I am on tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club, and today's I have the utmost pleasure in interviewing historical fiction author, Tony Riches. But before you read the interview, check out Tony's book!
The truth is far more complex, as each has what the other yearns for. Robert Devereux longs for recognition, wealth and influence. His flamboyant naïveté amuses the ageing Queen Elizabeth, like the son she never had, and his vitality makes her feel young.
Robert Devereux’s remarkable true story continues the epic tale of the rise of the Tudors, which began with the best-selling Tudor trilogy and concludes with the reign of Queen Elizabeth I.
What inspired you to start writing?
Like many authors, I began writing book reviews and articles for magazines, which is a great way to learn about writing to deadlines - and checking your facts.
What was the hardest part about writing this book?
Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, was the queen’s young favourite, yet, inexplicably, he leads a ‘rebellion’ against her. I had to trawl through all his surviving letters and records of the Elizabethan court to understand his state of mind at the time, and why he did it.
Does one of the main characters hold a special place in your heart? If so, why?
Robert’s wife, Frances, is the daughter of the queen’s spymaster, Francis Walsingham. Unlike most Tudor women, Elizabeth’s parents provided her with an excellent education, and I enjoyed writing about the way Robert is constantly surprised by her.
If your book was to be made into a movie, who are the celebrities that would star in it?
I’d choose Irish actor, Aidan Turner, (who was moodily impressive as Poldark and as Dante Gabriel Rossetti) as Robert Devereux. For his wife, Frances, I’d cast Carey Mulligan, who was perfect as Bathsheba Everdene in the 2015 version of Hardy’s Far from the Madding Crowd (and more recently in The Dig). Queen Elizabeth would be more difficult, but it would be fun to work with Australian actress Cate Blanchett (who has played the younger queen twice, and is now 51.)
What do you hope your readers take away from this book?
A lot has been made of the unusual relationship between the aging queen and Robert Devereux, and even at the time, they were so close to the queen many wonder if they are lovers. The truth is far more complex, as each has what the other yearns for. Robert Devereux longs for recognition, wealth and influence. His flamboyant naïveté amuses the ageing Queen Elizabeth, like the son she never had, and his vitality makes her feel young.
I wanted to keep his story as factually accurate and authentic as possible, so immersed myself in the world of Elizabethan London. I hope readers will be able to tell that this book is one I’ve really enjoyed researching and writing, and that I’ve been able to find some of Robert Devereux’s redeeming qualities.
Buy this Book
Tony Riches
Tony Riches is a full-time UK author of best-selling Tudor historical fiction. He lives in Pembrokeshire, West Wales and is a specialist in the history of the Wars of the Roses and the lives of the early Tudors. Tony’s other published historical fiction novels include: Owen – Book One Of The Tudor Trilogy, Jasper – Book Two Of The Tudor Trilogy, Henry – Book Three Of The Tudor Trilogy, Mary – Tudor Princess, Brandon – Tudor Knight and The Secret Diary Of Eleanor Cobham.
Social Media Links:
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Tour Schedule
Thank you so much for hosting today's blog tour stop.
ReplyDeleteAnother great interview!!
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