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 lifeāYOU! 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!
Thursday, December 3, 2020
Welcome to my New Website!
I absolutely love it and hope you do too! Mega thanks to my sweet hubby for a great banner above and mega kudos to Savanna Kaiser, who did a fabulous job designing the rest of the website and updating this old gal’s digs!
LOTS going on ā a big contest, Christmas sales, Holiday Gift Guides, AND a sneak peek at my new mystery/suspense romance called THE SECRET OF EMERALD COTTAGE, so be sure to read all the way down to the end of this blog, okay?
š DEC. 6-12 ā CHRISTMAS ROUND-ROBIN!Ā Interested in winning a $350, $250, or $150 Amazon gift card? Plus lots of chances to win my books? Then mark your calendars to come back here to my Journal Jots blog on December 6 -12 to enter a fun scavenger hunt that I am privileged to be a part of!
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š CHRISTMAS SALES!Ā To help celebrate one of my favorite months, I am running a 50% sale on two of my most recent e-books, A Wing and a Prayer AND Love’s Silver Bullet, so I hope you take advantage. The sales will coincide with the Christmas Round-Robin above, so look for the reduction in price beginning Dec. 6th (if not before at the following links:
BUY A WING AND A PRAYER HERE!
WATCH A WING AND A PRAYER VIDEO HERE
BUY LOVE’S SILVER BULLET HERE!
WATCH LOVE’S SILVER BULLET VIDEO HERE
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š CHRISTMAS GIFT GUIDES! Looking to add to your romance library this Christmas? Share this gift guide with all the gift-givers in your life! Or support one of your favorite romance authors by choosing one of these gifts from this list!
Plus, if you share this post or a picture of your gift on social media, you’ll have a chance to win your pick of pairings! Just tag @amoststoriedromance and use #thegiftofromance2020 on Instagram or Facebook to be entered.
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š ATTENTION AUTHORS: Authors need all the help we can get, so whenever I find a supplier who provides me with excellent services, I plan to pass it on to you.
Today, I wanted to tell you about a new service that my friend, Casey Apodaca is starting up, especially for authors wanting to reach more readers. If you have a freebie or sale book coming up, that you have either scheduled or your publisher has told you they are doing for you, Casey has a solution to help you maximize your sale to reach as many readers as possible.
I have used Casey’s services a number of times, and not only has she been an absolute lifesaver, but a time-saver too, andĀ reasonable to boot! Be sure to check out her website for all the information at the link below, but don’t delay if you are interested! She is having a GRAND OPENING SALE through the end of 2020 and good for any promotion scheduled before April 2021. You will be SO very glad you did!
CLICK HERE FOR CASEY’S WEBSITE
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š SNEAK PEEK AT MY NEW MYSTERY/SUSPENSE ROMANCE: OH. MY. GOODNESS!! Who would have thought I would have had this much fun writing a suspense. Not me, for sure, because I don’t even like reading suspense.
But that is about to change! My latest work in progress, THE SECRET OF EMERALD COTTAGE, has won me over, and I’m hoping it will do the same for you.
So I thought it would be fun to give you a sneak peek at the first chapter. It’s pretty rough because it’s unedited, but I hope it whets your appetite for what I think may be one of my best books yet. So, here it is, and HAPPY PEEKING!!
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SNEAK PEEK AT THE SECRET OF EMERALD COTTAGE
āThe secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our sons forever, that we may observe all the words of this law.
Deuteronomy 29:29
It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things; He knows what is in the darkness, And the light dwells with Him.
āDaniel 2:22
Chapter One
Savannah, Georgia, Early June
āI was a fool, Bree. Forgive me? Please?ā
Forgive him? Body numb, Breanna Stewart stood rooted at Miss Lillyās front door, staring at the man who had broken both her heart and her trust, and wondered if she actually could.
Today was to have been their wedding day at a pretty little church in Charleston. Instead here Tyler stood on the wraparound front porch of Miss Lillyās rustic log home on Lake Loon, more handsome than a louse had a right be.
Those piercing gray eyes were as repentantāand deadlyāas sheād ever seen. Hands plunged deep in the pockets of his favorite Rock Revival jeans, he offered an awkward shrug and sheepish smile, his rolled-sleeved, buttoned-down shirt emphasizing broad shoulders and a well-defined torso. āThese last six months without you have been awful, babe, convincing me I made the biggest and most brainless mistake of my life.ā
Yeah, me too. Cocking her hip, Bree slapped her arms into an impatient fold, not about to let Tyler Madison disarm her again. āWell, I certainly concur with brainlessāāher eyes narrowed to slits, as thin as her patience. āWhat do you want, Tyler?ā
That hard-sculpted jaw tensed as he threaded a hand through wheat-colored hair shorn on the sides. His Adamās apple ducked twice. āI rather hoped it would be obvious,ā he whispered, catching her off-guard when he reached to caress her face with tender fingers. āI want us back.ā
She jerked away, arms glued to her waist in self-defense as she took a step back, warning bells going off in her head over the warm shiver heād produced. Sheād been head over heels for two solid years, ready to spend the rest of her life with him, so naturally his touch still affected her. Her mouth compressed in resolve. But she was also ready to spend the rest of her life forgetting him, too, and had a six-month head start, thank God. āThere is no āus,ā Tyler. I wonder if there ever was.ā
āThere was and you know it, Bree,ā he said quietly, gently tugging one of her hands free to draw her close. āBecause despite my asinine mistake, we still love each other.ā
āLoved!ā she hissed, breaking free to thump him hard on a chest that felt like rock. āPast tense, buster, so you can just take your seductive song and dance andāā
Her gasp was silenced when his mouth took hers, melting her to the door with a kiss that reminded her of all she had lost.
A friend.
A husband.
A love for a lifetime.
āForgive me, Breeāplease?ā He gently touched his forehead to hers. āGive me another chance, and I swear I will do everything in my power to make it up to you.ā
āTy ā¦ā She felt herself weakening, memories of their last two years resurrecting the faintest glimmers of love and hope that sheād worked so hard to bury beneath a mountain of hurt. āI donāt thinkāā
Her resistance was swallowed up in another dangerous kiss so possessive, all her walls came tumbling down when he pulled away. Suddenly, his handsome face dissolved into a haze, disappearing into the same nightmare sheād lived for the last half year. A groan trailed from her lips as her head thrashed back and forth on her pillow. āNo, donāt leave again, please,ā she murmured in her sleep, ājust kiss me again ā¦ā
She felt her body finally relax when he didāgently, softlyāvaguely aware it had to be a dream because suddenly it wasnāt Ty she was kissing, but someone else.
Lost somewhere between consciousness and slumber, she burrowed deeper into the downy softness of her bed, never wanting the kiss to end. Definitely a dream because Ty was her past, and yet the brush of lips against hers had felt so real!
Breathing in the heady scent of pine trees that surrounded both Miss Lillyās āEmerald Cottageā and the glimmering glacial lake outside her open window, she allowed her subconscious to fade back into sleep, desperate to return to Prince Charming.
āWake up, Princess.ā A husky voice with a hint of a brogue breathed into her ear, accompanied by a delicious hint of musk, and she literally groaned out loud, unwilling for the magic to end. Rolling on her side, she yanked the cover over her head, longing to slip away once again ā¦
āUh ā¦ excuse me, Goldilocks, but I think youāre sleeping in my bed.ā
Her eyes snapped open beneath the sheet as she gasped, frozen for a split second before she jerked her Glock 36 from under her pillow. Vaulting up from the bed, her limbs shook like Jell-O as she stood there in her ratty tank top and penguin shorts, arms extended. āWho are y-you?ā she rasped, heart pummeling her rib cage as she trembled, taking shaky aim at a man in a sculpted T-shirt and jeans who made Prince Charming look like a frog.
Light blue eyes flared in surprise as he slowly raised massive palms in the air, a lazy smile easing across the most perfect lips sheād ever seen on a man. āWhoa, take it easy, lass. Iām Miss Lillyās great nephew, Brec McGill, but you can call me Papa Bear if you like.ā
āHow did you get in?ā she demanded, snatching her cell phone from the nightstand before backing toward the door. She punched in 9-1-1 just in case. Hands quivering, she tucked it into her shorts, pretty darn rattled that a Greek god had entered her room and sheād never even heard him come in.
With an impressive bulge of a bicep, he casually scratched the back of his head, his smile patient as he tossed a set of keys in the air before slipping them into the pocket of jeans so snug, they bordered on indecent. āA key. From Aunt Lilly. A long time ago.ā
āWait a minute.ā She swallowed hard as she wiped her lips, eyes narrowing to slits when the memory of her dream came back. āDid you ā¦ kiss me?ā
āDepends.ā His lip quirked as he tipped his head, flashing the deepest, most dangerous dimples sheād ever seen. āDid you like it?ā
Stance stiff, she jerked the gun higher, satisfied when it wiped the smile right off his face.
Taking a quick step back, he thumped a taut chest with a blunt thumb while he stared her down. āLook, lass, this is my room, and you were sleeping in my bed, so suppose you tell me who you are, aye?ā
Her chin jutted up. āI am Miss Lillyās temporary caretaker and companion, Nurse Breanna Stewart, and the one who left umpteen voicemail messages and telegram that you never bothered to answer, I might add.ā
He actually winced, which gave some small comfort that there may be a shred of concern somewhere deep down in this great nephew who hadnāt visited his aunt in years. He cuffed the back of his neck. āYeah, about that,ā he said with a sheepish look, āIāve had a bit of bother lately with the press, so Iāve been off the grid so to speak.ā He gave an awkward shrug. āNew cell phone, new apartment, dodged voicemail, you know?ā
Expelling a silent sigh, Breanna slowly lowered her gun. Yes, she knew. Miss Lilly had already filled her in on her notorious nephew, the infamous Irish soccer star embroiled in a nasty scandal. The same nephew Miss Lillyād been praying for since he went astray after collegeāboth from her and from the faith sheād tried so hard to instill.
āBut I finally got the telegram,ā he continued in a rush, a definite apology lacing his tone as he buried his hands deep in the pockets of his jeans. Those broad shoulders lifted briefly. āSo, here I am.ā Thick brows tented in concern as he pinned Bree with a pointed gaze that held a hint of vulnerability. āHow is she?ā he whispered.
āBetter.ā Rolling her neck, Bree felt the tension slowly seep from her body. āSheās out of the coma and resting comfortablyāā
āComa?ā His voice cracked as his golden tan bleached to pale. āShe was in a coma? The telegram just said sheād fallen and was in the hospital, for criminyās sake.ā
Bree arched a brow, her manner cool. āShe did fall, Mr. McGillāinto the lake, as a matter of fact. Which resulted in a coma when she almost drowned. But she came out of it before I sent the telegramāwhich was a last resort, mind you, after all the phone calls.ā
A groan rattled from his throat as he gouged thick fingers through short curly hairāalmost blue blackāappearing as if he actually cared or jut putting on a pretty good act. He glanced at his watch. āWhere is she? I want to see her right now. And I want to know everything.ā
āAll in good time, Striker Boy,ā Bree said as she waved the gun toward the door, adding her own twist to his team nickname of āStriker Manā since he was his teamās primary scoring threat. āItās barely six a.m., and I’m not going anywhere till Iāve had a shower and a cup of coffee, so donāt be in such a hurry.ā
She suddenly remembered the brazen pass heād made by kissing her while she was sleeping, and both her ireāand her gunārose to new heights. āOh, waitāyou werenāt in a hurry, were you, since youāve just gotten here almost a week after the fact.ā
Those blue eyes thinned to slits of sapphire. āItās āStriker Man,ā for your information, Goldilocks,ā he said in a gravelly voice as tight as hers, āand I detest guns, so stop waving that bloominā thing at me. I took the redeye as soon as I got the blinkinā telegram, so donāt act like I donāt care about my aunt.ā
Eyes wide, Bree feigned surprise as she placed a hand to her face. āOh, forgive me, please, but I didnāt realize seeing your aunt once every ten years qualified as ācaring.āā
Too late she saw the flicker of pain in his eyes, pools of regret and guilt that shamed her before he quickly looked away, shoulders slumping while he gouged the bridge of his nose. āYouāre right, of course,ā he said quietly, the weariness of his manner reminding her heād just flown twelve hours on a cramped plane in the middle of the night. āBut Iām here now, Miss Stewart, and I would very much like to see my aunt.ā
Oh, way to welcome the prodigal home, Breanna, she thought with a pinch in her chest, heat warming her cheeks over kicking a man when heās down. She was the Christian here, after all, and he was not, a point that caused Aunt Lilly great pain whenever theyād discussed her wayward nephew.
The same wayward nephew whoād just kissed me while I was sleep, for pityās sake!
For pityās sake, indeed. And Breck McGillās, apparently. Because if Breanna knew one thing for sure about Miss Lilly, it was that no matter her nephewās indifference to her, she longed to see him healthy and whole, both spiritually and emotionally. āDeep down heās a good boy,ā sheād often say with that faraway look that told Breanna he was her number-one priority before she went home to her Saviorāthat Breck would return to his. And that sure wouldnāt happen if Breanna didnāt reflect the love of the merciful God she also espoused, forgiving this lost soul for abandoning the aunt who loved him all of these years.
Unleashing a heavy sigh of regret that mirrored that in his eyes, Bree placed her gun on the nightstand and gave a side nod toward the door. āVisiting hours are at ten, so you can either catch a few winks in one of the guest rooms down the hall before we leave, or you can wait for me in the kitchen. Where,ā she said with a quirk of her brow, āI will happily whip up breakfastāsomething fast, hardy, and nutritious, plus coffee while I fill you in on the state of Miss Lilly and her affairs.ā
A sense of peace settled over his features like a truce, making him appear all the more fatigued as he slowly moved toward the door. Hand on the knob, he turned, his weariness belied by a twitch of a smile that reminded her all over again just how handsome he was.
And dangerous, too, according to tabloids, to a womanās emotional health. āThat would be absolutely grand, lass,ā he said in a husky tone that held more than a hint of tease. āAnd if youāre willing to forgive me for both my abominable lack of attention to Miss Lilly and stealing a kiss?āāhe had the audacity to give her a winkāāIāll forgive you for stealing my room.ā
āForgiven,ā she said with a pert lift of her chin, matching his trace of a smile with one of her own. āThe lack of attention to Miss Lilly, that is, Strike-Out Boy. But the sheer annoyance from the other?ā She wrinkled her nose as she crossed her arms in a taut fold, dismissing him with a nod of her head to close the door. āSomething tells me Iāll need that for self-defense.ā
Saturday, November 7, 2020
Let your light shine before others,
that they may see your good deeds
and glorify your Father in heaven.
āMatthew 5:16
Uh … I don’t know if you know this about me or not, but I tend to be a very passionate woman. š Passionate about God. Passionate about family. And passionate about America. Consequently, my sweet, even-tempered husband has to calm me down a lot lately, regarding all the turmoil in our country.
Which is why this Bible reading last week was SO very welcomeāand neededābecause it calmed me down by redirecting my focus where it needs to be. On God, not man.
I LOVE all of Sarah Young’s amazing “Jesus” devotionals: Jesus Calling, Jesus Today, and Jesus Always, because they are truly some of the most anointed devotionals I have ever read. They’re written in first person as if Jesus is talking directly to you according to Scripture. They’re short and easy clips written in today’s language with Bible verses sprinkled liberally throughout, which are always italicized. I like to read the devotional for the day, then look up each of the Scriptures and read those entire chapters as my Bible reading.
Currently I am reading Jesus Always, and boy, did it set me straight today! So I thought I’d share a few of those lines to encourage all of us, of course, but especially those high-wired types like me, who tend to be a littttttle uptight during this critical time for our country.
“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Sometimes you feel bombarded by all the bad things happening in the world. News reports are alarming, and people are calling evil good, and good evil. Instead of being disheartened by the conditions of the world, I want my followers to be lights shining in the darkness.” āJesus Today, October 29 reading.
“Lights shining in the darkness.” For me that means instead of screaming at the TV, getting angry at people with whom I don’t agree, I try to see them through God’s eyes because He loves them, so who am I to judge? Actions, yes. People, no.
Am I always successful? Nope. Do I always pray for them? Usually. Because I may not always be able to control my temper, but I can always, always be a light that glorifies my Father in heaven. How? By cursing evil, yes, but blessing the evil-doers, unleashing the power of prayer to draw them to God.
But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,
pray for those who abuse you.
āLuke 6:27-28
And you know what? When I do? Suddenly the darkness in my mind is flooded with light because Jesus IS the Light of the world who relights my candle to chase the darkness away!
Ā For thou wilt light my candle:
the LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. Ā
āPsalm 18:28
So, goābe a light! Both in your life AND in our country.
And Speaking of Lighting Candles …
I decided to light a few of my own. First, by putting my award-winning Christmas novel, A Light in the Window, on sale for only 99 cents!
Think The Bells of St. Mary’s meets The Gift of the Magi, then check out the incredible video/trailer my talented hubby did below using my daughter as the model for this feel-good-about-winter Christmas novel for ONLY 99 CENTS!
We Have Winners!
MEGA thanks to everyone who participated in the Fall Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt last week. Hope you had as much fun as we did. Now it’s time to announce the winners!
The FIVE WINNERS in the actual scavenger hunt can be found on Lisa Bergren’s blog HERE.
The FOUR WINNERS in my separate Rafflecopter Scavenger Hunt Extra Giveaway are as follows. TOP WINNER of a $25 Amazon gift card, e-copies of any five of my indie novels, and a character named after them or a loved one in my next book plus a signed paperback copy is:
DONNA IRVIN
THREE RUNNERS-UP who have their choice of any three of my indie e-books are:
BONNIE FAKHRI
ALE
MICHAELA HOFER
SUPER CONGRATS to the winners ā I will be in touch with each of you soon! And MEGA THANKS to everyone else who entered ā I wish everyone could win, but stay tuned to Journal Jots because I’ll have LOTS of giveaways coming up during the holidays!
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Denise Hunter/Julie Lessman Giveaways!
Hey, guys, I just finished reading Denise Hunter’s latest release, Autumn Skies, and it is AWESOME!!
So, since Denise is a good friend of mine and the book is one of my faves of hers, I thought I’d do a FACEBOOK FLASH GIVEAWAY of Autumn Skies, plus random giveaways of my Christmas books!
Here are the details, so be sure to mark your calendars because this is the only notice you will get:
WHEN: FRIDAY, NOV. 6 – SUNDAY, NOV. 8
WHERE: ON MY FB AUTHOR PAGE HERE
WHAT: WIN SIGNED PAPERBACK OF AUTUMN SKIES & RANDOM GIVEAWAYS OF MY CHRISTMAS BOOKS
Ā Sign Up for Newsletter & Win a Book!
I am SO excited to be a part of ā along with 24 other Christian authors ā a new FB Group called A MOST STORIED ROMANCE that you are definitely going to want to join. Why? Because not only is it free, but because I’m featured in their November e-newsletter with an interview and my flash-fiction piece I wrote for SPARK MAGAZINE with my alternate ending for Gone With the Wind.
PLUS … if you subscribe and let me know via the CONTACT JULIE tab on my website, I’ll enter you to win your choice of any of my indie e-books, including my three latest, The Promise of Hope, A Wing and a Prayer, and Love’s Silver Bullet.
So … how do you sign up? Simply click on the following link and subscribe, and you’re in!Ā
A Most Storied Romance Monthly Newletter
MORE ABOUT THIS COOL FB GROUP … this new reader community is for those who love to read, write, and live romance! Join 25 uplifting romance authors listed below for reader events, blogger and reviewer opportunities, exclusive content, fun chats, and many, many book recommendations!
FIND/JOIN US HERE:
š A Most Storied Romance Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/amoststoriedromance/
š A Most Storied Romance Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amoststoriedromance/
š A Most Storied Romance Monthly: https://www.subscribepage.com/amoststoriedromance
š A Most Storied Romance Official Website:https://amoststoriedromance.com/
Ā Check Out My 2020 Releases!
THE PROMISE OF HOPE:
“JULIE LESSMAN DOES IT AGAIN! I like to think of these novellas as her “Christmas truffles” or “Christmas fudge bites,” sweet little tidbits that leave you wanting more and yet thrilled at what you did “taste.” This time, it’s Emma and Sean’s turn. And yes, they deliver just the type of story I’ve come to expect from the venerable Ms. Lessman.” — Stephanie Mccall, author and top Amazon reviewer
“FIVE STARS IS SIMPLY NOT ENOUGH!” — Abigail KranjceviÄ, Amazon reviewer
“I LAUGHED, I CRIED, AND I SIGHED. A perfect read just in time for the Christmas season that will remind you of the One who gives each of us “the promise of hope.” — My Favorite Pastime blog
A WING AND A PRAYER:
Award-winning author, Sarah Sundin, called A Wing and a Prayer “a fun and wild ride,” so buckle up, because this is Gabe to the max! From abused orphan and feisty foster child, to sassy WASP pilot and dare-devil war correspondent, Gabriella Dawn O’Connor takes you (and the O’Connor family) on a high-flying adventure through one of the most tumultuous times in American history — the perils of WW2! Check out the video trailer and more reviews for this 5-star WW2 novel below!
LOVE’S SILVER BULLET:
š¤ āI have loved Julie Lessman’s writing for years, but I can’t believe how great she writes cowboys! I love westerns and reading Julie’s version is pure fun.ā āMary Connealy, award-winning author of Brides of Hope Mountain Series
š¤ “JULIE LESSMAN + WESTERN ROMANCE = GOLD RUSH! You heard it here, folks. I think Julie Lessman was created to write westerns.” āReading is my SuperPower Blog
š¤ āWhoa, Whoa, Whoa! If you think sparks were flying in Julie Lessman’s Daughters of Boston novels, then you have GOT to get a load of her new Silver Lining Ranchā novels.ā āMy Favorite Pastime Blog
š Sneak Peek at my New Mystery!
Boy, am I having a good time writing my first mystery/suspense, THE SECRET OF EMERALD COTTAGE!
One of the reasons I’ve never attempted a mystery/suspense before is because frankly, I like romance, and the formula for most of the mystery/suspense I’ve read is 80% suspense, 20% romance. Whether it’s in books or Hallmark movies, the romance seems to be the stepchild, which doesn’t fly with this “Kissing Queen,” if you get my drift.
So, trust me right now when I say my mystery/suspense will be 50/50. And to prove it, I’ll be giving you a sneak-peek at the first chapter in my next Journal Jots, so make sure you’re signed up by subscribing in the “Subscribe” box at the top right-hand corner of this page to be notified via email when I post my next blog.
The fun part for me is that it will be loosely tied to the Isle of Hope series because it will take place on Lake Loon, where Chase and Cat live (the hero and heroine from book 3, His Steadfast Love), on Emerald Cottage Cove. I absolutely loved Chaseās quirky and backwoods landlady, adopted grandmother, and owner of Lake Loon, Mrs. Lillian Mariah McGill, otherwise known as Miss Lilly, so I will be revisiting her in a mystery loosely titled, The Secret of Emerald Cottage Cove. Here’s a sketchy blurb:
When international playboy and Irish soccer star Rob McGill learns he stands to inherit Lake Loon and a lakeside cottage from a great aunt who is in a coma from a drowning accident, it seems the perfect place to heal from game injuries and escape a tabloid scandal.
At thirty-three Rob is disillusioned with the game, his fiancee, and life in general, craving nothing but a little peace and solitude to get his head on straight. But when he discovers the cottage he hopes to inherit is not only inhabited by a pretty prude of a nurse, but soon by a crusty Aunt Lilly as well, his plans take a nose-dive in the lake. Because suddenly it appears not only was Aunt Lillyās accident no accident ā¦ but apparently now somebody wants to see them all dead.
Till then, God bless!
HUGS !
Julie
Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt!
š Fall Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt Stop #30 Ā
Ā
Welcome to the Christian Fiction Scavenger Hunt! If youāve just discovered the hunt, be sure to start at Stop #1, and collect the clues through all the stops, in order, so you can enter to win one of our top 5 grand prizes!
- The hunt BEGINS on 10/15 at noon MST with Stop #1 at LisaTawnBergren.com.Ā
- Hunt through our loop using Chrome or Firefox as your browser (not Explorer).
- There is NO RUSH to complete the huntāyou have all weekend (until Sunday, 10/18 at midnight MST)! So take your time, reading the unique posts along the way; our hope is that you discover new authors/new books and learn new things about them.
- Submit your entry for the grand prizes by collecting the CLUE on each authorās scavenger hunt post and submitting your answer in the Rafflecopter form at the final stop, back on Lisaās site. Many authors are offering additional prizes along the way!
āļø Hello and the “Top of the Morning” to ya (or afternoon/evening, whatever the case may be!). Iām Julie Lessman and as an Irish drama queen from a family of thirteen kids, I LOVE to write Irish family sagasāhistorical, contemporary, Western, suspense, you name it. My tagline is āPassion with a Purposeā because I am passionate about both God and romance, so when you have time, I invite you to browse my website and read both romantic and spiritual excerpts from my books on the EXCERPTS tab.
And speaking of books, I am giving away my first WW2 novel, A WING AND A PRAYER, which the amazing Sarah Sundin called, āa fun and wild ride!ā per the reviews/endorsements below:
Ā Ā 
And HERE’S a sneak peek at the jacket blurb!
Ā Sheās dead-set on giving everything to the war overseas ā¦
Even if it means losing everything in a war of the heart.
Abused & abandoned by an alcoholic father at age five, Gabriella OāConnor has never let a man stand in her way yet. So when a handsome flight officer ruins her plans to be a Women Airforce Service Pilot, sheās bent on joining the war anyway she can, stowing away on a medical ship to the front with stolen press credentials.
Gabeās WASP flight instructor, Lieutenant Alex Kincaid, pegs her as trouble the moment she steps foot on Avenger Field. As the eldest brother of a boy whose jaw Gabe broke in grade school, heās more than familiar with her reputation as both a charismatic ringleader and headstrong hooligan who challenged every male and nun from grade school to college. After he expels her for a dangerous stunt, he’s shocked to run into her eight months later in France where he’s an evacuation pilot. Once again their lives intersect in the European Theater, exposing them to a danger as perilous as the war itself: a love neither expects.
You know something else I didnāt expect?
FUN WW2 FACTS THAT BLEW ME AWAY!
I never expected or dreamed that my favorite movie, Gone With the Wind, was also one of Hitlerās favorites! Well, it was, and youāll find lots of other fun WW2 facts in A Wing and a Prayer that Iāll bet you didnāt know! Like Hitler watching Gone With the Wind in his personal theater while drinking Coca-Cola (his favorite drink, I might add), and I donāt blame him one bit because movies bring books alive!
Thatās why I was over the moon when my artist hubby created a very dramatic trailer/video for A Wing and a Prayer to bring it alive for my readers. I love passion, drama, and angst in my books, and I guarantee this novel (and the video) has all of that and more!
So I hope you check it out at the links given for Julieās Contest below, because if you do, you can enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card, e-copies of any five of my indie novels, and a character named after you or a loved one in my next book and a signed paperback copy! Plus, three runners-up will receive their choice of any three of my indie e-books.
___ššš___
Ā Hereās the Stop# 30 Basics:
If youāre interested, you can order the e-book for A WING AND A PRAYER on Amazon at a 50% discount Oct. 12-19 only.
Clue to Write Down: reading!
Link to Stop #31, the Next Stop on the Loop on Lisa Bergren’s website.
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Julie’s Contest!
But wait! Before you go, Iām offering a $25 Amazon gift card, e-copies of any five of my indie novels, and a character named after you or a loved one in my next book plus a signed paperback copy! Three runners-up will have their choice of any three of my indie e-books.
To enter, just watch the cool trailer/video for A WING AND A PRAYER and answer the question asked in the Rafflecopter box below, and you’re in! Then you can up your chances to win with extra options, so here’s the link to the trailer/video and GOOD LUCK!
A WING AND A PRAYER TRAILER/VIDEO
Meet Julie
