Friday Fun and Cover Reveal with Amber Schamel

Hello Everyone!

Happy Friday! I have something fun to kick off the weekend. I came across this audio skit on the Steve Laube agent blog, and my family and I got a great laugh out of it. Mostly because we could really imagine a scene like this happening. And it may or may not be us. LOL.

Hopefully ya'll enjoy it too.




Alright, now that we're all warmed up with some great words, (hopefully no one is wearing galoshes today.) I have another fun thing for ya'll.

Today I am publicly revealing the cover for my newest project! I'm super excited about this one, because it is my first non-fiction book. It will be coming out July 17th, and the material is very close to my heart, seeing as how I come from a family of 12 siblings.



Here's some information about 12 Sisters Who Changed History:

The remarkable lives of twelve sisters who changed the course of history.

Historians paint pictures of amazing men and women who influenced the world, but seldom do we hear about sister duos that forever altered the course of history. Whether fighting together—or against each other—these twelve women set armies to flight, guarded homelands from invasion, transformed countries and religious systems, and begat nations. From mythical Athena and Artemis, to the English thrones of Mary & Elizabeth Tudor, the influence these women left behind is taken for granted. Join us on an inspirational journey through time as we explore the extraordinary lives of Sisters Who Changed History.

*Athena & Artemis (Ancient Greek Mythology)

*Rachel & Leah (Ancient Palestine)                                                                    

*Tru’ng Trac & Tru’ng Nhi (Vietnam)

*Mary & Anne Boleyn (England)

*Mary & Elizabeth Tudor (England)

*Angelina & Sarah Grimke (England) 

Coming July 17th! You can keep up with all of my projects, giveaways, and special content by subscribing to my newsletter.

Tell me what you thought of the audio skit and the new cover to get your name in the drawing for Whither Shall I Go by Gina Holder!

Weaving Fact & Fiction

One of my favorite questions to ask authors, is how they weave facts in with their fiction, and what true facts inspired the story. So today I thought it'd be fun to show how some of those real-life aspects have woven into my own books.

For my Christmas book, The Swaddling Clothes, I actually had to study the art of weaving. In order to craft a story about the creation of the swaddling clothes, I had to study how threads were spun, how many threads would be used to create a fabric, etc. I was amazed at the amount of skill it would take to weave thousands of tiny threads into a single piece. Weaving stories is much the same. We have to take history, truth,

inspiration, character, faults, habits, then draw in something likable about the character, a plot twist, a red herring...and before you know it there are a thousand threads that make up the story. This information molded the beginning portion of the book when King David summons all the skilled weavers of the land to choose one to create the swaddling clothes for his soon-to-be-born son, Solomon. In addition to selecting the weaver, he then has to carefully choose the threads, because color, thickness, texture, all affects the fabric and each and every thread has to be able to work with the others.


In The Healer's Touch, (the first book in the Days of Messiah series) I wanted to write a story about a leper healed by Jesus. This required study of the Hebraic laws on leprosy. Most of us know that they typically lived in leper colonies segregated from the rest of society. But it was much more than that. Many of them never saw their families again. And if they happened to be out and about when someone 'normal' was coming toward them, they had to shout out a warning proclaiming themselves 'unclean' so that individual could avoid them. All of this tradition and law made it especially hard on my poor Aaliyah. Appearing before Jesus, especially with the size of the crowd that was always around Him, made such an act life-threatening. Because being caught among 'clean' people meant they could (and probably would) stone you for endangering the health of others.

In Dawn of Liberty, Samuel Adams and the Declaration of Independence were my subjects. There's LOTS of fun history to draw from there. I dug pretty deep into the lives of many of the members of Congress, and I found out so many juicy tidbits. There were several delegates that were opposed to the Declaration, so I studied out WHY. What I came away with was a story of how those delegates changed their minds or decided to abstain their votes so that liberty could pass.

Now it's your turn! What have been your favorite instances of fact woven in fiction? (This can be a book you read, or for you authors, one you wrote.)

 Tell me the book and author in the comments below to get your name in the drawing for A Flute in the Willows by Carole Brown!

*****

Amber Schamel writes riveting stories that bring HIStory to life. She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call "historical fiction at its finest".  Her title, Dawn of Liberty, was awarded the 2017 CSPA Book of the Year award in Historical Fiction. She lives in Colorado and spends half her time volunteering in the Ozarks. Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at www.AmberSchamel.com/ and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!

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! 

A New Wardrobe for Sam Adams

Blogger: Amber Schamel

One of the fun tidbits I learned while researching for the Dawn of Liberty series was in regards to a very special gift that Samuel Adams received from his constituents.

Sam was a politician, and that was his heart. He spend hours upon hours in political committees, writing letters and articles, and lobbying in whatever way possible. However, his fault was that he was not very good when it came to finances. Most of his work was without pay, and the job he did have paid very little.

As he was preparing to go to Continental Congress, he was badly in need of a new suit of clothes, but of course he couldn't afford them. One night as he was eating dinner with his family, there was a knock at the door. He opened the door to find one of Boston's finest tailors on his doorstep. "Mr. Adams, I am here to fit you for a new suit of clothes." As the tailor left he said, "Don't worry about the price, Mr. Adams. Consider it a gift of thanks from the people of Boston."

A short time later, another knock sounded. This time it was the cobbler. He fitted Sam with a smart new pair of shoes, again, as a gift from the folks in Boston who so appreciated his dedication to their interests and cause.

This gift was very humbling for Sam. It was a gesture he would never forget as he headed off to the Continental Congress looking almost as sharp as John Hancock.

My book, Dawn of Liberty is in the running for the CSPA Book of the Year award! Sam and I would be so grateful if you'd stop by and cast your honest vote in the contest.

 Click HERE to cast your vote!
And don't forget to leave a comment to get your name in the drawing for this week's giveaway, To Gain a Valentine by Tanya Eavenson!

The Death of Two Presidents and Patriots

Blogger: Amber Schamel

Thomas Jefferson

July 4th, 1826 was more than just the 50th anniversary of the birth of America. It was also the day that the 2nd and 3rd Presidents died...just hours apart.

Thomas Jefferson was the main author of the Declaration of Independence and also the 3rd President of the United States of America. July of 1825 brought the deterioration of the patriot's health. Stress due to financial trouble probably contributed to his decline. He suffered from rheumatism as well as digestive disorders. By June of 1826, Jefferson was confined to his bed. A bad fever overcame him on July 3rd, and he passed on July the 4th at 83 years old.

Jefferson wrote his own epitaph which reads:
HERE WAS BURIED THOMAS JEFFERSON, AUTHOR OF THE DECLARATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE, OF THE STATUTE OF VIRGINIA FOR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM, AND FATHER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA."

John Adams

Just hours after, John Adams, the second President and also a contributor to the Declaration of Independence, was laying on his deathbed, suffering from congestive heart failure. As he breathed his last, he said, "Jefferson still survives." He was unaware of the fact that his friend had beat him to the prize.

Adams' son John Quincy, wrote in his dairy these remarks about the passing of the two men. "The time, the manner, the coincidence with the decease of Jefferson, are visible and palpable marks of divine favour, for which I would humble myself in grateful and silent adoration before the Ruler of the Universe."

Isn't it interesting that these two men, who were such long standing friends, and so closely tied in life were also closely tied in death? 

This is Where Amazing Happens

Blogger: Amber Schamel

Have you ever had a day when you woke up and realized that your life is not where you'd wanted it to be? Or realized you'd made a terrible mistake you couldn't take back? Or somehow found yourself in the middle of a mess you can't get out of? One of those days when you'd give anything for one of those Southwest "Wanna Get Away" buttons?

I recently went through a period like this. Things weren't going the way that I wanted them to, and it seemed that no matter how hard I struggled forward, I always ended up back in the same place. A death march of circles that were getting me nowhere. I cried out to my Lord, and though I could sense His presence, I felt as if my prayers weren't having an impact. I had no clear answer or direction.

While I was at work, I was listening to a new conservative Christian radio station when this song by TaRanda Green came on. It touched my heart and really spoke to me. 

What truth these powerful words hold. I heard the voice of God speaking to my heart. 

My child,

Just because you've struggled doesn't mean you're weak. Just because you're at 'the end' doesn't mean it's over. I will bring you out. I will be faithful, but this is an important part of the journey. This is where you see that your anchor holds. This is where you see that I am always faithful. This is where I prove to you how much I love you. This is the part of the movie where I step in and work a miracle. Dear one, this is not hopeless, this is where amazing happens.

It reminds me of the words of Paul to the Corinthians:

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;     ~I Cor. 4:17

A preacher I heard this past fall said it better than I have ever heard it. "Every miracle begins as a problem. If you have a problem, you are a candidate for a miracle."

Friends, I am a candidate for a miracle. Are you? 

If so, then lift your head, because this is where God works a miracle. This is where amazing happens.

Amber Schamel writes inspirational fiction that brings HIStory to life. Visit her at www.AmberSchamel.com.