Goodreads Reviewers' Group discussion

When I was fourteen, I toured in my father’s big illusion show. He wanted to be a Las Vegas headliner, and I wanted to be his famous girl assistant.  We were bound for trouble.

EXCERPT:
" The cinema of my imagination started to roll, frame after frame. I, as his assistant, cast in unearthly white light, a thousand eyes watching me onstage. Nothing would be finer than a Vegas booking: red-velvet dressing rooms, slick jeweled stages, and the kind of applause I could feel on my skin. I
softly smiled.
I lifted my head as he stood up. For all his touted marvels, knot escapes, and big animal productions, he wore average dress—trousers, thin leather belt, mustard golf shirt. The only exception was his smart, thick-heeled ankle boots.
“You know what they say about Vegas magicians?” he asked, his eyebrows floating up and a puckish grin dancing around the corners of his mouth. “They’re all top hat. No rabbit.” "

That’s what The Magician’s Daughter: A Memoir is about – big impossible dreams that ask too much of us.
 
It’s a true coming-of-age story, but it reads like fiction with plenty of scenes, action and suspense that takes the reader to the end of the tour where the fate of the show will be determined by casino talent scouts.
 
This memoir has lots of vintage photos and even my journal entries when I was on the road.  For adult readers who love memoirs, unusual and interesting true stories.  Does not fit into YA or NA genres. No sex or violence is in the story.
 
Looking for reviewers who genuinely enjoy words, books and reading…  

Pub date: May 12, 2025
If you are interested in reviewing send me a message and I will send you an ARC.
And if you enjoy the book, I’d love for you to leave an honest review on Goodreads and Amazon when the book launches.

Your reviews mean a lot to me!
katy

Here is back cover description:

The Magician’s Daughter: A Memoir is a coming-of-age story set within the motion and light of a traveling magic show. Fourteen-year-old Katy is the daughter of professional magician Lee Grabel who is stuck behind a desk in the suburbs and yearning for his former show. When he decides to hit the road again in a grand bid to be a Las Vegas headliner, Katy shares her father’s dreams of a big casino booking even as troubles mount on tour. In cities far and wide Katy struggles to understand the perennial power of magic on stage and off. Never before has a daughter of a great magician written with such candor and beauty about this backstage world, where all outlandish dreams are possible, and the magic continues after the show leaves town.

Katy, your book sounds really interesting! I'd love to read it and review it. We could trade reviews if you have the time to read one of my books. I have one in mind. Let me know and I'll send you the blurb. I'm brand new here so don't fully understand the protocols yet.

Hi Russell,
Yes, I'm new, too. Just trying to figure things out as I go along...

Trading reviews sounds fair. You have written quite a few books. Which book did you have in mind for me to read? Before agreeing I'd like to know which book --thanks. Maybe you could point out a few...

I can mail you an ARC. My book not officially available till May 13th.

KatyThe Magician's Daughter: A Memoir

Guys, be careful with review swaps if you want to post on Amazon. It's one of their big no-no's. They can make it so you can't post reviews on anything and every review you've written gets removed. That happened to 2 of my friends who are reviewers. Obviously swapping won't matter if you just want to post on here. I know it's a pain but I just wanted to give you a heads up! 😊

Gina wrote: "Guys, be careful with review swaps if you want to post on Amazon. It's one of their big no-no's. They can make it so you can't post reviews on anything and every review you've written gets removed...."

Oh, thanks. I had no idea! Appreciate the heads up. Russell, I think we better just drop it.