A Hope Undaunted

To all my fellow Christian Fiction fans... this is a must read.

So gooooooooooooood!!!!!!!!!! (With 10 exclamations as only Julie would do) ;)

www.julielessman.com

Go out and buy it!

Take Me Away...

I am so ready for a road trip... get away, just go wherever the road leads you...
Or maybe a cruise... no worries, be pampered and enjoy the Pacific Ocean.

Sounds divine.

But, here I am sitting at my desk, enjoying the sounds of copiers and living life. Normal life.

I am so burnt out with things right now... and blogging has been last on my list these past couple of weeks. I just don't feel like taking the time to write. You'll notice that I have more pictures than writing lately. ha-ha, just me being lazy.

I have been absorbed in reading. More like listening. I've signed up with Audible again and just finished the Fountain Creek books by Tamera Alexander and now onto Courting Trouble by Deeanne Gist. All while reading As Sure As the Dawn by Francine Rivers... I kinda like books.

I can go to these far off places and visit without having to board a boat or get on a plane... it's all at my fingertips. The only problem is, the minute I shut the book... I'm right back where I started.

Just Topics!

Happy Belated Memorial Day! I love Memorial Day and Labor Day. For some reason I look forward to having a Monday off... maybe I need a new job? Oh boy.

Life
My sister left on Saturday. Boohoo. I felt like my world fell apart on Saturday night. It snuck up on me and I wasn't prepared for the gut wrenching feelings of seeing her room empty and her things gone. All my life she's been there; being eight years older, she is like a second mom and my dearest friend, but now everything has changed. I'm sure it's for the better... just waiting for the "better" to reveal itself, which , of course, I know it will. But, today I am doing better. Much better.

Church
On Sunday we had our first service in our new building! If you've followed my blog for a while you'll remember that this has been a long journey... but it's over! Our building is in the heart of Southern California and it's an empty shell that is be worked on practically every minute of every day. So exciting to see it unfold.

Money
I am having my first yard sale this weekend. Very first. I have to buy a plane ticket for my sister's wedding. An expensive plane ticket. So, I am gathering everything for my first yard sale... hopefully it goes well because if it doesn't I may be hitchhiking my way across America.

Books
I am itching to read a good book! I'm even going so far as thinking, thinking, of reading a friends copy of the teeny bob book - Twi*light. Yep. I said it and I may just do it. I want to see what all the fuss is about. How can teens be so swept away with a love story that even mom's are gushing about?

Reality
You all know that I am a huge fan of the Goss*elins... I was so upset to hear the junk that's been said the past few months. I know it's TV and media, and I know I don't know them from Adam, but I really do enjoy, or enjoyed, watching this show. I loved the kids and the interaction between Ka*te, Jo*n and the kids. But it looks like it's all over. I am sad and wondering if I'll bother watching the rest of the season. Looks like it's going to be a tabloid mess.

Pictures
Last but not least, my camera is bulging with pictures that need to be uploaded. I have so many pictures to share from my weekend, bridal shower, and a new puppy (not mine)! So be on the lookout.

And The Book Goes Toooooo...

Bookwurm 70 (Gail)!!!

Gail can pick any one of Julie Lessman's 3 spectacular books!

Congratulations!

Interview with Julie Lessman - Author of A Passion Denied

One of my favorite post of times past is the interview with Julie Lessman for A Passion Most Pure. I couldn't help but ask her to do another interview after I posted my review for the blog tour.

She is without a doubt one of the best authors on the scene today. Her writing exceeds all my expectations and she thinks like I would... Could a book be better than that?

Julie Lessman's Bio

Julie Lessman is a new author who has garnered much writing acclaim, including ten Romance Writers of America awards. She resides in Missouri with her husband and their golden retriever, and has two grown children and a daughter-in-law. She is the author of The Daughters of Boston series, which includes A Passion Most Pure, A Passion Redeemed, and A Passion Denied. You can contact Julie through her website at http://www.julielessman.com/.

Julie, I always love having you here on the Daily Bee, such a treat. I think I've gushed to everyone that hasn't read your book and just about pushed it into their hands. There really is no one else with your writing style. You write so passionately about love and family, what was your family like growing up?
Gosh, Deb, in all the over 60 blog interviews I’ve done, no one has EVER asked me that question, which kind of shocks me. Way to put your finger on the pulse of an author, girl! First of all, thank you for your kind words about my writing style – that blesses me to no end. Secondly, you would think given how I write so passionately about love and family that I had lots of good experiences with both in my past, but unfortunately, the reverse is true … at least growing up.
I was #12 in a very dysfunctional family of 13 kids (3 brothers, 10 sisters … talk about PMS gone wild!) where depression, suicide, physical/mental abuse and mental illness were rampant. I was a really skinny drama queen that my brothers and sisters loved to tease. They used to call me “walking nervous breakdown” because frankly, I was a hoot to watch if they ticked me off. Like the time they picked on me and I ran outside and knelt in the snow, praying God would send them all to hell. Uh … see what I mean? I was not close to any of my family except my baby sister, Kate, who used to ask me to read my first novel to her over and over (written at the age of 12 after reading Gone With the Wind, which, incidentally, is the same novel that became my debut novel, A Passion Most Pure forty years later!). Once I gave it to my mom to read, but she gave it back to me the next day and said she couldn’t get past the first page because it was so “dry.”

Needless to say, my family growing up was NOT the O’Connors. BUT … the good news is that at the age of 23, Jesus Christ transformed me from a hard, Bible-burning, caustic agnostic into a woman who lived and breathed for God, channeling all that ridiculous drama into total passion for HIM! And because my life changed on a dime when I applied His precepts, He not only restored my relationships with my father before he died and my sisters and brothers, but He also blessed me with a man who makes me feel as if I am living in my own personal romance novel. And the icing on the cake is that He has given me an incredible family as well, with an amazing daughter, son and daughter-in-law who are as passionate about God as I am. So, YES, I can finally say in all honesty that my wonderful family and I ARE the O’Connors … uh, with a little less drama!

I knew there had to be something behind the O'Connors and not just a good imagination.

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In a Passion Denied, which character can you best relate to and why?
Well, you did it again – asked a wonderful question that allows me to talk about one of my favorite things about book 3 – the parent’s story, Marcy and Patrick. Every time I read their scenes, I sob my eyes out because I have been there. As inferred, Marcy and Patrick’s relationship is based on mine and my husband’s, which is tender, affectionate and communicative most of the time. But, there was this one particular moment in our marriage when I said something to my husband that wounded him to the core. So much so, that he literally shut himself off from me for days, as if his love had completely died. Suddenly I went from being a woman so secure in this man’s love that it was as natural as breathing, to having that love totally withdrawn as if a glass partition had separated us. The absence of his love jolted me so badly, that it was a physical ache and I thought I was going to die. We eventually talked it out and resolved it through my repentance and sorrow, but I will never forget how that feels to lose the love and respect of someone you cherish. Which is exactly how Marcy feels in the book, although she didn’t deserve it … but I did!

Reading about Marcy and Patrick really made me think about the price of Grace. To be so hurt and broken, yet be able to forgive and move forward. It's a priceless gift.

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I figure you could have picked Brady to have any "hang up", why this one?
Mmm … three for three today, Deb. You are asking the good questions! Ironically, Brady’s “hang-up” was not the original problem I had in mind. You see, John Brady was such a godly Billy Graham-type character that I strongly felt I needed to give him an equally bad past. So I had things like pornography and child molestation with his step-sister (which never really happened, mind you, but he was accused of it nonetheless), but my editor said those subjects were way too dark for an Inspirational novel. So even though I felt that the sister connection was something I needed in order to explain why Brady could not “love” Lizzie (the girl he saw as a “sister” despite his attraction to her), my editor asked me to revise it. And in hindsight, I now see that my publisher was right, and the story is not near as heavy and dark as it was before I made those changes.

Molestation and Pornography are deep real issues that a man like Brady could possibly have in his past. That is one thing I've noticed in the Christian Fiction world lately, as new authors come on the scene, it seems that real issues are being written about and not covered up like they used to. My life is far from perfect, why would I want to read about a perfect life that is unattainable? I thought you covered that part of Brady's life well.

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Were you ever unsure about putting "real" things in the book? For instance the issue with Patrick and Marcy or the very real indiscretions of Brady's past?
No, never, because it’s “real” things that teach us the biggest lessons in life, ESPECIALLY when God is involved. One of my favorite scenes in the book is when Brady feels his past is unforgivable and Father Mac tells him that he knew a man who not only committed adultery, but murdered his lover’s husband. And yet, Father Mac says, this man is the only man God calls a man after his own heart. YES!! Three cheers for King David – a man of God who gives fallible people like me great hope. Because I have had more than my fair share of “real things” and dark failures in my life, and it thrills me to no end that God loves me and forgives me despite them all.
I asked this because I wondered what was going through your mind as you were writing about Brady's past... what would the readers think. Too much, too harsh or would they be drawn to it and see themselves mirrored in the pages of your novel.

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Brady was a mentor and inspiration to many. Who inspires you?
Right off the top of my head, I would have to say King David in the Bible for the very reason mentioned above and more. David was a man who loved God with such abandon that he didn’t give a rip if he made a fool of himself doing it. King David had an emotional relationship with God that was as deep as any father-son relationship I know. He worshipped God with everything in him and loved Him deeply, and was always grief-stricken when he sinned against Him. That’s what I want to be like – a real, down-to-earth, feet-of-clay woman who loves God with every fiber of my being and every word that I write. A woman after God’s own heart – oh, God, let it be so!

I really cannot think of a better example of Grace than King David. He was a murderer, a liar, deceiver, adulterer... and so much more, yet he knew he was all these things and a man so unworthy. He also knew the most important thing of all - Who to run to. What is man, that thou art mindful of him? Psalm 8:4

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Thank you, Julie, for joining me today. It was a pleasure seeing a different look at you, as a person and author.

Leave a comment between May 7th and May 14th for a chance to win a free copy of A Passion Most Pure, A Passion Redeemed or A Passion Denied from Julie Lessman.

A Winner will be posted on May 15th - Luck of the Irish to you!

A Passion Denied - Review

A Passion Denied

by Julie Lessman

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About the Book
Has she fallen in love with a man who cannot love her back?

Elizabeth O'Connor has been like the little sister John Brady always wanted, sharing his love of literature and his thirst for God. But in the throes of the reckless Roaring Twenties, Lizzie has grown up. Suddenly she wants more from the man who has been her friend since she was a child. When this shy little bookworm blossoms into a beautiful young woman bent on loving John, she discovers that his past won't let him return that love. But Lizzie refuses to give up--until his shocking secrets push her away.

Can true love survive the betrayal and deceitful of a painful past . . . or will it be shattered like the fairy-tale dreams of a girl in love?

Brimming with romance, longing, and redemption, A Passion Denied, will quicken your pulse and gladden your heart with a riveting story of the true power of love.

My Review

Passion, scandal, heartbreak, love, giving, taking, forgiving, lies, truths... redemption. Where to begin? Julie Lessman is most definitely not your average author. Do you want truth? Reality? Passion? Then she's your gal.

A Passion Denied hits all points, draws you into the O'Connor family and the lives of two different but perfectly matched people. One who is hungry for God and adores the man that feeds that hunger and then one who is everything a man of God should be, but holds onto a past that is anything but holy. But he is a real man. Having to deal with the fact that he's human and not perfect. He loves as a man should love and wants as a man should want. She, sweet and tenderhearted, has to come to terms that love isn't always a fairytale, it's real and alive.

A beautiful story of redemption and passion. Romance that makes your toes curl and heartbreak that makes you want to cry along with the characters.

Julie Lessman never leaves you bored, I felt like my brain was swinging from one thing to the next, completely caught up and seeing things in myself that related to these characters. An eye opener that made me thankful for grace and humbled that no matter what or where I've been God is merciful and he does indeed forgive the past and sets you on the right path, a new life with the testimony of the old.

A love that goes beyond all hurt, a love that gives and doesn't always take, a love that sees past all the indiscretions and misunderstandings, a love that is born only by God, this is the kind of love and passion that Julie Lessman writes about.

About the Author
Julie Lessman is the author of A Passion Most Pure and A Passion Redeemed. Even as a debut novelist, Lessman garnered writing awards, including ten Romance Writers of America awards. She lives in Missouri.

Interview and Giveaway
I will be doing a short interview with Julie Lessman on May 7th. Each person that leaves a comment between May 7th and May 14th will have a chance to win your choice of A Passion Most Pure, A Passion Redeemed or A Passion Denied from Julie Lessman.



A Passion Denied will be released on May 1st - purchase here - Revell

Exciting Mail...

Coming home from a long day out shopping to find this in the mail...

I knew what it was right away! I hadn't been looking for it since my mind has been somewhere else these past few weeks, but looking at the writing and the name, I knew it was from Dee.

For those of you that don't know who "Dee" is, she is an incredible author in the Christian Fiction world. Her books are well written and her characters come to life off the pages. I've had the pleasure of getting to know her over the past couple of years and helping out in her chat room as a moderator. This package is sent to all three moderators as a perk for helping out. I think I have the better end of the deal for sure!

This is what was inside...


Her new book comes out in June, but she gets ARC's (Advanced Readers Copy) and sends them out and does a giveaway on her blog.

Now this will come as a shocker to all you that know how much I LOVE to read. I haven't read a fictional book since November! Gasp. Yes, November. I've been wanting to read and I have new books sitting on my shelf calling my name, but I was trying to finish a devotional book that was very deep, therefore it took a lot longer to read. I'm still not finished, but I made the "mistake" of opening and reading the first chapter of A Bride in the Bargain... and I was hooked.

I truly feel sorry for all the Dee fans that have to wait until June. I've already got a line forming for my ARC... It.Is.Good. VERY GOOD!

And one thing that just made me giggle right off the bat, there is a character that talks just like my blogging buddy, Becky's toddler son. What's even funnier... it's an elderly lady. You'll be laughing out loud!

So what did I think of the book? One of Deeanne Gist's BEST yet! And one of the BEST books I've read. GOOD STUFF!

Giveaway - Check it out!

If you are a Julie Lessman fan, follow this link for a chance to win one of her books and read a great interview about her past two books and books to be released.

Cornhusker Academy

*Crossing my fingers for ya!**

You can read my interview with Julie here - Julie Lessman Interview with the Daily Bee

October's Rush

October is a busy month around here. Everything seems to be going and going and going... no time for a breather!

I'm working on Part 2 of my Disneyland trip. That will be up shortly. As for now, I had some random stuff to share.

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I just finished Sweet Caroline by Rachel Hauck, the funniest book I've read. After about 3 weeks... I turned the last page. Like I said, no time to breathe let alone read! Sweet Caroline is a must buy, great message. I struggled with the ending, but I understand why the author chose to end it the way she did. Now, I am trying to get my hands on book #2, Love Starts with Elle. I'm told this will fill in the blanks.

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I am in the middle of a costume frenzy... trying to figure out what to be for our Harvest Party on Friday night. The teachers are putting together a party for the kids and their family and friends. Horse rides, games, grilled corn, candy galore and all the other Halloween festivities. I was told by my sweet sister that maybe I should be a horse... not going to happen.

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To get us in the Fall spirit, my co-worker gave me the below candy bag. After reading the label he put on, makes you think twice about eating it!

Saturdays Events & Then Some

::Wedding::

I had a busy weekend! Friday night I removed leaves and thorns from who knows how many roses and worked all morning Saturday putting together decorations for a reception. My Pastor's eldest son got married on Saturday, a little bittersweet since he is like a little brother to me. The wedding was beautiful, food excellent and the decorations so chic. He married a beautiful girl that recently moved to our church. Below are a few pictures that I took...

Groom's Cake

My Pastor's youngest - Colton (aka Coco)
Beautiful Bride - Kaitlyn

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::Candy Kid::

My Nephew, Cristian, came over on Saturday night to spend some time with his aunties and Nana. The kid is a riot. He is so entertaining, endless entertainment!

This may be Cristian overkill but I can't help but share his antics that make me laugh so hard i cried.

:Singing with Auntie Cat aka Auntie Cacky aka Nana aka Meow:


Cristian has his own names for everyone. He had trouble figuring out what to call my sister, Catherine. He would say Cacky and sometimes Nana. To make it easier on him, we told him to call her Cat but he kept saying, "meow". LOL

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My mom always has candy in her purse, pockets, anywhere she can hide it. All the kids at church know that Nana will always have candy, "Candy, Nana, Candy?

Cristian found her stash of candied mints and of course, Nana couldn't resist his, "pweee".

:BOOK :
I just finished book three of the Lowlands of Scotland Series by Liz Curtis Higgs. I cannot say enough about these books. I am so late in reading these and wish I hadn't put it off. Incredible story based on the biblical account of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah. If you haven't read these yet, I suggest you click here and buy ALL four. I am waiting for Book 4 to show up on my doorstep...

A Passion Redeemed by Julie Lessman

No man can resist her charms. Or so she thought. Charity O'Connor is a woman who gets what she wants. Her stunning beauty and flirtatious ways have always succeeded with men. Until Mitch Dennehy, that is. Brilliant and dangerously handsome, Mitch is a no-nonsense newspaperman who wants nothing to do with her. Charity burned him once, destroying his engagement to the only woman he ever truly loved. He won't play with matches again. But Charity has a plan to turn up the heat, hoping to ignite the heart of the man she loves. And she always gets what she wants--one way or another. Or does she? Will her best-laid schemes win his love? Or will her seductive ways drive him away forever?

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After reading A Passion Most Pure, I had doubts it could get any better. A Passion Redeemed is a story of forgiveness and redemption. It touches your heart in a way that most fiction books just surface. **If you haven't read book 1, you may want to stop reading**.

I counted the days until this book came out. Knowing that Christianbook.com usually gets books in early, I checked often to see if I could beat the release date. Sure enough, I saw the little green in stock and ordered two copies, one for my sister-in-law and one for me. I was out of town when my SIL called and said, "The books are here!". We squealed on the phone and I did a little jig in my head since I was sitting in the car.

In A Passion Most Pure, we left off with Charity being a young spoiled, selfish girl that used her looks to get what she wanted and didn't care who it hurt in the process. She was out to ruin the life of the person that she hated the most, her sister.

A Passion Redeemed prologue picks up right at the end of A Passion Most Pure. Charity is still in Ireland and wrecking havoc. My first thought was, oh no, here we go again.

The challenges that Charity came against made her into a different person, no need to worry whether or not she'll be likable. I must say though, she did some horrific things in APR; prepare yourself.

With PMP I carried it everywhere, work, car, home. Anywhere that I went it went with me. Same for APR, I couldn't get any work done knowing that Charity was up to something, again, and Mitch was doing this or that. I must confess, I did read under my desk, yet again. This is becoming a "thing" with Julie Lessman books. Julie, I love your books but my employer may not. Ha ha ha ha.

Book 3 will be out in March 2009, and I am beyond excited. Julie Lessman gives you a little glimpse of the characters of Book 3 in A Passion Redeemed. I fell in love with one of the characters that showed up towards the end of the book, well, he was there all along, but he really comes to the front towards the end.

Julie Lessman is one of the best Edgy Inspirational authors out there. You'll never be dissapointed when reading her books. Her books speak to the romantic heart and stir the soul.

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Read my review for PMP.

Interview with Julie Lessman.

Streiker's Bride Saga - I've Been Tagged

I was tagged by the wonderful Katybug at Watercolor Wisdom... Or Lack Thereof. The whole idea is to post a Friday Recommendation of a book that I love but might have forgotten in the years.

Here's the original explanation from Patti Abbot as told on Katy's blog:
"This is the first of what I optimistically hope will become Friday recommendations of books we love but might have forgotten over the years. I have asked several people to help me by also remembering a favorite book. Their blog sites are listed below. I also asked each of them to tag someone to recommend a book for next Friday. I'm worried great books of the recent past are sliding out of print and out of our consciousness. Not the first-tier classics we all can name, but the books that come next."

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My sister and I were chatting away last night, naming all the wonderful old, old books from the past that we have forgotten. I could think of so many wonderful not so popular books. One series of books comes to mind that I know you will love. I have not forgotten this series, in fact I have read book one so many times, over and over. I will tell you about Book one since giving the descriptions of book two and three will kinda spoil it.


Streiker Saga by Robin Hardy.

Streiker's Bride

Romance, Suspense, & Action

He had a lot to offer, but his terms were high. What would you do if you received the offer of a lifetime--marriage to a billionaire--with one catch: you had to make up your mind without ever seeing him? When lowly bank teller Adair Weiss receives such an offer from reclusive philanthropist Fletcher Streiker, she is dumbfounded and disbelieving: Why me? What does he know about me? What does he want? Rejecting his offer would mean the end of her dream of dancing. But accepting it would change her life in ways she never guessed. . . .

There are two more books following this, all about Adair Weiss and Fletcher Streiker. The hidden meaning is very clear after you read book 1. These books were written so well and will reach right in and touch you, making you open your eyes to the what the author was trying to bring across. I can't say enough about this Saga, read them for yourself and you'll know what I'm ranting about.




Buy the Book Here - Amazon

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I tag Catherine at the Queens Castle for next Friday's Book Recommendation. She has been seriously reading since... I was in diapers. lol.. I am sure she'll come up with a great recommendation.

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WINNER
I picked a winner by drawing a name out of a cup for the Yada Yada Prayer Group...

Drum Roll, please....

**Becky**

-Daily B-

Book Giveaway

I finally finished reading the 4 books that I was judging for the Faith, Hope, & Love Contest. 4 books! It took me five long weeks to read these because I wasn't that into it. I am narrow minded when it comes to books, I admit it, I'll remember this next time when I accept to judge.

Unfortunately I can't tell you what I thought of the book, scores are confidential.

I am giving away one book for now, Leave a comment over the next week and I'll pick a name, out of all 4 or 5 of you. lol. Make sure and leave an email address for me to contact you.

YADA YADA PRAYER GROUP GETS ROLLING

SIGNED BY AUTHOR

Description:

A devastating fire wakes up the Yadas to a new reality: God is on the move.

What I'd like to know is, why does God keep rearranging my comfort zone? It could have something to do with my Yada Yada prayer sisters, who aren't afraid to get in each other's faces and tend to expect big things from God.

But to move forward, sometimes we have to let go of what's behind. In spite of the loss of two dear friends. In spite of the breakup of a teenage love. In spite of the curse of HIV. In spite of prison time hanging over the head of a beloved child. In spite of fire consuming the hopes of those who have nothing.

Yet out of the ashes, God is doing a new thing! It's time for the Yadas to press on, pray on, and get rolling!

I Wanna... I Don't Wanna

I am reading a book that is really good, The Will of Wisteria, yet I can't seem to find the time to pick it up and read! Not for lack of time, but for lack of interest. I have Blue Heart Blessed, still boxed, at home... and it's calling my name. I can hear it and it's pulling me in... Should I give in and forget about the books that I did not pick but I am supposed to be reading? Should I do what I want to do and forget obligations? So far I am turning out to be a stinky judge.

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Tomorrow my Mom, Aunts, and I will be picnicking at my Grandma's grave. Weird? A little, I guess. I haven't been to her grave site since the funeral. Not sure how that will be since it's hard enough sometimes with just the memory of her. A grave is just a holding place for something left behind. Nothing more. Yet, somehow you feel closer to the person, knowing that what you knew, looks and touch wise, is there. This should be interesting, weird and a little difficult.

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My sister-in-law and I are on this strict "eating right" path. We've decided that we need some more energy, so we made up our minds this week to better our eating habits. So far this week has been empty, hungry bellys and whining. Lots of whining. "I want this" "I want a burger" "I want that" "I want cheese" "I want fries". We whine to each other all day. All day.

We were walking on our break yesterday afternoon and this was a conversation we had. Not a smart conversation, but a normal one for us.

Me: Ouch, my sheen hurts.

Her: Sheen? Don't you mean shen?

Me: Hahaha, did I say sheen? I mean't to say shin

Her: No, shen.

Me: No, shin. Do you hear yourself? You said shen when it's sheen. Wait, no, It's shin.

Her: I didn't say shen, you said sheen

Me: No, you said shen

Her: I did?

My Wonderful Random Week

It's been a really great week... If Sunday was any idea of how the week was going to be, I was ready to stay in bed and cover my head until it was over. But, it has been wonderful! Very random, but great! The one thing that would have made it better... reading. That always lifts my spirits. But then again, maybe it was such a good week because I wasn't reading... who knows.

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This post is going to be a full of pictures today. I walked outside the Saturday before Easter and saw these poinsettias in full bloom... from Christmas! In my backyard! I don't know how it is anywhere else, but we don't see poinsettias around here until late November.

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Kids and Cell Phones

On Wednesday nights I work with the kids, ages 2 - 13 at my church. Every Wednesday we have to make an announcement, "Please turn off your cell phones.". Not just for the older kids, the little kids too! Here are two of our 11 year old boys texting away before class starts. Next thing you know the toddlers will have cell phones!

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Enchanted *sigh*
I had the itch to see Enchanted (click for trailer) after my Sister and Becky said that they saw this twice already. I have now seen it twice and wouldn't mind seeing it again. Such a great movie! I loved it! Family friendly, great music, funny, and sweet.

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Faith, Hope, and Love...
I came home late on Wednesday night, I go straight from work to the hotel where my church is temporarily at while we are in the process of buying our building, and there was a box waiting for me. I opened it, expecting Wives & Daughters DVDs that I purchased forever ago. This is what I found...



BOOKS! I had forgotten that I sent in an application to be a Judge for The Eighth Annual Faith, Hope and Love, RWA Chapter’inspirational Reader’s Choice Contest. I received four books, all signed by the authors! Best of all, I can keep them!

• Summer by Karen Kingsbury


• Black Ice by Linda Hall


• The Will of Wisteria by Denise Hildreth
  
• The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Rolling by Neta Jackson

I'm reading and judging these this month, I can't reveal my actual scores, but I will let you know about the ones that I really liked. I have never read any of these authors before, I know what you're thinking, Never read Karen Kingsbury? This will be my first one. I've been wanting to read her books for so long, I just didn't know where to start. Has anyone read Book 1, Sunrise? If you have, please let me know if I should read that one before Summer. Or fill me in so I'm not lost...

This is going to be very different for me, I don't usually read books like this, I tend to be drawn to the Christian Romance. We shall see...

Keep an eye open for a book giveaway this month... My bookcases are getting too full at this point.

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No Books for two weeks...
I can pick up a book and READ on Saturday! I thought that I would be able to read today, but I calculated wrong. When I wake up on Saturday morning, Deep In The Heart of Trouble and I have a date!

Deep in The Heart of Trouble

Oh my. Oh my. Oh my. Ooooooh my!

I had a bad day on Thursday... Work is crazy and I was in a plain ol' stinky mood. I got home and found a package sitting by the door... what could this be? I had ordered a book online so I got excited as I opened this up until I saw the return address... "Hmmmm".

I ripped the package open and guess what was in there?

I about fell over! That may seem extreme, but if you love books like I do and you saw this, you would have too. Believe me! I screamed like a 5 year old at Disneyland!

I have been waiting for this book for over a year! I won an Advanced Readers Copy of the first book, Courting Trouble, in February 2007. Deep in the Heart of Trouble hits stores in May 2008... I was counting the days.

Deeanne Gist is a phenomenal author who opened my eyes to a whole new world of reading! I "met" her a while back and became a moderator on her chat room with three other awesome women. Dee treats us so well and I don't feel like I'm really doing anything in return! I love being in the chat room talking with fellow book lovers and the highlight of it all is that I've made some great friends there.

Thank you Dee for spoiling us! I appreciate it so very much.

P.S.
I am putting away all books for two weeks, 8 days to go.... Oh, Lord help me! Do you think He's testing me? lol

Book Giveaway / St. Patrick's Day

And The Winner Is...

Patty

Congratulations, Patty! I know you will enjoy this book!

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Thank you to everyone that stopped by and left a comment this past weekend. If you haven't read this amazing book, go out and buy it! It's wonderful!

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Beannachtai na Feile Padraig aka Happy St Patrick's Day! I am one proud Irish woman, well, mostly Irish. I love my heritage and today is a big day in our home. We'll celebrate with an Irish dinner of corned beef and cabbage. Yum.

Have a GREEN day today, and If you have no Irish blood in you, try not to get pinched!

Julie Lessman

About the Author:
Julie Lessman is a debut author who has already garnered writing acclaim, including ten Romance Writers of America awards. She resides in Missouri with her husband and their golden retriever, and has two grown children and a daughter-in-law. Her first book in the Daughters of Boston series, A Passion Most Pure, was released January 2008, followed by the second in September 2008, A Passion Redeemed, and the third in February 2009. Visit her Web site at http://www.julielessman.com/.




Interview with Julie Lessman for Passion Most Pure

What inspired you to be a writer?

Four life-altering words: Gone With the Wind. When I read that novel at the age of 12, I was swept away into the world of romance for the very first time. It captured me like no other book had done, and I immediately set out to write (along with thousands of other love-struck young girls, I’m sure), what I hoped would be “the great American novel.” Obviously my dreams of grandeur didn’t go anywhere (grin), but I did write 150 pages of a story that became the basis (some forty years later!) for my debut novel, A Passion Most Pure.

I am curious as to how you came up with the concept of this story line. Did something spark your imagination?

Well, as you know, A Passion Most Pure is the story of a close-knit Irish-Catholic family in pre-WWI Boston where a love triangle occurs between two sisters and the bad-boy hero. As one of 13 children (in a family that included 10 girls!), I guess you can say I experienced my fair share of sibling rivalry. I often butted heads with my sister who was two years older than me. She was … ahem … quite voluptuous and very attractive to boys while I was … well, basically not! J I was so skinny, in fact, that when I played on a girls’ softball team, my older brother commented: “What position do you play? The foul line?” Needless to say, the idea of competing with my beautiful sister for a boy’s affection was deeply rooted in my childhood, which, as I mentioned above, is when I started writing this novel at the age of 12, after reading Gone With the Wind.

What made you center the story on an Irish family?

Grin. One guess … Gone With the Wind. The idea of an Irish family (The O’Hara family in GWTW), and Scarlett, in particular, seeded my fertile imagination like nothing had ever done. From that point on, I LOVED anything Irish and especially anything that had to do with GWTW. So much so, that when I was in high school, I actually dressed up as a nun to go to a free showing of GWTW for the local religious and clergy. One of my friends had a sister in the convent, so she loaned us novice habits and off we went! I sat there mesmerized, shoving free popcorn into my mouth as I watched the tug-o-war between Rhett and Scarlett. It was one of the most fun times of my teens … until we ran into the nuns from our high school! Whew, we got into trouble … but it was soooo worth it (at least at the time!).

I compared the O'Connor family to a family that was portrayed in a 1944 film, titled Meet Me In St. Louis. This movie was based on the Smiths, a real family. I was unaware that you lived in St. Louis. Did the Smiths ever come to mind?

No, I can’t actually say that they did, although Meet Me in St. Louis is a favorite movie of mine, especially since I am from both St. Louis and a large family. But I truly appreciate the compliment, because, yes, I can see the similarity now that you mention it. Uh, all except the closeness between the sisters, which I assure you, gets remedied BIG TIME in Book 3, A Passion Denied. That book of all three in the series, typifies the true big-family fun of Meet Me in St. Louis because everybody gets along … well, almost. J

How do you choose your character’s names?

Mostly, I just go with what feels right. For instance, in the original manuscript I wrote at the age of 12, the heroine’s name was Faith O’Connor, just like in A Passion Most Pure (which, of course, is based on that early manuscript). Of course, I wasn’t a girl of “faith” then, so I’m not sure why I named her that, but I did. Ironically, it suits her perfectly in A Passion Most Pure because she is the consummate woman of “faith.”

Both of the parents’ names, Marcy and Patrick, were also from that early manuscript, and I think I named “Marcy” after a girl I knew in grade school (I know, I know, it doesn’t really sound like an Irish name, which is why I included that her full name was Marceline). And “Patrick” was just “the” Irish male name to have back then.

But I did rename Faith’s rival sister, Charity, and the bad-boy hero, Collin, because their names were … are you ready?? Del, short for “Delatha,” and “Bart.” Don’t even ask me what I was thinking at the age of 12 except that I do remember liking the TV show Maverick, which featured a handsome character named Bart Maverick. I finally settled on Charity’s name because Faith had a twin named “Hope” who died at the age of nine, and I was going for “Faith, Hope and Charity.” And Collin’s name, pure and simple, came from a listing of Irish male names. Of course, it didn’t hurt that I LOVE Collin Firth …

Is there a part of you in your characters?

Uh, I’m afraid so! Faith, the sister heroine of A Passion Most Pure is basically my spiritual self. Both of us have an intimate relationship with God where we talk and pray with Him as naturally as if He were physically in the room. He’s our best friend as well as our Savior and the true love of our lives. In fact, Faith and I are so much alike in the spiritual aspect, that a good friend of mine told me that reading A Passion Most Pure was “like going to lunch with me!” I hope that’s a good thing—not real sure! J

Charity, the sister heroine of Book 2, A Passion Redeemed, is my rebellious and “passionate” self, before I came to the Lord. I was a wild child of the seventies before Jesus got a hold of me (as he does Charity in Book 2).

Lizzie (or Beth), the sister heroine of Book 3, working title A Passion Denied, is my dreamer self. Lizzie is a bookworm bent on fairytale romance, just like I used to be as a little girl, sneaking downstairs to watch romantic movies after my parents went to bed. In her story, Lizzie has to learn (just like I did) that true romance, the kind that really satisfies, comes from following God’s precepts, not the world’s.

Has the fact that you are writer changed the way you read a book?

Unfortunately, yes. I have been to so many writing classes and seminars, read so many writing books, entered so many contests and had so many critique partners, that I have learned A LOT about writing in the five years it took for me to get published. So, I have to admit, I am a bit picky about what I read. I am crazy about romance, but also crazy about God, and I found there wasn’t much in the Christian market that combined the two passionately enough to satisfy me. So I … uh … wrote my own.

Have you ever suffered from “writer's block”? If so, what releases your creativity?

Gosh, I haven’t been writing long enough to encounter too much of that yet, thank God, but I did “hit the wall” on Book 3 of my Daughters of Boston series (A Passion Denied) while I was reading the work of another author who I greatly admire. Unfortunately, the other author’s book was SO good, that every time I sat down at the computer, I felt like puking on the keyboard because mine didn’t measure up. Now I know we are not supposed to compare ourselves to others, but we are human beings after all, and I gotta tell you, I got discouraged and couldn’t write for three months.

What releases my creativity? Pressing into God. When I got blue while writing Book 3, I felt like he wanted me to “fast” reading all other books but the Bible and just seek Him in prayer, which I did. And He is faithful. I experienced a spiritual break-through and picked up where I’d left off on Book 3. Now, even though I had considered Book 3 my least favorite of all three books, most everyone who has read it so far says it’s the best of all three novels, which I totally attribute to God’s wisdom and direction! And now I love it too!

What is your favorite pastime?

Oh, you mean how I USED to spend my free time? That’s easy: watching old movies (Gone With the Wind, That Touch of Mink, Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Susan Slept Here are some of my favorites), reading more books, gardening and hosting elaborate dinner parties a la Martha Stewart. I’m pretty driven in whatever I do (anal might be a better word). And, yes, I’ve been known to pipe guest’s initials into their twice-baked potatoes, cut napkin rings out of real lemons to hold lemon green beans, and sketch a layout for how the food would be placed on the plate. Which was fine when I was younger and had the energy to do it, but these days, sitting at my computer with a candle burning and a cup of Hazelnut Cinnamon coffee is my pastime of choice.

One last question, what is one thing that you want to bring to readers from this series, The Daughters of Boston?

The MOST important thing I pray that this series “brings” to readers is the reality of how natural and fulfilling an intimate relationship with God can and SHOULD be. Like breathing. This book 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. And as I said before, I KNOW this firsthand—I used to be a hard, cynical, coarse human being 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.

Deb, thank you SO much for having me on your blog! This was fun! Hugs, Julie

Julie - Thank you for taking the time to talk with me. I'll be counting the days until the 2nd book in the Daughters of Boston trilogy is released. I agree, this was fun! - Deb

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**A PASSION MOST PURE GIVEAWAY**

Leave a comment between March 14th - March 16th. Names will be drawn and a winner will be picked on St. Patrick's Day, March 17th! If you do not have a blog where I can contact you, please leave your email. Good Luck!

If you don't win, you can buy this book here.

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My thoughts on A Passion Most Pure here.

Books & Singing... What More Do You Need?

It's been a blast having Julie Lessman around here! I'll be doing an interview with her on March 14th and giving away a book, thanks to Julie!

Speaking of book giveaways, I stumbled on Julie Carobini's blog a few days back and left a comment to be in a drawing for her new book, Truffles by the Sea. I've never read a book by her, but I have heard great reviews. Stop on over, she has a beautiful blog. I believe today is the last day to be in the drawing for the giveaway...

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Is anyone else an American Idol fan? I know Shauna is, we seem to have the same taste in singers. Last night was a great night in my book. I find that I am pretty fickle where the girls are concerned, but my heart is set on David Archuleta for the guys. This kid is amazing. Below is a video of him singing for the first season contestants in a hotel lobby.


This is one of my favorite performances so far this season, loved it!


Another great singer is Brooke White. Her tone is beautiful. She can sing anything, according to me, and make it interesting.


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I made some changes to my blog. You'll notice that there is a new set of links to the right, Daily Photo Blogs. I want to do this so bad, I just don't have the time or the camera. Maybe someday I'll be able to show the OC through my eyes.

I also added my "bookshelf" from Shelfari. At the bottom is my favorites. You can click on this to see what I'm reading, what I own, my wish list... if you want to that is. lol. I just like to look at it. Me and my book obsession.

A Passion Most Pure

Novel by Julie Lessman

I bought this book after reading the review on Edgy Inspirational Blog. I had a hard time getting past the first chapter because time would not permit me. After sitting myself down and making myself read, I couldn't put this book down. I carried it everywhere. I read it the moment I woke up, while the iron was warming, while my curlers were heating up, and I dressed early for work so I could sit on the couch and get some reading in before I had to leave. I read it in the car, under my desk (only one time, after I gave in to the temptation), and on my breaks (which I never take). I have never done this with any other book... any book. I can't get the characters out of my head or put this book down.

I don't do reviews... but, I did want to share with you what I thought of this book.

The story is told in different characters points of view. Not just the main characters. The O'Connor family resembles the Smiths in Meet Me In St. Louis. The easy banter, arguments, love for each other, and sibling rivalry pulls you into the fold right from the beginning . It reminded me so much of my own family. The fact that they were Irish was a thrill. The Irish blood in me took over...

The book started right off with a bang, no waiting for romance to develop. You got in the head of Faith and Collin and felt the attraction between the two. There were so many ups and downs, I didn't know which way the book was going, but I definitely wanted to hold on for the ride.

Throughout the whole story there was a message of how God feels for us and how we should feel for Him. How he fits into the life of a marriage and a romantic relationship in general.

I was angry at times with how things turned and then they would turn back to how I wanted them and then turn again... I can say, this book was not predictable. I cried, laughed and cringed.

The book was lengthy but everything, I mean everything belonged. Towards the end I wanted the book to end, I needed some closure (and some sleep). Something to put my mind at ease! This so rarely happens; I usually want the book to keep going and stay involved with the characters, but I really wanted things to settle by the last few pages (I mean this in a good way). Even in the end there are so many twist and turns.

Whatever you do, do not peek in the back. I don't understand how people can do this, but I was so tempted to on this one... DON'T! It's so worth it not to.

I was reminded of the verse, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. Romans 8:28

I still cannot believe that this is a debut novel. I can't wait to get my hands on A Passion Redeemed in September. Seven long months... Oy.