——————————————————————–
Award-winning author of βThe Daughters of Bostonβ and βWinds of Changeβ series, Julie Lessman was American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Author of the Year and voted #1 Romance Author of the year in Family Fiction magazineβs 2012 and 2011 Readers Choice Awards. She has also garnered 17 RWA awards and made Booklistβs 2010 Top 10 Inspirational Fiction. Her book A Light in the Window is an International Digital Awards winner, a 2013 Readers’ Crown Award winner, and a 2013 Book Buyers Best Award winner. You can contact Julie and read excerpts from her books at www.julielessman.com.
——————————————————————–
Welcome to The Engrafted Word Julie Lessman! It’s wonderful to have you here!
Savanna:Β We all know how great you are at making your characters blush ( and many of your readers too! ) but have YOU ever blushed over something you wrote?
Julie:Β LOL β¦ only stupid things I say in interviews! Actually, no, I havenβt made myself blush over anything Iβve written, but then you have to remember my background. Before I came to Christ, I was a wild child of the 70βs who used to read secular romance, so trust me, in light of todayβs secular market where books like Fifty Shades of Gray have, unfortunately, taken center stage, my books are watered-down pabulum.
Savanna:Β I read somewhere that you and your hubby love to bike ride. (My hubby and I do too!) Besides a bike trail, where is some place your readers might not expect to run into you?
Julie:Β On a boat in the middle of the Lake of the Ozarks! Of course, if someone βran into meβ there, Iβd be in the water, I suppose. π My hubby and I have had tons of boats over the years, and although we donβt currently have one, we do love boating with friends who do! One of my favorite things is to ride in the open bow of a speedboat with the wind whipping my face. And when the boat is anchored in a gorgeous cove? Youβll find me in the open bow with feet up, reading a book.
Savanna:Β That sure sounds perfect right about now! I’m ready for summer, aren’t you?! π Since we’re both Missouri girls, is there a famous Missourian β past or present β you would enjoy ( or would have enjoyed ) having lunch with and getting to chat?
Julie:Β Mmm, Brad Pitt might be nice β¦ But, seriously, I think I would LOVE to chat with Mark Twain and Harry Truman because they were both such quirky characters, and as anyone who reads my books know, I SO love quirky characters!
Savanna:Β Great choices! (Including your first one! π ) Back to your books, who is usually the first lucky person to read your book once you’ve finished writing it?
Julie:Β Would you believe my husband? Heβs not much of a reader except sports columns and how-to stuff, so I was totally blown away when I caught him reading my debut book A Passion Most Pure after it came out. I still remember breezing around the corner one day and jolting to a stop, blinking in shock at this big, hulking guy holding a romance novel. The moment he looked up, his eyes locked on mine and he mouthed the words, βIt is soooo good!β Needless to say, my heart swooned! I mean, the man had only read one other book for pleasure in 30 years, so this was a very big deal. Iβm happy to report that my book not only kept him up till the wee hours of the morning, but it made him tear up as well. Now he reads every single one of my books and gives me his feedback before I send them to my editor, and let me tell youβthe man is good!
Now my daughter? Another story! Although she was an A student in college at the time, she despises reading, so I actually had to bribe her with $20 to read the first chapter of A Passion Most Pure. But I am happy to report that it hooked her, and the rest of the books didnβt cost me a dime!
Savanna:Β What initially sparked the idea for Romance-ology 101? Was it easier or harder to write than your other novels?
Julie:Β Β Oh, definitely easierβitβs only 70 pages, which is usually one scene for me! π And I promise you, the reason I wrote it is nothing earth-shattering or inspirational! It was more out of necessity because I was slated to co-teach a workshop at ACFW last year with my agent and Julie Gwinn that dealt with the merging of traditional publishing and indie publishing to create the hybrid author. You see, I self-published an Irish love story called A Light in the Window (a prequel for the parents in my Daughters of Boston and Winds of Change series) through my agent, but she did all the work, so I felt it was necessary for me to do a book on my own as well.
A few years back, Ruth Axtell and I taught a workshop at ACFW called A Kiss is Not Just a Kiss, which actually drew the largest crowd that year for a workshop, so I knew it was a popular subject. Then after I did a Seeker blog on it and a reader suggested I put it in a book, I thoughtβmmm, why not? I mean, great research project for a hybrid workshop, right? So I did, never really expecting to βearnβ anything but experience, but I have to say, itβs been a lot of fun. Especially designing the cover with my hubby using my daughterβs marriage-proposal picture on the front.
Savanna:Β If you didn’t write for a living, what would you like to do instead?
Julie:Β Oh, gosh, I have no idea! My husband would like me to clean the house, I suppose, but we both know thatβs not going to happen anytime soon. π
At one time I would have said Christian counselor because Iβm a bottom-line kind of person who likes applying Godβs Word to peopleβs problems, then shoring it up with prayer. But since Iβve gotten older, I donβt seem to have the energy for an occupation like that anymore. Of course, I donβt seem to have the energy for writing lately, either, so maybe I need to look into a better vitamin β¦
Β Savanna:Β Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?
Julie:Β Yes, Iβm really excited about the brand-new release of Dare to Love Again, book 2 in the Heart of San Francisco series, so I hope your readers will check it out. Itβs the story of the second McClare cousin, Allison McClare, a woman who has had her heart broken three times and is determined it will not happen again. Sheβs seeing red and wielding a stick, a dangerous combination when she meets a crotchety Italian police detective whose temper is as loose as hers.
Hereβs the jacket blurb for this sweet and funny love story that I will warn you, is the sweetest, least passionate of all my books, which means there are very few kisses, but LOTS of romantic tension!
Sheβs a sassy socialite burned by love. Heβs a jaded cop burned by the upper class. When sparks fly β¦ will love catch fire again? Spunky Allison McClare is determined to be a fearless, independent woman. But when she takes a notion to explore the wild Barbary Coast, she quickly discovers sheβs no match for the unsavory characters that haunt the dark streets. Detective Nick Barone would rather do almost anything than teach this petite socialite self-defense, but it seems he has little choice. Sparks fly every time the two meet until a grudging friendship develops into something deeper. But is he just a fraud like all the rest of the men Allisonβs cared for? Or the one man she can dare to love again?
Savanna:Β I know I loved it.Β (Read my review of DTLAΒ here.) How can readers connect with you?
Julie:Β Well, I love to hear from reader friends, so if they like, they can contact me through my website at www.julielessman.com, either by sending an e-mail via my site or by signing up for my Newsletter. Or through Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, or Pinterest.
Also, I have a cool blog feature on my website called “Journal Jots”, which is a very laid-back weekly journal to my reader friends that will give your readers an idea as to my relaxed style of writing.
Or readers can check out my favorite romantic and spiritual scenes from each of my books on the βExcerptsβ tab of my website.
Of course, I can be found daily at The Seekers Blog, a group blog of 13 published authors that inspires, encourages, teaches, and informs aspiring writers on the road to publication and beyond.
Finally, here are some fun freebies, sales, and giveaways going on right now or in the future:
1.) FREE DOWNLOAD of my debut novelΒ A Passion Most Pure!Β American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Book of the Year,Β A Passion Most PureΒ has over 340 five-star reviews on Amazon and some of readers have actually read it more than 20 times! Here are the links for your free download!Β Β AMAZON,Β BARNES & NOBLE, and CBD.COM
2.) SALE TO END SOON ON 99-CENTΒ A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW!Β I hope youβll check out my video for my Irish love story,Β A Light in the Window,Β which stars my daughter and has won three awards and garnered 125 five-star reviews. Itβs still only 99 CENTS on Amazon, but only for a little while longer, so check out the video here,Β http://bit.ly/1kkzvlC, and you can download it here: AMAZON.
3.) FREE DOWNLOAD on Romance-ology 101: Writing Romantic Tension for the Inspirational and Sweet Markets coming FEBRUARY 11-15 on Amazon, so mark your calendar and hereβs the link to find out more about the book:Β Romance-ology 101
4.) NEW CONTEST TO HAVE A CHARACTER NAMED AFTER YOU IN MY NEXT BOOK!Β Β I have a newsletter contest going on now through 3/31/14 where posting even one short review for any of my books will enter you to win a character named after you in my next book, a signed copy, and if you are the top poster, a $50 gift card. So if you’re interested, just sign up for my newsletter (I send out two a year) at http://www.julielessman.com/sign-up-for-newsletter/, and I will send you the info, okay?
Thanks, Savanna, for a fun interview!
Julie has generously offered to give one winner their CHOICE of her signed books! Which story of hers are YOU hoping to read next?
HOW TO ENTER:Β
-Leave your name and email in the comments below
(You MUST include your email to be qualified)
GET EXTRA ENTRIES:
(Be sure to tell me in the comments below)
-Subscribe to The Engrafted Word
-Like The Engrafted Word on Facebook
-Share this Giveaway on Social Media
Thanks for entering! Contest is open only in the U.S. and ends January 31, 2014.
Winner will be notified by email.
I have Love at Any Cost in my TBR pile. I thought it was funny how Julie’s husband was not a book reader until he read her first novel. My husband is exactly the same way. He will not read a book at all. I wonder if I should try to get him to read APMP too.
Lis K
garfsgirl [at] hotmail [dot] com
LOL, LIS … I think you ought to bribe him to read your book! That’s what I did with my daughter who despite graduating law school HATED to read. I paid her $20 to read the first chapter of APMP, and I’m happy to say the rest of the book and all the others didn’t cost me a dime! π
SO glad you have LAAC in your TBR … PLEASE read it first before DTLA if you win DTLA here on Savanna’s blog, okay?
Hugs and GOOD LUCK!!
JULIE
Thanks for stopping by, Lis. My husband is the same way too. After hearing Julie’s story, I know there’s still hope for him yet! π
I would love to read anything by Julie Lessman.
Hey, HALITA … SO glad to hear that because do I have a deal for you! If you haven’t read any of my books before, I strongly encourage you to check out a FREE DOWNLOAD going on right now of my first book, A Passion Most Pure, which won American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Book of the Year and currently had 350 five-star reviews on Amazon. Here’s the link if you want to check it out, and I hope you do:
http://amzn.to/1hteaEj
And if you like it, let me know, and I’ll tell you how to enter my contest to have a character named after you in my next book and a signed copy, okay? And if you don’t like it? Well … uh … never mind! π
Hugs and GOOD LUCK!!
Julie
You’ll love this one, Halita! π
I would love to have Dare to Love Again. I love Julie’s books!!!
Aw, thanks, TERESA … and I would “love” to send you a signed copy, my friend, so here’s to a win!!
Hugs,
Julie
Aren’t her books the best? π Good luck in the giveaway, Teresa! Thanks for stopping by!
koho143@hotmail.com
I LOVED A Light in the Window. Can’t wait to read Dare to Love Again. Thanks for the giveaway.
Thanks SO much, HEATHER O, really appreciate you reading ALITW! And I don’t know if you post reviews or not, but if you do, I wanted to let you know about a newsletter contest I have going on now through 3/31/14 where posting even one short review for any of my books will enter you to win a character named after you in my next book, a signed copy, and if you are the top poster, a $50 gift card. So if you’re interested, just sign up for my newsletter (I send out two a year) at http://www.julielessman.com/sign-up-for-newsletter/, and I will send you the info, okay? But if reviews are not your thing, NO WORRIES, okay? I’m just grateful you read my books in the first place!! π
And … if you haven’t read any of my other books, I do hope you will take advantage of the FREE DOWNLOAD going on right now for my first book in the O’Connor family saga, A Passion Most Pure. I’m happy to say it won American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Book of the Year and currently had 356 five-star reviews on Amazon. Hereβs the link if you want to check it out, and I hope you do:
http://amzn.to/1hteaEj
Hugs!!
Julie
Welcome to my blog, Heather! I have no doubt you’ll love Julie’s latest story. It’s a keeper!
I love Julie’s books! I would love to have Dare to Love Again. It has be in my TBR pile for awhile.
candicervaldez at gmail dot com
I subscribed to The Engrafted Word and I liked it on Facebook.
Thanks, CANDICE, for reading my books and your sweet comment. Here’s hoping we can send you a signed copy of DTLA for the top of that TBR list, okay? π
Hugs and GOOD LUCK!!
Julie
Thanks, Candice! You’ll receive 3 entries in the giveaway. Good luck! π
I’ve read all of Julie’s books except Dare to Love Again. Can’t wait to read it!
YAY, AMANDA … SOOOO appreciate you reading my books, girl — THANK YOU!! And like I told Heather above, if you have never posted a review on any or some of my books, I have a newsletter contest going on now through 3/31/14 where posting even one short review for any of my books will enter you to win a character named after you in my next book, a signed copy, and if you are the top poster, a $50 gift card. So if youβre interested, just sign up for my newsletter (I send out two a year) at http://www.julielessman.com/sign-up-for-newsletter/, and I will send you the info, okay? But if reviews are not your thing, NO WORRIES, okay? Iβm just grateful you read my books in the first place!! π
Hugs,
Julie
Great to have another fan of Julie’s here! π You won’t want to miss this one, Amanda. I’m sure you’ll love it!
I am excited about Dare to Love Again! This was a great interview. I Love that your daughter is so honest and only took $20 to read your book.
LOL, NANCY … yes, she IS realllly honest, which is good sometimes and bad others. π
Thanks for your excitement over DTLA — I hope you enjoy it whenever you get the chance to read it. Who knows … maybe after you win here??
Good luck!!
Hugs,
Julie
Thanks for visiting with us today, Nancy! Good luck in the Giveaway! π
~ Love it..any friend of Julies is a friend of mine. I am commenting, I FB, Tweeted, Google+ and Pinterested , I am subscribed and I liked ya….smile
Get Ready Jules, You have my address !!! I would love to have a signed copy of ” Love At Any Cost ” Since I have Dare to Love Again and will be getting my copy of Surprized by Love ! I can’t wait to see ME (Linda Marie Finn) in Paperback and eBook !!!! What more could a girl want right… Oh ya thats right… A PINK Feather Boa !!!! Smile
Love ya both
Linda Marie Finn
faithfulacresbooks@gmail.com
Faithful Acres Books
LOL, LINDA … you’re definitely on a roll, my friend, so here’s hoping your luck holds … π
Hugs and thanks for sharing, you sweet thing!!
Julie
It’s great to meet you, Linda! Thanks for sharing! You’ll received 4 entries in this giveaway. π
Good morning, Julie and Savanna!
Always LOVE your interviews, Julie! You always manage to include some interesting tidbit about yourself, or your writing, as well as some quip that touches my “funny bone”! LOVE your sense of humor!
Julie, I think I probably know your heart and love for God well enough to say that reading isn’t the only thing you do while your boat is anchored in that beautiful cove. I venture to guess a lot of praying goes on there also!
I love the story of your husband reading “A Passion Most Pure”, and his sensitive heart. He is a master at his artwork, just as you are with your writing – his artistry in the cover of “A Light in the Window”, it’s video, and everything else he has contributed to your writing, is absolutely beautiful. Keith is a “keeper” for sure, and I LOVE the part your beautiful marriage plays in the writing of “A Passion Most Pure”! It is so inspiring to see a happy, God-filled marriage!
I SO love you and your books, Julie – I revel in all that angst and passion, tears, laughter, unexpected “twists”, roller coaster emotions, descriptions, warm and cozy family scenes, the values exhibited, and the wonderfully inspiring spiritual elements that always draw me closer to God. And – I’m sure the success of that ACFW workshop wasn’t just because of the subject matter, it was your infectious, bubbly, loving, personality that drew everyone in!!
Savanna, I’m in the midst of reading ALL of Julie’s books back-to-back – now reading “A Hope Undaunted”, next is “A Heart Revealed”, and I can’t wait to start the San Fran series – everything I’ve read rates “Dare to Love Again” as Julie’s best novel ever! Thanks for featuring her interview! I subscribed to your blog, “liked” your Facebook page, and shared the giveaway info!
Bonnie Roof
bonnieroof60(at)yahoo(dot)com
Gosh, Bonnie … now even I want to read my books after that glowing endorsement, you sweet thing!! Thank you AS ALWAYS, my friend, for your incredible support!!
Hugs!!
Julie
Thanks so much for stopping by today, Bonnie! Sure appreciate your kind words and also for sharing the giveaway. You’ll receive 4 entries! Good luck! π
I’ve read each one of Julie’s wonderful books, except for this newest release, so that’s what I would choose. Thanks for the interview and chance to win!
pattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)com
Oh, PATTY … good girl!! π You certainly deserve a win after reading all my books so far, so GOOD LUCK in this contest!
And like I told Heather and Amanda above, I don’t know if you have ever posted a review on any of my books before, but if not, I have a newsletter contest going on now through 3/31/14 where posting even one short review for any of my books will enter you to win a character named after you in my next book, a signed copy, and if you are the top poster, a $50 gift card. So if youβre interested, just sign up for my newsletter (I send out two a year) at http://www.julielessman.com/sign-up-for-newsletter/, and I will send you the info, okay? But if reviews are not your thing, NO WORRIES, okay? Iβm just grateful you read my books in the first place!! π
Hugs,
Julie
Welcome to my blog, Patty! It’s so nice to meet another kindred spirit – another avid reader of Julie’s stories! π Good luck in the giveaway!
What a fun interview–I’m looking forward to reading your new novels (I’ve not yet read LAAC or DTLA) AND Romance-ology 101 What a fun tidbit about it being your daughter, too! Thanks for the giveaway. I’ve also subscribed to your mailing list, Savannah (I already subscribe to Julie’s) and liked your FB page, too.
danandlyndaedwards(at)msn(dot)com.
Hey, LYNDA, well it looks like we need to get one or all of those books in your library, eh? So here’s to a win on Savanna’s blog, but if you don’t win here (or even if you do), be sure to check out the other giveaways I have going on right now at my website calendar. Here’s the link and GOOD LUCK!!
http://www.julielessman.com/julies-calendar/
HUGS,
Julie
Welcome, Lynda! Hope you get a chance to read Julie’s latest work! π You’ll receive 3 entries in the giveaway.
I would choose Dare to Love Again.(I am reading Love at any Cost right now)
I love that your husband reads your books because my husband will sometimes read the same books I’m reading. I always tell him he has to wait until I’m finished otherwise every time I get a little reading time he already has the book!
How fun that you can share your books with your hubby! π Hope you get a chance to share this one too! Good luck, Rebecca!
LOL, REBECCA … that put a HUGE grin on my face, girl!! I do believe that’s the first time I’ve ever heard of a husband/wife sharing the same books. Gosh, I love your hubby already — he sounds like a keeper!!
Which reminds me of a funny story back when I was working part-time. After I quit, I found out that employees where I used to work (it was a BIG travel company) were passing around a manuscript I’d lent to a friend and apparently there was a waitlist for it, which freaked me out. Anyway, one day I get this email from the husband of one of the gals who had the ms. Turns out, SHE doesn’t read romance, but her hubby does!! He wrote me the sweetest email, telling me that Nicholas Sparks and I were his favorite authors, so that realllly tickled me because I’m pretty sure that’s the only time someone put me on the same shelf as Nick! This guy ended up coming to every book signing I had at Borders back then, and we became friends. I just thought it was funny that he’s the romance reader and she’s not. π
SO glad you’re reading LAAC and I hope you like it! If you do, I hope you consider entering my contest posting where even one short review for any of my books will enter you to win a character named after you in my next book, a signed copy, and if you are the top poster, a $50 gift card. So if youβre interested, just sign up for my newsletter (I send out two a year) at http://www.julielessman.com/sign-up-for-newsletter/, and I will send you the info, okay? But if reviews are not your thing, NO WORRIES, okay? Iβm just grateful you read my books in the first place!! π
Also, I don’t know if you’ve taken advantage of the FREE DOWNLOAD going on for A Passion Most Pure right now, but I sure hope you do, okay?
Hugs,
Julie
Loved the Interview, Thanks for sharing with us, Can’t wait to read DTLA! π
Thanks for stopping by, Melissa!
Hey, MELISSA, thank you for coming by, and Savanna did a great job with those questions, didn’t she?
Here’s hoping your comment today will net you a win!
GOOD LUCK and HUGS,
Julie
I’m excited to read her new book Dare to Love Again- the plot sounds fantastic!
I’m a subscriber, a facebook fan, and just tweeted the giveaway!
https://twitter.com/colorvibrant/status/428195583585550337
colorvibrant at gmail dot com
Thanks for sharing, Heidi! π You’ll receive 4 entries in the giveaway.
Hey, HEIDI … I appreciate your interest in DTLA and coming by to leave a comment — I’m hoping it pays off for you, girl!!
And I don’t know if you’ve read any of the O’Connor family saga yet, but if not, right now my first book, A Passion Most Pure, is available for FREE DOWNLOAD, so I hope you will consider getting it. It won American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Book of the Year AND currently has 358 five-star reviews on Amazon. Hereβs the link to the FREE DOWNLOAD on Amazon for A Passion Most Pure if you haven’t read it yet, or you can get it through B&N and CBD too. http://amzn.to/1hteaEj
Hugs and GOOD LUCK!!
Julie
I always like to run into Julie when I am on FB, she is a wonderful author but also a wonderful caring person who I think would be awesome to meet one day…I have not read the light in the window book yet so would love to win this one, thanks for sharing….enjoyed the interview ladies.
Paula O
Great to have you join us, Paula. Yes, Julie is a very special lady and sweet friend! π Thanks for stopping by!
PAULA!!! Would LOVE to send you ALITW, my sweet friend, so here’s hoping you pull out a win, okay?
GOOD LUCK!!
Hugs,
Julie
Ooh – reader’s choice of signed books?! Count me in! π
That’s so sweet your husband reading your books. I can see why you swooned! But you made me laugh that you had to bribe your daughter π I’m really enjoying Love At Any Cost. I’m learning a lot about San Francisco and the time period, too. I just finished the swimming chapter. Do you know, when I was 11 or 12, I asked my grandmother if she wore those type of swimsuits when she was a girl. She nearly cried asking, “Do you really think I’m that old?!” – I had no idea what time period they were from and hadn’t meant to insult. Luckily, she laughs about it now. π
What funny things we say when we’re young, right? π Thanks for visiting today! Hope you get a chance to read this next book in the series.
LADY SPARK!!! Soooo glad you are enjoying LAAC, my friend, and that swimming scene is cool, isn’t it?? I had NO idea there was a facility like that back then, but I was totally blown away by the fact that Sutro Baths could outfit 10,000 swimmers with their standard swimsuits at one time. WOW!!
LOL … that’s funny about your grandmother!! I’d be insulted too, and I’ll bet she’s younger than me … π
GOOD LUCK, LS, and I hope I get to send you a signed book!!
Hugs,
Julie
I haven’t gotten to the Heart of San Francisco Series yet, so it would be LOVE AT ANY COST then DARE TO LOVE AGAIN!
Thanks!
Good girl, ROBIN … you definitely need to read them in order, my friend, just like the O’Connor series, so if you win, I’ll send you LAAC, okay?
Hugs!!
Julie
You’ll love this series, Robin! π
Since I’ve read all of Julie’s books, except her newest one, that’s the one I’m looking forward to reading!!
marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com
Hey, MARISSA, I can’t wait to see what you think of DTLA, my friend, so I hope you win/get it before 3/31 so you can post a review to enter my random drawing to have a character named after you in my next book and a signed copy, okay?
GOOD LUCK and if you don’t win here, be sure to check out my website calendar for other giveaways going on right now. Here’s the link: http://www.julielessman.com/julies-calendar/
Hugs,
Julie
Thanks for visiting, Marissa! Good luck in the giveaway. π
What a fun interview~ liked how her husband was caught reading her book and got hooked~so sweet. My dh never really liked to read either, so in the past few years I’ve finally found some fiction he enjoys and he’s actually getting into reading some classics too, like Robinson Crusoe and Around the World in 80 Days. Would love any of Julie’s books (I have A Passion Most Pure)–thanks. π
Good for you, KAREN, getting your hubby to read! I LOVED Around the World in 80 Days!! Soooo glad you got the chance to read APMP, and while you’re waiting to win book 2 (which is my fave, by the way — LOVE Mitch Dennehy!!), you ought to check out Marcy and Patrick’s prequel love story, A Light in the Window, WHICH is only 99 cents for a short time longer. Here’s the video in case you haven’t seen it yet. My artist hubby created it and my daughter starred in it as well as on the book cover. π https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGKjHddYNeE&feature=youtu.be
Hugs and GOOD LUCK!!
Julie
Cool~ got the prequel ~ thanks!
Welcome, Karen! I love it that you’re helping spread the “reading bug”!! What a great thing to pass along! π I know you’ll enjoy the rest of Julie’s stories.
I just finished A Passion Most Pure so now I am dying to read A Passion Redeemed π
Oh, SHARON, like I told Karen above, A Passion Redeemed is my FAVORITE book of the DOB series because I just LOVE Mitch and Charity together. I know you probably hate Charity after APMP (some readers have asked me to slap Charity for them or want to see her killed or maimed!), but honestly she is the character who grows the most throughout this family saga and by books 3 and 5, you will LOVE her because she is SUCH a hoot. Anyway, keep in mind that she does become a decent human being who grows VERY close with her sisters … eventually! π
AND … like I also told Karen above, I hope you check out Marcy and Patrickβs prequel love story, A Light in the Window, WHICH is only 99 cents for a short time longer. Hereβs the video in case you havenβt seen it yet. My artist hubby created it and my daughter starred in it as well as on the book cover. π https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGKjHddYNeE&feature=youtu.be
Hugs and GOOD LUCK!!
Julie
Wasn’t it great? π Happy Reading, Sharon! And good luck in the giveaway!
Your books have been on my to-read list for such a long time, but it seems like new books in series I have already read keep coming out and taking priority. I definitely need to find the time to add a new author to my repertoire, though, as your books are part of my favorite genre! Thanks so much for the fun interview and giveaway. (I liked The Engrafted Word on Facebook, too.)
Jmsfarmgirl (at) hotmail (dot) com
JOELLE!! Okay, sweetie, we definitely need to get one of my books ON your actual TBR list, sitting at the top, so I’ll make a deal with you.
Right now my first book, A Passion Most Pure, is available for FREE DOWNLOAD, so I hope you will consider getting it. It won American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Book of the Year AND currently has 357 five-star reviews on Amazon PLUS I’ve had several readers of mine read it over 20 times already because it’s about a close-knit Irish family that sucks you in. If you download it for free, read it and like it, I will send you the e-prequel to it FREE, A Light in the Window, which has won three awards and 127 five-star reviews on Amazon. Here’s the link to the video to whet your appetite, which stars my daughter and is wonderfully done by my artist hubby, if I say so myself. π http://bit.ly/18ivWEY
THEN here’s the link to the FREE DOWNLOAD on Amazon for A Passion Most Pure, or you can get it through B&N and CBD too. http://amzn.to/1hteaEj
If you do this and like it, let me know, and I’ll send you the ebook to ALITW FREE PLUS tell you how you can win having a character named after you in my next book, a signed copy, and maybe a $50 gift card, okay?
Now … none of the other authors you read are offering you that, are they??? Sounds like a no-brainer to me … π
Hugs and HAPPY READING!!
Julie
Glad you stopped by, Joelle! Definitely pick up one of Julie’s books! You’ll be SO glad you did, trust me! π You’ll receive 2 entries in the giveaway, good luck!
Would love to have a copy of Love at Any Cost! That is another one I don’t have.
I subscribe, liked on Facebook, and shared it.
happygurl1807(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hey, KAYLA … good job following the blog giveaways, my friend! You better watch out or you’re liable to win a book that way … π
GOOD LUCK, sweetie!
Hugs,
Julie
Thanks, Kayla! You’ll receive 4 entries in this giveaway! π Have a great day!
Right now I am reading Romance-ology 101 and really enjoying it! It’s so helpful and I’m learning a lot π Next on the to-read pile would be Love at Any Cost π
~Micaela π
bookworm9404(at)gmail(dot)com
For extra entries:
-I liked The Engrafted Word on facebook (FB name Micaela Wood)
-I subscribed to this blog using the email address above (previous comment)
-I tweeted this post; here is the link: https://twitter.com/micaela_419/status/428299883033133056
Thanks! π
YAY, MICAELA … SO glad you are enjoying Romance-ology 101 — it’s short but sweet!! And I am SO glad you got Love at Any Cost on the FREE DOWNLOAD as well — DOUBLE YAY!!
I’m hoping you have already read my first book, A Passion Most Pure, book 1 in the Daughters of Boston series, which is also available for FREE DOWNLOAD right now as well? If not, PLEASE take advantage because the Daughters of Boston series is a lot meatier and more complex than the Heart of San Francisco series, of which Love at Any Cost is book 1. They’re both good series, mind you, but very different. The Heart of San Fran is lighter, funnier, less complicated than the others, so I’d like you to experience both if possible, okay?
Oh, and if you like Romance-ology and LAAC and post a review, let me know so I can enter you in my contest where even just one short review enters you to win having a character named after you in my next book and a signed copy.
GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY READING!!
Hugs,
Julie
Isn’t Romance-ology 101 a great book? I sure enjoyed it and learned a lot! π Thanks for stopping by, Micaela! You’ll receive 4 entries in the giveaway.
I love Julie’s books. I am currently reading A Light in the Window and it is fantastic. I would love to win Dare to Love again.
Wilani Wahl
wwchildren at gmail dot com
Welcome to my blog, Wilani! π Good luck in the giveaway!
LANI!!! Soooo glad to see you making the rounds on the giveaway, my friend — hopefully the odds will be with you, girl, and I can send you a signed book!
GOOD LUCK and HUGS!!
Julie
I would love to have Dare to Love Again.Dare to Love Again sounds wonderful. Please enter me in contest. Thank you for the opportunity to win.augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.Have a wonderful week.
Great to have you join us, Emma! You’ll love DTLA! π Thanks for sharing. You’ll receive 4 entries in the giveaway!
Hey, EMMA … trust me … I would “love” for you to have DTLA too, so good luck in the contest!!
And if you haven’t read any of my books before, I want to let you know that my first book, A Passion Most Pure, is available for FREE DOWNLOAD right now, so I hope you will consider getting it. It won American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Book of the Year AND currently has 358 five-star reviews on Amazon, so hereβs the link to the FREE DOWNLOAD on Amazon or you can get it through B&N and CBD too. http://amzn.to/1hteaEj
Hugs,
Julie
GET EXTRA ENTRIES:
(Be sure to tell me in the comments below)
-Subscribe to The Engrafted Word
-Like The Engrafted Word on Facebook
-Share this Giveaway on Social Media
augustlily06(at)aim(dot)com.Have a wonderful weekend.
Oh, I loved your review for Dare to Love Again! I can’t wait to read it (the stick story is very intriguing)! I love Julie’s books. π
If I could win any of her books, I would love to have either DTLA or Steven’s book “A Love Surrendered,” which I have yet to read. I got through all of the other books so quickly and was so bummed when I realized I couldn’t get the last one in the Winds of Change series! It’d be really hard to pick one which one.
I signed up to follow your blog via email and I will like your Facebook page as soon as I post this.
Thanks for the chance to win one of Julie’s books!
Blessings,
Sarah
bookluver1492 [at] gmail [dot] com
Oh, SARAH … we just HAVE to get A Love Surrendered into your hands soon, my friend, because that’s the big finale to the O’Connor saga and a real tearjerker with TWO shockers in it, so if you win, I will be happy to send that to you, girl.
So … here’s hoping Randomizer picks your name … π
Hugs,
Julie
So glad you stopped by, Sarah. Waiting for that next book to come out is always SO hard!! π Thanks for all your extra support. You’ll receive 3 entries in the giveaway.
I have enjoyed everyone of Julie’s books and can’t wait to get my hands on Dare to Love!
missionwife AT hotmail DOT com
MEL!!! It’s SO fun to run into you here on the blog circuit again, my friend!! we need to get that book in your hands before you head out, girlfriend, so GOOD LUCK!!
Hugs!!
Julie
Thanks for sharing, Melody! You’ll receive 4 entries in the giveaway. Good luck!
I have subscribed to The Engrafted Word!
missionwife AT hotmail DOT com
I have LIKED this on facebook!
missionwife AT hotmail DOT com
I even shared about this giveaway on facebook!
missionwife AT hotmail DOT com
Miss Julie I think it is SO great that your husband reads your books. I don’t know another man PERIOD that reads romance books. Your husband must be your biggest fan. I would love to have that privilege myself! LOL Thank you for the interview and giveaway. I’m shooting A Passion Denied. π
Wanda
oops! I forgot my email!
Wanda Barefoot
flghtlss1(at)yahoo(dot)com
WANDA!!! Always a joy to see you my friend, and yeah, I’m pretty blessed in the hubby department, no question. Sometimes I wonder if it’s God’s way of giving me a hug after a dysfunctional childhood where there wasn’t a lot of love to go around. π
My biggest fan? Yeah, I suppose so, and my best friend too. I always tell him I don’t deserve him, and he always says, “I know.” Then he grins and gives me a wink, “And I don’t deserve YOU either …”
Good luck in the contest, my sweet friend — would LOVE to send you a book!!
Hugs,
Julie
Glad you stopped by today, Wanda! Good luck in the giveaway. π
Savanna, Thank you for a wonderful interview and thank you for the giveaway. I really enjoyed reading about you. You are a very interesting person. Thank you for what you do.
melback at cebridge dot net
Hey, MELANIE, thanks for coming by, and GOOD LUCK in the contest!!
And it sounds as if you might not have read any of my books before and if that’s the case, I strongly encourage you to check out the FREE DOWNLOAD going on right now of my first book, A Passion Most Pure, which won American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Book of the Year and currently had 359 five-star reviews on Amazon. Hereβs the link if you want to check it out, and I hope you do:
http://amzn.to/1hteaEj
And if you like it, let me know, and Iβll tell you how to enter my contest to have a character named after you in my next book and a signed copy, okay? And if you donβt like it? Well β¦ uh β¦ never mind! π
Hugs and GOOD LUCK!!
Julie
So nice to have you join us, Melanie. π
A Hope Undaunted for me! Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net
KATHLEEN!!! Long time, no see, my friend — hope all is well with you. And I can hardly believe you are STILL trying to get a copy of AHU!! I have to admit, it’s my favorite of all the books I’ve written and I reread it all the time, so I don’t blame you. Just something about Luke McGee … π
Good luck in the contest!
Hugs,
Julie
Persistent, lol. Hi Julie! Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House (I actually do have it as eBook on my desktop, but would like a print copy to carry with me to read.)
Welcome, Kathleen! Hope you get the chance to read AHU! You’ll love it. π
Me too, Savanna. Love your site! Kathleen
I would definitely choose Dare to Love Again if I won. Julie, it must be wonderful to go out on the lake and just read for a while. I know I would love that! It’s way too cold to do that where I am right now. And it’s so sweet that your husband began to read everything you wrote before it was published!
Savanna, I liked The Engrafted Word of Facebook. Thank you for the opportunity to win one of Julie Lessman’s books!
Thanks, Brooke! π I know, doesn’t that sound like the perfect place to cuddle up with a good book? Can’t wait for summer!!
BROOKE!! You’re not going to believe this, but I’ve been noticing your name all over FB when you post reviews or blogs, and at first glance, I always think your name says “Barefinger.” Because of that, I ALWAYS notice your name, so it’s fun to see you here!
Good luck in the contest, and here’s to a win!!
Hugs,
Julie
Julie’s books are on my “to read” list. Would be awesome to win one, but either way I will be enjoying her work. Thanks so much for this giveaway. I have shared and subscribed to the appropriate newsletter. Blessings!
Thanks, Tina! It’s great to have you join us!
Liked Engrafted Word on Facebook too!
I just recently found Julie, but am a true fan of her work. I read my first book which was “ALITW” not only has she made me fall in love with romance novels again, she made me think of how my father must have courted my mother, while I read her book. I would love yet another fabulous book of hers to read. Thank you for that chance. B
Hi Barbara! Yeah, once you pick up one of Julie’s books, I think you become a fan for life! π Thanks for stopping by!
Julie Dear, it is merely a blessing upon me of the Lord, no luck here Sis… and it is always with you ! and a few others, but always with you Jules…
Love and Hugs
Linda Marie Finn
LOL … well, I swear that if you win again, Linda girl, I’m sending you a check to buy me some lottery tickets … and I don’t even gamble!! π
Hugs,
Julie
I just finished the “Romanceology” book I downloaded, and even though I’m not a writer, it was neat to see all the things a writer would consider when drafting “romance” –thanks for the chance to win! Mrs. Lessman’s books are amazing!
Yeah, it’s a great book for writers and readers alike! π Thanks for stopping by!
Liked your FB page (email me if you need my username for verification)
Hey, LDK, the contest is over, but there are additional opportunities on my website calendar at http://www.julielessman.com/julies-calendar/, so GOOD LUCK!
Hugs,
Julie
Looking forward to reading your books Julie.
Many thanks,
Carmina.
Thanks, CARMINA, and I’m sorry you missed out on this giveaway, but there are additional opportunities on my website calendar at http://www.julielessman.com/julies-calendar/, so GOOD LUCK!
Hugs,
Julie