ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
A word from the author:
I grew up as Julie Navarro, in a family of truly right-brained individuals. Among us you’ll find writers, artists, and musicians, all of us willing to talk about the arts at a moment’s notice.
Over the years, I’ve published several hundred articles and stories in magazines and books, including Aspire, Decision, Expecting, Focus on the Family, Key Magazine and God’s Abundance: 365 Days to a Simpler Life. As I wrote, I found a common theme cropping up: my family, the sea, and God’s timely work in the lives of those around me.
Maybe it was time to incorporate those interests into novels, I thought.
And so I did. Not once, but twice. Both times, God shut both doors and windows. So I continued to write and dream and raise my kids with Dan. Eventually I decided to write romantic seaside novels, and that’s where I found my voice.
When I’m not writing, marketing, or editing for others, I’m driving my kids around town, imagining that my mid-sized SUV is actually a sleek sailing yacht.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Suz Mitchell is the determined dreamer we should all be and won’t allow her ex-husband Len’s jail sentence to ruin their young son Jeremiah’s life. An accomplished artist, she moves with her child across the country to California’s central coast and lands a sweet job restoring priceless paintings at the historic Hearst Castle overlooking the ocean.
To her utter surprise, a serious old flame, Seth, is also now working at Hearst and jumbles the dreams inside Suz’s heart. While sorting out the awkwardness of their past split and current spiritual differences, a repentent Len shows up eager to restore his family.
Suz must learn to let God be the true restorer of all that once seemed lost.
If you would like to read the first chapter of Fade to Blue, go HERE.
My Review (from an early posting):
I can not believe that this is my FIRST Julie Carobini novel! Where have I been hiding at???? I have some of her books on my book shelf to be read, but haven’t actually gotten to them yet. I am so disappointed in myself! I should be punished. Plain and simple. Julie is FANTASTIC! This book had me hooked instantly and kept me hanging on to every word, every sentence, every page until the last one was turned. WOW! I LOVED it!
Fade to Blue is a story of letting go, moving on and healing from the pain of the past. A story with characters who seem real, I laughed and I cried throughout this novel. Suz just wanted a new life for her and her son as she traveled cross country to a California town…..far away from her ex-husband. Seth was her old flame and he wants to make a new life too, and try to forget his old one. But the two of them still have some unresolved feelings to work through.
I’m not so sure I liked Len just showing up to claim his family again, after being released from jail. While I didn’t like that, I know that Julie Carobini had to add it to the story to bring out the realistic feel to it. It really made me, as a reader, think how real these issues are.
Seeking God’s will and trusting in Him is a strong message through the entire story. It really made the characters genuine and true. Carobini blends just the right of romance and a bit of humor into the seriousness of the story, and never left me hanging.
I am so glad that I read this novel and am now a HUGE Carobini fan! Her beach setting gives this a relaxing, fun tone to the novel and a reader can seriously drift away into the midst of the scenery and make friends with the people of Otter Bay. Definitely highly recommended with 4 stars! I can’t wait to go back and read the other novels that I have here by Julie…..if they are like this fantabulous read, then I know I won’t be disappointed!
