Friday, June 17, 2011

NIGHT OF THE COSSACK - Tom Blubaugh - Free Book

Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
In this first novel—quite a bit. The protagonist is my grandfather.  He died before I was born and I had just a few facts about him.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
When I was 15, I was swimming in a river with some friends.  We were wondering how deep it was. I got a large rock, put it on an inner tube, and pushed it out in the middle of the river. I wrapped my arms around the rock and pulled it off the tube. I rode it down until the water turned black and cold. Sufficiently scared, I let go and finally made it back to the surface. We never did find out how deep it was and I didn’t care to know. This may qualify as something other than quirky—maybe more like a word that starts with s and ends with d.

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
When I was in grade school. I would write poems and send them into companies that advertised in comic books they wanted poems for song lyrics. I didn’t have the money they required.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I like action—mainly westerns and intrigue. I read a lot of non-fiction for knowledge and research—history.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
I don’t run. I walk. I’m fortunate in that I am retired and can control my time and activities.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
In this first novel, I researched names in the country my protagonist was in and tried to select unusual names.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
Writing this novel. I’ve accomplished a lot of things, but this was the most rewarding.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
A cat. Nothing gets past them and they are very independent.

What is your favorite food?
BBQ Ribs, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, lemon meringue pie.

Those are my husband’s favorites, too. What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
Grammar. I joined a good critique group and my publisher has a good editor.

Tell us about the featured book.
It’s a story about my maternal grandfather.  He died a year before I was born.  I always wanted to know him. I took a little information I had and wrote a story around them. He was a Jew, born in Georgia on the Black Sea, who became a Russian Cossack soldier.  Something happened that caused him to defect and immigrate to the USA. The story is about his life on the run.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Nathan’s eyes flew open. Sounds, screams and gunshots penetrated the cold air of his upstairs bedroom. The pungent smell of smoke invaded his nose. He coughed. Am I having a nightmare? Shadows danced wildly across the ceiling and down the walls. 
Heart pounding, he threw off his covers, jumped out of bed, and rushed to the window. His little brother, Israel, followed.
Its real!
“What is it, Nathan?” Israel whispered.
Nathan pulled his brother against the wall behind him.
“Hey! I want to see!”
“Shush, Israel.” Nathan looked through the window at the valley below, his heart racing. Men in long coats and fur hats were running through the village brandishing swords and raising rifles. Cossacks!
The Bukolovs’ and the Gorbenkos’ houses were burning. Bodies lay on the ground. He couldn’t tell who they were, but he knew they were friends.
Momma rushed into the room. “Get away from that window, Nathan!”
“Those are Cossack soldiers, Momma!”
“Cossacks,” echoed Israel.

How can readers find you on the Internet?
http://tomblubaugh.com

Thank you for the interesting interview, Tom.



Readers, here's a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 6 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

18 comments:

Michelle said...

I enjoy reading books set in Russia. Please enter me.

mchapman (at) windstream (dot) net

Kentucky

Judy said...

A very interesting interview. Thank you!

I haven't read anything by Tom as he is a new author to me. "Night Of The Cossack" sounds really good. Thanks for the chance to win it.

Judy in IN

judyjohn2004[at]yahoo[dot]com

Tom Blubaugh said...

Barbara,

Thank you for interviewing me.

Blessings,

Tom

Kiviex said...

Wow! What a griping first page.
Great interview, also, Tom.
kiviex7905@aol.com
Michigan

Tom Blubaugh said...

Thank you. I had fun writing it.

misskallie2000 said...

Hi Tom, I love your favorite foods also. Night of the Cossack sounds like a great book and one I know I would love to read. Thanks for stopping by to chat and share with us.

misskallie2000 at yahoo dot com

I live in Georgia, USA..

Tom Blubaugh said...

You're welcome. My pleasure. I hope you enjoy the read.

Anonymous said...

I would love to win a copy of this book.
angela
FROM
KY

Abigail Mitchell said...

Looks very interesting, would love to win a copy!
Abigail Richmond
Blanch, N.C.

Anonymous said...

Definitely would love to win this!

Blessings,
Molly from NC

Coolestmommy said...

What an honor to write a story around your grandfather. I'm sure he would have been proud.

coolestmommy2000 at gmail dot com
NE

Krista said...

Wow. This book sounds absolutely amazing. I LOVE books that are set in Russia. Please enter me!

Krista from Gresham, OR

Ms. Greer said...

Hi,You like all the foods I like except for the pie....I'd rather have PECAN :) Would love to read this book, hope I win.

Ms. Marion/OH

Bakersdozen said...

I think that this book sounds interesting. I would love to read it. I live in S. CA.

Unknown said...

Oh, this sounds like a such a good book! Thanks for the chance to win!
Kari in Oregon

Kristie said...

Interesting that your book contains so much family history. Some of my relatives came from the Ukraine. Their lives are very mysterious. I'm from Ohio. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.

Melissa M. said...

This sounds like a fascinating book, and I like that it's based on truth!
Please enter my name.

Melissa from TX

hismercysurrounding(at)yahoo(dot)com

A. Carpenter/Ohio said...

Would love to win this book....thanks for a chance.....

A.Carpenter