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.
He’s the son of a ghost.
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 sat bolt upright in bed. She gathered the hand-knit blanket up around her shoulders to fend off the cold hovering around her. “Is someone there?” she whispered. The hairs on her arms stood on end. “I-I know there is, but I can’t help you.”
A presence vibrated within the room as if the air contained a beating heart. While no sound met her ears, Elizabeth sensed one building, and she braced herself for a shriek.
She glanced around the room, letting her eyes adjust to the darkness. Nothing appeared and the room remained silent.
Throwing back the covers, she swung her feet to the floor. The softest touch brushed her shoulder, sending chills scoring up her spine. Elizabeth bit back her own cry. She stood up and fumbled at the foot of the bed until she found what she was looking for. She grabbed her soft, cotton robe and threw it over her shoulders.
“I can’t help you.” Her voice trembled.
This wasn’t Paolo. He didn’t terrify her. She’d known from the start he wouldn’t bring her harm. He was her friend. This apparition frightened her down to her core.
“I can’t help you,” she said again and edged toward the door. “So leave me in peace and don’t come to me again.”
The air grew arid, and electricity sizzled through her. Visits like these terrified her as a child. They weren’t all like Paolo.
About the Author
Award-winning 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) and her work is also featured in Scribeworth Magazine. She has long been fascinated by anything otherworldly including mermaids and ghosts. Joie writes character-driven, emotional, atmospheric tales about heartache and hope.
Social Media Links
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
Goodreads BookPage: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214564853-the-passenger
Buy Links for The Passenger
The Wild Rose Press Book Page: https://wildrosepress.com/product/the-passenger/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D6WBVJB9
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-passenger/id6504288982
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-passenger-joie-lesin/1008401528?ean=2940185717905
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-passenger-48
Joie Lesin will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
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