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| Vannetta Chapman |
When Zondervan asked me to write another cozy mystery series, I was pretty excited. Our series in Shipshewana was so much fun that I couldn’t wait to dive in. But that series took place in a quilt shop. I wasn’t sure how to top that location. After all, quilting and the Amish seem to go hand in hand.
Then I visited the Essenhaus in Middlebury. What a wonderful place! Friendly people, excellent food, and several shops situated on the far side of a sweet little pond you could walk around. I was in love!
And that’s where the idea for Murder Simply Brewed was born. I love coffee. I love the Amish, and I loved mysteries. How hard could it be?
But writing a book that centered around a coffee shop required me to step out of my comfort zone. Afterall, I enjoy quilting (which made the Shipshewana books easier), but I’ve never been a barista. Yes, I like visiting a Starbucks when I “go to town.” I’ll admit that I never paid much attention before though. I order and they deliver what I want! It’s pretty simple. For Murder Simply Brewed, I needed to put myself in the shoes of a barista. Happy customers, grumpy customers, and grateful customers. I began watching people whenever I was in a restaurant or coffee shop, watching how they interact with the employees and each other. It was a hoot designing a murder mystery around this group of folks. Who was the guilty party? And why?
I also enjoyed researching recipes with Amaretto Syrup for Coffee. I’ve always been a COFFEE drinker—give it to me plain and strong. Suddenly I was neck deep in espresso, mocha, cappuccino, and macchiatos. Oh my!
If you’re looking for reliable, versatile, and always delicious coffee, then check out Cala Coffee here!
But the heart of this story is the strong sense of community and faith shared between the Amish, the Englisch, and the folks who visit their town. What better place to find that than a coffee shop, located within a string of businesses, set inside an Amish village? Murder Simply Brewed releases in March, and I hope you’ll give it a try. It will be available at all bookstores, and you can also find details on my webpage at www.vannettachapman.com.
Blessings,
V
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| Murder Simply Brewed |
Ps – I’d love to give away a copy of Murder Simply Brewed (ebook or print). It won’t be available until March, but if you win, we’ll keep your name and add you to the mailing list. Simply comment below with your favorite drink on a nice March day.
I don’t like coffee….but I love to smell it.I do love hot chocolate though.I am looking forward to reading this book Vannetta.
I imagine your sipping hot chocolate and reading Vannetta’s new book, Jackie! Thanks for entering and good luck!
I don’t like coffee, I don’t like tea which I have tried different kind, but I love hot chocolate and the Essenhaus in Middlebury has the best. I go there often in the summer and have there hot chocolate, I am a Pepsi drinker. I Love your books and would love to win this one.
Thanks for visiting my blog, Marlette, and sharing your secret: where to find the best hot chocolate! Sounds yummy!
Kate, love your review, as always. Vannetta is a fantastic author. I have read her 2 chapters already that have been uploaded by her and it leaves me so anxious to read the rest! She is an amazing author!
She is an amazing author, Sonya! Thanks for entering the contest!
i don’t drink coffee.my favorite drink anytime is diet pepsi.even in the dead of winter.love your books
Thanks for writing! Glad you enjoy reading … and diet Pepsi!
Nice post; tea
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
I’m glad you enjoyed the post! Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
I like coffee too, but I usually drink tea in the morning myself. I am super excited for this book, since my family lives very close to Shipshewana (they live in Fort Wayne), and I was actually in Middlebury during Christmas! Don’t get me started about the amazing doughnuts they sell at Rise ‘n’ Roll! 🙂 I really and sincerely hope I can win this book, as it would be a very special way for me to remember my amazing trip to Middlebury with my family! And don’t worry about me having to wait until March, a very special book like this is well worth the wait for me! <3 Thanks again for organizing this giveaway, Kate & Vannetta!
Mallory Fry
seagirl_98@hotmail.com
Hi, Mallory, thanks for sharing about your trip and your enthusiasm for Vannetta’s up-coming book! Good luck in the contest!
A cup of cappuccino(french vanilla ) after breakfast and just before the day’s activities start (every day!)
Sounds like a lovely way to start the day, Jerri! Thanks for writing!
Who mentioned hot chocolate???? I’ll take mine with whip cream please.
My “coffee” comes in the form of Pepsi!
Thank you for having the giveaway. I love Tension Tamer tea by Celestial Seasonings. It always seems I have some tension that needs to be tamed!
koho143@hotmail.com
Good tip on the tea, Heather! I’ve yet to meet anyone who doesn’t need to have a little tension tamed. Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
I’m with you & the coffee habit. I have to add French Vanilla creamer but enjoy 3 big travel mugs (to keep it hot) every morning.
I am anxious for your new book release. I have read all others & enjoyed every one of them. 🙂
Thanks for leaving a comment, Darlene! Maybe I need a big travel mug to keep my coffee warm when on the road. Yup, I do. I’m also eagerly awaiting Vannetta’s new release.
Just our decaf Folgers (strong) w/ creamer
Thanks for visiting my blog and reading Vannetta’s fun post, Diana!
Can’t wait to read Murder Simply Brewed. What fun research at Starbucks, where you can get a Caramel Flan Latte!!!! Yummeeee! My favorite drink at home is a cup of hot tea…so relaxing. Would love to win…thanks for the opportunity! Linda
dmcfarl101(at)juno(dot)com
Thanks for writing and entering the contest, Linda! Vannetta’s research does sound fun and yummy. I agree that a cup of hot tea is most relaxing, especially in the comfort of your home. Good luck!
Looking forward to it and share with library after I read
Sharing a book with a library is a generous thought, Yvonne! Thanks for writing!
coffee any time of the day valerie
impicbb@juno.com
Oh, lucky you, who can drink coffee anytime of the day, Valerie! Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
Loved reading the first two chapters of the new book! I know I am probably not able to win, since I won before, and I was so excited!
I love my one cup of French Vanilla coffee in the morning, no sugar but half ‘n half. Don’t drink much coffee later, and when I do, it is decaf. At Starbucks, I like the frozen lattes, and they usually make it with artificial sweetener for me. Ummm, now I want one!
i love a hot cup of hot boston mint tea
I would like a cup of hot english breakfast tea. Its still pretty cold here in March.
marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Merry
I’m not a coffee drinker, but do like tea or hot chocolate!!
My name is Virginia and I’m a coffee addict…..lots of cream and sugar!!!!!!!
vrush729@aol.com love love love Kate and Vannetta…
Would love to win. Love your books. My grandmother immigrated from England in 1898. Every time I was at her house (growing up) we had tea time. She taught me at 7 yrs old to make tea the English way. I love the English Breakfast tea or the Irish Breakfast tea. Earl Gray is to weak.
Hi Kate and Vannetta!
I used to drink coffee all day long until I stopped it all together 20 some years ago. So now I drink water (with lemon) and hot decaf tea throughout the day.
This book sounds so interesting, can’t wait to read it.
Blessings, Tina
tfirce@comcas.net
My favorite drink on a nice March day would have to be sweet tea. Your new book sounds interesting; I can’t wait to read it! cespeary (at) yahoo (dot) com
My favorite is a big cup of light coffee with lots of milk.
Hi,I wanted to add that ,for a March ,I would like either coffee ,hot chocolate or Caffe Latte would be what I’d prefer.I would diffidently love to win this book.Thanks Linda linda.stowe@att.net
Sorry, I know I misspelled a couple of words but I couldn’t go back and change it.Linda
I love, love, love your answers! You all are awesome. Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by.
I always have to have my cup of cappuccino in the morning and this book would really top it off to sit and read with my cup of coffee! Love all of your books Vannetta and I am never disappointed!
forgot to add tsheroke@sbcglobal.net
Thanks for entering the contest, Teresa! Enjoy your cappuccino, Sounds relish.
Favorite drink – cup of international coffee (instant) – French Vanilla, to sip while I’m on the computer.
susanlulu@yahoo.com
A perfect time to sip a delicious beverage! Good luck in book the giveaway!
My favorite drink on a March day (or any day) is a nice, hot cup of fresh coffee. It doesn’t make any difference to me if the weather is cold or hot, I gotta have it. 🙂 Thanks for entering me for the giveaway.
Karen C.
sweetnessnlight@comcast.net
Thanks for entering, Karen, and good luck! I’m like you; gotta have it.
I begin each day with a cup of regular adding flavored creamer.
During The Day When I Am Running Errands And Need A Quick Pick Me Up, I Stop And Get A Cup Of Chai Tea Latte As A Treat.
Cathyfobert
Mcpfob3@Aol.com
Chai tea gives you a pick-me-up? Maybe that’s why my friend likes it so much. Must try. Thanks for writing and good luck in the contest!
I am excited to enter your contest . . . love to read Amish books. I am not a coffee or tea drinker, but would enjoy an ice cold Coca Cola or a tall glass of ice water anytime! jynhoffman@yahoo.com
Thanks for entering and good luck! It’s always fun to hear from a reader who enjoy Amish books!
Depending on how I feel, but either a hot or cold chocolate would go down a treat.
Fantastic thank you.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Sounds delicious, Mary! You just reminded me I need some chocolate. Thanks for entering the contest. Good luck!
For me I prefer a bold cup of regular coffee first thing in the morning but on those rare occasions when I visit Starbucks I love their Mocha Frappuccino’s!
Sounds like the perfect way to start your day! On rare occasions I go to Starbucks too, for a treat. Thanks for writing!
Hello Ladies, I must have that first cup of coffee after that I am ok, I think this will be interresting book to read of Vannetta’s , hope to win and would love a print one.
thanks for sharing how you researched for this one and your book.
Paula O kyflo130(at)yahoo(dot)com
Hello to you, Paula! Vannetta’s book has me intrigued too. Good luck in the contest!
If I’m at Starbucks, I get a java chip frappuccino. If I’m making it at home – I like a dark roast with French Vanilla creamer.
Dark roast with French vanilla creamer sounds delicious, Mona! Thanks for writing!
Sounds intriguing. I love a good cup of coffee. When at Starbuck’s I order a latte. Sounds simple but if not done well, it can taste nasty.
When I am at Starbucks I order a latte too, Judy! Thanks for entering the contest!
I drink coffee from morning till night. I also like it a variety of ways strong black to creamy flavored heaven filled cup. I have a Keruig Vue and it might have been the best invention ever since it puts a cup of coffee in my hands within a few seconds anyway I want it.
I’ve heard those inventions are oh so handy and bring immediate coffee gratification. Hard to beat that. Thanks for writing, Marg!
oh….5-6 prob. I do add milk so it’s healthier…so that cancels out the sugar, right? Mostly coffee the first half of the day or so…but come eve….I do like tea. I try and do that without sugar… mandn(at)wisper(dash)wireless(dot)com
I like your logic! It all sounds healthy to me. Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
Am I an outcast in this group since I’m not a coffee drinker? If it tasted as good as it smells, I would be hooked, but I’ve not yet found coffee that I enjoyed. I love hot cocoa on cold days and drink way too much Diet Coke all year round.
Loved the quilt shop stories, and this series sounds intriguing!
pamburke74gmailcom
You’re not the only non-coffee drinker, Southern Gal. Several others don’t like coffee either. I’ve threatened to give it up, but am hooked. And I do enjoy the taste. Maybe it’s the whole whipping cream I add. Thanks for writing and entering the contest! Good luck!
I like me a cup of coffee hot or cold, I go thru fazes. Right know I’m drinkling ice coffee. I’m also told I drink way to much coffee.
Lisa
korell62@aol.com
How much is too much, Lisa? I like ice coffee in the summer. I wonder if you live in a warm climate. Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
I limit myself to two cups of coffee with cream in the morning, I prefer Gevalia coffees — as longs as I am limited in quantity, I might as well enjoy the coffee I drink. The rest of the day I’m drinking decaf, unsweetened iced tea or plain water.
I’ve never heard of Gevalia coffee, Kaye, and must look into it. The cream part I already have. Thanks for writing!
STRONG coffee is my choice, usually black. Perfect with desert!
I’m sure this book (series?) will be just as good as the ones centered
around a quilt shop. I loved that one. So throwing my hat in the ring for this one, too,
Thanks Kate and Vannetta.
I’m jealous that you can have coffee with dessert, I assume it night! STRONG coffee is my preference too, but I have to limit it to the AM. I’m looking forward to Vannetta’s new book too!
I can’t function without my morning cup of coffee! I usually drink two cups but sometimes three! There’s nothing like a good book and a cup of coffee! I would love to win this book, sounds wonderful!
kcrouse1950@verizon.net
When my husband and I travel we sometimes bring along our own coffee, just in case. I agree; nothing better than a good book and a cup of coffee! Thanks for entering the contest and good luck!
Wowzer. I stepped away from the computer for the weekend, and came back to find all these comments. I am so appreciate of you all, your interest in amish fiction, and your support of my writing. Thank you!
Thank you, Vannetta, for being my guest! It’s not too late to enter to win a copy of Vannetta’s “Murder Simply Brewed”!
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