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12 September 2011

Interview with Julie Lessman






Interview with Julie Lessman


by Carrie Fancett Pagels












Julie Lessman is the author of The Daughters of Boston series (A Passion Most Pure, A Passion Redeemed and A Passion Denied) and The Winds of Change series (A Hope Undaunted—now available for free download on Amazon.com, CBD.com, B&N.com and Sony e-reader) and A Heart Revealed (just released Sept. 1st)).

I met Julie through a mutual good friend, Laura Frantz, who is also a Revell author like Julie.

Julie, welcome to Overcoming Through Time.  Would you share either the most difficult thing in your life you have had to overcome, with God’s help, or the most tragic situation or circumstance one of your character’s has had to get past?

I don’t know if this is the most difficult thing I’ve had to overcome, but it certainly ranks close to the top—the day I received a call from a urologist in my son’s college town, telling me he thought my son had cancer. Now if you know anything about me at all, you know I am a VERY wired individual. I like to joke that I am a CDQ (caffeinated drama queen) because I am such an emotional person, my family used to call me “walking nervous breakdown” when I was little. BUT … God has calmed me down A LOT since I came to know Him, but I am still a pretty hyper person, so obviously this phone call about my son almost buckled me at the knees.

Fortunately, from the moment I became a born-again Christian at the age of 23, application of Scripture has been vitally important to me AND a key component in my books. Why? Because when we apply Scripture in our lives, dramatic things happen! We are blessed! We are transformed! We are changed from weak, downtrodden human beings to powerful kids of the King!

But I will admit that I didn’t “feel” very powerful when I received that call. My husband and I were devastated and immediately sought a second opinion. Extensive blood tests were run, but we had to wait an entire week for the results. Now, my mom always said I had an imagination like a runaway train, and whoa, baby, was it in overdrive that week! There I’d be, lying in my bed and desperately trying to sleep, when images of my son in a casket would bombard my mind. The only way I got through that week was by “being transformed by the renewing of my mind” (Romans 12:2).  As soon as a horrible image or thought would come to me, I would rebuke it in Jesus’ name (the same way Jesus rebuked the terrible storm when He and the apostles were in the boat—Matthew 8:26), and then I would replace it with God’s Word such as “No weapon formed against my son shall prosper; this is the heritage of the servants of the Lord” Isaiah 54:17, or “for You are the God who heals my son” Exodus 15:26. I said it OVER and OVER until it drove the fear away and filled me with God’s peace.

How did everything turn out? Well, I spent the week resting in God’s Word, as calm and placid as a mirror lake, while my usually laid-back husband was a basket case. I finally had to type up a whole page of healing scriptures, print it off, and tuck it in his wallet so that he, too, could be transformed from fear to peace. At the end of the week, God answered our prayers—no cancer! Thank you, Jesus! But that incident really brought it home to me the power that we have in God’s Word. So if anyone would like a listing of Scriptures that I put together for healing, hope and just general Scriptures for writers, here’s the link

What is your favorite bible verse and why?
Gosh, I have so many, but one of my favorites (which I used to pray everyday) is the last paragraph in Psalm 139, verses 23-24. But a word of warning—don’t pray it unless you mean business, because God will definitely nail you to the wall on a few things! Here it is:
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

However … since I have become an author, I find that the push and pull of success (vying for sales, awards, accolades) is deadly, taking me places I do NOT want to go. So since then, my favorite Scripture has been 2 Corinthians ll:3: Do not let my mind “be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.”


Disability friendliness:
Is this latest release available in audio format or do you have any other works available on audio? I believe many of your books are available as e-books with audio capability, is that correct (on Kindle)? Do you have any in large print?  (Thank you – we offer this information to our readers with difficulty reading books in regular print format.)
Not audio format or large print, unfortunately, but yes, all are on e-book.

What has been the most important thing you hope your readers will get from your books and why?
Oh, that’s easy. The MOST important thing I pray readers take away from my books is the reality of how natural and fulfilling an intimate relationship with God can and SHOULD be. Like breathing. These books may be fiction, but this is NOT a fairy tale here. It is possible to have a living, breathing relationship with the God of the Universe. He’s crazy about us, and if most people really understood that, their lives would turn on a dime and blessings would overtake them. Believe me, I KNOW this firsthand—I used to be a hard, cynical, coarse human being (like my character, Charity O’Connor, in A Passion Redeemed) before God pulled me up by the scruff of the neck and said, “Yo, Julie! Get a clue. You’re the apple of my eye!” J He’s been the love of my life ever since.


As you researched your books, did you learn anything that particularly touched your heart?
Yes, as a matter of fact, I did. In A Passion Redeemed there is a scene at the end of the book where Charity O’Connor is coming home from Dublin to Boston. I wanted to get the setting of Boston Harbor just right, so I researched it and found out that during that time period, there was a Boston Floating Hospital for Children right there in the bay. It was begun by Reverend Rufus B. Tobey, a minister who wanted to help indigent women and their sick children. In the summer, you could actually see naked babies and toddlers playing on the sundeck, which was the prescribed therapy for Vitamin D deficiency. I thought that was very cool.

In this latest work, do you have any topics useful for bibliotherapy, or therapeutic influence through reading about a disorder or situation?
Yes, I believe so. You see, A Heart Revealed deals with the after-effects of spousal abuse as it pertains to the heroine, Emma Malloy, a woman scarred on the inside and out when her husband pelted hot grease in her face during a drunken brawl. Emma has to learn how to let go of the hurt and pain of the past in this book and feel beautiful and loved in God’s eyes, if not her own.

Julie, Thanks so much for sharing. Wow!  I was really touched by your testimony of what happened with your son and how you stepped into the healing power of prayer to stand in the breach for him.  God is so good!  And thank you for the links to those prayers.  We are so glad to have you as our guest on Overcoming Through Time! 

JULIE LESSMAN WEEK Givaway:  Leave your comment and email address for a chance to win a Julie Lessman book (your choice, your format). 

96 comments:

  1. Really good interview questions!!! Thank goodness about Julie's son and no cancer. I'm sure that had to be a very rough week to get through!

    Thank you for hosting this giveaway!
    countrysunset40 (at) aol dto com

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  2. Good interview, thank you.

    wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

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  3. What a great interview, Julie and Carrie! One of the best I've had the pleasure to read...truly. Julie, thank you for the reminder that we have the power to rebuke thoughts and torment in Jesus name and by using the Word. There has been some unrest in my home (which is not there normally), due to someone who has been living with us for a couple of months. Thank you for reminding me, I have but to speak His Word to my situation, and peace will come in Jesus name. I needed that today, Julie.

    I have read every single Julie Lessman book from the first one she ever wrote up 'til her present book. I am waiting to read A Heart Revealed when my house guests leave so that I can savor and enjoy it...plus I need the time since it is another Julie Lessman loooooong book! I love her thick books; like a thick juicy steak!

    Julie is as wonderful as her books...a precious and Godly lady, and I feel so blessed to be a part of this special week for her.

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  4. CARRIE!! Thank you SO much, my friend, for this great opportunity to be on your blog this week. It's a beautiful blog, and you did a great job with this interview, asking unique questions I've never been asked before!

    Here's to a GREAT week!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  5. TRACY ... YES, they ARE good questions, and very different from any I've had before, which is saying something since I have answered over 1,500 questions in over 160 interviews!!

    Thanks for coming by and good luck in the contest!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  6. WFNREN ... thank you for coming by and here's to a win!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  7. DIANA!!! It is SO much fun to be here with Carrie and you, I can't tell you, and I have missed talking to you, my friend! But life gets crazier and crazier, doesn't it??

    And I am SO glad my experience could help you with the current "unrest" in your home, because as we all know, God's Word is a rock we can stand on!

    "A thick, juicy steak"??? Oooooo, I like that!! And now I'm hungry ... :)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  8. Powerful interview!- My favorite verse to say when I'm freaking out..."Be still and know that I am God"- Talk about taking a step back from anxiousness! The Bible kicks my butt everytime! lol

    BethanyJW@hotmail.com

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  9. Sorry about the "Anonymous" thing...It won't let me post unless I put it as that! I am Bethany Fountain...proud of it! lol


    BethanyJW@hotmail.com!

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  10. Great interview. I would love to read this book.

    Blessings,
    Jo
    ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

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  11. i have really had to overcome a lot in my life and still am, an more seems to be thrown at me, but it just makes me stronger...the thought that i could never have a child, which i overcame with a miracle after 9/11, i was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, several forms of arthritis and degenerative bone disease...which almost put me in a wheelchair...but with gods help he is keeping me alive and faithful....my email address is mommyofanangel38@aol.com

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  12. Wonderful interview! I love learning new things about my favorite authors. So glad you ladies shared this with us. :)

    Blessings,
    Karen
    klange61(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  13. Thanks for this interview! I just read my first Julie Lessman book, A Heart Revealed, and I am hooked!

    hollyberry1278@yahoo.com

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  14. Julie, I know I'd have been stressed had I gotten such a call, at least for a few minutes until I could gather my thoughts and focus on the power of God. Thanks for the Scripture references. Got them bookmarked.

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  15. Thanks for your kind comments Julie, Tracy,and Diana! I hope this blog will continue to minister to people who are overcoming through time with God's help! Those scriptures of Julie's are powerful and they ministered to me a while back when I was wondering if I would survive the winter of 2010 after two rounds of a horrible immunosuppressant treatment.

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  16. Carrie is a busy bee this week, folks; working on edits of her new book! I know she will be here when she can take a breather!

    Bethany, I, too, would be proud of such a lovely name! Welcome to OTT, Jo, and what a lovely testimony of overcoming through God's grace, Anna Marie!

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  17. BETHANY ... oh, girl, did I need THAT Scripture today!! I have TONS of things to do before ACFW next week, for which I am co-teaching a workshop and hosting the Seekers at my house, so THANK YOU for calming me down with that Word!! Good luck in the contest!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  18. My favorite verse when things get hard is Isa. 45:2 " I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:"
    llmarmalade at yahoo dot com

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  19. JO!!! Hey, girl, we need to get one of my books in your hands, sweetie, don't we???

    That said, right now book 1 in the Winds of Change series, A Hope Undaunted (the book before the one featured in today's blog, A Heart Revealed) is NOW FREE on Amazon Kindle and B&N Nook and Sony e-reader for a limited time. Can be downloaded on PCs, Macs, Droids, i-Phones, i-Pads, etc., so TAKE ADVANTAGE!!! Then if you like it, please pass the word!! Good luck in this contest as well!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  20. WOW, ANNAMARIE, you've been through the mill, girl, but I am SO glad God has been there with you through it. I don't even want to THINK where I'd be without HIM, do you???

    I was an infertility person as well, but God did a MAJOR work in me there, too, so YAY, GOD for both of us!!

    Good luck in the contest, my friend. And if you haven't read any of my books, why not DOWNLOAD A Hope Undaunted FREE on Amazon Kindle and B&N Nook and Sony e-reader?? It's available for a limited time and can be downloaded on PCs, Macs, Droids, i-Phones, i-Pads, etc

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  21. Thanks, KAREN, for coming by and for you kind comment!! Good luck in the contest, my friend.

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  22. WHOO-HOO, HOLLY!!! Sooo glad you enjoyed A Heart Revealed, so if you get a chance, go for A Hope Undaunted next with a FREE DOWNLOAD on Amazon Kindle and B&N Nook and Sony e-reader. It's available for a limited time and can be downloaded on PCs, Macs, Droids, i-Phones, i-Pads, etc

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  23. Hey, PATRICIA ... ALWAYS great to see your beautiful face in the comments, so thanks for coming by, my friend! And you're welcome for the Scripture references -- food to our souls!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  24. CARRIE ... I should have known you've had some major trials in your life with a blog that ministers so beautifully to hurting people!! God bless you for your willingness to reach out!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  25. LLMARMALADE!!! LOVE that Scripture, my friend, so THANK YOU!! I've got a few bars of iron I need to cut through this week ... :)

    Good luck in the contest!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  26. Great interview. I have not had the pleasure of reading one of her books yet, so I would love to be drawn!

    acfw bc

    Wyndy
    wyndyc at gmail dot com

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  27. Oh, one of my most favorite people on the planet - JULIE:) I have her books so please don't enter me in the contest. Just wanted to say Julie is the real deal - and she's enriched my life in countless ways. If you haven't tuned into her Journal Jots on Fridays, I encourage you to do so. They're so rich and thought-provoking and Spirit-filled!! Bless you Julie and Carrie!

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  28. Julie, I'm humbled by how you are so transparent with your failings and your stiving to fix them correctly--I tend to hide my failings and therefore not work on fixing them because if I started fixing them I'd be admitting I have them! Not the best problem to have. :(

    rmjagears AT gmail DOT com

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  29. Hi Julie, Great interview with Carrie. So glad your son did not have cancer. God is good. I am still following you and hoping to win "A Heart Revealed". I loved Emma in "A Hope Undaunted" and look forward to reading her story.
    Thanks for this great giveaway.

    misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

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  30. What a wonderful interview! I would love to win one of Julie's books!

    Linda Cacaci
    linCaca3@aol.com

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  31. Wyndy, since you have never read one of Julie's books, you are in for a better than ice cream treat!

    Hey, Melissa...I think we've all faced that dilemma from time to time, but God is still faithful and loves us anyway! Who wants to admit their faults? Hard to do!

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  32. Miss Kallie, I'm with you...I loved Emma and am also looking forward to reading her story!

    Threw your name in the hat, Linda! Good to "see" you on OTT!

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  33. Oh, my dear friend Laura, how I've been missing you. Was just thinking of you before I went to sleep last night...no wonder I had such sweet dreams! I agree with you about Julie; she is such a gem and enriches everyone's lives through her books, and by just being Julie!

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  34. Hey, WYN, thanks for coming by, and if you haven't read my books yet, boy, do I have an opportunity for you!!

    Right now you can DOWNLOAD A Hope Undaunted (book 1 in this series) FREE on Amazon Kindle and B&N Nook and Sony e-reader.It's only available for a limited time and can be downloaded on PCs, Macs, Droids, i-Phones, i-Pads, etc., so GO FOR IT!!! And if you like my style, then good luck in the contest!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  35. LAURA!!! Right back at ya, my friend, and it goes without saying that YOU are one of MY favorite people on the planet as well, but then you already know that, right?? Cannot wait to give you a HUGE hug at ACFW because seeing you will be a MAJOR highlight of the conference!!

    Love ya,
    Julie

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  36. MELISSA ... :) Don't be "humbled" my friend, because I have plenty of other things that tip the scales in the other direction, I guarantee you!! :)

    Not sure if it's "transparency" or downright stupidity, but I tend to be pretty much "out there," so what you see (and read) is what you get -- good OR bad!! :)

    And I have learned from experience that "facing and fixing" my problems and failings hurts a lot less in the long run and helps me to be happier, which is what we are all looking for, right?? And you can do it, too, I know you can -- in Him!!

    Thanks for coming by, sweetie, and God bless!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  37. BRENDA!!! We'll see what we can do about getting AHR into your hot, little hands, my friend because I KNOW that you are going to LOVE Emma!!

    Good luck in the contest!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  38. Hey, LINDA, you sound like you might not have read any of my books before, so I want to let you know that right now you can DOWNLOAD book 1 in this series, A Hope Undaunted, FREE on Amazon Kindle and B&N Nook and Sony e-reader. It's only available for a limited time, but can be downloaded on PCs, Macs, Droids, i-Phones, i-Pads, etc., so try it and see what you think, okay?

    Then good luck in the contest too!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  39. Whoops, DIANA, I wanted to let you know that my note to Brenda above is for MissKallie, which is her addy name. Didn't want to confuse you, which I've been known to do ... :)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  40. Hi Julie,
    It's always great to "see" you on the web! Would love to win your latest book!

    So glad to know that everything turned out okay for your son!

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  41. No, confusion, Julie, I was right on it, which is amazingly shocking to me since I am blonde ALL the way to the roots! Carrie can vouch for that one! LOL!

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  42. Julie, I love "claiming" scriptures....will look at those on your link! Thanks! And thanks for a chance to win AHR.......can't wait to read it 'cause I have read and loved all your books!!
    jackie.smith[at]dishmail[dot]net

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  43. Hey, EDWINA, it's ALWAYS such a pleasure to see you, my friend, so thanks for coming by and here's to a win!! I'm excited because the reviews on AHR so far have been really encouraging, so I hope you like it. :)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  44. LOL, DIANA ... "blonde all the way to the roots, eh?? Wish I were brown all the way to the roots, but I won't be until I color my hair later this week ... :)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  45. Hey, JACKIE, great to see you, sweetie, and there are some healing Scriptures that would have come in handy last year when your hubby was going through some things, so do check it out!

    Good luck in the contest, my friend.

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  46. Well I wish I was doing edits for my book, Miss Diana, but I am finishing removing the comments from the manuscript (an MS until someone actually buys it and publishes it, still praying!) and double checking for last changes before my freelance editor cleans it all up. Whew! Taking a little break but should be through tomorrow. Or I could just hit "Remove all comments" LOL instead of obsessing over them one last time.

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  47. Hey, We re almost to our 90th Follower on Overcoming Through Time. We will have to do another giveaway I am thinking!

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  48. It is so cool to find out more about one of my favorite authors EVER! Julie just seems so real and I love how she is passionate about God, life, and love. It is so incredibly motivating!

    Thanks so much for hosting her! Leave me out of the drawing, as I have bought a copy of her newest release and am anxiously awaiting its arrival. Julie, I know you are going to be shocked by the fact that I actually BOUGHT one, but I just had to support your work. Your work is important in God's kingdom. Don't ever forget that!

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  49. Hi Julie, I downloaded your book but haven't had time to read it yet. I need to do that soon because I have only ever heard fantastic things about you & your books!

    I think it's nice to know that those we admire are willing to share their hearts with us and be real. Our children are everything to us and it takes a close relationship with the Lord to keep your head in a heightened situation. Been there, done that! Only God can calm our fears :) A peace that passes understanding!

    Thank you, Carrie & Diana, for the opportunity to win a book.

    homesteading[at]charter[dot]net

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  50. Ok, folks, she isn't doing edits...what do I know? She's obsessing instead. LOL Gotta love her! BTW Carrie girl, it looks like we have 90 followers! Who is the 90th?!!

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  51. Wonderful interview ladies!
    I'm looking forward to reading Emma's story.

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  52. Well it is editing but author speak I have found only allows you to call it a book when it is published. So for now it is my completed manuscript. I am so glad everyone is having a great time here today. Gonna go see if I can figure out who our 90th follower is! Waving at another CACW gal our Debra Marvin!!!

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  53. CARRIE ... just what I love -- another "obsessor" like me -- I don't feel so alone!! Glad you are almost done, and praying your editor LOVES it!!

    And 90 followers -- YAY!!! I'm going to make it 91, when I done with this comment, sweetie.

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  54. SHERRINDA!!! No ... say it ain't so ... you actually BOUGHT one of my books???? :) Gosh, I hope it's worth the money you paid, my friend!!

    And, aw ... you brought tears to my eyes with your incredibly sweet comment -- THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!! I sure you're going to be at ACFW so I can give you a BIG hug!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  55. Hey, ANNE, SOOOO glad you took advantage of the free download because that way if you don't like it, you won't be made at me ... :) A Hope Undaunted is my favorite of all my books, so I hope you like it too.

    And you said, "Only God can calm our fears." AMEN to that, my friend!! Good luck in the contest. :)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  56. DEB!!! Thanks for coming by and I hope you enjoy Emma's story. I am cautiously optimistic since so far the reviews have been pretty good and dear reader friends of mine are telling me that Emma's story has pushed A Passion Most Pure out of first place as their favorite, so I am THRILLED!!

    You ARE going to be at ACFW, right??? And if so, you best be in that lobby bar, girl, after 9:00 PM or there will be heck to pay, you hear??

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  57. Hi Carrie! I just got your email saying I'm the 90th follower! Woohooo!

    I know Julie is probably rolling her eyes at this fact, since she thinks I'm the luckiest girl alive!

    I'm so glad I stumbled upon your blog!

    sherrinda(at)gmail(dot)com

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  58. cool interview and answers. I would love to read Emma's story. I love that the questions were differnet too.

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  59. Hi again Julie! Great to read this interview, it's wonderful to hear God's work in people's lives.

    You'll be happy to know I finished "A Hope Undaunted" last night, I enjoyed it very much! I am VERY KEEN to get a hold of "A Heart Revealed" so I can read more!

    helenblogspot[at]gmail[dot]com

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  60. Julie--Great interview. That Psalm verse you quoted---yes, He does mean business! And I like the other one, too. I'll have to remember that. It's always a pleasure to read your interviews.

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  61. Oh,and I always forget to put my email address!
    belindapeterson at tds dot net. :)

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  62. SHERRINDA ... CONGRATS, GIRL!! And, yes, you ARE "one" of the luckiest girls alive!! If I were you, Carrie, I'd require Sherrinda to buy you a lottery ticket before she can collect her prize. That's what I'm tempted to do with Ann Miller who just won one of my books over on Relz Reviews ... for the fifth or sixth time!!! These girls just have the touch, I'll tell you that. :)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  63. Hey, JENNY, if I remember correctly, you still have A Hope Undaunted sitting on your nightstand, so get hopping, girl, because you just may win here and then you'll have to play catchup!! Of course, "catchup" with reading is never really a bad thing, is it??

    Good luck in the contest, my friend. :)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  64. Oh, HELEN, I am SO glad you enjoyed it and the fact that you STILL want to win AHR bodes well! ;) AHU was my fav, but I'm hearing from reader friends that Emma's story is their fav, so hopefully you will think so too.

    Good luck in the contest, my friend. :)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  65. LINDI ... I have to smile because every time I see your name, my friend, I start singing "Lucky Lindy" in my head, so hopefully that will be true in Carrie's contest here, so good luck, sweetie!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  66. Julie, I loved this interview. I can just see you as a little drama princess! lol

    Love you! And can't wait to see you!

    Pam Hillman

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  67. PAM!!! Oh, I always get SO tickled when one of my Seeker buds drops by, so THANK YOU, you sweetheart, you!! And trust me, seeing you and the rest of the Seekers is a true HIGHLIGHT of ACFW for me, so big hugs coming your way, my friend!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  68. Taking a breather this morning and critting a friend's chapters. I am ordering JULIE's new book on Kindle today. I LOVED the one I recently read.

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  69. Julie...what a testimony to our Lord...Blessings to your son.

    Love the Bible verses you quoted, too...

    Thanks for the chance to read Juie's latest novel Carrie & Diana :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  70. Aw, thanks, CARRIE, you're a doll! I hope you like it, and thanks for your kind words.

    Happy reading!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  71. Thanks, KAREN, it is, isn't it?? What would we do without God and His Word? I know for a fact they'd have to lock me up ... although some people feel like they should now ... :)

    Good luck, sweetie!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  72. This has got to be the 20th blog I've visited since the giveaways started! I REALLY want to read this book! It's nice to have something fun to read in school! Thanks for writing Julie! You're the best!
    marissamehresman@aol.com

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  73. Hey, MARISSA, WOW, thanks for tracking my giveaways, girl, and here's hoping this one results in a win!! Good luck in the contest, sweetie. :)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  74. I downloaded my Kindle copy!!! YIKES. I got home and it is like a SIREN'S call LOL. I need to do some more work on my manuscript tonight. All I have to do is turn on the Kindle and... Oh, I know what I will do. IF I work on my MS for one hour THEN I get to start reading Julie's new book! Gee, maybe I did learn something from all those years as a licensed psychologist!

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  75. I do love your interviews, Carrie! The questions are loaded. And Julie, thank you so much for your candor and wonderful words that you shared with us all in each question. You are so much like many of us and not afraid to say so! Love you much!!!

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  76. CARRIE ... thank you SO much for downloading AHR!! I hope it doesn't distract you TOO much ... NOT!!! Sounds like a good plan -- one hour on the ms., one hour on my book, one hour on the ms., two hours on my book ... ;)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  77. Hey, CARLA, always good to see your sweet face, whether here or Seekerville!! And, YES, Carrie's questions are "loaded," which I LOVE!!

    "Not afraid to say so" is a two-edged sword, I'm afraid -- candor and honesty are good, but exposing one's flaws for the world to see gets a wee bit embarrassing for my husband at times ... He would rather I wasn't so "what you see is what you get," but I'm an open book, I'm afraid, and a realllllly LONG one at that!! Oh ... what a surprise!:)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  78. Fantastic interview! I can't wait to read Emma's story and would love to win 'A Heart Revealed'! Please enter me and thank you for the opportunity.

    lovetoread205 [at] gmail [dot] com

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  79. MEGAN ... you made it, girl -- YAY!! Maybe this one will be a win, I hope ...

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  80. Thanks, Megan! Glad to have you here! Julie, what you see is what you get is the same deal with me! And if we can't share our stories to encourage others then we miss the chance for our testimonies to give glory to God. Thank you for your transparency and willing heart!

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  81. I would love to win! Please enter me in the giveaway!

    frequentreader19 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  82. such a delish offer of Julie's generosity!
    blstef1 at mts dot net
    thank you! excellent interview ~ Well Done!

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  83. Melanie, your name will go in the basket!!

    Faith, we were very grateful to have Miss Julie come over to visit with us. The little OTT team will be doing the giveaway and spare our sweet author that task! Thanks for coming by!

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  84. CARRIE ... NO surprise that you are transparent as well, my friend, because I felt an instant connection and kinship with you way back when, and that can only come from honesty and openness. :)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  85. MELANIE ... good luck in the contest and just so you know, you can DOWNLOAD A Hope Undaunted FREE on Amazon Kindle and B&N Nook and Sony e-reader right now. It's only available for a limited time, but can be downloaded on PCs, Macs, Droids, i-Phones, i-Pads, etc., so try it and see what you think, okay?

    Then good luck in the contest too!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  86. FAITH, HOPE, CHERRYTEA (that addy cracks me up every time, girl!!) -- thanks for coming by, but this time it's not my "generosity" or Revell's, but Carrie's own, which truly blesses me. So GOOD LUCK in the contest, sweetie!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  87. I would love to win Julie's newest book. Please enter me.

    sunshine6892 at hotmail dot com

    Thanks!

    Cathy

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  88. Would love to win AHR too! I have all your others and they are tops. Every time I go to your website Julie and see the picture of Colin and his sweet gal, a little moan escapes. Such a talent you have been given to write such touching, real, heart-pounding love scenes and still keep our focus on God. Can. Not. Wait. to read AHR. I think I will read Katie's story again just to get ready. Blessings!
    kauppatgridcomdotnet

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  89. Julie, what an incredible testimony with your son! Since having children, I, too, have found that going to the Word is the best for any situation. My middle daughter thrives the best when I take her back to His Word! Thank you for the reminder that I need to be doing it even more!! "A Hope Undaunted" was such a beautiful story (I just finished it last night!), a lovely family full of real life issues. I look forward to reading the previous three books as well as the new story of Sean and Emma! Thank you for sharing your heart for Jesus!!
    Blessings,
    Kelly Y in Virginia
    kelly*at*dkcountryarts*dot*com

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  90. CATHY ... trust me, I would "love" for you to win my book, too, sweetie, so if you don't win here, check out my website calendar because I do have a few giveaways left, okay?

    And since you want to win my "newest" book, I assume you have already read the others, but if not, keep in mind that A Hope Undaunted is now available for FREE DOWNLOAD on CBD.com, Amazon, B&N, Sony e-reader, etc., okay?

    Good luck!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  91. KATHY ... LOL!!! I know just what you mean, sweetie, because I actually have the model head shot of Collin hanging over my desk because I'm sorry, that man is just SUCH a pleasure to look at, isn't he??? Have you seen the head shot, by chance? If not, check it out on my website in my Journal Jot Archives in the July 29 entry, along with the actual head shot for the model who posed for Mitch. HUBBA, HUBBA!!! Then if you like that Journal Jot, check in to my regular Journal Jot blog that posts every Friday, okay? Here's the link to the Collin and Mitch head shot. ENJOY!!

    Journal Jot Archives

    Thanks again for your kind words, my friend, and good luck in the contest! :)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  92. KELLY!!! Oh, you tickled me SO much with your comment above, so thank you again!! And, oh boy, don't we ALL thrive better when we take ourselves "back to the Word"!! I would be LOST without it and Him, as would we all, so my heart rejoices that I can infuse my passion for Him into my books along with my passion for romance -- talk about blessed!!

    Good luck in the contest, my friend. :)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  93. Kelly of VA was picked by Random.org as our Julie Lessman week winner!!! Congrats Kelly and check your email!!

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  94. WHOO-HOO, KELLY ... WAY TO GO GIRL!!! And thanks to Carrie and Diana for providing the winning book -- you guys are THE BEST!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  95. "Julie's thick books are like a thick, juicy steak!"... I couldn't agree more... I have read all of her books and love them all! Keep writing, Julie!
    Blessings,
    Jo

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  96. Hey, JO ... ALWAYS LOVE seeing your name pop up, girl, so thanks for coming by!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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