A warm welcome to author Rachel Brimble who is interviewing Nancy Bloom from her latest historical novel, Trouble for the Leading Lady.
Blurb
Bath, 1852.
As a girl, Nancy Bloom would go to Bath’s Theatre Royal, sit on the hard wooden benches and stare in awe at the actresses playing men as much as the women dressed in finery. She longed to be a part of it all and when a man promised her parents he could find a role for Nancy in the theatre, they believed him.
His lie and betrayal led to her ruin.
Francis Carlyle is a theatre manager, an ambitious man always looking for the next big thing to take the country by storm. A self-made man, Francis has finally shed the skin of his painful past and is now rich, successful and in need of a new female star. Never in a million years did he think he’d find her standing on a table in one of Bath’s bawdiest pubs.
Nancy vowed never to trust a man again. Francis will do anything to make her his star. As they engage in a battle of wits and wills, can either survive with their hearts intact?
The second in Rachel Brimble’s thrilling new Victorian saga series, Trouble for the Leading Lady will whisk you away to the riotous, thriving underbelly of Victorian Bath.
You can get a copy of the book here
Now let’s move onto Rachel’s interview with Nancy Bloom, heroine of Trouble For The Leading Lady
Welcome Nancy, I have to first ask why Bath? Aren’t you originally from Bristol?
I am, but I came to Bath with my best friend, Louisa a few months ago. She was left a house here when her husband died – it was with some apprehension we came to the city as Louisa had no idea the house even existed. Louisa and I have been together through thick and thin, my loyalty lie with her and, if she needs me, I will always be right beside her.
Is it true the Carson Street house is a brothel?
Yes, I am one of the girls who works there and Louisa is our madam – no woman chooses this life and every one of us has a different story of how we ended up in the sex trade. It is never as simple as people believe or assume…
However, I am not ashamed of what I do and proud of the strength in my survival. The Carson Street house has meant that my life is now my own and the house is ran with choices made by Louisa and me. No one else.
How did you meet theatre director Francis Carlyle?
Well, how I can put this delicately? He… made himself known to me by pretty much pushing his way through the patrons of the White Hart tavern, planting himself in front of me and harassing me until I agreed to talk to him.
For such a lovely and successful man, he has some front, I’ll give him that.
But you liked him?
In time… the man needed to learn some manners. But now? Yeah, I like him. I more than like him.
Your life became quickly entwined with Francis’s – can you tell me how?
Once I gave the man a chance, he intrigued me. I’ve been stung before by men who promise the world and it took me a long time to trust Francis and believe him when he said he could make my dreams of being onstage come true.
Even though the theatre played a huge part of why we spent time together, I also learned more about Francis and his past. A past that meant I wanted him to find happiness. That led us to the gates of Bath’s workhouse – now I’m not sure what is more important to me, Francis’s happiness or my dream of being an actress.
Where do you see yourself in five years, Nancy Bloom?
Ha ha! That is quite the question – I have no idea. I have a hundred and one things I want to do, see and experience. I’m a good time girl who loves people and Bath – I will embrace life, live it in every possible way. Isn’t that what every single one of us should do?
A fascinating interview! Nancy sounds a great character.
Reviews for Trouble For The Leading Lady
***** “Enthralling, gripping & captivating – if you love historical romances, I highly recommend!” Dash Fan Reviews
***** “A story that will effortlessly work its way into your heart…” Books Of All Kinds
Meet Rachel
Bio:
Rachel lives in a smal town near Bath, England. She is the author of over 25 published novels, including the Ladies of Carson Street series, the Shop Girl series (Aria Fiction) and the Templeton Cove Stories (Harlequin).
In 2019 she signed a new three book contract with Aria Fiction for a Victorian trilogy set in a Bath brothel. The first book, A Widow’s Vow was released in September 2020 followed by book 2 Trouble For The Leading Lady in March 2021 – it is expected that the final instalment will be released in the Autumn 2021.
Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association as well as the Historical Novel Society and has thousands of social media followers all over the world.
Contact Links
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Website: https://rachelbrimble.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelbrimbleauthor/?hl=en
Thanks so much for dropping by to share your character interview, Rachel. Wishing you many sales.
ONE SUMMER IN CORNWALL is published today! You can get a copy here: https://t.co/cGO6wxrZMN?amp=1
Karen King: Author 