BIO:
I was born in North Dakota, where my dad, Ernie, was a big wheel in the radio and television business. We moved away to California when I was two years old, just like the Beverly Hillbillies – except we had a Chevy station wagon. I have been eternally thankful to my folks for this wise geographical move.

Most of my growing up years – and into young adulthood were spent in the Conejo Valley (Thousand Oaks area) of SoCal. My family moved to the Temecula Valley area about 18 years ago.

I have a wonderful wife, three great adult-age kids, an American Eskimo dog on his last leg, three brothers, and a mother. I am also an ultra-conservative Christian believer. I didn't vote for Obama, so don't blame me for anything.

Now here’s the official blurb:

BART BREVIK is a Manufacturing Engineering Group Leader for a Fortune 500 medical device manufacturing company.

He has earned a BSME degree in Mechanical Engineering, and two professional certifications from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.

Bart has been actively involved in Christian ministry in a number of capacities over the past 18 years, including Church Council President, Elder, Missions Board member, and Outreach Coordinator. Currently, he is a Pre-Marital Counselor and an active member of Cornerstone Community Church in Wildomar, CA.

Bart holds the ranking of third-degree black belt in the martial art of Ju-Jitsu.

He lives in the Temecula Valley region of Southern California with his wife of 24 years, Carol Ann, and their three young adult children.

OUTER DARKNESS is his first novel.

People who enjoy the best-selling novels of Frank Peretti, Randy Alcorn, and Ted Dekker are likely to appreciate OUTER DARKNESS.

INTERVIEW:

Q:  When and why did you decide to start writing?
Bart:  Reading and writing were always my core skills in school. I credit my dad for this, at least in part; maybe it’s in the genes. Although I’m an engineer, I’ve never been a “numbers guy”. I have relied heavily upon my communication and writing skills to carry me through college, and in professional life. Several years ago, I decided to try my hand at creative writing. I bit off a big chunk by tackling a full-length novel to start with, but that was the only thing that interested me. Since I was doing quite a bit of fiction reading, I took inspiration from good authors and bad ones as well; good authors, because I learned from their skills and style. Bad authors inspired me too, because I figured if they could get published, surely I could do so also.

Q:  What is your book OUTER DARKNESS about?
Bart:  It is a chilling tale of spiritual warfare combined with the very real physical threat that is posed by a satanic crime cult to an everyday family. Through no fault of their own, Jim DiMario, his family and his church are chosen by the Temple of Anubis to be destroyed, because they stand in the way of the Temple’s progress.

Q:  What benefit does it offer to readers?
Bart:  This challenging and inspiring story shows us that we can expect some difficulties and struggles in life, but ultimately, God is still in control of the outcome. We have to trust in Him and His love for us to make it through each day. The final outcome in the war against good and evil is already decided, and God is the victor. If we are on God’s side, He will not let us down.

Q:  What was the inspiration for OUTER DARKNESS? Is it based on a true story?
Bart:  During my growing up years in the Conejo Valley area of Southern California, there were a number of documented strange incidents of cat mutilation that occurred on and off in Westlake Village. According to the local newspaper, the modus operandi was always the same (I’ll spare you the gory details). The remains were always displayed in the same way, in the same neighborhood. This part is accurately spelled out in the book. These mutilations took place over a period of years, and no suspects were ever caught. It was never learned who did it, or why. Some people speculated that it was Satanic Ritual Abuse, and that the animals were used in occult ceremonies. This was never proven – nor disproved. I always was fascinated with this mystery, and wondered what kind of depraved soul would do these things on an ongoing basis, and how they kept from getting caught. I took this idea and ran with it. I also wanted to write a story that would bring glory to God, and show His sovereign power in people’s lives. The result of this desire and my own imagination is OUTER DARKNESS.

Q:  It sounds like you are very familiar with the Thousand Oaks area. How is that?
Bart:  I grew up in the area that is the backdrop for the story, and walked all the very places that are mentioned in the book. I lived there most of my life until I moved away as an adult to Temecula Valley, about 120 miles away. I’m a graduate of Newbury Park High School, which is “Home of the Panthers”. In my book, I make Westlake High School “Home of the Panthers”, but that’s one of the things that makes writing fun – I can do whatever I want.

Q:  Who are your favorite authors, and who are you like in terms of your writing?
Bart:  My all-time favorite author is Dean Koontz. He has a unique ability to develop likeable good characters, and at the same time develop evil characters that the reader can only love to despise. All of his novels show how the power of good can ultimately triumph over seemingly-overwhelming evil. I also like Robert Ludlum, John Sanford, Michael Crichton, Ted Dekker, Frank Perretti, Alton Gansky, and many more. I write in the same basic fiction genre as Ted Dekker and Frank Perretti. Although I don’t compare myself with other authors or delude myself into thinking that I am in the same league as them, readers who like Ted and Frank’s work would probably like mine as well.

Q:  Who are the people who have influenced you the most in your life?
Bart:  First and foremost, Jesus Christ. He is the perfect man, who sets the unattainable standard of what a man should be. His teachings are the words that I aspire to live by (key word – aspire). My wife Carol Ann is my life partner, and I have learned much from her. I was fortunate to have a great mother growing up, Delores, who always showed me love and led me to believe that I was somebody special. My father Ernie demonstrated many fine qualities as a man in the home, and I learned the value of diligent work and personal honesty and integrity from observing him. I also acknowledge and thank several elder men who invested themselves in me when I was a young man; they taught me so much. Most notably, Walt Lenoir, Werner “Vern” Bajewski, and Duane Burright. I thank God for these people in my life – I will never forget them.

Q:  What’s next for you?
Bart:  I have more ideas for stories and non-fiction books than I have time to write them, but I am currently working away at An Infidel in Babylon. I look forward to having a finished manuscript by the end of 2009.