Friday, February 3, 2017

"Raging Storm" by Vannetta Chapman ... and a GIVEAWAY!




In celebration of her latest release, Vannetta has graciously offered to give away a copy of the book (US ONLY). To enter, click on the Rafflecopter link at the bottom of this post. (Contest ends February 10, 2016.) If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you and pass on your information. Good luck!



A Word from Vannetta...

Thank you so much for having me on your blog. I’m thrilled to talk to you today about my newest release, Raging Storm. This is the 2nd book in my Remnant series. It’s a story about a world where most technology has been destroyed by a massive solar flare and how a small group of friends from Abney, Texas learn to survive.

I’d like to share with you a few quotes from the story.

“The lights will come on again, folks. I might not live to see it. Some of you will. When they do, you’ll be surprised at how tough you have become. How you don’t need, or even want, that luxury. How you’ve learned to depend on the sweat of your own labor.”

This is one of my favorites, spoken by an older gentleman, and he’s talking to a group of farming neighbors who have gathered together to discuss their situation. I enjoyed this scene immensely. It highlights the wisdom and faith of our oldest generation. These are people that we all could learn a lot from, but we’re usually too busy to stop and listen. Our friends and family who are in the 70s, 80s, and 90s have been through difficult times before. Their wisdom comes from hindsight and from endurance. They have a different perspective because they’ve had to depend on their friends and family and faith. I think the older generation is a blessing from God to each of us, and I hope that we can appreciate that without having to go through what the characters in Raging Storm endure.


Max glanced out over the university buildings, but he didn’t let go of Shelby. He turned her in his arms, so that she was looking out at Austin, but he kept his arms wrapped around her, as if he could protect her from what lay ahead. “When I decided to go to law school, I thought I could change the world.”
He rested his chin on top of her head, breathed in the scent of her. “My dad admired my enthusiasm, but he warned me that the world doesn’t change that way—all at once.”
“Maybe it did, on the night of the flare.”
“Not our doing, though.”
“God’s?”
“Maybe. Or maybe it’s just the way of the physical world. Maybe we forgot that we’re susceptible to the laws of nature.”
“So no changing the world.”
“Not all at once.”
“But we can make a difference?” She pulled his arms more tightly around her until it felt as if they were one person, one force to be reckoned with.
“One person at a time. That’s what my dad told me. The world is changed one person at a time.”


This is definitely one of the themes of the book, that the world is changed one person at a time. It’s a truth that I believe we see in the gospels. How is the love of Christ shared? One person at a time. It’s a truth we see in our daily lives. How to we care for others? One person at a time. And it remains a truth even when the world is in upheaval. It’s not in our power to change everything, but we can reach out to one another. We can make a difference in one person’s life.


She saved Max for last. When she moved to slap his hand, he pulled her into his arms and whispered in her ear. “Carter’s going to be fine, and he’s lucky to have you for his mother.”
She touched his cheek once and started to answer. Changing her mind, she kissed him on the other cheek and whispered “thank you” before pulling away.
Something inside of Max blossomed, something he hadn’t felt in a long time. Certainly not since the flare, and maybe even before that. Maybe it was something he’d smothered well before the sun changed their world.
For the first time in many years, Max experienced hope. That they would get the supplies of medication back to the people who needed them and that Carter would be fine. He caught a glimpse of a future with Shelby, one that was more than friendship. He allowed himself to dream about the next day and the next one after that with Shelby in his arms, by his side, completing his life. And in that moment the thought crossed his mind that just possibly the life they were building could be better than the one they’d left behind.


And there is another theme of the book, that sometimes the things we fear, the things we would never wish for, give us joy that we couldn’t imagine. No one in this story would have wished for a solar flare, to lose all modern conveniences, to be thrown back into the lifestyle of their grandparents. But once these things happen, they find joy. They find hope in the future that God has planned. “The life they were building could be better than the one they’d left behind.” I think this is a truth for each of us, because God’s grace is always sufficient.
My review...
I rated this story 4/5 stars for RT Bookreviews Magazine.


About Vannetta...

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace, including romantic suspense and Amish romance novels. She is the author of seventeen novels, including the Pebble Creek Amish series, The Shipshewana Amish Mystery series and Anna’s Healing, a 2016 Christy Award finalist. Vannetta is a Carol award winner and also received more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups.  She was a teacher for 15 years and currently resides in the Texas hill country. For more information, visit her at www.VannettaChapman.com.

24 comments:

  1. I would like to thing that I would do good without technology, but when I think about not having my computer, or microwave, I start to feel the panic set in. :) Thanks for the giveaway!

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    1. Loraine,

      Our microwave recently died, and then our replacement started acting up. So, I totally understand what you're saying!

      You're very welcome, and good luck!

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    2. Yeah, it's amazing how much we use both of those things. :)

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  2. I probably would not do too well without technology. I think we have become too dependent upon it. We did last for three days without electricity during Superstorm Sandy. That would probably be about my limit. Thanks for the giveaway.
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com

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    1. Maryann,

      I believe you're right about people being too dependent on technology (myself included). Three days would be about my limit, too.

      Good luck, and thanks for stopping by my blog!

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    2. Hi Maryann. Folks who went through a storm like Sandy understand what I'm describing in this book!

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  3. I love the "respect your elders" type theme. It's true that we often neglect the older generation, even though they're our closest connection to history and experience

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    1. Darlene,

      Yes, that's so true, unfortunately. We could learn so much from that generation.

      Good luck!

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    2. Hi Darlene. Yeah, I think there's a vast amount of knowledge that we're going to lose as that generation passes on. It's definitely something we need to treasure.

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  4. Losing part of technology could make some life somewhat less complicated -- but losing it all? Eek! :)

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    1. Cheryl,

      I agree! I could (and probably should) cut back on some, but I don't think I'd fare well with none at all.

      Thanks for visiting my blog, and good luck!

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  5. I am quite spoiled now. Since I grew up without it I would do OK I guess. At least I would after a while.

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    1. Jan,

      I'm quite spoiled, as well. I agree that I could probably do it, but it would certainly be an adjustment.

      Good luck, and thanks for stopping by!

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    2. I think we all would adjust, Jan -- eventually. :)

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  6. I wouldn't know how I would fare without modern technology honestly! I'd certainly miss electricity & internet, but I think my biggest fear would be the basics like clean water, modern bathrooms & access to food. Though I suppose one could learn to grow your own, it would take time to grow it though! And what about if you have to be on medication, that would be scary too!

    I have Vannetta's "Deep Shadows" book and would love to have the next one in the series for my collection! Thank you for the giveaway chance Leslie!

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    Replies
    1. Trixi,

      Good points! Certainly things to consider. The medication issue is actually a key component of Vannetta's books.

      You're very welcome. Good luck!

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    2. Very few people I polled even though about water...which shows how accustomed we've become to city services. Thanks for stopping by, Trixi.

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  7. Leslie, I just popped over to your website per the Rafflecopter and noticed a new picture of you! I really like it and that sweater is very fetching on you :-) I had to come back and comment about it!

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  8. Several years ago our area had a major ice storm and we were without power for almost a week. We had a wood stove to provide heat and I was able to cook on it and heat water but the many conveniences that we were used to were suddenly gone. We did, however, know that power would be restored as soon as humanly possible. Reading the premise of this series is very thought provoking!
    Thanks for your giveaway!
    Connie
    cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Connie,

      Thanks for sharing. Yes, the promise that power will be restored as soon as possible certainly makes it a bit more bearable. And you're correct that this is a thought-provoking series.

      Good luck, and thanks for stopping by!

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    2. Wow, Connie. Your'e really fortunate to have a wooden stove. We'd be outside, building a campfire ring. Thanks for stopping by!

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  9. I'd be lost without technology. I pray I'll never be put to the test!
    Dianna

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    1. Dianna,

      I totally understand!

      Thanks for stopping by, and good luck.

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