Tom Blubaugh Literary Strategist LLC Tom Blubaugh Literary Strategist LLC Category:  Historical Fiction Publisher: Bound by Faith Publishers ISBN-10:  0982902921 Type: Fiction Pages: 240 Copyright: April, 2011 ISBN-13: 9780982902929 Night of the Cossack is a compelling adventure about a teenager who is forced to grow up quickly. The main character, Nathan Hertzfield faces many life or death situations during his saga. Join Nathan on his suspenseful journey through parts of Russia and Europe during the early 1900s. If you like a story with a strong element of suspense combined with a love story. What would we do if we were awakened to find our town on fire and almost everyone killed? What would we do to protect our family and loved ones? Although this story takes place in the 19th century of Russia, this book of fiction brings to life how lucky and blessed we are to live in this time and age.         Excerpt Chapter 1 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. “Get dressed, Nathan. Hurry.” Nathan hesitated at the window. “Now!” she shouted, grabbing him with such force he lost his balance. “Get dressed. Bring your coat.” Nathan turned from the window. Momma pulled Israel’s clothes from the hook behind the door, hurried him into them, and down the stairs. Nathan shoved his trembling hands into his shirt, the horrible scenes replaying in his mind—houses ablaze, soldiers on horseback, dead bodies, his friends in terror. Why are the Cossacks here? What do they want? He pushed his feet into his boots, jumped up, and hurried to the chest at the foot of the bed. Lifting the lid, he pulled out a knife in its sheath and shoved it into his right boot. He reached back for a leather bag containing lead balls and patches, and a powder horn. He fastened the pouch and powder horn to his belt. The firelight danced across his father’s pistol. He picked up the gun and balanced it in his right hand. Momma said I can’t use it until I’m older. She doesn’t know I’ve taken it out when I’ve gone hunting and practiced shooting it. I’m sixteen. I’m a man. Why should I have to wait? The thought calmed him. Nathan shoved the unloaded gun into his belt, went back to the window, and stared at the nightmare below. He turned away and tried to close his mind against the violence. His rifle, loaded and ready to fire leaned against the wall in the corner. He slipped his arm through the sling, hefted the rifle on his shoulder, and grabbed his coat. He ran down the stairs. The back door banged in the cold January wind. Nathan pushed his right shoulder against the door and forced his way through. A bitter gust whipped down from the Caucasus Mountains and hit him full in the face, pushing him off balance. Nathan gasped as acrid fumes attacked his nose and stung his eyes. He blinked away the tears and peered through the smoke. Momma moved like a ghost across the yard, her robe billowing behind her. Her long, black hair blew wildly in the wind. She was only halfway across the yard pulling Israel by the hand. Why isn’t she already in the root cellar? Then he knew the answer—she had waited until he was out of the house. Nathan lowered his head and fought his way after her. A few meters from the cellar, he froze when he heard the piercing squeal of his terrified horse. He turned toward the barn. “Aza, I’m here. I’m coming,” he yelled. Before he reached the barn a woman’s scream ran a chill up his spine. The sound was cut short, followed by an ominous silence. Nathan felt sick. Momma? He glanced toward the cellar. He couldn’t see Momma or Israel. Fearing the worst, he turned and stumbled toward the underground room. His eyes still stinging, he stumbled to the entrance, using his rifle as a crutch to keep him upright. “Momma?” he whispered. Silence. His heart stopped. “I hear you, Nathan. We’re all right.” Nathan staggered down the steps with relief. His mind swirled with images and terrible sounds. His thoughts returned to Aza. He turned back to the steps. “Nathan, stay here!” “I must go to Aza, Momma. I heard him scream. He’s panicked, he could hurt himself.” “What can you do for him, Nathan?” “I can calm him down and turn him loose into the woods. If they set the barn on fire, he’ll die. He’ll be safe in the woods. I must go!” “You’re more important than your horse. I, we need you here with us. Stay, Nathan. I couldn't bear to lose you.” Nathan was torn. Breathing a heavy sigh in resignation as he pulled the cellar door shut, he let his eyes adjust to the dark. He leaned his rifle against the wall. Momma wrapped her arms around her older son. Nathan felt her shiver. He knew she was more afraid than cold. Had she heard the scream? She sank to her knees, pulling Nathan down. “I know you’re afraid,” she whispered. Nathan tensed. “I’m not afraid. I’m a man—the man of the house. You’ve said this yourself.” He pulled away from her. “You say I’m brave and strong. You tell me I’m like Papa, but you treat me like a little boy.” “Nathan, you’re both. You’re my little boy, but at the same time you’re a man. Can you understand?” Ignoring her question he said, “Papa should be here to protect us. I didn’t even get to tell him good-bye.” “Don’t be angry, Nathan. He loved you very much. He loved all of us.” She slipped her arms around him again saying, “It was an accident. There was no chance for anyone to say good-bye. Dying wasn’t his choice. You’re a man, Nathan. You look just like him—tall and strong, yet gentle. You have his black, wavy hair, hazel eyes, even his strong chin. What would I do without you?” Nathan didn’t say anything. He couldn’t stay mad at her. Her soft voice melted his heart. Even when she’s afraid, she comforts me. Momma’s right. About all of it. It isn’t her fault Papa died. His anger, no longer directed at her, receded. “Momma, are we going to be all right?” asked Israel. “I pray we will, son. Who can know with certainty?” “I’m scared, Momma,” Israel said. “I know, son, I know.” Nathan felt her arms leave him. In a few seconds, he felt her rocking against him. He knew she was holding Israel. The woman’s scream crept into Nathan’s mind again. He put his hands over his ears as if he could silence it. Was it Vasile’s mother? Vasile was his best friend. It didn’t matter to Vasile that Nathan was a Jew. The two of them hunted elk, roe deer, wild boar, rabbit, and birds almost every day and rode their horses all over the surrounding countryside. They raced. Aza was faster and Nathan always won. Where is Vasile? Is he alive? Is he hiding in his cellar? Does he have his rifle? Nathan was the better shot even though he was two years younger. The men in the village used to wager on which boy would bring in the most game. The wind howling through the spaces in the cellar door pulled Nathan from his thoughts. He realized he couldn’t dwell on Vasile and his family. It was too painful. His thoughts turned toward the village. Gagra sat at the base of the Caucasus Mountains in northern Georgia, on the eastern shore of the Black Sea. Tonight was one of the rare times the mountains let the Arctic winds assault the village. The Cossacks seem to have blown in like a whirlwind. Why have they attacked us? What is here that they want? Women? Food? Weapons? Many of the houses are already damaged and there are few families. Nathan stroked the handle of Papa’s pistol. His father found it after the Turks raided the village. He told Nathan a Turkish soldier must have dropped the gun. The rifle and ammunition bag were gifts to Papa from a woman who lost her husband during the raid. That was when Papa became the village hunter. I’m the hunter now. A strong gust rattled the cellar door, startling Nathan. When it died down, he could hear the terror of the night—constant gunfire, men cursing, women wailing. The sight of the burning house flooded his mind again. Please God, don’t let them burn our house. Time crept past. The gunfire died down and the yells ceased. Suddenly, there was the sound of hoof beats on the road—many horses at a gallop. The sound faded into the night. “Momma, I think the Cossacks have gone. I’ll see if it’s safe now.” “No, son.” She pulled Nathan to her and held him tight. “Wait a few minutes more. Maybe the fires will die down.” “The wind’s too strong, Momma,” he protested. “The fires will burn all night. I need to see.” He tried to pull away from her. She tightened her hold on him. “What can you do if it isn’t safe, Nathan?” What can I do? I must do what Papa would do. I must be a man like Papa. “I’ll be careful,” he said pulling free of her. He reached for his rifle, crept up the steps, and pushed the door open just enough to see into the yard. The fires from the burning village houses cast an eerie glow on the thick smoke swirling in the wind. He breathed a sigh of relief as he realized their home was still standing. “The house and barn look to be all right,” he whispered to his mother. “Aza is safe. I won’t be gone long.” Before she could protest, he pushed open the door and stepped into the yard. He let the door go just as Momma cried, “No, Nathan!” He crossed the yard in a crouch, the rifle gripped tightly in his hands. The wind pushed at him with angry fingers. The back door was shut. This is good. Perhaps no one has gone inside. He slipped into the house, pulled the door closed, and stood still listening for any sounds. There were none except from the outside. The smell of smoke was strong. The blaze of fires lit the room with an odd glow. Through a window, he could see the village. A strange peace filled the house in contrast to the nightmare outside. Nathan checked each room. Clear. He ran up the stairs. Satisfied everything was in place he returned to the kitchen. He took one last look around and stepped out the door. As he turned to shut the door, his rifle was jerked from his hand. He froze, his heart pounding, his breath suspended. He felt a pistol jab into his back. “Well, well. Who do we have here?” asked a deep, raspy voice. “Put your hands behind your head and turn around slowly.” Nathan obeyed. As he turned, he gazed into the piercing eyes of a Cossack soldier.

A Rich Read for all ages
In one night of terror, Nathan Hertzfield's life changed forever.
The hard-working 16-year-old, taking care of his widowed mother and younger brother in a small village in early 20th century Russia, is abruptly kidnapped and forced to join the Cossack army. He not only loses his family, but his identity as a Jew, and must adapt to the harsh outdoor conditions of living as a soldier in an army that he never wanted to join.
This novel about Nathan's transition to new identities and unfamiliar places follows his precarious and extremely jarring journey into manhood while trying to survive. And one of the skills that he must learn is to pretend he is not a Jew. Throughout his ordeal, Nathan never forgets who he is, however, or where he came from. His past is forever present in his heart.
Night of the Cossack is well written and is a rich read for all ages from youth to adulthood. It is a heart-wrenching look at the extreme prejudice against the Jewish people long before the Holocaust in Germany occurred. Nathan's character is filled with the innocence of youth, but that slowly changes in the years as a Cossack. He finds friends but is then betrayed by someone that he thought he could trust. Where can he turn but to the God of his fathers, Who leads him on a journey fraught with yet more danger.
I highly recommend this novel. The characters come alive on the pages and the scenes in the stark wilderness will emerge like a painting in your mind. But it is the realization of the long-standing prejudice against God's people so vividly portrayed that melts your heart and makes you cling to hope for Nathan's safety and his future.
I've been told there is a sequel in the works--a novel to look forward to!

Action-packed with Unexpected Plot Twists & Turns
Excitement, adventure, with more twists and turns than an old metal bedspring... that's "Night of the Cossack." The author has written a very powerful novel based upon his own grandfather's life in Russia just before and during the Revolution. "Night of the Cossack" describes the incredible journey of Nathan Hertzfield, a sixteen-year-old Russian Jewish boy. Tom Blubaugh has produced a finally-crafted tale that follows Nathan through a series of adventures that are all seamlessly connected. It is one of my five best reads of the past twelve months!

Great Book!
I downloaded the first chapter of the Night of the Cossacks and that was it--I ordered copies for my teenage grandsons far enough ahead of Christmas that I could read the story before I gave it away! Tom Blubaugh has researched the type of life the Cossacks lived and woven a fascinating tale of Nathan, a sixteen year old Jewish boy kidnapped by a Cossack soldier and forced to become a Cossack. He is renamed Stephan and learns to completely suppress his Jewish identity.

Night of the Cossacks is a story of loss and perseverance--he first loo,ses his father in an accident,then the rest of his family, and his way of life and identity when he is kidnapped. He adjusts to the ways of the Cossacks; his marksmanship quickly earns his place in the unit he is a part of. As the unit's "hunter," he appears to be progressing in the Russian army when he looses Nikoli, his mentor/captor whom he had grown to love. Then he loses again when his apparent promotion turns out to be a betrayal and he must flee for his life from his boyhood friend and the Russian military. Nathan/Stepan's wits, his ability to discern and think his way out of a jam, the innate eye-hand coordination and the skills learned in the military keep him alive through a series of life threatening, harrowing circumstances. Through it all he perseveres; he doesn't give up hope or become bitter and resentful toward God.

The Russian secret police has a reputation for always finding their man. Once they are on your trail they will pursue wherever you go, so Nathan had a knowing that he would be a hunted man for the rest of his life. However, in his flight he learns of far away America and decides to go. This decision means he must say a gut wrenching goodbye to the horse who has been with him since boyhood--a difficult decision. He perseveres, hops a ship as a laborer and works his way to his new homeland. Even on the ship a Russian soldier appears to take him in! So close to escape and yet so far! Only quick thinking on the part of the captain saves the day. Nathan succeeds in his attempt to escape to America and begin his own family. After all the losses, finally he has the opportunity to have love and family once again.

Thomas Blubaugh's characters are strong; a reader quickly identifies with Nathan and cheers for him all the way. Scenes are vivid and emotional; a strong story line pulls the reader in. You have to find out what happens! With all the adventure, the suspense of life and death close calls and Nathan's quick reflexes--you can see why I immediately bought copies for my teenage grandsons! They would love the adventure, suspense, and identify with the main character who flees from Russia, across Europe on his way to America. There is a hint at romance but no torrid love scenes; just enough love to hold the interest of girls! I appreciated the fact that Nathan's character, ethics and principles were guided by his early childhood training as a Jewish boy--which means that they followed biblical principles. A believer can see that God was watching over this one to keep him safe, to ensure that he would live to do the good works which God ordained for him to do! The ending hints at what may have happened next . . .

This is a good, clean story and suitable for any teenager (or oldster).
The story behind the story is also intriguing. Tom's grandfathers all died before he was born so he never knew them. When he became a grandfather himself, he had no model. There was a gaping hole in his life experience so he began to research with the little information he had--that his grandfather had been a Cossack. How could a Jew be a Cossack? This book answers that question and paints a vivid picture of life as it was a generation or two ago. He researched to leave a legacy for his grandchildren and somewhere along the line it morphed into a novel!

Bravo, Tom! I join you in wishing I could have known your grandfather.