Fair Cyprians of London Series by Beverley Oakley

A rich man’s hobby is a poor girl’s ruin during the early years of photography It’s 1878 and London’s most beautiful and hard-hearted courtesan, Grace Fortune, is preparing for her next job. She’s the special initiation ‘gift’ procured by a mother in fashionable Mayfair for her son’s twenty-first birthday... moreA rich man’s hobby is a poor girl’s ruin during the early years of photography It’s 1878 and London’s most beautiful and hard-hearted courtesan, Grace Fortune, is preparing for her next job. She’s the special initiation ‘gift’ procured by a mother in fashionable Mayfair for her son’s twenty-first birthday. When Grace discovers she is to be servicing the man whose secret she’d guarded at the cost of her once-secure position in a grand country house and whose betrayal has plunged her into this hated life, she wants revenge. But with a mystery suddenly revealed, what Grace gets instead is something quite unexpected. (This book was originally published by Pan Macmillan Momentum and has since been revised.) Heat rate: Sizzling less

Felix, Lord Durham’s eldest son, has been in love with the vicar’s wild and wilful daughter, Hope, for as long as he can remember. When he learns that Hope is to be sent to Germany to become a governess, he arranges a romantic rendezvous. But Hope fails to appear. Two years later, Felix’s friends arrange a ‘special birthday gift’ for him: a night with notorious brothel owner Madam Chambon’s most sought-after girls... moreFelix, Lord Durham’s eldest son, has been in love with the vicar’s wild and wilful daughter, Hope, for as long as he can remember. When he learns that Hope is to be sent to Germany to become a governess, he arranges a romantic rendezvous. But Hope fails to appear. Two years later, Felix’s friends arrange a ‘special birthday gift’ for him: a night with notorious brothel owner Madam Chambon’s most sought-after girls. When Hope appears in his bed, Felix is horrified to discover that the passionate, ambitious girl of his dreams has been replaced by a world-weary prostitute who treats him like a transaction. But while love appears to have forsaken Hope, there are chinks in her armour. Can Felix unravel the mystery surrounding Hope’s terrible transformation in time to prevent an even greater tragedy? less

"My beautiful Revenge." Four years ago, Faith’s mysterious benefactress falsely accused her of stealing and deposited her in Madame Chambon’s exclusive brothel. There, Faith was to learn how to entrance London’s noble gentlemen with her learning in philosophy, politics and art. Her body was to be saved for the greatest enticement of all: revenge. Faith doesn’t care what she has to do. She lives only to fulfil a bargain that will set her free... more"My beautiful Revenge." Four years ago, Faith’s mysterious benefactress falsely accused her of stealing and deposited her in Madame Chambon’s exclusive brothel. There, Faith was to learn how to entrance London’s noble gentlemen with her learning in philosophy, politics and art. Her body was to be saved for the greatest enticement of all: revenge. Faith doesn’t care what she has to do. She lives only to fulfil a bargain that will set her free. 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. Now she is complicit in something dark and dangerous while riches, adulation and freedom are hers for the taking. But what value are these if her heart has become a slave to the man she is required to destroy? Keeping Faith is book 3 in the Fair Cyprians of London series but can be read as a stand-alone. less

Abandoned at the altar, Max, Lord Belvedere believes he’s evaded family obligation in favour of a life of adventuring in Africa. But his ailing Aunt Euphemia has other ideas. When Max finds himself in the delightfully diverting arms of Violet Lilywhite while visiting London’s most prestigious House of Assignation, he happens upon the perfect plan. A sham wedding to a ‘penniless shop girl’ should fulfil Aunt Euphemia’s romantic dreams without losing him his newfound liberty... moreAbandoned at the altar, Max, Lord Belvedere believes he’s evaded family obligation in favour of a life of adventuring in Africa. But his ailing Aunt Euphemia has other ideas. When Max finds himself in the delightfully diverting arms of Violet Lilywhite while visiting London’s most prestigious House of Assignation, he happens upon the perfect plan. A sham wedding to a ‘penniless shop girl’ should fulfil Aunt Euphemia’s romantic dreams without losing him his newfound liberty. Violet agrees to the deception with no hesitation. Lord Belvedere is certainly the most charming and surprising of all her male consorts but she has no illusions about a shared future. She wants only to escape the clutches of infamous Madame Chambon. The plan appears perfect until Max and Violet find themselves falling in love. Just as it seems Aunt Euphemia will have her romantic finale, a shock discovery threatens the foundation of Max and Violet’s relationship, challenging their belief in love, their trust and their hopes for a future together. What Readers Say About the Series:/> “Writer was able to get a 7-course meal into a sandwich sized novel. It was exciting and emotional. Sexy and romantic.” “This is one of the most interesting stories on why a girl might become an escort.. The twists and turns are breathtaking...I couldn't put this down.” “Oh my! This story just makes you fall in love ! It's exciting. It never lags. And what a most satisfying ending!” Heat Level : Hot (though certainly not at the expense of the story)! less

Reluctant courtesan, Charity, has found true love with Hugo, her first and only client. But when poet and artist, Hugo, is tricked into gambling away his impending inheritance, Charity finds herself at the mercy of Madam Chambon and her infamous house of ill-repute. Can the two young lovers thwart the conspiracy between Hugo’s social-climbing father, and slippery cousin Cyril, so Hugo can make Charity his Christmas bride?

Kidnapped from the lunatic asylum in Brussels where she was despatched by her husband two years earlier, Lily, Lady Bradden, has more at stake than just proving her sanity.With no friends or support, her survival depends upon pleasing her abductor with her success at “communicating with the dead” at Mrs Moore’s Wednesday seances... moreKidnapped from the lunatic asylum in Brussels where she was despatched by her husband two years earlier, Lily, Lady Bradden, has more at stake than just proving her sanity.With no friends or support, her survival depends upon pleasing her abductor with her success at “communicating with the dead” at Mrs Moore’s Wednesday seances.While Lily’s strong resemblance to the deceased daughter of a nobleman draws the crowds, the attendance of several murder suspects at her séances garners the interest of principled newspaper editor, Hamish McTavish.Is the mysterious and enigmatic beauty complicit in the scam?Hamish’s sizzling attraction to her complicates his investigation while her hot and cold responses to him undermines his trust.As intrigue and deceit embroil Lily, she fears she is destined to be the next murder victim.But just as she is ready to reveal her heart to Hamish, Lily realises she has been set up to appear the villain in his eyes.Loving Lily is Book 6 in the Fair Cyprians of London series but can be read as a standalone romance. less

Paris-educated Evelina Chambon has no idea her mother is London’s most infamous brothel madam.When Evelina arrives in the capital to make her debut in the spring of 1883, she quickly becomes society’s darling, choosing as her future husband wealthy shipping magnate Lord Dunstable over dangerously charismatic Lord Childers.Evelina cannot afford to involve her heart in as important a matter as her marriage... moreParis-educated Evelina Chambon has no idea her mother is London’s most infamous brothel madam.When Evelina arrives in the capital to make her debut in the spring of 1883, she quickly becomes society’s darling, choosing as her future husband wealthy shipping magnate Lord Dunstable over dangerously charismatic Lord Childers.Evelina cannot afford to involve her heart in as important a matter as her marriage.But when Lord Dunstable is found dead in Madame Chambon's private sitting room at her High Class House of Assignation, and Madame Chambon is charged with his murder, Evelina’s future teeters on a knife edge.Can those with intimate knowledge of the young women who work at the brothel, and the aristocratic gentlemen who frequent it, protect Evelina from social ruin, if not the truth of her parentage?Former spiritualist Lily Bradden, who now works to secure respectable work for the "fallen women" at Madame Chambon’s, and her new husband, newspaper proprietor Hamish McTavish, are prepared to stake their reputations—and Evelina’s—on solving the case of who really murdered Lord Dunstable. And why. less