Weekly Windup: Comment to Win Solve by Christmas by Amber Schamel

 Welcome to the Weekly Windup! Thank you for stopping by this week. We have a new giveaway for you, just in time for the Holiday reading season. But first, we have a winner to announce! 

Winner of  The Captain's Challenge (ebook) by Elaine Manders is...Connie Porter Saunders!

If you are a winner, please Contact Us with your email address to claim your prize.

This Week's Giveaway: 

Solve by Christmas by Amber Schamel (ebook)

 Winner of the 2018 Christian Indie Award for Historical Fiction.

When sabotage threatens the Rudin Sugar Factory, Detective Jasper Hollock believes this will be his first real case. But dear Mr. Rudin—the only father Jasper has ever known—holds a different assignment for his private investigator.

“I’ve struck a deal with God, Jasper, and you’re my angel.”

Mr. Rudin charges Jasper to build a “case” of reasons for his employer to continue his life. If he fails, Mr. Rudin will end it in suicide on Christmas night.

As the incidents at the factory become life threatening, Jasper’s attempts at dissuading Mr. Rudin prove futile, and Jasper is left staring at the stark reality of his own soul. Time is ticking. Jasper must solve both cases by Christmas before Mr. Rudin, the company, and Jasper’s faith, are dragged to perdition. Will this be the Christmas Jasper truly discovers what makes life worth living?

Be sure to leave comments throughout the week to get your name in the drawing. Giveaway ends November 18th. Winner will be announced in the November 19th edition of the Weekly Windup.

Coming up this week:

Tuesday, 11/6: The Wreck of the James Davidson by Pegg Thomas
Wednesday, 11/7: Fall Fun & Festivities with Amber Schamel
Thursday, 11/8: Wyoming Christmas Quadruplets, a book review by Heidi Main
Friday, 11/9: Celebrate Release Day with Angela Couch!
Saturday, 11/10:TBA

Weekly Windup: Still Time to Enter to Win The Healer's Touch by Amber Schamel

Welcome to the Weekly Windup!

There's still time to get your name in the drawing for The Healer's Touch by Amber Schamel!

 

  If you are a winner, please Contact Us to claim your prize.

 

This Week's Giveaway:

The Healer's Touch by Amber Schamel (Ebook)

Aaliyah's last chance at winning her husband's love is destroyed when she is banished from her home as an 'unclean' sinner.  Her husband has branded her as an adulteress and threatens to kill her if she comes near the town. 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. Is God really punishing her with this disease? 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.

Check it out on Amazon

 Comment on any post now through February 11th to get your name in the drawing! Winner will be announced in the February 12th issue of the Weekly Windup. Paperback giveaways are for U.S. residents only.

Coming up this week:

Monday, 2/5: Devotional with Catherine Castle
Tuesday, 2/6: A League of Their Own, by Linda Shenton Matchett
Wednesdsay, 2/7: TBA
Thursday, 2/8: Book review by Jennifer Fromke
Friday, 2/9: TBA
Saturday, 2/10: Interview with Paula Mowery

Meet Denny from Solve by Christmas with Giveaway

Today I'm excited to introduce you to one of the characters from my new release, Solve by Christmas. We're forcing Denny to sit in a chair for a short interrogation, which he will no doubt survive since he is so accustomed to Jasper's harsher ways. :)

Hello, Denny. Are you going to sit still, or shall I utilize Jasper's newest trinket?

Denny on a rare occasion when he wasn't smiling.
Jorge's must have been out of sausages.
(public domain photo by Lewis Hine)

No need to handcuff me with those wicked monsters. I agree to cooperate. But you'd best hurry. Mr. Rudin and Jasper will need me back at the factory soon. And I'm getting hungry.

Why don't you begin by telling us a little about yourself.
My name is Denny. I'm seventeen, and I'm currently the errand boy for Rudin Sugar Factory. Although I'm informally detective's assistant, it will become official here pretty soon.

Detective's assistant? That sounds pretty ambitious for a seventeen year old.  What qualifications do you have to be a detective's assistant, Mr...?
Denny. It's just Denny. And while I may be only seventeen, I'm plenty smart. I've been doing a lot of research into detective work and private investigation. Besides, I have skills that Detective Hollock lacks. Charm and charisma can go a long way. He needs me.

A lot of research? Such as?
Oh, you know, reading and observation and such. I've been honing my deducing skill for years now.

Ah, deducing. I'm sure Jasper will find your knowledge of Sherlock Holmes cases invaluable. Just how do you intend to help him?
It's just as I told him. I'm all around town. An incognito informant of sorts. I can keep tabs on things, gather information, and handle the people side for him. He's horrible at that.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
By then I should be a full blown detective and well known in Denver. When Jasper gets through teaching me the ropes, I'll talk him into going into a partnership. We'll expand, and I expect I'll own most of Denver by the time I'm forty. After that, I'll go into politics.

Well, I have to hand it to you, kid, you're ambitious.
That remark sounds like you don't believe me. But if readers will follow our story in Solve by Christmas, you can bet they'll be convinced by the end.

I'm sure. Thanks for joining us. I'd better let you get back to the factory. 
Thanks. I have to make a stop at Jorges’s sausage shop on the way too. But I'll be back to answer any reader questions. And perhaps make a few inquiries on of my own. *sly grin*

Readers, leave a question for Denny to get your name in the drawing for an ebook copy of Solve by Christmas! Winner will be announced in the October 9th edition of the Weekly Windup.

About the book:

When sabotage threatens the Rudin Sugar Factory, Detective Jasper Hollock believes this will be his first real case. But dear Mr. Rudin—the only father Jasper has ever known—holds a different assignment for his private investigator.

“I’ve struck a deal with God, Jasper, and you’re my angel.”

Mr. Rudin charges Jasper to build a “case” of reasons for his employer to continue his life. If he fails, Mr. Rudin will end it in suicide on Christmas night.

As the incidents at the factory become life threatening, Jasper’s attempts at dissuading Mr. Rudin prove futile, and Jasper is left staring at the stark reality of his own soul. Time is ticking. Jasper must solve both cases by Christmas before Mr. Rudin, the company, and Jasper’s faith, are dragged to perdition. Will this be the Christmas Jasper truly discovers what makes life worth living?

Find Solve by Christmas on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or request it at your favorite bookseller. 

Weekly Windup: Still Time to Enter for Solve by Christmas!

Welcome to the Weekly Windup! We have a winner!

Winner of 12 days at Bleakly Manor by Michelle Griep is...Trisha Robertson!

   If you are a winner, please Contact Us to claim your prize.

 

There's still time to enter this Week's Giveaway:

Solve by Christmas (ebook) by Amber Schamel

When sabotage threatens the Rudin Sugar Factory, Detective Jasper Hollock believes this will be his first real case. But dear Mr. Rudin—the only father Jasper has ever known—holds a different assignment for his private investigator.

“I’ve struck a deal with God, Jasper, and you’re my angel.”

Mr. Rudin charges Jasper to build a “case” of reasons for his employer to continue his life. If he fails, Mr. Rudin will end it in suicide on Christmas night.

As the incidents at the factory become life threatening, Jasper’s attempts at dissuading Mr. Rudin prove futile, and Jasper is left staring at the stark reality of his own soul. Time is ticking. Jasper must solve both cases by Christmas before Mr. Rudin, the company, and Jasper’s faith, are dragged to perdition. Will this be the Christmas Jasper truly discovers what makes life worth living?
Check it out on Amazon! or request it at your favorite bookseller.

 Comment on any post now through October 8th to get your name in the drawing! Winner will be announced in the October 9th issue of the Weekly Windup. Paperback giveaways are for U.S. residents only.

Coming up this week:

Tuesday, 10/3: Historical Tidbit
Wednesday, 10/4: National Cookie Month with Shirley Raye Redmond
Thursday, 10/5: ACFW New releases
Friday 10/6: Interview with Linda Weaver Clark
Saturday, 10/7: Interview with Fictional Character, Denny from Solve by Christmas with #giveaway

Here We Go! Fun & Games for Launch Day with #giveaway

Launch Day!!!

Do you remember the feeling you get when you're on a roller coaster and the cars reach the top of the incline just about ready to let go and launch into the ride?

That's how I feel right now.


A mix of excitement, why-did-I-get-myself-into-this, and that feeling in your stomach like you ate a troll for lunch. 

That's right, it's book launch day. And in a lot of ways, it feels like a roller coaster ride. Even though this is technically my 6th 'official' book to be published, I still get the same feeling I did with the first one.

One of my adoring fans reading
Solve by Christmas

Of course, this book launch is magnified a little bit because I'm stepping into a little bit of a new genre. My very first mystery. So even though reviews up to this point have been encouraging, it's nerve wracking to know that people other than my adoring family and friends are going to read it.

Now is the real test.

Did you readers know authors get so nervous? Because I know I'm not the only one. LOL.

Anyway, a FUN FRIDAY post is exactly what I need to get my mind off of being so nervously happy. So let's play a couple of games. First, let's craft a mystery of our very own. I'll start with the first sentence, then you can comment with the next sentence or two of the story and we'll build from there.

Ready?

Eli was terrified of the dark. But what he saw when the lightning flashed made him wish for cave darkness.

Help me continue the story in the comments below! Your comments will get your name in the drawing for a fun, Solve by Christmas list pad.

Win this super cool list pad!

Also, just for ya'll, we have extended the Solve by Christmas pre-order bonus through today! If you order today, September 1st, LAUNCH DAY and forward your purcahse receipt to vwpreorder@gmail.com you will get the fantastic pre-order bonuses which include a printable file of postcards, gift tags, etc. as well as more than 15 minutes of exclusive behind the scenes discussion of the book. Check it out on Amazon.

Since I'm going to be on the road most of the day today, I'll probably add some more games in the comments. So be sure to check back and be part of the fun! 

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

Newsletter & updates: http://www.amberschamel.com/newsletter-signup.html

Blogs: 

http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com

http://www.hhhistory.com
http://amberschamel.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmberSchamel

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

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/AmberDSchamel

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

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Amber-Schamel/e/B00CIXK91M

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.