Thursday, September 08, 2011

FALLING TO PIECES - Vannetta Chapman - Free Book


Why do you write the kind of books you do?
I have a real admiration for the Amish people--their commitment to the Christian faith, their simple lifestyle, and their strong sense of community. Also, I can relate to their lifestyle, since I live in a small town. Many of my neighbors have ranches and many of the students I taught have chores on the farm--tending to animals, helping with crops, etc. I feel a real connection with the rural lifestyle I find among Amish communities

Besides when you came to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
The day my son was born.

How has being published changed your life?
I work longer hours, but I'm very grateful and happy to do it!

What are you reading right now?
Dan Walsh's Remembering Christmas

What is your current work in progress?
Plain School at Pebble Creek (Harvest House, June 2012)

What would be your dream vacation?
Hiking and camping with my husband.

How do you choose your settings for each book?
My editor chose the setting for my Shipshewana murder mystery series which is set in Indiana. It's a lovely town of 600 that I've now visited twice, and I adore it--perfect for what we wanted to do. As far as my Harvest House series, I knew I wanted to write about a community of Amish that was less well known, so choosing Wisconsin was easy. I didn't pick the Cashton area until I went to Wisconsin and spent a week travelling with my husband and visiting the Amish communities.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
My husband. He's my favorite person to be with!

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
I'm learning to quilt, since my first series is set in a quilt shop. I've always loved needlework, crocheting and knitting. I'm trying to make more time for these things since I'm no longer teaching. I also love camping, hiking and gardening.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
There are obstacles? Ha ha ha. I'd have to say time. There are so many things to do, and they are all good things, but it's not possible to do every one of them. I keep a daily journal. (I'm a graduate of Margie Lawson's class which helped me with time management.) First thing I do each day is write down 5 things I'm grateful for and then list my top priorities for that day. It keeps me focused.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?
Keep writing. A Simple Amish Christmas (Abingdon, 2010) was my first inspirational book published, but my ninth manuscript completed. Don't stop with your first book. Keep writing.

Tell us about the featured book.
This is a fun story about a girl from Texas who is called to Indiana to settle her aunt's estate after she has died. Callie is reeling from several recent losses and is unsure how to cope with one more. Then she's confronted with her aunt's things, with a quilt shop, and with Deborah Yoder. She finds the courage to reach toward a different life, friendship and new beginnings when murder strikes the small town of Shipshewana. Guess who the prime suspect is? It's a fast moving buggy ride from there ...

Please give us the first page of the book.

Chapter One
Shipshewana, Indiana
June 1

Dead bodies had never bothered Deborah Yoder.

Discovering old Mrs. Daisy Powell face down in the aisle had been a surprise. Her friend had died there between the displays of yellow, gold bolts of cotton fabric and quilting notions. Deborah had rushed to her side and knelt there, not even thinking to go for the police, but she hadn’t been upset.

Amish considered death a natural part of the cycle of life, and Daisy Powell had lived life to its fullest.

Deborah focused on the neat row of stitches in front of her, on the slight tug of the needle as she worked it through the layers of the quilt, on the satisfaction of watching the blue, gray, white and black pieces fit perfectly together.

She focused on the quilt, but her mind went back to the morning she tripped over Daisy’s body on the floor of the quilt store.

Three weeks had passed, Daisy’s body had been properly placed in the ground according to Englisch customs, but still Deborah and her freinden had no answers to their problem.

Of course she noticed when the voices around her grew silent.

She snipped the thread, pocketed her small scissors, worked the needle through her apron for safe-keeping, and looked across the quilt frame at her two best friends.

Melinda and Esther waited expectantly.
They didn’t state the obvious.

 How can readers find you on the Internet?
They can find me through my webpage (www.VannettaChapman.com) or on facebook (facebook.com/vannettachapmanbooks). Also I post to my blog 3 times a week (vannettachapman.wordpress.com).


Thank you, Vanetta, for spending this time with us.


Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.

Falling to Pieces (A Shipshewana Amish Mystery)


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

40 comments:

Rebecca said...

Thanks for the chance to win this. This looks like a great book. I would love to read this. Thanks again.

I am from Oklahoma.

apple blossom said...

oh, nice cover. love to win thanks. I live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Wendy Newcomb said...

Thank you for the giveaway, I love Amish books and have discovered the mysteries are wonderful.

I'm originally from NE but have lived in FL for 12 years now.

wfnren(at)aol(dot)com

Jo said...

I love Amish books and this looks like a great book.

Blessings,
Jo from Southern Arizona
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Wilma said...

Can't wait to get this book.
Loved A Simple Amish Christmas & I know this will be even better.
Wilma
I am in Tennessee.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your interest ladies. I'm very excited about this book, and I think you'll love the characters!

Anonymous said...

I would LOVE to win a copy of this book. Thank you for the chance.
angela from KY

jean smith said...

I love reading. Especially books about the amish. They are so fascinating.

Charity U said...

Please enter me!

Charity U, NE

Anonymous said...

I would love to win a copy of Vannetta's book. I am a big fan. Thanks for the contest. Debra B - Al.

Anonymous said...

I'm noticing something we all have in common. We all adore things about the Amish! : ) Thanks for stopping by, everyone.

Anne Payne said...

A beautiful cover on what I am sure is another great story! Thanks for the giveaway.

rural NC

Anonymous said...

Cool! Amish with a twist! Love it!

Salena
Texas

Patsy said...

Oh, I have always wanted to learn to quilt. I do crochet though. I tried knitting but never got the hang of it. Would enjoy reading Falling To Pieces.

from south Mississippi

plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Patty said...

I'm from Michigan originally and have been to Shipshewana! Would love to win a copy.

Patty in SC

Jessica said...

I love reading about the amish and I can relate to how you feel so close to them as well. I live in a small town called Troutville Pa and I am surrounded by farming and amish. I also love the scriptur reading in most books and love the sound of a simple life. Thank you for giving the oppertuinity to whom ever wins good luck everyone! I also hope I get my chance!

Anonymous said...

I really love your enthusiasm. Shipshe is a great little town of just 600. It is a really fun place to build a story around with really sweet people.

L. B. Greer said...

Thanks for the gift book to the happy winner. I have yet to read an Amish novel. Maybe God will think it's time.

Linda B. Greer
Spartanburg, SC

Coolestmommy said...

It sounds like it will be a great read. I, too, am inspired by the Amish and their tight knit community and deep faith. Thanks for sharing with us!

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

It looks very interesting.Please enter me in the drawing.Thanks
God Bless,
Sarah Richmond,
Blanch,N.C.

Joanna Richmond said...

it looks like a interesting book please enter me in the contest Joanna Richmond Blanch NC.

Amber Lemus said...

Sounds like a great book about dealing with loss and friendship.
Amber S.
Larkspur, CO

Sharon Richmond said...

Sounds very interesting, I love reading and would love to win this book.
Sharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.

Anonymous said...

I love your comments about the Amish and your interest in their lives. Robyn's comment about them being a tight-knit community especially made me smile.

I'm doing an Amish myth busters series on Saturdays over on my blog... and something about her comment rang a bell! : ) Stop by Saturday to see what I mean. http://vannettachapman.wordpress.com/ And we'll post the winner on the 17th.

Judy said...

This is going to be a great series. "Falling To Pieces sounds like a great read. I hope to meet Vannetta in Shipshe in November. I'm really looking forward to this book signing!

God Bless!

Judy B from Indiana

Lorna Faith said...

Sounds like a great mystery...Amish style:) Would love to be entered for a chance to win!

Lorna from Alberta

lornafaith at gmail dot com

Courtney said...

Love the little blurb about this book, sounds really interesting!! Thanks for the chance to win it!

Courtney from WA state

Courtney said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
scottsgal said...

I just started reading Amish books and really enjoy them
thanks for the chance
Cheryl in IL
msboatgal at aol.com

Ingrid said...

I love reading about the Amish,. I live in a small town in Southern Illinois not too far from an Amish Community,. I'm always in awe when I see these wonderful people.
I loved the Interview and a chance to win this Book.,

Ingrids62448(at)yahoo(dot)com

Nathanael Richmond said...

Looks and sounds very interesting!
Please enter me in the drawing.
Thanks for the chance to win.
Nathanael Richmond
Blanch, N.C.

Faith Hope and Cherrytea said...

thank you Vanetta, for sharing your writing and quilting expertise with us! i love quilting - love the choosing of fabrics and patterns - creating something beautiful from bits of colours and fabrics... this all adds to the interest in your book... from CA

misskallie2000 said...

Haven't read any of Vannetta's books and I do enjoy her blog posts so maybe I can win "Falling To Pieces" and start my journey.
Thanks for the opportunity to enter.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

Georgia Peach or maybe peanut..

holdenj said...

Looks like a great story! Thanks!
Julie in MN

Ms. Greer said...

Love the title of this book, would love to win it...Thanks, Ms. Greer/Ohio

Susan H said...

Sounds like a great book. Look forward to reading it.

I'm from Fort Worth, TX.

Mama Cat said...

Awesome - thank you for the chance to win! I do love reading Amish fiction, as the values reflected are a help in my daily life.
I live in Arizona.

Anonymous said...

Would love to win this! I love Amish and I love mysteries! GREAT combo!

Molly from NC

Abigail Mitchell said...

Looks interesting, Please enter me in the drawing. Thanks!
God Bless!
Abigail Richmond
Blanch, N.C.

Anonymous said...

Thank you all for entering. I love to see everyone's excitement about a new series, and about Amish books.