 The Passenger by Joie Lesin
The musky scent of skin, a brush on the shoulder, a gust of bitter air--all forewarn Elizabeth a spirit will soon seek her help to pass from this world to the next. Yet a living man's wounded soul offers her the challenge of a lifetime.
Set in the 1940's, The Passenger tells the story of Elizabeth Reilly who travels to the Clemente Vineyard to help the spirit of an old man find peace and loses her heart to the son he left behind.
ISBN: 978-0978536893
Released: 01-30-2007
Kindle | Paperback | Nook
Reviews
4 stars
J. Thomas "The Long and the Short Of It Reviews" (USA) (Amazon)
I enjoyed reading The Passenger. Paolo and Adriana's story is heartbreaking, but out of that tragedy comes the possibility of new love between Gio and Elizabeth. I recommend The Passenger to anyone looking for a touching romance with a splash of the paranormal mixed in.
4 stars
Armchair Interviews (Minneapolis, MN) (Amazon)
I really enjoyed this book, with its interesting plot, humor and an unusual storyline. I was very impressed with the way it all came together.
Armchair Interviews says: Bringing love from the "other side" makes for a good story.
5 stars
USA Today Bestselling Author Joy Nash (www.joynash.com) (Amazon)
In The Passenger, Joie Lesin weaves an intricate and emotional tale of loss and love, tragedy and hope. I enjoyed this book immensely! I turned the last page with a satisfied sigh.
5 beacons
Lighthouse Literary Review (Amazon)
Deanna
Rating: 5 Beacons
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. It was a refreshing change to romantic novels, adding humor with an unusual storyline. I was impressed with the way it all came together.
5 hearts
The Romance Studio
Reviewer: RAS
http://www.theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/passengerlesin.htm
Set in the years after WWII, The Passenger is a wonderfully written novel full of love, romance and a hint of paranormal overtures. The author takes extra care to make sure that the paranormal aspects of the novel, Beth's ability to communicate with the dead, is the not the central part of the novel.
The author also takes great pains to bring the reader into the novel using words to paint the picture of what the main characters are involved with. Since the majority of the novel takes place in a California vineyard, readers are treated to vivid descriptions of the land, the grapes and the people who work the land in a time that was much more simpler.
I especially applaud the author for her approach to the romance in the novel. Because the 1940's are looked upon as a guileless time, the author kept the romance in the novel at the same level. The main love interests explore their love the old-fashion way, by talking and kissing and long walks. As a reviewer, I felt refreshed to let my mind wander over what the characters might be doing, instead of having it spelled out on the page for me.
Overall, The Passenger is a wonderfully read that allows the reader to escape to a time long gone. Also, with the popularity of paranormal shows today, romance readers will find this novel a sweet and lovely edition of their library.
5 roses
My Book Cravings
"...I thoroughly enjoyed the story and would read it again. There are very few books I feel that way about and this is definitely one of them. At first, I thought it would be nothing more than a rehash of Ghost Whisperer which I happen to love so I figured reading it would be no problem, but I was drawn into the story and into these peoples’ lives to the point that I forgot the world around me and lost track of time. This is a great book and one I would recommend to anyone."
Romance Reader at Heart
Kay James
http://romancereaderatheart.com/pubsandpromos/2007/feb07/P_JL.html
THE PASSENGER is one of those books that is read, enjoyed and then passed on. It's not a keeper but it's a good, solid read.
The 1940's is portrayed so vividly that the time and place become characters of their own. I could see the clothing, hear the music and feel the scratchy car upholstery. It is a ghost story, a story of love and loss that bridges the gap between the living and the dead. When Beth first meets Paolo, the ghost, it is a bit confusing, but I soon got used to having the dead man poking in on her thoughts.
THE PASSENGER is well told and I think that most will be intrigued by Beth's determination to fulfill her promise to Paolo. Doing so entails traveling across the country and meeting his family, including his son, Gio. Gio is bitter and does not easily accept what Beth has promised to tell him. But the facts, as well as a growing attraction between messenger and recipient, work to bring him to face the truth. The final pages have a bittersweet twist that wraps things up nicely.
As I said, THE PASSENGER is an enjoyable read.
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