My New Author Page on Facebook

I’ve created a new author page on Facebook. If you’re passionate about finding out more about the Japanese culture and if you enjoy reading literature set in Japan, then I’d really appreciate it if you could take a moment to visit my [Renae Lucas-Hall – Author/Writer/Blogger] Facebook page.

I’d like to thank all my readers for their on-going support and for all the lovely reviews I’ve received from so many of you for my books. Please don’t hesitate to send me a message when you “Like” my Facebook page. I’m always happy to answer any of your questions about my books and my writing and offer advice to anyone who is planning to visit or work in Japan.

My graphic designer Cathy at Avalon Graphics has created a gorgeous cover image for my Facebook page which you can see below.

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By the way, if you do join me on my Facebook page, you’ll be the first to know about all the new book releases and you’ll also be in the best position to enter any competitions to win free signed copies of my books.

What’s New in Tokyo?

According to The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun, the number of foreign visitors to Japan surged 24 per cent and topped the annual record of 10 million people in 2013. Many tourists are revisiting Tokyo just to see what’s new and to appreciate the ever-changing commercial landscape. Below, I’ve listed just a few of the newer, more popular developments. These attractions will be of interest if you’re planning your first trip to Tokyo, or you’ve travelled to Japan in the past and you’re looking forward to visiting destinations in Tokyo which didn’t exist on your previous visits.

• The majestic Tokyo Skytree which opened in 2012 is currently the most well-known and popular tourist attraction in Tokyo. It’s 634 metres/2,080 feet high, the tallest broadcasting tower in the world and it attracted more than 6 million visitors in the first year of opening.

Tokyo Sky Tree

• The Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center also opened in 2012. It’s located in front of the Kaminarimon Gate in Asakusa and it’s an excellent place to find out about what’s new in Tokyo and get tourist information in English.

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• If you love to shop, I recommend the new 34-floor Hikarie shopping complex in Shibuya and the very glamorous Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku, at the Omotesando Avenue and Meiji-dori intersection in Aoyama.

• I also recommend a visit to the newly-refurbished Tokyo Station and the KITTE shopping complex in front of JR Tokyo Station’s Maranouchi South Exit, within the former Tokyo Central Post Office. The seven floors at KITTE offer a shopping and dining experience that embraces Japanese aesthetics and it’s the kind of place Japanese people buy presents for their Japanese friends.

• Odaiba is a man-made island and shopping/dining/entertainment centre which has been developed in Tokyo Bay and is very popular with families. Attractions include the Oedo Onsen Monogatari (a hot spring theme park), the National Museum of Emerging Science, the famous Rainbow Bridge, a Leisureland for bowling, karaoke and sports games, as well as a variety of shopping malls, a Ferris wheel and the Museum of Maritime Science.

Odaiba

• Finally, if you’re interested in art exhibits in Tokyo, I highly recommend a visit to the new “Art Triangle Roppongi” which includes The National Art Center, Tokyo, The Suntory Museum of Art and The Mori Art Museum, inside Tokyo Midtown. You can get a visual and audio guide at the reception desk that allows you to watch interviews with the artists and listen to commentaries on each art installation. Here’s a link for more information: Japan National Tourism Organization.

So have a wonderful time in Tokyo if you’re planning a trip to Japan!

Reviews for Tokyo Hearts: A Japanese Love Story

Recently, Mustika from Indonesia was kind enough to write a review on her blog for my first novel Tokyo Hearts: A Japanese Love Story . I’ve been very lucky to receive some wonderful reviews from readers and book reviewers all over the world and I thought it would be nice to share a few of them with you. I really appreciate everyone who has taken the time to write such lovely comments.

Tokyo Hearts cover

Please note: If the reviews are written in another language you’ll see there is usually a translator available to convert the text into English or whichever language you prefer.

Just click on the reviewer’s name to go directly to the full review.

• Mustika Permata Sari Muchtar

“I was drawn into the book and I felt very close to the beauty of Japan. Coupled with the complicated love story between Haruka and Takashi, this book will make you want to visit Japan.”

• Book Viral

“They say you should never judge a book by its cover, but Tokyo Hearts is definitely an exception to the rule. As captivating inside as it is on the outside, it is a veritable smorgasbord of cultural eloquence.

A Japanese love story for our times, it is set against the backdrop of Tokyo life with Renae Lucas-Hall skillfully weaving her plot through the very heart of a city renowned for its frantic pace of life. It will certainly garner fans from readers intrigued by Japanese culture.”

• Jean Vallesteros (Jean BookNerd)

“Renae’s writing style is able to channel the life of modern-day Japan into words and readers will feel like they are in the heart of Tokyo while following the lives of Takashi and Haruka. The Japanese culture is truly unique and Renae accurately captured just how amazing it is. She has delivered a story that takes readers outside of the normal trend of YA books out there and not only gives us an incredible love story, but also an amazing look into a culture that is very deep rooted in tradition. I am certain that the sequel, Tokyo Dreams, will follow the same calibre of marvellous writing.”

• Sophie Carroll (Sophie’s Japan Blog)

“I’d readily recommend this book to anyone who is interested in modern Japan and loves a sweet story. You really warm to a lot of the characters and empathise with them. If you’ve been to Japan before or seen footage of Tokyo, you’ll also recognise a lot of the little details about the city. As a Japanophile and attention-to-detail kind of girl, Tokyo Hearts struck a chord with me. I strongly encourage you all to get your copy today!”

• アレツクス コツト (Goodreads)

“Renae completely captures the Japanese lifestyle and day to day experiences very well. I was soo hooked i felt like i was Watching an anime. ooooooo And i can’t wait for the 2nd season loolz :D! This is DEFINATELY worth the read!! Its sooo worth it i can’t even fathom these feels right now. It’s so amazing in every way. Specially the ending ohhh wow it was like a beautiful fairy tale ending in reality that i was moved to tears. Please Make time for this book and read it! I assure you, you won’t be disappointed.”

• Antonia (Whispers at Moonlight)

“Overall, Tokyo Hearts is a beautiful love story and I recommend it to you. Renae Lucas-Hall is a very talented author and I really like her writing style.”

• GoldenJ (Amazon)

“A beautifully written and engaging love story set in Japan, Tokyo Hearts is a book to lose yourself in. The scenes are believable, the dialogue that moves the story along is warm and evocative, the characters leap of the pages. Pleased to have found it, looking forward to another release by Renae Lucas Hall.”

• Alexandra Sutila (Another Books World)

“At the beginning I didn’t know that I’d like this book but now , I love it. It was a peaceful and a beautiful book. Reading this book I learned a lot of things about Japan and Japanese culture.”

• Simon (Goodreads)

“If I was to sum Tokyo Hearts up in one word it would be escapism. A wonderful opportunity to dive into an alternative culture. The author creates a very believable Tokyo that I found highly absorbing and left me wanting to explore Japanese culture in greater details. Bravo, an excellent novel and looking forward to more from Renae Lucas Hall.”

• Trip Fiction

“For us at TripFiction, this is a fabulous novel that weaves its way into the heart of Tokyo life and brings the city into sharp focus for the reader. This is a great novel for exploring frenetic Tokyo life, offering up little aspects that make Tokyo, well, Tokyo. The automatic opening of taxi doors, the young peoples’ love of Western and Japanese named brands, descriptions of the kotatsu heaters that many older style dwellings still have. Pocky Sticks! The intricacies of the subway lines and the delightful examples of how the Japanese enthusiastically embrace Western words and names”

Sue Magee (The Bookbag)

“You really feel as though you’re on the fashionable streets, in the department stores, on the bullet train or even in the tiny apartments that pass as home for so many people like Takashi.”

• Laura (Itsumo Japan)

“Tokyo Hearts would make the perfect holiday read”

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

A big thank you to everyone who has shown interest in my writing this year. I’m really grateful for all those book lovers who have read my novel Tokyo Hearts and the many visitors who have come along to read and comment on my Cherry Blossom Stories Blog in 2013. I hope you all return here again in 2014. Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year!!

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