Head of Zeus' Aries imprint has signed two contemporary thrillers from historical fiction writer Anthony Riches, best-known for his two bestselling Roman series, Empire and The Centurions.

Publisher and CEO at Head of Zeus, Nicolas Cheetham, and Holly Domney, Aries Imprint Editor, acquired World English Rights from Sara O’Keeffe at Aevitas Creative Management for Nemesis (publishing in eBook and audio 4th March and in paperback on 10th June) and Target Zero (publishing in eBook and audio 3rd March and in paperback on 2nd June 2022).

Nemesis follows the assignments of an elite close protection officer. On the job, he’s guarding the Minister of Defence as Chinese-British relations hit boiling point. Off the clock, he pursues a personal vendetta against a powerful London gang family.

Author Anthony Riches said: "Writing fifteen historical adventure novels gifted me the skills to craft something very different. But when I added contemporary action thrillers to my repertoire with Nemesis and Target Zero, I knew I would need an equally ambitious publisher. So when Aries made their offer, I didn't think twice. I needed a visionary house, whose enthusiasm for Mickey Bale's story would match my own, and in Aries I am delighted to have found that new home."

Publisher Nicolas Cheetham said: “Anthony Riches unleashed on the 21st Century -- at long last! An exciting new venture for our exciting new adventure list.”

Editor Holly Domney said: “When I read a book I want the pace to give me whiplash and Nemesis has action and adventure in spades. I couldn’t be happier that Anthony’s series of full-throttle reads has found its home with Aries.”