On a cold, snowy February morning in 1819 (ironically 202 years and 1 day before I wrote this), two men stand ready to duel to the death. They are Armistead Mason and Jack Mason McCarty, second cousins, brothers-in-law, and descendants of American founding father George Mason IV. Only one man will survive. (Doesn't this almost sound a little Hamilton-esque?)
What brought these two family members to this point? They pursued different paths and have different ideas, but Armistead’s involvement in politics is what causes the rift. When Armistead’s bid for Congress is unsuccessful and his ego pushes Jack too far, a chain of events is set into motion that ego and bravado will not allow them to step back from.
Living in Northern Virginia like I do, you can’t escape the name of George Mason. A university in the area bears his name, as does a chain of banks and even a major road. That connection, as well as my familiarity with so many of the locations in the book, made this even more fascinating.
I don’t read much historical fiction, particularly about this time period, but Masque of Honor drew me in immediately. Virts gives such an impeccable, well-researched sense of time and place, yet the themes are still so relevant, particularly during such a fractured time in the U.S. as we're living in now.
Even if historical fiction isn't among your usual genres, this book feels more modern than you'd expect.
Sharon Virts provided me with a complimentary advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making it available!
Masque of Honor releases 2/9!
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