Judging a Book by It's Cover - Vanishing Act

Title: Vanishing Act
Author: Erica Keifer

First Impression:  So this cover intrigues me right off. My first thought is of illusionists and escape artists – so I think a small part of me would actually be disappointed if there wasn’t that element incorporated in this book. However, the title Vanishing Act allows my mind to wander to more serious things, like abuse and captivity. Of course, there are always double meanings, so I can guess that the main character of this novel is going to be breaking the bonds on his/her life, and starting something new. The bi-line reads “In a journey for retribution, lines blur between courage, justice, and revenge.” So perhaps the MC is fighting off the bonds that are within his/her mind due to a past mistake, decision or action. However, the “revenge” indicates that there was a wrong done to them though, so I’m thinking no.


My Prediction: This book is going to be intense either way. Action, whether it is within the mind trying to figure out the next steps, or in fighting the antagonist, is bound to be an edge of your seat kind of ride. I’m really interested and am very likely to pick this book up.

Blurb (from Goodreads):

A fresh start at college is exactly what Kate needs to ease the burden of her family secrets. When she meets the confident and charming Aaron Jackson, she weaves a new history for herself to fit into his seemingly perfect life. But the past refuses to stay where it belongs, causing a rift between their contrasting worlds.

When Ben reappears in Kate's life, she is only pulled deeper into the childhood that she's tried to forget. Driven by the abuse and pain that still lingers within him, Ben seeks Kate's help in making a change. But in this journey for retribution, lines blur between courage, justice, and revenge.

Bound by their shared and damaged youth, Kate is forced to choose sides, and fast. The final act is almost here, and time is running out.

Vanishing Act is a Lingering Echoes novel that can be read as part of the series or as a stand alone story. Fueled by the scars from an experience in foster care that no child should have to endure, Vanishing Act touches on serious issues that can continue to impact abuse victims well into their adult lives. Vanishing Act is an emotional drama with a sweet romance mixed in.

Weekly Deja Revu

Déjà Revu is a weekly review round-up that is open to all book review blogs.

• $2,000 GC & Books Giveaway Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy - Ends: 6/30/16

Contemporary

• Cassie Mae (Becca Ann) - Anita @ I Loves to Read

Fantasy

• Carry On by Rainbow Rowell - Joood @Just Another Girl and Her Books
*SATIRE*
• The Siren by Kiera Cass - Joood @Just Another Girl and Her Books
*SATIRE*

Paranormal

• Becoming by Raine Thomas - Lenoreo @Celebrity Readers
• Central by Raine Thomas - Lenoreo @Celebrity Readers
• Foretold by Raine Thomas - Lenoreo @Celebrity Readers
• Onyx by Jennifer L. Armentrout - Anita @ I Loves to Read
• From Origins by Mary Ting - Katie @Just Another Girl and Her Books

Romance

• Walk The Edge by Katie McGarry - Caroline Andrus

Romance

• Embracing Emma by Leigh Ann Lunsford - Empress DJ @ Books and Bindings
• The Prince And The Player by Tia Louise - Empress DJ @ Books and Bindings

Fantasy

• The Magicians by Lev Grossman - Czar Fancypants @Whose Review is it Anyway *SATIRE*

Graphic Novel

• Orange by Ichigo Takano - Joood @Just Another Girl and Her Books

Horror

• Hatched by Jason R. Davis - Katie @Just Another Girl and Her Books

Mystery

•  Blink Chess by Cristelle Comby - Felita @ Lilac Reviews

Non-Fiction

• You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) by Felicia Day - Joood @Just Another Girl and Her Books *SATIRE*
• A Time for Truth by Ted Cruz - Czar Fancypants @Whose Review is it Anyway
*SATIRE*

Religious

• Healing Ruby by Jennifer Hays Westfall (Audio Book) - Felita@ Lilac Reviews

Romance

• Good Girl by Lauren Layne - Empress DJ @ Books and Bindings
• Chasing Eva by Camellia Hart - Empress DJ @ Books and Bindings

Science Fiction

• The Martian by Andy Weir - Czar Fancypants @Whose Review is it Anyway *SATIRE*

Woman's Fiction

• Worth The Wait by Julie Ann Levin - Empress DJ @ Books and Bindings
• Clipper Beach by Roma Brooks - Empress DJ @ Books and Bindings
• Pretty Hot by Donna Alam - Empress DJ @ Books and Bindings
• Gone Wild by Dakota Madison - Empress DJ @ Books and Bindings
•  The Weekenders by Mary Kay Andrews - Empress DJ @ Books and Bindings

Romance

• After The Hurt by Shana Gray - Empress DJ @ Books and Bindings

Woman's Fiction

• Darkest Temptations by Charlene M. Martin - Empress DJ @ Books and Bindings

OTHER

• Dark Attraction by Alexandrea Weis - Katie @Just Another Girl and Her Books

Book Review: The Neverland Wars - Audrey Greathouse

Title: The Neverland Wars
Author: Audrey Greathouse
Genre: YA - Fantasy, Fairytale Retell

Buy Link: http://amzn.com/1634221710

Blurb (from Goodreads):
Magic can do a lot—give you flight, show you mermaids, help you taste the stars, and… solve the budget crisis? That's what the grown-ups will do with it if they ever make it to Neverland to steal its magic and bring their children home.

However, Gwen doesn't know this. She's just a sixteen-year-old girl with a place on the debate team and a powerful crush on Jay, the soon-to-be homecoming king. She doesn't know her little sister could actually run away with Peter Pan, or that she might have to chase after her to bring her home safe. Gwen will find out though—and when she does, she'll discover she's in the middle of a looming war between Neverland and reality.

She'll be out of place as a teenager in Neverland, but she won't be the only one. Peter Pan's constant treks back to the mainland have slowly aged him into adolescence as well. Soon, Gwen will have to decide whether she's going to join impish, playful Peter in his fight for eternal youth… or if she's going to scramble back to reality in time for the homecoming dance.

My Review:

I'm in love with Peter Pan stories.  I can't get enough of the different takes of the classic fairy tale.  I fall into these patterns a lot; Beauty and the Beast is my favorite to read, but I've also done Cinderella, and Red Riding Hood multiple times.

What I Loved:  A popular theme in Peter Pan retells has been that Hook is not the 'bad guy' and Peter Pan is.  I haven't minded these role swaps, and find them a lot of fun, I'm thankful that someone has decided to keep the playful, adventurous Peter Pan in character!   I loved the descriptions of him behaving perfectly youthful and curious, while at the same time showing his burden for the home he loves and the desire to keep it protected from those who wish to use it for their own gain.

Gwen's character was so perfect, even before Peter and Neverland come into play in this book, you can see the internal battle that she faces between wanting to be teenage and enjoy the things teenagers enjoy, while at the same time keeping that carefree freedom that only comes with being a child.  As she does venture into Neverland, that internal battle is even stronger.

Not So Much: Given the title, I thought that there would be more of a 'war' happening, as far as action.  What we have is the tip of a story, an introduction to characters and the promise of more adventure.  I know this, because I verified by checking out Audrey Greathouse's website, but that wasn't until I finished the story, so while now I'm pretty satisfied, while reading I was a little let down about this.

The Verdict:        

I liked this book, but I predict that I'm going to LOVE sequel!  This book is very YA appropriate, and honestly, I'm considering buying the book and putting it into the hands of my 11 year old daughter.

Note:  I received this book from Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

Judging a Book by It's Cover - I'll Be The One

Welcome to my very first Judging a Book by Its Cover post. I’m hoping that I get better at this as I do it, but the idea is that I am going to take a look at a cover and try and give my opinion on it, and what the story must be about based on the cover (and the words on the cover). I am doing what I can NOT to read the blurb or any additional information, but once my ‘analysis’ is completed, I will post the blurb at the bottom. I’m hoping this will be fun, and also a break from the post after post of book reviews. Something new. So without further ado…


Title: I’ll Be The One
Author: Hazel James

The cover is bright and beautiful, featuring a sparkler. My thought is that not only is this going to be a perfect summer read – i.e. 4th of July, summer vacation, plenty of time to get in trouble and hang out with friends; but I’m also thinking the sparkler may be indicative of the main characters personality. Or perhaps it is something to do with celebration – the title also has a by-line that says “For better or for worse, in sickness and in health…as long as we both shall (graduate) live.” (So perhaps my summer prediction isn’t quite ON it! ;) ) The colors, however, scream “America” and “Freedom” and “Celebration.” The title “I’ll Be The One” indicates to me that it is likely that this is a romance (without me having to search out the genre). As far as the age group goes – My first guess was YA, but the bi-line makes me think Upper YA, and maybe pushing NA.


I do like the simplicity of this cover. While I do like covers with people on them, I’m also thankful when there are none. That way, instead of giving me a visual on what the author/publisher/cover artist thinks the characters look like, I’m free to decide on my own.

Blurb (from Goodreads):

For better or for worse, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall graduate.

Rachel Wheaton

The senior Economics project is supposed to teach us about real life. Budgeting. Social classes. Careers. I was supposed to plan it all out with my school husband. I didn't plan on actually falling in love with him, too.

But sometimes real life doesn't go according to plans. Sometimes you have to make hard decisions and sacrifices for the person you love. That's what marriage is about, right?

James Tennyson

I've always known things before they happen. Nothing major, like lottery numbers, but it's been pretty useful for things like playing football and dodging clingy girls. I've never been able to see my future. I didn't think much about it, to be honest.

Until second period, when she walked through the door. 

Falling in love with her unlocked something inside me. Those little things I know? Now they're big things. Life-saving things. So who do I save? And at what cost? I made a vow to her.

For better or for worse, in sickness and in health, as long as we both shall live.

Currently TBR

Below are the books 'next up' on my TBR pile!  I recently confessed on my Facebook page that I haven't been completely successful with sticking to only reading the books I have already purchased.  In fact, I've added several new purchases recently, AND  got a book from NetGally, AND accepted a review request.  But as you'll see below, I've fallen into a...story rut....

First up is the NetGalley Request, because it was the first book on this particular list..and I'm a little OCD about my commitments like that:

The Neverland Wars by Audrey Greathouse

Magic can do a lot—give you flight, show you mermaids, help you taste the stars, and… solve the budget crisis? That's what the grown-ups will do with it if they ever make it to Neverland to steal its magic and bring their children home.

However, Gwen doesn't know this. She's just a sixteen-year-old girl with a place on the debate team and a powerful crush on Jay, the soon-to-be homecoming king. She doesn't know her little sister could actually run away with Peter Pan, or that she might have to chase after her to bring her home safe. Gwen will find out though—and when she does, she'll discover she's in the middle of a looming war between Neverland and reality.

She'll be out of place as a teenager in Neverland, but she won't be the only one. Peter Pan's constant treks back to the mainland have slowly aged him into adolescence as well. Soon, Gwen will have to decide whether she's going to join impish, playful Peter in his fight for eternal youth… or if she's going to scramble back to reality in time for the homecoming dance.

This one will probably be read at the same time since it is an Audible purchase, and I can listen to it at work!

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

Andie had it all planned out.

When you are a politician’s daughter who’s pretty much raised yourself, you learn everything can be planned or spun, or both. Especially your future.
Important internship? Check. 

Amazing friends? Check. 

Guys? Check (as long as we’re talking no more than three weeks).
But that was before the scandal. Before having to be in the same house with her dad. Before walking an insane number of dogs. That was before Clark and those few months that might change her whole life. 

Because here’s the thing—if everything’s planned out, you can never find the unexpected.

And where’s the fun in that?

Here is the review request that I accepted, my first one this year, since I have slowed WAYY down on reading by request and focusing on reading without pressure.  But this was tempting enough to accept.

Dalysian Hope by Jamie Summer

One night that changed everything. 

Sophie Evans is sure about one thing: she’s a normal teenage girl. Until one night her life is turned upside down. 

Attacked in her own apartment and saved by two handsome strangers, she’s thrown into a whole new world. Suddenly dealing with powers she knows nothing about and having half-truths thrown at her from every direction, she realizes that the definition of normal might not fit her after all. 

When Sophie is told that she has to fight in a matter of life and death, she’s left wondering what chance does she really have? And how can she be the only hope of a race she never even knew existed? 

Can Sophie fight the odds stacked against her, or will she lose herself in the process?

Finally we have this beauty I picked up in the May Owlcrate box - and am EXTREMELY excited about, since it falls right into my 'rut.'  If you follow along with my blog at all, you know I recently read Unhooked by Lisa Maxwell as well!

Everland by Wendy Spinale

Forget the story of Peter Pan you know. Because in Everland, the only way to grow up is to survive.

London has been destroyed in a blitz of bombs and disease. The only ones who have survived are children, among them Gwen Darling and her siblings, Joanna and Mikey. They spend their nights scavenging and their days avoiding the ruthless Marauders -- the German Army led by Captain Hanz Otto Oswald Kretschmer.

Unsure if the virus has spread past England's borders but desperate to leave, Captain Hook hunts for a cure, which he thinks can be found in one of the survivors. He and his Marauders stalk the streets snatching children for experimentation. None ever return. Until the day they grab Joanna. As Gwen sets out to save her, she meets a mysterious boy named Pete. Pete offers the assistance of his gang of Lost Boys and the fierce sharpshooter Bella, who have all been living in a city hidden underground. But in a place where help has a steep price and every promise is bound by blood, it will cost Gwen. And are she, Pete, the Lost Boys, and Bella enough to outsmart Captain Hook?