Category: Books (Page 55 of 81)

Overcoming Fears with Kai Strand Author of Worth the Effort: Ella’s Story

May 9, 2014 / Katie L. Carroll

I’m very pleased to welcome back Kai Strand, who is celebrating the release of her YA contemporary novella Worth the Effort: Ella’s Story (see my 5-star Goodreads review here). She is discussing a topic near and dear to every writer: overcoming fears! Kai is also offering up a nice giveaway, so make sure to enter at the end of the post.

Overcoming Your Fears

By Kai Strand

In my newly released novella, Worth the Effort: Ella’s Story, Ella has to face a fear she wasn’t even aware of prior to meeting Ayden.

Ella is a senior in high school. She has a part-time job as a barista at a café downtown. She prefers to work the opening shift – you know, to get work over with for the day. For the two years she has worked at Read Between the Beans, she’s never once felt vulnerable until the morning she bops up to the backdoor of the restaurant and finds someone sleeping in the shadows next to the dumpster.

But realizing how vulnerable she is, all alone at four in the morning, isn’t even what scares her the most. It’s the fact that the homeless person sleeping in her alley is a seventeen-year-old boy. Ella hadn’t realized there were homeless kids, nor did she realize how terrified she was of them.

Just like Ella has to face her fear in her story, I had to face mine to make it available for your reading pleasure.

I was always terrified of self-publishing. Over the past few years the role of indie author has exploded until it seems like everyone is doing it. But still I resisted. Because I was scared to death. Afraid I’d look like a hack. Terrified I’d make a mistake. Worried I wouldn’t sell any copies and waste all that time, effort, and money.

But the more I watched the industry evolve (not that it is finished evolving, by any means) the more I realized that I wanted my career to stretch across all publishing opportunities and that meant self-publishing. So not only did I write the story, but I studied how to self publish, asked questions of more experienced authors, learned a formatting software (well, still learning it, actually), and forced myself to keep moving forward.

There were a couple times during the process that I almost quit. I almost decided to submit the novella to a small press for consideration. If it was accepted, they could do the hard work. Even now that the book is out there, my stomach still squirms. But I remind myself that I love public speaking even though I get all squirmy-bellied before each gig, and maybe self-publishing will be like that too.

So writing and publishing Ella’s Story was an exercise in both Ella and I facing our fears. Have you faced a fear? Did you succeed? Did you have to try again? Or do you have a fear you want to face?

About Worth the Effort: Ella’s Story:

Ella Jones is a coward. There is a teen boy living in the alley behind her work and she is terrified of him.

Desperate to leave behind the stereotypical and judgmental world she was raised in, Ella forces herself to make a true connection with seventeen-year-old Ayden Worth. As their friendship grows Ayden’s quiet, gentle ways teach her true courage.

But there’s more to Ayden’s story than Ella knows. When their worlds collide in the most unexpected place, Ella feels betrayed. Will she find the courage to learn who Ayden really is, or will she determine he’s not worth the effort?

Amazon, Goodreads

About the Author:

When her children were young and the electricity winked out, Kai Strand gathered her family around the fireplace and they told stories, one sentence at a time. Her boys were rather fond of the ending, “And then everybody died. The end.” Now an award winning children’s author, Kai crafts fiction for kids and teens to provide an escape hatch from their reality. With a selection of novels for young adult and middle grade readers and short stories for the younger ones, Kai entertains children of all ages, and their adults. Learn more about Kai and her books on her website, www.kaistrand.com.

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Females in YA: Part 7 Unlikable Girls

May 7, 2014 / Katie L. Carroll

In my Internet trolling, I’ve come across so many articles recently related to females in YA or women in writing. They’ve inspired a lot of thoughts and I was going to do a quick round-up (with a few of those thoughts) today. But then I started writing about one article and came across some more related articles (as tends to happen in the wormhole of the Interweb) and it turned into enough material for an entire blog post. So I guess those other articles will have to wait until another day to have their moment on my blog.

This post in particular was inspired in part by the article “Why Talking About Girl Really Matters” on Stacked Books. The article begins with the thought that we need to talk about girls reading and ways to encourage them to read (not just focus on getting the so-called reluctant demographic of boys reading).

The part of the article that really struck me was this statement, “Girls are as complex as boys, but so often, we let girls be placed into one of two categories, based entirely on our preferences: likable or unlikable.These aren’t critiques of story nor are they critiques of character. They are preferences. There’s nothing wrong with preferring a likable or unlikable character, but there is something wrong when that becomes the means through which we critique a story and thus the way that we then present those stories to readers — especially to girl readers who may identify as unlikable or as likable vis a vis those books.”

I can look to my own character Katora in my YA fantasy Elixir Bound. In reader reviews, she has been called self-centered, couldn’t quite be liked by the reader, whiny, selfish, a bit of a pill, stubborn, and a control freak. Yikes! Based on those comments alone, I’d probably make some pretty harsh judgments on Katora.

Yet one reviewer said Katora was her favorite character because she was strong-willed and the novel benefited from Katora’s personality, another adored her, and a third was enchanted by her. She is also described as driven, hard working, likable, a great heroine, having a side of her that really cares for her siblings, self-dependent, strong, and brave. A bit of a different picture of the character of Katora.

(Please note that I appreciate all reviews written of my book, even the unfavorable ones. I’m not saying any of these reviewers are wrong—and many of them mentioned liking her even though they also used unfavorable descriptions, some of the positive and negative descriptions came from a single reviewer—just pointing out that my beloved character can be seen as unlikable by some standards.)

Given in many ways that Katora is a reflection of myself (in a weird fictional way), I could take that to mean that people see me as unlikable. Yikes again! Now what if a teenage girl saw something of herself in Katora and then read a review that described Katora as unlikable or selfish or something much worse. She might make the mistake of thinking herself unlikable or worse. Triple yikes!

I can think of many YA books in which I didn’t always “like” the female character at some point in the book (one in particular that comes to mind is Samantha in Lauren Oliver’s Before I Fall), but that didn’t mean I didn’t “like” her in general. Usually a “dislike” moment stemmed from some action she took. In the case of Samantha, she is a popular girl who doesn’t always treat people nicely, but there are many sides to her and part of her journey is learning to treat others better.

So just because Samantha had “unlikable” moments didn’t mean she wasn’t a good character lacking any redeemable qualities, and it certainly didn’t make for a bad book. In fact, Before I Fall was one of my favorite books that year and came highly recommended. Again, it comes back to the fact that so much of what is considered likable or unlikable is subjective and not necessarily a good means of evaluating a character or a book.

And if writing good characters is in part writing characters that are dynamic and realistic, then all characters should possess “unlikable” qualities. In fact, a character who is totally likable would probably be pretty boring to read and would ring untrue to life. The best characters have flaws. Maybe we need to rethink the terminology and stop pegging female characters in YA as “likable” or “unlikable” because those terms hardly encompass what a character’s (or person’s) true personality is.

What females in YA have you found to be either likable or unlikable (or both)?

For more reading on this topic, check out:

“The Girl Myth in YA (And Beyond)” on Book Riot

“UNLIKABLE FEMALE CHARACTERS IN YA FICTION: A READING LIST” on Stacked Books

“Boys Will Be Boys, and Girls Will Be Accommodating” by Laurel Snyder

“The 10 Most Annoying Teenagers From Books” on Huff Post Books, though these are not all girl characters and not all from YA books, still a worthy—and fun—read

Meet Fran on the Blog Tour for Impervious by Heather Letto

May 5, 2014 / Katie L. Carroll

I am excited to be a part of the blog tour for Heather Letto’s YA dystopian IMPERVIOUS. In celebration of her debut release, Heather has a special giveaway running. Be sure to check out the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

Impervious Blurb:

The residents of Impervious are the remnant—survivors of the War of Annihilation. And though the city is chockfull of pleasures to tantalize and entertain, a beast lurks in its corners haunting the residents with its presence. The Beast—a mysterious and terminal illness―has killed off most of Generations One, Two and Three. And as Gen-Four prepares to take the stage a provocative, yet questionable, new method to avoid an untimely death becomes a cultural rage.

But Fran is counter-cultural. And living off the grid in true rebel fashion, her life is far from opulent. Scurrying through dark tunnels, searching for hot meals and ditching the holographic security team encompass most of her day. However, she views it as a healthy trade-off. Unaccountability means The Council can’t steal her sliver of hope―a belief that she’ll see The Epoch arrive before the beast can pull her into its fetid embrace.

After losing her mother and then her Rebel mentor, however, she grasps painfully onto the splintered sliver, until a new hope is born. First through Pete. And then through a miraculous discovery.

But the question still haunts her…

Can she outrun The Beast?

INTERVIEW WITH FRAN:

Hi all! Heather Letto here with a funny story–I sent Fran an email not too long ago, asking if she wouldn’t mind making an appearance for today’s blog stop. She said, sure… if I was willing to throw a few donuts and a Big Gulp into the kitty.

So, sitting with me today, fresh out of the Impervious air vents, with a box of Dunkin’s finest in her lap, would you welcome Gen-Four’s most elusive Rebel, Fran Monde.

Fran: (Waving a chocolate cake donut dipped in sprinkles) Hey.

Heather: Do you mind if I call you Fran or do you prefer Frannie?Fran: (Stuffs donut into her mouth and rolls her eyes.)

Heather: Great. Fran it is. So let’s start with your hometown, Fran. Although it wasn’t your favorite place, I’m sure the readers would love to hear about the city. What can you tell us about the lifestyle of an Impervieite (and yours before you became a Rebel)?

Fran: Well, you might notice as you thumb through my story, food plays a pretty central role in the lives of underground dwellers.

Heather: Duly noted. Why is that?

Fran: (Shrugs) I’m not sure how to explain it. I was just always hungry underground.

Heather: And obviously still are. (chuckles)

Fran: (Snarky laugh.) Maybe it’s because there’s really not much to do. It’s kind of boring actually. I spent a lot of my free time as a kid just wandering the Agora, snacking, gaming… that’s about it.

Heather: Hmm. Fair enough. What about Pete?

Fran: (Stuffs the remainder of the donut into her mouth and licks each finger) What about him?

Heather: Like him?

Fran: Duh.

Heather: Love him?

Fran: Sheesh. No comment. (Grabs second donut.)

Heather: Okay, how about that weird name your brother called you? Some sort of worm?

Fran: Wickworm?

Heather: Yes, that’s it. What’s that all about?

Fran: Well, if you Google the word, you’d see that A Wickworm is a worm, or parasite, that
lives in the intestines of an animal. You may not be aware of this, but the air vents of impervious are kind of like the guts of the city… therefore—

Heather: Ah yes…. You’d be the worm.

Fran: Exactly. (Winks at me.)

Heather: Listen, I know you don’t have a lot of time here today, but I do have one final question that I think a lot of the readers would want to know.

Fran: (Nods her head) I’m listening.

Heather: Retter. Is there a crush happening there?

Fran: (Face blossoms into a cherry) Nah. Ret’s just a guy. Well, a very muscular guy. With tawny eyes….

Heather: (snapping fingers) Hello? You still with us, Fran?

Fran: I gotta go. (grabs box of donuts and stomps off).

Heather: (Clears throat.) Well. Thanks, Fran, for gracing us with your presence. (Sighs)

About Heather Letto:

Heather considers herself but a worker in the field with a desire to share truth through the art of good story. In real life, she’s the proud mother of two grown sons and lives part-time in Northern Illinois with her husband, but scurries off to warmer climates when the mercury takes a dive on the thermometer. As well as The Ascension Series, Heather contributes to WHOAwomen magazine, The Fit Christian, Tween Girls and God, Devotion Magazine as well as Swagga for Christ Ministry.

Impervious is available in

e-book and paperback at:

AMAZON

Barnes and Noble

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Meet Christopher Mannino Author of School of Deaths

May 2, 2014 / Katie L. Carroll

Today’s guest post brings you an interview with Christopher Mannino as he celebrates the release of his YA fantasy School of Deaths. Welcome and happy book b-day, Christopher!

What inspired you to write School of Deaths?

The idea for School of Deaths emerged when I was finishing my graduate degree at Oxford University. I spent four months abroad, far from everyone I knew. Every week, I traveled somewhere I had never been before. I would climb castle ruins in Wales and visit cathedrals in England. One of my favorite trips was to Tintagel Castle in Cornwall. I crept to the cliff face of Barras Nose, a stony peninsula jutting into the North Sea and overlooking the ruins of Tintagel, which some believe to be the birthplace of King Arthur. It was dawn, there were no other people in sight, and I had to struggle against the wind, fighting to keep my balance so I didn’t crash into the ocean. I imagined being buffeted by winds, alone, and what that would do to a character. That’s how I came up with the character of Suzie, alone in a world of men, buffeted by sexism.

Returning to Oxford, I envisioned Suzie alone in a strange school. The idea of a school of trained Reapers appealed to me, giving a fantasy edge to her story. In an early draft, the school of deaths resembled Oxford. However a beta reader told me, very correctly, that Oxford was the inspiration for JK Rowling’s Harry Potter series. I eventually changed the setting drastically to avoid that parallel.

What book had the most influence on you while growing up?

J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy was my first taste of high fantasy. I read the series when I was eight, and by the time I was fourteen had re-read the series twice more. I’d already been an avid reader, but something about Middle Earth appealed to me deeply, and it remains one of my favorite novels to this day.

In seventh grade, I was given a writing assignment where we had to create an original short story mimicking the style of one of our favorite authors. Essentially, we were writing fan fiction, though none of us knew that term at the time. My piece was a short story about the lost Entwives, and what occurred after they left Fangorn. It was my first time writing anything creative that I enjoyed.

Years later, in Oxford, I was surrounded by Tolkien’s actual home. Oxford was where he lived and taught, along with other writers such as CS Lewis and Philip Pullman. I joined the Oxford Tolkien Society, and often ate at the Eagle and Child pub (where the Inklings, a group of writers including Tolkien and Lewis, would exchange ideas). For me to start my stories there was only appropriate.

What is your favorite part of the writing process? What is your least favorite part?

I love to dream. My favorite part of the writing process is the very beginning, when an initial idea worms its way out of my subconscious and into my thoughts. As I work on the first draft, I enjoy seeing that idea grow, meet other ideas, and change. At this point, the novel is like a movie playing in my mind. Characters act and react with epic music and stunning visual effects. I’m so excited that I want to keep coming back to the keyboard, and keep sharing my ideas.

My least favorite part is all of the things that go with writing that aren’t writing. The long and difficult processes of finding a publisher, and now for marketing are frustrating. The editing phase was not my favorite, but I did enjoy seeing the story improve. With marketing and publishing the idea does not change, and the amount of time required is very high. For people such as myself, who work full-time jobs, the time spent on elements of the writing process that do not involve writing is an annoyance.

How has your work with high school theatre influenced your writing?

I am fortunate enough to be pursuing both of my dreams. Theatre and writing are two of my greatest passions. One way teaching has influenced me, is through my daily work with teenagers. I am a young adult author who interacts with actual young adults on a daily basis. This helps me understand their needs, wants, and desires better than authors who do not work with kids. Theatre is also highly creative. I see the world in a slightly different way thanks to theatre, and the use this ability to create abstract visualizations when writing.

On the other hand, my job makes writing more difficult at times. I am usually the first teacher to school and the last one to leave, because of the many theatre programs I run. Time is not my ally, and I struggle to find time to write. Most of my first drafts are done purely in summer vacations.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

Shape changing appeals to me a lot. I’d love to take the form of a bird and soar through the sky, or dive deep under the ocean as a fish. Shape-changing is the most fun power I can envision. However, if I had to pick the most practical superpower, it be the ability to manipulate time. If I could have infinite time to get things done, or perhaps travel through time, my life would be drastically different.

What is something funny/weird/exceptional about yourself that you don’t normally share with others in an interview?

Ok, I did share this in one other interview, but it’s the funniest thing I can think of.

I once saw a dinosaur fly. It’s actually one of my earliest memories. When I was about four, my parents brought my brother and me to a park by the Charles River in Boston (where we lived). I was pushing and pulling on my brother’s stroller, then yelled and pointed towards the river. “There’s a dinosaur flying!” I shouted. My dad smiled, rolling his eyes at his son’s already overactive imagination. I pointed again, very insistently. My mother turned and gasped at the brontosaurus hovering above the river. “Told you so,” I said. The life-size model brontosaurus was on its way to the Science Museum, and was being flown by helicopter. It’s a sight I’ll never forget.

School of Deaths blurb:

Can a timid girl find bravery as the first female Death?

Thirteen-year-old Suzie Sarnio always believed the Grim Reaper was a fairy tale image of a skeleton with a scythe. Now, forced to enter the College of Deaths, she finds herself training to bring souls from the Living World to the Hereafter. The task is demanding enough, but as the only female in the all-male College, she quickly becomes a target. Attacked by both classmates and strangers, Suzie is alone in a world where even her teachers want her to fail.

Caught in the middle of a plot to overthrow the World of Deaths, Suzie must uncover the reason she’s been brought there: the first female Death in a million years.

Purchase School of Deaths on the MuseItUp bookstore, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble.

About the Author:

Christopher Mannino’s life is best described as an unending creative outlet. He teaches high school theatre in Greenbelt, Maryland. In addition to his daily drama classes, he runs several after-school performance/production drama groups. He spends his summers writing and singing. Mannino holds a Master of Arts in Theatre Education from Catholic University, and has studied mythology and literature both in America and at Oxford University. His work with young people helped inspire him to write young adult fantasy, although it was his love of reading that truly brought his writing to life.

For more about Christopher and his book check out his website, his blog, Goodreads, Twitter, or Facebook.

Top Ten Places to Visit in Asia from S.J. Pajonas Author of Face Time

April 30, 2014 / Katie L. Carroll

S.J. Pajonas is back on the blog to celebrate the release of her contemporary romance Face Time (Love in the Digital Age #1) (see my 5-star Goodreads review here). On this stop of the tour, organized by Lola’s Blog Tours, catch the travel bug with the top ten places to visit in Asia.You can view the whole blitz schedule here. And don’t forget to enter the giveaway!

I’m really in love with Asia, which will come as no surprise to anyone who knows me or has read my books. Japan is my first love, and I have traveled there, studied their culture and language, and now written three books in a series that’s Japan-inspired. But other parts of Asia are interesting to me too, and I’m dying to travel to most of the places in this list. Parts of FACE TIME take place in Seoul, Korea, and I hope that’s my next stop in East Asia someday. Laura spent a good deal of time in Thailand in her early twenties, and I think I’m actually jealous of her! Yes, it really is possible to be jealous of your own characters.

1. Tokyo, Japan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo) – This would be my first choice in East Asia even though I’ve already been there. Tokyo is so big, so dense, that you could live there your entire life and still only see a fraction of it. It may feel very foreign or it may feel like a second home. Tokyo is polarizing city. Go to Tokyo for the clean and orderly sidewalks and public transportation, the technology, the food, and the absolute in crazy and weird. Where else will you be able to go to a cat cafe or a cafe where you can sleep next to someone for the night (no touching)? http://www.tofugu.com/2012/10/05/japans-weird-themed-cafes/

2. Bangkok, Thailand (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangkok) – I’ve been to Bangkok, and it is an amazing city. It’s definitely not as clean or orderly as Japan, but Thailand has a lot going for it. The Buddhist culture is peaceful and easy to get along with (as long as they’re not in the middle of an uprising). The King of Thailand is benevolent. The food is incredible, and, if you love summer, it’s always hot there. Go to Bangkok for the edge-of-your-seat tuk tuk rides, the giant golden reclining Buddha, the easy access to Southern Thailand and its beaches. Also, your US dollars will go far in Thailand. It’s possible to live cheaply and comfortably there for a long time on very little cash.

3. Seoul, Korea (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seoul) – Just across the water from Japan is Korea, so if you visit one, it’s easy to visit the other. Seoul is another huge metropolis which grew after it hosted the Olympics in 1988 and the FIFA World Cup in 2002. It is also clean and orderly and the public transportation is easy to use. Seoul is one of those cities that blends old and new really well. Ancient temples stand next to office buildings, and there’s always something going on worth watching or visiting. Go to Seoul for the kimchi, the coffee, the soju, and the possibility of being a background extra in a K-drama. Ha! You know you want to.

4. Macau, China (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macau) – Macau is actually in a Special Administrative Region of China like Hong Kong, and I really want to go to Hong Kong as well, but Macau draws my attention because of the gambling. Supposedly it’s bigger than Vegas, and I’m totally intrigued by gambling overseas. The food here is a mix of Chinese and Portuguese, and then there’s also a distinct Macanese cuisines as well. Go to Macau for the unique mix of consumerism, Old World China, baccarat, and clash of cultures.

5. Kyoto, Japan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyoto) – If you want more of the Old World Japan then Kyoto is a better bet than Tokyo. Time has come to a standstill in many areas of Kyoto. This is the city where you can see geisha (known as geiko) walking in the streets to and from parties, ancient Japanese temples and castles, Noh plays and festivals. If you can make it here during hanami season to view the cherry blossoms, you’re in for a treat. Go to Kyoto for a ten-course traditional kaiseki meal, a party with a geisha, and stay in a ryokan. You won’t regret it.

6. Taipei, Taiwan, China (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taipei) – Taipei seems like a fun city, full of fast-moving people and Chinese tradition. It’s well known for its temples, festivals, and food, shopping, and easy public transportation. Go to Taipei for the excellent seafood, the Chinese New Year celebrations, and the hour-long hair washing boutiques. It’s supposedly better than a massage.

7. Beijing, China (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing) – I suppose if you visit one place in China, this should be it. As the capital of PRC, it holds a lot of treasures including access to the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City. Beijing is further to the north in China, so if you don’t like cold weather, you shouldn’t travel in winter. Go to Beijing for the Peking Opera, the chance to stare at Qing Dynasty treasures, and the Beijing Zoo Panda House for pandas!

8. Hanoi, Vietnam (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanoi) – I’m dying to visit Vietnam. Modern Hanoi is colorful and chaotic, and filled with easy things to see and do. We did fight a war there in recent memory, but tourists are still welcome in the country. Vietnam still feels like a closed book to me. My cousin went there a few years ago with his wife who’s Vietnamese, and he was charmed by the people, the food, and architecture of temples and what wasn’t bombed into the ground. Go to Hanoi for the history, the pho and bahn mi, and the chance to ride a scooter with thousands of others through the streets at breakneck speed.

9. Manila, Philippines (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manila) – I don’t know much about the Philippines but I hear it’s awesome there. The capital city of Manila is rich with museums, gorgeous Catholic churches, and a fine array of cuisine from all neighboring regions from China, Thailand, and Malaysia. Watch the sunset on the bay from a rooftop restaurant and then hit the clubs in Makati for dancing and drinking all night long. Go to Manila for the Filipino home cooking at Cafe Juanito, halo-halo, and the Marikina Shoe Museum dedicated to all of Imelda Marcos’s shoes. Yes, a shoe museum.

10. Singapore (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore) – Singapore is its own city-state (as my husband says, like the Vatican) and it’s situated on the Malay penninsula. I know Singapore gets a bad rap for its harsh laws, but I have known people to live there and it’s quite a pleasant and happy place to live. There’s hardly any crime, the streets and surrounding area are clean, the people are hospitable, and the food is amazing. They have these large food courts full of delicious Asian meals (meat, noodles, rice, seafood, you name it). Singapore has plenty of sights to see and lots of religious festivals each year to witness. Go to Singapore for the Merlion, the fish head curry, and the extremely hot climate (if that’s your thing.)

Want to get on a plane now? Tell us where you’d go!

Face Time blurb:

After the best first date ever, Lee thought Laura was funny, intelligent, and impulsive; a whirlwind of bright laughter and happiness. Laura loved Lee’s sweet smile and the way he expertly filled in every awkward pause. He held her hand and then pulled her in for the most perfect kiss she’s had in years. What could possibly be wrong? Just the 7000 miles that separates them the next day.

Even though Lee has gone home to Seoul, Laura can’t stop thinking about him. What starts as an innocent text thanking him for their dinner date becomes something much more: someone either of them can’t live without. But Laura’s got a live-in mother going through a midlife crisis, and Lee’s stressful traveling schedule means they’ll be apart for some time. Life, family, and a complicated past also get in the way, and they’re both going to need actual face time to figure it out.

You can find Face Time (Love in the Digital Age #1) on Goodreads. Purchase Face Time on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iBooks, All Romance ebooks, or Smashwords. Or request a review copy of Face Time through Netgalley: https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/show/id/45757.

Want to know more about Face Time?

– You can listen to the playlist: https://soundcloud.com/spajonas/sets/face-time-a-love-in-the

– Visit the visual inspiration Pinterest board: http://www.pinterest.com/spajonas/face-time-love-in-the-digital-age-1/

– View a teaser trailer from Laura’s point of view: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQeJY3CLLBA

About the Author:

S. J. Pajonas loves all things Asian and has been in love with Japan and the East for as long as she can remember. Writing about Asia and Japan came naturally after studying the culture and language for over fifteen years. She studied film and screenwriting first and eventually segued into fiction once she was no longer working a full-time job.

Face Time is the first novel in the Love in the Digital Age series, and Pajonas’s first foray into Korean culture and families. Along with Removed and Released in the Nogiku Series, she continues to take the cultures of Asia and weave them into stories that appeal to people from around the world. Her writing is described as unique and unpredictable. Expect the unexpected.

Stephanie lives with her husband and two children just outside of New York City. She loves reading, writing, film, J- and K-dramas, knitting, and astrology. Her favorite author is Haruki Murakami and favorite book is The Wind-up Bird Chronicle.

You can find and contact her website, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, Flickr, Instagram, or Tumblr.

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