2021 may not have been the year we were all expecting or hoping for after the trials of 2020 but there was still plenty to celebrate and be grateful for!
We hired two new staff members – Sian Reece and Donna Borg – who have settled in brilliantly and taken Cranthorpe Millner from strength to strength. We became official members of the Independent Publishers Guild, and after only 4 years we published our 50th title!
But what’s most important is our authors and all their successes; without them we wouldn’t be who we are today. From BBC interviews to book launches and book readings, magazine/newspaper features and interviews to Bookstagram tours and author talks and events – not the mention their getting shortlisted for an appearance on Eggheads next year! – their constant enthusiasm and hard work inspires us every day.
Here’s a rundown of everyone we released in 2021 and some of their raving reviews:
o “Fast paced and interesting, keeping you hooked until the very end.”
o “It definitely has the shock factor, and is one to add to your TBR if you enjoy a thriller.”
o “The author has managed to create a never ending nightmare (literally) that is fit for the horror screen.”
Derek Allen – Collection of Dreams
o “’I loved the aspect of this anthology and the cover art work drew me straight in! The whole theme of the book is dreams and how dreams can not always seem as they are. This book opened my eyes to how different people see dreams, especially dementia patients.”
o “Do not be afraid to experiment. Different tenses, first or second person, long or short sentences, for me it was all part of the learning process. The secret is to find what works best, and what works for you. Be your own critic. If it’s comfortable for you, it will be comfortable for the reader. If in doubt on how to tackle a particular scene or idea, see how other authors have tackled the problem. In no way would I suggest plagiarism, perish the thought, but it might provide an answer, and hopefully set you on the right path.” (from Derek’s own blog post)
o “Brenda Burling has written a book that will leave the reader in tears but still with a smile on their face.”
o “This is a book that shows just how far someone will go for something that means the world to them.”
o “My biggest piece of advice to any writer would be don’t ever throw anything you have written away…ever. No matter how bad or irrelevant you may think it is at the time. Something made you write that particular piece. I have lost count of the times I have scribbled something down, often not even related to what I am writing about at the time, but at a later date it has become part of or inspired something else. In writing, nothing is ever wasted, keep it…keep it all.” (from Brenda’s blog)
Andrea Montgomery – The Banana Road
o ‘Andrea Montgomery is inspiring, bold and courageous in her life and in her writing. This is a remarkable story, told with wit and warmth. You won’t be able to put ‘The Banana Road’ down once you start it.’
o “The Banana Road is an engaging and lively account of what it’s really like to up sticks and move to Tenerife. A fascinating cast of characters, both human and animal, make for an entertaining read that will appeal to anyone who’s ever drifted off in the sunshine dreaming of extending their holiday on this subtropical island.”
o “Discover the Real Tenerife as the author takes you on their day to day escapades living abroad on the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands. A must read for those considering a move and new beginning in a foreign unfamiliar country. A realistic yet witty and fun account of getting settled, meeting the locals and earning a living to survive in this new unchartered territory. The author makes you feel like you’re along for the ride, experiencing their journey with them!”
o “In writing The Banana Road, I wanted to send a message of encouragement and support to all the dream-chasers out there – I want you to know that if you can find the confidence to know that you can achieve so much more than you may currently give yourself credit for, you can turn your life around. You may not be considering a move to Tenerife, or to Portugal, or anywhere else for that matter but whatever it is that you need to do to live the life you want to live, now is the time to do it.” (Andrea’s blog post)
Jennifer Claywood – While Sleeping
o “A wonderful psychological thriller that is both enthralling and powerful.”
o “WOW, WOW, WOW! What a fantastic psychological thriller. I was hooked from just the sentence “you never know who’s living in your house.” This story keeps you guessing all the way through, until breadcrumbs appear and you start putting 2+2 together. I felt like I was the investigating officer, on the hunt to catch the killer!”
o “What a fantastic debut into the Thriller world! The world that Jennifer creates is so diverse and full that you are completely immersed from the start.”
o “Stories are important, and I feel proud to count myself among the storytellers. There is a place for everyone here. For all kinds of writers. For all kinds of books.” (Jennifer’s blog post)
Robert Fraser – The Quality of the Light (his second title with us!)
o “The premise of the book intrigued me; a novel based on five paintings. Anyone who has a love of art, especially The Masters, will be captivated by this complex story set in London and The Netherlands, filled with intrigue, romance, collusion and family secrets.”
o “The novel is full of interesting references, not only to art but to the era in which it’s set and is a reflection of incidents and contemplation on the forces between art and actuality, trickery and fact. It is a complex and forceful piece of work which enmeshes the reader in a tale where manipulation and confusion are prevalent.”
o “I would not say that this is a novel about art so much as one which interrogates the legitimacy and purpose of representation, whether in painting, in story-telling or in life. What is truth? Is it something out there and given, or something that we make up as we go along? Is realism possible, or even desirable? Might it be as reasonable to convey what we want to see as what is generally thought to be there? Do all of us see the same things and in the same way? Can any reading of art or life claim precedence over the rest? Theories can offer solutions to these knotty problems, but so can stories. One answer lies in my story.” (Robert’s blog post)
Malcolm Sweetlove – Greenbank Primary: First Aid Brought to Life
o “The stories are exciting as well as informative, and being told through the teachers and pupils of a School is a perfect way to introduce and educate young children the importance of life skills training. I think that all youngsters would love to be part of a school community like Greenbank. I am happy to add my support to your book and wish you every success in getting this into the school curriculum.” (Sir Alex Ferguson CBE)
o “Having experienced a cardiac arrest and being saved I know, first hand, the importance of first aid training. We need to train our children early in their development to learn life saving skills. This is what Greenbank Primary School: First Aid Brought to Life is encouraging.” (Glenn Hoddle)
o “One of the key things the Danny Jones Trust strives to get across regarding First Aid survival rates is a belief that educating young people in responding effectively to any medical emergencies they might experience throughout their lives is the way forward to improving survival rates. Greenbank Primary School is a book that illustrates that very point with its entertaining and easily understood outlining of the key principles involved for younger school children: It matches our motto of ‘Teach our children, change our future’ and I am very happy to support the book.” (Lizzie Jones)
James Murdo – Echoes of Gravity (keep an eye out for his sequel!)
o “The scope of world-building is impressive. Murdo tantalises you with sentient machines, resurrected alien races, gravity strings, augmentation and more – but leaves you with more questions than answers and ends on a real cliffhanger.”
o “The adventure I was taken on was captivating and I am excited to read the sequel!”
o “This book is phenomenal.”
o “Murdo’s writing doesn’t just paint a world, it paints an entire universe.”
o “If you enjoy Iain M Banks’ Culture series, I’m sure you will love this story.”
Sharon Cracknell – Secret Lands, Petrol Clams and a Bagful of Bolivar
o “A book full of stories about people in places that most of us would never visit. It’s amusing, informative and completely addictive! If you only read one book this year it should be this one.”
o “Wow! What an amazing read. Sharon Cracknell’s Secret Lands, Petrol Clams and a Bagful of Bolivar is one of those books you just cannot put down. Her engaging style draws one in and I was there, with her, totally immersed in the traumas and horrors as they were unfolding. One absolutely gets a picture of the characters, particularly her tour guides, that she meets and apart from the excitement of her daring adventures, the book is packed with fascinating information about the places she visits. Marvellous! I cannot recommend it highly enough.”
James Hereward – Our Own Correspondent
o “James Hereward skilfully wrote this book in a way that grabs the readers’ attention and keeps it. He’s a storyteller, one that might just amaze you if given the opportunity.”
o “Great plot, great writing, great characters and an altogether great story”
o “the story was fast paced, the author’s writing seems effortless and there is an exceptional amount of creativity”
o “I found the setting incredibly interesting; it seemed to have both medieval and futuristic styles mixed together which does sound strange but it worked so well. It wasn’t an obvious shift between the two styles; they were interwoven together and it was from elements of language used that I got the futuristic feel. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and would definitely recommend this book.”
o “Drayton has created a fascinating and frighteningly plausible dystopian future world.”
o “Laced with humour and a dash of romance for Panama from an unexpected source, this futuristic detective novel is an exciting excursion into a frightening make-believe future which could possibly come true.”
Tai Le Grice – Between Dusk and Dawn (Tai was one of Cranthorpe Millner’s very first authors and this is her second title with us!)
o “I had my eyes wide open when I went into this book, and I’m so glad I did. I loved Indy and Storm and I loved reading their story. The author perfectly captures destiny within this book, that we are destined to be with someone and we will find them again and again throughout our lives.”
o “The writing is poetic, and flows so nicely throughout the story. The action element at the end of the novel didn’t feel forced, just showed to us and emphasised the love that Storm and Indy feel. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read and review this book, as this is definitely a book and an author to watch out for and check out!”
o “This was a quick and wonderful read! It’s romance with just the right blend of fantasy, mystery, and a bit of action. The book’s main themes are past lives and fate. No matter how long it takes, fate will always find a way to reunite us with our soulmate. The plot flows naturally, and paired with a beautiful prose makes it unputdownable.”
Parker J. Duncan – A Latticework Shrine
o “If you are looking for a lyrical fantasy fiction with futuristic vibes look no further than this book.”
o “This book had some hard hitting truths wrapped up in a beautifully descriptive fantasy world. I love some good lessons sprinkled into the evolution and journey of the characters. The parallels to our current world really make you pause and think meanwhile we invest into the characters stories and lives.”
o “I like how the concept of good and evil is played with. There are no cliché heroes and villains. As in real life, characters are capable of extreme acts both good and bad which gives a refreshing unpredictability to the plot.”
Jan Moran Neil – Shakespeare’s Clock
o “I have been OBSESSED with this book, it has been so difficult not to stay up until 2am to find out about the secrets in the past of the main characters. The style of writing completely drew me in, it felt like I was overhearing a conversation but I’d missed the key points at the start and was desperate to know more!”
o “This is a novel about tine. Time is a healer or destroyer of friendships. Time reveals secrets or hides the truth, and this story has some shocking truths and secrets to reveal in a plot with well-realised characters and realistic dialogue that keeps you turning the pages to find out what has happened and what will happen.”
D.Lawrence-Young – Colonel Blood (this is his second title with us, and look out for the third next year!)
o “I enjoyed the heck out of this!”
o “This book has it all: royalty, love-affairs, lusty wenches, war and fighting. But above all, an incredible robbery. This is the life of self-styled ‘Colonel’ Thomas Blood, and it is a thoroughly good read.”
Stacey Dighton – The Hawk and the Raven
o “This is fast paced for its honking size of 514 pages believe it or not. It’s told in multiple POVs and has several different story lines going at the same time which could be a little confusing following the giant cast of characters but once I got it all figured out in my head, I was gripped and couldn’t stop. I love a good serial killer and this one has probably one of the best. I don’t want to spoil anything, you will just have to read it and find out!”
o “Honestly, this one has so much going on. So much anxiety hits you. Every page you turn has you wanting more. So many questions answered and things come to light. But you are left with other questions that make you want more from this high anxiety book. I wish I was able to pinpoint certain details to focus on, however with so many important things going on, it wouldn’t be right to all the major events that happen in this act. I cannot wait for more from this author.”
o “By far the two best characters are Raven and Molly and without them, this book just wouldn’t be so darn good. Raven is a mess, but he’s bloody brilliant at what he does. Molly, well she’s both of these, but with more blood. I simply adored them both for their smarts and their relatable characterization. I need more of both of them in my life.”
o “This story really has a lot going on, there are a lot of different situations going on at one time, but how reels in and eventually becomes tied together was phenomenal. Seriously he knocked it out of the park, I loved every second of it! It was dark, twisted, gruesome and downright terrifying at points! All of the twists were perfectly executed. I cannot express how much I enjoyed this book! Would definitely recommend this to any and all crime and thriller lovers, it was such a dark thrilling read.”
o “This book was creepy and gory and I loved it. It was page turner for sure and the little bits of humour thrown in were great. I also really loved the ending because it leaves the book open for the possibility of a 3rd novel in the series. Dighton does a great job of wrapping up the complex story and tying everything together. Highly recommend! I will definitely be on the lookout for his next book.”
Russell Wate – Greed is a Powerful Motive
o “Unable to put it down, very well written, hopefully there will be a follow up, a definite must buy!”
o “Nice to read a book written by a real detective that can express views from experience as opposed to an entirely fictional perspective. I have no doubt that some of the events reflected the author’s career and have been transposed in the narrative.”
Lizzy Shortall – Joy’s Playground
o “With more and more children suffering with anxiety related issues these days I was interested in incorporating mindfulness into their day to help them cope. When I came across Joy’s Playground it sounded perfect!”
o “This is a fantastic story that is perfect to introduce children to mindfulness and gratitude in a fun way with Joy and her friends. I’m sure this will be a regular read for us and we’ll keep practicing the mindfulness techniques mentioned in the book and taking in the positive messages and attitude Joy shows throughout. This is a great book to show how mindfulness can calm us down, help with problem solving and be more present and in the moment which is beneficial to everyone.”
o “My two daughters who are 6 and 7 absolutely love Joys Playground. It’s really well illustrated and the characters are fantastic. Teaching kids wellbeing and gratitude is so so important and joys playground delivers this message perfectly. Would highly recommend to anyone with children.”
o “I loved reading this with my daughter. We talked about friendship, trying hard things and taking a pause to be present. We loved breathing together and bonding over a beautiful story. The message of mindfulness and kindness is needed in these times.”
Jacqueline Puchtler – World War II Flying Stories
o “A very enjoyable and well-written set of stories from an author who evidently has researched her subject thoroughly and must also posses a great love of flying.”
o “Jacqueline Puchtler manages to bring clarity and depth to most of her people (and pigeons!) in just a few pages. It is a highly effective and enjoyable way for the reader to learn some history.”
Simon Marlowe – The Dead Hand of Dominique
o “I really enjoyed this glimpse into the life of a full- time career villain, and actually ended up liking many of the seemingly unlikeable characters we met throughout the story. Overall, I loved the way this book was written and think it was a fun and engaging mystery! I wish we had more scenes with the caged parrot and LOVED how this was included in the story.”
o “I really enjoyed following Steven in his ‘journey’ and really liked the author’s writing style and am looking forward to reading more of his work. This covers some serious subjects but also gives a comedy factor. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a gritty read.”
o “The story is told over 7 days and I Ioved that it wasn’t all rushed together, it really set the scene for all the complexities of who is doing what and when. The characters were really well formed and very believable, even if they were slightly unhinged! I’ll not give too much away but this book is definitely worth picking up if you want a twisting storyline with well rounded characters. It would make a great British gangster film and I can’t wait to see what Simon releases next.”
o “This story is told from Steven’s point of view, and let me tell you, I absolutely love him. Yeah he’s a bad guy, so what? I was rooting for him the entire time. Steven comes to meet quite a variety of characters during his search for Dominique, some I liked, others I knew from the start I did not like; but I loved the uniqueness each one brought. This book was a wild ride. I really enjoyed the mystery of it all. I loved how I never knew who I could or couldn’t trust in this story. And the ending was perfect, definitely did not see that coming at all. I loved everything about it!”
Jason Roche – Smug Dad (keep an eye out for the prequel to this next year!)
o “A rollercoaster! Well-written with sharp wit and cringeworthy, honest descriptions.”
o (and praise for the prequel) “I was completely taken aback by how good this book was. I was immediately drawn into the intricate acerbic tangled dark web of the author. The twists and turns of the narrative were not what I was expecting. I couldn’t put it down and I will never look at boy bands in the same way.”
See below some brilliant images of our authors 🙂 We can’t wait to see what 2022 will bring!
Sharon Cracknell’s book stocked at the Grove Bookshop; James Murdo signing copies in Forbidden planet; Jan Moran Neil’s book launch
Lizzy Shortall’s book stocked at the Book Centre in Kilkenny; Russell Wate proudly showing off his book at Heffers in Cambridge; Jacqueline Puchtler meets Reg Payne, the main protagonist in her short story Corkscrew Port Go.
Stacey Dighton’s book launch and James Hereward’s book launch.