To continue my Friday Huz Interview series:
Today we have the privilege of meeting Keith Lessman, husband of Julie Lessman.Julie Lessman is the author of The Daughters of Boston series (A Passion Most Pure, A Passion Redeemed and A Passion Denied) and the Winds of Change series (A Hope Undaunted, A Heart Revealed and her latest release, A Love Surrendered). Julie also has a Christmas e-book releasing November 9 called A Light in the Window: An Irish Christmas Love Story, for which she has a Kindle Fire Contest going on, so check it out at http://www.julielessman.com/contest/. You may contact Julie through her website at www.julielessman.com.
Keith, thank you for joining us!
Where did you meet Julie and how long have you been married?
Met Julie at my workplace about 35 years ago and we’ve been married 34 years.
Any children, grandchildren, or pets in the family? Who lives at home?
We have one daughter who lives at home, Amy, who is 24 and just passed the bar exam. We have one beautiful grandchild, Aurora Grace (Rory), who is the daughter of my 29-year-old son Matt and daughter-in-law Katie. No pets since we lost our wonderful golden retriever, Bunker, three years ago because he would be too hard to replace.
Did you know Julie was a writer before you were married?
Yes, she was an associate writer/producer at the company where we worked, but I never dreamed she’d become an author, although she often eluded to it. It just seemed like she never had the time as a young mom.
What is your occupation and how long have you been working at that vocation?
I am self-employed as a 3-D modeler/designer, working at home with Julie 24/7, which at times can be rather challenging (smile here).
What are a few of your favorite books and authors? (Not including your wife's.)
I am really not much of a reader, but more of a visual person. However, if I must read, my favorite author just happens to be my wife. I’ve read every one of her books twice or more, but the problem arises that sometimes I become more of a critic than I care to be, which can be dangerous.
Have you ever read any of your wife's books? If so, do you have a favorite?
As mentioned above, yes, I’ve read all of her books and my favorite is her upcoming e-book release, A Light in the Window, because it has a warm innocence that I wish she’d incorporate more in her books. As a husband/critique partner, my personal opinion is I’d like to see her romantic passion portrayed in a less graphic manner.
Where does Julie write?Julie has three offices. Her winter office is in the hearth room where she has a remote-controlled fireplace and lots of ambiance (critical to her mindset) with candles lit, lights low, hazelnut coffee or mint tea and lip gloss. Her summer office is on our lower deck facing the woods with feet up on our outdoor furniture, hazelnut coffee or peach iced tea, and her animal friends—our Cooper hawk family that returns each year, deer, turkeys, lizards, chipmunks and squirrels. Third office is at a desk in my office where we once worked back-to-back until we realized it would be detrimental to our marriage.
What does she wear when writing?
Jeans and casual top, flip-flops and lip gloss in the summer and jeans, fleece, flip-flops and lip gloss in winter.
Is there anything unusual that she ever asks you to do relating to her writing?
Constantly! She asks me to create ads, newsletters, bookmarks, posters, crazy photos for her Seeker blog and most recently, her e-book cover that features my daughter as the model.
What activities do the two of you enjoy doing together as a couple?
Dining out, movies, dinner with friends and bike riding.
Now, from Julie:
Does your husband write? If so, please tells us about it.
Write? Are you kidding—the man is a right-brain artist—he can barely spell! ;) In fact, his printing/penmanship is SO unreadable, I always joke he should have been a doctor. ;)
