Showing posts with label Texas Romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Texas Romance. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 10, 2016

The Diamond Mine Goes Dystopian with Vannetta Chapman

Vannetta Chapman Takes the Mine into the Deep Shadows



Please welcome a very special person to the Diamond Mine! Vannetta Chapman released an awesome book, Deep Shadows. 

Don’t forget to answer the question at the end of the interview! If you do, you may just win a copy of this great book.

Let’s get started, shall we?

RB: Hello, Vannetta! Welcome to the Diamond Mine. I love Christian fiction as you can tell…LOL What’s special or unique about your book?
VC: There’s not a lot of Christian dystopian books out there. People wonder what we mean when we use that word “dystopian” but it basically means a markedly imperfect world. In this case, it can mean the end of modern civilization as we know it, but from a Christian perspective. So there’s plenty of hope to go along with the struggles, because we have hope in Christ.

Vannetta Chapman
RB: I love dystopian and it seems to be the new “craze” in the film industry. I think writing it from a Christian perspective can enlighten the world to a reality of a possible future both with and without Christ. But how do you keep your characters “three dimensional”?
VC: I use real people I know. Sadly I don’t always remember to change their names! I’m only sort of kidding. Most of my characters are based on people who are friends. In particular, the main character of this series, Shelby Sparks, is a good friend of mine. She’s as spunky and stubborn and kind as she is in the story.

RB: Is your setting unique and how did you select it?
VC: The setting is small town, central Texas after a solar flare has destroyed the power grid. I find it to be unique!

RB: Well, I’d call it unique. Small town and Texas? I used to live in central Texas. And Wyoming is nothing but small town life. I think I’d know exactly what you’re talking about. I like to ask a “thinker” question and here it is…what would you do if you couldn’t write anymore?
VC: I’d keep reading for sure. I’m an avid reader. I’d also probably go back to teaching in some aspect. I miss teaching, but can’t juggle it with the deadlines I currently have (4 books a year).

RB: Do you have any hobbies or things you like to do when you aren’t working?
VC: I have a lot of hobbies! I love to hike, camp, garden, quilt, crochet … and read!

Phoebe
RB: Not sure about the quilting and crocheting. I’m not much of a seamstress…of any type, but I love to hike and camp. My husband’s the green thumb in our house. But three out of six ain’t bad! We can hang out any time! What about pets?
VC: We have a white Labrador that was a shelter dog. Phoebe was 68 pounds when we adopted her and is now 108 (oops). We also have a medium sized beagle, 2 cats, and a herd of deer. (I know, the deer thing is kind of weird.)

RB: Okay, woman. What is it with us? Deer frequent my front yard on a regular basis as well, hence I have no flower beds or trees. We have a yellow Lab and Cocker Spaniel (old bugger too.) But I guess you do have one extra cat, but mine’s probably the size of both of yours.
On a more serious topic, how do you face life in this changing world today?
VC: Our world is constantly changing, and there are always things to worry about--whether it’s the economic situation or solar flares! But we have hope and confidence in Christ, and I think that’s so important to hold on to. Personally we have had some very challenging medical issues in our family the last few years, but through it all we fell on the hope and provision of Christ. My circumstances don’t always make sense, but Christ’s love does.

RB: That it does, Vannetta, and praise Him for it. In closing, what would you like to say to your reader if you could say one thing about yourself and your books?
VC: That whether they are Amish romance, Amish mystery or dystopian the theme is always the same--God’s grace is sufficient. We can always depend on Him.

RB: Thank you so much for being on the Diamond Mine today. I enjoyed it immensely!


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Hey, y’all, don’t leave yet!
Vannetta’s giving away her new book, Deep Shadows! All you have to do is either comment on the interview or answer this question in the comments below…

What’s your favorite small town?



One winner will be selected by random draw in one week following blogpost date.
Minimum of five comments required to validate contest. U.S. eligible only. Prize: one print or digital copy of Deep Shadows by Vannetta Chapman

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About the Book:

All It Takes Is One Night to Plunge the World into Darkness

Life in Abney, Texas, is predictable and safe--until the night a massive solar flare wipes out all modern technology.

Shelby Sparks, novelist and single mom, had one goal: to provide for her diabetic son. In the wake of this global disaster, her mission hasn't changed. Only now, medication is a priceless commodity and the future resembles an apocalyptic nightmare.

Max Berkman and Shelby were once sweethearts, but he lost his chance at claiming her love years ago. When the abrupt loss of power ushers him into a leadership role, he rises to the occasion. But his highest priority--to keep Shelby and her son safe--could prove to be the biggest challenge of all.

As the brilliant northern lights give way to deep shadows, Max and Shelby's faith will be tested like never before. Only one rule remains: Find a way to survive.

* * *

In this first book in an eerily plausible dystopian series, a memorable cast of characters must navigate a familiar world thrown into chaos.


B&N

CBD


About the Author:

Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. She is the author of several novels, including the Pebble Creek Amish series and Anna’s Healing. Vannetta is a Carol award winner and also received more than two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups.  She was a teacher for 15 years and currently resides in the Texas hill country. For more information, visit her at www.VannettaChapman.com.

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

A Big Howdy to Texas Author Martha Rogers!

I'm thrilled to introduce Author Martha Rogers!! She is a real inspiration, and I'm so fortunate to have met her face to face at the St. Louis ACFW Conference!

PT: Welcome, Martha! We're so glad to get to learn more about you! Can you tell us a little about yourself?

MR: The main thing I like for people to know is that I never gave up on the dream I had for writing that began when I was a child.  I wrote my first novel in college at Baylor University in 1954 then marriage, three sons, teaching, earning a Master's Degree in Education, and grandchildren ate of my time, and I had no idea how to do anything with my writing.  Now, with thirteen novels published, I've learned to balance the time I spend on writing and enjoying my life as a grandparent and great-grandparent.

PT: That is so awesome! I, too, encourage people not to forget or give up on their dreams. Some dreams get put on hold because life gets in the way. Not only are you an inspiration to holding out on your dreams, in a world of disposable marriages, you stayed faithfully married for a long time! Congratulations! Any inspiring marital advice?

MR:  After fifty-five years my best advice is not to sweat the small stuff.  I had lots of arguments with husband in my head over little things.  Only when a major disagreement occurred did I say anything and then it must be said with love and not anger even though the anger is there.

PT:  You've been blessed to receive many prestigious awards. I actually witnessed you winning the Volunteer of the Year Award in September at the American Christian Fiction Writers Conference in St. Louis this past year.  Can you tell us one of your most exciting volunteer jobs?

MR:  Writing the Verse of the Week devotional on the main loop of ACFW may not be the most exciting, but it's the most rewarding as I find verses that have meant so much to me and share them with my fellow writers.  The most exciting would most likely be serving as a greeter at meal times during the conference.  I get to see so many more people that way.

PT:  I don't know how you find time with so many things to do. But I love to keep life full of blessings, and I see you do too. What's the greatest challenge at this point in your life?

MR: My greatest challenge right now is caring for my husband as we fight the melanoma that is taking over his body.  He's always been a strong man who took care of our home and me with love.  Now his strength is ebbing and he can't do all the things he once did.  Our faith is strong, but it's a challenge for me to stay upbeat and encourage him when he feels so lousy.  We keep trusting in God and know he will give us everything we need to make this journey.

PT: I know you have a very positive spirit, but it can lag with so much stress. I encourage any reader to add both of you to their prayer list. Prayer, indeed changes lives and keeps families strong. Speaking of family, you wrote about your direct family line in Love Stays True. How did you find fodder to fill the empty gaps in your family's history?

MR:  I have eleven cousins plus my brother and sister, and we meet at "Cousin Camp" once a year with as many of us as possible in attendance.  When I told them what I had discovered, they begged me to write it down.  I did and then wrote a story around the information.  After that we brainstormed to come up with ideas to make it into a novel.  I've never had so much fun writing a novel as I did with Love Stays True and getting their ideas.

PT: Yes, it take a village to actually see a novel come to print, from the idea starters, the brainstormers, the agents, the editors and everyone else in between.  I believe you have Tamela Hancock Murray as your agent. How does she enhance your writing experience?

MR:  She believes in me and is willing to do whateer it takes to get my writing where it needs to be.  If she's not sure about a manuscript idea, she lets me know and makes suggestions for making a plot stronger.  Most important to me is the fact that she is always available and never puts me off.  She truly has the best interests of her clients at heart.

PT: Martha, thanks for being with us at the Diamond Mine. I'm so thankful to have met you and had a chance to know you better.  Before I sign off, one last question. What are you working on now?

MR:  I'm working on a Christmas novella with eleven other writers for a series of e-books to be released one at a time for twelve weeks before Christmas 2015. The series is Mail Order Angels and is about a group of mail-order brides who travel west to find true love. I also have a contract for a Christmas book that will follow the characters of Love Never Fails, and it will be released in the fall of 2016.

PT: I can't wait and I know the readers can't either! Here's Martha's book that she's giving away this week FOR FREE for some blessed reader who leaves comment. 






Martha Rogers is a freelance author of both fiction and non-fiction and a speaker. Her stories and articles have appeared in a number of compilations and magazines. Her first fiction novella released in 2007.

Her experiences as a public school teacher, Sunday school teacher, youth leader, First Place leader, Mom and Grandmother give Martha a unique field of ministry. You can lean more about Martha at these websites:

Twitter: #martharogers2