Friday, February 15, 2013

"A Home For Lydia" by Vannetta Chapman (Review & Giveaway)

 
About the book - A Word From the Author: “A Home for Lydia is a story of old things made new, the value in working together, and the gift of love—between a man and woman, family members, and friends. We return once again to the Amish community of Cashton, Wisconsin where life is not perfect, but it is simple. Most of all, this is a story of God's grace, and how it is always sufficient. I pray it will touch your heart and reassure you of the love of our Father.”
 

My thoughts: Vannetta Chapman begins this tale of the Amish in Pebble Creek community with Lydia, a beautiful young Amish woman who is single, fearful of being an "old maid," burdened with the responsibility of supporting her family (parents and siblings), and taking care of a run-down set of tourist cabins. She is weary and sitting on the steps of one of these cabins when a young man arrives and looks at the scene with obvious disgust, shock, and frustration. He accosts Lydia when he finds out she is an employee of his deceased uncle and wants to know why she has allowed things to get in such bad shape.

Lydia's feisty personality is really ignited by Aaron Troyer's confrontation. But Aaron is now her "boss" and he moves with swift action to bring to "rights" the cabins and to make them into a profitable enterprise. Aaron is the nephew of the deceased uncle, and as extended family, they feel it their place and responsibility to help the uncle's widow and children have a means of support.

The setting for the story is along Pebble Creek and the cabins are nestled close to Pebble Creek where there is an abundance of beautiful wild animals, birds, and plants. It is a serene, peaceful place where tourists can come and experience the plain life in simplicity and peace. But alas, all is not at peace there.

A Home for Lydia
is book 2 in the Pebble Creek series and we again meet our friends Miriam, Gabe, and Grace from A Promise for Miriam, book 1. Grace is the adorable little daughter of Gabe and her character continues to charm and warm your heart.

In A Home for Lydia we again see the strength of the Amish in strong families and strong community. When the family or community is threatened by illness, disaster, poverty, ruination, or weather destruction they come together in support of each other bringing healing of heart, soul, and purse. When crime or meanness invades their community, they deal with it with love and concern and try to help the offenders and those who have been offended.

Vannetta Chapman has again done a beautiful job of developing each of the characters where they seem real, believable, and true to the role they are crafted to play in the story. The story line moves well, is easy to follow, and a pleasure to read. I look forward to reading book 3 in the Pebble Creek series due to be released in the summer of 2013.
 

About the author: Vannetta Chapman has published more than 100 articles in Christian family magazines. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s birthplace in Albion, Pennsylvania. Vannetta is a multi-award-winning member of Romance Writers of America. She was a teacher for 15 years and currently resides in the Texas Hill country. Her first two inspirational novels—A Simple Amish Christmas and Falling to Pieces—were Christian Book Distributors bestsellers.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ GIVEAWAY ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  
Just enter via the Rafflecopter links below. (Please be patient as Rafflecopter is sometimes a bit slow to load.) This giveaway only open to USA addresses.
Begins Feb. 15, 2013 - ENDS March 4 at 12:01 a.m. EST


a Rafflecopter giveaway
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of A Home For Lydia from the author, Vannetta Chapman, in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are solely my own. No compensation was given for this review.

25 comments:

  1. She writes " Fiction full of GRACE". They are full of "light, hope and truth".

    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  2. I commented on Vannetta Chapman's FB page.


    CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

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  3. The first thing you need to know about me is that I write Fiction full of GRACE.

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  4. Thank you so much for highlighting my book today. I'm excited to offer a copy to one winner. Also, the ebook is $2.99 for a few more days at all vendors.

    Blessings,
    V

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  5. ...thatI write Fiction full of GRACE

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  6. The first thing you need to know about me is that I write Fiction full of GRACE.
    Thanks for a great giveaway!
    smhparent [at] hotmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  7. I commented on Vannetta's FB page at https://www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks/posts/569785453046766.
    Thank you!
    smhparent [at] hotmail [dot] com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sorry, Vera, I couldn't get the rafflecopter to work. I tried thru Firefox, IE, and Chrome. I would enjoy reading this book, however. I like the setting.
    may_dayzee (at) yahoo (dot) com
    I am a follower by email (different address)

    ReplyDelete
  9. The first thing we need to know about Vannetta writes fiction full of grace! I love that. Thanks for the opportunity to win. My e-mail is sunydey26@aol.com

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  10. I also commented on Vannetta's FB page =) sunydey26@aol.com

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  11. Great review, Vera! For those who haven't read Vannetta's books, I think you will fall in love with her style of writing as well as the characters of each one. I suggest getting A Promise for Miriam, then follow up with A Home for Lydia. I have read both and loved them. Just anxiously awaiting for the next one in this series, A Marriage for Julia.

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  12. First thing we need to know is, She writes fiction full of GRACE! How amazing does that in itself sound? I love it!
    Crystal Gibson
    mrs.gibson24@yahoo.com

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  13. I commented on Vannetta Chapman's FB page.. I love your review, thank you so much for the chance to read this awesome book!
    Crystal Gibson
    mrs.gibson24@yahoo.com

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  14. The first thing you need to know about me is I write fiction full of grace.

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  15. Vannetta says " The first thing you need to know about me is I write about Fiction full of Grace.
    Maxie mac262(at)me(dot)com








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  16. Sorry, I forgot to say I liked Vannetta's Facebook. Maxie

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  17. From Vanetta's website: "The first thing you need to know about me is I write about Fiction full of Grace.

    Katie J.
    johnsonk133[at]yahoo[dot]com

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  18. that I write fiction full of Grace. ml_mcafee@yahoo.com

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  19. Vanetta writes fiction full of Grace.
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com

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  20. Thank you all for your comments, tweets, and facebook posts. You have brightened my week!

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  21. Full of Grace!
    http://ticsblog75.blogspot.com/
    Ticsblog75@gmail.com

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  22. I commented on fb
    Teresa Choplin
    http://ticsblog75.blogspot.com/
    Ticsblog75@gmail.com

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  23. I am not sure if Rafflecopter worked or not, but I mentioned I'd check out the author's blog and then comment the answer to this question: "The first thing you need to know about me is ____". The answer is: that I write Fiction full of GRACE.

    Thank you for the opportunity to win a book by an author I have not yet had the pleasure to read! :) I love the impending friction between the two main characters, and I'd love the chance to read how everything turns out! :) I enjoy reading Amish fiction and this one looks quite appealing!

    inkand-blogaways(at)usa(dot)net
    // Florida

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  24. I commented on Vannetta's Facebook page
    https://www.facebook.com/VannettaChapmanBooks#!/VannettaChapmanBooks/posts/217559135057137

    ReplyDelete

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