Press Release

Through an intergenerational friendship, ‘The Unexpected Connection’ explores the challenges of dating at every age  

Dena Levin announces publication of her first novel

NEW YORK – It is the age of the woman. Today, women are revealing the emotional, physical and sexual abuses that they have been subjected to in social and workplace environments. What they say is now acknowledged as truths. After becoming a widow, Dena Levin contemplated how a woman can survive dating and find happiness. This question became the impetus for her novel. In her debut novel, “The Unexpected Connection: A Novel” (published by Archway Publishing), Levin reinforces that, especially when dating, women today cannot allow themselves to be denigrated, must value their self-worth, and men must respect women. The book is available for purchase at: https://www.amazon.com/Unexpected-Connection-Dena-Levin/dp/1480868590.

In “The Unexpected Connection,” millennial Vanessa makes an unexpected friend at her grandmother’s pool in Florida with widow and baby boomer Michelle. After overhearing Michelle’s phone conversation, Vanessa learns Michelle is trying online dating. Still single and recovering from her own loss, Vanessa feels a connection. Similar in many ways, the two become fast friends. For Michelle, being single, no matter what age, is a roller coaster: one can accept the excitement and unpredictability or get off the ride. Michelle has learned to embrace the ride, and encourages Vanessa to do the same. Michelle’s insights and optimism affect the decisions Vanessa makes about the changes that await her at home. Surviving life is a challenge, but to thrive, Vanessa must find her authentic self, all with the help of the serendipitous friendship she found by a Florida pool.

Levin says, “I would like the readers to admire the two protagonists, root for their happiness, enjoy their intergenerational friendship, and value their own self-worth while loving without fear and living with arms wide open!”

Praise for “The Unexpected Connection”:“The book-within-a-book device offers not only comic relief, but insights into Gray Dating, while sparing us chapter after chapter of flashbacks.”―Lorraine Duffy Merkl, author, ourtownny.co

“The Unexpected Connection”

By Dena Levin

Hardcover | 6 x 9 in | 386 pages | ISBN 9781480868601

Softcover | 6 x 9 in | 386 pages | ISBN 9781480868595

E-Book | 386 pages | ISBN 9781480868618

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Dena Levin is a New Yorker who received her Masters of Science from the City University of New York’s Brooklyn College. She is a speech and language pathologist, writer and artist. She is the mother of four and grandmother of five. “The Unexpected Connection” is her first novel, but she is currently working on a children’s book. Levin is also the author of the stage play “Keep Walking.” Interested parties may contact her by email at writer@denalevin.com.