Please welcome historical author Julia Tagan back to the blog! Julia is here to tell us about her latest book, Stages of Desire. She is also giving away a copy of the book to one of you. All you have to do is leave a comment saying you want it.
First the intriguing cover.
The blurb:
To be or not to be—in love…
As a ward of the Duchess of Dorset, Harriet can hardly expect more from a match than the ringing endorsement of “from what I’ve heard, the man is financially secure and his teeth are quite regular.” After all, she’s only the lowly daughter of traveling actors, not the actual daughter of the duchess.
William Talbot, Earl of Abingdon is set to marry the duchess’s daughter. After his elder brother’s scandalous death, his family’s reputation is paramount, and he’ll allow nothing to damage it again. But when Harriet disappears to save her father from debtor’s prison, the scandal threatens William and his intended’s family.
The simple task of fetching the duchess’s runaway ward turns complicated when Harriet insists on traveling with her father’s acting company. William’s forced to tag along, and finds himself entranced. The stage transforms Harriet into a free-spirited, captivating beauty. But someone’s been sabotaging the theater company, and instead of facing scandal, William and Harriet discover a threat not only to their growing passion, but to their lives…
And an excerpt:
London, 1808
“From what I’ve heard, the man is financially secure and his teeth are quite regular,” announced Eleanor, Duchess of Dorset.
Harriet Farley, the duchess’s ward, smiled wanly, trying to be as polite as she could under the circumstances. The ballroom brimmed with young women coiffed and adorned to perfection and men whose gazes darted toward the prettiest. Although normally Harriet preferred lingering along the perimeter, tonight she was to be introduced to a promising suitor, handpicked by the duchess herself. For the first time, she’d take part in the ritual of courtship instead of observing from the duchess’s side. Her moment had come.
Then why did she feel like a hare caught in a trap?
The aroma of Pear’s soap and perfume wafted through the crowd. Harriet dabbed her handkerchief under the lace trim of the neckline of her gown but stopped when the duchess furrowed her brow. After six years of living under the same roof, Harriet was keenly attuned to the woman’s slightest sign of irritation.
“I’m sure he’s lovely, Your Grace,” said Harriet. “I trust your judgment when it comes to these matters.”
The duchess shrugged and snapped open her fan, obviously pleased. Harriet’s guardian had a regal profile as would befit the wife of the Duke of Dorset, even though his sudden death three years earlier had taken its toll on the duchess’s loveliness. The family’s recent financial woes had no doubt exacerbated the deep lines etched on her forehead. Harriet could never repay their generosity, taking her in when she was twelve years old, yet now she could do something to help. Or so she hoped.
The duchess scanned the room like a sea captain looking for signs of land. “We’ll wait until Marianne’s betrothal is settled, and you’ll be next.”
“Of course, Your Grace.” Harriet wiggled her toes and winced. The first order of business once she was married would be to buy slippers that fit, not ones intended to make her too-large feet appear dainty.
“You’ve been an agreeable companion to Lady Marianne, and now, if luck has it, you’ll be an agreeable wife to the sixth son of a baron.”
“I’m excited to meet Mr. Hopplehill.” Harriet swayed back slightly, so her heels, not her toes, supported her body weight.
“Act at ease, my girl. You stand so stiffly one would think you’re a marble sculpture.”
She shifted her weight forward, trying to comply.
“Now you’re slumping. Oh, for heaven’s sake. You must have picked up some semblance of proper conduct from Marianne.”
Tears stung her eyes and she took a calming breath. She hadn’t been born into the ton, and evenings like these only reinforced her sense of inadequacy. The other girls were like lap dogs, brushed and pampered and pirouetting for biscuits, while she was more of the loyal hunting dog, happier loping across fields and braying.
Braying?
The heat must be affecting her thinking.
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Most of us think that malaria strikes only in super-hot climates like India and Africa. But in Regency-era England, where my romance Stages of Desire takes place, malaria was still rampant in the swamps and coastland. Even worse, the standard treatment at the time, made from the bark of the cinchona tree, tasted awful and wasn’t all that effective.
So when I decided to make my hero, William, Earl of Abingdon, a trained physician (he came into the title when his brother unexpectedly died), I also gave his dear sister malaria. Mean of me, I know. But William’s desperate to find a better treatment, and, luckily for him, the early 1800s were chock full of innovations in medicine.
In real life, two Frenchmen discovered how to extract quinine from cinchona in 1820, resulting in a much more effective and concentrated treatment. Taking quite a bit of artistic license, William teams up with an apothecary to figure out the process. When it came down to researching the precise details, I scoured technical papers that left me scratching my head before turning to my chemical engineer father for a lesson in “Extraction for Dummies.”
I loved the idea of mashing up history and fiction to give the plot a jot of reality. What innovations or discoveries have you enjoyed reading about in historical romances?
About Julia:
Julia Tagan is based in New York City, where she worked as an actress before venturing into writing. A journalist by training, she enjoys weaving actual events and notorious individuals into her historical romances. Her favorite activities include walking her dog in Central Park, scouring farmers’ markets for the perfect tomato, and traveling to foreign cities in search of inspiration.
Hi Julia, gosh this is so apposite. My wip also features early nineteenth century ‘cures’ although I confess, I did not know about malaria in UK. Cholera, yes. Combined with a heroine who is dramatic, I wrote plays in another stage of my writing, I really look forward to your book. anne stenhouse
Hi Anne – it sounds like we have a ton in common! Please keep me posted on the progress of your WIP and thanks for checking in today–
Am very intrigue and love the cover Tegan…can’t wait to read it, love your books
Barbara
Thanks so much, Barbara!! I appreciate the kind words.
I love that the cover is so different than most covers these days. I appreciate the history lesson too. 🙂 Of course I’d love a copy!
Hi Glenda – thanks so much! The publisher really surprised me with the cover as well. I appreciate your comment!
I’d love a copy please! Learning history from hist-romance books is so much more riveting that those boring school books.
Hi Linda – I totally agree! They make history come alive instead of a dry list of dates and events. Thanks for coming by.
This sounds wonderful! I love smart books. 🙂
You’re so nice – thanks!
I really like the dress on the cover of this book. I enjoyed the blurb 🙂
Thanks, Lori. Glad you liked it and thanks for stopping by!
Wonderful excerpt, gorgeous cover, Julia.
I, too, love to mash history and fiction. One of my heroes was a pirate that sailed with Sam Bellamy, and was the Whydah when it sank. I had such fun with it.
Great post!
Jenn!
Hi Jenn – your book sounds like its right up my alley! Will definitely check it out.
Lovely cover and wonderful excerpt !! I’m already pulling for your heroine! And I do love it anytime actual history can be woven into a historical romance. I look forward to reading this one!
You are so sweet – thanks for checking in and commenting!
I would love to read your book! Thank you! The cover is very pretty, the back of her dress is quite risque!
I agree about the dress on the cover – kind of a mash up between modern and historical garb. My publisher was obviously trying to get the readers’ attention!