Author Julie Carobini: Lady and the Sea

Author Julie Carobini: Lady and the Sea

Lady Leaf's Loft at Christmastime

Christmas is here at last ... my favorite time of year. .. there is magic in the air ... I'm sure it has something to do with the 'reason for the season' ... a special Baby's birth.

As you know, I had my own baby birthed a few weeks ago ... no comparison, of course! So far, Lady and the Sea has been a delight for me and for Rob. A few random thoughts:

After several book signings and my East Coast Book Launch Open House, I have been blessed to meet many wonderful people. Several ladies who work with Rob bought Lady then asked me to sign their books. What an opportunity to get to talk personally with these great gals. When I'm asked, "Are you stressed with the success of your book?" my answer is, no, I refuse to stress; I'm embracing the wonder of this journey. My hope is to get Lady and the Sea into the hands of those who need to hear a true story of faith, hope, and restoration. No matter what rough waters we have been through, or what riptide we may be going through, there will be smooth sailing ahead for those who trust God. I'll talk more about the message of Lady and the Sea next year ... only two weeks away! But for now, I want to focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

Something has changed in the atmosphere this Christmas season. Can you feel it? Everywhere I go, when I chime "Merry Christmas" I always get a friendly reply, "Merry Christmas to you." CHRISTmas + a smile = JOY! No apologies. One Target cashier told me, "No one can stop me from saying Merry Christmas." And why should they? 'Tis the season! I think people with any common sense knows by now that no one is trying to offend anyone with a Christmas salutation. I love when my Jewish friends say to me, "Happy Hanukkah!" I feel like I'm part of their celebration ... with no offense taken. We must stop carrying our feelings on our shoulders. If I'm talkin' to you, shake them off! There's only room for love this Christmas season. And that is what I wish for all of you ... Oceans of love and a very Merry Christmas!

www.sharonleaf.com

"Seniors Have A Life Too" Thanksgiving Cruise

I’ve been requested to write a short note to tell everyone that I’m still alive and kickin’! Once I discovered that my niece Sharon didn’t need my assistance as her Stylist or Publicist with her new book Lady and the Sea, I decided to take a long overdue vacation when Regis Philbin invited me and my dear friend Betty White to join him on a Seniors Have A Life Too Thanksgiving cruise (and yes, his wife, Joy, is coming). Who knows where we’ll end up but you can count on us kicking up our heels at sea ... oops ... I mean, as Sharon would say, we're losing sight of our safe shore and diving in to a new ocean ... or something like that ....

Von Boyage!

~ You cannot discover new oceans

until you are willing to lose sight of the shore ~

Lady Leaf's Loft

Picture of my 20-year-old granddaughter, Destinee, giving me a make-over last week-end. She is a make-up artist for Mac Cosmetics at The Belk Department Store in Columbia, SC.

Destinee: "Grams, you're looking more like Aunt Eunice every day!"

Me: "Oh, thank you, darling granddaughter."

Destinee turns to her co-workers: "This is my grandmother. She's an author, and I'm giving her an overhaul for her upcoming book signings."

I took that as a compliment.

When there is so much going on, I make extra sure that I enjoy my my first cup of morning coffee. Then I take a deep breath and dive into the day. Hopefully, I will be able to float awhile (float = nap!)

A few random thoughts...

Aunt Eunice flew the coop. She offered to be my stylist but she's off somewhere with Betty White doing what comes naturally for two old foot-loose-fancy-free gals. Some day when I'm eighty-something I plan to be foot-loose too, but for now I'm enjoying the wonderful journey of marketing my debut novel Lady and the Sea. Yes, I also hired Aunt Eunice to be my publicist, but she forgot, as sometimes old gals do. So I am handling my own publicity. I'm doing quite well for a simple-minded Orange-County-girl-turned-Southern-belle. My book has gone international, so that's about as far out as I can get!

I would hire a personal assistant but I'm having too much fun answering my correspondence. Keep those cards and letters coming in!

Rob has taken over the Shipping Department, which I'm oh so thankful for. I'm also thankful for Amazon.com, e-books, and the other fine stores who are carrying Lady and the Sea.

That's a quick update. I'll get more up close and personal next week after the big family wedding. Our daughter, Carrie, is getting married this Saturday ... remember when she got engaged on Valentine's Day? I'll give a full report next time!

I want to thank each and every soul who has purchased Lady and the Sea thus far. Don't be afraid to lose sight of your familiar shore. Dive into a new ocean and enjoy the journey!

Though I have seen the oceans and mountains, though I have read great books and seen great works of art...

there is nothing greater or more beautiful than those people I love.

Lady and the Sea cover story

Yesterday when I went to have my hair trimmed (and yes, colored), I handed my hairdresser a copy of Lady and the Sea. She stared at it for a few seconds then asked as she pointed to the dark shading on the front of the ship, "What is this?" Hmm, I had never looked quite that close to the ship under such a bright light. I answered, "It looks like a shadow; what do you think?"

She explained, "The first thing that came to my mind is Psalm 91:1:

He that dwells in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

The Holy Spirit gave me a vision to what I should put on the cover, but without me knowing, God had put his personal mark on the cover of Lady and the Sea.

I am blessed to have a hairdresser that has spiritual insight to her surroundings (without being spooky, I might add), so I took this as a sign from above. The MS Restoration truly sailed the seven seas under the shadow of the Almighty. Read her story and see for yourself.

When she added, "Another thing I see: a movie!" we laughed as we thought of famous actors who would play the main characters. Hey, a gal can dream can't she? Isn't that how dreams come true?

My simple word for you today: Don't stop dreaming. My dream was to one day have my book published and in the hands of thousands of wonderful readers. Today, Lady and the Sea is my reality. Don't stop dreaming ... choose to lose sight of your shore and jump into a new ocean! Swim and play around in the waves. That's when your dreams will come true.

Oceans of blessings!

He protected us on our journey and among all the nations through which we traveled. Joshua 24:7

www.sharonleaf.com