Home » Authors Interviewing Characters: Dara Levan

Authors Interviewing Characters: Dara Levan

July 6, 2026 | By Women Writers Women Books | Reply More

I’m Dara Levan, author of Shaken to the Core, and I am excited to introduce two characters who will offer a glimpse of into this uplifting, heartfelt story.

Here’s a bit about the book:

When life is cut short, what do we do with the time we have left?

Joy Stern, a free-spirited photographer, thought she had it all together. She built a traveler’s life with her husband, an architect who designed their days like the buildings he created. Children weren’t part of the plan. When Joy’s mom dies suddenly, everything changes. Being behind the lens, capturing photos of families, doesn’t feel like enough anymore—until Joy discovers a hidden key to her mother’s diary. One entry inspires a choice that could transform the trajectory of her life.

Then the unthinkable happens: Andre receives devastating news, which upends their carefully constructed world. As Joy struggles to pursue her own dreams while supporting the man she loves, Joy wonders: Can she do it all?

“An uplifting story of hope amid heartbreak, Shaken to the Core explores motherhood, chosen family, and “how love, even in its absence, continues to transform us.” (Jane L. Rosen, bestselling author of the Fire Island trilogy).

“Dara Levan’s exploration of grief and the small moments that can change our world is heartfelt and lovingly celebrates the power and beauty of summer camp.” — Jill Santopolo, New York Times bestselling author of The Light We Lost

Joy and her bestie, Mel, are sitting on a flannel, plaid blanket watching sailboats sway on the serene waters of Lake Champlain. It’s a breezy, balmy summer afternoon in Burlington, Vermont.

Mel: “I can’t believe I agreed to do this today.”

Joy: “Why?”

Mel: “An interview? Seriously? I know you better than anyone. After being roomies at Middlebury.”

Joy: “I appreciate you getting a babysitter!”

Mel grins. “You had me at wine! I much prefer sipping on this than wiping snotty noses. Can you believe it’s the first week of camp and the kids already have the crud? Speaking of whine…”

“You’re a hoot,” Joy giggles. “Let’s get started. And you need to keep it PG.”

Mel: “No swearing, either? I can’t promise! You can delete whatever foul nonsense escapes my mouth.”

Joy looks at her wrist. “If we don’t get going, your sitter may be sleeping over.”

Mel: “So, tell people one thing that terrifies you.”

Joy: “Life not turning out the way I imagined it.”

Mel: “You’d tell me to dig deeper. C’mon. Tell me more.”

Joy: “You’re the only one who knows about Andre. After my mom dying suddenly, I don’t know how much more my heart can withstand. I guess my biggest fear is losing him, too.”

Mel: “I hear you. You’ve got me forever. Even after I’m gone, I’ll come back to haunt you—“

Joy: “Oh how some things change and others stay the same. Can you try to stay on one topic for more than two minutes?”

Mel: “What’s your favorite piece of jewelry I made this year?”

Joy: “You, I know I can’t pick just one. That’s like asking me to choose which niece or nephew is my fave. I will say our talks at the shop have meant the world to me.”

Mel: “As you always say, we are ‘framily.’”

“At turns hopeful and heartbreaking, Shaken to The Core asks the big questions about love, legacy, motherhood, and how we react when the life we’ve built comes tumbling down around us. Dara Levan’s poetic prose and deft storytelling bring her characters to life with tenderness and empathy, reminding readers that our time might not be infinite but perhaps that’s what fills our days with so much purpose. A true testament to the simple moments that sometimes save us, Levan’s latest is an absolute must read!” — Kristy Woodson Harvey, New York Times bestselling author of Beach House Rules

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Award-winning author of It Could Be Worse, Dara’s essay appears in the USA Today Bestselling book On Being Jewish Now. She’s also the founder of Every Soul Has a Story, a podcast in which she interviews guests from around the globe. Her latest novel, Shaken to the Core, is available to buy HERE