Bit and Pieces of Protecting Her Child

By Debby Giusti

Writers weave bits and pieces of their lives into their books. A snippet of conversation, an act of bravery or a favorite location often find a home in the stories I write.

PROTECTING HER CHILD, the second stand-alone book in my Magnolia Medical series, came to life because Pat Rosenbach, a dear friend of mine, told me about her friend Eva. (In the photo above, Pat Rosenbach (L) stands next to me, holding a photo of Eva.)

I’m a medical technologist and diseases fascinate me so when Pat told me about Eva’s long and courageous struggle with Von Hippel-Lindau disease, I did some research and soon learned tumors—actually clusters of capillaries—appear sporadically in VHL patients. Initially, they attack various organs such as the retina or spinal cord or adrenal gland. The tumors must be surgical removed and sometimes result in debilitation, such as blindness or paralyses. While benign at the onset, once they attack the kidneys, the tumors turn malignant and can lead to death.

Throughout her lifetime, Eva had seven surgeries to remove growths in her body. Physicians at The National Institute of Health followed her and eight other members of her family who had the genetically acquired condition. Medical researchers believe that by studying VHL they will someday learn better ways to treat other cancers as well.

My friend Pat hosted a birthday party--a celebration of life party--for Eva shortly before her death. I met Eva that night, and her heroic determination inspired me to write PROTECTING HER CHILD. I hope my fictional tale will increase awareness about the disease as well as honor Eva and all of those who struggle with cancer.

On a lighter note, I set part of the story in Savannah’s beautiful historic district as well as the rural Georgia coast south of the city. Whenever in the area, my family and I always stop at the Sunbury Crab Company, a rustic waterfront restaurant in Sunbury, GA, which was the Dock House Restaurant in my book. While feasting on buckets of steamed blue crabs pulled fresh from the ocean, we watch the sun set over the low country and reflect on how good life is in Georgia. Next time you visit that neck of the woods, head to Sunbury (www.sunburycrabco.com) for the best seafood in the South. It’s a treat you won’t forget.

If you’re a writer, post a comment and share how much of you own life experiences are reflected in your books. As a reader, do you try to separate fact from fiction in the stories you read? Leave your email address to be placed in the drawing for a copy of my current release, PROTECTING HER CHILD.

Happy writing! Happy reading!

Wishing you abundant blessings,
Debby Giusti

Visit Debby online at www.DebbyGiusti.com, blog with her at www.ladiesofsuspense.blogspot.com and www.seekerville.blogspot.com.

Eva’s sister, Peggy Marshall, started www.vhlconnections.org as a source of information and support for those with VHL. To learn more about the work they do, contact Peggy at vhlconnections@bellsouth.net.

“WHAT HAPPENED TO MY BABY?”

Wealthy heiress Eve Townsend is close to death. But before she dies, she has to know: what happened to the daughter she gave up for adoption twenty-four years before? Did she inherit her mother’s life-threatening disease? Medical researcher Pete Worth is ready to find answers by tracking her down. And when he finally locates Meredith Lassiter, he finds her widowed, pregnant and on the run. The loan sharks who killed her husband want her dead…and Pete is the only one standing in their way.

Winner of the 2008 Daphne du Maurier Award for Inspirational Suspense, medical technologist Debby Giusti writes spine-chilling Christian fiction for Steeple Hill. PROTECTING HER CHILD, her fifth book and the second story in her Magnolia Medical series, was released in May. CHRISTMAS PERIL will feature her novella YULE DIE in December, and KILLER HEADLINE will follow in February 2010. Her first three books, NOWHERE TO HIDE, SCARED TO DEATH and MIA: MISSING IN ATLANTA are available in hardcover by Thorndike. In addition to full-length fiction, Debby has written articles for numerous magazines, including Southern Lady, Woman’s World, Our Sunday Visitor, Army and Family. For over twelve years, she served on the editorial advisory board of ADVANCE for Administrators of the Laboratory and wrote extensively on emerging infectious diseases for that magazine. For more information about Debby and her books, visit her web site at: www.DebbyGiusti.com.

PROTECTING HER CHILD INTERVIEW

Today we're welcoming Pete Worth, the hero of PROTECTING HER CHILD, by Debby Giusti, May 2009. Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

Everything happens for a reason, and looking back, it’s easy to see God’s hand was guiding me. Growing up, Eve had been like a mother to me so when I saw her struggling I had to help. That meant trying to find the daughter she gave up for adoption twenty-four years ago. Young and unmarried, Eve had been forced to comply with her parents’ demand to find a home for the baby. At the time, no one knew Von Hippel-Lindau Disease would produce tumors throughout Eve’s body, eventually turning malignant. As much as Eve wanted to reconnect with her daughter, she also needed to warn Meredith about the life-threatening illness she may have inherited.

I went into research to find answers to VHL and to help all those who suffer from the disease, especially Eve. When I found Meredith – a pregnant widow on the run – I knew my main priority was to keep her safe from both VHL and the men who wanted her dead.

2. So, during the book you met Meredith Lassiter. Tell us a bit about her. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?

What’s Meredith like? Her smile reminds me of sunshine and soft, summer breezes over the South Georgia seaside where we first met. She makes my soul sing and my spirit soar, and without her I’d be lost. But she’s also strong and resourceful as well as determined and committed to protecting those she loves.

I fell in love with Meredith the instant I saw her, although I didn’t know it at the time. I just knew she was special and made me feel like I could and would do anything to keep her and her unborn child safe.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?

As I said, my background’s medical research, and I’ve been in the military so I can take care of myself, which helped when Meredith and I were on the run. Because of what happened in the past, I’d always been a loner and carried some of the bitterness of that earlier time with me. By saving Meredith, I was also able to save myself. Once I learned the truth, I had my own healing of sorts.

My weakness had been my stubborn independence. When I met Meredith all that changed. I need her in my life. Actually, the way I feel now is that she is my life.

4. What scares you?

Not knowing whether Meredith had VHL scared me, and of course, when her life was in danger and I couldn’t find her, I didn’t know what to do. That’s when I had to turn to God. Since then, I’ve put my trust in Him.

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

If I could go back in time, I never would have broken ties with Eve. She had been so important to me as a child, but my own pain and hurt got in the way. Probably pride too.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?

At the onset of the story, I didn’t need God. I could take care of myself. That’s a foolish way to think, and as you can imagine, I had a lot to learn.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?

Thankfully, Meredith and Eve helped me turn back to the Lord and accept his forgiveness and love. I now know that if I put Him first, everything else falls into place.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. --Jeremiah 1:5

God is the Divine Creator. He fashioned all of us in His image and likeness. Man is inherently good, but we need to keep our eyes on Jesus. Once I accepted the Lord, I was overwhelmed with love for the Father, for Eve, the baby and especially for Meredith.

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

Dessert? Apple pie a la mode. I’m patriotic and dedicated to the USA where dreams do come true. Mine did. I hope yours will too.

To learn more about Debby Giusti and her books, go to www.DebbyGiusti.com