Book Blurb:
For fans of Philippa Gregory, John le Carré, Alison Weir, and C. J. Sansom:
Summer 1566. A glittering royal progress approaches Oxford. A golden age of prosperity, scientific advances, exploration and artistic magnificence. Elizabeth I's Protestant government has much to celebrate.
But one young Catholic courtier isn't cheering.
Conflicting passions--patriotism and religion--wage war in his heart. On this day, religion wins. Sir Edward Latham throws away his title, kin, and country to serve Catholic monarchs abroad.
But his wandering doesn't quiet his soul, and when Europe's religious wars threaten his beloved England and his family, patriotism prevails. Latham switches sides and becomes a double agent for Queen Elizabeth. Life turns complicated and dangerous as he balances protecting country and queen, while entreating both sides for peace.
Intrigue, lust, and war combine in this thrilling debut historical novel from Loretta Goldberg.
Book Buy Link: https://geni.us/O79ll
Author Bio:
THE INTERNATIONAL FIREBIRD BOOK AWARDS, April 2023. WINNER: HISTORICAL FICTION AND NEW FICTION;
BOOK EXCELLENCE AWARD FINALIST FOR 2019
Australian-American Loretta Goldberg earned a BA in English Literature, Musicology and History at the University of Melbourne, Australia. She taught English Literature at the Department of English for a year, before coming to the USA on a Fulbright scholarship to study piano with Claudio Arrau. Her discography consists of nine commercial recordings, now in over seven hundred libraries. She premiered an unknown work by Franz Liszt on an EMI HMV (Australian Division) album, and her edition of the score for G. Schirmer is in its third edition.
Concurrently, she built a financial services practice, which she sold to focus on writing. Her published non-fiction pieces consist of articles on financial planning, arts reviews and political satire. She earned an MA (music performance) from Hunter College, New York; and a Chartered Life Underwriter degree from the American College, Pennsylvania.
Member of the Historical Novel Society, New York Chapter, she started and runs their published writer public reading series at the landmark Jefferson Market Library. Commuting between New York City and Clinton, Connecticut, she enjoys a community rich in extended family, colleagues and friends. She lives with her spouse and two charming cats.
You can discover more about Loretta from her website and connect on Facebook at:
Author Interview
How did you first become interested in Tudor history?
As a child, I thrilled to stories about Elizabethan sea dogs like Francis Drake. I imagined time-travelling my heroes and heroines to the present day. One of my fantasies was seeing Francis Drake's astonishment at traffic jams! He was incredulous that we had invented a metal box that could go 100 mph, didn't foul the asphalt, and yet we hadn't made a road system that let us move fast when we needed to!
As an adult, I became deeply moved by the dilemma faced by people whose religious and patriotic loyalties were irreconcilable. In the papers of Anthony and Francis Bacon, I read letters from a spy whose heart and life were split in this way. He inspired me to create Edward Latham and to wander through his Tudor world, experiencing exotic travel, life-threatening adventures, transient loves, a litany of small betrayals, and, finally, a longing for home.
What is it that still fascinates people about Queen Elizabeth I?
Firstly, it is her long reign--nearly 45 years--and her transformation of England. It seems as if every person at the time picked up quill and ink to write about her life and it was as much a golden age for clerks, lawyers, and diplomats as it was for poets and playwrights. Secondly, Elizabeth is full of contradictions. She left no private diaries and confided in no one, so her inner life is a mystery, with scope for subjectivity. Thirdly, on a primal level, she was an attractive woman with strong passions and libido who died a virgin queen. That's already dramatic. She was also the daughter of Henry VIII, which helps!
Did you discover anything new in your research for this Elizabethan novel? How about locating an unpublished primary document?
My main character, Sir Edward Latham, is loosely drawn from the adventurer, Sir Anthony Standen. Relation of Sir Anthony Standen. Memories of a Turkish Voyage, collected in Constantinople in the year of our Lord God 1578 is in the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library at Yale University. I had seen it footnoted, but not excerpted, in articles on Standen, and was curious. I have just got it fully transcribed, and it's of mixed quality, but Standen offers startling insights, ahead of his time. Some of his attitudes even resemble those of my character Latham, which I find amazing.
Can you tell us about the next book in the series?
It picks up where The Reversible Mask leaves off. Latham returns, along with other lovable rogues and a new character. I love moments when power shifts. The action will centre on the beginning of the end of the Hanseatic League's influence, triggered by Francis Drake capturing an entire Hansa convoy carrying war materials to Spain.
Editorial Review:
"The Reversible Mask" is a captivating tale that takes us back to the reign of Queen Elizabeth
I, in August 1566, in Oxford. The author, Loretta Goldberg, entices readers with a vivid
portrayal of a colorful and lavish royal ceremony, but beneath this splendor lie internal
conflicts and political intrigues.
Edward Latham, our protagonist, is a complex character caught in a dilemma between his
Catholic faith and loyalty to the Protestant state led by Queen Elizabeth I. Against the
backdrop of an England divided by religious and political conflicts, Latham grapples with his
own identity and the difficulty of navigating the dangers and betrayals around him.
Amidst this historical tableau, Goldberg brings to life vivid and authentic characters,
capturing the vibrant atmosphere of the time. Using a rich palette of colors and visual details,
the author takes us on a fascinating journey through the tumultuous past of Elizabethan
England.
A remarkable aspect of the book is how Goldberg integrates elements of political and
religious intrigue into the story, creating a complex and tense framework in which the action
unfolds. Throughout the novel, passages filled with mystery and suspense are interspersed,
keeping the reader captivated and prompting them to question the true nature of alliances and
betrayals behind the curtains of power.
In addition to these aspects, "The Reversible Mask" also offers a fascinating exploration of
the psychology of the main character, revealing deep layers of his personality and his internal
struggle to find his place in a world marked by conflict and uncertainty: “He still didn’t know
what it was. All this protective circumspection made him yearn for clarity. Other peoples’
secrets annoyed him.”
The book also follows the story of Don Cristobal, a military commander, and his struggles to
maintain loyalty and discipline within his army despite political intrigues that threaten his
authority. A key element of the book is Don Cristobal's ability to manage the diversity of his
troops - from infantry and artillery to cavalry - and to coordinate them in battle despite
technical limitations and internal tensions: “Men of the Eleventh Company, I am your new
sergeant-major, Don Cristobal Covarrulejo d’Avila. My authority is advanced one day. My
ancestors were crusaders in the Holy Land, and I’ve been a fighting soldier for fifteen years.
We believe a French army approaches Saint-Ghislain. Field Marshal Vitelli has granted my
plea to ambush it.” This passage illustrates Don Cristobal's commitment and determination to
lead his troops despite challenges and uncertainties.
Additionally, the book explores themes such as identity and loyalty, particularly through the
character of Edward Latham, a secret agent with a dual identity who must navigate a complex
network of alliances and betrayals. A significant passage highlighting this theme is when
Latham receives a letter from Mary, Queen of Scots, which forces him to examine his own
loyalties and motivations.
As the action unfolds, readers are led through a series of suspenseful events and surprises,
and Goldberg's engaging narrative keeps them captivated until the last page.
Goldberg creates a vibrant and authentic atmosphere, and the vivid descriptions allow us to
feel as though we are alongside Latham in the places he explores. From the bustling markets
of Constantinople to the opulent palaces and soaring churches of France and Italy, each page
is filled with rich and fascinating details.
A remarkable aspect of the book is how Goldberg integrates authentic historical and cultural
elements into the story. For example, the exploration of the cultural and linguistic diversity of
medieval Constantinople provides a fascinating perspective on the interaction between
different communities of that time. Another interesting aspect is the evolution of the main
character, Edward Latham, from a spy engaged in the political games of the time to a man
grappling with deep moral and existential questions. The intelligent dialogues and character
introspections add depth and complexity to the story.
Marie and Joris are two individuals who have had a relationship with Latham, the main
character of the book. Marie is described as being in a state of mourning as both of her
parents died while she and Joris were traveling. Joris seems to be Marie's romantic partner,
and together, they constitute an important part of Latham's personal life. Marie and Joris, two
complex protagonists, are caught in their struggle for survival and loyalty in a world full of
conspiracies and dangers. While Marie navigates through political intrigues and faces moral
dilemmas, Joris is portrayed as an enigmatic character whose motivations remain obscure to
those around him.
In a world where loyalties are constantly questioned, Latham finds himself caught between
duty and his own beliefs: “They’re testing how deep my knowledge is; if I even merit a
meeting with Walsingham, Latham realised.” Here we see how the main character is
subjected to tests of loyalty and competence, and the question of his worthiness is a constant
one.
As the story progresses, the complexity of the relationships between characters and the
intrigues that govern their actions are revealed: “Your Spanish pension subsidises work for us.
Her Majesty said, ‘It is just that Spanish Philip, who has tried to kill us and raise havoc in
our realm, should pay our intelligencers to thwart his practices.” Here we see how politics
and intrigues between nations are intertwined, and the characters are always in the midst of
this dangerous game.
Furthermore, the book is replete with scenes full of tension and action, such as the one where
Latham must decrypt a code in a race against time: “Phelippes opened a sealed parchment.
Side by side at the desk, they tackled the numbers. By the time Latham determined the text
was Latin, Phelippes whooped. He had the key.” These moments add an extra layer of
intensity and captivation to the story.
A fascinating aspect of the book is the detailed portrayal of various locations and
atmospheres. From the sunny landscapes of Spain to the bustling streets of Lisbon and
Naples, the author manages to create a vivid panorama of Europe. Additionally, the
meticulous descriptions of royal palaces and ancient buildings remind readers of the
complexity and richness of history.
The story reaches a climax where major events unfold. The main characters, including
Latham and Don Cristobal, face crucial choices and unexpected revelations. Confrontations
and alliances crystallize in a way that shifts the course of action and brings about profound
consequences for the characters. In a series of tense and emotional scenes, hidden truths are
revealed, and the fates of the characters are definitively set. While some stories end with joy
and fulfillment, others end with sadness and regret. In the end, the reader is left with a sense
of satisfaction and contemplation as they reflect on the captivating journey and the
complexity of human relationships portrayed in this remarkable literary work.
"The Reversible Mask" is not only a captivating journey through the political intrigues of
16th-century Europe but also a profound exploration of human psychology and the
complexity of interpersonal relationships. With a rich story and complex characters, this book
will surely captivate readers in search of a fascinating journey through time and space. With
masterful writing and a story full of surprises, Loretta Goldberg manages to create a book that
will linger in readers' minds long after they have closed its covers. We recommend this
book to all history enthusiasts, political intrigue lovers, and fans of complex storytelling.
******
“The Reversible Mask” by Loretta Goldberg receives four stars from The Historical Fiction Company
To have your historical novel editorially reviewed and/or enter the HFC Book of the Year contest, please visit www.thehistoricalfictioncompany.com/book-awards/award-submission