Author Spotlight - Q&A with Jude Urbanski

STEPH: I don't know much about "Nurtured in Purple." What's it about?

JUDE: Nurtured in Purple is Book Two in The Chronicles of Chanute Crossing Series and the final book in the series. We follow the continued love story of now-married Kate and Seth, of Book One, as they struggle with the turmoil of Kate’s life-threatening pregnancy. But Willard and Elizabeth, who were the troublemakers in Joy Restored, are really the stars of Nurtured. It takes a long time though for these stars to shine bright, because they are still bent of seeking revenge against Kate and Seth. The book covers their ragged journey to faith.

STEPH: How long did it take you to write?

JUDE: Well, let’s see. I would say about six months of serious writing, which is a record maker for me. I’m usually more pokey, but a certain DB editor knows how to light those sparks! I couldn’t believe I did it.

STEPH: Did you have to do a lot of research for the novel?

JUDE: The setting is very familiar to me since I’ve been returning there for years to do genealogy research. My ancestors had lived there for generations. I continued making visits, interviewing local people, learning all I could about the flavor of the small towns in the area. I read about the famous Dale Hollow Lake there in Pickett County, Tennessee. I subscribed to the newspaper. Learned about sawmills. Sometimes it is easy to get lost in the fun of research and put off writing. LOL!

STEPH: How does the cover reflect the story within?



JUDE: When I look at the pink and purple colors of the cover, I feel enclosed in a peace and with a feeling of being comforted. My characters experience much that isn’t peace, but my aim was to bring them to a place of feeling ‘nurtured in purple’ because they are royalty to God. Interestingly, both covers are photos I’ve taken at Dale Hollow and I love them, but cover artist Gwen Pfifer really pulled it all together in a beautiful way.

STEPH: Elizabeth is the heroine. What are strengths? Weaknesses?

JUDE: In this second book, Elizabeth is the heroine. Kate becomes the secondary supporting character. Elizabeth’s strength of independence becomes her weakness, almost to the point of narcissism. Sad to say. Her world had always been self-centered.

STEPH: What does does Willard find appealing about the heroine?

JUDE: Willard, our hero, had always loved Elizabeth. Always. He said they were alike and he understood her. Perhaps Willard also loved himself a little too much, making it easy to understand Elizabeth. She broke his heart once, but he married her anyway. Elizabeth almost broke his heart again as her flame for Seth still flickered.

STEPH: What is the theme of the novel?



JUDE: I’d say the theme or goal of the series encourages us to know that with God, tragedies can be spun into triumphs. We all know life has dry patches, but God is always there to turn us into a well-watered garden, if we let Him.

STEPH: Where do you draw inspiration from?

JUDE: I draw a lot of inspiration from plain everyday life, which is so rich. Like many writers, I see my hero at Wal-Mart, build a story from one unexpected simple gesture I experience or witness. Movies and books provide inspiration for me, but times of quiet and solitude yield the most inspiration. All that aside, I also draw inspirations from writings groups and friends. We support and sustain one another.

STEPH: Do you have an ebook reader? If so, which one?

JUDE: I do have an eBook reader ( a gift from the kids) and I love my Kindle. I didn’t know I would enjoy it as much. It is just SO easy.

STEPH: Fun Question: Any summer vacation plans?

JUDE: Summer vacation? My best summer vacation is the one coming up and you’ll like this, Steph, being from New England. We’ve planned a week with our kids in Old Orchard Beach, Maine. Getting kids together is a feat as they live all over the country. So I’m looking forward to this time.

STEPH: Jude, I've been to Kennebunkport, Maine when I was young, but not to Old Orchard. I'd love a chance to go. Take pictures and share with us!