Missing

Fiction Spotlight - Missing

I’m just happy as a peach on a tree to highlight Shelley Shepard Gray’s new book, MISSING. Just the cover makes me want to take it to my back patio, cancel all the things on my to-do list, and READ.

Shelley is a NYT and USA Today bestselling author, and she’s also my friend. She’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. And I think you will adore her book. Here’s the blurb.

Can two young people survive the suspicions of their friends and neighbors when tragedy strikes a close-knit Amish community?

Perry Borntrager had been missing for months from the quiet Amish community of Crittenden, Kentucky, when his body is discovered at the bottom of an abandoned well. The first death from mysterious circumstances in more than two decades brings the scrutiny of the outside world: A police detective arrives to help the local sheriff with the investigation. His questioning begins with Lydia Plank, Perry’s former girlfriend, and Perry’s best friend, the Englischer Walker Anderson.

Lydia and Walker know they didn’t have anything to do with Perry’s death, but they both hold secrets about his final days. Do they dare open up about the kind of man Perry had become? In the oppressive shadow of these dark times, they discover strength in a most unlikely companionship: one that offers solace, understanding, and the promise of something more.

I’ve mentioned before, if you can’t afford to purchase all these fabulous books, please request them at your library. This is a GREAT help to authors.  

Blessings,

 

~V

 

Threat of Exposure

Wednesday’s Spotlight:  Threat of Exposure by Lynette Eason—

I have to admit, I’m a fool for books with Texas Rangers. I wonder why! This new book by Lynette Eason sounds like a hoot.

A Thriller/Suspense from Love Inspired. In book 5 of the Texas Ranger Justice series, DEA Brock Martin and Texas Ranger Gisella Hernandez must work together to decipher codes, uncover clues and protect themselves from a killer who doesn’t want his secrets known.

Lynette’s written quite a few books. You can find them on Amazon or you can go to her webpage at www.lynetteeason.com/. You can also see more about the Love Inspired line here.

V~

VannettaChapman@gmail.com

Family

Monday Inspiration: Family

Mondays I like to focus on something that inspires me, and I hope that in some way it inspires you. Sometimes that’s music or a piece of writing. Other times it’s something I’ve seen or heard someone say. Recently I spent a weekend with my family. I don’t do that often enough.

We moved out to the country and most of our family lives several hours away from us. Looking back at the pictures I took, I realized that nothing inspires me quite like family does. So I thought I’d share a few pictures, and then encourage you to spend a few minutes looking through some of your own photographs … or better yet pull out your phone and call up a family member. You might be surprised at how good it will make you feel.

 

 

 

  

V~

VannettaChapman@gmail.com

The Christ (a song for Joseph)

Wednesday’s Spotlight: The Chirst (a Song for Joseph)

Lots of folks are highlighting Christmas books, so I thought I’d do something a bit different and highlight some fav Christmas songs. Music is a muse for me. It inspires me as few things can, and I have it playing nearly constantly. Don’t get me wrong — I’m not against some quiet time. But I ENJOY music.

So I thought I’d begin my December Wednesdays by sharing THE CHRIST, which is new to me, with you. I found it on a collection CD entitled Mary Did You Know, which I purchased because it was playing while I was signing at a Lifeway Bookstore. The music overall is lovely, but Billy Dean’s song is particularly moving.

Here are a few of the lyrics. The words alone can’t do the song justice. You would need to hear the acoustical guitar, Billy’s voice, and the light rhythm of the drum. But I wanted to share the lyrics nonetheless, because they did remind me of why we celebrate –

It was on one frosty morning,

In a town called Bethlehem

You came to us adorning

The redemption for our sin

And in the name of God

You were born that night

To bring eternal life

Jesus The Christ.

You should have seen those kings adore you

They knew your father’s plan

Shepherds bowed before you

They knew you were The Lamb

And in the name of God

You were born that night

To bring eternal life

Jesus The Christ.

And I held you there

While I brushed back my Mary’s hair

And you didn’t cry, at least not as much as her and I

Cause in the name of God

You were born that night

to bring eternal life

Jesus The Christ.

V~

VannettaChapman@gmail.com

Now available on KINDLE

Just a short post to let you know that A Simple Amish Christmas is now available on KINDLE! If you’re familiar with Kindle, you know this means you can download it to your Kindle, iPad or even your PC.

Print copies are being shipped to the distribution center this week, and should arrive by Friday.  Hopefully they will arrive in stores next week.

I’ve said it before, but thank you to everyone who has pre-ordered. The Amazon ranking has been consistently wonderful – - and it’s all because of you. What’s a writer without a reader?

Now if you know anyone with a Kindle, iPad or pc . . . feel free to pass this info along!

V~

VannettaChapman@gmail.com

The Big 5-OH!

Wednesday’s Spotlight: The Big 5-OH!

I wanted to highlight Sandra Bricker’s book this week for a couple of very important reasons. (NOT because I’ll be reaching the big 50 in a few years myself. We’re not even going to talk about that. Nope.)

1) I’m very excited about reading this book, and yes – I just downloaded it to read on my trip to the ACFW Conference.

2) It sounds like such a fun, humorous read. I think we can all use a bit of humor in our lives. In fact, last year I decided to actively seek humor – if there’s a television show I find particularly funny, I dvr it. A cartoon I love? I clip it. And a novel that is highly recommended for its light tone? You can bet I’m going to read it.

3) It’s a free download on Amazon Kindle, but today is the last day! Now Sandra’s book is totally worth the cost; however, I wanted to pass along that Abingdon is offering this great deal. If you don’t have a Kindle, don’t worry. You can download it to your iPad or your pc! Haven’t read a book on your pc before? Give it a try. If nothing else, you can read the first few chapters, decide you love it, THEN order the book!

I plan to read Sandra’s previous release, Always the Baker Never the Bride as well. Reading relaxes me, and even though I’m busy, busy–I always find a few minutes in between things. It’s a bit of a reward for completing tasks or working hard all day. When I can read and laugh, that’s just an extra pleasure.

V~

VannettaChapman@gmail.com

Women of Faith

Wednesday’s Spotlight: Women of Faith Devotional Bible

A Bible is a very personal thing, and I know most people are attached to theirs. This week I wanted to SPOTLIGHT the Women of Faith Devotional Bible, because I very much appreciate mine!

The version I have is extremely “user-friendly” – aren’t all Bibles? – and it has several personal testimony pages sprinkled throughout.

So what nudged me to highlight my BIBLE this week? I’m so glad you asked. I was sitting in Sunday service, and our preacher happened to be teaching on Peter. Acts 2:14. “Then Peter stood up . . .” 

What a testimony! Peter stood up with the Eleven. Yes, THAT Peter. The same guy who walked on water with Jesus, who sat at the Last Super, who defended Jesus, and then denied Him. You remember Peter. But maybe what matters is that in the end “Then Peter stood up.” I was so struck by those four words that I’m not sure I heard another word my pastor said (sorry George).

Normally on Wednesdays I spotlight inspirational books, but it occurred to me that Peter’s story was as inspirational as they come! How much courage did that take? Or did it take any at all? Perhaps it was as natural as walking to the town well for a bucket of water. Perhaps he was so filled with the Spirit of God by that point that he couldn’t stay seated.

“Then Peter stood up.” Now THERE is inspiration, and I found it in my little Women of Faith Bible. Regardless of your version, I’m betting it’s in yours as well.

V~

VannettaChapman@gmail.com

Quilt Gardens

 

I can’t think of two words that are more lovely and more lovely TOGETHER. As the fields around me fade to browns and grays, I look back over my Amish pictures and what jumps out? QUILT GARDENS.

When we were in Shipshewana this summer we were delighted to discover the Quilt Garden Tour. Free, spread across 7 communities in Northern Indiana, and containing over 90,000 blooms, these 17 gardens are a sight to behold. We were able to visit the ones in Shipshewana, Goshen, Middlebury, Nappanee, and Elkhart.

It was a delight to be driving along a county road or through a small town and realize one was only a block away. We’d pull out our garden map and go exploring. And what a treasure we’d find. I thought it was a wonderful way for the Englisch and Amish communities to offer a joint project to visitors. I’ve been told by readers that one of the most loved aspects of Amish stories is quilting. After visiting the Amish communities in Indiana I understand why. I saw quilts in stores, quilts in B&Bs, and quilts in their gardens!

If you do get up to Indiana in the spring or summer, put the quilt tour on your list of things to see. For the rest of us, enduring the last of summer’s heat, I hope you enjoy the pictures.

V~

Vannettachapman@gmail.com

ABA vs CBA

Oh my.

Writer talk. Hmmm. “The talk” is all about ABA (American Bookseller’s Association) and CBA (Christian Bookseller’s Association).  Can you cross over from one list to the other? Can you write for both lists at the same time? Etc. etc.  Insert SIGH from yours truly.

I’m a simple person. I go into a bookstore or a library, and I just want a good read, something that’s clean, not offensive, and that comes from my PLACE (I don’t mean Texas).

I like to read about different settings, different time periods, different situations – - in fact, I like to READ. That’s why I write. ABA or CBA. Sigh.

On my Wednesday’s blog, I like to highlight another author that I’ve been reading or that has won an award recently. This week I’d like to highlight someone who won the Lifetime Achievement Award at the RWA convention last week . . . Debbie Macomber. What an amazing lady.

I had heard Debbie tell her personal testimony before, and it is inspiring. After she received the award on Saturday night, I immediately downloaded “Hannah’s List” on my kindle, and read it on the way home. It’s a sweet, sweet story. I’m not sure if it would be CBA or ABA. I haven’t checked the lists.

I do know that she’s a wonderful person, who writes great stories, that bring hope to a lot of people. I’ll let you decide what category to put it in.

V~

VannettaChapman@gmail.com

Live at the ACFW Conference

Two years ago, I joined Faith, Hope and Love-The Inspirational Outreach Chapter of RWA.

One year ago, I joined ACFW.

Six months ago, I received a call from Barbara Scott of Abingdon Press, requesting my book A Simple Amish Christmas. Less than two weeks later, I received a call from Sue Brower asking me to write a series we titled Shipshewana Amish Mystery Series.

Now I have a chance to meet all of these people-the members of FHL who encouraged me to keep writing, the authors in ACFW who answered so many questions from a newbie, both of my new editors who have been fantastic to work with, and even my agent (who I’ve only met in person once).

Don’t misunderstand me. I’m looking forward to the workshops, the speakers, the food and fun, even seeing the great city of Indianapolis (I chose the Birch Bayh Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse Tour for Monday morning). What I’m really excited about though . . . is hugging the friends who have prayed for me, thanking the mentors who have helped me, and shaking hands with my new bosses.

ACFW Conference. Why would you want to miss that?

V~

VannettaChapman@gmail.com