Book Review: "Truffles by the Sea" by Julie Carobini and Book Giveaway!

I'm giving away a brand new copy of today's book! Leave a comment with your email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll pick a name and announce the winner on Wednesday, March 12. Good luck!



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 your readers.

All they need to do is drop by my blog
http://juliecarobini.blogspot.com/ during the tour and leave a comment and a way to contact them if they 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

Chocolate makes life better

If the beach and chocolate are a few of your favorite things, this book is for you. Readers of Chocolate Beach will delight in reading about Gaby's story as she tr
ies to start a new chapter in her life. I liked reading about her adventures in the flower shop, dealing with her landlord, dating new guys, and meeting all her new neighbors. I loved all the colorful characters that were in Gaby's neighborhood. From the nosy Iris, the goth Kit, the older Agnes, and the reformed alcoholic Adam, they all added spice to Gaby's story. And it was great to see Bri and her husband in the story again. Her relationship with Gaby shows how close they are and gives a good definition of what all friendships should be like. I totally did not expect Gaby to end up with who she did. It was a nice surprise and a fun way of how they got together. The only thing that bothered me with this book is that it just jumps right into the story. The reader doesn't really learn much about what happened to Gaby before she moved into her new place. Bits and pieces are told along the way, but the full story was never told. I felt kinda lost in the beginning and went back to reread chapters to see if I had missed something. I also thought it would have been more fun to read more of the disgruntled bride's lawsuit but that's just the sadistic side it me. This was a really fun book to read. Like it's predecessor it's a great book to read out on the beach with a box of chocolate truffles by your side. Just be sure to watch out for the seagulls! Looking forward to reading more from this beach-lit author.

Truffles by the Sea
by
Julie Carobini is published by Bethany House (2008)

Comments

  1. Oooo ... I've been hoping to win this one, so toss my hat in the ring, Deborah!

    Thanks!

    Hugs,
    Julie

    gsus at charter dot net

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous11:53 PM

    I love books and chocolate, so books about chocolate must be great! please enter me, thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. There has to be one guy in the drawing to make it legal. Here I am! If I can't win, hope you win it Julie! Thanks!!!
    Donald James Parker

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous7:18 AM

    Everyone loves chocolate and what better way to eat it but by the sea on a warm, sunny day. I think most of us on the East Coast could use some of that sunshine about now. Spring is on the way. Vicky from FR vtabor

    ReplyDelete
  5. i've been dying to read this book! i'd love to win a copy! hsmuda[at]gmail[dot]com thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous8:09 AM

    I would like a chance to win this book.
    Karen Bennett

    karenebennett1978 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I've been wanting to read this book. Please put me into the drawing. Thanks.

    stacey_dale[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous9:08 AM

    I grew up on the Chesapeake bay, so I always enjoy stories taking place near the beach. And who can deny the love of chocolate! Please include me in the drawing.
    mamakane @ FR

    ReplyDelete
  9. I've heard good things about this book. I do agree, chocolate makes things better. Please enter me.
    Pam
    cepjwms at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Please enter me in the giveaway. I would love to win this book!

    ReplyDelete
  11. This book looks fabulous. :) Please sign me up!!

    aaronandlori (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  12. Sounds like a great read.....love the title!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Please enter me in the drawing. Would love to win this book.

    cherierjatyahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous1:59 PM

    Sounds like a really fun book. Books, chocolate and the beach....what fun!!! Thanks. aliadam from FR

    ReplyDelete
  15. Calorie-free chocolate, yes please!

    Thank you :),
    ~ Gretchen Geyer
    DreamWriter07@comcast.net

    ReplyDelete
  16. I would like to be entered into the drawing, thanks!

    Stormi
    ladystorm 282001 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Great giveaway! Count me in. bebemiqui82(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous7:53 PM

    I'd love to win this book!

    dbstout{at}juno{dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous7:57 PM

    wow, what a cool new look! it's been a while since i've been over! i like it!

    please enter me in this draw!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Sounds like a fun book. I love the cover. Please put my name in for the drawing.
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous9:04 PM

    Anyone who writes books with chocolate in the title is my kind of author! I'd love to try this book (AND the truffles!). Thanks for the opportunity.

    Ginnie/gratefulgrama

    ReplyDelete
  22. I would like to read this book!

    taradawnrobertson at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a wonderful contest! The author is fantastic and her books sounds wonderful to read. Please enter me in your drawing. Thanks,Cindi
    jchoppes[at]hotmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous12:31 PM

    I'd like to read this book.
    Count me in!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Anonymous1:20 PM

    Sounds deliciously entertaining. :o) Please enter my name. ~Carla
    Pioneerheart @ PBS

    ReplyDelete
  26. this one is on my wishlist . Please place my name in the drawing hat to win.

    Thank You and Many Blessings,
    GAmomJill at FR and PBS

    j3fortner@joimail.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I am already intrigued by the first book. I'd love to win this. :) Please add me. Thanks!

    Kelly

    kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Anonymous10:24 PM

    Anyone who writes books with chocolate in the title is my kind of author! I'd love to try this book (AND the truffles!). Thanks for the opportunity.

    Ginnie/gratefulgrama
    vmstokes@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous8:27 AM

    please enter me!
    Marilyn
    fmartin816 at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  30. I would love to win this book.

    mopsmomut[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Ohhh the chocolate and the book look GREAT together, a MUST have! :) I wanna win...hehe.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Anonymous5:58 PM

    What a yummy book! Please add me in the drawing.

    Thanks!

    Teresa / tgriffis @ PBS
    tgriffis at wayxcable dot com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Would love to read this! PLease enter me.

    Carla

    cardar81 [at] PBS

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous6:23 PM

    I read the line "Sometimes all a girl has left is chocolate..." and I knew this was a book I would want to read!! LOL!!

    Please enter me in the drawing

    rin - PBS
    moocows53@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  35. The book sounds great. I would love to win a copy. Thanks for the opportunity.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Please enter me to win a copy of this book.
    It sounds wonderful!

    hawkes@citlink.net

    ReplyDelete
  37. Please enter me, too! Thanks! Lovely interview!

    hope _ chastain [at] yahoo [dot] com (no spaces)

    ReplyDelete
  38. Okay, I have tried so many times to win this book, "Truffles by the Sea" on so many blogs!!! LOL I keep on trying and I am not giving up :-)
    I mean chocolate, and the ocean? What an original tempting combination?!
    Thank you for offering this contest.
    Blessings,
    Lucie

    LucieInCA (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete

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