When the Devil Whistles

Wednesday’s Spotlight: When the Devil Whistles

This week’s highlight is Rick Acker’s book, When The Devil Whistles. I’m going to be honest. This is a book I would normally pass over, just based on the title (sorry, Rick). I know that’s awful. The title is just not my cup of tea. But after reading the description, I actually find it quite interesting.

Here’s the blurb from Amazon.

Allie Whitman is a professional whistleblower with a knack for sniffing out fraud in government contracts. Conner Norman is a gifted litigator and together they form Devil to Pay, Inc., a shell corporation that files lawsuits based on Allie s investigations. They soon find themselves fighting potentially fatal battles in and out of the courtroom, going great lengths to protect secrets that could ruin them both.

Now what is even more fascinating about this is Rick’s credentials, which you can read about here. Yup. Rick is a Deputy Attorney General. Cool, right? I learned this firsthand recently at the ACFW conference. Rick led our tour to the Federal District Court building in Indianapolis. It helped to have an expert in our group!

Rick’s book is sure to be  a winner, and I’m adding it to my TO BE READ pile. Just goes to show, you can’t judge a book by its title. Best to get to know the author a bit.

V~

VannettaChapman@gmail.com

Amish Authors

That title can be a bit misleading, because AUTHORS of Amish books aren’t usually AMISH, right? I recently attended the ACFW conference, where Cindy Woodsmall suggested that all the Amish Authors meet up and have a gab-fest. Most of us had not met in person before.

It was a fun group (and no, we did not wear bonnets). Can you picture Beth Wiseman in a bonnet? Of course not. She’s a Texas girl, like myself. We had authors who have many Amish books out –  Gayle Roper, Marta Perry, and Shelley Shepard Gray. And we had authors who have recently contracted Amish books, like Kelly Irvin and Leanna Ellis.  (There were other Amish authors IN the building who couldn’t make it – like Jerry Eicher and Barbara Cameron.)

There was a lot of talent gathered in that room, but more than that there was a sweet, sweet spirit. As I listened to each person describe how they’d come to write stories centered around the Amish community I was struck by how God can use a person and use their gifts in a way that sometimes you’d never imagine.

Take me for example. I’d never met an Amish person 18 months ago–certainly there are no large Amish communities in Texas. Now I count many Amish folk as my friends, and I’ve discovered it’s possible I have Amish ancestors. How could I not have known that? How could that part of my history have been lost? And how is it that my love for writing allowed me to regain something precious that I didn’t even know I was missing?

It’s a God-thing. All of us have parts of our lives that are God-things. Not just writers – – – everyone does.

Sitting in a hotel room in Indianapolis, I discovered I had quite a few friends and that we shared something special – – not just a love for telling stories, but a love for telling AMISH stories. I didn’t know that about myself 18 months ago.

I wonder what God will show me in the next 18 months.

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

Beyond Belief

Wednesday’s Spotlight: Beyond Belief

I wanted to highlight Josh Hamilton’s book today (written with Tim Keown). I was completely humbled and blown away by this book. I was familiar with Josh’s story before I started the book. I lived in Dallas for over 30 years, and I’m an avid Texas Rangers fan.

I was aware that Josh previously had a drug problem. And I knew that he credited his recovery to his family and his faith.

However, I had no idea the depth of his faith. And I am serious, when I say I stand amazed – and humbled. After reading this book, I wish that I could read it with the high school classes that I teach. Although I do read excerpts with them, and I often assign news stories to them (including sports stories – and yes, a Josh Hamilton story), it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to assign them this book. HOWEVER, I can definitely put it on the bookshelf in my room and hope someone will ask to check it out!

The short version – if you’re unfamiliar, is that Josh was given a $3.96 million dollar signing bonus 2 days after graduating high school to play baseball for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Somehow along the way, he fell under the spell of drug addiction, until he was suspended from major league baseball, spent nearly all of his money, and his wife had to have a restraining order issued against him in order to protect their children.

The turning point came when Josh showed up on his grandmother’s doorstep. She took him in, prayed for him (as many people were praying for him), fed him and loved him. Today, as I write this blog, Josh is the #1 hitter in major league baseball. He’s clean, he’s reunited with his family, and he credits it all to God.

“None of this would have been possible without my relationship with Christ. I went through 8 different drug treatment and rehabilitation clinics, but my personal resurrection did not come from a group session or a therapist’s couch. I know the twelve steps by heart, but my healing did not come from a strict adherence to those principles. Instead, my life changed from hopeless to hope-filled when I turned to God and asked for His help.”

Wow. When Josh is asked how his recovery was possible, how he could make a come-back after the abuse he showered on his body, he shrugs and replies “It’s a God-thing.” There simply is no other answer. And the words he repeats over and over are “God first, then my family, then baseball.”

This was one of the most inspirational books I’ve read this year, actually in several years. And this is one young athlete that I’m proud to have my students look up to.

V~

VannettaChapman@gmail.com

Amish and ACFW

What could AMISH and ACFW possibly have to do with each other? I’m so glad you asked!

As you’re reading this, I’m attending my first ACFW Conference. I’ve only been a member of American Christian Fiction Writers for a year, and already it’s hard for me to imagine NOT being a part of this group. With the contract of my first inspirational book (A Simple Amish Christmas, Abingdon books) and then a few weeks later a 3 book contract (Shipshewana Amish Mystery Series) – I was a babe in the woods last winter. I needed help and guidance, and the good people of ACFW were there to provide it.

Now I’m in Indianapolis, finally meeting the people who have guided me for the last 12 months. How great is that? I’m psyched!

I’m also having a pretty cool Amish meeting. Okay, it’s not a meeting with Amish folk. Though Shipshewana is only 3 hours to the north, I won’t have time for that side trip. No, instead I’m talking about an AMISH AUTHOR meeting (squeal). Yup. You heard me correctly.

WHO might I be talking about? Cindy Woodsmall, Barbara Cameron, there are more . . . but I’m just learning who everyone is and what they write! Needless to say, I’m pumped about this. To be able to sit down and talk to the best and most experienced writers in my genre, that’s a wonderful opportunity.

If you’re in the Indie area, most of us will be signing books at one time or other. If you go to the ACFW site and click here, you’ll see the schedule in the middle of the page. We’d love to have you stop by. My time is Sunday morning from 9-9:30, and yes-this is my FIRST book signing. If you can’t make that time, our books will be in the bookstore throughout the conference.

Conferences are good for learning, connecting and mostly meeting friends–here’s to meeting new ones and old ones.

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

Amish Influence

CONFESSION TIME! I began writing Amish fiction just about one year ago.

Since that time, I’ve bought —

• a larger tv (thought the Cowboys were going to go a bit farther in the playoffs last season . . . and our old one was ANCIENT and used when we bought it)
• a new used car (that sounds funny – it’s new to us, and the car I had reached 120,000 miles)
• Sirius radio for one car (we live in the middle of nowhere with quite spotty radio reception)
• a new desktop computer, because I couldn’t feel my right arm anymore. I think that might have been due to the fact that I was typing on a laptop all the time. Hmmm. Anyway, I had written 3 books in less than a year, but the arm thing. Yeah that was a problem, as was the twitch in my eye.
• a Garmin. I’ve scheduled 15 book signings in the next 3 months. Remember the part about my living in the middle of nowhere? Yeah. I’d rather not be lost on my way to those book signings.

So WHY am I telling you this? It seems to me that while I’m immersing myself in Amish culture, part of my brain–and pocketbook–is headed the opposite direction. Why?

One of the things I so adore about the Amish is their simplicity, their focus on the natural things in life. So what is going on? I could open an electronics store in my driveway.

To be fair though, I have started walking more. (No, I don’t carry my Garmin when I walk – but thanks for asking.) I also have started cross-stitching again. And I’ve gone back to making a little time each afternoon to spend in the garden. Perhaps that’s part of the beauty of reading and writing Amish fiction. I don’t know if I can switch my life for theirs. (Though seriously, I’m going to stop buying now. I’m done.) What I do know is that I’m more aware each time I make a choice that is removed from nature. Does that make sense? And I’m intensely aware how I spend my time.

When we read, whatever we read, if we take something away from it – then there’s value in that. I’ve found value in reading and writing about the Amish. Now I need to go outside and work in my garden.

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

Amish Lifestyles

Happy Labor Day weekend. I’ve been looking forward to this one–the school year started back up two weeks ago here in Texas. The first few weeks are usually the toughest. Labor Day comes at a perfect time for teachers (and probably students as well). Which started me wondering if the Amish take Labor Day off.

So I consulted my notes (nothing there). Then I consulted my research  books (nothing there, though this book has been quite handy. Several new friends in Shipshewana–Amish and Englisch–recommended it to me).

I supposed I’ll have to rely on my common sense to answer this question! If you work on a farm, like many of the Amish still do, I imagine your Labor day weekend will be much like any other. My grandparents on my mother’s side were sharecroppers, and they didn’t observe many of the “holidays” we have, mainly because much of the work on a farm simply won’t wait! Of course we didn’t have as many holidays in their day.

Now I live in a small Texas community, and many of my students live on farms/ranches. They will still have the same chores over this 3 day weekend. So I suppose I’ve answered my question – – lots of people will be working, same as I’m writing this blog!

I also learned while in Shipshe that quite a few of the young Amish young men had taken jobs at the RV factories, building custom cabinetry and earning $40/hour. Now they might have Monday off, but if they do, I suspect they’ll be helping around a relative’s farm.

The more I learn about the Amish, the more I find their life resembles mine in many ways. Life is full of work, right? That’s not always a bad thing though. Most of the time, we’re grateful for the work to do – and harvest time is a good time. I certainly hope September in Ohio and Pennsylvania and Indiana finds my Amish freinden well. Looks like we’re going to have an absolutely beautiful fall here in Texas. Temps have officially dropped below 100, and I am thankful to the Lord for that.

Happy Labor Day, ya’ll.

~V

VannettaChapman@gmail.com