Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for The Amish Christmas Matchmaker by Vannetta Chapman, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Title: The Amish Christmas Matchmaker
Series: Indiana Amish Brides #4
Author: Vannetta Chapman
Publisher: Love Inspired
Release Date: September 1, 2019
Genre: Inspirational Amish Fiction
She’ll find him a wife for Christmas…
Which of these Indiana Amish Brides is next?
With her wedding business thriving, Annie Kauffmann could never leave her beloved Amish community.
So when handsome Amish cowboy Levi Lapp tries to convince her father to move the family to Texas, she must put a stop to it.
If Annie finds Levi a wife, he might forget his dream of moving…but can she keep from falling for him herself?
PURCHASE LINKS*: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Christianbook
From the cover, it may seem like The Amish
Christmas Matchmaker is simply another Love Inspired series romance, but
there’s nothing “simple” about the writing of Vannetta Chapman and this story
is one of my favorites. The characters may be Amish, but the message knows no
spiritual boundaries. The writing is smooth, flows at a steady pace, and there’s
never a dull moment.
The Amish Christmas Matchmaker takes place in Goshen, Indiana, with Texas literally becoming the elephant in the room that no one talks about – except that it was talked about in this story, and often. Through Chapman’s intimate knowledge and love for her state, Texas landscapes are so vividly conveyed that I could see them in my mind. It was also fun to learn an interesting nugget or two, such that the name Texas comes from the Native American word for friend or ally.
The lead characters of Annie and Levi are well drawn and my connection with them was instant. Annie, who runs a thriving wedding-catering business with her English partner and friend, is seemingly content with making other people’s happily-ever-after unfold. Levi, with his Stetson and cowboy boots, is not your typical Amish guy as he comes into the Goshen community hoping to convince families to move to Texas. Levi yearns for Texas because it symbolizes a time in his young years when life was good and people could be trusted … “It wasn’t that he wanted more. It was only that he wanted something different than what he had.”
That Annie and Levi would clash is inevitable and I loved some of the early scenes with their lively banter. Anyone who has had a passionate dream in their heart can identify with Levi, but the problem was that his dream was so strong that he viewed every situation and every person through the lens of what he hoped would happen. Annie didn’t like change, and neither do I! But there comes a point where you have to humbly seek God’s will and trust, laying your dreams at His feet – and that what’s this story so gently conveys. I’ve never given much thought to the Amish practice of silent prayer, but loved how Annie discovered that this forced her to speak to God honestly rather than listening to her father’s voice.
Levi might come across as full of himself in the
beginning, but their attraction and growing friendship is beautiful to behold.
I understood why Levi was so passionate about moving to Texas and why Annie was
so determined to stay. While I felt sure things would work out well between
them, getting there was so much fun! One of the things I love most about
Chapman’s writing is how she effortlessly draws me into the emotions of the
characters, making me sense what they feel. This description of Annie is a
perfect example: “She clutched her hands in front of her, not because she was
afraid, but because she had the sudden urge to reach out and touch him before
he disappeared like a mirage that she couldn’t prove had ever been there.”
I loved how Chapman brought things together with an ending that was very satisfying. Levi is one of my favorite leading men and the scene where their love is acknowledged – sigh worthy.
Highly recommended.
I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
MY THOUGHTS
“Sometimes change was exactly what the doctor ordered.
Sometimes change was what you needed when
you didn’t even realize you needed
anything.”
- Annie
The Amish Christmas Matchmaker takes place in Goshen, Indiana, with Texas literally becoming the elephant in the room that no one talks about – except that it was talked about in this story, and often. Through Chapman’s intimate knowledge and love for her state, Texas landscapes are so vividly conveyed that I could see them in my mind. It was also fun to learn an interesting nugget or two, such that the name Texas comes from the Native American word for friend or ally.
The lead characters of Annie and Levi are well drawn and my connection with them was instant. Annie, who runs a thriving wedding-catering business with her English partner and friend, is seemingly content with making other people’s happily-ever-after unfold. Levi, with his Stetson and cowboy boots, is not your typical Amish guy as he comes into the Goshen community hoping to convince families to move to Texas. Levi yearns for Texas because it symbolizes a time in his young years when life was good and people could be trusted … “It wasn’t that he wanted more. It was only that he wanted something different than what he had.”
That Annie and Levi would clash is inevitable and I loved some of the early scenes with their lively banter. Anyone who has had a passionate dream in their heart can identify with Levi, but the problem was that his dream was so strong that he viewed every situation and every person through the lens of what he hoped would happen. Annie didn’t like change, and neither do I! But there comes a point where you have to humbly seek God’s will and trust, laying your dreams at His feet – and that what’s this story so gently conveys. I’ve never given much thought to the Amish practice of silent prayer, but loved how Annie discovered that this forced her to speak to God honestly rather than listening to her father’s voice.
“Sometimes first impressions aren’t the best.
Sometimes we have to see past that impression to the scars
and hopes and dreams
underneath,
and then we understand who they really are.”
- Martha
I loved how Chapman brought things together with an ending that was very satisfying. Levi is one of my favorite leading men and the scene where their love is acknowledged – sigh worthy.
Highly recommended.
I received a copy of this book through JustRead Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CONNECT WITH VANNETTA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a copy of The Amish Christmas Matchmaker (print or digital), a quilted Amish mug mat, a woven Amish mug mat, and $10 Amazon gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on these tours for more chances to win. Full tour schedule on this tour shown below. Giveaway begins at midnight September 9, 2019 and will last through 11:59 PM EST on September 16, 2019. Winners will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. Due to shipping cost, only US mailing addresses valid.
For our giveaway rules and policy, click HERE.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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the books are great thanks
ReplyDeleteThank you for your review on "The Amish Christmas Matchmaker" by Vannetta Chapman and for being part of the book tour.
ReplyDeleteFabulous author and I know this will be another great book. I can't wait for the opportunity to read it.
2clowns@arkansas.net
Sounds like a lovely book! Thank you.
ReplyDeleteLooks and sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteI like the cover
ReplyDeleteThe idea of an Amish matchmaker intrigues me!
ReplyDeleteGood Morning! Thank you for the book description.These tours are great and we have found some terrific books so thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteLove Vannetta's books
ReplyDeleteLove Christmas books and Vanetta. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds like a fascinating read.
ReplyDeleteGreat review. This sounds like a great read. I love anything writes. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteTighefan42atgmaildotcom