Last Interview of 2013 with Author Amber Schamel

Howdy y'all! Yep, it's Crystal here. :) Hope y'all had a very merry Christmas and are now looking forward to the New Year. Well, 2013 has been an interesting year for me. One of the many pleasures I enjoyed was helping found this wonderful new group blog and getting to interact with the wonderful gal I get the joy of interviewing today--Amber Schamel.

(Stick around to ask questions and comment below 'cause Amber's agreed to giveaway a free copy of her book. The winner will have his/her choice of an immediate e-copy or a paperback version when it becomes available in the New Year.)

So, Amber, tell us a bit about yourself.

I am a 22-year-old, homeschool graduate who is deeply in love with Jesus Christ. I enjoy piano, singing, tickling my 11 siblings, smelling books, and eating chocolate.

I hope you never get the books and chocolate confused. =D What's your book about?

My book is about The Swaddling Clothes that wrapped the baby Jesus. My story follows the cloth from their creation at the time of King David all through Jewish history and the carrying away into Babylon, down to the stable in Bethlehem.

That's quite a unique premise. Where did you come up with the idea for your novel?

A veggie tales movie. It sounds really funny, but my siblings were watching "The Toy that Saved Christmas" in August when I was praying about a Christmas story. When the grandpa on the movie quoted the scripture in Luke about Jesus being wrapped in 'baby clothes' I thought "wait a second...the KJV says 'swaddling clothes'. What's the difference? I mean, you'd expect to see a baby wrapped in baby clothes...so...why was it mentioned more than once? Many hours of research later, the idea for The Swaddling Clothes was born.

I love how God can use anything as a teaching tool, even Veggie Tales. :) So, what is your favorite thing about your new book?

The Swaddling Clothes has a couple of very special features. First, it has footnotes throughout the story with scripture references so that the reader can easily see which parts are fact and which are fiction. Second, it has a glossary and pronunciation guide at the back. This includes definitions of foreign words and names and also outlines each character, if they are fictitious or factual, and scripture references so that the reader can study the life of the character on their own. It really makes The Swaddling Clothes more of a Bible Study tool than just a fun read.

Wow, those are some cool features. Where can readers find your book?

It is now available in ebook on Amazon.com for only $.99!

http://www.amazon.com/The-Swaddling-Clothes-Amber-Schamel-ebook/dp/B00GXKWP04

The paperbacks are coming out at the end of this year, but you can pre-order autographed copies at my website. http://www.amberschamel.com/store.html

It's been fun chatting with you today. Where else can readers connect with you?

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

Twitter - @AmberSchamel https://twitter.com/AmberSchamel
Pintrest - http://pinterest.com/AmberDSchamel/

Or on this wonderful blog called Stitches Thru Time. :)

Okay, a couple last questions...

What's your favorite creative outlet besides writing?

Music. I love to sing and play the piano, even though I'm not very good at it.

I love music too. What's one resolution you plan to make for the coming year?

To finish the Days of Messiah series. The first book has been out since July, and my fans REALLY want me to finish the series!

Sounds awesome! I wish you great success in your endeavors. Thanks so much for spending time with us today, Amber, to tell us more about your story. The Swaddling Clothes sounds like a very unique, interesting read. 

All right, ladies and gents, it's now your turn to ask questions. Leave your comments below with your email address to be included in a drawing for Amber's new book The Swaddling Clothes. The happy winner will be announced after 6 pm EST on December 31st, 2013, so be sure to get your comments and questions in before that time, then check back on this post to see if you've won. :)