Sphere print deal for Bookouture author Martin

Sphere is to publish Bookouture author Holly Martin's Hope Island books in paperback this summer.

Martin has published 10 books with Bookouture, since signing with the publisher in 2015. Her Hope Island books – Summer at Buttercup Beach, Christmas at Mistletoe Cove and Spring at Blueberry Bay – will now be released in paperback in partnership with Sphere in the UK, from Summer 2018 to Spring 2019.

Associate publisher Natasha Harding also acquired world English language rights from Hayley Steed at The Madeline Milburn Literary Agency for three "stunning" new books set in Sandcastle Bay, for the Bookouture list. The first title, The Holiday Cottage by the Sea, will publish in April 2018.

Harding said she is "delighted" to continue working with Martin as her publishing continues to grow.

"Holly has such a wonderful fan base of readers - and I know they are going to love the Sandcastle Bay setting for her three new feel-good novels", said Harding. "We’re thrilled to be teaming up with the brilliant team at Sphere to publish her bestselling Hope Island novels into the paperback market. It’s going to be an exciting year!"

Cath Burke, Sphere fiction publisher, said: "The team at Sphere couldn’t be more pleased to be publishing the wonderful Hope Island books into paperback. The gorgeous settings of Holly’s romantic comedies offer the perfect escape, and we can’t wait to bring Summer at Buttercup Beach, Christmas at Mistletoe Cove and Spring at Blueberry Bay to even more readers."

Martin said: "I'm delighted to be working with the lovely people at Sphere and so excited to see the Hope Island series going into paperback. Being able to share my stories with new readers is wonderful. This year, I'm so happy to be continuing working with Bookouture on the release of my new romantic comedy series, set in the tiny seaside village of Sandcastle Bay. I hope people will fall in love with the quirky village characters and the charming village itself."