Leslie A. Rasmussen
Author Interview - Leslie A. Rasmussen
Author of The Stories We Cannot Tell and When People Leave: A story of love, lies and finding the truth
About When People Leave: A story of love, lies and finding the truth
A heartbreaking loss. A life-changing secret. Will the truth bring three daughters closer together or tear them apart?
Morgan, Charlotte, and Abby Weiss are filled with mixed emotions. After their beloved mother took her own life without leaving a note, the siblings go through the motions of a funeral while grappling with grief and anger at their parent’s actions.
Leaning into their close connection and taking a break from their lives, their men, and their personal issues, they move into their mother’s house in search of answers.
As they unearth clues about a mysterious stranger, the Weiss sisters travel to Las Vegas, hoping to find closure. However, they only encounter more questions and confusion as they follow the trail onward to New York… and their mother’s hidden past.
Can Morgan, Charlotte, and Abby survive a revelation that changes everything they hold to be true?
When People Leave is a captivating contemporary novel that explores familial relationships, grief, anger, and resolutions. If you like witty dialogue, drama infused with endearing humor, and strong family dynamics, you’ll love Leslie A. Rasmussen’s thought-provoking story.
Buy When People Leave to confront inner truths today!
About The Stories We Cannot Tell
Rachel is a thirty-year-old married, Jewish woman who’s wanted a baby for a long time. Katie’s a thirty-two-year-old single, Catholic woman who has been trying to find a man who’ll stick around. We follow the women individually as they find themselves pregnant, Rachel happily, Katie, not. As they enter their second trimester, they’re shocked to hear that there’s something very wrong with the babies they’re carrying. The women meet in a support group and help each other through not only the excruciating decision they need to make, but through the issues that come with making that decision. They form a tight bond and uncover surprising connections. The Stories We Cannot Tell explores pregnancy, love, hope, and family.
Author Interview - Leslie A. Rasmussen
Author I draw inspiration from:
2025: Jodi Picoult - "Mad Honey"
2023: Taylor Jenkins Reid
Author Interview - Leslie A. Rasmussen | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
2025: On my family room couch with my dog next to me.
2023: Curled up on my living room couch with my dog at my feet.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
2025: Evelyn Hugo from "The Seven Husband of Evelyn Hugo" by Taylor Jenkins Reid
2023: Evelyn Hugo, The 7 Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Author Interview - Leslie A. Rasmussen | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
2025: I had been a tv writer in the past, so I loved writing, but when I had my children, I stopped for a while and opened my own business. It wasn't until I met a writing coach at a conference that I decided to try writing a book.
2023: When I was in elementary school, I loved writing stories and making movies, but I didn't realize I wanted to be an author until I went to a writing conference and heard Dani Shapiro talk about writing.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
2025: Paperback
2023: Paperback
The last book I read:
2025: "All The Colors of The Dark" by Chris Whitaker
2023: Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
Author Interview - Leslie A. Rasmussen | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
2025: If a scene is going to be very difficult to write, I use pen and paper and then put it on the computer. If it is one that I feel will be easier, I write the entire thing on the computer, then print it, edit it, and reinput it.
2023: Both. I often write scenes on a notepad, then rewrite them on the computer. Once they are on the computer, I print them and rewrite them with pen and paper, then reinput them.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
2025: Phoebe Stone from The Wedding People. I thought she was a realistic character and I related to how she lived her life and how she found her voice.
2023: Sally Miltz, Romantic Comedy
Author Interview - Leslie A. Rasmussen | Book character I think I’d be best friends with
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
2025: A marriage and family counselor.
2023: Marriage, Family and Child Therapist
Favorite decade in fashion history:
2025: I loved 1970's and the crochet halter tops we used to wear, although you wouldn't catch me in one today.
2023: 1970's. I loved my crochet halter tops, although you wouldn't catch me dead in one now. LOL
Place I’d most like to travel:
2025: I'd like to go on safari in Africa
2023: I'd love to go to Italy. I had a trip planned and then Covid hit.
My signature drink:
2025: Mojito
2023: Raspberry Mojito
Favorite artist:
2025: Mary Cassatt
2023: Mary Cassatt
Number one on my bucket list:
2025: To learn Pickle Ball, since everyone I know is playing it.
2023: Going on an African Safari
Anything else you'd like to add:
2025: Thank you, Ashley, you are so supportive of authors and I can't thank you enough.
2023: You interviewed me for my debut novel, "After Happily Ever After" and I loved working with you.
Find more from the author:
https://www.lesliearasmussen.com
https://www.facebook.com/lesliearasmussenauthor
https://www.instagram.com/leslierauthor
About Leslie A. Rasmussen:
Author Interview with Leslie A. Rasmussen
Leslie A. Rasmussen was born and raised in Los Angeles and graduated from UCLA. She went on to write television comedies for Gerald McRaney, Burt Reynolds, Roseanne Barr, Norm McDonald, Drew Carey, The Wild Thornberrys, and Sweet Valley High. After leaving the business to raise her boys, Leslie obtained a master's degree in nutrition and ran her own business for ten years. Leslie has been published in the Huffington Post over twenty times and speaks on panels discussing female empowerment. She’s a member of The Writers Guild of America, Women in Film, and The UCLA Alumni Association. After Happily Ever After is Leslie’s debut novel and has won over fifteen awards, and her second novel, The Stories We Cannot Tell, has won eleven awards, and she’s been interviewed about it on NPR and XM radio. Leslie’s newest novel, When People Leave, will be published on May 6th, 2025. When Leslie isn’t writing, she loves reading, exercising, and spending time with friends. Leslie lives in Southern California with her husband and two sons.
