It’s my pleasure to welcome Vannetta Chapman back to Buzzing About Books! Thank you so much for visiting with us today, Vannetta, and for graciously offering a copy of Joshua’s Mission to one of my readers.
Thank you for allowing me to visit your blog today, Britney. I’m very excited about the release of Joshua’s Mission (2-1-16), which is book 2 in my Plain & Simple Miracles series. This book is a Christian romance story, but some of you may wonder … how do you find romance in the midst of a disaster? And how is this sort of story about the grace of God? Great questions!
Joshua’s Mission – Finding romance and grace in the midst of disaster
Joshua Kline travels from his farm in Oklahoma to offer aid to an Englisch town on the gulf coast of Texas after a category 4 hurricane has ravaged the area. What will Joshua find when he arrives in Texas? A budding romance? A call from God? A possible healing of his relationship with his brother? Joshua’s Mission is a story of love, forgiveness, and the grace of God that carries us through even the worst situations.
1. Romance? I love writing romance. I adore happily-ever-after, and I can find those stories in just about any situation. Middle of a hurricane? No problem. While your brother is intent on finding trouble with the law? Yeah. I can do that. During a recovery mission? Absolutely! I think love is, literally, all around us. And sometimes, it’s when we have trouble in our lives that we’re most open to a new relationship.
2. Grace? Disasters are a terrible thing. If you’ve ever experienced a first hand natural disaster, or been on site soon after one, you know what I mean. It’s heartbreaking to see people’s lives ripped apart. So how can we possibly have a story about grace in such a terrible situation?
The answer is in the way that we comfort one another. Christ told us to be His hands and feet, and during disasters we find people doing that very thing. We put down our cell phones, unplug from the internet, turn off the television, and we become involved with each other’s lives.
I had the awesome chance to experience this recently after we had massive flooding in central Texas. On May 25, 2015, the towns of Wimberley and San Marcos were hit by catastrophic flooding from the Blanco River. The river crested at an estimated 41.5 feet, nearly 30 feet above flood stage. Lives were lost. Homes were destroyed. But the people in the area pulled together. Volunteers showed up in droves. Donations came in. Rebuilding began. The experience I had helping one family certainly changed my outlook. As one of the men told my husband, “We had no idea where to begin, and then you all showed up. You gave us hope.” Wow. Grace in the midst of disaster.
3. Fiction. Joshua’s Mission is a fictional account of a hurricane that hits the Texas gulf, but I was able to use first hand testimonies of hurricane victims in other areas, my own experience working on an emergency response team, and interviews with people in the area to weave together a story. There’s a little romance and a whole lot of grace. I hope that you’ll give it a try.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS – (US only)
One lucky reader will win a print copy of Joshua’s Mission!
To enter the giveaway:
Leave a comment below, and be sure to include your email address. The giveaway ends Monday, February 1 at midnight CST. The winner will be drawn and announced on February 2nd.
To earn additional entries:
Follow this blog, Buzzing About Books, and/or share the giveaway via social media. Be sure to let me know what you’ve done to earn additional entries!
Have you ever experienced a natural disaster or helped in a recovery effort? If not, maybe you know someone who has. Tell us your story.
Vannetta Chapman writes inspirational fiction full of grace. 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. Chapman was a teacher for 15 years and currently writes full time. She lives in the Texas hill country with her husband.
Connect with Vannetta:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Instagram
Purchase a copy of Joshua’s Mission:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble
Buzzing About Books 
Vannnetta Chapman is an outstanding author. I would love to read Joshua’s Mission. Thank you for the wonderful interview and giveaway.
mauback55 at gmail dot com
Thank you for your sweet words, Melanie! Thanks for stopping by!
This book sounds like a great story. I would love to read it. My email us momndad243atyahoodotcom
Thanks, Polly! I hope you get an opportunity to read it!
I know that some think of Amish as only being farmers, quilters, carpenters, bakers/food preparers. But it’s wonderful when we learn they have other professions too. Thank you for the chance to win a copy of this book. robeader53@yahoo.com
Thank you for stopping by!
I am looking forward to reading this story. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Melissa!
Vanetta Chapman is one of my favorite authors! Looking forward to this book.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
You’re sweet, Beth! Thank you for stopping by!
I look forward to reading more by this author. This book looks intriguing! I have it said that when bad things happen, look for the helpers.
You’re right, Janice! Thank you for your comment!
I do enjoy her books, & I would enjoy reading this one too!
I do follow buzzing about books 🙂
dkstevensneAToutlook(dot)COM
Thanks so much for stopping by!
When love to read thanks for the opportunity
Thanks for stopping by, Joni!
I just read three of her books and am anxious to read this one!! Thanks for the giveaway. I follow via E mail.
jacsmi75 at gmail dot com
Wonderful, Jackie! Thank you!
I’ve never personally experienced or helped with a natural disaster. I do remember one year when I was still living in Illinois, though, that we had to stay down in the basement all night due to severe T-storms and a tornado warning…that certainly was scary!! One didn’t touch down that night thankfully, but listening to the sirens & how black the sky got was super frightening. Thankfully I live in Oregon now where we don’t get those! I’ve seen too many pictures of the devastation they cause!
Thank you for the chance to win a copy of “Joshua’s Mission”, sounds like a terrific book!
teamob4 (at) gmail (dot) com
Wow Trixie! That sounds very scary! Glad you’re out of harms’ way! Thanks for stopping by!
I thank the Lord everyday that I haven’t had a natural disaster to deal with. I don’t know how I would cope with it if it did happen. Thank you so much for the giveaway.
Thanks for stopping by, Tammy!
It sounds very interesting and would love to read. hilda753@gmail.com
Thanks for stopping by, Hilda!
I follow your blog and think Vannetta is one amazing author. All her books are just the best! sonja dot nishimoto @ gmail dot com
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Sonja! Big hugs to you!
Thank you for stopping by everyone! Your comments are greatly appreciated!
Sounds like a neat story. I love that you are using a disaster to show God’s love and caring
God bless you
Chris
granvilleATfrontiernetDOTnet
Thanks Chris!
We have had a tornado touch down about 15 miles away from us about 15 years ago. It was super windy and the sky was so dark. I took the children down to the basement and spent the night there. There was no loss of life associated with this but a ring that was lost from someones house during this storm that was found amazingly several months later by someone 20 miles away. I am looking forward to reading, Vanetta Chapman’s new books. They are so inspirational.
Deanne P.
Cnnamongirl at aol dot com
Wow Deanne! That’s truly incredible! Thanks for stopping by!
I have iived through a disaster and received help from others. It made is so much easier to recover. I am famaliar with the MDS group. They are amazing people.
Shirley
straitfromthehive(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Shirley!
Disaster stories really resonate with me. I live in tornado country & have seen the aftermath of homes just gone. This story sound like something I’d enjoy.
Goodness, Becky. I am sure you will love Joshua’s Mission! Thanks for commenting.
I thank God that I’ve never experienced a natural disaster. However, the year that I was born, there were terrible tornadoes in our area of Kentucky.
Dianna — dedezoomsalot at yahoo dot com
Hi Dianna, thank you for stopping by and commenting.
Book sounds very good!
Ember99 at Hotmail dot Com
Thanks for stopping by, Marsha.
Interesting blog post. No, I haven’t been involved in disaster recovery, but people from our church and community have. They shared what a blessing it was!
susanlulu@yahoo.com
It surely is a blessing, Susan! Thanks for commenting.
Looks like an awesome read! Thanks for doing this for your readers! Have a Blessed day!
Hi Wenona! Thanks for stopping by!