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Keepers of the Faith
Lovely, red-haired Nancy Barton put glamour behind her to serve her country. From the lap of New England luxury, she plunged into the danger and intrigue of Washington at war. Suddenly she found herself swept into an alliance with Major Bill Jerrold, the iron-jawed Marine straight from the hells of the South Pacific. Together, Nan and Bill race against time to unmask a traitor and put out the flames of war.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1944
About the author
Emilie Loring
69 books131 followersAKA Emilie Baker Loring
Emilie Baker was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1864 to George M. Baker and Emily Frances (Boles) Baker. Her father was a playwright and publisher and her mother was a homemaker. Loring married Victor J. Loring, who was a lawyer. She began writing in 1914, published her first novel in 1922 at the age of 56, and continued writing until her death after a long illness in 1951. She was a prolific American romance novelist of the 20th century, known for her "wholesome love" romances and independent, spirited heroines. Beyond romance, her books also explore a selection of topics including, but not limited to marriage, love, American patriotism, freedom, and optimism. She died in Wellesley, Massachusetts on March 13, 1951. At the time of her death, she had sold more than a million copies of her first thirty books.
After her death, her estate was managed by her sons, Selden M. and Robert M. Loring, who, based on a wealth of unfinished material they discovered, published twenty more books under her name until 1972. These books were ghost-written by Elinore Denniston. taken largely from wiki, made some corrections (dates didn't add up) per her biographer
Emilie Loring Wiki Page
Emilie Baker was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1864 to George M. Baker and Emily Frances (Boles) Baker. Her father was a playwright and publisher and her mother was a homemaker. Loring married Victor J. Loring, who was a lawyer. She began writing in 1914, published her first novel in 1922 at the age of 56, and continued writing until her death after a long illness in 1951. She was a prolific American romance novelist of the 20th century, known for her "wholesome love" romances and independent, spirited heroines. Beyond romance, her books also explore a selection of topics including, but not limited to marriage, love, American patriotism, freedom, and optimism. She died in Wellesley, Massachusetts on March 13, 1951. At the time of her death, she had sold more than a million copies of her first thirty books.
After her death, her estate was managed by her sons, Selden M. and Robert M. Loring, who, based on a wealth of unfinished material they discovered, published twenty more books under her name until 1972. These books were ghost-written by Elinore Denniston. taken largely from wiki, made some corrections (dates didn't add up) per her biographer
Emilie Loring Wiki Page
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 10, 2018
I ran across Emilie Loring's name through a friend's review this year and decided to track down some of hers to try. This is the first one I've gotten to read, and I loved it! It's a WW2 story between an heiress and a war hero, a pretend romance in order to discover an enemy agent. The characters are colorful and practically spring off the page.
One thing I loved was that the hero of the piece battles weakness in the form of malaria, and the heroine in the form of having had her life told to her from girlhood.
Why it didn't get a full five stars is that at times the effort to "show not tell" took the dialogue down a bit because the descriptions were done in dialogue instead of told to us succinctly. It lent an air of unreality to a couple conversations, because normal people simply don't stand around and tell each other what they are wearing. :)
Content: some mainstream swears, a few slight references to past adultery
One thing I loved was that the hero of the piece battles weakness in the form of malaria, and the heroine in the form of having had her life told to her from girlhood.
Why it didn't get a full five stars is that at times the effort to "show not tell" took the dialogue down a bit because the descriptions were done in dialogue instead of told to us succinctly. It lent an air of unreality to a couple conversations, because normal people simply don't stand around and tell each other what they are wearing. :)
Content: some mainstream swears, a few slight references to past adultery
April 26, 2021
2.5 stars rounded up to 3
Keepers of the Faith is a prime example of reading a historical piece of fiction written in 1944, but read in 2021, versus a story written (and read) in 2021 with the setting in 1944.
~~~~~
What should I say?
The h was 23 years-old, absolutely gorgeous, and determined to no longer act like “a mouse”. I found her highly opinionated, flighty and obtuse at times. Her good looks played an important factor in the story.
Did I mention that Nan aka Nancy B. had a potential fiancee? He was a lieutenant and she gave him the boot in the first chapter. The problem was he kept returning like a boomerang throughout the book.
Following this, she met the H when he was having an episode of delirium from malaria. He was a then-Captain, soon to be Major, in the Marines. Within days of this event, she got a job working in The Pentagon with the help of her BIL.
Then she met the said H again though he didn’t remember her. Naturally, she decided not to reveal their first meeting. For what purpose, I never did determine.
Wacky, huh? Oh, it gets better.
There was a possible femme fatale/OW, a 17 year-old student who thinks she is in love with a potential spy, a bizarre General who I thought might be connected to the Nazis, a fake engagement and a very strange relationship with the BIL I mentioned earlier. Actually, the entire story was dramatic with a flare for the theatrical.
The 1940ish American lingo/slang gave me pause. Zowie, scram, beaut, hoosegow were just a few words.
There were some racist comments said or thought by Nancy B. I found them glaringly annoying.
The actual romance, if you want to call it that, was shades of Betty Neels. Lack of communication between the H/h, descriptions of clothes and food galore, issues with a family member and traveling except you won’t see any Bentleys or Porches here. It was by bus, train, jalopy or runabout.
All in all, I am glad I finished the story. Goodbye, Nancy B. Farewell, Major Bill. Au revoir, Mrs. Loring.
Keepers of the Faith is a prime example of reading a historical piece of fiction written in 1944, but read in 2021, versus a story written (and read) in 2021 with the setting in 1944.
~~~~~
What should I say?
The h was 23 years-old, absolutely gorgeous, and determined to no longer act like “a mouse”. I found her highly opinionated, flighty and obtuse at times. Her good looks played an important factor in the story.
Did I mention that Nan aka Nancy B. had a potential fiancee? He was a lieutenant and she gave him the boot in the first chapter. The problem was he kept returning like a boomerang throughout the book.
Following this, she met the H when he was having an episode of delirium from malaria. He was a then-Captain, soon to be Major, in the Marines. Within days of this event, she got a job working in The Pentagon with the help of her BIL.
Then she met the said H again though he didn’t remember her. Naturally, she decided not to reveal their first meeting. For what purpose, I never did determine.
Wacky, huh? Oh, it gets better.
There was a possible femme fatale/OW, a 17 year-old student who thinks she is in love with a potential spy, a bizarre General who I thought might be connected to the Nazis, a fake engagement and a very strange relationship with the BIL I mentioned earlier. Actually, the entire story was dramatic with a flare for the theatrical.
The 1940ish American lingo/slang gave me pause. Zowie, scram, beaut, hoosegow were just a few words.
There were some racist comments said or thought by Nancy B. I found them glaringly annoying.
The actual romance, if you want to call it that, was shades of Betty Neels. Lack of communication between the H/h, descriptions of clothes and food galore, issues with a family member and traveling except you won’t see any Bentleys or Porches here. It was by bus, train, jalopy or runabout.
All in all, I am glad I finished the story. Goodbye, Nancy B. Farewell, Major Bill. Au revoir, Mrs. Loring.
November 7, 2014
I was cleaning out my attic and found my box of Emilie Loring books. When I was a teenager my Grandmother and I were hooked on these books. We loved then and this was the basis for my love of romance novels. You have to realize that these books were written from the 1920's to the 1960's and the big kiss didn't happen until the last page. The plots were well paced and usually suspenseful. My favorites were set during WWII and this book was one of my favorites. It reads like an old movie and I will probably read through my whole set of 50 books and remember my youth and my Grandmother. Good times.
July 22, 2010
Emilie Loring is an author that always gets me interested and her heroines are very inspiring. The plot twists and the time period in which most of the books are in (1940-1949ish) are new and creative. Really really love this book in particular... but I could probably say that about most of her books!
March 3, 2017
There's something about Emilie Loring's books that I love. Yes, they're formulaic and predictable and if you read enough of them, you hear the same lines over and over - yet somehow I love each one. They're comfortable, familiar reading with a sweet story.
November 11, 2016
I couldn't get enough of this book! It was thrilling, suspenseful, and so sweet! I also loved the descriptions Emily Loring gives you of her characters clothing-adds such a nice touch.
And the hero-ah me, he was all that a hero should be: handsome, kind, determined, seeker of truth.. Bill Jerrold was the perfect guy to sweep Nancy B off her feet. <3
Nancy B, (nickname from her brother in-law Sam Hutchinson), is coming back from a game of tennis with some fellow nurses when her older step-sister calls her imperiously to the living room. She has received a telegram from Nancy's fiance, Ken-that he has jilted her and married someone else. And that is when Nancy changes from the mouse she used to be. Casting off her older sister, Diane's plans for her life, she steadfastly proceeds, with Sam's help, to go to Washington as a secretary in the Pentagon, doing her part for the War effort. Before she departs however, a man burning with malaria fever appears in her yard-her and Sam rush him to the hospital, and when they try to find out how he is doing later, he has disappeared mysteriously. Agent? Spy? Imagine Nancy's shock when she meets him in Washington again, Marine Bill Jerrold, recently back from fighting in the jungles. And add double shock when he nearly commands her to be his steady girlfriend, to help unravel a plot!
Add a French Count, a southern belle who has poison on the tip of her tongue, a rich lady's home she lends to board workers, spoiled ex-fiance, A and you have a exciting read!
And the hero-ah me, he was all that a hero should be: handsome, kind, determined, seeker of truth.. Bill Jerrold was the perfect guy to sweep Nancy B off her feet. <3
Nancy B, (nickname from her brother in-law Sam Hutchinson), is coming back from a game of tennis with some fellow nurses when her older step-sister calls her imperiously to the living room. She has received a telegram from Nancy's fiance, Ken-that he has jilted her and married someone else. And that is when Nancy changes from the mouse she used to be. Casting off her older sister, Diane's plans for her life, she steadfastly proceeds, with Sam's help, to go to Washington as a secretary in the Pentagon, doing her part for the War effort. Before she departs however, a man burning with malaria fever appears in her yard-her and Sam rush him to the hospital, and when they try to find out how he is doing later, he has disappeared mysteriously. Agent? Spy? Imagine Nancy's shock when she meets him in Washington again, Marine Bill Jerrold, recently back from fighting in the jungles. And add double shock when he nearly commands her to be his steady girlfriend, to help unravel a plot!
Add a French Count, a southern belle who has poison on the tip of her tongue, a rich lady's home she lends to board workers, spoiled ex-fiance, A and you have a exciting read!
May 7, 2008
This will be my token book for the "series". I'm almost embarrassed to admit that in Jr/Sr high I read almost every Emilie Loring book (I say "almost" b/c I haven't kept track). I actually have a box of them packed away at home... :) It actually got to the point where I would recognize the author's favorite phrases. :) Case in point, the girl eating dinner and putting food that she didn't like under ice, and the handsome man next to her saying "do you do that to people you don't like?" Haha... good memories of growing up. :)
April 12, 2009
As with the book No. 101, I was not incredibly impressed with the morals being upheld in the characters, particularly the casual view of marriage and the strong feminist tones. There wasn't enough good to redeem the rest of the plot, and it really was just unfolding like a silly little romance, impractical and unrealistic and just overall juvenile in feel. I wasn't even very impressed with Ms. Loring's writing, so this book really did not have much in its favor. Alas, I must once again set aside another unfinished book in favor of more profitable reading material.
June 23, 2024
I love Emilie Loring's war novels. Because she was writing them as the war raged, they have an undercurrent of uncertainty and tragedy, while never abandoning hope and optimism. I am always looking for ways to peer through someone else's eyes to get a glimpse of what it was actually like to live through a certain time period.
This is one of the Washington novels. In this case, Nan Barton moves to DC to work as a translator-secretary at the Pentagon and lives in a grand old mansion whose owner is renting out rooms to help with the wartime housing shortage. The are particularly engaging in this one and lead to one of my favorite romance tropes, . In this case, it is executed particularly well and is done for the most patriotic of causes, rather than for some of the sillier reasons this trope is sometimes trotted out. The climactic is one of my favorite action scenes in a Loring novel. And Bill Jerrold is, to use the old slang, dreamy.
As always, Loring indulges her dramatic streak. It's one of the things I love best about her writing, but if drama and Situations aren't your cup of tea, this may not be for you.
This is one of the Washington novels. In this case, Nan Barton moves to DC to work as a translator-secretary at the Pentagon and lives in a grand old mansion whose owner is renting out rooms to help with the wartime housing shortage. The are particularly engaging in this one and lead to one of my favorite romance tropes, . In this case, it is executed particularly well and is done for the most patriotic of causes, rather than for some of the sillier reasons this trope is sometimes trotted out. The climactic is one of my favorite action scenes in a Loring novel. And Bill Jerrold is, to use the old slang, dreamy.
As always, Loring indulges her dramatic streak. It's one of the things I love best about her writing, but if drama and Situations aren't your cup of tea, this may not be for you.
July 6, 2018
I started reading Emile Loring books when I picked up a paperback from a rack in a hotel lobby (for 50 cents) while on my sister's & my yearly vacation to visit my father. Hooked! I went on to purchase and read every Emilie Loring romance written and available in paperback, not knowing, until Goodreads, that she had died before I was even born. I loved these books, but read them all when I was between about 13-14 and perhaps 18 years old - I had favorites and lesser favorites, of course, but I no longer remember which was which. And I was a young reader - so keep that in mind! :-)
March 31, 2021
I really should just leave Emilie Loring's books in my reading past. Keepers of the Faith was probably my favorite of hers, way back when, but I didn't particularly enjoy revisiting it. Sadly, I was struck by the expository dialogue, the improbable plot, the silly misunderstandings. It was disappointing. But offseting those flaws are the upbeat, upstanding characters and the trademark sunny philosophy that characterized all of Loring's stories. These books were tremendously influential on me at one time, but some things are better left in the past.
October 24, 2020
Cozy WWII Romantic Suspense
This book was written in 1944 when WW II was still going on. It is a look what life was like then.
A young woman goes to work in the Pentagon. She is asked to pretend to be romantically involved with an Army Major as they search for a spy.
Suspense and romance follow.
This book was written in 1944 when WW II was still going on. It is a look what life was like then.
A young woman goes to work in the Pentagon. She is asked to pretend to be romantically involved with an Army Major as they search for a spy.
Suspense and romance follow.
September 25, 2020
A Window on the Past
Loring's books are filled with descriptive phrasing & plot lines that paint a vivid picture of one side of American life in the twentieth century. They are an easy, enjoyable read. Well worth the time.
Loring's books are filled with descriptive phrasing & plot lines that paint a vivid picture of one side of American life in the twentieth century. They are an easy, enjoyable read. Well worth the time.
August 7, 2024
Again, just guessing at my rating...I think I might have liked this one? Or maybe I didn't? Who's to say? But I do remember reading it...the plot sounds familiar... (but then again, most Emilie Loring plots do at this point haha)
March 17, 2019
So patriotic and definitely of a period. The intrigue and suspense keep you reading, and the twists and turns of the sweet romance are perfectly fulfilled by the explanations at the end.
September 16, 2020
Love Emilie Loving's books. Perfect blend of spy/suspense and romance! Was just disappointingly outbid on Ebay for a lovely set. On with the search for more!
December 30, 2020
One of my favorites
I love the way I learn parts of history through Emily's books. When she wrote, she wrote about times she was living in. If more young people would read her books, maybe it would stir a little patriotism in them.
I love the way I learn parts of history through Emily's books. When she wrote, she wrote about times she was living in. If more young people would read her books, maybe it would stir a little patriotism in them.
January 10, 2021
Great storyline
Great storyline set in World War II America. Shows the fear and the courage endured by the families and friends of the soldiers and sailors during this time.
Great storyline set in World War II America. Shows the fear and the courage endured by the families and friends of the soldiers and sailors during this time.
December 2, 2022
By far my favorite! Washington during WW2 and a no nonsense working girl just really worked for me
May 6, 2023
An entertaining melodrama.
March 2, 2024
I inherited many Emilie Loring books from my mom. This one is one of my favorites.
September 7, 2025
One of my favorite Emilie Loring books, this one is set during World War II.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews