The Inspiration behind...The Temptation of Laura by Rachel Brimble!

I'm thrilled beyond thrilled to have my friend and fellow writing pal, Rachel Brimble here today with her latest release, The Temptation of Laura! I was one of the first folks to see this story, and I have to tell you, it's wonderful! Join us for a quick look inside Rachel's inspiration behind this Victorian romance from eKensington! Whoot!

Laura Robinson has always been dazzled by the glamour of the stage. But perhaps acting and selling one’s favors are not so different—for Laura must feign pleasure with the men she beds to survive. Now, with her only friend at death’s door and a ruthless pimp at her heels, escaping her occupation seems impossible. Hoping to attract a gentleman, she attends the theater. Yet the man Laura captivates is no customer, but a rising star and playwright…

Adam Lacey has been driven to distraction since the moment he saw Laura. She is his ideal leading lady come to irresistible life—and so much more. Certain they can make the perfect team on and off stage, he is determined to win her heart—and discover her story. But that is precisely what Laura fears. And she has no idea that Adam harbors shameful secrets of his own. Will the truth free them to love—or destroy all their dreams…?

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One of the most frequently questions asked of authors is, “Where do you get your ideas?” The simple answer is everywhere, but that rarely satisfies the curious reader or aspiring author…but it’s the truth.

Ideas can come from newspapers, TV shows, snippets of conversation, the author’s life experiences, their friends and family’s experiences, moral issues, books and films. The list goes on.

The inspiration for The Temptation of Laura was already established before I started writing the novel. Laura is a secondary character in the debut book of my Victorian romance series with eKensington, The Seduction of Emily. In this book, Laura is a prostitute who the hero goes to for help in the hope of imprisoning the villain. The more Laura appeared in the book, the more I learned and liked about her. I wanted to tell her story…luckily my editor suggested it first!

My Victorian books are set in and around Bath so I started thinking about famous buildings in Bath that I could use in my next book. I eventually decided on the Theatre Royal. How could I use Laura’s prostitution and the theatre?

I started trawling the Internet for accounts of famous prostitutes turned actresses – that was when inspiration struck in the form of Nell Gwynn. Nell’s story fascinated me. A prostitute, turned actress, turned mistress of Charles II who bore him two children. What a story!

I read a couple of biographies on Nell’s life and then the novel, The Darling Strumpet by Gillian Bagwell, which I absolutely loved. Roll forward another 200 years and Laura Robinson, prostitute turned actress, was alive and very real in my imagination.

The Temptation of Laura was a joy to write and covers poverty, hope, loss, joy, success and ultimately, true love. I hope readers enjoy Laura and Adam’s journey as much as I did writing it. Once I’d finished, another secondary character pushed her way to the front of the queue and I am writing her story as we speak. EKensington have contracted this book and another so long may inspiration strike!

I’d love to hear how non-fiction and fiction based on real-life people inspires or interests your visitors.

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Rachel lives with her husband and two young daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK.  After having several novels published by small US presses, she secured agent representation in 2011. In 2012, she sold two books to Harlequin Superromance and a further three in 2013. She also writes Victorian romance for Kensington--her debut was released in April 2013 and she has since signed for three more.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family and beloved black Lab, Max. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England.

She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!

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THANKS FOR VISITING WITH US TODAY!

XO AJ XO