Book Details:
(The Kazumi Chronicles, #1)
Publication date: April 9th 2015
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult
Synopsis:
2153, Toronto, United Nation of North America (UNNA)
A horrific plane crash kills all five hundred and forty-two passengers except one. Kazumi emerges from the wreckage physically unscathed but has lost all her memories. Her miraculous survival has the whole city buzzing but all she wants is to go home, wherever home is.
After waiting a month in the hospital with no one to claim her, Kazumi is deemed homeless. She is about to be sent to a nearby teenage shelter when the nurse she grew to trust ushers her down a mysterious path, one that promises safety and maybe even the chance to recover her memories. With no better options available, Kazumi takes her chance and finds herself in the headquarters of the Sarcomeres, a secret society of genetically advanced humans hidden deep inside the Rocky Mountains. The Sarc’s heightened physical abilities and high-tech gadgets are not the only things that fascinate Kazumi. Finnegan O’Riley, a fellow Sarc she meets along the way also gets her heart racing. When Kazumi discovers that she possesses the genetic potential of a Sarcomere, she jumps at the chance to train with them, not knowing the death defying tests that are involved.
Meanwhile, a centuries-old nemesis of the Sarcomeres begins to stir in the dark, setting their dark plans in motion. Just when Kazumi thinks she can help protect her new found home, past memories surface to threaten her new identity. She soon realizes that layers of deception run deep and everyone has a secret agenda, including herself.
Who can she trust when she can’t even trust herself? One wrong decision could bring forth consequences worse than death.
Shadow of Deception is the gold medal winner at the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25335220-shadow-of-deception?ac=1&from_search=1
Purchase:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Deception-Kazumi-Chronicles-Book-ebook/dp/B00W9YY5B0
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shadow-of-deception-sophia-l-johnson/1121720387?ean=9781478742845&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-GwEz7vxblVU-_-10:1
Author Interview:
1. What does your writing process look like? Do you know the whole story when you start? Or do you just start writing and go with it (seat of the pants writing)? If you plan it out, how do you do that? Outline, note cards, post-it notes, etc.?
I usually will think of the main theme of the story before I sit down at my laptop. I might not have every event planned but I will need to know who my main character is and what the main conflict he/she is dealing with. Then from there I will go with the flow and things will pop up in my mind as I go.
The plan is usually in my head. I don't have the habit of writing a full outline. If I'm writing, it'd be the actual story itself.
2. How do you come up with your ideas for your stories?
They're all hidden in my head somewhere but I just need to know how to extract them. Sometimes an inspiration can come from a movie or a book I'm reading. Sometimes just by people-watching on the street or at the mall.
3. How long have you been writing?
Not that long to be honest. Maybe 5-6 years consistently. I did some writing in high school but boys got in the way.
4. What tips do you have for aspiring writers?
I think concocting the story is not the hard part. Many of us daydream and stories often stem from there. The challenging part is actually sitting down and putting that daydream of yours onto paper. Writing requires a lot of self-discipline and I'd suggest starting from there. Ask yourself what motivates you to write. With motivation comes dedication. You can also start by writing a little bit each day then build from there. Also write what you love and not what's trending. If you love your story and characters, you'd love to spend time with them. Readers can tell if the author is genuinely invested in his/her work.
5. How important are names in your books? Do you choose the names based on liking the way it sounds, or the meaning? Do you have any name choosing resources you recommend?
I think names are extremely important to a character. It is the character. I have three criteria when choosing a name for my MC: the origin which will have to match the character's background, its meaning, and how it fits based on my character's appearance.
Imagine the character is a real person. Would his or her parents just randomly choose a name for them? No. So as a character's creator/mom, I'd put the same effort into choosing a name for them as I would for my own biological baby. In Shadow of Deception, Kazumi Clarke is half Japanese and half British. Clarke is a British last name and Kazumi is Japanese for harmony. Her mother deliberately named her that for reasons you'd have to find out by reading my novel :)
Some fun questions:
Favorites:
Books/authors/genres
I like mostly science-fiction and fantasy. My favorite series are The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini and Incarnation of Immortality by Pierce Anthony
Movies/TV Shows
I have so many favorites in this category. TV shows wise Friends is my all time favorite. I can pretty much recite every episode for you. More currently, I love The Big Bang Theory, Game of Thrones, Supernatural, and the list goes on.
In movies, I loved the Avengers (the first one) and Bridesmaids. There are more but I can't think of them right now. I don't like anything too profound or sad. I like to be entertained.
Music
I like country pop. They tend to tell a story. Carrie Underwood has some really nice ones. One in particular makes me cry every time I listen to it and it's called Temporary Home.
Food/writing snack
Definitely a nice cup of tea with cream and sugar. Snack wise I'm trying to eat more fruit.
Social Media Site
Facebook. That's really all I use.
Author Bio:
Twenty-five years later, I have a beautiful daughter of my own and a loving husband. We all live in Toronto, enjoying the cultural diversity the city offers. The only adventures I get to have nowadays is by living vicariously through my characters.
Author links:
http://www.sophialjohnsonbooks.com/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13808620.Sophia_L_Johnson
https://twitter.com/AuthorSLJ
https://www.facebook.com/shadowofdeception
Giveaway:
Tour-wide giveaway (INTL)
- $10 Amazon Gift Card
