Vannetta Chapman – Romantic Excerpt & Recipe for Romance – Part 1 of 1

Shannon here: Amish romance author, Vannetta Chapman shares a romantic excerpt from her latest release, The Christmas Quilt and a recipe for buttermilk conrnbread. Comment on this post to enter the drawing. Winner’s choice of a print copy or an e-book. Deadline: Dec 21st, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Vannetta:

Today I wanted to talk to you about my newest release, The Christmas Quilt. This is a sweet inspirational story set during the Christmas season. One thing that makes this story unique is that it’s about two couples—and both are already married when the story begins. Thank goodness romance doesn’t end when we say our wedding vows. But the two couples in the story have very different relationships. Annie and Samuel are confident in their relationship. Perhaps because Samuel is older. Or maybe because Annie is a nurse and has experiences which remind her of the difference between important things and trivial. Here’s a sample of their love story.

Excerpt from The Christmas Quilt by Vannetta Chapman:

 Samuel turned and studied her until Annie grew self-conscious—suddenly aware of the dirt on her apron, the way her curls had escaped her kapp, and how sweaty she had become, even in the cold.

Finally, he closed the gap between them and laced her fingers in his, before leading her up the porch steps.

“You did very well, Nurse Annie.”

The blush started slowly, until it crept all the way up her neck and along her cheek-bones. When had Samuel last teased her by calling her Nurse Annie?

“Thank you, doctor.”

“You were quite professional during that crisis.”

“As were you.”

“For a moment there I thought we were going to have two heart attacks on our hands—both Jesse and Mattie.” He led her inside, insisted she sit at the table as he poured them both a glass of water.

“Can you imagine it though, Samuel?”

He didn’t answer, only waited and watched her.

She pushed on. “It was as if her heart was breaking as his was stopping. It was as if they were one.”

Annie sipped the water. “I suppose so many years of marriage creates so strong a bond. Ya?”

Samuel finished his water and set the glass in the sink. Instead of sitting beside her, he squatted in front of her chair, pulled her hand forward and kissed her palm. “I think each year that passes, two hearts become more entwined, like two vines growing side by side. Eventually it must become difficult to know where the beat of one stops and the beat of the other begins.”

Adam and Leah’s relationship is a bit more traumatic—a distance has grown in their marriage and neither is sure how to cross it. When tragedy strikes, they can either grow further apart or cling to each other and to their faith.

This book is full of many of the things that you have come to expect from Amish stories—simple living, a strong community, quilting, and a faith-centered life. Of course an Amish book wouldn’t be an Amish book without some mouth-watering food. The following recipe is from my earlier release, A Wedding for Julia, but I’m sure Annie and Leah would have loved cooking it as well.

Buttermilk Cornbread

2 eggs

1½ cups buttermilk

3 Tablespoons melted lard (or shortening)

1½ cups corn meal

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup flour

¾ teaspoon baking soda

In a large bowl, combine the eggs, buttermilk, and lard/shortening. Add the remaining dry ingredients and pour into an 8 x 8 pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

I hope you will pick up a copy of The Christmas Quilt, and I pray that it will touch your heart during this holiday season.

Blessings,

V

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. All of her books have been Christian Book Distributor bestsellers. Chapman lives in the Texas hill country with her husband. Learn more and connect: www.vannettachapman.com,  facebook — www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks, twitter — @VannettaChapman, pinterest – pinterest.com/vannettachapman. 

About the book – The Christmas Quilt: Annie’s life is deliciously full as the Christmas season approaches. She helps her husband, Samuel, attend to the community’s minor medical needs. She occasionally assists Belinda, the local midwife. And most days, she finds herself taking the buggy to her brother, Adam’s home. Leah is due to deliver their first child before Christmas morning, and Annie is determined to finish a crib quilt before the boppli arrives.
But God’s plans are different from Annie’s. She may not finish the quilt in time and, it may hold a far greater significance than she ever imagined.
Come back Dec 16th for Karin Beery!