Hello, reader friends! In honor of new release A Wing and a Prayer, we are chatting and celebrating this WWII romance with author Julie Lessman!
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, and Silver Lining Ranch series, Julie was American Christian Fiction Writers 2009 Debut Author of the Year and has garnered over 18 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 2015, Best of 2014, and “Essential Christian Romance Authors” 2017, as well as Booklist’s 2010 Top 10 Inspirational Fiction and Borders Best Fiction. Her independent novel A Light in the Window
Julie has also written a self-help workbook for writers entitled Romance-ology 101: Writing Romantic Tension for the Sweet and Inspirational Markets
q&a
Do you have any writing quirks?
J: Uh, is the sky blue??? I’m quirky and crazy and just a wee bit off-center, so I have a number of rituals with my writing such as the essentials—a constant cup of hazelnut decaf with Half ‘n Half, lots of lip gloss, Kleenex (for the soggy scenes I write), and a mirror handy for those facial expressions I’m trying to capture on paper.
My biggest ritual, however, is the ambiance. My family jokes that I am an “Ambiance Queen” because dim lighting with candles during dinner is a must. During the summer months (basically May through October), I sit outside on my deck that runs the length of the house, overlooking a lake with my feet up on this cushy lawn furniture and a fan (heater, depending upon the season) gently blowing while I sit with my laptop on my … where else? Lap!!
In the winter when I’m not in the family room with a crackling fire, I write upstairs in my bedroom, which has two huge corner windows that let in gobs of light and lots of fun distractions like chipmunks, squirrels, and birds in the trees or the occasional eagle or blue heron. Of course, I have everything right there that I need including lip gloss, hazelnut coffee, a mirror, and my favorite picture of my husband and me before we were married. How’s that for romantic inspiration? 🙂 It sure works for me!
B: Your writing spots sound wonderful! I’d love to have a water view but I love my waves of prairie grass too!
Briefly describe yourself.
J: Irish temper. Ambiance Queen. Prayer Warrior. Encourager.
B: Sounds like an honest assessment!
What are some of the challenges you faced while writing A Wing and a Prayer?
J: The first and biggest hurdle I faced was the research because … ahem … I’m not overly fond of research. So, what does this lame-brain do? Duh! I write a WWII story where the heroine is both a WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) and a foreign war correspondent, and then the hero is an aeromedical evac pilot, making the story a real bear to write. I literally had to research on almost every page of this book, and sometimes every paragraph, no joke!
I’m not only talkin’ medical terms, military terms, WASP terms, 1940s, pilot/airplane/Jeep terms and parts, terminology/hairstyles/fashion/etc., BUT I also had to have my history down cold. As a result, I am happy to say that I now know more about WWII than I ever dreamed possible. Which, I have to admit, was pretty cool given the fact that we are celebrating the 75th Anniversary of V-Day and VE-Day this year!
The second hurdle was coming up with my traditional “O’Connor twist,” which I always like to include at the end of an O’Connor book, which I simply did not have for Gabe’s story. So I did what I usually do when I have a plot problem, I “God-stormed,” which is simply brainstorming with God. Seriously, I prayed and prayed and prayed throughout the entire writing of this book, but by the last line, I had nothing. Nada. Zilch. So, I just figured since it is basically God’s story instead of mine anyway, He obviously didn’t need the twist. Yes, I was a teensy bit disappointed but figured with its rich WWII and WASP history, A Wing and a Prayer was still an exciting book. Or so I hoped. ?
And then, there I am on the treadmill at the very end of the final-edit stage, praising God to worship music when BOOM! A bolt from the blue has me bolting downstairs to my computer to put the finishing touches on a book that now puts a big smile on my face. ? And yours, too, I hope, if you win my giveaway below, so good luck!
B: He provides! I can’t wait to read Gabe’s story!
What did you learn or discover about yourself while writing A Wing and a Prayer?
J: That I absolutely LOVE writing about the O’Connor family because it’s like going home again. 🙂
B: I feel the same way about reading their stories!
What is your next release and/or what are you working on now?
J: Well, in addition to A Wing and a Prayer
Then, this summer, in addition to writing another O’Connor Christmas novella (I put one out every year and plan to compile them into a paperback anthology when I’ve covered all the siblings in a novella, along with a final Marcy/Patrick novella as well), I am shooting for releasing a sweet secular version of A Wing and a Prayer called In Love We Trust. It will be the same story as the Christian version, but with no mention of God or prayer or any strong spiritual lessons, just a subtle thread of morality. It will have a different cover and author name (my maiden name) and be listed separately on a divided website. It will also be a steamier version than the CBA version, but really not much steamier than my typical indie novels and definitely according to God’s precepts.
B: Yay!!! I’m so excited for more O’Connor stories and I hope you’re able to reach new readers with your secular version as well! Thank you for chatting with us, Julie!
about the book
A Wing and a Prayer by Julie Lessman (The Cousins O’Connor book 1)
She’s dead-set on giving everything to the war overseas …
Even if it means losing everything in a war of the heart.A street orphan abused and abandoned by an alcoholic father at age five, Gabriella (Gabe) O’Connor has never let a man stand in her way yet. So when a handsome flight officer thwarts her plans to become a Women Airforce Service Pilot, she’s determined to join the war effort anyway she can. Her chance comes when she “borrows” foreign correspondent credentials from the Boston Herald—where her father is the editor—to stow away on a medical ship to the front.
Lieutenant Reece Kincaid pegs Gabe O’Connor as trouble the moment she steps foot on Avenger Field as a WASP cadet. As the eldest brother of a boy whose jaw Gabe broke in grade school, Reece is familiar with her reputation as both a charismatic ringleader and a headstrong hooligan who’s challenged every male and nun from grade school to college. As her WASP flight instructor, Reece eventually expels Gabe when she pulls a dangerous stunt. But when he is an evacuation pilot in France eight months later, their lives intertwine once again, exposing them to a danger as perilous as the German tanks roaming the Reichswald Forest: a love that neither expects.
giveaway
(3) winners will receive their choice of (3) indie titles by Julie Lessman. Her indie series are Isle of Hope, Silver Lining Ranch, and The Cousins O’Connor, including A Wing and a Prayer
Julie’s generosity will be feeding the ereaders of three fortunate Faithfully Bookish readers! Thank you, Julie!
Void where prohibited by law or logistics | ends 4/1 | complete giveaway rules
enter giveaway here
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Silver Lining Ranch series
Isle of Hope series
Join our chat by sharing your thoughts in the comments!
I always look forward to reading O’Connor stories and A Wing and a Prayer by Julie Lessman is no exception!
Are you adding this title to your tbr, reader friends? Y’all need some “passion with purpose” in your lives!!
Faithfully Bookish 
Sounds like a great book! And I loved reading all about Julie. Always fun to get a peak into how authors work.
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I couldn’t agree more!
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I LOVE books based in WWII!! Thanks for sharing the interview! ??
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My pleasure! I love visiting with author friends!
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DEZI!! I feel a kinship with you, darlin’, since one of Gabe’s best friends is named after you, although I will warn you that she’s a bit loose! 😉
I love your name, by the way. Is it a nickname or your given name?
Hugs and GOOD LUCK!
Julie
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Whoops … Dezi, my response to your comment is down below. ? I never get these comment boxes right.
Hugs,
julie
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Hey, Becky, then I think you’re really gonna love this one because the research is EXTENSIVE, to say the least, my friend, and everything in the book — including everything that happens to Gabe in the WASPs– is based on actual true WASP stories, so almost nothing is made up except the plot! 😉
Hugs and GOOD LUCK!
Julie
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WWII books are my favorite as my daddy was a WWII veteran. Thank you for sharing. Blessings
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As a new author with a debut novel that happens to also be a WWII romance, I’m always up for reading another good story from the era! 🙂
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Hey, neat genre, I rarely read books that have these themes, but this looks very interesting!
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I always enjoy Julie’s books. I’m pretty sure I’ve read all of them so am really looking forward to these two new books. It is always fun to read about the O’Connor’s. Thanks for the giveaway.
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Hey, Lucy, I have to say that WWII books are now some of my favorites too, after all the research I did on this puppy. And how cool that your daddy was a WWII veteran. I bet you have some great pix of that.
Hugs and good luck in the contest!
Julie
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Hey, Tammy, super congrats on your debut novel, my friend. Don’t be shy — tell us the name of it so we can check it out, okay?
Hugs!
Julie
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Hey, Calvin, you know what? I didn’t read a lot of WWII books either before I wrote this one except genre leaders like Sarah Sundin, Cara Putman, and Cathy Gohlke, but WOW, did this era hook me in, so I hope it will you too.
Hugs and good luck in the contest!
Julie
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Hey, Pam, thanks so much for all of your support over the years, my friend! I think it may be more fun for me to write about the O’Connors than people to read about them because they are truly family to me. I hope you enjoy both Gabe’s story and Sheridan’s, as different as they are. 🙂
Hugs and good luck!
Julie
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Hooray for another O’Connor story!! So looking forward to the cousins stories,not to mention another wonderful Christmas novella,plus Love’s Silver Bullet, This is so exciting !! Thank you so much Julie for a new batch of novels that I know will touch my heart and inspire my faith,and for this fun interview that made me smile.
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No, Lynne, thank YOU, my sweet friend, for all of your amazing support — I cherish our friendship!
Hugs and more hugs,
Julie
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I have enjoyed her “Boston”, as I call it, series, having purchased several of the paperbacks. I now have a Kindle, which is very handy.
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Sounds like a wonderful read! I will definitely be checking it out.
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Was on my TBR…now in my “read” pile ?
Loved the book!!
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I love Julie’s books. Thanks for the chance to win her books.
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Why, thank you, Cathy — MUCH appreciate your support, my friend. And AMEN to the “handy” Kindle. As far as I’m concerned, e-books are the only way to go because I can read them in bed in the dark w/o disturbing my hubby or read them on my phone wherever I am — doctor’s office, car, restaurant — so there’s no contest for me.
Hugs and GOOD LUCK!
Julie
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Thanks, AMY, I sure hope so! LOTS and LOTS of research went into it, so it’s truly a snapshot of the WWII era.
Hugs and GOOD LUCK in the contest!
Julie
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Hey, Mindy, thank you SO much for being part of my blog tour, my friend — MUCH appreciated!!
Oh, and I think it was you who said she had trouble liking Gabe, and I totally understand why, so you, my friend, are responsible for the last-minute prologue I wrote giving readers a glimpse into her past that hopefully will conjure up some sympathy and understanding going into the book. Thanks for you input!!
Hugs and more hugs,
Julie
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Hey, Abi, long time no see, my friend — hope you are doing well and staying safe!
Thanks for your support, and here’s to a win!
Hugs,
Julie
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Thanks for sharing!
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These two newest titles are definitely on my TBR list!! I have the same warm fuzzies about the O’Connor clan – it’s reading about home. 🙂 Can’t wait for the new Western as well!
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I have been waiting FOREVER for these 2 books. They are definitely on my TBR list!
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Hey, Angela, thanks for coming by and good luck in the contest!
Hugs,
Julie
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Aw, Miss Pippi, thank you SO much! I get warm fuzzies about the O’Connors, too — they are family to me, so I enjoy both writing about them AND reading about them, which I do a number of time when I edit each book.
Happy reading, my friend, and good luck in the contest!
Hugs,
Julie
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KATE!! How are you doing, my friend? I know what you mean — I’ve been waiting FOREVER for Gabe’s story to come to fruition, and it’s SO good to finally have it written and out there come April 1. I’m having fun writing book 2 in the Silver Lining Ranch series, too, although it’s been a bit of a struggle. But in the end, God always pulls me through, and the books too.
Hugs and good luck in the contest.
Julie
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Beautiful Cover Julie! Sounds like a great story I’d love to read! Congrats on your newest novel my friend.! It’s an exciting thing to happen in these crazy times! Blessings to you and yours!
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This books sounds so compelling to me! I love books set during any of the WW and I’m eager to read this one! Julie is an amazing author!!
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NORA!! Gosh, I never fully realize just how much I miss you, my friend, until your name pops up, then I ache inside for a chance to sit down over a meal and reconnect like so long ago! I would be honored to send you an e-copy, my friend, if you would like to review Gabe’s story, so just let me know, okay?
Hope all is well and safe with you and yours. Can’t imagine how many grandbabies you must have by now! I’m going on #5 myself, and they are true blessings, indeed.
Hugs and more hugs and stay well and safe!
Julie
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Hey, Paty, thank you SO much for your kind comment, my friend, and if you love WWII, then this is the book for you because I’ve definitely done my research. Now, mind you, I am no Sarah Sundin, because she is simply the best when it comes to WWII research, but I can now say I know more about WWII than I ever did before, which is pretty cool since last year was the 75th celebration of D-Day and this year (May 8th) is the 75th anniversary of VE Day, so that’s been fun for me.
Hugs and good luck in the contest!
Julie
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I can’t wait for Gabe’s story!! I’m also looking forward to reading Love’s Silver Bullet! I can’t get enough of Julie’s books.
Thankful for new stories during this crazy time!!
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Hey, Chasity, THANK YOU, my sweet friend, for your kind words and incredible support — MUCH appreciated!! And I’m with you on gratitude for books at a time like this. Between writing books all day and reading them all night (except for meals and Hallmark movies with my hubby), I don’t know the meaning of bored right now! Maybe this difficult time will entice more people into books, I hope, because reading is a true blessing from God. AND … in a mere 2-1/2 days … you and Gabe will be embarking on what I hope is a great journey, so HAPPY READING! And if you like it and post a review on Amazon, let me know, and I will send you a free e-book, okay?
Hugs and GOOD LUCK!
Julie
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I’ve enjoyed reading Julie’s books and I usually enjoy this type, so I’m looking forward to reading them!! ?
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Thanks, Maria, and good luck in the contest, my friend.
HUGS!!
Julie
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