I confess it -- I'm a sucker for alternate history. And this one was especially fun.

"Ruled Britannia" takes place 10 years after the Spanish Armada defeated Queen Elizabeth's fleet and successfully invaded England. Now officially a Catholic country (with Spanish troops and Irish mercenaries in the street to keep it that way), the country is growing restive as two great figures near the end of their life ... King Philip of Spain and Lord Burghley, one of Elizabeth's former advisers. The book follows the playwright William Shakespeare, who has continued to be a success, even though politics have made it impossible for most of his "history plays" to be written. Shakespeare is contacted by the Spanish to write a play celebrating the life of King Philip ... and also by the English to write a play that may be the flashpoint for a revolution. Watched by both sides, Shakespeare's life has just become more dramatic than any of his plays ....

The book is well-written and has a good command of the language and "feel" of the times. Shakespeare and the soldier/playwright Lope de Vega are well drawn and fun to spend time with. An added bonus for Shakespeare fans is the chance to catch several of the Shakespearean references that are buried in the text. Very enjoyable.