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!
Friday, October 24, 2013
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas …
— Song written by Meredith Wilson
I know, I know, it’s a little early to be talking Christmas, although not by much the way retailers hit the ground running the day after Halloween. BUT … you’ll forgive me if I am just a wee bit antsy for the eggnog and snow because FINALLY …
A Light in the Window
is in
PAPERBACK!!!
Yes, it’s true, and WOW, is it GORGEOUS!!! And what makes it even better, is that my incredibly talented hubby is almost finished with THE BEST video you have ever seen, I promise!! Of course, I may be a wee bit prejudice … 😉 But I’ve already shown it to one very special friend (and you know who you are!!), who actually teared up, so I take that as a good sign. Trust me, we scoured iStock for a model for both Patrick O’Connor and Sam O’Rourke, and WOW … did we hit the jackpot, especially given there wasn’t a lot from which to choose. So check back here in about two to three weeks, and I will have the video up and running for you, and I do believe it’s worth the wait.
I hope. 😐
Anyway, for anybody out there that would like to buy a paperback copy of A Light in the Window for Christmas as a gift, you let me know, and I will send you a signed bookplate to paste inside for whomever you plan to give it to, okay? Here’s the link to order your copy if you are so inclined. And please note that I wanted to offer it at a much lower price, but since I published this myself through CreateSpace (Amazon’s publishing company), they give you a set price that you can’t go under, which is why the price is higher than I hoped. But it’s actually cheaper than the cost of my other Revell books if you bought them in a bookstore, so YAY!! And, of course, the ebook is still half price at $3.99. So here’s the link — I would LOVE it if you would share it on your FB and Twitter pages!
CLICK HERE FOR PAPERBACK VERSION OF
AND, THEN … drum roll, please … for those of you who have been waiting for the less expensive e-version of ROMANCE-ology 101, it’s finally here as well!! The paperback is $6.43, but the e-book is only $2.99, so I hope some of you will check it out! Here’s the link:
ROMANCE-ology 101:Writing Romantic Tension for the
I hate to do this two weeks in a row, but I am going to scoot out early to get some writing done on my OVERDUE book rather than spend it writing a blog. BUT … I’ll be back to writing blogs soon, I hope! Prayers appreciated for the completion of book 3 in the Heart of San Francisco series, Surprised by Love.
Hugs and HAPPY WEEKEND!
Julie
Friday, October 18, 2013
When a child is born, so are grandmothers.
~Judith Levy
Oh, AMEN AND AMEN!!!
And this is the perfect time to introduce you to my BRAND-NEW grandchild, Micah Raymond Lessman, born October 17, 2013 at 3:20 AM, weighing a healthy 8 lb 3 oz.
You know, being a grandmother is not all it’s cracked up to be — the hardest part is having your grand babies 1,805.7 miles away! Sigh.
So … since the next best thing is FaceTime (thank you, God!!) and PICTURES, I decided this would be a good time to share some with you, so here is our first pic of Micah (1 day old) and several of Rory (2 years old), the “little” loves of my life.
RORY ENJOYING HER NEW KITCHEN — JU-JU’S AND
PA-PA’S PRESENT ON HER 2ND BIRTHDAY!
Since I’m under several deadlines right now, I am going to make this JJ short and sweet. The “sweet” are grand babies above, and the “short” is a link that connects to a brand-new tab on my website that belongs to my dear friend and mentor, Joy Bollinger. Joy’s website crashed, so I told her she could borrow mine until she’s back online. Her tab is called “Reflections in Faith,” and I hope you find Joy’s articles as inspirational and anointed as I do. So here’s the link — check it out!
http://www.julielessman.com/reflections-in-faith/
Hugs and Happy Weekend!
Julie
RARE BLOG GIVEAWAY!!!
OCTOBER 20-23, 2013:
Join me on the Christian Fiction Historical Society’s blog and win your choice of my books! Hope to see you there, and here’s the link:
FREEBIES!!
PLEASE tell your friends about the FREE DOWNLOAD of A PASSION MOST PURE AND FORSAKEN DREAMS by one of my favorite authors, MaryLu Tyndall!!
Sunday, October 13, 2013
“Never let a computer know you’re in a hurry.
~Author Unknown
Ever have one of those weeks where everything seems to pile up? Of course you have — we all have — but I’ll bet when that happens to some of you, you don’t go TILT like we HM-CDQ types do (high-maintenance caffeinated drama queen), do you??
Poor Keith, he always jokes that when I have a bad day, he pays, and as much as I’d like to tell you that this Christian author who loves God with all of her heart handles those stressful times with calm and grace … I can’t.
Yesterday was one of those days, and so was this week, for that matter. I’m three months behind on my book deadline, am in the process of pubbing A Light in the Window in paperback in time for Christmas, desperately trying to get Romance-ology 101 into ebook format in time for various ads I’ve purchased, am promo-ing the free download for A Passion Most Pure, the release of Romance-ology 101 and A Light in the Window, trying to meet several blog deadlines, and all while desperately trying to get up to speed (and sync up) my new iPad Mini, new iPhone and Mac.
Which is pretty par for any of us in this sophisticated world of technology, I know, but for those of us who are technologically illiterate, it gets pretty darn stressful. Thus the scenario this weekend when I received both the print proof for ALITW (with problems) at the same time as the digital proof for Romance-ology (with LOTS of problems) at the same time I was having major website problems (the main reason Journal Jots is late this week), all compounded by a note from my accountant informing me that tax info is due on Tuesday. I literally sat on my deck, head swimming, not sure what to tackle first since they are ALL due ASAP. Uh, and did you notice no writing was mentioned??? It didn’t take long for me to spin out of control, tears streaming and confidence sinking. And ALL this after I had just spent precious time with God in prayer and His Word!
“Gosh, babe, I feel so bad for you,” Keith said, “can I get you anything — coffee, iced tea, popcorn?”
My chin quivered as more tears slithered my cheeks, his kindness and sympathy such a balm to my soul. “Can you pray for me?” I rasped, so very desperate to embrace the calm that I know that I know that I know Jesus has for each of us in situations like this.
“Sure, babe,” he says, and placing his hand on my shoulder, he stood there over my chair, his words — so soft and low — going something like this …
“God, please help Julie to get done everything she needs to get done …”
Sniff. Yes, Lord, please …
“But, Lord, please help her to do it with a cheerful heart …”
Wait a minute … excuse me???
“Show her that it’s her attitude that needs to change here and not the situation …”
Beep, beep … back the truck up — this situation sucks pondwater, mister …
“And that she needs to do everything unto the Lord, with joy and thanksgiving …”
Are you freakin’ kidding me — I’m drowning here!!
“Because each of these things — her books, her computer, all the technology that is so very frustrating to her right now — are all blessings that other people would kill for, all gifts from Your hand, each of which You have every intention of seeing her through.”
Gulp.
“So thank you for all You have given her. Help her to take a deep breath, give every worry and fear to You, and enjoy every task (i.e. blessing) You have so graciously bestowed, knowing in doing so, she is demonstrating both her love for You and her trust in You and Your Word.”
Sob.
“In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Sniff. Amen.
Heavy sigh. “Thanks, babe, I needed that.”
Hugs and Happy Weekend … and DO come chat with me, Carrie Turanksy and Joanne Bischof at Carrie’s online FB party chat on Tuesday to win books and prizes. Details below!
DOWNTON ABBEY, LOOK OUT!!
THE GOVERNESS OF HIGHLAND HALL FACEBOOK LAUNCH PARTY IS COMING WITH ME, CARRIE TURANSKY AND JOANN BISCHOFF!!
Please join us on Tuesday October 15th for an Online Book Launch Party, 7:00 pm Eastern. Carrie will be giving you behind-the-page info on her FABULOUS new book, The Governess of Highland Hall, answering your questions, and giving away copies of the book and some fun prizes.
Joanne and I will be calling in as Carrie’s special guests, and we will be giving away copies of our books too! Please RSVP by checking you are going at the link below, and we will send you a reminder so you don’t miss the fun and prizes including Downton Abbey DVDs, Calendar, and Cookbook, tea and teacups!
SO … GO TO THE FOLLOWING LINK TO RSVP AND WE WILL SEND YOU A REMINDER EMAIL, OKAY? HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!
THE GOVERNESS OF HIGHLAND HALL FACEBOOK LAUNCH PARTY!
NEWSFLASH!!!!!!!!
FREE Download of
A Passion Most Pure!
ACFW Debut Book of the Year and 179 5-star reviews can’t be wrong! See why some have read it more than 20 times!
Click below for free ecopy:
AMAZON, BARNES & NOBLE, CHRISTIANBOOKSTORE.COM, iBOOKSTORE
ROMANCE-OLOGY 101 IS HERE!
Click HERE to find out more!
SALE!! Julie’s Irish love story A Light in the Window has won two awards — 1st place in the Inspirational Novel category of the International Digital Awards contest AND the Inspirational Category of the 2013 Readers’ Crown Award, so take advantage of this half-price sale of $ 3.99! Here are the links: Amazon and B&N.
Meet Julie
