The Night of the Cossack by Tom Blubaugh
Special day for Tom Blubaugh and his book Night of the Cossack.
Today is the Launch day for Tom’s book.
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Tom is offering a bunch of free gifts with your purchase of his book today HERE on Amazon.
PLUS an entry to win a $50 Amazon gift card.
You Must Purchase a Kindle ebook or a new paperback copy this book to win the prizes.
Paperback copies to US address only.
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1…Hey Tom, it’s great to have you on my blog today. Thank you so much for being here. Tell us a bit about yourself.
Thank you for interviewing me, Joy. Where to start! I am a Christian, a husband of Barbara, a father of six, a grandfather of 14, an author, an amateur photographer, a public speaker, a volunteer for two organizations and a website designer. In 2004 I was disabled by a major heart attack. This was hard on me since I’ve been a workaholic, but I soon realized it freed me up to do some serious writing.
2…How long have you been writing?
I started writing poetry when I was fourteen (1956) and have been writing since. I was first published in 1974. All of my published work has been non-fiction until Night of the Cossack, published this past April.
3…What aspects of being a writer do you enjoy the most?
This is a tough question. If you’d asked me this question a year ago, I would have said writing, but now that I’m speaking to YAs and involved with John 3:16 marketing group, I would be tempted to say the marketing. Actually, I like the whole process of being a published author. It involves nearly all of what I mentioned in your first question.
4…What is your favorite Scripture?
Proverbs 16:9 and 19:21. Until God directed me to these two scriptures, I struggled to know His will for my life. Now, I plan and He directs–I have ideas and He has a purpose which prevails. I walk between the two.
5…How do you find characters for your books? Are they influenced by family and friends?
Night of the Cossack is about my maternal grandfather. Both of my grandfathers died before I was born. When my mother passed in 2005, I was left with no elders and the oldest of six children. I felt a strong drawing to my maternal grandfather. I knew very little about him, but I knew he had been a Cossack soldier in Russia. I took what little information I had and started researching. At first I was writing for myself, filling a void, and then I felt I was creating a heritage for my children and grandchildren. It has brought closure for me.
6…What are 4 things about yourself that most people wouldn’t know about ?
Hmmm—4 things. I was homeless in 1998; I was a felon by time I was 15; I still fanaticize being a rock & roll singer (this started in the late 50’s); and I’m shy, in spite of my experience as stated in your first question.
7…When will your next book be out?
Tough question. I have it outlined, but can’t make up my mind if I like it or not. Probably late next year.
8…What are you working on now?
A sequel to Night of the Cossack. Readers keep asking me for one.
9…Where can our readers find you?
On my website http://tomblubaugh.com ; on Facebook http://facebook.com/nightofthecossack and https://www.facebook.com/#!/ ; on Twitter @tomblubaugh ; Goodreads, AuthorDen.com and on my blog http://www.tnblu.com/TheWriteTrailBlog/ .
10…Anything else you want to add?
You’re never too old to write. I was 69 when Night of the Cossack was published. If you have a desire to write—go for it.
11…And I wanted to save this one until last, Tell us a bit about Night of the Cossack and what Inspired you to write this wonderful book.
Thank you for the complement. I always felt I missed out on something important by not having a grandfather. I was drawn to both of them, but knew very little about either. Being a Viet Nam veteran (Navy), I guess I was drawn more toward my Grandfather Hertzfield because he was a Cossack soldier. I always liked war movies as a kid (they weren’t as graphic back then). I think the combination of all of these dug into my creative mind. Even though the book is a historical fiction, I feel very close to the protagonist, Nathan. He’s a lot like me.
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My Thoughts on Night of the Cossack
Nathan never expected what happened on that one dreaded night that he hid their family in the cellar because of the fighting taking place in their community. He thought all had gone, so he decided to go see what damage had been done. What he didn’t expect was to not only be watched by kidnapped and taken from his family. He finds out he would not be trained to be a Cossack just like his kidnapper.
My heart broke for Nathan and his family as he was taken, never thought to be heard from again. As a mother, I can’t imagine the heartbreak of his mother and for Nathan as he starts his new life with Nikolai. The one positive thing was that Nikolai watched out for Nathan as he taught his to fight in the Cossack way.
This story based on Tom’s grandfather. Although Tom never knew his grandfather, he asked questions to find out all he could. And thus this book was born. In the pages of Night of the Cossack, the reader will view Tom’s grandfather as he thinks his life was in those trying times so long ago. As I read this book, I couldn’t help but think about Tom as he wrote about his grandfather and the horrible situations he had to go through. This is just a sweetly written book by a grandson about his grandfather. If you are a history buff, you will enjoy this book, but if you are not, I think you will be pleased you read this book. So go grab a copy to read and enjoy for yourself.
I won this book on a book blog giveaway and am very happy to be a part of Tom’s Book Launch today by posting a review of this book and post an interview with Tom.
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About the Author
Tom Blubaugh is a freelance writer living in Southwest Missouri with Barbara, his wife. They have six children and fourteen grandchildren. Tom has written non-fiction most of his adult life, but has recently written a historical fiction titled Night of the Cossack, published by Bound by Faith Publishers. This is Tom’s first novel. He co-wrote a devotional journal in 2009 for Barbour Publishing titled The Great Adventure. His other writings include articles for a denominational magazine and an insurance publication. He also self-published a book, Behind the Scenes of the Bus Ministry in 1974.
Tom started writing poetry at the age of fourteen. His vision of turning them into lyrics for rock and roll songs for popular artists didn’t develop. He considers writing to be a God-given talent and feels led to develop it. His first novel was published at his age of 69. Tom says it’s never too late. He is now writing a sequel.
Tom spent twelve years as an insurance agent and eleven years as a financial planner. He is the past president of Jericho Commission, Inc., and still serves on the board of directors.
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Here is a message from the author for some special prizes TODAY DEC 8th only
Today, December 8th only!
Purchase a Kindle ebook or a new paperback copy of Night of the Cossack
from AMAZON and receive multiple
TODAY, Dec. 8th, 2011
FREE gifts PLUS an entry to win a $50 Amazon gift card.
*You must purchase from Amazon either the Kindle version or a
‘new’ paperback from Bound by Faith Publishers
to qualify.
The new paperback version will be a signed copy by the author and shipped FREE to an address in the USA.
Thank you and blessings,
Tom
splashesofjoy 