"A Simple Amish Christmas" by Vannetta Chapman

A Simple Amish Christmas

by  Vannetta Chapman

1.    Will Annie find acceptance in the Amish community she left behind?

Annie Weaver always planned to return home, but the 20-year old RN has lived in Philadelphia for three years now. As her time of Rumschpringe is about to come to an abrupt end, bringing for Annie an overwhelming sense of loneliness. She returns home and finds herself face-to-face with a budding romance with an Amish farmer and Annie has several important choices to make.

To read an excerpt go here :http://e2.ma/click/86oah/cisvtj/oz99pc


My Interview Questions:

1.      Will you tell us your favorite Christmas traditions? 

One of my favorite traditions is going to my in-laws on Christmas Eve. For over 50 years, they have held a sort of "open house" on Christmas Eve. They live in a small town, and it seems that most everyone from the town stops by. It's an evening of visiting, sharing, and wishing each other Christmas blessings. Paw, my father-in-law, has passed, but the tradition continues. It's a very special time for all of us.

2.       What is your favorite Christmas memory?

I remember wanting a kitten so badly that I could barely sleep. We had 4 children at home, and Christmas was slim but special. We each received 2 gifts, 3 if it was a good year. And always my dad insisted that we eat breakfast before we opened them. I think it was his way of prolonging the moment. That year, the year I wanted the kitten, I thought I was going to DIE if I couldn't go in the living room and check for that kitten. Then as I was walking to the dining room  to eat breakfast, I tripped over something yellow and furry--the sweetest little ginger cat you have ever seen. My parents had been keeping it in the garage apartment until Christmas morning. We named him Bowzie. He may have been the best gift I received as a child.

3.        What is your least favorite memory of a certain Christmas? 

That would be when I was a single mom. I was working 7 different part time jobs and I was going to school full time in order to finish my teaching degree. Christmas was looking to be a dismal affair rather than a joyous celebration. One day we came home from school to find over a dozen bags of groceries on the front porch and two friends from our church waiting. They helped us carry the bags inside and then insisted I open the envelope in one of the bags. It was filled with money, plenty to buy my son Christmas and take care of some necessities as well. I remember crying as my son divided the money into piles. He kept saying, "It's a GOOD thing, mom. Why are you crying?" Those were learning times for both of us. Above all, I learned that God does provide and that he often does so through our church family.

"A Simple Amish Christmas" by Vannetta Chapman is a 5 star book. If you don't read this book you are missing out on a Wonderful book ! I was drawn into the story from the first sentence of the prologue.  Annie Weaver is Amish but while on her Rumschpringe she had continued her schooling and is now a nurse.  One day she receives a call and is informed about an accident involving her father and rushes home.  She is greeted with harsh words from Samuel, her father's best friend and he is also the closet thing to a doctor that the Amish community of Mifflin Country, Pennsylvania has. 

Annie has to prove to him that she is still Amish and that she plans to remain at home in Mifflin Country. This book is also about Samuel learning to forgive himself and to learn to love again and to trust what his heart is telling him. Samuel's past is something that would be hard to let go of but he learns that he can still honor it and live in the future!

Can Annie and Samuel work together to heal the ill of Mifflin Country, and will they trust their growing feelings toward each other ?

Even through this book is a Christmas story I believe this story is a story that could be enjoyed anytime a reader wanted to enjoyed a heartwarming story about forgiveness and love! 

There is a glossary of Amish words at the end of the story to help with the words used in the story if a reader needs them. There are also discussions questions at the end and I think they would be great to answer for yourself or in a book club discussions!

I was given a free copy of this book by Abingdon Press Fiction  for my honest review to be in the 2013 Christmas Blog Tour!