Fields of Honor Series: Book 1
Publication Date: March 24, 2026
From the bestselling author of Veil of Doubt and The Grays of Truth comes a riveting tale of political intrigue, romance, and betrayal set in antebellum Virginia.
John “Jack” Mason McCarty and his second cousin Armistead Mason are proud sons of the Virginia aristocracy—and as different as two men can be. Deeply ambitious and politically minded, Armistead has his sights on Congress and demands a level of respect he may not deserve. Jack, too, longs to make a name for himself, if he can stop gambling and drinking long enough to use his considerable wit to his advantage. Jack has little patience for Armistead’s arrogance, while Armistead views Jack as a debaucherous adolescent unworthy of honor or respect—and neither is afraid to voice his opinion of the other.
A poisonous animosity begins to fester between the two men, fueled by political schemes, illicit affairs, and scandalous reports in the press. Though the women who love them urge restraint, their bitter dispute nevertheless sets into motion a devastating chain of events that risks much more than their honor.
The first book in the Fields of Honor series and based on the true events behind the 1819 Mason–McCarty duel, Masque of Honor is a story of valor, conviction, and the cost of sacrificing one life to forge another.
A blend of fact and fiction brings to light the deep-rooted honor demonstrated by proud Virginia aristocrats in the early 19th century.
Well before the Civil War pitted brother against brother, political differences lit the spark of animosity. Author Sharon Virts uses the events leading up to the 1819 Mason-McCarty duel as the basis for Masque of Honor.
Already related through John (Jack) Mason McCarty’s mother, he and Armistead Mason also became brothers-in-law when their siblings married. While Armistead is older, he uses his accomplishments to wield a sort of arrogance that immediately puts Jack on the defensive.
Their animosity boils over into the political arena, with neither side backing down. Jack tends to be more of a wild card, depending on how much he has had to drink. The only way to resolve the dispute is through a duel.
On a side note, the author’s research about this duel was fascinating. Rather than “pistols at dawn” or facing off with swords, these two men used muskets. I’ll leave you to think through the logistics, but they were positioned so that the ends of their barrels nearly touched.
Masque of Honor uses rich historical detail to highlight the fateful choice leading up to that cold February day.
Bestselling historical fiction author Sharon Virts is a successful entrepreneur and visionary who, after more than twenty-five years in business, followed her passion for storytelling. She has received numerous accolades for her commitment to historic preservation, earning national recognition for both her business achievements and philanthropic endeavors.
Beyond her business acumen, Sharon is a gifted visual artist, intertwining her artistic expression with extraordinary storytelling to breathe life into intricate characters and vivid settings that captivate the heart and ignite the imagination. She has authored two bestselling novels, Masque of Honor and Veil of Doubt.
A dedicated mother to James, Lucas, Zachary, and Nicholas, stepmom to Ben and Avery, and “Nana” to Charlie and Bodhi, Sharon lives at the historic Selma Mansion in Virginia with her husband, Scott Miller, and their three Labrador retrievers, Polly, Cassie, and Leda.
