The Lost Girl of Astor Street - Stephanie Morrill

My Rating

★★★★★ - You have bewitched me, body and soul. (More Info)

About the Book

Lydia has vanished.

Lydia, who’s never broken any rules, except falling in love with the wrong boy. Lydia, who’s been Piper’s best friend since they were children. Lydia, who never even said good-bye.

Convinced the police are looking in all the wrong places, eighteen-year-old Piper Sail begins her own investigation in an attempt to solve the mystery of Lydia’s disappearance. With the reluctant help of a handsome young detective, Piper goes searching for answers in the dark underbelly of 1924 Chicago, determined to find Lydia at any cost.

When Piper discovers those answers might stem from the corruption strangling the city—and quite possibly lead back to the doors of her affluent neighborhood—she must decide how deep she’s willing to dig, how much she should reveal, and if she’s willing to risk her life of privilege for the sake of the truth.

From the glitzy homes of the elite to the mob-run streets of 1920s Chicago, Stephanie Morrill’s jazz-age mystery shows just how far a girl will go to save her friend. (From www.stephaniemorrill.com)

My Thoughts

Oh.My.Goodness! I don't even know where to start with this one. First of all, I am not overly attracted to books that are suspenseful and cause me to jump out of my skin when my REFRIGERATOR makes noises. However, Rachel McMillan keeps talking about this book, and I decided that I just had to read it! THAT being said, The Lost Girl of Astor Street is a must read! 

This book is written in first person, but it is nothing like other books with this point of view. Most of the time when I read a book written as first person, I feel like I am simply inside the character's head, getting a front row seat to the way they think and the way they process information that comes their way. With The Lost Girl of Astor Street, Stephanie Morrill takes the first person voice to a whole new level. A level where I felt as though I became Piper Sail. I was processing the way Piper was processing, her thoughts were my thoughts...This added such a deep level of intimacy with the character that I feel like I know Piper like I know myself. 

Set in 1920s Chicago, you will be swept into the Jazz Age and will be tempted to dance the night away with Piper and a certain Italian detective. Having grown up in what Piper Sail thought was a safe neighborhood, she soon comes to realize that nothing is as it appears. Has she placed her trust in the wrong people? Will she ever discover what has happened to Lydia? And will the unlikeliest of people, become her greatest champion? Follow "Detective" Sail through the underbelly of Chicago. Uproot lies, reveal truth, and fight for justice for those who can not fight for themselves. 

I borrowed The Lost Girl of Astor Street from my local library. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

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About the Author

Stephanie Morrill is the creator of GoTeenWriters.com and the author of several young adult novels, including the historical mystery, The Lost Girl of Astor Street. Despite loving cloche hats and drop-waist dresses, Stephanie would have been a terrible flapper because she can’t do the Charleston and looks awful with bobbed hair. She and her near-constant ponytail live in Kansas City with her husband and three kids.

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The Illusionist's Apprentice + Giveaway - Kristy Cambron

My Rating

★★★★★ - You have bewitched me, body and soul. (More Info)

About the Book

Harry Houdini’s one-time apprentice holds fantastic secrets about the greatest illusionist in the world. But someone wants to claim them . . . or silence her before she can reveal them on her own.

Boston, 1926— Jenny “Wren” Lockhart is a bold eccentric—even for a female vaudevillian. As notorious for her inherited wealth and gentleman’s dress as she is for her unsavory upbringing in the back halls of a vaudeville theater, Wren lives in a world that challenges all manner of conventions.

In the months following Houdini’s death, Wren is drawn into a web of mystery surrounding a spiritualist by the name of Horace Stapleton, a man defamed by Houdini’s ardent debunking of fraudulent mystics in the years leading up to his death. But in a public illusion that goes terribly wrong, one man is dead and another stands charged with his murder. Though he’s known as one of her teacher’s greatest critics, Wren must decide to become the one thing she never wanted to be: Stapleton’s defender.

Forced to team up with the newly formed FBI, Wren races against time and an unknown enemy, all to prove the innocence of a hated man. In a world of illusion, of the vaudeville halls that showcase the flamboyant and the strange, Wren’s carefully constructed world threatens to collapse around her. Layered with mystery, illusion, and the artistry of the Jazz Age’s bygone vaudeville era, The Illusionist’s Apprentice is a journey through love and loss and the underpinnings of faith on each life’s stage. (From Kristy's website)

My Thoughts

An incredible story brimming with suspense, illusion, questions, romance, sacrifice, and redemption. Spanning the course of Wren's life, we jump around quite a bit as her story and character unfolds, but it is easy to follow. We also get to see the world through a few different viewpoints which helps to draw your heart into the world of vaudeville.

LOVE - LOVE - LOVE Elliot. Mmmhmmm! From 1 to 5 on the swoony scale - 4.5 for SURE! He is protective and gentle, yet firm and carries a strength that Wren needs, although she denies it. Wren is such an incredible person. I fell in love with her from chapter one. With her eccentric style and lifestyle, a performer, giving the public the illusion of grandeur...when in reality, her lifestyle is quite simple. A woman with a past that tears at her soul, longing for freedom, but not knowing where to turn. When Agent Elliot Matthews bullies his way on to her stage, her life takes a dramatic turn and the impossible becomes possible.

Wren struggles to forgive herself for something in her past that she has been led to believe is her fault. We follow her on a journey of realization that forgiveness is not just an illusion, but something very real. That it penetrates the very heart and soul of who we are. It shapes and molds us. And that we can be free if we choose to be. But if we spend too long believing in an illusion, it will distort our view of reality.

"You can be free if you want to. But it's your choice." 

- Kristy Cambron The Illusionist's Apprentice

So, embrace the truth. Let Papa God open your eyes to see yourself as He created you. To see your gifts, your strengths, and the forgiveness that He has poured out on you. Take a step back in time to the Jazz Age. Step into the world of Harry Houdini and Wren Lockhart in the center of vaudeville. Let them dazzle you with a story of truth, forgiveness...and illusion.  

I received a complimentary copy of The Illusionist's Apprentice through BookLook Bloggers and NetGalley. I also won a copy of this book in a giveaway. Which is why I am honored to be able to bless one of my readers with one of these copies. Please see below for giveaway details. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

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About the Author

KRISTY CAMBRON has a background in art and design, but she fancies life as a vintage-inspired storyteller. She is the bestselling author of The Ringmaster’s Wife, named to Publishers Weekly Spring 2016 Religion & Spirituality TOP 10. Her novels have been named to Library Journal Reviews’ Best Books and RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards Best lists for 2014 & 2015, and received a 2015 INSPY Awards nomination for best debut novel. The Illusionist’s Apprentice (HarperCollins, 2017) is her fourth novel. Her first Bible study DVD and study guides, The Verse Mapping series, will release in 2018.

Kristy holds a degree in Art History from Indiana University, and has 15 years experience in education and leadership development for a Fortune-100 Corporation. She loves storytelling from the stage and travels to speak about her love for Bible Verse Mapping throughout the year. Kristy lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons, where she can probably be bribed with a coconut mocha latte and a good read.

The last and most important thing? Jesus Christ is everything — let her tell you about Him sometime.

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Books by Kristy Cambron on Bookworm Mama

Giveaway!!!

I was blessed to win a print copy of The Illusionist's Apprentice from Kristy's book launch party. Which is why I am honored to be able to bless one of YOU with the extra copy I now have. Enter via the Rafflecopter form below. Please see my Disclosures and Policies page for full details. Open to U.S. & Canada. Void where prohibited by law. 

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The Heir - The Selection Book 4 - Kiera Cass

As a new Selection begins, will Eadlyn stay cold towards those selected? Or will she be able to open her heart to love?

**Please be aware of possible spoilers if you have not read the first three books in The Selection Series** 

For the first time in Illéa's history a female is in line for the throne. Eadlyn Schreave is determined to be a strong leader and Queen, and she will do it without a husband. But when the country begins to show signs of unrest, her parents are desperate for a distraction until they can come up with a solution. What better way to deter the citizen's attention than by holding another Selection. This time, with a female Selector. Eadlyn has grown up listening to stories about her parents fairy tale romance, but she is positive that won't happen for her.  She is determined to make it through the Selection without losing her heart. But could her impression of these boys as they let her into their hearts? Will she learn how to be vulnerable with those she cares about? Or will she hold her resolve and remain the cold, hard princess her people see her as?

“You can be brave and still be feminine. You can lead and still love flowers. Most importantly, you can be queen and still be a bride.” - The Heir

Have you ever gotten to the end of a series and thought..."Well what happens next?" Most of the time we are left to imagine the continuation on our own. I am happy to tell you that in The Selection Series, that is not the case.

The Elite - The Selection Series - Book 2 - Kiera Cass (And Novellas)

The Selection has narrowed down to just six girls. Who will win the Prince and the crown? 

**Please be aware of SPOILERS if you have not read The Selection**

Tensions rise as the selection is narrowed down. True motives are shown and more than one heart is broken. The intensity dramatically increases in The Elite. Rebel attacks become more frequent and violent. Passion is heightened and the stakes are higher than ever. Who will stay and who will be sent home? 

"It wasn't like I made his world better. It was like I was his world. It wasn't some explosion; it wasn't fireworks. It was a fire, burning slowly from the inside out." - The Elite Page 298

The Selection - Book 1 (And Novellas) - Kiera Cass

The Queen & The Prince

I started this series by reading the novellas The Queen and The Prince. Once I started reading The Selection I was very glad I did. The Queen is Queen Amberly's story (the current Queen in The Selection) and gives us much insight into her character. Learning about her made me love her even more while reading The Selection. The Prince is written from Prince Maxon's point of view. While a few of the scenes overlap in The Selection, I don't think it gave away anything crucial. If anything, it enhanced my view of Prince Maxon. I feel like I understood him better going into The Selection and was grateful for that. The Selection is written solely from Lady America's viewpoint and therefore the novellas definitely added the much needed insight into the other characters. 

The Selection

Set many years into the future The US has undergone drastic change. Under the rule of a monarchy once again. Prince Maxon, only child and heir to the throne, is ready to find his future queen. In a lottery type draw, one young lady (between the ages of 16 and 20) from each province is selected as candidates for the throne, and for Maxon's heart. Among them is America Singer. A Five in the caste system (There are eight total). Although her becoming a part of the selection was an accident, of sorts...Will she be able to forget her past and embrace her future? There are 35 girls, and only 1 prince. Who will emerge as Queen? 

It has been a long while since I have been so engrossed in a book that I couldn't put it down to go to sleep. I finally had to, as my eyes wouldn't stay open any longer, with only two chapters remaining! I kept having dreams about the book! I finished it as soon as I woke up this morning and am now anxiously awaiting to check out The Elite from the library. Since this is a book about a prince finding a wife, you can expect to have romance with a mild dystopian flair. Although I personally think the emotions are slightly intense for a YA book, it is still clean and decent. Prince Maxon is an honorable man. Parents, please use your own discretion. (For more about content go here.)  Kiera Cass has done a fabulous job imagining a new world of castes, monarchy, fashion, rebellion and love. (It's like The Bachelor, but way better!) Please be advised that these books do not stand alone. And once you finish The Selection you are going to want to start The Elite immediately (so do what I didn't do and place a hold on BOTH)! This book ends well, but definitely leaves you wanting more. I have also heard that The Selection is being made into a movie. Although all I could find out was that it is in pre-production. I am thoroughly enjoying this series, but I know that it won't be to everyone's taste. Keep in mind that it is a Young Adult novel and is written for that level. Happy reading! And may the odds be ever in your favor....wait....

I found The Selection Series and The Selection Stories at my local library. All opinions expressed are mine alone. The Selection Series is published by HarperTeen.

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