Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Dreaming with Julie Carobini


Dreaming Through
the Dark Times
by
Julie Carobini


I’ve been through divorce, brain surgery, and serious financial hardship. Probably not the way a post about dreams should begin. The reality is, though, that many of us go through times so tough that dreams seem both vaporous and unattainable.

Unless we know the ‘lifter of our heads’.

During many of those dark days, I found myself standing at the water’s edge, pleading with God. Sometimes I lived close enough to walk. Other times I had to get into my car and drive an hour just to stand in front of the vast sea and cast my cares upon the One who created them.

Since then, I’ve experienced many bright days too. New love, a family, healings, fresh joys…and still through the years, I have often taken to the sea to talk to God. At one particular point, I remember worrying that the beach had become my idol, and promising God that I would give it up, if that’s what he wanted. (I even made myself stay away, an endeavor that lasted all of two weeks.)

Instead, he gave me a writing career. He took all the lows and highs in my life and created something new with them. Believe me when I tell you that I had no plans of my own to write beach-themed novels one day. I just kept praying and writing and seeking until an idea popped into my head. I followed that idea, and now find myself writing my fifth novel filled with ‘waves of grace’, as I’ve come to think of these stories.

So what does this all have to do with dreams? Plenty. Has God given you a dream? Does it seem outlandish—maybe even to you? Don’t be quick to discount it. Instead, be patient. Pray over your idea until you know that it is absolutely not from him—or perhaps that it absolutely is!


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Julie Carobini writes beach-themed novels for the ‘young at heart.’ Sweet Waters, the story of a woman whose fairytale turns out to be a soap opera, is available now (B&H Publishing Group). Visit her at http://www.juliecarobini.com/ ~ Julie would love to hear from you!


ABOUT THE BOOK - Sweet Waters

What happens when the fairytale turns out to be a soap opera?

Tara Sweet is nothing if not sensible. Usually. But her engagement is off, and her mother—yes, mother—is newly married and gallivanting around Europe.

It’s time for a change. So she convinces her sisters to honor their father’s final wish and rediscover the fairy-tale life they knew in Otter Bay, California. But Tara discovers fairy tales are fragile—and truth is often one ugly layer after another of secrets, accusation, rumor, and a past an entire church wants to forget.

Firefighter Josh Adams knows all about battling personal demons. He’s been doing so ever since a woman nearly died in his arms. Actually, long before . . .

As the turbulence in their lives grows, Tara and Josh find themselves at odds with their families, their faith, the townspeople of Otter Bay—and each other.

Only in facing the lies from the past can they find the truth.


WIN THE BOOK

If you’d like to be entered to win a copy of Sweet Waters, just leave a reply to this blog. I’ll pick a winner at random on September 15th. Please leave an email address so I can contact you if you're the winner. (To prevent spammers from trolling for your email, please use this format with the brackets--you [at] yourmail [dot] com--or something similar.) Good luck!

26 comments:

Jo said...

I would love to win a copy of this book. Please enter me in the drawing.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Nora said...

This sounds really good. Thanks for having a give away. Plese enter me in the drawing.

Sincerely,

Nora
Finding Hope Through Fiction
www.psalm516.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

This book sounds wonderful. I would love to win a copy. Please enter my name in your drawing. Thanks!!

debracollins(at)tds(dot)net

Edwina said...

I really appreciate the opportunity to read Julie's blog. What an awesome testimony she has. I would love to read this book- please enter me in the drawing!

edwina.cowgill@yahoo.com

Lady Araujo said...

I enjoyed the interview. And this sounds very good. I'd love to read it.
Please, enter me.

God's great blessings

marthanadnny(at)hotmail(dot)com

Sandee61 said...

I enjoyed the interview and would love to read this new-to-me author's book. I love the cover.
Please enter my name in your giveaway. Thank you.

Blessings,
Sandee

Sandee61 said...

Sorry I forgot my email address:

Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

Sandee

Debra Ullrick said...

I love Julie's books. Please enter my name in the drawing.

Thank you.

christianromancewriter [at] gmail [dot] com

Debra Ullrick, author of The Bride Wore Coveralls

Merry said...

I'm so glad God is the lifter of our head and restores our joy. Great interview. Add me please, thanks!

worthy2bpraised[at]gmail[dot]com

cozymysterygirl said...

hi what a inspiring interview it is good to be reminded that God is gracious and he will always take care of you.i would like ot be entered for the book thanks
God bless
Kellie

Judyg said...

I haven't read anything by this author yet, so would love to be entered in this drawing. The cover on the book alone, would draw me to read it.
judyg54(at)juno(dot)com

Mimi N said...

Please enter me to win Julie's book. What an interesting way to start a post! It certainly grabbed my attention.

Blessings,
Mimi B
mnjesusfreak at gmail dot com

Lynda Lee Schab said...

What an inspiration you are, Julie. Can't wait to meet you in Denver. I would love to win Sweet Waters! LyndaSchab at gmail dot com

Cherie J said...

Great post! Would love to be entered in the drawing for this book. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

Sherry Kuhn said...

The book sounds great. The cover draws me in. Would love a chance to win it.

Thanks,
Sherry K
love2stitch(at)hotmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

Would love to win a copy!

ldrumm16{at}gmail{dot}com

Michelle V said...

I love Julie and would love to be entered!

Blessings
Michelle
m.vasquez[at]grandecom[dot]net

Jennifer AlLee said...

Glad to see all you lovely ladies here. Julie, thanks so much for inspiring us and reminding us to look to the Lifter of our Heads!

Be blessed :+}
Jen

Myra said...

Since my friend gave me Chocolate Beach as a birthday gift, I'd love to win the new book to give to her on her upcoming birthday! Please enter me!

Zoommg@aol.com

Julie Carobini said...

Love seeing you all here! Thanks for stopping by :)

Julie C

Debra E. Marvin said...

Oh, I'm so glad I stopped in to your blog, Jen. I think I'll be putting this book on my list.

Julie, I really enjoyed hearing your story. I think all those things we each have gone through will be used by God for someone else's benefit. I've been thinking a lot about this lately.

And as far as the beach? There's no place like it to talk to God, at least for me.

Thanks ladies!

Cynthia A. Lovely said...

I love any and all Christian
beach-themed books. Winning
this one would be a plus since
it is already getting cooler
here in upstate NY!
Thanks for the opportunity.
-Cynthia
cllyrics(at)gmail(dot)com

Anonymous said...

sounds like a good book! and I like the cover. I wish I had won those chairs :)

traveler said...

Thanks for this delightful giveaway.The interview was lovely and interesting. The book looks so wonderful and appealing. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

Carolynn said...

This book sounds really interesting, thanks for the chance to win it!
carolynnwald[at]hotmail[dot]com

Jennifer AlLee said...

Sorry I've been so quiet... just got back from the ACFW conference. Was fab!

Thanks so much to everyone who stopped by and commented. Today's winner is... Debra Ullrick! Congrats, and hope to see you all again soon :+}