Author Spotlight - Excerpt from "Joy Restored"

Thanks to everyone who supported Jude this week in the Desert Breeze Spotlight. She's sharing an excerpt from "Joy Restored." See the end of the post for a GIVEAWAY that Jude is offering. Happy Holidays to all!

Smiles
Moderator Steph

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Kate's heart beat in sync with the slow-moving hearse crawling along the rutted lane. The image of a tiny ant heaving a giant burden seared her mind, but the ache in her heart rested with the body in the hearse.

The Davidson Family Cemetery soon came into sight, looking as neglected and abandoned as Kate felt. The driver of the hearse hurried to Kate's car as soon as the procession stopped.

"Mrs. Davidson, please step over here."

Undertaker Shirley Brown ushered her closer to the fresh, mounded dirt after Kate and her children climbed from the car. She could do with an extra dose of strength right now, but how could she muster it given the pain and anger she felt in her heart?
Her arms tightened around her three small children, who huddled close, the cold wind whipping hard against their legs. Her children were Clayton's legacy. His only legacy.

If only she could get through this. She, her children, and a meager band of mourners stood like sentinels beside the open grave as the body of her husband, Lieutenant Clayton Patrick Davidson, was lowered to its final resting place. He would join his Scottish forefathers in this rural Tennessee countryside. The Vietnam nightmares could rest, too.

Father O'Connell's words of intended comfort cut through the cold mountain air. Kate looked at the priest. He radiated kindness from the top of his balding head to the tip of his black robe blowing in the harsh wind. It certainly wasn't required of him to conduct the funeral, for she and Clayton hadn't been God's most faithful of St. Francis' Parish. Father O'Connell had wanted to do Clayton's service.

Why?

In closing, Father invited all to join in the Lord's Prayer. Heads bowed.

Kate extended her hand to him at the last 'amen.'

"Thank you, Father. I appreciate your doing the service."

"You're welcome, my child. You're also welcome at God's house."

She felt him squeeze her hand. She nodded. God's house? She didn't think so. She hadn't been able to help Clayton, and God certainly hadn't helped him either.

God is supposed to help those in need. Could she ever believe that again?

*****

Reviews of Joy Restored

I was thrilled at the Amazon reviews and have included a couple.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Charming Debut!, November 14, 2011
By Christian Romance Reader This review is from: The Chronicles of Chanute Crossing Book One: Joy Restored (Kindle Edition)

This wonderful debut novel from Ms. Urbanski (previously published as a non-fiction author) will completely charm you! How I longed to visit the lovely Chanute Crossing while reading this book, but the author does the next best thing by painting such a vivid portrait of the setting and absorbing the reader into the world of her characters. The children of heroine Kate captured my heart immediately, and Seth is the old-fashioned, strong and honorable (yet vulnerable in some ways) romance hero of my dreams. A cast of colorful secondary characters round out this heartwarming novel. It's a sweet and worthwhile journey of faith and love for both Kate and Seth as they each resolve loss from the past, and endure a number of trials along the way. How wonderful to know we'll enjoy a revisit with these characters in the next installment of the series! Grab a blanket and your favorite beverage and settle in for a truly great read.

I was given an advance copy of this novel by the author for purposes of writing this review, and I thank her for it. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.



5.0 out of 5 stars A treasure of joy., November 21, 2011
By Doug Spurling - This review is from: The Chronicles of Chanute Crossing Book One: Joy Restored (Kindle Edition)

I loved this book! I felt like I was reading Karen Kingsbury. I couldn't wait to read the next page and now I can't wait to read the next book.

From the beautiful scene on the front cover to the depth of detail from being raised in the area, Jude paints a picture of beauty from scene to scene.

However, the beauty is carved from the rugged terrain of life. The opening scene is an open grave and a wounded soul. The uplifting story does not gloss over the raw winds of life that tear at the heart and attempt to rip away the soul. But tragedy-proof peace is woven into the peaceful setting of Chanute Crossing and the strength of joy overcomes and restores.

Thanks to all for dropping by and thanks, Steph, for the spotlight.

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment and your address for drawing of a PDF copy of Joy Restored.

Jude Urbanski


Desert Breeze http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-226/Joy-Restored-Jude-Urbanski/Detail.bok

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-Chanute-Crossing-Book-ebook/dp/B0067DDZ8S/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1322667736&sr=1-1-spell