Waiting on Wednesday #5: Born of Illusion by Teri Brown and Belle Epoque by Elizabeth Ross

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme first initiated by Jill from Breaking the Spine. However, we've added our own twist to it! Not only will we feature books that will be published in the following months, but we will also feature books that are not available yet locally, and are still unavailable to us.

Title: Born of Illusion
Author: Teri Brown
Publication Date: June 11, 2013

Publishing House: Balzer & Bray

Summary: 

Anna Van Housen is thirteen the first time she breaks her mother out of jail. By sixteen she's street smart and savvy, assisting her mother, the renowned medium Marguerite an Housen, in her stage show and seances, and easily navigating the underground world of magicians, mediums and mentalists in 1920's New York City. Handcuffs and sleight of hand illusions have never been much of a challenge for Anna. The real trick is keeping her true gifts secret from her opportunistic mother, who will stop at nothing to gain er ambition of becoming the most famous medium who ever lived. But when a strange, serious young man moves into the flat downstairs, introducing her to a secret society that studies people with gifts like hers, he threatens to reveal the secrets Anna has fought so hard to keep, forcing her to face the truth about her past. Could the stories her mother has told her really be true? Could she really be he illegitimate daughter of the greatest magician of all?

Born of Illusion is the first book in a new series. Each book in the series will introduce a new historical figure, whose legend is shrouded in magic, along with the young woman whose fate is irrevocably tied to his. The through line in each of the books will be The Ghost Club, the real life secret society that was founded in 1862 by the likes of Charles Dickens, Sir Conan Doyle, and W.B. Yeats to advance mankind's knowledge of the paranormal. The first three books in the series will deal with Houdini, Aleister Crowley and Rasputin.

(Image, summary, and information courtesy of Goodreads)

Doesn't that premise sound interesting? It's a historical novel with magicians, illusions and secret societies! We've always been fascinated by secret societies and the mystery and intrigue that shrouds them. Not to mention that we're dealing with the likes of Houdini and other great illusionists - as stated in the premise. Although truthfully, we were drawn in by the pretty cover - which isn't exactly surprising.

Title: Belle Epoque
Author: Elizabeth Ross
Publication Date: June 11, 2013

Publishing House: Delacorte

Summary: 

When Maude Pichon runs away from provincial Brittany to Paris, her romantic dreams vanish as quickly as her savings. Desparate for work, she answers an unusual ad. The Durandeau Agency provides its clients with a unique service - the beauty foil. Hire a plain friend and become instantly more attractive.

Monsieur Durandeau has made a fortune from wealthy socialites and when the Countess Dubern needs a companion for her headstrong daughter, Isabelle, Maude is deemed the perfect foil.

But Isabelle has no idea her new "friend" is the hired help, and Maude's very existence among the aristocracy hinges on her keeping the truth a secret. Yet the more she learns about Isabelle, the more her loyalty is tested. And the longer her deception continues, the more she has to lose.

(Image, summary, and information courtesy of Goodreads)

European historical fiction has always been a soft spot of ours. And the fact that there's treachery and deception involved? Yes please! In fact, if we had our way, we'd still be wearing all those elaborate gowns and whatnot. Based in a period bombarded with constricting societal rules, is it any wonder that we're out for any hint of deviance and defiance? No. 

What books are you guys waiting for?