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