05th
Jan
Jan
Today I’m excited to participate in the Release Day Blitz
of ‘Stages of Desire’ by Julia Tagan. ‘Stages of Desire’ is an Historical
Romance/Regency novel and is out NOW!!!
About the Book:
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.
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.
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…
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…
Excerpt:
London, 1808
“Miss Farley. I would like an answer to my question.”
She leaped down from the wagon, landing as lightly as a
cat. Her back was ramrod straight as she approached him, and she met his eyes
with an unwavering gaze. “I presume Her Grace sent you to talk sense into me.”
cat. Her back was ramrod straight as she approached him, and she met his eyes
with an unwavering gaze. “I presume Her Grace sent you to talk sense into me.”
“She did indeed.”
“Well, you’re too late. We’re preparing for a journey to
Birmingham. These are the Farley Players, the esteemed strolling theatrical
company you may have heard me mention the other day.”
Birmingham. These are the Farley Players, the esteemed strolling theatrical
company you may have heard me mention the other day.”
Esteemed seemed far too grand a word for this shabby
group.
group.
Undeterred, she waved her hand with a flourish at
William. “I’d like to introduce Lord Abingdon.”
William. “I’d like to introduce Lord Abingdon.”
“I’d like a word with you.” He motioned to the door.
“Alone. Outside.”
“Alone. Outside.”
She led the way out of the barn to a small creek, knelt
down, and washed her hands, drying them off on her skirt. William couldn’t help
but notice the flash of petticoats when she did so, as well as a view of her
slender ankle. The sight of her was disconcerting. He cleared his throat in an
effort to regain his composure.
down, and washed her hands, drying them off on her skirt. William couldn’t help
but notice the flash of petticoats when she did so, as well as a view of her
slender ankle. The sight of her was disconcerting. He cleared his throat in an
effort to regain his composure.
“If I remember correctly, Miss Farley, the duchess and I
both forbade you from leaving London.”
both forbade you from leaving London.”
She pushed her hair off her face with an irritated
gesture. “I’m of age now, and am free to do as I please.”
gesture. “I’m of age now, and am free to do as I please.”
Her arrogance was astounding. William wished he could
grab her by the shoulders and give her a good shake. “You would run off with
these troublemakers and shame the woman who raised you, as well as the woman I
am going to marry? What kind of ungrateful person are you that you’d even
entertain such a notion? Is your father near death?”
grab her by the shoulders and give her a good shake. “You would run off with
these troublemakers and shame the woman who raised you, as well as the woman I
am going to marry? What kind of ungrateful person are you that you’d even
entertain such a notion? Is your father near death?”
“Not exactly.” She bit her lip. He’d struck a chord; she
didn’t appear as sure of herself anymore. “I don’t mean to do anything to harm
Her Grace. She’s been like a mother to me. But she’s not my true mother and, at
this moment, I must see my father.”
didn’t appear as sure of herself anymore. “I don’t mean to do anything to harm
Her Grace. She’s been like a mother to me. But she’s not my true mother and, at
this moment, I must see my father.”
“What will happen to him if you don’t charge up to
Birmingham with your army in tow?”
Birmingham with your army in tow?”
“He’ll be sent to debtor’s prison.”
William laughed. “Debtor’s prison?”
“I’m deadly serious about this and find your humor most
unkind.”
unkind.”
Relief surged through him. The solution was easier than
he’d believed possible. “I am sorry, Miss Farley. I didn’t realize how simple
the solution is. I’ll give you the money. Have one of your troupe bring it to
your father, and you and I will return to London. Simple as that. I understand
why you wouldn’t want to trouble the duchess with this kind of request, but as
I have certain plans with regard to the family, I’m happy to extend you this
favor. As long as you don’t have other family members popping up requesting
handouts. And there will be no more lies.”
he’d believed possible. “I am sorry, Miss Farley. I didn’t realize how simple
the solution is. I’ll give you the money. Have one of your troupe bring it to
your father, and you and I will return to London. Simple as that. I understand
why you wouldn’t want to trouble the duchess with this kind of request, but as
I have certain plans with regard to the family, I’m happy to extend you this
favor. As long as you don’t have other family members popping up requesting
handouts. And there will be no more lies.”
“You’re doing me a favor?” She fixed him with a stare.
“I’m not some poor relation of yours to order about. I won’t take your money.”
“I’m not some poor relation of yours to order about. I won’t take your money.”
The girl was stubborn when there was no need to be. How
had the duchess ever put up with her in the first place? “Take the money and
let’s get going. We’ll stay overnight at my estate and have you back in London
by tomorrow afternoon.”
had the duchess ever put up with her in the first place? “Take the money and
let’s get going. We’ll stay overnight at my estate and have you back in London
by tomorrow afternoon.”
She shook her head. “It won’t do. The producer to whom my
father is indebted demands a production within the week. He has promised his
patrons As You Like It, starring the famous Mrs. Ivey, and nothing less will
do.”
father is indebted demands a production within the week. He has promised his
patrons As You Like It, starring the famous Mrs. Ivey, and nothing less will
do.”
“I see. And who is this famous actress? Is she the one
who curtseyed so deeply I heard her knees creak?”
who curtseyed so deeply I heard her knees creak?”
Miss Farley almost smiled. “No. That’s Mrs. Kembler.
She’s one of ours. Mrs. Ivey is already up in Birmingham, awaiting our
arrival.” She placed her hand on his arm, the pressure of her touch as light as
a feather. “Sorry, my lord. I know this seems like a rash act. But I need to
take care of my father right now. I’m fully capable of comporting myself in a
ladylike manner. I have no intention of bringing shame upon Her Grace’s
household.”
She’s one of ours. Mrs. Ivey is already up in Birmingham, awaiting our
arrival.” She placed her hand on his arm, the pressure of her touch as light as
a feather. “Sorry, my lord. I know this seems like a rash act. But I need to
take care of my father right now. I’m fully capable of comporting myself in a
ladylike manner. I have no intention of bringing shame upon Her Grace’s
household.”
“So just now, when you were heaving trunks around like a
common dockworker, it wasn’t scandalous?” An uncomfortable warmth swept over
him, remembering it.
common dockworker, it wasn’t scandalous?” An uncomfortable warmth swept over
him, remembering it.
“That was work. Nothing scandalous about work.”
“It was the way you were working.”
“And what way is that?” She put her hands on her hips and
breathed heavily. He couldn’t help noticing the rise and fall of her chest.
breathed heavily. He couldn’t help noticing the rise and fall of her chest.
At a loss for words, he stammered as he tried to regain
the upper hand. “Never mind now.”
the upper hand. “Never mind now.”
She looked up at him, her eyes wide. “My lord, I
understand why you might be worried, and why my running off alone was not
proper. I am sorry. Allow me to go to Birmingham and sort out this mess.
Please. I haven’t seen my father in a long time.”
understand why you might be worried, and why my running off alone was not
proper. I am sorry. Allow me to go to Birmingham and sort out this mess.
Please. I haven’t seen my father in a long time.”
She plucked at the fabric of her skirt like a small child
might. For a brief moment, he couldn’t help but sympathize with her,
remembering his own turbulent history with his father.
might. For a brief moment, he couldn’t help but sympathize with her,
remembering his own turbulent history with his father.
“He left me a book of sonnets, you see, but I didn’t
receive it until yesterday. He inscribed it to me and, well, it’s difficult to
explain. But now I realize how difficult it must’ve been for him to give me
away. My mother died when I was born and life had been rough.”
receive it until yesterday. He inscribed it to me and, well, it’s difficult to
explain. But now I realize how difficult it must’ve been for him to give me
away. My mother died when I was born and life had been rough.”
“My mother died giving birth to my younger brother. But
you must carry on. Life is not meant to be easy.”
you must carry on. Life is not meant to be easy.”
She shook her head slowly, in disbelief. “There are
varying degrees of easy. Losing a mother, yes, we’re even on that point. But
have you gone for days slogging through the mud in the hopes of finding a warm
bed and supper? I remember quite clearly what it’s like to not eat for a couple
of days, the way the hunger climbs from your stomach up your throat until even
your jaw aches.”
varying degrees of easy. Losing a mother, yes, we’re even on that point. But
have you gone for days slogging through the mud in the hopes of finding a warm
bed and supper? I remember quite clearly what it’s like to not eat for a couple
of days, the way the hunger climbs from your stomach up your throat until even
your jaw aches.”
She had him there. He only missed a meal by accident,
when he was absorbed in his work. And any cravings were satisfied immediately.
when he was absorbed in his work. And any cravings were satisfied immediately.
“My lord, I’d like to thank my father for allowing me to
live with the duke and duchess. It’s the least I can do.”
live with the duke and duchess. It’s the least I can do.”
He almost suggested she write a letter instead, but
stopped himself. What if he were given the opportunity to talk to his father,
or his brother, again? What would he say?
stopped himself. What if he were given the opportunity to talk to his father,
or his brother, again? What would he say?
He understood her desire to make amends, and her honesty
cut him to the core.
cut him to the core.
“Please, my lord.”
Sounds of merriment spilled out of the barn.
Perhaps they could reach an agreement. “I will allow it,
on two conditions.”
on two conditions.”
“My lord?”
“My former nursemaid, Miss Entwhistle, shall act as
chaperone. She’s here with me now and will accompany you to ensure you meet the
standards of respectability. Two: You’ll stay with her at all times, and be
back in London by next week. I will tell the duchess I allowed you to visit
family in Birmingham, and leave it at that. No mention of the theater.”
chaperone. She’s here with me now and will accompany you to ensure you meet the
standards of respectability. Two: You’ll stay with her at all times, and be
back in London by next week. I will tell the duchess I allowed you to visit
family in Birmingham, and leave it at that. No mention of the theater.”
“I suppose I can agree.”
“Very well, I’ll make the introductions.”
Eager to break the unexpected connection between them,
William headed to the carriage while she returned to the barn. Miss Farley’s
voice rang out.
William headed to the carriage while she returned to the barn. Miss Farley’s
voice rang out.
“My lord, you might want to come quick.”
“One moment, I must see to Miss Entwhistle first.”
“That’s what I mean.”
William caught up with Miss Farley inside the barn. She
pointed in the direction of several bales of hay, where Miss Entwhistle stood
wearing a long purple scarf and swaying side to side, singing a colorful ditty
at the top of her lungs. The rest of the troupe had gathered around her
clapping and singing along.
pointed in the direction of several bales of hay, where Miss Entwhistle stood
wearing a long purple scarf and swaying side to side, singing a colorful ditty
at the top of her lungs. The rest of the troupe had gathered around her
clapping and singing along.
“I think I’ll have no problems with Miss Entwhistle at
all, my lord,” said Miss Farley. “In fact, it appears she’ll be able to teach
me a few things.”
all, my lord,” said Miss Farley. “In fact, it appears she’ll be able to teach
me a few things.”
About the Author:
Julia Tagan lives with her husband and golden doodle inNew York City. 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.
For more information about Julia Tagan and ‘Stages of
Desire’ please visit her website, Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook and Twitter.
Desire’ please visit her website, Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook and Twitter.
Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway This event was organized by Book Partners in Crime Promotions.
You might also like:
Release Day Blitz 'Captive Potential' by Barbara Garren
Review 'How To Train Your Earl' by Amelia Grey
Book Blitz 'Just Three Dates' by David Burnett
Review 'Catch Me When I Fall' by A.L. Jackson
Release Event 'Slayed on the Slopes' by Kate Dyer
Spotlight 'The Sutherlands'
Review 'The Duke Can Go To The Devil' by Erin Knightley
Release Blitz 'Leave Me Breathless' by Carrie Elks
Maureen is a mom, wife, nurse, and Ravenclaw living in the Netherlands. She spends her days juggling mom-life, reading, blogging, planning date nights with her husband and working as a nurse. Maureen also is a big Anglophile, loves cooking, Gilmore Girls, Bridgerton and Harry Potter.. Always! Facebook | Instagram
Thank you for hosting today!
You're very welcome 😉
Thanks for featuring me and "Stages of Desire" today. Really appreciate it!
You're welcome! Your book sounds wonderful 😉
This book sounds interesting, I like the cover! My goal is to read more historical romances this year, so I might check this one out!
Hi Lola,
Thanks so much – and if you do check it out, I hope you enjoy it!
It definitely sounds like an interesting book. Another one to put on our long TBR 😉