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!
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:
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.
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!
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:
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!
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 Woman—but 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.
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
Friday, August 9, 2024
A “LAME” SUMMER???
AT LAST … MY DEVOTIONAL IS UP FOR PRE-ORDER!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR NOV. 1-14 FOR PRIZES GALORE!
SUMMER SALES, ANYONE?
Read my prior blog including excerpt from Henry’s story HERE!
A “Lame” Summer?
Well, not really, at least not regarding my devotional which I FINALLY finished—thank you, Jesus!—but more about that below.
But physically? Oh, yeah, because this girl had bunion surgery that has laid me low for a while and for which I get to wear a really cute (NOT!) sandal for over a month. I can walk, but it’s not pretty, hobbling around putting weight only on my good leg and barely walking on my heel on the surgery foot.
But WHOA, what a difference it made and with almost NO pain, God’s truth! I always heard bunion surgery was one of the most painful, but I am happy to say that has not been my experience, and I attribute that all to prayer and really great surgeon! Check out the results to the right! Thank God, no more painful rubbing toe against toe. My sweet hubby is a great nurse, and my sweet son-in-law says now I can begin a new career as a foot model! 😉
Pre-Order Devotional Now!
DRUM ROLL, PLEASE!!
I am thrilled (reallllly thrilled because now I can move on to writing novels again!) to announce that my devotional (or I should say, “God’s devotional” since He was the One who forced me to write it!!) is now available for pre-order! And for those of you who prefer paperback, that will be available, too, come the release date of October 1, 2024.
I don’t mind saying that this is the HARDEST book I have ever written, and I hope and pray God NEVER asks me to write a nonfiction again. But … I will say that this devotional (aka “novotional”) is 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:
OKAY, FOLKS … You can now pre-order this devotional in e-book for the pre-order discount rate of $3.99 and, of course, in paperback on its release date of October 1st.
PRE-ORDER DEVOTIONAL AT REDUCED RATE HERE
Okay, all right, God—I did it! “Your” devotional is done, so can you PLEASE show me which novel to write next??? (Prayers appreciated!)
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.
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