Journal Jots – Blog

Welcome to my Journal Jots blog! This is a broad mix of what’s on my mind, allowing me to feel a little bit closer to some of the most important people in my life—YOU! From news on sales, freebies, giveaways, new releases, and excerpts from works in progress … to my thoughts on my walk with God, daily devotionals, or photos of my family, this is where you’ll find the most current glimpse into my books and my life. I invite you to subscribe in the “subscribe” box on the right side of this page to automatically receive an email whenever I post a blog. Till then, God bless and HAPPY READING!

Tuesday, October 1, 2024

 

✅   What’s the Story, Morning Glory? Paperback & E-Book NOW on sale!

✅   HUGE Contest to Promote My New (and Quirky) Devotional!

✅   Book Prices are “Fall”-ing with Autumn Sales!

✅   Blog-Tour Giveaway Still Going On Till 12:59 EST TODAY, OCT. 1ST!

✅   Mysti’s Bk. Nook Temporarily Closed So My Nov. Bk.Club/Giveaways Have Been Cancelled.😞

Read my prior blog including excerpt from Henry’s story HERE!

 

 

🌸 Whoo-Hoo! Morning Glory is Here at Last!

 

YES, it’s finally true … What’s the Story, Morning Glory, my brand-new and quirky memoir devotional is FINALLY here in both paperback and e-book, so I hope you check it out. 

Why?

Well, for one reason, some realllly great authors endorsed it above, which totally blessed the socks off of me.

But the real reason you should check it out?

Because author endorsements are great, but the true test of a book is on the blog tour, where a ton of complete strangers (along with a few who know me and my books, of course) read and post their completely honest reviews for all the world to see.

YIKES! I don’t mind saying that I was more than a wee bit nervous 😰, sweating bullets since this was my very first nonfiction AND one I did NOT want to write, as you all know. But God had other ideas as you can hear in the following INTERVIEW VIDEO ON MORNING GLORY if you so desire.

So, I decided to let Him handle the blog tour and any reviews that came my way, good or bad. And, boy-oh-boy, did He!! Check out these amazing reviews out:

 

 

And, if you want more in-depth reviews, check these out!

🌸 “I have yet to read a devotional that has moved me and drawn me closer to God like hers has … If you are looking for an inspirational and practical guide to deepen your relationship with God, then I highly recommend Julie Lessman’s devotional, What’s the Story Morning Glory.” — Melissa LaShure, LiteraryScape Blog

🌸 “WOW, this is a WONDERFULLY different type of Devotional. I truly LOVE that Julie is very open to the readers through her Personal Stories, very encouraging stories. I know this is a devotional that I will use time and time again. It is Encouraging, Intriguing and very well written. I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who wants to strengthen their Faith. GREAT BOOK!” —Happily Managing a Household of Boys blog

🌸 “The book comes with many insightful messages, prayers, and applicable scriptures. It would be a wonderful reference book to refer to again and would be a great addition to your library.” —J.E. Grace, Author

🌸 “I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It read well.  Things flowed together in a way I wasn’t sure that they would with everything involved in this book.  There are so many topics covered in this book.  I can’t touch on even a fraction of them.  You’re just going to have to get your own copy and read it.  It’s definitely worth the read.  It’s also worth a spot on the shelf so you can go back and read it again.” —For Him and My Family Blog

🌸 “Been married for 39 years & you’d think I’d have this marriage thing down, but alas, as I was reading the marriage chapter, I was convicted over & over on recent events in my marriage. Whew! I love that Julie Lessman shares about her marriage experiences to give examples & guide the reader to delve into God’s Word … This is a different type of devotional than I have ever seen, & I think it is a neat approach to teach & guide a person in their walk of faith”  —My Favorite Pastime Blog

🌸🌸🌸

 

So, here’s a peek at the Jacket Blurb and Table of Contents:

 

What’s the Story, Morning Glory?

A Memoir Devotional with a “Novel” Approach
to Practical Christianity

“DEAR LORD, JULIE … OUR WHOLE LIFE IS IN THIS BOOK!”

My heart went out to my sweet husband as he walked into our kitchen one day with a noticeable gulp, ashen-faced after reading my latest novel.“Yes, I know, babe,” I said with a repentant smile and a conciliatory hug, “but nobody really knows that.”

Ahem. Until now …

Trust me, “What’s the Story, Morning Glory? A Memoir Devotional with a ‘Novel’ Approach to Practical Christianity” is not a book I wanted to write. As a novelist, I have never been partial to nonfiction, either reading it or writing it, but I had little choice when God convinced me otherwise through a number of point-blank arm-twistings I couldn’t deny and not-so-gentle proddings from family and friends.

Despite all the encouragement, I wasn’t really sure where to begin. “It will be fiction and nonfiction combined,” the Holy Spirit whispered within, and just like that, the idea for this book took flight. First, I would tell my “real” and very personal story behind the life-lesson stories in my novels, then I would follow it up with the excerpt from my books where I teach that same life lesson to my characters, finally culminating in corresponding Scriptures, a bulleted “Takeaway” list, and a related prayer.

Thus, What’s the Story, Morning Glory: A Memoir Devotional with a “Novel” Approach to Practical Christianity was born. A memoir devotional that when combined with scenes from my novels, becomes a “novotional” where I relate the life lessons God personally taught me through His Word. I am simply a child of God who applied these lessons and Biblical precepts to every situation in my life and consequently, saw nonstop answers to prayer and blessings galore. It is my profound hope and prayer that through my own very simple and personal stories and examples, I can do the same for others. Therefore, the format for each chapter of this book will be as follows:
 

  1. The Real Story (How I learned and applied the spiritual lesson in my own life)
  2. The Novel Story (The scene where I teach the spiritual lesson to my characters)
  3. The Scripture Story (Scriptures applicable to the spiritual lesson)
  4. The Takeaway Story (Bulletized points for spiritual lesson in easy-to-read/apply format)
  5. The Prayer Story (Specific prayer related to the spiritual lesson)

 

Table of Contents

Introduction: Application of God’s Precepts (His Word) in Everyday Life
Dedication: Why I Wrote This Book
Chapter One: The Plight of Windowsill Jesus: My Background
Chapter Two: From Dark to Light: My Testimony
Chapter Three: From Fury to Faith: Overcoming Obstacles to our Faith: Anger, Bitterness, Self-Pity, Worry
Chapter Four: From Hot Mess to Healing: Inner Healing, Deep Dive into Heart and Soul
Chapter Five: To Heal an Achille’s Heel: Tempering a Temper
Chapter Six: From Hurt to Healed: The Footpath to Forgiveness
Chapter Seven: Herb Therapy: Application of God’s Precepts in the Workplace
Chapter Eight: From Promiscuity to Purity: Being Single in an Amoral World
Chapter Nine: From Single to Married: Marital Boot Camp
—The Gift of Singlehood
—Trusting God for a Mate
—Trusting Your Mate
—Submission vs. Respect
—Priorities
—Perspective: Taking a Spouse for Granted
—The Seeds of Adultery
—The Seeds of Divorce
—Anger and Forgiveness
—Do Not Let the Sun Go Down on Your Anger
Chapter Ten: Clean Heart, Dirty Diapers: My Struggle with Infertility
Chapter Eleven: Preventing Parenting Pitfalls: Tips for “Training Up a Child in the Way He Should Go”
Chapter Twelve: From Loss to Hope: Trusting God Through Tests and Trials
Chapter Thirteen: Writer’s Conference CPR—Cry, Pray, Repent: Attitude of Gratitude
Chapter Fourteen: My Career: Slaying the Dragons of
Rejection, Bitterness, Jealousy, and Idol Worship in Our Dreams
and Desires
Chapter Fifteen: From Sibling Rivalry to Restoration:
Healing Sibling Sorrow
Chapter Sixteen: The Abraham Factor: True Surrender—Turning Control Over to God
Chapter Seventeen: Eternal Perspective vs. Earthly
Perspective; Eternal Speech vs. Earthly Speech—The Key to a
Successful Life Story
Chapter Eighteen: From Ailing to Haling: Physical
and Spiritual Healing
Chapter Nineteen: Spiritual Warfare: Wielding Power
in the Name of Christ
A Note to My Readers
About the Author
Other Books by Julie Lessman
Notes

CLICK HERE FOR MORNING GLORY E-BOOK
AT RELEASE-DATE DISCOUNT

CLICK HERE FOR MORNING GLORY PAPERBACK
AT RELEASE-DATE DISCOUNT

 

🌸🌸🌸

 

🌸 CONTEST for Morning Glory!

Okay, people, this will be my BIGGEST contest of the year, so get ready to dive in for the following prizes for 1st Place. Pssst … there will be a 2nd -place winner as well, who will receive their choice of any 3 of my indie e-books OR any 1 paperback book from my top CBA (Christian) Author List given below.

🌸 $35 Amazon Gift Card

🌸 Character Named After You or a Loved One in my Next Novel & Signed Paperback Copy

🌸 A Signed Paperback Copy of What’s the Story, Morning Glory

🌸 Your Choice of 3 Paperback Copies from my List of Top-CBA Authors (list follows below)

🌸 Your Choice of any 3 of my Indie E-Books OR Your Choice of a Signed Paperback Copy of any of my Indie or Revell Books (Revell Books Contingent on my Personal Supply)

 

MY LIST OF TOP CBA (CHRISTIAN) AUTHORS
 

NEW CBA PAPERBACK BOOKS:
Alexander, Tamera—Christmas at Carnton
Alexander, Tamera—A Million Little Choices
California Gold Rush Romance Collection: 9 Authors
Coble, Colleen—Beneath Copper Falls
Coble, Colleen—Twilight at Blueberry Barrens
Coble, Colleen—One Little Lie
Coble, Colleen—Two Reasons to Run
Coble, Colleen—Three Missing Days
Connealy, Mary—The Reluctant Warrior
Connealy, Mary—The Unexpected Champion
Connealy, Mary—Woman of Sunlight
Connealy, Mary—Too Far Down
Drexler, Jan—The Sound of Distant Thunder
Griep, Michelle—The Captured Bride
Griep, Michelle—The Noble Guardian
Hatcher, Robin Lee—How Sweet It Is
Hatcher, Robin Lee—Make You Feel My Love
Hatcher, Robin Lee—Cross My Heart
Hatcher, Robin Lee—I’ll Be Seeing You
Hatcher, Robin Lee—You’re Gonna Love Me
Hatcher, Robin Lee—Like the Wind
Hauck, Rachel—The Best Summer of our Lives
Hauck, Rachel—A Royal Christmas Wedding
Hauck, Rachel—The Wedding Shop
Hunter, Denise—Autumn Skies
Hunter, Denise—On Magnolia Lane
Hunter, Denise—Carolina Breeze
Johnson, Myra—Castles in the Clouds
Naigle, Nancy—What Remains True
Naigle, Nancy—And Then There Was You
Putman, Cara—We Three Kings
Putman, Cara—Lethal Intent
Putman, Cara—Delayed Justice
Putman, Cara—Imperfect Justice
Raney, Deborah—Another Way Home
Raney, Deborah—Chasing Dreams
Raney, Deborah—Finding Wings
Raney, Deborah—Reason to Breathe
Raney, Deborah—Oh Little Town Romance Christmas Collection
Reay, Katherine—A Portrait of Emily Price
Reay, Katherine—The Austen Escape
Reay, Katherine—The Printed Letter Bookshop
Reay, Katherine—Of Literature and Lattes
The Most Eligible Bachelor Collection: 9 Authors
Vogt, Beth—Things I Never Told You
Vogt, Beth—Moments We Forget
Wade, Becky—Turn to Me
 
GENTLY USED CBA PAPERBACK BOOKS:
Johnson, Liz—Where Two Hearts Meet
Wade, Becky—Sweet On You
Wade, Becky—Let It Be Me
Wade, Becky—Stay With me
 
MY PAPERBACK BOOKS:
A Passion Most Pure
A Passion Denied
A Hope Undaunted
A Heart Revealed
Surprised By Love

 
SO … how do you enter? Just scroll down to the Rafflecopter giveaway box or link at the bottom of this page and start clicking! The contest runs from today until October 8th, and winners will be announced on my Journal Jot blog shortly thereafter.

So make sure you are subscribed to my blog by clicking on the “SUBSCRIBE” button beneath the “Subscribe to Blog via Email” header at the top right-hand side of this blog page, beneath my picture, and you will automatically be notified via email whenever I post a blog. 

 

🌸🌸🌸

 

🌸 Book Prices Are Fall-ing!

Okay, since we are now in the “fall” of the year, it only makes sense that some of my book prices are “falling” too, right? So check out all the sales below!

 

The Cousins O’Connor Series

 

Book 3: A Dare and a Prayer

 

If you like my books and miss the O’Connors AND haven’t read this series yet, I encourage you to take advantage of these sales because this is one of my favorite series I’ve ever written — especially Book 3, Henry’s story, A Dare and a Prayer!

This 4.7-⭐️ series is now at the lowest price ever (not counting a prior free-download sale for Book 1), so do check it out! 
 

Book 3: A Dare and a Prayer

She’s an aspiring missionary who wants to beware.
He’s a hotshot who takes up a dare.
But will love become a gamble with a dare and a prayer

AND … to sweeten the deal, the entire series is on sale with book 1, A Wing and a Prayer, only 99¢, book 2, A Hope and a Prayer, only $1.99 (over 60% off!), and book 3, A Dare and a Prayer only $2.99 (over 60% off!).

 

 

Book 2: A Hope and a Prayer

        

 

 

Book 1: A Wing and a Prayer

 

30% SALE E-DOWNLOAD A DARE AND A PRAYER  HERE

PAPERBACK OF A DARE AND A PRAYER  HERE
 

Bk. 2, E-BOOK A HOPE AND A PRAYER, $1.99 HERE
 

PAPERBACK A HOPE AND A PRAYER  HERE
 

  1. 1, A WING AND A PRAYER, 99¢  HERE

PAPERBACK, A WING AND A PRAYER HERE
 

VIDEO TRAILER FOR A WING AND A PRAYER HERE

 

 

🌸🌸🌸 

 

 

 The Isle of Hope Series
  

 

❤️🩵❤️ “CHRISTIAN WOW!” — Vince Mooney, Amazon Review

Check out this 4.67⭐️ AWARD-WINNING TRILOGY ON SALE W/FREE DOWNLOAD ON PREQUEL NOVELLA!

Isle of Hope listed on BOOKBUB’S “16 CHRISTIAN ROMANCE NOVELS READERS ARE GUARANTEED TO LOVE!” and FAMILY FICTION MAGAZINE’S “TOP 15 NOVELS OF 2015!”
 

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ “Lessman has carved out her own new subgenre: CHRISTIAN WOW! Read, Enjoy, and Feel the Power! Five Stars from Start to Finish!” — Vince Mooney, Amazon Review

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ “ABSOLUTELY the best book I’ve ever read by any Christian author.” — Anneta Allen, Amazon Review

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ “It is my book of the year.”—M. Barkman, Amazon Review

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ “Julie Lessman is one of the few authors I will dish out my own money to buy a book instead of getting it from the library.” — Alexia, Goodreads

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ “Punchy, passionate, and powerful! From characters with raw, penetrating emotions that tied me up in knots and tears, to the most compelling, God-given story-thread I’ve ever read on forgiveness.” — Noela Nancarrow, Overcoming With God blog.

ISLE OF HOPE at $.99 HERE

FREE DOWNLOAD ON PREQUEL NOVEL
A GLIMMER OF HOPE HERE

BOOK 2, LOVE EVERLASTING, $2.99 HERE

BOOK 3, HIS STEADFAST LOVE, $2.99 HERE

 

 

🌸🌸🌸 

 

 

🌸 LAST DAY for Blog-Tour Giveaway! 

Mega Hugs to everyone who entered my Blog-Tour Contest via Rafflecopter WHICH is still going on the rest of this day, Oct. 1st, till 11:59 PM EST, so if you haven entered yet, there’s still time!

Here’s the link for the blog to tell you all about it — just scroll down till you get to the Blog-Tour Giveaway:

CLICK HERE FOR BLOG-TOUR GIVEAWAY THAT ENDS TODAY, OCT. 1ST AT 11:59 EST!

Winners of the Blog-Tour Contest and the “Heart of San Francisco” free giveaway of the “Grace Like Rain” e-novellas will be announced after October 8th, so, make sure you are subscribed to my Journal Jots blog so you will receive an e-mail every time I post. If you are not, you can do so by clicking on the SUBSCRIBE button at the right-hand top of this blog page. Hope to see you there and GOOD LUCK!

 

Mysti’s Bk. Nook Temporarily

Closed So My November Book

Club/Giveaways Have Been

Cancelled.😞

As many of you know, I was scheduled to do a two-week bookclub for A Dare and a Prayer on Mysti’s Book Nook this November, but due to a temporary pause in featured authors, that will not happen this year.

I am hoping that Mysti will reinstate her book club in 2025 and if so, I definitely hope to be a part of it at that time. Stay tuned for updates.

 

HUGS,

Julie

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, September 21, 2024


8/1 RELEASE, E-BOOK & PAPERBACK, WHAT’S THE STORY, MORNING GLORY?

GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22!

MORNING GLORY BLOG TOUR GIVEAWAYS (INCL. AMAZON G.C.) SEPT. 24-28!

HEART OF SAN FRAN. SERIES DISCUSS. ON LITERARYSCAPE & BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Read my prior blog including excerpt from Henry’s story HERE!

 


Oct. 1st Release of e-Book & Paperback for What’s the Story, Morning Glory?

YES … it’s finally here on October 1st, so mark your calendars for my new “quirky” devotional, WHAT’S THE STORY, MORNING GLORY?

Wait … a “quirky” devotional?? Is that even spiritual?? Oh, honey, you have no idea!

My new memoir devotional, WHAT’S THE STORY, MORNING GLORY, is what I would call “DIRT PRACTICAL” because it’s real-life trials and tribulations totally transformed by the Word of God.

And you know why? Because application of God’s precepts to our lives turns tears into cheers—be it in marriage, single life, raising children, your occupation, your health, you name it. At least it has for me for over 50 years, and I’ve got the stories to prove it!

And so does my husband, the poor guy! But despite his trials and tribulations in living with me, he says that, “Reading this book is like reading the Bible and enjoying it! Or reading it with illustrations that show you how to apply it.” — Keith Lessman

And you know what? It is! Because it’s GOD’S STORY transforming ours!


Here’s what others are saying about Morning Glory:

—  “The most unique, heartfelt devotional I’ve ever read. What’s the Story, Morning Glory goes far beyond its lovely cover to encompass every season we find ourselves in from one who has made THE ONE her passion throughout life. Richly layered and relatable, with excerpts from her bestselling novels, this is a keeper shelf treasure!” —Laura Frantz, award-winning author of The Indigo Heiress

—  “I’m not a fan of devotionals. Many seem trite, a bit pretentious, and leave me longing for more…but this one is so much more! This is a journey deep into the heart and soul of real life with all its struggles, pains, heartaches, and yearnings. Everything … is proven by the Word of God, and the lessons therein will prove valuable over and over to anyone who reads this. —MaryLu Tyndall, award-winning author of the Legacy of the King’s Pirates Series

—  “I love Julie Lessman and her passion for God. This devotional is something I’ve been wanting from her for a long time. Thank you, Julie!” —Mary Connealy, Award-winning author of A Western Light series

—  “This devotional will make you laugh, think, and drive you into the lap of a loving Father. Julie Lessman’s unique way of tackling real issues and bringing scriptures into the midst makes this an eye-opening read.”  —Anne Perrault,  popular author of The Protect and Serve Series 

—  “If you want to read many deep spiritual truths from the Bible, be entertained by a fabulous novelist, and be encouraged in your Christian walk, read What’s the Story, Morning Glory? Julie Lessman digs deeply into her own life and bares her soul in this book to speak to those who might be struggling, or maybe just stumbling, as they seek to follow Christ. I recommend this nonfiction book wholeheartedly. —Hannah Alexander, acclaimed author of The Hallowed Halls of Medicine series.

SO … MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR OCTOBER 1ST TO ORDER YOUR E-BOOK (At a release-day discount of $3.99) AND THE PAPERBACK (At a release-day discount of $12.50 for this 368-page paperback) at the following link:

 

ORDER WHAT’S THE STORY, MORNING GLORY ON AMAZON

 

 

 

 

Global Day of Prayer for America This Sunday, Sept. 22

 

Hey, everyone, I just found out about a GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER FOR AMERICA to be held this SUNDAY, OCT. 22, 2024 with over 110 million people from around the world pledged to pray for America.

 

I plan to join in and watch/pray along with this global prayer meeting, and I’m asking you to consider doing so as well. Whether you do so for just a little while or for the entire time, both our nation and the world need a mighty touch from God, so let’s use one of the most powerful tools He’s given us—PRAYER—to wage war against evil.
When: Sunday, September 22, 2024
Time:
Eastern Time: 7–10 AM
Central Time: 6-9 AM
Mountain Time: 5-8 AM
Pacific Time: 4-7 AM

Whether you join for a little while or the entire time, we are going to storm heaven, so here’s the link to watch the prayer service and get more information here:

 

 

 

 

Blog Tour Giveaways w/Amazon Gift Card!

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR NEXT WEEK–TUESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY, SEPT. 24-28 for my blog tour for What’s the Story, Morning Glory?

Why? Because this is not only your chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card, a character named after you or a loved one in my next novel, a signed paperback copy of that novel, a signed paperback copy of What’s the Story Morning Glory (1 winner, gift card open to all locales but print copies only for US), BUT … you will get a chance to find out what this book is all about and read various excerpts about it!

PLUS … for Journal Jot subscribers ONLY … if you mention you subscribe to my Journal Jots blog in your comment(s), I’ll automatically enter you in my own JJ contest for a signed paperback copy of What’s the Story, Morning Glory, so be sure to mention that when you post a comment on any of the blogs below.

The more blogs you leave a comment on, the better your chances to win, so come on by and join in on the fun!

Here’s the tour schedule: 

Blog Name  Blog URL Post Type Post Date
Reading Is My SuperPower https://readingismysuperpower.org Guest Post Sept 24
My Favorite Pastime http://myfavoritepastime.blogspot.com Review Sept 24
Batya’s Bits  https://batyasbits.home.blog/ Spotlight + Excerpt Sept 24
Woven by Words wovenbywords.com Spotlight + Excerpt Sept 24
For Him and My Family http://www.forhimandmyfamily.com Review Sept 25
LiteraryScape Podcast https://www.literaryscape.com/podcast Review Sept 25
Happily Managing a Household of Boys https://familymgrkendra.blogspot.com/2024/09/justread-tours-blog-tour-whats-story.html Review Sept 25
By The Book https://beckiebythebook.com Spotlight + Excerpt Sept 25
Lots of Helpers https://lotsofhelpers.com Review Sept 26
The Blended Blog  http://abis-scrapsoflife.blogspot.com/ Review Sept 26
Britt Reads Fiction https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.com/ Guest Post Sept 26
Bizwings Blog https://bizwingsblog.blogspot.com Spotlight + Excerpt Sept 26
Miss Pippi Reads misspippireads.blogspot.com Review Sept 27
Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess abbasprayerwarriorprincess.wordpress.com/ Review Sept 27
Only By Grace Reviews https://onlybygracereviews.blogspot.com/ Spotlight + Excerpt Sept 27
Hallie Reads https://pagebypagebookbybook.blogspot.com Spotlight + Excerpt Sept 27
Beauty in the Binding https://moments-of-beauty.blogspot.com/ Guest Post Sept 28
A Baker’s Perspective www.abakersperspective.com Review Sept 28
At Home: where life happens https://3gigglygirlsathome.wordpress.com/ Review Sept 28
Inklings and Notions https://amandanicolle.blogspot.com/ Spotlight + Excerpt Sept 28

 

 

 

Heart of San Francisco Series Book Discussions & Free-Book Giveaway!

Hey, for those of you who have read my Heart of San Francisco Series, you may want to check out the links below for LiteraryScape’s fun discussions on each of the books AND a chance to win a free e-book.

A FREE BOOK, YOU SAY???!!!

Yes, a free e-book!

HOW? Just listen to my interview in the last link below to find out who my favorite characters are in the series, then send me an email with your answer at CONTACT JULIE, and I’ll automatically send you a free e-copy of my most favorite novella I’ve ever written— GRACE LIKE RAIN — which is Blake “The Rake’s” story, the lovable rogue brother in The Heart of San Francisco Series. Here’s the list, so I hope you check it out!

Love At Any Cost

Dare to Love Again

Surprised by Love

 

Grace Like Rain

Julie’s Interview

 

That’s all for now! Hugs and Happy Reading!

Julie

Sunday, August 25, 2024

 


CALLING ALL BLOGGERS!

A LITTLE HELP FOR MY FRIENDS!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR NOV. 1-14 FOR PRIZES GALORE!

SUMMER SALES, ANYONE?

Read my prior blog including excerpt from Henry’s story HERE!

 

Calling All Bloggers!

 

ARE YOU A BLOGGER WHO WOULD LIKE TO REVIEW MY NEW DEVOTIONAL?

If so, you can sign up now for the blog tour scheduled for SEPTEMBER 24-28, 2024, handled by JustRead Blog Tours. All you have to do is sign up at the following link:

SIGN-UP HERE FOR
WHAT’S THE STORY,

MORNING GLORY?
BLOG TOUR

Regrettably, per JustRead rules, the tour is open to Bloggers only (Instagram & other social media accounts do not count as blogs for tour purposes), and the tour has digital copies only. (Only 1 copy of the book will be provided for the same host on multiple tours of this title.)

BUT … for Journal Jot bloggers, if you sign up for my blog tour and state you are a Journal Jot reader, I will personally send you a signed paperback copy of the book after the blog tour is over, so just contact me through my website.

For those of you who are non-bloggers, the e-book is now available for pre-order, and I am hoping the paperback will be available for a pre-order discount very soon as well, prior to the release date of October 1, 2024.

As mentioned in my last blog, this is the HARDEST book I have ever written and the one which I have been under the most attack from the enemy, so I’m pretty sure the devil hates it. Hopefully, you will like it because this is God’s book more than mine, chock-full of spiritual lessons God has taught me in my marriage, in raising my children, and in life in general, so I hope it blesses you.

Here’s the jacket blurb:

“DEAR LORD, JULIE … OUR WHOLE LIFE IS IN THIS BOOK!”

 

My heart went out to my sweet husband as he walked into our kitchen one day with a noticeable gulp, ashen-faced after reading my latest novel.“Yes, I know, babe,” I said with a repentant smile and a conciliatory hug, “but nobody really knows that.”

Ahem. Until now …

Trust me, “What’s the Story, Morning Glory? A Memoir Devotional with a ‘Novel’ Approach to Practical Christianityis not a book I wanted to write. As a novelist, I have never been partial to nonfiction, either reading it or writing it, but I had little choice when God convinced me otherwise through a number of point-blank arm-twistings I couldn’t deny and not-so-gentle proddings from family and friends.

Despite all the encouragement, I wasn’t really sure where to begin. “It will be fiction and nonfiction combined,” the Holy Spirit whispered within, and just like that, the idea for this book took flight. First, I would tell my “real” and very personal story behind the life-lesson stories in my novels, then I would follow it up with the excerpt from my books where I teach that same life lesson to my characters, finally culminating in corresponding Scriptures, a bulleted “Takeaway” list, and a related prayer.

Thus, What’s the Story, Morning Glory: A Memoir Devotional with a “Novel” Approach to Practical Christianity was born. A memoir devotional that when combined with scenes from my novels, becomes a “novotional” where I relate the life lessons God personally taught me through His Word. I am simply a child of God who applied these lessons and Biblical precepts to every situation in my life and consequently, saw nonstop answers to prayer and blessings galore. It is my profound hope and prayer that through my own very simple and personal stories and examples, I can do the same for others. Therefore, the format for each chapter of this book will be as follows:

 

      1. The Real Story (How I learned and applied the spiritual lesson in my own life)
      2. The Novel Story (The scene where I teach the spiritual lesson to my characters)
      3. The Scripture Story (Scriptures applicable to the spiritual lesson)
      4. The Takeaway Story (Bulletized points for spiritual lesson in easy-to-read/apply format)
      5. The Prayer Story (Specific prayer related to the spiritual lesson)

I pray this bottom-line, albeit somewhat quirky, 1-2-3 devotional blesses you as much as God’s spiritual life lessons have blessed me! Once the paperback is available for pre-order, I will send out another Journal Jot, but till then, you can pre-order the e-book below:

PRE-ORDER DEVOTIONAL AT REDUCED RATE HERE

 

 

A Little Help for my Friends!

I very seldom do promotion of fellow authors or artists on my blog, but today I am going to make an exception.

The first friend I want to promote is Abigail Sloane, one of my long-time readers who is now a prominent Christian music artist that writes her own songs and performs them around the country.

Abbie is a beautiful young woman who is on fire for Christ and relates that passion in her music, particularly to ‘the broken and the hurting,’ proclaiming through Christ and her music ‘that there are better days ahead.’ 

“As someone who has battled depression and fought dark days, she wishes to equip those who hear her music with the same weapons that helped her to fight past the deepest nights. Her faith is what keeps her grounded and humble and she finds deep connections with those who are in her life. She seeks to make connections with more and more people that might need to hear words of encouragement.”

The biggest reason I wanted to promote Abbie (other than the fact she is adorable and a dear friend) is because of her newest record, Come Like the Rain, which touched me deeply. As a wordsmith, naturally I read the words first, then listened to the song, and it was SO powerful, I literally had to blink through tears in my eyes. I encourage to to take a listen by clicking on the title below to hear the song, and I promise you will LOVE it!

 

Come Like The Rain

The earth is groaning it’s crying out
For living water, here in this drought.
Wandering in wilderness, lost in a desert place
We need your mercy, Lord pour it out

So come like the rain
And take my last breath away
Fill my lungs with amazing grace
God we need you
We receive you
Oh, so come like the rain
Let me fall under every wave
I wanna be swept away
God we need you
We receive you
Oh, so come

A storm is coming, a holy flood
We’ll see the nations washed in your blood
So come fill this place
We know you will rule and reign
We want to see your kingdom come

So come like the rain
And take my last breath away
Fill my lungs with amazing grace
God we need you
We receive you
Oh, so come like the rain
Let me fall under every wave
I wanna be swept away
God we need you
We receive you
Oh, so come

One day every knee will bow before you
Every heart and every tongue will confess
You alone are Lord of salvation
Jesus, my Jesus

One day every knee will bow before you
Every heart and every tongue will confess
You alone are Lord of salvation
Jesus, my Jesus

One day every knee will bow before you
Every heart and every tongue will confess
You alone are Lord of salvation
Jesus, my Jesus

So come like the rain
And take my last breath away
Fill my lungs with amazing grace
God we need you
We receive you

Oh, so come like the rain
Let me fall under every wave
I wanna be swept away
God we need you
We receive you
Oh, so come

Oh, I want to be swept away
God we need you
We receive you
Oh, so come

 

Next, I’d like to introduce you to an up-and-coming Christian author, Melissa LaShure, who is releasing Book One in her Bounty Brothers series, Unwavering Faith, on February 1st, but you can YOU can read the first nine chapters for free by visiting her writer’s website, LiteraryScape.

What’s it about? Well, here’s the tagline—Tombstone Meets Dr. Quinn Medicine Womanbut you can check out lots of info and videos about the series on her crowdfunding campaign page HERE.

A lover of the Wild West, romance, and adventure, Melissa is launching her crowdfunding campaign to fund the publication of her book Unwavering Faith, a truly unique historical Christian suspense romance novel that I know you will enjoy, so I hope you check her links out.

 

 

 

Mark Your Calendar for Nov. 1-14 for Giveaways Galore!

WHY? Because I will be back on Mysti’s Book Nook giving away TONS of prizes including gift cards, books, and characters named for you or a loved one in my next book.

We will be discussing A Dare and a Prayer, Book 3 in my Cousins O’Connor Series, Henry’s story, so mark your calendar now to join us.

AND … if you haven’t read Henry’s story yet (it’s one of my absolute faves!), now’s the chance to do so because Henry is on sale for 30% off and I guarantee you will LOVE him! Here’s the jacket blurb:

 

He’s a hotshot who takes up a dare.
She’s an aspiring missionary who wants to beware.
But will love become a gamble with a dare and a prayer?

30% SALE E-DOWNLOAD A DARE AND A PRAYER  HERE

PAPERBACK OF A DARE AND A PRAYER  HERE

Bk. 2, E-BOOK A HOPE AND A PRAYER, $2.99 HERE

PAPERBACK A HOPE AND A PRAYER  HERE

BK. 1, A WING AND A PRAYER, $2.99 HERE

PAPERBACK, A WING AND A PRAYER HERE

VIDEO TRAILER FOR A WING AND A PRAYER HERE

 

 

Summer Sales, Anyone?

 



❤️🩵❤️ “CHRISTIAN WOW!” — Vince Mooney, Amazon Review

Check out this 4.67⭐️ AWARD-WINNING TRILOGY ON SALE W/FREE DOWNLOAD ON PREQUEL NOVELLA!

Isle of Hope listed on BOOKBUB’S “16 CHRISTIAN ROMANCE NOVELS READERS ARE GUARANTEED TO LOVE!” and FAMILY FICTION MAGAZINE’S “TOP 15 NOVELS OF 2015!”

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ “Lessman has carved out her own new subgenre: CHRISTIAN WOW! Read, Enjoy, and Feel the Power! Five Stars from Start to Finish!” — Vince Mooney, Amazon Review

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ “ABSOLUTELY the best book I’ve ever read by any Christian author.” — Anneta Allen, Amazon Review

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ “It is my book of the year.”—M. Barkman, Amazon Review

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ “Julie Lessman is one of the few authors I will dish out my own money to buy a book instead of getting it from the library.” — Alexia, Goodreads

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ “Punchy, passionate, and powerful! From characters with raw, penetrating emotions that tied me up in knots and tears, to the most compelling, God-given story-thread I’ve ever read on forgiveness.” — Noela Nancarrow, Overcoming With God blog.

ISLE OF HOPE at $.99 HERE

FREE DOWNLOAD ON PREQUEL NOVEL
A GLIMMER OF HOPE HERE

BOOK 2, LOVE EVERLASTING, $2.99 HERE

BOOK 3, HIS STEADFAST LOVE, $2.99 HERE

Hugs and Happy Reading! ♥️
Julie

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