A big welcome back to one of our favorite authors, Vannetta Chapman. Celebrating
the release of her fifth book, Vannetta visited with her heroine. She thought
it would be “fun to interview Callie, since she is about to find herself--once
again--in the middle of a murder investigation.” Vannetta’s A Promise for Miriam made the Christian
Retailer’s top 10 fiction bestseller list.
Vannetta 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, is a
2012 ACFW Carol Award finalist. A Promise
for Miriam earned a spot on the June 2012 Christian Retailing Top Ten
Fiction list. Chapman writes Amish fiction for Abingdon Press, Zondervan, and
Harvest House. She lives in the Texas hill country with her husband.
MATERIAL WITNESS
A SHIPSHEWANA AMISH MYSTERY
Zondervan Press
ISBN-10: 0310330459
Tragedy strikes on the opening night of the Fall
Crafters Fair when a woman is killed in the parking lot of Daisy's Quilt Shop,
and the only material witness is one of Melinda Byer's boys. The investigation
takes a more bizarre turn when detective Shane Black becomes convinced the
killer was actually after Callie.
This time it's a madman loose in the largest crowd of the year, and he's looking for something or someone. If they can't figure out what, one of Deborah and Callie's close circle of friends may be next. Masked identities, antique quilts with hidden messages, an Amish boy whose handicap makes him stronger, one brave dog, and a possible hidden treasure ... this time it's nonstop action, danger, and a dash of romance.
AN INTERVIEW WITH CALLIE HARPER
VANNETTA: How are you
adjusting to life in an Amish community?
CALLIE: Define adjust! I don't understand half the things my Amish customers
say. I'm trying to learn Pennsylvania-Dutch, but it's harder than you'd think.
I love living in the small town of Shipshewana, and I have close friends who
help me more than you can imagine.
VANNETTA: Let's talk about
those close friends. Amish or Englisch?
CALLIE: The gals are Amish
- Deborah, Melinda, and Esther. They're actually more like sisters than
friends. The guys? Well, I'm still trying to decide exactly what they are.
Friends? Or maybe something more ...
VANNETTA: Guys? More than
one?
CALLIE: I know that sounds
terrible. I never planned for my love life to be complicated. I never planned
to HAVE a love life after my husband Rick died. But with Trent, Gavin and Shane
it's different. I can't believe I'm saying Shane is even a possibility, though
sometimes, the way he looks at me makes me feel as if I've just stepped off a
roller coaster.
VANNETTA: Wow. You are
definitely very busy.
CALLIE: I am! Plus there's
my dog, Max, who needs a lot of attention, and the quilt shop I inherited. My
life is very full and very blessed.
VANNETTA: You used that
"blessed" word. How has your faith changed since moving to Indiana?
CALLIE: I suppose I might
have been angry at God, back when I lived in Texas. I'd lost my husband and
then my aunt. I felt really alone. But Deborah is helping me to see that God
has a plan, and the pastor at my local church is patient with me when I have a
lot of questions.
VANNETTA: No doubt that
helps when you find yourself in the middle of
a murder investigation, and you've been involved in two.
CALLIE: I am so grateful
those are over. Those were very hard times, but now they're in the past. Soon
fall will arrive, and we'll have the Fall Crafters Fair. It's the biggest event
of the year, and I'm looking forward to it.
VANNETTA: Anything you'd
like to ask our readers?
CALLIE: Well, I wouldn't
mind a little dating advice. It's not something I have much experience at!
Should I accept dates from Trent? He's our newspaper man and something of a
shark as far as his work. And what about Gavin, who is one of our police
officers? He's been a real rock for me. Then there's Shane, who I don't
understand at all. He is more the handsome, quiet and dangerous type. Which one
should I date? Or should I date them all?
FINDING VANNETTA:
UP NEXT FOR VANNETTA: I recently signed another 3 book contract with
Zondervan for an Amish Artisan Mystery series. Plus I'll be writing a follow-up
to A Simple Amish Christmas (Abingdon).
A HOME FOR LYDIA
The Pebble Creek Amish Series, Bk 2
February 2013
Harvest House Publishers
ISBN-10: 0736946144
PREVIOUS RELEASES:
A SIMPLE AMISH CHRISTMAS
Abington Press, ISBN: 1426710666, EXCERPT
OTHER
SHIPSHEWANA MYSTERIES
A PERFECT SQUARE EXCERPT
THE PEBBLE
CREEK AMISH SERIES
A PROMISE FOR MIRIAM EXCERPT
A DRAWING FOR COMMENTERS
Vannetta will be drawing from blog commenters for one of her books.
Note: Commenters are encouraged to leave a contact email for faster
notification. Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North
America addresses only unless specifically mentioned in the post. Odds of
winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible
for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a
timely manner, the author may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A
Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize.
GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the
commenter publicly posts their email address.
DON’T FORGET to FOLLOW us on
Twitter #GetLostStories or LIKE us on Facebook to keep up with all our guest
authors and their prizes. Join Donnell tomorrow when Hank Phillipi Ryan returns
to “get lost”. And come back Friday when Cat hosts Sarah Anderson. ~Angi
THE QUESTION FOR TODAY:
What's your favorite fall activity?
I love to walk through the fall leaves.
ReplyDeleteI had to come see what this blog post was about, since I grew up in northern Indiana. I've been to Shipshewana more than a few times.
Arlene, isn't Shipshe wonderful? Thanks for stopping by the blog.
ReplyDeleteGoing to the mountains and seeing all the great colors.I love the colors of fall.Thanks
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Vannetta. How's the weather in the Hill country? So excited for you on all the sales and upcoming releases !!
ReplyDeleteMy fall activity? It's great weather for traveling. One day, I'll be visiting Amish country and I'm wondering which part of the year is the best to visit there.
~Angi
I love the smells, sights, sounds, and colors of fall. It reminds me that the holidays are coming soon and is a time for family, friends,and decorating.
ReplyDeleteThanks for spending time with us.
grandmabkr at yahoo dot com
I'm looking forward to Halloween and seeing my two little grandsons dressed in their costumes.
ReplyDeleteKit3247(at)aol(dot)com
Jackie, we don't have too many mountains in Texas ... a few. Thanks for reminding me that I should take the time to go there!
ReplyDeleteVannetta...Have you taken a weekend to visit the Davis Mountains? Tim and I visited over Memorial Day and hiked. It was research for PROTECTING THEIR CHILD. Great inspiration.
Delete~Angi
I LOVE the Davis Mountains AND Big Bend. : )
DeleteAngi, it's 103 in the hill country of Texas today. But we have a cool front coming this weekend -- expected high 94. Yes!
ReplyDeleteAs far as Amish communities, I've loved the winter and the summer, and next week I'll be visiting Shipshe again and hopefully see some fall colors. Personally, I think any time is a good time to visit.
Brenda, you are so right ... and you just made me think of Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteKit, we're in a small town now, and halloween is a real hoot!
Callie, you should go out with Trent!! I just finished A Perfect Square last weekend and I have to know who Callie chooses.
ReplyDeleteCongrats, Vannetta, on your newest release.
I love to go on the Blue Ridge Parkway and see Mabry's Mill. It is gorgeous in the fall.
campbellamyd at gmail dot com
Oh, Amy! What fun ... do you know who Trent is in my mind? You can see a picture here. : )-
ReplyDeletehttp://vannettachapman.wordpress.com/2012/05/05/trent/
I love mills! Great idea ...
My favorite fall activity is going for a long drive with my husband enjoying the pretty fall coloring of trees. Leisurely driving the back roads, stopping to take a walk or hike through the woods. Topping a glorious day off with hot cider and donuts.
ReplyDeleteBy the way...I would love for Callie to have at least one date with all three guys. Shane, Trent, and Gavin. She can then start eliminating one by one until she ends up with the right guy for her!
Blessings!
judyjohn2004(at)yahoo(dot)com
Ha! I like that ... process of elimination. Enjoy those fall drives, Judy.
DeleteI like to walk outside.
ReplyDeletebn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com
Fall is a GREAT time to do that.
DeleteMy favorite fall activity is watching football. I also like the change of season. However since I moved to Texas it's not the same was Ohio. I miss the crisp fall air of September. Typically it's not till November that we get that feeling here. I have read A Simple Amish Christmas and am excited to hear that you are working on a sequel! Good luck with it!
ReplyDeletefantum2004ATsbcglobalDOTnet
Laura, I'm watching the Cowboys right now (and the Rangers). : )
DeleteTrent has been there for Callie...but you follow your heart. My favorite fall thing is pulling my fall decorations out, putting a fall tablecloth on the table, just love those fall colors.
ReplyDelete: ) I TRIED to follow Callie's heart. Ohh ... I need to put some deocrations out this weekend. Thanks for the reminder, Loretta.
DeleteMy favorite fall activity is going to a cider mill! I look forward to donuts and cider every time fall rolls around.
ReplyDeleteKathy Faberge
finulhourATsbcglobalDOTnet
I love cider too! : ) Enjoy the season, Kathy.
DeleteI love going for a horse drawn wagon ride on country roads to see the colrs, smell the fall smells and along the way stop at a local Amish Store that sells a bit of everything. Good memories made for out family.
ReplyDeleteOh, Terri ... I get to do that next week! : )
DeleteI pick Gavin or Shane. If I have to pick one.....Shane.
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha. Well, I suppose we don't HAVE to pick one, Karen!
DeleteMy favorite fall activities are seeing the changes in the leaves which sinspires me to get motivated to work on a quilt. I am not a summer person so the fall brings cooler temperatures that make me happy and it signals the start of the holiday seasons.
ReplyDeleteCathy, I understand what you mean. In Texas, summer is a bit of a trial on the soul.
DeleteI love to talk walks through the fall air and color. I also love to go to fall festivals. It is a cooler time of the year so I tend to do more. melissa racky@carolina.rr.com
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to be outside again. Still 103 here in Texas today, but we're hoping for relief soon!
DeleteThanks for dropping by Vannetta. And thanks for being so generous with your works (and postage).
ReplyDeleteRandom.org selected JUDY as our winner.
judyjohn2004(at)yahoo(dot)com
We'll be in touch soon to find out what book you'd like from Vannetta.
Thanks for stopping by everyone!
~Angi
I enjoyed it, Angi. Thanks so much!
DeleteI love going out in the country and finding a beautiful spot with lots of fall colors and taking pictures of the beautiful scenes you find. The city parks are also a great place to take Fall pictures.
ReplyDeleteJuanita Cook
seraphinangel7@aol.com
I love attending the fall festival in LaGrange, Indiana. It is just a few miles from Shipshewana. It is called "Corn School" and has been a community tradition since 1906. It has evolved over the years and what started out as a one day festival now lasts all week long. You can enjoy deep fried pickles, cupcakes in a jar, and panbaso all in the same afternoon. Connie BnCPfefferkorn at alumni.purdue.edu
ReplyDeleteI love just being outside ... especially in the mountains, with my family!! Fall is my favorite time of the year... it has my favorite colors too.
ReplyDeleteladettek[at]gmail[dot]com
Thanks for offering another great read!
ReplyDeleteMy FAVORITE fall activity(with a capital F!) is going with my 4 yr old granddaughter, Lydia, to Pigeon Roost Farm here in Ohio. Lots of fun activities including a petting zoo, straw bale maze, a slide on a rug down a humongous hill, & of course, choosing just the right pumpkin to carve with daddy!
I just enjoy the cooler weather whenever possible, oh and the pumpkin patches are always a fun thing to do.
ReplyDeletewfnren(at)aol(dot)com
My favorite fall activity is attending the fall featival in our area especially the Kelsey's Dream featival in Oct. It in memory of a young cancer patient who lost her fight with this horrible disease and raised money for pediatric cancer patients.
ReplyDeleteI love the way the way the air feels in the fall. It's like something good is going to happen.
ReplyDeleteOnorman@wilkes.net