Golden Hammer & Anvil Shield Award

In my quest to promote the very best examples of historical fiction novels, I am launching my very own excellence award. 

Taking inspiration from a quotation by John FitzGilbert, the father of "The Greatest Knight" William Marshal, I am pleased to announce the creation of THE GOLDEN HAMMER & ANVIL SHIELD.  

The award is open to books published by any author, whether they are represented by traditional publishing house, use an assisted publishing company or who have done the whole thing themselves.  I will be presenting the award at my discretion, to books that I have reviewed and achieve my highest rating of 5 crosses.  

However, a 5 cross rating will not mean you instantly qualify for the Golden Hammer & Anvil Shield.  It will only be given to books that are truly special; whose stories are impeccably crafted, where authors have taken care to ensure their manuscript is properly edited and prepared to a professional standard and where the story evokes thought and emotion long after the final sentence has been read.  This award is all encompassing and includes e-versions, traditional hardback and paperback works.

Each recipient will have their name on my Roll of Honour, a new page that will be permanently on my blog, and receive a jpeg Award to place on their website as well as a printed certificate to display on their library wall/fridge/above their bed.

ROLL OF HONOUR 2013

• Her Majesty's Will by David Blixt
• The Arrow of Sherwood by Lauren Johnson
• Rome: The Art of War by M.C. Scott
• The King's Agent by Donna Russo Morin

ROLL OF HONOUR 2012

• The Half-Hanged Man by David Pilling
• The Stockholm Octavo by Karen Engelmann
• To The Fair Land by Lucienne Boyce
• At Road's End by Zoe Saadia
• The Crown by Nancy Bilyeau
• The Sower of the Seeds of Dreams by Bill Page