Shannon here: Amish romance author, Vannetta Chapman shares insight into her real life romance plus a chance to win four books. That’s right–four books. One winner will receive A Promise for Miriam and Vannetta’s latest release, A Home for Lydia in e-book. One winner will receive both books in paperback. Comment on any post dated Jan 21 – 25 to get your name in the drawing. Deadline: Feb 2, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Vannetta:
- What’s the most romantic thing your spouse has ever done for you?
He brought me a cooked chicken. (This story made Shelley Shepard Gray cry). I was a single mom, and not starving, but things were tight financially. One day he brought over a cooked chicken he had bbq’d. I didn’t know what to do with an entire chicken, but it was the sweetest thing anyone had done for me in a long, long time.
- What’s the most romantic thing you’ve ever done for your spouse?
Oh my. I’m a romantic! I’ll pick something in the future. I’m taking him to Fenway park to see the Texas Rangers play. My man loves baseball, and he says Fenway Park is one of the most famous. So off we go this summer. 🙂 VERY romantic. Yes?
- Where is the most romantic place you and your spouse have ever been?
That would definitely be one of our hikes. Maybe, when we hiked to the top of Texas–Guadalupe Peak. It’s the tallest spot in the state, and it was a wonderful experience to share together.
- Do you and your spouse have a favorite romantic restaurant?
Ummm … can you say pizza? Actually we enjoy going to hear music and eat in a little town called Marble Falls. It’s on a river, and there’s a deck where you can sit outside and eat. Not terribly upscale but very romantic.
- Do you and your spouse have a favorite song?
No. WE have an age difference issue when it comes to music! Bob’s favorite songs are from the 70s. I was too young to listen to much music then. I grew up listening to ALL country. WE do have favorite artists that we both enjoy – James Taylor, Eric Clapton, Suzie Bogus. They’re ALL romantic!
- What’s the most romantic present your spouse ever bought for you?
Gosh. You all are going to think I’m a freak. I’d have to say a pair of deer-skin boots. They’re 15 years old now, and have a hole in one sole, but they’re STILL my favorite shoes. I really need to get those fixed.
- What’s the most romantic present you ever bought your spouse?
See baseball tickets described above.
- Do you and your spouse have a favorite romantic vacation destination?
We hike! We love to be outdoors and camp and fish and hike! So Big Bend, Rocky Mountains, Glacier National Park, Guadalupe National Park – all VERY romantic places, especially when you’re sleeping under the stars.
- What simple gesture does your spouse do that melts you every time?
His hand on my neck, under my hair. I love that!
- How soon after meeting your spouse did you know he was the one?
Oh, I was pretty sure he was NOT the one. I kept telling everyone he was a nice guy, but not my type. It took him a year to convince me differently.
- How soon after meeting you did your spouse know you were the one?
Probably sooner than a year.
- Who is most romantic, you or your spouse?
I am! Bob’s a country boy. HIS idea of romance is boots or a cooked chicken. I’ve learned to appreciate those things. I’m the one who plans a weekend away or a candlelit dinner on the porch.
- What is the most caring thing your spouse has ever done for you?
Loved my child. My son was 10 when we married (and his were all nearly grown).
- What is the most caring thing you’ve ever done for your spouse?
The same. Blended families can be difficult, but every parent wants their children to be loved.
- Who said, “I love you” first, you or your spouse?
I can’t remember! Oh my. I should remember that … maybe it was at the same time?
- Where did you and your spouse go for your honeymoon?
You’re going to be shocked. Hiking and fishing in New Mexico, the Taos area. It was WONDERFUL.
About Vannetta: 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. Chapman lives in the Texas hill country with her husband. For more information, visit her at http://www.vannettachapman.com/, www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks, and twitter — VannettaChapman.
About the book – A Home for Lydia: A bend in the road can be daunting … or the beginning of everything.
A Home for Lydia, the second book in a new romantic series from popular author Vannetta Chapman, centers again on the Plain community of Pebble Creek and the kind, caring people there. As they face challenges to their community from the English world, they come together to reach out to their non-Amish neighbors while still preserving their cherished Plain ways.
Aaron Troyer simply wants to farm like his father and grandfather before him. But instead he finds himself overseeing the family’s small group of guest cabins nestled along the banks of Pebble Creek. That also means he must work with the cabins’ housekeeper, Lydia Fisher.
Lydia is the most outspoken Amish woman Aaron has ever met, and she has strong opinions about how the guest cabins are to be run. She also desperately needs this job. Though sparks fly between boss and employee at first, when the cabins are robbed, nothing is more important to Aaron than making sure Lydia is safe.
Together they work to make the vacation property profitable, but can they find out the identity of the culprit before more damage is done? And is Lydia’s dream of a home of her own more than just a wish and a prayer?
Purchase: http://www.vannettachapman.com/a-home-for-lydia.html
Come back Jan 23 for Vannetta’s story behind the story!
Cannot wait until your books are available for my Kindle. You are a great writer.
THis was cute! My life is so boring compared to hers. LOL!
Would love to win a book or two.. Have a great day!!
I so enjoyed the interview, Shannon. Thanks for having me.
Would love to win these books…….thank you for the opportunity!
Nancy B, I wouldn’t say my life is exciting. I might say we’re a little crazy down here in small-town Texas. But we think even that is a good thing! 🙂
Thanks for entering, y’all.
I have read several of her books and reading one now. Vannetta is right at the top on my list of authors
Thanks for a chance on the books!
Pick me, Pick me. I dearly love your stories. Even though I read by nook, I would treasure a book.
Would enjoy reading some wholesome books. Would love the ebooks. Good job Vannetta.
Would really enjoy reading your books. Good Job Vannetta.
I would love to win the books.
Oh, I’d love to win! Your review was stupendous and the books sound really right up my alley. Please, please enter my name in the drawing. Blessings! Darlene
spangldlady[at]gmail[dot]com
I’m glad to have you, Vannetta. Glad everyone is enjoying the interview and excited over the giveaway.
I loved reading your interview and your down to earth romatic adventures. The first day of my honeymoon we spent at a football game in the afternoon and a hockey game in the evening. My husband had never seen live games so it was a real treat for him and for me to see him so happy.
I enjoyed A Promise for Miriam and A Home for Lydia sounds like it will be another book that I will find hard to put down. I prefer reading e-books but would be honored to win these books in any format.
Thanks, Lisa
What a neat interview and we learned something about you. How lucky the both of you are.
If I win, I’d like the paperback. Crossing my fingers.
As usual, I enjoyed the interview with Vannetta. I love her writing! Thank you for the giveaway!
campbellamyd at gmail dot com
I so enjoyed your interview. I loved hearing about you and your husband. A very nice way to start a Monday.
Love your interview.
I love to read about the Amish and i would love to win this book thanks so much.your books just get better and better
Shirley Blanchard
Great interview of Vannetta learned some things I didn’t know. she does sound like a romantic. Bet Feb valentine day will be nice for her, I have blended family with my husband and took awhile for his children to like me much or accept me, they were all grown up too. My hubby is NOT a romantic and I yearn for a little romance….
thanks for sharing always love to read your books.
This interview provided a chance to learn more about “the other side” of Vannetta. Thanks for that and thanks Vannetta for the chance to win your books.
How sweet meeting a man to love & respect you is so wonderful. My husband & I will soon celebrate our 22nd anniversary. I had 2 sons when we married & we have 1 son together but he treats all 3 of them the same. He is a wonderful husband, father & papa.
Love your books. Would love to win either set.
Love reading your books, have read almost all of them. Would live to win
Love, love , love your books!! Need more books!
I had the pleasure of meeting Vannetta when she was in Lancaster County on a book tour. She is a delight to be around – her sense of humor keeps everyone smiling and her writing comes with lots of feeling and care. I look forward to reading Vannetta’s stories for years to come!
Very sweet interview. Can’t wait to read this book.
I just finished reading a book last week and I need a new one. Would love to win.
Love your books.
Love your interview.
I will share with you how I met my husband.
We met at a mud bog. Where guys race trucks through the mud.
I had driven my dads truck there and my best friend had gone with me.
We had gone walking around and came back to find him sleeping in the lounge chair in back of my truck. He left when we woke him. For days he came to our local bowling alley sescribing me and asking for my name and number. Finally he bumped into my friend Lori that was with me at the mud bog. She gace him my first name and last four digits of my phone number, not knowing he had recently moved to the area. I saw him the next day when Lori and I went to the bowling alley not knowing he would be there. He asked me out to pizza and I said we were together Lori had to go also. We walked over to the next shopping center for pizza.
We are still together to this day.
Happily married for over 25 years.
Cheryl B
Enjoyed the interview – would love to win the books. Vannetta is one of my favorite authors.
I would love the Lydia book in ebook form!!!!!! I just love Vannetta’s books!!!!!!
And the interview was fantastic!!!!!!!
Thank you!!!!!
Always looking forward to your interviews and wonderful books. Great answers.
Lisa Creegan, yes! Sounds like many of our nights. 🙂
Paula, when I told my husband about this interview and my answers he actually groaned! We need a sense of humor with these un-romantic men. Right?
Cheryl, mud bogs and pizza. Delightful!
Vannetta , a very great review .. I would loveto
Win some books or ebooks . I have kindle but
Love getting autograph books too. Please enter me in
The contest . Thanks for the contest .
Thank you so much for the opportunity to win a set of your books.
I love your books!!!
Love your books. Thank you!
I’d love to be a winner. This is a great contest.
The review was super!
Thank You and God Bless.
i WOULD LOVE TO WIN THIS PACKAGE OF GREAT BOOKS. EITHER PAPERBOOK OR KINDLE. DOESN’T MATTER TO ME
“Chance of a lifetime”…thank you for the contest and the great review!!
Loved the interview, I am also the romantic in my family.
Wonderful interview — I enjoyed it very much. Please enter me into the terrififc giveaway. Thank you.
Would love to win these books!
I have “known” Vanetta for about a year and, while I knew she liked to hike, I didn’t know about her romantic tendencies. So sweet to learn more about my friend. 🙂
i love your books. thanks for your great contest.
Hubby will not take any days off but a while back I asked him to take me to Jim Thorpe,Pa and we had a wonderful day.
GINGER, you made me laugh out loud. Yes, I do have hidden romantic tendencies. 🙂
DEBORAH, I dedicated this book to my m-i-l who is 85 today. I know first-hand what a blessing a loving m-i-l is!
Thank you all for your sweet comments.
Thank you for the chance to win. What a nice interview.
griperang@embarqmail.com
Thanks Vannetta! Would love to win a paperback.
I so loved the interview!! My husband was definately the more romantic when we met. I complained and lost all of his romantic gestures. Oh well, my own fault.
Really enjoyed your interview and may take one or two items and good suggestions, as after 38 years it is getting kind of hard to find new romantic things to do. I see you like to hike, try the appalaciation trail (not spelled right), we did it one summer and loved it. One of my most loved memories. PM me and will give you directions to a wonderful hike.
I love the story of you and your husband! It so reminds me of mine, and I wish every day he were still here to share this life with me!!!
My husband’s best gifts were the things he did for me, not the things he bought…. I will always cherish those kind, loving acts!
I would love to win either set… the ebooks to read, but the other set, if signed, would go on my bookshelf!
Thank you so much for this opportunity…… God bless.
Interview was great. Please enter me to win the book, thanks.
So nice to hear of a couple whose romantic life is so down to earth….it takes all kinds and I try hard not to envy those who are fond of the truly romantic and extravagant….and those men who pull it off. My husband, too, is a down to earth soul….and he’s my fixer-of-all-things. That’s how he shows love…..and a cooked chicken might be right up his alley….one of his favorite things to have ME do is bake him a treat or cook a favorite meal!
Thanks for the chance to win books….love that!
That was a beautiful interview. In many ways your husband is like mine. I have to say thought, 3 weeks after we met, he asked me to marry him. I was 17 and he was 17 and in the Coast Guard. Sure couldn’t live on Military pay. We married 3 years later, and will be married 45 years on March. hugs Jean
Hi Vannetta,
I LOVE amish stories. You are a great story teller. I look forward to reading all of your books. And I would be so happy to win this drawing.
God Bless your day!
Sounds like a good story. I haven’t read much and sometimes will read a book. My Mom in law reads romantics a lot and reads constantly. I’d love to win this for her. She had been so great helping us out by sharing her home with us, while my husband finishes school. It would be awesome to surprise her with these books.
Love reading your story! I would love to win your books! More people need to share their Marriage stories; we all need encouragement from others. So glad to be celebrating 38 years this year with my hubby!
I love to hear about your husband not being the romantic one -this made me feel so much better! I too plan the dates and the candles -he is really just a country boy.
I loved learning more about you Vannetta! I love your books and think you are a fantastic writer! makeighleekyleigh at yahoo.com
i would love to win in ebook form.love your books vannetta.thanks for the chance at this contest.
Vannetta, I think our husbands may be related when it comes to romance! I have learner to love Kevin’s acts of love, but I also tell him what I want sometimes. 🙂
Please enter me in your contest. I would love to win your paperback books and especially since they will be signed. Thanks,
JANE, I would love to hike PART of the Appalachian Trail.That’s a long hike!
CONNIE, imo one of the most romantic things a man can do is FIX something around the house.
REBECCA, you’re right. It’s important to tell what you want and what you need!
Loved the interview. We need more romance like this and to be able to talk about in public without being embarrassed. Would love to win the books!
Loved the interview, and would love to win your books. I don’t care if they are paperback or ebooks, although, the paperbacks would be signed and those I would keep forever.
Enjoyed reading this blog..Fun stuff
loved reading the story of you and your husband! ihave not been lucky in love, but enjoy hearing of others who are . ilove a happy endings .would also like to enter your contest. thanks!
The books sound quite interesting.
I would love to win! Thank you, Shanna
Your husband sounds so much like mine…camping, hiking, fishing. Tom’s idea of romance is setting next to a bonfire toasting marshmallows.
Love your books. Thanks for your words.
Evelyn
What a nice interview. It’s sounds like you & hubby have a good time together.
Ohh, what a great giveaway. Thank you for the chance to win these books.
wfnren(at)aol(dot)com
I enjoyed reading the interview about the love you shre with your family! Thanks for a chance to win.
would love to win the paperbacks. My husband and I both read your books.We love to sight see, especially religious places, grotoes and shrines.
Dear Vanetta, I absolutely loved your interview! It was so interesting and even the first sentence captivated me – yes, even about the chicken! I just enjoyed the whole thing! It was so kind of you to share those precious things and moments with us. And the romantic places and little romantic “others”. It was really sharing your life with us in a deeper way and it is greatly appreciated. As for winning your book, of course I would like to be a winner like everyone else and would prefer the regular book form if possible! Please consider me and God bless you and your family! Thanks again. Sincerely, Mary Lou
Thank you for sharing with us….
I love your books Vannetta, and i cant wait to read this one too…God Bless 🙂
Vanetta, you are great romantic! I hope you and your husband have a wonderfully romantic Valentine’s Day. 🙂
Great interview! I’d love to win.
Loved the interviews. Would just love to win either set. I love your writing.
Hi Vanetta–You are a great author–your books are very intrigueing!
How fun to get to know Vannetta Chapman better. She is a wonderful author and I love her books. The more I get to know the person I am finding she is special indeed. Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Thanks would love to win.
Blessings
joeym11@frontier.com
I would LOVE to win!! Thanks for the opportunity!!
Awesome story of your romance, reminds me! of my honeymoon, when we went to a river and slid down the little waterfalls in West. Va., near twin falls. I was teased that needed to put weight on me cause the water would wash me away, but could see my feet in the clear river which fascinated me so the rush of the water literally washed me from my feet!
Another incident since single was walking down a trail at Pinnacle Mountain, in Little Rock, when my foot slipped and my friend instead of yelling watch where I walked reached his arms Around me pulling me back, whispered in my ear, I can see I need to keep. A closer search on you. So much for a platonic walk, but I sure wasn’t upset from slipping down a rock:-)
Uh love your books and enjoy reading them, have a rainy weekend coming up, and this tablet makes reading fun from on the e books. Would love to be a winner, and share my books with the communities around Little Rock.
would love to win, love your books. i’ve been married 43 years.
My husband used to bring me fresh flowers every week, then we got cats………they like to eat them. So no more flowers, but it was romantic! I’d love to win!! Thanks.
Loved the interview. Sure is a great giveaway and I would love to win it.
Love reading your interview about you & your husband. Love your books . I would take either books or ebooks .Love my kindle but some books you just love to read & be able to keep. Thank you for the contest giveaways.I would love to be a winner in this contest.
I loved your romantic interview. I met your husband in person and he is a real sweetheart. I could tell that he simply adores you. Romance is what you make it. I am the romantic planner in our house. John, not so much. How do I know he loves me? It is the little things. Opening my car door, putting gas in my car, taking care of the supper dishes, telling me to be careful if I go anywhere during the day while he is working, telling me he missed me when he gets home from work. John is not a big gift giver but he is definitely a keeper! Our anniversary of 9 years is this Thursday, January 24th! 🙂
Blessings!
Judy
I really have liked every Vanetta Chapman book that I have read, so I would love to read this one also. Thanks and God bless.
Would like to read this book
Great interview! Sounds like you and your hubby are also best friends! Love all your books and would love to win.
I loved the interview and your responses that was great. I would love to win these books. Love to read about the Amish.
Love your books Vannetta.
I’d love to be a winner.
Carolyn Jefferson
carolynj63@att.net
Loved this interview.This is a great interview for Valentine’s Day.Thanks
I would love to win these books. I love the Amish ways. Take Care,
I love reading about you and your husband. And love reading your books. Amish books are my favorite books to read.
Great interview! I would love to win either the paperbacks or the ebooks!
Thanks for the opportunity!
I love the amish books! would love to win these!
i would love to win the paperback version. Thank you and have a blessed day.
Vannetta it sounds like you & Bob have a very good time just being together! That pizza place in Marble Falls sounds great! Thanks for sharing Shannon & Vannetta!! I would be tickled to be a winner!!
I would love to win either also….
I enjoy all Amish books would like to be entered in this drawing.
thank you. Be bless
I enjoy all Amish books. Would like to be entered in this
drawing. Thank you.
I want to also win also so thank you for this chance to do so.
Karen
khsmith87217@yahoo.com
Love your books, would love to win these. What a great interview. Love your honesty.
So wonderful to see all these comments. Thank you all for supporting Amish fiction!
What a great interview. I love reading real love stories as yours. I love your books and would treasure this one if I won it. I’ll still read it anyway.
I love reading your book. And would love to win. Great interview.
I loved the interview> I was like you I didn’t like my husband at first. Now 35 years later it was the right choice. Our love for one another just keeps growing. <3 I would love a chance at winning your books. Thanks so much for the giveaway.
Blessings
joeym11@frontier.com
Thank you for the chance to win – mom and I both love Amish books and enjoy your blog
griperang at embarqmail dot com
Thank you all for commenting! I appreciate it very much.
Blessings,
V