The Christmas Quilt by Vannetta Chapman

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
The Christmas Quilt
(Abingdon Press - October 15, 2013)
by
Vannetta Chapman

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word From The Author:

I hold a BA and MA degree in English, and I am proud to be represented by Mary Sue Seymour, AAR. I have published over one hundred articles in Christian family magazines, and have received over two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. I am honored to be a member of Romance Writers of America, American Christian Fiction Writers, and Faith Hope and Love.

I live and teach in the Texas hill country with my husband, cats, and a rather large herd of deer. Our four children have flown the nest; however, we are fortunate that they all live close enough to visit.

I have always felt that my faith was at the very center of who and what I am, and I am thrilled beyond words to be able to now write about something that is so near to my heart. At various times I have served as a pianist, teacher, church secretary, and worship team member. While living in the Dallas area, I served as an adjunct professor of English Literature at Dallas Baptist University. When we moved to a small town in Central Texas, I continued teaching for a few years, but I now write full-time and I play the keyboard in our church’s praise band.

My grandfather was born in Albion, Pennsylvania, and I am currently researching whether I might have Amish roots.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Annie's life is deliciously full as the Christmas season approaches. She helps her husband, Samuel, attend to the community's minor medical needs. She occasionally assists Belinda, the local midwife, and most days, she finds herself delivering the buggy to her brother Adam. Annie’s sister-in-law Leah is due to deliver their first child before Christmas morning, and Annie is determined to finish a crib quilt before the boppli arrives. With six weeks to go, she should have no problem . . . but God may have a different plan. Leah is rushed to the English hospital when the infant arrives early, and Annie discovers the Christmas quilt may hold a far greater significance than she ever imagined.

My thoughts:

There are two types of books I really enjoy reading...Amish fiction and Christmas books, and to get both within the pages of the same book is always a delight.

I really enjoyed how the author tied in the Fruit of the Spirit with the making of the quilt. It's not always easy to have the fruit of the Spirit when going through adversity, and I like how the stories that were told in the book seemed to put Leah's mind at ease as things were tenuous during the last part of her pregnancy. What a fitting example of letting those fruit be developed in each of us as hard times come.

Christmas is just around the corner and this book would be a perfect gift for any book lover who enjoys either Amish or Christmas fiction.

My sincere thanks to CFBA and Abingdon Press for generously providing a copy for review.

If you would like to read the first chapter of The Christmas Quilt, go HERE.