Welcome to the Blog Tour for What’s the Story, Morning Glory? by Julie Lessman, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
About the Book
Title: What’s the Story, Morning Glory?
Author: Julie Lessman
Publisher: Julie Lessman LLC
Release Date: October 1, 2024
Genre: Memoir Devotional (half fiction/half nonfiction)
“DEAR LORD, JULIE … OUR WHOLE LIFE IS IN THIS BOOK!”
My heart went out to my sweet husband as he walked into our kitchen one day with a noticeable gulp, ashen-faced after reading my latest novel.“Yes, I know, babe,” I said with a repentant smile and a conciliatory hug, “but nobody really knows that.”
Ahem. Until now …
Trust me, “What’s the Story, Morning Glory? A Memoir Devotional with a ‘Novel’ Approach to Practical Christianity” is not a book I wanted to write. As a novelist, I have never been partial to nonfiction, either reading it or writing it, but I had little choice when God convinced me otherwise through a number of point-blank arm-twistings I couldn’t deny and not-so-gentle proddings from family and friends.
Despite all the encouragement, I wasn’t really sure where to begin. “It will be fiction and nonfiction combined,” the Holy Spirit whispered within, and just like that, the idea for this book took flight. First, I would tell my “real” and very personal story behind the life-lesson stories in my novels, then I would follow it up with the excerpt from my books where I teach that same life lesson to my characters, finally culminating in corresponding Scriptures, a bulleted “Takeaway” list, and a related prayer.
Thus, What’s the Story, Morning Glory: A Memoir Devotional with a “Novel” Approach to Practical Christianity was born. A memoir devotional that when combined with scenes from my novels, becomes a “novotional” where I relate the life lessons God personally taught me through His Word. I am simply a child of God who applied these lessons and Biblical precepts to every situation in my life and consequently, saw nonstop answers to prayer and blessings galore. It is my profound hope and prayer that through my own very simple and personal stories and examples, I can do the same for others. Therefore, the format for each chapter of this book will be as
1. The Real Story (How I learned and applied the spiritual lesson in my own life)
2. The Novel Story (The scene where I teach the spiritual lesson to my characters)
3. The Scripture Story (Scriptures applicable to the spiritual lesson)
4. The Takeaway Story (Bulletized points for spiritual lesson in easy-to-read/apply format)
5. The Prayer Story (Specific prayer related to the spiritual lesson)
I pray this bottom-line, albeit somewhat quirky, 1-2-3 devotional blesses you as much as God’s spiritual life lessons have blessed me!
Hugs,
Julie Lessman
PURCHASE and REVIEW LINKS: Goodreads | Amazon
Also Available
About the Author
Julie Lessman is an award-winning author whose tagline of “Passion With a Purpose” underscores her intense passion for both God and romance. A lover of all things Irish, she enjoys writing close-knit Irish family sagas that evolve into 3-D love stories: the hero, the heroine, and the God that brings them together.
Author of The Daughters of Boston, Winds of Change, Heart of San Francisco, Isle of Hope, Silver Lining Ranch, and The Cousins O’Connor series, Julie was American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Author of the Year and has garnered over 21 Romance Writers of America and other awards. Voted #1 Romance Author in Family Fiction magazine’s 2012 and 2011 Readers Choice Awards, Julie’s novels also made Family Fiction magazine’s Best of 2014, Best of 2015, and “Essential Christian Romance Authors” 2017-20, as well as Booklist’s 2010 Top 10 Inspirational Fiction and Borders Best Fiction. Her independent novel A Light in the Window was an International Digital Awards winner, a 2013 Readers’ Crown Award winner, and a 2013 Book Buyers Best Award winner.
Julie has also written a self-help workbook for writers entitled Romance-ology 101: Writing Romantic Tension for the Sweet and Inspirational Markets.
Connect with Julie by visiting julielessman.com to follow her on social media, read both romantic and spiritual excerpts from her books, or subscribe to email newsletter updates.
Tour Giveaway
(1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card, a character named after you in Julie’s next book & a signed paperback copy of that book, plus a signed paperback copy of What’s the Story, Morning Glory!
Full tour schedule linked below. The giveaway begins at midnight September 24, 2024 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on October 1, 2024. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only for print copies. Gift card open to all locales. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to JustRead Publicity Tours Giveaway Policies.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
MY REVIEW
I love devotionals and read at least one everyday. For years I have one for mornings and one for evenings. Author Julie Lessman’s What’s the Story, Morning Glory?: A Memoir Devotional with a “Novel” Approach to Practical Christianity is one of the most unique that I have ever picked up. It is part fiction mixed in with a devotional and memoir. The result of that combo is an inspirational masterpiece.
Julie Lessman is transparent as she shares stories from her life along with excerpts from some of her beloved novels. Bible verses are abundant throughout the daily readings. These scripture verses address different topics to coincide with the lessons. Each section of the chapter is broken down into different parts, (1) The Real Story (2) The Novel Story (3) The Scripture Story (4) The Takeaway Story (5) The Prayer Story. Devotions are lengthy and provide for in-depth study.
A plethora of topics are covered. All chapters have a true story from Julie Lessman’s life, a novel story of a scene from one of her books dealing with that same topic, and then scriptures to affirm what God’s Word says about that topic. This is a different type of devotional than I have ever done or seen, but I loved it. It would make a great small group or readers club selection. There is a lot to discuss. It would make a thoughtful gift for anyone. I will definitely be revisiting it from time to time. It receives a 5 star rating from this reader.
A complimentary copy of the book was provided from Just Read, but these are my honest words.
Abba's Prayer Warrior Princess 
great review! Thanks so much for being part of our blog tour 🙂
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NYLA!! I cannot thank you enough for the AMAZING review, my friend–it blessed the socks off of me! I knew I liked you when I saw the name of your blog–Abba’s Prayer Warrior Princess–because “Abba” is my favorite name for God and what I call Him all the time.
Thank you SO much for reading my book and hosting me on your blog and especially the incredible review. I appreciate it–and you–more than I can say.
Hugs!
Julie
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Beloved Julie,
We are definitely Sisters in Christ. Abba is my go to name for our Almighty God, too. It was a pleasure reading your book and writing a review. Praying Abba continues to bless your wonderful work.
NylaKay
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Thank you for the review
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Hey, JCP — Thanks for your interest — here’s to a win!
Hugs,
Julie
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Sounds like a good book.
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Hopefully you’ll soon find out, Shelly, so thanks for coming by and here’s to a win!
Hugs,
Julie
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This should be a very enjoyable novel. Thanks for sharing.
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Hey, Sid, good luck in the draw!
Hugs,
Julie
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