Authors, Kai Strand & LA Dragoni

I’m starting a new undertaking that I hope you will join me on. I’m re-reading my own published books. Some books I wrote with intention. The desire to share a specific message or the hope to evoke certain emotions. But most of my books were written simply to entertain. With the hope that the reader would smile or laugh, sit on the edge of their seat, or bite their lip in anticipation. And I want to see if my books still do all that for me. So I created a book club. On Goodreads. The idea is that we will all start readng whatever the book of the month is at the same time. I’ll post my progress and share thoughts on passages and invite you to do the same thing. You aren’t required to read at the same pace. You aren’t even required to like the book! But I do ask that you be respectful of me and other readers. If you dislike something, share the information with care and supporting facts. If you are going to disagree with someone’s thoughts on a character or theme,...

Worth the Effort - Ayden's Story turns two years old this month and I'm celebrating by offering it free of charge to subscribers of my newsletter. Ayden's Story has never been offered for free, so this is a big deal! Since Ella's Story is always free to download, this means you can get the entire novella series for absolutely nothing. Seventeen-year-old Ayden Worth shouldn’t have to seek peace of mind in the streets. But as family pressures mount, his anxieties increase, and he turns his back on comfort for a life in homeless camps and back alleys. Then one fateful day he runs into the only person he ever wanted to know better. Ella Jones. His memories paint her as kind and undemanding, and it seems the years haven’t changed her. Her simple expectations draw him to her. Against all odds, a relationship buds and grows. Yet, as Ayden repairs his life, Ella suggests he help others who also struggle. Will Ella turn out to be just like his dad, expecting more...

The tough part of self-publishing is that it all falls to you. ALL being the operative word. Because I publish independently as well as with small press, there is always something going on that gives me an excuse to put off that which I don't know. This is my official excuse for why it took more than a year for me to publish my Worth the Effort series in ePub. But ALAS-the deed is done! And to celebrate, I've decided to offer Ella's Story for free. Forever. Or at least for now, since this industry can change faster than my underwear, which I promise I change daily. Here are the links for the Worth the Effort series on all the major ePub retailers. Ella's Story Barnes & Noble iTunes Kobo Ayden's Story  Barnes & Noble iTunes Kobo And an exciting bonus: while I slept Amazon did their amazing price match thing for Ella's Story and by the time I woke up, she'd already started to climb the charts. Seriously, it'...

Writing is a funny thing. I spend months inside a story—creating, revising, refining—and then it’s published and I don’t see it again. It’s like having a really close friend for a year and then abandoning her. Sure, I have to spend time promoting each story. Most unfortunately, that never stops, but it isn’t the same as when I’m truly inside that story working it. Trying to find the absolute best order for the words so the story creates a physical reaction in the reader. Tears, laughter, racing pulse, gutted emotions, cheers—something, anything, or all of it at one point or the other between the covers. Most recently, I’m missing Cara and Nik from FindingThor . Their relationship isn’t quite as emotional as Ella and Ayden’s from Worth the Effort , but they have a lot more suspense and certainly more humor in their lives and I really miss working with them. Is this why stand alone books become series? The author simply misses her characters and has to discover the next advent...

I'm thrilled to participate in another fun group giveaway. When considering what to share as part of the hop, I considered a story about one of my favorite-ever Christmas gifts--a 3 foot tall, stuffed Snoopy I received when I was four years old. I thought about sharing the story of my husband's and my engagement (during the Christmas holiday.) However, I decided the most fun for both me and you--the reader--would be for me to provide a BONUS WORTH THE EFFORT story. How would Ayden surprise Ella at Christmas? Now you'll know. If  you haven't read my WORTH THE EFFORT series, treat yourself this holiday season by starting with ELLA'S STORY . Can't beat it at less than a dollar! Then be sure to enter to win AYDEN'S STORY as part of the hop - entry below the story. Or just pick it up too from Amazon . Enjoy Ayden's Christmas ! AYDEN'S CHRISTMAS      “Did the blindfold slip? Are you peeking?”      A small smile tipped the ends of Ella’s m...

I'm so excited for the official release of WORTH THE EFFORT: AYDEN'S STORY, the novella duet to ELLA'S STORY . Seventeen-year-old Ayden Worth shouldn’t have to seek peace of mind in the streets. But as family pressures mount, his anxieties increase, and he turns his back on comfort for a life in homeless camps and back alleys. Then one fateful day he runs into the only person he ever wanted to know better. Ella Jones. His memories paint her as kind and undemanding, and it seems the years haven’t changed her. Her simple expectations draw him to her. Against all odds, a relationship buds and grows. Yet, as Ayden repairs his life, Ella suggests he help others who also struggle. Will Ella turn out to be just like his dad, expecting more from him than he can give? Or will he prove that he is worth the effort? *** What do I mean by novella duet? Each story is told in the main character's point of view. Ella kicked it off by explaining to us what it was like to ...

With only days left before the publication of WORTH THE EFFORT: AYDEN'S STORY, I thought I'd give you a peek at the first chapter. For those of you who have read ELLA'S STORY, this opening answers the question of why Ayden was in the alley in the first place. For those of you who haven't read ELLA'S STORY - what are you waiting for ?! ELLA'S STORY is told from her point of view in first person, present. AYDEN'S STORY switches gears and puts us inside Ayden's head. He tells his story in first person past. I found the past tense a better fit for his careful personality. Chapter One: The timer in the lower corner of the computer screen showed only five minutes remaining. After saving the document I worked on, I clicked into my inbox. Empty. Three minutes. I drummed my fingers on the keyboard, making the clicking noises, but not actually typing. The lady at the computer across from me glared in my direction, and I stilled my nervous digits. When h...

I'm looking for a few (read hundreds of) good readers to review my upcoming novella, WORTH THE EFFORT: AYDEN'S STORY. It is not necessary that you have read Ella's Story first. Seventeen-year-old Ayden Worth shouldn’t have to seek peace of mind in the streets. But as family pressures mount, his anxieties increase, and he turns his back on comfort for a life in homeless camps and back alleys. Then one fateful day he runs into the only person he ever wanted to know better. Ella Jones. His memories paint her as kind and undemanding, and it seems the years haven’t changed her. Her simple expectations draw him to her. Against all odds, a relationship buds and grows. Yet, as Ayden repairs his life, Ella suggests he help others who also struggle. Will Ella turn out to be just like his dad, expecting more from him than he can give? Or will he prove that he is worth the effort? Worth the Effort – Ayden’s Story is a young adult contemporary romance novella at 22,000 ...

As part of the 90 day exclusive Amazon listing of Worth the Effort: Ella's Story , I get to offer it for free.  I want people to TALK about Ella's Story, so I am offering it for free today and tomorrow! June 27 and 28, 2014. Please help me spread the word by sharing this post using the handy social media buttons at the bottom of this post above the comments. Or share the buy link for Ella's Story:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K4F0C18, just be sure people know it is only free through the 28th! If you download it I hope you will be inspired to write a review when you finish reading.  Thanks for your help to spread the word.

In my new novella, Worth the Effort , Ella reaches out to befriend Ayden by giving him coffee. I hope to do the same - sort of. Last week a proof of purchase got you 15 minutes of fame on my Facebook page. This week your .99 (US dollars) proof of purchase could make a mark. A bookmark that is. Email me your proof of purchase and I'll enter you into a drawing for this lovely coffee themed bookmark. ($5 value) I'm happy to mail it anywhere in the world, so all you international book readers, feel free to participate! Plus your PoP qualifies you for five entry points in my other giveaway found here . What are you waiting for? Order your copy of Worth the Effort and then send the receipt to me. Amazon US Amazon Canada Amazon UK Amazon AU etc... But don't delay. You need to email your PoP to me for this giveaway AND for my other giveaway by Sunday.

Available from Amazon Email me proof of purchase for my .99 novella - WORTH THE EFFORT - and not only does it qualify you for my giveaway, but I'll write you into a fictional status on my Facebook page. Tell me your dream vacation, favorite celebrity, or ideal job and I'll pretend you into a mini story that makes your dreams real. Plus you'll be able to enter to win coffee and books. Tweet: Claim your 15 minutes of fame w/@KaiStrand http://ctt.ec/4bbEK+ Buy Worth the Effort Now Tour stops can be found here

Yippee!! Worth the Effort: Ella's Story is finally released into the wild. I've redecorated my blog for the occasion. What do you think? First and most important: THE BOOK. In case you missed it here is what it's all about: 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? WORTH THE EFFORT: Ella’s Story a young adult contemporary romance novella at 19,000 words. It's short. It's cheap (only .99). What are you waiting ...