We’re delighted to reveal the covers of our upcoming February releases!
NATURE’S TRIBUTES
Jade Ford
Nature’s Tributes follows protagonist Rosalind as she is thrown into the world of the fae, forced to compete alongside other human contestants in ‘Nature’s Trials’. Paired with the handsome and mischievous Aalto, a Winter fae lord blessed with icy blue eyes and a razor-sharp tongue, Rosalind is too focused on surviving to entertain the idea of him being anything more than her annoyingly attractive teammate. But as the trials progress, and the pair grow closer, they can no longer ignore their obvious attraction to one another.
Based on the seven deadly sins, Nature’s Trials are both an act of retribution and a test, punishing humans for their overconsumption and destruction of the environment, whilst also assessing their worth, and whether their species should be permitted to survive. Covering environmental issues within a deftly crafted fantasy realm, full of mystical creatures and tricksy fae, Ford has drawn upon her studies in the biological sciences and her love of the fantastical to create a believable fantasy world and an empowering narrative, focusing on resilience, accepting others’ differences and overcoming seemingly impossible challenges.
With a fast-paced first-person narrative, allowing readers to instantly connect with the struggles of Rosalind, and a combination of slow-burn romance and impeccable world-building, Nature’s Tributes is the perfect read for lovers of romantasy series A Court of Thorns and Roses, as well as series such as The Hunger Games trilogy.
PRIVATE (A PANSY RESTING ON IT’S LAURELS 1)
Joseph Lindsay
A Pansy Resting on its Laurels: Private delivers an authentic and heartfelt insight into the lives of ordinary people working in an extraordinary job. Everyone has heard of MI5 and MI6, but what about just plain MI? Private tells the story of the complex world of Military Intelligence from the ground up, offering a unique and intriguing glimpse into a world privy only to a select few.
The novel follows protagonist Jon Comyn, along with a host of other characters, as he begins his career in Military Intelligence and discovers that life undercover is not as glamourous or ‘sexy’ as he had hoped, though it is certainly not lacking in excitement.
Drawing on his own lived experience in the British Military and Military Intelligence, author Joseph Lindsay sheds new light on the as yet unseen parts of life as a spy, opening readers eyes to a hidden world with his deftly written prose and gripping story.
Perfect for those who enjoy a good spy movie, along with readers who revel in delving into the reality of life undercover, explored in novels such as the gritty works of Jonathan Le Carre.
THE WONDERS OF DOCTOR BENT
Paul Crawford
The Wonders of Doctor Bent is a dark psychological thriller, following two unlikely companions – Dr Bent, a forensic psychiatrist, and Dr Hemp, an English lecturer whose brother has recently been murdered in mysterious circumstances.
In pursuit of justice for his twin, Dr Hemp becomes an amateur detective, determined to find out the truth. Yet as he searches for answers, his mind begins to cloud, and his behaviour deteriorates, bringing him to the attention of both the police and Dr Bent, who is working to change the treatment of the so-called ‘criminally insane’ patients living at Foston Hall psychiatric facility. Dr Bent believes that those who have done terrible things under the influence of their damaged minds deserve more compassion. Is he mistaken? Does the empathic mission of the ‘good doctor’ say more about his own needs?
Crawford’s impeccable prose and well-constructed plot is inspired by not only his own personal experiences, and academic interests, but also by recent cases where the mental health of perpetrators stood as a waiver for responsibilities, or conversely where vulnerable individuals have been exploited. He also draws upon concepts such as social prescribing, which he has explored as part of his own research at the University of Nottingham, to demonstrate the positive impact of the arts on physical and mental health.
The Wonders of Doctor Bent combines an academic setting with darker themes of murder, loss, and exploitation, contrasting this with discussions of power and the influence of institutions, and is perfect for fans of the dark academia genre.
SUN IN THE AMBER SKY (EVERY COLOUR YOU ARE 2)
Cliff Stammers
Sun in the Amber Sky delivers a profound and thought-provoking discourse on obsession, commitment, and the pursuit of fruitless dreams. The nail-biting tension of this sequel is driven by the characters’ irrational decisions, as they place others and themselves in danger during their unhealthy hunt for their transparent ideals, culminating in the as yet unseen woman plaguing David’s dreams finally stepping into the light.
Packed with drama and chronicling the heartbreaking attempt by two young people to come to terms with the powerful feelings they hold for one another, this gripping and fast-paced conclusion to the Every Colour You Are duology is set against a backdrop of 90s counter-culture Europe, filled with intellectually dark corners which, when flooded with light, enrich the humanity of the characters and propel the story to its uplifting conclusion.Stammers artfully paints a picture of 90s Europe, bringing characters to life through his engaging narrative and gritty realism, allowing readers to empathise with the protagonists as they struggle through difficult situations in the pursuit of happiness. A must buy for readers of Stars on the Blue Horizon and an ideal read for lovers of literary fiction dealing with the darker side of love and loss, such as Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors.
