Author Rochelle Weinstein, a Miami Beach native and part-time North Carolina resident, pays homage to memories of her time spent in the mountains in her latest book, “We Are Made of Stars.”
Weinstein’s eighth novel is set at the fictional Vis Ta Vie Inn in North Carolina, where the owners face the tough decision of closing their beloved inn. Their guests, three couples in crisis and a single mom and her teen daughter, also face a crossroads in their lives, struggling with rifts in their relationships. Over the course of a week, there are shocking revelations, betrayals, and regrets as each guest tries to find their way to a better place in their lives.
A Miami Beach girl who was born at Mt. Sinai Hospital – her husband and twin sons were born there as well – Weinstein has enjoyed trips to North Carolina since she was 4 years old, later spending summers there at a sleepaway camp.
(Courtesy Rochelle Weinstein)
Rochelle Weinstein at a speaking engagement.
“I love the mountains, scenery, and beauty with all the wonderful childhood memories,” she said.
Eventually, she and her husband began making trips there and discovered an inn on a farmhouse property in western North Carolina where the owners hosted private dinners.
“It is an exquisite farmhouse on an amazing property, and I loved the idea of strangers breaking bread together and getting to know each other over the course of a delicious meal,” Weinstein said. “It was like peeling back the layers of an onion. I just knew I had to set a book there.”
Gaye and Frank Luaces from France were the original owners of The Inn at Little Pond Farm, the place that had captivated Weinstein. With her first-hand knowledge of the inn, connecting with the Luaces was a thrill for Weinstein.
(Photo by Aisel Labaut)
Authors Annabelle Managhan and Rochelle Weinstein at the Newport Beachside Resort in Sunny Isles
“I spoke to the Luaces for hours while researching my book and developing the storyline,” Weinstein said. “I learned that some of the guests at these dinners who were complete strangers, realized during conversation they had attended the same schools. My husband and I had been to the inn over many summers, both as guests and for my research, and both were so much fun.”
According to Weinstein, during the dinners, the owners would walk around the table pouring wine and serving delicious food, which made everyone relaxed and more comfortable around each other, creating the perfect atmosphere for deep conversations.
(Courtesy Rochelle Weinstein)
Rochelle Weinstein at the Miami Book Fair
For the purposes of her novel and the storyline, Weinstein changed the inn with private dinners to a place where guests checked in stayed for a weeklong visit. She felt it helped in the development of the characters and added intrigue.
Weinstein’s previous book, “What You Do to Me” is based in Miami Beach. Her books, “Somebody’s Daughter,” “This Is Not How It Ends,” also have South Florida settings, while “Where We Fall” and “When We Let Go,” are based in North Carolina. She calls her books her love letters to these two places.
Weinstein, a Bay Harbor Islands resident, did not always know she wanted to be an author. She said she was a closeted writer who journaled, not sharing her stories with the public.
She entered the field of entertainment marketing and advertising, but when her employer’s company was sold, she found herself at a crossroads in her career. Weinstein dedicated herself to her writing and penned her first novel, “What We Leave Behind.” After an arduous search for an agent, she decided to self-publish.
“I knew I wanted to put something out in the world, so I put it out there, Weinstein said. “With my marketing and advertising background I was able to work hard and persevere. My first novel got on the USA Today bestseller list, and soon after, I found an agent and here we are talking about my eighth novel.”
Weinstein credits perseverance and tuning out the naysayers who discouraged her from self-publishing, for getting to this point.
(Courtesy Aysel Labaut)
Author Rochelle Weinstein at a book signing at the Newport Beachside Resort in Sunny Isles
“I love to share my story and always hope that it can inspire someone and help them find the spark they need to pursue this,” said Weinstein. “It is so incredibly important to know what you wa
nt out of your career. Every single person’s story is different.”
She also derives immense joy and satisfaction from talking about other authors, which she does in her monthly column for Aqua Magazine. She also used to do book picks on NBC 6’s local afternoon show, formerly NBC6 In the Mix. Her website, rochelleweinstein.com, includes a blog with newsletters, upcoming appearances, and many of her older reading suggestions from NBC 6.
“I love connecting with readers and future writers,” Weinstein said. “I am very generous with my time, and I love to help others.”