Getting to know Julie Carobini

Julie Carobini has been a favourite author of mine since reading her debut novel, Chocolate Beach. Julie imbues each of her stories with humour, grace and the sights and smells of the ocean! Be sure to check out her latest novel, Sweet Waters and the 2010 sequel, A Shore Thing, released by B&H Fiction.

Over to you, Julie:~

If you could have chosen your own name, what would it be?

Julie Marie (the name my parents gave me :)

Your first pet’s name?

Swissy (the cat)

Your best friend’s name in primary (elementary) school?

Stephanie

Did you have a special toy that went everywhere with you when you were young? Please describe.

Haha...hm. Probably my Donny Osmond doll.

If you could meet a famous person, who would it be and why?

I'd want to meet Billy Graham and ask him dozens of questions about theology, politics and his family. His efforts for Christ have had such far reaching effects that I think I'd just like to hear him in his own voice talking about his life.

If you were stranded on a desert island what one object would you want with you? (Besides your Bible of course)

A pen. I could always write my next novel on my hands and arms.


What's your favourite ice cream flavour?

Jamoca Almond Fudge from Baskin Robbins

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I grew up in LA and wanted to be an actress (pretty much the dream of every other little girl in LA.) I took acting lessons and became part of the Burbank Little Theater for a while, but then realized I didn't really like being on stage all that much :)

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I'd like to go to Northern Italy where my husband's family is from, then fly down to Sicilia to visit my sister in law's relatives.

Besides God, who has influenced you the most?

My mother. She's sweet and tough. Love her.

What's your favourite book?

Tough question because I read all kinds of things, but Jan Karon's At Mitford series sticks out in my mind. I loved almost all of them and can pick one up randomly and be instantly transported to that little town of Mitford...

What part of your daily routine do you enjoy most?

My morning latte, especially when my husband Dan makes it for me :)

What's your favourite movie?

Sleepless in Seattle ~ such a sucker for romance. Wish they would've made a sequel, though.

What will we find you in the most – designer dress & heels, Tank top and boardies, jeans and a t-shirt?

Jeans, soft cotton blouse, flip flops--even in winter.

Where's the most interesting place you have been?

Bath, England (Jane Austen once lived there!)

What's your most fervent prayer?

For my children. Always for them.

What's the bravest thing you've ever done?

Admitted sin to someone else.

What gift have you received that you will always treasure?

My marriage to Dan (ripply sigh here)

What is your favourite Bible verse (or "one" of your favourites) and what does it mean to you?

Col. 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord and not men..."

What was your most embarrassing moment in High School?

Not making the Drill Team. Thanks for causing me to relive that.

You’re visiting Australia (I can always hope!), where do you go first ~ Sydney Harbour, Great Barrier Reef or Uluru (Ayers Rock)?

Great Barrier Reef!

Favourite beach activity?

Watching my youngest daughter run amok with Charlie the Dog

How did your husband propose?

Showed up at my apartment one night after work with a bouquet of roses and a shy smile on his face. He asked me to marry him ~ then called my parents even though I was already a grown woman living on my own. Super sweet.

Please ask each of your children to describe you with one word and share!

Oh, boy. Okay, here goes:

18 year old son: Booyah! (Honestly, that's what he said.)

15 year old daughter: Animated (Her 2nd choice after I told her that 'psychotic' was unacceptable.)

11 year old daughter: Entertaining (The only one who didn't take longer than 5 minutes to come up with something, Lol)

Sweet Waters

What or whom inspired your characters?

I read the verse “Hear the word of the LORD, O nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands…” (Jer. 31:10) and thought, “Hm, what if a person had to be physically moved from one place to another in order for God to get her attention? From there, I played the ‘what-if’ game. While this story is fiction, I realized that God had done a similar thing in my own life, and that once removed from the things that kept me from him, I finally heard him clearly.

Are you most like Tara, Mel or Camille?

I can relate best to Tara because I too am the oldest child and with that spot in the birth order comes lots of responsibility (or at least the perception of often overwhelming responsibility ;)

You write fun stories with a serious side – how do you find the balance?

I've lived through tough times involving major illness, a broken heart and financial woes. In spite of all the yuck, God has given me the ability and desire to laugh and I so love him for that! I think this is why I try to convey seemingly contradictory emotions onto the page. The trick, I believe, is not to downplay the serious stuff, but also to acknowledge the hope that we can find through faith in God. I think of my beachy novels as stories offering "Waves of Grace."

Please describe each of your main characters from Sweet Waters with one word

Tara: Sensible
Mel: Sarcastic
Camille: Flighty

What was your favourite scene to write?

I find birth order and sibling rivalry fascinating, so I'd have to say that my favorite scenes to write were those where the sisters 'sparred' in some way.

What do you hope readers take away from this story?

I hope Sweet Waters demonstrates that sometimes when we get what we wish for, it isn’t ‘all that’? And yet if we surrender it all to God, his plans for us are better than we could have concocted for ourselves.

A Shore Thing releases in July, 2010 ~ care to share?

The second of the Otter Bay Novels, A Shore Thing will be released in July 2010. New characters ~ same gorgeous setting. This story centers around Callie Duflay and her fight to keep a huge development from destroying the central coast—while also protecting her heart from the charming architect on the proposed project.

What is in your writing pipeline now? A sneak peek, please?

I'm having a ball writing the as-yet untitled 3rd Otter Bay Novel! It involves the famed Hearst Castle and heartbreak and restoration...can't wait for you to read it :)

Thanks so much for sharing with us, Julie ~ it's been a delight getting to know you better!

As seen at TitleTrakk.com

Relz Reviewz Extras

Review of Sweet Waters & Chocolate Beach

Character spotlight on Tara & Josh from Sweet Waters

Visit Julie's website, blog and beach shop

Buy Julie's books at Amazon or Koorong