Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace.
She has published over one hundred 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 winner for best mystery. All of her books have been Christian Book Distributor bestsellers. She currently writes Amish fiction for Abingdon Press, Zondervan, and Harvest House.
The following is an August 2013 interview with Vannetta.
She has published over one hundred 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 winner for best mystery. All of her books have been Christian Book Distributor bestsellers. She currently writes Amish fiction for Abingdon Press, Zondervan, and Harvest House.
The following is an August 2013 interview with Vannetta.
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Contest runs from 12-18 August NZDT
AT THE END OF THE INTERVIEW
Be in to win a copy of one of Vannetta's novels - winner's choice - one print copy for USA entrants and one digital copy for international entrants.
Contest open to entrants worldwide.
Contest runs from 12-18 August NZDT
Tell us a little about yourself.
My first book was published in 2010 (A Simple Amish Christmas). For 12 years I taught full time as I attempted to get published. Now I write full time, and I'm so grateful that God has allowed that dream to come true.
How did you become a novelist, and did you always want to write?
I began by writing articles for Christian magazines. Soon the novel-bug hit. I didn't get published right away though. The 9th book I wrote was the 1st book published. And no, I didn't always want to write. I've always been an avid reader.
What do you think is significant about Christian fiction?
That it offers hope. It has a different world-view from most secular fiction and because of that we're able to share God's grace and mercy.
My first book was published in 2010 (A Simple Amish Christmas). For 12 years I taught full time as I attempted to get published. Now I write full time, and I'm so grateful that God has allowed that dream to come true.
How did you become a novelist, and did you always want to write?
I began by writing articles for Christian magazines. Soon the novel-bug hit. I didn't get published right away though. The 9th book I wrote was the 1st book published. And no, I didn't always want to write. I've always been an avid reader.
What do you think is significant about Christian fiction?
That it offers hope. It has a different world-view from most secular fiction and because of that we're able to share God's grace and mercy.
How do you hope your readers react to the stories you write?
My desire is that readers will turn the last page and have a renewed sense of hope. If I can remind someone of God's love, grace, and mercy, then I've done my job.
My desire is that readers will turn the last page and have a renewed sense of hope. If I can remind someone of God's love, grace, and mercy, then I've done my job.
What responses to your novels have affected you the most and why?
Certainly when readers write me and tell me how my story has affected their lives, I'm touched. This, more than anything else, keeps me writing. I was probably most affected by a sweet man in our church, who told me that my book was the last thing his wife read before she passed on to heaven's gates. That was probably the first time I realized what a weighty thing this is that we do when we put words into people's hands.
How has being a novelist impacted your relationship with Christ?
I think it's allowed me to trust him more than ever before. Certainly financially but also that He will put on my heart what I need to share.
Certainly when readers write me and tell me how my story has affected their lives, I'm touched. This, more than anything else, keeps me writing. I was probably most affected by a sweet man in our church, who told me that my book was the last thing his wife read before she passed on to heaven's gates. That was probably the first time I realized what a weighty thing this is that we do when we put words into people's hands.
How has being a novelist impacted your relationship with Christ?
I think it's allowed me to trust him more than ever before. Certainly financially but also that He will put on my heart what I need to share.
Other than writing great novels, what other goals do you have for your life?
My number one goal in my life would be to that I'm a pleasing and graceful (as in full of grace) influence on the members of my family.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Hike, travel, knit, crochet, garden, watch movies. I have lots of hobbies!
What can you tell us about your latest novels?
A Wedding for Julia just released. I absolutely adore this book. It's the last in my Pebble Creek series, and can be read as a stand-alone novel if you haven't read the first two (A Promise for Miriam and A Home for Lydia).
My number one goal in my life would be to that I'm a pleasing and graceful (as in full of grace) influence on the members of my family.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Hike, travel, knit, crochet, garden, watch movies. I have lots of hobbies!
What can you tell us about your latest novels?
A Wedding for Julia just released. I absolutely adore this book. It's the last in my Pebble Creek series, and can be read as a stand-alone novel if you haven't read the first two (A Promise for Miriam and A Home for Lydia).
A Wedding for Julia
Just as hope runs out the door, Love Softly Peeks In.
Julia Beechy is so stunned, she can hardly breathe. Her mother’s announcement that she must either marry or move from the family home upon her mother’s imminent death catches Julia by surprise. How can she leave the only home she has ever known? What about her dream of opening her own Plain café?
When Caleb Zook offers support, comfort, and a solution, Julia is afraid to accept it. Can she marry someone she barely knows? Is it the right thing to do? Is this God’s plan for her future?
Caleb thought his time for marrying was long past, but he feels a stirring in his heart he cannot shake for this beautiful, forlorn woman. Amid the circumstances of this life-altering decision, the people of Pebble Creek weather the worst storm to hit Wisconsin in the last hundred years. Where will Julia and Caleb be on the other side of it?
A Wedding for Julia, the third book in a romantic series from popular author Vannetta Chapman, takes a last look at the Amish community of Pebble Creek and the kind, caring people there. As they face challenges from the English world, they come together to reach out to their non-Amish neighbors while still preserving their cherished Plain ways.
Just as hope runs out the door, Love Softly Peeks In.
Julia Beechy is so stunned, she can hardly breathe. Her mother’s announcement that she must either marry or move from the family home upon her mother’s imminent death catches Julia by surprise. How can she leave the only home she has ever known? What about her dream of opening her own Plain café?
When Caleb Zook offers support, comfort, and a solution, Julia is afraid to accept it. Can she marry someone she barely knows? Is it the right thing to do? Is this God’s plan for her future?
Caleb thought his time for marrying was long past, but he feels a stirring in his heart he cannot shake for this beautiful, forlorn woman. Amid the circumstances of this life-altering decision, the people of Pebble Creek weather the worst storm to hit Wisconsin in the last hundred years. Where will Julia and Caleb be on the other side of it?
A Wedding for Julia, the third book in a romantic series from popular author Vannetta Chapman, takes a last look at the Amish community of Pebble Creek and the kind, caring people there. As they face challenges from the English world, they come together to reach out to their non-Amish neighbors while still preserving their cherished Plain ways.
What stories can your fans expect from you in the days ahead?
The Christmas Quilt (sequel to A Simple Amish Christmas) releases in October of this year, and Murder Simply Brewed (my new Amish mystery series) will release in March of 2014.
The Christmas Quilt (sequel to A Simple Amish Christmas) releases in October of this year, and Murder Simply Brewed (my new Amish mystery series) will release in March of 2014.
The Christmas Quilt
Annie's life is deliciously full as the Christmas season approaches. She helps her husband, Samuel, attend to the community's minor medical needs. She occasionally assists Belinda, the local midwife, and most days, she finds herself delivering the buggy to her brother Adam.
Annie’s sister-in-law Leah is due to deliver their first child before Christmas morning, and Annie is determined to finish a crib quilt before the boppli arrives. With six weeks to go, she should have no problem . . . but God may have a different plan.
Leah is rushed to the English hospital when the infant arrives early, and Annie discovers the Christmas quilt may hold a far greater significance than she ever imagined.
Annie's life is deliciously full as the Christmas season approaches. She helps her husband, Samuel, attend to the community's minor medical needs. She occasionally assists Belinda, the local midwife, and most days, she finds herself delivering the buggy to her brother Adam.
Annie’s sister-in-law Leah is due to deliver their first child before Christmas morning, and Annie is determined to finish a crib quilt before the boppli arrives. With six weeks to go, she should have no problem . . . but God may have a different plan.
Leah is rushed to the English hospital when the infant arrives early, and Annie discovers the Christmas quilt may hold a far greater significance than she ever imagined.
Murder Simply Brewed
Spring has arrived in Middlebury, Indiana, and Amber Wright can see profits in sight for her collection of Amish artisan shops---until she receives a call that Ethan Gray is dead. Hurrying over to A Simple Blend, she finds a single hole in the front window and Mr. Gray dead from an apparent heart attack. All the money is still in his register.
Hannah Troyer takes over the shop's duties, and she and Amber become fast friends as well as amateur sleuths. The police believe Gray's death to be a by-product of vandalism, but Amber and Hannah aren't so easily convinced.
Old Testament clues that don't add up, a neighbor who is pulled into the midst of the investigation, a town with secrets to hide, and blossoming romance---all will combine to push Amber and Hannah into unfamiliar roles in order to solve a mystery and bring peace to the Amish community.
Spring has arrived in Middlebury, Indiana, and Amber Wright can see profits in sight for her collection of Amish artisan shops---until she receives a call that Ethan Gray is dead. Hurrying over to A Simple Blend, she finds a single hole in the front window and Mr. Gray dead from an apparent heart attack. All the money is still in his register.
Hannah Troyer takes over the shop's duties, and she and Amber become fast friends as well as amateur sleuths. The police believe Gray's death to be a by-product of vandalism, but Amber and Hannah aren't so easily convinced.
Old Testament clues that don't add up, a neighbor who is pulled into the midst of the investigation, a town with secrets to hide, and blossoming romance---all will combine to push Amber and Hannah into unfamiliar roles in order to solve a mystery and bring peace to the Amish community.
What would you like to say to your fans in New Zealand, and others worldwide?
Thank you for reading my stories. I know it's more difficult to find when you live elsewhere, and I appreciate your faithfulness.
Do you have any parting words?
The best thing you can do for an author is tell a friend that you enjoyed one of our books. Thanks so much for that, and thank you--Soul Inspirationz--for having me.
Thank you for reading my stories. I know it's more difficult to find when you live elsewhere, and I appreciate your faithfulness.
Do you have any parting words?
The best thing you can do for an author is tell a friend that you enjoyed one of our books. Thanks so much for that, and thank you--Soul Inspirationz--for having me.
 | A Promise for Miriam (Pebble Creek Amish Series #1) |
Buy Vannetta's Books at The Book Depository
ENTER THE GIVEAWAY
Be
in to win a copy of one of Vannetta's novels - winner's choice - one
print copy for USA entrants and one digital copy for international
entrants.
Contest open to entrants worldwide.
Contest runs from 12-18 August NZDT
Please comment about the interview or leave a message for Vannetta when making a blog post comment- simply commenting about entering the draw or wanting to win the book do not qualify as valid entries in the draw.
Contest open to entrants worldwide.
Contest runs from 12-18 August NZDT
Please comment about the interview or leave a message for Vannetta when making a blog post comment- simply commenting about entering the draw or wanting to win the book do not qualify as valid entries in the draw.
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