E-Book Giveaway--THE TENTH PLAGUE--and Guest Interview with Suspense author ADAM BLUMER

Adam Blumer, author of THE TENTH PLAGUE

I'm blessed today to have Adam Blumer answering my nosy author questions. Adam and I went to the same college (didn't meet there, but we had many of the same writing teachers!). Adam's first novel, Fatal Illusions, kept me hooked to the end of the book. And he's just released his second suspense novel, The Tenth Plague. I enjoy following Adam's blog, http://www.adamblumerbooks.com/blog/, where he is running an excellent series on keeping vulgarity out of Christian fiction. Here's Adam's bio:

Adam Blumer is the author of Fatal Illusions (Kregel Publications) and The Tenth Plague (Kirkdale Press). A print journalism major in college, he works as a freelance writer and editor after serving in editorial roles for more than twenty years. He lives in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula with his wife, Kim, and his daughters, Laura and Julia.

I was impressed with the endorsements on Adam's book, especially this one: “A chilling tale that keeps readers turning pages and pondering its truths. The Tenth Plague is a solid entry in Adam Blumer’s bibliography, and fans of thrillers with spiritual depth will find much to enjoy.” —C. J. Darlington, author of Thicker than Blood and Bound by Guilt

BUT NOW...Let's Chat!

HG: Hi Adam, great to have you over today. In your newest book, THE TENTH PLAGUE, you begin with an iron ore mine collapse scene. I was totally gripped as I read it. Was this based on a real mine collapse?

AB: Yes, the prologue is a fictionalized account of the 1926 Barnes-Hecker mine disaster near Ishpeming, Michigan. I even used correct character names. I learned about the disaster when I read No Tears in Heaven by Thomas G. Friggens and realized how the tragedy could complement my plot. Mr. Friggens, the regional expert on the disaster, kindly looked over my prologue for accuracy and gave me a few pointers. I felt honored to write about the tragedy in memory of those who perished.  

HG: Your main characters, Marc and Gillian Thayer, return in this book (they were also in your previous novel, FATAL ILLUSIONS). I find it refreshing to have realistic marriages portrayed in Christian fiction. How do you keep their marriage dynamic believable?

AB: I guess since I’m married, I have an edge. Understanding the dynamic in my own marriage, I suppose, enabled me to make this relationship and its conflicts believable. Though I’m a male writer, I think I have a decent grasp of how a wife might feel in certain situations. And of course my wife was one of my first readers, and I asked her a number of questions during the first draft. If I didn’t get something quite right, she was helpful in getting me on the right path. 

HG: Your books are labeled “Meaningful Suspense.” What themes have you worked into THE TENTH PLAGUE?

AB: One of my favorite themes is how the past, particularly past hurts, affects our present. Both the villain and my heroine, Gillian Thayer, grapple with heartbreaking real-life issues from their past. But how they respond shows two very different paths. My hope is that readers will see the stark contrast in the context of biblical truth presented in the story. The bottom line is that God is enough, and He offers the solution to every problem of life. This is another repeated theme in my stories.

HG: Okay—question for the squeamish. I know you’ve integrated some of the biblical Egyptian plagues into this story, right? Are there any particularly gross plagues you had to handle in this novel?

AB: Well, wouldn’t that be giving it away? J I guess it depends on how you define the word gross. Every one of the ten plagues appears in some “form” in my novel; that means some appearances are literal, and some are symbolic, but I’m not going to say much more than that and risk giving too much away. Read Exodus 7-11 and decide which plague would be the grossest for you to experience. You’ll have to read the novel and see which one I chose to highlight.       

HG: Finally, you have a very interesting journey to publication—you’ve never had an agent. Would you recommend this as a viable route to aspiring newbie writers?  

AB: I didn’t really choose this route—God chose it for me. Given what I know about publishing now, I would recommend starting out with an agent. In my opinion the road can be a bit bumpy and lonely if you try to go it alone. I can think of several instances when the encouragement of an agent would have been a big help. And yes—I hope to have an agent of my own before too long, the Lord willing. 

Thanks so much for the interview, Adam! I'll be wondering about those plagues...of course the death of the firstborn would be the worst, in my mind. But the others would be quite horrid, too. Looking forward to having time to read this!

 

Water turns to blood. Flies and gnats attack the innocent. Marc and Gillian Thayer’s vacation resort becomes a grisly murder scene, with a killer using the ten plagues of Egypt as his playbook for revenge.

When their friend turns up dead, Marc and Gillian put their vacation on hold, enlist the help of a retired homicide detective, and take a closer look at the bizarre plagues as they escalate in intensity. Meanwhile, a stranger is after the Thayers’ newly adopted baby. Will they uncover the truth behind the bitter agenda before the tenth plague, the death of the firstborn son?

****And now over to you readers! Please chime in with your comments and questions for Adam today! And include your email to be entered for a drawing of one free e-book copy of The Tenth Plague!****

AND I always forget to say when I'll draw the winner! I'll draw the winner this Monday, February 18th!