"To find out what a story's really about,' the Librarian said,

'you don't ask the writer. You ask the reader."


- SNOW & ROSE by Emily Winfield Martin


Wednesday, September 17, 2014

2014 Debut Authors Bash (Interview): IF ONLY by A.J. Pine (NA)


by A.J. Pine
Release date: March 24th, 2014
Published by: Entangled (Embrace) Publishing
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Format: Paperback, eBook
Format read: eBook I purchased. 


SUMMARY

Sometimes it takes crossing an ocean to figure out where you belong.

It's been two years since twenty-year-old Jordan had a boyfriend — which means it's been forever since she, well, you know. But now she’s off to spend her junior year in Aberdeen, Scotland, the perfect place to stop waiting for Mr. Right and just enjoy Mr. Right Now.

Sexy, sweet (and possible player) Griffin may be her perfect, no-strings-attached match. He’s fun, gorgeous, and makes her laugh. So why can’t she stop thinking about Noah who, minutes after being trapped together outside the train’s loo, kisses Jordan like she’s never been kissed before? Never mind his impossible blue eyes, his weathered, annotated copy of The Great Gatsby (total English-major porn)… oh, and his girlfriend.

Jordan knows everything this year has an expiration date. Aberdeen is supposed to be about fun rather than waiting for life to happen. But E. M. Forster, Shakespeare, and mistletoe on Valentine’s Day make her reconsider what love is and how far she’s willing to go for the right guy.




INTERVIEW with A.J. Pine

*When did you start reading and writing?
I have always been a reader, but the writing really only started to kick in a few years ago. I’d find myself finishing a book I loved and wanting to write something I’d love just as much. So three years ago I decided to jump in and try writing a novel. That novel isn’t published, but it served it’s purpose--letting me know I didn’t just enjoy writing. It was something I needed to do.

*What were you like as a teen?
SUPER shy. Omigod, like so painfully shy. I should have been writing back then. Imagine the angst! Haha.
*What is your favorite genre to read at the moment?
I read everything from contemporary to fantasy, but what’s most important is for the story to have a romance arc. I love love.

*When and how did you get the idea for IF ONLY?
IF ONLY is very loosely based on my junior year that I spent at Aberdeen University in Scotland. After I started reading New Adult contemporary romance, I was like, YES. I have a story to tell!

*Where did you write IF ONLY?
On my laptop? Haha. Oh, also on my super comfy, hard-not-to-fall-asleep-on, leather recliner couch. I’m so not a desk girl.

*Did you have any say in the cover design?
I did! Entangled Embrace, my publisher, was fantastic about asking for input from me, and I have to say, what my cover designer, Jessica Cantor, did, was exactly the tone and look I envisioned.

*Is there another book in the works? If so, what can we expect?
YES! Book two in the IF ONLY duology, tentatively titled REMEMBER YESTERDAY, should be releasing this fall. No official release date yet until we get through edits. This book, a companion rather than sequel, takes place almost two years after IF ONLY ends and tells the story of a character who leaves IF ONLY about halfway through.

*Dark chocolate or milk chocolate?
MILK. No question.

*Fruit or vegetables?
Vegetables

*Cats or dogs?
Cats - so low maintenance even if they look down on me with disdain (I have two).

*Hardcover, paperback or ebook?
This is tough. I read them all. To have on my shelf, I love to have hardcover. But my favorite way to read is actually listening to audio books.

*Movie?
Just one? Um...Moulin Rouge.

*Ice cream flavor?
Healthy frozen yogurt loaded with unhealthy toppings.

*Social media site?
Twitter

*Animal?
Does Ewan McGregor count? He’s my spirit animal. Otherwise, cat.

*Book?
Eeek! This is so not fair. I will say one only because it says book and not books, and I am going to follow the rules, but know that there is quite the list in my head. :)
Right now, the book that just gets me at my core, that I still reread every now and then, is the gorgeous YA novel, JELLICOE ROAD, by Melina Marchetta.





ABOUT THE AUTHOR - A.J. Pine

AJ Pine  writes stories to break readers’ hearts, but don’t worry — she’ll mend them with a happily ever after. As an English teacher and a librarian, AJ has always surrounded herself with books. All her favorites have one big commonality – romance. Naturally, her books have the same. When she’s not writing, she’s of course reading. Then there’s online shopping (everything from groceries to shoes) and, of course, a tiny bit of TV where she nourishes her undying love of vampires, from Eric Northman to the Salvatore brothers. And in the midst of all of this, you’ll also find her hanging with her family in the Chicago burbs.


2 comments:

  1. Thanks for having me, Margie! IF ONLY's book 2 is in the final stages of edits and was recently re-titled as WHAT IF? Can't wait to share the release date soon! :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sounds like a cute read...and a cat lover gets extra points with me:)

    ReplyDelete

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