Tag: romantic fiction

Congratulations to Natalie Kleinman!

Congratulations to Natalie Kleinman, whose second-chance love story, After All These Years, is out out now!

When Guy Ffoulkes walks into Honeysuckle ‘Honey’ Bunting’s tea shop in the little town of Rills Ford, she’s transported back in a flash to her teenage years – and to the pain of first love.

As a young girl she worshipped Guy from afar – but to him, she knows, she was simply his best friend’s scruffy younger sister.

Over the years Honey has poured her energy into her business and caring for her elderly mother, telling herself it’s enough for her. But no man has ever replaced Guy in her heart…

Now, fourteen years on, Guy has returned from Australia, a rich and successful architect, but a lonely man. And when he and Honey reconnect, neither can deny the spark between them.

But Honey’s loyalties are tested to the extreme when Guy reveals the reason for his return…

Does Honey know her old flame as well as she thinks? Will Guy let pride and ambition drive away the only woman he has ever loved?

And as the pair find themselves at the heart of a local scandal, can they find the strength to take a chance on love?

Sapere Books to Republish Eight Titles by Elizabeth Bailey

Following the success of her many historical and mystery romances, including the Lady Fan Mystery Series and The Governess Trilogy, we are delighted to announce that we will be republishing eight backlist tiles by Elizabeth Bailey.

In Elizabeth’s words:

“As a child, I found and read with relish Georgette Heyer’s historical romances. For several years, my parents gave me the latest Heyer as one of my presents at Christmas, thereby ensuring I would bury myself in the book until I finished it. It was inevitable, perhaps, that when I came to write myself, I chose to try my luck with historical romance. It took time, but I was successful at last.

“Of the eight books that Sapere is taking on, almost all feature a hero or heroine disadvantaged in some way. It is an ever-fascinating thing to me how the human spirit manages to overcome all manner of life’s apparent cruelties. Yet these are not necessarily dark tales, although they have their moments. It is the pleasure of writing romance that one’s task is to lead the protagonists through the scary woods and out into the light of happiness.

“I could not have hoped for a better home for these stories than Sapere Books. I’ve worked with them since the publishing house was formed and the editors are both meticulous and sympathetic to the author’s intentions. They are friendly, helpful and supportive. Moreover, Sapere covers are superb! I’m delighted to entrust my books to Sapere’s hands.”

The forthcoming titles are:

A Trace of Memory
A Lady In Name
Friday Dreaming
The Count’s Charade
An Angel’s Touch
The Veiled Bride
The Conqueror’s Dilemma
A Fragile Mask

Find out more about Elizabeth here.

A Walk in the Park is Published Today

Congratulations to Natalie Kleinman, whose heart-warming contemporary romance, A Walk in the Park, is out now!

Ever since she was a teenager, twenty-nine-year-old Daisy Shepherd has been thrilled to be able to walk dogs for a living. And with a supportive mother and stepfather, she thinks she has everything she needs.

But when her birth father, James, asks to meet her, her idyllic lifestyle is turned upside down.

Having been abandoned by James as a baby, Daisy has no desire to get to know him. However, she is delighted to learn that she has two half-siblings, Charlie and Kirsty, with whom she forms a warm friendship.

With a newly expanded family, Daisy’s happiness should be complete. But as she spends more and more time with Charlie and Kirsty, her feelings grow more complex.

And with her heart pulling her in one direction and her head in another, she begins to wonder how she can protect her relationship with her siblings while preserving her peace of mind…

Will Daisy be able to work through her feelings? Can she keep her newfound family in her life?

Or are they destined to be pulled apart?

My Writing Space by Patricia Caliskan

In this behind-the-scenes blog series, Sapere Books authors offer an intriguing insight into how, where and why they write.

Today, we are delighted to spotlight contemporary romance author Patricia Caliskan.

I wrote my third novel, When We Were Us, at my bureau, which has become my writing enclave. Something about opening the bureau desktop gives me a sense of immediacy which speeds the writing along. I write upstairs, free from distractions, except for my dogs who stop by to visit, but basically closed off from everything except the world I’m creating.

Patricia’s bureau

I never thought I had any writing rituals until people began asking the question. I realised that I have rituals in general. All three of my novels were largely written at night. Once the demands of the day are over, night-time is not only the perfect fit in a practical sense but allows me the space I need to daydream on behalf of my characters, and fully immerse my thoughts in the world of the book.

I’m a huge advocate of those tiny details which promote wellbeing, even when I’m not writing. So, before I get back to my latest manuscript, I mix essential oils for my diffuser, which works like magic for changing up the mood, and I set a timer to monitor my working hours.

I find having scheduled time slots super helpful. I can show up and do the work and know exactly how much time I’ve spent on the novel, which is reassuring when I’m trying to find enough time to work on a project.

I switch on my moon light, as I call it, a perfect orb of white light, and always freshen up my perfume before I write. I think of perfume as a superpower. A favourite scent signals that we’ve got work to do and someplace else to be.

I usually start by reading over where I left off to reacclimatise. I try not to spend too much time agonising over a word choice or a sentence formation until I’m at the editing stage. I have a natural tendency to edit as I go, wanting the work to be as close to the final manuscript as possible, which can hinder the drafting process.

When it comes to first drafts, I remind myself of my own advice: to just get it all down. I need solitude to do that, and sitting at my bureau, I feel enclosed in the world of the book. When it comes to editing, I usually end up inadvertently making a playlist to score parts of the novel or characters, which I find helpful with tone and pace. Once I have a completed manuscript, I print the work out and read it aloud, because if the writing doesn’t sound right, it isn’t right, and needs reworking.

Writing fiction requires both discipline and detachment, and my little bureau space provides just that!

When We Were Us is Published Today

Congratulations to Patricia Caliskan, whose laugh-out-loud romantic comedy, When We Were Us, is published today!

Erika Forde has always played second fiddle to her husband David, the famous novelist. But since their son, Matt, left home for university, cracks have started to show in their marriage.

Erika has long had a nagging suspicion that David may not always have been faithful, and now his latest books are starting to wane in popularity causing erratic moods that are affecting Erika.

But while David’s career starts to dip, Erika’s advertising agency is on the up.

Erika’s creative genius wins the agency a huge client in Stable Denim, but her life is thrown into turmoil when one of the models cast for the campaign turns out to be her ex-boyfriend, Enzo.

Has Enzo been sent back into Erika’s life for a reason? Is it time for her to re-evaluate her marriage?

Or should some things be left in the past…?

Sapere Books Sign Three Contemporary Romances by Natalie Kleinman

We’re delighted to announce that we have signed three contemporary romance novels by Natalie Kleinman.

In Natalie’s words:

“It feels strange but exciting to be returning to contemporary romance after seven Regencies, but I’m delighted that Sapere are publishing an adaptation of my first book, Safe Harbour, and also After All These Years. They still sit proudly on my bookshelf, but I’m really looking forward to sharing the updated versions with you.

“What I’m even more excited about is the publication of A Walk in the Park. I’m a dog lover anyway, so to have written and have published a book about a young woman who foregoes the rat race to spend time with a variety of pooches has been a real joy. Deserted by her father when she was a baby, Daisy Shepherd has been raised by her cookie artist mother and a stepfather whom she adores. Having always believed she was an only child, she discovers that her father remarried in Australia and that she has a half brother and sister. But everything isn’t quite what it seems.

“How lucky am I that Sapere are happy to take me in a new direction. It’s a joy working with them. I couldn’t be in a better place.”

The Lost Heir is Out Now

Congratulations to Jane Cable, whose captivating time-shift romance, The Lost Heir, is published today!

The Lost Heir is the second book in the Cornish Echoes Dual Timeline Mystery series.

Cornwall, 2020

Teacher Carla Burgess is using her time in solitude to revaluate her life. She loves living on the beautiful Cornish coast, but she no longer enjoys her job, and it’s certainly time to kick her on-off boyfriend, Kitto, into touch.

With lockdowns forcing her to spend most of her days indoors at her parents’ family farm, she joins her father in researching their family history, and she discovers the first Burgess to farm Koll Hendra was actually a smuggler. And when Carla finds a locked Georgian tea caddy in the barn, the secrets of the past start to encroach on the present…

Cornwall, 1810

Harriet Lemon’s position as companion to Lady Frances Basset has been the ideal cover for their clandestine romantic relationship. But when Frances is raped and falls pregnant, their perfect happiness is shattered. The lovers are desperate to remain together, but they will need to conceal Frances’s baby.

They hope to hide the pregnancy and place the baby with adoptive family, but the only person who may be able to help them is Frances’s childhood friend, William Burgess, a notorious smuggler. William has secrets of his own he needs to protect. Will he be willing to risk his own neck for the sake of the two lovers?

Happy Publication Day to Natalie Kleinman!

Congratulations to Natalie Kleinman, whose enchanting Regency romance, The Wishing Well, is published today!

England 1818

Ever since the deaths of her fiancé and her father, Harriet Lambert has thrown herself into the management of her family’s estate to cope with her grief. Though time has eased her sorrow, she has had little opportunity to once again pursue romance.

But when she is called on to accompany her younger sister, Amabel, to London for her introduction into respectable society, Harriet finds herself caught in a flurry of social engagements. And when she meets Major Brew Ware at a soirée, the two form an immediate connection.

Having experienced tragedy at an early age, Brew understands the significance of Harriet’s loss. With their shared interests and honest approach, their friendship continues to flourish as the season wears on.

Though no man has turned her head since she lost her fiancé, Harriet is aware that her affection for Brew is growing stronger. And as she tentatively considers her future, she must now decide whether she is prepared to take another chance on love…

Rhythms of the Heart is Published Today!

Congratulations to Ros Rendle, whose gorgeous contemporary romance, Rhythms of the Heart, is published today! Rhythms of the Heart is the first book in the Moondreams House series.

Having been widowed for eighteen months, 39-year-old Annie Ellis is searching for a way to support herself.

When she runs into Harry Moon — an old flame from her teenage years — her life takes a direction she never expected.

Separated from his wife and now working as a concierge at Moondreams House — a large local estate — Harry understands what it is like to feel alone. As their friendship progresses, Annie confides her ambition to run a dance school. Admiring her vision, Harry encourages her to rent the ballroom of Moondreams House for her new venture.

Happy with her career path, Annie’s grief over her late husband slowly eases. Believing she is ready for romance, she begins to look for someone to share her new beginning…

Will Annie make a success of her dance school? Is love on the horizon?

Or will the pain of the past hold her back…?

Sunsets and Happy Ever Afters is Published Today

Congratulations to Teresa F. Morgan, whose sparkling summer romance, Sunsets and Happy Ever Afters, is published today!

Having recently gone through a painful divorce, Maya Rosevear has been concentrating on running her mobile beauty business and raising her two young children. Now ready to meet someone new, she decides to give online dating a try.

As she juggles her responsibilities with her love-life, Maya keeps crossing paths with Sam Trescott, the father of her daughter’s best friend. Despite initially getting off on the wrong foot, the two bond over their children and form a tentative friendship.

As a widower, Sam understands what it is like to be lonely. Watching Maya launch herself back into the dating world, he questions whether he is also ready to pursue a new relationship.

Seemingly unable to meet the right man, Maya takes solace in Sam’s companionship more and more. And as they grow closer, both begin to wonder whether they have finally found what they’re looking for…

Can Maya and Sam help each other heal? Will they have a second chance at love?

Or will their painful pasts come back to haunt them…?

The Ghost of Glendale is Out Now

Congratulations to Natalie Kleinman, whose sparkling Regency romance, The Ghost of Glendale, is out now!

Having never been in love, twenty-four-year-old Phoebe Marcham has no interest in marriage. Fiercely independent, she spends her days helping to manage Glendale, her ancestral home — a centuries-old estate full of long-buried secrets.

While out riding, Phoebe crosses paths with Duncan Armstrong, a charming wanderer who has just returned from the Continent. Finding that they share a penchant for mystery, Phoebe shares the biggest enigma that haunts Glendale: the tortured ghost of her ancestor, Simon Marcham, who took a secret sadness to his grave.

Convinced that Simon’s soul will never be at rest until they uncover his secret, Phoebe and Duncan set about unravelling the riddles that he left behind. As they delve deeper, a story of heartbreak and intrigue soon starts to emerge.

Faced with the darkness of the past, Phoebe is determined to make the most of the future. And as she and Duncan grow closer, she soon begins to wonder whether she has at last met her fate…

 

Click here to order The Ghost of Glendale

Resistance of Love Published Today

Congratulations to Ros Rendle, whose moving romantic saga, Resistance of Love, is published today!

Resistance of Love is set in England and France before and during World War II, and is the second book in The Strong Family Historical Saga series.

After spending ten years in Australia, Delphi Strong is on a ship back to England with her daughter, Flora.

While on board, Delphi meets Rainier, a charming vineyard owner on his way home to France. Forming an instant mutual attraction, the two share a whirlwind romance before disembarking.

Unable to forget her, Rainier crosses the channel a few months later and asks Delphi to marry him. Equally lovestruck, Delphi accepts, and she and Flora join Rainier in France.

However, their idyllic lifestyle is shattered when war breaks out and the Nazis begin to occupy the country. Forced to flee to the Free Zone in the south, the family must now pull together to resist the enemy…

 

Click here to order Resistance of Love

The Reluctant Bride by Natalie Kleinman

Natalie Kleinman is the author of The Reluctant Bride, a glittering Regency romance with a strong-minded heroine at its heart.

I spent the first few years of my career writing contemporary romantic fiction, firstly short stories and then novels, until the burning desire I’d had for so long pushed itself to the forefront. I wanted to write a historical novel set in England’s glorious Regency period. Maybe I couldn’t, but I had to try. I’d previously looked upon it as a presumption on my part even to consider it, bearing in mind my love for the works of Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen. But I wasn’t trying to emulate them. I was trying to make my own contribution the genre that had given me so many hours of joy over decades. And so my first Regency novel, The Reluctant Bride, was born, to be followed by another, and then another. They’ll be coming soon, so watch this space.

Charlotte Willoughby — the heroine of The Reluctant Bride — is a young woman of her time. Born into the aristocracy, she is as much tethered by her status as privileged. When she is forced by her father to marry the Earl of Cranleigh, purely to satisfy his own interests, she has no choice but to comply. Six weeks later, fate takes a hand when her husband is killed in a riding accident. Free of a tyrannical parent and a loveless marriage, Charlotte begins to enjoy her newly found independence. Gresham, the earl’s cousin, undertakes to guard her from fortune hunters and, while she finds him arrogant and aloof, she cannot deny the security his protection affords her, particularly with regard to the unwelcome attentions of Lord Roxburgh. Acutely aware of the tension between the two men, Charlotte learns they have a shared history, the animosity of which still lies between them. With the coldness of one and the over-heatedness of the other, will she be able to find her own path to happiness?

Writing The Reluctant Bride, I settled into a deeply satisfying place where I was able to weave a tale while indulging in my love of the setting. I could see the magnificent houses and the glorious balls, but beneath all ran the story of a young woman, struggling with adversity, triumphing over it and finding her own way. I hope you enjoy it.

 

Click here to pre-order The Reluctant Bride 

Click here to subscribe to Natalie’s newsletter

The Sapere Books Popular Fiction Award Shortlist

Sapere Books are proud to be sponsoring the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Popular Fiction Award. Read on to find out more about this year’s fantastic shortlist!

Sing Me a Secret, Julie Houston, Aria, Head of Zeus

Sing Me a Secret is a sharp and witty tale that follows the estranged Sutherland sisters, who each followed very different callings in life. Popstar Lexia is returning to her hometown, where she must face memories that she would rather keep buried. Juno, now the village doctor, juggles her career with the demands of her children and her role in the local production of Jesus Christ Superstar.  Pandora devotes her time to village committees and taking charge of the local choir, and Ariadne is a dissatisfied schoolteacher. As the village musical draws them together, family secrets and past grievances are unearthed, and the sisters must summon the will to put aside their differences and move forward…

Christmas Wishes, Sue Moorcroft, Avon

Christmas Wishes is a heart-warming story of missed opportunities and second chances. When old friends Hannah and Nico return to their childhood home, the village of Middledip, they soon wonder whether their chance for romance has finally arrived. But each faces their own complications — Hannah has recently lost her business in Stockholm and now must take care of her grandmother, and Nico is responsible for two children. And with more obstacles on the horizon, the would-be lovers must decide whether they can find a way to be part of one another’s lives…

Sunny Days and Sea Breezes, Carole Matthews, Sphere, Little Brown

Set on The Isle of Wight, Sunny Days and Sea Breezes is a gorgeously romantic summer adventure. Jodie Jackson has left behind her career and husband in London and has decided to spend some time on her brother’s houseboat, Sunny Days. But when she meets Ned, the handsome wood-carving sculptor who lives on the next-door houseboat, it seems that her craving for solitude is destined to go unfulfilled. And as she spends more and more time with her attractive new neighbour, Jodie begins to wonder whether a new life filled with sun, sea, and freedom is just what she needs…

A Perfect Cornish Escape, Phillipa Ashley, Avon

A Perfect Cornish Escape is a moving, uplifting tale of past pain and new beginnings. After the death of her husband seven years ago, Marina Hudson has never opened her heart to another. But when she meets the kindly newcomer Lachlan, she starts to wonder whether she is ready to give love a second chance. Marina’s cousin, Tiff Trescott, is living the dream as a journalist in London, but when her boyfriend betrays her, she is left reeling. After retreating to Marina’s Cornish cottage to heal, Tiff crosses paths with the mysterious Dirk and is thrown into a whole new way of life. And as the summer wears on, both cousins begin to hope that a fresh start is on the horizon…

The Two Lives of Lydia Bird, Josie Silver, Penguin

The Two Lives of Lydia Bird is a beautiful story of grief, love and healing. After ten years together, Lydia and Freddie are finally planning to get married. But when Freddie dies in a car accident, Lydia’s life falls apart. And then the impossible happens: she is given a chance to re-live her old life with Freddie, without the final tragedy. And now Lydia faces a dilemma: she must decide whether to retreat into her past, or accept the help of someone who wishes to guide her into the future…

The winner will be announced at a digital event on Monday 8th March.

Sapere Books Sign a New Historical Mystery by Elizabeth Bailey

Elizabeth Bailey’s Regency-era Lady Fan Mysteries follow Ottilia, a courageous woman sleuth faced with gruesome deaths, buried scandals, witch hunts and more.

The first six books in the series are already published, and we are delighted to have signed up the seventh, THE DAGGER DANCE.

In Elizabeth’s words:

“In THE DAGGER DANCE, Lady Fan is off to rescue a Barbadian slave girl accused of murder. I’ve been wanting to bring this story to light, since Ottilia long ago guessed her steward Hemp had a secret heartache for a lost love. Bristol was at that time a major port for shipping traders doing the rounds from Africa to England and the West Indies. The research was almost as engaging as writing the book.

“With this seventh adventure, I count myself a very lucky member of the Sapere Books author family. Sapere has done wonders for Lady Fan, and it’s a joy to be with such a supportive and encouraging publisher where the author’s contribution is so much valued and validated.”

Click here to order the first Lady Fan Mystery, THE GILDED SHROUD

Click here to find out more about the Lady Fan Mysteries

Sapere Books Signs a Regency Novel by Graham Ley

We are delighted to announce that we have signed up a new Regency romance novel by Graham Ley.

Writing runs in the family: Graham’s mother, Alice Chetwynd Ley, was the author of numerous Regency romances. Sapere Books have reissued sixteen of her books, including The Eversley Saga and The Rutherford Trilogy.

In Graham’s words:

“I decided to write a novel in my mother’s honour. Then the world speeded up. In place of the familiar books in covers, there were eBooks, and over the last few years her complete backlist has been published by Sapere Books.

“I’ve written a fair bit in the past – playscripts and poetry, and some children’s stories. My greatest challenge was undoubtedly what kind of heroine should I choose. In the end, Arabella chose herself, and was her own woman from start to finish. I set the story in Devon and Brittany, which I love equally, and added intrigue, conspiracy and action to the romantic mix.

“I shall be delighted to see my own tribute novel sitting alongside my mother’s books with such a strong specialist publisher! I hope readers enjoy The Baron Returns.”

The Sapere Books Popular Fiction Award Shortlist

Sapere Books are proud to be sponsoring the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Popular Fiction Award. Read on to find out more about this year’s sparkling shortlist!

The Glittering Hour, Iona Grey, Simon & Schuster

Set in 1925, The Glittering Hour is a beautifully written historical saga with a clandestine romance at its core. Young socialite Selina Lennox lives a life of reckless hedonism: drinking, partying and often having her exploits captured by the press. However, one night, a chance encounter with struggling artist Lawrence Weston changes everything. An intense attraction between the two blossoms into forbidden love, but as the summer draws to a close, the dark side of pleasure is revealed to both.

Ten years later, Selina’s nine-year-old daughter, Alice, is staying at Blackwood Hall with her grandparents. And as she reads Selina’s letters, the mystery of her mother’s past heartache begins to unravel…

The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton, Anstey Harris, Simon & Schuster

The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton is a charming, powerful story of friendship and healing in the face of heartbreak. Residing in Paris with her long-term partner, cellist Grace Atherton lives in a blissful bubble of music and love. But when her world falls apart, Grace seeks comfort from two unlikely allies: eighty-six-year-old Maurice Williams and tough-talking teenager Nadia. All three have buried secrets and sufferings but, as their bonds grow, each are gradually compelled to open up. As the pain of the past begins to ease, the trio embark on a journey toward renewed happiness, self-acceptance, and hope.

The Flatshare, Beth O’Leary, Quercus Fiction

The Flatshare is a quirky, uplifting romcom that follows two people thrown together at just the right moment. When her relationship falls apart, Tiffy Moore agrees to share a one-bedroom flat with Leon Twomey. However – since Tiffy works 9 to 5 and Leon is a palliative care nurse who works nights and weekends – the two initially never meet. Through post-it note conversations, Tiffy and Leon slowly win each other’s trust and friendship, and are able to support each other through the pressures and frustrations of their difficult circumstances. With its poignant explorations of justice and unhealthy relationships interwoven throughout, The Flatshare is both an entertaining and heart-warmingly tender read.

Poppy’s Recipe for Life, Heidi Swain, Simon & Schuster

Poppy’s Recipe for Life is a warm and witty story of unlooked-for romance, family ties, inner demons, and the power of community. Poppy can’t wait to live out her dream of moving into a cosy cottage in Nightingale Square, close to a community garden where she can indulge her love of making preserves and pickles. However, when old family tensions once again bubble to the surface, her idyllic happiness is threatened. Amidst the complications, Poppy must also learn to get along with her prickly new neighbour, Jacob. But as the two grow closer, she begins to realise that the surly recluse may be more than he seems…

 

The winner will be announced at Leonardo Royal London City Hotel on Monday 2nd March.