Guest Post - Amber Schamel Interview

Today we're interviewing historical author Amber Schamel.

Bestselling author 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 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?

Sure! Thanks so much for having me on the blog today. This book released just yesterday, so I'm so EXCITED to share it with readers.

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 Messiah's Sign is now available for purchase! http://shop.myhelpinghandspress.com/Days-of-Messiah-Volume-2-The-Messiahs-Sign-9788576.htm

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.

What do you want 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.

What are you 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/contests.html

Thank you for joining us today, Amber.

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 on my Facebook Launch party tonight! We'll have trivia, giveaways, behind the scenes tidbits and TONS of fun. Join us tonight at 6pm mountain time! https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmberSchamel

Writing Contest

Mark Miller's ONE is a spiritual anthology featuring true stories of faith from best-selling and critically acclaimed authors around the world.

The 2015 edition is going to be a little different. It will be written by YOU! All of the stories in the 2015 book will be by first time authors. 20 stories will be selected from all submissions.

If you have a story to tell and have NEVER been published, this is your chance. We want to hear your story.

Beginning October 1, 2014 and running through January 31, 2015, submit your story by FB message to MarkMillersOne - www.facebook.com/MarkMillersOne

Be sure to "like" the page while you are there and share it with your friends.

Now for some details:

*This contest is open to everyone 18 years and older, or 12 to 17 years with signed consent of a parent or guardian.

*The writer must NEVER have been published, either traditionally or self.

*The story must be an original work and not infringe on anyone else's copyrights.

*The story will be published by Helping Hands Press in the 2015 edition of ONE. As such, Helping Hands Press will retain all print and digital rights of the story for five (5) years from the date of publication. Selected authors will also have the opportunity to contract with Helping Hands Press for future works, but are under no obligation.

*Submissions should be in a Word-compatible document. A minimum of 1,000 words, but no more than 10,000 words. Stories must be inspirational or faith-based, preferably Non-Fiction (sorry, no poetry). Stories containing profanity, sex, or violence will be automatically disqualified.

*Winning selections will be personally edited by Mark Miller. Any and all submissions, in whole or part, may be displayed on the ONE Facebook page for promotional purposes.

*Contestants agree to donate all proceeds from the sale of ONE 2015 to a charity selected by Mark Miller, MillerWords.com or Mark Miller's ONE.

Please feel free to share this event and invite any aspiring author you know. Please post any questions to this event page.

Promise Fulfilled

When I started Promise of Tomorrow, I was not quite sure where the story would take me. As I finished Volume 6: Deliverance, it surprised me how far it went.

From the beginning, I asked "How far would you go to keep your faith?"

I feel like that question had several levels. For the protagonist, Luke Umble, it is answered in two ways. The story developed into something more than "Amish in Space". To me, it is about keeping faith no matter what life hands you. Set 50 years in the future, the Umble family is escaping a dying Earth. However, many of the problems and joys that they find on their adventure are similar to what we face on a daily basis. How do you keep your children safe from bullying? How do you feed your family when things are tight? How does a grown man relate to his father? How does a father relate to his rebellious teen son? Any of this sound familiar?

I wish I could say my little story dispenses wisdom by the bucketful. At least I can say this is my take on it. I believe man (or woman) can only go so far on wits and self-reliance. It is faith that carries us over that last gap. I don't think God is sitting up there on a cloud looking down at the Earth. I believe His power and love crosses the limitless universe. The only time we are away from Him is when we choose to be, when we lose faith. Part of the message of Promise of Tomorrow is that we cannot do it on our own. We need faith especially when we feel like we are in a hopeless situation.

What is waiting for us out there in space? Another Eden, perhaps?

(from the movie Knowing)

Enough pontificating. Besides being inspirational, it is a good sci-fi story, but nothing too heavy. I did my research and hopefully it shows. Underneath it all, however, I am still a fantasy writer, so please don't knock me too hard when my sprockets don't line up with the flux capacitor. Ultimately, this is a story about people which happens to be set on a spaceship.

I would appreciate it if you pick up volume 6 for only 99 cents on Kindle, Nook or Kobo.

Here is the Kindle link:

http://amzn.to/16iYXBy

Also, it would be great to hear from you. Please share your answers to any of the questions above or your thoughts on the story in the comments or on my Facebook page:

www.FB.com/MarkMillerAuthor

Rhapsody of Faith

In the latest installment of ONE, Jean E. Lane takes us to a land of castles and kings!

Mark Miller's ONE 2013

Story Nine

Bohemia

All at once, the author delivers a story of both faith and mystery. It becomes obvious that she feels knowing one's self means knowing one's past. Stories of her grandfather and his journey to the United States sent Jean on a trip back in time. I am a little envious that she did something many of us only dream of doing. She went to the land of her ancestors. She visited Czechoslovakia and saw first hand the history of her family and her faith. The author is detailed in her descriptions of events surrounding King Wenceslas, but underneath it, you can feel her longing for the grandeur and spirituality of the land and architecture.

About the book: 100% of the author’s proceeds will be donated to Bridge to Ability Specialized Learning Center, a not-for-profit organization serving the educational and therapeutic needs of fragile children with severe physical and cognitive disabilities. www.BridgeToAbility.org. The authors, creator and publisher are in no other way affiliated with this organization. Mark Miller’s One 2013 is a spiritual anthology examining True-Life experiences of Authors and their Faith. As the series evolves expect to discover what it means to have faith, no matter what that faith is and no matter where they live. Remember that we are all part of this One World. In Story Nine, Jean E. Lane travels back in time with a story of family and faith. Inspired by tales from her grandfather, the author traveled around the world. She needed to see firsthand all of the history and mystery that built her beliefs

Available Now on Kindle!

http://amzn.to/15ZpNP4

Time to Win

Today's post is sponsored by my new friends at Grammarly! Please visit their site to see the "World's Best Grammar Checker". That's really what it is - an online grammar check. All you have to do is drag-and-drop, upload or copy-and-paste your text and let them do the rest! (my wife uses Grammarly at her work - Rasmussen College)

Keep reading for your chance to win a $20 Amazon gift card!

I am thrilled to have a sponsor today because this post means a lot to me. Today, I am talking about my daughter. She's 10 years old and she's published! OK, I admit it. Our first work together (Sons of the King) was mostly me. She named the characters and locations, but I did the majority of writing. However, with her latest book, she did almost everything.

The Tinfoil Girl by Olivia Miller is a children’s story about being lost and finding your way. It is about discovering new worlds and new friends. Most of all, it is about having faith. This book was written by a ten year old elementary school student. 

I wrote a little review on Goodreads: I will do my best not to be bias and I will say this is not a "paid" review. As the author's father, I have to say that I see so much of this young lady's personality in the story. Her creativity and innocence shines through the pages. As an author myself, I am impressed by Olivia's word choice and her simple, direct story line. She delivers a strong message of faith without being "preachy". She establishes her character, creates conflict and delivers resolution. I look forward to the author she is going to become (far better than I will ever be).

She is also already receiving praise from professional critics, like THIS 5-star review from the free service at Reader's Favorite. How cool is it that she was compared to George MacDonald, a pioneer of modern fantasy!

What else can I tell you about Olivia? She is currently a full-time student. She completed a three year dual language program, in which she learned Spanish as a second language. Olivia is an Honor Roll member and has been recognized as a gifted student. Born in Kansas, she moved with her family to Florida at an early age. She has a passion for writing and a unique way with words. Sons of the King is her first collaboration with her father. She has many more stories to tell, but also holds a secret wish to sing on America's Got Talent. One of Olivia's claims to fame is that she starred as one of Daniel's daughters in the movie Daniel's Lot, available on DVD and as an eBook from Helping Hands Press. Find more about Olivia at www.MillerWords.com and www.FB.com/AuthorOlivia.

I am amazed by her. Sure, as her father, I can say she is talented and beautiful. When you read The Tinfoil Girl, I invite you to decide for yourself if she has the makings of a great writer. I believe the whole project has been a boost for her self-confidence. That is something that is sadly lacking in many young people today and I see it when I visit classrooms. Any opportunity that we have to encourage and empower our children should have the highest priority. Having that book to hold in her hand or view on her Kindle has put a permanent smile on her face this past week. I expect she will go through the roof with that first sale.

Speaking of which, here are the links:

$6.99 Paperback - http://amzn.to/1q5JAQR

$2.99 Kindle - http://amzn.to/IRCbWV

If you are a teacher or a librarian, I think the paperback is a must. Kindergarten through Third Grade can learn from this story and they will enjoy the illustrations. Parents, why not get it for your Kindle or Kindle app when you are sitting at the doctor's office or rolling through the grocery store?

And now to be rewarded for your patience. If you have read this far, remember at the beginning where I promised a $20 Amazon Gift Card? Let's make this simple. Starting now through Monday, Sept 30th, at 10AM EST, anybody (excluding the author's family) that likes Author Olivia on Facebook will be eligible to win. Click the link below, like the page and on Monday a winner will be chosen using Random.Org.

www.FB.com/AuthorOlivia

Thanks for reading! Please leave comments below or on FB. Olivia will personally respond to questions on her FB page.

Falling Down

Can you actually fall down in space?

Luke Umble and his Amish family are going to find out the hard way. Things continue to go from bad to worse with each new revelation. The bad news is that the Adam Corp deep space ship, the Corinthian, has not even made it out of our solar system yet.

Could something worse be waiting for them?

Promise of Tomorrow is an ongoing short story series that asks the question, "How far would you go to save your faith?"

Volume 5

Downfall

Luke Umble believed he was a man of God. One fateful decision could test all of his beliefs. With the support of his wife Annie, they uproot their family in an attempt to save the ones they love. Luke is challenged on all sides by his cantankerous father, his oldest son’s rebellion and even his youngest daughter’s Muscular Dystrophy.

In Volume 5: Downfall, Luke Umble has to face the truth. First he faces it in the rude, condescending behavior of the Englische Captain. Then Luke learns more harsh truth from the young, but sincere, Lieutenant that has also expressed an interest in his daughter. The promise once offered by their ship, the Corinthian, seems to be falling from their grasp. Things are made worse when eight-year-old Henry decides to skip school and explore the ship. Everything collides and causes Luke to doubt his faith.

The one question he asks himself is “How far would you go to keep your faith?”

The only answer Luke can find lies in God’s Promise of Tomorrow.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post. Comments are always appreciated.

You can get this story on Amazon Kindle

http://amzn.to/1676FrN

Available soon on Nook and Kobo

Please visit me on Facebook

www.FB.com/MarkMillerAuthor

Breaker, Breaker

The ONE series is about raising awareness and raising funds for charity. Along the way, we get a little emotional, but sometimes have some fun. The latest story has a little of both.

2013 Story Eight

The Trucker Angel

by Janet Beasley

This is where knowing the author in person becomes such a treat. Everything that Janet wrote in this story is as honest and sincere as she is in real life. Normally, the author's stories are flights of fancy and epic adventures. I jokingly say this is mature writing for her.

All kidding aside, this story is packed with emotion and faith. She speaks briefly about her mother's condition, but one can read its effect throughout the entire piece. This story is sentimental without being sobby and mystifying without being cheesy.

The big question for me is "Did she see what she says she saw?" The answer may simply be that we all see what we need to see at certain moments in our life. An element of confidence and security comes from our faith. We feel good knowing that a higher power is watching out for us. Ultimately, I feel that is the author's message and one worth sharing.

About the book: 100% of the author’s proceeds will be donated to Bridge to Ability Specialized Learning Center, a not-for-profit organization serving the educational and therapeutic needs of fragile children with severe physical and cognitive disabilities. www.BridgeToAbility.org. The authors, creator and publisher are in no other way affiliated with this organization.

Mark Miller’s One 2013 is a spiritual anthology examining True-Life experiences of Authors and their Faith. As the series evolves expect to discover what it means to have faith, no matter what that faith is and no matter where they live. Remember that we are all part of this One World.

In Story Eight, Janet Beasley tells of a supernatural experience that reaffirmed her faith. Before she was a best-selling author, she was a daughter. One of her simple pleasures has always been lunch with her mother. During one of these outings, Janet and her mother witnessed the unexplainable and believe it saved their lives.

About the author: Janet Beasley, best selling author of The Hidden Earth Series (a six novel series), is successfully carving her niche` in the inspirational epic fantasy genre for middle grades and YAs. Even the young at heart are enjoying the escape her writing style presents.

Her debut novel, Maycly the Trilogy, raised to the top 3 on the Amazon Religious Fantasy charts, and landed ahead of the Hunger Games on yet another. By appearing at local and out-of-state events, book signings, and speaking engagements, audiences are now perking up when they hear this author’s name…and it’s not just for her fantasy novels. Janet works with her sister and full time illustrator, Dar Bagby, to create more than just stories. Volume 1 Maycly the Trilogy expands by leaps and bounds with two companion books (a full color illustration book and a cook book), as well as an online memorabilia shop, and amazingly enough – gourmet dog treats.

Janet is multi-talented when it comes to her creativity. She excels in multi-media presentations, event planning, has developed a training center and its curriculum for AV technicians, and produced – directed – and served as a theater technician. She has written fiction - non-fiction – stage plays - and an autobiography. She has crafted award winning poetry, been published in anthologies, and trade specific magazines.

Janet enjoys the outdoors by kayaking and hiking with her husband, and photographing nature. She also loves animals (dogs are her favorite), spending time with her family, and baking cupcakes.

You can make a difference

by getting this story for

ONLY 99 Cents!

http://amzn.to/14ohc7D

Revealing

Plenty of my posts have to do with my new releases, so let's get that out of the way upfront...

Promise of Tomorrow

Volume Four

Revelation

Click here to get it on Amazon Kindle: 

http://amzn.to/16mKOR5

Look for it on BN Nook and Kobo too!

Now, if you are still reading and haven't clicked off to Amazon to get an incredible story for a great price (each volume is only $0.99), I have a serious question.

How far would you go to keep your faith?

This is the tagline for the series, but it is also a serious question. I have four children and it is sometimes a question on my mind. The answer seems obvious. What would you do to protect your children? Isn't that a lot about faith? You have faith that your actions will benefit your children. You also try to teach them your own spiritual faith for them to pass on to others.

In my story, the Umble family is faced with the possibility of losing their faith entirely. They are cast into the unknown and everything is a challenge. In Volume Four, it is revealed that things are likely becoming worse. Can they keep their faith when it seems their faith has left them?

I would appreciate a few comments below about your faith - when you were challenged and how you came through it. Sometimes, I feel like my faith is tested on a daily basis. With four kids, I know my patience is!

Thanks for reading!

Going Native

Happy Memorial Day!

This post seems apropos today. I have the highest respect for our nation's military. The men and women who have served and are serving our country deserve more than they will ever give and have my greatest thanks. 

But...seems like there's always a but. Not everyone who lost their lives in defense of this land swore an oath to the US Government. Murray Pura's entry to the One series opens our eyes to a different perspective. To put it simply, no matter what the lines on the map say, we are all God's Children. Of course, Murray puts it much more eloquently and shares a tale of enthusiastic youth and idealism.

Mark Miller's One

Story Five

White Man's God

by Murray Pura

100% of the author’s proceeds will be donated to Bridge to Ability Specialized Learning Center, a not-for-profit organization serving the educational and therapeutic needs of fragile children with severe physical and cognitive disabilities. www.BridgeToAbility.org. The authors, creator and publisher are in no other way affiliated with this organization.

Mark Miller’s One 2013 is a spiritual anthology examining True-Life experiences of Authors and their Faith. As the series evolves expect to discover what it means to have faith, no matter what that faith is and no matter where they live. Remember that we are all part of this One World.

In Story Five, best-selling author Murray Pura takes us to a fantastical world known as the 1970’s. As a college student in Canada, the author and some friends embark on a journey of body, mind and spirit. A road trip that begins with curiosity and idealism ends in death and self-discovery at Wounded Knee, South Dakota. Sometimes, it takes great things for us to realize the simple things in our faith. For a bright-eyed, long-haired college kid, he had to re-evaluate his own beliefs when he saw the world through the eyes of Native Americans making a last stand for their beliefs. They showed him a different way to look at the White Man’s God.

About Murray Pura: Murray Pura is the award-winning author of more than a dozen books, including the novels The Rose of Lancaster County, The Wings of Morning, The Face of Heaven and the devotionals Rooted and Streams. He is published by Zondervan, Barbour, Baker, Helping Hands, Harvest House and Harper One San Francisco. Six new titles are expected in 2013.

Buy White Man's God on Kindle:

http://amzn.to/16TqZTc

Please visit all of the Authors of One on Facebook:

www.FB.com/MarkMillersOne

I'm Going Amish

At least, in my writing.

My new story is available now.

Promise of Tomorrow

An Amish of Tomorrow Series

Volume One: Salvation

I've written in the Amish genre before. Some of you may have read the Defective Amish Detective series. It is sometimes silly and sometimes sweet. We are currently working on Volume 4, but if you have not read it, you can find part 1 for Kindle here: http://goo.gl/UuI5v

While the Defective Detective is fun to write, I am taking a more serious turn with Promise of Tomorrow. That's not to say there won't be humor, but it will not be outright slapstick. In this new series, I am excited because it gives me a chance to explore my own faith. I am not converting, not packing up to head to Pennsylvania. I put a little more of myself into this one and, at the same time, taken it far beyond where I could ever physically go.

I like the quote from Joss Whedon, "I write to give myself strength. I write to be the characters that I am not. I write to explore all the things I'm afraid of." I feel like that on this new story. Funny thing, my writing music for this one was the Firefly soundtrack (and that was before I read this quote).

You can find this first part of my 10 part series on eBook.

Kindle: http://amzn.to/16IZJVE

Nook: http://bit.ly/WDFMLL

Kobo: http://bit.ly/WHB1SL

Now, here comes the fun part! My publisher, Helping Hands Press, has a new event that will take place every Wednesday on their Facebook page: http://on.fb.me/WHBW5D

There will be fun discussions and exciting giveaways! I am one of the featured authors this week (3/20), so who knows what you might see when you stop by from 7 to 8:30 PM EST!

And if you don't make it to Wacky Wednesday, be sure to check out the widget at the top right of my blog. We are doing a Goodreads giveaway too!

All That Sparkles

The One series continues with a debut author.When I tell you that this debut author is my wife, I say it from the vantage of a blessed and fortunate man. Not only does she support me in my writing, I suddenly discover this new side of her. What she reveals in her story, Questions, in some ways is new to me too. We are coming up on our fourteenth anniversary and now I get this glimpse of a person filled with faith and enchanted by the simple magic around her. It truly is my privilege to present this new voice to you.

Mark Miller's One

Story Two

Questions

This one is sort of a family thing. I have always known my oldest son as a boy, and young man, to have a generous heart. He is both sympathetic and empathetic. When we lost my wife's brother late last year, my son wrote a moving piece for his mother that is included in this volume.

If that's not love...?

Questions is available on all major ebook platforms.

Get it on Kindle here:

http://amzn.to/13r8OlV

100% of the author’s proceeds will be donated to Bridge to Ability Specialized Learning Center, a not-for-profit organization serving the educational and therapeutic needs of fragile children with severe physical and cognitive disabilities. www.BridgeToAbility.org. The authors, creator and publisher are in no other way affiliated with this organization.

Mark Miller’s One 2013 is a spiritual anthology examining True-Life experiences of Authors and their Faith. As the series evolves expect to discover what it means to have faith, no matter what that faith is and no matter where they live. Remember that we are all part of this One World.

In Story Two, debut author Traci Miller tries to find answers to some questions she has. Along the way, she explores the things that give her hope and faith as she reminisces about her grandparents and her childhood. Traci’s sixteen year old son, Zakary, commemorated the passing of his uncle in a short Afterword, entitled Chapter End.

First time author Traci Miller is a mother of four and wife of an author. Growing up in Missouri, Traci fostered a relationship with the theatre. From high school and into college, she honed her skills behind the scenes as a lighting technician and scene designer. Her behind the scenes efforts did not end there. Traci has dedicated many hours as a beta reader and editor for her husband. In real life, Traci works full time helping others decide their career paths and enrolling in college. As she says in her debut story, Questions, Traci’s goal is to improve the life of her children and ensure their success. It is unknown if Traci will continue to write, but there are a lot of crazy ideas bouncing around inside her head.

One Once Again

The idea of One started small and grew into a year's worth of amazing, thought-provoking, inspirational stories. The resulting anthology was combined into a beautiful paperback book (not unlike Chicken Soup for the Soul, and definitely nice enough for any Doctor's office).

With that success, my publisher was nice enough to ask me to do it again. So I set out to gather another twelve authors, including myself, and start a journey into 2013.

One of the things I like best about this series is that it benefits other people instead of the author. Last year, we made a nice donation to Give Kids the World (www.gktw.org) from author proceeds. This year, I found a group much closer to home. Bridge to Ability Specialized Learning Center (www.bridgetoability.org) is only about a twenty minute drive from my home. The organization helps children in my community. They are small and can use our help. So please remember, every time you download this story, 100% of my author proceeds are going to a very good cause.

2013 is also going to be a bit of a family affair. My wife, Traci Miller, will be contributing a story and my father, De Miller will return, as well. Other returning authors include: Crystal Linn, Sude Khanian and Sarah Price. We will also see new stories from some other sensational authors: Murray Pura, Alexandria Barker, Janet Beasley, R Jeffries and Missy Kennedy Adams.

This will be a great, eye-opening year!

100% of the author’s proceeds will be donated to Bridge to Ability Specialized Learning Center, a not-for-profit organization serving the educational and therapeutic needs of fragile children with severe physical and cognitive disabilities. www.BridgeToAbility.org. The authors, creator and publisher are in no other way affiliated with this organization.

Mark Miller’s One 2013 is a spiritual anthology examining True-Life experiences of Authors and their Faith. As the series evolves expect to discover what it means to have faith, no matter what that faith is and no matter where they live. Remember that we are all part of this One World.

In Story One, Mark Miller welcomes you back to the series. He has a little something to say  about forgiveness and finding his place in the world. Sometimes, we are exactly where we are supposed to be and not even realize it.

You are invited to visit the Authors of One, ask questions and start discussions on our official Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/MarkMillersOne

You can get the 2012 paperback here:

http://goo.gl/LwQU5

2013 Story One: A Marvelous Net is available on Kindle for ONLY 99 Cents:

http://goo.gl/2go5u

One and Done

Today marks the final stepping stone in a journey started over one year ago. It is available now for ONLY 99 Cents on Kindle - http://goo.gl/GE6k1. Also on Nook, iTunes and Kobo. Keep reading to find out if it really is the end of One.

Mark Miller's One

Story Twelve

Choices

Along the way, some amazing authors contributed some very personal, exceptional stories. With Choices, I try to touch on all of it. Part review, part exploration, this story gave me a chance to thank the ten other authors who helped make One something special.

100% of the author’s proceeds will be donated to Give Kids the World, a charitable organization where children with life-threatening illnesses and their families are treated to weeklong, cost-free fantasy vacations. www.GKTW.org. The authors, creator and publisher are in no other way affiliated with this organization.

Mark Miller’s One is a spiritual anthology examining True-Life experiences of Authors and their Faith. As the series evolves expect to discover what it means to have faith, no matter what that faith is and no matter where they live. Remember that we are all part of this One World.

In Story Twelve, Mark Miller revisits the entire series. Choices examines some personal life-changing events. Then the author poses questions analyzing the previous eleven stories. When it comes to faith, Miller asks What If?

Don't worry though, One is not done. The series will be back in January. Several authors have already asked to come back. Plus, there will be some new additions to our family.

For now, please like us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/MarkMillersOne) and please get your copy of Story Twelve: Choices today!

TP Authors: Sarah Price

Sarah Price, popular author of Amish fiction, is also a contributor to the One series, which is regularly posted about on this blog. Her story, The Power of Faith, is currently available for ONLY 99 Cents with author proceeds going to a great cause. You can get it here: http://goo.gl/xhE9w

Today, she wants to share her Triangle of Blessings: Amish, Writing and Readers

I was first introduced to the Amish when I was only eight years old. It was my grandparents who took me to Lancaster County, PA. I sat between them on the front seat of their Cadillac, bouncing up and down with excitement as we passed each horse and buggy.

My grandparents came from a long line of strict Old Order Mennonites. Back in the early 1700s, our ancestors escaped persecution and travelled across the ocean to accept William Penn’s offer for free land in Pennsylvania.  I often think about that journey and how terrified they must have been. Seeing the shores of Europe disappear over the horizon, facing an uncertain future in an unknown land…how courageous they were and how unfaltering in their faith in God.

There is something magical about the Amish. In today’s world of technology, information overload and crazy schedules, there is something to be said for a people who manages to maintain a simpler way of life.  A people who takes care of each other. A people who lives for honoring God through their daily routines.  How can you not fall in love with such people? They are truly blessed.

Likewise, I consider myself a blessed person. For almost twenty-five years, I have been staying among the Amish. In the beginning, I found an Amish family that rented out an apartment over their mule shed. For several years, I would rent the apartment and travel back and forth from my home to their farm. In later years, I was introduced to an Amish woman who rented me a room in her home. Through these connections, I have been permitted the rare opportunity to straddle the fence between my current world and this of my ancestors.

There is another blessing in my life (and I believe we all have many). I have been blessed with the desire to write. Since I was a child, I wrote books. It was my passion, my dream. I love writing, telling stories that entertain and inform. It’s in my blood. I believe that a true author writes for that reason: they have a passion to write. That’s it. It’s as plain and simple as the Amish.

The beautiful thing is that I have been blessed to combine the two: my passion for writing and my passion for the Amish. It’s a marriage made in heaven, as far as I’m concerned.  Like my friend, colleague, and fellow author, Karen Anna Vogel, my knowledge of the Amish comes from first-hand experience. It allows me to write authentic books, books that are rich in true knowledge of the Amish, a special knowledge that I love to share with my readers.

That brings me to my final blessing, one that is so important to me: the readers. How fortunate it is that so many wonderful people desire to know the Amish and to learn about their faith! These readers are faced with so much stress: busy lives, illness, uncertainty, and hardship in a time of economic distress. It is such a blessing to know that, even if only for a few hours, they can slip away from this stress through the stories that I love to write.

I invite you into my world, to pick up one of the many Amish books written by wonderful authors that are available in bookstores and online, and to sit back in order to escape, even if just for a few pages.  Who knows? Maybe you, too, will find some relief from the everyday stress in your own life as you explore the world of the Amish through our eyes.

Follow Sarah Price on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/fansofsarahprice or on her blog at http://www.sarahpriceauthor.com

Ten Equals One

See, that’s a misleading way to start. There are actually eleven of us and twelve stories. I’m talking about a group I fondly refer to as the Authors of One and our series, simply called One. The Authors of One consist of ten authors, plus me. Ten equals one. I think we have the math straight now.

 

       In the synopsis, I call it “a spiritual anthology examining True-Life experiences of Authors and their Faith. As the series evolves expect to discover what it means to have faith, no matter what that faith is and no matter where they live. Remember that we are all part of this One World.”

 

I think it has grown beyond that. What’s more, it has really taught me a lot.

 

We are nearing the end of the series. Story Eleven, by well-known Amish author Sarah Price, is available now. After that, I am going to put the bookends on it with Story Twelve.

 

In between my first story, Meant To Be, and the last, which I am calling Choices, a myriad of talented authors opened my eyes. I felt like they stuck out their hand and when I grabbed hold, they carried me around the world. Along the way, I watched them learn, live, fall in love, and even confront death. We shared more than one out-of-body experience and time-travelled.

 

The best part is that it is all true. These experiences are honest and emotional. Time and again, they bared deeply personal parts of themselves, taking risks that allowed we readers to become that much richer for looking into their lives.

 

Another thing that should be said is these are generous people. They are not preaching from some obscure pulpit. They each have a message and want to give something more. Each author in this series is giving at least half, some all, of their proceeds to charity. These stories support a variety of worthy causes.

Why not enrich your life and help someone else too? Each story is ONLY 99 Cents and the Amazon Kindle links are here:

Mark Miller – Meant To Be – http://goo.gl/E2HWn

De Miller – Twelve Steps – http://goo.gl/ZGsCp

Sudè Khanian – Dr. Candy – http://goo.gl/HhB0G

Giovanni Gelati – The Hand of God – http://goo.gl/P0uVY

Melissa Studdard and Scott Lutz – For the Love of All – http://goo.gl/GssqE

George Michael Loughmueller – Snake in the Water – http://goo.gl/m1TI3

Rachel Hunter – Perfect Nothing – http://goo.gl/NnJs8

Crystal Linn – God’s Counterpoints – http://goo.gl/gzZlw

Ron Starbuck – Wheels Turning Inward – http://goo.gl/p2QBE

Don Lubov – 1971 – http://goo.gl/ojf3z

Sarah Price – The Power of Faith - http://goo.gl/zPxzm

Coming Soon

Mark Miller – Choices

Please connect with the Authors of One on Facebook – www.fb.com/MarkMillersOne