Fade to Blue by Julie Carobini - REVIEWED

About the Book: (from the author's site)

Suz Mitchell is a determined dreamer, and won’t allow her ex-husband’s jail sentence to ruin their young son Jeremiah’s life. An accomplished artist, Suz moves with her child across the country to California’s central coast, and lands a job restoring priceless art for the historic Hearst Castle overlooking the sea.

But even dreams have shocking twists. To her surprise, a serious old flame, Seth, works at the castle and jumbles the new aspirations in Suz’s heart. While sorting through their past and a palette of spiritual differences, an even bigger brush with yesterday awaits. Suz must learn to let God be the true restorer of all that once seemed lost.

My Thoughts:

"Her reassurances shook me in a way, reminding me that id did no good to dredge up the same weary battle over and over again." (p. 353)

Every once in a while I run across a character in a book that struggles with the same weaknesses I struggle with in my own faith walk. Suz Mitchell is one such character. the way she hangs on to a past decision and fights the same emotional battle from a thousand different angles - I do that. I so want to do the right thing and follow Gos, but oftentimes I confuse God's will with my own emotions and the battle begins. Suz and I are cut from the same clth in that respect, and I would have made the exact same errors in judgment she did in this story. Kind of shocking in a way. But I saw so much of myself in this character it was a little disconcerting.

As always, Julie Carobini weaves the lives of her characters together in very intimate, realistic ways. By the time you reach the ending, the twist catches you off-guard - unless you are me. I knew when Suz heard the floorboard squeak the first time that she had second guessed herself one too many time. I would have done it too. I have done it. Arrrgh!!!

I praise God every day for His long-suffering. I'm a slow learner, and He has to exercise a LOT of patience with me! I enjoyed this story, and I think many readers will recognize their own spiritual struggles in one or more of the characters. You will also see a beautiful example of God's love, mercy and grace toward all of His children - in all of their messes.

About the Author:

Julie Carobini writes seaside novels filled with faith, flip flops, and waves of grace. Books in her acclaimed Otter Bay series include Sweet Waters and A Shore Thing. Julie and her husband Dan have three children and live on California’s central coast.