Bookouture acquires sweeping dual timeline romance from Katharine McMahon amid Rights storm
Bookouture has acquired three epic dual timeline romance novels in a new series from bestselling women’s fiction author Katharine McMahon, writing as Cora Matthews.
Cora Matthews © Barbara Luckhurst
Associate Publisher Jess Whitlum-Cooper acquired World All Language rights (including audio, film & TV) to three epic dual timeline romance novels in a new series from bestselling women’s fiction author Katharine McMahon, writing as Cora Matthews, from Mark Lucas at The SoHo Agency.
The books follow the stories of five young women in the 1920s, each sent on a journey to return a precious flower to the place from which it was stolen in order to lift a curse. In the present-day strand, a new generation of women investigate the mystery, and why only one woman ever returned. The first novel in the series is set in Santorini and will publish in September 2026, with two further titles set to publish in 2027.
Rights to all three books have been selling fast at London Book Fair. Dutch rights have been pre-empted by Oceaan in the Netherlands, Italian rights have been pre-empted by Newton Compton in Italy, French rights have been pre-empted by Bragelonne, Spanish rights have been pre-empted by Newton Compton Editores and Danish rights have been pre-empted by Lindbak.
Rights Director Richard King said,
‘This stunning new series from Katharine is the absolute dream project for any rights team, especially at a time where interest in sweeping women’s fiction series is at an all-time high, and we’re honoured to be presenting these stories to publishers all around the world. We fielded clamorous interest at the London Book Fair, and it’s wonderful to already have partners confirmed in these key markets. There will be so much more to come.’
Associate Publisher Jess Whitlum-Cooper said,
‘From the moment I read the opening sentence of Katharine’s first novel, I knew that the story she had written was going to sweep me away. I was captivated by the beautiful world she creates, and desperate to unravel the mystery of these women. I know fans of Lucinda Riley, Victoria Hislop and Santa Montefiore will be hooked on these books.’
Katharine McMahon said,
‘Working with my editor, Jess Whitlum-Cooper, at Bookouture, has been a total revelation. I love writing fast-paced, heartbreakingly romantic fiction, and she encourages me every inch of the way. Working with Bookouture is a fantastic adventure for me, and I’m eternally grateful to my agent Mark Lucas at LAW for finding me this breathtakingly exciting new opportunity.’
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