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Wednesday, April 29, 2009

April Newsletter and Giveaway

April 29, 2009

Dear Reader,

Adam Blumer

This newsletter is shorter than usual for the simple reason that I'm swamped. Since the release of Fatal Illusions on March 31, my life has been hectic with a blog tour, a book signing, and several online interviews, including Brandilyn Collins's Forensics & Faith blog. Be sure to check my Web site and my Events page for the latest on what's been happening. So far, reviews of Fatal Illusions (like this one and this one) have been very positive. Family and friends will feel pressured to say nice things, so when perfect strangers who have nothing to lose post positive reviews at their blogs, I can't help feeling excited. If you have read the novel and liked it, please consider writing a review at Amazon.com, CBD.com, or Barnes & Noble. My local newspaper also gave the novel a wonderful review. Friends have reported book sightings from a Barnes & Noble in Minnesota to the campus bookstore at Bob Jones University. A friend in Germany also bought a copy across the big pond.Answers to Commonly Asked Questions

How can I get a copy of your novel? Because I don't know which bookstores will put the novel on their shelves, the best way is to buy it at Amazon.com or CBD.com. If my novel isn't at your local bookstore, simply order it. With my name and the novel's title, you should be able to order the novel from any bookstore in the country.

How can I get a signed copy of your novel? Unfortunately, I'm not selling my own autographed copies. And unless you attend one of my signings, I may not have a way to personally sign your book. But there is an alternative. As a special thank you to those who are purchasing a copy, upon request I will mail you a free signed bookplate as my way of saying thank you for your support. (A bookplate is a sticker you may affix inside your book.) Simply send me your mailing address, and I'll mail you a bookplate soon.

How is the novel selling? To be honest, I'm not sure. One indicator is CBD's listing of Kregel's bestselling fiction. Another indicator is my sales rank at Amazon.com, which fluctuates like the U.P. weather. Sometimes the numbers are down; sometimes they're up. The rank shows that somebody somewhere is buying the novel at various times; Amazon.com then compares the sales to those of other books. On the whole I'm encouraged.

Keep praying for my dad, who is almost finished with his first stage of chemo and radiation. I'm posting regular updates here for those interested.

My first book signing at the Hopehouse in Iron Mountain on April 18 went well. Thank you to those who sacrificed part of a beautiful Saturday afternoon to drop by and support me. I appreciate your encouragement. Copies are still available at the store for those who couldn't make it.

Book Giveaway Winner—Congratulations to Julie Broadworth for winning my April book drawing for a free copy of Fatal Illusions. For my next drawing, starting today through the end of May, I will be giving away another free copy of Fatal Illusions. If you would like to enter the drawing, request Fatal Illusions at your library, church bookstore, or local Christian bookstore. Let me know you have completed this action by replying to this e-mail. If you have already requested the novel at one of those places, just let me know; you'll be entered in the drawing. I'll announce the winner in my May newsletter.

What's Next for Me? Right now, I'm doing whatever I can to help spread the word about my novel after my regular responsibilities. I'm also working on the sequel. Thanks again for your support and encouragement. May the Lord receive all the glory!

Friday, April 24, 2009

Window to My World Reviews Fatal Illusions

Fatal Illusions is a tale that brings together the best of several writing elements, and weaves them into a suspenseful and compelling read that contains a satisfying spiritual and emotional depth. Adam Blumer’s writing takes a look at realistic struggles faced by many Christians today. He sets these issues amid the disturbing criminal case of a serial killer, and as he carefully merges the story lines, the reader is amazed at how the emotional/spiritual aspects of the primary story is mirrored in the dark depravity of the criminal. Everyone is seeking to obey someone – is it the voice of God, of man, or the devil himself?

Marc and Gillian Thayer serve as pastor and wife in a large urban congregation. When one of Marc’s church members reveals her psychologically disturbed state, the Thayers suddenly find themselves in what seems to be an unending nightmare. Death has already touched their lives once, and when Marc’s life is almost snuffed out, they are forced to relocate and re-examine their lives as never before.

Other lives also hang in the balance, and the Thayer’s struggles prove to be a mirror image of some darker, more sinister disturbances taking place in the life of one lonely, misunderstood young man who suffers an un-natural fascination with Houdini. This man has already taken the lives of several young women, and the Thayer’s lives are on a collision course with his demented mind. When their daughter Crystal becomes the object of the killer’s desire the entire community of Whistler’s Point is shaken to its core.

Adam Blumer doesn’t shy away from presenting the spiritual struggles taking place in the lives of his characters as they face times of hardship. The Thayer’s wind up dealing with one horror after another, and along the way they are forced to examine their faith in a very personal – and sometimes painful – way. I appreciated this aspect of his writing a great deal, and I loved the way he blended it with the hunt for the serial killer! The ending was particularly amazing – over and over again!! It still gives me the creeps!

I highly recommend Fatal Illusions and look forward to reading more stories by Adam Blumer!

Kim Ford

Thursday, April 23, 2009

The Cypress Times Gives FI a Great Review

http://thecypresstimes.com/Article.cfm?articleID=21825

"This book is magnificent! Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down. I'm definitely a new member of the Adam Blumer fan club. The book had a lot of action that never quite let up. Even at almost 400 pages I read this in a day and a half. The book never seems to slow down, so it's a quick read. One of the great things about this book was that it was a Christian murder mystery. Typically in this genre you get a certain amount of cussing or sex scenes. You get none of that here, just non stop action. This book also through some twists at me that I wasn't expecting, and believe me I'm not easily surprised by plot twists anymore. I'd put Fatal Illusions up against a James Patterson novel any day...it's that good! I'm definitely recommending this to anyone who likes a fast paced thrill ride of a book."

Marta Hoelscher

Brandilyn Collins Interviews Adam at her Forensics & Faith Blog

I've followed Brandilyn Collins's Christian suspense novels for several years, so it was an honor when she contacted me and said she wanted to interview me at her blog. Check it out:

http://forensicsandfaith.blogspot.com/2009/04/fatal-illusions.html

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Elisha's Bones by Dan Hoesel

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Elisha's Bones (Bethany House March 1, 2009) by Don Hoesel
About the Author

Don Hoesel was born and raised in Buffalo, NY, but calls Spring Hill, TN, home. He is a Web site designer for a Medicare carrier in Nashville, TN. He has a BA in Mass Communication from Taylor University and has published short fiction in Relief Journal. He lives in Spring Hill with his wife and two children. Elisha's Bones is his first novel.

About the Book

Every year, professor of antiquities Jack Hawthorne looks forward to the winter break as a time to hide away from his responsibilities. Even if just for a week or two. But this year, his plans are derailed when he's offered almost a blank check from a man chasing a rumor.

Billionaire Gordon Reese thinks he knows where the bones of the prophet Elisha are--bones that in the Old Testament brought the dead back to life. The bones of the prophet once raised the dead to life... but they vanished from history in a whisper.

Bankrolled by a dying man of unlimited means, Hawthorne's hunt spans the globe and leads him into a deadly conspiracy older than the church itself. A born skeptic, Jack doesn't think much of the assignment but he could use the money, so he takes the first step on a chase for the legendary bones that will take him to the very ends of the earth.

But he's not alone. Joined with a fiery colleague, Esperanza Habilla, they soon discover clues to a shadowy organization whose long-held secrets have been protected . . . at all costs. And he soon discovers those sworn to keep the secret of the bones will do anything to protect them. As their lives are threatened again and again, the real race is to uncover the truth before those chasing them hunt them down.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Elisha's Bones, go HERE

My Review


I apologize. I have not read this novel yet; too much great suspense all in the same month. However, I do intend to read this novel and write a review. Right now, my mom is reading the novel and enjoying it very much. Thank you, Don! It's a fascinating premise, and I'm eager to dig in. I wish you the best on this project.

Friday, April 17, 2009

BoneMan's Daughters by Ted Dekker

This week the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance introduces Boneman's Daughters (Center Street, April 14, 2009) by Ted Dekker
About the Author

Ted is the son of missionaries John and Helen Dekker, whose incredible story of life among headhunters in Indonesia has been told in several books. Surrounded by the vivid colors of the jungle and a myriad of cultures, each steeped in their own interpretation of life and faith, Dekker received a first-class education on human nature and behavior. This, he believes, is the foundation of his writing.

After graduating from a multi-cultural high school, he took up permanent residence in the United States to study Religion and Philosophy. After earning his Bachelor's Degree, Dekker entered the corporate world in management for a large healthcare company in California. Dekker was quickly recognized as a talent in the field of marketing and was soon promoted to Director of Marketing. This experience gave him a background which enabled him to eventually form his own company and steadily climb the corporate ladder.

Since 1997, Dekker has written full-time. He states that each time he writes, he finds his understanding of life and love just a little clearer and his expression of that understanding a little more vivid. Dekker's body of work encompassing seven mysteries, three thrillers and ten fantasies includes Heaven's Wager, When Heaven Weeps, Thunder of Heaven, Blessed Child, A Man Called Blessed, Blink, Thr3e, The Circle Trilogy (Black, Red, White), Obsessed, Renegade, and Chaos.

About the Book

Would you kill an innocent man to save your daughter?

They call him BoneMan, a serial killer who’s abducted six young women. He’s the perfect father looking for the perfect daughter, and when his victims fail to meet his lofty expectations, he kills them by breaking their bones and leaving them to die.

Intelligence officer Ryan Evans, on the other hand, has lost all hope of ever being the perfect father. His daughter and wife have written him out of their lives.

Everything changes when BoneMan takes Ryan’s estranged daughter, Bethany, as his seventh victim. Ryan goes after BoneMan on his own.

But the FBI sees it differently. New evidence points to the suspicion that Ryan is BoneMan. Now the hunter is the hunted, and in the end, only one father will stand.

You can listen to an audio clip HERE

If you would like to read the first chapter of Boneman's Daughters, go HERE.

My Review

I have mixed feelings about this highly anticipated novel. Like Dekker’s other novels, this one is fast-paced, suspenseful, and mind-stretching. And Ted is a good writer; he certainly knows how to spin a tale, pace his stories, and ratchet up the suspense. As in his other novels, he uses some biblical symbolism certain to make some readers think more about God's love for fallen man as illustrated by the main character's love for his daughter and the sacrifices he makes. The novel also raises some ethical questions about how low a father, represented by a vigilante father, should go to save his daughter. I won’t rehash the storyline here, but I will summarize that this is probably the darkest, grittiest Dekker novel I’ve read yet. It certainly is not for the faint of heart.

As a Christian novel, this one won't pass the litmus test of more conservative readers due to crude language, flippant uses of God's name in dialogue, and the total absence of any overtly Christian character. (See the content rating at Safebooks.org and keep in mind that most of this language was edited out before the final printing.) The level of distasteful violence also pushes the envelope, and I felt repulsed more than once, though I realize that the violence was restrained compared to what it could have been.

As usual with Dekker, I felt confused because I couldn't tell whether the novel was supposed to be Christian or secular. It weighed heavily on the latter, and I’ve since learned that BoneMan’s Daughters is Dekker’s first foray into the secular market. Well, that explains it. I just wish CBD and other advertisers had made that fact clearer before I started the book.

As a novel, this disturbing story is engaging, compelling, and hard to put down. The twists and turns are amazing, though not always logical, and Dekker kept me guessing more than once. Some places in the plot seemed a little low on the plausibility scale.

Many times I would like to have seen more character depth to create more sympathy. The lead Ryan Evans, an intelligence officer, makes some rash decisions that don't always make sense. At least twice, he could have attacked BoneMan and possibly overpowered him; I’m not sure why he didn’t try. (Interestingly his attitude as the story’s hero appears to convey an anti-Iraq-war message to the reader.) Perhaps if I had understood Ryan’s character better, he would have seemed more sympathetic. His daughter, Bethany, is as jaded and shallow as they come. Ryan's cheating wife, Celine, and her DA boyfriend aren't much better. I frankly had little sympathy for any of the main characters. Even Ricki, the FBI agent, seemed flat to me. So when Bethany's kidnapping takes place, I didn't find myself caring about her or Ryan as much as I should have. Maybe that's because I never really liked her to begin with. (What I found interesting as I was reading is that this novel bears some striking similarities to The Pawn by Steven James. There’s a serial killer and a dysfunctional father-daughter relationship; the daughter even “cuts” herself. Interesting . . . )

[Spoiler Warning] Probably the most interesting character in the novel is BoneMan, who prefers to be called “Satan,” further reinforcement of the symbolism. However, this skin-shaving, Noxzema-applying psycho continues to be an enigma in my mind. I understand his hatred of his mother and his desire to seek the perfect daughter (though how his hatred of his mother translates into seeking a perfect daughter remains unclear). When his victims do not meet his standards, he systematically kills them by breaking their bones. Thankfully, Dekker spares the reader from actually seeing BoneMan carry out one of his numerous murders. However, to save Bethany, BoneMan forces Ryan to essentially become BoneMan and break the bones of Ryan’s wife’s lover. (I know—it’s difficult even imagining such an act.) To save Bethany, Ryan is willing to become like the serial killer himself—again raising ethical questions about what is acceptable in this situation. I'm still not sure why BoneMan breaks the bones of his victims other than to mirror Christ's crucifixion and to "get it right" since Christ's bones were not broken. But why does BoneMan feel that he must do this? (Perhaps a rereading of key chapters might aid my understanding.)

As a secular novel, you won't find a much cleaner read than this. For horror fiction (which this is), you won’t find such restrained violence either. As already noted, the clever biblical symbolism may get some readers thinking about what Jesus endured on the cross for us. For that reason, I applaud Dekker's desire to symbolize biblical truth and challenge the thinking of a secular audience. But as with some of his other novels, I didn’t feel that he inserted enough of a spiritual message, which is buried under so much darkness, to seal the deal. The rather abrupt ending wasn’t quite what I wanted either; suddenly, Ryan is running away from the compound with only a broken heel. Why did BoneMan let him go? In the end, the novel, though displaying some expertly crafted suspense, seemed more unsettling than uplifting.

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Fatal Illusions at BJU Campus Store

bju_displayBob Jones University (Greenville, SC), my alma mater, set up a wonderful display for selling my novel. You can see a couple photos here.

Monday, April 13, 2009

Deadlock by Robert Liparulo


This week, the

Christian Fiction Blog Alliance

is introducing

Deadlock

Thomas Nelson (April 2009)

by

Robert Liparulo
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Robert Liparulo is a former journalist, with over a thousand articles and multiple writing awards to his name. Readers of his action-thrillers were not surprised when his visual storytelling style caught the eye of Hollywood producers. Currently, three of his novels for adults are in various stages of development for the big screen: the film rights to Comes A Horseman were purchased by the producer of Tom Clancy’s movies; and Liparulo is penning the screenplays for GERM and Deadfall for two top producers. He is also working with the director Andrew Davis (The Fugitive, Holes) on a political thriller. Novelist Michael Palmer calls Deadfall “a brilliantly crafted thriller.” March 31st marked the publication of Deadfall’s follow-up, Deadlock, which novelist Gayle Lynds calls, “best of high-octane suspense.”

Liparulo’s bestselling young adult series, Dreamhouse Kings, debuted last year with House of Dark Shadows and Watcher in the Woods. Book three, Gatekeepers released in January, and number four, Timescape, comes out in July. The series has garnered praise from readers, both young and old, as well as attracting famous fans who themselves know the genre inside and out. Of the series Goosebumps creator R.L. Stine says, “I loved wandering around in these books. With a house of so many great, haunting stories, why would you ever want to go outside?”

He is currently working on his next thriller, which for the first time injects a bit of the supernatural into his gun-blazing stories. The story is so compelling, two Hollywood studios are already in talks to acquire it—despite its publication date being more than a year away. After that comes a trilogy of novels, based on the critically acclaimed short story he contributed to James Patterson’s Thriller anthology. New York Times bestselling author Steve Berry calls Liparulo’s writing “Inventive, suspenseful, and highly entertaining . . . Robert Liparulo is a storyteller, pure and simple.” He lives with his family in Colorado.

ABOUT THE BOOK

John Hutchinson thinks it's no coincidence that Brendan Page runs this modern Praetorian Guard, and that the billionaire military industrialist must have had something to do with the atrocities his son Declan committed in Canada. The Canadian and U.S. Justice departments disagree, but Hutch has been digging for dirt ever since.

Brendan Page has some dirty not-so-little secrets. he's built an empire on supplying futuristic weapons and highly trained soldiers to the world's most powerful armies. But he's saved his most destructive weapons for himself.

When Hutch discovers the secret of Page's success, Page decides to teach him a lesson. But the operation goes terribly wrong, and Hutch's son is kidnapped. While a lone man stands little chance against the best black op soldiers ever issued M-16s, Hutch manages to survive longer than Page anticipated. As far as Hutch is concerned, high-tech helmets, machine guns, and hand grenades are nothing compared to a man determined to save his son. It's a lesson he sets out to teach Page-and one that he can only hope works as well in the real world as it does in his heart.

If you would like to read the first chapter of Deadlock, go HERE.

My Review . . .

. . . is hopefully coming soon.

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Interview and Book Giveaway at A Christian Writer’s World

Check out my interview and book giveaway at A Christian Writer's World. Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing.

http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com/2009/04/adam-blumer-fatal-illusions-free-book.html

Monday, April 6, 2009

My Son, John by Kathi Macias


This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing My Son, John (Sheaf House Publishers April 2009) by Kathi Macias

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathi Macias is an award-winning author of more than twenty fiction and nonfiction books. She has also ghostwritten and collaborated on books for a number of well-known individuals. She is a staff member for The Christian Communicator Manuscript Critique Service and a member of The Christian Proofreaders and Editors Network, Christian Authors Network, American Christian Fiction Writers, Christian Writers Fellowship International, Advanced Writers/Speakers Association, for who she serves as membership chair, and orange County Christian Writers Fellowship. She is the 2008 winner of AWSA’s Golden Scroll Award.

A Former newspaper columnist and string reporter, Macias is a credentialed minister and served as an associate pastor at a large church in Southern California, where she did biblical counseling, trained small group leaders, and oversaw support/recovery ministries. She is a popular speaker at churches, women’s clubs and retreats, and writers’ conferences, and has appeared on several radio and TV programs.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Murder.

Could there be a more chilling word?

Could it be any more horrible than to have a loved one killed, brutally and heartlessly, without obvious reason or motive?

When Liz Peterson's elderly mother is found viciously beaten to death in her home, Liz and her husband, Charles, along with their grown son, John, and teenage daughter, Sarah, are horrified beyond words. Their previously predictable, respectable lives seem to have vanished without a trace, as they struggle to make sense of a senseless act.

And then a second blow-more devastating, if possible, than the first-rocks them to their core. John is arrested for his grandmother's murder. As what's left of the Peterson family begins to crumble under the weight of loss and accusation, the Petersons' longstanding Christian faith is put to the test in a way they could never have imagined, and unconditional love is stretched to its limits. Will family ties and relationships withstand such a crushing blow, or will evil succeed in dividing and conquering this once close and inseparable family?

Watch the chilling trailer!!

If you would like to read the first chapter of My Son, John, go HERE.

My Review

I have not yet read the novel but plan to. The book looks very interesting, and I'm looking forward to reading it. However, I noticed a profanity in the first line of the novel. I don't personally believe that profanity is ever justified in Christian fiction, so I will be reading this novel with some hesitation and uncertainty.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Angel of Wrath by Bill Myers


This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Angel Of Wrath (FaithWords, April 8, 2009) by Bill Myers

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Well, one thing led to another and even though I got C's in my one writing class in college (and told God I could do anything for him but write) I got my first writing job for a TV series. And then another and then some directing jobs and finally some books. (I think I've written and/or directed a few dozen films and about 60 books). The projects have won about 40 awards, I get to travel all over the world, and I'm having the time of my life. I often think that none of this would have happened if I lived my life my way. I would have never chosen writing and directing for a living. Instead, I might be in somebody's mouth this very minute drilling away as a dentist. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with being a dentist, it's just not what I was designed for. So, everywhere I go, I encourage people to say yes to God, no matter how foolish it may feel, because by doing that, they'll be in the center of His will and living a cooler life than they'd ever dreamed possible. It's not always easy and it can be a little scary…but it's anything but boring!

Today I live in California, not too far from Hollyweird (where I'm still trying to make a difference) with two cats, two kids, one dog and one wife.

Another Faithword book by Bill Myers is The Voice.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Thirteen-year-old Jazmin, her ex-Special Ops uncle Charlie, and former FBI agent Lisa are reunited in the second of the Voice of God series to stop a an assassin driven to murder members of a megachurch led by Lisa's brother. This assassin has drawn in a coven of teens toying with satanic practices to support his efforts. The naive youth engage in ceremonies that appear to usher in the death of each of his victims. When their rituals open a portal into the spiritual realm, a terrifying and mysterious entity crosses over to our world.
The battle culminates with the capture of Lisa's father as the next target and a Black Mass requiring both their deaths as a sacrifice. The team will, once again, have to rely on all their wits, strength, and faith to survive in this action-packed, unearthly warfare.

If you would like to read an excerpt from Angel Of Wrath, go HERE.