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An Amish Cradle
An Unexpected Blessing
At 42, Etta thought she was finished having children, but she’s pregnant again. After a frightening labor, Etta finally gives birth, but her constant worry over her estranged grown son, David, haunts her still. As a new mother again, Etta must hold tightly to the promise that God will watch over her children—and that one day David will return.
118 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 2015
16 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
About the author
Vannetta Chapman
128 books1,453 followersVannetta Chapman is a New York times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of over t0 novels. She has sold over one million copies and writes in a variety of genres that include dystopian, suspense, dystopian, romantic suspense, romance, and cozy mystery.
Chapman has 25 years educational experience as an English teacher at the high school and collegiate level. She currently resides in the Texas Hill Country where she writes full times.
Sign up for her newsletter and receive a free ebook! For more information, visit her at http://vannettachapman.com
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Chapman has 25 years educational experience as an English teacher at the high school and collegiate level. She currently resides in the Texas Hill Country where she writes full times.
Sign up for her newsletter and receive a free ebook! For more information, visit her at http://vannettachapman.com
https://twitter.com/VannettaChapman
https://www.facebook.com/VannettaChap...
http://vannettachapman.com/blog/
https://www.instagram.com/vannettacha...
http://vannettachapman.com/book-list/
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 10, 2020
Very enjoyable!
February 12, 2015
An Unexpected Blessing : An Amish Cradle Novella
by: Vannetta Chapman
I throughly enjoyed An Unexpected Blessing, it was a blessing to read it. Blessings from God can come at anytime in our lives. Etta and Mose have an unexpected blessing , Etta is with child again at forty-two. Mose fights a winter snow storm trying to get Etta to the birthing center. Will they make it or will Etta have her baby in the buggy? There is also worries about their son that has left home on his own. Will they ever see him again? Will they loose their farm? I was not disappointed in An Unexpected Blessing. Be sure and get your copy to find out more about Etta and Mose.
by: Vannetta Chapman
I throughly enjoyed An Unexpected Blessing, it was a blessing to read it. Blessings from God can come at anytime in our lives. Etta and Mose have an unexpected blessing , Etta is with child again at forty-two. Mose fights a winter snow storm trying to get Etta to the birthing center. Will they make it or will Etta have her baby in the buggy? There is also worries about their son that has left home on his own. Will they ever see him again? Will they loose their farm? I was not disappointed in An Unexpected Blessing. Be sure and get your copy to find out more about Etta and Mose.
March 22, 2015
An unexpected Blessing takes place in Shipshewana, Indiana where winters are brutal. Vannetta Chapman writes with a familiarity of the area that only a seasoned visitor would know. This story of faith, family, financial struggles and parenting in the Amish community is told with sensitivity, tenderness and warmth!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review.
March 16, 2015
Oh, I loved this story. I could so totally relate to Etta. My last baby was born at 41, and I was born when my mom was 42, so I know the feelings, the thoughts, the fears well. The conclusion to this story made me cry it was so perfect and sweet. I think this was the best story in the whole collection. 5 stars for this one!
March 27, 2015
About this book:
“At 42, Etta thought she was finished having children, but she s pregnant again. After a frightening labor, Etta finally gives birth, but her constant worry over her estranged grown son, David, haunts her still. As a new mother again, Etta must hold tightly to the promise that God will watch over her children and that one day David will return.”
Spiritual Content- Psalm 126:3 at the beginning & quoted in the story as well; Prayers; Talks about God & His Will; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; A mention of Abraham & Sarah; Discussions about the Amish & Mennonite beliefs.
Negative Content- N/A
Sexual Content- Married couples kiss; A mention of a monthly cycle; Mentions of menopause; Mentions of a stillborn; A baby is born (with a looped cord & cutting the cord, barely-above-not-detailed to semi-detailed); Mentions of nursing.
-Etta Bontrager, age 42
-Mose Bontrager, age 45
P.O.V. switches between them
96 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Two Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Three Stars
“An Unexpected Blessing” by Vannetta Chapman – Now this one...Hmmm. I got the same feeling from it but I can’t find that it’s connected to any other novellas/novels. Hmm!
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from an Author for this review.
“At 42, Etta thought she was finished having children, but she s pregnant again. After a frightening labor, Etta finally gives birth, but her constant worry over her estranged grown son, David, haunts her still. As a new mother again, Etta must hold tightly to the promise that God will watch over her children and that one day David will return.”
Spiritual Content- Psalm 126:3 at the beginning & quoted in the story as well; Prayers; Talks about God & His Will; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; A mention of Abraham & Sarah; Discussions about the Amish & Mennonite beliefs.
Negative Content- N/A
Sexual Content- Married couples kiss; A mention of a monthly cycle; Mentions of menopause; Mentions of a stillborn; A baby is born (with a looped cord & cutting the cord, barely-above-not-detailed to semi-detailed); Mentions of nursing.
-Etta Bontrager, age 42
-Mose Bontrager, age 45
P.O.V. switches between them
96 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Two Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Three Stars
“An Unexpected Blessing” by Vannetta Chapman – Now this one...Hmmm. I got the same feeling from it but I can’t find that it’s connected to any other novellas/novels. Hmm!
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspo...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from an Author for this review.
February 24, 2015
I am a fan of Amish fiction books so I had to pick up this book. Each of these stories are very touching and deal with some hard issues. You could take any of these stories and make them into a book by themselves because each of these stories left me wanting to hear more about the families. Since these stories are written as novellas they each read very quickly. All of the characters were great to get to know. I enjoyed the baby/cradle theme that was carried through each of the stories.
In His Father's Arms - This was an interesting story to read how an Amish family handles having a down syndrome baby and all the struggles that go along with that.
A Son for Always - This was a good story to see how they blend families. It was very touching how Joshua treats Ben as his own.
A Heart Full of Love - Ellie is such a strong person now if only her mom would see how strong she is without her sight.
An Unexpected Blessing - Etta is a stronger person than me. I can't imagine what she was going through when she found out she was having a baby and she already has grandkids.
In His Father's Arms - This was an interesting story to read how an Amish family handles having a down syndrome baby and all the struggles that go along with that.
A Son for Always - This was a good story to see how they blend families. It was very touching how Joshua treats Ben as his own.
A Heart Full of Love - Ellie is such a strong person now if only her mom would see how strong she is without her sight.
An Unexpected Blessing - Etta is a stronger person than me. I can't imagine what she was going through when she found out she was having a baby and she already has grandkids.
February 21, 2015
An Unexpected Blessing by Vannetta Chapman
At 42, Etta thought she was finished having children, but she's pregnant again. After a frightening labor, Etta finally gives birth, but her constant worry over her estranged grown son, David, haunts her still. As a new mother again, Etta must hold tightly to the promise that God will watch over her children and that one day David will return.
My thoughts: 5 stars novella. I can't imagine having a grandchild and then finding out I was expecting a child, but that is what happen to Etta. This novella captures the faith and love of this couple. Etta, wonders at her age how she will manage with a new little one. How she will keep up. On top of a new baby she still longs for David, her youngest son who left the community, and the impending financial struggles.
At 42, Etta thought she was finished having children, but she's pregnant again. After a frightening labor, Etta finally gives birth, but her constant worry over her estranged grown son, David, haunts her still. As a new mother again, Etta must hold tightly to the promise that God will watch over her children and that one day David will return.
My thoughts: 5 stars novella. I can't imagine having a grandchild and then finding out I was expecting a child, but that is what happen to Etta. This novella captures the faith and love of this couple. Etta, wonders at her age how she will manage with a new little one. How she will keep up. On top of a new baby she still longs for David, her youngest son who left the community, and the impending financial struggles.
May 29, 2015
I was excited to get this book of novellas, and allowed myself to read the four stories one at a time, stretching out the pleasure of time with these familiar authors. I am SO glad Chapman's "An Unexpected Blessing" was printed last. It was definitely the BEST part of the book!
I loved the characters, Etta and Mose. I could identify with their intense love of home and family. Their hearts also showed the depth of their love through their grief - over their stillborn daughter, Sarah, and their "wayward" son, Christopher, who left the Amish. Chapman beautifully weaves the pain of these "lost" ones with the blessing of a late-born baby, Hannah. In a gentle and satisfying read, we see the strength and acceptance of "Gotte's wille" bringing peace to faithful hearts.
I liked all of the novellas in this volume, but An Unexpected Blessing was the best!
I loved the characters, Etta and Mose. I could identify with their intense love of home and family. Their hearts also showed the depth of their love through their grief - over their stillborn daughter, Sarah, and their "wayward" son, Christopher, who left the Amish. Chapman beautifully weaves the pain of these "lost" ones with the blessing of a late-born baby, Hannah. In a gentle and satisfying read, we see the strength and acceptance of "Gotte's wille" bringing peace to faithful hearts.
I liked all of the novellas in this volume, but An Unexpected Blessing was the best!
April 7, 2015
What a blessing this book is. Etta at 42 is pregnant. After many worries and a big snowstorm, she delivers a beautiful baby girl. One of her sons who had left before his baptism returns for his parent's blessing to work amongst the Mennonites. God works his wonders at all times.
February 17, 2015
Beautiful story of a very special couple and there family. Etta and Mose have a wonderful relationship with all of there children and friends. You won't be able to stop reading this book.
July 4, 2025
I often say God has the best sense of humor. At age 42 Etta finds herself expecting another child. God works his plans in our lives by what is best for us. A beautiful baby girl is the result and she brings the family closer together. A heartfelt, heart tugging read which gave this reader hope in a world gone astray. This was a personal purchase and I’m reviewing because I review every book I read.
May 9, 2021
Another enjoyable story in the Amish Cradle novellas. I liked the story and feel that it was worth reading. I liked the characters and the storyline. I could totally identify with the main character and her struggles. I haves read other books by this author and enjoyed them as well. I would recommend this book to others who enjoy this genre and want a quick and easy read.
December 31, 2023
I quite enjoyed the writing. It is beautifully written. I also enjoy the premise of getting pregnant later in and life reflecting how you feel you or my not have failed another child who is not in your life. But, it just wasn't for me.
May 3, 2023
Precious: one sweet miracle and answered prayer after another.
books-i-have
July 2, 2016At 42, Etta thought her time of having children was over, but she's pregnant again. She goes into labor during a blizzard, and complications with the delivery raise fear. Etta struggles to acceptGotte's wille regarding the baby and her son, David, who moved away two years earlier in search of what he would do with his life.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews