Monday, August 06, 2012

A PROMISE FOR MIRIAM - Vannetta Chapman - One Free Book


Welcome back, Vannetta. God has really been moving in your writing life. What do you see on the horizon?
What a great question, and I have no idea. I'm completely open to whatever direction God moves. My main goal has always been to write stories which emphasize HOPE and GOD's GRACE. I'm grateful to have the chance to do that. I will be releasing 10 more Amish books (both romance and mystery) in the next 3 years through Abingdon, Harvest House, and Zondervan.

Tell us a little about your family.
We have a blended family. Bob had three children when I met him, and I had one.
Now all four of them are grown and on their own. We have one special-needs child who will always require some assistance, but she is also slowly increasing independence. Bob's parents are in their 80s and my mother is in her 70s. We're very fortunate that everyone lives close enough to visit.

Has your writing changed your reading habits? If so, how?
Yes! I've been an avid reader all my life, often consuming a book in a day. The more I write, the more I give myself permission to abandon a book if it hasn't hooked me after an hour. Every book is not for every reader.

What are you working on right now?
I'm completing the edits for the third book in my Amish romance, Pebble Creek series. I'm also completing the edits for a quilt romance that will be a sequel to A Simple Amish Christmas.

What outside interests do you have?
I play the keyboard in my praise band, which is the most fun thing I do every week. Bob and I also enjoy camping, hiking and occasionally finding our way into a kayak.

How do you choose your settings for each book?
I research and then I visit! Especially for a series, I do feel it helps me tremendously to spend a week in the area I'm going to be writing about.

If you could spend an evening with one historical person, who would it be and why?
Native Americans. My grandfather was half Choctaw. I'd like to see this country as they saw it and experience it as they did.

What is the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing novels?
To keep an excel chart with all my characters name, descriptions, and relationships. I didn't learn that little trick until the 3rd book (published) and there were quite a few written before that one.

What new lessons is the Lord teaching you right now?
Trust--there are so many things to worry about, but if we truly believe what we say we believe, then we can trust Him with anything and everything.

What are the three best things you can tell other authors to do to be successful?
1. Write another book - don't keep re-writing the first.
2. Don't believe negative hype. In fact stay away from people who are caught in it. You CAN be published and have an agent, and it will happen when it's supposed to--in God's time.
3. Remember to rest and enjoy your family and your life.

Tell us about the featured book.
Miriam King loves the children of Pebble Creek and is content teaching in the one room schoolhouse, then Gabe Miller steps into her life and everything changes. This is a story of community, grace, love, and second chances. Our God believes in second chances, and I'm so glad He does!

Please give us the first page of the book.
Gabe sat by the side of the bed, clasping Hope's hand.

The wind fought with the window panes, intent on finding its way into the small upstairs room. The rain lashed out against the night sky.

He knew when Dr. Frank left the room. He heard him in the hall murmuring to Erma and recognized the defeat in his voice as he moved down the stairs.

Gabe felt the weight of thick, heavy exhaustion pressing down on him. He couldn't have held up his head if his life had depended on it, though he would have found a way to do so if it could have saved Hope.

Saving Hope.

It had become his life mission, but that wasn't Gotte's wille. So the bishop had said as recently as an hour ago. So Erma was saying to the doctor as he left the house even now. Why couldn't Gabe's heart agree? Instead, he allowed his head to drop to the quilt, allowed his lips to kiss her hand—a hand that was even now growing cold, and for this moment he allowed himself to weep.

He heard Erma walk slowly up the stairs and stop outside the bedroom door, allowing him this final moment alone with his wife.

"Mamm!" Grace's scream tore through the house, startling in its pitch and intensity. Lunging past Hope's mother, Gabe’s five-year-old daughter threw herself into the room, clawing at the bed and attempting to crawl on it, all the time sobbing and crying. "I want my mamm. Why won't she wake up? Make her wake up!"

He tried to pull her away, putting his arms around her small frame and murmuring in her ear, but her cries only increased.

"Silence that child!" Hope's father stood in the doorway, his face an inscrutable mask, his voice a hammer falling. Walking into the room, he jerked Grace from Gabe's arms. "Take her, Erma. Take her and silence her. I will not have such a display in my home."

Micah paused a moment, his eyes taking in Gabe's tearstained face and the lifeless form of his daughter. Briefly, Gabe thought he saw the mask of indifference slip from his features, but it was less than the span of a heartbeat, and in the dim lantern light he could have imagined it. With a scowl, the older man turned and trudged from the room, leaving Gabe alone to deal with his grief.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
pinterest -- http://pinterest.com/vannettachapman

Thank you, Vannetta, for sharing this book and your family with us today.


Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Promise for Miriam (The Pebble Creek Amish Series) - paperback
A Promise for Miriam (The Pebble Creek Amish Series) - Kindle


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

31 comments:

monica said...

Sounds interesting, I love Amish stories.

Monica, Toronto, Canada

Vannetta Chapman said...

Thanks, Monica. It's a growing genre, and I sure do enjoy writing it.

Unknown said...

True - every book is not for every reader. Just because a novel doesn't hook me, doesn't mean it's bad. i am looking forward to reading A Promise For Mariam, and i hope i win this for Mom.

Marianne from northern Alberta
mitziUNDERSCOREwanhamATyahooDOTcom

Amy C said...

I love love love Vannetta's novels. Was so excited yesterday to learn the library in my small town is now carrying her novels. Hopefully they will get A Promise for Miriam soon.
Amy C
Southwest VA

Vannetta Chapman said...

Marianne, thanks for commenting. How fun that you share books with your mom. Be sure and tell her hello for me.

Vannetta Chapman said...

Amy, that's wonderful news. Please thank your librarian for me, and I hope you enjoy Miriam's story.

Katie said...

Thanks for the chance to win this book! Sounds great! Please enter me. I'm from NC.

Katie G.

Johnda S. said...

Greetings from Ohio!! Love Vannetta's books and this one sounds so good. Please enter me for a chance to win.

Johnda S jlscott49 at roadrunner dot com

scottsgal said...

I just started reading Amish fiction and really enjoy it.
Cheryl in IL
msboatgal at aol.com

Vannetta Chapman said...

Katie, we're happy to enter you in the drawing!

Johnda, It's been over a year since I've been to Ohio. BEAUTIFUL state.

Cheryl, glad you are enjoying Amish fiction. : )

rubynreba said...

I also believe in second chances! Please enter me.
Beth from Iowa

Anonymous said...

I WOULD LOVE TO WIN THIS BOOK.
AMGELA FROM KY

Vannetta Chapman said...

Reba, so glad you're looking forward to the book. And yes, I know all about those second changes. : )

Angela, thanks for commenting.

ASC Book Reviews said...

I have been wanting to read this ever since I first saw it previewed! To win it would be AWESOME!!!

Amada (prnounced: a.m.a.th.a) Chavez :)

NM

Ladette said...

Sounds like a great read!!

ladettek[at]gmail[dot]com

Mary Preston said...

A PROMISE FOR MIRIAM looks just wonderful. I enjoyed the first page.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Vannetta Chapman said...

Amanda, I'm glad you're looking forward to the book!

Ladette, thank you. : )

Marybelle, I promise ... the story only gets better after the first page.

Patricia said...

I have been seeing this book everywhere. Here & Goodreads the reviews have been very positive. I think it is time I add this book to my TBR list. I would love to win a copy!

Have a Blessed Day Lena & Vannetta!

plb1050[at]gmail[dot]com

apple blossom said...

oh, please include me thanks

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

Patsy said...

I love all of Vannetta's books! She is such a talented author. Amish fiction is probably my favorite reading.

from South MS

plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Sarah Rebekah Richmond said...

Enter me!
God Bless!
Sarah
Blanch,N.C.

From Snowflakes To Hotcakes said...

I am a huge fan of Amish fiction and I have been keeping up with Vanetta on Amish Living. This new story sounds great! I'd love to read this book:-) Laurel in GA

Sharon Richmond said...

Enter me this book looks great!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.

Unknown said...

Thanks for the great Interview, i would love to win this Book, it sound so good. Please add me.

I live in S.Illinois

ingrids62448(at0yahoo(dot)com

Linda Kish said...

I would love to read this book.

California

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Abigail Mitchell said...

I Love Mrs. Chapman's books! Please enter me! Thanks!

Blanch, N.C.

Melody said...

Looking forward to reading a different author's view of Amish.

Donna, TX

Jo said...

I would love to read this book. Thank you for the opportunity. I love reading Amish books.

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

Vannetta Chapman said...

I want to thank everyone for entering. Usually I try to answer every comment - but we've had a tought week at our home. My father-in-law stepped into heaven today. Thank you for your prayers for my husband's family, and thank you for visiting the blog.

Diana Gardner said...

Please enterme in the drawing. Thanks! Portsmouth, VA

Sparks of Ember said...

What a heartbreaking first page. So good to know our God believes in second chances!

I'm from the Black Hills of SD!