Vannetta Chapman {Writer Wednesday}

A little bit about Vannetta...

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. 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. Chapman was a teacher for 15 years and currently writes full time. She lives in the Texas hill country with her husband.

How to connect with Vannetta...

Blog: http://vannettachapman.com
Twitter:  https://twitter.com/VannettaChapman
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/vannettachapman/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/vannettachapman/
Purchase: Joshua's Misson 

Get to know about Vannetta's new release: Joshua’s Mission

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.

Emilie here: Happy to have you! Readers, stop by again on Monday for a New Novel News look into Joshua's Mission as well.

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.

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Thank you so much for being my guest today Vannetta and for bringing something a little new to the blog. I loved reading the story behind Joshua's Mission! I also would love to hear the answers to your questions above. What do you think, readers?

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::WINNER::

I had the lovely Johnnie Alexander on the blog last week and she graciously offered a copy of her new release Where She Belongs. Our winner is...

Kathryn Voss

Congrats :D

Spread the Christmas Joy with Mary Ellis | Day 3

Joy from Mary Ellis

--> When I think back to the Christmases of my childhood, I always smile at one particular memory. For as long as I can remember, our extended family would gather at one of my aunt’s homes (now the homes of my cousins—my generation) on Christmas Eve. We would enjoy a lavish potluck dinner with the host family providing the main course while everyone else brought side dishes and desserts. Afterward, we would mingle to catch up on family news—coming babies, recent graduations or promotions and other milestones, small or grand. At some point during the evening, the families would separate to attend the church services of their own particular denomination. But beforehand, the children would anxiously await the arrival of one special secular guest—Santa Claus. My uncle (who has just recently passed away) would dress up in full costume and arrive with great fanfare down the staircase. (He left his sleigh and reindeer on the roof.) Over his shoulder he carried a velvet sack filled with wrapped gifts for all the good girls and boys from infants through college-aged. Surprisingly, the sack usually contained even a present for me.

Apparently, I was the last child to still believe in Santa Claus after my cousins had abandoned the notion and discovered the truth about the man-in-red.

But my mother and aunts didn’t want anyone to spoil my fun, so they instructed everyone to keep quiet about who really wore that silken beard of white. Since I was the youngest of my generation my cousins played along, and yours truly continued to believe the myth longer than average. However, someone at school or perhaps a neighborhood kid finally burst my bubble and spelled out the truth. Once I overcame my initial shock I thought about how pleased people seemed to be that little-Mary-Jean still believed. And so I played along with their subterfuge, becoming wide-eyed and anticipatory when that jolly man arrived every Christmas Eve. People would watch my reaction from the corner of their eyes, pleased that the deception continued for another year. Finally (perhaps the year before I started college…) when Santa arrived and presented this little girl with her treasure, I had so say “Hi, Uncle Louie. Thanks for the gift.”

Everyone moaned, while my mother looked broken-hearted. But all good things must come to an end. Now that my dear mom and uncle are gone, I will remember the joy they preserved for me because of their love. And because of the unending love of the Father and the gift of His son…once again I have something to believe in. 

Merry Christmas. May God’s blessings rain down on you and your families.

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Mary Ellis has written ten bestselling novels set in the Amish community. Before "retiring" to write full-time, Mary taught school and worked as a sales rep for Hershey Chocolate. Living in Harmony, book one of her current series won the 2012 Lime Award for Excellence in Amish Fiction. Book two, Love Comes to Paradise has been nominated for a 2013 Lime Award. Book three, A Little Bit of Charm, has just released from Harvest House. An Amish Miracle, a collection of novellas, releases December 3rd from Harper Collins. She is currently working on a three-book historical romance series set during the Civil War. The Quaker and the Rebel releases January 1st, 2014.

She can be found on the web at: www.maryellis.net or https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Mary-Ellis/126995058236

Awakened Love Giveaway Winner

I just love giveaways! What's better than winning a book??? I'd say, not much :)

I'm excited to announce the winner of Laura Hilton's book Awakened Love ....

Wendy Newcomb

Congrats Wendy! I'll send your contact info to Laura and she'll get you your copy of Awakened Love!

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If you didn't see my interview with Laura, be sure to check it out [here]. And, if you didn't win, you can still find her book on Amazon.

Check back tomorrow for another {Writer Wednesday} interview :)

Laura Hilton {Writer Wednesday} GIVEAWAY

You may remember Laura from her post here on my blog back in April (you can find that post here). I'm excited to announce another GIVEAWAY as well. Laura has offered to give away a copy of her latest release, Awakened Love. In return, she'd love for you to answer my last interview question in the comments below! Enjoy getting to know Laura!

A little bit about Laura...


Award winning author, Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and their five children make their home in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom and home-schools three of her children. Her two oldest children are homeschool graduates and are in college. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor.

Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts, and Promised to Another. The Amish of Webster County series, Healing Love. Surrendered Love and Awakened Love. A nonAmish book The Appalachian Ballad Quilt will release November 2014 from Abingdon Press. She is contracted for another three book Amish series with Whitaker House, The Amish of Jamesport, releasing in April 2014, September 2014, and April 2015. Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Laura is a professional book reviewer for the Christian market, with over a thousand book reviews published at various online review sites.


How to connect with Laura...


Twitter: @Laura_V_Hilton
Blog http://lauravhilton.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Laura-V-Hilton/161478847242512

To purchase her book you can find it on Amazon, Deeper Shopping, or CBD


You & Writing

Tell us a little bit about yourself: How did you start writing? What has kept you writing?
...I always wanted to write. Ever since I was a little kid I dreamed up stories. Writing has been a lifelong passion. So happy God allowed me to do it!

Do you have a favorite book or work that you’ve written? If so, why?
...Surrendered Love. One of the characters in this one reached out and grabbed my heartstrings and won’t let go.

What was the hardest thing about publishing? The easiest?
...The easiest thing about it is writing. I love the creative process. The hardest is marketing.

Your Writing

Tell us a little bit about your book or what you’re working on currently? Why are you/did you write it? 
...Awakened Love

Katie Detweiler grew up Amish, never knowing she was adopted as an infant. Now an adult, her new job as cook at an Amish bed and breakfast doesn’t bring about the euphoria she hoped for. Just as she’s getting her menu perfected, the Englisch family and severely ill sister she never knew existed enter her life and strain her Amish relationships. Plus, Katie suddenly has two different men vying for her attention—one Amish, one Englisch—and she wonders if one of them could be the man of her dreams. But when her Englisch sister’s health worsens, Katie must find a way to balance her heart and her job.

Do you have a favorite character in this work? If so, why?
...I loved both Katie and Abram

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with?
...I’ll leave that up to God and the reader.


You

What is your favorite fall snack food? 
...Sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and apple cider. 

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Thanks so much for stopping by the blog today. Don't forget to answer the last question - about what your favorite fall snack food is - below in the comments. You'll be entered in to win a copy of her novel Awakened Love. I'll announce the winner next Tuesday - September 24th. 

Laura Hilton {Writer Wednesday}

It's been a whirlwind of a week (and yes, I do realize it's only Wednesday). I'm looking forward to the giveaway that Patti Shene is offering here through my blog though! Don't forget that today is the last day to leave a comment on her interview post to be given the chance to win! I'll announce the winner tomorrow so make sure to keep an eye out. 

Now, without further ado, I'd like to introduce you to {Writer Wednesday} author for today...Laura Hilton! 

A little bit about Laura...

Award winning author, Laura Hilton, her husband, Steve, and their five children make their home in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas. She is a pastor’s wife, a stay-at-home mom and home-schools three of her children. Her two oldest children are homeschool graduates and are in college. Laura is also a breast cancer survivor.

Her publishing credits include three books in the Amish of Seymour series from Whitaker House: Patchwork Dreams, A Harvest of Hearts, and Promised to Another. And the Amish of Webster County series, Healing Love. Surrendered Love releases April 2013, and the third book will release September 2013. A nonAmish book The Appalachian Ballad Quilt will release November 2014 from Abingdon Press. Laura is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers. Laura is a professional book reviewer for the Christian market, with over a thousand book reviews published at various online review sites.

How to connect with Laura...

Check out her blog: http://www.lauravhilton.blogspot.com/

Connect with her on Goodreads

Find her books on Amazon

 

Author Interview | Laura Hilton

You & Writing
Tell us a little bit about yourself:  How did you start writing?  What has kept you writing?  

...I started writing when I was old enough to hold a pencil and make words. Always been fascinated by story. I kept writing because it is my God-called passion. It keeps me sane. Maybe.  :)

Do you have a favorite book or work that you’ve written?  If so, why? 
...My favorite two books of mine so far are A Harvest of Hearts and Surrendered Love.  Those characters reached me on a deep level.  

What was the hardest thing about publishing?  The easiest?  ...My books are published by Whitaker House and I have one contracted by Abingdon.  The hardest thing about writing is when things or people interrupt the flow in some way.

Your Writing
Tell us a little bit about your book or what you’re working on currently? Why did you write it?
...The book I’m promoting is Surrender Love. 

Janna Kauffman loves grocery shopping for the homebound in her Amish community. When Janna’s sister washes her hands of her rebellious daughter, Meghan, and sends her to live with her Amish relatives, Janna is spending less time shopping and more time explaining Meghan’s actions to police officer Hiram “Troy” Troyer. Formerly Amish, Troy becomes a regular part of Janna and Meghan’s lives as Meghan continues to act out due to her Englisch mother’s rejection. Could God tame a headstrong teenager and help Janna and Troy find love in the midst of it all?

...Surrendered Love releases in April 2013.

Do you have a favorite character in this work?  If so, why? 
...Troy. I fell in love with him.

What is one take-away from your book that you hope readers identify with? 
...I am not going to try to venture to guess what God intends to reach readers with. But what He reached me with was “I’m accepted in the Beloved.”
Writing
What advice would you give to aspiring authors for writing and/or publishing? 
...Not to make anyone mad at me, but: Learn the business.  Do what it takes to get noticed by agents and publishers. Don’t just take the easy way out and self-publish lackluster, poorly edited books. . .
 

You
Do you listen to music when you write?
...No, don’t listen to music when I write.

What is your favorite season and why?  

...Winter. I love snow.  That said, there is very little winter in Arkansas. It’s mostly rainy and muddy here. That isn’t so fun. Here, I like Spring, especially the first jonquils and daffodils of the season. 

What is your favorite genre to read?  Why do you enjoy it?
...I don’t really have a favorite genre.  I have favorite authors . . .  Susan May Warren.  Suzanne Woods Fisher.  Beverly Lewis. Mary Ellis. Colleen Coble. Denise Hunter. Kristin Billerbeck. Melody Carlson. Etc.

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Thank you so much for the interview, Laura! Your latest release, Surrendered Love, sounds like it's going to be a good one! I'm also with you on the favorite season - I love the snow in Winter but, unfortunately, we don't get much (any, really) down here in Southern California! Thanks for sharing your favorite authors as well, we have a few in common. 

Well, Thinking Thoughts readers - make sure to check back in on Friday for my review of Hidden in the Heart by Catherine West. Until then...have a fantastic rest of the week!