Court of Conspiracy is the first book in the Tudor Enigma, so it is fitting to introduce my protagonist.
1. What is the name of your character? Is he/she fictional or a historic person?
Luke Ballard is the unassuming apothecary in the Outer Green of Hampton Court Palace. He is entirely imaginary. When he is not out and about, he lives in a small comfortable room in the back of my mind. The background to the story is an alternate Tudor universe, where Anne Boleyn gave birth to Henry VIII's heir in 1534 and Henry IX is now on the throne with his formidable mother standing behind him.
2. When and where is the story set?
The action takes place mainly in Hampton Court Palace near London and its environs in 1550. There are a few scenes set in the Tower of London.
3. What should we know about him?
Luke has a secret. As well as being an apothecary, he is also an elemancer - a magician who uses the elements to cast spells for the good of all. He is self-contained, wary of women, having encountered one who destroyed his friendship with his childhood companion, a tragedy that renders him oblivious to feminine wiles. This is not helped by the fact that, at 6' tall with blonde curly hair, he is very handsome. The neighbourhood matrons want him for their daughters, the daughters just want him. But Luke has a steely determination to do what is right, which is why he charges his richer clients more so that he can treat the poor for free. He can be outspoken if he sees injustice and does not curry favour with the powerful.
4. What is the main conflict? What messes up his life?
Queen Anne Boleyn, herself an elemancer, orders Luke to discover the traitors who are conspiring to kill her son. Shortly after, Luke finds a runaway highborn girl hiding in his apothecary shop. Matters are further complicated when he discovers that not only is Pippa an undiscovered elemancer, she also has a marked affinity with Henry IX, having been born on the same day. Has God sent her to Luke to aid him in his search for the traitors or have the traitors sent her hoping to destroy him and his investigation?
5. What is the personal goal of the character?
Luke knows that England will be thrown in chaos if Henry is killed. His primary goal is to find the traitors, but that gets mixed up by his personal feelings when an innocent is executed and people he cares about come under threat. His goal changes to righting wrongs first and saving the King second, except that Anne Boleyn will not countenance torn loyalties.
6. What is the working title for this novel and can we read more about it?
Court of Conspiracy was published by Carina Press on May 26th.
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