Today I have the great pleasure of welcoming author Vannetta Chapman to my site, as she speaks about Amish murder mysteries. Yep, you heard me! So sit back with your favorite drink, see what she has to say. And enter for your chance to win a copy of Falling to Pieces after her post!
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Falling
to Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder (A Shipshewana Amish Mystery)
By
Vannetta Chapman
In this
first book of a three-book series, author Vannetta Chapman brings a fresh twist
to the popular Amish fiction genre. She blends the familiar components consumers
love in Amish books---faith, community, simplicity, family---with an innovative
who-done-it plot that keeps readers guessing right up to the last stitch in the
quilt.When two women---one Amish, one English---each with different motives,
join forces to organize a successful on-line quilt auction, neither expects nor
wants a friendship. As different as night and day, Deborah and Callie are
uneasy partners who simply want to make the best of a temporary situation. But
a murder, a surprising prime suspect, a stubborn detective, and the town's
reaction throw the two women together, and they form an unlikely alliance to
solve a mystery and catch a killer.Set in the well-known Amish community of
Shipshewana, Falling to Pieces will attract both devoted fans of the
rapidly-growing Amish fiction genre, as well as those who are captivated by the
Amish way of life.
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By Vannetta Chapman
When I say I write Amish murder mysteries I
receive the ODDEST reactions. It would be fun to make a collage of folks'
expressions. Responses vary from "You kill Amish people?" to
"There's a market for that?" The answer to the first is SOMETIMES,
and the answer to the second is OH YEAH, THERE IS.
I love writing romantic suspense, or in this
case cozy mysteries, for several reasons. When you add mystery to a story line
it definitely picks up the pace. It also taps into our biggest fears--losing
someone we love, defending our family, spending time behind bars? Oh my. No
wonder crime shows rates among the most watched. When you transfer that to a
novel though, you dive deep, you experience what the victims suffer, and you
sometimes have a glimpse into the mind of a murderer. (Creepy, I know.)
Amish fiction is popular because it takes us
away from technology, deadlines, and the fast-paced world we live in. But even
in that pastoral setting passion, greed, and revenge can exist. Even among plain
people you can have misunderstandings that lead to tragedy. And sometimes it's
not the event itself, but the aftermath that we're interested in. It's catching
the bad guy (or girl) and rebuilding our lives, knitting our community back
together that counts, and moving on that becomes the story we want to read.
Amish murder mysteries. Give them a try!
Find out more about Vannetta on her website at www.vannettachapman.com
.
Vannetta Chapman is the author of inspirational Amish fiction novels. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s birthplace of Albion, Pennsylvania. Her first three-book series, set in Shipshewana, Indiana, blends the best components of Amish fiction with a great who-done-it twist.
Find Vannetta Chapman on Facebook
Vannetta is one of the many talented authors who belong to the Romance Writers of America’s Kiss of Death chapter. At Kiss of Death we believe that every great romance should include suspense. Whether a spy thriller in Regency times, a paranormal romance with a revenge-seeking zombie, or a traditional serial killer after the heroine, romance relies on suspense, leading the reader through the trials of the heroine and hero to see if they will get their happily ever after ending. If you can call your writing suspenseful, then the Kiss of Death has something for you! Find out more and join at http://www.rwamysterysuspense.org and follow us on Twitter at @RWAKissofDeath.
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GIVEAWAY
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Giveaway is open to US ONLY, age 16 and older
Contest runs 1-23-12 to 1-27-12
Prize is ONE Print copy of Falling To Pieces: A Quilt Shop Murder Mystery, by Vannetta Chapman
Winner will have 48 hours to respond to winning notification, or a new winner will be chosen.
Entry is by Rafflecopter Only. If Rafflecopter does not load, please refresh this page. If there is a problem after that, please contact me at liz@fictionalcandy.com
You know what, I'm going to have try this genre. Honestly, when I first heard someone mention Amish thriller/romances, I thought it was a joke. But now I've heard quite a bit about them and how good they are..
ReplyDeleteHi Christy. I'm glad you're willing to give Amish mysteries a try. It's an ENTIRELY different setting for murder. : )
DeleteThank you for sharing with us today. I had to chuckle at your "ODDEST" reactions and got a wonderful visual. I would love to read this series. I have read a few Amish fiction books that have generally been love stories or coming of age stories (not really sure how to identify them) and I did enjoy being taken away from my everyday to a world that is very real while enjoying a fictionalized event. I appreciate the opportunity to win a copy of Falling to Pieces and have my fingers crossed :)
ReplyDeleteDenise, those looks I receive ARE kind of funny. : ) But that's okay. Yes, I like writing about NORMAL people, even if that means they melt-down occasionally or try to feed their dogs tv dinners b/c they forget to pick up dog food. Thanks for commenting!
DeleteYou had me at Amish romance! I live in PA so I actually know Amish people, and you are right about being away from technology and living in a completely different setting. I can't wait to read this! Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeletebrandon_savannah@yahoo.com
Hi Savannah. I was doing a book tour through Bird-in-Hand last November. PA is beautiful! Thanks for commenting. : )
DeleteThanks for the opportunity to win this novel, as well as the informative and interesting post. i haven't found Amish books to be too slow of pace for my likes, but would love to read this.
ReplyDeletemarianne[dot]wanham[at]gmail[dot]com
Hi Marianne. I do think the murdery-mystery aspect picks up the pace a bit. There's nothing like ... you know, a dead body to liven things up! That and a killer lurking about. : )
DeleteThanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, Liese!
DeleteThank you everyone for commenting and entering the giveaway. I really appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteAnd Vannetta, I think it is awesome that you are so available for the readers. Thank you! <3
Oh, I love being on your blog, Liz. Only I thought there would be ... you know, CANDY. : )
DeleteHmmm, well, there's a different type of candy on my Shameless Giveaway Hop post, if you like candy of the six pack half naked man type lol
DeleteI've always really liked learning about the Amish way of life (I used to live not-to-far-away from Amish-country in Ohio), and I'm intrigued by the concept of mixing in the murder mystery genre! Thank you for giving us the opportunity to win one of the novels!
ReplyDeleteAnn
Kyreadinggirl@yahoo.com
Hi Ann. I was in Sugar Creek last November. What a beautiful area! And yes, I like mixing up the genres. Thanks for commenting!
DeleteI feel this review was great - you keep my attention. The murder mystery aspect involving an Amish woman and English woman sounds very interesting. Would love to read the whole series. Thank you for this great giveaway. :) Jeanne, jeannebates_t@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteHi Jeanne. It was fun to include a main character who was Amish and a main character who wasn't. That way we were able to show both perspectives ... and since I'm from Texas, you know I had to include a Texan. : ) Thanks for commenting!
DeleteThe amish culture fascinates me connect that to a mystery can`t wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteRhonda, I.m glad you like the story line! Thanks for commenting"
DeleteI love murder mysteries but this is a new twist! Can't wait to try it :)
ReplyDeletethanks this looks very interesting
ReplyDeletewell who would have thought? I had no idea there were Amish mysteries out there. i think i'm gonna give it a try. i'm kinda intrigued now.
ReplyDeleteacade29 at gmail.com
This looks like a fabulous read!!!! A murder mystery with an unique twist!
ReplyDelete