Shannon here: Amish romance author, Vannetta Chapman shares insight into her real life romance and her characters’ romance. Comment on any post dated March 24 – 28 to enter the drawing for winners choice of Murder Simply Brewed or the novella collection, Where the Healing Blooms, print or e-book, U.S. only. 3 books for 3 winners. Deadline: April 5th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Vannetta:
Interview with my heroine, Amber Wright … (half of the questions are about Amber and half are about my marriage):
- What’s the most romantic thing your hero ever did for your heroine?
He brings her a barbecued chicken! They don’t know each other well at this point, but Tate has an urge to take care of Amber, and he knows that she hasn’t had time to cook. When he brings her the chicken, she insists that he stay to share the meal . . . and from there the romance begins.
- What’s the most romantic thing your husband has ever done?
True story—he brought me a barbecued chicken! I was a graduate student at the time and a single mom. I didn’t have a lot of money, and anything other than the essentials wasn’t in my pantry. I made sure my son ate well, but I settled for eggs. At one time I was literally existing on eggs! A few days after I met Bob (my husband), he showed up at my door with a smoked chicken. I didn’t know what to do with it, but I managed to mumble “thank you” . . . and from there the romance began.
- What simple gesture does your hero do that melts your heroine every time?
It’s more a characteristic than a gesture. Tate Bowman is solid. He does the right thing, because it’s what you should do. This melts Amber’s heart every time. She had stopped believing that such people still existed, and then God brings Tate into her life.
- What simple gesture does your husband do that melts your heart every time?
In the same way, I was a bit disenchanted when I met my husband. To say I was “wary” is an understatement. I had a hard time believing that good people still existed. Bob is a quiet, unassuming man, raised in the country and an engineer by profession. I soon learned that he was solid in his character and emotions, and that he did the right thing when presented with a decision. THOSE characteristics still melt my heart every time.
- How soon after meeting the hero did the heroine know he was the one?
Amber doesn’t realize right away that Tate is the man God intends for her. She first knows him as a neighbor, then realizes he could be a good friend, and finally accepts that she has fallen in love. It’s a process that takes time.
- How soon after meeting your husband did you know he was the one?
Bob was my neighbor when I met him. We became friends fairly quickly, but I did NOT think of him in a romantic way. In fact, I was thinking of introducing him to my sister. It wasn’t until I’d known him for a while, and after our first kiss, that I realized he was a very special person God had placed in my life.
- If your hero and heroine end up married, where will they go on their honeymoon?
I won’t tell you if Amber and Tate marry, but I will tell you that she has a real hankering to see Alaska. As for Tate? Well, he’s pretty much happy as long as he has Amber by his side.
- Where did you and your spouse go for your honeymoon?
We went to Taos—lots of hiking, fishing, and watching the stars. It was a wonderful week of rest and we discovered that we had a lot in common for two people who are polar opposites in many ways.
- Do your hero and heroine have as favorite romantic restaurant?
Amber is the manager of an Amish village, which includes an Amish restaurant and bakery. She loves home cooking, especially when someone else is doing it! And Tate has never turned down a piece of pie.
- Do you and your husband have a favorite romantic restaurant?
I’ll admit to being partial to sweets. We’ve been married 15 years now, and we’ll often eat at home before going to a movie—then stop for dessert and coffee afterwards.
About Vannetta: Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. Her novel, Falling to Pieces, was a 2012 ACFW Carol Award winner for best mystery. She writes Amish mysteries for Zondervan, Amish romances for Harvest House and Amish novellas for Abingdon and Zondervan. All of her books have been Christian Book Distributor bestsellers. Chapman lives in the Texashill country with her husband.
About the book – Where Healing Blooms (in An Amish Garden collection): Emma discovers a run-away teen in her barn, and the bishop asks her to provide a haven for a woman and her two children. Then her mother-in-law reveals a secret about her garden. Will Emma choose loneliness or learn to accept God’s gifts?
About the book – Murder Simply Brewed (Amish romantic mystery): When the coffee shop manager is murdered in Middlebury’s Amish Artisan Village, two women from different walks of life must join together to solve the mystery.
Spring has arrived in Middlebury, Indiana, and Amber Wright is optimistic about the growing profit from her collection of Amish shops—until she receives a call that Ethan Gray is dead. Hurrying over to A Simple Blend, she finds a solitary hole in the front window and the store manager lying next to the espresso machine, dead from an apparent heart attack. All the money is still in his register.
When Amber hires a young Amish woman, Hannah Troyer, to take over the shop’s duties, the two women become fast friends—as well as amateur sleuths. The police believe Gray’s death is a by-product of vandalism, but Amber and Hannah aren’t convinced.
Clues that don’t add up, a neighbor who is pulled into the midst of the investigation, a town with secrets to hide, and a blossoming romance—all will combine to push Amber and Hannah into unfamiliar roles in order to solve a mystery that will once again reveal the depth of God’s grace.
Purchase Links:
http://vannettachapman.com/books/murder-simply-brewed/
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/murder-simply-brewed-vannetta-chapman/1115457368?ean=9780310326168
Come back March 28th when Vannetta shares insight into Murder Simply Brewed!
Wonderful interview
Most of all though please have a terrific,God blessed day
Chris G
I really enjoyed reading today’s interview. Thanks for the opportunity to read one of these books. Both look great.
Thanks for this fun interview! I love some of the similarities between the relationship of the hero and heroine in the book and Vannetta Chapman and her husband–especially when it comes to the BBQ chicken! 🙂
Both reads sound good. It is nice to step out of this busy life, and imagine myself in another one.
Martha
Sounds like a delightful story! I’m looking forward to reading about Amber and Tate. (Love that name, BTW)
What a wonderful interview. Both books sound great and I would love to read them. I smiled when I read about Amber and the bbq chicken!
Wonderful interview. Would love to read more.
I love romantic stories and your interview was great. Would love to win any of your books.
God Bless you all.
Hi Vannetta and Shannon. Loved this interview. Vannetta, sounds like you have done it again. Two more good books. Loved the Romance stories of you and your heroin. So glad gave you your soul mate. Keep wanting to see you again. w3hat fun time that was. Thanks Shannon. Please put my name in for a chance to win one of these great books.
Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com
I’m so glad you all enjoyed the interview. What fun! Blessings to each of you …
We have Vannetta’s books in the Church Library. I would love to win her book, “Murder Simply Brewed”. Thanks for entering me in your giveaway.
I am looking forward to reading Murder Simply Brewed and An Amish Garden. Thank you for the opportunity to win.Have a wonderful weekend.I enjoy reading your books. –