHECK OUT PEPPER BASHAM'S GREAT SERIES, "SPRINGS OF INSPIRATION," featuring excerpts from authors such as Jamie Carie, Mary Connealy, Melanie Dickerson, Ruth Logan Herne, Myra Johnson, Siri Mitchell, Missy Tippens and MOI (with one of my FAVORITE spiritual excerpts from my books)!! Head on over to the link below and scroll down to catch the whole series, then check out my excerpt on Friday, March 30! Hope to see you there. Here's the link:

http://pepperbasham.wordpress.com/2012/03/30/springs-of-inspiration-with-julie-lessman/

LAST-MINUTE GIVEAWAY:

APRIL 3-9, 2012:

JOIN ME FOR A LAST-MINUTE GIVEAWAY AT JOURNEYS BY JOY. Leave a comment and be entered to win your choice of any of my books including A Love Surrendered when it releases. Here's the link:

http://www.journeystojoy.net/

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/isbn=0800734173/bakerbookhouseA

Barnes and Noble: 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-surrendered-a-julie-lessman/1108614896?ean=9780800734176&afsrc=1&itm=1&r=1&z=y&

Christianbook.com:

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?isbn=9780800734176&event=AFF&p=1011504

Thanks for the shoulder to cry on and Happy Weekend!

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, MARCH 23, 2011:

Halfway through his sandwich,

he expelled a noisy breath. “Why are we arguing?”

She turned, chin elevated and brows raised.

“Because you’re dimwitted and scared?”

—A Love Surrendered by Julie Lessman

HAPPY FRIDAY and what a FUN week it’s been!! Lots of cool things have gone on in the last seven days, not the least of which was my trip to my publisher in Grand Rapids last week. What a GREAT group of people to work with and what hospitality!! Revell is simply, hands-down, a class act, and I am SO blessed to be a part of this amazing Baker Book group. From a lovely dinner with my editor Lonnie and publicist Claudia (LOVE these two!!!) and a Martha-Stewart-eat-your-heart-out luncheon at the beautiful home of one of my favorite Revell people and blog-tour administrator, Donna … to a great brainstorming meeting for the Heart of San Francisco series and a book signing at Baker Book House, the trip was a true highlight of my writing career.

My heartfelt thanks to the Revell team for making my visit so memorable including Chris at the Baker Book Store AND the incredible reader friends who attended my book signing—you were the icing on the cake! A special thanks to Amanda and her mom Chris and sister Sara for driving two hours one way to see me and spending the night in Grand Rapids to do so as well and then Joy, who drove an hour and a half one way—you guys and the others who took the time to come TOTALLY blessed the socks off me, so THANK YOU!!

The second thing that made my week fun was a Google Alert I got that brought a YouTube video entitled “A Passion Most Pure” to my attention. I didn’t know this, but apparently some young people got together and made a video based on my debut novel, and I gotta tell you, they did an incredible job!! It’s flat-out adorable, and I hope you get the chance to check it out. Here’s the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i2LWMYmYhU

The third thing that made my week fun was that I sent the final ms. for Love at any Cost to my editor yesterday, and she will read it in the next few days, so PLEASE say one for me, okay? Soooo good to not only finally finish it, but I actually like it too, so I hope you do as well.

Another cool thing this week is that not only has A Heart Revealed been at #4 on Amazon’s “Top Rated Religious Romance,” but has also been on sale on Amazon Kindle at $2.99 all week long as well until this Sunday, March 25, so if you haven’t read it yet, DO take advantage. Here’s the link on the Amazon Top Rated list, but be advised that Amazon alternates the list I'm on with another one, so it may change in a day or two.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/top-rated/digital-text/158439011/ref=zg_bs_tab_t_tr?pf_rd_p=1331612862&pf_rd_s=right-8&pf_rd_t=2101&pf_rd_i=list&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0SMNCV6HKSBJCM4W663N

FINALLY … the last exciting thing is that Steven’s story, A Love Surrendered is ON SALE IN PRE-ORDER!!! You heard me, for a very limited time, you can pre-order A Love Surrendered for only $7.72, which is almost half off, so if you plan to order it, NOW is the time to do it and if you do, PLEASE like the link, okay? Here are the links, but keep in mind that CBD.com’s sale price may not be loaded yet:

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/isbn=0800734173/bakerbookhouseA

Barnes and Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-surrendered-a-julie-lessman/1108614896?ean=9780800734176&afsrc=1&itm=1&r=1&z=y&

Christianbook.com:

http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?isbn=9780800734176&event=AFF&p=1011504

And so, to celebrate the pre-order sale price, I’m going to leave you with a short clip from A Love Surrendered to whet your appetite. This scene is in a diner after Steven rescues Annie from a speakeasy during a raid and he confronts her for the first time with the fact that she has not told him she’s the younger sister of his old girlfriend Maggie, the woman he was going to marry (and the girl his father found him on the couch with in A Hope Undaunted).

Happy Reading and Happy Weekend!

Hugs,

Julie

His coffee spilled when he jerked up his mug, the liquid scalding his fingers like her deception scalded his temper. “You have nothing to say?”

A knot shifted in her throat and she looked up, almost a square to her shoulders as she steeled her jaw. “I was wrong, Steven, I should have told you. But I never expected—” She lowered her gaze to blow on her coffee, obviously in an effort to stall.

“Never expected what?” he asked sharply, glaring over the rim of his cup. She took a timid sip while a full range of emotions flickered across her beautiful face—from hesitation and worry, to vulnerability and shame. And something deeper that raced his pulse and tightened his gut all at the same time.

She drew in a deep breath before forging on, her gaze finally rising to meet his. “I never expected to …” Her voice trailed off until it was barely audible. “fall in love with you,” she said quietly, the truth hovering in the air like the steam from the coffee.

She may as well have tossed it in his face—it burned all the same. His jaw went as firm as his will. “You’re not in love with me, Annie.”

A frail sigh withered from her lips while a sheen of sadness welled in her eyes. “I wasn’t sure either,” she whispered, “until you kissed me that night when you took Glory and me home.”

He bent forward, palms clutching the table and his tone so harsh and cutting, he saw her flinch. “That was a mistake.”

“Yes …” she whispered, tears giving way to glints of anger, “it was, Steven, because that night you planted the seed of hope that someday you might feel for me what I feel for you.”

He slammed his fist on the table, spilling his coffee. “Blast it, Annie, you’re too young.”

“That’s just an excuse, and we both know it.”

His mouth went slack. “For the love of all that’s decent—you’re Maggie’s kid sister! Do you really think I can do this with you?”

She hoisted her chin, blinking back her tears. “I not only think you can, I think you do, but you’re too stubborn to admit it.”

He gaped, shaking his head as he dropped back in the seat, arm draped over the top. His lips parted in a smile that clearly conveyed his disbelief. “You’re out of your mind, kid, you know that? Drink your coffee,” he ordered, “the alcohol’s still muddling your brain.”

She did what he said, eyes averted and manner calming as if every drink she took braced her for battle. When she finished, she carefully laid the mug down and folded her hands neatly on the table, looking for all her eighteen years and tear-splotched face as if she were the adult and he was the pie-eyed kid on a bender. “What are you afraid of, Steven?”

That did it. “You want to know what I’m afraid of?” he demanded. “I’m afraid of this—some kid still wet behind the ears thinking it’s smart to fool around with a guy like me.”

“I have no intention of ‘fooling around’ with you,” she said quietly, the strength of her words belying the softness of her tone. “No matter how I feel about you.”

He stared open-mouthed, heat scalding his neck at the audacity of her statement. His pride prickled. Who did she think she was? Women threw themselves at him all the time. For pity’s sake, her own sister threw herself at him! And she thought she’d be different? He folded arms on the table and leaned in. “Don’t be so sure, little sister,” he said, a trace of anger in a voice that was husky and low. “You Kennedys don’t have the best track record, you know.”

He heard the sharp catch of her breath and took satisfaction in the blush that broiled her cheeks. And then she opened fire like one of Capone’s thugs, gunning him down with a flash of her eyes. “Well, this is a different Kennedy, Agent O’Connor, and a different sister, and you know what? I think you’re running scared. You can deny your feelings all you want, but the truth is, you kissed me—not once, but twice, not to mention interfering in my life at every turn—”

“Interfering in your life?” His voice rose along with his blood pressure.

She defied him with a hard thrust of her chin, eyes glittering. “Yes, first with Billy Brubaker, then Joe and Nate Phillips and now Eddie tonight when you dragged me away.”

“Dragged-you-away?” He blinked, barely able to believe he was wasting good breath arguing with a kid who was obviously as thick as she was tipsy. “I should have let them throw your carcass in jail, you brainless brat, and then you’d be Aunt Eleanor’s problem, not mine.”

“Exactly,” she snapped, as if he’d just proven her point. “But you didn’t. You risked your job and your reputation to haul me out of there tonight, so if we’re going to talk “brainless,” Agent O’Connor, then I suggest you look in the mirror because unless I miss my guess, you are one dim-witted man with his head in the sand.”

Miss Perky chose that moment to light on the booth, as welcome as a plague of locusts. “Here you go, two burgers, two orders of French fried potatoes, a slab of peach pie and a glass of milk.” She dazzled them with a grin. “Anything else?”

Steven forced a smile, jaw clenched so tight his teeth ached. “Just the check.”

“Sure thing.” She placed the bill on the table and patted it for good measure. “Enjoy!”

Grinding his jaw, he grabbed his burger and bit in hard, singeing Annie with a glare.

She didn’t seem to notice, annoying him to no end. Lips pursed, she carefully cut her burger in half and took a dainty bite while perusing the menu with apparent fascination.

Halfway through his sandwich, he expelled a noisy breath. “Why are we arguing?”

She turned, chin elevated and brows raised. “Because you’re dimwitted and scared?”

He hurled his half-eaten burger on the plate. “Don’t start with me, Annie.”

“All right, Steven, how ‘bout I finish with you instead? Just because I’m in love with you doesn’t mean you can bully me around like some … some snot-nosed kid fresh off the farm.”

“You are some snot-nosed kid fresh off the farm,” he hissed.

“Fine. Have it your way—there are plenty of guys who see me otherwise.”

A harsh laugh erupted from his throat. “Oh, yeah, I’ve seen the kind of jokers you attract. Like that clown tonight with his hands all over you.”

She pushed her burger away, the anger in her tone matching her eyes. “He-was-consoling-me, you dimwit, and at least he’s man enough to take a chance on a girl that he likes.”

Her statement barbed, discharging his temper with a hard smile. “Sure, why not when he knows he can get what he wants?”

Her breath hitched, and he regretted the words the moment they left his mouth, but it was too late. Her face sagged from anger into hurt. Chin trembling, she silently rose, hands shaking while she groped for her purse.

“Annie, look, I’m sorry—”

But not as sorry as he was gonna be. Taking a step forward, she hauled off and slapped him so hard he never saw it coming, bells clanging in his skull as loudly as those from the door when it slammed hard behind her.

FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2011:

“Besides, Mrs. McClare,” he said softly,

“I can be stimulating too.” The rogue in him took over as his gaze flitted to her lips

and back, his voice a husky whisper. “Or don’t you remember?”

—Love at any Cost by Julie Lessman

WHOO-EE, crazy week!! I'm heading up to Revell in Grand Rapids, Michigan Thursday and Friday for a meeting and a book signing, so I’m posting my Journal Jot early AND taking the easy way out with one of my favorite scenes from the 1^st book in the Heart of San Francisco series, Love at an Cost.

But first, if you live in Grand Rapids or close, I would LOVE to see you, so consider checking out my Q&A/Book signing at the Baker Book House Thursday night, March 15, from 7:00 – 8:30 PM. Bring your books for me to sign or just come say hello if you are in the area, okay?

Now on to what is one of my favorite scenes in Love at any Cost. There is no kissing in this scene, but there is such a strong attraction and longing, that I really like it—especially the paragraph where Logan talks about being “familiar” with Cait. To set you up, this particular scene involves the matriach of the family Caitlyn McClare and her rogue brother-in-law Logan McClare, to whom she was once engaged 26 years ago before he cheated on her. She then married his older brother instead, but now has been a widow for two years. Logan has never stopped loving her and fully intends to make her his, which is the last thing Cait wants even though she's attracted to him. Here’s a scene at the famous and historical Palace Hotel in San Francisco where the two are dancing at a family dinner for Logan’s birthday. Happy reading!

“So … two questions, Cait,” Logan said. “One—why did you finally agree to dance with me after declining all night and two—why did you agree to Napa?” He spun her in his arms, the orchestra’s rendition of Jere Mahoney’s For Old Time’s Sake haunting him as much as he hoped it haunted her. His heart thudded as he studied her in the soft glow of the chandeliers overhead. The flawless porcelain skin, the eyes the color of jade and that lustrous auburn hair piled high with just enough loose strays to tease an alabaster neck, leaving no doubt whatsoever that his attraction to her had never waned. Oh, he’d buried it deep when she had married his brother, certainly, allowing him to survive the loss of her in his heart and in his bed, but somehow it had surfaced with a vengeance in the last year, and that alone told him that the timing was right.

She’d been chattering nonstop while they danced, so out of character for a woman as content with silence as she was conversing with family and friends, and he couldn’t help the faint smile that shadowed his lips. She was obviously nervous—the song, the dancing, the memories—all too close to home for them both, and her unease reminded him of the girl he’d proposed to almost twenty-seven years ago in this very ballroom. Only seventeen, she’d been shy and sweet and oh, so tempting, but innocent to a fault. A ‘fault’ that had resulted in utter shock and heartbreak when he’d dallied with another. He exhaled slowly, his regret hidden behind an easy smile. Come on, Cait, give me another chance. For old time’s sake?

She stared at him now on the heels of his questions, the chatter suddenly nowhere in sight, and he was fascinated by the slight flare of her pupils, the shift of her throat, those full lips so ripe for tasting now parted in shallow breaths. He awaited her response while heavily fringed eyelids flickered in thought, and he realized her pull on him was stronger now than the night he’d slipped the ring on her finger. He hadn’t been just smitten with her then, no, he’d been besotted, but a man whose desire for her, regrettably, was far outweighed by youthful lust.

“Why did I finally agree to dance with you?” she repeated, her voice as wispy as the gauzy pale-yellow bodice that rose and fell with every breath she took. Her chin lifted enough for him to know she was steeling herself for battle, promptly broadening the smile on his lips. A good sign—at least she was battling something. Her feelings for him, perhaps? Or his for her?

“Yes, why now?” he said, with a shuttered smile. He slowed his steps as the music ended, but held firm lest she bolt away. “After cruelly turning me away all night.”

Color toasted her cheeks, and the chin rose higher. “I danced with you, Logan McClare, because you asked, and I didn’t prior to because I was engaged in stimulating conversations.” She stepped back a fraction of an inch despite his lock on her waist.

The strains of Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder filtered through the ballroom, and Logan found himself hoping against hope that the song was prophetic for Cait. Heaven knows it was for him. He grinned. “Come on, Cait, you’re not a woman prone to untruths. Why don’t you just admit the only reason you said yes is because it’s my birthday and you felt guilty?”

A pretty shade of rose burnished her cheeks and he laughed, enjoying that she was so easy to read … and rile. He swept her in a wide arc, savoring the way wisps of scarlet fluttered in the breeze. “Besides, Mrs. McClare,” he said softly, “I can be stimulating too.” The rogue in him took over as his gaze flitted to her lips and back, his voice a husky whisper. “Or don’t you remember?”

Color swamped her throat and cheeks, nearly swallowing her whole, and he laughed out loud, firming his grip when he felt her attempt to pull away. “Come on, Cait, I’m sorry, but you’re just so easy to bait.” His smile ebbed into a tender look. “You always were, as I recall.”

Shooting a nervous glance at their table, she fixed him with a stern gaze, gold flecks of fire in those startling green eyes. “Please keep your voice down.” Her nostrils flared slightly as she drew in a calming breath, chin engaged once again. “And I’d appreciate it if you would not refer to our past to anyone, including me.” Her tone softened. “We are friends, Logan, please keep that in mind. I am not one of your many women to be toyed with, I am your sister-in-law. I ask that you treat me with the respect due your brother’s wife.”

He gave her a veiled look. “You mean my brother’s widow,” he said quietly.

Her jaw set. “Either way, you are my brother-in-law, and it’s uncomfortable when your comments or actions are overly familiar.”

Grip firm, his eyes and voice softened. “You forget, Cait,” he whispered, his humor no longer a mask for his feelings, “I am overly familiar with you, whether you like it or not. I know your habits, your expressions, every nuance of your face. I know you take Earl Gray with sugar in the morning and Chamomile without at night. I know you have a habit of jutting your chin when backed into corner and that wine makes you tipsy after the first couple of sips. You pick at your nails when you’re nervous and you twirl you hair when in thought, and despite your love for the classics,” he said in a rush, exhaling slowly, “you have a secret fondness for dime novels.” His voice trailed to a whisper. “Especially on rainy days.”

She stared, lips parted, as if poised for her lungs to start breathing again.

Her hand felt small and warm in his and with a shift of his throat, he gently circled her palm with his thumb. “We have history, Cait,” he said softly.

Tears glimmered as she carefully slipped her hand from his, the grief in her face a mirror reflection of his own. “Yes, we do. But that’s no basis for a future.” Slowly, gently, she cupped a palm to his cheek. “I need a friend, Logan, nothing more.” The bridge of her nose puckered as she studied him intently. “Can you be that for me—please?” The orchestra began to play, and she took his hand. “Can we celebrate your birthday as family members who respect and support each other?” She peered up, a gentle woman with a gentle request. “And friends—good friends?”

He paused, unable to breathe for the ache in his chest. Bracing his palm to her shoulder, he lifted her hand to begin the dance, a dance of will and heart that he was determined to win. He smiled, his manner as kind as hers. “Sure, Cait, friends.” With casual grace, he whirled her to the music, her body suddenly relaxed and fluid and calm.

For now.

Happy Weekend!!

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2011:

Delight yourself in the Lord,

and He will give you the desires of your heart.

—Psalm 37:4

Okay, it’s confession time. Whenever I see someone who is Mother-Teresa spiritual and SO focused on God 24 hours a day and actually talks about heaven as someplace they cannot wait to be, I feel like a dog because to be honest, I’m just not like that.

Oh sure, I’m one of those crazy Christians who will literally pray with someone at the drop of a hat—in a hallway at work, in a bathroom at Denny’s, with a stranger at Wal-Mart—it doesn’t matter. The minute I hear someone’s problems, I simply lose sight of everything around me and how stupid I might look and I say, “Excuse me, but do you mind if we pray about this?” And I don’t even give the poor schmo a chance to say no, I just forge right on right there, wherever, eyes open and talking to God like I’m chatting about the weather. Usually the person blinks at me like a deer caught in headlights and then most of the time they simply close their eyes and bow their heads, which isn’t really necessary because then people reallllly stare, but neither way bothers me too much. I just think it’s just WAY more important to nail something with prayer right then and there because let’s face it, the chances of you remembering later are slim to nil, right?

And, of course, when I see another author whose books are leaving mine in the dust, giving root to a nasty seed of jealousy, it goes without saying that I ask God to forgive me and immediately pray that He will bless that author all the more, even to the point of packing their sweet, little carcass off to the bestseller list. I mean, come on—I did this for my dear friend, Julie Klassen (a you-won’t-believe-it story I blogged about in my Seeker Blog, “Oh, For the Love of God … Part 2” at http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2008/11/oh-for-love-of-god-part-2.html), and geez Louise, look where she is now!! Two time Christy winner who, yes, is now on the CBD Bestseller List!! Okay, okay, maybe she is talented enough to get there on her own, but even so … uh, Julie, can you please kick up a few prayers for this poor slob???

Don’t get me wrong—God IS the most important thing in my life, but let’s be honest. Does He drive my wants and desires? I mean if I had a choice between writing a love scene in my book or reading the Bible, am I gonna sit here and tell you that I would rather spend time with Job, Jeremiah or John over Collin, Mitch or Luke? Regrettably, no because alas, I may not be Mother Teresa material, but God knows I am HONEST to a fault.

So naturally when I read today’s Scripture quote a few days ago, telling me that God will give us the desires of our hearts if we delight in Him, my “desire” list usually reads along the lines of things like getting married, having a baby, getting published, winning a Christy, yadda, yadda, yadda. I mean come on, these things are nice, but they’re not real spiritual, you know? Which is okay because when we delight in God, he DOES give us these types of desires of her heart, truly He does.

For instance, about six months before I got published, I was praying outside on my deck in this cool swing we have, staring out at the woods with tears in my eyes because after countless rejections, I was just certain I would never get published. All of a sudden, this thought comes in my brain that says, “Julie, did I not say I would give you the desires of your heart if you delighted in Me?”

Okay let’s pause here to clear something up right now. Lest you think I’m one of those super spiritual people who actually “hears” an audible voice, no siree. I’m definitely the “B” list variety who hears God in a still, small Voice that is more like a whisper of a thought.

Anyway, this “Voice” (Whom I believe is God), proceeds to say, “Have I ever failed to give you a desire of your heart?” I pause, giving this some serious thought. “Well, let’s see,” I say out loud (because yes I DO talk to the Voice all the time on my deck, which I’m sure has the neighbors a wee bit worried, but no matter), “the four desires of my heart have always been: A.) To get married to a man who would cherish me—CHECK. B.) Have a baby who would cherish me—CHECK, CHECK. C.) Be able to work as a writer even though I did not have a degree—CHECK. And D.) Get published STILL UNCHECKED AT THIS TIME, IF YOU RECALL.

“Well then, Julie,” the Voice says, “if I gave you the first three desires of your heart, why do you think I won’t give the last as well?” I distinctly remember blinking several times before the tears began to well, suddenly realizing that He was right. Because surprise, surprise—giving us the desires of our hearts just happens to be the desire of His—this amazing God we serve.

But you know what? Something strange happened along the way. Yes, those “desires” were wonderful blessings, to be sure, but ironically it was those very desires that have shown me that only one “desire” can ever truly make me happy, truly give me peace and truly satisfy. And that’s the desire to desire HIM more than anything else in this world. To desire His will over mine and to come to a place where my highest pleasure is giving Him pleasure—with my obedience, my worship, and my passion. Sweet mother of Job, it’s only taken me sixty-one years to fully comprehend this, but the light is finally dawning. What can I say? I’m a slow learner. I’m quite sure sweet Mother Teresa is shaking her head with Job, Jeremiah and John, but the wonderful thing is—God is not. He knows we are but flesh—heck, He made us that way! And He’s given us a “Get out of jail free” card where yes, we can ask for the desires of our heart, but He also makes sure each and every one brings us right back to Him. And then, voila! He gives us prayer as a means to accomplish that even more.

My point? PRAY for God to give you passion and fervor for him every day of your life. PRAY that His will becomes more important to you than yours. PRAY that His desire for you becomes greater than your desire for yourself. Because He WILL do it, and you will get a rare glimpse into the joy, peace and hope that Mother Teresa, no doubt, enjoyed on a regular basis.

Do it. Put a smile both on God’s face and Mother Terry’s. I know I am.

RARE BOOK SIGNING!! I don’t do a lot a book signings, but for any of you out there who live close to Grand Rapids, Michigan, I would LOVE to meet you and sign your books at the Baker Book House store. Hope to see you there—here are the details:

WHEN: THURSDAY, MARCH 15, 7:00-8:30 PM

WHERE: BAKER BOOK HOUSE, 2768 E. PARIS S.E., GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49546

SEEKER BLOG GIVEAWAY!! Join me for my Seeker blog this Wednesday, March 14, “A Chip Off the Old (Writer’s) Block,” and have a chance to win a signed copy of Steven’s story, A Love Surrendered, or any of my books PLUS a top CBA book from my personal library. Hope to see you there—here’s the link:

http://www.seekerville.blogspot.com/

FINALLY … do you know somebody who hasn’t read my books yet but you’d like them to?? Then, hop on over to Writing for Christ blog where one of my dearest blogger friends, Casey Herringshaw (also the winner of my “Have a Character Named After You” contest last year), absolutely blessed the socks off me with a blog that made me cry (yeah, yeah, I know, what’s new?). She is giving away a copy of A Passion Most Pure, so stop on by to win it for someone who hasn’t read my books but you’d like them to OR tell them about it, okay? Here’s the link:

http://enjoyingthewritingcraft.blogspot.com/2012/03/special-giveaway-not-your-usual-fare.html

And that's it for this week—HAVE A GREAT ONE!!

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, MARCH 2, 2011:

But this had caught him off-guard,

something evil and sinister he’d never seen coming,

an invitation in a smile, drawing his lips to hers like a lamb to the slaughter.

A blood sacrifice of his marriage vow on the altar of lust.

—A Love Surrendered by Julie Lessman

HAPPY FRIDAY!!! First off, I’d like to give a great big THANK YOU to each and every one of you who took the time to vote in the Family Fiction Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards! Whether you voted for me or not, it’s important to support both the Christian authors you love and Family Fiction Magazine, one of the premiere online magazines that promotes Christian fiction in the market today. You might want to sign up for this excellent free online magazine because you will not regret it!

Now, as many of you already know, I sponsored a contest for anyone that voted in the Family Fiction Magazine Readers’ Choice Awards, which entered them in a random drawing to receive a $25 gift card and a signed copy of A Love Surrendered. We had a stellar turnout, and OH, how I wish I could send each and every one of you a gift card and a signed copy of A Love Surrendered! But, alas, if I did, my husband would shoot me and Marcy and Patrick’s prequel would never be finished, so it’s really better this way! J

That said, I am happy to announce that the winner of this contest is …

Johanna Young

Super congrats to Johanna, and I will be contacting you about your gift card and then sending you a signed copy of A Love Surrendered when it releases October 1^st. Yes, you read correctly—October 1^st rather than my usual release date of September 1^st. I have to admit, when I found this out, I was a wee bit surprised, but my publisher assures me that October will be a much better release date for me than September. Sigh … what’s a month between friends, right?

So … to get you in the mood for A Love Surrendered, I have already given newsletter recipients a sneak peek at a Steven and Annie excerpt in my February 2012 newsletter, so those of you who don’t get my newsletter may want to sign up for it on the newsletter tab of this website at http://www.julielessman.com/sign-up-for-newsletter/. And if you are signed up and didn’t receive the newsletter, PLEASE let me know that as well.

Then to celebrate the one-year blogaversary of a good friend of mine, Megan from Hardcover Feedback blog, I am offering another fun Steven/Annie excerpt along with a book giveaway of a signed copy of any of my books including A Love Surrendered, but the giveaway ends TOMORROW, Saturday, March 3, so you may want to hightail it over to leave a comment. In addition, there are also fourteen giveaways from other authors as well, all ending tomorrow, including MaryLu Tyndall, Sarah Sundin, Lorna Seilstad, Camy Tang, Marta Perry, Cheryl St. John and Kathleen Y’Barbo, to mention just a few, so you may want to check it out. Here’s the link:

http://hardcoverfeedback.blogspot.com/search/label/1st%20Blogoversary

And now, as promised, here’s a scene from A Love Surrendered that involves Katie and Luke. Our quote today comes from their sub plot where Luke is upset when he finds out Katie is being tutored by her old fiancé Jack. He forbids her to continue, telling her, “It’s just not smart, Katie, for a married woman to spend time alone with a man unless he’s the dean, a blood relative or a priest.” But when Katie discovers that the late hours he’s been keeping at work include a pretty, young intern, she blows her top, ending in a huge fight followed by two weeks of silence. This scene picks up where Luke apologizes to Katie at the end of the two weeks, and as you will see, our Mr. McGee has to choke down a hefty piece of humble pie.

I hope you enjoy it! Have a great weekend!

Hugs,

Julie

The clock in the parlor chimed nine as he slipped into his pajama bottoms and spiked fingers through his hair. Wiping down the sink, he tossed his towel over the rack and his clothes in the hamper, peeking in on Kit on his way to the kitchen. Chugging a glass of milk, he heard the front door open and close, and instantly the milk pooled in his mouth. He set the empty glass in the sink and sucked in a deep swallow of air, ambling down the hall as if it were a walk in the park.

She was bent over the coffee table with a stack of books in her hands, and his eyes automatically roved from shapely legs to the gentle curve of her hips, imparting a heated awareness of just how much he’d missed his wife. Swallowing the knot of pride in his throat, he folded his arms and slacked a hip to the wall. “You hungry, ‘cause I can fix you a sandwich?”

Emitting a tiny squeak, she whirled around so fast half the books spilled on the floor. She slapped a hand to her chest, voice hoarse. “Good night, McGee, why don’t you just hide behind the door and jump out—you scared the living daylights out of me!”

Tamping down a smile, he strolled in and retrieved her books. “Sorry, Sass, but I do live here you know, as unappealing as that may be at the moment.”

He leaned over to kiss her, but she quickly turned away. “How’s Kit?” she asked over her shoulder on the way to their room. “Did she go to bed without a fuss?”

“Yeah, if you don’t count three glasses of water and six stories a ‘fuss.’” He followed her down the hall, eyeing her from the door as she unbuttoned her blouse. “How’d your orals go?”

“Fine.” She glanced up, color staining her cheeks as he watched her take off her blouse. Shifting her hip, she clasped the blouse close with a tight purse of her lips. “Do you mind?”

No way he could stop the lazy grin that slid over his face. “Not at all, Sass, you go right ahead.”

Blouse bunched, she angled a brow. “Well then, do you mind turning around?”

He crossed his arms and leaned against the door, the slightest bit of edge to his tone. “Actually I do. You’re my wife, Katie Rose, and I can look all I want.”

Emitting a noisy breath, she snatched her nightgown and started for the bathroom.

He blocked her way with palms flat to the door, softening his tone. “Come on, Sass, can’t we talk this out, please? I have something I need to say.”

She parked her hands on her hips, blouse dangling at her side. “Well, unless it’s an apology, McGee, you’ll be talking to yourself.” She paused, tilting her head to the right. “Or as your wife, is listening something else I’m expected to do?”

He exhaled, feeling the heat of his pride creeping up the back of his neck. “It is,” he said quietly, “an apology, that is, not something you’re expected to do.” His smile was contrite.

That took the wind out of her sails. Her chin inched up. “All right … I’m listening.”

He pried a hand from her hip and led her to the sofa, easing her down before sitting beside her. Replenishing his air, he took both of her hands in his. “Katie,” he whispered, forcing the words from his throat. “I …” He swallowed hard, cleared his throat and tried again. “Katie, I … well, I owe you an apology,” he said in a rush. There. It was out, and he wasn’t even annoyed by the drop of her chin. Thumbs grazing her palms, he forged on. “I was wrong to yell at you in the office, and I apologize.” He released a reedy breath. Okay, that wasn’t so bad.

She arched a brow. “And?”

Without realizing it, he began to grind his jaw. “And …” he said, dragging the word out as long as he could, “I want you to know I respect your opinion regarding the situation with Lauren, and I won’t be working with her again.”

“Why?”

He blinked, a muscle spasm adding to the grind of his jaw. “Because … she’s gone, so you have nothing to worry about.”

“Gone?” she said, the question as flat as the press of her lips.

“Yes, gone.”

“Why?”

“Because she just is.”

She leaned forward, eyes laying him bare. “Gone to lunch, gone across town, gone on vacation—I want facts, McGee, not single syllables."

He blasted out a sigh. “For pity’s sake, Katie, I fired her, okay?”

She nodded her head. “I see. And why exactly would you do that?”

He gulped, nearly choking on the words caught in his throat. “Because … you were right …” His eyelids flickered briefly as he pushed the rest of the sentence off the tip of his tongue. “And … I was … wrong.”

Her smile could have blinded him, which given the superior gloat in her eyes, might be a good thing. “Ahhhhh ... words I never thought I’d hear from the lips of Luke McGee.” She sat back with a fold of her arms, the smile suddenly nowhere in sight. Her voice was clipped. “And when exactly did this revelation occur?”

It felt like fire ants were swarming his neck, which, based on the dangerous look on Katie’s face, would have been his first option. His voice was a croak. “Uh … recently.”

She cocked her head, brows lifting to new heights. “Really. How recently, would you say? Last week, this week, yesterday, today?

His voice cracked. “Today.”

She leaned forward, and he was pretty sure her eyes burned more than the ants. “Why?” she whispered, her voice akin to the calm before the storm.

Avoiding her gaze, he opened his mouth, but nothing came out. He swallowed hard, tried again. Still nothing.

Lunging forward with wildfire in her eyes, she jerked his chin up, index finger and thumb pinching his skin. “So help me, Luke McGee, you better spit it out right now what you or that woman did to get her fired or I will launch on you like a bad of case of measles scratched raw.”

Teeth clenched, muscle spasms in his face had a field day as he slowly removed her hand from his jaw, biting the words out. “She-made-a-pass-at-me, okay? Are you satisfied?”

“Deliriously. What happened?” she snapped.

He shot to his feet and started to pace, practically gouging his hair by the roots. “Nothing, I swear. She was on a stool pulling a box from a shelf and needed help.” He reinforced his lungs with more air, then dove right back in as he mauled the back of his neck. “The next thing I know, I’m helping her down and she … she …”

Katie’s eyes narrowed, stretching two syllables into four. “She-e wha-t?

He stopped, suddenly too exhausted to worry anymore. Venting with a sigh, he plopped on the couch and put his head in his hands. “She slid down the front of me and put her hands to my waist. Said my body was like a rock.”

Nothing. He waited, not sure he wanted to see her expression. A giggle floated in the air, and he glanced up, a pinch of hurt between his brows. “You think this is funny?”

Lips pursed to ward off a smile, she shook her head in a series of tiny, little shakes before her eyes widened with a grate of her lip. “Are you sure she wasn’t talking about your head?”

His eyes narrowed into a squint. “This isn’t funny, Katie Rose, and I think you’re being awfully cavalier about another woman flirting with your husband.”

She sobered quickly, a tender slant to her brows. “No, darling, I don’t think this is funny. I’m just venting with humor so I don’t scratch your eyes out.”

“Oh,” he said, discreetly scooting a few inches away.

“Did you kiss her?”

He jerked up as if he’d been shot. “Kiss her??” he rasped, nearly dislocating his jaw. “For the love of all that’s decent, Katie, are you crazy? No, I didn’t kiss her, I pushed her away.”

Her lips twitched. “And she didn’t kiss you?”

He shook his head hard. “Of course not! I wasn’t about to let it get that far.”

“And you fired her?”

“Absolutely, right on the spot.”

She took his hand in hers, ducking to peek up at him. “Then what’s the problem, Luke? You admitted I was right and you were wrong, you apologized, you resisted temptation and you sent the hussy packing. All in all, I’d say that’s a pretty good day.”

He shot her a sideways glance, mouth sagging that she was taking it so well. His lips clamped as a sliver of hurt prickled. Too well. “Aren’t you even a little jealous?”

She shimmied close to tuck an arm to his waist. “Not really, because unlike someone I know,” she said with teasing emphasis, “I trust you, which ...” She poked his shoulder. “is not carte blanche for a married man or woman to spend time alone with the opposite sex unless they are the boss, a blood relative or clergy.” She pressed a lingering kiss to his cheek. “But that said, I’ve watched women ogle you since my first day at the BCAS, Luke McGee, and heaven knows I’ve done my fair share. So it’s no great surprise to me that women find you to be a dangerously handsome man. But I also know you love me, you love God and you love your family with a vengeance, and in every single situation I’ve ever seen you in with a woman—me included—you’ve proven yourself to be one of the most honorable and decent man I’ve ever known.”

A slow grin traveled his lips. He slipped an arm to her waist, pulling her close. “Really?”

“Really.” She scrunched her nose. “Of course your thick head and caveman mentality does cancel a lot of that out, you know.”

His grin faded to soft as he caressed her cheek, weaving his hand into her hair. “I love you, Katie Rose,” he whispered, a prick of wetness in his eyes. “Thank you for loving me.”

“You’re welcome, Luke,” she said softly, grazing his jaw with the tips of her fingers. The barest hint of a twinkle lit in her eye. “It’s not too hard, you know—most of the time.”

He zeroed in on her lips, and his mouth went dry. “Dangerously handsome? Caveman mentality?” Prodding her back on the couch, he gave her a grin that had trouble written all over it. “You’re putting ideas into my head, Sass,” he whispered, taking his time to suckle her ear.

“Wouldn’t take much, McGee,” she said, voice breathless. “You tend to have a one-track mind when it comes to your wife.”

The grin ramped up to perilous. “Glad you noticed. I’d be in a sorry state if you hadn’t.” In one seamless move, he eased her legs up on the couch and stretched out beside her, playfully tugging her lip before delving into a kiss that made them both groan. “I wonder,” he whispered, her skin warm against his mouth, “should I utilize my caveman skills and carry you to bed over my shoulder or …” He nuzzled his way down the curve of her throat. “Just make love to you right here?” His ragged breathing matched hers to a heartbeat as he placed wispy kisses along the delicate line of her collarbone. His hungry hand swept the length of her, pausing to play with the button of her skirt. He looked up with a half-lidded smile. “Any suggestions?”

“Just one,” she said, voice hoarse and breathing even worse. She lassoed his neck and pulled him down hard. “Shut up and kiss me.”

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2011:

“Faith is the highest passion in a human being.”

—Soren Kierkegaard

HAPPY FRIDAY!! Well, another week has flown and with it all my time to reallllly focus on a Journal Jot, so today will be a bit of a hodge-podge because I have to leave for a mammogram in exactly 45 minutes!! So I decided today would be a good day to post a blog I wrote on “passion” since I am, after all, Miss “Passion With a Purpose,” as my tagline so boldly points out. But first, a few housekeeping things …

Firstly, today over in Seekerville, we have Cathy Gohlke, two-time Christy award-winner who has just written a breathtakingly beautiful historical fiction novel called Promise Me This, and I “promise you this” —it’s a novel and post you don’t want to miss!! Cathy has penned an incredible post-Titanic love story that will steal your heart. Leave a comment today only, and you might just win this amazing book, which I have deemed as THE BEST book I have ever read in the CBA. Here’s the link—go see Cathy, please!!

http://www.seekerville.blogspot.com/2012/02/guest-blogger-cathy-gohlke-road-less.html

Secondly, you only have SIX MORE DAYS to vote in the Family Fiction Magazine Reader’s Choice Awards, so do not miss out on supporting your favorite authors!! And if you DO vote, I am running a newsletter contest where you can win a signed copy of A Love Surrendered PLUS a $25 Amazon.com or CBD.com gift card just for doing so! Simply let me know via e-mail or through my website, and you will be entered in my new contest. PLEASE NOTE: You do NOT have to vote for me to be entered in this contest NOR tell me who you voted for, so take advantage of this opportunity to support your favorite Christian authors across all genres!!!

Here’s the link:

http://www.familyfiction.com/news/vote-in-the-2012-familyfiction-readers-choice-awards/

WINTER NEWSLETTER HAS BEEN SENT!!! If you signed up for my newsletter and have not received it yet, please let me know through my website or through Facebook. You won’t want to miss it because it contains both an excerpt and the cover for A Love Surrendered. And if you don’t get the newsletter and want to, all you have to do is sign up for it at http://www.julielessman.com/sign-up-for-newsletter/, and I will send it to you.

FINALLY … A CHANCE TO READ A “NEW, NEVER-BEFORE-READ EXCERPT from Steven’s story, A Love Surrendered and maybe win a copy of any of my books including A Love Surrendered. It’s happening at a blogaversary celebration of which I am a part TOMORROW, Saturday 25 through March 2, so be sure to drop by to leave a comment. Here’s the link and hope to see you there!!

http://hardcoverfeedback.blogspot.com/2012/02/1st-blogoversary-grand-finale-excerpt.html

COVER FOR A LOVE SURRENDERED!!! Interested in seeing the cover for A Love Surrendered and other new Revell releases?? Well, hop on over to Relz Review for a sneak peek, not just at my new cover, but at covers for upcoming releases by Laura Frantz, Maggie Brendan, Sarah Sundin, Dan Walsh, Lynette Eason, Melody Carson, Serena B. Miller, Steven James and Laurie Alice Eakes. Here’s the link:

http://relzreviewz.blogspot.com/2012/02/coming-in-late-2012-from-revell-books.html

And now, I leave you with my Seeker blog entitled: A Passion for Passion!

Okay, I’ll admit it—there are times when my passion for my husband may wane a bit. Especially over his inability to sink a dirty T-shirt in the hamper when the man can swoosh a basketball through a hoop with his eyes closed. I mean, come on! What’s that all about?

But there are two areas where I unequivocally do NOT waver in my quest for passion: with God and in my writing. And, quite frankly, as Christian fiction writers, that’s the way it should be. Because nothing is better than the merge of passion for God with passion for our craft. Kind of like hot fudge glazing vanilla-bean ice cream—God’s anointing makes our writing all the sweeter, all the more “moan good.”

Now I wish I could claim the distinction of being the one who first pressed the limits of passion in Christian romance, but that honor belongs to God. Have you ever read “Song of Solomon”? YIKES! Keep a fan handy. That is one passionate account—of God’s love for Israel, His love for the Church, and in its pulse-pounding sensuality, a metaphor of just how crazy He is about each of us. Which got me to thinking. Why is passion so all-fire important to Him?

Good question. And one He makes no bones about in His Word. You see, I have this weird habit of writing favorite Scriptures (or ones that apply to current problems of mine) on index cards and carrying them around or tucking them as bookmarks into my Bible. And you know what I realized just the other day? Most of my index cards talk about passion and fervor for God! Check it out:

They sought God EAGERLY, and he was found by them. So the Lord gave them rest on every side. 2 Chronicles 15:15

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe he exists and that he rewards those who EARNESTLY seek him. Hebrews ll:6

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are FULLY COMMITTED to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9

The effectual FERVENT prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16

Eagerly. Earnestly. Fully committed. Fervent. Passion in all its glory. And it’s important to God, so it should be important to us. With Him … and with our writing.

I truly believe that then—and only then—will my passion flow ... for contests … and revisions … and that proposal I need to get in the mail. Because true passion in writing for Him comes, first and foremost, from passion FOR Him.

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2011:

“Life is tough enough

without having someone kick you from the inside.”

—Rita Rudner

Ah, pregnancy—that wonderful time of life when your memory goes and your nausea stays. When you need a crane in the morning to get up and catheter at night to actually sleep. And, of course, that wonderfully cumbersome time you have no earthly idea what your feet look like anymore.

Let’s face it, giving birth is no picnic. And, yes, it’s true—once that baby slides down the old canal, you actually do forget all about the stretch marks and the foggy mind and the midnight raids of the refrigerator for pickles and peanut butter. Because the truth is it’s ALL worth it, even the forty pounds you were sure you would drop along with the baby.

Yeah, right. Maybe not that. When I had my first child, I remember being ticked that they didn’t have full-length mirrors in the hospital room because come on—after nine months carrying an exercise ball under my shirt, I wanted to see how svelte I looked in my brand-new pink wrap-around robe I bought for the hospital. I actually had the nerve to whisper to my husband after we passed another new mother in the hall days after I gave birth, saying,“Hey, Babe, would you believe she had her baby a few days ago and she still looks pregnant??” Wow … talk about ignorance being bliss! After I got home, I saw pictures friends took of me at the hospital with this great, big grin on my face because I felt so thin and cute. Only, it wasn’t me in the picture, but some thick-armed, thick-waisted suma wrestler who looked like a stuffed sausage with pink casing. I cried for days over that, let me tell you, but let's just blame that on post partum, shall we?

Now, here I am some thirty years later with my babies all grown up, but I am still going through pregnancy and labor most of the time. Giving birth to a new series, a new diet, a new exercise program that stretches my patience like my babies once stretched my skin. My youngest baby, Amy, is now 24 and pushing me to do yoga with her, so we’re talking MAJOR stretching going on here—not only with my body, but with our relationship as we evolve from mother and daughter to mother and friend. It is a time of stretching that is painful at times, but OH, so rewarding! Especially when you realize the type of woman your baby has become. That tearful moment when you finally see how God has not only shaped and molded her in your womb, but shaped and molded her as a woman of God.

Last week that baby of mine wrote something on Facebook that really touched me, and I asked her if I could reprint it here. Not only because I am SO very proud of her, but because it deals with the subject of giving birth—not to our babies, but to our dreams and the future that God has for each of us. I hope it will bless you as much as it blessed me. Without further ado, my daughter Amy Lessman:

Lately, due to the fact that I'll soon be graduating, taking the bar, moving out, and (hopefully) getting a job, I've been feeling like my life is ANALOGOUS to the process of pregnancy:

I came to the realization that I'm expecting, and God is planning to birth change in my life in the coming months...

But then right after the excitement of this realization, the morning sickness hit. And for the last three months, I've felt a whole lot of "morning sickness."

Now, I finally feel like I've made it past the "first trimester," and I'm able to see some of these changes begin to manifest without feeling so nauseous.

In the next 6 months, I anticipate a lot more change in my life. And, I know that much like the pregnant woman who gets to the point where she's just ready for the child to be out of her body—I too will get to the point of impatience where I'm just ready to be done with school, licensed as an attorney, living on my own, and working as a lawyer.

And in those moments, I will do my best to remember that just like pregnancy is a preparation period for parents, this figurative "pregnancy period" for me is also preparation for the future that God has for me.

And I need to allow God the ability to prepare me for the major life changes that will, before I know it, be staring me straight in the eyes, expecting me to know how to respond.

Until then, I'm going to do my best to enjoy this process... even with all its cravings, aches, and pains.

I'm not normally one to write deep, introspective, Facebook posts, but I needed to get this off my chest, and honestly, I'm just hoping that it might inspire some of you as you are in your own processes where you feel like God is preparing you for major change as well.

WINTER NEWSLETTER HAS BEEN SENT!!!

If you signed up for my newsletter and have not received it yet, please let me know through my website or through Facebook. You won’t want to miss it because it contains both an excerpt and the cover for A Love Surrendered. And if you don’t get the newsletter and want to, all you have to do is sign up for it at http://www.julielessman.com/sign-up-for-newsletter/, and I will send it to you.

NEW NEWSLETTER CONTEST … VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE AUTHORS!

Don’t forget to VOTE for your favorite authors across all genres to be entered in my new newsletter contest to win a signed copy of A Love Surrendered PLUS a $25 Amazon.com or CBD.com gift card. All you have to do is sign up for my newsletter at http://www.julielessman.com/sign-up-for-newsletter/, then take the time to VOTE for your favorite authors in Family Fiction Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards and let me know via e-mail or through my website, and you will be entered in my new contest. PLEASE NOTE: You do NOT have to vote for me to be entered in this contest NOR tell me who you voted for, so take advantage of this opportunity to support your favorite Christian authors across all genres!!!

Here’s the link:

http://www.familyfiction.com/news/vote-in-the-2012-familyfiction-readers-choice-awards/

GIVEAWAYS!!

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2012:

Join me at Overcoming Through Time for a “bibliotherapy analysis” of A Heart Revealed and win a signed copy of one of my books at:

http://cfpagels.blogspot.com/

FEBRUARY 21 - MARCH 3, 2012:

READ A “NEW” EXCERPT from A Love Surrendered and win your choice of any of my books including A Love Surrendered on my special guest day of SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25^TH PLUS giveaways ALL WEEK LONG by other authors for a blogaversary celebration from FEBRUARY 21-25!!! Check it out here at Hardcover Feedback blog at:

http://hardcoverfeedback.blogspot.com/search/label/1st%20Blogoversary

***SUPER GIVEAWAY!! Super popular Christian thriller author Creston Mapes' new thriller NOBODY is FREE at Amazon Friday, Feb. 17 to Sunday, Feb. 19 at midnight (PST), so TAKE ADVANTAGE!! I DID! :) Here’s the link:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006BG4QAC/ref=as_li_tf_til?tag=wwwcrestonmap-20&camp=0&creative=0&linkCode=as1&creativeASIN=B006BG4QAC&adid=0R9S2VFK4R5VZDGMV3D7

That’s it for this week—go and give birth to your dreams!! But rememeber—they won't happen overnight, your self-image will be stretched considerably and you will definitely experience nausea. But don't worry—it's all worth it in the end! Have a GREAT weekend!!

Hugs, Julie

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2012:

Sweet thunderation!

Where’s a cattle prod when you need one?

—The Cousins McClare: Book 1, Dare to Dream

By Julie Lessman

Well, it almost always happens, you know. What, you ask? A publisher changing your original title. My agent told me it happens most of the time, and I think she threw a percentage range at me of 85 to 95 percent. About killed me on the "Daughters of Boston" Series because all of my titles were Scriptures hand-picked to reflect a theme I sowed throughout the entire book. PLUS each title (including the series title) had the word “wind” in it because of my love for Gone With the Wind and the idea of wind symbolizing the Holy Spirit. Great reasons, all.

But not marketable, apparently, according to my publisher. In hindsight, I now realize that my publisher knows A LOT more about book sales than I do, and now I quietly (?) defer to them in almost every case. And, in hindsight, I think their chosen titles (which I actually submitted to them in a document of approximately 130+ titles because yes, I really am that anal!!) are PERFECT!!

So … here we go again! My publisher has changed the series and book titles for The Cousins McClare and guess what? They are spot on and I couldn’t LOVE a book title more. So instead of Book 1 of The Cousins McClare series being called Dare to Dream, it will now be called:

Love at Any Cost

Book 1 of “The Heart of San Francisco” Series

Release Date: April 1, 2013

And here’s a glimpse at a jacket blurb I wrote to give you an idea of what’s in store:

Fooled by a pretty boy once, shame on him.

Fooled by a pretty boy twice, shame on me.

Jilted by a fortune hunter, cowgirl Cassidy McClare is a spunky Texas oil heiress without a fortune who just as soon hogtie a man as look at him … until Jamie MacKenna, a handsome pauper looking to marry well lassoes her heart. But when Jamie discovers the woman he loves is poorer than him, Cassie finds herself bucked by love a second time, sending her back to Texas to lick her wounds and heal her heart. In her absence, Jamie discovers money can’t buy love ... but love built on faith can set a heart free, a truth he discovers a little too late … or is it?

Originally I had Rick Malambri (in the second picture to the right) pegged as Jamie MacKenna because I saw Jamie as a hard-working, dedicated and fiercely competitive young man. BUT … Jamie’s personality has turned out so teasing and a bit roguish at times, that I am now leaning toward Matt Bomer of White Collar fame—what do you think?

For Cassie, I’m definitely thinking Rachel McAdams, who actually fits my vision to a T!

I am VERY excited because I have some fun cover ideas since these books will be just a hair lighter than my previous books and definitely more linear and not as complicated. Because Cassie is a Texas ranch girl with an attachment to her lasso and a pool and poker shark to boot, I’d love to see her in a side angle wearing a secret smile and a gorgeous Gibson-Girl off-the-shoulder dress that flows to her feet while holding a lasso, a pool cue or a hand of cards behind her back. I have a meeting of the minds with my publisher this week to discuss covers, so say one for me, okay?

WINTER NEWSLETTER COMING OUT NEXT WEEK!!!

Yes, it’s true … FINALLY I will be sending out my LONG overdue newsletter, so if you aren’t signed up for it, you’ll want to do so right now at http://www.julielessman.com/sign-up-for-newsletter/ because not only does it contain an excerpt from A Love Surrendered, but also announces the winners from my contest and a few other things you won’t want to miss. It will mail on Tuesday of next week, so if you do not receive it by week’s end, PLEASE let me know, okay?

NEW NEWSLETTER CONTEST … VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE AUTHORS!

If you are signed up for my newsletter, here’s a chance to vote for your favorite authors AND win a signed copy of A Love Surrendered PLUS a $25 Amazon.com or CBD.com gift card. All you have to do is take the time to VOTE for your favorite authors in Family Fiction Magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards, then let me know via e-mail or through my website, and you will be entered in my new contest. PLEASE NOTE: You do NOT have to vote for me to be entered in this contest, so take advantage of this opportunity to support your favorite Christian authors across all genres!!! DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 29TH, AND I WILL ANNOUNCE THE WINNER IN THE FRIDAY, MARCH 2ND JOURNAL JOT.

Here’s the link:

http://www.familyfiction.com/news/vote-in-the-2012-familyfiction-readers-choice-awards/

LAST-MINUTE BLOG GIVEAWAYS!!

FEBRUARY 13-18 -- GIVEAWAYS ALL WEEK LONG!!

THREE CHANCES TO WIN ONE OF MY BOOKS ... FEBRUARY 13, 15 & 18 ... PLUS CHANCES TO WIN BOOKS BY JULIE KLASSEN, LAURA FRANTZ, KELLY LONG AND SUSAN CRAFT ALL WEEK LONG at the Overcoming Through Time Valentine's Week Celebration at:

http://cfpagels.blogspot.com/

FEBRUARY 13-19, 2012

FICTION ADDICTION FIX MEGA VALENTINE WEEK GIVEAWAY!!! You won't want to miss this massive giveaway of a huge bag of goodies and bundles of books!!! Check it out here at Fiction Addiction Fix, the #1 BEST BLOG to keep apprised of all the fabulous Christian fiction giveaways going on that day. Here's the link -- make it a "favorite"!!

http://fictionaddictionfix.blogspot.com/

FEBRUARY 21 - MARCH 3, 2012:

READ A “NEW” EXCERPT from A Love Surrendered (and a different one from the excerpt in my newsletter) and win your choice of any of my books including A Love Surrendered on my special guest day of SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25^TH PLUS giveaways ALL WEEK LONG by other authors for a blogaversary celebration from FEBRUARY 21-25!!! Check it out here during those dates at Hardcover Feedback blog at:

http://hardcoverfeedback.blogspot.com/

And that’s it for this week—have a GREAT weekend!!

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2012:

One Woman. Two Men.

One stirs her pulse and the other her faith.

But who will win her heart?

—A Light in the Window: An Irish Christmas Love Story

By Julie Lessman

WOW, what a week!! First … I finished book 1 of The Cousins McClare, Dare to Dream, and am now awaiting feedback from my husband and a dear friend. So far, Keith loves it and says every time he opens the binder, he feels like he freefalls into 1902 San Francisco with the salty smell of the sea and the clang of trolleys, so that’s a good thing, right?

Secondly, I have been able to sit downstairs on my lower deck and write for FOUR days this week—in the middle of January, no less!!! I’m not sure if you know anything about St. Louis weather, but the average low temperature for January is 21 and the average high, 37. Of course, I am bundled to the teeth in a jacket and cozy-warm blanket (thank you, Gabe!!) and drinking my beloved cinnamon hazelnut coffee (thank you, Joetta!!), but just to be outside with blindingly blue skies and my laptop is sheer heaven.

And, speaking of heaven … yep, that’s where I’ve been all week long! You see, I started writing Marcy and Patrick O’Connor’s prequel this week, A Light in the Window, and let me tell you—I haven’t been this giddy or excited about a book since I wrote A Passion Redeemed. Because I have a soft spot for Charity and Mitch, that book SO enthralled me that it literally wrote itself in two months, and that’s with me working part-time at my day job! But this story—the love triangle between Patrick, Marcy and San O’Rourke—has stolen my heart completely … not unlike Sam with Marcy’s! So my goal is to write this book in three months, which I honestly do not think will be a problem since I can’t seem to pull myself away from the computer … :)

Anyway, because I am SO excited about this venture, I thought I’d give you a sneak peek at it too, along with these images I have in mind for Marcy and Patrick. Here’s the story in a nutshell:

A Light in the Window is the prequel love story of Marcy and Patrick O’Connor whose discovery of each other is as turbulent as the era in which it takes place. The year is 1894, and following a decade of explosive industrial growth and immigration that Mark Twain called America’s “Gilded Age,” the nation plummets into the worst economic depression up to that time.

Marceline Murphy and her best friend Julie O’Rourke have been selected to assist Sister Mary Frances with the Christmas play fundraiser for the St. Mary’s parish soup kitchen. The play is called A Light in the Window, based on the Irish custom of placing a candle in the window on Christmas Eve through Epiphany (Jan. 6) to welcome strangers as if welcoming the Holy Family. The novel itself ends on January 6^th when Marcy has an “epiphany” of her own.

Patrick O’Connor and Sam O’Rourke are best friends who enjoy competing for the hearts of starry-eyed Southie lasses. When they’re caught drinking the unconsecrated sacristy wine in the confessional, Father Fitzsimmons metes out a punishment of endless hours devoted to building scenery for the Christmas play and working in the soup kitchen. It’s here where both men vie for Marcy’s affection, and although it’s Sam who wins her heart, it’s Patrick who loses his to the soft-spoken beauty who clearly only wants to be friends.

When Marcy's grandmother Mima arrives for Christmas, Marcy tells her about The Light in the Window play as well as the charming Sam O’Rourke who has put a light in her eyes. Mima cautions her to guard her heart for the type of man who will respond to the "light in the window," meaning the message of Christ in her heart. Marcy is troubled because although Sam professes his love, his actions often speak otherwise. When a transient from the soup kitchen steals the play funds entrusted to Marcy, Marcy is devastated and racked with guilt. But in an O’Henry-style “Gift of the Magi” twist, she soon discovers that although two men have professed their undying love for her, only one has responded to “the light in the window.”

SOOOO ... what do you think? And because today’s Journal Jot wouldn’t be complete without a glimpse at a scene or two, here is a peek at the opening page:

I will not throw up … I will not throw up ... Seventeen-year-old Marceline Murphy set her overnight case on the O’Rourke’s wraparound porch and pressed a quivering finger to the brass doorbell, a battalion of butterflies barnstorming in her stomach. The last time she’d been this nervous was when she’d frozen on the top limb of a massive pine tree in the backyard of her best friend Julie O’Rourke at the age of eleven. The memory of Julie’s older brother, Sam, climbing up to rescue her made her hands sweat even now, his body close behind as he helped her down, limb by limb. At the bottom he’d tugged on her pigtail with that dimpled grin that had always fluttered her pulse. “Best keep your feet on the ground and your nose in a book, Marceline Murphy,” he’d whispered in her ear. “You’ll want to stay far away from danger.”

Danger, yes. Marcy swallowed hard.

Heights and Sam O’Rourke—two things that made her dizzy.

FINALLY ... here is a tiny glimpse at part of a scene I love between Patrick, Sam and the parish priest who catches these newly graduated “bad boys” drinking the unconsecrated sacristy wine in a confessional. Their penance? To spend all of their free time working in the soup kitchen and building scenery for the Christmas fundraiser play:

“And if we won’t do it?” Sam said, a glint of challenge to his tone.

Father Fitz studied Sam with a firm tilt of his head, a faint shift of a jaw that Patrick recognized all too well from countless hours of detention with a man few students defied. “You know, it’s a curious thing, Sam—your parents have been after me to come to dinner for months now, so perhaps I should come next week, imparting some information that just may batten your hatches a wee bit.”

Patrick’s stomach took a dive. Great. Another knock-down, drag-out with Pop ...

“I think I may just chance it, Father,” Sam said, the dark stubble on his jaw as menacing as the stubborn gleam in his eye. “I can live without my parent’s approval.”

“Ah, yes, Mr. O’Rourke, but the question remains—can you live without money?”

Sam blinked. “Pardon me?”

A faint smile played at the edge of the priest’s mouth, compressed like his jaw in a battle of wills. “Money, Mr. O’Rourke. You know, remuneration for a job well done that allows you to buy a round a drinks at the corner pub, dazzle a pretty girl with an ice-cream soda or purchase the proper clothes befitting the neighborhood rogue?”

The blood drained from Patrick’s face as quickly as it did from Sam’s.

“Yes, well, you see, gentlemen,” Father Fitz continued in a tone as a matter of fact as his smile, “a priest has friends in high places over and above the Almighty, you know, at let’s say, The Boston Herald?”

Patrick’s eyes lumbered closed, the lump in his throat as tight as the noose Father Fitz was tossing around their necks. Both he and Sam needed their jobs at the Herald if Patrick was going to go to night school and Sam was going to rise to management.

“I don’t know if I’ve ever told you boys, but Arthur Hennessey and I go way back.” Father Fitz nodded with a faint smile, his eyes trailing into what apparently was a fond trip down Memory Lane. “Actually played ball together on the parish league, if you can imagine that.” He snapped out of his reverie, his smile brightening considerably. “Of course that was long before he took over as CEO of the Herald, you understand, although I have to admit, nobody tossed a meaner knuckleball.”

Patrick stifled a groan. Except you, Father Fitz ...

“So … “ Patrick jolted when the priest clapped his hands. “I look forward to seeing you gentlemen at the fundraiser meeting next week, where you’ll learn all about just why absconding with the sacristy wine is not a good idea.”

“This is blackmail, Father,” Sam said with a scowl.

Father Fitz blinked, a wedge popping at the bridge of his nose. “Yes, I suppose it is, Samuel …” He quickly dismissed his concern with a wave of a hand, his smile veering into dazzling. “Well, no never mind,” he said with a shrug of his shoulders, “I’m on good terms with the Man upstairs—I’ll just absolve myself.”

And there you go—what I will be working on the next few months, so say one for me, okay? Hope you enjoyed these brief glimpses as much as I enjoyed writing them. Till next week, Happy Weekend!

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, JANUARY 27, 2011:

"Nothing great in the world

has been accomplished without passion."

—Georg Wilhelm

WHEW … been a busy week, how ‘bout you?? Spent a good part of it staying with my sweet mother-in-law who is recovering from a fall, and talk about a labor of love! I LOVE this woman and quite frankly, there’s no “labor” involved whatsoever when it comes to spending time with her, God’s truth. But when I returned home again? Oh, yeah, lots of laundry, cleanup and writing tasks piled higher than the dust and the dishes! That said, I’m taking a free pass on writing a Journal Jot this week and revamping one of my old Seeker blogs below instead because honestly, it’s a subject near and dear to my heart and ALWAYS relevant.

PASSION. Don’t you just LOVE that word?? I have to say, it’s one of my all-time faves and apparently God thinks so too, because two years ago at an ACFW Conference, I attended a seminar of about 50-75 authors where at the end of it, the teachers -- Allen Arnold from Thomas Nelson and Karen Ball from B & H Publishing -- invited the authors up to the front to receive a diploma and a pretty cloth bag containing a polished stone with a word engraved on it. Each author got to select a bag, stone unseen, and you want to go ahead and guess what my stone said? Yep, you got it—PASSION!! I was so blown away, that I went up and asked Allen Arnold how many stones in the pile contained the word “passion.” “Only one or two,” he said. Coincidence? Yeah, probably ... but I prefer to think of it as a smile from God. :) So, without further ado, here is a blog I wrote a long time ago about my favorite word entitled “A Passion for Passion”:

Okay, yeah, big surprise—I’m writing about “Passion.” Why, you ask, other than the fact that I’m a hormonal Baby Boomer? Well, because it’s important—in our relationship with God, with our family AND in our writing.

Okay, I’ll admit it—there are times when my passion for my husband may wane a bit. Especially over his inability to sink a dirty T-shirt in the hamper when the man can swoosh a basketball through a hoop with his eyes closed. I mean, come on! What’s that all about?

But there are two areas where I unequivocally do NOT waver in my quest for passion: with God and in my writing. And, quite frankly, as Christian fiction writers or readers, that’s the way it should be. Because to me, nothing is better than the merge of passion for God with passion for romance. Kind of like hot fudge glazing vanilla-bean ice cream—God’s anointing makes our writing (or reading) all the sweeter, all the more “moan good.”

Now I wish I could claim the distinction of being the one who first pressed the limits of passion in Christian romance, but that honor belongs to God. Have you ever read “Song of Solomon”? YIKES! Keep a fan handy. That is one passionate account—of God’s love for Israel, His love for the Church, and in its pulse-pounding sensuality, a metaphor of just how crazy He is about each of us. Which got me to thinking. Why is passion so all-fire important to Him?

Good question. And one He makes no bones about in His Word. You see, I have this weird habit of writing favorite Scriptures (or ones that apply to current problems of mine) on index cards and carrying them around or tucking them as bookmarks into my Bible. And you know what I realized just the other day? Most of my index cards talk about passion and fervor for God! Check it out:

They sought God EAGERLY, and he was found by them. So the Lord gave them rest on every side. 2 Chronicles 15:15

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe he exists and that he rewards those who EARNESTLY seek him. Hebrews ll:6

For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are FULLY COMMITTED to him. 2 Chronicles 16:9

The effectual FERVENT prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16

Eagerly. Earnestly. Fully committed. Fervent. Passion in all its glory. And it’s important to God, so it should be important to us. In Him … and in our lives.

So what does that mean? Well, for me, it means that before my fingers even shadow the keyboard, they need to shadow the pages of my Bible. And before one single, solitary e-mail is answered, I need to answer my God when He asks “Do you love me? Will you spend time with me?” And it means that before I lose myself in writing a love scene that will make me swoon, I need to first swoon over the Love of my life. Because without “passion” for Him, my passion is flat. So I pray—DAILY—for passion and fervor for God.

I truly believe that then—and only then—will my passion flow ... for writing … for my family … and for the people in our lives who need to experience the passion of God rather than the polluted passion of the world. Because let’s face it—true passion in writing or living for Him comes, first and foremost, from passion FOR Him. It's the hot fudge on the ice cream, the icing on the cake ... and, without question, the joy in our heart! So as a lover of God, whatever you do -- dig in and do it with passion!

LAST-MINUTE GIVEAWAY!!

As many of you know, come January I batten down the hatches and write, packing away all blog interviews/giveaways until the next book comes out. BUT one of my dearest reader friends AND the 2^nd place winner of my “Have a Character Named After You” review contest, Michelle Tuller, is wrapping up her 1-year blogaversary this next week, so I just couldn’t pass that up. Michelle is giving away A Passion Most Pure (with a signed book plate) and I am giving the same winner their choice of any of my other books, including Steven’s story next year, A Love Surrendered, PLUS winner’s choice of a top CBA book from my library. So if that appeals, stop by and say hey with a comment at:

http://sweettreatsandinspiration.blogspot.com/2012/01/happy-1-year-blogiversary-julie-lessman.html

Hope to see you there, and here’s to a PASSIONATE weekend in whatever you do!!

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, JANUARY 20, 2011:

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them,

for it is the LORD your God who goes with you.

He will not leave you or forsake you.”

—Deuteronomy 31:6

One of my older sisters once told me something my mom told her, but since my mom died when I was sixteen, I can’t confirm it, so I am getting this second hand. But apparently when I was a baby, my mom took me to a convent to see a friend of hers right after I was born. While Mom was holding me in the chapel area, an old nun walks up to her and peeks at the baby in her arms (me) and asks to hold me. Cradling me in her arms, she said something to the effect of: “Oh my, this child will lift up the Lord’s name one day.”

And yeah, I did. Uh … in vain, unfortunately. Most of you know that I was a wild child of the 60’s and 70’s before I came to the Lord at the age of 23, and trust me, I did my fair share of “lifting up the Lord’s name” in a manner I am not very proud of today. But the good news is that my past is over and done and redeemed by the precious Blood of Jesus Christ, so thank God for His mercies that are new everyday.

Why am I telling you this? Because as our verse so carefully points out today, God “goes with us” and will never “leave or forsake us,” Not even when we turn away from Him or don’t acknowledge Him in our lives like I did for so many years. God has called me to write for Him—just like He called EACH of us according to our talents—to “lift up His name” in everything we say and do. The fact that He has been “hovering” over me since I was a baby and even “knew” me in my mother’s womb ("I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb. Jeremiah 1:5), following me through all the steps of rebellion where I didn’t even know if He existed or not, gives me goose bumps. There’s a really good reason that one of His names is "Emmanuel" or “God with us” … because He is! Always!!

So, what prompted this Journal Jot today? Well, it was one of my Scripture readings this week from Daniel 4:22-23. You know, the story about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego being thrown into the fiery furnace because they wouldn’t bow down to the King’s God? It said in that reading that “the king’s command was SO urgent and the furnace SO hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.” HOLY SMOKE -- now that’s hot!! They were firmly tied up together and tossed in, and as you know, not a hair on their heads was scorched. But here are the lines that stopped me dead in my tracks:

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”

They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.”

25 He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”

WOW!! Now THAT gave me cold chills because it was as if God was saying, “I am with you ALWAYS, Julie, even when you go through the fire.

The fire. Ah, yes, those awful times in our lives when we are tempted to give up, the times when our lives or our relationships hang in the balance, or when we or our loved ones are suffering with sickness, or any number of other heartbreaks bringing us down. He is THERE in the midst of it with us whether we know it or not. There whether we believe in Him or not.

Like the time when I was a rebellious and agnostic teenager walking home at 2:00 AM with my girlfriend? And a carload of guys we didn’t know squealed to a stop, hurling their car doors open to run after us? Yep, He was there with me when my girlfriend darted off in the direction of her house and I ran around the house of a widow neighbor who was hard of hearing, screaming my head off while two of the guys chased me, probably to throw me in the car for sport. Heart pounding and huffing like crazy, I sprinted for the neighbor’s front door, ramming my finger to the doorbell as the guys caught up with me on the front porch. Would you believe that deaf little old lady opened her door at that exact moment? Now I ask you—if you were a little old lady living alone, would YOU open the door at 2:00 AM in the morning?? And if you were sleeping AND hard of hearing, would you really get to the door that fast?? I rest my case. God was THERE on that porch with me, I know that now. He was there when those guys hightailed it to their car and sped away, and He was there when I cried myself to sleep that night.

Emanuel. God with us. And, oh honey, He WAS with us ten years ago during that awful time when a doctor told us he thought my son had cancer and I was having nightmares wide awake, seeing him in a coffin or myself standing by his grave. Trust me, it’s murder having a wild imagination, especially if you can’t turn to the God who will never leave you or forsake you. But HE was there, steadying me with His Word during one of the worst weeks of my life, and here’s the story and the healing Scriptures that got me through. http://www.julielessman.com/from-the-heart/

So, whatever you are going through today, whatever fire is trying to consume you or your family, know this: God is with you, always, just like that fourth guy in the furnace above with our three friends, we have an awesome God Who will get you through unscathed, so TAKE ADVANTAGE!! I know I do! :)

GIVEAWAYS!!

I am laying low on blog interviews these days to crank on writing books, but one of my dearest reader friends AND the 2^nd place winner of my “Have a Character Named After You” review contest, Michelle Tuller, is having her 1-year blogaversary this next week, so I just couldn’t pass that up. Michelle is giving away A Passion Most Pure (with a signed book plate) and I am giving the same winner their choice of any of my other books, including Steven’s story next year, A Love Surrendered, PLUS winner’s choice of a top CBA book from my library. So if that appeals, stop by and say hey with a comment at:

http://sweettreatsandinspiration.blogspot.com/

Hope to see you there, and HAPPY WEEKEND!!

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2011:

^“What wilt thou that I shall do to thee?”

And he said, “Lord, that I may see.”

—Luke 18:41

Okay, let’s admit it—how many of you looked at the date today and felt the faintest of shivers travel your spine? Friday the 13^th, the high holy day in the religion of superstition—to some, not the best day to embark on anything new, apply for a job, buy a car or take a trip. And yet, it’s just another day, one whose importance is based on our perspective and how we see it. Not at all cracked up to be what it’s supposed to be.

Kinda like that seven-layer cake I used to drool over in the school cafeteria at Cor Jesu (pronounced Cory-yay-zoo), the all-girl’s high school I attended from ages 14 to 18. You know, the one that most boys back then couldn’t resist asking: “What zoo?” Well, you see, there was this incredibly amazing cake they would serve periodically, purchased from a local bakery, and it was white cake (my favorite!) ribboned with seven layers of the most scrumptious-looking chocolate icing you ever saw. I swear, one glance and my mouth was watering just to look at it, quite sure it would be the most heavenly confection that ever slid across my tongue. I remember that it cost $.50, which back then was a fortune, but I would literally ration several day’s worth of lunch money just to have that cake. I hurried back to the table where my friends sat, drool pooling in my mouth and eyes fixed on that piece of cake. No sooner had the tray hit the table and I was diving in. Ah, sheer heaven, ah ambrosia, ah … dark chocolate???

Dear Lord, how I hate dark chocolate!! One bite and my mouth would pucker and my tongue go sour, the ecstasy of white cake completely ruined by that dark, nasty stuff that may as well been liquid chaw. “Here,” I said to my table of friends, nose scrunched as I pushed the cake plate away, “anybody want this?” Sad, huh? Nope. The real sad thing here was that I purchased that same piece of cake at least four other times during the course of my high school years, quite certain that “this time” it would taste as good as it looked. What a dope, because of course it never did. Why? Because looks are deceiving and even when they aren’t, the things we strive for in this world, good or bad, cannot satisfy our hunger for more, are not capable of giving us that joy that only God can.

When asked by Jesus what he wanted him to do for him, the blind man said, “Lord, that I may see,” and that’s my prayer for each of us this week—“Lord, let us see Your goodness and love instead of our trials and burdens, let us see the glass completely full rather than half empty, let us soar to the sky instead of wallow in mud. To focus on the blessings instead of the curse and to see Friday the 13^th for what it truly is—a gift from God to live for Him and only Him with a heart overflowing with gratitude.

Speaking of gratitude, I am three quarters of the way through the VERY LAST scene of book 1 of The Cousins McClare, working title Dare to Dream. A mere one to two pages from finishing and meeting my goal to shorten the page count on this new series, coming in at about 112,000 words versus my usual 170,000 that I tallied on each of my last three books, so YAY!!

And to sweeten my week even more, I got to babysit for my sweet three-month-old granddaughter Rory, so I thought it would be fun to give you a Rory update. She’s smiling a lot more now and would you believe Keith and I actually heard her giggle—yes, giggle—not once, but twice yesterday, completely illuminating our day!! So, here are some pictures to give you a sneak peek at my little peanut.

Here’s to a FABULOUS weekend for each of us, and may we “see” our lives through spiritual eyes where God’s blessings abound in the work of our hands, the love of our family or in the sweet giggle of a little girl.

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2011:

“It’s only when you live the prayer of thanksgiving that

you live the power of trusting God.”

—Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts

Happy New Year! I gotta tell you that I just LOVE January and would venture to say it is one of my favorite months in the year. I mean, who doesn’t love new beginnings, fresh starts, plans to improve and fervent hopes to draw closer to God? A fresh, new page in our journals where we can learn to trust Him more than ever before. I kind of see it like packing away the hurts and disappointments of 2011 along with the Christmas decorations for a house stripped bare of twinkle lights and greenery. I don’t know about you, but whenever all decorations are down and put away and I vacuum, I step back and smile with a sigh of contentment because I see a simpler, cleaner, less cluttered house than before. Just like I long for my life to be. And my New Year’s resolutions!

Yes, I would like to lose that five pounds I put on and yes, I want to get back on the treadmill five days a week, but the truth is I don’t want to clutter up my January with resolutions I may or may not keep. I would much rather choose just one that I give my heart and soul to, so this year I am devoting myself to trusting God more.

Now, how do I propose to do that? Well, I am reading one of the most phenomenal books right now called One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp, a New York Times bestseller from Zondervan that is billed as “a dare to live fully right where you are” through the power of thanksgiving (http://onethousandgifts.com/). Suffice it to say that this poor, little book is littered with ink from where I’ve underlined sentence after sentence—or maybe I should say revelation after revelation—that speak to my heart. Since I am a dyed-in-the-wool fiction reader, the only way I can read non-fiction books is by using them as part of my morning devotional along with my Bible reading and worship, so that’s what I do and it has been a total blessing.

Anyway, one of the sentences I underlined this morning was “Thanks is what builds trust,” and I blinked, realizing that it’s true. You see, I have this habit of writing Scriptures I love down on index cards and using them as bookmarks in my Bible and various other devotional books. One of my favorites is Hebrews ll:6 which says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Now, I know this is going to sound silly, but whenever I pray this Scripture, I ALWAYS close my eyes right after the phrase “believes that He exists” to test in my mind’s eye whether I really do or not, and the same thing always happens every single time. It’s like my life suddenly flashes before me with bullet-fire memories of all of God’s blessings, and my eyes immediately prick with tears and my heart pulses with passion. Because I DO believe that He exists and all I have to do is remember the countless blessings He’s given me over the years, and faith swells in my heart anew.

Ann Voskamp believes that is the reason the Israelites kept recording their past, so they could trust God for their future. She says, “remembering is an act of thanksgiving … this turn of the heart over time’s shoulder to see all the long way His arms have carried” us. I couldn’t agree more.

So my one and only resolution this year is to remember all of God’s blessings on a daily basis and to thank Him for those and those yet to come because as Ann Voskamp so beautifully points out, “remembering with thanks is what causes us to trust—to really believe … and it’s only when you live the prayer of thanksgiving that you live the power of trusting God." And as God’s Word says in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

I don’t know about you, but I want “straight paths” that lead to the will of God because as Katie O’Connor learns from her sister, Faith, in A Heart Revealed: His will is … the path to our highest pleasure.

Here’s to straight paths in 2012 that lead each of us to His peace, His joy and His amazing presence.

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30, 2011:

Let your religion be less of a theory

and more of a love affair.

—G. K. Chesterton

Love Affair. Those are the two magical words that pulsed in my heart over and over again during our Christmas Eve service this year.

It was a candlelight service, and moisture blurred my eyes as I stood next to the love of my life, singing one of my favorite Christmas songs of all time—O Holy Night. Even now as I write this, tears trail my cheeks and my heart “falls to its knees” at the wonder of Christ in our lives, the inconceivable joy of a love affair with the God of the Universe!

A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks, a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees, oh hear, hear the angel voices
Oh night divine, oh night when
Christ was born

Standing there worshipping the TRUE “Love of my Life,” I knew that more than anything in the world, I wanted my love affair with God in 2012 to be deeper, more passionate and more profound than ever before. And with every beat of my pulse, the words Love Affair, Love Affair whispered in my ear, telling me that not only was it entirely possible, but that it was exactly what God longed for as well—a love affair with me … and with you!

I have to tell you, my love affair with my husband has surpassed anything I ever dreamed possible. Never did I believe I would ever love a human being to the depths and heights to which I love the man I married. I don’t know if I ever mentioned it to you, but I wasn’t all that sure that I “loved” him when I walked down that aisle, God’s truth. Oh, I knew I was happier with him than without him, but love?? That deep-down, soul-wrenching, quivering kind of love? Uh, probably not because you see, I didn’t really know how to love back then when we married 33 years ago. Nope, that was something I had to learn at the foot of God’s throne. And oh my, does our God know how to teach a lesson on love!

As many of you already know, I was raised in a very dysfunctional family where I was ridiculed and picked on a lot, so consequently, I had a pretty hard heart. Never even shed a tear when my mom died when I was sixteen, and as a young woman in her early twenties (before Christ), there were actually Thanksgivings and Christmases I spent alone despite coming from a family of thirteen kids. We’re talking rock-hard emotions here, steeled by bitterness and hate and anger. Until, that is, God got a hold of me at the age of 23 and turned this heart of stone into a heart of flesh. And a weepy one at that, to which many of you who have read my interviews or know me at all, can certainly attest.

“When did you realize you loved Dad,” my daughter asked me several weeks ago. Keith and I looked at each other and I scrunched my nose. “I don’t know … I guess about five or six years ago?” “That sounds about right,” Keith said, his tone as matter-of-fact as mine. My daughter started laughing because she understands that we have one of the best marriages on the planet. “You’re joking,” she said, and Keith and I shook our heads and said, “No, we aren’t.”

You see I’m pretty sure Keith and I have loved each other all of our marriage to some degree, but it was a lifetime of application of God’s precepts in our relationship and lives that caused our marriage—and our love—to grow into what it is today. A truly magical love affair, the kind I write about in my books. So the good news is that, yes, it is possible to have a marriage like that in today’s world. The better news? It’s exactly what God wants for each of us—a passionate love affair, first with Him, and then for those who are married or will be married, with your mate.

So why did my love for Keith suddenly bloom and grow so much six years ago? Interesting question, but I do believe it coincides with my books. The year I wrote A Passion Most Pure, my love for Keith was invigorated through my writing. As I poured all my passion for God and romance into each and every book, I also found myself pouring passion into my marriage. You know, focusing on my husband more, learning to see him once again through the eyes of young love and learning to appreciate him for just who he was.

For instance, there were times when we would go out to dinner that I would pretend we were dating, and I’d sparkle and shine just like it was a new guy I was trying to impress, hanging on to his every word, being affectionate more than usual, laughing at his jokes. Whenever I would do that we would have SUCH a great time that I started to realize that I was energizing my marriage by pouring passion (a strong enthusiasm or interest according to Merriam-Webster) into it. Even when I would write my books, I’d keep a picture of Keith and me when we were engaged right by my computer to remind me just what a hunk I married, to help me see him once again through those eyes of initial attraction. And most importantly of all, I would do what I spent a lifetime doing—I’d pray for God to give me more and more passion and attraction and love for this man that He knit me with. And God is nothing if not faithful. The more I poured into my love affair with my husband—passion, prayer, giving, respect, love—the more exciting and fulfilling our relationship became, which brings me back to my heart and soul desire for 2012: my love affair with God.

So what does a love affair with God look like? Well, I tried to show what it looks like for me in a scene from A Heart Revealed where Emma explains to her young neighbor Casey that God wants a love affair with each of us:

Casey’s eyelids lowered as she shifted in her seat. “But we can’t see or feel God, Emma, so how can you feel his love? I need more than prayers to a God I can’t touch, see, or hear—I want to hear words of love, see kind actions, feel hugs and kisses . . .”

“We all do, Casey, because yes, we’re human beings. But we were made in God’s image.” Drawing in a deep breath, Emma leaned back in her chair, her eyes tender. “Which means, like Father, like daughter. You want to be loved? So does He. You want to be touched? So does He. You want to feel the rush of a kiss or the warmth of a hug?” Tears pricked Emma’s eyes. “So does He. Which is why I rushed to Him when Rory hurt me and my family betrayed me. And you know what? I found a God whose arms were open wide and Whose heart leapt with joy when I called His name. As protective as a mother and as jealous as a lover, this was a God who wanted me for His very own. Me—Emma Malloy! To touch, to bless, to fill with His pleasure.” She swallowed hard, her gaze locked on Casey’s. “Until I overflow, spilling his love on all those around me—treasured possessions of a passionate God.”

A passionate God, indeed. One who longs for our touch, our attention, our smiles, our words of love. To be needed by us, believed in by us and worshiped by us. A Lover Who offers everything our hearts could ever desire in a love affair—someone who is drawn to us, who thinks we are beautiful, who gives of himself to us, who protects and encourages us, makes us smile, laugh and cry with joy. Someone we are worth everything to—even his life. We have all that and more in the God of the Universe and yet at times, we remain lackluster in our devotion to Him. And so my desire for 2012 is to fall madly, passionately and completely in love with my God and to bring Him joy and pleasure and worship every day of my life. Love affair, pure and simple.

For me, that means pouring my passion into worship and prayer and thanksgiving more than ever before. Sparkling and shining when I spend time with Him. Writing Him love notes in a journal or stopping often throughout the day to give Him a “hug” with a heart of gratitude for all He has done in my life. To tell Him I love Him before I open my eyes in the morning and before I close them again in the evening, and peppered throughout every single hour of every single day. To give Him my all … because that’s what He’s given to me. And to you.

No question about it—we are blessed. There are millions of people in the world, but WE are the special ones who have a love affair to end all love affairs. Oh, Lord, please—may we live like it every moment of every day in the year ahead.

NEWSFLASH!!! SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31ST — BRING IN THE NEW YEAR WITH SEEKERVILLE AND WIN, WIN, WIN!!! INCREDIBLE GIVEWAYS SUCH AS CRITIQUES, SIGNED BOOKS, AMAZON AND STARBUCK GIFT CARDS, A 30-MINUTE PHONE CHAT WITH ME AND MORE!!!

The fun begins in Seekerville on Saturday, December 31st, 2011 from midnight to midnight as we usher in 2012 with a full 24 hours of incredible giveaways for readers and writers. We'll be reviewing the past year and sharing our predictions for the 2012 New Year. No party is complete without our friends. No matter what your time zone we'll have a party in full swing at www.seekerville.net, so come leave a comment for a chance at a win! Hope to see you there and may 2012 usher in your BEST YEAR EVER!!

Happy New Year!

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2011:

For unto us a Child is born,
      Unto us a Son is given;
      And the government will be upon His shoulder.
      And His name will be called
      Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
      Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

—Isaiah 9:6-7

At this time of year when we exchange cards and cookies and presents, let us never forget that Jesus Christ is the greatest gift of all, and without Him, there would be nothing to celebrate. With Him, there is the celebration of lives changed, love kindled and the flame of hope eternal.

AND one thing for darn sure—without Him—I would be one sad and sorry broad! So in honor of the true spirit of Christmas, I thought it would be fitting to leave you with a CBD.com (christianbooks.com) video interview with Diane Burnett (a wonderful lady and now dear friend!!) recorded at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in September of this year. In it, I talk about just how much God has changed my life for the better, and I gotta tell you, ever since, I thank Him every single day for the gift of His Son.

So ... after the holidays and you have some time, you might want to check it out by clicking on the link below, then simply scroll down to the video link that appears right above the “Product Description” caption. If you have ever doubted that I fit the true definition of a CDQ (caffeinated drama queen), THIS video interview will put those doubts to rest because I am SO expressive and intense that I even got on my own nerves! YIKES!! Hope you enjoy it.

JULIE LESSMAN CBD.COM INTERVIEW

MEGA THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO ATTENDED MY ROMCON CHAT MONDAY NIGHT!! I am happy to announce that the winner of that chat—who wins her choice of a 5-page critique, one of my signed books or top CBA book from my personal library—is:

Kelli

Kelli, please contact me through my website as I do not have your e-mail address, okay?

STILL TIME FOR FINAL GIVEAWAYS OF 2011!!

DECEMBER 8-27, 2011

Just a few more days to get a comment in to win a signed copy of one of my books including my new release, A Heart Revealed AND a copy of the very detailed handout from Ruth Axtell Morren’s and my ACFW Workshop, “A Kiss is NOT Just a Kiss.”

http://hcprojectjournal.blogspot.com/2011/12/wonderful-winter-smiles-stories-and-fun.html

DECEMBER 20-31, 2011

Then join me at Austenitis blog for my FINAL INTERVIEW/GIVEAWAY OF THE YEAR to win a signed copy of one of my books including my new release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://austenitis.blogspot.com/2011/12/christmas-giveaway-week-julie-lessman.html

Have a BLESSED weekend, and I wish each and every one of you the happiest, healthiest and holiest of holiday seasons.

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2011:

"Joy and pain, they are but two arteries of the one heart

that pumps through all those who don’t

numb themselves to really living."

—Ann Voskamp, One Thousand Gifts

Salt and pepper, sweet and sour, comedy and drama—polar opposites that complement each other, enhancing the whole. Let’s face it—too much salt and not enough pepper prunes the tongue and scrunches the nose, ruining the taste. Too much sweet sickens the stomach, diminishing its appeal, diluting the wonder of favorite things like peach cobbler, red velvet cake or Reeses Cups. And I’m sorry, but those things are TOO wonderful to not enjoy fully.

And just when does one enjoy favorite things more fully? Well, how ‘bout that first burst of sweetness from a Hershey bar after a diet? That low moan when you sample a favorite dessert you haven’t had in a long, long time? Or even that first savor of chunky chicken noodle soup that you can finally taste when you’re appetite returns after the flu? The truth is NOTHING in life would look, taste, feel, smell or sound as good if there wasn’t a polar opposite to heighten the joy of things we love, an absence makes the heart grow fonder, if you will.

And actually, it’s the same thing with drama and comedy, as I point out in my Seeker blog this week entitled “Ho-Ho-Ho! Funny You should Say That … Or Putting Humor in our Writing (http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2011/12/ho-ho-ho-funny-you-should-say-that-or.html). Which, by the way, has a giveaway going on until tonight, Friday evening at 5:00 PM, for winner’s choice of a signed copy of any of my books or a top CBA book from my personal library and the detailed handout from Ruth Axtell Morren’s and my ACFW Workshop, “A Kiss is NOT Just a Kiss.” So do drop by if you get a chance, okay, because I hope it will give you a chuckle or two during this hectic holiday season.

You see, this blog on humor points out all too well how humor helps to enhance a dramatic scene as well as provide comic relief from anything too heavy. And quite frankly, too much humor makes my jaws ache from laughing and my stomach hurt because the bottom line is, we need the one to really enjoy the other.

Unfortunately, this is a fact I learned all too well this week. You see, I got some pretty distressing news that pulled the plug on my Christmas joy, popped my bubble of enthusiasm and yes—passion—to leave me flat, dull and without the slightest desire to open my laptop. The fire and fervor that usually flows through my veins sludged to a cold stop, robbing me of the ability to work on things with deadlines looming. I moped, I cried, I got mad. And then I got on my knees.

Oh the highs of lows of being a human being! That roller-coaster of laughter and tears, success and failure that zooms us to the heights, only to careen us into the valleys below. And yet, without the lows, the highs would never be fully appreciated and would, in fact, become commonplace and dull, grossly unappreciated, evoking little or no gratitude.

And gratitude, my dear friends, is everything. It’s the path to joy as Ann Voskamp so beautifully points out in one of the most AMAZING non-fiction books I have EVER read, the New York Times bestseller, One Thousand Gifts (A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are).

Soooo … how can the negatives of a being a human being—sickness, financial difficulties, conflict, etc.—possibly enhance our lives, you ask? Oh, honey, by drawing us closer to HIM, because when push comes to shove, hurt comes to tears, hope comes to despair, the God who loves us with “an everlasting love,” Who guards us as the “apple of His eye” is waiting to scoop us up, dry our tears and adjust our perspective. Gently, lovingly whispering in our ear that that awful thing that so disappointed us never did or ever could contain the joy we so desperately seek. No amount of success, money or even blessing from the hand of God such as a wonderful marriage and life, can EVER fulfill like the love of God. To teach the ongoing lesson that it’s only the lows, the valleys, the pain … that will set us free from focus on self, which like too much “sweet,” sickens the soul.

Today, the laptop is open and the hearth fire burning again, both in my cozy, twinkle-light hearth room and in my heart. Passion runs high once again because I know I have a God who loves me SO much, He takes great pains to keep my focus on Him—the true source of all joy, hope and peace. Like a loving parent who insists a child wear seatbelts no matter the tantrum, He knows our journey is SO much more enjoyable and safe when we rest in His arms and are girded by His precepts. It’s not about the pretty sights we pass as we look out the window, it’s about the destination and the journey home … where hearth fires burn and His love warms our souls. Home to Him … the God who has a plan and a purpose for each of us if only we focus on God instead of our circumstances, praising Him, thanking Him in the midst of good and bad, sweet or sour, laughter or tears. Because He is the God of all, the Light to our dark, the Hope to our despair and the true Path for our souls.

FINAL GIVEAWAYS OF THE YEAR!!!

DECEMBER 8-27, 2011

Join me at Project Journal blog for my SECOND final interview giveaway of 2011 to win a signed copy of one of my books including my new release, A Heart Revealed AND a copy of the very detailed handout from Ruth Axtell Morren’s and my ACFW Workshop, “A Kiss is NOT Just a Kiss.”

http://hcprojectjournal.blogspot.com/2011/12/wonderful-winter-smiles-stories-and-fun.html

Have a GREAT weekend and s-l-o-w- down to enjoy the season!

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2011:

She opened her eyes, and like a lens to a blind eye,

it all came into true focus.

—Julie Lessman, A Hope Undaunted

True Focus. Seeing things God’s way, through the eyes of a grateful heart. All too often I find I rush through life without really and truly seeing (i.e. appreciating) the blessings God has provided for me.

For instance, when I was a new mother nursing my first child, I had a heck of a time because my infant son wanted to nurse every two hours throughout the night. And then, the little stinkpot would take his time, dawdling for an hour or longer, which meant by the time I finally got back to bed, I only had an hour or so to sleep before the next feeding. Needless to say, I did not enjoy nursing at night and almost dreaded it.

Until I adjusted the “lens” to see more clearly. “Lord,” I said one day, “I feel like a rotten mother because nursing is such a chore at night. Can you please help me to like it?” Focus, the thought came, as if every time is your last … because one day it will be. Do you know that single thought, that shift of perspective, that "true focus," changed my whole attitude on nursing? After that I would rock that little boy in the dead of night, softly singing “Amazing Grace” while precious memories embedded in my brain—that of his soft baby scent or the curl of tiny fingers grasping my thumb or those tiny, little grunts he’d make, assuring me he was all boy! From that point on, I treasured each and every moment with a heart of gratitude for that fussy, little guy in my arms, day or night, and when the “final” nursing came and went, I had no regrets, only wonderful memories.

Or there was that time when I was 26 years old and the only single person in my family of 13 kids. “Lord,” I’d say with a whine in my voice, “I am so sick of being single, and I long for a love of my own.” Your single life is short term, Julie, the thought came into my head, why are you throwing it away? Why, indeed? Here I was, exactly where God wanted me for the moment and instead of focusing on it, enjoying it, I was wishing it away, complaining instead of thanking God for the gift of single life. So, you know what? I made up my mind then and there that I was going to “enjoy” my single life by focusing on the men I dated instead of myself—you know, really listening to them, praying for them, trying my best to give them the best date they could possibly have without physical intimacies. How'd that work out? Well, for one solid year, I had a blast and the best time of my single life, which ended up being very “short term,” indeed. Almost one year to the day, the guy all the girls went ga-ga over in the company where I worked asked me out, and my single life came to a screeching halt. Like the nursing incident above, I had seized the opportunity to really “focus” on where God had me at the moment and give it my all with a heart of gratitude. Oh my, what a difference that makes in the joy factor of one’s life!

A few weeks ago, I received an incredibly touching message from a dear reader friend, Doretha Campbell Stroud, who I didn’t know had lost her husband. She wrote a very short message that stirred my heart and brought tears to my eyes, not only because of her loss, but because of the message she brings to each one of us. Focus on where God has you at the moment and revel in the joy before you, which is a true gift from God. See each situation—be it a belligerent child, a sink full of dishes or work deadlines to meet—for the gift that it truly is. Not a belligerent child, but a gift from God that millions of infertile women would give anything to have. Not a sink full of dirty dishes, but the food and family they represent. Not stressful work deadlines to meet, but a job in an economy where too many people are unemployed. There’s always a flip side to every situation, and all it takes is a little “focus” to gain the right perspective and glean the joy in what is ultimately a blessing from God.

I’d like to end this Journal Jot with Doretha’s very touching note, and may it remind us all that we need to focus and “get lost” in the moments of our lives that God has given us, cherishing each and every one with a heart of gratitude. Because “gratitude” is merely perspective … and a true key to joy. Thank you, Doretha, for sharing the following beautiful story with each of us.

Been wanting to post this for some time now, hope it doesn't sound preachy, I just want to share. This time of year is always hard for me as I really miss Coy during the Christmas season. So what I really want to say to all my married friends, or those with significant others..... Take time to get lost. I know this is a busy season and we think we have to do everything perfect, but its not the ...things you miss when someone is gone, it's the person. What I mean by taking time to get lost is......Many mornings as Coy and I sat drinking our morning coffee he would look at me and say, let's get lost today. What that meant was, please leave the dishes and the house work and lets find some back roads and see where we wind up. We had some of our best days doing this. Driving slowly, taking time to just talk and LISTEN to one another. I would love the chance to have one more day to "get lost" with him. So during this busy season, leave the dishes in the sink, go for a ride with your spouse, I promise the benefit is well worth the messy kitchen once in a while. Take advantage of every moment you can grab with your love, what if it is your last?

What if, indeed?

FINAL GIVEAWAYS OF THE YEAR!!!

DECEMBER 8-27, 2011

Join me at Project Journal blog for my final interview giveaway of 2011 to win a signed copy of one of my books including my new release, A Heart Revealed AND a copy of the very detailed handout from Ruth Axtell Morren’s and my ACFW Workshop, “A Kiss is NOT Just a Kiss.”

http://hcprojectjournal.blogspot.com/2011/12/wonderful-winter-smiles-stories-and-fun.html

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14-16, 2011

Join me in Seekerville when my topic will be "HO-HO-HO, FUNNY YOU SHOULD SAY THAT ... Laughter and Fun in our Stories." This is your FINAL CHANCE to win your choice of any of my books PLUS a copy of the very detailed handout from Ruth Axtell Morren's and my ACFW workshop, "A Kiss is NOT Just a Kiss." Hope to see you there! Here's the link:

http://www.seekerville.blogspot.com/

WHOO-HOO!!! COME "CHAT" WITH ME AT A LAST-MINUTE CHAT/GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY!!

Come chat with me for a full hour at a great romance website called ROMCON that has an Inspirational section!! Get all the scoop on The Cousins McClare, ask all the questions you've been dying to ask -- this is your chance! When the chat is over, I will award one chatter their choice of my books PLUS a top CBA book from my library, so hope to see you there!! Here's what you do:

MONDAY, DECEMBER 19th -- 9 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central, 7 p.m. Mountain and 6 p.m. Pacific:

Go to www.romconinc.com and click on the "enter chat room" selection under the book club menu. You will be asked to log in or if you are not a member, you can become one by "creating a free account" with simply your name and e-mail. Then log in and click on "enter chat room." I'll be there to chat up a storm and pick a winner, so put the date down on your calendar, and hope to see you there!

Happy Weekend, Happy Shopping and Happy “Focusing”!!

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2011:

“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary,

use words.”

—St. Francis of Assisi, paraphrased

Okay, is it just me, or is anybody else freaked out that it’s December 2^ndalready?? I mean come on, it seems like just yesterday I took the Christmas stuff down in February (okay, okay, not one single word, please—January is my key month for cranking on the book, so I ignore everything else, okay? It’s a rule in our household, seriously, like gravity).

Anyway, this year I’ve cut WAY back on decorations and shopping because I’m getting close to the home stretch of book one of The Cousins McClare and am hoping to wrap it up by end of December (yeah, I have my pajamas on because I’m definitely dreaming), but it will probably be more like end of January instead. Consequently, I only put up one tree instead of my customary two and I paid my daughter’s girlfriend to shop for my daughter because she is very picky and hates whatever I buy. And the days of baking 60 dozen cookies (eight different kind that were literally works of art) for 30 cookie/rum cake plates for the neighbors (pink cellophane wrapped with sparkly bows and real holly from my bush) are long, LONG gone, thank you, God!!

So between less to do for Christmas and turning in the final FINAL draft of Steven’s story, A Love Surrendered THIS WEEK, I am breathing a lot easier and actually ready to enjoy the holidays, which is good because I’d rather not be a CDQ on espresso roaming the malls, if you know what I mean. Oh, no, I’d much rather reflect what the season is truly all about—celebrating a Savior who has dramatically changed my life for the better in every possible way and emulating Him so He can do the same for others.

What really brought this home to me this week was one night when my daughter came in and plops down on the couch across from the lounger where I write in my hearth room. “Want to hear a great story that happened to me today?” she asks with a spark of excitement in her eyes. “Sure, I say,” and I close my laptop as I always try to do when I know she wants to talk. She proceeds to tell me how she was studying in Panera when this guy sits at the table next to her with a woman who was apparently counseling him, and although my daughter had her i-Pod in, she could still hear the conversation. This young man was distraught and broken, recovering from drugs and a bad relationship with a girlfriend who’d introduced him to Buddhism.

Now let me interject right here that my daughter is a volunteer facilitator at our church for a Bible study that attracts people from every religion including Buddhists and Atheists. Consequently, she has had to learn how to discuss every religion out there and show why Christianity makes the most sense. This exposure to people hungry for the truth has literally invigorated her own faith, prompting her to pray for God to help her witness more, something she has never been comfortable doing. Uh … till Panera.

Suddenly out of the blue, she feels “compelled” to talk to this guy, which she actually did—a miracle in itself for my somewhat shy daughter—and they ended up talking for over two hours without any “official” witnessing. She simply talked to him, listened, asked questions and carefully used her learned knowledge about Buddhism to lead him to the truth of Jesus Christ. The amazing thing is that by the end of the conversation, not only did she discover she and this guy knew a number of friends in common who’d actually witnessed to him in the past, but she realized he was the same person her friends had witnessed to six months prior while coming out of an I-Hop. “He’s going to come to our church, Mom,” she said with tears in her eyes, and the fact that God had used her as one of the final steps in introducing a broken man to Christ had us both bawling like babies.

Now, let me just go on record to say I’m one of those Christians who has never been fond of the word “witnessing,” I guess because as a young agnostic myself at the age 23, I would have spit in the eye of anybody who tried it with me. Until, that is, my friend Joy “witnessed” to me at work one life-altering day. BUT … not with words, mind you, but with the peace and joy she radiated every single moment. Just like Amy witnessed to that broken guy with kindness and concern. It’s classic Francis of Assisi in action: “Preaching the Gospel at all times and when necessary, use words.”

I have to admit, my daughter’s excitement this week stirred my faith as well … to do more this Christmas season and beyond to show people just how much Jesus Christ can change a person—a life—for the better. Yes, I suppose I have my own way of “witnessing” with writing books that I hope and pray will show people it IS possible to have a personal, intimate relationship with an absolutely AMAZING God that can truly be “touch-and-feel” (i.e. we touch His heart through obedience, He feels joyous and so do we). But … suddenly, through my daughter’s tears, I felt compelled to do more. To “witness” with a smile in my eyes, a nod of my head, a prayer on my lips for every person I pass. It’s holding a door open for someone and not getting mad when there are no “thank yous,” but praying for them instead. Or simple things like letting someone else go before you or even telling a complete stranger that you like their purse. “Witnessing” at all times … with our actions of love ... not words.

Years ago as a brand-new Christian, God said to me in a very supernatural way, “Julie, unless you love others, you cannot call yourself Mine.” Why? Because God IS “Love” incarnate, and if we claim to belong to Him, we must “love” (i.e. witness) at all times, but never more so than during the season of Christmas when the world’s eyes are not only fixed on Jesus … but on the “Jesus” they see in each of us.

And so, today on this 2^nd day of December, I throw out a challenge to each of us. To make this holiday season what it was meant to me—a celebration and an extension of God’s love to a world that so desperately needs it … just like we did … and do. I guarantee you, even one tiny incident of “witnessing” will not only put a smile on your face and that of the person to whom you witness … but on the very face of God Himself. And I don’t know about you, but that sure says “Merry Christmas” to me.

GIVEAWAYS THIS WEEK—GREAT FOR CHRISTMAS GIFTS!!!

DECEMBER 2-5, 2011

WANNA SEE THE BEST AND MOST UNIQUE PRESENT MY HUBBY EVER GAVE ME??? Then join me at Southern Sassy Things blog for a HUGE Birthday Bash featuring TONS of giveaways including books by Vickie McDonough, Ginger Garrett and Lori Copeland AND a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my new release, A Heart Revealed OR a writer’s critique. As an extra writer's bonus, you will also receive the official detailed handout from the ACFW Workshop Ruth Axtell Morren and I taught entitled “A Kiss is NOT Just a Kiss.” Here’s the link, and I hope to see you there:

http://southernsassythings.blogspot.com/2011/12/birthday-bash-day-5-with-special-guest.html

DECEMBER 5-11, 2011

Join me at Amanda Barratt's blog for a interview giveaway to win a signed copy of one of my books including my new release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://amandabarratt.blogspot.com/

DECEMBER 8-25, 2011

Join me at Project Journal blog for a interview giveaway to win a signed copy of one of my books including my new release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://hcprojectjournal.blogspot.com/

Happy Weekend, Happy Shopping and Happy “Witnessing”!!

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2011:

We grew up believing in Cinderella,

yet some of us feel our palace turned out to be a duplex,

our prince turned out to be a frog, and the wicked stepmother

turned out to be our mother-in-law.

—Beth Moore, Breaking Free

HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEK!! Right off the proverbial bat, I want to make it perfectly clear that I have one of the best mothers-in-law on the planet, so today’s quote is no reflection on her, trust me. I actually just liked the quote when I read it again on my second pass through Beth Moore’s amazing workbook, Breaking Free, and thought it would make a good jot. Why? Well, because it reminds me how our own expectations in life can booby-trap our happiness … and our gratitude!

Thanksgiving. Such a simple word and yet within lies a wealth of joy to be had for those who heed its message. Last week I introduced you to my dear friend and spiritual mentor, Joy Bollinger, who taught me a very basic truth way back when I was new Christian at the age of 23, a lesson I have applied in my life since then and reaped boundless blessings as a result. It was the vital lesson of Psalm 100:3-6 — “Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the LORD is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations.”

What does that mean? Well, for me, it says that “thanksgiving” invites us into the throne room of God and “praise” ushers us into the courts of the King of Kings—keys, if you will, that unlock the doors to God’s bountiful blessings. Back then, I didn’t fully understand it at the time, but being a black-and-white bottom liner, I simply applied that Scripture diligently to everything that happened in my life, good or bad. And OH. MY. GOODNESS!! I learned very quickly that when we thank and praise God in the face of negative situations, not only do we stomp on the devil’s toes by giving glory to God rather than getting angry at Him like the devil WANTS us to, BUT … I believe we activate that insurance policy each of has if we belong to God: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him and have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28.

For instance, when I was 27-year-old single woman supporting myself as a secretary for a meeting producer, I had managed to work my way up from secretary to bottom rung of the corporate ladder as a “Associate Writer Producer,” something very difficult to do without a degree. Never mind that I didn’t have the title, salary or business cards to go along with it and still had to do secretarial duties as well—it was a career breakthrough, and I was elated! Until, that is, the economy hit a snag, and the company scheduled a massive lay-off. As a fairly new Christian trusting in God, I was STUNNED when the V.P. of our division called me in his office to tell me that although I had done an incredible job working my way out of secretarial work into the “Associate Writer Producer” realm, the hard facts were that since I was low man on the totem pole, I had to go.

I remember sitting there in his office, tears welling and shock reverberating throughout my body. Dear God, what was I going to do? I was my sole support and lived in my own apartment with nowhere to go if I couldn’t make the payments. Both of my parents were deceased, so it wasn’t like I could go “back home.” “I’ll give you a few moments alone,” the V.P. said, vacating his office so I could “pull myself together.” The moment the door clicked behind him, the tears began to fall, fear crawling through my belly like the serpent had crawled through Eden. “You trusted God,” the serpent said, “and yet what good has it done? God allowed you to be fired.”

I will never forget that still, small voice that drifted in my brain that day. “Praise me, thank me,” the thought came and so I did, right then and there in that office, loud and clear with tears trailing my cheeks, praising and thanking God in the midst of losing my job. Because deep down I knew that somehow, someway, God would work this out for my good. A calm came over me that defied the circumstances, and lifting my head high, I walked out of that office not having a clue what I was going to do, but knowing one thing for dead sure: I wasn’t alone. Want to take a guess what happened next? Within two hours a manager from another department heard that I had been let go and offered me a job that very day. A job, I might add, that within two weeks led to a bona fide “Associate Writer Producer” job in yet another department where I not only received the title, business cards and salary, but had a secretary working for me as well. Go ahead, tell me that isn’t a God thing, and I will tell you a hundred more stories from my life just like it because when we praise and thank God in the midst of our trials, He is “good, His love endures forever and His faithfulness continues through all generations.”

So in this month of Thanksgiving, I encourage you not only to give thanks for all the good that God has done for you, but give thanks for all He has yet to do—both in the trials and tribulations of your life right this moment, and in the years ahead. Because we serve a God Who is just aching to show us that His love not only endures forever, but it will carry us through every storm of our life with peace, hope and joy.

I wish you and yours the most BLESSED of holiday seasons, and may we enter it with thanksgiving and praise for a God who is truly worth it.

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2011:

Do not be weary in well doing:

for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”

—Galations 6:9

First of all, Let me start off today by saying, THANK YOU, GOD, that this is ONE Scripture diligently applied by the woman who brought me to Christ. Her name is Joy Bollinger, and trust me—I gave her PLENTY to “faint” about 38 years ago when she set out to witness to a 23-year-old hardnosed agnostic named Julie Winterer. Raised in a devout but dysfunctional Catholic family of 13 kids, I was so angry at God that I actually used to say I wanted to burn Gideon Bibles in hotel rooms. As a wild child of the 60s and 70s, I tried everything to be happy—from astrology and tarot cards … to transcendental meditation and witchcraft—you name it. My vocabulary would have made a sailor blush. According to the world’s standards, I had everything going for me—a hunky boyfriend with a Corvette and a boat, a great job, my own apartment (at a time when other friends still lived at home), and I was acing an advanced writing course at Washington U., a prestigious college in St. Louis. But I wasn’t happy. I felt a lot like Peggy Lee singing, “Is that all there is?”

Then one day, this annoying gal at work approached me. She was divorced with a kid and no boyfriend in sight. I hated her because she came in humming every day, happy as a lark while I was utterly miserable. And then it happened—one life-altering moment when she and I were alone—I looked up from my typewriter and said, “Just what in the heck (except my language was a bit saltier back then) makes you so happy all the time?” She said, “I’ve been praying you would ask.”

Oh, no, a Jesus freak, I thought to myself, but I found myself going to lunch with her, badgering her with questions and accusations. I don’t remember now if it was weeks or months, but either way, I met Jesus Christ through the remarkable patience of a God-sent angel by the name of Joy—pretty appropriate name, eh? Today, Joy is still in my life as a dear friend and mentor, a woman I go to when I need a touch from God, have a back-breaking prayer request or just need to tap in to the wisdom of one of the most anointed people I have ever met. Joy lives in another state now, so believe it or not, one of the only pictures I have of us together was taken at my wedding—she’s the bridesmaid in the middle.

Joy is an author, speaker, teacher and prayer warrior extraordinaire and recently she sent me an excellent article she taught on weariness that I thought I’d share with you today. If you get a chance, hop on over to Joy’s website at http://www.sayitwithjoy.com/sayitwithjoy.com/Welcome.html to say “hi,” browse and soak up her wisdom because, trust me—she is a true blessing from God!

THIS WEEK’S MEGA GIVEAWAYS GOING ON RIGHT NOW!!!

Before I turn you over to Joy, be sure to check out this week’s giveaways at my dear friend, Casey Herringshaw’s blog “Writing for Christ,” where she’s celebrating her Blogaversary with tons of giveaways from the following authors: Erica Vetsch, Ruth Logan Herne, Candace Calvert, Ronie Kendig, Jessica Nelson, Audra Harders, Lisa Jordan, Melanie Dickerson, Cara Putman, Anne Mateer, Meg Moseley and MaryLu Tyndall, to mention a few.

THEN ... the blogaversry week wraps up with a grand finale of authors, including me (my interview posts at 3:00 PM) on Monday, November 21, where TWO commenters will have a chance to win their choice of one of my signed books OR a writer's critique PLUS a copy of the "A Kiss is NOT Just a Kiss" handout from the ACFW workshop Ruth Axtell Morren and I taught this year. Hope to see you there—here’s the link:

http://enjoyingthewritingcraft.blogspot.com/

Without further ado—my dear friend and mentor, Joy Bollinger, speaking on “Weariness: A Faith Destroyer”:

Weariness affects all of us, but Galations 6:9 tells us “do not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Webster’s Dictionary defines “weary” as being exhausted in strength, endurance, tolerance, and patience.

Probably the most difficult attribute for humans to possess is patience. We live in a world that offers instant text messaging, microwavable meals, drive-up restaurants and churches, and even drive-up wedding chapels. We turn our computer on and we’re instantly connected to the world. Technology has trained us to expect quick results and fast service. Because of that, we have grown impatient. We stand in line and we’re irritated. We wait in traffic and get red-faced, because it isn’t moving fast enough. However, one of the attributes of a Christ follower is patience, and to achieve patience, we must learn to “wait upon the Lord,” for in His time we will have an answer. It may not be the answer that we are looking for, but it will be an answer.

Victory only comes when we understand the tactics of the enemy. His plan is to erode our resolve so that we become mentally and physically weary and question God’s willingness to answer our prayers. That battle fatigue is a red flag alerting us that we need to press in and fight weariness with God’s Word.

Weariness births discouragement, and discouragement breeds doubt, and doubt generates unbelief that stops us from believing that God will deliver what He has promised and answer our prayers. The road to victory is never an easy road. It takes persistence and an uncomplaining, grateful heart. For God tells us to praise Him in all things. Praise is mentioned 259 times in the Bible. Psalm 50:23 tells us whoever offers praise glorifies me.

The Israelites were unthankful, and weariness set in, diminishing their faith in God. As their faith faltered, they began to complain bitterly, even though God had provided for them in every way during their journey. Their ingratitude, unbelief, and disobedience fueled God’s wrath against them.

As we go through our own journey, we can lose the battle with our adversary, if we base our faith on what we feel and not on God’s Word and His promises. We cannot become discouraged or give up because of what we see or experience with our five senses. We must operate in the Spirit and not in the flesh. The flesh will deceive and mislead, but the Holy Spirit will always guide us into truth.

God has armed us with strength for whatever we must face. We need to put on the whole armor of God so that when the enemy sends his fiery darts, they are deflected.

How do we do that? We speak the Word over our life EVERY DAY! We give thanks to God in all things. The more we talk about our problems, the more discouraged we will become. We are to speak those things that are not as though they are. Speaking the Word renews our strength so that we can wait upon the Lord with expectancy. It is then that we gain victory over the enemy. We are to thank God for His purpose and plan for our life and then we rest in the knowledge that He has a hope and a future for each one of us.

If we look beyond today, trying to figure things out, weariness will set in. God tells us not to worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will take care of itself. Worry, fear, and doubt will drain our energy, our strength, our faith, our passion, our hope, and our peace.

The war between faith and doubt is in the mind. James 1:8 tells us that a double minded man is unstable in all of his ways. Unstable means “prone to change, failure, or to give way under pressure.” We cannot straddle the fence with a mind that waivers between doubt and faith. It must be one or another.

My husband was diagnosed, two years ago, just before Thanksgiving, with stage four thyroid cancer that had metastasized into his lymph nodes and larynx. The prognosis was grim. They talked about removal of his voice box, radiation, and chemo. My husband chose not to give into fear but to walk in faith and believe God’s word. He dismissed the bleak predictions and astounded the doctors at MD Anderson’s Cancer Center in Houston, TX with his remarkable recovery and great attitude. He still has his voice box and a repaired larynx. Though his recent blood work revealed he is not cancer free, his cancer markers are within acceptable limits. His attitude is so uplifting that his coworkers have told me that he is an inspiration to everyone around him. They are amazed at his joyful outlook that he brings to work every day. How does he do it? My husband has a spirit of praise and gratitude that sustains his faith, daily.

Psalm 119:164 says, Seven times a day I praise You, Because of Your righteous judgments. As you know, seven in the Bible means completion. Isn’t that what God tells us...that He will do a complete work in us? Our praise and thanksgiving is our “yes” to God and gives us the ability to say, “Lord, I trust you.”

If we want victory in our lives, we must first trust God with our lives and believe that God’s Word is true. We then speak His Word over the problem, for His Words are Spirit and life. My husband began speaking healing, living scriptures over his body two weeks before his 14 ½ hour surgery and has continued every day since then.

We cannot believe lies that tell us we will never be healed; will never reach our goals; will never see our loved ones saved; will never have a mate; will never have that child we’ve longed for, or will never succeed; the lies go on and on. By accepting a lie, weariness consumes us, and defeat overtakes us as we see faith slipping away.

Christians are called to be victors and not victims. We are to be armed with strength for every battle, and that strength comes from God’s Word. Our struggle is not with flesh and blood, but against the principalities and powers of the air. God will answer our prayers in His time. He is never late. Our job is to continue to pray and believe. We must let go of fear, doubt, and worry. God rewards the faithful and the faith-filled.

The Israelites, after 40 years of wandering through the desert, gave up because of weariness, unbelief, and fear. All they had to do was go up and possess the land that God had promised to them. They refused and only their children were allowed to enter. We need to ask ourselves, “Am I like the ungrateful, unbelieving, and complaining Israelites who relinquished God’s Promise because of unbelief?” As believers in Christ, we must daily confess God’s Word and believe that His Word is true and that it applies to us.

When we are met with resistance, we should rejoice, because God’s answer is just around the corner. We must press past the obstacles and those things that discourage us. Every struggle and adversity prepares us for even greater blessings. It’s the difficulties that stretch us and increase our endurance and our faith.

When we get closest to our miracle, that is when the enemy attacks the most. That is when negative thoughts urge us to give up. We must not become discouraged and weary by the length of the battle. Instead, we should be placing our hope and our trust in the Lord, for He is always victorious. Therefore, as joint heirs with Christ, be encouraged today and give thanks to God who gives us the victory.

Happy Weekend, All!

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2011:

“Children are great imitators.

So give them something great to imitate.”

—Anonymous

Well, I did it—chopped 40,706 words from Steven’s story, A Love Surrendered and sent it to my editor by my due date of Monday night, at exactly ten minutes to midnight. Along with prayers, I might add, that she would have mercy over the 9,294 words I failed to trim from the requested 50,000.

I am happy to report that she agreed, and I am breathing a heavy sigh of relief. Trust me, this is the tightest story I have EVER written, without many words to spare, so hopefully it will be a very fast read as well. I’ll tell you one thing for sure, it will be a weepy one, so you’ll need to stock up on Kleenex! I’ve mentioned in the past I judge my books by how many Kleenex I go through when reading/editing them. A Hope Undaunted was a 12-Kleenex read for me and A Heart Revealed, a ten.

I’m not sure if it was because this is the last book of the O’Connor saga and I was just in a weepy mood or what, but I went through—and yes, I actually counted them—over 30 soggy Kleenex throughout the course of the book. Of course, that’s me—a weepy CDQ, but I suspect a few of you will be shedding some tears of your own once you get into Steven’s story where hearts get broken and mended on a regular basis. What can I say—I thrive on drama and angst. Oh … and passion, too, of course, of which there is aplenty in A Love Surrendered! You might say it’s my last hurrah before I tone down the passion and plots for A Cousins McClare, which will be a simpler, shorter series, certainly, but still packed with the Lessman drama and passion I so love to write.

Because, goodness, I do LOVE writing about families! Especially families that aren’t perfect, which is what a lot of my readers tell me they love about my books. God knows the family I grew up in was painfully dysfunctional and about as far from “perfect” as one can get. Believe me, I thank God every day—no, multiple times every day, seriously—for the amazing family He has given me today. Because you see, He has not only redeemed my sorry soul, but my sorry life as well. It’s like Steven O’Connor confides to his best friend Joe in A Love Surrendered, telling him he’s been doing some soul searching, hungry for the truth.

“What kind of truth?” Joe asks.

Steven lowered his eyes to scratch the back of his neck, not sure how to explain God was now more than a Sunday obligation to a former choir boy who’d never given him much thought. His gaze wandered into a stare. “I don’t know, the kind that unlocked the jail cell I’ve been in most of my life. That ruthless drive to achieve and vindicate a past that made me feel like dirt.” He glanced up, hungry to connect with Joe on a spiritual level for the first time in his life. They’d always been there for each other to listen and encourage, but they’d never scratched the surface of the truth that had set Steven free. The truth that God wasn’t just a “maybe,” but a living, breathing Savior who not only saved lives, but changed them for the better.

Changed them for the better ... Yes, my family is amazing today, but trust me, not perfect by a looooooong shot. Oh, we look it to some people, I suppose—successful award-winning artist/designer marries a successful (in reader friends, if not sales!) award-winning author with two kids who love God, one slated to graduate from law school next year, the other an up-and-coming account manager for a lucrative firm, married to a doctor who just gave birth to possibly the most precious little girl on the planet. Ironically, as a hardcore realist, I had to learn there was no such thing as “perfect” before I could ever truly be happy.

Take my birthday, for instance—one of the best weeks of my life. But it could have been marred by a family situation that was far from perfect. What could possibly ruin such a joyous day, you ask? Well, my son forgot my birthday, the woman who not only gave him life, but taught him its rudiments, both practical and spiritual. From the moment my children were able, they learned to say please and thank you, write birthday and thank you notes, apologize when wrong and in the case of my son, pen reams of the most heartfelt and tear-jerking love letters to his parents that you ever saw.

So when my birthday came and went with no word from Matt or his wife, I’ll be honest—I was a tiny bit sad. And you know what? The devil wanted to ruin my day big time—and my family’s—with my anger and hurt. Only it didn’t happen because I learned a long time ago that no, family’s are not perfect. That only when we accept that fact and stop expecting them to be and stop basing our very happiness on a reality that doesn’t exist, will we truly understand that our true joy comes from Him and only Him. So I did what God’s Word has trained me to do—I let it go, the seed of anger that wanted to fester, repenting before God for even letting it stay a second or two. I prayed for my son, for God to bless him and help him get through this really arduous time in his job, the reason he forgot my birthday in the first place, no doubt. And I praised God for both this oversight on my son’s part and the countless blessings He has bestowed upon me. And, OH MY, what a happy birthday I had!

Four days later at church that week, my son handed me a small folded card before the service. “What’s this?” I ask, and my eyes instantly prick at the words “JuJu” on the cover. “This is from Rory,” my son says, referring to my six-week-old granddaughter, and in one tilt of my son's sheepish smile, God redeems my birthday all over again with a note SO precious, I just had to share it with you today—further evidence of a truly amazing God who longs to redeem our pain if we only let Him by following His precepts instead of our own.

JuJu:

This is going to be a little awkward and uncomfortable, but let’s face the facts—my parents are inept morons. I mean, come on—why do you think I cry so much? On Tuesday of this last week, I tried to remind them it was your birthday, but they wouldn’t listen. I guess what do you expect from two people who made me wear this bow?

Anyway, my parents screwed up, and now I’m stepping in to take control of this mess. First and foremost, they need to be disciplined—you know, “spare the lungs, spoil the parents”? My first action was to poop in the bathtub for Daddy. My second was to pee on Mommy in public. My third action will be to require them to send you a new picture of me everyday for the next week. And my fourth and final action will be to make them take you out to a dinner on the night that is convenient for you. At this dinner, I will be an angel at the restaurant, but scream all the way home and refuse to go to sleep until 2:00 a.m.

This is my final ruling. I feel my discipline is strict, but fair. We all love you, and I will personally see to it that they never forget your birthday again.

Love, Rory

Go ahead, tell me doing things God’s way doesn’t pay off, because I have a whole lifetime of things like this to prove you wrong. No, the path to happiness is not paved with gold or a good marriage or a Brady Bunch family—it’s paved with the blessings of God, not the least of which are pictures of one’s brand-new daughter from one of the best weeks of her life. :)

AND NOW, LET THE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING BEGIN!

You’ll have one less present to buy if you win one of my books at any of the following giveaways that will be ending soon!

ENDS TODAY AT 5:00 PM, SO DON’T MISS OUT!!

Join me at SEEKERVILLE when I talk about "Playing Favorites" and give a SNEAK PEEK at some snippets of Steven’s story, A Love Surrendered as well as give away winner’s choice of a signed copy of one of my books including my new release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2011/11/playing-favorites-metaphorically.html

OCTOBER 11 to NOVEMBER 14, 2011

Join me at Book Reviews by Lady Katy blog for a Q & A session and a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://katie-mccurdy.blogspot.com/2011/10/interview-giveaway-julie-lessman.html http://www.katysreviews.blogspot.com/

OCTOBER 31 to NOVEMBER 14, 2011

Join me at Debbie Lynn Costello's blog, The Sword & the Spirit blog, for a chance to win a signed copy of my new release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://theswordandspirit.blogspot.com/2011/10/heart-revealed-by-julie-lessman-ends.html

Happy weekend, all!

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2011:

“These things I have spoken to you,

that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.”

—John 15:5

Ahem … “joy” is certainly subjective, or at least when it comes to birthdays, isn’t it? I mean, being twenty-three and poised on the threshold of the rest of your life is very cool, but nudging towards Loreal, Polident and Preparation H (and no, the "H" doesn’t stand for “happy”!)? Not really sure that’s something I want to “celebrate” on one of my beloved Fridays.

Even so, this week was my birthday, and I want to thank anyone who popped over to Facebook to wish me greetings and say “hey.” I have to admit, other than sliding a year closer to rickety knees and more double chins—it was reallllly a pretty great day!! I groaned and stretched in the bed as I awoke a little later than usual, not even upset I was a whole year older. Keith had my hazelnut coffee poured and waiting with a heavy dose of Half ‘n Half and a dozen long-stemmed red roses in a vase. As Lessman tradition would have it, pretty gift-wrapped boxes taunted me from the hearth, off limits until after a dinner out with the love of my life.

It was a glorious day, spent with my feet propped up on my lower deck where even the weather cooperated—mid-70s and sunny, in November no less (as opposed to today in the 40s and rainy, so thank you, God). Gold and scarlet leaves fluttered from the trees while Steven O’Connor fluttered my heroine’s stomach (check out the photo I picture as Steven O'Connor and you'll understand why!), and I was overjoyed when my agent told me she LOVED Steven’s story and that she was certain my readers would too. She called it the “perfect capstone” to this passionate family saga, which, by the way, will NOT be called A Trust Restored! Revell has changed the title (a very common occurrence with publishers), so book 3 in The Winds of Change series will now be called, TADA … A Love Surrendered!

I like the sound of it better than A Trust Restored, but I wasn’t sure how the new title actually applied to the story. You see, I sowed the theme of restoring trust so thoroughly throughout—Steven with his father and with himself, the heroine Annie with God and herself, and then trust issues between Katie/Luke, Sean/Emma and Marcy/Patrick as well—that I struggled in my mind with connecting trust restoration with love surrendered. BUT … the more I talked it over with Keith, the more I realized there was a whole lot of love being surrendered all over the place, so I simply wove in references to the new title wherever I could and VOILA … it now fits perfectly!

The bad news is my deadline for cutting the 50,000 words my editor requested is this Monday, 11/7, so those rickety (and knobby, I might add) knees are shaking a wee bit this weekend at the monumental task. I can hardly believe I’ve managed to trim 36,000 so far, but I am still 14,000 words shy (now there’s a real irony for you—me, “shy” with words!). Tomorrow I make ONE MORE PASS to try and trim 15 to 20 words per page, hopefully to nudge the number of words cut closer to 50,000. Gulp … as a woman who typically writes 500-page books, I have to admit, I could use some more prayers … along with a few more nails to bite ‘cause I’d rather not start on the toes. :|

But … as stressed as I may get with book deadlines and massive revisions, I have to admit that nothing compares to the stress I left behind three years ago at my old part-time job at a travel company. I still remember one of the worst seasons I ever had, when I was working 80 hours a week part-time. Yeah, yeah, I know—I don’t claim to be all that bright, but somehow I got roped into this horrendous travel program for Compaq that was SO stressful, I swear it catapulted me right into menopause at the tender age of 43.

I will never forget the night I called Tokyo at 1:00 a.m. in the morning to determine the first name of a participant for his name badge. Mr. Wing, Ching, Sing—which was it? I don’t think I ever found out because I never could understand the guy, but the next name on the list summed up this entire project perfectly. As God is my witness, the name was Mr. Sakashita, and I’m pretty sure you can guess my train of thought from there. That year was so awful that to this day, when my family hears the word “Compaq,” ice water courses through their veins. So strung out and unhappy was I in that job that my family still joke about the infamous Christmas-gift debacle that year, when every single present of clothing I purchased for them was either purple and gray or black and blue. Not unlike me at the end of a day.

It was during this time of my life when I woke up really early one morning, but was still half asleep. I remember begging God in my mind to help me before I even fully awoke, standing at the mirror in the bathroom, eyes sealed shut and shoulders slumped. All at once I heard three words as softly and clearly as if someone had spoken them in my ear. "Abide in Me," the Voice said, and my eyelids popped open like a tightly rolled shade. "What does that mean, God?" I asked with a squint in the mirror, no earthly idea what He was telling me to do. So of course I immediately got my dictionary out to look up the definition of abide and here’s what I found:

To wait for, to endure without yielding, to withstand, to bear patiently, to tolerate, to accept without objection, to remain stable or fixed in a state, to continue in a place, to conform.

Next, He coupled it with John 15:9-12 -- "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."

That my joy may be full? Goodness, was that even possible with the kind of stress I had in my life at that time? “Yes,” the still, small Voice said, and I learned that no matter the situation, the stress, the pain, I could "tolerate" it by abiding or "remaining stable" in God's love rather than in the situation. Now for the million-dollar question: how do you DO that?? Take a closer look at verse 10, which I think holds the key. If you OBEY Him (pray for those who persecute you, keep your eyes on Him rather yourself, believe/trust in Him rather than doubt, whatever, etc.), you WILL remain STABLE in His love, able to endure, bear patiently, tolerate whatever awful season you may be in.

Now, I’ve talked before about the equation OBEDIENCE=LOVE when it comes to God before (i.e. John 14:15, "If you love Me, keep my commandments"), but something I never realized fully was that OBEDIENCE also = JOY. Wow … stop and chew on that one a while, why don’t you? So, let me get this straight, God—if I bite my tongue instead of being snippy with a checker at Wal-mart or if I sacrifice my writing time to focus on my daughter when she walks through the door, I’ll have joy??? YES. But keep in mind it’s a cumulative thing—remaining “stable and fixed” in Him, over and over and over … situation, after situation, after situation. Until your “joy” is not just “full,” but bubbling over. Kind of like the time I gouged my ingrown toenail on a steel bed leg and a salty word sprang to my tongue. I bit it back with a string of “praise God’s" that had me doubled over on the bed laughing before all was said and done.

So, whether you are celebrating a birthday that brings you one step closer to gumming tapioca at the Shady Slope nursing home or your kids and/or a job are driving you up a wall, always remember that in Him, you can be full—not with fear, stress or anger—but with peace, joy and love. Mmmm … not a bad trade.

GIVEAWAYS THIS WEEK:

THIS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2011

Join me at SEEKERVILLE when I talk about "Playing Favorites" and you can win a writer’s critique OR a signed copy of one of my books including my new release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://www.seekerville.blogspot.com/

OCTOBER 11 to NOVEMBER 14, 2011

Join me at Book Reviews by Lady Katy blog for a Q & A session and a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://katie-mccurdy.blogspot.com/2011/10/interview-giveaway-julie-lessman.html http://www.katysreviews.blogspot.com/

OCTOBER 31 to NOVEMBER 14, 2011

Join me at Debbie Lynn Costello's blog, Edgy Inspirational Romance, for a chance to win a signed copy of my new release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://theswordandspirit.blogspot.com/2011/10/heart-revealed-by-julie-lessman-ends.html

Have a great weekend!

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2011:

“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses

against you that I have set before you life and death,

blessings and curses.

Now choose life, so that you and your children may live …”

—Deuteronomy 30:19

You know, sometimes writers live in a vacuum, and no, I’m not talking about the Hoover kind because God knows I wouldn’t know how to use one of those. No, I’m talking about this bubble we all live where we post something on Facebook or on our blog or on Amazon and we wonder if anybody ever really reads it. Now, usually on Facebook you will get a response, but not always, so when I get an e-mail from someone who has read a Journal Jot that blessed them, I gotta tell ya—I get blessed too.

You see, Journal Jots is the one place I tend to pour out my heart more than anywhere else, except in my books, of course, so I always hope and pray that what I’ve written doesn’t backfire, but blesses someone like the situation blessed me. It’s rather risky for an author to do, actually, because I’m one of those that bleeds onto the paper (or keyboard), spilling my guts when sometimes it would be a whole lot better if I just kept my mouth shut. Or so my husband tells me, the man who is scared to death to read my Journal Jots for fear of what he will find. :) Nonetheless, if nothing else, I’m honest to a fault, although I do admit I am a firm believer in what my daughter refers to as “sugarcoating” negatives so they go down a bit easier. But bottom line? What you read is generally what you get with me. The good news is people get to know my heart that way. The bad news? People get to know my heart along with some of my dirty laundry. Oh well … what’s dirty laundry if we can’t clean it with the grace of God and hang it out to dry for all to see???

That said, I want to give a heartfelt thanks to those reader friends of mine —and you KNOW who you are—who never fail to contact me to tell me how the JJ blessed you or relate a similar situation in which God taught you the same lesson. Gosh, how I love that … AND how I love you! NOTE: this is not a ploy to get more e-mails from my JJ readers because God knows I don’t need that with my schedule, but if a JJ particularly impacts you and you have a story to go along with it?? Oh my, I LOVE to hear those things for sure.

Like this week, for instance. I received an e-mail from a wonderful lady and writer by the name of Mindy Obenhaus (and no, I’m not exaggerating here—this gal is flat out wonderful because she is the Carol Award coordinator for American Christian Fiction Writers who is SO kind, helpful and encouraging to anyone who enters that contest). Anyway, her e-mail so spoke to me—as I hope it will you—that I asked her permission to reprint it here today. If it does bless you, then all I ask is you say a prayer for God’s blessings on Mindy and if you are so inclined, leave a comment on her blog info below. Here’s the e-mail:

Julie, I’m giving you fair warning. I may have to stop reading JJ. I just read your post from the 21^st. Girlfriend, just because you cried doesn’t mean you have make me cry. That is just not right.

Okay, so this is where I get to do my Julie Lessman impersonation and get really lengthy. Hold on just one sec, though. I need to go grab some more Kleenex.

I am a woman on the edge. The edge of what, I’m not really sure, but here I sit wondering what in the heck in wrong with me. And this was before I read your JJ post. You see, a little over two years ago God called me to care for our now four-year-old granddaughter while our daughter served in the US Navy. It was supposed to be for eight weeks. Then that stretched to five months, eight, and, before all was said and done, we’d had her for all but five of twenty-six months. Did I mention that this was the offspring of my strong-willed child? Well, she was like her mother on steroids! The older she got, the more I cried, “God, I can’t do this anymore.”

Aila was determined to defy me at every turn. I can’t tell you how many times I said, “Aila, if you would just listen to Grammy,” or “If you would obey, Grammy.” And so many times, as those and similar words rolled off of my tongue, I had the distinct feeling that God was saying the exact same thing to me. But nothing was more vivid than something that happened this past spring. We were closing in on two years with Aila. I had taken her to Wal-Mart with me, something I rarely did because I never knew what she might do. Trust me, I went through things with this child my own children (five of them) never put me through.

So we get out of the car.

Aila: “Grammy, Mommy says I can walk now. I’m a big girl

Me: Not likely. “All right, but you have to stay with Grammy, otherwise you’ll have to get in the cart.”

Aila: “Okay.”

No sooner had we made it through the door than she was off and running. I guess I should pause here to say that aside from my short list of items I was planning to get Aila some finger-paints and a small toy. Of course, she didn’t know that. But, after several warnings, her butt was in the cart and I’d crossed the toy off of my mental list. Then she looked at me and said, “I want to go to the toys.”

“No, we are not going to the toys. You didn’t listen to Grammy.”

“I want to go to the toys.”

“I’m sorry. But you disobeyed.”

“I WANT TO GO THE TOYS.”

At this point I’m thinking, not only are we not going to the toys, you’re not getting any finger-paints either. I’m getting what’s on the list and we are out of here. So, all the way through the supercenter this child is screaming, “I want to go to the toys.”

Mortified and exhausted, I get to the car and hoist her into her car seat thinking, Aila, I was going to take you to the toys, I was going to get you something. But you disobeyed so I couldn’t give them to you.

Oh, my. I felt like I’d been hit with a two by four. In that instant I wondered how many gifts God has had to withhold from me because of my disobedience. Ouch. I figured out something else just then too. God knows I’m a visual learner. Seeing my granddaughter’s actions mirrored the way I often behave toward God. I don’t know if that was the lesson He wanted me to learn, but less than two months later, she was back with her mama.

Before Aila came, I was used to having a chunk of my time to myself. My boys were both in school (my youngest is now twelve) and I had a good bit of freedom. Freedom I lost when she came. Now that she was gone, I could recapture that freedom again. BTW, I also have to care for my mother, which for the most part consists of taking her to the store, doctor, and hairdresser. Then my husband fell. Once again, I was the caretaker. No biggie, you just do what you have to do. Right? Well, I guess I never realized how much he did until I suddenly had to do it all. Please don’t get me wrong here. I’m not complaining about any of these things. I’m simply stating facts.

These last two weeks in particular, I’ve really been struggling. I’m up, I’m down. I accomplish nothing. I beat myself up because the words won’t come when I try to write. There are things I need to do but don’t want to do so I end up doing NOTHING except what I HAVE to do. I don’t want to care-take anymore. I want to cry, but I can’t do that either because hubby will see (he works from home) and I have to be strong for him. Just like I was at the hospital. This isn’t his fault and heaven knows he’ll probably have care for me at some point. Someday I will cry. Someday when I’m alone and Richard won’t know.

So then I read your post. “Think about it, Julie,” he continues with a sideways glance that’s almost as moist as mine, “When a person dies, people don’t talk about how many books they wrote or how many awards they won, they talk about how that person affected their lives.” How they encouraged them, was kind to them, a simple smile, a sincere compliment … or even taking them to the dentist five times despite an occasional moan and groan.

In my heart, my own floodgates opened with yours, though my eyes only sprang a small leak. Nobody’s going to care if I ever write another book. Nobody’s going to care if I’m never published. Heck, they aren’t even going to remember if my house was clean or not (at least I hope not). But what will they remember about me? Will Aila remember that Grammy loved her as her own child, despite frequently stomping up the stairs and slamming the bedroom door?

I am not a good person, Julie. I am selfish. I want what I want when I want it. And I want things to go my way. But God has a way of keeping me in check. Funny how He knows just how to do that. He Who gave a lonely little girl, an only child, the desire of her heart—a big family. Guess I gotta take the bad with the good, huh? Because someday, they’ll be the ones taking care of me. And goodness knows, they’d better get it right. :)

Thanks for helping me put things in perspective. However I’m still miffed that you made me cry.

Mindy Obenhaus 2010 Genesis Finalist - Romantic Suspense

Discover the best in today’s Christian fiction at Divine Imagination

F.A.I.T.H. -- 6 authors, 6 unique personalities, 1 awesome God www.thefaithgirls.com

Okay, is anybody out there crying besides me right now because I am leaking like a sieve. When I read Mindy’s line, “I wondered how many gifts God has had to withhold from me because of my disobedience,” I literally sobbed (yeah, yeah, I know I’m an emotional CDQ who has stock in Kleenex, but as God is my witness this was a bona fide sob). Why? Because this is the heart of the message that God taught me when I was writing A Passion Most Pure, for which our Scripture quote today is a theme. A choice between life and death, blessing or curse, all based on obeying God’s precepts … or demanding our own way.

Like Aila, I wonder how many “toys” I’ve missed out on that God wanted to give me just because I chose my way over His. It’s kind of a scary thought, isn’t it? But the good news is that the very next opportunity we have to choose between life and death—be it the choice between gossiping with a neighbor or not, tailgating the schmo who pulled out in front of you at 20 mph or not, or screaming hateful things at someone who hurt you or praying for them instead—is an opportunity for a new blessing from God, a new toy if you will, when you choose to do it His way rather than yours. Talk about instant gratification!! Not only do you FEEL God's pleasure when you please Him, but you feel stronger, more confident and more "grown up" in Him than ever before. And, WHOA BABY, that doesn't even begin to tally the blessings that are sure to follow. So test it out this weekend ... the first opportunity where you have a choice ... choose life! Then just watch the gifts that our God sends your way!

AND SPEAKING OF GIFTS ... NEW GIVEWAY!!!

OCTOBER 31 to NOVEMBER 14, 2011

Join me at Debbie Lynn Costello's blog, Edgy Inspirational Romance, for a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my new release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://www.theswordandspirit.blogspot.com/

OCTOBER 11 to NOVEMBER 14, 2011

Join me at Book Reviews by Lady Katy blog for a Q & A session and a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://katie-mccurdy.blogspot.com/2011/10/interview-giveaway-julie-lessman.html http://www.katysreviews.blogspot.com/

Happy Weekend, All!

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2011:

“A life isn’t significant except for its impact on other lives.”

— Jackie Robinson

“Each one of them is Jesus in disguise.”

— Mother Teresa

I know this is going to shock quite a few people, but in addition to being a CDQ (caffeinated drama queen), I can also be a CDF (caffeinated detail freak), which means if I go to a McDonald’s drive-thru for breakfast with my poor husband, I MUST have the following with my Egg McMuffin meal: 1 strawberry jelly (not grape), a knife, four ketchups, one salt, one pepper, two creamers, a stirrer and at least four napkins. Period. Any one of those items missing, and my poor guy cringes with a look that says I am also a CPIB (caffeinated pain in the butt).

Sigh. Any of you prayerful types out there may consider adding my husband to your list because yes, I am known in my household as “high maintenance,” but I prefer the term, “passionately aware of what I need to be happy.” Or, just plain “passionate” will do, whether it manifests itself in writing a book in every Christmas card I sent (which is why I gave up Christmas cards twenty years ago) or giving my publisher 135 title suggestions for A Passion Most Pure when they asked for only a few. Yep, I’m a bona fide COA (caffeinated overachiever) who gives everything my all, no question.

BUT … I’m not exactly sure how much of it is personality and how much is just the need to prove my self worth. I don’t know, blame it on the fact that I was #12 out of 13 kids, a skinny DQ who was fun to tease maybe, or being the brunt of jokes and cruelty in the 2^nd through 4^th grades because I had psoriasis a la Katie O’Connor in A Hope Undaunted. Whatever the trigger, I am driven to achieve, perhaps subconsciously to prove to my parents, my family, myself and the world … that I am a success.

But you know what? It’s a funny thing about success. God measures it WAY differently than we do, and that point was driven home this week in a conversation I had with my husband after taking Aunt Julie to the dentist … uh, for the fourth time!

Let me tell you, my sweet 93-year-old aunt has been a busy bee the last couple of months. She’s chipped one tooth, two temporaries and has been fitted for two crowns, plus broken two hearing aids, necessitating lots of drive time. The good news? The little dickens is doing so well and is so content, she’s eating everything not nailed down, plumping her former frail body up by a solid 20 to 30 pounds. Unfortunately because of that, I threw my back out trying to help her into my car from her wheelchair one day last week, which is why Keith came along on this most recent dental visit.

So we’re driving away from Aunt Julie’s facility home, and I am berating myself for all the moaning and groaning I’ve been doing over extra drive time for AJ errands, knowing full well massive revisions on Steven’s story are waiting at home. “Cut yourself some slack, Julie,” Keith says in his usual supportive way, “After all, she’s not even your mother and yet you’re the responsible party out of your family despite being the only one with a career. I for one am proud of you, and I know your mother would be too.”

Tears sting my eyes. Proud of me? My mother? The thought hits dead center, wrenching my heart. “Maybe,” I say reluctantly, “possibly because I’m an author.”

“No, not proud of you being an author, Julie,” my husband stresses with a sheen in his eyes, “but of the person you are.”

Oh. My. Goodness. Where are my Kleenex?? Frantic, I rifle through my purse while tears stream from my eyes.

“Think about it, Julie,” he continues with a sideways glance that’s almost as moist as mine, “When a person dies, people don’t talk about how many books they wrote or how many awards they won, they talk about how that person affected their lives.” How they encouraged them, was kind to them, a simple smile, a sincere compliment … or even taking them to the dentist five times despite an occasional moan and groan.

Let me tell you, the floodgates opened that day, and all the Kleenex in the world couldn’t stem the waterworks. Because for the first time in a long while, I thought long and hard about the true measure of a man—not in his own eyes—but in God’s. As I walk through this life, I need to ask myself what will God be proud of? The six books I’ve written, the endless blogs? The gardening contests I won when I actually gardened or how many times my name comes up when I Google it? Nope, His ways are not our ways, as we all know, and I gotta feeling His pride swells every time I smile at a stranger or leave an encouraging comment on a blog. When I pray for a one-star reviewer or a guy who just cut me off on the highway. And somehow I can almost feel His grin when I greet a Wal-Mart greeter or stop to talk to a wheelchair resident at my aunt’s nursing facility. Because you know what? Like Mother Teresa said, each one of them really is Jesus in disguise.

So, how are you going to make God smile today? One of my dear reader friends, Angi G. made Him smile yesterday when she contacted me to say she wanted to donate my book she won on the Seeker blog to someone who couldn’t afford it. Yeah, that’s just the caliber of person she is and I love her to pieces. As a result, I am holding a contest today to send a signed copy of any one of my books to someone who hasn’t been able to buy it due to financial circumstances. So if you are such a reader OR you know of such a reader, PLEASE send an e-mail through my website to let me know, and I will enter you or them in the contest. Winner will be announced next week in Journal Jots, and a HUGE thank you to Angi for her kindness.

FAVOR REQUEST: I have a blog giveaway going on through Monday, 10/24 on a secular website called RomCon, which is a pretty cool blog for romance readers. The good news is that they have an Inspirational section in which I have a brief article/giveaway posted. Since this is primarily a secular site, I would very much like to show them that there is a huge audience for Inspy fiction out there, so if you have the time to go leave a comment, I would be MOST grateful. To leave a comment, you will have to register with your name and your e-mail, but like I said, it’s a pretty cool site, so you may want to visit it more often anyway. PLUS, one comment enters you into my drawing for TWO BOOKS, a signed copy of any of my books plus your choice of top CBA book from my personal library. Thank you and GOOD LUCK!! Here’s the link:

http://romconinc.com/index.php?option=com_lyftenbloggie&view=entry&year=2011&month=10&day=17&id=1583:a-heart-revealed-by-julie-lessman

ATTN. ASPIRING WRITERS: For those of you who did not see it, I wrote a Seeker blog entitled “The Good, the Bad and the Really Ugly: Memories of a Published Writer” a week or so ago that shocked me when so many people responded in such a positive way to the tips I gave for aspiring authors. The giveaway is over, but if you need a little encouragement on your road to publication, you may want to read this blog. Hopefully it will bless you like it apparently blessed a number of other people … PLUS you can see what I look like in a cowboy hat and a gun! ;) Here’s the link:

http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2011/10/good-bad-really-ugly-memories-of.html

ONLY TWO MORE DAYS … for an interview/giveaway at Book Reviews by Lady Katy blog to win a signed copy of any of my books including my current release, A Heart Revealed, so don’t miss out! Here’s the link:

http://katie-mccurdy.blogspot.com/2011/10/interview-giveaway-julie-lessman.html

Here’s to a crisp, colorful and wonderful autumn weekend and remember, dole out the smiles and the compliments like Halloween candy wherever you go. Because Jesus will be watching … and smiling ... right along with you.

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2011:

“Like mother, like daughter ....”

—Unknown

Sweet mother of Job—what an incredible autumn so far!! Last weekend Keith and I had the pleasure of going to the Lake of the Ozarks with my daughter and her boyfriend, who owns a condo down there, and WHOA, BABY, can you believe it was a deliriously balmy 85 degrees?? In OCTOBER, no less!! What a gift from God.

Uh, both the weather … and my daughter! You see Amy and I used to butt heads because she is a strong-willed girl with definite ideas (Keith’s genes, no doubt! :)), an admirable trait that was MOST evident when she was a toddler and I had to call Poison Control approximately 19 times. I know, I know … sounds like I was off somewhere taking naps, doesn’t it? Nope, I was right there every single time, never more than twenty feet away and sometimes only twenty inches! Like the time I was cleaning the bathtub with Comet and I set the container one foot away on the left of the tub? Yep, there I was scrubbing away when I snuck a peek over my shoulder to check on Amy. Sigh. She blinked up at me in her most angelic pose, her sweet smile ringed with Comet as if she’d just eaten a powdered donut. Fortunately, she only licked the cleanser lid because she was fine, but I am seriously surprised Poison Control didn’t send out a sheriff to follow me around.

Then there was the time I’d give our golden retriever his heartworm chewy pill every day. We had a system, Amy and I. I would hand the pill to her and she would give it to Bunker with a giggle when he licked her hand. Day after day, month after month, giggle after giggle—this was the routine. Sweet. Simple. And, oh SO stupid! Why? Because one day I handed the pill to my two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, and she promptly popped it in her mouth and took off like Jackie Joyner Kersee on a good day. Lord, have mercy—I was sure the PC people would slap me into handcuffs and cart me away.

Even threats didn’t seem to stop my oral toddler. “Ame—do not touch the tree spikes, honey, because they’re bad,” I warned in my sternest voice, pounding the spikes in a perimeter around my sweet gum. Yep, you guessed it—Little Miss “She never tasted anything she didn’t like” was licking that sucker like a bomb pop from the melody-man ice cream truck. Whether yew berries and poinsettia leaves or a wasp sprayed with Raid and perfume, my daughter saw life as feast for the senses.

Okay, all right, I may not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but I did finally realize that whenever Amy popped something bad in her mouth, grinned and darted off—she wanted my attention. Why? Because despite how they try to convince you otherwise, moms are important to daughters. They want to emulate you, look like you and be like you, no matter how loudly they deny it in their teens. And God help us, what a heavy responsibility!! And one, thank God, that we do not have to shoulder alone. God is there every step of the way, not only helping us in our relationships, but in our own personal walk as well so that those who watch our every move—our children, our family, our neighbors, our church, and for we writers out there, our readers—will see HIM and therefore, God willing, hopefully emulate Him as well.

Don’t kid yourself that people aren’t watching, because they are, and NONE more than our own children. In Beth Moore’s Breaking Free workbook—which is AWESOME, by the way—she relates a story from the late Gilda Radner, one of the first female comics on Saturday Night Live, which illustrates a lesson every parent needs to heed. Apparently in her novel, It’s Always Something, Radner tells a story about her nurse Dibby’s cousin’s dog who was due to have puppies any day. As tragedies happen, apparently the mama-to-be got in the way of the lawn mower, and her two little hind legs were cut off. Of course, Dibby’s cousin raced the dog to the Vet and the good news is that both the dog and her puppies were saved. The bad news, however, was that the dog no longer had two back legs. Radner goes on to say that within a week, this amazing canine mama learned to walk by taking two steps in the front and flipping up her backside, two more steps in front, then another flip to the backside and so on. This resilient little dog gave birth to six puppies, all in perfect health. And when they learned to walk … every single one walked like her!

Okay, I don’t know about you, but that story rips me up because I may not be the perfect mother and a lot of the things I say and do are pretty “lame” to my daughter (pun intended), I know, but in the end she will end up “walking” like me in many ways whether she or I like it or not. And as God is my witness, I will do EVERYTHING in my power—and God’s—to teach her to walk straight and strong and according to God’s precepts. But the only way I can do that is to PRAY and APPLY His precepts in every single thing I do, every single day of my life. Because she’s watching … when I take time to read my Bible and pray, when I greet the Walmart greeter before they greet me, when I apologize to the checker for my rude tone and when I pray for 1-star reviewers who call me writing “scum reading.” Oh, yeah, she’s watching all right, and if I want people to say, “like mother, like daughter” about me and my girl, then by God—literally—I need them to say, “like Father, like daughter” about me as well. Because that’s where it begins—and ends—with the Alpha and the Omega. Which is why the picture above wrings tears from my eyes. Amy’s boyfriend took it this last weekend without our knowledge, while the two of us were praying for one of her friends. Oh, Lord, somebody please pass me the Kleenex …

Speaking of “Kleenex,” any of you aspiring writers out there may just want to check out my Seeker blog this week. My subject is “The Good, the Bad and the Really Ugly: Memories of a Published Writer,” where I talk about all the things I’ve learned to do and not do on the road to publication. And even you non-aspiring writers might like to mosey on over to leave a comment because I will pick one winner to have a character named after them in my next book, A Trust Restored, PLUS a signed copy of that book when it comes out next year or any of my books, PLUS winner’s choice of a top CBA book from my personal library. In addition, since it’s Seekerville’s birthday month, all comments accrue ALL MONTH LONG for prices like a Toshiba Netbook, a Kindle, gift cards, free books and more, so DON’T MISS OUT!!! My blog giveaway to have a character named after you ENDS by 5:00 PM today, Friday, so if you’re game, it’s best to get a move on, okay? Here’s the link:

http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2011/10/good-bad-really-ugly-memories-of.html

AND ... if you like to win free books, then do I have the website for you!! Hop on over on a daily basis to Fiction Addiction Fix, a daily updating of all the current book giveaways going on in the Christian market. This site is run by two dynamo aspiring authors, Debbie Lynn Costello (in pink sweather) and Kathleen L. Maher who are not only kind enough to compile the giveaways, BUT will feature your giveaway if you are an author looking to promote your book. So readers and authors alike, take advantage of Fiction Addiction Fix and put this site on your favorites like I have—you will be totally BLESSED by the ministry of these two lovely ladies. Here’s the link:

http://fictionaddictionfix.blogspot.com/

Finally … don’t forget to check out my website calendar on a regular basis because I have upcoming giveaways you don’t want to miss such as the following:

OCTOBER 11 to 23, 2011:

Join me at Book Reviews by Lady Katy blog for a Q & A session and a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://katie-mccurdy.blogspot.com/2011/10/interview-giveaway-julie-lessman.html

OCTOBER 18, 2011:

Join me at RomConInc blog for a sneak peek at A Heart Revealed and a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://www.romconinc.com/http://www.katysreviews.blogspot.com/

OCTOBER 31 to NOVEMBER 14, 2011:

Join me at Debbie Lynne Costello's The Sword and the Spirit blog for a chance to win a signed copy of my new release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://www.theswordandspirit.blogspot.com/

A HUGE THAN YOU TO ALL OF YOU who just signed up for Journal Jots through my Seekerville blog mentioned above—look for the winner in the Weekend Edition of Seekerville on Sunday at the following link:

http://www.seekerville.blogspot.com/

Until next week, have a great weekend and remember—we don’t want to be "LAME," right??? So, let's line our walk up with the Word of God!

Hugs,

Julie

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, OCTOBER 6 & 7, 2011:

“A charming woman is a busy woman.”

—Loretta Young

A charming woman is a busy woman ... A charming woman is a busy woman ... Yeah, that’s my mantra this week because heaven knows I am “busy,” but I’m not too sure about the “charming”! Something deep down inside tells me ol’ Loretta and I have WAY different temperaments …

As you may or may not know, in the last week, I:

* Celebrated my 33^rd wedding anniversary (somebody pinch me, please, because I canNOT believe I ended up with a dream of a guy like Keith).

* Had my first grandbaby (pictures of Aurora Grace (Rory) Lessman can be found by scrolling down to last week’s Journal Jot … sooo cute!).

* Had four blog interview/giveaways going on (and you KNOW how wordy I can get with those comments!).

* Waded through several thousand e-mails and played catch-up on paperwork post-conference.

* Had a Journal Jot, Seeker blog, and an article for RomCon blog to write.

* Received massive revisions from my editor on Steven’s story A Trust Restored (YIKES ... can you say cut 50,000 words???).

*HOLY COW!!! Found out I finaled in The Inspy Awards, which is an awesome award that showcases the top Inspirational fiction as voted for by blogger reviewers. I was pretty shocked, but boy, oh boy -- WHOO-HOO!!

* And spent valuable time with my Aunt Julie as well as celebrated my wonderful mother-in-law’s birthday (Soooo glad you were born, Leona!! AND Happy Birthday Friday to my sister-in-law, Lisa!)

WHEW!!! But I wouldn’t trade a moment of it because it’s ALL good, albeit busy.

So, what’s up this week? Well, first off, did you notice the new glam job on my website??? HOLY COW … I had NO idea my artist hubby was going to do that (we’d talked about it, but he’s been SO busy, too, I didn’t expect it). Here I am down on the lower deck, writing away with feet up when Keith comes down. “Check out your website,” he says. I blink up at him. “Why?” “Just do it, Julie,” he says in his most bullying “Mitch” tone. So I do and WHOA, BABY … my website is now in the 21^st century!! I don’t know about you, but I think it’s GORGEOUS … just like my hubby!

CONTEST WINNERS!! Next, I am SO sorry I am behind on posting the winners of the Pam Hillman “Stealing Jake” contest, but here they are at last. I will contact each of you via e-mail or FB to retrieve your address and your choice of book from my library. Congratulations to:

WINNER OF THE SIGNUP FOR PAM’S NEWSLETTER CONTEST

(choice of top CBA book AND a two-week loan of my Kindle copy of Stealing Jake):

Ashley Roberts

WINNERS OF THE “BUY STEALING JAKE CONTEST”

(choice of top CBA book):

Carol Moncado

Wyndy Callahan

Amy Lachina

Jan Drexler

Pam Williams

BIG GIVEAWAY EVENTS!!! The Seekers 4th Birthday party is underway and going strong throughout October!! Stop by every day for the chance to win a Netbook, Kindles, $50 gift cards and more, free books, and LOTS of GREAT opportunities for aspiring authors to get their manuscripts in front of an editor. So check it out as well as our new website we are launching -- here's the link:

http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2011/10/weekend-edition-birthday-party-sunday-1.html

Every day we have exciting blogs and guests like :

Love Inspired Senior Editor, Melissa Endlich

Freelance Writer and Editor Jason Black

Jenny B Jones

Liz Curtis Higgs

Publisher's Weekly, Beyond Her Book, Barbara Vey

Love Inspired Associate Editor, Emily Rodmell

K. Dawn Byrd

Anne Barton and Lisa Connelly

Melanie Dickerson

Agent Natasha Kern

Jessica Nelson

NOTE: My blog is slated for NEXT WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 12, so come cheer me on while I talk about "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" on the road to publication. A GREAT chance to win one of my signed books and LOTS of other prizes all month long!!

PLUS ... don't miss out on more giveaways of my books at:

SEPTEMBER 27 to OCTOBER 11, 2011

Join me at Joy Tamsin David's blog, Edgy Inspirational Romance, for a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://www.edgyinspirationalromance.com/2011/09/q-with-julie-lessman-and-giveaway.html

OCTOBER 4 to 11, 2011

Join me at Relz Review blog for a second interview and a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://relzreviewz.blogspot.com/2011/10/familyfiction-plus-julie-lessman.html

OCTOBER 11, 2011

Join me at Book Reviews by Lady Katy blog for a Q & A session and a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://www.katysreviews.blogspot.com/

ACFW CONFERENCE!! Finally … pix from the conference. And, OH, what a conference!! Soooo many highlights … from a relaxing dinner at my home and fire-pit conversation with most of the Seekers (with twice-baked potatoes that I did NOT pipe initials into because Keith threatened divorce if I did …) to the “A Kiss is Not Just a Kiss” workshop I co-taught with Ruth Axtell Morren, where I pelted chocolate and sang “You must remember this … a kiss is just a kiss, a sigh is just a sigh …”

It was all HEAVENLY … especially meeting some of my favorite people in the world, not the least of which is sweet Casey Herringshaw, the winner of my newsletter contest to have a character named after her in A Heart Revealed.

Another special highlight was meeting 16-year-old Amanda and her mom, who stopped me in the hall to give me presents!! Amanda’s sweet nature SO touched my heart, I wanted to hug her to pieces, which I did, of course! So, without further ado … enjoy the pix, and have a GREAT weekend!

Hugs,

Julie

Here is sweet Amanda, who has written four ms. and had requests from several editors!!

Below are two dear writer friends, Annette Irby and Dawn Kinzer.

Below is my precious roomie and Seeker bud, Audra Harders RIGHT after she jerked a Revell editor's hands off my arms to pull me away for a pic. "Audra!" I teased, "You NEVER do that to an editor ..." Needless to say, she didn't know it was an editor and VOILA -- I caught the shock on her face!!

OH. MY. GOODNESS!! Casey Miranda Herringshaw (below) ... was in my book (A Heart Revealed) and in my house!!! Casey is the dear friend who won my newsletter contest -- soooooo fun to finally meet her!!!

Casey, me and Carol Moncado, another dear friend wh just happens to bake THE BEST chocolate chip cookies EVER!! Thanks for the extra lbs. on hips, Carol, you little brat! :)

Another highlight of the conference was a video interview with Dianne Burnett (below) of Christian Book Distributors (CBD.com), which turned into a super-girlfriend connection that was SO fun!!! Soooo glad I got to know you better, Dianne!

Intense discussion below between Seekers Janet Dean, Mary Connealy and me at ACFW Awards Banquet. Don't ask what it was about -- I don't remember!! :)

My old crit partners, Diana Brandmeyer (on left below) and Jennifer Tizai. If any of you remember the Seeker blog where I talked about the supernatural turnaround at my first ACFW conference -- Diana was the friend who God used to bless the socks off me and dry my tears (of which there were MANY that year!!). Here's the link if anybody cares to check it out: http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2009/09/conference-cpr-julie-lessman-style-and.html.

The Revell Author Appreciation Dinner -- WOW, what a class act!! They had it at Ruth Chris', and it was TO DIE FOR!! Not just the food, but the company!! Some of the best authors in the biz, and HOLY COW, I get to hang with them!! One of the many highlights was getting to sit next to my dear, DEAR friend and prayer partner, Laura Frantz, and then get to know Janelle from Revell better and both Jill Eileen Smith and Ann Shorey. We had a BLAST!!

In the pic below, we have from left to right in first row: Sarah Sundin, Revell editor Andrea Doehring, Lynette Eason (who I got to know better -- what a sweetheart!!), Suzanne Woods Fisher (who I also got to know better and loved her -- who would think an Amish author would click so well with an Edgy Inspy one??), Revell Director of Marketing, Twila.

(Back row, left to right to left) Dan Walsh (our token guy, but WHAT a guy -- sweetest man on earth, I swear and a heck of a writer a la Nicholas Sparks!), Revell Marketing Assistant, Janelle (SO great to meet her!!), Moi, Maggie Brendan (my good Southern bud), Ruth Axtell Morren (my good friend and workshop co-presenter -- we had SO much at that workshop!!), LAURA FRANTZ!!! (LOVE this woman!!!), Jill Eileen Smith (she is a sweetheart and SO calm -- I need more time with her ... ), Lorna Seilstad (fun gal and fun author with dash of humor), Irene Hannon (a good friend and Rita, Carol and Christy nominee/winner who I WISH would rub off on me!!), Ann Shorey (SUCH a doll!) and last but not least, Mesu Andrews! THANK YOU, REVELL, FOR ONE OF THE BEST MEMORIES FROM ACFW!!

Ruth Axtell Morren and me, co-presenters at our workshop, "A Kiss is NOT Just a Kiss." We had a GREAT TIME and although my hubby was in the room running the Power Point for us, he WARNED me not to dare introduce him to the audience OR attempt a kissing demo!! :)

Trust me, with 165 women and Ruth and me reading/teaching from our love scenes ... it got a BIT warm in that room ... :)

And finally, here are some of The Seekers at the banquet, left to right: Moi, Cara Lynn James, Debby Giusti, Janet Dean and Mary Connealy -- these woman are just flat-out WONDERFUL!!!

AND THAT'S ALL, FOLKS!! HAPPY WEEKEND!!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2011:

It's such a grand thing to be a mother of a mother ...

that's why the world calls her grandmother.

~Author Unknown

WHOO-HOO, WELCOME TO OUR LIVES, AURORA GRACE (RORY) LESSMAN!!!

At 19-1/4" and 6.8 lbs., she's a little slip of a thing with lusty lungs!! It was touch-and-go for a while because our little girl had the cord wrapped around her neck three times (my OB/GYN daughter-in-law and proud mama says a cord wrapped around the neck once or twice is very common and not really a big deal, but three times is a little riskier, so they had to deliver Rory with a last-minute C-section. THANK YOU to each and every one of you who prayed for this delivery -- we are SO grateful to God and to you!! We have plenty of pix below, so be sure to check them out ...

Thursday night, Keith and I were celebrating 33 years of wedded bliss when we got the call that my son and daughter-in-law were on the way to the hospital!! Let me tell you, a little, pink bundle of joy sure says "Happy Anniversary" to me!! :) As I mentioned before, I had planned to write a nice, long Journal Jot today with LOTS of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers Conference), but babies are one of the few things that can actually shut me up, apparently, so you are SPARED this week!!

Instead, I will just show you some highlight pix from my day yesterday and save the ACFW conference stories and pix for next week.

Anyway, here's how my day was yesterday ... how was yours??? :)

Here's Aurora Grace (Rory) Lessman after 10 minutes of life!!

My son Matt, me and daughter Amy waiting for the big moment ...

Then Grandma "JuJu" holds Rory for the first time, and YES, I am crying ... so, what's new???

Three generations of Lessmans ... Grandpa Keith, Dad Matt and RORY!!!

Finally, we have mama and baby ... a MOST unusual experience for my daughter-in-law Katie who delivers babies for a living, delivering on THIS side of the bed, I can tell you that ... :)

Thanks SO much for sharing in my joy with me, and when my feet land back on the ground and things get back to normal, so will my Journal Jots ... Of course, with me, "normal" is ALWAYS a relative term ... :)

HAPPY OCTOBER!!

Hugs,

Julie

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2011:

I am SO sorry that I am SO delinquent in posting after the ACFW Conference, but wanted to post one or two pix to let you know I am still alive, albeit BRAIN DEAD!!

It was a WONDERFUL conference, so thank you to all of you who prayed for me. Ruth Axtell Morren's and my workshop, A Kiss is NOT Just a Kiss" was a rousing success and my Seeker dinner at my house was too, and meeting TONS of cherished friends at ACFW was SUCH a blessing as well. The ACFW Board did a FABULOUS job, as usual, and I will be posting LOTS more pix and stories in my Friday Journal Jot.

BUT ... to tide you over, here's a few pix from the dinner I had at my house for the Seekers who could come (and some of their hubbies). This pic is in my kitchen with some of the Seekers. A good friend of mine, Rel Mollet from Relz Review, wondered why I didn't find a box to stand on since I look like such a shrimp. I told her the Seekers won't let me get on my soapbox anymore, so that's why I look like a little kid with wrinkles ... :)

In order from left to right, the Seekers are: Mary Connealy, Myra Johnson, Janet Dean, Debby Giusti, Moi and my roomie at the conference, Audra Harders. Ruth Logan Herne, Sandra Leesmith and Cara Lynn James are obviously still down on the lower deck with their feet up ...

BUT ... here's the whole group on my deck patio, where we sat around a fire pit after it got dark -- SOOO FUN!! These are the Seekers who could attend and some of my FAVORITE people in the whole world!! From left to right they are:

Debby Giusti, Sandra Leesmith, Moi, Mary Connealy (in back), Cara Lynn James, Myra Johnson (in back), Ruth Logan Herne, Audra Harders and Janet Dean. GREAT ladies and GREAT authors, all. I HIGHLY recommend anything they've written!

After most of the Seekers went home, five precious ladies spent the night, including one of the MOST special online friends I have ever made -- Casey Herringshaw. If Casey's name sounds familiar, it might be because Casey won my newsletter contest last year for the most reviews posted on A Hope Undaunted (and my other books) and won a character named after her in A Heart Revealed. Another dear reader friend (and prayer partner!!), Michelle Tuller also won having a character named after her, but unfortunately, she wasn't at my house (wish you had been, sweetie ... maybe some day???). Anyway, I will be posting LOTS of pix in my Friday Journal Jot later this week, including some of Casey and the workshop, etc. LOTS of fun all around.

So ... till then, have a great week and OH MY GOSH ... I am FINALLY able to jump back in to A Cousins McClare out on my lower deck with my feet up again. Sigh.

I have a great new blog interview/giveaway that just went up today where I reveal my "bucket list," so don't miss out on a chance to win A Heart Revealed (or any of my signed books) at Joy Tamsin David's blog, Edgy Inspirational Romance, so come see me at:

http://www.edgyinspirationalromance.com/2011/09/q-with-julie-lessman-and-giveaway.html

AND ... only a few final days left on the rest of the blog giveaways as well:

NOW through OCTOBER 3, 2011

There's a giveaway of my latest book, A Heart Revealed, at Our Crazy Life blog at:

http://mama2six.blogspot.com/2011/09/heart-revealed-book-review-giveaway.html?showComment=1316996072749#c5250119249316135409

AUGUST 29 to ?, 2011

Join me at OneDesertRose's Blog for a Q&A session where a comment will enter you in a random pool giveaway for participants from several blogs to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://onedesertrose.wordpress.com/2011/08/29/julie-lessman-interviewa-heart-revealed-available-september-2011/

SEPTEMBER 3 to OCTOBER 1, 2011

Join me at The Owl Bookmark blog for a Q & A session and a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://siobianthebookowl.blogspot.com/2011/09/author-q-with-julie-lessman-and.html

SEPTEMBER 9 to 30, 2011

Giveaway of A Heart Revealed at Radiant Light blog:

http://frommipov.blogspot.com/2011/09/giveaway-heart-revealed-by-julie.html

Hope to see you there ... AND HERE ... this Friday on a new Journal Jots!! Have a GREAT week!!

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2011:

YIKES!!! I'm at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in St. Louis and literally have NO time to breathe, much less tackle a Journal Jot right now, but I PROMISE I will post in the next day or two, hopefully with LOTS of fun pix and happenings, so stay tuned ...

HAPPY WEEKEND!!

Hugs, Julie

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2011:

He is jealous for me,
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

—How He Loves, by John Mark McMillan

Have you ever had a single phrase circle in your head for a solid week? You know, kind of like an “ear worm,” only it’s not a song? Well, that happened to me this last week with two words that brought me SO much peace and SO much joy and yes … tears … that I’m actually tearing up all over again just at the thought of them.

Boy, I’ll bet I’ve got your attention now, don’t I, waiting on baited breath—or not—to see what two words transformed my week??? Well, as a romance writer, these two words are a favorite of mine for sure, but no more so than in the last seven days when the Holy Spirit kept whispering them in my ear.

Love Affair … Love Affair ... Love Affair ...

No, I’m not talking Rhett & Scarlett here, Marcy & Patrick or Collin & Faith, although those relationships certainly bear many of the marks of the type of love affair I’m talking about—passion, tenderness, sacrifice … passion … :)

You see, I’m getting ready for the ACFW Conference next week (American Christian Fiction Writers) here in my hometown of St. Louis, so the fact that the conference is actually IN my hometown has put a little more on my plate than usual prior to a conference, increasing my stress level, which always makes me cling to God all the more. First of all, I am co-teaching a workshop with Ruth Axtell Morren called “A Kiss is NOT Just a Kiss,” which, of course, is a play on the lyrics from the song in the movie Casablanca called As Time Goes By, by Herman Hupfeld that goes like this:

You must remember this

A kiss is just a kiss,

A sigh is just a sigh.

The fundamental things apply …

As time goes by.

—As Time Goes By, music and words by Herman Hupfeld

Sigh. Kisses have to be one of my all-time favorite subjects … but I digress. Now, this is not the first time I’m teaching a workshop, BUT it’s the first time I’m teaching one at ACFW, which is comprised SOLELY of my peers, so if that’s not intimidating enough, try 165 of them staring at you, expecting Ruth and I to tell them something they don’t already know. Yeah, right!!

Then add to the mix that I am hosting a dinner party for The Seekers the night before as well as housing five wonderful women in a house that needs to be cleaned, scoured, and primped and menus planned, bought and prepared for 16 people PLUS get my own bags packed to stay at the Hyatt for the conference, an ordeal in and of itself. Keep in mind that I am a CDQ who has MSD (Martha Stewart Disease where, yes, I will actually put mints on the pillows …). Throw in the minor fact that my new book just released this month and it’s NOT a pretty picture for my family, who would dearly love to leave town.

Soooo … during times of stress like this, I tend to focus on God all the more, of course, and as usual, He does not fail. Through it all, He has covered me in His peace and calm (yeah, I know—hard to believe for a wired individual like me!). Ironically, it was during a relaxing four days at The Lake of the Ozarks last week with my husband’s cousin and his wife (Hi, Karen — we had a blast and wish we could do it all over again …) that the words “love affair” especially resonated with me. Whether sitting with my feet up out on the screened-in deck of our condo, overlooking the lake or skimming across the water in Mike’s boat, those precious words kept lighting on my mind like a caress from God. Because it was during this relaxing, non-stressed time that I realized to the core of my being that my love affair with God is what keeps me afloat in good times and bad. There is a scene in my new book, A Heart Revealed, that describes what I’m talking about when I say a “love affair” with God. Emma is trying to explain it to her young neighbor (who, I am happy to say is named after my dear friend Casey Herringshaw, who won my newsletter contest to have a character named after her in this book). Here is what Emma says while she and Casey are playing Dominoes, which is exactly how I feel a love affair with God should be:

“You know how you feel when you’re with Johnny, as if you’re going to bubble over for the love he brings into your life?”

Casey nodded, a blush blooming on her face as she released a lovesick sigh.

“Well, it’s the same with me,” Emma said in a matter-of-fact tone, fingers flitting across the sea of tiles to turn each of them face down.

Ridges formed in Casey’s brow. “I don’t understand. Rory hurt you and now you’re alone.” She squinted, as if trying to comprehend. “Do you mean love for friends?”

“Yes, affection for you, Mrs. Peep and others, certainly, but that’s not the love I mean.”

“What, then?” Casey asked, the innocence in her face plucking at Emma’s heart.

Emma paused, fingers lingering on a tile. She glanced up with a tentative smile. “The kind of love that has the passion of a lover and the faithfulness of a friend, Casey—God’s love.”

Casey’s eyelids lowered as she shifted in her seat. “But we can’t see or feel God, Emma, so how can you feel his love? I need more than prayers to a God I can’t touch, see or hear—I want to hear words of love, see kind actions, feel hugs and kisses …”

“We all do, because yes, we’re human beings. But we were made in God’s image.” Drawing in a deep breath, Emma leaned back in her chair, her eyes tender. “Which means, Casey, like Father, like daughter. You want to be loved? So does he. You want to be touched? So does he. You want to feel the rush of a kiss or the warmth of a hug?” Tears pricked Emma’s eyes. “So does he, Casey. Which is why I rushed to him when Rory hurt me and my family betrayed me. And you know what? I found a God whose arms were open wide and whose heart leapt with joy when I called his name. As protective as a mother and as jealous as a lover, this was a God who wanted me for his very own. Me—Emma Malloy! To touch, to bless, to fill with his pleasure.” She swallowed hard, her gaze locked on Casey’s. “Until I overflow, spilling his love on all those around me—treasured possessions of a passionate God.”

Love affair. Each of has one with the God of the Universe, but not all of us are aware of it. He craves our love, our time, our clinging to Him in good times and bad because we are the “apple of His eye,” as Zechariah 2:8 so beautifully eludes to: “for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye …” As wonderful as that first kiss made you feel, the warmth of a loved one’s embrace, MORE SO is God’s love able to sustain and fulfill, so don’t miss out! If you don’t feel it, know it—ASK Him to show it to you. Ask Him to open your eyes to this love affair that is as close as your next breath and as life-sustaining as the next beat of your heart, because I promise you—if you tap in to that kind of love affair, your heart will be stolen away forever.

And speaking of heart’s being stolen away forever … I thought it would be fun to include a pic from a car show my hubby and I went to with Mike and Karen. We had a BLAST, even though I know NOTHING about cars and can barely tell a VW bug from an SUV. BUT … I was beyond tickled by the Model T's and older cars I saw because I could almost picture Charity hiding in the back seat when Mitch took Kathleen home in A Passion Redeemed! :) Sooooo fun!!!

Good News!! The reviews from A Heart Revealed have been rolling in, and I am SO thrilled that about 80% of the reader friends who have contacted me say that A Heart Revealed is now their favorite of all of my books, so YAY!! I want to remind everyone who reads it that I am running another newsletter contest where anyone who posts a review on Amazon.com, CBD.com, Goodreads, B&N or anywhere else, gets a point for every review posted. It only has to be a line or two saying you liked the book and a 5-star review if you can honestly give it that, then even just one review posted enters you into a drawing for a signed copy of Steven's story, A Trust Restored when it comes out next year. The persons who come in first and second in posting the most reviews will get a character named after them in Steven's story and the top winner will also get a $50 gift card. So if that sounds like something you'd be interested in, just sign up for my newsletter at http://www.julielessman.com/sign-up-for-newsletter/ and post a review or more and let me know by forwarding me the links. BUT ... if posting reviews is NOT your thing, PLEASE do not worry about it, okay? This is only for those people so inclined.

THEN, don’t forget that Luke’s story in book 1 in The Winds of Change series, A Hope Undaunted, is FREE on CBD.com e-book, Amazon Kindle, B&N Nook and Sony E-reader for a limited time. So PLEASE pass the word and download it yourself if you can. You do not need a Kindle, Nook or e-reader to download it —you can download e-books on ANYTHING, including PCs, Macs, iPads, iPhones, Cloud Readers, Androids, Blackberrys and Windows Phone 7, you name it!

FINALLY, I have the following blog/interview/giveaways going on this week, so leave a comment to enter the giveaways and GOOD LUCK!!

AUGUST 29 to ?, 2011

http://onedesertrose.wordpress.com/2011/08/29/julie-lessman-interviewa-heart-revealed-available-september-2011/

SEPTEMBER 3 to OCTOBER 1, 2011

Join me at The Owl Bookmark blog for a Q & A session and a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://siobianthebookowl.blogspot.com/2011/09/author-q-with-julie-lessman-and.html

SEPTEMBER 9 to 30, 2011

Giveaway of A Heart Revealed at Radiant Light blog:

http://frommipov.blogspot.com/2011/09/giveaway-heart-revealed-by-julie.html

SEPTEMBER 12 to 17, 2011

Join me at Overcoming Through Time blog for a chance to win a copy of one of my books. Be sure to leave a comment on each blog throughout the week, from Monday 9/12 through tomorrow, 9/17, to increase your chances of winning :

http://cfpagels.blogspot.com/

SEPTEMBER 20, 2011

Join me at Austenitis blog for a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://austenitis.blogspot.com/

Have a BLESSED weekend, and next weekend I hope to announce the winners of my contest to promote Pam Hillman’s Stealing Jake e-book.

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 2011:

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly

beyond all that we ask or think,

according to the power that works within us ...

—Ephesians 3:20

Oh my, yes … and do I have an example for you!! This week God supernaturally moved on my behalf and that of another one of His kids, turning something that could have been totally ugly into something so totally great that I still get goose bumps just thinking about it.

As most of you know, my new book A Heart Revealed is now out there in the marketplace or will be soon, so places like CBD.com and Amazon.com should be shipping next week if you ordered it through them. Unfortunately, Baker Publishing, mother company of my publisher Revell and Bethany House, experienced heavy book shipments with over 60 titles releasing in September alone, including Inspy icon Beverly Lewis, whose shipment numbers would boggle the mind.

At any rate, a few reviews started popping up on Amazon.com and CBD.com—mostly 5-star reviews—so I was cautiously optimistic, especially since many reader friends on FB were telling me that for them, A Heart Revealed either tied with A Passion Most Pure as their favorite OR was their new favorite of all my books. Ah ... music to my ears!!

That is … until I hit a sour note. You see, I had almost no time to write on Cousins McClare this week, which always puts me in a glum mood. So when I saw a 2-star review on Amazon.com that not only indicated the reviewer was disappointed in Sean and Emma’s story, but also divulged the surprise plot/ending, I was on a free-fall from the sky into an ocean of self-pity. What did I do? True to my nature, I cried. Not once, not twice, but three times throughout the day, actually depleting my Kleenex box during a single waterwork session. True, it only had twelve Kleenex in it, but I assure you I used every single one—twice.

The second thing I did, which I always try to do, was praise God for the 2-star spoiler review and pray my heart out for the reviewer. I asked God to bless her and help me to forgive her. Over and over. And then over and over again. Because for some reason every time I thought of that spoiler review, tears would bubble up in my chest and I would feel depleted. Why? Well, as any Inspy author will tell you, there are a lot of sweat, toil and tears in every book, not to mention a mountain of prayers, and when you are a CDQ like me, you also bleed onto the paper, baring your soul and spilling your heart. Trust me, it’s not pretty. And since my books are thick enough to be used as a weapon, it takes me a year and a half of my life to produce a book with the writing, revising, editing, etc.

So, first off, I want to thank those dear friends of mine who prayed for me and left positive comments on the spoiler review—and you know who you are—because it helped me feel not so alone. And then the miraculous happened—your prayers kicked in and God took over. Let the goose bumps begin!!

That night Keith and I had a “tiny” tiff. “Julie, it’s not life and death,” he said, his patience thin after a day of me “wallowing” (his word, not mine). “You prayed about, now let it go and trust God.” Grrrrr … the man has lived with me for 33 years and thinks I can just let something “go”??? “Don’t you think I’ve tried?” I shout (yes, I really did), "but the self-pity keeps swamping me. Give me a break—how many people do you know who engage in spiritual warfare against self-pity and anger like I do?" I say, eyes blazing, "huh??” I stare him down, and then the man does what he does best—he pulls me into his arms and soothes, telling me it’s going to be okay and we need to just take it to the throne of God and leave it there. “Will you pray that tomorrow’s a better day?” I sniff, my voice so nasal I sound like a fog horn. “Sure, babe,” he whispers and then he does ... right before kissing me good night and going to bed. :)

Uh … not so, me. There I lay in the dark, eyes beseeching the ceiling fan overhead while my prayers wing heavenward to the God Who has never failed me yet, big problems or small. “Forgive me, God,” I whisper in between my husband’s snores, eyes sealed tight, “for wallowing in self-pity and not trusting in You and Your insurance policy: All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose.” Suddenly, as wispy as the air from the fan overhead, peace billows in my soul and the tension slowly seeps from my body.

And then I heard it. That still small voice that drifted in my brain like a feather on a breeze. “Go look in your newsletter address book for the name of the reviewer.” My eyes popped open and my breathing shallowed. The reviewer had she’d enjoyed my other books, so just maybe ... Heart racing, I vaulted from the bed and tore downstairs in my nightgown and bare feet, hair flying behind me (it’s long now, remember?). Fingers trembling, I clicked on my address book, typed in the one-word name and held my breath. Bingo! Sweet mother of Job, there she was, blinking back at me along with the cursor, and hope buoyed in my chest. Thank you, God! I mean, really, with reader friends all over the world, what are the chances of me finding the e-mail of the reviewer I had prayed for all day? “Please, God,” I whispered, “give me the grace and wisdom to say the right thing.”

So I wrote her a very nice e-mail asking her if she was the one who posted that review and if she did, would she prayerfully consider deleting the spoiler line or putting a "Spoiler Alert" at the top of the review. I told her I didn't mind the 2-stars because that was understandable if she did not like the book, but that I had prayed and labored over this book for a year and a half to come up with a unique/surprise plot/ending and consequently, I literally broke down and cried when I saw all my efforts ruined by the spoiler review. Finally, I told her I would be happy to send her a check for the amount she spent so she wouldn’t feel like she’d wasted her money. NOTE TO READER FRIENDS: Do not try posting a bad review so that I will offer you money!!! It only worked once. :)

Okay, okay, maybe I did inject a tiny bit of guilt, but I’m not perfect for pity’s sake, just forgiven. And the rest of the story is nothing short of supernatural. Yep, you guessed it—this sweet, little thing wrote me back!! And not just wrote me back, but blessed the socks off of me with her incredible note below, which she has kindly given me permission to share:

Mrs. Lessman,

Yes, that was me. I'm sorry I posted that review and I have deleted it. Please, don't send me a check; I don't consider my money wasted. My review was ill written because I wrote it right after I read the book, and I was just disappointed greatly in how it turned out. This is nothing against you as an author, because I have books from every author I love that I haven't liked, and I loved all of your other books. The review wasn't written to be mean, and I'm really sorry for any hurt I have caused. Please forgive my being inconsiderate. I'll always be a loyal fan, and I am anticipating your next novel. Once again, I'm sorry.

Somebody pass the Kleenex, please, because I was crying again, only this time it was tears of joy at how God took a painful situation and used it to bless both parties. This woman and I have now become “buds,” and not only buds, but two people who have learned first hand—again—just how God causes all things to work together for those who love Him. And to further prove that God’s Word is true, I asked this new reviewer friend of mine if she would consider posting reviews on my other books (the ones she liked, and yes, I really AM that brassy!). And to show you the class of this young woman, she promptly proceeded to post 5-star reviews on every one of my books except AHR, for which she pulled the negative review. HOLY COW … talk about God doing “far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think"!! And I gotta tell you—those precious reviews mean the world to me because of the miracle they represent in a world where temper and bitterness all too often prevails.

And so my dear reviewer friend, I would like to publicly thank you for your kindness, graciousness and sensitivity to God’s Word. Pease know that I am praying for God to bless you richly because He loves you … and now, so do I!

Hugs and more hugs, Julie.

OKAY ... NEWSFLASH!! Vote for your favorite Julie Lessman hero and get a shot at a signed copy of A Heart Revealed or any of my other books at Relz Reviews. Simply vote, then scroll down to leave a comment and then look for the tally update in Rel’s last comment on which of my heroes is winning. Last I heard, Luke McGee had Collin McGuire by a mile, which is a first since Collin has won the last three polls that I’ve seen. Here’s the link:

http://relzreviewz.blogspot.com/2011/09/character-spotlight-julie-lessmans-emma.html

THEN, don’t forget that Luke’s story in book 1 in The Winds of Change series, A Hope Undaunted, is FREE on CBD.com e-book, Amazon Kindle, B&N Nook and Sony E-reader for a limited time. Trust me, this is HUGE!!! Because what happens is that new people read one of my books, and a percentage of them (those crazy, over-the-top romantics who crave passion in their romance novels like me) will then go on to read the rest of the books, God willing!! So PLEASE pass the word and download it yourself if you can. You do not need a Kindle, Nook or e-reader to download it —you can download e-books on ANYTHING, including PCs, Macs, iPads, iPhones, Cloud Readers, Androids, Blackberrys and Windows Phone 7, you name it!

FINALLY, I have the following blog/interview/giveaways going on this week, so leave a comment to enter the giveaways and GOOD LUCK!!

AUGUST 25 to SEPTEMBER 10, 2011

Join me at Casey Herringshaw's blog, Writing for Christ, for a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://enjoyingthewritingcraft.blogspot.com/2011/08/special-giveaway-and-author-interview.html

AUGUST 29 to ?, 2011

http://onedesertrose.wordpress.com/2011/08/29/julie-lessman-interviewa-heart-revealed-available-september-2011/

SEPTEMBER 3 to OCTOBER 1, 2011

Join me at The Owl Bookmark blog for a Q & A session and a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://siobianthebookowl.blogspot.com/2011/09/author-q-with-julie-lessman-and.html

SEPTEMBER 6 to 10, 2011

Join me at Renee Chaw’s blog, Black ‘n Gold Girl’s Book Spot, for a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://steelergirl83.blogspot.com/

SEPTEMBER 9 to 30, 2011

Giveaway of A Heart Revealed at Radiant Light blog:

http://frommipov.blogspot.com/2011/09/giveaway-heart-revealed-by-julie.html

SEPTEMBER 12 to 17, 2011

Join me at Overcoming Through Time blog for a chance to win a copy of one of my books:

http://cfpagels.blogspot.com/

Happy weekend!

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2011:

If one must labor, let it be a labor of love.
—Julie Lessman

Okay, hold me down … and for pity’s sake HIDE THE COFFEE!!! I’m bouncing off the walls now as it is, and God knows that “Fridays” don’t help!! Then plop Labor Day on top of that and LOOK OUT!! But, WHEW … what a week!!

Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! (Thank you, Erica Vetsch and Renee Chaw, for introducing me to a new form of expressing my excitement.) First of all, as some of you may or may not know, my latest book in the O’Connor saga—A Heart Revealed—released just yesterday, and that’s always a skittery time for an author because you’re waiting for people you love (YOU!!) to read it. It was SO fun to receive the picture above from one of my “bud/prayer partner” reader friends, Michelle Tuller, whose name is also in A Heart Revealed as a subordinate character. Michelle came in second place in my newsletter contest to have a character named after her in A Heart Revealed, and then, of course, Casey Herringshaw (to the left) came in first, so her character is more prominent. So when you see their names in the book for the first time, I’m asking each of you to say a little prayer of blessing for them because they truly are a blessing to me.

And then, of course, you nervously eye the rankings on Amazon, which I only do around the time of a book release because it’s SO fun to see a good ranking, no matter how short-lived! For instance, when A Passion Redeemed came out, the first week it popped up on an Amazon bestseller list where it was #1 and Gone With the Wind was #3—go ahead, tell me THAT wasn’t fun!!! And, yes, I actually did print the page off and have it for all posterity so that I know I didn’t dream it!

But, that’s not all that happened to crank up my tic level this week. I also had three of my favorite blogger friends post their suggestions as to the top ten authors to read in Christian fiction/bucket list, and you guessed it—they included me on their lists. WOW!!! One might possibly expect to make one or two lists at the end of the year where everybody posts their top-ten favorite books, but mid-year??? Doesn’t happen. Until this week. So, here’s the links to check for some GREAT suggestions on wonderful Christian authors:

Rel Mollet from Relz Reviews:

http://relzreviewz.blogspot.com/2011/08/10-authors-you-need-to-read.html

Nora St. Laurent: Finding Hope Through Fiction

http://psalm516.blogspot.com/2011/08/10-authors-you-need-to-watch.html

Casey Herringshaw at Writing for Christ with her “bucket list”:

http://enjoyingthewritingcraft.blogspot.com/2011/08/my-top-ten-meet-these-authors-bucket.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+WritingForChrist+%28Writing+for+Christ%29

Then, as if that wasn’t enough to put me over the top, I find out yesterday that book 1 in The Winds of Change series, A Hope Undaunted is FREE on CBD.com e-book, Amazon Kindle, B&N Nook and Sony E-reader for a limited time. Trust me, this is HUGE!!! Because what happens is new people read one of my books, and then a percentage of them (those crazy, over-the-top romantics who crave passion in their romance novels like me) will then go on to read the rest, God willing!! It certainly worked last year when A Passion Most Pure was released as a free download (of which 75,000 took advantage, even though not all of them probably ever read it, most likely), so we are hoping the same thing will happen for A Hope Undaunted.

BUT … I need your help!! PLEASE tell as many people as you can about this giveaway, tweet it, FB it, blog about it, whatever you can do to get the word out would be GREATLY appreciated. You do not need a Kindle, Nook or e-reader to download it —you can download e-books on ANYTHING, including PCs, Macs, iPads, iPhones, Cloud Readers, Androids, Blackberrys and Windows Phone 7, you name it! So here are the links:

CBD.com:

http://www.christianbook.com/hope-undaunted-a-novel-ebook/julie-lessman/9781441213105/pd/4389EB?item_code=WW&netp_id=840937&event=ESRCN&view=details

Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/Hope-Undaunted-Winds-Change-ebook/dp/B004A9063S/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&qid=1281558222&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hope-undaunted-julie-lessman/1020663421?ean=9780800734152&itm=1&usri=a%2Bhope%2Bundaunted%2Ba%2Bnovel#CustomerReviews

Sony e-Reader:

http://ebookstore.sony.com/ebook/julie-lessman/a-hope-undaunted/_/R-400000000000000279440

Finally … there are still blog/interview/giveaways going on, but not for long, so TAKE ADVANTAGE!! Here’s what’s cooking this week:

AUGUST 21 to SEPTEMBER 2, 2011

Join me at Nora St. Laurent's blog, Finding Hope Through Fiction, for a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://psalm516.blogspot.com/2011/08/julie-lessman-giveaway-hope-undaunted.html http://psalm516.blogspot.com/2011/08/julie-lessman-giveaway-hope-undaunted.html

AUGUST 25 to SEPTEMBER 10, 2011

Join me at Casey Herringshaw's blog, Writing for Christ, for a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://enjoyingthewritingcraft.blogspot.com/2011/08/special-giveaway-and-author-interview.html

AUGUST 25 to SEPTEMBER 3, 2011

Join me at Lena Nelson Dooley's blog, A Christian Writer's World, for a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/2011/08/heart-revealed-julie-lessman-free-book.html

AUGUST 28 to SEPTEMBER 3, 2011

Join me at Pat Iacuzzi's blog, American Historical Christian Fiction (PLEASE SCROLL DOWN PAST THE C.J. CHASE INTERVIEW) for a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://amhisbooks.blogspot.com/

AUGUST 29 to ?, 2011

http://onedesertrose.wordpress.com/2011/08/29/julie-lessman-interviewa-heart-revealed-available-september-2011/

SEPTEMBER 5 to 11, 2011

Join me at Relz Review blog for a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://relzreviewz.blogspot.com/

SEPTEMBER 6 to 10, 2011

Join me at Renee Chaw’s blog, Black ‘n Gold Girl’s Book Spot, for a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://steelergirl83.blogspot.com/

SO ... that’s it for this week … gotta go drink some Chamomile tea to calm down, which is gonna be REAL hard to do since I’m writing a love scene in The Cousins McClare today. Sigh. The life of a CDQRW (caffeinated drama queen romance writer). But I love my job because writing for God is truly a labor of love and one for which I am eternally grateful. And, YES, Karen ... I am bringing the corn on the cob and a dessert on Sunday ... can't wait!!

I wish each and every one of you a blessed Labor Day weekend and may everything over which you labor, be a labor of love!

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, AUGUST 26, 2011:

Of all the animals, the boy is the most unmanageable.

— Plato

WHOO-HOO, guess what I received yesterday??? Yep, my own personal copy of A Heart Revealed!!! Oh my, but it’s beautiful, and WOW, what a feeling when I crack the book open and read the first lines, which I always do!

Keith was in the kitchen with me when I tore in to the UPS package, which could have just as easily been another Revell or Bethany House book. Baker Publishing has this wonderful Perk program where they allow their authors to select some free books, and so I wasn’t really sure if it would be AHR or not. I couldn’t even wait to pull the book out of its package, I just peeked in and saw the green cover with the art deco border and I squealed. I touched it, then Keith touched it and I think I may even have rubbed it against my cheek, you know, like you do with something that’s soft? But I’ve waited a year to hold this baby in my hands, so I give it my all.

“Do you want hear the dedication?” I say to Keith and he nods. “You bet.” So I read it to him, and my heart floods with love while my eyes flood with tears because this book—Sean O’Connor’s story as well as Emma’s—is dedicated to my own son, Matt. Here’s what I wrote:

Dedication

To my amazing son Matt—

whose uncommon kindness, gentle strength and

love of sports provided the perfect framework for the hero of this book.

May Sean O’Connor touch the hearts and lives

of my readers just a glimmer as deeply and powerfully

as our son has touched ours.

Okay, I’m tearing up again reading those words, because I DO have an amazing son who is tender and loving and kind beyond my wildest dreams. But … I have to be honest … it wasn’t always that way.

You see, when my son was born, I just assumed that we would have this incredible bond that I’ve often heard women talk about with their sons. A deep love and communication that assures a mother that she is the apple of her son's (or daughter's) eye—at least until he or she turns thirteen, and then all bets are off! Anyway, having come from a very dysfunctional family where I did not feel loved, naturally I thought that having a child was an automatic source of love. I mean, all children have to love their parents, right? It’s built in to their genes, I thought, and it was a given. What wasn’t a given was how I reacted to my son when he was five years old and not even remotely demonstrative with affection. I would go to hug him, and he’d let me, but NEVER would he return the hug or tell me he loved me.

Now, I gotta tell ya, I was a Christian at the time, and a strong one to boot, but my son’s lack of affection and communication with me about destroyed me. The little girl in me (who was rejected by a mother she naturally assumed would love her) rose up so strong, that it caused major problems not only between my son and me, but between my husband and me as well. I came to a place where I was so desperate that I threw myself at the foot of God’s throne and BEGGED Him to help me be the mother He wanted to be. Begged Him to help me love my son like I needed to do. And begged Him to help my son become the boy and man God wanted him to be.

My answer to my prayers came late one night when I was putting my son to bed like I always did when he was five. I helped him brush his teeth, and then I read him a story, following it up with the same prayer we said every night, and, in fact, the same prayer I Faith O’Connor said to her girls in A Hope Undaunted:

Good night, sweet Jesus, the one I love best.

I have finished my work, and now I must rest.

You have blessed me this day, now bless me this night,

and keep me from danger till morning is light.

And then I would give him a hug, kiss him on the forehead and tell him I loved him. Except this one night as I headed for the door, something made me turn around and go back to Matt’s bed and sit beside him again.

“Matt,” I said, “would you mind if I gave you a Matthew hug?”

He blinked and said, “Sure, Mom, but what’s a Matthew hug?”

“Well, let me just show you,” I said, and then proceeded to bend down close as if I were going to hug him, only I didn’t put my arms around him, I just sort of lay there, hovering over his little chest. His soft, little giggle feathered my cheek and I smiled, pulling back to look into his eyes. “Bud,” I said, using the nickname we always used to show affection, “did you like that hug?” He shook his head and I stroked his cheek. “It doesn’t feel much like a hug, does it? Kinda makes you feel like you’re not as loved as in a real hug, right?” He nodded, his big brown eyes fixed on my face. “Well, you know what, Bud? That’s how I feel when you don’t put your arms around me when I hug you—I feel like you don’t love me as much, and it makes me sad, because moms need love too. So, can we try it again, but this time squeezing real tight?” He nodded and I bent down to hug him tightly, and I gotta tell you that the tear ducts were working overtime when my boy put his little arms around me and squeezed the breath out of me—or certainly the past hurt—just as tightly as he could. “I love you, Bud,” I whispered, and kissed him on the forehead once again. “Good night.” I walked to the door, and I will never forget what happened next.

“Mom?” he called, his little voice frail in the dark.

“Yeah, Bud?”

“Don’t ever give me another Matthew hug again, okay?”

Tears stung my eyes. “Okay, Bud, I won’t.”

That, my friends was not only an answer to a mother’s prayer, but it was a turning point in my son’s life and in my relationship with him. Slowly, from that point on, it seemed he could never tell us enough how much he loved us or give us enough hugs. I have memory files filled to the brim with letters that my son wrote us for no reason at all, sometimes on a daily basis. Incredible letters, telling us we meant the world to him and he would be lost without us and … yes, if you can believe it … what a wonderful mom I was and how much he loved me. This went on well in to his twenties, albeit much less frequently, but I always knew I could count on a 3-Kleenex letter from him on my birthday, Christmas and Mother’s Day.

So this book is special to me, not only because it’s about a woman who wasn’t loved by her parents or her husband, but because it’s about a son who has learned to love and give to his family and then learns how to love them just a little bit more through the amazing power of God. I hope you enjoy it, and may the Matthew hugs in your life be few and far between.

And NOW you know why “hugs” are so important to me. Have a blessed weekend, my friends.

Hugs and more hugs,

Julie

P.S. My blog giveaways are greatly reduced this year, so come see me while you can and maybe win a signed book at one of the following blogs this week:

AUGUST 21 to SEPTEMBER 2, 2011

Join me at Nora St. Laurent's blog, Finding Hope Through Fiction, for a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://psalm516.blogspot.com/2011/08/julie-lessman-giveaway-hope-undaunted.html http://psalm516.blogspot.com/2011/08/julie-lessman-giveaway-hope-undaunted.html

AUGUST 21 to 27, 2011

Join me at Amber Stoke's blog, Seasons of Humility, for a chance to win a signed copy of my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://seasonsofhumility.blogspot.com/2011/08/end-of-summer-bash-welcome-julie.html

AUGUST 25 to SEPTEMBER 10, 2011

Join me at Casey Herringshaw's blog, Writing for Christ, for a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://enjoyingthewritingcraft.blogspot.com/2011/08/special-giveaway-and-author-interview.html

AUGUST 25 to SEPTEMBER 3, 2011

Join me at Lena Nelson Dooley's blog, A Christian Writer's World, for a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/2011/08/heart-revealed-julie-lessman-free-book.html

AUGUST 28 to SEPTEMBER 3, 2011

Join me at Pat Iacuzzi's blog, American Historical Christian Fiction, for a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://www.patiacuzzi.com/Am_His_Books.html

FRIDAY, AUGUST 19, 2011:

“If you’re going to steal, steal a heart!”

— Anonymous Toast

Ah, romantic larceny—there’s nothing quite like it. Which is why, quite frankly, I’m a romance writer. There are few things I like better than having my heart stolen away by a wonderful novel with a pulse-tripping hero and a heroine I can not only cheer for, but swoon with when that heart-melting hero finally steals her heart. And mine!

Which is exactly what happened when I read Stealing Jake recently by one of my dear Seeker friends, Pam Hillman. Over in Seekerville, we have been chomping at the bit for Pammy to get published, so when she did, we went CRAZY!!! I mean, she’s the last of the 15 Seekers to do so, but I gotta tell you, it’s a mystery as to why it took so long. I read a ms. of Pam’s a number of years ago and was blown away that the woman didn’t have publishers beating her door down. Mind you, she’s finaled in the biggest and most important contest for unpublished writers, Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart, FOUR times, winning it one of those times and quite frankly, I thought her ms. was better than most of the published books I was reading in the CBA at the time. But, God’s timing is perfect, and now so is yours because do I have a deal for you!!

Not only can you be eligible to win a brand-new, latest Generation KINDLE with Wi-Fi and Pearl Screen, but it will be loaded with the following books:

o Winter's End by Ruth Logan Herne

o A Passion Most Pure by Julie Lessman

o Courting Miss Adelaide by Janet Dean

o Sushi for One by Camy Tang

o Love by the Book by Cara Lynn James

o Rocky Mountain Hero by Audra Harders

o One Imperfect Christmas by Myra Johnson

o Dreaming of Home by Glynna Kaye

What’s it cost to enter?? Not one red cent!! All you have to do is sign up for Pam’s newsletter, and you will be entered in the loaded Kindle giveaway, so here’s the link (click on the link below, not the picture that says "click to enter":

Pam Hillman's Kindle Giveaway

AND … everybody who signs up for Pam’s newsletter to enter the Kindle contest will be entered into my own contest where one lucky person will not only win a top CBA book, but receive my personal Kindle copy of Stealing Jake free for two weeks (an option allowed by Tyndale and Amazon). So ... all you have to do is let me know via Facebook at Julie's Facebook or through this website via the Contact Julie tab.

BUT WAIT ... THERE'S MORE!! Because Stealing Jake is SUCH a fun read and Pam Hillman is SUCH a great gal, I will send a top CBA book of your choice to the first ten people who e-mail me that they have purchased/downloaded Pam Hillman’s Kindle book, Stealing Jake. Don’t have a Kindle? No worries! You can download e-books on ANYTHING, including PCs, Macs, iPads, iPhones, Cloud Readers, Androids, Blackberrys and Windows Phone 7. Here’s the link: Stealing Jake.

Now, here’s my review of Stealing Jake:

Romantic Larceny At Its Very Best!!!

Hold on to your hat—Light-fingered Livy will not only steal your heart, she’ll steal your sleep as well in Pam Hillman’s delightful debut novel, Stealing Jake, a heartwarming tale of a reformed pick-pocket on the lam who falls in love with a lawman.

A runaway from Chicago, Livy O’Brien flees to small-town Chestnut, Illinois where she devotes her life to the local orphanage, determined to help homeless street urchins like she used to be. But when thievery and mayhem pop up in sleepy Chestnut at the same time a group of rag-tag orphans arrive, Deputy Jake Russell finds himself butting heads and hearts with Livy who wants to save the ruffians from the town as much as Jakes wants to save the town from them. With clean, crisp writing, engaging characters and a intriguing plot chock full of toe-curling romance, adorable orphans and the perfect dose of mystery, Stealing Jake will nab your attention from the first page to the last. If you’re looking for a fun read, wholesome entertainment and a tender romance that will make you sigh, Stealing Jake is a steal of a read that definitely delivers the goods.

FINALLY … Don’t miss out on the following blog/interview/giveaways for A Heart Revealed this week, some of which have excerpts!!

AUGUST 14 to 20, 2011

Join me on the Margaret Daley's blog for a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://www.margaretdaley.com/2011/08/heroine-interview-from-a-heart-revealed-by-julie-lessman/

AUGUST 20 to SEPTEMBER 1, 2011

Join me at Nora St. Laurent's blog, Finding Hope Through Fiction, for a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://www.psalm516.blogspot.com/

AUGUST 21 to 27, 2011

Join me at Amber Stoke's blog, Seasons of Humility, for a chance to win a signed copy of my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://seasonsofhumility.blogspot.com/

AUGUST 25 to SEPTEMBER 10, 2011

Join me at Casey Herringshaw's blog, Writing for Christ, for a chance to win a signed copy of any of my books including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed at:

http://enjoyingthewritingcraft.blogspot.com/

That’s it for now. Have a GREAT weekend!

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2011:

“Sweet thunderation—deliver me from pretty men!”

— Cassady McClare, Dare to Dream, by Julie Lessman,

Book 1 of The Cousins McClare

And sweet thunderation, what a week! I’m closing in on a 100 pages of book 1 of The Cousins McClare, and I gotta tell you that I am LOVING this book so far!! Which is SUCH a relief because after being joined at the hip with the O’Connors for FIVE YEARS (from the point of writing to now), I’ll be honest—I was worried.

Oh, don’t get me wrong, I trust that God will guide and direct me like He always has before, but it has been such a struggle falling in love with this family because let’s face it—they are not the O’Connors!

“Oh man, Keith,” I whined to my husband on the porch swing out on our deck where we chat and pray for a half hour every morning, “It’s SO hard to get the reader warm and fuzzy in a cold San Francisco mansion with servants and Nob Hill socialites. Especially when there is no happily married couple like Marcy and Patrick O’Connor to fill the house with a warm glow.”

Heavy sigh. “I mean, let’s face it,” I continue to moan, “the setting is cold. You have sea-damp San Francisco, upper-crust rich people, a lonely matriarch, a rogue brother-in-law who is still in love with her, and servants who wait on them. YIKES!! Not a whole lot of cozy, hearth-fire warmth going on there!”

“Well,” he says, taking a sip of our hazelnut coffee (which his cousin Mike calls “sissy coffee”), “maybe you could give them a pet.”

“Gosh, I don’t know, babe. I thought about that, but a dog just doesn’t seem right in a mansion, you know? Besides I already used golden retrievers with the O’Connors.”

“Oh, yeah, that’s right,” he says, squinting into our wooded backyard. Well, how about giving them a parrot, you know, like you had growing up?”

I turned and stared at him with mouth agape. The man is a bloomin' genius!

BINGO! Suddenly I had a vision of the parrot we had growing up, and everything clicked into place. You see, my dad was a widower and a little eccentric (uh, do you see a pattern here??), so he kept this parrot named Pancho in a large cage on a table next to his chair. Now, my dad was not weird or anything (he was an eye surgeon, so you can’t be too weird with that, right?), but every night at 7:00 PM, he had to have two ice-cream brown cows (on a stick), and it was our job (my sisters’ and mine) to make sure they were on his other end table at precisely 7:00 PM. If we were late, you don’t want to know what happened, trust me!

Anyway, it was my job to clean the family room and Pancho’s cage, so while I would be sweeping the dirt under the rug (yes, I really did that, but you will be happy to know, I don’t do it any longer), I’d teach Pancho songs to sing. For instance, I taught him how to sing the first bars of “What’s it all about, Pancho?” to the tune of “What’s It All About, Alfie?” and then I taught him “I love Pancho in the springtime” to the tune of “I Love Paris in the Springtime.” Now, mind you, it was not just enough for Pancho to sing these songs, which he did quite well, I might add, enunciating pretty clearly. Oh no, this bird had to dance side-to-side on the bar in his cage at the same time, his orange and black eyes getting bigger and smaller, bigger and smaller while he’d sing and dance. Soooo cute! Another trick I would do is to shake a bag of potato chips, and that little guy would follow me around the room, either stomping or flying—it didn’t matter. There was simply no question about it—I thought this bird was flat-out adorable!

Uh … until my dad yelled at me one night for only giving him ONE brown cow ice cream bar. Only I’d given him two, but sweet thunderation … one came up missing!! Yeah, you guessed it. There sat Pancho in his cage on the bar like a green-feathered angel, a half-eaten brown cow in his claw while those pin-wheel eyes just flashed and glowed. Gosh, what a hoot that bird was … “was” being the operative word.

You see, my dad liked to walk around the house with Pancho on his shoulder sometimes and this one day he forgot and went outside and, of course, Pancho flew away. My dad was SO broken-hearted that he got my sisters and I out of bed very early that morning (which was when it happened) and made us go outside and look for him. I’m guessing I was about fifteen or so, and I used to sleep with big curlers in my hair, which I kept in place with a pair of leopard underwear (I know, don’t ask!). Across the street from our house was a wooded hill that had a very old cemetery, and Daddy told me to go look up there. So, in my robe, curlers and leopard underwear, I took a bag of potato chips and went into the woods singing “What’s it all about, Pancho?” but alas, the bird had flown the coop … or in this case, the shoulder, never to be found again. Suffice it to say that the next pet was a black lab … a little harder to lose, thank God!

Well … now The Cousins McClare have a parrot, a very mischievous parrot who says things she shouldn’t (insults, not swear words) and her name is … Miss Behave! I am having SO much fun with Miss B. in this book, plus I’ve added a precocious five-year-old sister (you gotta have a kid, right?) and a crusty, old housekeeper who is sort of an Irish Ma Kettle (Google her if you’re too young). Throw in a spunky heroine who is a Texas cowgirl oil-heiress-gone-broke that would just as soon hog-tie a pretty boy as look at him and a to-die-for hero (is there any other kind in a Julie Lessman novel???) looking to marry well, and trust me—I’m having a total blast with this book! And to make it even better, take a gander at these pictures as to how I imagine the hero Jamie MacKenna might look. Believe it or not, all four of these pics are the SAME guy, but the first pic is the one that really portrays Jamie to me. Talk about inspiration!

So … to wrap up my Journal Jot today, I thought it appropriate to give you a sneak peek at my first “romantic” encounter between the heroine Cassie McClare and the hero, Jamie MacKenna, to show you just why I’m having so much fun. I hope reading it will be fun for you too!

Let’s set up the scene. Jamie is the man who accidentally mowed her down at the train station in the very first scene of the book, so Cassie has given him the cold shoulder all night when she meets him again during a dinner given by her cousins. Wanting to escape his unwanted attention, she goes to her uncle’s billiard room to play pool by herself, where Jamie seeks her out.

***

Lost in her game, she was oblivious when he quietly entered the room and closed the door, watching as she methodically chalked her stick after every play before circling the table with all the ease of a saloon pool-hall hustler. His jaw dropped when she executed a three-ball shot he’d only seen one other time in a bar down on the wharf. A low whistle escaped before he could stop it. “Remind me not to play you for money.”

She whirled around, almost losing her balance, knuckles white on the cue and her face leeching past pale. “You could have knocked,” she rasped, the shimmering bodice of her seafoam-green dress quivering with every heave of her breath.

“And miss that mesmerizing display of skill and prowess?” he said, respect lacing his tone. He slipped his hands in his pockets and strolled in, his gait as casual as his smile. “The likes of which I’ve never seen in a man, much less a female?” He perched on the edge of the table. “Not on your life, Miss McClare. Where’d you learn to play like that, anyway?” he asked, his fascination with this unconventional woman growing by the moment.

“Uncle Logan,” she said with a heft of her chin, his compliment dusting her cheeks with a pretty shade of rose that actually accentuated her freckles.

Jamie shook his head with a fold of arms. “Oh, no you didn’t. I’ve played with Logan many a game, and I have never seen a shot like that out of him or Devin.”

The blush deepened. “He says I’m a natural,” she said defensively, almost sounding like an apology.

He studied her through a squint, in total agreement with Logan that she was, indeed, a natural. Heart-shaped face, luminous green eyes a man could drown in and hair the color of summer wheat, her creamy skin glowing with just enough freckles to give her that clean, wholesome air of the outdoors. A sliver of gold hair trailed her shoulder midway to her bodice, a shimmering stray from the pretty upsweep that framed her head like a halo. The silky curl trailed the curve of her breast, and he had a sudden urge to see her hair down, spilling as free as he suspected Cassie McClare liked to be, untethered by convention or fashion.

He rose and sauntered over to retrieve a cue from a casing on the wall, then casually twirled it in his hands, his eyes connecting with hers. He smiled that little-boy smile that had gotten him farther than any law degree. “He says the same about me, you know—in billiards, boxing and the law.”

She folded her arms and cocked her head, her smile as flat as the effect of his, apparently. “And women?”

He grinned, his eyes never straying from hers as he chalked his cue. “Sometimes. You up for a game?”

“With you?” She arched a brow. “No, thank you, Mr. MacKenna—I don’t play games with men like you.”

Ouch. She was obviously a woman who was honest and forthright, what you see is what you get, and God help him, what he saw, he definitely wanted. But … she didn’t want him. Yet. He softened his approach. “Come on, Cassie, one game of billiards isn’t going to kill you, and then you’ll have the chance to give me the thrashing I so obviously deserve.”

She hung her head and huffed out a sigh, finally meeting his gaze with a candid one of her own. “Mr. MacKenna—”

“Jamie—please.”

“Jamie, then …” she began slowly, as if attempting to soften the blow of what she was about to say. Sympathy radiated from those remarkable green eyes that reminded him so much of a pure mountain stream—unspoiled, refreshing … and icy enough to tingle the skin. Long sooty lashes flickered as if begging him to understand. “Look, no offense, but you just broke my heart.”

He blinked. “Pardon me?”

“Oh, not you exactly,” she said, dismissing his train of thought with a wave of her hand, “but a man just like you—you know, handsome, smart, the kind that melts a woman with a smile?”

A ridge popped at the bridge of his nose. “Uh, thank you—I think?”

She looked up at him then, head tilted in much the same way a mother might soothe a child, expression soft and tone, parental. “I’m sure you’re a very nice person, Mr. MacKenna, and we may even forge a friendship before the summer is through, but you need to understand something right now if that friendship is ever going to see the light of day.” She fisted his hand, patting it as if he were five years old, and in all of his twenty-six years, never had a woman given him a more patronizing smile. “You have zero chance …” She held up a hand, index finger and thumb circled to create an “O,” then enunciated slowly as if he were one of the livestock back on her ranch. “Zee-ro chance of ever turning my head because I have no interest in you or any man right now, especially a pretty boy.” She gave him a patient smile edged with just enough pity to get on his nerves. “I’m sorry to be so blunt, but I see no point in hemming and hawing around a pesky hornet when I can just stomp on it before it stings.”

His jaw effectively sagged. “Hornet?” He’d been called a lot of things, but somehow, out of the pursed lips of this Texas beauty, this sounded like the worst, stinging his pride more than that blasted hornet. A nerve pulsed in his cheek as he carefully replaced his cue in the rack, her words barbing more than he liked. He turned, his smile cool. “Is that so? And what makes you think I have any interest in turning your head?”

She folded her arms again and hiked one beautifully shaped brow, her no-nonsense look daring him to deny it.

And, oh, how he wanted to. His jaw began to grind. But he couldn’t because it would be bald-faced lie, and they both knew it. He exhaled and pinched the bridge of his nose, finally blasting out a sigh. “Okay, you’re right, Miss McClare—I was trying to turn your head, but I’m not stupid—I can see you obviously have no interest in me whatsoever.”

“None,” she confirmed, brows arched high in agreement.

He nodded, head bowed as he kneaded the back of his neck, peering up with a lidded gaze. “Which means, of course, that you have no attraction to me whatsoever …”

“Oh, heaven forbid.” Her body shivered in revulsion. “Not in a million years …”

He cocked his head, mouth slack and a trace of hurt in his tone. “Nothing—not even a glimmer?”

She shook her head, face scrunched as if she tasted something bad. “Absolutely not.”

He exhaled loudly. “All righty, then,” he said with a stiff smile, his pride effectively trampled. Rubbing his temple, he supposed there was only one thing left to do. He extended his palm with a conciliatory smile. “Well … I’m glad we got that settled and out of the way, then. So … friends?”

She stared at his hand as if it were a rattler about to strike, then shifted her gaze to his eyes, her lids narrowing the slightest bit. She absently scraped the edge of her lip before slowly placing her hand into his.

His hand closed around hers and he smiled. Ah … sweet vindication.

In a sharp catch of her breath, he jerked her to him so hard, the cue in her hand literally spiraled across the plush burgundy carpet. Thudding against his chest, she emitted a soft, little grunt, and her outraged protest was lost in his mouth, the sweet taste of her lips shocking him even more than he’d shocked her. She tried to squirm away and he cupped her neck with a firm hold, deepening the kiss until the fight faded away and her ragged breathing became one with his. Her scent intoxicated him—a hint of lilacs and soap and the barest trace of peppermint, and he stifled a groan while he explored the shape of her mouth, the silk of her skin, the soft flesh of her ear. Her pulse throbbed beneath his lips and he returned to kiss her with renewed urgency, relief flooding when her faint moan grazed warm against his skin. He gentled his mouth against hers, softly nuzzling before finally pulling away, satisfaction inching into his smile when she swayed on her feet, eyes in a glaze. “Nope, not in a million years,” he said with a tug of his coat. He planted a quick kiss to her nose and made his way to the door, delivering a grin over his shoulder. “You have a deal, Cassie McClare—friends it is.”

***

Remember … ONLY THREE DAYS left till A Heart Revealed is available on CBD.com and only nineteen days everywhere else, including Amazon.com!! I don’t know how it happened, but there are two reviews posted CBD.com, so you may want to check ‘em out!

Have a great weekend!

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 2011:

“If you love me, keep my commands.”

-- John 14:15

The cutest thing happened a few days ago. You see, I sent out my summer newsletter this week, which is ALWAYS a major pain for my artist husband who designs it because he says I am worse than any client he has, which given my SUPER anal personality, is no great surprise, right? In fact, I did a Seeker blog talking about this once appropriately entitled “Stupid In Love” (http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2011/02/stupid-in-love-bookcritique-giveaway.html) because when I asked my husband why he puts up with my high-maintenance personality, this was his response: “I don’t know,” he says, giving me a quick kiss on the lips. “I guess I’m just stupid in love.” To quote just a paragraph from that Seeker blog I wrote, here’s a glimpse at what the newsletter process looks like in our household:

“Wow, babe, it’s absolutely perfect!” I say, excitement bubbling in my voice. “Uh, except for a few tiny things … Would you mind tilting those pictures a little bit more? Oh, and the excerpt from A Heart Revealed needs to be indented, and yeah, all book titles italicized. Not sure I’m crazy about that font—can we change it? And those dingbats gotta go—maybe little squiggles instead? Ooops … forgot some pictures of my reader friends, and for the love of Photoshop—my double chin in that picture just has to go!”

YIKES … talk about dingbats!! And that was only the first go-round. However, you will be happy to know that my husband is currently in therapy.

Like Marcy and Patrick O’Connor, whose marriage I modeled after my husband’s and mine (only I am WAY more high-maintenance than Marcy!), God has blessed Keith and me with a really wonderful marriage. Of course, let me emphasize here that it did NOT get there overnight, but entailed YEARS of prayer and obedience to God to make it the incredible blessing it is today. Anyway, after Keith finished my newsletter, I was so grateful that I threw my arms around him and kissed him and what happened next was nothing short of magical. All at once, I heard this incredibly beautiful music. Not bells ringing, exactly, but the most serene and lovely harp music I’d ever heard. Now I know Keith and I have one of the best marriages I’ve ever seen, but this was the very first time I ever heard music when I kissed him, and I just figured we had crossed some beautiful threshold of true romance where even our kisses were heavenly. “Oh my goodness,” I cry, pulling back to stare at him wide-eyed, “did you hear that? What a kiss!” He laughed and reached for his phone, turning off the timer for the sprinkler outside, for which his chosen ring tone was harp music. “Gosh, babe,” I say, feeling just a wee bit disappointed, “and here I thought we were making beautiful music together!”

But the truth is when you really love someone, you give of yourself for them and it IS beautiful music! I can’t speak for anybody else, but I know why it’s that way for me. Keith sacrifices and gives of himself to me over and over because he loves me. I sacrifice and give myself to him over and over because I love him. For instance, even though I am the type of person who is habitually five to ten minutes late, I make being on time for Keith a top priority because I know how important it is to him. So I try REALLY hard to sacrifice my bad habit to make him happy because it’s one of the many ways I can show him I love him.

When I was in my twenties and a brand-new Christian, I was so gaga over God that I would literally tear up whenever I thought of Him and His goodness to me. Yes, I’m a pretty emotional gal, but anyone who has given their heart to Christ feels that incredible rush of love and gratitude for God at some point in their life when they realize just how much He loves them. So it was a TOTAL shock to me when I got into my mid-forties and menopause reared it’s ugly head. Suddenly, despite emotions running amuck, I no longer had this wellspring of deep loving feelings for God.

“God! How can this be?” I remember asking Him with no little frustration. “I’m in the time of my life when my emotions are at their highest peak, wreaking havoc and spilling over at the drop of the hat, and yet I feel nothing for You!” I was heartsick because if ever there was a time that I needed to "feel" God’s strength, His support, it was during menopause. So I cried and I begged and I pleaded for Him to give me feelings of love for Him like I once had before because I didn’t feel like I loved Him anymore. And you know what? The God Who is the Lover of our Souls taught me one of the most important lessons I have ever learned as a Christian. It’s the sum and total of our Scripture above: “If you love me, keep my commands.”

“Julie,” He said to me, as clearly as if it were an audible voice. “Do you obey me?” “Yes, God,” I remember saying with tears in my eyes, “I really do try to obey You, You know that.” “Then you love Me,” He said to my spirit.

I gotta tell you right now that if ever fireworks went off in my brain and neon signs were flashing and tears filling my eyes at the revelation of my soul, THIS was the moment! Because what I saw in my brain was the simple equation for love as far as God is concerned. He does not measure our love for Him by our feelings nor our tears nor our elogquent words or prayers. Pure and simple, there is only one way true way to show God we love Him, and this is the equation that flashed in my brain that fateful day.

LOVE = OBEDIENCE.

OBEDIENCE = BLESSINGS

As a super emotional woman, this concept from the throne of God changed my life that day. No, I don’t have to “feel” love for God to show Him I love Him. I simply have to OBEY him, and to His heart, that translates into love. Which in turn, releases His love to us in endless blessings.

Case in point. One time I remember stubbing my bare toe on the steel leg of the bed, and since I have incredibly sensitive feet, it hurt like the devil. With a cry of pain, I grabbed my toe and fell down, curse words rising to my tongue, ready to spew. It was during a time of my life when I was radically obedient to God or tried to be, so instead of curse words, I forced other words out of my mouth, screaming, “Praise God, praise God, praise God …” over and over as loud as I could and before I was through, I was laughing on the bed with tears in my eyes. Why? Because obedience to God releases blessings in our lives. It helps us to be so “stupid in love” with our Savior that everything we face, even something as stupid as stubbing a toe, can become an expression of love to Him by our obedience. And the domino effect is then an outpouring of joy and blessing from the God who said in John 10:10:

“I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

And so, I wish you and yours life “to the full” and may you be “stupid in love” with the God Who is even more so over each and every one of us.

Before I sign off, I want to congratulate the following winners of my RSS feed signup contest and the MaryLu Tyndall free download contest. Please note that I am well aware that the RSS feed is not working but am hoping to get it fixed soon and will have another signup contest next month. So for now, congrats to the following winners. I will be in touch!

WINNERS OF RSS FEED (wins choice of top CBA book):

Joy Tamsin David

Angi Griffis

Danyelle Hunnicutt

Victoria Keen

Michelle Tuller

WINNER OF MARYLU TYNDALL DOWNLOAD (wins signed copy of MaryLu’s 3^rd book in the series):

Megan

Hugs,

Julie

P.S. I’m giving away a signed copy of A Heart Revealed (with sneak-peek excerpts!) on my Seeker blog this Wednesday, August 10^th, which is entitled “EDIT” Doesn’t Have To Be a Four-Letter Word!" Hope to see you there — here’s the link:

Then please check my website calendar at http://www.julielessman.com/julies-calendar/ because I have a number of blog giveaways coming up. In the past I have given away at least 50 signed books in blog giveaways before the release of my next one, but due to time constraints, I will only be doing ten blog interview/giveaways this year, so don’t miss out, okay?

Hugs and happy weekend!

Julie

FRIDAY, JULY 29, 2011:

You can’t judge a book by its cover.”

— Bo Diddley

Horse feathers! As much as I respectfully disagree with Mr. Diddley, I just have to say the man knows “diddley” squat about publishing! Not only can you judge a book by its cover, but according to a statistic quoted in Publisher’s Weekly, 12% of people who buy books do so because of the cover. Now 12% may not sound like a lot, but when you figure that 3.13 billion books are sold every year, that’s a LOT of pulp, people!!

First impressions are important, whether valid or not, and the first glimpse of a cover is a first impression to a potential reader. Which is why my covers are so very important to me and why my prayer partners and I have prayed about every single one well in advance.

So while I was cleaning out my files a few weeks ago, I came across the portfolio shot of the model who posed for Collin McGuire on the cover of A Passion Most Pure, and I thought it might be fun for you to hear some of the background on each of my covers because as high maintenance as I can be, each book cover has been a real trip.

Because A Passion Most Pure was my debut model, I had no idea what to expect with the cover process NOR any common sense to know that I was a newbie who needed to keep her mouth shut. Fortunately for me, the artist I work with at my publishing company is one of the sweetest human beings on the planet, and she was kind enough (and patient enough) to work with me to get a cover I would happy with. As an author, initially I send my publisher my character descriptions and personality traits, along with pics of movie stars or models I think they resemble. My publisher actually does two different shoots—the first of the female model, then later another shoot with the male model, which they strip into the first pics for the final cover. So unfortunately for the model who played Faith O’Connor, she never got to meet the male model who played Collin McGuire, which in my opinion is a real shame, as you can see from the portfolio shot of the model who played Collin. Hubba hubba!

Initially, the artist sent me pix of Faith with her hair long and a pretty, lacy top that was a bit off-shoulder and showed a lot of her back and neck. “Oh, no,” said to my artist, “Faith’s hair looks like a prairie romance, and this is 1916 Boston we’re talking about here, so can we put her hair up?” Yes, we could and did, much to my relief. “Can you make the hair a little redder and the eyes a little greener?” I asked. No problem. Then they gave Faith a high-neck dress, which I thought worked a lot better—more chaste and proper for a modest young Bostonian. And FYI, in the pics with Faith, keep in mind they used some guy on the set to stand in for Collin for placement purposes only. So far, so good, right?

And then the tears began. The artist sent me a pic of Collin with a namby-pamby, almost weak smile and I started to cry, telling my husband he looked like a wimp. “Do you have any other shots from the shoot?” I asked the artist. “Only one other,” she said, “but Collin looks mad in it, and nobody thought it would work.” “Can I see it?” I asked, hope springing in my chest. And the rest is history. I took one look at the smoldering, moody face of Collin McGuire, the man who was angry because he couldn’t have the woman he wanted, and I knew we’d struck pay dirt.

On book 2, A Passion Redeemed, it was a real wild ride!! I showed you the pic of the cover model for Mitch a while back, and I am repeating it here for comparison. You can imagine my shock when I received the first cover in which Mitch had slicked-down hair and looked like an English dandy. More waterworks, of course, and I begged my artist to “play” with the cover for me, giving stubborn Mitch Dennehy more of an iron jaw and an angrier look in the eyes (all my heroes tend to be angry for some reason … maybe because they have to deal with me!). “The hair has got to go,” I said, so I searched on the Internet for 30 minutes for just the right head of hair—blond rumpled curls instead of slicked down, and my artist agreed the changes worked. Did I mention before what a saint my publisher artist is??? Here is a before and after to show you what we did.

Suddenly I zeroed in on Charity and noticed that the very buxom, drop-dead gorgeous vixen named Charity O’Connor was not as buxom as I’d hoped and even less than her sister, Faith, who was supposedly unendowed. So, as a final change to the cover, my artist graciously endowed Charity with a bit more charm as you can clearly see in the before and after.

I had given my poor artist so much grief on the first two books, that I made up my mind that I would take the cover for A Passion Denied any way they gave it to me, no complaints. And so, despite my utter shock at the model who looked NOTHING like the Lizzie in my mind, I kept my mouth shut and prayed. And guess what? Right before the cover was finalized, my publisher intervened on her own and said this first model didn’t fit the character image, so she ordered a second shoot and VOILA — L izzie was born, and I never had to say a word!

So no one can te ll me covers aren’t important, because they are, and I cannot thank my publisher enough for working with me like they do and bending over backwards to address my concerns. I have since found out that most authors do not have the luxury of so much input on their covers, and so I am doubly grateful.

Because you may not be able to judge a book by its cover, but you sure in the heck can judge a CDQ by her reaction to it, and let me tell you—it ain’t pretty.

A HEART REVEALED is out in 17 DAYS!!!! If you would like a chance to win a signed copy, please come see me at “Come Meet Ausjenny” blog at http://ausjenny.blogspot.com/2011/07/getting-to-know-you-thursdays-with_28.html

where I have an interview up and will be giving away a signed copy of winner’s choice of any of my books.

Then please check my website calendar at http://www.julielessman.com/julies-calendar/

Because I have a number of blog giveaways coming up. In the past I have given away at least 50 signed books in blog giveaways before the release of my next one, but due to time constraints, I will only be doing ten blog interview/giveaways this year, so don’t miss out, okay?

Have a great weekend, and next week I’ll announce the winners of my RSS feed and MaryLu Tyndall free download contest that ends July 31^st. For details, simply scroll down to the end of my Friday, July 22 Journal Jot and may the best women win!

Hugs,

Julie

FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2011:

It is sad to grow old, but nice to ripen.

—Brigette Bardot

Boy, oh boy—ol’ Brigette said a mouthful, didn’t she? I don’t know about you, but this gal will take “ripe” over “old” any day of the week, keeping me forever indebted to those mainstays in my life—things like Loreal or Max Factor … or an artist husband adept at Photoshop! Because let’s face it—as women, we want to present the best image possible, both inside and out. And since I am always working real hard on the inside (or I should say, God is!), I thought it was high time I started working on the outside as well.

Which means I owe every single one of my readers out there a great, BIG apology. Why? Because when I first got published three years ago, I had one—count ‘em, one! —professional photo taken for use on my website, for the back of my book, for blog interviews, for posters, for book signings, you name it. One. Now I don’t know about you, but I got REAL sick and tired of seeing that same old picture, and you know which one I’m talking about. No, it wasn’t a bad picture, that’s true, and yes, it actually made me feel pretty at the time. But sweet tea in the morning, I gotta tell you that I was sorely tempted to burn that black, short-sleeve tank I wore, and TRUST ME … I’ve never worn it again!

So, in honor of my new series coming out in April 2013, The Cousins McClare (because I always have to have a reason to spend money!) and because my husband basically threatened me (“Come on, Julie, part with a buck and get some decent shots!”), I decided to bite the bullet and go for broke … literally.

Actually, I’m joking about the “broke” part because this photographer is not only incredibly reasonable, but downright miraculous in what she can do with a 60-year-old CDQ who has just enough vanity to keep from going gray. Her name is Lisa Nordmann of Nordmann Photography, and for the first time in pictures, I actually feel like I don’t bay at the moon. I mean, seriously. Even my husband is looking at me through new eyes, so that alone is worth every single penny I spent. So if you live anywhere near St. Louis, you’re gonna want to look Lisa up because the woman can make a silk purse like nobody’s business … :)

Since my Journal Jots blog is the perfect place to share my new look, I wanted to give you the first peek at the new me. I hope you like it as much as I do because let’s face it—the clock’s a-tickin’ and I ain’t ever gonna to look like this again! Or at least that’s what I told my publisher when they didn’t put my pic on the back of my first series. I mean, really—why not take advantage and slap that sucker on before the heavy-duty wrinkles arrive, right??

But before I unveil the pics, I want to remind you about MaryLu Tyndall’s HUGE promotion where Barbour Publishing is offering a free e-book of MaryLu’s Surrender the Heart. It will be available on Kindle until July 31^st, so you do NOT want to miss this one. It’s wonderful and so is book 2, Surrender the Night, which I actually endorsed. MaryLu is hands-down one of my FAVORITE writers with an edge to her romance, which makes her one of those must-read authors for me and hopefully for you! Here’s the link to download MaryLu's FREE BOOK, so go for it!!! http://t.co/UW4mSHP.

AND … as a bonus … for anybody who DOES download MaryLu’s book and lets me know by contacting me via e-mail, through this website or on Facebook, I will enter you in a contest where three winners will receive a signed copy of MaryLu’s latest, Surrender the Dawn!

THEN DON'T FORGET MY CONTEST!!! I will select three winners to receive a brand-new, top CBA book of their choosing from my very large personal library. If you are interested, all you have to do is click on the "Subscribe to My Journal Jots Blog" link at the top of this page or on the calendar page and then let me know via e-mail, through my website or via Facebook. It's that easy!

FINALLY ... BLOG GIVEAWAY THIS WEEK!! Come see me this week on AusJenny’s blog (July 28 to August 4) where I will be giving away a signed copy of ANY of my books, including my upcoming release, A Heart Revealed. You can find the link for this blog giveaway as well as others on my calendar page at http://www.julielessman.com/julies-calendar/.

Anyway, thanks for sharing the fun and magic of new pics with me, and may your own weekend be just as magical and truly “picture perfect.”

Hugs,

Julie