Good Morning, Booklovers!
Grab you favorite beverage and join us for this week’s Coffee Chat with author PJ Sharon and check out her featured YA novella, Broken Angel.
Nice to have you with us, PJ. What may I get you to drink?
PJ: I drink tea and enjoy English or Irish Breakfast in the morning and herbal teas at night. Raspberry or Lemon Ginger with local honey are my favorites!
Ally: Tea it is. While I fill our mugs, please tell readers something about yourself.
Grab you favorite beverage and join us for this week’s Coffee Chat with author PJ Sharon and check out her featured YA novella, Broken Angel.
Nice to have you with us, PJ. What may I get you to drink?
PJ: I drink tea and enjoy English or Irish Breakfast in the morning and herbal teas at night. Raspberry or Lemon Ginger with local honey are my favorites!
Ally: Tea it is. While I fill our mugs, please tell readers something about yourself.
Bio:
In addition to her day job as a Massage Therapist, PJ Sharon is an award-winning author of young adult books, including the contemporary novels PIECES of LOVE, HEAVEN is for HEROES, ON THIN ICE, and Holt Medallion winner SAVAGE CINDERELLA. Follow the Savage Cinderella Novella Series with FINDING HOPE, LOST BOYS, SACRED GROUND and her latest release, BROKEN ANGEL. Or enjoy her YA dystopian trilogy, The Chronicles of Lily Carmichael, which RT Book Reviews calls “An action-packed read with a strong female lead.”
A black belt in the art of Shaolin Kempo Karate, avid kayaker, and singer of Italian art songs, PJ has two grown sons and lives with her husband in the Berkshire Hills of Western MA where she writes YA…because every teen deserves a hopefully ever after.
Something unique that isn’t in my regular bio: “I was a competitive figure skater and taught learn to skate and power skating lessons for over twenty-five years.”
Social media and contact info:
Website: http://www.pjsharon.com
Follow PJ on Twitter: @pjsharon http://www.twitter.com/pjsharon
“Like” PJ on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pjsharonbooks
Find PJ on Amazon’s Author Central page: http://www.amazon.com/PJ-Sharon/e/B005ONR4IY/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/PJSharon
Signup for PJ’s Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bm7rj5
In addition to her day job as a Massage Therapist, PJ Sharon is an award-winning author of young adult books, including the contemporary novels PIECES of LOVE, HEAVEN is for HEROES, ON THIN ICE, and Holt Medallion winner SAVAGE CINDERELLA. Follow the Savage Cinderella Novella Series with FINDING HOPE, LOST BOYS, SACRED GROUND and her latest release, BROKEN ANGEL. Or enjoy her YA dystopian trilogy, The Chronicles of Lily Carmichael, which RT Book Reviews calls “An action-packed read with a strong female lead.”
A black belt in the art of Shaolin Kempo Karate, avid kayaker, and singer of Italian art songs, PJ has two grown sons and lives with her husband in the Berkshire Hills of Western MA where she writes YA…because every teen deserves a hopefully ever after.
Something unique that isn’t in my regular bio: “I was a competitive figure skater and taught learn to skate and power skating lessons for over twenty-five years.”
Social media and contact info:
Website: http://www.pjsharon.com
Follow PJ on Twitter: @pjsharon http://www.twitter.com/pjsharon
“Like” PJ on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pjsharonbooks
Find PJ on Amazon’s Author Central page: http://www.amazon.com/PJ-Sharon/e/B005ONR4IY/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/PJSharon
Signup for PJ’s Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bm7rj5
INTERVIEW:
Ally: Let’s start with talking about research. Do you enjoy it? Does your genre require it?
PJ: I think every book requires some amount of research. It’s definitely one of my favorite parts of the writing process—when it’s not being used as a procrastination device…ehem. Not that I ever allow myself to be distracted from my writing, lol. But good research can make or break a book. I’m always afraid someone who knows more about a topic than I do will read and fact-check my books and give me a scathing review if I don’t get something right, lol. Something as simple as calling a Marine a “soldier” can cause a reader to call you out on social media…lesson learned! A Marine is always a Marine!
Ally: Do the people in your real life show up in your writing? Be honest now. :)
PJ: Absolutely! It’s impossible not to draw from our real-life experiences, and that includes using interesting features and quirky characteristics from people we know. I try not to make it too obvious, but sometimes memorable and unique traits are too good to pass up. I think it helps bring my characters to life and gives them more personality when I can visualize a real person as I write. Of course, the characters on the page take on a life of their own and seem to define themselves as individuals as the story progresses. Hopefully, by stories’ end, no one is the wiser😊
Ally: Have you written or considered writing in other genres or other forms, such as short stories or screenplays? Would they be easier, harder, or just different?
PJ: Writing screen-plays might be fun! I’m currently working on a series of novellas, which I love writing. They’re straightforward with not much opportunity for subplots, but the storytelling is very streamlined and fast paced, which is great for a series. It’s like writing episodes for a TV show. I do miss writing the more complex plot of full-length novels and look forward to returning to that medium.
I also have a non-fiction title, OVERCOME YOUR SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE, that showcases my health and wellness background. It’s loaded with tips for healthy living and was a labor of love that took me a full year to complete (I can usually produce a novel in about 9 months). I was surprised at how different and challenging writing non-fiction was, but I thoroughly enjoyed the process.
I think I’d like to move away from writing YA/NA in the future and perhaps write a women’s fiction or literary fiction novel when I’m ready to sink my teeth into a new challenge. I have several old manuscripts on my hard drive (2 paranormal and 2 adult romantic suspense novels) I’d like to revisit as well.
Ally: What’s the most meaningful thing a fan could say about your book?
PJ: I love it when a reader lets me know that my story touched their life in some way. So much research, time, effort, and emotion go into the writing process, and I always want readers to come away feeling uplifted in some way, so when someone takes the time to read, review, or otherwise comment that they loved the story, it totally makes the struggle worthwhile.
Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
PJ: I just had a release day yesterday for BROKEN ANGEL (Bk 4 in the Savage Cinderella Novella Series), so my next project is to get started on book 5 in the series. I have it plotted but haven’t come up with a title yet. I’m hoping to have it out by end of summer, 2019! As of now that’s the last novella planned for the series and then I’ll have to decide what’s next after that.
Ally: Get ready, I’m going to give you five quick answer questions.
Ally: Let’s start with talking about research. Do you enjoy it? Does your genre require it?
PJ: I think every book requires some amount of research. It’s definitely one of my favorite parts of the writing process—when it’s not being used as a procrastination device…ehem. Not that I ever allow myself to be distracted from my writing, lol. But good research can make or break a book. I’m always afraid someone who knows more about a topic than I do will read and fact-check my books and give me a scathing review if I don’t get something right, lol. Something as simple as calling a Marine a “soldier” can cause a reader to call you out on social media…lesson learned! A Marine is always a Marine!
Ally: Do the people in your real life show up in your writing? Be honest now. :)
PJ: Absolutely! It’s impossible not to draw from our real-life experiences, and that includes using interesting features and quirky characteristics from people we know. I try not to make it too obvious, but sometimes memorable and unique traits are too good to pass up. I think it helps bring my characters to life and gives them more personality when I can visualize a real person as I write. Of course, the characters on the page take on a life of their own and seem to define themselves as individuals as the story progresses. Hopefully, by stories’ end, no one is the wiser😊
Ally: Have you written or considered writing in other genres or other forms, such as short stories or screenplays? Would they be easier, harder, or just different?
PJ: Writing screen-plays might be fun! I’m currently working on a series of novellas, which I love writing. They’re straightforward with not much opportunity for subplots, but the storytelling is very streamlined and fast paced, which is great for a series. It’s like writing episodes for a TV show. I do miss writing the more complex plot of full-length novels and look forward to returning to that medium.
I also have a non-fiction title, OVERCOME YOUR SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE, that showcases my health and wellness background. It’s loaded with tips for healthy living and was a labor of love that took me a full year to complete (I can usually produce a novel in about 9 months). I was surprised at how different and challenging writing non-fiction was, but I thoroughly enjoyed the process.
I think I’d like to move away from writing YA/NA in the future and perhaps write a women’s fiction or literary fiction novel when I’m ready to sink my teeth into a new challenge. I have several old manuscripts on my hard drive (2 paranormal and 2 adult romantic suspense novels) I’d like to revisit as well.
Ally: What’s the most meaningful thing a fan could say about your book?
PJ: I love it when a reader lets me know that my story touched their life in some way. So much research, time, effort, and emotion go into the writing process, and I always want readers to come away feeling uplifted in some way, so when someone takes the time to read, review, or otherwise comment that they loved the story, it totally makes the struggle worthwhile.
Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
PJ: I just had a release day yesterday for BROKEN ANGEL (Bk 4 in the Savage Cinderella Novella Series), so my next project is to get started on book 5 in the series. I have it plotted but haven’t come up with a title yet. I’m hoping to have it out by end of summer, 2019! As of now that’s the last novella planned for the series and then I’ll have to decide what’s next after that.
Ally: Get ready, I’m going to give you five quick answer questions.
- a. An author you’d love to take to lunch: Diana Gabaldon, of OUTLANDER fame. So many questions…
- b. An item on your bucket list: See above, lol. Just kidding. Um…I’d have to say, visiting Scotland, Ireland, and England. I feel like I must have been there in a previous life since I’m so drawn to the history and culture.
- c. Do you believe in love at first sight? Of course! I don’t think I could write romance if I didn’t.
- d. Last book that made you laugh. Anything by Kristan Higgins.
- e. Last book that made you cry. Anything by Kristan Higgins, lol. Seriously though, I just finished reading a Sarah Dessen novel called ONCE and for ALL, which totally made me both laugh and cry.
Broken Angel (A Savage Cinderella novella, book four)
Genre: YA/NA suspense
Rating: PG-13
Blurb:
Turning twenty should be cause for celebration, but for Brinn Hathaway—kidnap survivor turned rookie cop—all she wants is to be alone. At least that’s the plan when she hikes off into the North Georgia High Country, desperately in need of respite from the complexities of relationships in the so called “civilized” world. With two guys taking up so much space in her head—and her heart—Brinn finds the call of the wild and the company of her trusty canine partner, Eliot, a balm to her soul. But going back to the cabin she spent eight long winters in may not be exactly the restful haven she hoped for.
When Brinn stumbles upon a young woman trapped in a desperate situation, she can’t help but get involved. Leaving the girl in the hands of two drug dealing brothers isn’t what a good cop would do, no matter the risk. With no time to call for back-up, Brinn is forced to take on the ruthless duo on her own. But after a failed rescue attempt, she soon finds herself in way over her head with no help in sight.
Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Broken-Angel-Savage-Cinderella-Novella-ebook/dp/B07L5PMVS3
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