Happy Monday everyone! I am thrilled to have Vannetta Chapman back for a guest post to talk all about her new book Material Witness. I enjoyed reading this book so much and can’t wait for you all to read it! Vannetta is graciously offering a copy to one lucky reader so be sure to enter! Good Luck and Happy Reading:)
Material Witness is my third book set in the town of Shipshewana. This time, the story begins on the night before the Fall Crafter’s Fair. You can read more about the actual festival here (http://www.shipshewana.com/festivals.php).
I love fall festivals–the colors, the sound, and of course the food! When you live in Texas, fall is something you pray for. The temperatures drop below 100. We have a little color in the tress, and you know the holidays aren’t far away.
Here’s a brief blurb about the book.
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.
This story is definitely “nonstop.” All of the action takes place over the period of 96 hours–from Thursday evening to Monday afternoon. I thought it would be fun to increase the tension and shorten the amount of time my characters had to solve the mystery and apprehend the guilty party. But more than that, I wanted to show that God works in our lives in mysterious ways, often in ways we would never imagine and can’t begin to understand.
Here’s an excerpt from the beginning.
Nearly an hour later, as Martha guided his chair, Aaron stared
up at the twinkling lights in the trees that lined the sidewalks of
Shipshewana’s shopping district. The artificial lights reminded
him of the stars, and he wondered why the Englischers had bothered
to wrap them around the tree branches.
Perhaps because they lived in town, where Gotte’s lights
weren’t as easy to see.
That’s what his daadi would say anyway.
Today had been very nearly perfect.
He’d received an A on his spelling test in school and a B on
his math quiz. Maybe he could have earned an A, but Jacob and
Joseph had been popping peas at the girls in the next row, and
Aaron had started laughing, which led to wheezing. By the time
he got his breathing under control, time was up, and he hadn’t
been able to finish the last two questions.
It had been worth it to see Annie King squirm back and forth,
trying to pull the peas out from between her dress and her apron.
Aaron liked Annie all right, but she could be a little annoying
at times. He’d told his mamm that once, and she’d explained he
would like girls more when he was older.
That was hard to imagine.
Except for Martha. She was nice, but then again, she was different.
More like his mamm.
“Drat.” His bruder stopped suddenly in the middle of the sidewalk,
causing Martha to nearly trip and pull back on his wheelchair.
It felt like the time he’d ridden his dat’s horse, in the saddle,
and the horse had suddenly reversed. Aaron had fallen, but his dat
had caught him before he’d hit the ground — something they still
hadn’t told his mamm.
“Forget something?” Martha asked.
“Ya. I think I left my wallet at one of the last places we
stopped.”
“When we bought the candy apples?” Martha peered around
at Aaron’s half-eaten apple.
“Maybe. I took it out and set it on the counter of the booth.”
“Wasn’t your cousin Mary Ellen working there?”
“Ya. I’m sure she would have set it aside for me if I did leave
it after I paid.”
Martha pointed to the sack in his right hand. “After that we
bought your new slingshot.”
“True, but I think I paid for that with money out of my
pocket, from the change Mary Ellen gave me. Now I can’t remember.”
Matthew took off his wool cap and rubbed his hand over his
head, front to back, then back to front — something Aaron knew
he did when he was naerfich.
“Matt, you go and see Mary Ellen.” Aaron pulled in a deep
breath, then continued. “Martha, you go and check the slingshot
booth. I’ll wait here with Max.”
“Are you sure?” Matthew glanced from Martha to Aaron and
back again.
“I’m not . . . ,” another deep breath, “going back to the quilting
shop without you.” He reached for Max and gave the dog a reassuring
pat. “Mamm would have both our hides.”
“All right. She told us to be back by dark, and there’s still a
little light left. If we hurry — ”
“We can be there and back in ten minutes.” Martha moved to
the front of his chair, squatted down so she was eye to eye with
him. “Sure you’ll be fine?”
“Ya. Move me to the side.” He glanced over to where a bench
had been placed next to a large shrub. “There.”
“Okay. We’ll be back before you even know we’re gone.”
“Stop worrying.” Aaron looped Max’s leash around his wrist.
“I’m not a . . .”
Matt glanced back over his shoulder, then at Aaron, a smile
trying to win over the worry.
“. . . little kid,” Aaron finished.
“ ’Course you’re not,” Martha whispered.
Candy apples and artisan booths–it’s a perfect fall evening. Until Aaron becomes a Material Witness.
To enter to win a copy of Material Witness simply answer Vannetta’s question:
Describe your favorite thing to do in the fall.
Don’t Forget To: Like or share on Facebook, and leave another comment on this post if you liked or shared. That’s another chance to win!
Contest starts today Aug.27 and ends on Aug.31. Winners will be announced on Saturday. Good Luck!
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, 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.
Links
webpage — www.VannettaChapman.com
blog — http://vannettachapman.wordpress.com
facebook — www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks, and
pinterest — http://pinterest.com/vannettachapman
youtube — check out my youtube page. It’s at http://www.youtube.com/user/vannettachapman/videos#
Buy link
http://www.vannettachapman.com/material-witness.html
99 thoughts on “Guest Post and Giveaway with Vannetta Chapman!!”
I love to go pumpkin farms and to the apple orchards, but don’t have that in Florida! I so miss that!!!!
Hope I win!!!!!
I will share this contest on FB!!!!!!
I like to go to all the fall festivals.
Would like to win this book.
God Bless,
Carolyn
I shared on face book.
Carolyn
I love to take my grand daughters apple picking then enjoy the hayride with them. They are still young that their smiles energize me.
I will also share this on facebook. thank you for this chance to win
Carol
Well first of all Fall is my favorite time of the year. I love the cooler weather and the beautiful color of the leaves. My favorite thing to do in the fall is go the apple orchards and get apple cider and fresh picked apples. I enjoy the apple cider both cold and hot. My daughter and I also make wassail with it for the holidays. And, of course there is nothing better than eating a crunchy, juicy apple while reading a good book.
Thanks for the opportunity to win a great book. 🙂
I also liked on Facebook.
I would love to win Love all your books thanks for the contest
Would love to win this book.
I shared on Facebook
I love to go to places which have hiking trails and just walk among the leaves and beautiful trees. It helps me have a sense of God’s purpose for me.
spangldlady(at)gmail(dot)com
Would love to read this book! Would definitely keep my attention.
Fall is my favorite season. Just love the weather and all the colorful foliage. I enjoy taking walks and also go on road trips just to take in all the beauty of the Fall nature and color changes. I also enjoy Pumpkin picking, Hay rides with my grand children. Away from the cities and out in the open wide divide and country is where it is most enjoyable to view and enjoy all that Fall has to offer. I also like to open all my home windows for the fresh air and enjoy reading a good book just relaxing and getting into my reading.
Would love a chance to win Vannetta’s new book. Thank you.
I liked and shared on Facebook.
Walk in the leaves and hear them crunch under my boots. Finally, get to put those “cowboy” boots back on! Luv ’em! Fall is in the air and early woodsmoke from the chimney. Flannel shirts layered over cotton tees. Crispy, colorful Fall!
Liked on Facebook and Tweeted on Twitter!
I love the fall! I love the first time I can make a huge pan of Oven Baked Beef Stew that cooks for 3 hrs! Then to curl up with good Amish book and be so happy I can stay inside!!
We have such wonderful festivals here in the fall. Lots of crafts and flea markets. And the great food and beautiful scenery are awesome. I live not far from Parke County, IN where they have 10 days of the Covered Bridge Festival. Such beautiful bridges and flea markets. It’s always a fun time. angadair @ nwcable dot net
My favorite thing to do in the fall has to be apple picking! I love to go to the orchards in New York State and pick apples in the crisp fall air. Unfortunately I no longer live near that area and it is not the same anywhere else!
Love driving around looking at the fall leaves and going tp punkin patch with my Grandson
I like to go to the Southern Women’s Show.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
I liked on FB through this page.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
I would don my new fall sweater,grab that pumpkin latte, a walking stick and go hiking in the woods to explore the wonders of the changing seasons! At the same time, thanking the creator for the many spenders of the warm colored changing leaves while inhaling the crisp fresh air! And yes…I would not be alone but with my ever faithful Black Lab, Shiloh, by my side.
Well, it’s still hot here in South Central Arizona desert until November, but the sky is a deeper shade of blue. There is a slight crispness in the early morning and late evening. It’s all a promise that it will be cooler and we will get chilly for a time. That’s a desert for you! 😉
Susan
My favorite thing is feeling fall in the air…it’s almost a different smell…the nip in the air, cool mornings, cool evenings, and so many other things but you asked for my favorite. These things signify that fall is at our door.
sharing on FB
“likeing”
Liked and shared.
So love the books by Vannetta Chapman. They keep you going, not wanting to put down the book until you have read it cover to cover!
Fall has always been my favorite time of the year…Hayrides and standing
beside a bonfire are two of my favorite things to do in Autumn!
I have been to Shipshewana and love it!
Many thanks, Cindi
“Facebook Post!”
https://www.facebook.com/cindi512/activity/3999209773514.
Again, many thanks!
Cindi
I like to see the scenery change color’s, go to fall festival’s & get corn brooms, corn stalks, gourds, & all different kinds of pumpkin’s & then decorate.
I love to go to Mabry’s Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is the most photographed place on the east coast and is absolutely gorgeous during the fall!
I am currently reading A Perfect Square! Love it!
campbellamyd at gmail dot com
Like on Facebook!
campbellamyd at gmail dot com
I.m sorry I.m late arriving to this Fall Celebration party! Oh, I love your comments. They make me want to pull out a sweater, but … It.s still 90 here in Texas so maybe I.ll wait!
Thank you for stopping by Vannetta! Fall is my absolute favorite time of year:) Pumpkins, cool weather and apple cider! Yum!!
We love going to wiener roasts in the fall. It’s the best weather for friends to get together around a camp fire and roast hot dogs and marshmallows!
I “liked” on FB!
Love to visit the mountains & look at all the beautiful Fall foliage…
I’d love to get to read MW! Can’t wait to see how the series turns out.
I love visting Farmer’s Market and farms where they let you walk their fields and pick any amount of produce they grow. Visiting Fall Craft Shows where some sell their handmade craft as well as some items they grow as well.
I “liked” on Facebook..
I shared on my Facebook wall.
We have an Apple Festival the first week-end of October that we love going to. Our church has a booth there every year. There are so many food booths to visit and enjoy. Yum! Also we love to watch the production “Raise A Ruckus!” put on by the youth from our local high school. The singing and dancing is incredible. Such young talent! We never tire of going. I can’t wait for this year’s Apple Festival!
Thank you for this giveaway and for this post with Vannetta. I have read all her books up until now. I would love to win a copy of Material Witness.
Blessings!
Judy sweetpea.judy(at)yahoo(dot)com
I think my all time favorite is taking a ride to Vermont to see the trees in their fall glory and buying some apples, pumpkins and gourds.
My favorite fall thing to do is go to a local festival with my husband and 4 children. Every year we go have pizza at one of our favorite places. Then head to the festival for face painting, mazes, wagon rides, bouncy houses, pumpkin picking, etc. It’s always one of our best memories of all time as a family! Thanks for the opportunity! God bless you! 🙂
Curling under big comfy blanket & reading a good book on my Kindle fire.
We love going with our daughter and son-in-law to take our grandaughter to all of the fall festivals and pumpkin patches around southern Indiana.
I like to to get out and make photos of the fall colors.
Visit the grandkids and go to the pumpkin patch to buy produce is my favorite fall thing to do!
I “Like”d and commented on Facebook. Thanks!
I “Like” and “Shared” this contest on FB.
Blessings!
Judy
sweetpea.judy(at)yahoo(dot)com
Should be “Liked”
My favorite thing to do in the fall is go to festivals – a favorite around here is the Apple Festival in Biglerville – such fun and such good things to eat!
Watching the colors of fall. My favorite season.
Liked and will share when I get to my pc
What I love about Fall is the colors changing on the trees and bushes. And being cooler, so can be outside more. And, the Fall festival at the church and sometimes the schools. The colors aren’t as many here in the area of Houston as they were in KS. They were beautiful there. Our school in OK. used to have a Fall Festival every year. Was a small town, and most of the town people participated.
I shared about this contest on my FB. And I liked. Please give me another chance. Maxie ([email protected] )
I love to ride through the country and see the fall colors,for the West Virginia Mountains are a pure pleasure to see. My husband and I also like to go fishing and enjoying the beauty of the season the Lord has given us to enjoy.
I love going to the mountains of North Carolina to see the fall colors and maybe stop at the Biltmore Estate. When I lived in New York I loved going apple picking and on hayrides!!
Love to go to an orchard or fruit market and get the good apples not the non tasting ones at the grocery store.
I love riding around and looking at all the beautiful fall foliage. We go to the colorfest in Mentone Alabama, also enjoy the cooler days.
oops. Yes I will like and share on Facebook for sure.
I liked on Facebook!
I love to be able to sit outside and read with out burning up.
I commenting on Facebook about the giveaway. Thanks for the extra entry!
My favorite thing about fall is how wonderful it smells outdoors. You can only describe it as “Fall is in the air.”
I love going to visit near Chicago,Illinois where my brother lives-and go to the apple orchards, attend the Fall Festival there, love to visit the pumpkin farms, and take lots of pics of the trees turning beautiful colors! The air is chilled,and you have to wear a sweater,love it! I would love to win a copy of Material Witness- I wonder what it tells about the Fall Festival that takes place in the book…hmmm.
[email protected]
I like the cool crisp evenings and the smell of campfires.
Shared on Facebook!
I love Fall! I share a bday with my son and I love to go to the fall festivals and see the little ones dressed up in their costumes! Would love to win this book and I also shared on facebook.
I love to bake homemade bread, pies and soup in the fall. Of course all year round I love to read and quilt.
I just shared on FB!
I LOVE all of your responses. Thank you so much for putting me in a “fall frame of mind.” You all are awesome!
I love going to fall festivals. and watching kids at the pumpkin farm trying to pick out the favorite punkim size.
I love Fall, it’s one of my most favorite season. Love the colors of the tress, the cool nights, baking pies , breads, cakes and soups too. Fall is so magical.
I love sitting on my front porch swing in the evenings, enjoying a cool breeze and visiting with my friends and family.
I liked on Facebook!
I shared on facebook. I can ‘t wait to read this book!
I like going to the ‘Pumpkin Patch’ and pick out my pumpkin!! I liked and shared.
I like going to the ‘Pumpkin Patch’ and picking out our pumpkin! I liked on FB.
I love apple cider – so, going to the cider mill is a fall favorite of mine!
Kathy Faberge
I love to see the leaves changing and enter projects in my county fair.
I love to go to pumpkin patch and go on hayride and drive to Blue Ridge Mts. (10 min. from our home!) and look at the fall leaves !! I read the kindle edition and would love a print copy to share with others too. Rhonda
[email protected]
My favorite thing to do in the fall would be driving through the Great Smoky Mountains or along the Mohawk Trail. Sure do miss the fall colors living in Florida!!
Forgot to answer the question! I usually go for a ride to Vermont for leaf peeping.
My favorite thing to do in the fall is go apple picking, then make apple crisp, apple pie and applesauce.
I liked and shared on Facebook.
i love the cool , crisp weather,changing of the colors and apples and all the things you can do with them. shar on FB.love your books.
THE BEST WAY TO SPEND THE EVENINGS IN THE FALL AN WINTER IS TO COME HOME FROM WORK TO A NICE WARM APT. AN PUT THE TEA KETTLE ON AN HAVE A BOOK TO READ. My life is books and the babies I spend the days with. Especially reading takes you on all kinds of adventures that you couldn’t do either wise i won’t ever strop reading.
Thank you for your posts. I LOVE your ideas. : )
I love the post. My favorite thing to do in the fall is to decorate my home and watch the wonders of nature. God does some of His best work in the fall. Thanks for a chance to win the book. I see you have lots of comment so I realize I might not have much chance but thanks anyway I love your books. God bless you.
Glenda Parker
[email protected]
My favorite thing to do in the fall is view the change of color in the leaves. I liked the link and will be sharing on facebook. Can’t wait to read this one. Loved reading the first two.
I love to go to apple orchards and get apples and cider!!!! But I can’t do that in Florida!!!!! I sure miss it!!!!!!
Hope I win!!!!!!
I will share on FB!
I like to read! I like to start buying Christmas gifts
I shared and liked on Facebook
My most favorite thing about fall is the harvest and getting things ready for winter.