Waiting on Wednesday (Oct. 24th)

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week's pre-publication can't-wait-to-read selections are:

Touching the Surface
Kimberly Sabatini

Experience the afterlife in this lyrical, paranormal debut novel that will send your heart soaring.When Elliot finds herself dead for the third time, she knows she must have messed up, big-time. She doesn’t remember how she landed in the afterlife again, but she knows this is her last chance to get things right.

Elliot just wants to move on, but first she will be forced to face her past and delve into the painful memories she’d rather keep buried. Memories of people she’s hurt, people she’s betrayed…and people she’s killed.

As she pieces together the secrets and mistakes of her past, Elliot must find a way to earn the forgiveness of the person she’s hurt most, and reveal the truth about herself to the two boys she loves…even if it means losing them both forever.

"Experience the afterlife..." huh? We shall see. I am always a sucker for books that have this type of premise, but much like my love of books referencing Greek myth, they tend to be a love it or hate it situation. Which will Touching the Surface be? Only time will tell. But for now, I am looking forward to finding out. :) 

Venom

by Fiona Paul

Cassandra Caravello is one of Renaissance Venice’s lucky elite: with elegant gowns, sparkling jewels, her own lady’s maid, and a wealthy fiancé, she has everything a girl could desire. Yet ever since her parents’ death, Cassandra has felt trapped, alone in a city of water, where the dark and labyrinthine canals whisper of escape.

When Cass stumbles upon a murdered woman—practically in her own backyard—she’s drawn into a dangerous world of courtesans, killers, and secret societies. Soon, she finds herself falling for Falco, a mysterious artist with a mischievous grin... and a spectacular skill for trouble. Can Cassandra find the murderer, before he finds her? And will she stay true to her fiancé, or succumb to her uncontrollable feelings for Falco?

Beauty, love, romance, and mystery weave together in a stunning novel that’s as seductive and surprising as the city of Venice itself.

Okay, first: Oh my God look at that cover! I'm usually not a fan of close up face covers, but that mask is like a magnet drawing me in, or a flame that has somehow turned me into a moth ready to catch on fire and burn. Next up, this is definitely a departure for me. I usually don't read historical stuff unless it's fantasy, and even then it's rare. But something about this story--the fact that it takes place in Venice, perhaps, since I'm modeling a city after that in Sealer's Quest--has grabbed my attention. It is yet to be seen whether I'll roll the dice and add this to my bookshelf, but I can at least say that I'm tempted.

So, what are you looking forward to this week? Leave a link and I'll drop by and check it out! :)