Copyright Helena P. Schrader
Helena P. Schrader
WINNER - Political Thriller - "Cold Peace" - 2025
DISTINGUISHED FAVORITE - Military Fiction - "Moral Fibre" - 2024
DISTINGUISHED FAVORITE - Military Fiction - "The Emperor Strikes Back" - 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1 February 2025
Contact: Cross Seas Press /+30 698 15 49050/ info@CrossSeasPress.com
Author Helena P. Schrader receives national recognition through the INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD® 2025!
Blue Hill, Maine -- Cold Peace: A Novel of the Berlin Airlift has WON an INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD, one of the most prestigious book awards globally for independent authors, publishers, and illustrators. Cold Peace was honoured in the category of Political Thrillers.
The competition is judged by experts from different components of the book industry, including publishers, writers, editors, book cover designers and professional copywriters. IPA Award Winners are selected based on their overall excellence.
Cold Peace brings to life the backstory of the West's bloodless victory against Russian aggression in what would become the first battle of the Cold War. When Cold Peace opens more than two years after the end of the Second World War, Britain is bankrupt, unemployment is widespread across the Continent of Europe, and the Soviet Union is expanding its influence by force. At the heart of Europe lies Berlin — a city in ruins and habited by people on the brink of starvation. Here the RAF station commander, a Social Democrat City Counselman, a German-Canadian Jew and others are on a collision course with Stalin’s merciless determination to absorb Berlin into his own evil empire. When a Russian fighter brings down a British passenger plane, the world teeters on the brink of World War Three. The defenders of freedom must find a way to work together to save Berlin from Soviet tyranny.
Based on historical events, award-winning novelist Helena P. Schrader explores the explosive situation in post-war Berlin that led to a Russian blockade and a defiant Western airlift. Cold Peace is the first book in the three-part Bridge to Tomorrow Series, which BookTrib calls “the War and Peace of the Berlin Airlift.”
Cold Peace excited reviewers and literary juries alike. Book Trib called Cold Peace “a magnificently conceived story on a grand scale (who writes trilogies anymore?) with dynamic characters, detailed yet evocative prose, and compelling history.” Feathered Quill wrote: “[Cold Peace] is simply one of the best historical fiction books that this reviewer has ever read, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys military history, world history, or simply a very realistic and attention-holding book. The settings are perfect, the writing is superb, and the plot is very well-crafted.” Blue Ink noted: “Schrader’s plotting is intricate and engaging,” while Kirkus Reviews summarizes the book with: “Sharp research meets vivid storytelling in an absorbing novel of the postwar period.”
Cold Peace was runner-up for the Historical Fiction Company’s “Book of the Year 2023,” after taking first place in the category Wartime Fiction. It won GOLD in the category "Historical Fiction" from Feathered Quill Book Awards, and SILVER for "Political Thrillers" from Readers’ Favorites. In addition, it received a Maincrest Media Award and a BRAG Medallion.
Cold Peace is available for sale on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online bookstores, or can be ordered from your local bookshop. Ebook files are available for Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Apple iBookstore, Google and Hummingbird.
In 2025, the INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD saw participation from journalists, well-established authors, and small, medium and large publishers across the globe, including those residing in Australia, Canada, the Dominican Republic, France, Germany, India, Hong Kong, Japan, Portugal, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
“The 2025 INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD awardees included the excellence and diversity of global independent publishing,” said Gabrielle Olczak, IPA President and Award Sponsor. "There is no stopping independent publishing. It provides unparalleled content and quality to consumers worldwide and we are excited to showcase this year's honorees to the world.”
For more information please visit independentpressaward.com. To see this year's list of all IPA Winners and Distinguished Favorites, please visit the website pages:https://www.independentpressaward.com//2025winners/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
20 March 2024
Contact: Cross Seas Press /+30 698 15 49050/ info@CrossSeasPress.com
Author Helena P. Schrader receives national recognition through the INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD®!
Blue Hill, Maine -- The INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD, one of the most prestigious book award programs globally for independent authors, publishers, and illustrators, recognized Moral Fibre: A Bomber Pilot’s Story in the category of Military Fiction as a distinguished favorite.
The competition is judged by experts from different aspects of the book industry, including publishers, writers, editors, book cover designers and professional copywriters. IPA Award Winners and Distinguished Favorites are selected based on their overall excellence.
Moral Fibre, an inspiring tale of historical fiction by Helena P. Schrader, tells the story of a man once branded a coward who returns to continue the fight against fascism. Given a second chance, Flying Officer Kit Moran, now a qualified bomber pilot, forms a new crew and together with the other men of RAF Bomber Command they take the war to Hitler. In this moving tribute to those who fought for freedom in the air, Schrader covers the many faces of courage and grief — and the price of survival. Although recognized in the category “Military Fiction,” Moral Fibre is also an inspirational and spiritual tale which explores faith and the difficulties in finding a moral compass in the midst of war.
Moral Fibre is a compelling and meticulously researched historical account of the air war in Europe during WWII. Riding the icy, moonlit sky, aircrew of Bomber Command took the war to Hitler. Their chances of survival were less than 50%. Their average age was 21. This is this the story of a bomber pilot, who after being labelled LMF, or Lacking in Moral Fibre, for refusing to fly after a disastrous sortie in late 1943, returns to the fray. Along with Georgina, his dead friend’s fiancé, Kit must learn to cope with grief, survivor’s guilt, and the burdens of war in the hope that, one day, he’ll feel worthy of his second chance at life and love.
Moral Fibre was awarded a Maincrest Media Award, a BRAG Medallion, earned SILVER in the Historical Fiction Company Book Awards and was a finalist for a Book Excellence Award in 2023. In addition, it has received positive reviews from some of the most renowned literary critics, authors, and reviewers around the world. Maincrest Media writes: "A perfect blend of history, romance, and inspiration, Moral Fibre reads as though it isn't fiction at all, but rather a mesmerizing look into the past." The Foreign Service Journal calls Moral Fibre “a tribute to those who fought for freedom,” while Chanticleer Reviews praise it as “a riveting read!” Kirkus Reviews concludes, “The two narrative strands beautifully balance each other up to the book’s climax. A richly textured, absorbing war tale that works equally well as a touching love story.”
A vivid, thought-provoking account of one of the most infamous wars in human history, Moral Fibre is a must-read for avid lovers of history and those concerned about finding faith and purpose in difficult circumstances. Available for sale on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online bookstores, readers looking for military and inspirational fiction with characters who bring history to life are encouraged to purchase their copy directly from the distributor today: https://itascabooks.com/products/moral-fibre-a-bomber-pilots-story
In 2024, the Independent Press Award saw participation from authors and publishers across the globe, including those residing in Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, Cyprus, Germany, India, Kenya, Japan, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, and The Netherlands.
“The 2024 INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD honorees represent the excellence and diversity of global independent publishing,” said Gabrielle Olczak, IPA President and Award Sponsor. "Independent publishing is a formidable agent. It provides unparalleled content and quality to consumers worldwide and we are proud to highlight this year's awardees.”
For more information please visit independentpressaward.com; and to see this year's list of IPA Winners and Distinguished Favorites, please visit the website pages:
2024 WINNERS: https://www.independentpressaward.com/2024winners
2024 DISTINGUISHED FAVORITES: https://www.independentpressaward.com/2024df