Murder Freshly Baked by Vannetta Chapman

Overview: When delicious baked goods become lethal, a trail of poetry leads to a sweet-toothed killer.

Don’t taste it. Don’t share it.
Just throw it away.
If you try my bakery pie,
You won’t live to see another day.

The Amish Artisan Village of Middlebury, Indiana, might be the last place you would ever expect to find a murderer. But Amber has been managing the Village for decades and there’s nothing she hasn’t seen. Or so she thought.

When poetic notes begin appearing around the bakery, warning that some of the pies have been poisoned, Amber is as confused as she is concerned. Who poisons pies? And more to the point, who leaves poems of warning after they’ve done it? When Amber decides to help the police track down the sweet-toothed saboteur, she enlists Hannah Troyer for another round of Amish-style detective work.

Can Amber and Hannah help the police before the Poison Poet strikes? Both women will need to draw on their faith to preserve the peaceful community they’ve built in Middlebury . . . and to protect the girls who work in the Amish Artisan Village.

ISBN-13: 9780310322177 | Publisher: Zondervan | Publication date: 6/9/2015

Series: An Amish Village Mystery Series

Buy It: B&N | Amazon | CBD

My Review: I absolutely devoured this book. From the very beginning, I was hooked and I had a hard time putting it down. I think this is my favorite of the three books in the Amish Village Mystery Series because it has it all. Heartfelt romance, simple and sweet friendships, honest and humble faith, and loads of intrigue and mystery. I was guessing right along with Hannah, Amber, Preston, and Pam until the very end. 

I especially loved getting a bigger glimpse into the friendship that Hannah and Amber share. It's interesting to me to see how the Amish and English interact, but I love how Vannetta Chapman writes her characters lives and friendships. Though each woman is different in dress, their faith, love, and loyalty are the same. Hannah and Jesse are the cutest couple. I'm so glad we got a glimpse into their future lives. I also loved hearing more from Hannah and Tate. Preston had me from his role in the second book, Murder Tightly Knit. I have a soft spot in my heart for soldiers. His suffering and the work the ICAN and other VA organizations was accurately portrayed, in my opinion. 

Most of all, I loved the faith based message of the story. Hannah and Amber both worry about their friends and family. God is trying to teach them not to worry, but instead to cast their cares upon Him and worry no more. Simple in words, difficult in action. Vannetta Chapman has a way of writing in the message of the book, making it a part of the story, and fitting in the perfect ending.

Overall, I was highly satisfied with the conclusion of the Amish Village Mystery series. I really cannot wait to read more from the amazing author. If you're looking for simple faith, heartwarming romance, and appetizing mystery, pick up this book today!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through the BookLook blogging program in exchange for my honest review.*

About the Author: Vannetta Chapman holds a BA and MA degree in English and has published over one hundred articles in Christian family magazines, receiving over two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s birthplace in Albion, Pennsylvania. She published a novel with Abingdon Press called A Simple Amish Christmas in October of 2010. Her first Quilt Shop Murder Mystery, Falling to Pieces (Zondervan) was released in September of 2011 and received the 2012 Carol Award for best mystery. She currently lives in the Texas hill country.

Connect with Vannetta: Facebook | Twitter | Website

Murder Tightly Knit by Vannetta Chapman

Overview: In a town where Amish and Englisch Mingle every day, a grisly murder leads to mutual suspicion. Can Amber and Hannah find the killer before fear unravels the community . . . and before he strikes again?

Even before she heard of Owen Esch’s death, Hannah Troyer knew something was amiss at The Cat’s Meow yarn shop. The store has been closing at odd times, the ever-dependable Mary isn’t always at her post . . . and an Englischman has been loitering around back.

Now, as leaves of brown, gold, and orange blanket Middlebury, Indiana, Owen lies dead on the Pumpkinvine Trail. The only clues to the murderer’s identity point in two very different directions—one of them leading right to The Cat’s Meow.

The police call in a federal investigator, but Hannah and village manager Amber Bowman are in no mood to wait for them to figure out what they already know—that no one from the Amish Village killed Owen Esch.

Amber and Hannah need to work quickly to solve the murder mystery and bring harmony back to the Amish community.

ISBN-13: 9780310325697 | Publisher: Zondervan
Publication date: 12/16/2014 | Series: Amish Village Mystery Series, #2

Buy It: B&N | Amazon | CBD

My Review: I absolutely loved the second installment of the Amish Village Mystery Series. I was caught up in the story from page one. The mystery surrounding Owen Esch's death is well developed and tangled up as tight as a ball of yarn. I didn't unravel the mystery until almost the end of the book. The story revisits the beloved Amish Artisan Village and Hannah, Amber, Tate, and Jesse.

I loved delving deeper into the lives of Hannah and Jesse. Their relationship is sweet and sincere. I think that's one thing I really enjoy about the Amish novels. Both Hannah and Jesse develop a lot in this book. We get to read more into Jesse's life and feelings. His journey is encouraging, especially for those of us who struggle with anger and forgiveness. Of course, I really enjoyed seeing Amber and Tate together as a married couple, too.

Each character in the book, during the murder investigation, is faced with feelings of anger, uncertainty, and fear. Throughout our lives, we will all encounter situations that have feelings of uncertainty. As the book states, "sometimes Gotte (God) has a way of putting us in situations where we're uncomfortable." He does it to bring us to a place of trust and acceptance of God's will in our lives.

Overall, this was an excellent addition to the Amish Village Mystery series, and I look forward to the next book, Murder Freshly Baked.

About the Author: Vannetta Chapman holds a BA and MA degree in English and has published over one hundred articles in Christian family magazines, receiving over two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s birthplace in Albion, Pennsylvania. She published a novel with Abingdon Press called A Simple Amish Christmas in October of 2010. Her first Quilt Shop Murder Mystery, Falling to Pieces (Zondervan) was released in September of 2011 and received the 2012 Carol Award for best mystery. She currently lives in the Texas hill country.

Connect with Vannetta: Facebook | Twitter | Website

Murder Simply Brewed by Vannetta Chapman

Overview: When the coffee shop manager is murdered in Middlebury’s Amish Artisan Village, two women from different walks of life must join together to solve the mystery.

Spring has arrived in Middlebury, Indiana, and Amber Wright is optimistic about the growing profit from her collection of Amish shops—until she receives a call that Ethan Gray is dead. Hurrying over to A Simple Blend, she finds a solitary hole in the front window and the store manager lying next to the espresso machine, dead from an apparent heart attack. All the money is still in his register.

When Amber hires a young Amish woman, Hannah Troyer, to take over the shop’s duties, the two women become fast friends—as well as amateur sleuths. The police believe Gray’s death is a by-product of vandalism, but Amber and Hannah aren't convinced.

Clues that don't add up, a neighbor who is pulled into the midst of the investigation, a town with secrets to hide, and a blossoming romance—all will combine to push Amber and Hannah into unfamiliar roles in order to reveal answers to the mysteries around them.

ISBN-13: 9780310326168 | Publisher: Zondervan | Publication date: 3/25/2014

Series: Amish Village Mystery Series, #1

Buy It: B&N | Amazon | CBD

My Review: I have been reading reviews on these books since they started coming out last year and have been eager to read them. I finally broke down and bought this book and I'm so glad I did! It was certainly worth the money. This was my first book by Vannetta Chapman, so aside from the reviews I'd read, I didn't know what to expect. While this wasn't a fast paced, action packed novel, I didn't expect it to be. It moved along at just the right speed for the subject.

The characters were well written and developed. I could easily relate to their feelings and emotions throughout the story. Putting the pieces of the puzzle together with them was exciting. I enjoyed reading about Hannah and Jesse. Hannah's sweet innocence and adolescent confusion made for an interesting character. Amber is a great manager. She is kind, compassionate, organized, and caring. Her relationship with Tate was swift and sweet. I didn't like Tate at the beginning of the story, but quickly warmed up to him as his character developed.

The message of the story is about learning to be comfortable in the situations we find ourselves in. Life isn't always easy. Sometimes we stop and question why God put us here. In the words of Hannah's Mamm, "Sometimes Gotte (God) has a way of putting us in situations where we're uncomfortable." He does it for our own good and growth.

Overall, this was an exciting story and I look forward to reading more in the Amish Village Mystery Series. 

About the Author: Vannetta Chapman holds a BA and MA degree in English and has published over one hundred articles in Christian family magazines, receiving over two dozen awards from Romance Writers of America chapter groups. She discovered her love for the Amish while researching her grandfather’s birthplace in Albion, Pennsylvania. She published a novel with Abingdon Press called A Simple Amish Christmas in October of 2010. Her first Quilt Shop Murder Mystery, Falling to Pieces (Zondervan) was released in September of 2011 and received the 2012 Carol Award for best mystery. She currently lives in the Texas hill country.

Connect with Vannetta: Facebook | Twitter | Website