A WEDDING FOR JULIA - Vannetta Chapman - One Free Book

Welcome back, Vannetta. What are some of the spiritual themes you like to write about?

The joy of friendship, and how that is such a gift from the Lord. Also, God's grace, how it is infinite and it will cover all things.

What other books of yours are coming out soon?

The Christmas Quilt will release in October ... this is part of the Quilts of Love series. It is also a sequel to A Simple Amish Christmas.

If you could spend an evening with one contemporary person (not a family member of yours), who would it be and why?

Maybe Janette Oak.  I grew up reading all of her works, and remember how enthralled I was with Love Comes Softly. I was fortunate to be in the room at the ACFW conference a few years ago when she was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award. I'd love to sit down with a cup of tea with her.

I loved seeing here there. I was in a picture with her and two other women. What historical person would you like to meet (besides Jesus) and why?

Mother Teresa has always been someone who fascinated me. I'd love to spend some time working beside her and gaining her perspective.

How can you encourage authors who have been receiving only rejections from publishers?

By telling them my story. I had hundreds upon hundreds of rejections. I didn't sell until I'd finished my 9th manuscript. And now I'm writing for 3 very big publishers. Things happen in God's time, not in my time – and that's certainly a good thing.

Tell us about the featured book.

The idea for A Wedding for Julia was born in a Bible study group. I had the awesome experience of participating in a Bible study entitled, The Bible in 90 Days. It was during that study that I came across Genesis 24:67. “Isaac brought Rebekah into his mother Sarah’s tent, and she became his wife. He loved her deeply, and she was a special comfort to him after the death of his mother.” I couldn't let go of that image of God providing a lifelong love for Isaac before he had even met the woman. And Isaac, he trusted God and married Rebekah. What a wonderful God we serve. Julia's story began there, in the pages of Genesis. I hope it is one that brings readers hope, inspiration, and a touch of God's grace.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Pebble Creek, Wisconsin

March

Julia Beechy stood next to the open grave and prayed the wind would stop howling for one moment. Next to her, she could feel her mother trembling. Ada Beechy had turned seventy-eight the previous week, two days before Julia’s father had passed. It would have been perfectly acceptable for her mother to sit, especially in light of the mist, the cold, and the wind.

Ada Beechy had no intention of sitting.

But Julia did shuffle one step closer to her mother, so that their sleeves were touching, as the bishop began to read the words to the hymn Ada had requested—“Where the Roses Never Fade.” Ada had stared out the window of their kitchen, her attention completely focused on the rosebushes, which had yet to bud, while members from their church sat beside Jonathan’s body in the next room. She’d gazed at the bushes and made her request.

Bishop Atlee had nodded, ran his fingers through his beard, and said, “Of course.”

Julia tried to focus on the bishop’s words as the men—the pallbearers—covered the plain coffin with dirt. How many shovelfuls would it take? Would Bishop Atlee have to read the hymn twice? Why was she worrying about such things?

David King stepped back, and Julia realized they were finished. Bishop Atlee bowed his head, signaling it was time for them to silently pray the words from the passage in Matthew, chapter six, verses nine through thirteen—their Lord’s prayer. Julia’s mind formed the words, but her heart remained numb.

“Amen,” Bishop Atlee said, in a voice as gentle as her mother’s hand on her arm.

The large crowd began to move. Words of comfort flowed over and around her. There had been a steady coming and going of people through the house to view her father’s body for the entire three days. Julia had become used to her privacy as she cared for her parents alone. The large amounts of food and the people had surprised her. Some of them she saw at church, but others came from neighboring districts. Those she barely knew.

She and Ada turned to go, for their buggy was marked with a number one on the side. The white chalk against the black buggy caused Julia’s heart to twist. They had led the procession to the cemetery. They would lead the gathering of friends away from the graveside.

But Julia realized she wasn’t ready to leave.

She pulled back, needing to look one more time. Needing to swipe at her tears so she could read the words clearly.

Jonathan Beechy

11-3-1928

3-6-2012

83 years, 4 months, 3 days

Now she and her mother were alone.

How can readers find you on the Internet?

webpage-- www.vannettachapman.com   

facebook -- www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks

twitter -- @VannettaChapman          

pinterest – www.pinterest.com/vannettachapman

Thank you, Vannetta, for sharing this new book with us and the way you found the story.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
A Wedding for Julia - Christianbook.com
A Wedding for Julia (The Pebble Creek Amish Series) - Amazon.com

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