An Interview with BJ Basset, author of The Greatest Sacrifice

 

An Interview with BJ Basset, author of The Greatest Sacrifice

BJ is kindly giving away a copy of The Greatest Sacrifice.  Be sure to leave a comment and contact information.  Remember we must have 5 entries to have a drawing!

 

LH: BJ Bassett, one of Lighthouse’s monthly guest bloggers, is with us today, sharing about her new book, The Greatest Sacrifice. Welcome BJ.

BJ: Thank you for having me.

LH: What is the story behind the creation of your newest book, The Greatest Sacrifice?

BJ: It all began when I visited with a friend who was adopted and she was telling me how the adoption triangle is unique between the birth mother, adoption mother, and adoptee. I was very interested to learn more because in 1963 my husband, Ed, and I adopted our first child. We did a private adoption with my OBGYN, taking our daughter home from the hospital when she was three days old. During the following years, I gave birth to three more children.

LH: So, is the story your daughter’s story?

BJ: No. The Greatest Sacrifice is fiction. I only write about things I’ve experienced or I’ve researched. Otherwise, your readers won’t trust you. During COVID, my daughter Dawn searched for her birth family through Ancestry. She discovered a brother, two sisters and two cousins who welcomed her into their family. It took Dawn’s birth mother another couple of years to have a relationship with Dawn. The idea for the book happened when Dawn said, “Mom, if my birth mother ever was homeless, you know I’d take her in.” Of course, she would. Dawn is the most generous person I know. When I told her sister Kathy, her response was, “Dawn has a heart of gold. That was the spark of an idea and the working title The Girl with a Heart of Gold. The editor changed the title after the book was edited. I had a little bit of trouble with the title change because, as a Christian, Jesus Christ is the greatest sacrifice. But I went along with the editor’s change. Some things just aren’t worth digging her heals in.

LH: What was your experience like with the editor? Did she make other changes you didn’t agree with?

BJ: It was difficult in the beginning because she didn’t like my book. And I always become physically ill during the editing process. That’s why every time I finish a novel, I say I’ll never write another book.

LH: Won’t your readers be disappointed?

BJ: Some might. And I should probably never say never. As a Christian writer I feel called to write, yet as of right now I only plan to write shorter pieces, like magazine articles. I’m working on an article about downsizing for senior publications titled “At First You Cry, Then You Thrive.”

LH: The title sound intriguing. But back to the book. What is the best part of seeing The Greatest Sacrifice published?

BJ: My daughter Dawn didn’t know I dedicated the book to her until she opened it. Her reaction to the dedication page was worth all the hard work, the rejections, the difficult relationship with the editor, and the two years wait for the book’s release. Also, several of my faithful readers love it. Writers aim for their readers to feel. I believe I accomplished that in The Greatest Sacrifice.

LH: Thank you for sharing your candid experience. I know readers will be interested in reading The Greatest Sacrifice. Where can they purchase it?

BJ: It’s available on Amazon. Or if anyone would like a signed copy, they can order from me at bunny1940bassett@gmail.com.

B. J. Bassett encourages others as an author, teacher and speaker. Her books include a contemporary novel, Gillian’s Heart; a historical novel Lily; Sweet Charity; A Touch of Grace—The G.R.A.C.E. Ministries Story; and coauthor of a children’s devotional My Time with God, Focus on the Family, Heritage Builders, with over 55,000 copies sold.

 

As a contributing writer, publications consist of Writer’s Handbook 2000, The Writer, and The Focus on the Family Guide to Growing a Healthy Home, Wolgemuth& Hyatt, Publishers, Inc.—consistently on Bookstore Journal’s Best-selling Christian Books List from November 1990 - February 1991, and voted the 10 Best Books for 1990 by Today’s Christian Woman.

 

Magazines, devotional booklets, curriculum and newspaper publishers include Focus on the Family, Woman’s World, The Quiet Hour, Pathways to God, Devotions, Harcourt Brace, WordAction, Gospel Publishing and Times Standard (newspaper).

 

She teaches writing workshops at Umpqua Community College, Roseburg, OR and at writer’s conferences. As a speaker for Stonecroft Ministries, she tells her story of rejection and acceptance, not only in life, but as a writer as well. She also offers book talks, including discussion questions and shares the journey -- from the seed of an idea to a published book.

 

Memberships: ACFW and Oregon Christian Writers (OCW).

 

She enjoys reading, jigsaw puzzles, knitting, munching warm scones oozing with butter and strawberry jam and sipping earl grey tea.

 

 

An interview with Gail Pallotta

Our guest today is author Gail Pallotta, a former Grace Awards finalist, a 2017 Reader's Favorite Book Awards recipient, and a topShelf 2020 Book Awards Finalist. Gail is also a wife, mother, and an excellent cook!

Gail, what made you start writing?

 I’ve been making up stories for as long as I can remember, but I got interested in writing as a career in college when I took a professional writing course. I always had wanted to write books, but alas, I needed a job, so I worked as an editor and copywriter. After I married, I helped my husband with his business and wrote freelance articles. When he semi-retired, I started writing books.

Where do you get your inspiration? 

If I experience something or am touched by something I see and it rattles around in my head a while, eventually I write something about it, a book, short story or blog.

How do you incorporate your own life experiences into your books? 

While I do quite a bit of research for each book, I also like to set them in places I’ve lived or visited. Also, I draw from things I’ve learned or seen in my life. For instance, my mother was a hairstylist, so I wrote Hair Calamities and Hot Cash based on what I saw and heard when I spent time in her shop as a youngster. At age ten I learned to cook from my grandmother, aunts and mother who were gourmet Southern cooks, so I drew on that for Cooking up a Mystery. Stopped Cold, my teen book, was based on the pressure I saw put on young people to excel to be the best.

Describe your ideal non-writing day.

Oh my, I’m at the beach.

Which do you prefer and why?

-Ice cream or watermelon? I can’t eat ice cream, but I prefer frozen yogurt over watermelon because it’s creamier and goes better with pecan pie.

-Dogs or cat? That’s a difficult question because I’m an animal lover, but I suppose dogs win.

-Marketing or visiting the dentist? LOL. Ouch. I’m a people person, but more in the vein of enjoying visiting and getting to know others as opposed to selling to them, and the dentist…I have such a kind, wonderful dentist, which helps, but… It’s a draw.

Speaking of dentists, tell us something about your book, "Cooking Up a Mystery".

Laney Eskridge worked to put her husband through dental school. Then he left with another woman. She's on edge from the emotional scars and her parents' deaths. Then she hears unexplained noises in her new tea house, and her anxiety is tripled. Add a budding romance with Eric—a guy with a fear of commitment—and it's all too much to handle. She cuts ties with Eric and plunges into making her business pay off.

When Eric discovers that Laney's in danger, he vows to protect her. But can he make a lasting promise? Will she trust him? . . .and when they overhear a threat that could cause national turmoil, will anyone believe them? There's more brewing than herbal tea in Cooking up a Mystery.

Cooking up a Mystery is an Amazon Monthly Deal, and Gail's publisher has extended it to a couple of other sites. The Kindle copies are currently $1.99 at the following:

Amazon        Apple 

You can connect with Gail at any (or all!) of the following sites:

Facebook      Goodreads     BookBub      Pinterest 

Jackie Layton~New Book, New Series!

Can you believe cozy mystery author Jackie Layton is back with a new book? I know! I can’t believe it either. But she is. And not only does she have a new release, she’s starting a whole brand new spanking series entitled A Texas Flower Farmer Cozy Mysteries. How’s that for drawing you in? Flowers? Texas? A few dead bodies here and there? What’s not to like?! So, put down those pruners, my flower-loving friends, toss away that fertilizer, (please) and plop down in that garden wagon to welcome back Jackie Layton.

PT: Welcome, welcome, Jackie. Long time no read, LOL. Take a seat in that lawn chair and lets chat up what’s been happening. First of all, we all want to know, what draws you to write cozy mysteries?

JL: I like the tempo, the small communities, and the people involved in the story. I also like how the sleuth goes about solving the mystery.

PT: Would you like some dandelion tea? (pours) Now, you set your new series in Texas. Why exactly did you choose Texas?

JL: My youngest son and his wife moved to Texas in 2017, and I’ve made many trips there over the years. Despite the heat, I’ve come to love Texas. The people are nice, and it’s such an interesting place to visit.

PT: Agree wholeheartedly. Love that state. So, are you a flower person? Inside or outside flowers or both? And what is your favorite flower and are you an avid gardener or a weed grower?

JL: I’m definitely a flower person, both inside and outside. Daisies are my favorite flowers, and sunflowers might be second. I’ve started a garden wherever I’ve lived. Two homes I’ve struggled with poison ivy, including my current home. So, it’s challenging me, but I’m still gardening.

PT: Awww! You hit me straight to the heart with daisies and sunflowers. Tell us your favorite summer activities.

JL: I love to swim, walk on the beach, and spend time outside with my flowers.

PT: You are so fortunate to have the beach so close. My dream. Now, what’s the most memorable book you’ve ever read?

JL: The Bible.

PT: Triple agree. You can’t go wrong with that. I love setting up a daily reading schedule and reading my Bible year round. So, speaking of the Bible, what special verse is guiding you right now?

JL: James 1: 2-3 “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

PT: Ah, yes. I've spent some time committing that verse to memory. One of my favs. When it comes to writing, are you a pantster (write by the seat of your pants) or planner (sort-of self-explanatory J) when it comes to writing?

JL: I have a rough outline then pants my way through the book. Knowing too many details ahead of time stalls me.

PT: (shiver) No authors want a soul-sucking stall when writing. What kind of quirks does your main character Emma have?

JL: Emma pulls weeds when she needs to think.

PT: I love it! Me, I do laundry. (BTW, I love doing laundry. Freaky, I know.) Give us a rundown of Weeding out Lies.

JL: Weeding Out Lies is the first book in A Texas Flower Farmer Mystery series. It’s set in the small town of Lutz, Texas, and the main character is a flower farmer. Emma Justice grows flowers to sell at  the local farmers market, but she’ll also deliver bundles of flowers to the local businesses. One morning as she’s making her deliveries, she discovers the dead body of the banker’s wife. This is how Emma’s journey to becoming an amateur sleuth begins.

When a friend is accused of committing the murder, Emma launches her own investigation. She’s used to separating weeds from flowers and believes she can weed out red herrings and cultivate a plan to find the killer.

Emma will consider which locals might have a motive for killing the banker’s wife, and she’ll investigate the newcomers and strangers on her quest to find the truth. Along the way she makes a few new friends and rescues an abandoned puppy. She’ll plow through her list of suspects despite warnings from the police chief and threats from the killer.

Cover is ADORBS!
Click cover to download to your overloaded TBR

 PT: Will there be more books in this new series, A Texas Flower Farmer Cozy Mysteries?

JL: Yes! Thanks for asking. I’m contracted to write two more books. Clover Covered Corpse (PT: Don’t you love that title??!!) will be the second book in this series.

PT: Tell us your favorite thing about writing.

JL: I love creating stories!

PT: Indeed and amen. I can easily second that. Thanks so much for joining us, Jackie. And readers, I bet you love READING stories, including tasty little cozy mysteries like Weeding Out Lies. Why, you're in luck! Once you get those weeds pulled you can go here to download Jackie's newest release (and did I mention it was only $5.99?)

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

Or you can take your chances with a book giveaway. One copy of Jackie's book will be randomly selected from those who leave a comment and email or contact us on our contact form. But there has to be at least 5 people for a drawing. Come on, flower loving readers, wipe that dirt off those fingers and get to clacking those keys! Now, I must go. I have a ton of tomatoes to pick. Happy reading!

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Peggy Trotter's next book Wild Daisies Bloom, the second book in the Up From the Miry Clay Series, is set to release on 12/1! Tap over to my website and sign up for BOOK BLING!(Oh, and newsletters about my new releases!)

Step Back into Spring with Andrea Renee Cox and Springtime in Surrey

Welcome back, friends! We've got Andrea Renee Cox visiting us today, so be sure and leave her a warm welcome in the comments! And be sure to read to the end to find out how to enter the giveaway for a copy of Springtime in Surrey and/or some extra goodies.

Born and raised in north Texas, Andrea Renee Cox is a born-again child of God who enjoys writing stories that inspire, copyediting fiction manuscripts, tutoring middle school students, and going on road trips with her family. Whether she’s working on historical or contemporary, women’s fiction or romance, she uses her skills in research and writing techniques—as well as a large dose of prayer and guidance from God—at every turn in the journey to produce the best story of her ability every single time. Her books may be found on her website, and readers are welcome to follow her blog for the latest updates in her journey. 

Connect with Andrea: website | Goodreads | Twitter | Pinterest | Amazon | Bookbub

And now, let's hear more from Andrea.

Suzie: Welcome to the Diamond Mine. We are delighted to have you with us this week. I always like to start with a couple book- and writer-themed would you rather questions.

Would you rather write in a rooftop garden surrounded by city noises — or in a quiet studio with cows as your neighbors?

Andrea: That’s a tough one, because my ADD would find faults in both. However, I’m a country girl at heart, and I do miss living next door to cows, so I have to go with the quiet studio with cows for neighbors.

Suzie: That does sound nice. Would you rather read a book with no page numbers or no chapter numbers?

Andrea: No chapter numbers. One of my favorites that didn’t feature chapter numbers was Katherine Reay’s Dear Mr. Knightley, which was set in a journal format. That one was great fun, and the lack of chapter headings didn’t bother me as much as I had thought it would, considering I blazed through that book in less than a day.

Suzie: One of my favorite debuts! Alright, that’s enough of those questions. Tell us a little about you—family, hobbies, day job, or whatever you’d like to share that’s not in your bio.

Andrea: Well, I packed a lot into my bio, so let’s see… My parents and sister are encouraging to me when it comes to supporting my dreams, and I try to reciprocate that. My mom, Faith D. Cox, recently won a screenplay writing award, which I’m excited about. My newest hobby is indoor gardening with cactus and succulents. I’m thinking I need to find another spot for a new pot of them, because these things are so unique and inspiring to me. 

For a decade now, I’ve copyedited books for various publishers and independently-published authors. It’s been a real privilege to work with so many creatives in this aspect, to play a small role in polishing their stories before they reach the readers’ hands. I like to think that God has used me well in this capacity over the years.

Suzie: Editors are priceless! Thank you for helping authors deliver quality books to readers.

What are three books on your current tbr?

Andrea: My most recently added TBR book is Sarah Sundin’s Embers in the London Sky, which comes out next February. The cover is stunningly beautiful yet haunting at the same time—I love it!

One book I’m hoping to read this month (August) is Nicole Deese’s The Words We Lost. Yet another great cover! I go for the moody ones, usually, and this one fits the bill with that deep-navy blue. The compass is a great touch, too, and I love the series title of Fog Harbor.

I’m also looking forward to finishing The Maid of Ballymacool by Jennifer Deibel, which I started reading last February. I got sidetracked from it because of back-to-back edit jobs (March through July, actually), but I’m taking all of August off from editing, so I’ll definitely be playing some catch-up on my reading list.

Suzie: I loved Nicole Deese's book. The cover definitely sets the mood for the story.

What does your writing space look like?

Andrea: I don’t have a defined writing space. Sometimes I write at my kitchen table. Other times, I’ll use my rocking chair in front of the TV. Still, there’s something I love about hanging out with my parents during some of my writing sessions, so I’ll set up with my laptop or notebook on their loveseat while we do dinner and a movie.

Suzie: You are not alone in the no defined writing space. I tend to use the library, my bed, or a comfortable chair! 

Would you share with us a little about your road to publication?

Andrea: My dad started the whole writing thing for my family. After watching him create amazing stories in screenplay form for years, I finally had a story pressed into my heart by God that yearned to get out onto the page. So at age sixteen, I wrote my first screenplay. I wrote eight or nine screenplays before switching to manuscripts. While I love both formats, manuscripts fit my style better, as I loved to dive into the details of things and flesh out stories more than the dialogue-driven screenplay format permits.

Many things have shaped my writing journey, but the key has always been following God’s lead. I’m in my twentieth year of writing stories with the hopes of publication, and I now have three published stories to my credit (all of which may be found on my website at andreareneecox.com/books):

• “Any Thing” in Anything

• “A Baker’s Heart” in Seize the Love

• “The Cottage on the Hill” in Springtime in Surrey

My other writing highlights include:

• a short-story contest judge said my details about a ship made it feel like I’d been around ships my whole life—which I have not, so this was a testament to my research skills—and that was for an English assignment in the sixth grade

• a screenplay contest judge said one of my leading ladies would “challenge an actress straight through the award season”

• a TV pilot script earned Quarter Finalist in the 2016-17 Fresh Voices Screenplay Competition

• that same TV script was nominated for the “Best Role Written for a Leading Man” award

I’m now in my twentieth year of writing stories, and I love it even more, in deeper and different ways, than when I first began. I consider it a great honor to have been chosen by God to write the stories I do. It’s my prayer that He will be honored with each new story that makes it to publication (and any that don’t).

Suzie: We definitely have to love writing to keep with it, don't we? 

What do you enjoy most about writing historical and contemporary stories?

Andrea: My favorite thing about writing is story—that isn’t specific to historical or contemporary, but rather, both. I always have, since as far back as I can remember. God built me with a love for story of all sorts ingrained in the core of who I am. From playing Barbies with my sister to consuming books and movies from a very young age to writing essays and research papers through middle and high school to writing screenplays, teleplays, and manuscripts… story is as intrinsic to my survival as oxygen or food.

Suzie: Tell us more about your newest release.

Andrea: Springtime in Surrey is a collection of eight novellas set in County Surrey, England. Included in

the collection are historical and contemporary stories of women’s fiction, romance, mystery, and young adult genres.

My story within the collection is “The Cottage on the Hill,” a contemporary story with a vintage feel that features a former ballerina who cries into her tea every afternoon and the sheep-farmer neighbor who wonders why… and what he can do to cheer her up.

One of my favorite things about this story is the theme of compassion for another’s distress. That, to me, is something lacking in the world today, so this story is my way of encouraging readers to take time to infuse back into the world a little consideration and compassion for our fellow human beings. That could look different for every person who reads this book. One way that I personally try to infuse compassion back into the world is to find ways to help or encourage the people around me during my weekly errands, even if it means delaying my own shopping or taking time out of my day to simply listen to the story of a person’s rough week and then help them find a bit of a silver lining in it, something positive I can leave them with.

Suzie: What are you currently working on?

Andrea: This month, I’m drafting a story that features a novelist, a journalist, and a mountain man. If I pull it off well, it should be deeply emotional, which is my favorite type of story, and I’m really excited to see where God leads me in it.

Suzie: How can we pray for you?

Andrea: Aw, thank you for the offer! I would greatly appreciate prayers that the finances would line up for me to be able to afford a cover designer for the stories I feel led by God to publish on my own. Great covers are costly but necessary in this business and creating them myself is not a skill I currently have. I’m fully relying on God to provide for this aspect of my career, as I do with all others.

Suzie: We will definitely be praying you find the right cover designer for your needs and budget. 

It has been a pleasure learning more about your life and writing journey, Andrea. I look forward to reading Springtime in Surrey soon!

About the Book

Springtime in Surrey is a Christian anthology featuring eight lovely stories. With a mix of historical and contemporary, romance and women’s fiction, a dash of mystery here and there, real-life themes presented in a loving way, and a vintage feel, this story is sure to charm lovers of Christian women’s fiction.

The Cottage on the Hill by Andrea Renee Cox

She cried into her tea every afternoon.

He wondered why.

During every teatime at her cottage hideaway, Moira struggles to discover hope amongst her lost ballerina dreams. Unsettled by elusive goals of his own, sheep farmer Adrian observes his uncle’s neighbor crying into her tea and wonders why… and what he can do to cheer her up. While facing their regrets, can Moira and Adrian trust that God has a good plan despite crushed dreams and far-off hopes?

Goodreads | Amazon | Wild Blue Wonder Press

Giveaway

Andrea is generously giving one of our visitors a paperback copy of Springtime in Surrey plus a set of two bookmarks and a quote sticker. Five others will receive two bookmarks and a quote sticker.

To enter, share your favorite season of the year and why in the comments (be sure to leave a way for us to get in touch with you, too).

Giveaway is open to US mailing address only and ends at midnight CST on Tuesday, 8/9/23.