A SIMPLE AMISH CHRISTMAS by Vannetta Chapman -- Review and Special Gift Box Give-Away

A Simple Amish Christmas

by Vannetta Chapman

ISBN-13: 978-1-4267-1066-7

Softcover

Copyright 2010

Publisher: Abingdon Press

 

Releases in October, 2010

 

Visit your local bookstore.

Available for pre-order now at:

Amazon

Christian Book

 

 

Annie Weaver couldn’t seem to hold a job in her small Amish community and she refused every beau who wanted to court her. Her family sent her off to live with her aunt in the city for her rumschpringe – the time an Amish young person has before they officially join the church. She lives with her aunt in the city for three years, where she studies and becomes a registered nurse. She loves taking care of the children in the hospital, but yearns for home as bouts of homesickness take their toll on her. When she receives the call that her father has been injured and she is needed at home, she immediately returns. She fears that they may not accept her and the education that she’s received, since it’s against their Amish ways.

Will her family and community understand that she’s found what she believes God has called her to do? Will her church allow her to use her nursing skills to help those in need? When will she have the nerve to tell them?

She’s now twenty years old and many young ladies her age are already courting, married, and some even already have bopplin (babies). Even though she knows home is where she belongs, she feels a bit out of place at times; but all seems right with the world when she’s helping those who need her. When Samuel Yoder, the man the Amish community goes to for their minor health needs, sees her as the flighty young girl who left years ago and doubts her ability to care for her father, she gets angry, but neglects to tell him she’s a qualified nurse. Even though he only gives minor care and is quick to refer them to a medical doctor, he sees her as incapable of this task. He’s cranky, stoic, and not pleasant to be around. He cut himself off from enjoying life when a tragedy stole his wife and young child from him in a buggy/car accident.  But when Samuel sees Annie as all grown up, will his heart begin to thaw? Will God help him get past his misguided guilt and heal his damaged heart? What about David, the hired hand, who obviously has feelings for Annie as well?

Annie has decisions to make. Will she be able to find the peace she is seeking back home in her community? Will she find the true love of her life? And will she find her answers in the simple Amish Christmas she’s been longing for again?

I invite you to visit the quaint Amish community in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania, to find out the answers. This is a warm, loving community where one can clearly see God at work healing bodies, hearts, minds, and souls. I enjoyed reading this book and hope that Vannetta will be writing more about the characters introduced in this story.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Vannetta Chapman has published more than one hundred articles in Christian family magazines. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s birthplace in Albion, Pennsylvania.

Vannetta is a multi-award-winning member of Romance Writers of America and holds a B.A. and M.A. in English. She currently teaches in the Texas hill country, where she liveswith her husband. A Simple Amish Christmas is her debut novel. You can find out more about Vannetta at her website http://www.vannettachapman.com/ as well as her blog http://vannettachapman.wordpress.com/ .

GIVE-AWAY:  And now for the special give-away.  Since Vannetta's book doesn't release until October, she graciously offered a special Texas gift box.  Thank you, Vannetta!  

 By leaving a comment, you'll be automatically entered to win the Texas Gift Box, compliments of Vannetta. Please note in your comment if you follow my blog, because if you're a follower -- your comment will get you two entries for a chance to win. Don't forget to leave your e-mail so I can contact the winner. Example: janedoe (at) wherever (dot) com . Drawing to be held on Tuesday, September 7th! 

Happy reading, everyone .... Don't forget to stop by and chat with Vannetta via comments.  We look forward to your comments!

Disclaimer: The winner's prize will be shipped by the author. Give-aways are void where prohibited and are open to US residents only. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” You may also find more details on FTC compliance here on my blog http://susanhollaway.blogspot.com/p/misc-information.html .

 

Guest Post by Vannetta Chapman -- Author of A SIMPLE AMISH CHRISTMAS

Last fall I received an email from my agent suggesting I try my hand at an Amish story. I thought about it long and hard for ten minutes, then composed a polite reply which basically said, "NO!" I was elbow-deep in revisions of another story (which hadn't sold), and I didn't want to let go of it. I had never told my agent "NO!" before, and I didn't do so lightly this time. But I was working full time, I was writing early mornings and late nights, and did I mentioned I LOVED the book I was working on? Plus I live in Texas. I didn't know any Amish.


My agent is a sweet, intelligent woman though, and she didn't let me off the hook easily. She convinced me to try. She told me I was a good writer and a hard worker. She told me I could do it and do it successfully.

I spent the next week on-line reading book blurbs for every Amish book I could find and at the library reading first chapters for every Amish book I could find (at NIGHT-I still had that day job, still do).

Somewhere in the midst of that week, I remembered that my grandfather was born in Albion, Pennsylvania, and that my father grew up speaking German in his home. Coincidence? I had found my personal window into the Amish lifestyle, though I still don't know if I have Amish ancestors. I also had a very good feel for what the Amish market was after surveying hundreds of books. I was ready to come up with an original idea.

An unique idea is hard to find though. It was October in Texas, and I remember lying upside down in the hammock, trimming back everything that didn't hide from my pruners, and taking a lot of walks. What God kept impressing on my heart through those days was this--"They're people. They have the same hurts, the same joys, the same losses and the same dreams that you do." Suddenly I could see Annie, and I knew her story. Putting it on paper didn't take so long.

We had the proposals out in the next month, and while we waited to hear I finished the 85,000 word manuscript. I was thrilled when Abingdon offered a contract for A Simple Amish Christmas, and equally happy when Zondervan said they loved my voice and wanted me to write a 3 book Amish cozy mystery series. I'm still trying to find out if I have Amish ancestors, and I still hear God gently prodding me, reminding me that my Amish friends have the same problems I do.

Vannetta Chapman has published more than 100 articles in Christian family magazines. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s birthplace in Albion, Pennsylvania. Vannetta is a multi-award-winning member of Romance Writers of America. She currently teaches in the Texas hill country. A Simple Amish Christmas is her debut novel.

Life has been busy.

School has started and life has gotten extremely busy.  Well, my life seems to be quite busy anyway, but even more so now.     I've been remiss in posting about my own writing and life of late, and I apologize.  But I aim to do better in that area.

Books for review are starting to come in more again and I can't wait to share them with you. I've got a wonderful book coming up for review on my blog this next week.  It's a Christmas story.  I know -- Christmas already?  But what better way to get in the mood for cooler autumn days than to be thinking about the upcoming season changes and to look forward to celebrating the birth of our Savior.  Autumn days just scream for a warm drink, a good book, and a comfy chair.  This upcoming book I'll be reviewing actually releases in October, but you'll want to note it on your calendar and book wishlist.  It's a sweet story that you won't want to miss.

 It's been wicked hot, but the last few days have cooled off a bit and today is like autumn.  I am loving it!  It's supposed to continue back on a warming trend over the next few days, but still cooler today and tomorrow than it has been and I'm very grateful.   I love autumn and am looking forward to cooler days and the brilliance that is displayed in God's handiwork as the leaves turn color. 

I know I'm supposed to be a grown-up and all, but I have to admit that I still love to run through the fallen leaves and hear them crunch under my feet.  I'd pile them up and run and jump in them, but that's not such a safe activitiy anymore when you have dogs and when lots of people take their dogs for a walk along your front yard.  Enough said.  I'll settle for the walking and crunching, thank you very much.  =) 

I wish for you all a wonderful day!  I hope you will see the blessings in this day that God has given you.  Remember, they're not always billboard size.  Sometimes, they're not blatantly obvious or they're a wee bit hidden, but if we have our eyes and hearts trained on God,  we'll see them and they're treasures just the same.

Blessings to you,
Susan
 

And the winner of TOUCHING THE CLOUDS is....

.....Cindy W!  Congratulations!  I know you'll enjoy this read.  

Happy Reading!
Susan

Great Opportunity to Win a Copy of YESTERDAY'S PROMISE

As you may know, I reviewed Yesterday's Promise on my blog back in late May.  If you didn't know -- you can find that review here. I loved reading it.  I think this is a great story and would like to say once again -- read this book! 

Hence, I feel compelled to share with you that Delia Latham, the author, is having a give-away of a couple of rare print copies of it.  Drop by and visit her blog " My Book Bag."   She also has a great newsletter that she sends out.   You can find out about that here.Stop by and get all the details to enter the contest.  Deadline is tomorrow (Wed) the 18th at midnight!  Don't delay!   Tell her Susan sent ya'.  =) 

Happy Reading!    ~ Susan

Touching the Clouds by Bonnie Leon ---- Book Review & Give-Away

Touching the Clouds

by Bonnie Leon

Revell Publishing

ISBN 978-0-8007-3359-9 (pbk.)

Copyright 2010

Check out your local bookstore, or purchase online.

Amazon

Chrisitan Book

When everyone thought her plans for the future were set, Kate Evans decides to leave it all behind – including her fiancé – for the wilds of Alaskan Territory. Her father taught her to fly, and she wants to live out her dream of being a pilot. Flying is not a hobby, but a career and she can’t see herself in the traditional role of housewife. She moves away from her parents in the state of Washington to travel to a place unknown with no promise of a job, not knowing a soul, and no place to stay.

Kate arrives in the town of Anchorage to find no one is hiring pilots and especially not a woman. She finds a job clerking in a general store and makes an instant connection with the owners. One particular customer intrigues her. Paul Anderson, the mysterious man who lives in the wilderness, keeps invading her thoughts.

A part-time job of flying the mail plane comes up and she gets the job. She’s out to prove she can do it – not only to everyone else, but to herself as well. Will she be accepted as a pilot in a man’s world of flying? Will her own secret fears hold her captive and keep her from her dream and finally feeling peace?

A handsome pilot, Mike Conlin, befriends her. She’s not ready for a relationship, but suddenly she has two men in her life, plus an ex-fiancé at home that still holds out hope for them, despite that it’s over for her. Mike makes his intentions known, while Paul is hiding a secret of his own and reluctant to get too personal with information about himself. He’s made it clear that he not looking for a relationship, but yet spends time with her.

Trying hard to prove herself in a male-dominated career, she takes risks that she shouldn’t. Then on a routine flight, she finds herself in trouble. Flying is risky business, even for the most experienced pilots. Can she accept that things sometimes go bad and no one is infallible, or will she place blame on herself when things go terribly wrong? Can she move beyond her past and embrace the future? Will Paul ever come clean with his past so that he can work at what he’s called to do and maybe even love again in his future?

I’ve always been intrigued by Alaska, and Bonnie Leon’s description of its beauty only enhances my desire to visit there someday. I enjoyed this story, living vicariously through Kate and her adventures. I look forward to the next book in her series.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Bonnie Leon dabbled in writing for many years but never set it in a place of priority until an accident in 1991 left her unable to work at her job. She is now the author of several historical fiction series, including the Sydney Cove series, Queensland Chronicles, the Matanuska series, the Sowers Trilogy, and the Northern Lights series. She also stays busy teaching women’s Bible studies, speaking, and teaching at writing seminars and women’s gatherings. Bonnie and her husband, Greg, live in Southern Oregon. They have three grown children and four grandchildren. Visit Bonnie’s website to learn more about her and her books.

 

BOOK GIVE-AWAY:

By leaving a comment, you'll be automatically entered to win a copy of TOUCHING THE CLOUDS, compliments of Bonnie. Please note in your comment if you follow my blog, because if you're a follower -- your comment will get you two entries for a chance to win. Don't forget to leave your e-mail so I can contact the winner. Example: janedoe (at) wherever (dot) com . Drawing to be held on Tuesday, August 17th!

Happy reading, everyone .... Bonnie and I look forward to your comments!

Disclaimer: The winner's prize will be shipped by the author. Give-aways are void where prohibited and are open to US residents only. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” You may also find more details on FTC compliance here on my blog http://susanhollaway.blogspot.com/p/misc-information.html .