Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Sidekick by Natalie Whipple

Sidekick is out today!!

Title
: Sidekick
Author: Natalie Whipple
Publisher: Whipple House
Date of PublicationNovember 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.

I love everything Natalie Whipple! So go buy it at one of these great retailers:

Amazon
 Barns and Noble
The Book Depository
 If you want a signed Copy

Also you can enter to win a kindle edition here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And here's and excerpt from the book: 

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.”

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.


Thursday, October 8, 2015

IGNITE by Sara B. Larson

Ignite 
By Sara B Larson
Published by Scholastic
289 pages
Book 2 of Defy series

WHAT ITS ABOUT(from goodreads)
Murder, abductions, and forbidden romance abound in this thrilling sequel to Sara B. Larson's acclaimed YA debut, DEFY.

Alexa remains by the newly crowned King Damian’s side as his guard, ever committed to helping him rebuild Antion and reclaim the hope of Antion's people, despite continuing to harbor a secret love for him. However, when another threat to Damian and his kingdom emerges, and blame is cast on their newly forged allies from Blevon, Alexa knows things are not what they seem. With the fate of her nation hanging in the balance once again, will Alexa be able to protect her king and uncover the true enemy—before it's too late?

WHAT I THOUGHT:
I read this book when I was sleep deprived from new baby and going through a rough time in my life. So the first time I read it I LOVED it but I knew I'd need to re read it to really get it to sink in. And I finally have. With ENDURE coming out in December I wanted to refresh so I read this and DEFY again. I loved it even more this time! Alexa is one of my favorite characters. She's been fun to watch grow. I love the emotions in these books. Just from the build up of the characters you know exactly what the feelings in the room are without having to be told. There's several times I was crying for the characters and their extreme success or heartbreak. They really feel like living breathing people. 

Also I didn't read the Acknowledgements the first time, I always do but I'm blaming new mommy hormones, and you guys I'm in there! I love this book and Sara so much but I never dreamed I'd see my name in her book! Thanks Sara!! 

Yes I have it on my nook and in book form all of my favorites are! ;)




ENDURE comes out December 29th. If you live in Utah come to the release party! I'd love to meet some of my fellow book lovers! 

Sunday, November 30, 2014

ARC review: FISH OUT OF WATER by Natalie Whipple


What it's about from goodreads: 
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?

What I thought:
Well Natalie has done it again! Another non stop page turner! I love all of her books and this one is no different. I love watching Mika grow, and learn to love in about every way possible. There's so many feels as Mika goes through some life changing events. This book is easy to relate to and so fun to read. I love having a book I can't put down. The writing and characters are beautiful and everyone should read this book, especially if you've had difficult family to deal with! 

I give this book:

Thank you Natalie for letting me read your book! 


Saturday, August 16, 2014

ARC Review CUT ME FREE


Cut Me Free
By J.R. Johansson
In Stores January 27 2015

What is it about? (from goodreads)

Seventeen-year-old Charlotte barely escaped from her abusive parents. Her little brother, Sam, wasn't as lucky. Now she's trying to begin the new life she always dreamed of for them, but never thought she'd have to experience alone. She's hired a techie-genius with a knack for forgery to remove the last ties to her old life. But while she can erase her former identity, she can’t rid herself of the memories. And her troubled history won’t let her ignore the little girl she sees one day in the park. The girl with the bruises and burn marks.
That’s when Charlotte begins to receive the messages. Threatening notes left in her apartment--without a trace of entry. And they’re addressed to Piper, her old name. As the messages grow in frequency, she doesn’t just need to uncover who is leaving them; she needs to stop whoever it is before anyone else she loves ends up dead.

What I thought:

So dark and twisty.  I loved it.  Charlotte's battle to start a new a life and break the cycle of abuse is quite the emotional roller coaster ride. Her character just continues to grow as she faces her demons inside herself and the ones she has to face outwardly when she finds a girl in her same situation. I really enjoyed her terrifying journey. Everyone should read this book. It brings some awareness to abuse and Human trafficking, in a way I never would have thought of. 

I give this Book:


Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Make me a suggestion

I get asked every once in awhile about what I would recommend for a book to read so I thought I'd write a quick blog post of suggestions:) Plus I've been really bad about reviews so maybe this will sort of make up for it.  (all synopsis from goodreads and author sites)

Heres a couple of books I've gotten to read that aren't out yet but you should look forward to!

1.  Defy by Sara B. Larson release date: 1/7/2014
 A lush and gorgeously written debut, packed with action, intrigue, and a thrilling love triangle.

Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect?

2. Into the Dark The Shadow Prince by Bree Despain Release Date: 3/11/2014  (I super loved this book!  I haven't had a minute to sit down and do a review but its amazingly good!)
Haden Lord, the disgraced prince of the Underrealm, has been sent to the mortal world to entice a girl into returning with him to the land of the dead. Posing as a student at Olympus Hills High—a haven for children of the rich and famous—Haden must single out the one girl rumored to be able to restore immortality to his race.

Daphne Raines has dreams much bigger than her tiny southern Utah town, so when her rock star dad suddenly reappears, offering her full tuition to Olympus Hills High’s prestigious music program, she sees an opportunity to catch the break she needs to make it as a singer. But upon moving into her estranged father’s mansion in California, and attending her glamorous new school, Daphne soon realizes she isn’t the only student in Olympus who doesn’t quite belong.

Haden and Daphne—destined for each other—know nothing of the true stakes their fated courtship entails. As war between the gods brews, the teenagers’ lives collide. But Daphne won’t be wooed easily and when it seems their prophesied link could happen, Haden realizes something he never intended—he’s fallen in love. Now to save themselves, Haden and Daphne must rewrite their destinies. But as their destinies change, so do the fates of both their worlds

3.  House of Ivy and Sorrow by Natalie Whipple Release Date 4/15/2014
Josephine Hemlock has spent the last 10 years hiding from the Curse that killed her mother. But when a mysterious man arrives at her ivy-covered, magic-fortified home, it’s clear her mother’s killer has finally come to destroy the rest of the Hemlock bloodline. Before Jo can even think about fighting back, she must figure out who she’s fighting in the first place. The more truth Jo uncovers, the deeper she falls into witchcraft darker than she ever imagined. Trapped and running out of time, she begins to wonder if the very Curse that killed her mother is the only way to save everyone she loves

Books out now:

1. If I Stay and Where She went by Gayle Forman
If I stay: In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...

A sophisticated, layered, and heart-achingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make, and the ultimate choice Mia commands

Where She Went: It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future-and each other.

Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I StayWhere She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

2. Just One Day and Just One Year by Gayle Forman
Just One day: A breathtaking journey toward self-discovery and true love, from the author of If I Stay

When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.

Just One Year: When he opens his eyes, Willem doesn’t know where in the world he is—Prague or Dubrovnik or back in Amsterdam. All he knows is that he is once again alone, and that he needs to find a girl named Lulu. They shared one magical day in Paris, and something about that day—that girl—makes Willem wonder if they aren’t fated to be together. He travels all over the world, from Mexico to India, hoping to reconnect with her. But as months go by and Lulu remains elusive, Willem starts to question if the hand of fate is as strong as he’d thought. . . .

3. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming,beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend. 

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

4. Vampire Academy series  by Richelle Mead
There are 6 books in this series and its pretty awesome!  The movie for the first book comes out in February. 
 Two races of vampires walk our world. The Moroi are alive and wield elemental magical, while the Strigoi are undead and evil--feeding on the innocent to survive. Rose Hathaway--a half-vampire with poor impulse control--is training to be a bodyguard for a Moroi princess. Learning to decapitate and stake is hard enough, but Rose's real danger may lie in an illicit romance with one of her instructors...
The VA series has received honors from the American Library Association and been #1 on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller lists.

5. Once you've read Vampire Academy read the spin off series Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

Rose's story might have wrapped up in the Vampire Academy series, but there's still lots more to tell about the other characters from that world. This spin-off series centers around Sydney the Alchemist, a human teen who's part of a group to keep the existence of vampires secret from the world. Sydney's spent her entire life being taught that vampires and dhampirs are evil and unnatural, but all that's about to change when she's forced into hiding with Jill, Adrian, and Eddie...

6. Everneath series  by Brodi Ashton
There are 3 books and 1 novella in this series with the last one releasing in January 2014
 Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath. Now she’s returned—to her old life, her family, her boyfriend—before she’s banished back to the underworld . . . this time forever. She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can’t find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these precious months forgetting the Everneath and trying to reconnect with her boyfriend, Jack, the person most devastated by her disappearance—and the one person she loves more than anything. But there’s just one problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who enticed her to the Everneath in the first place, has followed Nikki home. Cole wants to take over the throne in the underworld and is convinced Nikki is the key to making it happen. And he’ll do whatever it takes to bring her back, this time as his queen.

As Nikki’s time on the Surface draws to a close and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she is forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole’s queen.


7. Georgina Kincaid series  by Richelle Mead
There are 6 books in this series and its a bit more on the adult side.
 if love wasn't hard enough! Imagine not being able to touch your boyfriend without sucking away his soul. Welcome to the world of Georgina Kincaid, a reluctant succubus who always seems to find herself in the middle of supernatural intrigue...

8. Divergent Series by Veronica Roth
There are 3 books in this series
In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles to determine who her friends really are. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers a growing conflict that threatens to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves… or it might destroy her.



9. Matched Series by Ally Condie
There are 3 books in this series
In the Society, Officials decide. Who you love. Where you work. When you die. Cassia has always trusted their choices, but she begins to question just how perfect her world really is when she notices things are not what they seem. As Cassia begins to doubt the Society’s infallibility, she is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she’s known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.
 
10. Mind Games  by Kiersten White
Fia was born with flawless instincts. Her first impulse, her gut feeling, is always exactly right. Her sister, Annie, is blind to the world around her—except when her mind is gripped by strange visions of the future.

Trapped in a school that uses girls with extraordinary powers as tools for corporate espionage, Annie and Fia are forced to choose over and over between using their abilities in twisted, unthinkable ways…or risking each other’s lives by refusing to obey.

11. The Dark Divine Series by Bree Despain
there are 3 books and 1 novella in this series
I stood back and watched his movements. Daniel had that way about him that could shut me down in an instant. . . . I kicked the gravel a couple of times and worked up my courage again. “Tell me . . . I mean . . . why did you come back? Why now, after all this time?”

Grace Divine, daughter of the local pastor, always knew something terrible happened the night Daniel Kalbi disappeared—the night she found her brother Jude collapsed on the porch, covered in blood. But she has no idea what a truly monstrous secret that night really held. And when Daniel returns three years later, Grace can no longer deny her attraction to him, despite promising Jude she’ll stay away.

As Grace gets closer to Daniel, her actions stir the ancient evil Daniel unleashed that horrific night. Grace must discover the truth behind Jude and Daniel's dark secret . . . and the cure that can save the ones she loves. But she may have to lay down the ultimate sacrifice to do it—her soul.
12. Transparent by Natalie Whipple
Plenty of teenagers feel invisible. Fiona McClean actually is.

An invisible girl is a priceless weapon. Fiona’s own father has been forcing her to do his dirty work for years—everything from spying on people to stealing cars to breaking into bank vaults.

After sixteen years, Fiona’s had enough. She and her mother flee to a small town, and for the first time in her life, Fiona feels like a normal life is within reach. But Fiona’s father isn’t giving up that easily.

Of course, he should know better than anyone: never underestimate an invisible girl.
 
These are my most most favorite I could probably go on forever with books I enjoyed! feel free to leave your reccomnednations in the comments!!
 

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

ARC Review: DEFY





DEFY
By Sara B. Larson
In stores Jan. 7 2014








My Playlist:

Check it out here


What it's about (from goodreads):

A lush and gorgeously written debut, packed with action, intrigue, and a thrilling love triangle.

Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect?


What I Thought:

My first thoughts on this book as I started reading it was ooooh a dark Mulan.  I love both things darkness and Mulan.  As I got further into the book the more in love I fell with all of the characters. I love the journey that Alexa goes through to discover who she really is.  Sara is a fantastic story teller, there's so many twists and turns.  I'm very excited to find out what happens next in Alexa's world.  I think everyone should read and love this book!

The release party:

Sara's Release party will be at Kings English on January 7th 2014 at  7PM.  You can RSVP Here.  But come have fun and support Sara!! and if you want to join us for cheesecake at the cheesecake factory after feel free!!! We love new friends!

I give this book:




Tuesday, August 13, 2013

ebook review Candy and the Cankersaur

 
 
                                      Candy and the Cankersaur
By Jason Sandberg
Available on Amazon, Barns and Noble, iTunes and Kobo
$2.99


What its about (from amazon)
This is the sweet and funny tale of a young girl named Candy and a Cankersaurus Rex! Candy receives a dinosaur as a gift and is determined to train him to be a good pet.


What I thought:
 I don't usally do childrens books on this blog but Jason Reached out to me to review his childrens book Candy and the Cankersaur.  The art work is beautiful and is an homage to Syd Hoff, you can see the inspiration Syd gave to the pictures.  My son loved looking at the Dinosaurs and pretty pictures. He was a little bit small to grasp the meaning of the story.  Some of the wording in the writting was geared more toward a little bit older crowd than I'm currently used to but it was a cute story about friendship and learning to be happy for friends who have things you may not. If you're looking for a fun picture book with dinosaurs for your kids on your ebook device go ahead and check this one out.

I give this book: