“See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
— Isaiah 43:19
Happy New Year, My Friends!
I hope you had a BLESSED holiday season and wish you even MORE BLESSINGS in the year ahead!
Are you guys as excited as I am?? I have this giddiness in my soul, an anticipation for good things in 2017. Spiritual things that will create a ripple effect through our lives in every single way. And all I can I say is …
BRING. IT. ON!!
Because I’m rarin’ to go! But … first things first!
Evie Update!
Oh my goodness, our little miracle is growing by leaps and bounds, and we couldn’t be happier! Again, thank you SO much for your love and prayers during a difficult time that God turned around for our good!
And MORE good news for Juju and Papa is that my son and daughter-in-law and three grands are moving from Spokane to Omaha, which is only a five-hour drive for my hubby and me, so we are OVER THE MOON!! Now we can see the little critters whenever we want instead of limited cross-country flights each year, so PRAISE GOD!!
Writing Update!
And because of a contract glitch in my Western series, I’m laying that aside for now to tackle book 3 in my Isle of Hope series, Unchanging Love, which as many of you know is Cat & Chase’s story. Your prayers are greatly appreciated for God’s anointing, creativity, wisdom, and productivity. Here’s the blurb:
A bold and independent woman
challenges the ideals—and the morals—
of a pastor who loves her
no matter what.
And the Scripture theme for this book will be either:
Who is a God like Thee, Who pardons iniquity
And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession?
He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in unchanging love
— Micah 7:18
OR
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
His mercies never come to an end;
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
— Lamentations 3:22-23
Which … brings me to a question. Originally I wanted the title of this book to be Unchanging Love, but I’m starting to waver, leaning toward His Steadfast Love instead, so what do you think? Which of these titles below do you like the best? I normally don’t open comments up, but this week I am in order to get your opinion, so let me know in a comment below, okay?
Unchanging Love
Love Unchanging
His Steadfast Love
Revision Update!
Soooo … guess what I did over the holidays? I wrote three additional chapters for my A Glimmer of Hope novella! Why? Well, I kind of just slapped A Glimmer of Hope together last year as a means of promoting my Isle of Hope series, which is what a lot of authors do. I wasn’t completely satisfied with it, but just figured it was because it was a novella, and I like my books a lot deeper.
But since it’s been e-pubbed, I’ve gotten a number of lower-star reviews primarily because they felt I didn’t give them the background they wanted on Tess’s and Ben’s marriages. So I decided to remedy that.
The new version will go up on Amazon, B&N, and Kobo this month — and it will still be free — so when it does, I will let you know. However, if you already downloaded AGOH, Amazon will not let you download it again. As a result, I am offering my very special Journal Jot readers a revised Kindle version when I have it done. Just wait for me to announce its release in an upcoming Journal Jot, and then let me know if you want the updated version via email, either through the CONTACT JULIE tab of this website, e-mail, or Facebook message.
❤️Valentine Surprise!❤️
Oh. My. Goodness!! I am sooooooo excited to announce that I will be the featured author in the February issue of Splickety Magazine!! Splickety Magazine is a totally cool flash-fiction magazine and guess what? They asked ME to write an alternate ending for a favorite classic of mine in … are you ready for this? … a mere 1,000 words! I know, I know, it’s hard to believe that this door-stopper author who writes 500+ page books could actually writing anything in 1,000 words, but I DID IT!!
And y’all probably already know which classic I picked! Yep, you guessed it — I rewrote the ending for Gone With the Wind, and WOW, did I have a blast! I’m sure Margaret was turning over in her grave, but I had SO much fun giving my favorite book a new twist, so I hope you get a chance to read it. Because of contract restrictions, I won’t be able to post it here on my blog for six months, so you’ll either have to buy the magazine or wait till I get around to posting it here down the road. Either way, it’s a really fun read, I think, or at least it was for me!
The issue releases February 1st, so here’s the link to check out the magazine and sign up for their cool blog:
Well, that’s all the news I have right now, but keep your eyes peeled for future Journal Jots for cool updates in the future! And be sure to scroll down for some fun pix of my family.
I wish you and yours a happy, healthy, and holy 2017!
Hugs,
Julie
This is the pic from my son’s Christmas card — isn’t it cool?
Here’s Amy with some friends! We spent a wonderful week with Amy and Nate,
but didn’t take many pix since I had a blood-red eye from cataract surgery! Scared
poor Amy so much, she couldn’t look at me for four days! 😉
Finally, had a GREAT time getting together with most of my living siblings. I am #12 of
13 children, but two of brothers and one of my sisters weren’t there. 🙁
I think His Steadfast Love would be a perfect title. And Oh Julie, that precious baby Evie is an absolute doll.
I love "His Steadfast Love" cause it has a double meaning!! Thanks for posting such lovely pictures. I love keeping up with your family!
So happy they are moving closer to you.
Cheers, Sue
I really love the title "His Steadfast Love". It makes me think of God's love, of course, but it's also a great description of what a spouse's love should be like.
Ohhhhh, I CANNOT WAIT TO READ Cat and Chase's story. I think all the titles fit, but "His Steadfast Love" just seems perfect! It relates to God and also Chase. I will be praying for you as you write!
I like Unchanging Love for the title because that was what you mentioned first. Any title will be good, however.
Evie is so precious! Glad to hear she's doing so well!
And I vote for His Steadfast Love! I can't wait to read it, Julie!!! Do you have an estimated release date, yet?
Thank you so much for this wonderful JJ Blog ,Julie!! I'm so excited for the upcoming year and all of your new stories,can't wait to read them! Will keep an eye out for any news or release dates!
As far as my vote for the title of the 3rd IOH goes I vote for His Steadfast Love . Must admit I like the sound of it and it seems to sum up the meaning of the story perfectly.
Oh,Julie thank you again for the updates and especially for letting us know about Evie and the rest of the family .So happy they're all doing well! (Loved the pictures,too!)
All my Love and Prayers are with you!!!
MELANIE, thank you SO much, my friend — little Evie IS a doll, and we love her to pieces, but NOT as much as we love God for giving her to us, healthy and whole!!
And I agree with you, Mel, that His Steadfast Love is what I am feeling in my spirit, too, so thanks for your confirmation!'
Hugs,
Julie
SUE!! It blesses me so much that you even read my Journal Jots, my sweet friend, so thank you for your sweet comment and trust me, I am BEYOND THRILLED my family is moving closer. The older I get, the more I realize family is everything after God, so THANK YOU, God!
And I agree that His Steadfast Love DOES have a double meaning, both with God and with the hero, so I cannot wait to start writing it!
Hugs!!
Julie
Julie! Praising God for your many blessings!!!
About book 3's title… Steadfast Love feels really good to me. Nice fit with your other series titles and still has that spiritual significance.
Always enjoy getting a Lessman family update but one filled with pictures AND such good news is a fantastic way to start off 2017. Thank you for sharing the 'behind the scenes' of your family and am rejoicing especially over Baby Evie's progress. She's definitely been smothered in prayers, no?
Really like the title of "Steadfast Love", but honestly I'd read anything (no matter the title) with your name on it.
Sounds like you have many exciting projects coming up and I'll be front and center when they come out.
Sending you cyber-hugs 🙂
~ Amy
His Steadfast Love is my pick. I love that reminder 🙂 and I agree with others that if it has your name on it I'm going to read it no matter the title 🙂 Love the family pics too!
Hi Julie,
I've been meaning to hop over here and comment ever since you posted this and FINALLY I am! I really am drawn to the title His Steadfast Love. Something about it reaches out to me. The fact that it will be applying to God's always steadfast love for us, even when we stray, but also will describe the hero's feelings toward the heroine of the novel. Can't wait to read this, whatever the title! 🙂
CONNIE,
I couldn't agree more, my friend, so THANK YOU for your valuable input!!
Hugs,
Julie
MELISSA, THANK YOU for your prayers, my friend — I covet them!!
And I am SO excited about this book for some reason, I guess because I just LOVE redeeming people, and Cat's going to be fun to straighten out. 😉
Hugs,
Julie
Hey ASH, thanks SO much for your input! Whatever it's called, I think you're going to like this one …
HUGS,
Julie
Hey, SARAH, I do not have an actual release date yet, but I am hoping for early or mid-summer if not before because I am cranking already on this one and have a good start, so PLEASE pray for productivity and God's anointing, if you will.
HUGS and THANK YOU!!
Julie
Hey, LYNNE, no, thank YOU my friend, for your ongoing support and friendship — I treasure it and you!!
Hugs,
Julie
Hey, BETH, I agree about the "nice fit" and especially about the spiritual significance.
What's really nice for me about doing my own books is that I have ALWAYS wanted to only use Scriptural titles, but my publisher on my first two series didn't go that direction. My DOB series originally was titled with very significant Scriptural titles that I wove through the stories:
APMP was originally A Chasing After the Wind
APR was originally Chaff Before the Wind
APD was originally On the Wings of the Wind
Hugs,
Julie
LOL, AMY … I SO appreciate your support for my writing, my friend and ESPECIALLY your prayers because they are the most critical thing for me and all of us!!
I'll do my best to deliver, Amy, and THANK YOU for your ongoing support — you are a blessing!!
Hugs,
Julie
LOL, JULES, even if it has so much drama it drives you over the edge??? Or have I inoculated you to drama and angst in romance?? 😉
Appreciate you, my friend!
Hugs,
Julie
Thanks, BRITT, soooooooo much for your incredible support and prayers AND friendship!! You are a blessing, and I thank God for you.
And you know what? I have a real special feeling in my spirit about this book, that it will be a powerful one. I was praying one day about it and heard that word — "powerful" — in my spirit because I hope and pray I will be able — with God's grace and help — to in some small way convey the depth of His love for each of us.
HUGS!!
Julie
And you know what? I have a real special feeling in my spirit about this book, that it will be a powerful one. I was praying one day about it and heard that word — "powerful" — in my spirit because I hope and pray I will be able — with God's grace and help — to in some small way convey the depth of His love for each of us.