Review: The Cold Light of Day by Anna Lee Huber

The Cold Light of Day (Verity Kent Mysteries #7) by Anna Lee Huber

Publication Date: September 24th 2024 by Kensington

Pages: 384

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★½

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads 

My Thoughts:

Verity and Sidney are in Dublin, Ireland at the request of Verity’s British Secret Service handler, “C”, to locate fellow spy, Alec Xavier since he’s dropped out of communication after being sent to infiltrate the IRA. With the situation so volatile and dangerous, they’re understandably very concerned. By day, Verity and Sidney go undercover, Verity to track down Alec and Sidney to see if he can locate the phosgene canisters, stolen by their nemesis, Lord Ardmore. At night, they keep up the ruse of only being in Ireland for pleasure by attending dinner parties and rubbing elbows with the elite in society and government.

 

Along with her assignment Verity is tasked by a Lord French, to investigate an attack on a woman, demoralizing her to the point that she took her own life soon after. He wants Verity to find out what happened and get justice for her and her grieving family.  I was outraged for this young woman and so was Verity, which made her more determined to find the culprits responsible.

 

Love Verity and her pluck! She’s quick and clever, even when faced with frightening situations.

 

The Verity Kent series is one of my favorites and best read in order. It’s a captivating combination of mystery, political intrigue, crime procedural, danger and a splash of romance! Verity and Sidney have had to contend with personal struggles stemming from their experiences in World War I. Even several years later (this story being set in 1920) the aftermath is still playing out. While some of the mysteries presented are solved in this installment, some are not, and it ended on an unsettling note. I eagerly await the next book!

4.5 Stars

Book Description:

The latest novel in the action-packed historical mystery series featuring Verity Kent, fashionable former Secret Service agent turned intrepid sleuth and high-society darling on her next clandestine mission—from the USA Today bestselling author of the Lady Darby Mysteries. A treat for fans of Jacqueline Winspear and Susan Ella MacNeal.

June 1920, Ireland: The streets of Dublin seethe with revolution as the Irish Republican Army clashes with British authorities. Roving assassination squads mean nowhere is truly safe, particularly for Verity Kent and her war hero husband, Sidney. Given their celebrity as society darlings and intrepid sleuths, they must tread carefully to go unnoticed—nearly impossible when they are called upon to search for Verity’s fellow spy and friend . . .

Captain Alec Xavier has seemingly vanished after traveling to Dublin to infiltrate the IRA at its highest levels. Doing her best to maintain a modicum of normalcy and stay under the radar of both the rebels and British Intelligence, Verity works undercover by day and waltzes through the city’s elite social scene by night. Still, she fears the worst for Alec—until shocking evidence mounts that not only is he alive, but that he has switched sides . . .

Already disillusioned with the British government, the news leaves Verity and Sidney reeling. Worse, they learn of a conspiracy within Dublin Castle, where personal vendettas are being carried out and sanctioned by British Intelligence under the cover of revolution. With the distinction between friend and foe never more blurred—or the margin for error narrower—Verity and Sidney cannot turn a blind eye. Especially when a familiar adversary appears, bringing a threat almost too terrifying to confront—even in the cold light of day . . .

 

Review: Long Time Gone by Charlie Donlea

 

The Stranger I Wed (The Doves of New York #1) by Harper St. George

Publication Date: May 21st 2024 by Kensington & Recorded Books

Pages: 344

Audiobook Length: 9hrs 19min

Narrator: Vivienne Leheny

Source: Publisher & Library Audio

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Libro.fm | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

As a project for her forensic pathology fellowship, Sloan Hastings submits her DNA to a forensic genealogy site and has a shock. She’s the missing “baby Charlotte” from three decades earlier when her parents went missing, location still unknown.

 

After this discovery, she’s approached by the Sheriff of Cedar Creek Nevada, Eric Stamos to help him find answers in his father’s death back when she and her parents went missing. Eric’s father was the sheriff investigating their disappearance and his death was suspicious. Sloan has the perfect opportunity to infiltrate the Margolis family, her biological family, and Cedar Creek royalty. The family has wealth, status and power that’s made it impossible to investigate them with any success and so Sloan’s inside connection could be important in solving both cases.

 

I really enjoyed Long Time Gone! I find the use of genealogy DNA fascinating! It’s most notably helped find one of the most notorious killers in California, The Golden State Killer. Even though I’ve read a bit about the process, I appreciated Donlea’s explanations.

 

I liked Sloan and was invested in her efforts to solve the mystery of her past, how she came to be put up for adoption and finding out what happened to her biological parents. The ending culminated in a pulse pounding conclusion that had me on the edge of my seat!

 

There was a hint of romance between her and Sheriff Eric that could be further explored if there are future books planned. I’d be on board for that!

 

I alternately read an e-copy and listened to a library audio. I recommend either version. I enjoyed Vivienne Leheny’s performance and listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed.

4 Stars

Book Description:

When DNA results reveal a disturbing connection to the mysterious disappearance of a famous baby nearly three decades ago, a forensic scientist is plunged into a dangerous search for answers in this engrossing, propulsive new novel from the internationally bestselling author of Twenty Years Later.

Thirty years ago, Baby Charlotte vanished. Today, she’s still in danger.

When Dr. Sloan Hastings submits her DNA to an online genealogy site for a research assignment, her goal is to better understand the treasure-trove of genetic information contained on ancestry websites. Brilliant and driven, Sloan is embarking on a fellowship in forensic pathology, training under the renowned Dr. Livia Cutty.

Sloan has one reservation about involving herself in the she’s adopted. Grateful for a loving home, she’s never considered tracking down her biological parents. The results of her search are shocking. Sloan’s DNA profile suggests her true identity is that of Charlotte Margolis, aka “Baby Charlotte”, who captured the nation’s attention when she mysteriously disappeared, along with her parents, in July 1995. Despite an exhaustive search, the family was never seen again, and no suspects were named in the case.

Sloan’s discovery leads her to the small town of Cedar Creek, Nevada, the site of her disappearance. It also leads her to Sheriff Eric Stamos. The Margolis family’s influence and power permeate every corner of Harrison County, and Eric is convinced that in learning the truth about her past, Sloan can also help discover what happened to Eric’s father, who died under suspicious circumstances soon after he started investigating the case her disappearance.

Slowly, over the course of a stifling summer, Sloan begins getting to know her relatives. Though initially welcoming, the Margolis family is also mysterious and tight-lipped. Not everyone seems happy about Sloan’s return, or the questions she’s asking. And the more she and Eric learn, the more apparent it becomes that the answers they both seek are buried in a graveyard of Margolis family secrets that some will do anything to keep hidden—no matter who else has to die…

Review: Happily Ever Amish by Shelley Shepard Gray

 

Happily Ever Amish (The Amish of Apple Creek #1) by Shelley Shepard Gray

Publication Date: October 25th 2022 by Kensington

Pages: 272

Source: Publisher 

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads

My Thoughts:

Addie Holmes has been regarded as different and maybe a little strange by her peers. She’s quiet, lives with her grandmother and has been seen talking to her pet donkey. But she captures Daniel Miller’s attention. He’s heard the talk about Addie, but never really considered her, and on thinking finds it very unfair that she’s been labeled odd. Seeing her at a friend’s wedding and how apart she is from the crowd he decides to write her an anonymous letter telling her he sees her and finds her special and asks her to write back.

They begin exchanging letters and Addie seems to come out of her shell a bit to the point that they start running into each other in person. Daniel sees what everyone has been missing. A beautiful, kind-hearted, interesting woman, but he’s worried as soon as Addie finds out he’s her secret admirer it’ll ruin any chance he has to win her heart.

I felt bad for Addie and the way a few made her feel, how they influenced others to think her strange, not knowing the full picture or how this talk might hurt her. At first Addie thinks these letters are a joke at her expense, but they become the bright part of her week. They give her a boost of confidence knowing that someone else besides her grandmother and Snickers, her pet donkey see value in her. I liked that she had some spine, too, and didn’t let the opinion of others dictate her actions. I loved the story behind Snickers, the donkey she rescued, how much he enriched her life and brought happiness to others!

Happily Ever Amish was a sweet romance that brought joy to my heart. I’m fairly new to the Amish romances, but I like how they highlight looking at the positives in life, being kind, and thinking of others.

4 Stars

Book Description:

Addie Byler may be Apple Creek’s resident wallflower, but she knows she has a lot to offer—and much to be grateful for. Raised by her loving grandmother, she lives a life filled with good friends and hard work. Wary of romance, Addie assumes no man will look beyond her glasses and her tendency to talk to her rescue donkey, Snickers—until the day she finds a note from a secret admirer. A prank, most likely. But then, a second note arrives . . .

It’s not that Daniel Miller doesn’t like Addie, he just doesn’t want to court her. She’s too willful, too chatty, too odd. Yet when he learns she’s been teased because she’s never had a beau, he decides to send a little note of encouragement. One note leads to another. And when Addie begins replying with thoughtful messages of her own, he’s struck by her sweetness and warmth.

As chilly winter melts into spring, what began as a gesture of sympathy becomes something much deeper. Daniel fears revealing the truth, but with courage, faith—and a helping hand from their close-knit community—Apple Creek’s most unlikely couple may find their path to happiness.

Review: A Certain Darkness by Anna Lee Huber

 

A Certain Darkness (Verity Kent Mysteries #6) by Anna Lee Huber

Publication Date: August 30th 2022 by Kensington Publishing Corporation

Pages: 376

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads 

My Thoughts:

The Verity Kent series has been an exciting, addictive adventure! Verity and her husband Sidney have come a long way since reuniting after the end of WWI. Both have had to work through the traumas they experienced during the war. Verity served as an undercover agent, often crossing into enemy territory, and Sidney was on the front lines seeing untold horrors. These ordeals and more took a toll on their marriage, and it hasn’t been all smooth sailing, but it’s evident that Verity and Sidney are still very much in love, besotted knowing how easily they could’ve lost each other. They’ve got mixed up and then solved several murders, and continue to hunt the nefarious Lord Ardmore, a British Intelligence higher-up they believe played both sides during and after the war.

This is a series that should very much be read in order. A Certain Darkness would not make a good jump-in point since the history of Verity and Sidney’s romance, interactions with family and friends and the ongoing arc of the villainous Lord Ardmore wouldn’t make sense otherwise.  

The war may be over, but Verity and Sidney are dragged into another situation where the sins committed during the war are coming back to haunt certain individuals and countries. Sins they want to keep hidden, but these things have a way of coming out. I had to wonder how much of the storyline was rooted in the actual events of WWI. It would be extremely sad if so. What an unnecessary loss of life! These discoveries cut Sidney deeply, and my heart hurt for him and Verity.

Verity and Sidney had to tread carefully! Things got edgy a few times! The murder and mystery were solved, but the ending left a character dangling in a dangerous situation with Verity and Sidney poised to make the next move. I’m looking forward to it!

4 Stars

Book Description:

Set in Downton Abbey-era post-World War I England, this action-packed series from the USA Today bestselling author of the Lady Darby Mysteries is a treat for fans of Jacqueline Winspear and Susan Ella MacNeal.

March 1920: Life has turned unsettlingly quiet for former British Intelligence agent Verity Kent and her husband, Sidney. But even that false calm is about to end. As threats remain, the French authorities soon request Sidney’s help with a suspect who claims to have proof of treason—shortly before she is assassinated. And Verity, too, is called to investigate a mystery.

The murder of a Belgian lawyer aboard a train seems at first to be a simple case of revenge. But the victim was connected to British Intelligence, and possessed papers detailing the sinking of a gold-laden German ship during the war.

As Verity and Sidney dig deeper, they discover their cases are intertwined—and a lethal adversary persists. Officially, the Great War may be over, but this is a battle of nerves and wits they cannot afford to lose…

Review: Murder Most Fair by Anna Lee Huber

 

Murder Most Fair (Verity Kent Mysteries #5) by Anna Lee Huber

Publication Date: August 31st 2021 by Kensington Publishing Corporation

Pages: 384

Source: Publisher

Rating: ★★★★½

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Goodreads 

My Thoughts:

Verity Kent and her dashing husband, Sidney, find themselves in another tricky situation with the surprise arrival of Verity’s German Aunt Ilse. Germans aren’t treated very kindly by the English in 1919 so close after the end of WWI, so they decide to get out of London and visit Verity’s parents in the English countryside of Yorkshire. However, Yorkshire isn’t all that welcoming to Great Aunt Ilse or her maid either.

Although, Verity had planned on visiting her parents for the holidays, the trip brings mixed emotions. It’s been five years since she’s visited and while Verity misses her family, being home brings the loss of her brother into sharp focus. It isn’t something Verity wants to deal with.  Also, her relationship with her mother is strained at best. I was not a big fan of Verity’s mother! The whole family has felt the effects of the war and loss and so it’s not all easy going.

On top of that, their neighbors in Yorkshire aren’t at all happy to have two Germans in their midst. There’s a lot of animosity and blame.  Aunt Ilse’s German maid, Bauer, is reviled by the staff and is said to be asking odd questions about Verity. Is Bauer just the target of animosity because her heritage or is she privy to Verity’s covert missions during the war? When Bauer is murdered Verity must get to the bottom of it to find out.  

Murder Most Fair is the fifth installment, and the books are best read in order to appreciate all the relationships and the ongoing story arc. While little progress was made in the investigation of the nefarious Lord Ardmore, I loved Murder Most Fair!   I was so happy to see Verity and Sidney draw closer as a couple, and work through some of the hurdles brought about by their experiences in the war. They’ve always presented a united front as they faced the troubles and danger from an adversary, but they’ve had some tough times.  It was heartening to see them open up to each other in ways they hadn’t previously. 

Anna Lee Huber expertly brings the post-WWI era to life and makes it relatable by highlighting the individual struggles and their journey back to a new normal.  It turned this time I learned about as an abstract in history class into a real-life emotional situation. With the added excitement of a murder mystery to solve!  I eagerly await the next book!

4.5 Stars

Book Description:

All is far from quiet on the home front in national bestselling author Anna Lee Huber's captivating mystery series, in which former Secret Service agent Verity Kent receives a visitor—who is being trailed by a killer...

November 1919. A relaxing few weeks by the seaside with her husband, Sidney, could almost convince Verity Kent that life has returned to the pleasant rhythm of pre-war days. Then Verity's beloved Great Aunt Ilse lands on their doorstep. After years in war-ravaged Germany, Ilse has returned to England to repair her fragile health—and to escape trouble. Someone has been sending her anonymous threats, and Verity's Secret Service contacts can only provide unsettling answers.

Even deep in the Yorkshire Dales, where she joins Verity's family for the holidays, Ilse encounters difficulties. Normally peaceful neighbors are hostile, seeking someone to blame for the losses they've endured. When Ilse's maid is found dead, Verity must uncover whether this is anti-German sentiment taken to murderous lengths, or whether there is a more personal motive at work. Could Verity's shadowy nemesis, Lord Ardmore, be involved? And if so, how much closer to home will the blow land when he inevitably strikes again?

Review: A Pretty Deceit by Anna Lee Huber

 

A Pretty Deceit (Verity Kent #4) by Anna Lee Huber

Publication Date: September 29th 2020 by Kensington

Pages: 304

Source: Publisher & Purchased Audio copy

Rating: ★★★★

Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Audible | Goodreads

My Thoughts:
The Verity Kent series continues to be a hit for me! Set in England, Post WWI, it’s a fascinating time where the country is trying to recover from the devastations Great War inflicted.   It’s best to read the series in order to appreciate the relationships, connections, and the continuing story arc of Lord Ardmore and his conspiracy during the war.
 
Verity and Sidney were married right before the war, and it took a toll on their marriage, and even though they are deeply, and passionately in love there’s still lingering hurts over what happened. I love them together and appreciate the realistic way the author is presenting their relationship.
 
There’s a double mystery here that somehow comes together in the end.  Verity and Sidney continue to pursue evidence against Lord Ardmore for crimes he’s committed during the war, but he seems to be one step ahead of them at every turn. Still, they are getting closer to the truth which puts them as well as Max, and Xavier in danger. There were a couple of close calls for Verity here!  Verity and Sidney are also dragged into her aunt’s troubles: thefts of artwork and other valuable as well as damage to her aunt’s home when the Air Force took over the estate as a base for their flyboys during the war.  
 
I alternately listened to the audio version and read an e-copy. Heather Wilds performance is wonderful! Her English accent is perfect for Verity and her male voices are really good, too. Looking forward to the next installment!

4 Suns

Goodreads Description:

In the aftermath of the Great War, the line between friend and foe may be hard to discern, even for indomitable former Secret Service agent Verity Kent, in award-winning author Anna Lee Huber’s thrilling mystery series.
 
Peacetime has brought little respite for Verity Kent. Intrigue still abounds, even within her own family. As a favor to her father, Verity agrees to visit his sister in Wiltshire. Her once prosperous aunt has fallen on difficult times and is considering selling their estate. But there are strange goings-on at the manor, including missing servants, possible heirloom forgeries, and suspicious rumors—all leading to the discovery of a dead body on the grounds.
 
While Verity and her husband, Sidney, investigate this new mystery, they are also on the trail of an old adversary—the shadowy and lethal Lord Ardmore. At every turn, the suspected traitor seems to be one step ahead of them. And even when their dear friend Max, the Earl of Ryde, stumbles upon a code hidden among his late father’s effects that may reveal the truth about Ardmore, Verity wonders if they are really the hunters—or the hunted . . .

Review: Howl For It by Shelly Laurenston & Cynthia Eden

Howl For It (Pride #0.5) by Shelly Laurenston & Cynthia Eden

Publication Date: January 30th 2018 by Kensington Books

Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book:

They hunger for your pleasure. They growl for your touch. And in these sizzling stories by New York Times bestselling author Shelly Laurenston and Cynthia Eden, these sexy wolf shapeshifters are lust at first bite. . .


Like A Wolf With A Bone by Shelly Laurenston

Quiet little Darla Lewis couldn't be happier when the most-feared member of the South's rowdiest pack kidnaps her. A girl gets real tired of being overprotected by her own shifter family, and there's nothing like an oh-so-big bad wolf to start a pack feud, unleash her instincts--and have her surrender however and whenever she wants. . .


Wed Or Dead by Cynthia Eden

Gage Ryder knew his human bride had a wild side. But spending their honeymoon night on the run from hunters out to finish him and his pack is sure not the kind of fun he was looking forward to. No problem--Gage will do whatever it takes to lay bare Kayla's secrets and find the truth. If he can keep from being captured by his own seductive game. 

My Thoughts:

Howl For It was two paranormal shifter romances in one book, each novella length. I originally picked up the book because I’m a big fan of Cynthia Eden’s romantic suspense novels, but I’d never tried her fantasy books. After reading Wed or Dead, I’m definitely trying more of her paranormal books, because it was fantastic!  I’ve never read Shelly Laurenston’s stories, so I was pleasantly surprised by her story! It had me cracking up and it was pretty hot!

3.5 Stars Like a Wolf With a Bone-Shelly Laurenston

Egbert Ray Smith, Eggie for short, is on break from the Marine Corps and back home with his family, the Smith Pack.  As usual there’s family drama with his brothers and their mates it seems the Smith boys have married the Lewis sisters and they’re always fighting over something.  Waiting outside while they hash things out inside, Eggie spies the youngest sister, Darla Mae outside as well, shaking her head over the drama playing out between the mates inside.  Eggie is immediately smitten and follows Darla Mae out into the forest where he witnesses a few male figures hunting her.  Apparently, Darla Mae has brought trouble back with her from San Francisco, and Eggie makes it his mission to keep her safe. 

As I said, Like a Wolf With a Bone had me cracking up.  The antics between the families were funny, just their names alone had me laughing: the Lewis sisters all had Mae as their middle name: Janie Mae, Roberta Mae, Janette Mae and so forth, and all were married/mated to the Smith brothers all with Ray as their middle names: Nicky Ray, Bubba Ray, Frankie Ray. You get the picture. At any rate it was fun seeing the Eggie and Darla Mae get to know each other, falling a little harder with every minute while settling in to his home and town, battling family and danger in the process. Their romance was hot!  Definitely want to read more from Ms. Laurenston.

4.5 Stars-Wed or Dead by Cynthia Eden

Cynthia Eden’s romantic suspense is always a thrill ride, and I can now say the same about her paranormal stories.  Kayla and Gage are on opposite sides, Kayla is a hunter of all paranormal entities, and Gage is a wolf-shifter, a powerful Alpha of his pack; so, you wouldn’t think they’d be getting married, yet as the story opens that’s exactly what’s playing out.

Oh, the chemistry between Kayla and Gage was sizzling! There’s obviously some mistrust between them when they each had secrets, but there was never a question that these two weren’t meant to be together.  Their secrets come out pretty much from the start and they each must deal with betrayals from each of their groups.  It was non-stop action, and when there wasn’t danger to deal with Kayla and Gage couldn’t keep their hands off each other!  Loved the story and the paranormal world set up, but I’m not sure if this book is part of another series Cynthia Eden writes. I see a potential for more stories here, and I’d like to read more!