By: Alan Clarke

A New Kind of Love Story

Bestselling author Patricia Leavy returns with Shooting Stars Above, a romance novel that offers a refreshing take on the genre, delivering an emotional and healing experience for readers. As the first installment in The Celestial Bodies Romances, this poignant love story follows Tess Lee, an acclaimed novelist, and Jack Miller, a federal agent burdened by past trauma. Together, they embark on a journey of love, redemption, and healing—one that reminds readers that love is not just something we feel or say, but something we actively do.

With Shooting Stars Above, Leavy challenges the contemporary romance landscape by presenting a story without toxicity, manipulation, or misunderstandings. Instead, she showcases a relationship built on kindness, mutual support, and emotional depth. “This is a book about good people,” Leavy explains. “They are hurt, but they do not hurt others. They don’t play games. They love with everything they have.”

A Story Years in the Making

While the novel came to Leavy in a flash of inspiration, its origins extend back decades. “When I was ten years old, I tried to write a novel,” she recalls. “It was a love story about two people who help each other heal. I wasn’t able to finish it at the time—hey, I was only ten—but the idea stayed with me.” Years later, a moment of clarity struck while she gazed at the night sky from her balcony. “Like a bolt, Shooting Stars Above came to me as a complete book, which was different from all my previous books. I wrote the first draft in only ten days, completely immersed in the story world. It was magical.” She believes this novel is a continuation of the story she once tried to write as a child.

From Standalone Novel to Expansive Series

Initially conceived as a standalone story, Shooting Stars Above quickly evolved into something bigger. “After I finished writing it, I felt incredibly emotionally drained,” Leavy shares. “The experience had been completely immersive. It was my favorite thing I’d ever written, and I loved the characters so much that I longed to spend more time with them.” Within a day, inspiration struck again, leading to the second book in what is now The Celestial Bodies Romances. To date, six books have been written, with one planned for release every spring.

Balancing Darkness and Light

At its core, Shooting Stars Above is a story about learning to walk through darkness to find the light. While the novel explores love and joy, it also delves into themes of trauma and healing. One of the most emotionally challenging parts to write was a chapter dealing with PTSD. “It was important to get that right, and I took it very seriously,” Leavy says. “Context is everything when addressing sensitive topics. After such a dramatic part of the book, when is it okay to bring levity back into the story? When is it okay to bring romance back?”

This delicate balance of emotional intensity and uplifting romance is something Leavy hopes would be captured in a film adaptation. “Much could be communicated with lighting, shadow, color, texture, and graininess,” she envisions. “It’s about creating a visual representation of the emotional journey from darkness to light.”

The Power of Literature in Healing

Beyond entertainment, Leavy sees Shooting Stars Above as a novel with the power to heal. “Literature and art can help people feel less alone. It can offer models of healing and hope,” she explains. Tess, the novel’s protagonist, is herself a writer who transforms her pain into stories that inspire others. “I think that’s the real work of novelists.”

Readers have responded to this depth with an outpouring of emotion. Many have shared that the book helped them heal in ways they never expected from a romance novel. Some said it strengthened their relationships, making them more intentional about expressing love and kindness. Others opened up about their own experiences with trauma.

One message in particular left a lasting impact on Leavy. “A woman reached out on social media to tell me she was raped as a teenager and had never told a soul. She said reading this book set something free inside her. She’s seventy-three years old.”

A Different Kind of Contemporary Romance

In an era where many romance novels feature toxic relationships, miscommunication tropes, or contrived conflicts, Shooting Stars Above stands apart. “Many contemporary romance novels involve enemies-to-lovers dynamics, fake relationships that become real, or miscommunication-driven drama,” Leavy says. “This book is different. It’s a celebration of love in all its forms—not just romantic love, but love of friends, chosen family, country, and art.”

Her goal as a writer is to put stories into the world that leave a positive impact. “I think a lot about the messages I send. I feel good about how I’ve used my voice in this novel and in all my romances.”

What Readers Will Take Away

When asked what she hopes lingers in readers’ minds long after they’ve turned the final page, Leavy’s answer is simple yet profound: “Kindness matters. Healing is possible. It’s important to let love into our lives. When that love doesn’t come from people, it can come from a movie, a song, or even a novel.”

Through Shooting Stars Above, Patricia Leavy has created not just a love story, but a literary embrace—a novel that reminds us that love, in all its forms, is the most powerful force of all.

“Get your copy of Shooting Stars Above—available now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and more!”

Published by Joseph T.