In the Shadow of the Past

Shadow Series, Book 1

By: J.E. Leak

Narrated by: Abby Craden

She fell for the wrong woman...now it's going to cost her.

In the shadowy world of 1940s New York City, a sultry spy falls for the one woman she shouldn't. When reporter Jenny Ryan’s father is murdered, her burning need for justice drives her to take on a ruthless tycoon. But her plan goes awry when she falls for the criminal’s alluring mistress, OSS agent Kathryn Hammond.

Kathryn is more than just a popular nightclub singer with a glamorous façade. She’s an undercover spy, trapped stateside in a dead-end assignment while the war rages on in Europe. Frustrated and resentful, her emotions get her into trouble when Jenny steals her heart. As their forbidden desire blooms, they find themselves caught in a web of danger and intrigue.

Will their passion endanger their lives and unravel everything they’ve worked for, or will their love be the very thing that saves them?

In the Shadow of the Past is the first book in the sapphic historical fiction Shadow series. If you enjoy slow burns, secrets, and spies, you won't want to miss this noir-inspired tale of love and redemption.

Listen to In the Shadow of the Past and get lost in the intrigue!

©2021 J.E. Leak (P)2023 J.E. Leak

Incredible!

I'm not crazy about stories that take place long before my time, but this story, this author, this always fantastic narrator made it so very hard to stop listening.

Only Book 1 and 2 are available, on Audible, for now and I wanted to make them last as long as possible but it's so hard when a book is so good.
The characters, the story, everything about it was incredible.

My heart went out to Jenny. You see her imagination begin as a snowflake, very quickly gather more snow, only to end up as the biggest snowball ever created. I couldn't help but feel bad for her.
I hope that if I ever feel a panic attack begin, I can think of her and tell myself not to be like Jenny. Poor Jenny.

Now to start Book 2.

Amazing story

Nice story line. Can’t wait for the next book in the series. A great read. Thank you.

Elegant, skillful slow burn

It's a beautiful, slow-burn love story with buildups and payoffs. Narrator Abby Craden, long may she reign, delivers a 10/10. Tender, sexy, heartbreaking, funny, flawless.

J.E. Leak knows exactly what she is doing with this genre, the whole Shadow series is excellent. Genuinely funny with just the right amount of tension and intrigue to stay interesting. The character development and world building feel organic, the pacing and structure are on point, and I loved falling in love with it all.

Intriguing characters, outstanding narration!

4.5 stars

I really enjoyed this 1940s noir-style book. Central to the story is the slow-building off-the-charts chemistry between newbie reporter Jenny Ryan and femme fatale nightclub singer Kathryn Hammond. It's not a romance - at least not yet. But it is a love story on the precipice of blooming.

Jenny is unwittingly drawn into Kathryn's web when she gets an anonymous tip about a wealthy, connected businessman who may be responsible for her father's death. When Jenny decides to seek out the man to ultimately bring him down, she doesn't expect to find Kat, whose stunning beauty and talent completely captivates her. What Jenny doesn't know is that Kat is an agent who works for the OSS carrying out missions stateside as the war continues without her in Europe.

This is the first of what I understand will be four installments. While it's not action packed, the pace lends itself to the time period and sets up their story nicely and teases a bit of what is to come.

Leak very wisely chose Abby Craden to narrate the audiobook. Her Kathryn voice is sultry and delicious and she brings Jenny's youthful, confident and likable persona to life.

While I will also need to own these in book form because the covers are absolutely gorgeous, there's no question I'll also be picking up the second audiobook, In the Shadow of Love, when it is released as well. More Abby to come!

Great story and characters

This is avery compelling story with wonderful character development. Abby Craden brings the characters, Jenny and Kathryn, to their full believable self. In my second listen, I’ve found a wealth of detail missed previously.

J E Leak easily blends the genres of historical and lesbian fiction. This book goes far beyond the bounds of “lesbian romance”.

What can I say but OMG I love this!!

Getting ready to start and book two and cannot wait to dive into it. I would give this book a 10 if I could.

Hurry with part 2 & 3!!!

I was so excited to have a new Abby Craden audiobook to listen to! She’s been gone from the WLW world for far too long. This one won’t disappoint!

The characters: OSS spy Kat (tall, dark-haired blue-eyed beauty with a brilliant strategic mind and a difficult past)
And newspaper columnists Jenny (short, blond-haired, green-eyed innocent with a proclivity to attract trouble and a wide eyed optimism) …. My absolute favorite type of duo!!! iykyk 😉

The story is filled with intrigue and secrets making it have a bit more focus on the OSS spy stuff than the romance but the romance doesn’t disappoint. Additionally, I loved the focus on love for country and patriotism.

This is definitely a slow, slow burn on the romance side, that doesn’t culminate in this book.

I could tell about halfway through that this was setting up a series of books which I am super excited about. I love that there was no consummation in the first book because it allows the connection and romance to breath and grow deep strong roots.

As for Abby Craden… what can I say? She’s a brilliant artist and an absolute gift to this genera and hopeless romantic lesbians everywhere. She played the voices perfectly (per usual). If she doesn’t narrate the next two books, it will be a tragedy.

I can’t wait for the next audiobook (although I will be buying it when it comes out) but I need to know what happens next, so I bought the next book on kindle. I’ll just have to put up with the sound of my own inner voice for the time being.

Happy reading!!!

Love it!

I wish there were more lesbian books out there like this! It’s a fantastic series! A must get!

Wonderful!

It's been awhile since I was so engrossed in an audio book! I love era stories and this one did not disappoint. I will have to say though, Jenny got on my nerves in a few spots, but other than that, it was great. Can't wait for the next installment. For now, ill read the book.

Historical Story of the World of Espionage

World War Two was upon the entire globe and patriots were ready to fight and serve. This is the story of two women who went to war and fully embraced their jobs in the shadowy world of espionage. The remarkable Abby Craden provides fascinating insights into this story.