With the support of the publisher, Shelf Awareness celebrates Severn River Publishing, which in five years has built a strong list of compelling, authentic military and legal thrillers, historical and crime fiction, and action and adventure novel series that are deeply rooted in the authors' experiences in the military, the legal field, and journalism.

Andrew Watts

Severn River Publishing (SRP) is a story of passion, perseverance, and a shared commitment to compelling storytelling. Launched in 2018, SRP was conceived not in boardrooms but in the diverse experiences and shared bonds of its founders--veterans and military spouses. This includes CEO Andrew Watts, a former Navy pilot, and publishing director Amber Hudock, a Navy spouse who raised three children amidst her husband's global deployments.

In just five years, SRP has grown to encompass over 40 authors and several hundred titles, with a particular emphasis on thriller, mystery, and historical fiction series. These titles have made their mark on the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and other bestseller lists, a testament to the compelling narratives we bring to our readers.

The success of SRP hinges on our dedication to understanding what resonates with readers. This ethos has fueled our proficiency in digital advertising, augmented by a growing focus on organic social engagement.

Amber Hudock

An intrinsic strength of SRP is the diverse life experiences our authors bring to the page. Among our ranks, we can count a submarine captain, a Wyoming judge, an Army special operations team leader, police detectives, crime reporters, Navy pilots, intelligence officers, and trial attorneys. This array of backgrounds enriches our storytelling, adding a palpable sense of realism and authenticity.

The company's name is a tribute to the Severn River that meanders through Annapolis, Md., the home of the U.S. Naval Academy, where several SRP members first met. As we continue our journey, we are dedicated to crafting stories that captivate and entertain readers around the world.

Remote by Brian Shea and Stacy Lynn Miller (October 17, 2023).

Remote is the fifth installment in the Lexi Mills thriller series, which stars ATF agent Lexi Mills who, along with her partner, Nathan Croft, is in a race against time to hunt down a criminal mastermind known as the Raven. After a powerful U.S. Senator's aide is killed in a mysterious car crash and a bomb threat puts Lexi's life on the line, the investigation leads Lexi and Nathan to a plot involving the Raven and a high-tech weapons project, which reaches the highest echelons of the federal government. Soon Lexi and Nathan must risk everything to prevent an assassination and protect the nation.

Remote will appeal to both traditional thriller audiences who enjoy the suspense, action, and mystery of a well-written thriller, as well as readers who enjoy the perspective brought by an LGBTQ+ protagonist. Remote has themes of sapphic love, physical disability, and the resilience of women navigating traditional male-dominated spaces, all within a high-stakes thriller series.

Brian Shea is an author whose series include the Boston Crime Thrillers, Nick Lawrence thriller series, and Sterling Gray FBI Profiler series, among others.  He has served in the U.S. Navy and as a 5th grade teacher, but his years as a law enforcement detective are what brings authenticity to his novels.

Stacy Lynn Miller is a retired U.S. Air Force officer, with previous experience in law enforcement as well. She is a stroke survivor, visually impaired, and has authored three other series of sapphic literature.

The Belgrade Conspiracy by Jason Kasper (September 12, 2023)

In The Belgrade Conspiracy, the sixth installment in the Shadow Strike series, David Rivers, an expert in the art of violence, and his team of CIA operatives try to stop Yuri Sidorov, a dangerous Russian arms dealer with state protection, from supplying a lethal shipment of military hardware to an international terrorist syndicate. With the arms deal looming, the team must infiltrate a black market arms network in Serbia, navigating a deadly web of secret police and mafia hitmen in order to win Sidorov's trust and get close enough to eliminate him. But then the team uncovers sinister forces at work in the Balkans and the U.S. and suddenly the hunters become the hunted.

A West Point graduate and veteran of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, author Jason Kasper draws on his experiences as a U.S. Army Ranger, Green Beret, ultramarathon runner, skydiver, and BASE jumper in his gripping fiction, which includes the American Mercenary thriller series, also starring David Rivers, the Spider Heist Thrillers, and Her Dark Silence.

Cobalt by Chris Bauer (February 6, 2024)

In Cobalt, billionaire Max Fend and his hacker girlfriend Renee LeFrancois are enlisted by the FBI and CIA to search for a game-changing cobalt deposit in rural Pennsylvania. As the precious metal that powers lithium-ion batteries, cobalt has the tech world in a frenzy, and the discovery of a new source sets off a high-stakes battle for control. Amidst the chaos, the local community is caught in the crossfire, and as domestic and international forces mobilize, a diverse cast of characters--including a deadly contract killer, a former Philly cop, a single mom, and a group of vigilante townspeople--join the fight to protect their home. Max and Renee risk everything to safeguard the community and the nation from the relentless pursuit of power and control. Cobalt masterfully weaves a thrilling tale of suspense, intrigue, and explosive action with a compelling exploration of the consequences of unchecked greed.

Chris Bauer, with his Philadelphia upbringing and background, brings a distinct and genuine voice to his writing. He is a member of International Thriller Writers, ad his work has been recognized by the National Writers Association, the Writers Room of Bucks County (Pa.), and the Maryland Writers Association.

The Last Test of Courage by Chris Glatte (October 24, 2023)

The Last Test of Courage is the fourth novel in the A Time to Serve series, which chronicles World War II through the framework of an American family saga. In this historical fiction thriller, the Cooper family navigates the challenges and perils of the war both on the front lines and on the home front in a tale that includes action-packed battle scenes, authentic historical context, and the emotional depth of family bonds.

Clyde Cooper and his fellow paratroopers are faced with a new mission after a successful operation in New Guinea, while his brother Frank escapes a brutal Japanese POW camp and re-enters the fray, driven by his passion to fight. Cousin Shawn battles deep inside Burma as an OSS operative, striving to maintain a crucial Allied supply route. Meanwhile, back in the U.S., Abby Cooper grapples with the dangers of her new role as a WASP pilot.

Chris Glatte has a background in English Literature and a passion for history. His previous works, including the popular Tark's Ticks series, have already established him as a skilled author in the historical fiction thriller genre.

Bull's Eye by Shannon Baker (January 9, 2024)

In Bull's Eye, Sheriff Kate Fox finds herself caught between a dysfunctional family, a recall election, and a baffling case. When a top bull breeder is mauled to death at a rodeo, what seems like a tragic accident turns out to be cold-blooded murder. As Kate is dropped from the case to protect her political career, she embarks on her own investigation, uncovering a tangled web of lies and corruption within the high-stakes world of rodeo. As the investigation takes a harrowing turn, Kate must confront the dark depths of deception and the chilling consequences of her pursuit.

Bull's Eye is the eighth mystery in the Kate Fox series, which take place in the Nebraska Sandhills, a location that becomes a character of its own. While these books can be read as standalone works, with self-contained mysteries, Kate grows throughout the series, and the relationship between her and now ex-husband/rival sheriff as well as the relationships with her large and very nosy extended family evolve satisfyingly. The books feature big personalities in a small-town setting, clever mysteries, and overarching themes of family, forgiveness, and growth, all combined with a western flavor.

Shannon Baker spent many years living in the Nebraska Sandhills, and her richly imagined characters and the unusual atmosphere of these novels draw from that well of experience. Baker is the two-time recipient of the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers' Writer of the Year award.

The Wiregrass Witness by Joe Cargile (November 14, 2023)

Set in southern Georgia, The Wiregrass Witness is the third book in the Blake County Legal Thriller series, which features lawyer Maggie Reynolds, who navigates the intersection of modern crime, small-town politics, and the American justice system in a deeply southern town.

This book begins with the story of Colt Hudson, a man returning to his hometown after five years in prison. Blake County is a place where dark secrets and dangerous meth operations lurk beneath the surface of a seemingly idyllic locale. As Colt deals with family ties to one of the most dangerous drug rings in the state, he is forced into a deal with narcotics squad commander Tim Dawson to provide information that could dismantle the family business.

When a drug enforcement agent is found dead, a treacherous conspiracy begins to unravel. Enter Maggie, who uncovers a shocking cover-up by the sheriff's office and is determined to uncover the truth as she faces a maze of deceit and corruption. She risks her own life to bring justice to Blake County.

Joe Cargile is a practicing lawyer in Georgia. Legacy on Trial, the first book in the Blake County Legal Thriller series, was his debut novel.

Driving the Tide by Lee Jackson (December 7, 2023)

Driving the Tide is the sixth installment in Lee Jackson's After Dunkirk series, a multigenerational family saga that captures the panoramic scope of World War II through the lens of the Littlefields, a British family swept up in the chaos and determined to do their part.

In Driving the Tide, each member of the Littlefield family continues the fight for home and country. As the Allies prepare to liberate France, Jeremy Littlefield returns to his homeland to help set the stage for Operation Overlord. Meanwhile, his sister Claire works at Bletchley Park, decoding crucial intelligence that could shift the tide of the war. Paul Littlefield, a battle-hardened veteran of North Africa, now faces the challenge of advancing through Italy with his battalion, while Lance Littlefield attempts another daring escape from a POW camp. And in the Pacific, their cousin Josh is at the center of a vital amphibious landing operation.

Lee Jackson is a West Point graduate and an Army veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Unknown Rider by Jack Stewart (November 21, 2023)

After Top Gun instructor Colt Bancroft catapults off the USS Abraham Lincoln to investigate a series of mysterious lights floating dangerously close to the aircraft carrier, disaster strikes. Colt's jet becomes unresponsive as it rolls inverted and enters a nosedive aimed at the aircraft carrier's unsuspecting escort cruiser. Colt is held responsible, and in the aftermath launches his own hunt for an explanation and to clear his name. What he discovers is a conspiracy headed by an unexpected adversary, and through the course of Unknown Rider, he must survive a dangerous game of spy-vs-spy to unmask a traitor. Trusting the wrong person could cost him his life. To prevent the enemy from hitting its ultimate target and to uncover the identity of the unknown rider, Colt must use every ounce of his skill and training.

Jack Stewart graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, completed U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School (Top Gun), and served 23 years as a fighter pilot, flying combat missions from three aircraft carriers and deploying to Afghanistan as a member of an Air Force Tactical Air Control Party. His last deployment was with a joint special operations counter-terrorism task force in Africa. He is currently an airline pilot and has appeared as a military and commercial aviation expert on international cable news.

Final Fix by Carolyn Ridder Aspenson (December 19, 2023)

Final Fix is the eighth book in Carolyn Ridder Aspenson's Rachel Ryder thriller series featuring a detective who moved from Chicago to small town Georgia upon the tragic death of her husband. Part thriller, part police procedural, each book in the series has self-contained mysteries alongside a larger arc of personal growth for the protagonist and her integration and adjustment to small town southern life.

In Final Fix, Rachel unexpectedly crosses paths with Sean, a familiar face from her past. The awkward, tense encounter takes a harrowing turn when Sean sends her a cryptic message, begging to meet. Rachel arrives to find him dead from an apparent overdose and is pulled into the subsequent investigation.

As Rachel and her team navigate a treacherous web of deceit, they must outwit a ruthless adversary whose reach extends far beyond their city. The stakes rise when the lives of those closest to her hang in the balance, forcing Rachel to question just how far she's willing to go to unmask the truth and deliver justice.

Carolyn Ridder Aspenson uses her past as a journalist to craft chillingly good crime thrillers that feature imperfect women with a flair for telling it like it is. Her novels focus on relationships as the heart of every story.

Jason Kasper

Jason Kasper is a West Point graduate and veteran of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, who draws on his experiences as a U.S. Army Ranger, Green Beret, ultramarathon runner, skydiver, and BASE jumper in his gripping fiction, which includes the American Mercenary thriller series, the Spider Heist Thrillers, and Her Dark Silence. His next title, The Belgrade Conspiracy, will be published September 12, 2023.

Handsell readers your book in 25 words or less:

CIA paramilitary team vs. Serbian mafia in high-stakes undercover black market WMD arms deal gone wrong.

On your nightstand now:

Peace to End All Peace by David Fromkin

Favorite book when you were a child:

The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf and Robert Lawson

Your top five authors:

Michael Crichton, Stephen Pressfield, Hunter S. Thompson, Robert McKee, and Anthony Lloyd

Book you've faked reading:

Every single high school and college textbook

Book you're an evangelist for:

My War Gone By, I Miss It So by Anthony Loyd

Book you've bought for the cover:

World War Z by Max Brooks

Book you hid from your parents:

My Brother Sam Is Dead by Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier

Book that changed your life:

The Five Fingers by Gayle Rivers and James Hudson

Favorite line from a book:

"He was going to live forever, or die in the attempt." Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

Five books you'll never part with:

Story by Robert McKee, All Secure by Tom Satterly and Steve Jackson, Relentless by Tim S. Grover, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson, and The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

Book you most want to read again for the first time:

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

The Sam Johnstone legal thriller series includes Misjudged, One and Done, False Evidence, Capital Justice, and The Truthful Witness, all by James Chandler and all starring defense attorney Sam Johnstone. Sam has left his painful past behind and wants to enjoy the pace of small-town life in Wyoming, but repeatedly gets involved in tricky cases, often with personal connections, that test him with moral and legal quandaries and all kinds of risks to his life and livelihood. James Chandler served in the U.S. Army for 20 years and has a law degree. The series is often enjoyed by fans of John Grisham, James Patterson, and C.J. Box.

The After Dunkirk series by Lee Jackson examines World War II via the saga of a large British family that is swept up in the conflict and rise to the challenges. The six novels include After Dunkirk, Eagles over Britain, Turning the Storm, The Giant Awakens, Riding the Tempest, and the upcoming Driving the Tide (see more about this below). Lee Jackson knows his stuff: he's a West Point graduate and an Army veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Ideal for fans of historical fiction and World War II narratives.

The Shadow Strike series is a special-ops thriller series by Jason Kasper starring David Rivers, a CIA special operator. A former Ranger and mercenary, Rivers is an elite-level assassin who lives with his family in rural Virginia and engages in black ops missions against terrorists of all kinds around the world. Titles include The Enemies of My Country, The Last Target Standing, Covert Kill, Narco Assassins, Beast Three Six, and upcoming The Belgrade Conspiracy and Lethal Horizon. For fans of Vince Flynn, Brad Thor, and Jack Carr.

The Faith McClellan crime series by LynDee Walker stars Texas Ranger Faith McClellan, who comes from a powerful political family that groomed her to be a trophy wife. But Faith is determined to forge her own path, investigating murders that again and again have complicated connections and put her in grave danger. Titles include Fear No Truth, Leave No Stone, No Sin Unpunished, Nowhere to Hide, No Love Lost, and Tell No Lies. LynDee Walker is a former journalist whose book Front Page Fatality, the first of her Nichelle Clarke series, was nominated for the Agatha Award for best first novel. Recommended for fans of Lisa Jackson, Louise Penny, Melinda Leigh, and Kendra Elliot.

When Heroes Flew by H.W. "Buzz" Bernard is a military history series set during World War II. The novels include When Heroes Flew, The Shangri-La Raiders, Roof of the World, and Down a Dark Road, and are based on real events, among them, bombing raids on heavily defended Nazi oil fields, the Doolittle raid on Japan, regular supply flights over the Himalayas, and the discovery of Nazi death camps. "Buzz" Bernard is a retired Air Force colonel and Legion of Merit recipient, who also served as a senior meteorologist at The Weather Channel for 13 years. He is a past president of the Southeastern Writers Association and member of International Thriller Writers, the Atlanta Writers Club, and Military Writers Society of America.

The Kate Fox detective series by Shannon Baker features Kate Fox, a sheriff in the Nebraska Sandhills, and along with its clever mysteries, has themes of family, forgiveness, and growth. The novels include Stripped Bare, Dark Signal, Bitter Rain, Easy Mark, Broken Ties, Exit Wounds, Double Back, and Bull's Eye. Shannon Baker has lived in the Nebraska Sandhills and is the two-time recipient of the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers' Writer of the Year award.

The Leah Nash mystery series by Susan Hunter is set in small town Wisconsin and stars reporter Leah Nash who is drawn into cases that involve murders with complex backgrounds often involving people close to her. Novels include Dangerous Habits, Dangerous Mistakes, Dangerous Places, Dangerous Secrets, Dangerous Flaws, Dangerous Ground, Dangerous Pursuits, Dangerous Waters, Dangerous Deception, and Dangerous Choices. Susan Hunter is a former reporter and managing editor of a small daily newspaper who also has worked in academia in publications, marketing, and teaching English composition. For fans of Lisa Gardner and Karin Slaughter.