Bestselling author Larry G. Goldsmith chatted about his “Bashert” book.
Book Description
In the late sixties, the world experiences a counter-revolution, rebelling against the devastating war in Vietnam and cultural norms. During these days of rage, the Soviets and the U.S. seek to end the nuclear arms race. As a bargaining chip, the Nixon administration promises to support a free trade agreement while ignoring Soviet human and religious abuses.
In New York City, a young criminal attorney enters the fray after his shotgun wedding to the Rebbe’s daughter. His father-in-law is a world-renowned clandestine leader seeking religious freedom for millions of Soviet citizens. The White House prosecutes the Rebbe as their scapegoat so the U.S. Soviet trade agreement passes Congress.
The Nixon administration will use every legal tool orchestrated by an unscrupulous U.S. prosecuting attorney to imprison the Rebbe and destroy the credibility of his movement.
Millions of lives rest on the outcome of the trial. The world watches, waiting for a courtroom verdict, as two young lovers and an old Rebbe battle two world superpowers.
Biography
Larry is a passionate writer who pours his romantic feeling into the pages of his writings. His characters resemble many of the individuals whom he has known; the good, the bad, and past lovers.
His soul is a cleansed and he exercises his spirit by putting words on paper. He tells tales of his past through his characters and attempts to share a worldly view of the moral choices in life.
Professionally, Goldsmith is a financial sleuth (forensic CPA) and an attorney. His professional experiences are woven into believable and authentic storylines. These storylines take place where dreams, memories, and fantasies become one.
In his writing, Goldsmith finds himself personally lost in the world of his own imagination. He applies his real-life occupation of courtroom dramas and negotiating with the IRS to many of his novels. Writing is his passion to the chagrin of his wife.
He is happily married and lives in the Second City (Chicago). Being a baseball fan every novel there is a baseball tidbit woven into each story. When not working, or writing he is riding his bicycle or recalling younger days when he kayaked down dangerous whitewater rivers or I played volleyball.
Goldsmith has published two novels Bashert and Marc Marci. Both of them have received wonderful reviews which warm his heart and soul.
Q & A interview
‘Bashert’ has been very popular with readers, and reviewers. What inspired you to write this rather epic book?
Bashert means soulmate. The theme of the novel was to treat my audience to the difficulties that any relationship faces, even when the couple is deeply in love. Too often one party is afraid to share their feelings and fails to communicate their needs and wants. In doing so it can doom the relationship.
Michael and Shira like any couple are part of a family unit that has a bearing on their interrelationship and marriage. Like any family unit, its members must be forgiving and understanding.
The second purpose of my writing was to share my memory of when Russia sought to destroy the Jewish people like it wants to destroy Ukraine today. It took brave souls around the world to unite to cause Russia to back down from their stated goals. We too today can learn from these people who rebelled against Russia. We too can beat Russian intolerance.
While writing ‘Bashert’ did you learn anything new about yourself? What was one of the challenges you faced writing it, and conversely one of your successes?
This is a tough question. In writing Bashert, I looked inside my soul and sought out the mistakes I made in my past relationships. I wished that I had mentors like Michael’s or Shira’s mother who could have been there for me. I am hard on myself for the mistakes I’ve made in life and my writing allowed me to ask forgiveness from those I may have hurt in my own way.
Writing a novel requires hours of research. I learned history that I didn’t know. Knowledge is incredibly powerful. Rather than erasing the past, I find it better to learn from it so it isn’t repeated.
You have created some amazing characters in this book, ones that keep readers deeply engaged. What is one of your keys for creating such intriguing characters?
The characters are taken from people I know or have known. Shira is the religious girl I fell in love with whose kind giving soul inspired me and caused me to change the direction of my life. I wasn’t good enough for her and she married another. I wasn’t her Bashert. It took many years for me to find my soulmate.
She, like the girl in my youth, is someone who gives of herself to make the world around her a better place. As for Michael, he has many of my characteristics. We are lawyers and though my battles are against the IRS we both seek justice for those lost causes and individuals in need.
The Rebbe is a collection of individuals who have spent their lives giving to others rather than seeking personal rewards. He is a simple educated man dedicated to a cause. To him, the truth and his good name are more precious than gold or Bitcoins.
When you did the final read-through for ‘Bashert’ what was your favorite part and why?
I loved writing the courtroom scene. So often I see witnesses’ testimonies unravel and witnesses slip and tell the truth. Like Michael many times I take on a case where I have little chance to win because the facts appear to be against me.
When you battle for the truth rather than the financial rewards and you succeed it is a great feeling. There is a second scene when Michael is angry that his marriage isn’t what he expected because of circumstances out of his control.
He goes to his mother thinking she’d side with him and she throws water on his self-pity. Like most marriages or relationships, we will reach bumps in the road and we are willing to give up rather than deal with them. Sometimes it takes both individuals to give a little and compromise.
What can fans both new and seasoned expect from you in 2022? What else do you have in the works?
As for 2022 if I can find a literary agent, I have written a second novel that is a sequel to Bashert called The Hezbollah Affair. It is the story of Michael and Shira’s son Ben who joins a joint federal task force to fight Hezbollah in this country and controls illegal drug and counterfeit cigarette distribution. This is a historical fiction novel.
What’s your favorite drink to toast with after finishing up a new book?
I’m not much of a drinker but will order a dark and milk chocolate Godiva martini anytime.
“Bashert” is available on Amazon by clicking here.
