Saturday, May 15, 2010

Interview With Bob Hamer!! Enemies Among Us Giveaway

Today we have with us, Bob Hamer, author of Enemies Among Us. As an author, Bob brings a lot of interesting concepts up. Bob has sent me a copy of his book that I get to give away to one of you, my blog readers:) Make sure you read through the interview, please. I know it is long, but it is well worth it. Part of the reason I do these interviews, is that I get to know more about the authors behind the books. I am sure you feel the same way. So please read the whole thing. You don't want to miss it!!

How long were you in the FBI?

I spent twenty-six years in the FBI, all of them as a street agent and many of those years undercover. Both as a case agent and as an undercover agent I worked organized crime, terrorism, gangs, and child exploitation.

When did you decide to get into law enforcement?

Even as a child I played cops and robbers in the backyard with the neighborhood kids so I think there was always a desire to get into law enforcement at some level. Prior to joining the FBI, I was a judge advocate in the Marine Corps. Regardless of how they portray it on TV, after spending four years in a military courtroom, I realized most trials aren’t “whodunits.” The issue almost always came down to whether the interrogation was coerced or the search was legal. For me, the excitement of the courtroom waned quickly and I certainly wasn’t interested in sitting behind a desk all day drafting legal documents. I really wanted a job offering excitement and a chance to serve. Even though I was a Captain in the Marines I was still just an attorney, but the Marines instilled a warrior ethos. I wanted to be part of that small cadre of men and women who protected the sheep from the wolves. I knew the FBI sought lawyers and accountants, so I applied and was accepted.

Did you ever get used to working undercover?

Absolutely. Many times I was more comfortable in my undercover role than I was as an agent. I looked forward to the face-to-face undercover meeting. I loved that thrill.

Do you bring those experiences to your novel?

I hope the reader will capture that same excitement and thrill I felt with each undercover assignment. There is a lot of me in Matt Hogan. He’s just younger and a lot better looking.

How true is ENEMIES AMONG US?

Obviously I was an FBI undercover agent and I worked terrorism. There are elements of many of my undercover cases in the composite story. I worked on the Joint Terrorism Task Force in Los Angeles and with many people from the Middle East. I had some top informants from Lebanon, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Iran. We spent a great deal of time together and they were excellent teachers. I appreciated the education I received from them.

How did you prevent the undercover work from interfering with your life at home?

I tried to always put the family first. I tried never to miss a ball game or performance and tried to work undercover deals around the family schedule. Of course it didn’t always work. The hours while working undercover can be unpredictable and erratic and my family understood that. Those nights when I did come home I liked to think I was able to ring out of my sponge-like brain of all I encountered that day. It wasn’t easy because working undercover is a 24/7 mindset but I tried hard not to bring the cases into the house.

What makes your novel different from others on the market?

FIDELIS is a unique imprint. Each of the authors “has been there.” The authors Ollie North has enlisted for this imprint include decorated combat veterans, world champion martial artists, undercover agents. Each brings a unique perspective to his writing. It’s not just research and a tagalong experience with real cops or real members of the military. Each of us has been there. Each has had a very exciting life, each has experienced the action, and each brings that excitement to the written page.


In the novel you discuss the use of charities to raise money for terrorism, is that true?

Charities have long been a vehicle by which various terrorist organizations have raised funds. Probably the most famous is the Holy Land Foundation. The foundation described itself as the largest Islamic charity in the United States. It was charged with funneling more than $12 million to Hamas. Its founders were convicted and given lengthy sentences. Since September 2001, the Treasury Department has designated more than 40 charities as being fronts for terrorism. At least three, Benevolence International Foundation, Global Relief Fund, and the Holy Land Foundation -- had headquarters in the United States. Two, Al Haramain Foundation and Islamic African Relief Agency, had U.S. branch offices.

Do you see Islam as a threat?

I see radical Islam as a major threat. It is an ideology of hatred. Its followers are convinced by their leaders to kill themselves in order to kill the infidels. In previous wars we have faced adversaries willing to die in battle against our servicemen but this radical element doesn’t care if the targets are men or women, military or civilian, Christians, Jews – or even fellow Muslims. If in the eyes of the leaders, the targets are “infidels” then they are worthy targets. By their own writings the immediate goal is to establish an Islamic Caliphate in which there is no room for competing beliefs. There doesn’t appear to be any negotiation. To achieve the goal they have launched a jihad against anyone they perceive to be an opponent.

What role does religion play in your life?

We attend church every week but I would say my faith rather than my religion sustains me. Moses may have only meant this for Joshua, but often before a difficult undercover assignment I would reflect on his words in Deuteronomy, “The Lord himself will go before you and be with you: he will neither leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” For whatever reason and however undeserved God wrapped His protective arms around me.

Why did you write this book?

I guess Sylvester Stallone’s answer in the original Rocky movie might be best. I can’t sing or dance. I started writing on a regular basis almost by accident. I enjoyed it and wanted to devote more time to it after I retired from the FBI. I also love to read, especially thrillers by such authors as Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, and of course, Ollie North. I wanted to bring my experiences to the page and write the type of book I wanted to read. I wanted to write a thriller about an FBI agent who struggled with some of the same issues I’ve confronted and maybe many of my readers have confronted as well. My goal is to give the reader an entertaining read and raise a few questions in the process.

Readers!! As I said, it was long, but good!!
Now, if you would like to win a copy of his book, Enemies Among Us, please comment below. Anything about the interview!! You definitely have enough to comment about:)

Extra Entries- 1.Be a follower of my blog. Please leave a comment stating that you are a follower.
2.Become a follower on Twitter.
3.Tweet about this giveaway. You can tweet once a day. That gives you 7 extra entries at least:)
4.Blog about this giveaway or post on Facebook:)

This giveaway will end 5/22. Winner will be chosen through Random.org. They have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.

29 comments:

Hope said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Hope said...

I think it's neat that the Bob Hamer has actually been what he's writing about...it gives so much more authenticity to a book!
onepilgrim86[at]yahoo.com

Hope said...

I'm a follower!
onepilgrim86[at]yahoo.com

Hope said...

I follow you on Twitter! (Pilgrim86)

Hope said...

Tweet! http://twitter.com/Pilgrim86/status/14042956316
onepilgrim86[at]yahoo.com

Heidi V said...

Great interview...Sounds like Bob Hamer enjoy his job and he was able to leave it at the door and still be a husband and father that is impressive most people find that really hard to do.

Thanks
heidivargas [at] live dot com

Heidi V said...

Tweeted - http://twitter.com/HeidiVargas/status/14047416227

Heidi V said...

Blogged about the giveaway @
http://theblackcell.com/blogs/index.php/book-giveaway-enemies-among-us-by-bob-hamer-ends-05-22-2010/


Thanks
heidivargas [at] live dot com

Steve Capell said...

I love the comment as well ... I can’t sing or dance. I started writing on a regular basis almost by accident. We are all gifted one way or another and we are all blessed that he writes on regular basis.

steven(dot)capell(at)gmail(dot)com

Unknown said...

The whole interview was so great! I'm not sure I can pick a piece to comment on! I really enjoyed getting to know a bit about what actually goes on as an FBI agent, rather than what is seen on TV.
Thanks for the interview! Please enter me in the drawing!

I am a follower!

Kim
lonebanana(at)msn(dot)com

Julia M. Reffner said...

My husband would love this book! Great interview!

julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com

Julia M. Reffner said...

I'm a follower through google reader.

julesreffner(at)gmail(dot)com

Carmen said...

Sounds like a dynamite book! Love FBI novels. Please enter me. Thanks.
desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Carmen said...

I'm a follower on Twitter (onedesertrose)

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Carmen said...

I Twittered via onedesertrose.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Carmen said...

I am a follower via Google friend.

desertrose5173 at gmail dot com

Jo said...

Very interesting interview~ I love FBI novels. Please enter me in the drawing.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Ashley said...

I really enjoyed this interview.

hewella1 at gmail dot com

Dr. Bill (William L.) Smith said...

Looks good!
I am a follower,

Bill ;-)

billsmith2003 (at) gmail (dot) com

Hope you'll check out my book giveaway:
http://drbillsbookbazaar.blogspot.com/2010/05/book-giveaway-dead-or-alive.html
http://thehomeplaceseries.blogspot.com/ Seek Followers, please stop by...

Esther Miriam Lopez said...

Hey Charity,

Count me in. Would love to read something from people who have been there. Real life experiences.

estherym[at]yahoo[dot]com

Esther Miriam Lopez said...

I am already a follower.

estherym[at]yahoo[com]

Tq

Donna said...

It sounds interesting. I would like to read about his undercover experiences.
donna444444@yahoo.com

Donna said...

I am a new follower
donna444444@yahoo.com

Donna said...

follow you on twitter.(donnak4)

Donna said...

I tweeted.
http://twitter.com/kingsdaughter24/status/14230969977
donna444444@yahoo.com

Hope said...

DT!
http://twitter.com/Pilgrim86/status/14294125426
onepilgrim86[at]yahoo.com

Hope said...

DT!
http://twitter.com/Pilgrim86/status/14357762471
onepilgrim86[at]yahoo.com

Gale said...

I'd love to read this...not often you can find a novel like this written by someone with experience.

ecarian at yahoo dot com

Giveaway Lady said...

The winner is #4, Hope!!

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