May 1 Contest

Reader Contest, May 1

Time to resume our regular Tuesday give-aways. I’ve been saving up gifts, so I’m ready! While I was signing books at our Art Festival last weekend, I met a woman who was selling Fabric Postcard Kits. Have you heard of them? The picture to the right is one she finished. Cute, right? Talk about a QUICK quilting project and adorable. You can google it, but here’s one site I found that explains how.  

Today I’m giving away a

• Fabric Postcard Kit
• Autographed copy of A Simple Amish Christmas
• 2 Bookmarks

In order to enter this contest, you need to leave a comment below on this blog. And remember,  you have the opportunity to enter the contest more than once. We’ll make it real easy this week.

• Share this contest on Facebook by posting a link
• Or click on this link for my current release, A Perfect Square, and click the LIKE button next to the title. If you’re here, then maybe you do like my writing! : ) If you’re already LIKED this title, you can click on my name at AMAZON and LIKE another book.

If you choose to do either of the tasks listed above, please leave more than one comment below and tell me which task you completed.

I’ll draw a name and post the winner before 6 p.m. on THURSDAY, May 3rd. I will contact you please include your email address with your post. If I don’t hear back from you in 24 hours, I’ll choose a different winner, so please do check your email. (Or sign up to receive these posts by email so you don’t miss them!)

I hope you enjoy my Tuesday contests, because I love sharing Amish and quilting things with you.

Hugs,

Vannetta

Bill Coleman

Monday Inspiration–Bill Coleman

Since I write Amish fiction, it seems natural that I would cross paths with Bill Coleman. He’s a wonderful artist and a very nice man. We’ve communicated a little on facebook, and I love looking at his website. A few months ago I ordered the picture to the right, but I did something wrong when I was processing my order. So I picked up the phone!

Who answered? Bill’s son, Noah. He was as nice as could be. He also fixed my order right up. Nice people.

More recently, I downloaded Bill’s free desktop calendar to my computer and shared it with my Facebook friends. Someone asked, “How is he able to take pictures of the Amish?” Was I ever surprised when BILL answered back!

Thank you Vannetta. I wanted to answer some questions raised about the photographs. The community that I’ve documented over the last forty years is composed of 200+ Amish families. Like many cultures, the Amish are varied in how they go about their lives. Some have granted permission while others have requested that I not photograph. Some families are very casual and appreciate seeing their photos, some do not. Each bishop/church has their own unique viewpoints and further, each family has their own as well. To be sure, they are not a monolithic culture of rules and I think that this is a contributing factor to their longevity over these last 200 years. I’d be glad to answer any other questions anyone might have. Thank you for letting me share my life’s work.

I’m grateful that we have Bill’s insights into the Amish world, and I’m also thankful that he uses his talents in a way that glorifies the Lord. He has been a real inspiration to me.

Blessings to you throughout this week.

~V

 

Adalyn Landt

Amish Character Spotlight–Adalyn Landt

You’ve requested that I keep going with characters from my Amish mystery series. So we’ll keep going! Falling to Pieces and A Perfect Square couldn’t happen without a good lawyer–and that would be Adalyn. I had a reader write me and say “Wonderful! I guess you love Harry’s Law.” I’d never seen the television show before, but I watch it now … and I can see why I received that letter. : ) 

Name: Adalyn

Age: nearing 50

Physical description: 5’7″, on the heavy side, gray hair pulled back

Personality traits: she likes a battle–especially a legal one. She’s fond of Louis Vuitton, that’s a detail you’ll understand better after you read A Perfect Square. She also likes pie!

Background: Adalyn has been an “advocate” for the Amish for several years. They often won’t stand up for themselves in court, so she stands up for them.

Shipshewana Connection: Well respected by Amish and Englisch alike–though Shane isn’t sure how he feels about her.

Media Connection: Kathy Bates from Harry’s Law DOES fit Adalyn in many way–she’s dedicated to the people she represents.

These stories NEED someone like Adalyn. When I started writing, I didn’t have her in mind, but the storyline required her, and she appeared. I think God provides people in our lives like Harry, people who will stand up for us, people who can help us navigate through difficult waters. I hope you enjoy reading her part in these books.

Have a blessed weekend.

V~

p.s. – The Facebook contest is over, but I’ll return to my regularly scheduled Tuesday give-aways this week! Be sure to check back or sign up to receive my blog in your email box.

The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club

Fiction Spotlight - The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club

I have to admit, I’m intrigued by Wanda Brunstetter’s newest release. It’s selling like crazy and the description is so catchy:

Join the club of unlikely quilters who show up for Amish widow Emma Yoder’s quilting classes. A troubled young woman, a struggling couple, a widower, a rough and tough biker, and a preacher s wife make up the mismatched lot. But as their problems begin to bind them together like the scraps of fabric stitched together in a quilt, they learn to open up and lend a helping hand. Is this what God had in mind to heal hurting hearts and create beauty from fragments?

 

 

What a great story idea! I’m going to give this one a try. If anyone has read it already, please leave a comment. I’d love to know what you think.

 

Blessings,

 

~V

 

p.s. – We’re giving away that Kindle Fire on Friday. Remember, if you don’t feel “creative” you can leave your name and you’re still entered. Click on the Facebook tab, and then go to my contest link. Thanks for entering!

 

Luke

Monday Inspiration – Luke

I’ve been reading through the Bible in 90 Days. It’s a wonderful program. We’re on day 73, and it’s been quite the journey. After travelling through the Old Testament, through the minor prophets and into the New Testament — the book of Luke is a joy!

Recently we were camping in Bandera, TX and the campsite had a lovely walking trail and this gazebo (dedicated in memory of the owner’s daughter). It was a perfect spot to rest and read. The words I read from Luke today included

Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. (Luke 6:37-38)

If it’s been a while since you’ve opened the Good Book to Luke’s gospel, I encourage you to do so. He writes simply, but with real heart. His words are encouraging. They’re inspiring, and today they gave exactly the perspective I needed for my day.

Blessings,

V

Max

Amish Character Spotlight–Max

Speaking of characters in A Perfect Square, we have to talk about Max! When Callie first arrived in Shipshe, she inherited a quilt shop from her Aunt Daisy. She also inherited Max!

Falling to Pieces and A Perfect Square follow the growth of Callie. She changes because of the friendships in her life, but that all seems to begin with Max. She certainly didn’t want a dog, and she wasn’t the ideal pet owner! But maybe she needed a dog. Maybe she needed that lump of warmth at a time when she didn’t know how to reach out to people.

Name: Max

Age: unknown

Breed: labrador

Physical description: 65 pounds, male, golden

Personality traits: extremely loyal. Patient. Still has a puppy attitude, especially toward squirrels. Protective toward Callie. 

Background: Belonged to Daisy, Callie’s aunt.  

Shipshewana Connection: Folks in Shipshe make allowances for Max–he’s often allowed into stores, etc. and he’s sometimes featured on the front page of the paper.

Media Connection: I’ve found a few pictures of yellow labs. None of them quite match up to the Max in my mind, the dog I write about. I do have something I’m going to give away in a few weeks that I think you all might enjoy. : )

I’ve wanted a dog for years. Right now we only have GRAND-dogs, and we have cats (and deer). I think pets are important in our lives, an important gift from God to comfort the places in our hearts that need a little extra care. How do you feel about pets? And do you have any opinion about Max?

Have a blessed weekend.

V~

p.s. – My Facebook contest to give away a Kindle Fire is in its LAST WEEK. Remember, you can enter your name EACH week, but you have to enter through my facebook page. For details, click here.

ACFW – Part 2 of April Releases

Fiction Spotlight – ACFW, Part 2 of April Releases

I owe you the rest of April’s releases from American Christian Fiction Writers. Remember, if something looks good, you can find out more at ACFW, your local bookstore, or by contacting your local library.

The Chase by DiAnn Mills — To FBI Special Agent Tigo Harris, it’s a cold case, but to writer Kariss Walker it’s a story that she has to write despite the danger. (Romantic Suspense from Zondervan).

A Wedding Transpires on Mackinac Island by Cara Putman — Mackinac Island is accessible only by ferry or small plane. Its laid back pace, sans cars, is the perfect place to recover from hurt—unless the injury occurred there. As Alanna Stone tries to reconcile past to present she discovers her future lies in learning to listen to God. (Romantic Mystery from Barbour).

Brush of Angel’s Wing by Ruth Reid — Rachel and Jordan’s feelings for each other are hostile at first, but angelic intervention helps the two discover peace . . . and perhaps love. (Contemporary Romance from Thomas Nelson).

The Quakers of New Garden byJennifer Hudson Taylor, Claire Sanders, Anne E. Shrock, Sussette Williams — Four Quaker women face challenges of the heart. Ruth hesitates to give her bridegroom a third chance at love. Underground Railroad worker Deborah meets a bounty hunter. Leah tries to turn a marriage of convenience into a marriage of love. Christian Jaidon falls for Quaker Catherine. Will love endure in their hearts and lives? (Historical Romance from Barbour).

The Discovery by Dan Walsh — The Discovery is a richly woven novel filled with romance, suspense and intrigue that explores the incredible sacrifices that must be made to forge the love of a lifetime. (Historical from Revell).

Need You Now by Beth Wiseman — Experience a family’s triumphant defeat over lies, betrayal, and loss while still clinging to the One who matters most. (Women’s Fiction from Thomas Nelson).

Her Family Wish by Betsy St. Amant — Taking pictures of other people’s happiest moments is the perfect job for Hannah Hart. Secretly fearing that she won’t ever have a family of her own, Hannah prefers to hide behind the camera. Until she meets assistant principal Jude Bradley, whose twelve-year-old daughter instantly bonds with Hannah. Jude might just be the man to give Hannah a reason to smile-if he can let go of the past. The more Hannah and Jude discover they have in common, the more Hannah wonders if there’s a family in her future after all…. (Contemporary Romance from Love Inspired).

V~

ps – We are nearing the end of our Kindle give-away. It will be pre-loaded with all of Amy Clipston’s Amish fiction as well as the books in my Shipshewana series, so go to this link and leave your name to be entered. You can enter each week!