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!
Sunday, November 22, 2015
“Through faith we understand that
the worlds were framed by the word of God …”
— Hebrews ll:3
One day last week, I was praying with my daughter Amy about something that upset her greatly, and of course my heart was torn along with hers. After I hung up the phone, I stared aimlessly from my veranda into the sky, silently beseeching God to comfort my girl.
All at once, the cove I live in came into view with its gently rippling waters kissed by a southern breeze and the blue of the sky reflected along with the final glory of a sugar maple across the way. Birds flitted back and forth from each of our two bird feeders, and I found myself playing a game I used to play, where I’d squint at the scene before me like it was a picture in a frame.
“That’s what I am to Amy,” a still, small voice whispered in my mind, “a ‘frame’ that surrounds her life — every trial, every heartbreak — is transformed by My love, My hope, My peace, into a work of art out of something that held no beauty before.”
Like a flash flood, saltwater immediately swelled in my eyes, because I knew that I knew that I knew it was true. The same God who “framed” the worlds in our quote above has “framed” every situation in my life and my family’s with a holy hug that not only holds us together, strong and secure, but creates a priceless work of art when He is done.
In that moment, I had no doubt whatsoever that His love was encircling not only my daughter, but her mother as well, with an assurance that no matter what, we can trust the God Who “framed the worlds” not only with His Word, but with His “unfailing love.”
Let the morning bring me word of Your unfailing love, Oh Lord,
for I have put my trust in You. Show me the way I should go,
for unto You I entrust my soul. — Psalm 143:8
We are Christians. Jesus Christ is not just the Lord of our lives, He is the frame that holds us together, the finishing touch that turns our lives into a truly beautiful work of art. May His “unfailing love” frame every situation in your life — today, tomorrow, and all the days of your life.
I hope you have enjoyed some of the pictures we took this week of our cove at night and while on a hike at Ha Ha Tonka State Park last weekend — every one a picture I’d like to frame because each reminds me of the beauty and blessings of God … and His unfailing love.
AND … speaking of “unfailing love” … Isle of Hope: Unfailing Love will be released in paperback SOON, December 1st, God willing, so if you haven’t read it yet, maybe you can put it on your Christmas list?
If you haven’t read it yet, I encourage you to check out the ISLE OF HOPE PAGE of my website where you can read the first chapter, see celebrity pix of the hero and heroine, read review quotes, book quotes, and extra excerpts, plus enter the Isle of Hope contest.
I’ve been blessed to receive a 5-star rating on Amazon so far with 50 reviews, so if you’ve already read Isle of Hope and posted a review, THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!! Please let me know so I can enter you in my newsletter contest, okay?
And for those of you who HAVE read it but have NOT yet posted a review , I have a HUGE FAVOR to ask. Reviews are critical to an author, especially on an independently published book like Isle of Hope. So if you liked it, I’d be SO grateful if you would consider posting a really a short review (2 or 3 lines simply stating you liked it). And if you do, not only will I enter you in my newsletter contest to have a character named after you in my next book, BUT … you can earn five extra points in the Isle of Hope Contest as well. How?
Simply click on that option in the Rafflecopter box on my CONTEST page, and the points are yours. PLUS … you can also accrue points by getting someone else to post a review as well if they’ve read IOH. Simply choose that option in the Rafflecopter box on the contest page, and they get ten points in the contest and YOU get an extra five. THAT’S how important reviews are to a new book AND to me!! Thank you SO MUCH!!
MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THESE UPCOMING GIVEAWAYS!!
DECEMBER 1, 2015:
Join me for a Christmas interview on Alexis Goring’s “25 Days of Christmas Stories” blog tour, where you will have the opportunity to win one of three Christmas giveaways of your choice of any of my Christmas novellas or an ebook of A Light in the Window or Isle of Hope.
http://capturingtheidea.blogspot.com/
DECEMBER 7, 2015:
Three different blogs for three different opportunities to win your choice of any of my ebooks, including Isle of Hope, so check back next week in my Friday Journal Jot when I have blog names and links for you, okay?
Till then, HAPPY THANKSGIVING, one and all, and I thank God for each and every one of YOU!!
Hugs,
Julie
Saturday, November 7, 2015
“My unfailing love is your fuel — the best source of energy for you.”
— Jesus Today, by Sarah Young
Boy, I’ll say!!
God’s love (and his strength) never fails — something I’ve discovered all over again, both in the writing phase of my latest novel, Isle of Hope, and especially in the publishing/promotion phase, two things of which I’m not exactly fond. In fact, it was partially because of the “promotion” aspect of my books that I felt compelled to take an 8-month sabbatical last year, desperate to get away from something that most authors despise. A necessary evil, if you will, so thank you for bearing with me throughout the last month and this month as I promote Isle of Hope.
I’ll tell you what — it’s been a roller-coaster ride as always when a new book releases! And even more so with Isle of Hope since the entire project is on my shoulders (and God’s!) rather than on a publisher’s like most of my other books. So to say I’m stunned and a little bit giddy over the reception Isle of Hope has received is an understatement.
I am utterly blown away by both the reviews and the rankings on Amazon! IOH was #1 on Amazon’s “Hot New Releases” in Women’s Religious Fiction and #1 on Amazon’s Best Sellers in Women’s Religious Fiction for almost a week before I got bumped to vacillate between # 1 and #3. Of course I lay the blame for that at the feet of a dear author friend, Beth Vogt, whose book Crazy Little Thing Called Love muscled me out. The brat! 😉 Seriously, I not only endorsed this book, but strongly recommend it because it’s on sale for only $1.99 for a limited time, so take advantage! It’s an excellent book, so I hope you check it out.
AND … i hope you check Isle of Hope out, too, because not only is this a book that has been therapeutic for me due to the autobiographical aspect, but I also believe it’s a message the Christian community needs to hear just like I did years ago when I hated my father and wished him dead. That’s how my heroine felt at one time about her father, too, but through the unfailing love of Jesus Christ — the only real “Isle of Hope” there is for each of us — hope is restored to two families that had been turned assunder.
But, rather than talk about it myself, I’d much prefer leaving it to the 23 five-star and 1 four-star reviews that have been posted on Amazon in the last six days, so here’s a few lines from those and blogger/reviewers as well as a kissing scene to whet your appetite. 🙂
And PLEASE don’t miss the WEEKEND CONTEST I have going on at the end of this blog today because you could STILL win having a character named after you in both the paperback and revised ebook versions of Isle of Hope that will release in the next couple of weeks plus a copy, okay? Here’s what people are saying about IOH:
— “I don’t think anyone can walk away after reading this book without being changed.” — Kav, Best Reads Blog
— ” I can count on one hand, in fact, the number of books that I have not merely enjoyed but ingested and absorbed into my soul. Isle of Hope will now forever (and ever, amen) be included in this list.” — Carrie, Reading is My SuperPower Blog
— “Be prepared to question your beliefs about forgiveness.” — Beth K. Vogt, award-winning author of Crazy Little Thing Called Love.
— “Extraordinary! Isle of Hope is a riveting story of humility, selfless love, and extraordinary forgiveness! ‘Wow!’ and ‘Oh, my!’ …..my thoughts as I read the pages of Isle of Hope, a novel packed with emotion! — Sherida Stewart’s Blog
— “There are kisses and sparks and HEAT aplenty … make sure you have a fan handy when you sit down to read Isle of Hope – and perhaps additional oxygen? A fainting couch would not be amiss. — Carrie, Reading is My SuperPower Blog
— “Isle of Hope, Julie’s first Christian Contemporary Fiction, is her best work yet.” — Bonnie Roof, Overcoming With God Blog
— “The moment when you read a line that is so beautiful you just close the book and stare at the wall for a minute.” – Anonymous. “That is how I feel about this book. I stopped many times to tag, note, think and yes, stared at the wall for a minute or two.” — Annie, Just Commonly Blog
— “This is Julie Lessman at her best! — Julie, My Favorite Pastime Blog
— “Isle of Hope is a life lesson in forgiveness …” — Reviewer
— “Isle of Hope will tear out your heart and put it back together, a little sore for the process but sweetly soothed all the same. It’s emotional and raw and convicting … but healing. Isle of Hope may in fact be not only Julie’s best novel so far but also her most important. — Carrie, Reading is My SuperPower Blog
So … how do you enter? Well, Julie was SO blown away by the review posted on the Reading Is My SuperPower blog and all the other blogs in the Singing Librarian Blog Tour, she decided to celebrate with this weekend contest, so take advantage!! Just leave a comment on the Reading is My SuperPower blog, and you’re in the random drawing! And don’t miss the interview there where Julie discusses her idea of the “perfect kiss”! Here’s the link:
PLUS … you can receive extra entry points for commenting on any of the other FABULOUS reviews/interviews in the Singing Librarian Books blog tour listed below, which ALSO has a giveaway in addition to Julie’s weekend giveaway. NOTE: Anyone who has already commented is automatically entered in this random-draw contest with one point.
CONTEST ENDS SUNDAY, 11/8 AT MIDNIGHT, and winner will be announced on Julie’s FB pages. Here are the links and GOOD LUCK!!
THEN DON’T MISS THESE OTHER GIVEAWAYS OF ISLE OF HOPE!!
– See more at: http://seekerville.blogspot.com/#sthash.nUDi8oDF.dpuf
So … how do you enter? Well, Julie was SO blown away by the review posted on the Reading Is My SuperPower blog and all the other blogs in the Singing Librarian Blog Tour, she decided to celebrate with this weekend contest, so take advantage!! Just leave a comment on the Reading is My SuperPower blog, and you’re in the random drawing! And don’t miss the interview there where Julie discusses her idea of the “perfect kiss”! Here’s the link:
PLUS … you can receive extra entry points for commenting on any of the other FABULOUS reviews/interviews in the Singing Librarian Books blog tour listed below, which ALSO has a giveaway in addition to Julie’s weekend giveaway. NOTE: Anyone who has already commented is automatically entered in this random-draw contest with one point.
CONTEST ENDS SUNDAY, 11/8 AT MIDNIGHT, and winner will be announced on Julie’s FB pages. Here are the links and GOOD LUCK!!
THEN DON’T MISS THESE OTHER GIVEAWAYS OF ISLE OF HOPE!!
– See more at: http://seekerville.blogspot.com/#sthash.nUDi8oDF.dpuf
Julie’s Weekend Contest (Ends at Midnight on Sunday, 11/8):
GET A CHARACTER NAMED AFTER YOU IN MY PAPERBACK AND REVISED EBOOK COPY OF ISLE OF HOPE AND WIN A COPY! Yes, it’s true — since I’m in the process of doing final edits on both versions of Isle of Hope right now, I can still add you in if you win! (Ah, the advantages of indie publishing!!)
So … how do you enter? Well, I was SO blown away by the review posted on the Reading Is My SuperPower blog and all the other blogs in the Singing Librarian Blog Tour, I decided to celebrate with this weekend contest, so go for it! Just leave a comment on the Reading is My SuperPower blog, and you’re in the random drawing! And don’t miss the interview there where I discuss the “perfect kiss”! Here’s the link:
READING IS MY SUPERPOWER BLOG REVIEW/INTERVIEW
PLUS … you can receive extra entry points for commenting on any of the other FABULOUS reviews/interviews in the Singing Librarian Books blog tour listed below, which ALSO has a giveaway in addition to Julie’s weekend giveaway. NOTE: Anyone who has already commented is automatically entered in this random-draw contest with one point. The winner will be announced here and on my FB pages, so check out the links and GOOD LUCK!!
THEN …
Don’t Miss These Other Giveaways This Weekend!
OR … on my Seeker blog this Wed., 11/11:
GIVEAWAY ON SEEKER BLOG ON WED., 11/11/15
Hugs and HAPPY WEEKEND!!
Julie
Saturday, October 31, 2015
Tick … Tick … Tick …
EEEEEEEEEEEEK … THIS IS IT — LAST DAY TO PREORDER THE ISLE OF HOPE E-BOOK FOR ALMOST HALF OFF, so don’t let time run out on you!!
And GOOD NEWS!! For you paperback people, the paperback version of Isle of Hope will be released in mid-November, so save some room on your Christmas list, okay?
Here’s what others are saying about Isle of Hope:
— “This is a novel that has the potential to change your life.” — Noela Nancarrow, reviewer for Overcoming with God Blog.
— “Isle of Hope, Julie’s first Christian Contemporary Fiction, is her best work yet.” — Bonnie Roof, Overcoming with God Blog.
— “Emotionally captivating and spiritually challenging” — Bestselling Author, Denise Hunter
— “Lush details, dynamic characters, and a storyline that keeps you turning the pages” — Award-winning Author, Beth Vogt
— “A delight!” — Award-winning Author, Becky Wade
Don’t Miss Out — Here’s the Link to PREORDER:
AND … don’t forget that if you buy or review Isle of Hope, be sure to enter my Isle of Hope Contest on the Contest Tab of my website to win a chance at having a character named after you in my next book and a signed copy, okay? Here’s the link:
We Have a Winner in the Journal Jots Private Contest!
A big hug to each and every one who entered my private JJ contest to buy and/or post a review for Lizzie & Brady’s novella in the Home for Christmas Historical Romance Collection. The winner gets a character named after them in my next book, a signed copy, and 10 additional books. And that winner is …
SHARON ANDREWS!!!
Congratulations to Sharon and thank you ALL for the hard work you put in with purchases and reviews. You guys ROCK!!!
Blog Interview/Giveaways!!
NOVEMBER 1-7, 2015: Join me for several fun interviews and reviews on Isle of Hope PLUS a chance to win your choice of an e-copy OR PAPERBACK COPY of Isle of Hope or any of my books by simply entering the Rafflecopter contest posted on every blog below on the appropriate date:
Singing Librarian Blog Isle of Hope Tour
NOVEMBER 3-10, 2015: Join me for a fun interview/giveaway on The Engrafted Word blog where you can win your choice of any of my books including Isle of Hope. Here’s the link and GOOD LUCK!
The Engrafted Word Blog Interview/Giveaway
Okay, guys, if you read Isle of Hope and like it enough to post a review, PLEASE let me know so I can also enter you in my newsletter contest as well, okay?
Hugs and Happy Weekend!
Julie
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