Dear Readers,
I have the wonderful Julia Tagan visiting today. Not only is she sharing her new release, she’s talking The Covent Garden Theatre Fire of 1808.
The Covent Garden Theatre Fire of 1808: Fact and Fiction
by Julia Tagan
I love to find inspiration for my historical novels from real life. As I researched Stages of Desire, which follows the journey of a young woman who was born into a family of traveling actors but raised by a wealthy duchess, I studied up on the theatrical history of the time. Of note was the Covent Garden Theatre fire of 1808.
Immediately, I knew I wanted to incorporate the fire into the plot. The fire started in the early morning of September 20th and killed dozens, including firemen, when part of the roof collapsed. Lost in the fire were many costumes owned by the celebrated actress Sarah Siddons (including a piece of lace that apparently once belonged to Marie Antoinette) as well as Handel’s pipe organ and a number of his original manuscripts.
In my novel, the fire takes place during a performance when the theater is crowded with patrons and actors versus early in the morning (much more exciting). But it’s wonderful as a writer to draw upon one of the biggest news items of the year in a historical romance, as it adds an element of danger while making the story more realistic for the genre’s diehard fans.
Are there any true historical events you’d like to see in a romance? Or any romances you’ve read and loved that included them?
STAGES OF DESIRE
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…
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.
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Twitter: @JuliaTagan
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