Amber Schamel has graciously offered to give away an electronic copy of this new release. You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends October 19, 2017. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you and pass on your information.)
The Message Behind Solve by Christmas...
When the story idea for my first-ever mystery popped into my
head, I knew it would be tricky. But I didn’t know just HOW tricky it would be.
Mostly because it deals with a very sensitive issue. Suicide and depression. I
felt God leading me to explore this issue through one of the most palatable
venues possible. A fiction novel. As I researched and prayed, and then began to
write, one thing rose to the surface. As Christians, we have the key to unlock
the prison cell of depression. We have hope. We have the chance at a change of
nature and a better future. We have freedom from guilt through the blood of
Jesus Christ.
In my novel, my main character,
detective Jasper Hollock, is faced with a challenge of dissuading one of those dearest to him from committing suicide. As I
wrote, I didn’t know how the book would end, or exactly how Jasper would solve
Mr. Rudin’s case. There were several times during the first and second draft
that I just laid my computer aside and hit my knees. “God, I don’t know how to
write this!” Some of those scenes were SO hard to write. Having battled
depression and suicidal thoughts in the past, I know how strong it can be and
how hard it is to turn someone’s thought process around.
But as I prayerfully worked through to ‘the end,’ I began to
see that God doesn’t always work as tidy as we’d like Him to, but He does pull
through. We DO have the weapons to defeat depression and suicide. Because
Christ has the answer to every question. If it’s worthlessness and lack of
love …Christ is love, and He says we’re worth dying for. If it’s guilt … Christ’s
blood cleanses that in a supernatural way nothing else can touch. If it’s
grief … Christ is there to weep with us as He did with Mary and Martha but also
to help us pick up the pieces and start anew. If it’s failure … His mercies are
new every morning.
All it takes is a personal, real touch from Jesus
Christ. I’ve never been the same. And He will do the same for you, your friend,
your loved one, or anyone struggling against these deadly mindsets.
What advice would you
give my character who is contemplating suicide? Leave us a comment to get your
name in the drawing for an ebook copy of Solve by Christmas!
About Amber...
Amber Schamel 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 2 children, Amber found her calling
early in life. First published at age 21, she has continued to hone her craft
and has been awarded the 2017 CSPA Book of the Year Award in Historical
Fiction. Between ministry, family, and working in their family-owned businesses,
Amber loves to connect with readers and hang out on Goodreads with other
bookish peoples. Find her on the Stitches Thru Time blog or on any of the
major social media sites. Amber is an
active member of American Christian Fiction Writers.
Where you can find Amber online...
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/
Blogs - http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com/
http://www.hhhistory.com/
http://amberschamel.blogspot.com/
Twitter - @AmberSchamel https://twitter.com/AmberSchamel
Pinterest - http://pinterest.com/AmberDSchamel/
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thank you so much for hosting me today, Leslie! I look forward to hearing reader's answers. :)
ReplyDeleteWelcome! I'm glad to have you here :)
DeleteI’ve been the one that has wanted to commit suicide and even made a pitiful attempt once. The thing that has always help me the most was when someone decided to LISTEN to what I had to say. Someone who could empathize with my pain. So before I dare give any advice I’d listen to them first.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad to hear you had someone to talk to. Yes, you're correct. Listening is SO important, and it's not always easy to find (unfortunately). I'm sure that someone else would be as grateful for your listening ear as you were in that situation.
DeleteGood luck, and thanks so much for stopping by my blog.
You bring up such a great point, Shamekka! In this noisy world, few people actually take the time to listen. I'm so glad someone was there for you.
DeleteThanks for sharing!
First I would listen to the person first because one of our biggest downfall in society is we dont actually listen to people. Also would tell them that Im not a judge only one person holds thaf title and that is God.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Heather. People are so willing to give advice when we may not even want it, but finding someone to truly listen is not easy (but it's certainly a blessing when it happens!). Sounds like you'd have some good advice for them.
DeleteThanks for stopping by, and good luck!
All true, Heather. Great advice
DeleteThis sounds so good! Going on my wanted list :)
ReplyDeleteI would listen & then advise to get help through a reliable source.
DeleteGreat advice!
DeleteThanks for stopping by, and good luck.
Hey Deanna! Good to see you. :)
DeleteI'm loving the common theme here of listening.
My advice would be-don’t try to go through this alone! Someone to listen to you, someone to just BE THERE...sometimes that’s what you need to just get through the next second, the next minute, the next hour—little steps to get through the crisis.
ReplyDeleteYes, knowing that someone is willing to listen can make a huge difference.
DeleteGood luck, and thanks for visiting my blog.
Sounds like an experienced voice here. I know that is important. It made the difference with some of my loved ones.
DeleteAs the mom to a girl whose friend talks of committing suicide ALL THE TIME, I know it's difficult to keep on showing patience, affirming, and listening. It's emotionally draining. Ultimately, the person needs to see their worth and realize that God loves them, as do the people near to them. I have little advice left to give. Listen and pray and give it over to God is about all one can do.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm sure that has to be hard, but what you said is so true! It's important to see ourselves as God sees us. And praying is certainly the best thing to do (in any situation!).
DeleteThanks for stopping by my blog, and good luck!
I understand what you're saying, Arletta. I've had the same problem with some of the young girl's I know. At some point, you've listened to the same rant a hundred times...there's nothing left to say...and they need to accept it as their own, not just words you say.
DeleteBut I also think SewzALot has a point too. Someone being there, someone having the patience to listen to the same thing for the hundreth time, showing they care, is enough to pull them through the roughest time. But ultimately, prayer is our greatest weapon.
My advice:
ReplyDeleteBefore I speak, I will listen.
Then I will pray, and let them know they are never alone.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel, though it may seem forever away. Keep hope.
Great advice, Alysha. It is so important to stay hopeful, as current situations do not last forever.
DeleteGood luck, and thanks for visiting my blog.
Words of wisdom. Thanks for sharing, Alysha!
DeleteI'm no expert by far, but maybe one of the main things why someone wants to commit suicide is because they are wanting someone to pay attention to them....like everyone said here...someone to listen to them, show they are cared about and loved. They need to feel like they are worth something to someone and really believe it in their hearts :-)
ReplyDeleteI've not had any personal dealings with anyone wanting to commit suicide, but I do have to agree with you guys. Be a listening ear even when you think you don't have the answers for the person. Maybe that's all they want you to do, is be all ears. Show them love any way you can, show them you care about them and just be there in whatever capacity you can. Maybe even direct them to the suicide prevention hotline if they want someone to talk to any time of day or night. There's ALWAYS someone there! (I don't know the number but maybe someone else does?).
Pray for that person to feel they are worth something because only they can believe it of themselves. Sometimes you can tell someone until you are blue in the face, but they have to get it down in their hearts. Feeling worthless is one of the worst feelings in the world! Thank goodness the Lord shows me over and over again how much He loves and treasures me :-) I don't know how I'd make it through life's trails otherwise.
Thanks for the giveaway chance! This sounds like a great story.
Trixi,
DeleteThanks for stopping by. You have some great advice. Knowing that someone cares enough to listen is SO important. (And in today's society, it often feels like everyone wants to talk vs. listen).
The suicide prevention hotline is another great option. That phone number is 1-800-273-8255.
Prayer is so important. You're correct that people can hear something again and again, but they won't "get" it until they "get it."
You're very welcome, and good luck!
Hey Trixi! Thanks for coming by. :)
DeleteYes, I am so, SO grateful for the Lord and His patient ways. He is very good to me, so loving and constantly reminding me what I mean to Him. Without that, I have NO idea where I would be today. My hope and prayer is that hurting people, especially those contemplating suicide, can find that same reality in Christ.
Best wishes in the giveaway.