Deception

by V.K. Powell

DEA Agent Colby Vincent is working an undercover assignment in which homeless veterans are being used to deal drugs. She’s forced to work without the support of fellow agents or friends and is challenged by her attraction to a woman she suspects is involved in the case.

Adena Weber is trying to maintain her late father’s law firm and legacy, part of which is the homeless resource center Colby is investigating. She’s always followed the rules and adhered to her boundaries until a new homeless woman wanders into the center.

Colby and Adena choose to keep secrets that complicate their jobs and ultimately jeopardize the possibility of a life together.

Genres: Crime, Lesbian, Military Fiction, Romance, Mystery, LGBT, Lesbian Fiction

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 16, 2016

About the author

As a thirty-year law enforcement veteran, VK Powell brings a rare level of authenticity to her novels of romantic intrigue. Her career spanned numerous positions including beat cop, homicide detective, vice/narcotics lieutenant, and assistant chief of police. Now retired, VK infuses her writing with the wealth of experience she gained in police work.

VK is a member of the Romance Writers of America, Rainbow Romance Writers, and the Golden Crown Literary Society. She has penned several novels and short stories featuring strong women who struggle with the timeless question: can you really have it all?

Reviews

[Diane Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Netgalley ARC provided by The Publisher in exchange for a honest review'

Nice story!
I think that i am cheating by going so far in giving this such a high rate of 4 stars because lets just say that there were certain narratives in the book that the plotline tried to deal with but the author just let many of it slide and did not continue on with this twist any further. But the paced & editing were definitely well done,not gonna give kudos to the author for including the undercover agent into the storyline where she 'blew' her cover by 'falling-in-love' --which i do not think was needed for this plotline at all and it totally made the story seems way off--- eventually things got back on track which then made this maybe i think an interesting read because the writing ended up okay which dive into:- the systemic homeless veterans programs,their drug problems,PTSD and other problems that they suffer after coming home from fighting all these wars plus a bit of a side story of what it takes to living on the streets as a homeless person and not being judge by others (never judge a book by its cover) kinda like the conclusion but not the chemistry of the main cast. Recommend because of the topic!

[Pin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The mystery/intrigue part of this story is interesting and logical. The author knows how to create tension, and her knowledge of law enforcement work contributes to the authenticity and credibility. The romantic part is less successful. The credibility of attraction between the main characters does not follow the first part. Each character as a person is interesting and likable, but their relationship for me has no future. After their initial enthusiasm I do not see them together as a couple for the long haul, and that should be essential for the romantic aspect of the story.
All in all, Deception is a good mystery/intrigue, but an unconvincing romance.
3.5 stars

*ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley*

[Alealea · Rating 1 out of 5]

" Meh!
The minute that i started reading this book nothing connected -- could not get into this story at all - i wanted to DNF." - Diane Wallace ;)

I told Diane I wanted to borrow her sentence... This book was so hard to get into that I stopped in the middle, watched a full bag of mashmallow, sorry tv-show, then came back to my Kindle a week later to finally finish it in one go. Like bad sirop! glurps.

I may say I don't like V.K. Powell or maybe I was particularly unlucky in my two first picks, who knows ?

This book goes from weird to weirder, with the mission from one side (how to start an uncover mission step 1 : get drugged, beaten and left on your own in the street)... and the insta-luv-attraction on the other, which was so unbelievable my teeth are still aching from the grinding.

Still, what annoyed me most was the constant beating of one the main, she was doomed either way, all her coworkers and friends were relentlessly criticizing her choices and actions. Exhausting.

[Tiff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover of this book almost made me shy away, but the subject of this book intrigued me enough to give it a go. Was I disappointed, no quite the opposite actually.

DEA Agent Colby Vincent volunteers for her first undercover assignment. Being a veteran of the Armed Forces has given her the edge in landing this assignment. Colby is to take the role as a homeless veteran to uncover a drug smuggling operation in Greensborough. The DEA is convinced that homeless vets are being used to distribute large amounts of prescription drugs on the streets.

Adena Weber part-time lawyer, part-time philanthropist has devoted her life to helping the disadvantaged of her beloved hometown. Her father has just been murdered, and she will stop at nothing to uncover this crime, as well as continuing his life’s work of running a resource center to help get people off the streets and into jobs.

This book does an excellent job of describing what life could look like on living on the street. You see through Colby’s eyes exactly how hard it is to stay under the radar of the police, the predators, and find food and shelter. How life’s basic needs become paramount, and wants are a distant memory. You cannot help but be moved by the misery Colby faces as she hides in parking garages, feels unspeakable hunger, and literally fights for survival on a daily basis.

When Adena and Colby meet it is that instant attraction, neither can take their eyes off each other but the timing is all wrong. Colby isn’t the successful DEA Agent, no she is one of Adena’s clients. This is a no go for these two. This attraction must be squashed until the case is solved.

The mystery portion of this book is really good. You're never sure what's going to happen and Powell does a fantastic job of creating the scene and dragging you into this world. I loved seeing and feeling how Colby felt invisible and criminalized because of her being part of the homeless population. You could not help but feel her pain and bone deep misery, even though you know it’s temporary for her. You really get an understanding of the unbelievable struggle it must be to be in this dire situation.

I did not however feel a connection in the romance department. While I felt like it started to take shape in the beginning, ultimately it fizzled and fell flat. I didn’t feel the love overpower these two. In the end, I really didn't care much for how they finally came together. It felt very anticlimactic and super rushed. the final chapter left me on a kind of on a sour note. The ending most definitely was the weakest part of the book.

3.75 stars.

[MaxDisaster · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars
Not bad. I liked the undercover investigation part significantly better than the romance part.
But both MCs were nice, and even the supporting characters were very well written.
So the crime storyline gets four stars, the romance two.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

As other reviewers have said I enjoyed the mystery side of this story.

One of the main characters Colby is a DEA agent and veteran. She takes an undercover assignment which sees her infiltrating a circle of homeless people to gain information about a drug ring.

Adena is a lawyer who since her fathers murder is also running the homeless shelter he ran. She's attempting to keep her fathers legacy running while also finding his murderer.

When they meet each other there is an instant connection which both women feel. There is a conflict of interest due to Adenas position at the shelter and the fact that Colby is not entirely who she says she is. The reason I have rated this book somewhere between a 3 and 4 star is because I didn't fully feel the connection between this couple so it lacked on the romance side of things for me.

That being said the mystery element of this book is done really well. You don't really know who's involved and it keeps you guessing. The author also paints a really clear picture of what life is like on the streets and the struggle of a homeless person is portrayed really well. If you're looking for a good mystery read with the insights mentioned above give this one a go.

ARC received from publisher via NetGalley

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, I all I know is I don't think I could have survived be homeless but it brought the plight to the forefront.

Arc given by NetGalley for a honest review.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Colby is ex-services and wants to do undercover assignments now she is in law enforcement. Then she wakes up on the street with a shaved head and aching ribs. Not what she expected perhaps but she's undercover. The local homeless resource centre seems the best place to start in uncovering a city wide drug empire. The centre is managed by Adena who, among other things, is trying to protect her late father's legacy. Adena has a strict policy about relationships with people she meets through the centre. But then she meets Colby... Their relationship builds slowly and with many obstacles and it felt real to me. There were some genuinely tense moments in the main investigation and in some ancillary investigations and Ms Powell kept the tension with her usual mastery. The minor characters were all well drawn including Sing Song and Lois and I liked Colby's parents and their gentleness. Overall a good read which is a level above some lesfic and standard romances. I was given a copy of this book by netgalley in return for an honest review.

[Blink51n · Rating 2 out of 5]

The romance took up far too much of this book for how flat it felt. I didn't feel the chemistry between the two main characters. It's pretty much insta-love and the push/pull gets old.

Great premise, but I would have rather read more about Colby's undercover work than being told over and over again how hot Adena was.

The ending was rushed and I found myself cringing so often I simply skimmed it to be done.

2.5 stars.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC obtained from publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book. It was interesting as the main character, Colby is an undercover DEA agent. It's her first undercover assignment and it's a doozy! The Colby/DEA stuff is what made the book.
The writer's style is nice and the story flowed well. However, I am not a big fan of the love at first sight type of romance. I wish she had taken a little more time to develop the other main character, Adena. Then a little more time for the feelings to develop. Instead it-being the romance, felt rushed.

3.5 stars, but I rounded up because of the unusual plot, which I really liked.

[Danni Mladenovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first impression about this book is that the author really knows what she's talking about, when it comes to law enforcement and military matter. I simply believe her every word she puts on the paper. She is a master in creating a good thriller plot, and she carries certain credibility all throughout her books. Also, the matter of homelessness was very successfully handled; you simply can't help but being moved. I even found the romantic part being less important than the "undercover" assignment, which just makes it altogether better, in my opinion.

*The copy received for an honest review from NetGalley.

[Verechnaya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written & published on www.criticalwrit.com

Content warning for drugs, and one case of sexual violence.

I said it before, judging a book by its cover is a hasty mistake, and while Deception's cover doesn't seem much, the book it hides is infinitely more solid. For people like me who care very little (to say the least) about the police or the military, rest reassured: this book deals more with the toll war takes on its soldiers and the somewhat lacking way the US deals with its veterans. Homelessness, disability and PTSD are all problems they face, and today still their suicide and poverty rates are high.

Colby Vincent's first field mission as a DEA agent might be hard on her, but she's uniquely suited to the task. As a veteran, she'll be able to blend in easily in the crowd of homeless vets populating the streets of Greensborough. Someone is using them to gather large amounts of drugs illegally, so they can be sold for a hundred times their price on the streets. Very lucrative, and facing less police scrutiny than cocaine or meth deals, prescription drug dealing is often the only way to survive for vulnerable homeless vets, and someone is well aware of that fact. But when her investigation leads her to meet Adena Weber, the owner of a help center for the homeless who's conducting her own investigation into the murder of her father, heat sparks, and Colby's growing interest in the woman might well blow her cover.

Despite my initial disbelief that inserting an undercover agent into the world of the homeless would be done through drugging her, shaving her head without consent and then beating her up before leaving her stranded in a homeless refuge; it's fairly easy to see that VK Powell knows her subject. Her rendition of homelessness is honest and humane, and she easily brings us into this community of marginalized people who came back from wars with nothing to their name and no prospect of a future. Colby soon finds herself facing the challenges and dangers of a homeless person trying to survive in a society that criminalizes many of their means for survival (such as panhandling).

Adena Weber is a lawyer and a philanthropist who spends most of her time either in her practice, doing pro bono cases for clients who do not have the means to pay her, or volunteering in the management of her own center for the homeless. Ever since her dad was murdered a year ago, she's been unable to let go, and she's firmly set on finding the truth behind the murder. When the police tells her he was probably killed by a vagrant, she refuses to believe it and sets herself on the trail despite danger looming about. Someone doesn't want her to find the truth, and this person might well decide to kill another Weber to protect the secret.

Adena is also a very moral person, firmly bent on not having more than a professional relationship with guests of the center. But Colby soon catches her eyes and she cannot help but wonder what lies behind Colby's strange behavior and secrets. As both women struggle not to jeopardize their own missions, while growing fonder of each other, the weight of Colby's secret becomes heavier, and there's soon no other way for Colby but to keep up the lie, especially when Adena might well be connected to the drug traffic...

It's been a little while since I read a mystery novel and this one certainly proves to be quite enjoyable. Colby is entirely ignorant of the new terrain she finds herself in, and we learn with her how rough it can be for a woman to live on the streets. The ending felt a bit rushed, and perhaps her investigation could have been longer, and use less deus ex machinas to drive the plot. But the book is divided in equal parts romance and mystery, and I felt the balance between those two elements was to my taste. I had been trying to read something else than just romance, and it definitely did the job.

Despite the disappointment I felt at the ending being somewhat rushed, I concede that it remains believable (at least the investigation part does). Fiction often lulls us into unbelievable endings where a main character takes on far more than a real person in her place would; as a police veteran, VK Powell knows well what police officers do or do not do, and her tight writing made me go through the book very quickly. It's a good read for someone seeking a book that lies in the middle between romance and mystery.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it, definitively could not put it down. This book kind of opened my eyes on some issues I never paid attention to. I just wish there was epilogue or something 😊

[Pippa D · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Colby Vincent, is a DEA agent and ex-Iraq war veteran. Wanting a new challenge, she volunteers to go undercover with the FBI to investigate homeless veterans who are being used to purchase and sell prescription drugs. Bashed and dumped by her new FBI colleagues in a strange city with $20 and a backpack, Colby has to work out how to survive on the streets.

One of her main supports, the owner of a homeless shelter, is one of the people under investigation and is possibly part of the drug racket. The fact that Adena Weber is also gorgeous and sets Colby’s heart pounding whenever she is near, is just another challenge for Colby.

Adena has her own challenges. The homeless shelter she runs, a legacy of her father, is seemingly under attack. The council is threatening to pull the shelter’s funding and newspaper reports are smearing their reputation. She has a feeling that it’s all wrapped up with her father’s murder, which still hasn’t been solved, and now she is being threatened. To make matters more complicated, she has a compelling attraction to a homeless woman, which is completely out of bounds ethically.

This was an unexpected book. There is a sense of truth to the author’s descriptions of the characters’ behaviours and emotions as ex-military personnel, presumably relating to her lived experience as a police officer, homicide detective and vice/narcotics lieutenant. She brings colour to the grittiness of life on the streets, and doing whatever it takes to survive. There is a real taste of what that is like, which was wholly unexpected, and I gave the book an extra half a star for it.

The plot works well and the characters are clever and unpredictable in ways that make them more interesting. The two main characters are perhaps a little too perfect, but they were very likable. The heat between them was great, and the control they both had at delaying things made sense for the characters and their professional roles.

I really enjoyed this book, and found it hard to put down. The crime drama was clever, but the heart of the book was Colby trying to come to grips with her life undercover, and the budding romance between the two leads. Powell manages to push the book across several genre boundaries, and pulls it off. This is a fascinating and unexpected book.

Advanced reading copy provided by NetGalley for an honest review.
 

[Velvet Lounger · Rating 4 out of 5]

In ‘Deception’ VK Powell takes some difficult social issues and portrays them with intelligence and empathy.

DEA Agent Colby Vincent goes undercover as a homeless Vet investigating a prescription drugs racket. Instantly we have a whole heap of issues around homelessness, invisibility and drugs. Powell draws the Vet’s with compassion and realism - she has a keen eye for the unpleasant behaviors of a pack of men.

We feel Colby’s isolation, her fear and hunger through a well-written narrative. Life on the streets is brought to into stark relief with her constant movement to avoid the police, staying below the radar, searching for food and shelter, and yet also having to be continually wary of the men who were once her comrades. Colby’s newness to her role, and the abruptness of her insertion, make this an emotionally raw experience.

The Vet’s are drawn with an observant eye and keen understanding. The roles men take in a gang are used to good effect and the quirks and personalities add colour to the story. Sing Song, another of the homeless Colby meets, is amusing and yet full of pathos with her obvious knowledge of surviving at any cost.

The crime mystery is well done. The plot is interesting and keeps the story moving along as Colby gets closer to the answers. It neatly intertwines with the romance element as Colby finds herself drawn to the CEO of the local homeless shelter. The attraction is strong, but romance takes second place as both women have ethical reasons why they cannot get involved.

Well-written, enjoyable storyline, excellent use of location to add colour to the background, and extremely well drawn characters. VK Powell has created a great sense of life on the streets in an excellent crime/mystery with a turbulent but charming romance.

[A.W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Colby Vincent is a DEA agent and is sent to work undercover as a homeless person in order to figure our the operation of homeless veterans being used to deal drugs. She has to work the case alone but finds herself attracted to one she suspects may be involved in the drug operation.

Adena Weber is juggling two jobs, one is to maintain her father's law firm and the other is working at the homeless resource center. On top of that, she is trying to get to the bottom of her father's murder. When she meets Colby, there is an instant attraction but has qualms on acting on her attraction because of conflict of interest.

I enjoyed the mystery aspect of the story, the homeless, the veterans and the drug operation. The author had me guessing every step of the way of what was going to happen next. However, how Adena's father's murder and Colby's investigation was solved was a little too convenient for my taste.

I had mixed feelings regarding the relationship between Colby and Adena, I thought that they had chemistry at the beginning, but felt rushed towards the end.
This is the first book I've read from this author and I will definitely check out her past and future works.

Review also posted here: http://wp.me/p4Pp9O-wT

I was given a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Penelope · Rating 3 out of 5]

An honest review thanks to NetGalley. This was a good book; it brought a new light to homelessness and a great point of view from the main character pretending to be one. The action and the story line was great; I just didn't feel the connection between Colby and Adena. I just couldn't connect with Adena, which made my reading of this book less enthused.

[Kennedy · Rating 3 out of 5]

DEA Agent Colby Vincent and Adena Weber, attorney. I found these characters simple and for the most part direct yet something was missing. As of this writing, I am unsure what exactly was lacking in regard to the characters but something was. I thought the subject of homelessness was one of the interesting aspects of the read. I liked the intrigue and mystery of the story. Secrets usually complicate and that was the case in this read. The story was interesting enough that I wanted to know what would happen.

eARC received with thanks from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley.

[Samantha Luce · Rating 4 out of 5]

VK Powell is honing her craft with every new release. I've been a fan for a while now and I'm very happy to say "Deception" did not disappoint. Two strong leads, a unique setting, believable obstacles, mysteries, and sexual tension all combine for a great read. VK's law enforcement experience always maker her books seem realistic and very hard to put down.

Net Galley Arc provided for an honest review.

[M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished "Deception by VK Powell", and with the respect of the words, its damn good. Have computer geek (what is very rare), criminal, empathy and a good romance at same book it's an amazing combination. She kind of rush the overcoming but what the writer took in detail of the homeless life was really good, you could almost feel what the character was enduring.

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sapphic mystery crime book. A fantastic read with enough suspense to keep you reading. Colby and Adena meet while Colby is on an undercover assignment and her first one. Because the author has been a law enforcement agent I feel like this was a bit more realistic instead of the normal action packed high stakes climax we normally see. Therefore it was interesting.

Colby was a great character but I didn’t really get Adena’s character, her motivations and thoughts. One minute she’s kissing Colby and going along with this attraction they feel towards each other and then the next minute she’s saying we can’t do this and continue like this. There’s a scene where she has Colby against the wall almost seducing her and then the next she’s denying a relationship between them. Her character was complicated and it confused me to the point of irritation.

Particular towards the end Adena is looking for someone to love her for the rest of her life and even though it could be Colby she still doesn’t want to talk to her. So there was no character development from Adena only from Colby. This was to the point where it seemed like Colby deserved someone better than Adena and she didn’t deserve Colby at all. In fact Colby’s reasons for loving Adena at least from her point of view seem rational but for Adena it seems the love is only as far as physical attraction which i feel like was more evident in the last few pages of the book.

Nevertheless, was Deception a good book? Yes it was as long as you can overlook the character development of Adena and her thoughts etc. she seems to be a complicated character but overall an interesting read.

[J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review is for the Audiobook version: This book was not what I expected at all. It really dove into the reality of homelessness and the opiate epidemic. The romance part of it felt secondary to the intrigue and it worked well. I would have liked to see more balance though. The rising action was well drawn out but the ending felt a little rushed and weak. I haven't seen the text of the book but one chapter mentioned a "toboggan" on an assailant's head...not sure if "toque" was the intention but it puzzled me. 3.5

[FSH78 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and wanted to read it non-stop. I was almost late to work because I was reading in the mornings.
I gave it 5 stars but I really think perhaps 4 1/2 would be better because the ending was too rushed. After an entire book of Colby and Adena fighting their feelings and not opening up, the end felt like it was written to meet a deadline instead of really tying it together. This however, does not prevent me from recommending this book to anyone.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this as an audio book. The narration was good and the story great. Really makes you re evaluate how you interact with the homeless!

[Margaret L. Hedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great. Really got into the undercover work and a closer look at life on the streets.

[Bo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

Well I think it ended quite too soon or does it have another on offer I wonder. Different but good.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This seems like a solid story; well-plotted, good characterization, well-written. Right up until the end when things seem to go slightly awry. I will say that I enjoyed the book thoroughly up to that point. The chemistry between Adena and Colby is tense and hot, both because they want each other, and because there are very good reasons why they can't have each other. Adena doesn't want to cross that professional and ethical line and date one of the people who has come to her for help, and Colby hesitates not only because Adena may be a suspect in her case, but also because she's lying to Adena and knows that may be a deal-breaker. Both of them are walking a line, and there are many chances for them to cross the line. I think Powell does a pretty good job of showing how demeaning and isolating it is to be homeless, and showing how compassion and respect can have an impact. The case itself was interesting. It doesn't seem like these veterans are doing much, but at the same time what they're doing has a ripple effect on the streets. My problem with the end is that things seem to get really rushed. Although the resolution of the case is swift, that isn't the part that bothers me. One piece of information can crack a case wide open. It's the last few scenes between Colby and Adena that bother me. The sex scene, after all the build-up, seems rushed and almost awkward, and although they're saying the right things, it gets pushed to the side because Adena already has dinner plans. And the fact that she just leaves Colby standing in her house as she leaves was a bit jaw-dropping for me. I waited the whole book for this to happen and it was almost a wham-bam-thank you, ma'am sort of thing. And I wasn't left with the warm fuzzies of something special just having started. At the end of the book, I enjoyed it, although I was slightly less than satisfied. But perhaps others won't have the same reaction I did.
I obtained a copy of this book from Inked Rainbow Reads for review.

[Gaby LezReviewBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I've read a couple of books by this author which in my opinion were an average read so I didn't have big expectations about this one. The main subject of this book, an undercover DEA agent who infiltrates a group of homeless in order to investigate a drug dealing ring, did not have much appeal to me. But after the first chapter I was completely hooked with the story. The author gives us an deep insight into the lives of homeless people, their struggles and their invisibility to the rest of the people. Ms. Powell takes us into this world as seen through the main characters, their own struggles, needs and miseries. I was moved by the suffering of the homeless people described in this book and made me reflect on my own prejudices against them.

In her description of the main protagonists' contradictions and struggles with the investigation and their personal lives, Ms Powell creates multilayered and credible characters. The secondary characters are also very realistic and support the main story, some of them very lovable and others despicable.

The main plot gripped me with its twists and turns and I just couldn't stop reading. Even though there are some hints on where the investigation is going, there are a few surprises at the end.

Overall a very good read in this genre. If you like a lesbian mystery with romance, action and some substance, I highly recommend this book.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Undercover agent falling for the suspect

“Adena knew beyond any doubt that love could wound and obliterate as easily as it healed and restored.”
+ • + • + • +

Loved this journey of attraction, recognition, uncertainty & love as it developed & intensified between Colby & Adena— all while both are in the midst of redefining who they are & what they truly want in life.

[Tq · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Without giving anything away, sing song was awesome :D