Love at First Sight, A Mother’s Journey to Adoption received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Raj Arneja.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Love at First Sight, A Mother’s Journey to Adoption published on July 7, 2020
What’s the book’s first line?
“The terrain became increasingly steep and rocky.”
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
It was love at first sight. It was an intense spiritual journey. I wish to tell the world that adopting a child is one of the most rewarding, self satisfying life experiences a person could have. It’s an unconditional commitment of love both ways. This memoir depicts my story of becoming a mother. My journey as I traveled to India to find my two adopted children in the 1990s. It is important to note, however, that the process I underwent to adopt my two children is no longer viable today. In India, the exploitation of children makes it hard for a person from abroad to adopt a child, especially a newborn. It can be done through adoption agencies, which can take years; there could be several roadblocks along the way.
This is not a how-to book on adoption; it is a celebration of motherhood through adoption. My hope is that it will inspire more people to adopt, or perhaps just change their perspective on adoption; my children are my own, as if they were of my own flesh and blood. My children are my jaans, (my lifelines) and my souls, and this is the story of how I found them.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
My inspiration for writing this book is my kids. Adopting them has been the best decision of my life that has given me an unconditional love I could never have imagined. My book chronicles my journey to adopting my two babies from India. It describes the challenges and travels I went through while trying to adopt my now grown up children in the 1990s. Every day since then has been a blessing.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
My experiences have made me a strong advocate for adoption and a voice of reason and support in the community. Like most people, I have faced many challenges in life and me not being able to have a child was heartbreaking. While I felt the sadness, I was also not ready to give up. I could still love and experience it all through adoption. With a strong will and stronger love for children, I adopted my two kids.
If they made your book into a movie, who would you like to see play the main character(s)?
The main character would be Raj, the mother who embarks on a journey to India to find her children. Secondary characters would be both my children, Kabir and Kirti.
When did you first decide to become an author?
I decided to become an author around 2016, when I had to take numerous trips to India with my daughter Kirti. The memory of my two journeys to India in the 1990’s were so vivid to me, I started penning down what came naturally.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
Yes, this is the first book I’ve written.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I work as a director in Community Engagement & Philanthropy for Nanak Foods, an Indian dairy. I also volunteer in my community as well as sit on non for profit Boards.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
I would love this story to be turned into a movie. I think the story has love, emotion, and adventure to keep an audience intrigued.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
I admire Michelle Obama and her book was inspirational for me.