An Evening with Dara Levan in conversation with Stephanie Rosen

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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 is an author, speaker, and the founder of Every Soul Has a Story, an inspiring podcast in which she interviews guests from around the globe. Dara is the author of the award-winning novel, It Could Be Worse, and a contributor to the USA Today bestselling anthology, On Being Jewish Now.
She is a graduate of Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in English and certificate in journalism. Dara earned her master’s degree in communication sciences and Disorders at Nova Southeastern University. Actively involved in her community, Dara is a board member of Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation/Memorial Foundation, board trustee of Interlochen Center for the Arts, and involved in several other organizations. She is a founding member of the Circle of Friends for the Alvin Sherman Library at Nova Southeastern University and a member of the Authors Guild and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association.
When she’s not writing in South Florida, you’ll find Dara with her family and fur babies, traveling, capturing moments through photos, and talking to strangers who become friends.

Stephanie Rosen is a moderator and interviewer known for thoughtful, engaging conversations on books, culture, and contemporary issues. She brings curiosity, warmth, and insight to discussions with authors and public figures.

Stephanie is the cofounder of 3G Miami, dedicated to preserving Holocaust survivor stories and fostering dialogue across generations. She also has a professional background in real estate finance and retail real estate.

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