The Oldest Enemy by Michael J Webb 

By Don Helin

In his novel, THE OLDEST ENEMY, Michael J. Webb spins a story so compelling that Robert Whitlow, best-selling author of THE CHOICE says, “Michael Webb has created a novel that grabs the reader in the first paragraph and doesn’t let go until the final page.  Webb skillfully weaves the past and present together in a way that is both revelatory and entertaining.”

David Lighthouse was once a hard-hitting investigative reporter for the Denver Post—back before he was accused of the brutal murder of his fiancée and his life unraveled. Now, six years later, he is the assistant pastor of a small church in Florida. Armed with faith, sobriety, and a resurrected sense of purpose, he’s putting together a new life. But when one of his young parishioners is murdered, David’s old instincts reemerge. Once again the prime suspect, he fights to clear his name even as disturbing clues at the crime scene reveal a haunting connection not only to his fiancée’s unsolved murder but to his estranged father’s secret past.

Michael J. Webb graduated summa cum laude from the University of Florida and obtained his J. D. from the same university. Over the past forty years he has traveled the world in search of adventure. He is a history buff, both ancient and modern, and is fascinated by the intersection of the scientific, supernatural, and Biblical world views, and has studied and taught from the Bible extensively for more than twenty-five years. He is also intrigued by recent discoveries in quantum physics that are now providing extraordinary insights into the reality of the spirit realm, especially as it relates to the study of Light. He incorporates all of the above into his supernatural thrillers.  Michael and his wife make their home in Charlotte, North Carolina

I had the chance to catch up with Michael the other day and ask him a few questions.

Is there anything special you’d like to tell us about THE OLDEST ENEMY?

I wrote the novel in ’98-99 then tried to interest agents and publishers, but to no avail.  Last year, I entered a publishing contest by RISEN BOOKS on a whim, and my thriller won.   Even more interesting is the fact that many of the exciting and action-packed events portrayed in the plot are now actually unfolding on the world stage, especially in the Middle East.

Did any particular event inspire the plot?

Not an event.  I was reading two very different books simultaneously, one on exorcism and the other on the theft of art and gold from the Jews by the Nazis.  The idea for the story came as I delved deeper into both of those subjects.

What are you doing to promote your book?

Several things.  I’m part of the John 3:16 Author Marketing Network, a group of authors who write from a Christian world view.  The members are incredibly supportive and there is wealth of information available, not only about marketing, but writing as well.  I blog, use my FaceBook Fan Page, Amazon Author Page, and give interviews on other blogs.

What’s next?

My agent is Donald Maass of the Donald Maass Literary Agency in NY.  We’re shopping my sixth novel, The GATHERING DARKNESS, another supernatural thriller, to various publishers.  I’m finishing number seven, THE DEVIL’S CAULDRON, a follow-up to THE GATHERING DARKNESS, and I’m developing an outline for number eight, tentatively entitled GHOST HUNTER.  I’m also in the process of releasing my first three supernatural thrillers, a trilogy entitled GIANTS IN THE EARTH, as E-books later this fall.

When you’re not writing, what are you doing (hobbies, family, etc)?

My wife and I love to travel and our favorite getaway is St. John in the U.S. Virgin islands.  We enjoy snorkeling, hiking, and visiting salt water aquariums in various states.  Not only do we enjoy seeing the aquariums, but we also get ideas for our salt water tank at home.  We’re also “foodies” and enjoy finding unique restaurants that serve interesting cuisine.

Thanks for your time, Michael.  Your book looks really interesting.

To learn more about Michael, please visit his website.