J. Michael Blumer

J. Michael Blumer, or “Mike” as he prefers, began writing in high school, jotting down his muses and thoughts in simple journals. His life took him into the corporate world. After many years he turned back to writing thanks to encouragement from his family. His children had dubbed him an “alternative life form” because of his creative child rearing techniques such as making his sons sing their arguments.

His venture back into writing began with an adult fantasy series he intends to finish after the “Secret Books of Gabendoor.” He has an alter ego, Mike the janitor, custodian of a virtual pub on the Internet called the Serendip. It’s a place where characters hang out to discuss and gossip about their authors. Mike the janitor “…ain’t one of them uppity writer types.” He simply takes care of the pub, living in the cellar with a few bats as companions and feeds the unnamed dragon that doubles as the Serendip’s mascot and part time bouncer.

At night, Mike is a writer, and continues work on his “Secret Books of Gabendoor” series. He is married to a second grade school teacher which explains why his marriage has lasted so long. His wife knows just how to handle him. Mike lives in Stillwater, Minnesota with his wife, Jane, and their golden retriever, Nova.




			The Book of Twisted Truths (The Secret Books of Gabendoor, Volume 3) Windstorm Creative, 2008 ISBN 978-1590926949 This new magical book becomes more mysterious for Windslow and Hillary as they try to untangle its puzzles. Strange people in magic flying ships invade Gabendoor. They say they come in peace. But once untwisted, the truth reveals their evil intent. Hillary, Windslow, and the wizards have their own secrets, hidden by white lies and twisted words. The book's magic holds the key to stopping the invasion, but could also expose the truth about everything and everybody.



			The Book of Broken Promises (The Secret Books of Gabendoor, Volume 2) Windstorm Creative, 2007 ISBN 978-1590925409 Hillary and Windslow receive an urgent message from their friends in Gabendoor. Time-mists are changing Gabendoor, and the ancient sprit of Gristle-tooth is free. Gristle-tooth and the sorceress, Aghasta, rule the mists by using rogue magic from centuries of broken promises once bound in the Book of Broken Promises. Windslow and Hillary make their own promises, which only add to the book's power. To save Gabendoor and to save themselves, they must solve the riddles that keep appearing in the book.



			The Book of Second Chances (The Secret Books of Gabendoor, Volume 1) Windstorm Creative, 2006 ISBN 978-1-59092-317-7 Windslow, a boy in a wheelchair, and his stepsister, Hillary, find a magic Book of Second Chances. The book dream-slips them to Gabendoor where they battle the evil wizard, Fistlock. Fistlock wants the book to rule Gabendoor. Hillary wants the book to change the future. Windslow wants it to change the past. The trouble is, no one knows how the book really works and the fate of Gabendoor depends on it. With an assortment of odd companions and three colorful wizards, Hillary and Windslow struggle to solve the book’s mysteries and secrets about second chances. It’s their only hope to defeat Fistlock and his creatures. A study guide is available for this title.