Historical Fiction Cover of the Year

Yes, I’ve been absent for a while because I’ve been girding my loins for one final, festive, extra-special Historical Fiction Cover Bonanza.

It’s the Cover of the Year Award. It’s new and exciting and shiny and different – come to think of it I don’t think any of those words are accurate but it is at least… here!

This time I’m not going to choose the winner – it’s over to you to do that. But of course I have to be in control, so I’ve selected – after much thought and frequent use of pins – my favourite 12 covers featured during the year. OK, for the more pedantic of you, I know it hasn’t actually been a year but give me a break here.

I know that some of you will be casting a longing look across at some of my covers but I’m sorry it just wouldn’t be fair now, would it?

From my 12 nominations you have to select your favourite – no messing about with second or third, just the best.

To “cast your vote” you just need to put the name of the book in a comment. How hard can that be? Votes may be cast throughout the Christmas season until midnight on New Year’s Eve – a bit dramatic because I really hope that all you lot will have something far more interesting to do at that particular moment of the year.

Now please don’t vote twice. It’s not nice and I don’t want to get into voting fraud and so on. I’ll do the adding up, so there’s the point at which the whole house of cards will collapse.  With a bit of luck only one person will vote and I’ll probably work out the winner within ten minutes or so.

What’s the prize I hear you say?

The prize? We don’t award prizes for heaven’s sake! The sheer kudos of winning should be enough on its own – or the joy of taking part as my mother tried to instil in me.

Here they are in random order: the fab 12!

The winner will be announced – sobriety permitting – on New Year’s Day.

Now come on, make an effort – everyone can vote. You can do it whilst chewing on a sprout, or quaffing your ale or brandy or whatever… but here’s a tip: do it before you’ve had too many drinks… In fact that’s pretty true of most things… Safety first!

Have a good Christmas!