Tuesday, October 30, 2012

November's Author of the Month: Julie Lessman


Greetings to all of my fellow HCR addicts! It's November, can you believe it? (I do know this is a few days early, but with  my personal schedule it was now or a few days late and I chose now...*big grin*)

October was wonderful and I LOVED having Stacy and Joanne in the spotlight. Please tell me you've read their stuff! Well, if you haven't yet, there's still time to repent... *just teasing!* They really are fabulous authors and they have more books in the works--yay for us!!

This month I am beyond excited to feature, the one, the only: JULIE LESSMAN!! As you know, I just recently read ALL of her books and I loved every single one. She is a dear, sweet lady with a hilarious sense of humor and a killer writing style! Her books will have you sucked in with the first sentence. No, I'm not just saying that--they really will. Along with creating living, breathing characters, her messages of faith and Christ are very inspiring!

(Now, all you readers may be wondering about the GIVEAWAY! Well, I am happy to say that I will be doing the drawing on NOV 8! So, if you want to be entered to WIN, please SHARE this post on FB, TWITTER or by FOLLOWING this blog!!! And you will RECEIVE 1 point for DOING each of those things for Julie's CONTEST!!! YAY!!! So, you MUST tell me what you did so that you can get all the points you deserve, whether it be 1, 2 or 3! Make sure when you include your email that it's a spam-free format, IE: historicalchristianreview(at)gmail(dot)come. You will love her books if you haven't read them and you'll want to be entered in her contest for sure!!)

I must try and reign in my excitement over this interview...down, Amber down. {teehee} Below, you will find her answers to my questions. Be prepared for a good time, y'all! This woman is 100% lovable!

Tell us about yourself! And please, include one fun/silly/unique fact that people may not already know!

Well, I’m a baby boomer (how’s that for side-stepping the age issue?) married to a man who makes me feel like I’m living my own personal romance novel. I have a 29-year-old son and a doctor daughter-in-law (for whom I prayed since my son was a baby) and a precious year-old granddaughter. I also have a 25-year-old daughter that just graduated from law school who hates to read (and, yes, it’s true—I paid her $20 just to read the first chapter of A Passion Most Pure. I’m happy to say it hooked her, and the rest of the books didn’t cost me a dime! ).

My romance-writing career began at the tender age of twelve when I read Gone With the Wind, after which I immediately sat down to begin my own novel, a 150-page, single-spaced manuscript that is actually the basis for my debut novel, A Passion Most Pure. I was SO hooked on romance after reading GWTW, that when I was in high school, I actually dressed up as a nun to go to a free showing 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!

You have created SO many wonderful characters in your books. If you could BE any of the O'Connors who would you pick?

Uh-oh … probably Charity, because I’m pretty much a pistol just like her and, well, Mitch Dennehy happens to be my favorite hero of all those I’ve written—hubba, hubba! But to be honest, both Faith and Charity reflect my personality A LOT. Faith, the sister heroine of A Passion Most Pure, is my spiritual self and mirrors the intimate relationship I have with God. Like Faith, I talk and pray to Him as naturally as if He is my best friend (and He is!), but I also get angry with Him too. You might say that Faith and I are emotionally engaged with the God of the Universe—we laugh with Him, tear up at His goodness, and worship Him with all our hearts.

Charity, the sister heroine of Book 2, A Passion Redeemed, is my rebellious and “passionate” self, before I came to the Lord. You see, I was a wild child of the seventies, like so many of us today, and actually pulled many of the shenanigans that Charity pulls on Mitch in book 2. Hard as it may be for some people to believe, I absolutely LOVE Charity (just like I loved Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With the Wind), maybe because she is so wonderfully flawed and needy of love, not unlike I used to be before Christ. In fact when my husband read A Passion Redeemed, I was shocked to discover that he didn’t like Charity AT ALL. The poor guy—I didn’t have the heart to tell him he’s been married to her for over 34 years, although clearly without the looks!

The romance in your stories is THE BEST! Where do you get the inspiration for the romance (and awesome kisses *wink*) in your books?

HA! I keep a picture of my hubby when we were married right next to where I write, and let me tell you, that’s pretty darn inspiring!! But I think I was always meant to be a romance writer because as a little girl, I used to sneak downstairs to watch romantic movies after my parents went to bed, totally enamored with the idea of romance and falling in love. I thrived on wonderfully romantic old movies like Kisses for Breakfast, Pillow to Post, and Susan Slept Here, That Touch of Mink, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and my all-time favorite, Gone With the Wind.

Initially my inspiration was Rhett Butler and Scarlett O’Hara, because from the moment I read Gone With the Wind, I was hooked on romance. So much so that as I said before, 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, but in 2001, I was sitting in a beauty shop reading a Newsweek cover article about how Christian books, movies and music were on the threshold of exploding. Something in my spirit said, “Now is the time to finish your book,” so I started it the next month. Hard to believe that almost forty years passed before God breathed new life into that early attempt and inspired me to finish my childhood novel of passion—only this time the “passion” would be for Him!

I have been so inspired by the Christian messages you include in your books and it's obvious you have a strong love of Christ. What is your favorite Bible story/scripture?

Well, when you’re a hyper CDQ (caffeinated drama queen), you tend to have LOTS of favorite Scriptures because frankly you need them to hold you up! But as far as being a writer, my favorite would have to be 2 Corinthians ll:3: Do not let my mind “be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.”

Why? Because I wish I’d known what an emotional roller-coaster it was going to be AFTER I got published. Like a lot of unpublished writers, I thought all the anxiety and self-doubt would dissipate after I signed on the dotted line. I mean that would validate me, right? Give me confidence as a writer? But I discovered (AGAIN!) that true confidence is not in accolades from your editor or a really good review, but instead in where your heart is with God. HE is my confidence when my sales rankings on Amazon.com are high or low, which is why I CLING to this Scripture and many others.

Any final words?

Thanks, Amber, for allowing me to connect with your readers. I LOVE to hear from reader friends, so if they like, they can contact me through my website at http://www.julielessman.com, either by sending an e-mail via my site or by signing up for my newsletter at http://www.julielessman.com/sign-up-for-newsletter/. My newsletter is chock-full of fun info on my books and there’s always a contest featuring signed book giveaways including two right now to win a Kindle Fire or have a character named after you or a loved one in my next book. Contest details can be found at http://www.julielessman.com/contest/. Also, I have a cool feature on my website called “Journal Jots” at http://www.julielessman.com/journal-jots1/, which is a very laid-back, Friday journal to my reader friends that would give your readers an idea as to my relaxed style of writing. Or readers can check out my favorite romantic and spiritual scenes from each of my books on the “Excerpts” tab of my website at http://www.julielessman.com/excerpts/. Finally, I can be found daily at The Seekers blog at http://seekerville.blogspot.com/, a group blog devoted to encouraging and helping aspiring writers on the road to publication.

Hugs,
Julie


Was that not AMAZING?! Oh, Julie, I cannot thank you enough for taking the time to do this! I have truly loved getting to know you, and I know that God is working through you to bless people's lives, because I know you have blessed mine. Thank you for sharing your gifts with the world!

Now, all you readers may be wondering about the GIVEAWAY! Well, I am happy to say that I will be doing the drawing on NOV 8! So, please comment below--and tell us your FAVORITE Lessman character --and leave your email address if you want to be entered to WIN!!!

And lastly, Lessman's ebook A LIGHT IN THE WINDOW comes out this month as well!! I cannot wait for that! So, if you are like me and are chomping at the bit for another awesome Lessman story you are in luck! Check out her website at http://www.julielessman.com/ for more details and exciting giveaways such as a Kindle Fire, having a character named after you in Julie's next book, $50 and $20 gift cards, and free books!!


God Bless all you wonderful ladies out there, and HAPPY READING!!






46 comments:

  1. YAY!!! I was waiting for Julie to be your author of the month. Her series has been in my top 10 for a LONG time! My favorite Herione is Katie. I have a mind of my own just like her. :) My favorite Hero is a toss up between Mitch and Luke! I seriously can't decide! :) I loved reading about one of my most favorite authors! I'm anxiously awaiting 'A Light in the Window'!!!!

    cavinessemail@gmail.com

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    1. Candy, you are the best! I can't wait for you to read ALITW, either! I know you will love it!!!

      So glad you entered. If you can, please SHARE this post and let people know how they can enter since I've changed things a bit. I'm trying to get more people to follow this blog, etc.

      Hugs!
      Amber

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    2. WHOOPS, CANDY ... wrote your comment below Amber's!! Always mess these "reply" things up ... :|

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  2. CANDY!!! Thank you SO much, my friend, for your kind words, and you and I are two peas in a pod -- LOVE both Luke and Mitch!!!

    Can't wait to see what you think of ALITW!!

    Hugs,
    Julie

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  3. Congratulations Julia for another addition to the library. My favorite character is definitely Katie from A Hope Undaunted. I loved her spunk and snarky attitude.

    maryvee@yahoo.com

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    1. Mary!!! How are you? So glad you stopped by my blog. I love Katie too, she is wonderful!

      Hugs!
      Amber

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    2. Hey, MARY, thank you, my friend -- A Hope Undaunted happens to be my FAVE of all the books I've written because I love both Katie and Luke McGee ... hubba, hubba!! ;)

      Of course, that could be because I'm a boy-crazy baby boomer ... :)

      Thanks for coming by and GOOD LUCK in the contest!!

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  4. Cannot wait to read ALITW... of course, I still have to read A Heart Revealed and I'm really looking forward to it.

    I'm new to your blog... and I'm glad to have found it! :)

    blessings,
    Ladettladettek[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. Hi Ladette! What a beautiful name!!! I am SO happy that you found my blog, thank you for stopping by. If you can share it on FB or twitter that would be awesome as well...

      Yes, A Heart Revealed is AWESOME! Can't wait for you to read it.

      Hugs!
      Amber

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    2. LADETTE!!! Oh, man, I can't wait for you to read ALITW either, girl, and if you order it or buy it after it releases on November 9, let me know so I can enter you in my Kindle Fire contest (or equivalent gift card), okay?

      And I'm not sure if it was you or not, but I think it was -- be warned that AHR moves a little more slowly than say A Hope Undaunted, where Katie and Luke butt heads (and lips) so much. Since Emma's married, I can't exactly have any liplocks between her and Sean, you know, so it moves a lot more slowly. :)

      GOOD LUCK in the contest, my friend.

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  5. My favorite character is probably Faith O'Connor. She kept hold onto God and that is what I look for. An undying deovtion to God. She found the man of her dreams by waiting for God and HIS timing. She reminded me a lot of myself. Wishing for the right man to come along,but she got more than what she baragined for because she waited. Julie you have taught me as a teenager to be ever so patient with my future husband and wait for His timing. I cant thank you enough! I was truly blessed by the book!!!! :D

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    1. Hey!! How are you? So glad that you stopped by my blog! If you want to be entered, please be sure to SHARE this link and please leave you email addy in a span-free format! I am glad you love Julie's books, they really are the best!!!
      I have to say that I feel the same as you--her books have truly blessed my life!

      Hugs!
      Amber

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    2. Aw, Sia, what a really nice comment, my friend -- THANK YOU!! And just so you know -- Faith's experience in APMP is NOT just fiction, because the same thing happened to me with the love of my life, with whom God blessed me because I followed His precepts when I was single, just like Faith. :)

      So, you go, girl, and GOOD LUCK in the contest!!

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  6. love Charity and I have everyone of her books except for a Love Surrendered thanks for chance to win.

    ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

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    1. ABS!!! Well, let's just see if we can't put A Love Surrendered on your shelf, too, my friend, eh?

      GOOD LUCK!!

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  7. I love Julie Lessman! You're right, Amber! Her style is captivating from the get-go.

    I think my favorite character is Emma Malloy. What a devotion she had to our Savior! Love her!

    I am, though, looking forward to reading some more stories and being challenged even more in my walk with Christ.

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    1. JENN!!! Yeah, Emma is pretty special, isn't she?! Believe it or not, I tried to model her after Francine River's very plain Jewish slave girl Hadassah in the Mark of the Lion series, an absolutely AMAZING character who was scarred in the lion's den, but by the end of the trilogy, she was the most beautiful of women for who she was inside. :)

      Here's to a win, my friend!

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  8. This is my 2nd post for this, lol. #1. I have shared this on Facebook AND Twitter #2. I have followed your blog for months! Again I can't wait to read this new book!! :)

    cavinessemail(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Hey Candy!! You are ENTERED!!! You are so awesome--I'm so glad we have gotten to know each other through this!!!

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    2. CANDY!! SOOOO glad you came back to enter, girl -- YAY!!!

      Now, we just need a win, eh??

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  9. I've read all of Julie's books so far (except A Light in the Window, but I'm hoping to be able to read this one). I like all the sisters now, though I didn't like Charity at first. Faith is my favorite, perhaps because she was the main character in the first book. She showed so much wisdom with Annie in A Love Surrendered. This is a wonderful family. Besides being passionate romances, Julie's books teach us so much about relationships with others, but primarily with God.
    pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

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    1. Aw, thanks, Pam, for your kind comment AND for your ongoing support and friendship -- SO appreciated!!

      Good luck in the contest, my friend!

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  10. I have not read any of Julie's books but this one certainly has caught my attention and would love to win a copy. I have shared this on Facebook and Twitter and have signed up to follow your blog.
    shcreative(at)sympatico(dot)ca

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    1. Oh, SHAN ... you are JUST the type of reader I am looking for, girl ... NEW BLOOD!! ;)

      If you want to see whether you would like my "Passion With a Purpose" style of writing, I encourage you to check out the "EXCERPTS" tab of my website at the link below, where I have posted my favorite romantic and spiritual scene for each of my books, okay?

      JULIE'S EXCERPTS

      Good luck and here's to a win!!

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  11. My favorite character of Julie's is probably...there's too many to choose from!!! Well, I'll say Emma.

    marissamehresman(at)aol(dot)com

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    1. LOL, MARISSA ... Emma's a pretty good choice, but have you noticed how much better ALL the characters seem as a family unit? Almost like the different personalities enhance each other, which is what I was hoping would happen because families SHOULD enhance each other, right???

      GOOD LUCK, my friend, and thanks for coming by!!

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  12. Emma Malloy ~ A Heart Revealed ~ loved, loved, loved Emma! Her stand for God and His faithfulness to her!! Kathleen
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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    1. KATH ... oh, honey, just WAIT till you read A Hope Undaunted!!! Emma shines in that, as does Faith and don't even get me STARTED on Luke and Parker Riley!! ;) I JUST finished AHU this morning and I told my husband that it is not only the favorite book of mine that I've written, but one of the books that speaks to my heart more than any other, period. I guess because there are so many examples in it from my own life ... :)

      Can't wait for you to read it, so here's to a win!!

      HUGS,
      Julie

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  13. Thank you for the interview! I haven't read any of Julie's books (yet) but Charity sounds like a fun character. ;)

    Like Julie, I fell in love with GWTW when my mother forced (okay...encouraged) me to read it. At the time, I thought it was way too thick and old fashioned, but I accepted her challenge to read the first chapter. I was hooked and barely ate or slept till I finished it. ;) I still have that 1936 hard cover book and will treasure it always.

    I'd love to read (and win) A Light in the Window. I love Christmas love stories!
    I shared on FB
    (https://www.facebook.com/CEHartAuthor)
    Tweeted
    (https://twitter.com/CEHartAuthor/status/264697139203043329)
    and I'm a new GFC follower
    (C.E. Hart)

    nicnac63 AT hotmail DOT com

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    1. C.E. HART!!! Ah ... another GWTW freak!!! Oh, honey, then I have a feeling you are going to love my books because GWTW kick-started my romance-writing career at the age of 12, when I started my debut book, A Passion Most Pure! Mind you, I'm not even remotely trying to compare myself to Margaret, which is impossible -- I simply mean that anyone who is passionate about GWTW is just flat-out "passionate," which fits in nicely with my "Passion with a Purpose" style of writing. So, if you haven't done so, C.E., then I encourage you to do what I told Shan to do above -- hop on over to the "EXCERPTS" link of my website, where I have posted my favorite romantic and spiritual scenes for each of my books, okay? GOOD LUCK and here's the link: JULIE'S EXCERPTS

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  14. Would love to be entered, please! Favorite character... ouh, that's not easy! How about we go with...Steven.

    :-)

    Thank you

    g.gclermont AT gmail.com

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    1. GANISE!!! Hey, girl -- miss you!!

      LOL ... I think your favorite hero is always the last one you read, right??? Just wait till you get a gander at Patrick O'Connor as a young man in ALITW, girl -- HUBBA, HUBBA!!!

      GOOD LUCK, and here's to a win!!

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  15. I have not read any of Julie's books but did buy a couple and look forward to reading the. Julie is such a kind and caring author that I am sure that will show through in the book. Thank you for a great interview.

    Cathy Weber
    cdweber20@hotmail.com

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    1. CATH!!! You haven't cracked the spine on those puppies yet, eh?? Or opened the Kindle, whatever the case may be!! I cannot WAIT to see what you think, my friend, so GOOD LUCK, because if you like the ones you bought, then I can send you the next in line, okay?

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  16. I love Charity's character(in the later books anyway) because her personality and crazy matchmaking schemes always make me laugh.

    Awesome blog, Amber! I just started following it.

    myfairlady115[at]gmail[dot]com

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    1. EMILY!!! Oh, AMEN to that!!! Charity is my FAVE, especially in A Heart Revealed because she is SUCH a hoot!!

      Thanks for coming by, and here's hoping it nets you a win!!

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  17. Julie, I absolutely love your passion for God! Oh, it's so inspiring!!! Another thing...I love to hear how much you love your husband! ehehe! I'm young and dreaming about the day when I'll meet the other half of my heart, therefore, it is so beautiful to me to see a relationship like yours! I'm crossing my fingers for a guy who has a little of all the heroes in your books! lol!

    Emreilly303(at)gmail(d0t)com

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    1. Oh, EM, I'm praying that God sends you a man like my hubby (who has a little bit of each of my heroes in him, ESPECIALLY Patrick!!).

      And thank you for your sweet comment about my love for my husband. Sometimes I hesitate to say it because I don't want to make anyone feel less if their marriage is not where mine is. TRUST ME ... MY marriage wasn't where mine is in the beginning or the middle either, for that matter!! God has to work the kinks out of us and deepen the love in a marriage, which He certainly has done for me after 34 years. God IS the center and source for my marriage for both my husband and I, and OH MY, the love is so overflowing, we literally at times -- like on my birthday -- hold each other tight with so much gratitude that it brings tears to our eyes.

      THAT'S the kind of marriage God wants us to have and the good news is -- it's available through HIM and ONLY Him!!!

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  18. Amber, I am so happy that you love Julie's novels...I've had the honor (and pleasure) of reading all of them (except her latest)...Your postings & thoughts on these masterpieces match my feelings, exactly :)

    karenk
    kmkuka at yahoo dot com

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    1. Hey, KAREN -- thank you, my friend, for coming by and for your kind words -- I treasure your friendship and support.

      GOOD LUCK and hugs,
      Julie

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  19. Julie....so passionate and inspiring....writes the greatest books! I've read them all (well, almost finished ALS), and am anxious to read A Light in the Window! Hope you had a great birthday!
    Blessings~~~
    Jackie Smith
    jackie.smith[at]dishmail[dot]net

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    1. JACKIE!!! You better let me know if you like it, okay? And don't forget about my contest link to get your name in the hat for either a Kindle Fire (or equivalent gift card) or a signed copy of Love at Any Cost, okay? Here's the link:

      JULIE’S CONTEST

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  20. I love Katie...
    And I loved reading about her antics when she was a child, as well as when she finally grew up!
    There's hope for my spunky daughter, yet!

    warolyn(at)yahoo(dot)com
    warolyn@yahoo.com

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    1. LOL, CAROLYN ... YES there is, my friend, because Katie O'Connor was based on my daughter AND me, so there is hope!! :)

      Good luck, my friend!

      Hugs,
      Julie

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  21. Oh, I forgot....my favorite character is Faith....she truly lives up to her name...full of faith.
    Jackie Smith

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    1. JACKIE ... Faith is definitely the fave of all of my reader friends, mostly because of her kindness and deep faith, but partially because she is my first heroine who just naturally won the hearts of those who'd never read my work before. :)

      GOOD LUCK!!
      HUGS,
      Julie

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