Explore powerful storytelling and rich history in the latest Author Express episode with guest Barbara Josselsohn. Host Kathleen Basi chats with Barbara about the allure of New York’s theater scene, her lifelong dedication to ballet, and the spark behind her much-loved novel, The Forgotten Italian Restaurant. Peek into a saga set in wartime Italy, weaving together lost sisters, secrets, and a community united by food amid hardship. Whether you crave WWII historical drama, love tales inspired by family heritage, or simply appreciate stories blending nostalgia and resilience, this conversation will leave you eager to discover more. Discover why “Little Women” continues to inspire Barbara and get a taste of the passion behind her writing.

Barbara Josselsohn is a best-selling novelist who loves crafting stories about protagonists facing a fork in the road. Her newest book is The Forgotten Italian Island, a sweeping multigenerational story centered around two women harboring secrets stemming from the Nazi occupation of northern and central Italy. Barbara is also the author of seven previous novels. She teaches novel and essay writing at Sarah Lawrence College and other venues. Her next historical novel, set in southern France during the World War II, is scheduled to release next summer.

For more information, you can visit her at:

Website - www.barbarajosselsohn.com

Facebook - Facebook.com/BarbaraJosselsohnAuthor

Instagram - @BarbaraJoss

Support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of The Forgotten Italian Restaurant at Bookshop.org

Author and musical composer Kathleen Basi is mother to three boys and one chromosomally-gifted daughter. Her debut novel, A SONG FOR THE ROAD, follows a musician on an unconventional road trip. Bestselling author Kerry Anne King writes, “In a novel filled with music, heartbreak, and surprising laughter, Basi takes us on a journey that encompasses both unimaginable loss and the powerful resilience of the human heart.”

Meaty, earnest, occasionally humorous, and ultimately uplifting, Kathleen’s fiction highlights the best within ourselves and each other. She writes monthly reflections on life, writing and beauty on her newsletter. Subscribe at https://kathleenbasi.substack.com/.

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast

Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books -

https://linktr.ee/AuthorExpressPodcast

Meet bestselling author Rochelle Weinstein in this episode of Author Express as she shares her heart-stirring journey from the world of music in Los Angeles to becoming a full-time novelist in Miami. Discover the real-life inspiration behind her latest novel, We Are Made of Stars, likened to "Virgin River meets White Lotus," and hear what makes her settings and characters so unforgettable. As host Kristi Leonard explores topics like writing process evolution, balancing emotion with entertainment, and the meaning of literary success, listeners get insider tips and encouragement for their own creative paths. Real connections, a behind-the-scenes peek at character creation, and a glimpse into the world of women's fiction await—tune in for thoughtful insights and inspiration for writers, readers, and dreamers alike.

Rochelle B. Weinstein is the USA Today and Amazon bestselling author of seven novels. A former entertainment industry executive, she splits her time between South Florida and the mountains of North Carolina. Rochelle is the monthly book contributor for Miami's AQUA Magazine and literary salon Women Writers, Women's Books. She also teaches publishing workshops at Nova Southeastern University’s Alvin Sherman Library. Rochelle loves connecting with readers through her newsletter.

Connect with Rochelle:

Website- rochelle.myflodesk.com

Instagram - @rochellebweinstein

Facebook - rochelle.b.weinstein

Support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of We Are Made of Stars at Bookshop.org

Kristi Leonard is a modern Renaissance woman deeply rooted in the book world. When she's not immersed in crafting novels, she's orchestrating writing retreats through her business, Writers in the Wild, or lending her voice to non-fiction audiobooks. She leads the Women’s Fiction Writers Association as the president of the board, and interviews her writer pals as one of the hosts of the Author Express Podcast. She will start querying her first book in 2024.

Beyond the realm of words, Kristi embraces the Florida sunshine by hiking with her writer-hiker group and leisurely walks on the beach. She and her husband juggle a couple side businesses and take turns sharing the couch with their goofy Golden-doodle, Maddie. Kristi enjoys travel adventures with her twin sister and living vicariously through her grown children. You can learn more about her and connect at: https://linktr.ee/kristileonard.

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast

Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books -

https://linktr.ee/AuthorExpressPodcast

Ready to meet an author who’s lived a story as gripping as the ones she writes? On this episode, Kathleen Basi interviews Elisabeth Dini, a former Hague prosecutor whose first novel blends laugh-out-loud romance with a twist of World War II secrets. Elisabeth shares the behind-the-scenes process of plotting a narrative filled with stolen jewels, hidden resistance—and even a mysterious “bearer of bad news” gig. With a background in high-stakes law and a passion for uncovering uncelebrated heroines, Elisabeth offers perspectives on pursuing big changes and embracing unexpected challenges. Join us to hear teasers about her writing journey and the real women who inspired her latest work.

Elisabeth Dini is a lawyer and former prosecutor of war crimes and crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court. Born in Nevada, she is a graduate of Brandeis University and Stanford Law School. Elisabeth currently lives in the Netherlands with her husband and a bevy of mostly well-adjusted houseplants. Bearer of Bad News (or BOBN, rhymes with "robin") is her debut novel, available for pre-order whenever books are sold. You can find her on Instagram @elisabethdiniauthor (where she'll be doing Gratitude Giveaways on the 29th of every month leading up to the publication of BOBN) or on her website: www.elisabethdini.com.

Her book launches on April 29, 2025.

Support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of Bearer of Bad News at Bookshop.org.

Author and musical composer Kathleen Basi is mother to three boys and one chromosomally-gifted daughter. Her debut novel, A SONG FOR THE ROAD, follows a musician on an unconventional road trip. Bestselling author Kerry Anne King writes, “In a novel filled with music, heartbreak, and surprising laughter, Basi takes us on a journey that encompasses both unimaginable loss and the powerful resilience of the human heart.”

Meaty, earnest, occasionally humorous, and ultimately uplifting, Kathleen’s fiction highlights the best within ourselves and each other. She writes monthly reflections on life, writing and beauty on her newsletter. Subscribe at https://kathleenbasi.substack.com/.

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast

Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books -

https://linktr.ee/AuthorExpressPodcast