Center Stage with WORTH the EFFORT's Male Lead ~ Ayden & Enter the Giveaway!

This is PART II of my WORTH the EFFORT by Kai Strand spotlight. In last Tuesday's POST, we met Ella--the story's leading lady. Today, Ayden--the story's leading man--is center stage. And just like last week, Kai's offering a giveaway. But she's offering up something extra, too! Scroll down to see. 

AMAZON

WORTH THE EFFORT ~ Ella's Story by Kai Strand
Distributed: Amazon Digital Services Pages: 78
Description: 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? 
Please, give a warm welcome to Kai's leading man, Ayden.
Ayden, tell us a little about yourself. Hey. My name's Ayden. Thanks for having me, I guess. I'm not really one to talk about myself. But - you know - it's nice of you to have me here and stuff.
When the reader first meets you, your current situation appears bleak. Tell us about it. You don't want that. My world is cold. Never comfortable. Lonely, except when Ella's around. Truthfully, I feel the same whether I'm tucked up next to a dumpster or tucked into a warm bed with a roof over my head. I'm not looking for sympathy. I can't handle that kind of attention anyway, but - well, you asked and I'm an honest guy. I guess.
Having read your story, I know you really aren't looking for sympathy. 
How were you handling life's essential such as food?  I never really thought much about food, but one day Ella - the girl who works in the cafe I've been sleeping behind - brought me a bagel with peanut butter. That peanut butter...nothing has ever tasted so good before. I grew up eating peanut butter, you know? But having it there, in the alley, it was the most decadent thing I'd ever tasted.
Okay, now you're getting an 'Aw...' out of me. ((Hugs))
Speaking of Ella, tell us about her. If I had any sort of artistic talent, Ella would be my muse. Her spirit radiates from her. It wraps me in a cocoon and makes me think I might be worth something. She's completely oblivious to how beautiful she is. I don't mean physically, though she is that, too. I've just never known anyone to be as fundamentally kind as Ella is, without having been through some personal horror first. It makes her feel a bit like a fairy tale character to me.
Oh gosh, I think I just teared up. You are so sweet! 
What would you say is your biggest quirk? To me you need to have confidence and be outgoing to have a quirk. I work so hard at not being seen and having a quirk would make me stand out. I don't know, maybe working so hard not to have a quirk is quirky in itself.
Could you share something about your creator? If I had to compare Kai to a holiday, I'd say she's Fourth of July when I was five-years-old. She's a day-long picnic with warm sun that eventually burns you, good food that you eat too much of. Then the fireworks. The visuals are stunning, but the accompanying explosions are frightening.
Major *snort*.
Just as with your counterpart, Ella, I loved having you here, Ayden! Thank you for agreeing to splatter your thoughts in the Alleyway. 
I can personally attest that Ella's story is wonderful, because I was fortunate enough to have been a beta reader for it. Honestly, it's a sweet tale you won't forget long after you've read it. 
a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Beyond Kai's rafflecopter, she will mail this bookmark to one lucky commentor, to be draw randomly on 5/19. (International okay) 
Tell us either the best place you've lived or the worst place you've lived and why.