Title: The Passenger
Author: Joie Lesin
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Book Blurb:
Burdened with her empathic gift, Elizabeth Reilly wants to be free of it and fit in with normal people. Nevertheless, when the spirit of an old man asks for her help, she travels across the country to help him return home. Gio Clemente is still angry with his father who abandoned him as a child. To help the father pass on, Elizabeth must persuade Gio to let go of his anger. Though he resents her intrusion, they are both stunned to find themselves fighting a profound attraction. Elizabeth can accept his headstrong brand of love, but can Gio accept her gift—and believe in her?
The Passenger, a 1940s ghost story set in the California wine country, tells a tale of family connections, life-changing choices, and love—lost and found.
Excerpt:
Elizabeth’s stomach churned in nervous knots. She squirmed on the cloth seat, and her foot twitched. If he heard her erratic heartbeat, he’d realize how frantic she was—and hot. Perspiration built up on her forehead. Grabbing the metal handle, she rolled down the squeaking window, and inhaled the pure air. The fragrances of the forest filled her senses—the resinous scent of pine, the earthiness of soil, and damp detritus of fallen branches and decaying leaves. The surrounding land was alive, vibrant, and something more she couldn’t quite identify. Somehow, the vehicle they drove in and the path it traveled seemed out of place.
Gravel on the uneven road crunched and ground under the truck’s tires. Elizabeth sat straight in her seat and stole stiff, awkward glimpses at Giovanni. A frown marked his lips. His lean, well-defined face held soulful eyes bringing to her mind images of the sad little boy he must have been.
A thin red scar stretched down his right cheek and she itched to run a finger along the faded edges. She’d caress his stubble-shadowed chin and tell him how terribly his father missed him. Instead, she stared out the truck window.
Enormous ancient trees shrouded the road and hid the valley from the rest of the world. Elizabeth closed her eyes to the beauty. She was here, on the way to Paolo’s vineyard with his son, aching to tell Giovanni everything. If she did, he’d send her away, and she’d never be able to help his father.
“When we reach my house,” he said, breaking the silence, “please don’t tell my mother why you’re here.”
She opened her eyes. “What should I say?”
“We’ll speak about my father in private,” he said with an undertone of superiority. “As far as my mother’s concerned, I’ll tell her you’re an acquaintance of mine here for a visit.”
“Are you telling me you want me to lie to her?” She frowned. Elizabeth already needed to lie about how she and Paolo really became friends, but she wasn’t prepared to make up false pretenses about just being there.
“I don’t want you to lie to my mother,” he grumbled back.
“I’d be misleading her about why I’m here.” Did he think her dishonest? “Then I would be lying.”
“I’ll tell her. You don’t need to say anything,” he snapped.
“You’ll be the one who’s lying.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“Listen,” he said, his voice rising with impatience. “As far as we know, my father has been dead for a very long time. Her heart will break if there’s any possibility he was in Boston and deserted us.”
“He didn’t desert you,” she said. “I told you. He—”
“If he didn’t, he would’ve come back here. To his vineyard.” His knuckles grew white as he clung to the steering wheel. “To sell the land or close the estate down—something—and return to Italy. To his family there. Wouldn’t that have made sense?” Gio asked. “He’d have found us here alive and well.”
Elizabeth rested her hand on his arm. “Please try and understand.” Her breath caught as nervous energy shot through her fingers. She snatched her hand away. “Your father died a very sad, lonely man. He didn’t intend to spend his life without you or your mother. You were his world.”
“I don’t care about this man’s intentions,” he said. “If he is my father, my mother doesn’t need to mourn him all over again.”
“He is your father. However, I understand. I’ll leave it up to you to tell your mother.” She bit her lip. “I have one question, though.”
“Yes?”
“Since you don’t trust me, why are you bringing me to your home?”
“Well, if there’s even a remote chance your friend was my father, I need to know.”
“I’ve no reason to make this up.” How in the world was she going to convince him?
“How would I know?” he asked. “I have no idea who you are and what reasons you’d have. And until I do, we handle this my way.”
“I’m here to help your father.”
“My father is dead,” he said. “How can you help him?”
“I simply can.” She stared straight ahead out the windshield. How am I ever going to do this? Paolo wouldn’t be of much help, she feared. Not now when his grief was so fresh. He’d been distraught when he left her. The raw emotions ripped through him, surged into Elizabeth, and still echoed in her blood. He’d asked, “Why didn’t I go home?”
Yes, Paolo, why didn’t you go home?
Buy Links (including Goodreads and BookBub):
The Wild Rose Press Book Page: https://wildrosepress.com/product/the-passenger/
Amazon (E-book): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D6WBVJB9/
Amazon (Paperback): https://www.amazon.com/Passenger-Joie-Lesin/dp/1509256644
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-passenger-joie-lesin/1008401528?ean=2940185717905
Goodreads BookPage: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214564853-the-passenger
What makes your featured book a must-read?
The Passenger is a must read for those who enjoy emotional and heartfelt stories with themes of love, forgiveness, redemption, and second chances. Set between coastal Massachusetts and California’s wine county, the subtle yet immersive descriptions of the land and the people transport the reader to another place and time. All this along with the deeply relatable characters who navigate the challenges of long hidden family secrets, matters of the heart, and the supernatural make this an unforgettable read.
Giveaway –
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Runs December 16 – December 31, 2024.
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Author Biography:
Minnesota-based author, Joie Lesin is a life-long fiction writer and poet. She is most recently the author of The Passenger (The Wild Rose Press, 2024). She has long been fascinated by anything otherworldly including mermaids and ghosts. Joie writes character-driven, emotional, atmospheric tales about heartache and hope.
Originally from Massachusetts, at six years old, Joie moved to her mother’s birthplace, Minnesota. By eight, Joie lost her New England accent, however, it's gradually returning as the years go by. She grew up in Minneapolis but now resides in St. Paul with her husband and their blended family—which includes a rambunctious grand-corgi.
Joie misses the ocean, but she often finds herself walking by one of Minnesota’s many lakes and travels to one of the coasts as often as she can. In fact, she considers California her home away from home. When she’s not writing, reading, or walking, you can find her listening to music. She absolutely loves music—especially live—and songs have sparked most of her story ideas.
Social Media Links:
Website: https://www.jlesin.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjoielesin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoieLesin