Release Spotlight: SIDEKICK (Natalie Whipple)

Today I spotlight the release of Natalie Whipple's latest, Sidekick! Natalie is an amazing writer who tells amazing stories, and although I won't be able to read this one myself for a while (alas the paperback doesn't release until late next year T-T) I definitely recommend you check out this and all of Natalie's books, more of which I've linked below!

Title: Sidekick
Author: Natalie Whipple
Publisher: Whipple House
Release Date: 11/10/15

Russ is tired of coming in second to his best friend, Garret. Whether it's in sports, in school, or with girls, he can never get ahead. Something has to change, and when a new girl comes to town he sees his chance. He has to win her over before Garret does, but proving he's not second best won't be easy when Garret is a pro.

Russ will do anything to beat Garret, including using his little sister to get closer to the new girl. He has to be careful, though, because if anyone at school finds out he attends anime night (and he might even enjoy it), it would ruin his reputation, just like his secret love for cooking and James Taylor.

But pretending to be something he isn't will catch up to him eventually, and Russ can only get away with living two lives for so long. As more than one friend reveals they aren't who they seem, Russ must figure out what and who he really wants in his life. And more than that, he needs to find the courage to make it happen.

Add to Goodreads

PURCHASE:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | TBD | Signed Copy


Check out other titles from Whipple House!

  
Relax, I'm a Ninja (Ninja Trilogy #1)
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | TBD | Signed Copy | My Review

Trust Me, I'm a Ninja (Ninja Trilogy #2)
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | TBD | Signed Copy

Fish Out of Water 
Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | TBD | Signed Copy

WoW: Sidekick (Natalie Whipple)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly blogging event hosted by Breaking the Spine, in which one spotlights an upcoming release they are eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Title: Sidekick

Author: Natalie Whipple

Release Date: November 10, 2015
Publisher: Whipple House

Summary:

Russ is a high school football player who feels like he always comes in second to his best friend, Garret. In sports. In school. With girls. Well, he's tired of it, and he gets the rather foolish idea that if he can win the heart of the new girl in town before Garret he can prove he's not just sloppy seconds.

His plan? Use his anime-obsessed sister's group, who has befriended the new girl, to get closer to her. He'd never tell the team, but he's been going to Anime Night for years and might even enjoy it. That would ruin his reputation, just like his secret love for cooking and James Taylor.

But pretending to be something you aren't catches up to you eventually, and Russ can only get away with living two lives for so long. As more than one person reveals they have something to hide, Russ must figure out what and who he really wants in his life. And more than that, he needs the courage to make it happen.

Add to Goodreads

Why I'm Looking Forward To It: Let's see, a story by the amazing Natalie Whipple that includes people obsessed with anime and a boy who has a secret love for cooking... Who am I kidding, we all know it had me at "by Natalie Whipple"! ;)

(FYI the ebook is available for pre-order on Amazon here!)

So what book are you waiting on?

Release Spotlight: FISH OUT OF WATER (Natalie Whipple)

Although shamefully over a week late, I'm excited to spotlight the release of Natalie Whipple's latest, Fish Out of Water!!

Title: Fish Out of Water
Author: Natalie Whipple
Publisher: Whipple House (US), Hot Key Books (UK)
Release Date: 2/10/15 (US), 2/5/15 (UK)

Mika Arlington was supposed to spend the summer after her junior year shadowing her marine biologist parents at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, but when her estranged grandmother randomly shows up on the doorstep one day, those plans are derailed. Because Grandma Betty isn't here to play nice—she is cranky, intolerant of Mika's mixed-race-couple parents, and oh yeah she has Alzheimer's and is out of money.  While Mika's family would rather not deal with Grandma Betty, they don't have much choice. And despite Mika's protests, she is roped into caring for a person that seems impossible to have compassion for. And if that wasn't hard enough, Mika must train the new guy at her pet shop job who wants to be anywhere else, and help a friend through her own family crisis. Something's gotta a give, but whichever ball Mika drops means losing someone she loves. Not exactly a recipe for Best Summer Ever—or is it?

Add to Goodreads

PURCHASE:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | IndieBound

This book is available in both a US hardcover (first cover) and a UK paperback (second cover), as well as various ebook formats, so purchase your preference or collect them all!

Even though Natalie Whipple is one of my favorite authors, I'm ashamed to say that I have not read this yet (the egregious error will soon be rectified, though!), but you can check out all the glowing reviews on Goodreads if you need convincing!

So what are you waiting for?

Get Fish Out of Water today!

Top Ten (Twelve) Books I Read In 2014

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish! This week's topic: 

Top Ten (Twelve) Books I Read in 2014
(in no particular order)

1. Waistcoats & Weaponry by Gail Carriger (RTC)
2. This Shattered World by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner (RTC)
3. House of Ivy & Sorrow by Natalie Whipple (review)
4. Searching for Sky by Jillian Cantor (review)
5. Relax, I'm a Ninja by Natalie Whipple (review)
6. Fortune's Pawn by Rachel Bach (review)
7. Invisible by Dawn Metcalf (review)
8. On the Fence by Kasie West (review)
9. Illusions of Fate by Kiersten White (RTC)
10. The Accidental Highwayman by Ben Tripp (review)
11. Otherbound by Corinne Duyvis (review)
12. Shutter by Courtney Alameda (review)

So what were your top reads this year?

Review: Relax, I'm a Ninja (Natalie Whipple)

Title: Relax, I'm a Ninja
Series: I'm a Ninja trilogy, Book 1
Author: Natalie Whipple (site)
Publisher: Whipple House (self-published)
Release Date: June 3, 2014
Genre: Young Adult Supernatural Action
Told: First Person Singular (Tosh), Past Tense
Content Rating: Teen (sensuality, violence, fighting, a few words of language)
Format Read: Paperback (purchased)
Find On: Goodreads
Purchase On: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
Summary:

A Clan of ninjas in San Francisco may sound improbable-but as the son of a ninja Master, Tosh Ito knows what lurks in the shadows of his city. Or at least he thought he did. When a killer with a poisoned blade starts cutting down teens, Tosh enlists Amy Sato-newest ninja recruit, and his best friend's crush-and sets out to uncover the killer's identity. What they find is ninjutsu more evil than they could have ever imagined. As Amy and Tosh grow closer, they discover their connection unleashes a legendary power that could stop the murders. Problem is, that power may be exactly what the killer is looking for, and wielding it could cost them their souls.

*          *          *

Why I Read It: It's by Natalie. And about ninjas. Why would I not read it??

Three Words: Action. Romance. Ninjas.

Series: This is the first in the I'm A Ninja trilogy. While it concludes on a "this fight is definitely not over" note, it has a complete story arc and a tidy ending.

Writing: Natalie's signature easy writing and therefore easy reading style, which worked even better with the laid back male voice of Tosh. Well choreographed action, engaging description, smooth dialogue.

Setting: San Fran! I personally know nothing of the city other than it's ridiculously hilly, but it read very realistic and there was just enough of the setting weaved in to give a good atmosphere but not bog the story down in description.

Story: Fun and light despite all the fighting and stabbing and killing. It had a very manga flavor to it, which as a mangaholic I personally loved. There was a little bit of everything - action, romance, humor, school drama, friend drama, secret societies, high stakes, mad ninja skillz. It read like a breeze, even for a slow reader like me. The plot unfolded nicely and the mystery of the spy kept me guessing.

Characters: Tosh was the perfect balance of strength and insecurity - and a nerd to boot! He was a gentleman and a sweetie, and while he could be a bit of a clueless jerk at times it wasn't intentional and he always regretted it and tried to make amends. Nobody's perfect and he certainly wasn't and that made him realistic. Amy was a similar balance of strength and insecurity, but feminine. She was seriously strong and skilled, which made her damsel in distress moments feel a little odd - I would've preferred her to be more the curious than squeamish type. Still, she was certainly not squeamish when it counted, and made for a relatable character.  

Romantic Relationship: I really enjoyed that Tosh and Amy had problems even though they were soul mates. They were insecure about each other's feelings, they fought, but when they were together it was sweet and magical.

Conclusion: With its easy writing, adorable romance, and Japanese elements, Natalie might as well have written this book just for me. Highly recommend this and all of Natalie's books, and cannot wait for the sequel, Trust Me, I'm a Ninja!

For Fans Of: Manga/Anime, and Ninjas (of course)

Scribble Rating: 

5 of 5 Scribbles

Waiting On Wednesday: Trust Me, I'm a Ninja (Natalie Whipple)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly blogging event hosted by Breaking the Spine, in which one spotlights an upcoming release they are eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection is:

Title: Trust Me, I'm a Ninja (I'm a Ninja #2)

Author: Natalie Whipple

Release Date: September 2014
Publisher: Whipple House (self-published)

Summary:

*SPOILER ALERT* If you have yet to read the amazing first book, Relax, I'm a Ninja, the summary will contain spoilers. You have been warned!

Life hasn’t exactly been rosy since Tosh Ito and Amy Sato rid San Francisco of the Akuma Clan ninjas. They still can’t control their powers, and no one really knows how to train them to be Inyo. Adding to their problems, Amy is distant and depressed and won’t say why.

Before Tosh can figure her out, the Akuma Clan makes a comeback. A gate to the kami realm is opened and strange creatures roam the city, causing chaos. Only Tosh and Amy can stop it, but they don’t know how, and they haven’t got time to learn. The gate is getting bigger, and something dangerous is waiting on the other side. Something hungry for the soul of an Inyo.

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Why I'm Looking Forward To It: The cover, summary, and release date have finally been revealed, so I can finally make this an official pick! I loved the first book in this series, Relax, I'm a Ninja, which at the time it released wasn't part of a series and by the end of the book I really wished it was. So needless to say when Natalie announced there would be more, I was ecstatic! And even more exciting is that this releases next month! Thank you self-publishing gods for having mercy on me. 

So what book are you waiting on?