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

Author Spotlight - Jude Urbanski talks about inspiration for Faith Restored

"It is Better to Light a Candle than to Curse the Darkness"

This is an old Chinese proverb. But what does it really mean?

Just for a theoretical exercise, I asked Kate Davidson, my heroine in Joy Restored, if she could apply this proverb to her situation. I was surprised at her initial anger. She wasn't about to light a candle at her husband's needless death. Nothing could light the dark, at least in the beginning of her trial. She cursed the darkness.

I told Kate another way to look at this proverb was to ask "Where was God in all this? Where was He on this journey of yours?" That, too, proved hard for Kate. She said God doesn't hear her anymore, much less journey with her.

Kate is so like many of us isn't she? Our darkness obscures all the good surrounding us. We can't see blessings right in our pathway. Sometimes we even want to persist in our night.

She's challenged by my hero, Seth Orbin, to accept the peace that is hers in God. She still doesn't get it and thinks poor Seth is delusional. It takes a few trials on both of their parts to pull them together and for Kate to learn it is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.

Now that's mercy.

I didn't realize how much this story resonated with my own soul until I had completed it. At low points in my life, some similar to Kate's, I have felt sorely disconnected with my Source of Power. I've asked 'Where is God?' I found in the darkest of night, if I looked up, I could see the stars, all shinny and bright. In our deepest winter there is an invertible spring.

Author Spotlight - Jude Urbanski talks about Max Lucado

Here's my theory about Max. Max Lucado, that is. To meet him was on my list of impossible dreams and while I did not get to shake his hand or really meet him, I did get within six feet of him at a Make a Difference concert. I'll take that as a fulfilled dream.

My theory is… Max, with his writings, has been called to minister to the masses. And minister he does. Colleen Coble says she would read Stephen King's laundry list and I would do the same with Max. In sum, I am so uplifted by his words, which are always geared to help deepen our journey of faith that I would read anything he wrote. Can say I've noticed Max is not too different than many of us--he has honed his writing skill with experience. I still love his beginnings works though, and his middle works and his today works!

Like priest, writer and speaker, Henri Nouwen, Max makes the simplest truth profound. His best trick is to make profound truths understandable. So easy, you shake your head and begin to apply what you've read to your own life and are surprised at the fit.

I collect Max's books and highly recommend one, especially for this Christmas season. His One Incredible Moment celebrates the majesty of the manager. Lucado said God took the ordinary night of Jesus' birth and hooked an "extra" in front of the ordinary. The night was ordinary no more. The photos alone are worth reading the book.

Though Max's subject material is ordinary, his words are far from clichés, his metaphors fresh and Texan like. Did I mention he is pastor of Oak Hills Church in San Antonio,Texas? Visiting there is also on my list of to dos.

Sometimes, reading his books is like taking a mini writing course! Make at least one of Max's books a 'must' read.

FIND ME OR MY BOOK AT:

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

good reads http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13063251-the-chronicles-of-chanute-crossing-book-one

Web site www.judeurbanski.com

Author Spotlight - Jude Urbanski shares her Christmas Fudge

Author Jude Urbanski

Christmas always meant Grandma Glady's Karo Fudge!

She usually made it and brought it, but if she made it at our house, we knew we were in for a lot of hand stirring! If she made it ahead, she'd appear with about six pounds of caramel nut fudge. All in beautiful boxes or tins.

It takes a long time to make this fudge, but is certainly worth the effort. Enlist the kids for stirring, by all means.

We always looked forward to this treat. The fact it may not be the best for us nutritionally was happily forgotten when we tasted the delicious fudge.

Grandma Glady's Karo Fudge
Ingredients:

6 cups sugar
1 pint white Karo
1 large can Carnation Milk
1 small can Carnation Milk
1 pound butter
2 cups English walnuts, cut up

MIX all ingredients in very large saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil and stir constantly. Cook until candy forms a firm ball in a glass of cold water. May need to reduce heat some.

REMOVE from heat after firm ball forms and stir until candy 'snaps' and has sheen on top. Candy will be 'stiff'. Usually an hour or more of stirring is needed.

POUR into a buttered 9 x 13 dish. Cut before completely hardened. Enjoy. It is good!

Gladys Martin
10/12/1963

FIND ME OR MY BOOK AT:

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

good reads http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13063251-the-chronicles-of-chanute-crossing-book-one

LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/pub/judy-martin-urban-pen-name-jude-urbanski/1b/967/130

Face Book www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1627189130

Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/judeurbanski

Web site www.judeurbanski.com blog http://judeurbanski.blogspot.com

Author Spotlight - Q&A with Jude Urbanski

STEPH: I don't know much about "Joy Restored." What's it about?

JUDE: Joy Restored is about a young, widowed mother wrestling with the eons-old question of "where is God when we're going through dark nights?" Her troubled, Vietnam vet husband is accidentally killed and in her anger at God she almost misses the incredible love offered by a wonderful Christian widower.

STEPH: How long did it take you to write?

JUDE: I worked on the novel, which is my first, off and on for over a year and had put it 'away' when the opportunity with Desert Breeze came along.

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

JUDE: I find it a hoot that the era of my novel, the late 1970 and into the 80s, is now called Modern Historical. That makes me feel akin to the dinosaurs! I had to reread about the Vietnam War as well as refresh about cars, clothing and music of that period. I had to think typewriters and not computers for the work environment. I learned all I could about the setting of Pickett County, Tennessee and made trips back. I was born in this county, moved away, so had to refresh myself on the dialect of southerners. My mother's short novella, My Little Cabin Home, is also set in Pickett County and is a free companion download to my book.

STEPH: What attracts you to Inspirational writing?

JUDE: Most my non-fiction writing is inspirational, which blends with my life as a Christian. When I decided to move into fiction, I made a deliberate decision to continue in the Christian inspirational arena. I'm aware writing can be inspirational, yet not Christian, but to me the two easily mesh.

STEPH: How much input did you have on the cover?

JUDE: Well, like other DB authors, I did all the cover art input. At one point, though, I asked if they would consider this marvelous (at least I thought so) photo I had taken. The cover is Mallard Point on Dale Hollow Lake in Pickett County, Tennessee which is my setting. It was a bit of a hard sale, but I so appreciate DB's willingness to work with me on this and I think the cover will help marketing in the area.

STEPH: Kate is the heroine. What are her strengths? Weaknesses?

JUDE: Kate is strong enough to manage a household, job and kids as a single mom, but her faith is weak, she's afraid to love and trust again and she puts blame in the wrong places.

STEPH: What does Seth find attractive about Kate?

JUDE: He's initially sweep off his feet with her beauty, loves her adorable children, but knows he and Kate are worlds apart spiritually. In spite of this, he loves her strength and is able to see her faith is there-just buried, way deep.

STEPH: What do you want readers to resonate with them after they've read the story?

JUDE: I'd like readers to know God is always walking with us, even in the darkest night. He's there in myriads of ways, if we but look for Him. I want them to enjoy and appreciate the incredible gift of love between a man and a woman.

STEPH: Hollywood is calling! Cast the main characters.

JUDE: Oh, me. I am so un-Hollywood! Ask my kids who live at Hollywood's doorsteps and they will know precisely! A tall, dark and handsome man and a beautiful, red-headed woman is all I can say, Steph. I can say though I readily see my story as a Hallmark Presents! Go film rights.

Here's Seth:



Here's Kate:


STEPH: Fun question: What's your favorite Christmas carol?

JUDE: I can answer this one so much better even though it is also hard because I have so many favorites, but 'Silent Night' is high on the list. I love the melody, words and story of the song.

FIND ME OR MY BOOK AT:

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

good reads http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13063251-the-chronicles-of-chanute-crossing-book-one

LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/pub/judy-martin-urban-pen-name-jude-urbanski/1b/967/130

Face Book www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1627189130

Twitter https://twitter.com/#!/judeurbanski

Web site www.judeurbanski.com

blog http://judeurbanski.blogspot.com