Author Spotlight - Excerpt from "Nutured in Purple"

Thank you so much for supporting Jude during her Spotlight week. Leave a comment on today's post today, tomorrow and Sunday and I'll pull a random name out of the hat to receive their choice of either book one, "Joy Restored" or book 2, "Nutured in Purple" from Jude. Enjoy the Excerpt!

Moderator Steph

*****

Elizabeth had come to this planning meeting simply because her mother harped she never did anything at church. She didn’t want to be here at all. Planning a boxed supper auction wasn’t her idea of fun even if the proceeds did go to an orphanage mission project. Orphanage. No doubt the brainchild of one of the elder Orbins.

There sits Kate with her adorable new son. Her adorable son. Not mine.

Besides Kate, Winnie Orbin, Margie Craig, Myrt Rich, Nan Holden, Ermon Upchurch and a few other ladies Elizabeth didn't know at all clustered around the table in the church basement. Of course, Mama was there. She had insisted Elizabeth come.

These ladies were the doers of Chanute Community Church. Most had attended all their lives, as their parents before them.Well, maybe not Kate. She hadn't been here all her life. She was a foreigner. A foreigner melded to the most aristocratic of families. How had that happened? How? It shouldn't have happened.

Elizabeth took in the women, all well dressed, but she couldn’t help notice how her own Mama’s dress surpassed them all and how her rings glittered on her fingers. Mama still looked pretty good for her age.

Elizabeth absently twisted the large diamond on her own ring finger. The date was creeping closer and soon she’d be Mrs. Willard Wittenberg. Not what she had wanted, but she guessed it would do. Willard wasn’t all bad.

"Oh, Elizabeth, we’re glad Adeline brought you. We can sure use your help," Winnie Orbin said. "We’ll need several cakes and pies to auction and I wonder if you and your mother would bring your famous lemon pound cake for the auction?" She looked toward Adeline.

Adeline answered, "Winnie, we’d be glad to bring a lemon pound cake, won’t we, Elizabeth?" Her hand strayed to her silver hair, tucking in what didn’t need tucking. "It’ll be practice for us. We’re having lemon pound cake at Elizabeth’s wedding shower next week." She smiled.

Elizabeth did not feel the need to say anything. Mama, why do you always tell everything you know?

"That’s exciting. When is the wedding, Elizabeth?" Ermon Upchurch sat beside her.

"It’s in five weeks, during Fall Break at school. I have nearly everything done, just last minute things left, you know."

"Good for you, Elizabeth," Margie said, "I’ll soon be the only unmarried one in Chanute Crossing!" She laughed.

"Margie Craig, you’re single by choice, so let’s not hear any more about it, okay? Remember Bob was single a long time before I came from St. Louis to marry him."

"Nan, we all remember your arrival and how happy it made Bob," Winnie said, "but, ladies, right now, we’d best get back to planning. Our event is less than two weeks away."

Elizabeth watched Winnie quietly, yet efficiently organize and delegate until every detail was completed. Though she hadn’t wanted to, Elizabeth said yes to working behind the boxed supper booth.at the social.

Willard wouldn’t be too happy. He was hanging in there with the Men’s Bible Study, but she felt his frustration and sometimes anger with the group. Especially toward Seth, whose kindness Willard found hard to understand or accept. It made him suspicious. He wasn’t used to kindness. Never had been.

****

FIND JUDE AT:

http://www.judeurbanski.com
http://judeurbanski.blogspot.com
The Chronicles of Chanute Crossing
Joy Restored, November 2011
Nurtured in Purple, June 2012
Desert Breeze Publishing
http://about.me/judeurbanski

Author Spotlight - Jude Urbanski talks about attitude

What was my reason for writing these two books? What was my passion for doing so? Two good questions to ask before you dive into a novel, give up family time, sleep and a host of other things.

Francine Rivers, a favorite of mine, always asks a question as she ponders her beginning material for a book. Usually she says, it’s a ‘what if?’ query. She uses ‘what if’ to get creative juices going.

I find I use ‘I want readers to…’ as a starting point. I may not know what this want is, however, until I’m into the book. I confess to being not a pantster, nor a plotter, but probably lean toward the plotter side, as I do character sketches, think about biographies, and a quasi-outline before I start. Sounds plotter doesn’t it? Maybe.

In my current series, I wanted the reader to come away with hope. It’s no secret life has dry patches and my characters experience them. I wanted readers to gain understanding that the desert or the dry patches can birth abundant growth. Literally and figuratively, if one only looks.

Gail Delalney and Desert Breeze gave me a chance to put my passion out there. I had written a fair amount of nonfiction, but answering DBs call for submissions made a dream of mine come true. I am appreciative and thankful.

Before you dive off into your next book, consider your passion, your attitude and why you are writing it.


Find Jude at:
http://www.judeurbanski.com
http://judeurbanski.blogspot.com

Author Spotlight - Character Interview with Willard from Nutured in Purple

Great stories are driven by great characters. These great characters drive the plot of any great story; plot and characters are finely interwoven.

Get to know your characters intimately with character sketches, biographies or interviews. Take all the time needed to do this. Today, I’m interviewing handsome Willard Wittenberg, main character from Nurtured in Purple. I’d done sketches of Willard for book one, but couldn’t bring myself to like the man, much less love him. Book two changed my mind. Willard’s heart opened and I saw him as a good man needing grace.


JUDE: Willard, what are your fears?

WILLARD: I am afraid of losing Elizabeth. I am afraid, no I feel guilty, about what I did to Seth Orbin and his business.

JUDE: How do you handle frustration?

WILLARD: I flare up and say hateful things. Things have always gone my way and I don’t handle frustration well because of that.

JUDE: Is trust hard for you?

WILLARD: Very hard. Most people are out to get you. The only person I trust is Elizabeth and sometimes I’m not sure about her.

JUDE: What secrets do you have?



WILLARD: Not sure I want to say, but I’ve always felt insecure in my life and haven’t wanted people to know. I had an overpowering father, a successful brother and a needy mother and sister. My biggest secret is I was responsible for the fire in Seth Orbin’s sawmill.

JUDE: What bothers you right now?

WILLARD: This thing in the Men’s Bible Study I’m attending. They say God loves me completely. I can’t understand this, knowing myself as I do. I’m trying to figure this out, but it seems impossible God could love me.

JUDE: Do you wish anything was different?

WILARD: I wish my marriage was better. I wish Elizabeth truly loved me, wanted my child.


***
After this imaginary conversation with Willard, I understood him in fresh ways. Try an interview with your characters.

Find Jude at:
http://www.judeurbanski.com
http://judeurbanski.blogspot.com

Author Spotlight - Jude Urbanski talks about "setting"

Chanute Crossing, my fictional town in Nurtured in Purple, is based on the long-ago town of Chanute in Pickett County, Tennessee. That Chanute today is called a populated place, not really a town at all. To me, the Chanute of present day is more like a small, small village. There is a church, turned community center, a cemetery and several houses along the Highway 127, heading northeast out of Static, Tennessee, which is nearly as small as Chanute.

I chose this as my setting because I have a very soft spot in my heart for this place. My ancestors came west to settle in Chanute or its surrounding areas and lived there for generations. I was whisked away at a very early age, but know my roots began there. Also, I chose the setting because long ago, my now-deceased mother, wrote sweet, nostalgic love stories with the same setting. She had a fictional name for her town, which was Snow Mountain, but I know it was Chanute, in her mind.


Photo Credit: Wolf River Bridge by: Chad Laytham

Many people, especially sportsmen, are familiar with Dale Hollow Lake. This man-made lake is a ‘sportsman’s paradise’ says the advertising. Mainly for fishermen or those who love boating. I can say the lake, the hills and valleys of Pickett County are truly beautiful. Very serene.

Indians roamed the hills as their great hunting ground before white settlers came to this wilderness in 1760. The area later became home to a couple noted individuals—Sargent Alvin C. York of World War I fame and Cordell Hull, political statesman. Mark Twain passed through the area for a while, but less savory men, like bootleggers and Confederate gorilla-fighter, Champ Ferguson, made up a goodly number of inhabitants of long ago. Sad to say, my great grandfather ran with the Ferguson group.

The people of today are friendly, hospitable and maintain many, charming southern customs.



From the map it’s seen Pickett county lies in what used to be called Middle Tennessee, just on the north side of the state and slightly east. I’ve included some photos, some of which are directly related to my books.

Enjoy your tour through Chanute Crossing! Think of Willard and Elizabeth.

Find Jude at:
http://judeurbanski.blogspot.com/
http://www.judeurbanski.com/

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!

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

**********

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

Author Introduction - Meet Jude Urbanski

STEPH: Jude, welcome to Desert Breeze. Tell us a little about yourself. Where did you grow up?

JUDE: Steph, I was born in Tennessee, grew up in Indiana, but will always have a passion for the South.

STEPH: Who were some of your favorite authors growing up?

JUDE: I read many of the classics growing up and those have remained everlasting favorites. I was also passionate about James Mitchner for many years. Can't remember the authors, but the series was about Mary Carlson, MD. Those got me through grade school. I enjoyed poetry by Elizabeth Barrett Browning and the memoir by Kahil Gabran. Have to say, my most treasured book in the Holy Bible.

STEPH: What genre do you write?

JUDE: I call it women's fiction with inspirational romance elements. I also write non-fiction. My favorite genre to read though is historical fiction. I use Jude Urbanski as my pen name.

STEPH: You have an upcoming release with Desert Breeze. Can you tell us when, the title, and let us know what it's about?

JUDE: I'm happy to announce that in November DB will release my debut novel, Joy Restored. It's about a widowed young mother who becomes strong in broken places, but in the process almost misses incredible love offered by a rich, Christian widower.

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

JUDE: The kids gave me a Kindle for Christmas! Confess I like it even better than I thought I would. Speaking of kids-my husband and I have a blended family of 8 children!

STEPH: Do you have any other books that are available?

JUDE: My non-fiction book, I Can't Remember Me, is available even though it is a few years ago. We keep selling copies. It is the story of my daughter's miraculous recovery from traumatic brain injury.
I have a second novel on my computer. That novel is for sale too!

STEPH: Can you tell us a little about the state you live in?

JUE: I live in Indiana, which is known for the Indy 500, Hoosier Basketball Hysteria, Kurt Vonnegut, James Whitcomb Riley and my famous alma mater, Indiana University.

STEPH: Just for fun: pick your favorite: Monet, Picasso, or Renoir?

JUDE: I'd say Monet. Wasn't he an impressionist? I like his use of varied and muted color.

STEPH: Do you belong to any writing groups? Have they been helpful in allowing you to grow as a writer?

JUDE: Yes. To a local fiction critique group. National and state ACFW groups and National and local groups of the National League of American Pen Women. Hands down, ACFW has taught me sooooo much. It's the best $50 you'll ever spend on your craft. I still consider myself a beginner after 5-6 years of writing..

STEPH: If you could offer one piece of advice for aspiring authors, what would it be?

JUDE: Give yourself to the gifts you are given and never, never, never give up. Gotta work though. Also, pay it forward or give back-mentor someone.

STEPH: Where can we find you on the web?

JUDE: Coming!-under reconstruction: www.judeurbanski.com and judeurbanski.blogspot.com
Facebook Twitter Linked In email:urbanski4u@aol.com

Thank you, Miss Stephanie, for doing this interview. Let me know if you need anything more and also when you'll post.
Jude