{"id":559,"date":"2018-12-07T00:01:33","date_gmt":"2018-12-07T08:01:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nomadauthors.com\/blog\/?p=559"},"modified":"2018-12-02T03:21:04","modified_gmt":"2018-12-02T11:21:04","slug":"keeping-faith","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nomadauthors.com\/blog\/2018\/12\/07\/keeping-faith\/","title":{"rendered":"New historical romantic suspense! Keeping Faith"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the first time, Nomad Authors welcomes Beverley Oakley. Keeping Faith<\/strong><\/em> sounds wonderful!<\/p>\n

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Keeping Faith\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/div>\n
Fair Cyprians of London Series (Book 3)<\/b><\/span><\/div>\n
By Beverley Oakley<\/b><\/span>
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Beverley has a print copy of\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/span>Her Gilded Prison\u00a0<\/span>to giveaway during the tour.\u00a0<\/span>Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter. Remember you may enter every day for your chance to win a print copy\u00a0<\/span><\/b>of Her Gilded Prison<\/span>. You may find the tour locations\u00a0<\/span>here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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About Keeping Faith:<\/b><\/span>
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“My beautiful Revenge.”<\/span><\/b>
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\n<\/span> Four years ago, Faith\u2019s mysterious benefactress falsely accused her of stealing and deposited her in Madame Chambon\u2019s exclusive brothel.<\/span>
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\n<\/span> There, Faith was to learn how to entrance London\u2019s noble gentlemen with her learning in philosophy, politics and art.<\/span>
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\n<\/span> Her body was to be saved for the greatest enticement of all: revenge.<\/span>
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\n<\/span> Faith doesn\u2019t care what she has to do. She lives only to fulfil a bargain that will set her free.<\/span>
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\n<\/span> But when Faith is recruited as the muse of a talented, sensitive painter whose victory in a prestigious art competition turns them both into celebrities overnight, she discovers the reasons behind her mission are very different from what she’d been led to believe.<\/span>
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\n<\/span> Now she is complicit in something dark and dangerous while riches, adulation and freedom are hers for the taking.<\/span>
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\n<\/span> But what value are these if her heart has become a slave to the man she is required to destroy?<\/span>
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\n<\/span>Genre <\/b>– historical romantic suspense
\nHeat Level<\/b> – Medium<\/span>
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\n<\/b><\/span>Keep Faith Buy Links:<\/b><\/span>
\nhttps:\/\/www.books2read.com\/u\/bP5pGY<\/b><\/a><\/span>
\nAmazon US:\u00a0https:\/\/amzn.to\/2Dg70UP<\/a><\/b><\/span>
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Excerpt:\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/div>\n

Chapter One<\/b><\/span>
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\n<\/span> \u201cWhat did you learn last night?\u201d<\/span>
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\n<\/span> \u201cA gentleman must always believe he knows best.\u201d<\/span>
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\n<\/span> Confident that her answer was pleasing, Faith reached across the table to help herself to a macaroon but a sharp slap across the back of the hand stopped her progress by the silver teapot.<\/span>
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\n<\/span> Her smile of feigned contrition was rewarded with a raised eyebrow from Madame Chambon. Not an invitation to partake of a macaroon, unfortunately. The table laden with eclairs and petit fours in Madame\u2019s private sitting room was merely for show.<\/span>
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\n<\/span> \u201cGreedy girl, Faith! You can eat at the Dorchester tomorrow and I daresay you won\u2019t even spare a thought for the other girls who are justified in being somewhat jealous of your cossetted life.\u201d Madame sniffed as she patted one of the grizzled, orange curls of her elaborate coiffure. Faith suspected a squirrel\u2019s pelt had made its contribution. \u201cI\u2019m sure they wonder every day why you never have to stir yourself \u2013 or anyone else, for that matter \u2013 to get your fine clothes or a roof over your head.\u201d Madame Chambon piled three macaroons onto her already laden plate before making a sweeping gesture that encompassed the furnishings of her surprisingly decorous private sitting room with its gold tasseled green velvet curtains and flock wallpaper. \u201cWhat have you told them, Faith? About why you are here, I mean?\u201d<\/span>
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\n<\/span> Faith\u2019s stomach rumbled as she gazed from the prints of the famous artists that lined the walls to the fine fare in front of her, ordered from Fortnum and Mason. These monthly sessions in table manners were supposed to give Faith the practice she needed to deport herself like a lady when eating in public. However, under Madame\u2019s guardianship, Faith never actually got to try the specialties.<\/span>
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\n<\/span> \u201cAnswer me, Faith. In all the three years that you\u2019ve been here, you\u2019ve had to do precisely nothing to justify your existence. Surely the girls have questioned you? I have my own version of the truth for them, as you know, but I\u2019d be interested to hear what you have to say.\u201d<\/span>
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\n<\/span> Faith didn\u2019t answer. She already knew how lucky she was, but Madame was not ready to drop the subject, despite having just crammed an entire chocolate \u00e9clair into her mouth. Faith just managed to make out the muffled words, \u201cEvery night you lie peacefully in your bed while the other girls have to earn their livings.\u201d<\/span>
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\n<\/span> Lying peacefully in her bed was not how Faith would describe the restfulness of her slumber. She was kept awake every night by the grunts and cries of ecstasy that penetrated the thin walls of her attic chamber.<\/span>
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\n<\/span> Still, she\u2019d finally learned when it was wise to respond meekly, so she bowed her head and stared at her neat kid gloves while dreaming of the delicacies Mrs. Gedge would order for them when Faith really was dining with her at the Dorchester Hotel the following afternoon. The Sacher Torte Mrs. Gedge had ummed and aahed over before finally choosing the baked Alaska from the sweets trolley last month still haunted her. However, since part of Faith\u2019s tutoring included how to win over reluctant gentleman \u2018and make them wild with wanting\u2019 which is how Madame phrased it, then surely Faith could persuade her American benefactress to order the Austrian chocolate specialty?<\/span>
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\n<\/span> She was so busy rehearsing her words for tomorrow that she almost missed Madame\u2019s prophetic and appalling statement.<\/span>
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\n<\/span> \u201cWell, Faith, the time has come for you to start earning your way, now.\u201d<\/span>
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\n<\/span> Faith brought her head up in shock. Was Madame teasing? When it appeared not, she gripped the table edge as she struggled for composure. For so long she\u2019d known the reckoning would come. Yes, and with three years preparing for it, she\u2019d believed she could meet it head-on with the necessary fortitude.<\/span>
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\n<\/span> But there\u2019d been no warning.<\/span>
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\n<\/span> She began to shake, biting into her bottom lip and clasping her hands in her lap to try and keep secret the manifestations of her terror from Madame who\u2019d only be spurred onto gloating and make her suffer even more.<\/span>
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\n<\/span> \u201cMrs. Gedge reported last month that she wasn\u2019t entirely happy you were ready for what she has in store for you when she took you to tea, Faith.\u201d Madame chewed noisily, unperturbed, it seemed, by the crumbs that landed on her gaudy vermillion skirts.<\/span>
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\n<\/span> Faith didn\u2019t suggest that Mrs. Gedge\u2019s dissatisfaction was perhaps the fault of Faith\u2019s tutor \u2013 the one sitting in front of her – who knew nothing about deporting herself as a lady.<\/span>
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\n<\/span> With a dainty gesture using only her forefingers, Madame Chambon raised her plate and licked at the crumbs that had not been dislodged before saying, \u201cFortunately, Lady Vernon is recovered at last from her long indisposition and has agreed to forget your rudeness to her from six months ago. In fact, she\u2019ll be here shortly. Yes, she\u2019ll soon have you passing the scrutiny of the most discerning duchess.\u201d Madame gobbled down another macaroon with as much finesse as the dogs Faith\u2019s father used to goad into fighting each other after they\u2019d fought over the scraps from the scrubbed wooden table at the farm. Not that there\u2019d been many scraps with ten children to feed.<\/span>
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\n<\/span> \u201cShould we not have waited for Lady Vernon?\u201d Faith suggested, daringly. But she had to say something to stop herself from launching into a volley of querulous questions about exactly what form this \u2018having to earn her own way\u2019 might take.<\/span>
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\n<\/span> Madame Chambon pushed aside an untouched plate of bread and butter to reach for another chocolate \u00e9clair and sighed. \u201cThere was just so much food on the table it seemed unnecessary to wait if her ladyship was going to be late. Ah! And here she is.\u201d Madame\u2019s orange painted mouth turned up at a knock on the door. \u201cShoulders back, Faith! And make sure you don\u2019t talk with your mouth full.\u201d<\/span>
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\n<\/span> Since this was not a danger, Faith supposed there might be some compensation in having to face her former nemesis who surely must subscribe to the belief that learning table manners required one having to eat.<\/span>
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\n<\/span> Madame threw her arms wide in a welcome as the door opened to admit the new arrival. \u201cGood evening, Lady Vernon. We\u2019re so glad you\u2019ve recovered from your chest ailment,\u201d she gushed. \u201cA good rest has done you the world of good. Why, you look ten years younger. Just as you do every time I see you, in fact. And we\u2019re indeed humbled that you\u2019ve consented to return.\u201d Madame simpered at the elderly woman, dressed all in black who looked, Faith thought, even more wraith-like than usual as she pinned up the veil of her bonnet and took the seat at the table proffered by Madame who went on, \u201cI\u2019m sure you\u2019ll feel even better once you\u2019ve heard Faith\u2019s heartfelt apology.\u201d<\/span>
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\n<\/span> Faith blushed under the scrutiny of the two pairs of expectant, unforgiving eyes, and glanced longingly at the remaining macaroon.<\/span>
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\n<\/span> Yes, there were times when it was worth being abject. She mightn\u2019t mean what she said, but if the last three years under Madame Chambon\u2019s roof had taught her one thing, it was how to sound heartfelt and sincere when she felt anything but.<\/span>
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\n<\/span> \u201cI\u2019m sorry for my rude comments about\u2026\u201d Faith hesitated. Perhaps it was best not to stir up old memories. While it must be perfectly obvious to anyone who met Lady Vernon as to why an earl\u2019s daughter could remain a spinster into her sixtieth year, it hadn\u2019t been in anyone\u2019s interest \u2013 Faith\u2019s least of all, it turned out \u2013 for Faith to have gone into quite such specific and extensive detail regarding her thoughts on the likely reasons. \u201cI behaved like a child, though it\u2019s such a long time ago, now, I can barely remember what was going through my head at the time. I was only seventeen and, in those days, prone to losing my temper but now I\u2019m eighteen and, thanks to all your efforts in teaching me how to act like a lady, Lady Vernon, I\u2019m so far from the rude and impulsive young thing I was before, you\u2019d not recognize me today. Thanks to your thorough tutelage, I am determined that I will never speak out of turn, to you, or anyone. Indeed, I have changed! I truly believe that, confronted by a table of delicacies like this, for example, I would certainly not embarrass you or Mrs. Gedge or any lovely young man or his mother who might take me out to tea by any show of greediness or lack of restraint.\u201d<\/span>
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\n<\/span> Lady Vernon\u2019s eyes remained fixed firmly on Faith for the duration of this speech with no indication of how forgiving or otherwise she might prove to be.<\/span>
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\n<\/span> After a long silence, she spoke. \u201cRestraint?\u201d She sniffed. \u201cRestraint is the most important requirement of any young lady, Faith. I\u2019ve told you this many times, so I\u2019m glad it\u2019s a lesson you claim to have finally learned.\u201d<\/span>
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\n<\/span> With her eyes fixed on Faith, she reached towards the remaining macaroon that sat lonely on its plate just in front of them both, her long-fingered hand hovering just above. \u201cPlease pass that to me, Faith. I can\u2019t seem to reach it.\u201d<\/span>
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\n<\/span> Wordlessly, Faith complied, schooling her features into impassivity while she railed inside, I hate you! I hate you! as she watched Lady Vernon transport the coconut confection to her thin, bloodless lips.<\/span>
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\n<\/span> \u201cDelicious,\u201d Lady Vernon murmured. \u201cIn fact, I believe it is the best macaroon I have ever tasted? You must surely agree, Faith, since the plate is now empty.\u201d<\/span>
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\n<\/span> She looked pointedly at the two remaining crumbs that clung to the edge of the fine china, as if to imply that Faith had eaten the rest. Then she indicated the plate of bread and butter near Madame Chambon. \u201cPlease eat, Faith. Madame Chambon and I have a leisurely afternoon at our disposal. She and I will partake of the remaining chocolate eclairs –\u201d Her pointed chin wobbled slightly, whether from the suppression of mirth or the swallowing of bile, Faith could only guess, \u201cwhile you make good work of the bread and butter with all the ladylike restraint you\u2019re so anxious to prove.\u201d<\/span>
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\n<\/span> Other Books in the Series:<\/b><\/span>
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\n<\/b><\/span> \"Saving
\nSaving Grace Amazon Buy Link:\u00a0https:\/\/amzn.to\/2z7rVGx<\/a><\/b><\/span>
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\n<\/span> \"Forsaking
\nForsaking Hope Amazon Buy Link:\u00a0https:\/\/amzn.to\/2DlzV9M<\/a><\/b><\/span>
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\n<\/span> Beverley Oakley\u2019s Bio:<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

<\/a>Debutantes, widows and the occasional courtesan test society\u2019s boundaries in Beverley Oakley\u2019s wicked, passionate historical romances dripping with scandal, intrigue, and suspense.<\/span>
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\n<\/span> Her Fair Cyprians of London series is about a group of determined and clever courtesans at a high-class Soho brothel who use their wit and beauty to avenge past betrayals – and who find lasting love along the way.<\/span>
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\n<\/span> How can there be a happily ever after? is a question many a reviewer has asked before admitting to being delighted and satisfied by the unexpected plot twists and surprise endings \u2013 just like in Beverley\u2019s own life. You can read more on her website.<\/span>
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\n<\/span> Beverley’s Social Links:<\/b><\/span>
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\n<\/span> Website:\u00a0http:\/\/www.beverleyoakley.com\/<\/a>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>
\nFacebook: https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AuthorBeverleyOakley\/<\/a><\/span>
\nPinterest: https:\/\/au.pinterest.com\/beverleyeikli\/<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>
\nTwitter: https:\/\/twitter.com\/BeverleyOakley<\/a><\/span>
\nGoodreads: https:\/\/www.goodreads.com\/author\/list\/5989577.Beverley_Oakley<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

a Rafflecopter giveaway<\/a>
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