Canterbury House Publishing, Ltd.

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Welcome to Canterbury House Publishing, Ltd.

Canterbury House Publishing, Ltd. (CHP), publishes wholesome quality fiction and memoir of an inspirational nature and of the romantic suspense and mystery genres with an emphasis on colorful Southern U.S. regional settings. We publish authors who are passionate about their stories and their craft, as well as, active and collaborative in the marketing and promotion of their books.

The CHP website features Canterbury House Publishing authors, books, events, and notable mentions. You are invited to browse our many interesting topics and from time-to-time when the option is available submit your comments for sharing with our interactive online community. More fun and informative articles will be posted here as we spotlight our authors, books, announcements, and the Canterbury House Publishing world of writing and storytelling.

Please visit the Announcements page to view all of our posts.

From the Register Herald, Beckley WV about New Release "Broomstraw Ridge"

Available November 1st, 2019

19th Century Appalachia Comes Alive in Broomstraw Ridge

From staff reports

Canterbury House Publishing announces the release of “Broomstraw Ridge,” a novel by Betsy Reeder.

This stand-alone story also serves as a sequel to the Civil War novel “Madam’s Creek.” Both tales are set in the New River region and follow the lives of intertwined families: Lilly, Farley, and Cook.

In “Broomstraw Ridge,” Joseph Cook returns home after a 30-year absence in search of the remnant of his family and his meager inheritance. An expert in bridge construction, he discovers the bridges he most wants to build defy his skill. He is further thwarted when he encounters unexpected danger and conflict. Several characters from “Madam’s Creek” play major and pivotal roles as they endure hardship, loss, and strife, as well as celebrate love and redemption. The novel’s memorable characters exhibit the indomitable spirit typical of mountaineers.

Author M. Lynne Squires comments, “Each chapter unfolds deliberately, carefully intertwining characters…. "Broomstraw Ridge" places timeless human struggles and triumphs in a setting so alive the reader can nearly smell the fresh hay and feel the chill of the first snow in winter.”

Writer/producer Jon Averill, remarks “In Broomstraw Ridge, Betsy Reeder takes us back in time, as we live with, laugh and cry with, people who feel like they must have been the ancestors of those who still know the ways of the hills.”

“Broomstraw Ridge,” ISBN:9781945401145, is available as of Nov. 1 nationally in bookstores and online stores. Locally, “Madam’s Creek” is sold at Beckley’s Tamarack and other shops. Broomstraw Ridge and Madam’s Creek are geologic features of Summers County.

New Releases this Fall from Canterbury House Publishing

The first in a new young adult series, by author Lori Roberts This Dark and Bloody Ground: Tales of Frontier America, Book 1 Maggie's Story —

Released September 1, 2019

Advance Praise for This Dark and Bloody Ground:
“As if you are there, the reader experiences the dangers that lurk around every corner: illnesses, Indians, natural elements, as well as the joys and sorrows that the characters, themselves, face. This is a must-read for young and old as tales of adventure know no boundaries.” —Pamela Horner Author of The Long Road Home

“Lori Roberts' newest novel is not only authentic and sensory-rich but engrossing and edgy! This read isn’t a quiet canoe ride, but a trek filled with danger, depth, and heart.” —C.K. Mallick, author of Valthea: I Read People and Thomasina: The Twin.

Coming November 1st, 2019: Broomstraw Ridge: A Novel by Betsy Reeder


Advance Praise for Broomstraw Ridge:

“In a sprawling post-Civil War sequel to Madam’s Creek, Broomstraw Ridge will transport you to the mountains of southern West Virginia where you will stand shoulder to shoulder with the Lilly family as they marry, raise children, and bury kin—along with their long-held secrets. Reeder shows her talent for weaving the perfect details to ground a story firmly in place and time.” —Donna Meredith, Associate editor of Southern Literary Review and author of The Glass Madonna

“The mountains of southern West Virginia, by their rugged nature, are resistant to change. They breed a certain rough-hewn individualism amongst the people who still cling to the beautiful mountain farms. . . . Betsy Reeder takes us back in time, as we live with, laugh and cry with, people who feel like they must have been the ancestors of those who still know the ways of the hills.” —Jon Averill, writer/producer of Averell’s Raiders & the 35th Star and Passing Thru Sandstone

All Canterbury House Publishing books are available nationally and internationally in bookstores and online stores.

With Big Top Appeal, C.K. Mallick Launches, "Thomasina: The Twin"

   

On Sunday, February 24th, the public is invited to this unique, fun, author event—Acropolis; Greek Taverna. The venue is apropos and just minutes from Sarasota’s Big Top where the intimate single-ring tent features aerial artists from around the world, many who have provided inspiration for Mallick’s stories.

In her series The Daughters, book two, Thomasina: The Twin, she moves her characters to Sarasota, Florida after Valthea marries her soul-mate, Sorin. Right from the start, the wedding is disrupted by her sinister aunt. Family secrets continue to haunt Valthea. But that’s not all. One of her relatives uses their paranormal gift against her. Valthea hopes to gain access to her mother’s journals in time to understand and combat the manipulative attacks. If not, she may heed the advice of the very attractive, daredevil comic who’s part of her new circus family.

Early reviewers have called Thomasina, “fresh and mesmerizing,” and said, “Thomasina? Well, there’s nothing like a character you love to hate.” And, “Thomasina wraps together girl-power, romance and sibling drama with that crazy circus charm!”

C. K. Mallick’s eclectic past and present greatly affects her fiction and non-fiction writing. She’s worked over twenty years in the dance/entertainment field and in the cosmetics industry. Her volunteer work includes stints at: a V.A. hospital, The Big Cat Rescue, The Boys & Girls Club, Circus Arts Conservatory and Bayside Community Church.

Living in Sarasota, Florida, C.K. enjoys spending time with Florida’s woodlands and beaches and family and friends. She keeps her energy high and her mind inspired by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and listening to people’s stories. She considers herself blessed, knowing her books come into the homes and hands of many women, men and children of all ages!

Join C.K. Mallick at Acropolis, Sunday, February 24th from 6:30-9:00 p. m. Meet intriguing people! Eat Mediterranean food! Go home with an autographed copy of Thomasina: The Twin!

Thomasina: The Twin is available nationally in bookstores and online stores. ISBN: 978-1-94540107-7, Canterbury House Publishing. For more information about the book launch event, email: marketing@canterburyhousepublishing.com.

Renowned Canadian Author, Pat Mattaini Mestern Receives Canada's Unsung Heroes Honour

Pat Mattaini Mestern is a well-respected author of historical novels. Always well-researched and eloquently written, her novels bring the reader deeply into the stories as they twist and turn to the satisfying endings. 

We are honored to have published: Anna: Child of the Poorhouse, Rachel's Legacy, Magdalena's Song, and No Choice But Freedom. All are in e-book format.

To read the article, click here: The Wellington Adviser

To learn more about the author, click here: Pat Mattaini Mestern 

New Hampshire State Library Features "Olustee" As Book of the Week!

Click on the link to read the article:     

http://nhbookcenter.blogspot.com/

Canterbury House Would Like to Welcome New Authors, Greg Ahlgren and Anthea T. Piscarik

Greg Ahlgren is a criminal defense lawyer who divides his time between Manchester, New Hampshire and Sarasota, Florida. He received his B.A. degree from Syracuse University and his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania. He has been a criminal justice professor, a state legislator, and a political activist, and has appeared as a featured guest on both national and regional television and radio shows, as well as podcasts, on true crime and historical issues.

His books include the fact-based fiction novel, Olustee: America's Unfinished Civil War Battle released April 2018 by Canterbury House, the alternate history time-travel novel Prologue, the international thriller The Medici Legacy, and the Civil War novel Fort Fisher: The Battle for the Gibraltar of the South, and together with Stephen Monier he co-authored the true crime book Crime of the Century: The Lindbergh Kidnapping Hoax.
Recreationally, Ahlgren has been a licensed private pilot, an avid sailor, and a not-so-avid skier.

 

Anthea T. Piscarik is currently a fundraiser for a non-profit organization in Delaware. She established a professional writing career as a playwright and news reporter for a Catholic Christian weekly publication. A graduate of the University of Delaware, she continued her theatre studies at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, and film studies in the inaugural Act One: Writing for Hollywood program. She is an identical twin, studies ballet, teaches religious education, and records news stories for the blind. As a producer, Anthea is working on a documentary about a blind couple raising their own sighted twins. Unearthing Christmas: The Miriam Chronicles, Book 1, her first novel, began with a dream.

April/May Releases:


Olustee: America’s Unfinished Civil War Battle
When Tampa area journalist Jason Bauman is tasked to write an article about a Florida legislative hearing about the placement of Civil War memorials, as well as the battle whose proposed monument triggered the bill, he figures it’ll be his last easy fluff piece before he heads North to his new job as a political reporter. His one regret is leaving behind the woman he loves, who because of her family obligations can’t move with him. But what he discovers in the small North Florida town of Olustee will force him to re-examine not only his perception of America’s bloodiest conflict and its enduring cultural rift, but also his own life choices.

Unearthing Christmas: The Miriam Chronicles, Book 1
In 1955, fourteen-year-old Lori creates a Christmas room in her father’s bomb shelter. Sixty years later, fourteen-year-old Peggy and her friends discover the abandoned shelter, fully preserved. Peggy returns alone. As Peggy reaches for a prized object, Lori appears and the past and present collide into a fate-filled adventure.

 

"Snook Wallow" Receives Starred Review from Kirkus!

SNOOK WALLOW

by Janet Heijens

BUY NOW FROM AMAZON.COM

KIRKUS REVIEW

A retired lawyer hopes to prove a death row inmate innocent before his time runs out.

Logan Murphy was barely 18 when he was convicted of killing an unidentified young woman in Snook Wallow, the nightspot where he and two friends went almost every weekend to drink beer and try to pick up girls. With his execution date fast approaching, Logan applies to the Defender Project for help. His case doesn’t meet the nonprofit’s strict guidelines for seeking a retrial, so Ben Shepherd, although convinced that Logan is innocent, can’t help him. But Ben’s aunt, retired attorney Cate Stokes, can. Looking for any excuse not to unpack the boxes in her new South Florida home, the New Hampshire transplant quickly becomes a true believer and just as quickly becomes embroiled in an intrigue as dangerous as it is elusive. As Ben tackles a tamer case that does meet the project’s guidelines—the conviction of Ricky Castro, who was pretty clearly railroaded by an unscrupulous cop with the help of a jailhouse snitch—Cate pushes the limits trying to discover who the victim in the Logan Murphy case was and who might have wanted her dead. With the help of investigator Lalo Sanchez, who has his own issues with limits, Cate peels back layer after layer until she uncovers a violent crime with a shocking motive.

Heijens, whose earlier foray into the topic (Wrongful Conviction, 2015) featured criminal defender Jean Jankowski, presents another heroine who’s equally smart, resourceful, and empathetic—and more than worthy of an encore appearance. More about Wrongful Conviction.

 

Happy Holidays from Canterbury House Publishing!

Canterbury House wishes all our subscribers a very Happy Holiday Season and a Super New Year!

 

We are blessed to have released the following novels this year. Please check out their book page. Books are available for purchase at your favorite book store:

Released October 30th
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Released October 15th
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Released April 15th
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Released April 1st
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Canterbury House was honored to add four new authors to their house this year: Janet Heijens, Betsy Reeder, Greg Ahlgren (book forthcoming March 2018), Anthea Piscarik (book forthcoming May 2018).

 

Award-Winning "Bright as Gold" Now Available as E-book

Winner of the Military Stars and Bars, John Esten Cooke Award for Fiction 2015

In the fourth and final installment of The Georgia Gold Series, the Randalls and Rousseaus rebuild their lives following The War Between the States.

For more information and to purchase, click here: Bright as Gold 

 

Snook Wallow: A Wrongful Conviction Mystery Celebrates Its Launch on April 7th

Janet Heijens and her husband Pieter are hosting an RSVP wine and cheese book launch party at the Landings Racquet Club in Sarasota this Friday, April 7th. Over a hundred fans are expected to turn out for the occasion.

Heijens was inspired to write her latest novel by an article she read in the Sarasota Herald Tribune about human trafficking victims. "I wanted to highlight the plight of these girls, especially those who are brought into this country illegally by Mexican smuggling cartels." That's when Snook Wallow, the first book in the Wrongful Conviction Mystery series was conceived. It follows the success of her debut novel, Wrongful Conviction, which drew critical acclaim from Kirkus Reviews, "Heijens premieres a rare heroine who's both gritty and reflective. Here's hoping for a series."

In Snook Wallow, the story is set in the Venice-Sarasota-Bradenton areas, and locals may recognize a popular area haunt called Snook Haven as the setting where the murder takes place. Heijens assures us, however, that she knows of no murders ever having happened there.

NYT Bestselling author, Lisa Black says, “Snook Wallow is a fast-paced thriller with fun, complex characters and a plot that will keep you guessing. I couldn't put it down.”

The story: After ten years on death row for murdering a Jane Doe, Logan Murphy is nearing the end of the line. Logan’s last hope rests with Cate Stokes, a retired lawyer who reluctantly agrees to take his case. Cate’s relentless pursuit of the truth leads her to the discovery of a human trafficking ring in South Florida and the chilling realization that Jane Doe was not their only victim.

Heijens is a founding member of the Sarasota Literary Guild, Mystery Writers of America and Florida Gulf Coast Sisters in Crime. She lives with her husband, Pieter in Sarasota, Florida.

Snook Wallow is available in bookstores nationally and online stores. Canterbury House Publishing, ISBN: 978-0-9970119-5-1, Trade Paperback, $15.95.