Author Spotlight + GIVEAWAY: Julie Lessman

Readers, it is an extreme honor to welcome Julie Lessman to The Power of Words this week! One of the best things about review blogging is occasionally getting to know an author personally, and Julie has truly become special to me. We often think of the term "passion" when it comes to her stories, but that is true of Julie herself - with her passion for family, writing, and God that is reflected in her writing. Also, I doubt there's another author out there who is as responsive to her readers. I hope you will enjoy every word of Julie's interview, and be led to pick up one of her novels if you haven't discovered them already.

Julie is graciously giving away either her newest book, Surprised by Love, or one of her others, winner's choice. This giveaway is open internationally, although outside the US would be ebook only. Entry details are at the end of Julie's interview.

Now please enjoy a visit with Julie. With the Thanksgiving season still fresh on our minds, I wondered what this precious holiday was like for Julie . . .


Q.  What was Thanksgiving like for the Lessman family? Is there one tradition, past or present, that you especially find meaningful?

        Well, let me just say Thanksgiving at the Lessman’s is only marginally less crowded and crazy than Black Friday. ;) Okay, not that nuts, I suppose, but definitely busy from 1:00 to 7:00 PM or thereabouts.
        You see, it’s my designated holiday to have my husband’s family over, so we usually have about 30 people or more. This year we had three babies to pass around and six bigger kids tearing up and down the stairs playing hide and seek or what have you, not unlike an O’Connor family holiday! And my grandbabies weren’t even in town!
        Part of the afternoon, the guys all congregate in the family room to play cards while the girls hover in the kitchen close to the food, which is a sumptuous display of appetizers, dips and chips until the meal is served at 4:00 PM. We always cook two turkeys (approximately 45 lbs.), mine in the oven and my husband’s on the grill, accompanied by endless side dishes, of course, some of which are provided by family members.
        The most meaningful tradition for me, however, is saying grace. Since there are so many people spread out at a number of tables throughout the house, everybody congregates in the kitchen where the food is laid out on my island counter. It’s that moment of togetherness that I always cherish—a cohesive family unit crowding my kitchen while my husband or I say a heartfelt prayer, thanking God for our families and our many blessings along with the food. And then … just like the gunshot that kick-starts a race, pandemonium ensues while everyone fills their plates.


Q.  With the trend we're seeing of some Christian fiction writers turning to the secular market, please share your thoughts about how God directs or convicts you when it comes to the purpose in your writing.

        You know, Carole, just last year I went on a month-long fast to seek God as to the direction of my career (i.e. whether I should stay in the Christian market or move to the secular market). You see, it was right after I received a very hurtful review that attacked me, my husband, and my marriage, asking people to pray for me because I obviously needed it. Trust me, I’m no stranger to nasty one-star reviews, some of which have called my writing “scum reading” and “smut,” but I’ve learned to let go and just pray for the reviewer. But I’ll be honest with you—this last review wounded me to the core, so much so that I actually considered leaving the CBA.
        And then, after a month of seeking God through prayer and fasting, the following Scripture popped up in one of my final readings of the month in my Message Bible:

Wait passionately for God,

don’t leave the path.

He’ll give you your place in the sun …

Psalm 37:34, Message Bible

        Now, I have to admit, this Scripture hit me between the eyes. Of course, with a tagline of “Passion with a Purpose,” anything with the word “passion” in it is a bulls-eye for me, so God really got my attention. Particularly when one more readily associates the word “patience” with waiting on God rather than "passion." I've been told to “patiently wait for God,” yes, but “passionately wait for God? A new concept to me, for sure, and one I didn’t think was possible, but God’s Word says it is.
        In actuality, all three phrases in this Scripture spoke to me deeply—to wait on God with the same passion with which I long to write books that glorify Him; to not leave the path He has set me on, which is to write stories of passion, both romantically and spiritually; and finally, the promise of my place in the sun. As a gal whose greatest pastime used to be lying in the sun, listening to oldies, this spoke to me. Not as someone seeking the spotlight, mind you, because that’s not how I took it. But a person lying down in God’s “green pastures” (His will) with eyes closed, soaking up the warmth of the “Son” while I listen to oldies but goodies (the Holy Spirit).
        That Scripture crystallized for me what my true purpose in writing is: to convey deep spiritual truths through fiction that God taught me through real life. I cannot do that in the secular market, so despite the prayers of a few fervent one-star reviewers, I’m here to stay in the CBA.

Q.  Tell us about the novel we're featuring today, Surprised by Love, and how it fits into The Heart of San Francisco series.

        Surprised by Love is the third and final book in the Heart of San Francisco series about the Nob Hill McClares, a wealthy political family in 1902 San Francisco. This series not only highlights the struggles of faith and heart of three cousins, but of the widowed matriarch of the family, Caitlyn McClare, as well. Cait’s love story with her handsome brother-in-law, Logan McClare—the former fiance who cheated on her 27 years prior, before she broke the engagement and married his brother—is the glue that girds all three books together.
        This will be the third cousin’s story, Megan McClare, a love triangle between her mentor and best friend Bram Hughes and her school nemesis, Devin Caldwell. Here’s the jacket blurb:

From ugly duckling to swimming with the swans …

But is she over her head when it comes to love?

Brilliant, shy, and unattractive as a child, Megan McClare has always been teased by her classmates. But when she returns home from her senior year in Paris, the wallflower has suddenly blossomed into a beauty. With ambitions to become a lawyer or doctor, Megan accepts an internship at the District Attorney’s office only to discover that she will be working with Devin Caldwell, a boy who mercilessly mocked her at school—and with whom she was hopelessly enamored. She turns to her dear friend Bram Hughes for support and advice. But Bram’s vision is clouded by his sudden unwelcome attraction to a girl he had always thought of as a little sister. He advises forgiveness, but can he forgive himself for pushing the woman he loves into the arms of another man?


Q.  We all love a "swoon-worthy" romance and I have to say that your heroes are unforgettable, Julie. Of the three leading characters in The Heart of San Francisco series - Jamie, Nick, and Bram - which one would you most like to have for a son-in-law?

        LOL … what a GREAT question, Carole, and one I have never been asked, which is saying something after answering over 2,000 questions!
        Mmmm … let me see … that could be a hard one since I write heroes the way that I like them anyway, so naturally there are particular things I love about each of the HOSF heroes. Jamie is just flat-out fun to be around, so he and Blake liven things up. Nick is the tall, gruff, and grumpy type that I’m so fond of (i.e. Mitch Dennehy), a no-nonsense bottom-liner, which I love. And then, of course, Bram is the spiritual one, so he pulls at my spiritual heartstrings in a big way. So if I could pick one, I guess it would be Bram because in the end, spirituality is really the most important thing in relationships.


Q.  After your eight-month sabbatical, where do you feel God is leading you with your writing?

        I truly believe God is leading me back to the passion and excitement I had while writing A Passion Most Pure, and what I mean by that is I’m returning to my trademark family sagas with multiple point of views and subplots like I did with the O’Connors. I deviated somewhat with the Heart of San Fran series because my husband wanted me to write more for the market, meaning shorter, less complicated, and less passionate (both romantically and spiritually) novels, which I tried to do. And don’t get me wrong—I thoroughly enjoyed writing about the McClares and have grown to love them. But … my CDQ heart longs for in-depth drama, angst and passion that both glorifies God and teaches his precepts, so I’m going back to the deep where I belong. J
        That said, I am almost done with book 1 in my Isle of Hope series, working title Unfailing Love, a contemporary novel that I actually started before I ever got published. I’m hoping it will be the contemporary book of my heart like A Passion Most Pure was the historical book of my heart. I haven’t pitched it yet, so I don’t know if my publisher will pick it up or if I will go indie, but either way, I’m returning to my roots on this one, which means not only will it be an intricate family saga like A Passion Most Pure, but it will be a wee bit biographical as well.
        Isle of Hope, Georgia is a real place and the perfect setting for my story because it’s a charming little community with a rich history. They actually filmed part of Forrest Gump there and other movies because it’s so pretty. The Isle of Hope series is all about hope restored — so how appropriate is that? Loosely based on my own life, it’s about woman who has recently come to Christ and the first thing God tells her to do is to heal her relationship with her estranged father. In her teens, she was a wild girl engaged to a pastor’s son who was planning to be a minister … until she runs away, leaving him high and dry. Eight years later, she’s back to make amends to the father she defied, the fiancé she jilted, and the best friend she turned her back on. Only this time, the tables are turned because now she’s the Christian and her ex-fiancé is the bad boy.
        As far as beyond Isle of Hope, I am part of a Seeker anthology called Hope for the Holidays Historical Collection, which not only features a Christmas novella about Mitch and Charity from my O’Connor saga, but contemporary and historical Christmas stories of hope by Seeker authors Mary Connealy, Audra Harders, Myra Johnson, Sandra Leesmith, Ruth Logan Herne, Tina Radcliffe, and Missy Tippens as well.
        Then next spring, I will be part of another Seeker anthology with a novella about Blake “The Rake” McClare, the lovable but wayward brother from the Heart of San Francisco series.
        And, finally, I hope to begin a trilogy in the future for each of the O’Connor couples, beginning with Mitch and Charity. These will be novels that highlight each of the O’Connor cousins beginning with Gabe, Henry, and Hope during WWII, and moving on down the line.


Q.  How can we support and/or pray for you, Julie?

        Honestly, Carole, prayer for God’s wisdom, grace, and anointing on my writing is paramount to me, so thank you for asking this question—you are such a sweetheart, my friend!
        I love to hear from reader friends, so if they like, they can contact me and read excerpts from my books at www.julielessman.com, or through Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus, or Pinterest or by signing up for my newsletter. I also have a blog called "Journal Jots," which is a very laid-back journal to my reader friends, or readers can check out my favorite romantic and spiritual scenes from each of my books on the "Excerpts" tab of my website. In addition, I can be found daily at The Seekers, a group blog of 13 published authors that inspires, encourages, teaches, and informs aspiring writers on the road to publication and beyond. Although Seekerville has been listed on Writers Digest 2013 and 2014 “Best 101 Websites for Writers,” it is also a blog devoted to readers as well.
        Finally, I have the following freebie/sales/low-cost novellas going on now:

• FREE DOWNLOAD on my debut novel, A Passion Most Pure, American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Book of the Year with 595 five-star reviews.
• My Irish Christmas love story, A Light in the Window—winner of three awards—is currently FREE on Kindle Unlimited and only $3.99 on Amazon, so here’s the video to give you a peek—ALITW Video.
• Only $2.99 each for two brand new Christmas novella collections from the Seekers called Hope for the Holidays.  The historical collection features novellas from Julie Lessman, Mary Connealy, Myra Johnson, and Ruth Logan Herne, while the contemporary collection features novellas from Marcy Connealy, Mary Connealy, Audra Harders, Sandra Leesmith, Ruth Logan Herne, Tina Radcliffe, and Missy Tippens.
• Calling All Writers!! Julie’s writer’s workbook entitled Romance-ology 101: Writing Romantic Tension for the Sweet and Inspirational Markets is on sale for $2.99.

____________________

GIVEAWAY

        To enter the drawing for one of Julie's books, simply leave a comment or question for her. For instance . . . What do you enjoy about her writing? Do you have a favorite book or series? Favorite character? Are you new to Julie's books?

        E-mail address are required for the drawing and be sure to leave them in a safe format - [at] and [dot]. If you're willing, it's also helpful to share about this giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter.
        "Likes" on my Facebook page, ThePowerofWordsBookReviews, are greatly appreciated, as are followers on Google+, Pinterest, Twitter, and this blog.

• E-mail required, one entry per person. Odds of winning are based on number of entries.
• Contest ends at midnight PST on Sunday, December 7. No purchase necessary.
• Winner will be chosen by Random.org and contacted by e-mail. Respond within 48 hours of notification or another winner will be chosen.
• Eligibility: US (paper or ebook) and International (ebook), 18 and older