Julie, describe yourself for our visitors.
Sure! I’m Julie Carobini–wife, mom, writer and daydreaming beachcomber. When my knee’s not acting up, I like to jog in order to de-stress and revive, and I also love my Bible study group. Iron sharpening iron, you know. As for writing, I write beach stories that show God’s creativity, and his infinite grace in action. And in addition to God’s grace, I’m inspired by coastal living, and my rambunctious family of three kids and one sweet husband.
How do you find time to connect with God?
First, being in a regular Bible study helps me to be disciplined. I don’t want to show up without my workbook completed! I hate to admit that because God’s word is so rich that when I do fall behind I just can’t believe that I let myself do that. I always benefit from time with Him so I work to make that happen.
Who are your favorite authors? Favorite books?
I love Jan Karon’s Mitford series. Who knew that a series of books about a 60-something pastor could be so fascinating? I also enjoy Kathryn Cushman (who’s also a friend), Jane Austen, and Francine Rivers.
Tell us about your journey to publication.
I had a benign brain tumor in my early 20s and around that time also became a devout Christian. I no longer was interested in much of what I had been reading because God was largely left out of those stories. Or the god portrayed wasn’t the one I was getting to know. So anyway, I began to write about my experiences (non-fiction) and soon–largely through writer’s conferences–found an audience for my articles and stories. After that I started writing fiction but couldn’t sell a thing! Two books went unsold. Then in 2005 I took pieces of a manuscript to the mentoring track of the Mt. Hermon Christian Writer’s Conference. After some intense critiquing, I polished up that proposal and sold it to Bethany House. That story, Chocolate Beach, was released in Feb. 2007.
Tell us about your current book?
Truffles by the Sea is the story of a single gal who experiences a slew of mini-disaster and declares, “I will be gullible no more!” only to see her fledgling faith put to the test. Gaby Flores appeared in my first book, Chocolate Beach, but she’s able to take center stage in Truffles by the Sea.
How did you come up with ideas for this book?
Well, Gaby’s future was sort of left up in the air at the end of Chocolate Beach. There was a hint of what might happen, but nothing definite. She’s such a kind-hearted yet mixed up gal that it made sense to follow her journey through life a bit longer. I just love her.
List your most recent books:
Chocolate Beach (2/07) and Truffles by the Sea (2/08)
What’s next for you? I’m writing the story of Tara Sweet, a gal who talks her sisters into moving back to their childhood hometown only to uncover secrets that destroy the image of the fairy tale life she thought they’d once lived. This one’s set along the rocky and majestic central Coast of California.
Where can visitors find you online?
I send out an “occasional” newsletter and visitors can sign up for that over at my website: www.juliecarobini.com (I often do chocolate giveaways via the newsletter 
I’d also love to see new faces over at my Waves of Grace blog, where I talk about books, the beach, American Idol, and anything else that comes to mind: www.juliecarobini.blogspot.com C’mon by!
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