Lisa Lisàndri | Updates

Lisa Lisàndri booth at Sun City Library Book Fair

Lisa Lisàndri — Thu, 3 Sep 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Debut romance novelist Lisa Lisàndri is excited to participate in her first book fair where she would love to meet readers! Please join her.

Where: Sun City Library, 26982 Cherry Hills Blvd., Sun City, CA 92586

When: Saturday, October 10, 2026

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At Long Last!

Lisa Lisàndri — Fri, 2 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

My first romance novel, The Bluffs Between Us, is out in the world after five long years, oceans of tears, and countless sleepless nights that have probably stolen plenty of time from my longevity.

And with the book's launch comes a bevy of unexpected feelings:

humility (yes, I've found several mistakes even though a dozen sets of eyes read the manuscript, and I scrutinized it at least four times myself)
relief (after all that time, I can let it go)
fear (what if nobody buys it?)

I've already made corrections to the errors I've found (and please let me know if you find more), and I'm moving on--marketing the novel and starting to work on the next book in the series. And although early sales are slow, the reviews have warmed my heart. Seems I've hit a chord with many readers!

Several people have asked how they can help me now. Here's a list of activities any author would appreciate from friends, family, and readers:

Follow them on social media.
Share their posts on your social media.
Purchase and read their books.
Write an honest review on Amazon or Goodreads.
Tell your friends about the book.
Recommend the book to your book club.
Ask for the book at local libraries and book stores.

On the home front:

Grandchildren continue to add joy to our lives, even though there are plenty of sniffles and coughs now.

My husband and I flew up to northern California last week to support our youngest daughter, the esthetician, for the opening of her new studio in gold country. We're so proud of her entrepreneurial spirit.

Closer to home, our other daughter continues to heal from a fall she had months ago, and looks forward to returning to her respiratory therapist job soon. Plus, she's planning for her favorite holiday, Halloween, with home decorations and costumes for all four children.

My husband is working diligently to get Charlie in perfect running condition (his multi-year restoration project, a 1955 Ford Country Sedan).

And I am writing away on book #2 of the Moonlit Midnights series, Until We Begin Again, and musing on an epilogue to The Bluffs Between Us.

Happy fall everyone!

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Local author Lisa Lisàndri book launch at In Bloom Bookery, Temecula

Lisa Lisàndri — Sat, 1 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Local author Lisa Lisàndri welcomes friends for a book signing on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026. Her debut novel, The Bluffs between Us, book #1 of her later-in-life contemporary romance series Moonlit Midnights, launches on Grandparents Day.

Location: In Bloom Bookery, 42301 Main St. Suite C (Old Town) Temecula CA 92590
11:00 am - 2:00 pm

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The Interview You've Been Waiting For!

Lisa Lisàndri — Fri, 31 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Welcome! With the release of The Bluffs Between Us just forty-five days away, Barb and Mike have agreed to sit down for an interview.

Interviewer:

Thanks for joining us today, you two. We're excited to hear your thoughts.

First for Barb: People who read The Bluffs Between Us will see you as a very determined crusader. What keeps you up at night?

Barb:

Everything! The children I work with at the center for unsheltered families, how dark the circles under my eyes will be in the morning. You know, the usual!

Interviewer:

Mike, what keeps you awake at night?

Mike:

Nothing. I fall asleep whenever I need to.

Interviewer:

All right. We know neither of you was looking for romance. What was your first impression of each other?

Barb:

The way he appeared that night, stepping out of the fog, he seemed eerily helpful, and yet extremely frustrating. Far too good-looking for a man who would create so much havoc in my life.

Mike:

In a word, relentless. But then I discovered she had a soft side. That's when things got complicated.

Interviewer:

Ooh, this is sounding interesting! Next question. Barb, everyone in town has an opinion about your tiny homes project. Why is it so important to you?

Barb:

If you had the childhood I had, not knowing where you'd sleep or if you would have a change of clothes for school from day to day, you wouldn't ask.

Interviewer:

Oh, got it, of course. So Mike, you spent your law enforcement career protecting people. Why were you so set against Barb's project?

Mike:

Those are reasons I've kept close to my heart for the past four years.

Interviewer:

Okay, thank you both! We look forward to hearing more from you next time.

For more interview material, book updates, and other exciting posts, follow me on FaceBook!

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Upcoming interview!

Lisa Lisàndri — Thu, 4 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Lisa will be interviewed on the The Morning Show Monday hosted by Marcia Macomber on July 13, 2026.

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What the Ocean Teaches Us about Second Chances--For Kids of all Ages!

Lisa Lisàndri — Sat, 27 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

My extended family and I recently spent a magical week in Jamaica, a surprising place to be thinking about second chances. I have to admit, everything about the trip exceeded my expectations: the ocean (the water really is turquoise), the weather (in the 70s and 80s every day with an occasional afternoon rain shower), the food, and especially the friendly, optimistic people.

We spent hours on the beach, mostly sitting in the shade. One of the activities that fascinated me was the kids' attempts at building sand castles. No sooner had they constructed a mighty structure, than a series of waves trimmed it down to nothing more than a melted fortress. Undeterred, they started over time after time, maybe moving up the shore a bit, dead set on their second or third chance to be triumphant.

That's when I realized, the ocean gives us a gift--another chance for success! Metaphorically, it mirrors our resilience and rebirth, like those children and their sand castles.

Here are some of my musings about the ocean and second chances:

I love walking along the beach. Every wave gives me another opportunity to find that shell or tiny creature that washed away. Every sunset promises a new beginning.
For my characters in The Bluffs between Us, the ocean is a backdrop for both romance and renewal. The idyllic coast of Pellicano Bluffs is where my protagonist, Barb, turns when she feels all is lost and is looking for a re-set. In real life, the act of water washing over the sand represents a cleansing of sorrow, pain, and tears.
Barb is continually awestruck by the beauty and vastness of the mighty Pacific. The humbling scale of the ocean helps put her own problems into perspective, providing hope and a new outlook--a second chance at whatever is ailing her at that moment.
While Barb and Mike visit a small coastal village north of their home, they collect numerous treasures, including a rare, intact sand dollar. These shells, once living organisms, now have another chance at life by becoming part of somebody's treasured collection.
The ocean can be fierce one moment and tranquil the next. Have you ever tuned in to a weather broadcast the day of, and then day after a major hurricane? You know what I'm talking about. The calmness provides an opportunity for the coastal communities to re-set. Our own emotions can ride the same cycle: one moment we might be full of anxiety; the next we can feel tranquil.
Not only does the ocean mirror our emotions, it is the perfect backdrop for improving one's mood. The rhythmic sound of the waves, the negative ions released with its moving water, and the grounding effect of walking in sand all reduce stress. This restorative effect on the mind makes it the ideal spot for second loves to blossom!

Follow my writing journey and grab your free excerpt at here--I'd love to hear from you!

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Podcast news!

Lisa Lisàndri — Thu, 4 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Lisa was interviewed on the Jill Lublin Show on June 23, 2026. Release date to be announced soon.

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Reinvention, purpose, community--the themes that show up in my stories

Lisa Lisàndri — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

If you love stories that feature character reinvention, community, purpose, and of course, romance, welcome!

More than your typical happily-ever-after story, my novels feature strong, flawed women and men who've lived their lives and continue to struggle with personal wounds, but somehow find a way to make a life together.

Sit back and enjoy some information about the themes you'll see in my books:

Later-in-life romance:

All my novels feature characters over 50, giving today's audience a chance to enjoy stories about their own age group, not the escapades of their daughters or granddaughters.

Purpose:

My characters tackle issues that make readers think and feel like they belong to something bigger than a fluffy love story.

For example, in book #1, The Bluffs between Us, my heroine Barb was homeless as a child. Now her crusade is to honor her family's legacy with a tiny homes project. In book #2, Until We Begin Again, Daphne's daughter is alive because a stranger wasn't too busy to donate the stem cells that saved her life. In book #3, currently unnamed, Sarah struggles in her role as foster grandmother.

At the end of each book, I provide suggestions to help readers to get involved with these social issues in their local areas.

Reinvention:

All my characters must reinvent themselves, overcoming emotional scars that have created the fears and false beliefs holding them back.

In The Bluffs, a 63-year old woman who grew up without permanent housing learns at an early age that it's too risky to trust or ask for help. Yet those are the very issues Barb must overcome to claim her self-worth. Her hero, Mike, is afraid to love again, and must rebuild his life after past trauma.

Community:

I love the small towns and found families that create a community. The interpersonal relationships surrounding neighbors, holiday celebrations, and local cafes provide both comfort and tension, a rich backdrop for my stories set on the coast of central California. Many of my characters meet at night on the bluffs, and this "found family" provides support and love for my heroines and heroes.

To discover more about my writing and to read an excerpt of my work, please connect at https://lisalisandri.com/mailing-list.

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I Woke Up on Saturday Morning a Published Author!

Lisa Lisàndri — Sat, 6 Jun 2026 00:00:00 +0000

That's right, after five long years, I have The Bluffs between Us 'author proof' in my hands. Finally, my later-in-life contemporary romance novel sees the light of day!

And I feel different. Content, accomplished, and a little smug that I've succeeded where 99% of Americans have not--I've completed a book, albeit self-published, and it will be available to the world in the next few weeks.

I know the work is not done. I know the marketing process is very tricky and very tough. I know most authors hate this part of their career. I get it. We want to write, to create, not figure out ways to make money.

But here's the thing I keep thinking: it can't be any worse! It can't be worse than the years this work has taken from start to finish. It can't be worse than the sleepless nights. It can't be worse than the impostor syndrome, the "who am I kidding, pretending to be an author?" Or the re-writes, the editing, the looking for another way to say, "he caressed her cheeks."

It can't be worse. And that's because I've immersed myself in the writing community. I have local romance writer friends with whom I share lunch at one of our homes once a month. I have a romance meet-up group full of younger writers who've taken on the technology I don't even want to try. I have an accountability partner with whom I text Monday through Friday with goals and accomplishments. I belong to a local writers and illustrators organization that provides constant inspiration. Twice a week, I get on a Zoom call with other indie authors for a 90-minute focused writing session.

Many of the writers I mingle with are like me, or like I was not long ago, pre-published. However, more importantly, many are authors with several books under their belts. And they are willing to help, to show me how to do things (or take on those tasks for me), and to celebrate my wins, no matter how small.

When I woke up this morning, to the world I looked like the same woman I was yesterday--a 72-year-old wife, mother, grandmother, and sister--with one exception. I am now a published romance author. And today I have a new mantra, one I can embrace with all my heart: I've got this!

I'd love to hear about a project you've accomplished that's changed your outlook on life. Please share!

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Welcome to Pellicano Bluffs!

Lisa Lisàndri — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Welcome to Pellicano Bluffs, a fictional town on the breathtaking central coast of California, and home to my Moonlit Midnights romance novels.

P.B. has all the elements necessary for a happily-ever-after story: sunsets that explode over the Pacific ocean into neon orange and crimson, wind-blown Monterey cypress trees, peaceful gardens that rival a Monet masterpiece, fog so thick it turns the night into murky soup. And of course, there are friends who share life’s ups and downs, families that quarrel and make up, coffee and muffins at the local cafe, and pelicans, always pelicans skimming the waves and diving for dinner!

And lest we forget our lovers, pairing off in stories that will have you crying and have you laughing. But they’ll always have you ending with that satisfactory “awe” feeling you get when our lovers find each other, leave each other, and then finally realize the other person is who they need to take their lives from hole-hearted to whole-hearted (I owe this lovely description to romance author and editor Gwen Hayes).

Situated halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco, P.B. is a common stop for tourists taking in the world-class coastal views on Highway 1. Some stay to enjoy meals. They may linger for hours, picnicking along a peaceful stretch of beach or dining in one of the many eateries, from small cafes to Michelin-rated fine restaurants, many reflecting the Mediterranean influence on the area.

A drive through local neighborhoods showcases craftsman-style cottages and old Victorians, many of which have been converted to medical and real estate offices, or even antique stores. And when the morning fog burns off, the scene reveals a view that many families have scrimped and saved for years to afford: the first glimmer of sunlight bouncing off the waves of the blue Pacific. The beauty of that moment will fill visitors and residents alike with wonder.

And when they can’t sleep, our night owls find each other out on the bluffs. These folks start off as an eclectic group of strangers: insomniacs, travelers resting their eyes for a few minutes, young mothers trying to soothe a colicky baby, retirees who don’t need to abide by an alarm clock anymore. But they always end up with a special connection that only a night owl can appreciate.

Three of these women will become close friends, each of their stories filling a book of love and hope, a later-in-life romance.

Now I could tell you all about their stories, but then I would ruin the experience. So stay tuned and enjoy my blogs and social media posts in the meantime!

Where is your special place to find romance? I’d love to share that with my subscribers, so please submit here:

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