Sneak Peek

While living in LA, Julie Rao (pronounced "RAY-O") experienced everything from Hollywood's finest thrills to life's terrifying disasters...from private studio tours and tons of famous stars, to the devastating Northridge earthquake and Malibu fire; from the colorful 1984 Olympics, to the terrifying LA Riots while married to an LAPD officer. For almost ten years there was never a dull moment, or story.

After years of being told by many that she should write a book about her life & times in Los Angeles in the 80s, Julie sat down one night, in one of the darkest moments of her life, and began to write. The book soon became her life vest, a mirror, and a door to hope, healing & laughter.

Julie is the mother of a daughter pursuing her PhD in Psychology, and the daughter of a mother who survived a massive stroke and a father who died of complications from Alzheimer's disease. She is a former Advertising Executive, the founder of Create-A-Stir.com, and the author of Skinny's Kitchen (a memoir-like cookbook of her Mom's most cherished recipes). Currently, she is a National Account Manager (by day) and a Writer (by night).