Interview w/Natalie Whipple + A Giveaway!

Ninjas. Who doesn't love them? And who hasn't secretly wished for awesome ninja skills? (Uh-huh. You know you have.) So I'm uber thrilled today to welcome Natalie Whipple, author of Transparent, Blindsided, The House of Ivy & Sorrow, and her most recent: Relax, I'm A Ninja.

1. Quick, weapon of choice-- shuriken or nunchucks?

It's very situational. Like, if I were hiding out and had distance, shuriken would be more useful in that scenario. If it was closer combat, I'd want the nunchaku. So basically I'm saying I want both. I can do that, because I'm a ninja. ;)

2. Do you feel like your pre-release nerves for Relax, I'm A Ninja are better or worse than they were w/your traditionally-published novels? 

I think I'm doing better on nerves for the most part, but that may be more because it's my fourth published novel than anything. If this was my first, I think I'd be as nervous as I was for my first traditionally published book. It's amazing how much you chill out even from debut to your second book. All the things you worry about at first just kind of fall away over time.

3. What's your top 3 fav snacks and/or beverages?

Cupcakes, Diet Mt. Dew Code Red, Dark Chocolate Anything

4. Besides writing, you also draw, and I've always enjoyed seeing your characters from your perspective. Did you draw a lot of ninjas when writing/revising Relax?

 
I did! But many of those drawings are from years and years ago, since I originally started writing this book in late 2008. I don't have many I can dig up easily, but this one I happen to have on my computer drive. It's one of my favorites.

Tosh and Amy, from Relax, I'm a Ninja

5. Cute sandals, or comfy tennis shoes?

Sandals. Or heels. I really like wearing cute shoes, and yes, I sacrifice comfort for awesome-looking footwear.

6. Will you share one of your favorite sentences from Relax, I'm a Ninja?

Oh man, it's hard to think of just one sentence! Hmm...maybe these two:

"No free lives or heals. Just ninja skills."

* * *

Anyone else think Natalie should totally put her fav lines on a tshirt? Lol! And that sketch is awesome-- love the nighttime colors, the golden light, and that leg in the air! Mine would be too, if a ninja were hugging me...*wink* Alright, so to celebrate Relax's release into the world, here's this totally cute little ninja dollie. And, yeah, I'm sure if he were a real ninja, he'd be trying to stick me w/some shuriken right about now... 

Image courtesy of RogueWoodDesigns

To be entered to win Mr. Ninja Dollie, simply leave a comment and please follow Natalie at one or more of her social media links below. The winner will be announced on 5/26 on Twitter & updated on this post. Thanks for stopping by, Natalie, and I wish Relax, I'm a Ninja a non-stealthy entrance into the world! ;) 

About: 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.

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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 both their souls.
B&N | Amazon | IndieBound UPDATE: Tiana Smith won Mr. Ninja Dollie!