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Friday, March 07, 2008

CFBA Blog Tour - Julie Carobini and Truffles by the Sea

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Truffles by the Sea
Bethany House (February 1, 2008)
by Julie Carobini


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Julie Carobini is an award-winning writer whose stories often spotlight her family, the sea, and God's timely work in the lives of those around her. She lives with her husband, Dan, and their three children in Ventura Beach, California. She also likes to blog! Go leave her a comment at Waves of Grace.

Julie left you all a special message: To celebrate my upcoming CFBA tour March 5-7, I'll be giving away a copy of Truffles by the Sea AND and a 1/2 lb. box of yummy truffles to three of you reading this interview right now. All you need to do is drop by my blog http://juliecarobini.blogspot.com/ during the tour and leave a comment and a way to contact you if you win!

ABOUT THE BOOK

If you read, Julie's first book, Chocolate Beach, then you might remember Gaby as Bri's dramatic, lovesick best friend. Unfortunately, things get worse—much worse—for her before they get…well, best not to give it away.

Sometimes all a girl has left is chocolate...

Gaby Flores has a penchant for drama and an unfortunate knack for dating Mr. So Wrong. After breaking off yet another relationship, watching her apartment building burn to the ground, and discovering that her dippy delivery guy has run off with most of her business, Gaby decides it's time to turn things around.

So she moves to a tiny waterfront loft and takes on a new motto: "Be gullible no more!" With help from her friends, she works to rebuild her flower shop—and her life. But when legal troubles and quirky neighbors and two surprising romances enter her beachy world, Gaby's motto and fledgling faith are put to the test

Can a young woman prone to disaster in both work and love finally find happily ever after?

"Truffles by the Sea is delightful! Julie Carobini has a new fan in this reader, and she's earned a spot on my keeper shelf." --Kay James, RomanceReaderatHeart.com

"This book is a delight to read, and the author has us rooting for Gaby from page one. This girl's never-say-die attitude is incredible, and her life is filled with all kinds of foibles. This is chick lit with heart – about so much more than finding a man.... While keeping the light chick lit tone, this book satisfied while avoiding the tired old formulas. Just when I’m ready to give up on the genre, I stumble across an author who can write without relying on stereotypes." --Cara Putman, writerinterrupted.com

"I liked Julie Carobini's first novel, Chocolate Beach, but her sophomore release, Truffles By The Sea, greatly surpasses it. I thoroughly enjoyed Carobini's second book and felt her writing was much stronger throughout. The characters are deeper and yet funnier – a great combination.... It's a great read for a cold winter day – you can curl up with the book, a nice fire and pretend you're the one by the sea." --Jill Hart, RadiantLit.com

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. This is your second novel and a chance for the secondary character from your first novel to have the spotlight. What gave you the inspiration for this story?

Although Gaby was a lively best friend in Chocolate Beach, she'd had way too many bad dates. I wanted to find out what was going on with that--and I did :)

2. How much of your own experiences influenced the character of ? What aspects became traits that were hers and hers alone?

Gaby's much more girly girl than I am! I do speak some Spanglish, like she does. My father's Mexican and I live in California, so that's sort of second nature :) As for experiences, most of those are Gaby's alone Except the kayaking. And the truffle-eating, ha. Seriously, Gaby's creative with her hands, very artistic, and I need to stick to words. Trust me on this.

3. What themes exist in Truffles by the Sea that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the story progressed?

It's hard to point those out without telling the reader too much, I think, but here are some basic thoughts: pride and surrender!

4. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

I struggled a bit at the beginning because I didn't want to dump too much of Gaby's backstory there. Instead, I wanted readers to learn her background as they went along. A couple have commented that they wish they knew more at the start, but for the most part, I've been told that the backstory was done well. It's a challenge!

There's more than one favorite, but I loved writing about Gaby's adventure on the kayak. My heart beat extra fast during that one!

5. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

My next book is about a woman's quest to honor her father's memory by moving her family back to their hometown, only to uncover secrets that destroy the fairy tale life she believed they all had once lived. It's tentatively titled Sweet Waters.

Thanks so much for having me here today, Tiff. Feel free to stop by my website or blog any time! www.juliecarobini.com or juliecarobini.blogspot.com

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Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE copy of this book. If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post. Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net) or that it's available for viewing in your blogger profile. Wouldn't want you to miss out on winning a book.

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the 'email follow-up comments' box when you leave a comment and fill in your email address there if it isn't already showing. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when I announce the winner.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.

* * * * *

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

Looks like a good book, please enter me in the contest.


Cassie Greutman

cgreutman at yahoo .com

Carolynn said...

Ohhh, this book sounds like a funny heart-touching read!

Cherie J said...

Enjoyed the spotlight. Please enter me in the drawing for this one.

tetewa said...

This one sounds good! tWarner419@aol.com

windycindy said...

Hi! I have been reading many of her interesting interviews and book reviews. Her books sounds wonderful. Please enter me in your drawing. Thanks,Cindi
jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

Hannah said...

great interview! i'd love to win a copy of this book! hsmuda[at]gmail[dot]com thanks!

ChristyJan said...

I enjoyed the spotlight Julie and Tiff.

Please enter me to win a copy of this book.

Donna said...

I can't wait to read this. It is on my TBR list. Please enter me.

Doreen said...

This is on my list to read books!

Doreen
purposedrivenlife4you (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

Chocolate and a good book - the perfect combination! Please enter me in the drawing.

Ginnie

vmstokes@verizon.net

Anonymous said...

Please enter me in the drawing. Sounds like a great combination.

Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Carole said...

This looks like a very enjoyable book. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy.

cjarvis [at] bellsouth [dot] net

Maureen said...

This looks like a good story.

mce1011[at]aol[dot]com

Tiffany Amber Stockton said...

We have a winner for this book, and that is:

GINNIE

Congratulations! I've emailed you for your mailing address, so be sure to reply and we'll get your book out to you.

5 other winners announced for the month of March. Take a look in the March archives to see if you're one of them.

Thanks for your continued support.

Tiffany Amber Stockton said...

We have a winner for this book, and that is:

GINNIE

Congratulations! I've emailed you for your mailing address, so be sure to reply and we'll get your book out to you.

5 other winners announced for the month of March. Take a look in the March archives to see if you're one of them.

Thanks for your continued support.