Yes! Jude Urbanski is with us this week! And, yes, she's a fellow Hoosier, (woo-hoo!) transplanted, but still part of the left sock state,(shamelessly copying Michigan's nickname moniker here!) and we're all thankful to have her. If you're not acquainted with her, take a break from your holiday cooking and pull up a chair. You're in for a huge treat!
PT: Hello, Jude! So exciting to have you here on the Diamond Mine! So much to discuss,but let's start with the basics. Could you tell us a little about yourself?
JU: I’m a wife, a mother,a grandmother, and a
sister! I have lived in the Midwest all my life, but have traveled nearly all
over the world. I began writing seriously after retirement from nursing. A
strong faith guides and directs me! We have several writers in the family.
PT: I've met a lot of writers who begin writing later in life and that is so interesting to me. Perhaps it's because they've seen God pull them through so many obstacles. You've had some major struggles in your
life. What gave you the courage to overcome these obstacles?
JU: Early on, I surely hadn’t anticipated what
life would bring, but, my story is not unique, it is simply my story. It’s no
surprise tragedy is universal and grief is evergreen. Would that everyone
turned to God at such times for He certainly is on the journey with us. He gave
me the courage then and still ‘gets’ me through. Family and friends all help
one through hard times.
PT: So true. Why don’t you tell us a little about
your books?
JU: Here’s the tagline: "Young mother feels God has
played a cruel joke with the needless death of her Vietnam vet husband on the steep
mountain curve, and in her anger, almost misses love of rich widower, no stranger
to loss himself.”
I write inspirational women’s fiction with
romance elements, but let me say, I’m a Southern Yankee. I was born in the
south, raised in the north, but forgot to bring along my heart. My series, called The Chronicles of Chanute
Crossing, includes two books, Joy Restored and Nurtured in Purple,
and is set in Tennessee. Chanute Crossing is a fictional town based on the spot
in the road called Chanute, where I was born.
An additional tidbit is that during the Great
Depression, my mother also wrote love stories set in the same area and with
military heroes as well. In fact, her short story, My Cabin Home, is offered
free by my publisher Desert Breeze with purchase of my book in electronic
format. She wrote sweet, pure romance and was offered publication by a New York
vanity press, but who could afford that in the Depression?
Joy Restored introduces Kate Davidson, a fresh, young
widow of a Vietnam vet who came home, but never got over the war. Her anger at
God plunges her weak faith into a long, dry patch until handsome, sawmill owner
Seth Orbin rescues the little family during a terrible storm while they were
picnicking on the mountain. Will Kate refuse God’s healing and Seth’s love or
will death steal Seth from her as well?
Nurtured in Purple picks up the saga of the Chanute Crossing
characters. The two novels were great fun to write! I fell in love with my
characters, especially Seth, whom I based on my son’s gentle character. I used my
ancestral family names, showcased the beauty of the area and showed that
redemption does shine brighter on a darker canvas.
PT: How interesting! I've always entertained that writing may be partially hereditary. Are you working on anything currently?
JU: Love that you asked! I’m doing a blend of
things right now. I have a contemporary romance novel set in Jamaica that is
pre-published, I’m doing free-lance articles as well as building my editing service
(Urbanski’s Editing). Always something fun going on!
PT: Great diversity! A writer is well versed in multi-tasking. Now let's do something quick and fun. Give four of your favorite obsessions! Ready-GO!
JU: My favorite obsessions are
*Reading
*People and Places
*Genealogy
*Nature
PT: Oh, that generates a million more questions! But we're out of space and time. Thanks so much for being with us this week, Jude. May you have a terrific day of thankfulness with your family!
If you want to know more about Jude Urbanski, go to:
Don't forget to leave a comment below if you want to be entered to win a free copy of one of Jude's books. Check them out in case YOU are the winner. Leave your email address so we can contact you!!!
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6 comments:
Thank you for this wonderful introduction to Jude Urbanski. How fascinating to learn that her mother wrote love stories set in the same area and with military heroes as well!
texaggs2000 at gmail dot com
Britney, thanks for dropping by! Yes, my mother is finally published 80 years later. Bet she's smiling. Blessings on your day.
Nice interview, Peggy. Have read Jude's books and enjoyed them!
Peggy, thank you for having me and thank you anonymous for your visit. My characters became good friends.
Nice interview. And the book sounds great! Good luck in all your endeavors, Jude.
Thank you, Mary, and to you as well. The books were fun in many ways and incorporating pieces of family history was just a hoot!
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