"The Passenger" by Joie Lesin

THE PASSENGER 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?   Award-winning author, Joie Lesin is a life-long fiction writer and poet. 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. To learn more about Joie Lesin and her work, visit her website at jlesin.com TOPICS OF CONVERSATION The Story and Inspiration Behind The Passenger The novel follows Elizabeth Riley, a young widow and empath who communicates with the dead, helping a ghost find peace. The inspiration came from the author’s habit of playing the "what if" game, imagining stories for people she saw in real life. Blending Historical and Supernatural Elements The novel is set in the post-World War II era, a period the author is fascinated with. The balance between realism and the supernatural was achieved by focusing on the emotional journeys of characters. Themes of Loss, Healing, and Identity Grief, resilience, and living in the present were central themes, some of which emerged organically. Readers have responded to the book as a tool for processing their own grief. Character Development and Symbolism in the Setting Elizabeth’s character and empathic gift were shaped by the author’s love for supernatural stories. The East and West Coast settings symbolize Elizabeth’s emotional journey—Boston representing grief and California signifying hope and acceptance. The Writing Process and Future Projects The author immerses herself in historical research through music, movies, and vintage magazines. She is working on a follow-up novel set 20 years later on the same vineyard, with ghosts continuing to play a role in the story. CONNECT WITH JOIE LESIN! Website: https://www.jlesin.com Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/joielesin.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjoielesin Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JoieLesin Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joie.lesin