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Face Time

Can the picture on your screen ever be as good as the real thing?

Face Time is a funny, romantic, modern-day story about two people who connect across the world.

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About Face Time...

After the best first date ever, Lee thought Laura was funny, intelligent, and impulsive, and Laura loved Lee’s sweet smile and the way he expertly filled in every awkward pause.

It was the date to end all dates. What could possibly be wrong? Just the 7000 miles that separates them the next day.

Their situation, though, doesn’t mean the dates have to end while Lee is in Seoul. Picking up where they left off, Lee and Laura continue with their relationship long distance, diving deeper into their personal lives and turning up the heat… Until Laura’s past and Lee’s family throw them even farther apart. Will their differences stop the relationship before they see each other again?

Told from both Lee and Laura’s point of view, Face Time is a funny, romantic, modern-day story about two people who connect across the world.

Read a version of FACE TIME older than July 2015? Check out the FACE TIME Epilogue!

Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance / Multicultural Romance
Publication Date: April 25, 2014
Series: The Happily Ever Asia Series, Book #1

Chapters from Face Time...

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Face Time – Chapter 1

Laura March 22, 2012 - New York City I’m being stood up by my coworkers yet again. When I enter the Blue Bar at the Algonquin at 7:30pm, no one...

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Face Time – Chapter 2

The sun dips low in the sky, bouncing off the buildings, and blinding me at every turn. I don’t know why, but sunglasses are the things I lose the most...

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Face Time – Chapter 3

This is definitely a date. My heart raced and my stomach clenched as Lee placed his hand over mine in the car and insisted on paying.

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Face Time – Chapter 4

My phone buzzes in my hand, and Laura’s text pops up. I shake my head at the blushing smiley face.

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Face Time – Chapter 5

I suspect the relationship with Lee and this ex-girlfriend of his is not entirely over. I mean, look at him.

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Face Time – Chapter 6

My apartment in Seoul is quiet when I walk in, the door clicking silently into place behind me, my dress shoes tapping along the marble floor to the kitchen. Everything...

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Face Time – Chapter 7

Lee Park - I’m in Seoul and had a good flight. I’m so glad to hear from you.

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Face Time – Chapter 8

I texted with Laura last night to set up our FaceTime this morning. I was on my way to bed, still jetlagged, and she was on her way to work,...

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Face Time – Chapter 9

It was a light week at work. Mary was out of the office for several meetings each day and a lot of people were working long hours trying to get...

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Face Time – Chapter 10

Laura laughs on her end of the call, and I relax. It’s hard to see her sad.

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Face Time – Chapter 11

I practically skip into the office Monday, Tuesday, and especially Wednesday morning, I’ve never been so happy. Lee and I kept the conversation going over text the last two days.

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Face Time – Chapter 12

I’m bringing my rolling bag into the bedroom to pack for the trip to Mumbai when my iPhone buzzes. ---- Laura Merchant I’m home from the gym.

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Face Time – Chapter 13

I ignore my mother all Saturday morning and then she leaves to go back to Connecticut by herself without even saying goodbye to me. Fine.

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Face Time – Chapter 14

When I’m in Mumbai, my firm puts me up in the Sahara Star, a huge, modern hotel west of the airport. I like the place well enough even if it...

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Face Time – Chapter 15

The Korea Society is located on the corner of Fifty-Seventh Street and Third Avenue in the same building with a bank. For a moment, I think I must be in...

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Face Time – Chapter 16

“Laura, I’m going to change jobs. I’m not happy doing this work anymore, and I haven’t been happy for some time.” I drop the bomb.

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Face Time – Chapter 17

Lee Park: I am a lucky, lucky man. I wake up on Thursday morning in a fog, my alarm blaring in my ear.

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Face Time – Chapter 18

I can’t wait to get out of Pune and back to Mumbai so I can head home. I used to love coming here, but a million little things are annoying...

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Face Time – Chapter 19

I had my new camera in my hands on Tuesday and brought it with me to Korean class to show Nicole. I love Korean class.

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Face Time – Chapter 20

Friday night, the evening before I take off and head back to Seoul, I treat all of my colleagues to dinner and drinks in Pune. When you travel like I...

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Face Time – Chapter 21

The lasagna is almost ready by the time my iPhone buzzes. I peek into the oven and the top is bubbling away, cheese and sauce dotted with mushrooms and spinach...

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Face Time – Chapter 22

I’m browsing the bookstore at the airport before my flight leaves when my iPhone buzzes. ---- Laura Merchant Does your flight leave soon.

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Face Time – Chapter 23

Lee’s Thursday morning, my Wednesday evening, I rush home from barre class, practically running down the streets even though my legs are made of jello. My Korean cooking class with...

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Face Time – Chapter 24

I stare at the dark iPad for a long moment and then down at my phone on the table. ---- Lee Park Please talk to me.

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Face Time – Chapter 25

“I can’t believe I broke up with Lee. Why would I do such a thing?

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Face Time – Chapter 26

My flight lands at JFK in New York on schedule. At least something is going right for once.

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Face Time – Chapter 27

"Let’s get started.” Two years. Over two years.

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Face Time – Chapter 28

Laura makes breakfast for lunch, and I sit at her kitchen table and watch her cook. She slipped on tiny little shorts and a tank top, and every time she...

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Face Time – Chapter 29

I’m glad I told Lee. I thought for a moment, as the horror stretched across his face, that we were over.

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Face Time – Chapter 30

I’m determined to take advantage of every opportunity for sex with Laura while we can, so sex in the shower is a definite winner. Soon, I’ll be off to Japan...

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Face Time – Chapter 31

“Thanks for the first class flight. That was nice. I’ve never flown first class before.” I look over at Lee driving the car from the airport and try not to...

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Face Time – Chapter 32

My family irritates the hell out of me. I arrive at the funeral home on time, but they are already sitting and waiting, dressed in black, smudged prints all over...

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Face Time – Chapter 33

It rains the entire drive to the north of Seattle, and Lee talks a mile a minute the whole time, briefing me on his family and what I can expect...

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Face Time – Chapter 34

I escort Laura into the funeral home and introduce her to Jin and Mimi. Jin is quiet like I expected but Mimi smiles and hugs Laura immediately.

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Face Time – Chapter 35

My afternoon at the funeral home drones on and on. Chase is a sweet kid and stays by my side all day, playing on my iPhone and talking incessantly about...

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Face Time – Chapter 36

Laura and I split up for an early afternoon amble about town. We woke up late and had long, leisurely, easy sex, the kind of sex that makes me think...

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Face Time – Chapter 37

Nicole Kapur - What are you going to do. Laura Merchant - Good question.

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Face Time – Chapter 38

The drive to my parents’ house is enlightening. Nari was always jealous of me.

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Face Time – Chapter 39

I sit at the kitchen table and try to drink tea with Lee’s mom, but it’s possibly the worst conversation I’ve ever had. She doesn’t answer any of my questions...

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Face Time – Chapter 40

The kitchen is silent when I walk in, my mother alone again at the wide, dark wood table. This room used to be filled with lively family conversation.

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Face Time – Chapter 41

Lee’s words echo in my head as I descend the stairs to the basement. He doesn’t want to lose me.

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Face Time – Epilogue

I breeze into the Starbucks across the street from Lee’s temporary office, order a latte, and shrug off the heat and grime of Bangkok. I’ve been all over town and...

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Praise

“This book deals with so many emotions, both family and friends, not to mention Laura and Lee’s own issues — that you have to read it for yourself to get the full effect of their story. And trust me when I say you won’t be disappointed, one bit. You’ll find yourself staying up late to finish…and needing a tissue or two or three throughout the book.” – Heather McCoubrey, Author of To Love Twice

“I’m always looking for a book that is able to realistically portray a long-distance relationship, especially in our age of Skype, smartphones, and Face Time… This book was able to nail down some of the main characteristics of an LDR (at least for me): time zones, texting at odd hours, insecurity, sharing photos, and desperately wishing the other person was there beside you. Minus all the family drama, I could see my relationship reflected in the one between Lee and Laura. This book was sweet, painful, hit so close to home, and was a great read.” – Ana, Read Me Away

“I loved it so much and I want to read anything else this author is going to write. I love her writing style, the originality of the story and the fleshed out characters… It’s a real and believeable romance in the digital age. The story is orginal and addictive. The characters are likeable and believeable and the cast of side characters where fleshed out and interesting. Beside the romance aspect of the story there is so much more going on and I can’t wait for the next book in this series. SJ Pajonas is certainly one of my favourite authors now and I can’t wait to read all of the books she writes next!” – Lola, Lola’s Reviews

“This book should come with a disclaimer–WARNING: EXCELLENT BOOK AHEAD. YOU WILL NOT SLEEP UNTIL YOU FINISH READING. This story grabbed me right in and I could not put it down. It is modern and romantic and different. The writing was so captivating. I was immediately drawn into both Laura and Lee’s worlds, rooting for the to succeed despite the odds. There is no predictability; no cliched love story here. It is real life.” – Kathryn R. Biel, Author of I’m Still Here

“I really enjoyed this book. It has heart, emotion and a story that is not only close to my heart -for a few reasons- but its a story I think anyone can relate to. I look forward to reading more of this series.” – Barbara Shuler, Amazon Customer

“Have you ever started reading a book and after a couple of chapters just had to pause for a minute to let your emotions catch up because the book was so good? Yeah, that!” – Brenda Letendre, Amazon Customer

“The best part in the book was the BIG GESTURE. I was swooning so hard over the fact that two people can be in that HAPPY situation! The high! Overall, it was a really great read for me. And if you’re looking for a really great romantic read that promotes hope and happiness, then read this!” – Dre Wolf, Sporadic Reads

“The growth between these two characters is tremendous and beautiful. The main characters are in their thirties, established in life, and know what they want. If you’ve been looking for an inventive romance, be sure to check out Face Time.” – Tracy Krimmer, Author of Caching In

“I love the concept of this. I think because their relationship is non physical due to their locations, they get a chance to really get to know each other. Instead of being able to give a reassuring hug, they have to talk issues or problems out in depth and they really get a feel for just who the other person is… I’d recommend this one to fans of romance books. Especially if you are looking for something a little bit quirky and a little bit different.” – Trish, Between My Lines

“I thought that this story showed how a contemporary romance should be done. There was drama, complicated pasts, and insane families. However, there was also lots of communication, hardly any assuming, and no insta-love. I loved the relationship between Lee and Laura, and never once thought it was unhealthy. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants a real, modern-day, and multicultural love story, without all the clichés.” – Brianna, Biblio Belles

“If you are looking for a different kind of contemporary romance, Face Time just might be the book for you! Sometimes, their whole messages are included in between the narration, and it’s cute – because that’s how a lot of people stay in touch these days, even if they don’t live across the world from each other. I will definitely check out the next book in the Love in the Digital Age series, because I got to travel to several places, and they were all vividly described through the eyes of the character that was actually there. Written in dual point of view, the readers get to know both Lee and Laura quite well, even if the book is not very long.” – Lexxie, (un)Conventional Book Reviews


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S. J. Pajonas