From action-packed naval thrillers and gripping stories of military heroism to captivating travel memoirs, there’s something exciting here for everyone. Scroll down to discover this month’s titles from your favourite Sapere authors.
April’s Fiction Releases
Tenacious by Jonathan Eyers is the first book in the Newt Beresford Naval Adventures series: Age of Sail historical adventures set in the 18th century. When Newt Beresford joins the frigate HMS Tenacious, he soon finds himself increasingly isolated on a ship full of whispered secrets, coded names, mysterious symbols and threatening messages.
A Miracle of Deliverance: A Dunkirk Short Story Anthology is a collection of linked short stories that commemorate the evacuation of Dunkirk in 1940. From a British soldier reflecting on the chaos of war, to a naval lieutenant doing his best to save the army from complete disaster, each of these stories reveals the heroic actions and deeply moving stories of the men and women who took part in this remarkable evacuation.
The Blooding of Jack Absolute by C. C. Humphreys is the first book in the Jack Absolute Military Adventure series: page-turning historical thrillers set in the 18th century. Can young Jack endure bloody battles in a wild landscape?
The Cold Light of Day by Stephen Taylor is the second book in the Augustus Swift Investigations series: chilling historical mysteries set in 18th-century London. Can Augustus Swift track down the ‘Beast of London’ before there are any more deaths?
Border Winds by Eric Helm is the second book in the Global War Military Thriller series. The world war has reached America’s backyard in this alternative-history military adventure set in the 20th century.
A Trace of Memory by Elizabeth Bailey is a quirky historical romance set in Georgian England with an intriguing twist. How can Elaine trust her heart if she can’t remember who she is?
Speculator by Neil Denby is the sixth book in the Quintus Roman Thrillers series. Centurion Julius Quintus Quirinius and his comrades are pushed to their limits in this action-packed military adventure set in Ancient Rome.
April’s Fiction Backlist Releases
We are pleased to announce that Flotilla Attack and Operation Chariot by Charles Whiting writing as Duncan Harding are now available from Amazon. Don’t miss these page-turning historical naval adventures set during the Second World War.
April’s Audio Releases
Lose yourself in a great audiobook this month!
Can an enterprising thief unmask a murderer? Find out in Murder at Greenwich Palace by Adele Jordan.
Discover a thrilling police procedural with an unexpected twist in Lying and Dying by Graham Brack.
The war is intensifying for the Secret Sirens in The Night Angels by D. R. Bailey.
A young centurion is sent on a suicide mission in Fortress of Steel by Jeff Jones.
April’s Non-Fiction Releases
Bomber Barons by Chaz Bowyer is a powerful and compelling history of Bomber Command and the extraordinary men who risked everything in the skies over Nazi Germany.
Pommie Migrant by Sydney Hart is a vivid and entertaining memoir of a “Ten Pound Pom” who left post-war Britain to begin a new life in Australia, capturing both the highs and lows of the migrant experience.
Andalucia by Nicholas Luard offers a vivid portrait of the region’s landscapes, traditions, and tumultuous past — a must-read for everyone who loves travel, history, and Spain.
British Liberation Army: 1944–1945 by Charles Whiting is a gripping account of the British Infantry’s final push to liberate Europe from Nazi control in the last year of the Second World War, 1944–1945.
Happy Reading! Team Sapere
Vibrant Voices. Sensational Stories. Beautiful Books.
The winners of Sapere Books’ second writing competition have now been announced. Sapere Books pitched six briefs that writers could choose from for their entries, ranging from naval thrillers to Gothic mysteries. The winners have now been chosen – one for each of the six categories – and they have been offered a five-book contract to turn their pitches into a series.
Top row: Jennifer Bruton, David Clensy and Lucy Smith. Bottom row: Jonathan Eyers, Clare Hawkins and Julian Barr.
Amy Durant, editorial director, said: “We had an unbelievable response to this year’s competition with an incredibly high standard of entrants. It was not easy, but we picked our winners due to their clear knowledge of the period they were writing in and brilliant storytelling that left us all wanting to read more. We are very excited to be adding so many talented writers to our Sapere family.”
The Bletchley Park Codebreaker series brief was won by debut author Jennifer Bruton. Jennifer said: “The courageous contributions of the women at Bletchley Park have long held a special place in my heart. To be able to share their story in collaboration with a publisher like Sapere Books is a dream come true.”
Assistant editor Matilda Richards said: “Jen’s brilliantly authentic entry not only provided a detailed description of what Bletchley Park was like for the codebreakers who worked there during the Second World War, but also captures the horrors of war for the soldiers fighting on the front line.”
The World War Two Naval Thriller series brief was won by indie author David Clensy. David said: “I am delighted to be working with Sapere Books on this series, which will allow readers to immerse themselves in the kinds of extraordinary experiences endured by our Royal Navy and Merchant Navy sailors during the Second World War. It is an honour to have this opportunity to commemorate the dedication of a generation who served our nation so valiantly.”
Editorial assistant Claire Smith said: “David’s inspired use of twin main characters joining up to the Royal and Merchant Navies is a fantastic way to explore the thrilling action and perils faced by both services during the war.”
A series chronicling the lives of England’s Medieval Queens has been won by debut author Lucy Smith. Lucy said: “I’m delighted to have been selected by Sapere to write a new series about England’s medieval queens. I can’t wait to immerse readers in the fascinating medieval era and tell the stories of the remarkable Plantagenet women.’
Assistant editor, Natalie Linh Bolderston, said: “Lucy’s submission pulled me straight into the knotty intrigues of medieval Europe. Eleanor of Aquitaine is such a compelling historical figure, and Lucy has done a fantastic job of capturing her cleverness and defiance.”
Non-fiction writer Jonathan Eyers has been chosen to write the fictional Age of Sail naval series. Jonathan said: “I am very pleased my new series will set sail with Sapere Books. I can’t wait for readers to follow Midshipman Newt Beresford across the oceans, into the heart of battle, and up the ranks. I can only hope his adventures are as thrilling and fun to read as they are to write.”
Matilda Richards said: “Jonathan’s well-researched submission showed a passion for the era and a good insight into life aboard ship during the eighteenth century. I’m excited to read more!”
Fantasy author Julian Barr is the winner of the King Arthur Origins brief. Julian said: “Combining historical grit with the otherworldly, the Arthurian Chronicles captures the tragedy and epic scope of this timeless myth. The series situates the legend in sixth-century Britain, following Arthur as he rises from beer-swilling mercenary to true nobility. It’s an honour to work with Sapere Books on bringing the series to life, and I am very grateful that they selected my pitch.’
Editorial assistant Helen Jennings said: “As soon as I started reading Julian’s submission I was immersed in Arthur’s world. His knowledge of Arthurian legend shines through in an exciting series proposal, and his storytelling is vivid and compelling.”
And finally, historical novelist Clare Hawkins is the winner of the Gothic Houses brief. Clare said: “I was delighted to have my entry selected. I love writing to a brief that offers plenty of scope for creating unique plots and characters in engaging historical settings.”
Natalie Linh Bolderston said: “Reading Clare’s submission, I was struck by the strength of her voice and how deftly she planted the seeds of the central mystery. With Clare’s shrewd sense of pacing and her close attention to her story’s setting, it is clear that she has a gift for creating a sinister atmosphere.”
Runner-up spots have also been offered to the following authors, with the prize being three-book contracts to work on a new series: Lynn Bryant, Melanie Golding, Philippa Elliott, Claire Dunn, Christopher Cevasco, Megan Clarke, Samantha Wilcoxson, Jules Larimore, Laura Karim and Carlo Gibbs.
