ISBN: 9798990833104
Publisher: Tribeca Press
Publication Date:10/22/2024
Format: Other
My Rating: 5 Stars (ARC)
Prisca Weld expected to become Mrs. Nick Fontaine before any of her friends walked down the aisle. Nick worked for her father’s lucrative construction business, and he and Prisca planned to start a family in her upscale Brooklyn neighborhood. But she’s heading into her late twenties, and she hasn’t achieved her most cherished goals.
Years ago, Nick abruptly abandoned Prisca and ran home to Las Vegas, leaving her with nothing but questions about what went wrong between them. Since then, she has struggled to forget him, and she hasn’t found anyone she can love as much as she loved Nick. All the best men seem to be out of reach—including Tim Aldrich, a family friend who has recently returned to New York after launching his career in California. Prisca has been drawn to Tim since they were kids, although she believes her attraction to him is as futile now as it was then.
But she still hopes to fulfill her dreams, and she also wishes she could resolve the endless conflict between her traditional father and her unconventional brother, whose childhood scars from his and Prisca’s parents’ contentious divorce are still fresh. Prisca has wounds of her own, and she tries to heal them while attempting to unravel old secrets that have been hidden for too long.
About the Author
I am the author of four novels. My latest, Charmed, will be published by Tribeca Press in October 2024. My debut, Other Words for Love, was published by Random House (Delacorte Press). New Money and its sequel, Independently Wealthy, were published by Macmillan (St. Martin’s Press).
In addition to writing fiction, I have contributed celebrity interviews and reviews of books, films, and TV series to Pop Matters. I have also contributed to Women Writers, Women’s Books.
I was born and raised in New York City, and I am a graduate of the University of South Florida. I earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and master’s degrees in Education and English. I currently live near Cincinnati, Ohio with my husband. WEBSITE
Follow Lorraine on Twitter @LorraineZago Instagram @lorrainezago
Exceptional Authors. Standout Books. Elevator Talk.
Behind the Book & the Author
INTRIGUING QUESTIONS. INQUIRING READERS WANT TO KNOW.
Q&A #AuthorElevatorSeries with bestselling author Lorraine Zago Rosenthal
Welcome to the third October 2024 #AuthorElevatorSeries! Joining us for the first time a long-time personal and fan favorite— special guest, bestselling author Lorraine Zago Rosenthal with her fourth highly anticipated novel, CHARMED.
I was introduced to Lorraine's writing in 2013-2014 when I started my blog with her second and third novels and been a huge fan since. I was delighted to read CHARMED which grabs you from page one to the end.
Join us as Lorraine shares some fascinating behind-the-scenes exclusives from the book and up-close and personal fun moments from this super-talented author!
Welcome, Lorraine!
Behind the Book
Q. Give us your best ELEVATOR PITCH for your new novel, CHARMED.
LZR: Prisca Weld expected to marry her high school sweetheart and start a beautiful life with him in her upscale Brooklyn neighborhood. But he let her down years ago, and now all the best men seem to be out of reach. Still, Prisca hopes to find her happily-ever-after, and she also hopes to resolve the conflict simmering within her family and to unravel old secrets that have been hidden for too long.
Q. INSPIRATION: The spark that ignited the novel (or series). Where were you when the idea came to you?
LZR: I can’t pinpoint an exact time when the main idea for Charmed came to me—it was inspired by many observations of the influence of the past on the present. Everyone’s backgrounds, decisions, and experiences lead to who and where they currently are. Events of the past—including the very distant past—can play a positive or negative role in people’s lives today.
In Charmed, the protagonist, Prisca Weld, lives in a brownstone in Brooklyn, NYC that was acquired by her family nearly a century ago, and the manner in which it was attained has been fortuitous for the Welds but unlucky for another family. The ownership of the house (among many other things) causes tension between Prisca’s brother, Asher, and their father, who see the issue in contrasting ways, and it’s an instance of how an event from long ago—whether serendipitous or unfortunate—can touch the present day.
Q. SETTING: Tell us more about the book setting and why you selected it.
LZR: I am originally from NYC, and all of my books are set there. New York is such a fascinating place with a rich history, and each region is so unique. Although Prisca and her family reside in Brooklyn, the story also takes place in Manhattan, Queens, and Long Island, which are all quite different. Like Charmed, there are some parts that are glamorous and others that are gritty. NYC is also a perfect place to set romantic scenes, such one in Charmed that takes place at the Rainbow Room inside Rockefeller Plaza.
Q. RESEARCH: Any fascinating research for the novel, or anything you learned along the way?
LZR: One of my novel’s characters, Timothy Aldrich, has recently purchased a house in Sands Point, which is a village on the North Shore of Long Island. I was already familiar with Sands Point, but when I researched the area further, I discovered that it was F. Scott Fitzgerald’s inspiration for East Egg in The Great Gatsby—a fact that Prisca mentions.
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Q. CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT: Your favorite character to write, and/or most challenging?
LZR: I enjoyed creating each and every character in Charmed, and they were all challenging. There is a lot of deep-rooted conflict between many of the characters, and they all have their own version of what previously transpired between them. For example, Prisca’s father views his failed marriage in one way, and her mother sees it very differently. While writing, one of my most important goals was to not villainize any of the characters, even if they’ve made poor choices that have adversely affected other people (and even themselves). Each character has valid reasons for their decisions. I leave it up to the reader to choose a side, but I also hope I’ve made it possible for them to sympathize with each one.
Thank you, Lorraine. Readers, continue below for more up close and personal with the author.
Behind the Author
BIRTH STATE? or (Country)
New York
ZODIAC SIGN?
Libra
FAVORITE FLOWER?
Any flower that is pink or purple (see next question!). In fact, pink flowers make an appearance on the front cover of Charmed, and there are pink flower petals on the back.
FAVORITE COLOR?
I have two—pink and purple.
FAVORITE FOOD/DRINK?
My ancestry is Italian (and Irish), and I have always loved Italian food. My favorite drink is water, which is not quite as exciting…but it’s very healthy!
FAVORITE HOBBY?
I have quite a few favorite hobbies, including reading, cooking, and dabbling in graphic design.
FAVORITE TYPE OF MUSIC?
My taste in music is eclectic—I enjoy so many kinds, including classic jazz and popular music from every decade.
THE FIRST BOOK YOU REMEMBER READING THAT MADE YOU WANT TO BECOME AN AUTHOR—THE ONE YOU CANNOT STOP THINKING OF.
Several novels influenced me at an early age, and one of them was The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough. I doubt it would be published today, as the romantic storyline would be considered quite controversial (and I understand why!) However, what impacted me more than the love story was the family drama, especially the main character’s tragic, complicated relationship with her parents, siblings, and children. The miniseries was a hit, but the book is even better because it provides so much more information about what’s going on in the characters’ minds and what happened in their past.
FAVORITE HOLIDAY OR SEASON?
Autumn is my favorite season—I love fall fashion, cool weather, and the leaves changing color. I also love Halloween and Thanksgiving, but my favorite holiday has always been Christmas.
FAVORITE TV SERIES? (Or Movie/Video) binge-watch, series, etc.?
I’m a fan of so many TV series, and it’s fantastic to see how this medium has progressed over time. Years ago, the storyline of each episode was wrapped up in thirty minutes or an hour, which didn’t leave much room for the writers to explore the conflict or to fully develop the characters.
Although I’ve always been a film buff, a series that lasts for many hours throughout multiple seasons is far more compelling than a ninety-minute movie. And I’m definitely a binge watcher! I find a series more engaging if I don’t have to wait a week to find out what happens next. Some of my favorites are The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, Mad Men, Bates Motel, Downton Abbey, The Crown, and the first two seasons of The Walking Dead. I highly recommend the limited series The Night Of, and most recently, I enjoyed another limited series, Presumed Innocent.
DO YOU LISTEN TO MUSIC WHILE WRITING?
I don’t listen to music while I’m writing because it would be too distracting—but I often pause my writing for a few minutes so I can listen to an inspirational song or one that I’ve mentioned in a scene.
YOUR FAVORITE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM? (Or would you prefer none of them)?
I recently joined Instagram, and I have found it to be a wonderful place to connect with readers, authors, and members of the publishing community. It’s refreshing to find a social media site that is kind and encouraging. I’m so impressed by the beautiful Bookstagram pages that readers create, and I also appreciate the time, effort, and enthusiasm they put into reviewing and promoting books. It’s also a wonderful place for authors to meet and to support each other’s work.
A FAVORITE CHARACTER FROM YOUR BOOK(s).
I adore them all, but I have a strong attachment to Ariadne Mitchell, the main character from my debut novel, Other Words for Love—probably because her story is so intimate and emotionally intense. It takes place while Ari is a teenager in the 1980s, and I sometimes find myself thinking about how old she would be now, what she would be doing, how her life turned out, etc. Of course, I know she’s doing great!
HOW MANY BOOKS HAVE YOU WRITTEN?
I have written four novels: Other Words for Love, New Money and its sequel, Independently Wealthy, and Charmed.
ONE BIT OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE AN INSPIRING AUTHOR?
Don’t let anyone discourage you. If you share your work with someone—whether that person is a literary agent, editor, or just a friend or family member—and the response is negative, always remember it’s only an opinion. Writing is extremely subjective, and while one opinion might be harsh, another could be glowing. There are so many authors who were initially disregarded, but they persevered and went on to achieve huge success. Stay true to your unique vision, and never give up.
THANK YOU, Lorraine, for spending time with us today!
Praise
Charmed “addresses a range of difficult issues” and is “engaging…full of drama…a compelling love story with flawed characters and complex family dynamics.” —Kirkus Reviews
My Review
Lorraine Zago Rosenthal (favorite author) returns following Independently Wealthy and New Money with her latest and fourth novel, CHARMED —In this compelling tale of family secrets, loss, love, forgiveness, and second chances, a young woman is caught up in a family drama when the past meets the present.
An entertaining heartfelt love story, emotionally charged with depth filled with long-held family secrets and complex entanglements. A poignant look at family bonds and all its messiness. New York is an ideal backdrop for romance, overcoming past hurts, and the possibility of new love.
About...
Prisca is a young woman passionate about design. She dreamed of marrying her high school sweetheart, Nick, and settling in Brooklyn. But he left for Las Vegas abruptly, and she has not gotten over the loss and what could have been. Her struggle to move on and find love again is a central theme of the story, making her a relatable and sympathetic character.
She is a designer for her father's construction company, and Nick also worked there years ago. She and her complex brother Asher are caught up in the family conflicts between their divorced parents: a controlling father and a reality star TV mom with a new husband and family.
Now, in her late twenties, Prisca is trying to find 'the one' while searching for the happy ever after. However, she finds herself amid family conflicts, old secrets, and unresolved feelings.
What happened to her dreams? Why did Nick leave? She has never found anyone she has loved like her first love.
Tim Aldrich, a family friend and a doctor, returns to New York from California. They have been friends since they were kids. Can there be more than friendship?
When Nick returns to town, will she get the answers she has searched for? Did she really know Nick, and can she move on? Will she be able to piece together and pull her family together instead of apart?
Can the healing begin amid all family drama and conflict?
My thoughts...
“Poignant and heartfelt, CHARMED skillfully examines family bonds, love, and their complex entanglements— with plenty of compelling drama, secrets, humor, mystery, and romantic intrigue to keep you turning the pages!”
The book's title, CHARMED, perfectly reflects its theme. It's a captivating exploration of family, friendship, loss, and love, and it's all about finding the magic in life's challenges. The author cleverly creates compelling characters you will root for and plenty of conflict among the characters and the family members to draw you in.
Everyone has their take on the situation and how they see the problems. They disagree, causing long-buried conflict. This is a perfect example of how things can spin out of control when there are hidden secrets, lies, and miscommunication.
From heartwrenching to heartwarming, the author keeps you glued to the pages with a surprising, entertaining, and compelling love story with depth, heart, hope, and wit. The characters are flawed and highly relatable, and you sympathize with their dilemmas while being kept on your toes by the unexpected twists.
What if? As we grow older, we often find things work out for the best.CHARMED is an inspiring story of second chances and the family bonds that tie us together. A broken heart finds a little healing magic and a happy ending, leaving you with a sense of hope and optimism.
Fans of New York settings will enjoy the journey from Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Long Island. A perfect blend of romance, family conflicts, and overcoming life challenges.
I was first introduced to Lorraine's books in 2014 when I started my book blog with Independently Wealthy and New Money, and I was delighted to read CHARMED.
Recs...
CHARMED is for fans of the author and those who enjoy contemporary family dramas and romance. Ideal for book clubs. Readers who enjoy works by Rebecca Serle, Jo Jo Moyes, Rea Frey, Jennifer Weiner, Emily Giffin, Jessica Strawser, and Katherine Center will delight. I highly recommend the author and all her books!
Interview
Stay tuned for my featured Oct #AuthorElevatorSeries Q&A with Lorraine as we go behind the scenes of CHARMED and up close and personal with this talented author (pub day Oct 22). Sign up for my newsletter to have it delivered to your inbox!
Thanks to the publisher and author for a digital review copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Oct 22, 2024
My Rating: 5 Stars
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