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(Final in the Daughters of Sin series, book 5)
by Beverley Oakley
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GENRE: Historical Romantic Suspense (Regency)
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BLURB:
Four very different sisters compete
for love during an exciting London season: a celebrated actress with a heart of
gold, a shy yet daring wallflower, and the artistic, illegitimate daughter of a
nobleman.
Caught up in a high-stakes game of
intrigue and deceit orchestrated by their sister, the ton's reigning beauty,
each must play their part to bring a dangerous traitor to justice while finding
a man deserving of their love and special talents.
The gentlemen of the ton are about
to discover a woman made just for them.
If you enjoy Delilah Marvelle and
Liz Carlyle, you'll love Daughters of Sin, a series that combines sensuous
Regency romance with lashings of mystery and intrigue.
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Exclusive Excerpt:
Kitty stared through a chink in the curtain at the three of them sitting in the cramped parlor: her elder sister, Lissa, together with Lissa’s faithful beau, Ralph. And there between them was her beautiful half-sister, Araminta, whose showy presence in this run-down hovel was so utterly unexpected.
She was horrified and fascinated in equal measure. Why had Ralph been so blunt about plotting against Araminta’s husband?
Ralph poured Araminta another brandy and pushed the glass across the table. “Debenham never professed to like me.” He leaned back and studied Araminta’s tense, mutinous face. “I sometimes wonder why he keeps employing me other than that he’s too lazy to find someone else to keep his affairs in order. I assure you that with regard to his financial matters I am entirely honest. But, by all means, tell him I have the letter and plan to use it against him, if you wish, Lady Debenham.” He raised his hands, palm upwards. “My belief, however, is that an outcome more conducive to your future security and happiness can be achieved through you joining your efforts with ours.”
Araminta’s shoulders dropped. She looked aghast, just as Lissa did, and Kitty felt.
Ralph put his head on one side. “Am I to infer that you want that letter so urgently now because you plan to use it as insurance against what you fear your husband might find out about you, Lady Debenham?”
Araminta did not react with the outrage Kitty had expected. After taking a deep breath, knocking back the brandy in one mouthful, she clasped her hands together and began calmly, “Debenham told me in idle conversation of a little matter he’d heard about… that he is fact, investigating which, he believes, could be of financial benefit to him since he knows that to reveal the truth would ruin…someone’s reputation.” Her mouth trembled and Kitty could see the sheen of sweat on her brow from her hiding place just a few feet away as Araminta went on, “Every hint he dropped suggested the person in question could be me. You’re in a position to discover what I need to know, Mr Tunley. You shall be well rewarded if you can tell me exactly who my husband is investigating and what he knows.”
Ralph betrayed no surprise though Kitty was astonished that Araminta would be so forthcoming. Still, if she wanted Ralph’s help, Kitty supposed she’d need to tell him this, and more.
Rising, Ralph began to pace, his brow creased in thought. “You’ve given me very little go to on, Lady Debenham, other than that you believe your reputation is in danger. You’ve also said nothing to my earlier suggestion.”
“What!? That I betray my husband on the promise of safeguards to ensure that I am not ruined in consequence?” Araminta looked perplexed. “Are you more than just my husband’s lowly secretary? This investigation… Are you involved, personally? You’ve intimated as much, yet you live here? Why should I believe your grandiose claims?” She was gaining confidence as she spoke, as if a plan was slowly forming in her mind. Kitty could read the signs. Araminta had always been devious. Suddenly she was afraid for Ralph.
Yet Ralph just lounged by the fireplace, watching her with interest as she went on, “I could tell Debenham you’re plotting against him and he would do his worst.” She smiled her calculating smile and added, “But if you help me, I won’t.”
“Oh, so you’re blackmailing me now, are you Lady Debenham?”
“Of course not! I’m just suggesting to you what you suggested to me earlier, but using different words.”
“Don’t be puerile, Araminta,” Lissa bristled. “You are threatening Ralph, if I ever heard it, yet Ralph is the only one who can help you, which is why you came here tonight.”
Araminta looked at her, outraged, then burst into tears. “Don’t be angry. I’m not blackmailing anyone. I’m just terrified of what Debenham will do to me…”
“Do you mean, if he uncovers the truth about you, Araminta?” Lissa supplied. Her nose twitched as if she’d suddenly come in contact with something very unpleasant. “And what, exactly, might the truth be?
And you can buy Lady Unveiled~The
Cuckold Conspiracy here:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
About Beverley Oakley
Beverley was seventeen when
she bundled up her first 500+ page romance and sent it to a publisher.
Rejection followed swiftly. Drowning one’s heroine on the last page, she was
informed, was not in line with the expectations of romance readers.
So Beverley became a
journalist.
After a whirlwind romance
with a handsome Norwegian bush pilot she met in Botswana, Beverley discovered
her “Happy Ever After”, saved her heroine from drowning in her next manuscript
and had her first Regency romance published in 2009.
Since then, she’s written
more than fifteen sizzling historical romances laced with mystery, intrigue and
suspense under the name Beverley Oakley.
She also writes
psychological historicals, and Colonial-Africa-set romantic suspense, as
Beverley Eikli.
With an inspiring view of a
Gothic nineteenth-century insane asylum across the road, Beverley lives north
of Melbourne with her gorgeous husband, two lovely daughters and rambunctious
Rhodesian Ridgeback, Mombo, named after the Okavango Delta safari lodge where
she and her husband met.
She loves it when readers
get in touch, and you can find out more on her website: www.beverleyoakley.com
Or catch up with her here:
Twitter: @BeverleyOakley
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GIVEAWAY
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The tour dates can be found here
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to get this!your book sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Donomae. It was such a great feeling to finish the fifth after these four sisters had been living in my head for so long! :)
DeleteThanks for the chance to get this!your book sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteCongrats
ReplyDeleteThanks Gwendolyn, I'm having an early night to celebrate the completion of the series! :)
DeleteCongrats on the tour and thanks for the chance to win
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure, Lisa - good luck!
DeleteI love historical romance and suspense separately so to see them used together I'm definitely intrigued. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteHi Victoria! Yes, I think it's a great combination! :)
DeleteThat was an interesting excerpt. So much drama going on in that story.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary. I just love drama and historicals and lots of espionage and romance. :)
DeleteI enjoyed the excerpt, thank you.
ReplyDeleteHi Writa, I'm glad you did. Thank you. :)
DeleteI have not read Ms. Oakley before but your Blog entry has caught my eye, therefore, I entered. Please considered me for the giveaway. annfesATyahooDOTcom
ReplyDeleteHi Soft Fuzzy Sweather, that's nice to hear. And good luck!
DeleteI really enjoyed reading the excerpt, thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks Nikolina - I'm glad you liked it! Have a lovely weekend. (It's late Friday night here in Melbourne.) :)
DeleteAn interesting bio too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary. Nice to see you here! Good luck for the giveaway :)
DeleteI have really enjoyed following this tour and look forward to checking out this book!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good read.
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ReplyDelete