Anna Lee Huber's Blog, page 2

Behind the Scenes of PENNY FOR YOUR SECRETS: Much of Verity’s third adventure is set in the hustle and bustle of 1919 London, from the graceful squares of Mayfair to the clamor of the Oxford Circus.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
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In 1919, London had an opium and cocaine problem, even among the elite. Though cocaine fell out of favor, thanks to the infamous death of Billie Carleton, a rising star in theater, it was still attainable, and opium in all its various forms was still widely regarded as restorative. Members of society sometimes hosted opium parties where everyone would change into their pajamas and lie around on pillows while a member of the party, or even more fashionable—a Chinese herbalist—administ...

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One of the major inciting incidents of the story and several of the characters involved were inspired by an anecdote about the 9th Duke of Marlborough and his second wife, Gladys Deacon. Marlborough had first been wed to the American heiress, Consuelo Vanderbilt. The marriage was notoriously unhappy, and after they divorced, Marlborough wed his mistress, Gladys Deacon. Unfortunately, their wedded bliss also soured, though Marlborough’s subsequent conversion to Roman Catholicism made divorc...

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1919 was very much a transition year in fashion, away from the stark garments of the war years and into the bobbed hair and familiar straight silhouettes of the 1920s. September 1919 was also quite warm in southern England. At least until the sudden cold snap which occurred later in the month. 




 
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In anticipation of the release of PENNY FOR YOUR SECRETS, Verity Kent Book 3, I’ll be sharing a number of behind-the-scenes types of posts, sharing the history and inspiration behind the book. Today I kick them off with a doozy.
The disappearance of the crew of the Zebrina is one of the great unsolved mysteries of the First World War. The ship was a flat-bottomed schooner used to haul coal from southwest England across the dangerous waters of the English Channel, where were patrolled by ...

The countdown has begun. Just 2 months until the release of Verity Kent Book 3 - Penny for Your Secrets on Oct 29th! It is available for preorder wherever books are sold. Stay tuned to my website, social media, and/or newsletter for all the latest on giveaways, upcoming events, and more to celebrate the release. Cheers!...

Press and Promotional Coverage for An Artless Demise, Lady Darby Book 7. Much thanks to all the reviewers, bloggers, readers, and journalists!
Review from Aunt Agatha's
Review from Fresh Fiction
Spotlight at Mystery Tribune
Review and Feature at BookPage
Spotlight at The Pages In-Between
Review at Whiskey with my Book
Spotlight at A Dream Within a Dream
Review at Inside of a Dog
Spotlight at Book Dilettante
Review at Criminal Element
Spotlight and Giveaway at Angieville
Review at Kat...