Today, we welcome, Amber Schamel, author of Days of Messiah, Volume Two of her Biblical Chronicle--The Messiah's Sign and a fun Name-a-Character giveaway.
Thanks for joining us today, Amber.
Amber is a bestselling author, who writes riveting stories that bring HIStory to
life. She has a passion for history, books and her Savior. This
combination results in what her readers call "historical fiction
at its finest". A homeschool graduate from a family of 12
children, Amber found her calling early in life. First published at
age 21, she has continued to hone her craft. Between ministry, family
and working in their family businesses, Amber loves to connect with
readers. Find her on the Stitches Thru Time blog, or on any of the
major social media sites.
Amber,
can you tell us about your new release, The Messiah's Sign?
The
Messiah's Sign is the second book in the Days of Messiah series. It
follows the storyline of Book One, but from the husband's point of
view. Here's what it's about:
Dreams…they
shouldn’t bother him, but when Tyrus’ worst nightmare is
vindicated, he has no choice but to face reality. His wife has been
unfaithful, and God has punished her with the most feared disease in
the land: leprosy. Banishing her to the leper colony, Tyrus struggles
to raise their son alone and protect him from a merciless outlaw. But
when Malon begins following the teacher from Nazareth, what remains
of their business and reputation is at stake. Can Tyrus save his son
from the beguiling lies of a false Messiah before he loses the only
thing he has left?
The
book releases on October 16th, so be sure to add it to your To-Read
list on Goodreads!
Sounds like a great read, what sparked this story?
Book
one started as a short story, but a lot of people told me I should
expand it. I picked up the story and began thinking about what the
entire story would be like, and that's when the Lord drew back the
curtain to show me not only Aaliyah's story at the leper colony, but
also the story of her husband and son. Tyrus—as the heartless
husband that banishes Aaliyah to the leper colony—is the villain of
book one, so I wanted to show readers his side of the story.
Is there any particular message you wish readers to take away from The Messiah's Sign?
As
hard as you try, you will never be sufficient on your own. It takes
Christ working in you.
For those that have read volume one, I want them to realize that you cannot hate someone until you de-humanize them. The villain of book one becomes the hero of book two, and we see the motivations behind his 'heartless' acts. In truth, Tyrus was doing the best he could. If we can empathize with people in our lives, it will go a LONG way in keeping the roots of bitterness at bay.
For those that have read volume one, I want them to realize that you cannot hate someone until you de-humanize them. The villain of book one becomes the hero of book two, and we see the motivations behind his 'heartless' acts. In truth, Tyrus was doing the best he could. If we can empathize with people in our lives, it will go a LONG way in keeping the roots of bitterness at bay.
Great message. What's
your favorite genre in which to read?
The same one I
write, Christian Historical. But I recently read a Christian cozy
mystery that I enjoyed very much. It was The Jane Austen Encounter by
Donna F. Crow. It's the first cozy mystery I've read. I might
have found a new genre! Actually, I might have found two...cozy
mysteries and Jane Austen based fiction. Lol.
I really enjoyed reading Austen's work and just finished Just Jane, by Nancy Moser. I will have to check out the cozy mysteries. Tell us a bit about your family, I know you
grew up in a large family, how has that effected your writing?
Obviously
growing up in a big family, with a job and a ministry, puts limits on
the time I have to spend writing. But honestly, growing up in a big
family has benefited me in many, many ways. I have had lots of
experience telling stories, I have TONS of story fodder, a lot more
people to base characters on, lots of people to observe, emotions to
learn from, and on and on. Growing up in a large family has also
helped me with public speaking, because it's public speaking every
time I ask "please pass the salt."
Sounds like a great way to grow up. Tell us, do you have a favorite writer?
I
really enjoy Susan J. Reinhardt, Max Lucado, Julie Klassen and
Francine Rivers.
Those are some of my favorites, as well, especially Max. If
you had to come up with a book title to describe your life, what
would it be?
Wow,
that is a great question! I'm going to start using that one too. ;)
It
would either be "But for the Grace of God" or "The
Only Thing That's Good in Me is Jesus."
I think I might have to steal those titles for my own life. However, I have always thought, mine would be "I Can't Even Walk, without Holding Your Hand" or maybe "Precious Lord, Take My Hand." So tell us, what is you are working on next?
I
am finishing up a really fun series with three other historical
authors on the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
I'm
also setting to work on a Christmas story set during the Civil War
entitled The Christmas Pardon.
In
the aftermath of the Civil War, a young lawyer battles with the U.S.
Supreme court. In what seemed to be a Christmas miracle, he had
secured a pardon for his friend from Lincoln himself. The army
executed the boy anyway. On the fifteenth anniversary of his death,
will the lawyer finally clear his friends name and bring justice to
his memory?
I'm
running a giveaway for a fan to pick the name of my two main
characters! You can enter the giveaway here:
http://www.amberschamel.com/sweepstakes.html
Again, Amber, Thank you for joining us today. We truly enjoyed your visit. Feel free to stop by any time.
Thank
you for hosting me! It's been a pleasure. I'd like to invite each of
you to join me in celebrating my new release with the
Name-A-Character Giveaway! Enter to for a chance to pick the name of
a main character in Amber's upcoming book The Christmas Pardon. Terms
and conditions apply.
In
the aftermath of the Civil War, a young lawyer battles with the U.S.
Supreme court. In what seemed to be a Christmas miracle, he had
secured a pardon for his friend from Lincoln himself. The army
executed the boy anyway. On the fifteenth anniversary of his death,
will the lawyer finally clear his friends name and bring justice to
his memory?
Amber, I can't wait to read this one. As a lawyer and lover of all things Lincoln, Civil War and law related, it certainly sparks my interest. I will certainly try to "name" your unnamed character.
