Julie Morrill writes inspirational historical fiction and historical romance that brings overlooked people, forgotten places, and remarkable moments in history to life. A graduate of UCLA with a degree in history, she also earned teaching credentials in English and history and has taught students in California, Hungary, and Ukraine. Her lifelong fascination with history and her passion for storytelling naturally merged into a writing career dedicated to sharing stories of courage, faith, hope, and redemption.
Julie and her husband, Pete, have spent many years operating Marble Mountain Kennels in the mountains of Northern California, where they raised and trained Labrador Retrievers. As they begin a new chapter, they are devoting more of their time to True North QUESTS, a ministry and coaching organization dedicated to helping people discover healing, simplify their lives, and uncover their God-given identity, purpose, and calling.
Whether she’s researching forgotten newspaper archives, hiking mountain trails, exploring historic sites, or enjoying the beauty of God’s creation, Julie is always discovering inspiration for her next story. She believes history is far more than a collection of dates and facts—it is the story of ordinary people whose courage, sacrifices, and faith continue to shape our lives today.
Her novels weave authentic historical settings with memorable characters, heartfelt romance, and enduring themes of forgiveness, resilience, and God’s providence. Through both her fiction and her coaching, Julie hopes to encourage others to move beyond fear, embrace hope, and live with greater purpose.
When she isn’t writing, Julie enjoys taking fun classes, volunteering in ministry, traveling, hiking, photography, gardening, and spending time with family and friends. She loves connecting with readers who enjoy stories that illuminate the past, strengthen faith, and remind them that even the most unexpected chapters of life can become part of a beautiful story.
Longer About Me
I’ve been writing stories for as long as I can remember. As a child, I filled notebooks with stories and was encouraged by teachers and other writers who recognized my love of storytelling. They even sent me to writers’ conferences, where I discovered that writing wasn’t just something I enjoyed—it was something I felt called to pursue.
Life, however, took me in many directions before I became a novelist. I earned a degree in history from UCLA, taught history and English both in the United States and overseas, wrote blogs, developed educational materials, and spent years encouraging my students to find their own voices through writing. Eventually, I realized it was time to pursue my own dream with greater purpose. I immersed myself in studying the craft of fiction, joined critique groups, attended conferences, and learned from experienced authors and editors.
Like many writers, my path to publication wasn’t a straight one. I collected my share of rejection letters and spent years revising, learning, and growing. Although I deeply respect authors who choose to self-publish, I knew traditional publishing was the right path for me. I wanted my work to be refined through the editorial process and affirmed by an independent publisher before sharing it with readers. Looking back, I’m grateful for every revision, every critique, and every closed door that helped shape me into a better writer.
Some of life’s greatest challenges have also become some of my greatest teachers. Difficult seasons, personal loss, and experiences that tested my faith deepened my compassion for others and strengthened my conviction that hope, grace, and redemption are never beyond reach. Those experiences have given me a special appreciation for the resilience of women throughout history and inspire many of the themes that appear in my novels. I enjoy exploring how ordinary people—especially women—have navigated hardship, challenged cultural expectations, and discovered courage and faith in unexpected places.
The seeds of my stories almost always begin with real people. I love wandering through museums, exploring historic homes, reading old newspapers and diaries, and visiting the places where history unfolded. Often, a single forgotten photograph, newspaper article, or historical marker sparks an entire novel. I also find endless inspiration in God’s creation, whether I’m hiking mountain trails, traveling to new places, or simply admiring the beauty of Northern California.
One of my deepest sources of inspiration is my childhood growing up along the Klamath River in the 1970s and 1980s. The river, forests, small towns, and unforgettable people who shaped those years continue to live vividly in my imagination. I’m currently developing a series of novels inspired by that remarkable place and time, celebrating the adventures, friendships, and close-knit communities that made it such a special way to grow up.
I’m also continuing my Siskiyou Saga series, set in the mountains of Northern California during the 1890s. My current novel explores stagecoach robberies, hidden treasure, and the colorful history of our region. I’ve always been fascinated by the legends of stolen gold hidden in mountain caves and by the realization that while times change, the struggles people face—greed, injustice, courage, forgiveness, and hope—remain remarkably the same.
Above all, I write because I believe stories have the power to encourage, heal, and remind us that God is always at work, even when we cannot yet see the ending. My greatest hope is that when readers close one of my books, they’ll come away entertained, inspired, and convinced that every life—and every chapter—matters.
Newsletter
Join Julie’s newsletter for a behind-the-scenes look at the stories behind the stories!
Subscribers receive updates on Julie’s newest books, exclusive previews of upcoming novels, fascinating historical discoveries, book recommendations, travel adventures, and writing updates.
As Julie’s writing community grows, subscribers will also be the first to hear about new releases, giveaways, speaking events, and special reader bonuses.
Newsletter Signup:
https://julie353.wixsite.com/juliemaymorrill/contact-8
Social Media
I’d format them like this for your publisher:
Website: https://julie353.wixsite.com/juliemaymorrill
Blog: https://julie353.wixsite.com/juliemaymorrill/blog
Newsletter: https://julie353.wixsite.com/juliemaymorrill/contact-8
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61589137111252
Instagram: @JulieMayMorrill
Pinterest: JulieMayMorrill
LinkedIn: Julie Warner Morrill
X: @JulieMayMorrill
REVIEWS
Top reviews from the United States
-
Andrea Hammett
Etna Love Story in the 1800’s
Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2026 -
Judy A Wagner
Characters that you hate to say goodbye to!
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2025 -
-
cynthia.sb
A sweet, romantic, and fun read
Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2026 -
Laurie Penner
Unique story and well-written
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2025 -
Library Technical Services
Librarian Approved!
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2026
-
Judy A Wagner
Wow! Such a great story!
Reviewed in the United States on March 18, 2026 -
Laurie Penner
Intriguing and Captivating
Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2026 -
-
Library Technical Services
Wonderful Siskiyou Story!
Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2026
Fun Facts About Julie
- I started writing stories as a child and attended writers’ conferences long before I ever imagined becoming a published novelist.
- I have a degree in history from UCLA and love discovering forgotten stories from the past.
- I taught history and English in California, Mexico, Hungary, and Ukraine.
- I love throwing historically themed murder mystery parties—and yes, everyone stays in character!
- I enjoy researching old newspapers, diaries, and local legends. Sometimes one fascinating historical detail becomes the inspiration for an entire novel.
- My husband and I have spent many years raising and training Labrador Retrievers through Marble Mountain Kennels.
- I grew up along the beautiful Klamath River in Northern California, which continues to inspire many of my stories.
- I love traveling, exploring museums, historic homes, and scenic backroads in search of my next story idea.
-
Living history museums are one of my favorite places to visit. Watching history come alive helps me imagine the people, places, and events that inspire my stories.
- I’ve taken classes in screenwriting and film production and dream of helping bring one of my novels to the screen as a movie or television series someday.
- One of my favorite questions to ask while researching is, “What really happened here?” The answer is often even more interesting than fiction.
In 1893 Philadelphia, seventeen-year-old Vivian Garrett flees scandal after her so-called “husband” reveals that their marriage was fake, leaving her disgraced—and pregnant. Hiding as a widow in Northern California’s rugged Siskiyou Mountains, she longs for a fresh start in the frontier town of Etna. New friendships and a daring rescue by a kindhearted cowboy-preacher named Blue begin to thaw her wounded heart. But when her scheming former “husband” hunts her down, determined to use her unborn child to claim his inheritance, Vivian faces her greatest test: Tell Blue the truth and risk losing everything, or guard her secret and live a lie–knowing Draven could expose her at any moment.
A Widow’s Whim offers clean romance with emotional depth, blending themes of redemption, second chances, and feminine friendship. With touches of light humor and rich historical detail drawn from my personal knowledge of the Northern California setting, this story will appeal to readers who love Janette Oke, Lynn Austin, and heartfelt frontier romances with strong heroines and honorable heroes. AMAZON
Seventeen-year-old French orphan Marrin Tauschner is sent to America to face indentured servitude. But on the steamship crossing the Atlantic, she meets Carina Dorshlin—her uncanny double—bound for an unwelcome future on her uncle’s California cattle ranch. Desperate to escape their fates, the two girls make a daring choice, exchanging identities.
As Marrin begins her new life under Carina’s name, she finds unexpected safety, belonging, and love with a kind-hearted cowboy named George. But her fragile masquerade shatters when Carina’s ruthless brother, Alard, arrives and recognizes her as an imposter. A wanted outlaw with secrets of his own, Alard threatens to expose her.
With her freedom, her heart, and her future at risk, Marrin must decide whether to cling to her deception—or risk losing everything by telling the truth.
Marrin’s Masquerade is a clean historical romance about identity, redemption, and the hope of belonging AMAZON