THE SWADDLING CLOTHES - Amber Schamel - One Free Book

Welcome back, Amber. Why do you write the kind of books you do?

Historical fiction has always been my favorite genre. I love to read it, so I also love to write it. I chose to write Christian books because I saw a need for literature that promotes a biblical worldview and the moral principles that are taught therein. Books can be so influential in a person's life, so it is important that the influence is a good one.

How has being published changed your life?

There are a lot of changes, but the biggest one is the demand on my time. We are very busy with work, volunteering, church, and family. I have to ration minutes and hours very carefully. I don't get to spend as much time in leisure as I used to, and I don't get to sit down and do things with my family as much because I have deadlines and responsibilities to fulfill.

What are you reading right now?

I'm reading some histories on Joan of Arc, which are very interesting. I haven't known a lot about her up to this point, but her story is captivating. I'm also starting The Christmas Shoppe by Melody Carlson. I love to squeeze in a few Christmas reads during the season. :)

What is your current work in progress?

I'm working on another Christmas story! It's set during the civil war. The story is about Caleb, a young would-be lawyer, who flees his failure by joining the Union army. But when his best friend is condemned for desertion, he begs Caleb to plead his case. Caleb must face his failure and greatest fear in an effort to save his friend's life and secure THE CHRISTMAS PARDON.

What would be your dream vacation?

Anything that involves history. I have had the blessing of visiting a lot of historical places including Israel, Egypt, Rome, and Greece. I would love to go back to any of those places. Oh, and I would LOVE to visit Scotland. :D

How do you choose your settings for each book?

My stories are usually inspired around a plot, and the setting usually comes with it. My biblical stories focused around Jesus, so of course they are set in Israel in the places where Jesus spent most of his time. The Christmas Pardon is really the first project where I've had a chance to pick my setting, but it was fun to research different towns that would fit. I look for settings that echo with the characters and their story.

If you could spend an evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?

That's a tough one! There are so many people I would love to have a chance to talk to. Right now, I would really like to sit down with Dr. Ben Carson and talk to him about history and the current state of our nation. I'd love to get his view on the Presidential race and what he predicts will happen.

What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?

I love to go to church meetings. I also enjoy singing, playing the piano, cooking, and talking with folks over a cup of coffee and pie.

What is your most difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?

Lack of time and procrastination. I have to manage my time very carefully, and when I do have time to sit down and work it just takes discipline to get my head into the work. I diffuse peppermint essential oil, which has helped my focus a lot.

What advice would you give to a beginning author?

My advice is in two parts. First, be teachable and learn. You need a tough skin and a willingness to be corrected to truly grow into the best writer you can be. I know big authors that are still learning more about the craft. If you have a know-it-all attitude, you probably won't succeed in this industry. Second, don't give up. Keep writing and keep trying until you find someone who will see the beauty in your work.

Tell us about the featured book.

The Swaddling Clothes is a unique tale that follows the Jewish history from the time of King David through the Babylonian captivity and finally to the stable in Bethlehem.

Through the ages, men have told many stories about Mary, Joseph, and the birth of the Messiah. Stories of shepherds and sheep, kings, angels, and stables. But one story no one has ever told. One story hidden in the fabric of time. The story of The Swaddling Clothes.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Part One

Chapter One

Circa 980 B.C.

King David drummed his fingers on the arm of his throne. The merchant’s monotone voice had been echoing off the cedar walls of the judgment hall for more than an hour. If he whined the words unfair taxes one more time…

“So you see, your highness, these taxes are relatively unfair when considering—”

“Enough!” David’s irritation boiled over.

The merchant stumbled backward. His scalded pride evidenced by the scarlet flushing of his round face.

Something squeezed in David’s chest. The merchant wasn’t the sole reason for his foul mood, and didn’t deserve to bear the worst of it. “I’m sorry.”

He wiped his forehead. Being the king of Israel was not what he’d hoped. He should be leading his army against the Philistines. Instead here he was, in his luxurious palace, listening to the endless and petty complaints. [1]

Ahithophel clapped his hands. “The king has heard enough of your whining for today. Come back later.”

David stood and ran his hand through his hair. Loose curls twisted around his fingers. He paced for a few moments before looking up. Amnon, his oldest son, glared over his shoulder as the aide shooed him out of the hall.

“Ahithophel, it’s all right. I can…”

“My lord, their prattle is irritating me as well. It can wait until the morrow.”

David ducked out the side exit, into the corridor to the private part of the palace. He stopped, inhaling the comforting scent of cedar, and waited for his aide.

Ahithophel slipped through the door and closed it quietly. His expression was tentative when he faced David.

“I am sorry, Ahithophel, but I am not cut of this pattern. I am the type of king who leads armies into battle, who destroys enemies, a king with a sword constantly by my side.” He motioned to the warrior’s blade hanging from his belt. “I love my people, but I cannot bear sitting here listening to their petty arguments while my army marches.”

How can readers find you on the Internet?

I love to connect with readers on any of the social media sites, but Goodreads and facebook are my favorite.

http://amberschamel.com/

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Blogs - http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/
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Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmberSchamel

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Pintrest - http://pinterest.com/AmberDSchamel/

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7073165.Amber_Schamel

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[1] 2 Sam 11:1

Thank you, Amber, for sharing this new book with. It sounds intriguing.

Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.

The Swaddling Clothes

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

THE HEALER'S TOUCH - Amber Schamel - Two Free Kindle Ebooks, Plus More

Readers, we have another debut author today. Be sure to read all about the giveaways at the end of the interview and follow all the instructions. 

Welcome, Amber. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.

I think my main characters usually reflect me the most. When I'm writing, I'm thinking of how I would feel, how I would react in that situation, so probably there's a lot of me in my characters.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Most people are embarrassed to go to the bookstore with me because I can't keep my nose out of books -- literally. I LOVE them smell of books! If you ever see a lady sniffing books in a book store, you'll know right off who it is!

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
I have always had an active imagination and even as a young girl I would make up stories and play them out in my make believe. I started writing those stories down when I was about fourteen. But the real calling came about the time I graduated from High School. I had been doing a lot of study on how media and books affect people's attitudes and worldview. It was astonishing how the subtle messages that have been worked into entertainment over the years has completely transformed our nation and our morals. I realized that someone needed to write stories that upheld morals, faith and godliness. The Lord then led me to Habakkuk 2:2 which says, “And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.” That became my commission.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I read a wide variety of books, from non-fiction biographies, to reading Curious George to my little brother. But the books I enjoy most are Christian Historical Fiction.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
That's a tough one for me because I have a job, a volunteer ministry, church activities, a large family to help with, and then try to fit writing into all of that. Keeping my sanity is one of those things I just can't do—so Jesus does it for me. I have to give everything over to Him, spend time in prayer and His Word, and remember to breathe. I attend a lot of church services, and that really helps too.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
Most of the time the names just come to me. But other times I will look up names for that time period, or names of that culture, or just look in a baby name book. I often take the meaning of the name into consideration, because the name is such a large part of the character.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
I was thrilled that my first book released before I turned twenty-two years old. I have always read about people in history like Eliza Lucas Pinckney, George Washington, or William Wilberforce who did amazing things at such young ages and had a longing to be able to accomplish similar things, so when my book was accepted by Helping Hands Press, I was ecstatic. My favorite quote is, “We are too young to realize certain things are impossible, so we do them anyway.”

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
A lamb. I have a lamb skin that I use as a prayer rug because it reminds me of the sacrifice that Jesus made. My constant prayer is that the Lord would give me the humility, meekness, trust, and obedience of a lamb.

What is your favorite food?
I love Italian food! And of course chocolate. Chocolate and peanut butter make my favorite desserts.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
I’m one of those people who has difficulty expressing my emotions well, and this has carried over into my writing. This is something I am constantly working on. My wonderful critique partners have helped me a lot with this. I have to stop, think about what my character is going through, how do they feel, and then how do I express that on the page. The Emotion Thesaurus has also been invaluable to me.

Tell us about the featured book.
Aaliyah's last chance at winning her husband's love is destroyed when she is banished from her home as an unclean sinner.  Struggling to survive amidst the fear, grief, and bitterness of living in a leper colony, she would give anything just to see her son again. When rumors of a Healer from Nazareth reach the colony, Aaliyah wonders if this man could really heal her, or if He would despise her like the rest of her people. It is now that Aaliyah must make the most difficult decision of her life: risk her life to appear in public, or die a leper.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Circa 20 A.D.

            The spring sun rose warm and clear over the Sea of Galilee. Aaliyah bustled about in the kitchen. She had already been up for several hours preparing for the Passover meal for that evening. Footsteps sounded as her husband shuffled sleepily into the kitchen. He lifted his hands above his head, stretching his tall frame.

            "Good morning, husband." She smiled at him, suppressing her urge of mischief. "Did the sun sneak up on you today?"

            "I didn't sleep well," he grumbled as he dipped his hands into the bucket and splashed water on his face.

            Aaliyah scraped some breakfast onto a plate for him. "You tossed and turned all night; I dodged several blows from you." She offered him his plate, but when he reached out, she held it back. "Tell me, Tyrus, have you taken to beating your good wife in your sleep?"

            "Perhaps if I did, she would behave during the day." Tyrus smiled softly and jerked the plate out of her grasp.

            Aaliyah laughed under her breath. "Perhaps."

            Picking up the bowl of dough she was mixing, she followed him into the dining room and sat across from Tyrus. As he ate, she studied him with a fond eye. He was still as handsome as the day she'd first seen him. His hair and full beard were dark as the midnight sky and his skin was tanned as evidence of his work ethic. His brown eyes were lively and ambitious; looking into them gave her the feeling that there were exciting new worlds he was waiting to conquer. His tall frame looked cramped sitting at the little table with his legs folded beneath him. Redness dabbed the nostrils of his distinct nose, the tell-tale sign, he was tired.

            "What disturbed your sleep, my husband?"

            Tyrus glanced up at her before replying. "Dreams."

            Aaliyah's brow furrowed. "Dreams? What kind of dreams?"

            He shoved his empty plate towards her and stood. "Never mind them now. Passover is tonight, and we've much work to do. The caravan I sent to Jerusalem is returning today, and I must inventory the merchandise before my patrons show up to buy them all. I'll bring our lamb in later."

           

            He turned and left the room before she could ask more. She heard the courtyard gate close behind him. Tyrus was gone for the day.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
We’re doing a Facebook Party on August 15th with lots of prizes including another one of the baskets we’re giving away today, and you’re all invited! Just hop on over to my facebook page for that event.

You can also find me on my HIStory Blog and website http://amberschamel.com/
or on any of the following social media sites.

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmberSchamel

Twitter - @AmberSchamel https://twitter.com/AmberSchamel

Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/AmberDSchamel/

Linked In - www.linkedin.com/pub/amber-schamel/41/145/b37/

Thank you so much for having me on your blog today, Lena. It has been a blast!

My pleasure, Amber.

There will be three winners today. Two people will receive an ebook edition of The Healer's Touch and one other winner will receive this Holy Land Gift set:

The gift set contains authentic Olive wood carving of the three crosses handcrafted by Christian artisans in Bethlehem, the elements of Galilee (Water from the Jordan River, Olive Oil from Galilee, and Stones from the Jerusalem Street), Widow's Mite Coins, and Capernaum Magnets. ($20 Value)

Wow! I wish I could enter.

Readers, leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Google +, Feedblitz, Facebook, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.

Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com