Saturday, December 17, 2016

Meet Amber Schamel! Interview and Giveaway

Author Amber Schamel
Linda Matchett: I’m so pleased to be chatting with one of my Stitches Thru Time colleagues, Colorado native Amber Schamel who is a woman of many talents. She is a multi-published author, singer, ministry volunteer, and businesswoman. We’re here to talk about her Amazon bestselling Christmas novella The Swaddling Clothes, a wonderful story about the fabric used to wrap the Christ-child. When and where did you get the idea for The Swaddling Clothes?

Amber: Funny story, that one. I was standing in our kitchen in August while the kids were watching a Christmas Veggie Tales movie called The Toy That Saved Christmas. I was praying about a Christmas story when I heard the grandpa reading the Christmas story. “And she brought forth her first born son and wrapped him in baby clothes and laid him in a manger.” “Baby clothes?” I thought. “The KJV says swaddling clothes. I wonder if there’s a difference.” I delved into research and from there came The Swaddling Clothes.

LM: The story must have required a lot of research. What sort of research did you do to ensure accuracy in the book?

Amber: It did require a lot. As I said, the story itself evolved from research. I began by researching the different theories of the swaddling clothes, but I also had to do a lot of research on the timeline of the Jewish captivities and where different Bible stories fit with it, Babylon as well as their rulers and gods, even down to details like “what type of palace did David live in while he was king?”

LM: What would you like readers to take away from the story?

Amber: If my readers put down the book saying, “This brought the Christmas story to life” then I will feel like it has accomplished its goal. However I would also like them to experience the way that God in His all-knowing and all-powerful way has orchestrated history even down to tiny, overlooked details...all for our redemption.

LM: You are one busy lady. Can you share a bit about your writing life such as whether you have a set schedule for writing, a special location where you write, or how you decide which project to work on?

Amber: Well...my writing life is not at all as regimented as I would like it to be. If I have a deadline, it means a lot of late nights and early mornings so that I can get writing in around everything else. Work, family and ministry come first, so my writing ends up happening in any spare minute I can cram it into. I often write on our long road trips, on the drive to church, pretty much anywhere I can open my laptop and plug in earphones.

LM: As an author, I would imagine you are a voracious reader. What authors have been an inspiration to you?

Amber: Gilbert Morris was one of my all time favorites as a young person. Since then I could name a list as long as Santa’s. Herman Melville, Augusta Jane Evans, Max Lucado, Francine Rivers, Julie Klassen to name just a few.

LM: Your stories are all written about the past. What is your favorite thing about writing historical fiction?

Amber: I have always loved history. To me, it comes alive in heart wrenching drama and action. I also see the amazing way that God’s hand can be traced through history. These two are what I hope to combine and “bring HIStory to life” for my readers. As Rudyard Kipling says, “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.”

LM: Great quote! What else would you like readers to know about you?

Amber: I have TWO free stories to offer readers today! You can get the prequel to my Days of Messiah series for free when you sign up for my newsletter, AND my Christmas book, The Swaddling Clothes is FREE on kindle today! Be sure to snag both of those as your Christmas present from me.

LM: Where can readers connect with you?

Amber: 
Website: http://amberschamel.com
Blogs: 
Twitter: @AmberSchamel https://twitter.com/AmberSchamel 

LM: Thanks for visiting with us! 




Linda Shenton Matchett has been a freelance writer for over ten years. She is the author of Love's Harvest and Love Found in Sherwood Forest. Under Fire, the first book in her trilogy about WWII war correspondent/amateur sleuth Ruth Brown, will be released on July 25, 2017 by eLectio Publishing. To get to know Linda, visit her website



11 comments:

  1. Linda, thank you for the interview with Amber Schamel. It's always nice to learn more about an author. Amber is one talented and gifted young lady who loves the Lord. I ordered The Swaddling Clothes earlier this fall and plan to read it this week. I've enjoyed reading Amber's other Biblical and historical books. She definitely brings HIStory to life. Have a blessed and joyous Christmas filled with gifts only God can give--love, joy, hope and peace. God bless.

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    1. Aww, thank you so much for your sweet comments, Marilyn. It has been such a pleasure to meet you this year.

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  3. I see her name often but it is great to learn more about Amber the person! Great interview and I just took advantage of the free gift of The Swaddling Clothes. Thank you Amber and Merry Christmas to you and Linda!
    Connie

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    1. Wonderful! I hope you enjoy the journey of The Swaddling Clothes. :) Thanks for stopping by today, Connie.

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  4. Great interview! I really enjoyed hearing from Amber. And I'd LOVE to read her Christmas book.

    Blessings,

    Tarissa
    http://InTheBookcase.blogspot.com

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    1. Hello Tarissa!
      Thanks for stopping by today! I'm so glad you'll get a chance to read The Swaddling Clothes. I hope you enjoy your free book. Merry Christmas!

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  5. Great interview, ladies. Thanks so much for sharing. Hope y'all all have a Merry Christmas!

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  6. I so agree...History was so boring for me in High School. If my teachers had taught using stories, I would have loved History class. Great interview. Merry Christmas!

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  7. Loved learning more about Amber! And her stories sound so interesting.

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  8. Thanks for sharing this. It was a great interview. Thanks for coming on here and sharing with us Amber.

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