Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Sidekick by Natalie Whipple blog tour/ review


                          SideKick 


Title: Sidekick
Author: Natalie Whipple
Publisher: Whipple House
Date of Publication: November 10, 2015

Blurb:

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.


Purchase linksAmazon | B&N | The Book Depository


My Review: 
5/5 stars 
 Amazing book. I love Natalie Whipples books. She does a fantastic job of packing so much into the little novels. You have a story however their is so much to get out of it.
  This book was great. Whipple teaches so many lessons that most teens face in their lifes. Not everybody is perfect so why try to be? 

Russ and the crew felt real. I felt like I was another person  in the novel watching the story unfold. There were twists making the book so interesting . There was never a point  to loose focus. The characters were lovely ( even the characters I wanted to hate) and so understandable. Whipple might not be in highschool but she sure understand how it is being a teenager. 

So much more. Read it and see for your selfs. Ps. All of her books are great. My two top favs are Transparent & Fish Out Of Water now adding this one to that list ! 
I own all of them but her very recent release! Still need to read RELAX , I'm A Ninja ! 





About Natalie Whipple

Natalie Whipple grew up in the Bay Area and relocated to Utah for high school, which was quite the culture shock for her anime-loving teen self. But the Rocky Mountains eventually won her over, and she stuck around to earn her degree in English linguistics at BYU, with a minor in editing. Natalie still lives in Utah with her husband and three kids, and keeps the local Asian market in business with all her attempts to cook.

She is the author of the TRANSPARENT series, HOUSE OF IVY & SORROW, the I'M A NINJA series, FISH OUT OF WATER, and MY LITTLE BRONY (under K.M. Hayes). In addition to that, she is on the writing team for the cRPG Torment: Tides of Numenera that should be out sometime in 2015.


Giveaway: ( Oops! I read again giveaway) We're giving away a Kindle copy of SIDEKICK, open internationally.


Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Sidekick by Natalie Whipple Release blitz!




Title: Sidekick
Author: Natalie Whipple
Publisher: Whipple House
Date of Publication: November 10, 2015



Blurb:

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.

Excerpt : 
The bell on the door rings. I look up, and I’m surprised by what I see. It’s a girl. Parker’s is not known for attracting females with is bacon-fat-in-all-things policy, especially girls like this. She wears a tight, worn T-shirt and baggy pajama bottoms. Her blond hair’s piled on her head in a messy bun. She’s thin and tall, like a volleyball player, but with a killer rack. I look down when she glances my way, embarrassed that I’m already fantasizing about her in a bikini.

I sip at my drink and pretend I’m not watching her look over the menu. She’s got to be new around here. Even people a few towns over know Parker’s menu by heart. Buck stare at her, and not in a nice way. Dirty old man.

Not like I’m any better.

“I’ll have a bacon burger and a water.” Her voice is lower than I expect, sultry.

When Buck hands over the tray, she turns and, to my surprise, looks right at me, a mischievous grin on her lips. I glance over my shoulder to see if Garret somehow teleported behind me. Not that I’m butt ugly or anything, but girls don’t look at me like they do at him. I’m mostly average, with plain green eyes and dark hair. If I didn’t play football or have Garret, I’d be invisible.

She takes the booth across from mine, facing me. I try to focus on my good, but with the place practically empty it’s weird that she’d sit so close. Why not the table in the corner where I can’t see her eat?

She takes a big bite of her burger and moans. “Holy crap, do they put crack in these?”

I let out a shaky laugh. “If you consider bacon crack, which I do.”

------------------------
Giveaway :

I will also be posting my Blog tour stop in the 12 ! 




Purchase linksAmazon | B&N | The Book Depository





About Natalie Whipple

Natalie Whipple grew up in the Bay Area and relocated to Utah for high school, which was quite the culture shock for her anime-loving teen self. But the Rocky Mountains eventually won her over, and she stuck around to earn her degree in English linguistics at BYU, with a minor in editing. Natalie still lives in Utah with her husband and three kids, and keeps the local Asian market in business with all her attempts to cook.

She is the author of the TRANSPARENT series, HOUSE OF IVY & SORROW, the I'M A NINJA series, FISH OUT OF WATER, and MY LITTLE BRONY (under K.M. Hayes). In addition to that, she is on the writing team for the cRPG Torment: Tides of Numenera that should be out sometime in 2015.


Monday, November 2, 2015

Etsy.. My shop is now open !





Hello bookish peeps ! Wanted to tell everybody my etsy shop is open . Fun designs!! Also more will be added but browse .. Great for Christmas gifts and book lovers would love to wear them ! I know I do !!!    

Friday, October 23, 2015

Instead Of This by Megan Dukes Cover Reveal and Character pictures ( AMOS)

Instead of This 
by Megan Dukes
cover reveal 
and
more.

Summary of first two books in the series:

   

Without Me:
       Denni isn't ready for the change that is about to happen in her ordinary life but it comes anyway. Her life changes drastically when she meats Jack and she has to figure out what is real and what is not. She will have have to trust new people and let go of the past to uncover what she really is. Without Me will lead through a creative and new world. Your heart will beat and your mind will race. In the end of the book your left with questions and to answer them you will have to read book two.

Because Of Me: 
        The characters are all in hiding from the results of the massive ending in book one. They will have to find the foe that may be among them. Be prepared to learn more about the Mind Breakers and what they can do. You will read a lot of different prospectives form new characters and learn a lot of new things. One character especially Alivien. You will come to learn a lot about her. 


BUmm dum bumm dum buum ahhh oh bumm dum dumm. 

My cover puzzle piece. 






Okay so now before we talk about Amos I think everybody should turn on the his PLAYLIST ( Link). Some tunes for your reading. Also from the titles to the lyrics you can learn a lot about Amos ;) . Yes Amos deserved his own playlist. Also here is the link to the Without Me playlist (Link).


Amos:

Ps. I blew up the pictures because they don't do them justice to be small.



So I wanted to give a little about Amos. 
    He is a critical character to the Mind Breaker Accounts series. However arn't all the characters? While reading WithOut Me Amos caught my attention. He was seen as the bad guy. Hard on the edges but really just fighting for what he thinks is right. But being who I am I didn't see him that way at all. I actually felt bad for him. Denni finds out who and what she is and also who Amos really is. She is hurt so she leaves him. It made me a little sad she didn't give him more of a chance but in the end I think Amos has a path and I can't  wait to see where that takes him. 

So I was asked by the author what I think will happen with Amos in the final book?
My answer Is that he will jump out of the book with his cool " powers" and sweep me off my feet with his amazing accent and good looks. We will get married and defeat the world together. 

Okay for real. I think Amos will find himself and hopefully find somebody he can trust. I hope I will get to learn more about his character and his background. I think Amos will end up one of those characters you will never know what there going to do next.  If he will do the right thing or do the wrong. I think he will fight till the end. I guess will see.

( Note to author: Be nice to sweet Amos :"D) 




Monday, October 19, 2015

Sweet Temptation by Wendy Higgins review

     Sweet temptation review :

Good reads link- https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22428712-sweet-temptation 

When Higgins said she was publishing another book in the Sweet Evil Series I had a freak out attack. Maybe I happy danced . Okay I fangirled. I'm so happy she puplished this book. It's all three books in Kai's point of view and let me tell you it does not disappoint. 

Kai's point a view was different than Anna's . Alittle darker , alittle dirtier, and maybe alittle more evil.  

The book was fantastic it didn't leave out any scenes you loved from the first three books. Higgins did an amazing job making Kai's point of view making it different from Anna's so it didn't seem like you were reading the first three again. However either way I don't think I would have cared !!! I loved the first three and loved this one!! 

So if your hesitating to pick it up because the first three ended perfectly. Then don't pick it up and  devour it to pieces.. 

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Slumber by Christy Sloat Review

Slumber by Christy Sloat

Synopsis : Not all princesses get their happily ever after...
They tell me I killed my boyfriend Phillip in cold blood. I stabbed him twenty one times. I’m only seventeen years old, and I am serving life in Spindle Ridge Asylum for the Criminally Insane.
I don’t remember killing him, so it’s really hard to believe I’m capable of murder. In fact I don’t remember anything before I came to Spindle Ridge, not even my boyfriend.
I can only grasp onto my realistic dreams while the madness of the asylum threatens to pull me under. I dream I’m a beautiful princess and there is an evil faerie named Maleficent who is bent on my destruction. The dreams are the closest thing I have to memories of my life, except they aren’t real.
I’m crazy. I’m not a princess. 
They’re the mad illusions of an irrational teenage girl, right?
They’ve assigned me a new doctor, and she says I can trust her, and that she’ll help me see the truth of who I really am. 
When she arrived she brought a new patient, Sawyer, who is everything Spindle Ridge isn’t: exciting, mysterious and beautiful. He promises he’s here to rescue me. Trusting either of them frightens me.
Could it be possible that my dreams are more than just the imaginings of a delusional girl? Could they be truth?

My review: What a magical read. The pages come to life as you read. It took me a few chapters to get into the book however I loved it. I had to get used to the different prospectives. The characters were really well developed and the story flowed really well. A fun spin of Maleficent and Sleeping Beauty. If you love fairy tales you will love this one. 5/5 Stars.

The next in the series: 

Synopsis for Awaken:
“Happily ever after is hers for the taking.”
Once upon a time I found myself locked away in Spindle Ridge Asylum, punished for a murder I didn’t commit. It was all part of Maleficent’s evil plan. I didn’t remember who I was then … now I do. My name is Aurora, and I am the rightful queen of this realm. Armed with my memories, I’m ready to take charge of my kingdom once more. Happily ever after evades me, yet I long to claim it with my true love, Sawyer, beside me. That fairy tale ending seems impossible with him locked in the thralls of a sleeping curse. As much as I’d love to sit by his bedside and eagerly await a cure, I must first travel into the terrifying Dark Woods to stop Raven from stripping me of all that is rightfully mine. I am not only a queen, but a warrior who will fight for her kingdom. Some may die. Blood will be shed. But when this ending comes, I will settle for nothing less than a blissful ever after.


About the Author:


Blog link 
- On her blog you can find more of her novels.

She resides in New Jersey currently with her husband, two daughters and Sophie her Chihuahua. Christy has embraced the love of reading and writing since her youth and was inspired by her grandmother’s loving support. Christy passes that love of reading, writing, and creativity to her daughters, family, and friends. When you do not find Christy within the pages of a book you can find her being mommy,  wife, crafter, and book nerd. She loves adventurous journeys with her friends  and can be known to get lost inside a bookstore. Be sure to venture into her  Past Lives Series, The Visitor’s Series, and watch for many more exciting things  to come. 

Flash Back Friday~ Abbey's Weekly Favorites


Hello Lovely world.. 
It is Friday and I wanted to start this new thing called Flash Back Friday Abbey's Weekly Favorites. I wanted to share some of my favorite things this week. 

SOOO lets get started

Book of the week: Crown Of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas - Goodreads link 

Book most looking forward to reading this coming week- Side Kick by Natalie Whipple-  Goodreads Link

Fav cosmetic product this week - Rimmel Press powder (Stay matte) . It is cheep and it works wonders. - Link to pintrest


Fav song of the week- 2 Heads By Coleman Hell - Youtube Link 


Tv Show of the week- Law & Order did not disappoint this week - Hulu Link 

Loving the fall spirt been burning the Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin from Bath&Body. SOso yummy - Link to Bath-body



Clothing item of the week: At my Costco there selling the softest joggers you ever did feel.  Wish I could find them online but I can't. However the brand is 32 Degrees Heat ( 
WeatherProof Technology)

--------------------------
Hope You all had a wonderful week. xoxox- Abbey

Thursday, October 8, 2015

Oct-8-15.. Audio books

      School is stressful so what do I do read... Or listen. I've been listing to audio books because I don't have time to read. I listen to Wake by Amanda Hocking the first book in the Watersong series. I have read the series before but it was cool to listen and get more details as I listen to the words and imagine it. Right now I'm am listening to Throne Of Glass by Sarah J. Maas. People have raved about the Throne Of Glass series's and now I know why . I love the main character she is snarky and strong however she has weaknesses like all main characters should have. It makes her complete. So much detail so much awesomeness. Makes me realize that the author must have poured her heart and guts into her novel.
... So audio books have become my happy place. And I'm so happy that I can  keep reading with my crazy , insane schedule !!!

Saturday, September 12, 2015

Emmy And Oliver Review by Robin



Emmy & Oliver 
by
Robin Benway 


 I had an amazing time at the  Author Signing   in SanFran  I got to meet a lot of great authors. They let us ask questions and told us about there books. I knew after Benway explained her book I had to read it right a way and it didn't disappoint. 

Author Goodreads: Page
Amazon: Book link 

Summary:
Emmy’s best friend, Oliver, reappears after being kidnapped by his father ten years ago. Emmy hopes to pick up their relationship right where it left off. Are they destined to be together? Or has fate irreparably driven them apart?

Emmy just wants to be in charge of her own life.

She wants to stay out late, surf her favorite beach—go anywhere without her parents’ relentless worrying. But Emmy’s parents can’t seem to let her grow up—not since the day Oliver disappeared.

Oliver needs a moment to figure out his heart.

He’d thought, all these years, that his dad was the good guy. He never knew that it was his father who kidnapped him and kept him on the run. Discovering it, and finding himself returned to his old hometown, all at once, has his heart racing and his thoughts swirling.

Emmy and Oliver were going to be best friends forever, or maybe even more, before their futures were ripped apart. In Emmy’s soul, despite the space and time between them, their connection has never been severed. But is their story still written in the stars? Or are their hearts like the pieces of two different puzzles—impossible to fit together?

Readers who love Sarah Dessen will tear through these pages with hearts in throats as Emmy and Oliver struggle to face the messy, confusing consequences of Oliver’s father’s crime. Full of romance, coming-of-age emotion, and heartache, these two equally compelling characters create an unforgettable story.

My Review:
     This book is the whole five stars. I loved every minute of it. There was enough emotion in the story it felt very real. I ached at the sad moments and laughed at the happy ones. I loved the characters. Very well relatable. You get the whole out look on teenage life and starting over. I loved the setting. I wanted to be in the book at the ocean with Emmy. 



                                                             Read it .


                                                                    *Spoiler* Cute swing set scene. 





Saturday, June 27, 2015

Savory Saturday...

Savory Saturday ...
It's Saturday. I wanted to start something new. So I keep blogging. 
Savory Saturday. I want to share book news and recent reads this Saturday. Also I'm going to add the link to my recent Q&A with the lovely Shelly Manchester on the BooksHavePower Blog. We talked about writing tips and publishing.  -Link- 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Book News.
Emmy and Oliver by Robin Benway was published this week. 
Emmy’s best friend, Oliver, reappears after being kidnapped by his father ten years ago. Emmy hopes to pick up their relationship right where it left off. Are they destined to be together? Or has fate irreparably driven them apart?

Emmy just wants to be in charge of her own life.

She wants to stay out late, surf her favorite beach—go anywhere without her parents’ relentless worrying. But Emmy’s parents can’t seem to let her grow up—not since the day Oliver disappeared.

Oliver needs a moment to figure out his heart.

He’d thought, all these years, that his dad was the good guy. He never knew that it was his father who kidnapped him and kept him on the run. Discovering it, and finding himself returned to his old hometown, all at once, has his heart racing and his thoughts swirling.

Emmy and Oliver were going to be best friends forever, or maybe even more, before their futures were ripped apart. In Emmy’s soul, despite the space and time between them, their connection has never been severed. But is their story still written in the stars? Or are their hearts like the pieces of two different puzzles—impossible to fit together?

Readers who love Sarah Dessen will tear through these pages with hearts in throats as Emmy and Oliver struggle to face the messy, confusing consequences of Oliver’s father’s crime. Full of romance, coming-of-age emotion, and heartache, these two equally compelling characters create an unforgettable story.
  (goodreads)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Songs/music videos of the week.
Bad Blood - Taylor swift ft. Kendrick Lamar **Girl Power**
Shut Up And Dance - Walk The Moon 
I Want You To Know - Zedd Ft. Selena Gomez 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Reads This Week.
Summer I turned Pretty by Jenny Han..
Belly measures her life in summers. Everything good, everything magical happens between the months of June and August. Winters are simple a time to count the weeks until the next summer, a place away from the beach house, away from Susannah, and most importantly, away from Jeremiah and Conrad. They are the boys that Belly has known since her very first summer--they have been her brother figures, her crushes, and everything in between. But one summer, one terrible and wonderful summer, the more everything changes, the more it all ends up just the way it should have been all along.  ( Goodreads)... 5/5 stars

It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han..

Can summer be truly summer without Cousins Beach?

It used to be that Belly counted the days until summer, until she was back at Cousins Beach with Conrad and Jeremiah. But not this year. Not after Susannah got sick again and Conrad stopped caring. Everything that was right and good has fallen apart, leaving Belly wishing summer would never come.
But when Jeremiah calls saying Conrad has disappeared, Belly knows what she must do to make things right again. And it can only happen back at the beach house, the three of them together, the way things used to be. If this summer really and truly is the last summer, it should end the way it started--at Cousins Beach. ( Goodreads) ... 5/5 stars. 

I need to read the third book. However I loved the first two. Great summer reads. Just what I needed. There fast and interesting reads. 




Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Without Me The Mind Breakers Accounts by Megan Dukes// Blog Tour ... Meet Avery Murphy.

Without Me
the mind 
Breakers accounts
MEGAN dUKES


Synopsis: VIA GOODREADS/
For 21-year-old Denni, there is no doubt in her mind that Amos is the one. That is until Jack manages to catch her attention. When she discovers it isn’t just a crush causing this stranger to intrude her thoughts, a secret world of mind control is unleashed around her. It is revealed that both Amos and Jack belong to a special breed of humans called Mind Breakers, and over time Denni learns that the last two years of her life have been controlled by their influence. Soon she realizes that the people she thought she knew, and the life she has most recently grown accustomed to, might not have ever been real in the first place. Her thoughts, emotions, and physical actions are all at stake.
So who can she trust?
This, of course, is Denni’s past. Now she is forced to retell her story from the beginning in hopes that the worst of it will never happen again.

mEET
aVERY mURPHY
Name: Charlotte Avery Murphy
Born: Belfast, Ireland
Hair: dark brown, short
Eyes: alice blue (very light)
Age: 22 
  • Jack was her best friend growing up.
  • He confided in her about his abilities and kept his secret
  • (SPOILERS)
    • She was the first to be changed by Cox as a test subject for the new drug.
    • She can control objects and people, just like Denni.
  • When Jack left to participate in MBGM, they had started something as a couple.
  • He told her that what she felt wasn’t real, but she didn’t believe him. 
  • She still has feelings for him, which causes tension between Jack and Denni.

MY CASTING FOR AVERY IS THE AUTHOR CASTING. I  THINK SHE IS PERFECT. 

Avery Murphy : Emily Browning

     





Authors characters sketch 

----------------------------------------------
Mini Q&A with author 

What was your inspiration for Avery?

Avery was a last minute addition to the story. I didn't plan for her to be involved. I knew she was going to be a major part of Jack's past, but I didn't think she would appear as a vital character. She more or less appeared on the page without me realizing it, and it just made sense. 

If you where do describe Avery in three words what would those three words be ? 

Pure. Shy. Loyal. 

If Avery were to be a super hero what super hero would she be?

I don't know about her name, but she'd definitely have the power of invisibility. She tends to fade into the background of most situations.

What was your favorite scene to write in Without Me ?

The fight between Amos and Jack was really intense for me to write. The story comes to a certain head at that point, so by the time they cross paths I was fully invested. It required a lot of emotion. Anger and betrayal. 

What songs Inspired Without Me?

Coffee Girl by Tragically Hip was a huge inspiration for Denni's character. As for the book, I listened to whatever fit the mood. I always post playlists on my website to share with readers, so I'll be doing that once the book is released! 


Which book is your favorite in the trilogy ?

Book 2 was my favorite for a long time, but now that I'm starting work on book 3 that is slowly becoming my new favorite. Probably whatever I'm working on at the time.

What helps you get out of a writing block?

I step away from it completely. I never force myself to write. If it's not flowing, I wait until inspiration strikes. That way I know what comes out will be worth it. Reading and listening to music helps me get creative too. I observe other people's work in order to get excited about my own.

Amos or Jack? 

I honestly love them both, for very different reasons. And I'm sure Denni does too. 

-----------------------------------------------------


Pick Without Me up you won't regret it. You will get sucked in and addicted to the book with the first few pages. The plot is intriquing and fast past. You will never get bored you will just want more. The characters are well developed , creative, and hott. (They need the double T). I loved the world that Megan Dukes created and I can't wait to read more of her work.  

Purchase book here.. 

-RELEASES MAY 19TH -

Here is my Without Me playlist via Spotify :
Link
URL
--------------------------------------
Meet the author :
Megan Dukes

*Goodreads

Hi, guys! My name is Megan! I write about teenagers doing inappropriate things and trying to find themselves. I believe that everyone deserves to be happy, no matter who you are or what you believe. My book, Small Circles, is available through most online distributors, including B&N.com, Amazon, iBooks, etc. am planning to re-release a brand new, freshly edited edition of my trilogy, The Mind Breaker Accounts, in 2015! TMBA is a New Adult series about a girl named Denni who's suddenly dropped into the middle of something out of her control. Literally. When she finds out that her boyfriend is part of a special breed of humans called Mind Breakers, she learns that the last few years of her life have been controlled by his influence. This isn't just any mind control, however. Her thoughts, emotions, and physical actions are all at stake. So who can she trust? 

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Fish Out Of Water Review !!!!

Fish Out Of Water 





Mika Arlington's summer will be perfect, she's made sure of it. Interning with her parents at the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Check. Sand sculpting at the beach with her best friend. Check. Eating delicious food until she can't walk straight. Check. But the arrival of her estranged grandmother and too cool Dylan are about to wash away her ideal plans. 
Mika’s grandmother has Alzheimer’s and demands care from the family she once shunned. Dylan, the brooding new employee at the pet shop where Mika works, may be hot but everything that comes out of his mouth is the exact opposite. She can’t stand either of them, and yet she’s expected to be their babysitter. Talk about worst summer ever. Until she learns that sometimes the best things can come completely unplanned.



My Review:

5/5 Stars 

Um.. WoW.. And then WoW again.. WoW one more time. 
I was hooked on the first page. 
I love and Cherish Natalie's witty and fun writing!! 
This book was fantastic and enjoyable. Fast paced , Witty , and Emotional all at once. I read it in two days. 
I hope she writes more Contemporary because I absolutely adored this book. 
To sum it up . Find the book Buy the book read the book then read it a million more times!!

Mika is not like any ordinary teen however are any teen's ordinary? She has a job at the pet store and when a new ( and hot) employee gets hired her life will get very complicated. A story of friendship, emotion, good food, and little romance. 

Whipple does an amazing job showing the difersity between cultures, and how real life situations can effect everybody.

Her characters are complex and amazing. You will fall in love with the book and not be able to find your way out. 

Ps. This book is set in Monetary California. Iv been there and it is amazing!!! 










* Pictures are from authors Pintrest 



    


Natalie Whipple, sadly, does not have any cool mutations like her characters. Unless you count the ability to watch anime and Korean dramas for hours on end. Or her uncanny knack for sushi consumption.

She grew up in the Bay Area and relocated to Utah for high school, which was quite the culture shock for her anime-loving teen self. But the Rocky Mountains eventually won her over, and she stuck around to earn her degree in English linguistics at BYU. Natalie still lives in Utah with her husband and three kids, and keeps the local Asian market in business with all her attempts to cook Thai curry, Pho, and “real” ramen.




Q&A


Q: What is your favorite book genre?
Well of course YA! It's hard to say more specifically than that, because I love fantasy, sci-fi, contemporary, paranormal, historical...it's just all interesting to me. I have written in many of those genres. I don't intend to focus any time soon. I'm just not the kind of writer or reader who sticks with one thing.

 Q: If you where to describe Fish Out Of Water in three words what would those words be?
Pride, Prejudice, Guppies (This is on the back of the UK version, and I just adore that!)

Q: What was your favorite Part to write in Fish out Of Water?
I love a lot about FISH. Like, a lot. It's a very important book to me personally, about love and how blurry it can be in all types of relationships. So one of my favorite scenes is The Oatmeal Scene near the end. Mika, trying to avoid a certain person, has taken to staying home to perfect this oatmeal recipe her Alzheimer's-ridden grandmother has demanded she make. It goes really poorly, and Mika realizes she's not the person she thought she was.

Q: if you where to send any of you characters into to the hunger games who would you send?
Oh that's mean! I guess if we're keeping with the FISH characters, it'd have to be London or Olivia. London because I kinda hope she wouldn't make it out, and Olivia because I'm pretty sure she'd win.

Q: Who has been your favorite character to write about?
Probably Jo from HOUSE OF IVY & SORROW.

Q: Paperback, hardback , or Ebook?
Paperback

Q: What is the hardest struggle being a writer?
There are a lot of struggles...it's hard to pick one, but maybe the reality that you never have job security. You can sell one series and have it do well, and then the next one tanks. Or you could be super obscure for years, and then one book hits it big. But that could end in a few years when people forget about you again. You're entirely at the whim of the market, and you can't control it. You often feel helpless about that. 

Q: Whats your Favorite thing about being a writer?
Writing is how I make sense of the world, so I love it for that. My books usually come out of some problem I'm thinking about, either one from my own life or something I've seen just in the world at large. When I write those feelings out in a story, I understand things better. Or at least I feel like I do. Then I'm at peace with whatever that problem was.

Q: Is it easier to Write a Stand alone or a series?
I would say a standalone. Just because you only have to sustain the story and character arcs for one book. Building a series, making room for the characters to grow over that much story, is a tough thing to do. At least to me. Maybe it comes naturally to some. Ultimately, I think whatever the form the story is intended to be in is the easiest. Trying to cram a trilogy into two books is the worst, for example. Or trying to stretch a standalone into more often doesn't work.


Q: Will you write more Contemporary in the future?
I have written a few contemporaries, actually! They just aren't published. I love contemporary and hope to do more, but we'll see. It was pretty hard to sell FISH, so I have no idea if I would get lucky enough to sell another contemporary. I don't have a lot of money, but if by some miracle I had enough to indie publish my YA contemp SIDEKICK, I'd love to. That book just has a special place in my heart and I want to see it in print for myself. Fingers crossed, I guess.