Vannetta Chapman's "Falling to Pieces" (A Shipshewana Amish Mystery)

Title: Falling to Pieces (A Shipshewana Amish Mystery)
Publisher: Zondervan

Cover blurb: In the Amish community of Shipshewana, two women—one Amish, one English—reluctantly join forces for a short-term business venture. Neither is looking for friendship, but when the town's newspaper editor is murdered, and an unexpected prime suspect is identified, the women form an unlikely alliance to solve the mystery.

Description: In this first book of a three-book series, author Vannetta Chapman brings a fresh twist to the popular Amish fiction genre. She blends the familiar components consumers love in Amish books—faith, community, simplicity, family—with an innovative who-done-it plot that keeps readers guessing right up to the last stitch in the quilt.

When two women—one Amish, one English—each with different motives, join forces to organize a successful on-line quilt auction, neither expects nor wants a friendship. As different as night and day, Deborah and Callie are uneasy partners who simply want to make the best of a temporary situation. But a murder, a surprising prime suspect, a stubborn detective, and the town's reaction throw the two women together, and they form an unlikely alliance to solve a mystery and catch a killer.

Set in the well-known Amish community of Shipshewana, Falling to Pieces will attract both devoted fans of the rapidly-growing Amish fiction genre, as well as those who are captivated by the Amish way of life.

1) How did this story come to you? I was asked by Sue Brower (executive editor) to come up with several ideas for an Amish mystery series. I submitted 5 series ideas with 3 stories each and this is the one she chose! We wanted to pair an Amish woman with an Englisch, and it just so happens Callie is from Texas--like me!

2) Tell us about the journey to getting this book published.
My first inspry was picked up by Abingdon Press. Zondervan saw that manuscript and liked it, but didn't need a writer for Amish romance because they have the fabulous Amy Clipston. When Sue asked me if I'd be interested in writing something different, I jumped at the chance.

3) Tell me three things about yourself that would surprise your readers.
I have a phobia about tall bridges (driving over them), I play the piano fairly well, and I didn't receive my college degree until I was 34 years old.

4) What are you working on now and what's next for you?
I'm working on book 2 of my Pebble Creek Series (Amish romance) for Harvest House. This is a lovely series set in Wisconsin. Book 1 will release in June of 2012. We hope to continue with more Amish mystery, as early reader response for Falling to Pieces has been tremendous.

5) Parting comments?
Be open to changes in your "life plan." Things haven't always turned out as I envisioned them, but God had something better in mind.

6) Where can fans find you on the internet?
They can find me through my webpage (http://www.vannettachapman.com/) or on facebook (www.facebook.com/vannettachapmanbooks). Also I post to my blog 3 times a week (http://www.vannettachapman.wordpress.com/).