MUSE MONDAY
Please welcome Judythe Morgan to Muse Monday on Discover... How fun to learn where ideas come from and how they make it to the page. Read on and enjoy.
“When Love Endures” is the third book in my six-book Fitzpatrick Family series—a small-town romance collection built around eight preacher’s kids, each one searching for a hard-won happily-ever-after. The idea for the series began years ago, in 2009, when White Rose Press held a contest that included a “Mad Libs”–style synopsis and a cover graphic with the prize being publication. The rules were charmingly specific. The story had to include seven siblings… including a set of twins. I couldn’t resist. I entered the contest, didn’t win, and tucked the idea away.
But stories have a way of waiting for the right moment, and eventually every one of those Fitzpatrick siblings started chattering in my head, insisting I tell their version of love and grace. That’s when the Fitzpatrick Family series truly came alive.
Book three features Sarah Fitzpatrick, one of the twins. She still lives in the small hometown where she and her sister grew up, and after her high-school sweetheart breaks her heart, Sarah pours herself into her music. She teaches elementary school music, runs a piano studio, and finds comfort—and courage—at the keyboard.
There’s a Christmas duet scene in "When Love Endures" that’s especially close to my heart. Sarah plays a duet with Nick’s young daughter, and that moment was inspired by a real duet my own daughter and I performed at one of her Christmas recitals. It was tender and nerve-wracking and unforgettable—exactly the kind of memory that slips quietly into a story and makes it feel true.
If you'd like to meet the whole family, you
can find the series here: https://www.amazon.com/The-Fitzpatrick-Family/dp/B08W8CTXY7
Eleven years later, Nick’s daughter walks into
Sarah’s music class—and one look at Nick brings every old dream and feeling
rushing back. Sarah is determined to protect her heart this time. She can’t
risk that kind of heartbreak again.
Nick has never stopped loving Sarah, and returning to Burton, Texas is his chance to prove it. But he has secrets—ones he can’t share with Sarah or even his daughter. And those secrets may cost him the future he longs for.
Will their second chance survive the truth?
If you’re new to the Fitzpatrick Family series, don’t worry—each story can be enjoyed as a standalone.
EXCERPT from WHEN
LOVE ENDURES
As much as Sarah enjoyed teaching music, she disliked Meet the Teacher
night every school year almost as much as she dreaded the yearly holiday
program, which was fast approaching.
All the parents seemed to want to meet her and promote their child as
lead for said production. She’d had a steady stream of suggestions all night.
One more session then she could go home and put her feet up.
“Miss Fitzpatrick, Miss Fitzpatrick, he’s here.” She recognized her new
student, Rachel Stephens’ voice. The child’s cocoa colored, teddy-bear eyes
pulled at her heartstrings from the second she’d waltzed into her classroom.
The fifth grader had been so worried her father wouldn’t be able to attend
tonight.
Rachel ran in. “He came like he promised. This is my Dad.”
“I’m so happy for you.” Sarah smiled at the child then lifted her head
to meet the same blue eyes she had once imagined staring into as she said, “I
do.”
Nick Stephens.
Square jaw, perfect posture, massive shoulders, and piercing eyes. Her
Nick had matured into as intriguing a man as he’d been as a teen. Smile
wrinkles like deep crow’s feet framed the corners of his eyes. He’d always been
a great smiler. He flashed one her way now. A warm, friendly, country-boy grin.
The past roared to life and memories squeaked in her head like an
orchestra tuning up. Her ears rang until her knees swayed. She sank into the
nearest chair.
Ms. Lorene, the streams of gray in her auburn hair flying, huffed
through the door. “Sorry. I stopped by Becca’s class to give her a hug. We do
miss seeing you two at Bible study.”
Her familiar face crinkled in concern. The former summer camp nurse, who
also happened to be Nick’s mom, aimed her hand for Sarah’s forehead as if on
medic alert. “My dear, you look a little pale. Are you okay?”
Sarah blocked Ms. Lorene’s hand and waved her foot in the air. “New
shoes. Just resting my feet a little. I’m fine.”
Or would be if she could only get her heartbeat under control. Summoning
her best Homecoming Queen smile, she gripped the sides of the chair seat and
pushed up. Knees don’t fail me now. “Glad you could make it.”
She’d assumed Nick Stephens still lived in Louisiana and Rachel Marie
was just another of the Stephens’ kin. Over the years, she’d had several grace
her classes. She should have remembered the thing about assumptions.
“Glad to be here.” His smile grew. “I wasn’t sure I’d make it. I travel
a lot for business and flight schedules can be iffy. That’s why we moved in
with Mom.”
A beat of awkward silence hung between them until Sarah fully processed
his words. He lives here!
“Well, welcome back. I know Rachel’s glad you’re home.” Her voice
sounded like an alto trying to sing first soprano.
His mom beamed. “I’m so glad he and Rachel have come home.”
What about his wife? Why wasn’t she with them? Sarah
clamped her lips. Not the time or place to ask. It didn’t matter, anyway.
A bell sounded and an announcement that the meet-and-greet had ended
blared from the classroom speaker. Sarah led Rachel toward the door. “Thank you
for bringing your father and grandmother. I’ll see you tomorrow.” She looked
from Nick to his mother. “Nice to see you both again.” Liar, liar pants on
fire.
BUY LINKS:
Amazon US Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08W9MP12F
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08W9MP12F
Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B08W9MP12F
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B08W9MP12F
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57020058-when-love-endures
Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/When-Love-Endures-Fitzpatrick-Family/dp/B093CKNGK3
AUTHOR BIO:
Judythe Morgan is an award-winning, multi-published author who believes stories should offer escape from real life, with strong characters and engaging plots, and satisfying endings, without explicit content.
A lifelong wanderer as an Air Force daughter then an Army wife, Judythe now lives in a small Texas town north of Houston with her husband and their Old English Sheepdog, Finnegan MacCool. They enjoy a busy life with three grown children, eleven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and nine granddogs who keep their lives filled with fun and laughter.
When she isn’t writing, you’ll likely find her on the porch swing with a glass of sweet tea, reading a book.
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