Recipient of the Defining Karma^TM Grant for Literature

The Chicago Public Library Foundation
Carl Sandburg Literary Award 
2017

The Defining Karma Grant Program was created to identify unique and previously unpublished literary, television, and film projects written by aspiring and established authors.

The 2016 Defining Karma Grant for Literature was awarded to Anthony R. Licata for his outstanding historical novel Hannibal's Niece. 

Available at Amazon

. . . a riveting tale of war, romance and political intrigue on a grand scale. Anthony R. Licata's Hannibal's Niece is a powerhouse accomplishment that is an eye-opening, entertaining, and memorable epic literary feat.                                                                                                                                                                                                                              — Leonard F. Amari    

Anthony R. Licata can write a story with rare skill. He shows you a world through so many different characters' eyes and makes it matter… believable…vital.      ...though the ending was amazing, the journey was even better than the destination.

— Jason Thackery  on Goodreads 

          200 BC.  Hannibal, the fearsome champion of Carthage, has been marauding for years throughout Roman territory behind his  trained war elephants. Scipio, a handsome young Roman general driven by a desire to avenge his father's death at Carthaginian hands, takes up the fight against Hannibal's brother, Hasdrubal, in Spain. He sweeps the Carthaginians from the field with dramatic new tactics.

          When the Romans seize Hasdrubal's harem, Scipio takes the finest woman to his own quarters. The stunning Vibiana, however, turns out to be no mere harem girl—she is Hannibal's own niece! Scipio soon finds himself betwitced by Vibiana's charm and beauty, which could well be his undoing.

          Scipio develops a plan to bring the war back to Carthage, despite plots brewing against him within  his own Roman Senate. While Scipio makes treaties with African kings and executes innovative strategies on the battlefield, his love for Vibiana will come to drive his decisions in ways that shock those closest to him and threaten to rock the foundations  of Roman society.

Synopsis

ANTHONY R. LICATA

Author of Hannibal's Niece

                                                                                            Ever since seeing the movie Spartacus as a kid, Anthony (Tony) Licata has been hooked on the Roman Empire—reading and studying Roman history and following it in the popular culture. Throughout his career, Tony has  been a committed student of European and American history as well. These interests, coupled with several visits to Italy and Spain, led to his desire to write the historical novel Hannibal's Niece.

A graduate of MacMurray College and Harvard Law School, Mr. Licata has built a successful law practice specializing in commercial real estate. He is a Partner at the firm Taft Stettinius & Hollister  and lives in Chicago.