Are you a wanderer? As in, “not all who wander are lost”? I happily admit that I’m one too. I inherited the wandering gene from my mother, and I sometimes wonder if God gave that special gene to creatives so we could all wander around and bring back what we’ve found to share with others.
It’s a theory, anyway!
Recently, my mother and I set out to wander around our own “backyard.” The weather had been rather gloomy with fog lasting much longer into summer than we liked. I’d been working feverishly on finishing up the proofread of Beach Music, which was released recently, and needed some time away from my desk.
We decided to drive to Ojai, a mountain town nearby. Have you heard of it? It has a celebrity vibe in the small downtown area, but otherwise, it’s really rural and quiet. And usually quite sunny. Alas, it was not on this day.
So while we were wandering around, I took a turn into what I thought was a driveway leading to a park but turned out to be a golf course instead. And … we ended up finding a cafe that I didn’t know existed! And the view was … lovely. Look at the way the fog clings to the mountains… ahh.
My wrong turn turned out to be the perfect antidote to our wanderlust!
Tell me about you. Do you ever feel the need to wander around for no reason other than to just go? Have you discovered “new” places not far from home?
Or maybe that’s what books do for you, ie. take you to faraway places for a time. No doubt all the authors here at InspyRomance hope our stories do that for you. I sure hope some of mine have!
If one of my books has whisked you away, would you let me know which one in the comments?
If you’re not familiar with my books, or even if you are, please take a look at this Reading List on my website. If one sounds interesting to you, please note it in the comments. I will randomly choose one person from the comments to receive an EBOOK version of the title mentioned.
JULIE CAROBINI writes inspirational beach romances. She is the author of two dozen novels known for spirited heroines, charming heroes, quirky friends, and the secrets they keep. Her bestselling titles include Walking on Sea Glass, Runaway Tide, Beach Sunrise, Reunion in Saltwater Beach, and more. She has won awards from The National League of American Pen Women and ACFW, and her books have received bestseller status many times. Julie is Mom to three young adults and lives on the California coast with her husband, Dan, and their rescue pup, Dancer. Grab a free eBook here: www.juliecarobini.com/free-book
Happy Friday Julie!Fun blog this morning. Yes, this German American Midwesterner retired high school German & English teacher is a wanderer. Born in Berlin, Germany, I lived in 7 different cities in 2 states (Michigan and Illinois) and 2 countries. I have traveled by car coast to coast (26 states) and 9 foreign countries on 3 continents. Since retirement hubby and I enjoy taking Michigan / Indiana back road trips. A successful back road trip is to drive down a road we have never been on, dine at a new restaurant and discover some unknown (at least us) gem. A great way to discover Americana. Several fun discoveries have been The Whistle Stop Restaurant and Museum in Moron, Indiana. Another unique museum Mid-America Windmill Museum in Kendallville, Indiana. This is even a wedding venue. Great setting for a romance story. LOL
I am intrigues by your beach series. Living on the shores of Lake Michigan my granddaughter loves looking for beach glass (not sea glass – even though Lake Michigan is consider an fresh water sea). She made a sun catcher with the glass she found last summer. The book I would love to read is Reunion in Saltwater Beach. I enjoy romance and mysteries. Plus the story has a Chicago connection. Chicago is across Lake Michigan from where I live. On clear cool evenings we can see the skyline reflected in the sunset. Plus our family (hubby & 2 sons) lived in Chicago in the 1980s. Beaches are better on the East side of Lake Michigan – pristine sandy beaches / more stony & rocky on the West side (Illinois & Wisconsin). Best wishes and Happy Writing.
I do like finding “new” places! A friend and I went to visit Micanopy years ago, as we’d heard about it but never been. Everything closes down about 5 or 6. They have some great antique stores, and you can visit Paynes Prairie or go to tour Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ home at the Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings State Park. I’d like Fade to Blue, as I have the first two in the series. Or, Windswept.
Hi Julie!
I’m definitely not a wanderer (or creative, there may be a link lol!) but I love having the benefit of other people’s wanderings in the books I read.
I’ve enjoyed a few of your books and loved the beach locations but until I checked out your list I hadn’t realised you wrote cozy mysteries, so I’m interested in Tge Christmas Thief.
My husband likes to wander. He likes driving down roads he has never been on, and traveling to places he has never visited. In our married life, I have been sure we are going to end up by the side of the road, or in a ditch, somewhere. Instead, we keep wandering, my husband keeps smiling, and I practice my patience.
Hi, Renate – I love hearing about your adventures! I used to subscribe to Coastal Living magazine and always loved when they’d feature Lake Michigan. About 5 years ago we drove from Pennsylvania to Ohio to visit family and we stopped at Lake Eerie to run on the cleaned-up sand. Gorgeous! Your granddaughter’s sun catcher sounds so pretty ❤️. Thanks for writing.
Hi Trudy! I had to look up Micanopy because I’d never heard of it. Sounds like a sweet town. Hopefully no alligators there, lol (that’s what I always think about Florida). I’ve only been to St. Pete’s and Sarasota myself.
Lol … love it, Marcia. I take different roads just to visit my mother, so I can relate to your husband!
Noted, Ruthie! Yes, I dabbled in cozy mysteries for a time. My mother brought me up on Mary Stewart and Agatha Christie :-)
Hi Julie! I have been to 4 of the 5 Great Lakes. Lake Eerie’s beaches do not compare to all the Sand Dunes and pristine sandy Michigan beaches of Lake Michigan. Glad you had a positive experience, because in the late 1960s Lake Erie was considered a dead lake due to all the industrial pollution. It has made a great comeback. Each of the Great Lakes has unique characteristics. The romantic part are the 125 lighthouses and their stories.
I love that cover so much! I’m not much of a wanderer but a cousin loves to walk aimlessly.
cute cover
I love exploring & finding new adventures! I think Chasing Valentino sounds fun! I once received a letter several years after it was sent (with some pictures!) by my best friend while we were in college. I couldn’t believe it finally slowed up so those years later. Luckily my parents still lived in the same house 😊
You are a new author to me. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
Fun post! I haven’t had a chance to read any of your books yet, but the Sea Glass titles sound interesting as well as the cozies!
Thank you, Lilly!
Thank you, Debra!
Hi! I wonder what adventure that letter took before getting to you 😊
Thank you 😍
They are two of my favourites too :)
Hi Renate! You’re the winner of an eBook. I’ll be sending you a copy of Reunion in Saltwater Beach shortly! Than you <3