Around the Fire Book & Author Blog.

Around the Fire is back with indepth interviews with authors. I've done a little revamping and am so happy to get a peek behind the curtain. Today, please welcome Joie Lesin. 

What did you dream of becoming as a child?
I’ve always wanted to be a writer. From the moment that I understood the concept of “being” something when I grew up, I wanted to write and share stories. Writing to me is a calling and reading is a family pastime. My mother encouraged all of us to read and my oldest brother was already a writer by the time I was four. 
Is there a skill you’ve always wanted to learn? Did you attain it? If not, what stopped you?
I have always wanted to learn to play the guitar. I’ve tried, though, and found I couldn’t get the hang of it when all the guides I used were written for righthanded people. Now, I have a ukelele and it’s strung for my southpaw. Yet, the learning is going slow because I need to be consistent with it. Perhaps one day I’ll actually be able to play a song.
What is your fantasy place to visit? This could be real or imaginary.
The Madeira Islands in Portugal. I’d consider it paradise to split my time discovering one of the many hiking trails one day and walking along the ocean under blue sky the next.
Do you like to bake or cook? What is your specialty dish? Who taught you to cook?
I like to do both but if I had to choose one it would be baking. There was a time when I was in between careers that I considered going to school to be a pastry chef. In the end, I didn’t and a few years after I decided against it, I found out I needed to be gluten free.
For me, baking (and at times cooking) is a creative outlet. I’d gotten to the point of making bread, cakes, and everything in between without a recipe. I’d memorized which ingredient to mix together. Once, I went gluten free I baked less and am now just getting back to it years later.
Every year, however, for Christmas and Thanksgiving, I bake sweet potato pies like my mother used to—only gluten free.
I’m listening to Big Band music. What are you listening to?
Right now? I’m listening to music from the Sixties. It sets the stage for the book I’m working on now: a historical fantasy that takes place in 1968.
Currently playing: Sunshine Superman by Donovan.
Tell us about your book

The Passenger
by
Joie Lesin
Paranormal Fantasy
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Review
https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R20PNO4AL2QM3N/ref=cm_cr_dp_d_rvw_ttl
Ms. Lesin's novel, The Passenger, kept me hooked to the end. 
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?
Grab your copy today!
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
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-passenger/id6504288982
The Wild Rose Press Book Page: https://wildrosepress.com/product/the-passenger/

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About the author
Minnesota-based author, Joie Lesin is a life-long fiction writer and the author of The Passenger. She has long been fascinated by anything otherworldly including ghosts. She loves to write a good ghost story—especially when it includes a touch of romance.

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.
Where to find out more.
Website: https://www.jlesin.com
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/joielesin
Book Page: https://www.jlesin.com/thepassenger
Amazon Author Central: https://www.amazon.com/author/authorjoielesin
Goodreads Author Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2899613.Joie_Lesin
Goodreads BookPage: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/214564853-the-passenger
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JoieLesin
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjoielesin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoieLesin
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joie.lesin
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JoieLesin

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