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28 June 2012

Carrie Fancett Pagels Reviews A Passion Redeemed (Daughters of Boston) by Julie Lessman

A Passion Redeemed, The Daughters of Boston Series #2
Daughters of Boston, Book Two
(Revell, 2008)

Reviewed by Carrie Fancett Pagels

5 Stars *****

World War I has ended and Charity O’Connor determines that she will have Mitch for her husband. Except that because of his relationship with her sister, Faith, Mitch does not want Charity as a wife, because she does not have the Lord in her life. This is the second of the current five novels in this and the next series of the O’Connors, an Irish Catholic family, living in Boston and Ireland.
In some ways Charity represents we as sinners who act in the flesh, looking only for our own wants. While she uses her physical attributes to entice the man she wants to consider marriage she is also manipulating another, and dangerous, man. Her plan backfires with serious repercussions and Charity must leave Ireland and return to America. She lies and schemes but struggles, knowing on some level that what she is doing is wrong. 
Readers may love to hate Charity, but she makes the right choice, after being taken under the wing of the same strong Christian man, John Brady, who led her former beau, Collin, to the Lord.  The sisters have to learn how to renegotiate their relationships after  all Charity has done to destroy what she shared with her older sister. 
Julie Lessman’s books are full of “Passion with a Purpose” and this big book, so make room for time in your schedule because you will not want to put it down. 

Spoiler alert/bibliotherapy: There is a reason that Charity behaves so provocatively.  Part has to do with losing her older sister Hope to polio and losing her position as Daddy’s girl when her father sinks his energies into his relationship with the surviving twin – Faith. And something happened to Charity. In this current story there are two violent attacks that could trouble some readers.  Most of it is off the page, but not all. I still gave this book a five star review as it was extremely well done. It takes some savvy to take such topics and handle them well, and Julie has done so!

I love Julie's books and can hardly wait until her next release!!!  

Julie Lessman's books can be purchased on CBD, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Lifeway, and other book stores.

GIVEAWAY:  Leave a comment and your email to be entered in this week’s contest.  Drawing will be late Saturday.  Your choice of Julie's books, choice of format*. Void where prohibited by law. *International winners will only receive the book in ebook format not as a paperback. Three giveaways this week!

77 comments:

  1. Great review CARRIE! It shows how much you enjoyed reading Julie's books!

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  2. An amazing interview to go with an amzing book! In the last book I read, A Heart Revealed, I loved how much Charity had evolved from A Passion Redeemed to now, but she is still Charity. She still schemes and manipulates, but it's usually as a means to an end...to help her family and friends. Charity is my favorite character; she means well, but she just doesn't always make the smartest decisions. Kinda like me, except I don't manipulate. LOL!

    Thanks for the great review, Carrie, and I so hope you are feeling better today. My headache is trying to come back..ugg. Everyone needs to order this book---I promise you will love it AND learn to love Charity, too, bless her heart, as we say here in the South. :)

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  3. Great review! I'm seriously excited to get my hands on a copy of Julie's books so I can finally see for myself how great they are. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

    lubell1106(at)gmail(dot)com

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  4. Ooh, the cover to this book is beautiful! Can't wait to start reading Julie's books!

    jennycohen104(at)gmail(dot)com

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  5. Sounds like Charity is a handful... lol! Looks like a great book! Thanks for the chance to win!

    thejesusfreak62(at)gmail(dot)com

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  6. Okay.... I have book one now! :) Would love to win one of the others in the series.... Especially since you all started the NEED to read these books. ;)

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  7. CARRIE Dahling....Marvelous review! I remember reading this book and wanting to throw it across the room (never did lol)and then picking it right back up and reading more. I think I "talked" to Charity more than my family while I was reading it!!! LOL! I was so glad when Charity started living up to her name! :) She is one of my favs now for sure!

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  8. Elyssa...you are very welcome...Good Luck in the drawing. We want everyone to read Julie's books, satisfaction guaranteed! :))

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  9. Jenny.. I agree it is a beautiful cover and the inside "ain't' bad either! lol Good Luck!

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  10. JesusFreak...Saying Charity is a handful is being nice! :) At first she is the one you love to dislike..then before you know it she starts to grow on you. :) Good Luck!

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  11. LADETTE..We aim to please! LOL!! We just want to share the greatness with everyone. Good Luck on winning that next one! :)

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  12. TERESA, thanks so much - I talked to Charity, too, lol! Thanks for greeting our visitors here, too! My RA still cranked up and DIANA I bet there is a weather disturbance coming. Wonder if it is related to the Tropical Storm hitting Florida...

    MARIAN, thank you! JULIE's book are so good - like supreme dark chocolate, lol!

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  13. My pleasure CARRIE..take it easy today. I notice my "achiness" seems to be worse when it rains, but no rain for us here in SC for the next few days only HOT HOT HOT sunny weather, it could as high as 105. :)

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  14. Another great book! Love, love, loved it! Nice review!

    Emreilly303(at)gmail(dot)com

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  15. CARRIE!!! One of the MANY things I LOVE about your reviews that I don't get anywhere else is your keen psychological insight on characters -- and boy, is Charity a "character" or what??? Lots to analyze there, but has me a wee bit worried that I created her ... :| Thanks for a stellar review, my friend!!

    DIANA ... oh, me too!!! Charity is hands-down my favorite just because she is so flawed and so real and such a hoot!! Makes me laugh in almost every scene she's in. :)

    ELYSSA ... and I'm seriously excited to see what you think when you do, girl!! I hear you are a romantic, so if that's true, buckle up, sweetie-pie!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  16. THANKS, JENNY ... and I'm sure hoping you pull out a win, my friend, so we can introduce you to the O'Connors!!

    JESUS FREAK ... Charity? A handful??? Surely you jest -- the girl is a flaming dumpster of drama, passion, humor and psychoses!!! ;)

    LADETTE!!! LOL ... and I'm hoping and praying you feel the "NEED" to read all these books, too, so THANK YOU for taking my challenge, my friend -- happy reading and good luck in the contest!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  17. LOL, TERESA ... so YOU are one of the legendary book-throwers, eh??? I cannot tell you HOW many readers wrote me to tell me they either wanted to or did throw this book across the room!! Uh ... I hope that's good writing, but YIKES, it sure doesn't sound like it ... ;)

    Actually, Charity is SO obnoxious and unlovable in APMP that I had reader friends ask me to slap her for them and one even wanted to see her maimed or killed -- God's truth!! Even my editor and agent were a bit skittish about Charity working as a heroine since everybody hated her in book 1. BUT ... it's the flaws that enlighten and draw us in people, so hopefully Charity does that for readers before all is said and done.

    And, TERESA ... we're supposed to top 107!!! YIKES ... I can take the heat, but my laptop can't. Sigh.

    Hey, EM ... thanks for coming back to the final day -- you sure deserve a win, so GOOD LUCK!!

    HUGS,
    Julie

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  18. JULIE LOL!!!! In my defense I DID NOT throw it! ~GRIN~ But I sure did want too! When I am reading a book and want to throttle (just a little) the "bad" guy or girl in this case, that is the epitome of SUPERB WRITING!!

    You have me ROFL with your quote "Actually, Charity is SO obnoxious and unlovable in APMP that I had reader friends ask me to slap her for them and one even wanted to see her maimed or killed -- God's truth!!"

    See, just throwing the book isn't that bad! :)

    Just in case anyone is still wondering...I LOVE LOVE LOVE JULIE LESSMAN'S books! :))

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  19. Ok everyone....I have to confess....the only reason I didn't throw the book was because it was a LIBRARY book. Now I feel better! LOL! :))

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  20. LOL, TERESA, you little brat!! You mean you actually WOULD have thrown the book??? Poor Charity -- she gets such a bad rap. Not saying she didn't earn it in APMP, but by the end of APR ... you gotta love her, at least a little, but I have to confess, my hubby HATES her!! Poor guy, doesn't realize he's been married to her for over 33 years ... ;)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  21. Oh, this was definitely my favorite book so far from Julie. I just loved Charity! THough all her books are amazing, and can't wait till the last o'connor book and the start of a new series.

    Julie, you are one amazing and talented author who has been truly gifted from God!

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  22. I love Julie Lessman....any book she writes...I want to read it and then shout to the world....GREAT BOOK, GREAT AUTHOR!!!!!!!

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  23. JEN... You are so right..Julie has a wonderful talent and I am glad she shares it with us.


    VIRGINIA..Go ahead Girl SHOUT IT!!

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  24. Great review, Carrie! This does sound like a great book -- I can appreciate a rough-around-the-edges heroine, and I can't wait to see how she's redeemed in the end.

    gwen[dot]gage[at]gmail[dot]com

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  25. GWENDOLYN...you will love the happy ending. Julie did a wonderful job redeeming Charity, she still has her momemts but who's perfect??? lol

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  26. Great review, Carrie! Passion with a purpose, indeed! I love Charity's story! This is also one of my favorite book covers! :)

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    Michelle
    Scraphappy71 at sbcglobal dot net

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  27. MICHELLE...That cover is very beautiful...Mitch is so handsome and Charity is almost too pretty.
    Good Luck!

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  28. Thanks MICHELLE! That cover looks fab but I read on Kindle!

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  29. Thanks GWEN! Me, too, I like a heroine who has some issues to get straightened out, but I find them harder to write. JULIE did a fab job with Charity!

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  30. Great review, I really did enjoy Charity's story! At first I almost didn't think I could read it because Charity made me so mad but, boy am I glad I did! I grew to love Charity and understand where she was coming from and now she's one of my favorite O'Conners!

    ecriggs1990(at)aol(dot)com

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  31. LIZ, Charity has a boatload of issues. But like in real life she had to work thru them herself. And it made her salvation story powerful!

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  32. Great review. I love Julie's stories. And her teaching. I took a class from her and Patti Lacy one year at Green Lake and was totally blessed.

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  33. SALLY, thanks for coming by!!! I took Julie and Ruth's "kissing" class at ACFW!!! That was great class except for my hot flashes, lol!

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  34. What a great review! Would love to add Julie to my list of authors.
    Campbellamyd at gmail dot com

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  35. CARRIE You are too funny...was the hot flashes from the kissing lesson?? :) Couldn't resist that one!

    AMY..Good Luck and thanks for coming by! :)

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  36. Thanks for the detailed review...I just finished book 4 of Julie Lessman's--they're all fantastic so far. Real people with real issues. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  37. I am reading Julie's first book (I guess I'm a late-starter). I really love the book and I can picture Julie writing it. I guess I have known Julie personally for over 25 years. The words in the book makes me feel good. Thanks Julie, Sue Hamilton.

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  38. Charity is someone that you love to hate while on the other hand you love her to pieces. She was always one of my favorite O'Connors!
    samanthaakuiper(at)gmail(dot)com

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  39. Great Review Carrie, can't wait to get my hands on this Book (smile)
    Many Blessings to all

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  40. JILL...When you read one of Julie's books it's like checking in on your family. :)

    SUE..You have been blessed if you have known Julie for 25 years! Glad you liked the book.

    SAMANTHA...Took me a while before I learned to like her..now you have to love her.

    INGRID... GOOD LUCK, you just might win!

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  41. A Passion Redeemed is another fabulous book by Julie Lessman. Charity is not a woman who is easily liked but it is interesting to see her changes throughout the book. Her story is a wonderful example of God's redemption. By the end of the book, she IS likeable. This is a book I've read, but don't have on my shelf (I'm missing two of the series) so I'm hoping to win a book in this week's drawing. Thanks for the chance!
    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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  42. PAM, Thanks for coming by! YES! I agree, what a great example of God's saving grace! Oh and if you win you can pick Julie's new release, too!

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  43. Wow, great review Carrie!! I really need to dive in to these books for my summer reading :) love your comments ladies, what a great place to share these wonderful books!
    I always smile/laugh with Julie's comments :)
    Would love to be entered, blessings all!
    Kara
    wman4jcATaolDOTcom

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  44. Thanks KARA! Summer reading, yes!!! JULIE is a doll and we LOVE having her visit with us!!!

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  45. I plan on reading A Passion Most Pure sometime this summer - can't believe it has taken me SOOOO long to read it! I've heard so many great things about Julie's books and look forward to reading them.

    Thanks for the great giveaway!

    Melanie
    frequentreader19 (at) gmail (dot) com

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  46. Glad you reviewed this and included your comments on dealing with real life situations - this is reality - no burying heads in sands of perfection, wishing and dreaming for what only heaven promises! TY ~ refreshing..
    faithhopecherrytea at*gmail.*com
    and to Julie for writing reality? ConGrats!

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  47. Aw, JEN, THANK YOU for your kind words and just for reading my books, girlfriend. I think we may be cut from the same cloth because APR is my favorite of the DOB series, too!! I am SO glad you took up my challenge to read my books in order to get AHR free!! I offered that same challenge to one of the gals on today's blog, Ladette, and she's going to do it too, so YAY!!

    LOL, VIRGINIA ... now THAT's the kind of passion I'm talking about, girlfriend -- we're a matched pair, I'd say!! Thanks for making me smile, sweetie and GOOD LUCK!!

    GWEN SAID: "I can appreciate a rough-around-the-edges heroine, and I can't wait to see how she's redeemed in the end." Well, girl, then you are in for a ride with Charity because they don't get any more "rough around the edges" than our girl. Who else do you know that puts cracker crumbs in her eyes to fake crying?? :)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  48. TERESA SAID: "Julie did a wonderful job redeeming Charity, she still has her momemts but who's perfect??? lol LOL ...NOT me, and I created the poor girl, so God knows she didn't stand a chance!!

    MICHELLE, really???? APR's cover is one of your favorites??? My fave is A Passion Most Pure, but then Collin is soooo gorgeous that it's hard to look away. I honestly think he is one of the main reasons so many of my readers still say APMP is their favorite, along with Collin. :)

    PAT ... Charity IS interesting, trust me -- the most "unique" of all my heroines and the only one who is as my mama used to say, "a true character"!! Good luck in the contest!!

    Hugs, Julie

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  49. LIZ, BLESS YOU!!! I just love it when people who start out hating Charity end up loving her. I actually loved her all along, but what do you expect from a gal who's favorite heroine EVER is Scarlett O'Hara???

    SALLY!!! OH MY GOODNESS, GIRL, how the heck are you??? What's going on with your writing?? Thanks so much for coming by, my friend, and GOOD LUCK in the contest!!

    CARRIE SAID: "I took Julie and Ruth's "kissing" class at ACFW!!! That was great class except for my hot flashes, lol!" ROTFLOL!!! Carrie, you are SUCH a hoot!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  50. Oh, AMY GIRL, we are going to get you yet, you just watch!! And if you don't win here, I'll be having another giveaway next month on July 11th on Seekerville. Just check my website calendar for the link in the upcoming week.

    JILL!!! Oh, you just finished my favorite book of all those I've written -- A Hope Undaunted!!! Was Luke McGee not a total hunkorama??? LOL ... I'm WAY too old to be boy crazy, but still young enough to be hero crazy, so I'm going for it!! Thanks for coming by, Jill, and for your sweet comments. Here's to winning #5 or #6, okay?

    SUE!!!! Soooooo good to see you here, my friend, and sooooo glad you took the time to leave a comment -- THANK YOU!! And I can't tell you how much it tickles me that you're reading APMP -- I am glad you are starting with book 1 and hope you like it enough to continue with the next five because the O'Connors are one passionate bunch!! Good luck in the contest!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  51. SAMANTHA SAID: "Charity is someone that you love to hate while on the other hand you love her to pieces. She was always one of my favorite O'Connors!" Oh, Sam, I am SO with you on that -- Charity evokes strong feelings one way or the other, but underneath that hard, cold shell in APMP is a vibrant, loving, funny individual who I think in the end, is one of the most resilient and strongest characters in the family.

    PAM, YES!! We need to complete your library for sure, and you'll have lots of opportunity in September and October to do that, so check my website calendar periodically, okay? GOOD LUCK, my friend!!

    LOL, KARA, if my comments make you smile, gotta feeling you'll be chuckling a lot when you read my books ... ESPECIALLY when Charity is on the page. She is just flat-out funny and a real hoot. :)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  52. MELANIE!!! I can't believe it's taken you this long to read it either, girl, because I've seen your addy for years now on my giveaways, so YES, YES, YES, FINALLY!!! Gosh, I sure hope it ends up being worth the wait ... :\ Happy reading, my friend!!

    FAITH, HOPE, CHERRYTEA ... thanks for your support, girl, and no, no head-burying in my books, no sireee!! ;)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  53. Great review, the book sounds interesting! I would love to win!

    loseittoday*at*yahoo*dot*com

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  54. SHONDRA, welcome, and we'll put you in for the next drawing!

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  55. Woah, its a Julie festival. Great reviews! LOL, I can't believe readers wanted to see Charity maimed or killed! I will admit she wasn't my favorite of the heroines but I enjoyed her redemption!

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  56. I've not had the privilege of reading one of Julie's books yet. I'd love to. Thank you for having the give-away.

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  57. JULIA, ohmigoodness, no! Yes, I enjoyed that, too!

    SUSAN, you are MISSING OUT! You simply must read JULIE's books!

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  58. I love Julie's books... Please enter my name in the giveaway! :)

    writer_weaverATyahooDOTcom

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  59. What a great review!
    I LOVE the cover on A Passion Redeemed.
    I also cant wait for ALS to get out.

    dymesich(at)juno(dot)com

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  60. SHONDRA ... yes, it is a GREAT review and YES, it is interesting, that is IF you like LOTS of passion in your romance AND your relationship with God, so hopefully you do! Good luck!

    Hey, JULIA, it's been like this all week, so I have been super BLESSED by these amazing OTT ladies! And I'm with you on Charity -- even she doesn't deserve payback that harsh, but the woman does tend to evoke emotions on both sides of the spectrum, I'll give her that! Thanks for coming by, my friend.

    SUSAN!!! As I've mentioned before on these giveaways, YOU, my friend, are JUST the type of reader I am looking for -- someone who has never met the O'Connors!! Like I told Shondra above, if you like LOTS of passion in your romance and your relationship with God, then these books are for you, so GOOD LUCK!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  61. ANNA ... thank you SO much for not only "loving" my books, but coming by to say so! Good luck in the contests, darlin'!!

    LOL, LEAH ... you and me both, on ALS, that is. As far as the cover for APR, I like it well enough, but, girl, if you could have seen the picture of the male model they used for Mitch, you would understand why I was a wee bit disappointed in the final-cover Mitch. The model was groan gorgeous, no kidding. Showed him to the gals at work, and every single one swooned!! ;) That's the Mitch I see in my head when I think of him to this day. Anyway ... here's hoping for a win, my friend!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  62. CHARITY...oh, how i love her.

    I loved visiting your blog this week, Carrie. :)

    Julie...you ARE the best!

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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  63. Hey there JULIE!!

    How you doing?!? ;)
    Just read the Journal Jot.. whoaouh, you go get em' ma'am!!
    Very good, can't wait to read it!
    Thankful to God for a one-in-a-million woman
    Have an EXCELLENT day, everyone!

    This blog is doing a GOOD job!

    Ganise
    (No need to enter me, thank you.)

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  64. KAREN, YES!!! Another reader friend after my own heart -- I love Charity too, and it seems that our scheming little girl has a bit of a fan club among each of us, so YAY!! Thanks for coming by, my good friend and here's to a WIN!!!

    GANISE, LOL!!! You ALWAYS make me smile, you know that??? Gosh, Thanks for coming by, darlin', just to say you -- you ROCK!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  65. It sounds great! Hopefully my library will get it soon. =-)

    bskaggs(at)zoominternet(dot)net

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  66. No, TEDDY, you're looking at this all wrong, girlfriend!! HOPEFULLY you'll win it here, right??? Good luck in the contest! ;)

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  67. Wow what a wonderful interview with christian fiction writer Julie Lessman....I would love to win one of Julie's book's in paperback....I have shared on facebook and twitter......babyruthmac16@yahoo.com

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  68. BLESS YOU, EYEBALLLUCY!!! And goodness, do I love that addy or what??? Too cute! Thanks for sharing this on FB and Twitter -- you are a doll!! Hope it nets you a win, girl!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  69. Another one! Yippee ~*~ enter me in contest please! I would love to win Steven's story in paperback. Kathleen
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  70. Hey, KATHLEEN, thanks for coming by again ... it's smart to hit all the giveaways this week because the odds really aren't too bad, so and GOOD LUCK!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  71. KATHLEEN, I am SO looking forward to Steven's story too, my friend!

    JULIE, SO glad you are gonna have more books coming out per year, yay!!!

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  72. I am so glad Julie is still writing as I almost own all of her books!!! martha(at)lclink(dot)com

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  73. Ya know MARTHA, you make such a good point here. Many authors become discouraged and give up, stop writing. It is a tough business. Now that I have some MSes getting a little attention out there (still not published but keep praying!) I am hearing a lot of the downside from friends. Keep your fav authors, like JULIE, lifted up in prayer, that God enables them to continue their journey!

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  74. ELYSSA!!!! You are a winner, chosen by JULIE LESSMAN and she will be contact you about your book. CONGRATS!!!

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