Hungerford author’s debut novel Siege XV, Assault on the Rock tells the story of the last great siege of Gibraltar

Siege XV, Assault on the Rock is Peter R Leaver’s debut novel

Following a long career in the Ministry of Defence, 77-year-old Peter R Leaver, who lives Buttermere near Hungerford now works for Majestic Wine, based in the Newbury branch for the 17 years since his retirement.

A graduate of the Open University in Earth and Environmental Sciences, ‘Siege XV’ is his first attempt at writing a novel and he’s excited to be seeing it in print on Friday.

“I was very proud of the creativity that I found within myself,” says Peter, Blackburn born and bred, in a working class family and a passionate Blackburn Rovers fan.

“I read a lot and have been inspired by my favourite author, Wilbur Smith, who's style I strived to emulate.”

This is the story of the last great siege of Gibraltar, detailing the armies and navies involved and the heroic actions of soldiers and sailors on both sides.

There are a number of books that chronicle the history of Gibraltar, in particular, the last Great Siege, but Peter is unaware of any that tell the story as he has, in a fictional context.”

“My first visit to Gibraltar involved a survey of migrating birds of prey crossing into Europe from the African continent. I fell in love with the place and its history and made several return visits to do my research.

“I walked everywhere, became very familiar with the ‘Rock' and I began writing. It was always on an opportunistic basis, in hotel rooms, on planes, then back at home, but only when I felt the mood take me, only when I felt creative and inspired. Hence, it took a while to complete, close to three years.”

In Siege XV Peter has created a number of fictional characters, each with their own story line. They come together to influence the outcome of one of the great historical events of the time.

Two cousins, farm lads from Lancashire, one an adventurer who goes to sea whilst the other seeks to use his skills and join the army. A third, a socialite who carries a secret, is the daughter of a wealthy family in North Yorkshire.

Set in the late 1700s, the Spanish king rues the day when his predecessors allowed the colony, along with the island of Menorca, to be ceded to the British under the Treaty of Utrecht. He creates an alliance with the French and plans a Great Siege of the Rock. The British garrison must strengthen its defences against the onslaught to come from both land and sea.

Food is scarce, disease is rife. The Royal Navy must find a way to resupply in time. Pirates, spies, romance and intrigue build the story line, along with an assassination attempt and a bold attack on the enemy. Brutality, tragedy and narcotics fuel the action even further.

Will the Spanish/French alliance regain the territory or will the British prevail?

Siege XV is due to be published by Austin Macauley Publishers tomorrow, September 13, and is available at Amazon/Waterstones. Search the author or book title on Google.

What Next for Peter? “I don't know. I’ve started on a story about the partisans resistance against the German army's advance in Crete during the Second World War and the subsequent evacuation of the British and allied forces.

“I have around 4,000 words and await further ‘inspiration' and more holidays there.”