"The Amish Christmas Matchmaker" by Vannetta Chapman ... and a GIVEAWAY! (JustReads blog tour)

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Amish Christmas Matchmaker by Vannetta Chapman, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

ABOUT THE BOOK

 

Title: The Amish Christmas Matchmaker  

Series: Indiana Amish Brides #4  

Author: Vannetta Chapman  

Publisher: Love Inspired 

Release Date: September 1, 2019  

Genre: Inspirational Amish Fiction

She’ll find him a wife for Christmas…

Which of these Indiana Amish Brides is next?

With her wedding business thriving, Annie Kauffmann could never leave her beloved Amish community.

So when handsome Amish cowboy Levi Lapp tries to convince her father to move the family to Texas, she must put a stop to it.

If Annie finds Levi a wife, he might forget his dream of moving…but can she keep from falling for him herself?

PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Christianbook

EXCERPT

Annie stepped into the coolness of the house. Though it was September, the temperatures had remained warm, and the cool living room was a relief after her bike ride from town. Her father and Levi Lapp were in the kitchen, which would work perfectly. She straightened her apron, made sure her kapp wasn’t askew and walked into the kitchen as if she had no idea she was interrupting.

She aimed for a casual stride but stumbled when she spied the man in a cowboy hat. A cowboy hat? She shook her head as if that would clear up what she was seeing.

“Annie. I’m glad you’re home. I want you to meet Levi…Levi Lapp.”

“Hello.”

Levi tipped the cowboy hat, revealing blond hair that curled at his collar. “Howdy, ma’am.”

Howdy, ma’am?

Had she fallen asleep and landed in a Western? “I’m Annie.”

“It’s nice to meet you.”

“And you, as well. I was just fetching two glasses of lemonade. Don’t let me interrupt…”

“Levi’s from Pennsylvania—the Lancaster Plain community.”

“Ya? I imagine it’s cooler there.” She didn’t care about the weather in Pennsylvania, but she couldn’t exactly ask about the hat.

“It was cooler when I left. Now Texas, where I plan to go, it’s still much warmer. They have days in the 80s right through November.”

“Texas?” Annie had pulled two glasses from the cabinet. At the mention of Texas she turned toward Levi, holding the glasses and trying to remember what she was going to do with them.

He wasn’t ugly exactly, only odd looking because of the hat. He seemed to be tall and on the thin side, had a healthy tan and broad shoulders. His blue eyes twinkled as if he understood her confusion and was enjoying it.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

 

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She is the author of over twenty novels, including the Pebble Creek Amish series, Shipshewana Amish Mystery Series, and Plain and Simple Miracle series. Vannetta is a Carol award winner, a Christy finalist, and she also received more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She currently writes Christian suspense, Amish romance, and Amish mystery. She was a teacher for 15 years and resides in the Texas hill country.

CONNECT WITH VANNETTA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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GIVEAWAY

(1) winner will receive a copy of The Amish Christmas Matchmaker (print or digital), a quilted Amish mug mat, a woven Amish mug mat, and $10 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on these tours for more chances to win. Full tour schedule on this tour shown below. Giveaway begins at midnight September 9, 2019 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 16, 2019. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Due to shipping cost, only US mailing addresses valid. 

For our giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!

 

*NOTE: This post contains affiliate links.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Enjoyed That Are Outside My Comfort Zone

Happy Tuesday! Today's Top Ten Tuesday link-up theme is Books I Enjoyed That Are Outside My Comfort Zone. I do tend to stick to some familiar (and favorite) genres, but on occasion, I step outside that box ... and I am often pleasantly surprised. That was the case with the books on today's list. If you click on the book titles, you can read the book blurbs as posted on Goodreads.

So, here we go, in no particular order...

Synapse by Steven James

4/5 stars

I've never read a book about AI (Artificial Intelligence), and I wasn't sure what to think of it. The story was quite engaging and full of action, as the book is full of conspiracies, as well as a terrorist attack. The suspense keeps the reader guessing.

The Delusion by Laura Gallier

4/5 stars

I came across the second book while looking at upcoming releases, and I could tell that it was best to read the books in order. I'm currently reading the second book in the series, but it's just as engaging as the first one. The first book gives the reader an inside look at the good and evil that surrounds us daily ... though many people are blind to it.

King's Shadow by Angela Hunt

3.5/5 stars

I've only read a few books similar to this (biblical fiction), and they've been hit or miss for me. However, Hunt does a fabulous job with her beautifully detailed scenes, which brings the characters to life.

Asylum 54.0 by Nadege Richards

4.5/5 stars

I met this author a few years ago at an event, and the cover caught my eye. I was leery about the book based on the description. But, when the author compared it to X-Men meets Divergent, she convinced me to give it a try ... and I'm glad. I read this book (which is over 400 pages long) in less than a day. I have the second book in the series, and I look forward to reading it soon.

Hideous Beauty by Jack Cavanaugh

4/5 stars

This book was quite different from my typical reads, but I received a complimentary copy of it, so I decided to give it a try, as I had nothing to lose. The action starts early on and really pulled me in. It's labeled as part of a series, though it did have a satisfying conclusion. I'll be keeping an eye out for a sequel.

Mark of the Raven (Ravenwood Saga) by Morgan L. Busse

4/5 stars

I've heard of this author for a few years, but I've never read her books. I had a chance to review this book for publication, so I took a chance on it. Since reading the first one, I've read the second in the series, and I'm anxiously awaiting the conclusion to the series. 

The Remnant Series by Vannetta Chapman

4/5 stars

I've read and enjoyed a number of books by Chapman, but they've primarily been Amish-themed novels. This series was quite different, but I know she's a great storyteller, so I decided to give the series a try. The books are quite intense and are about a subject I was largely unfamiliar with (solar flares). I found I really liked enjoyed the dystopian nature of this series.

Of Fire and Lions by Mesu Andrews

4/5 stars

This is another example of biblical fiction, in this case, a retelling of the story of Daniel. I've heard great things about Andrews, but I've been leery to try any of the books, as I'd feared they'd be dry and boring or difficult to follow and stay engaged. Thankfully, I was wrong. The characters and situations were still quite relevant to today's readers.

Tainted by Morgan L. Busse

4/5 stars

This is the first book in "The Soul Chronicles" series, and I've read both books ... and I loved them! I'd never read any steampunk books, but I'd enjoyed Busse's other series (Ravenwood Saga). Plus, I met her at an author signing, and the books looked interesting, so I picked them up. And I was right about them! I've since read a few other steampunk books by other authors, and I've enjoyed them, too.

The United Trilogy by Jaci Wheeler

4/5 stars

This is a dystopian series that I decided to try after meeting the author at a book signing. I enjoyed the realistic characters and the story line, which, like with many dystopian books, is of the "this could really happen" nature. 

So, what are some books you've enjoyed that were outside your comfort zone?

"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...

https://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-review/raging-storm

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.

LINKS
http://vannettachapman.com
https://twitter.com/VannettaChapman
https://www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks
https://www.instagram.com/vannettachapman/


Purchase links for Raging Storm
Amazon http://buff.ly/2ew2e5E
B&N http://bit.ly/2jmAB69
CBD http://bit.ly/2jmGX5n

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"Sarah's Orphans" by Vannetta Chapman ... and a GIVEAWAY!

In celebration of her latest release, Vannetta has graciously offered to give away a hard copy of the book (US Only). To enter, see the Rafflecopter box at the bottom of this post. (Contest ends September 30, 2016.) If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you and pass on your information. Good luck!

Q & A with Vannetta...

Q:   What inspired you to write this?

 A:   One of the things I like to do in Amish fiction is show that Amish families and communities deal with many of the same issues that the rest of us do—whether it’s mental illness, addiction, or handicaps. The way they live their life is certainly different. It’s plain. It’s simple. But life is rarely plain and simple, and so I created the character of Sarah who has suffered with an eating disorder for years. We first meet her in Joshua’s Mission, and then in Sarah’s Orphans she becomes a major character. We learn that her eating disorder was her way of coping with a difficult home life. And we’re able to see how God uses her in spite of the struggles that she’s faced.

Q:   I loved Sarah! Such an inspiring character. What can you tell me about your next project?

A:   I’m currently working on edits for What the Bishop Saw, a new Amish mystery series. Henry Lapp is 64 years old and the bishop for a relatively new Amish community in the San Louis Valley of Colorado. Henry is also an accidental savant. He suffered a brain injury as a child, and the result is an uncanny ability to draw anything he has seen. It’s not quite a photographic memory, but it’s pretty close. And that sort of talent can come in very handy in a murder investigation, especially when the person killed was one of their own. It’s a story about gifts, God’s grace, and learning to trust that God has a plan for our life.

Q:   That sounds good. I can't wait to read it. What is something about you, or your writing process, which would surprise your readers?

 A:   I write my story out of order. By that I mean that I write the beginning, maybe 1/3 of the book. Then I stop and write the ending. I envision the most perfect, satisfying ending that will cause a reader to sigh and close the book with a smile on their lips. After I’m done with the ending, I go back and write the middle. I’ve done this for all 17 of my releases, and it’s a very good process for me, though it’s probably not the “normal” way to write a book.

That's interesting. It obviously works well for you! Thanks for giving my readers the chance to get to know you a bit better.

My review...

Sarah Yoder never imagined she would be in charge of her household, caring for her four younger siblings and trying to save the family farm from foreclosure. An encounter with a young Hispanic boy and his sister puts even more on her plate, but it also leaves her with a sense of peace about her purpose.

Paul Byler is new in town. He is there to help his brother after a heart attack. Paul buys the property next to the Yoder family, and he soon discovers that God has plans for his life beyond what he had envisioned.

This is the third installment in Chapman’s “Plain and Simple Miracles” series, though it could be read as a standalone. This is a heartwarming tale full of delightful characters which will tug at the reader’s heartstrings. The importance of family and community is highlighted, and the faith elements are smoothly integrated. Difficult topics, such as bipolar disorder, depression, and anorexia, are skillfully addressed. The story also highlights the important need for foster families in today’s society. This book may leave the reader looking for miracles in their daily lives. While there is some predictability, it is definitely not your average Amish tale.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon link for purchase...

http://amzn.to/2d328Xz

About Vannetta...

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She has published more than 100 articles in Christian family magazines, receiving more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather's birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania. Her novel Falling to Pieces was a 2012 ACFW Carol Award finalist. A Promise for Miriam earned a spot on the June 2012 Christian Retailing Top 10 Fiction list. Chapman was a teacher for 15 years and currently writes full time. She lives in the Texas Hill country with her husband.

Where to find her online...

http://vannettachapman.com

https://twitter.com/VannettaChapman

https://www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks

http://pinterest.com/vannettachapman/

https://instagram.com/vannettachapman/

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"Deep Shadows" 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, see the Rafflecopter box at the bottom of this post. (Contest ends August 12, 2016.) If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you and pass on your information. Good luck!

A Word from Vannetta...

My editor at Harvest House asked me if I could write anything I wanted, what would it be? I’ve always loved the dystopian/survivalist genre, and I’m a news junkie. I’d recently come across a news article about NASA scientists warning Congress about the possibility of a massive solar event. That was all it took to spur my imagination on, and Deep Shadows was born.

Q & A with Vannetta...

Q:  What would you be doing if you were not an author?

A:  I adore teaching. If I could do both things at once, I would! So yes, I’d return to teaching in some capacity.

Q:  I used to be a teacher, and I really enjoyed it, too! What are your thoughts on publishing/self-publishing?

A:  I think publishing in general is a difficult thing, as it has always been. There’s a lot of criticism and rejection and hard work involved! That said, writing is a job I absolutely adore, and it is a passion as well as an occupation. As far as self-publishing, I think it’s a valid means of getting your work in front of readers.

Q:  What advice do you have for new writers?

A:  Keep writing. The 9^th book I wrote was the 1^st book published.

Q:  What are three books in your TBR (to-be-read) pile? 

A:  Charles Martin, The Mountain Between Us

      C.J. Box, Off the Grid

      Deb Raney, Finally Home

 Q:  Those sound good! I think my TBR pile will soon be a bit larger :)  What are three things about you that would surprise your readers?

A:  I have a phobia about driving over tall, tall bridges.

      I don’t eat most white foods.

      I love hiking, gardening, and playing the piano.

Back cover blurb...

All It Takes Is One Night

to Plunge the World into Darkness

Life in Abney, Texas, is predictable and safe—until the night a massive solar flare wipes out all modern technology.

Shelby Sparks, novelist and single mom, had one goal: to provide for her diabetic son. In the wake of this global disaster, her mission hasn't changed. Only now, medication is a priceless commodity and the future resembles an apocalyptic nightmare.

Max Berkman and Shelby were once sweethearts, but he lost his chance at claiming her love years ago. When the abrupt loss of power ushers him into a leadership role, he rises to the occasion. But his highest priority—to keep Shelby and her son safe—could prove to be the biggest challenge of all.

As the brilliant northern lights give way to deep shadows, Max and Shelby's faith will be tested like never before. Only one rule remains: Find a way to survive.

In this first book in an eerily plausible dystopian series, a memorable cast of characters must navigate a familiar world thrown into chaos.

I rated this story 4/5 stars in the August 2016 issue of RT Bookreviews Magazine.

Amazon link for purchase...

http://amzn.to/2auvZ9e

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. 

Readers can find Vannetta online at:

http://vannettachapman.com

https://twitter.com/VannettaChapman

https://www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks

https://www.instagram.com/vannettachapman/

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"Joshua's Mission" by Vannetta Chapman ... and a GIVEAWAY!

In celebration of her latest release, Vannetta has graciously offered to give away a hard copy of the book (US Only). To enter, see the Rafflecopter box at the bottom of this post. (Contest ends January 29, 2016.) If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you and pass on your information. Good luck!

A Word from Vannetta...

Joshua’s Mission - The story behind the story

 Thank you for allowing me to visit your blog today. I’m very excited about the release of Joshua’s Mission (2-1-16), which is book 2 in my "Plain & Simple Miracles" series. I’d like to share with you the “story behind the story,” or what inspired me to write this book.

Cornerstones of our faith. My husband is probably my biggest critic—which is a good thing. He keeps me on my toes, professionally speaking. He’s also very supportive in every way. One night we were talking about an upcoming proposal that was due to my publisher, and he challenged me to think of a deeper plot line—something that would touch on the cornerstones of our faith. Wow! That sent me back to the drawing board. I started wondering what makes us, as Christians, different from everyone else. Certainly our faith in Christ. But how do we show that? The answer I came up with was …

1.      We believe in miracles. I did a poll on my Facebook page. We had an outstanding response and the vast majority (close to 98%) said they do believe in miracles—not that they always happen when we pray for one, but that God does still intercede in the lives of believers. That idea gave birth to Anna’s Healing, book 1 in this series.

2.      We participate in missions. As believers, sometimes we send donations, sometimes we pray, and sometimes we actually go and participate in missions. We don’t do this for an award or because our photo might end up in the paper. We do it because God told us “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in.” He told us that when we do this to the least of those around us, we do this to Him. This commandment to care for others led me to write Joshua’s Mission, book 2 in this series.

3.      We care for orphans. We’re also commanded to “look after orphans and widows in their distress.” In our society, it’s sometimes easy to overlook those in need and to assume that some governmental agency will take care of them. Sarah’s Orphans, book 3 in this series, addresses the plight of the orphans in our day and age and how we can make a difference in their lives. This book releases in December of this year.

There are certainly other ways that we live out our faith. Miracles, missions, and orphans are three that stood out to me, and they certainly inspired me to write the three books in the “Plain & Simple Miracles” series. I hope that you will pick up a copy of Joshua’s Mission and learn about the wonderful work that churches are doing across our nation and abroad to help those in need.

Now it’s your turn. What do you consider to be a cornerstone of our faith? And would you like to see a book written about it? Or would you like to write one yourself? I’d love to hear from you.

My Review...

 Englishcher, and widower, Charlie Everman loves his community of Port Aransas, TX. He wants to help his friends, who are trying to recover from Hurricane Orion. They will be working side-by-side with volunteers from the Mennonite Disaster Services, which is where he meets Joshua and Alton Kline and Becca Troyer. They live in an Amish community in Oklahoma and volunteer for this mission trip project. Alton has been in trouble during his rumspringa, and Joshua fears he may be considering leaving their Amish community. Joshua’s parents and the Bishop hope the trip will be beneficial for Alton. Becca has been restless and her parents are concerned that she is still single. Joshua is thrilled to have Becca, the bishop’s granddaughter, on the trip, as he hopes to get to know her better. Joshua is uncertain as to whether or not he is being called to minister to the displaced people in Texas or his brother. Becca believes that God is using this opportunity to direct their paths as they work together to rebuild. Is it possible His plan may involve finding love amid the wreckage?

While Charlie’s storyline dominates at times, the tale is told from three points of view: Charlie, a 65-year-old Englischer; Joshua, a 27-year-old Amish man; and Becca, a 20-year-old Amish woman. This book is second in Chapman’s “Plain and Simple Miracles” series, but it can be read as a standalone. It is a fresh take (location, characters, and topics addressed) on what can sometimes be a cookie-cutter genre. The characters are believable and deal with a number of real-life issues, including loss, pain, eating disorders, substance abuse, and forgiveness. They demonstrate that these issues are not unique to the Englisch world. Chapman obviously put a lot of effort and time into researching both the Mennonite Disaster Services and hurricanes, which add to the realism in the detailed descriptions of the devastation as well as the rebuilding process.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

Amazon link for purchase…

http://www.amazon.com/Joshuas-Mission-Plain-Simple-Miracles-ebook/dp/B018676F02/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452524683&sr=1-1&keywords=joshua%27s+mission

About Vannetta...

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She has published more than 100 articles in Christian family magazines, receiving more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather's birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania. Her novel Falling to Pieces was a 2012 ACFW Carol Award finalist. A Promise for Miriam earned a spot on the June 2012 Christian Retailing Top 10 Fiction list. Chapman was a teacher for 15 years and currently writes full time. She lives in the Texas Hill country with her husband.

Where to find her online...

http://vannettachapman.com

https://twitter.com/VannettaChapman

https://www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks

http://pinterest.com/vannettachapman/

https://instagram.com/vannettachapman/

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