What if vanity threatened to destroy the only love you've ever known?
Detective Ethan Brant is on the hunt for a murderess who is seducing her victims and stealing collections of diamonds from each one. When the woman he suspects becomes his father's newest wife, Ethan's fears multiply. He's determined to protect his only remaining family member, no matter the cost.
All of his attention is focused on bringing the guilty party to justice. He has no time for, or interest in, women. But when he discovers a beautiful, young woman swimming at the lake on his father's property he feels an instant attraction.
Cady Eldon's history with men taught her it was foolish to lose her heart to one. But when she meets Ethan, she can't ignore the fire that burns inside her, making her long for the feel of his skin against hers. Discovering that he's a police detective, she becomes intrigued. Why would a man whose family is wealthy want to live so humbly?
Her attraction to him, and her interest in the murder case he's working on, pulls them together on a journey north where they become entangled in the manipulative web of the murderess Ethan is chasing. Ethan and Cady soon learn just how cruel one woman's vanity can be and how she will stop at nothing to get the riches she believes she deserves.
Will their love survive, or will they fall victim to the greatest sin of all?
Content Warning: contains sex, strong language, and some violence
Faye Hall is an Australian author who weaves tales of historical romance and suspense that captivate the heart and stir the imagination. With a passion for immersing readers in rich settings and intriguing plots, Faye Hall blends the allure of bygone eras with the thrill of adventure, creating stories that transport you to another time.
Growing up amid the stunning landscapes of rural Australia, Faye Hall developed a love for storytelling early on. Inspired by the country's rich history and diverse culture, each novel reflects a unique blend of factual intrigue and imaginative romance. Whether it’s a tale set in a quaint coastal town or exploring the hardships of the outback, Faye Hall paints vivid pictures that make you feel as if you’re right there alongside the characters.
When she’s not writing, Faye Hall enjoys spending time with her husband and their children and researching thrilling tales from the past. With a growing list of published works and a devoted readership, Faye Hall continues to craft unforgettable journeys filled with passion, intrigue, and a sprinkle of suspense.
Check out Faye Hall’s website www.fayehall.com.au and other social media outlets to discover stories that not only entertain but also resonate with the heart.
I think this book would've been better for me if I'd liked Cady. I had all I could do to tolerate her, even though there were times I did feel for her. The reason I didn't like her was because she was a know-it-all, thought she was going to swoop in and save Ethan's case when she had no business going with him on any police business (his fault. He should've told her it was police business and she was in no way affiliated with the police department. So not her business), and she threw herself at him. I was also turned off with her slapping him. I don't know why folks think that's sexy or even necessary, but I find it repugnant and wished Ethan would've slapped her back. Her indignation was not warranted.
Ethan wasn't much of a hero, though. He was a good police detective, but when it came to Cady, he was a simp. There wasn't any chemistry between them that I could feel and all he wanted to do was have sex with her. If that part of the story had been left out, this might have been a better read. I couldn't visualize what he looked like, couldn't get in line with how he thought or felt, and it got to the point where I didn't care.
This really isn't a romance anyway. None of the books in this series are. Like the other books, it's a mystery with a bit of sex mixed in. I was more interested in the mystery of the story than anything else. It's obvious who was behind the murders, but catching the culprit was the tricky part. That's what kept me reading. I didn't care if Cady and Ethan worked out or not, but I did want the deranged killer caught.
Overall, this isn't a bad book. I just didn't care for Cady. I didn't like all the slapping, yelling, and giggling going on, either.
I'm not sure what could be changed for me to love this series. Maybe if the heroines didn't throw themselves at the heroes like wanton women under the guise of being virgins, or they didn't slap their men around, or maybe if they'd just sit down and shut up for a minute instead of trying to run everything. I don't know.
I know many people will enjoy this book and the series overall. The theme of the seven deadly sins is a great idea. But I guess it just wasn't for me.
*I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily left a review.
Vanity and Humility is book seven in the Sins of the Virtuous series by Faye Hall. Detective Ethan Brant caught a case in England where men are murdered over their diamonds when Detective Ethan Brant realise that the prime suspect was his father's finance. However, Detective Ethan Brant had no evidence. When his father is saying he is moving to Australia, Ethan decided to go with then to protect his father. Ethan had to leave behind the case of the murdered men. However, on arrival in Rockhampton, wealthy men started to die. The readers of Vanity and Humility will continue to follow Ethan's investigation into the murders to find out what happens.
Vanity and Humility is an excellent addition to this fantastic series by Faye Hall. I love Faye Hall writing style that never fails to engage me from the first page. Also, I can never put down the books in this series, and Vanity and Humility was no exception. I love Faye Hall portrayal of her characters, and they way intertwine with each other throughout this book. Faye Hall did an excellent job of describing the settings of Vanity and Humility that enable me to image been part of this plot of this book.
The readers of Vanity and Humility will learn about law enforcement investigation in the nineteenth century. Also, the readers of Vanity and Humility will learn about using castor bean to poison someone slowly.