Collection: NEW BOOKS

People are dying in Blackriver.

Mikel Ofeli is tired. He has been commander of the guard at Sheerwall Castle for decades. As he mourns the passing of his wife, Mata, and with his son Tuomas away on a diplomatic mission, he is confronted by horrifically maimed bodies discovered near the castle walls.

Mikel will avoid the interference of godlings and question the benevolence of Mercy's Shield as he searches for the cause of these murders before anyone else is put in danger. He is the only one who can face down mercenaries, religious leaders, and the Lord of the Castle, one of his oldest friends.

Events in his past continue to affect his present, and his decisions will be influenced by memories that won't let him rest.

There Is A Stranger Here is a fantasy thriller that places familiar action into a new world. The damaged detective with personal issues is commander of the castle guard. He has to stop a serial killer before they strike again, but this killer is not human. Settle into the lush world-building, danger, and excitement of Aotearoa New Zealand author Aaron Dick's latest novel.

Published: January 30, 2025
ISBN: 9780473731724
Language: English

Meet the Author:

Aaron Dick is a teacher living north of Auckland in New Zealand with his wife, their two daughters, and a small menagerie of household animals. They all love when his eldest daughter visits too.
He grew up as a voracious reader of science-fiction and fantasy, often to the annoyance of his unheeded family. Becoming an author was a childhood dream, alongside being a palaeontologist, or a rock star.

Raised to be a wife. Taught to be obedient. Expected to obey.

Taken in as ward of Lord Drakon after her parents' slaughter. Forced to navigate a new life, trying to become what is required of her in a world so vastly different than what she had known.

Then Attica, Kingdom of the Wytchlings, moves to rise again. Territories long alienated are forced to unite. Secrets begin to unravel. Secrets that make her question everything.

She is Amylia Sylvers.
And she is about to show the world that even the most unexpected …
can burn the brightest.

Series: The Wytchling Chronicles, #1

Format: C, 369 pages, Paperback
Published: July 3, 2022
ISBN: 9781991165800
Language: English

The Heliacle has risen.
But it wasn’t without a cost.

After being freed from her ordeal in Lylican,
Amylia begins to heal as she forges a new life in Asteryn.
But within its borders, bonds are being strained to the limit.
Old wounds test the strength of those closest to each other.

The eight territories of Labrynth are still dangerously divided,
human distrust of Wytchlings cleaving them apart.
After devastating attacks threaten to break tentative alliances,
Asteryn makes a desperate attempt to unite them all.

Attica is stirring…
Imogyn, its Queen, is ready for war…
And she knows something they don’t.

Series: The Wytchling Chronicles, #2

Format: C, 400 pages, Paperback
Published: August 5, 2022
ISBN: 9781991165831 
Language: English

I was born in blood and pain. I should have been thrown to the wolves with my mother’s body, my soul destined to roam the woods with my sisters. But fate laid its cold hand on me as I entered this world, wrapping its icy fingers around mine and leading me towards a life I could so easily have never seen.

My name is Lyrik Damaris.
And this is my story.

Series: The Wytchling Chronicles, Novella, #3

Format: C, 218 pages, Paperback
Published: May 12, 2023
ISBN: 9781991165862 
Language: English

Shanti has been living in the city of Gorduum for two years, working alongside her shrewd uncle Dunin and exploring streets lit by shining plants. But the excitement of such wonderful places palls over time, and now she has an opportunity to follow investment opportunities to strange distant lands. Her desire to explore has been awakened once more.

Travelling to the canals and jungle of Chechezuk will bring her the same awe and joy as her first journeys to Gorduum. But unfamiliar customers bring new dangers in the watery canals of this city and desperation hides in plain sight.

When Hidden Eyes Grow Dim is a standalone sequel to Where The Fields Grow Light, by Aotearoa New Zealand author Aaron Dick. Follow Shanti as she delves into a city built on water, and finds her faith and relationships challenged by the people she meets there.

Published: January 30, 2025
ISBN: 9780473639136
Language: English

Meet the Author:

Aaron Dick is a teacher living north of Auckland in New Zealand with his wife, their two daughters, and a small menagerie of household animals. They all love when his eldest daughter visits too.
He grew up as a voracious reader of science-fiction and fantasy, often to the annoyance of his unheeded family. Becoming an author was a childhood dream, alongside being a palaeontologist, or a rock star.

Shanti is a young woman who spends her days helping out behind the counter of the family general store in the small village of Graama. Seeing as her family and friends are content to remain working hard in the shops and fields of Graama, Shanti feels she must restrain her dreams of seeing far off places from the stories she heard as a child.

But when a chance comes up to travel to the distant city of Gorduum, as part of her mother’s business, she leaps at the opportunity; though she worries about leaving her family to cope without her. She doesn’t know how she feels about leaving behind two young men who often seek her company either.

Before long she is caught up in the world of the lights traders, companies that grow plants which glow and illuminate the city. With her uncle’s help she begins to navigate through this shining unfamiliar city to complete her business, but finds herself spending more and more time with a man pursuing darker goals.

Where The Fields Grow Light is the first full-length novel by New Zealand author Aaron Dick. This fantasy story features family left behind in search of something more, beautiful sights and luxurious places, strange technologies, the perilous navigation of a new and unfamiliar society, chances for romance, and a slow descent into something dark and dangerous.

Published: January 30, 2025
ISBN: 9780473523442
Language: English

Meet the Author:

Aaron Dick is a teacher living north of Auckland in New Zealand with his wife, their two daughters, and a small menagerie of household animals. They all love when his eldest daughter visits too.
He grew up as a voracious reader of science-fiction and fantasy, often to the annoyance of his unheeded family. Becoming an author was a childhood dream, alongside being a palaeontologist, or a rock star.

Agatha is a little girl with some big feelings. Sometimes those feelings can get a bit overwhelming and she just wants to cry!

During those times, she likes to take a moment and imagine herself in a forest, where all her emotions turn into little creatures. Sometimes it can take a while before she can see them properly, but once she gets to know them and makes friends with them, they become an important part of her forest.

Agatha's Forest is a great way to introduce kids to CBT principals of self-awareness and naming emotions and practices like meditation and sitting with your feelings rather than reacting to them.

A great resource for parents, classrooms and kids who want to learn how to manage tricky feelings like anxiety, anger, shyness and more - the only limits are your own imagination!

Series: A Kids Intro, #4

Format: 40 pages, paperback
Published: 4 September, 2023
ISBN: 9780473692674
Language: English

THE GOTHIC TIKTOK SENSATION AND SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

'A thrilling and seductive Gothic rife with spine-tingling tension and dark romance. A Dowry of Blood left me breathless' Alexis Henderson, author of The Year of the Witching

This is my last love letter to you, though some would call it a confession. . .

S.T. Gibson's sensational novel is the darkly seductive tale of Dracula's first bride, Constanta.

Saved from the brink of death by a mysterious stranger, Constanta is transformed from a medieval peasant into a bride fit for an undying king. But when Dracula draws a cunning aristocrat and a starving artist into his web of passion and deceit, Constanta realizes that her beloved is capable of terrible things.

Finding comfort in the arms of her rival consorts, she begins to unravel their husband's dark secrets. With the lives of everyone she loves on the line, Constanta will have to choose between her own freedom and her love for her husband. But bonds forged by blood can only be broken by death.

A Dowry of Blood is a glittering tale of obsession, seduction and power as told through the letters of Dracula's first bride, Constanta.

Praise for A Dowry of Blood:

'Stunningly gorgeous and devastatingly romantic, you won't want to miss this one!' Katee Robert, author of Neon Gods

'A delectable jewel of a tale, shimmering with dark, beautiful prose' Tori Bovalino, author of The Devil Makes Three

'Dark, lush and heartrendingly romantic' Lyndall Clipstone, author of Lakesedge

'A Dowry of Blood is an intoxicating perfume that lingers - an undying love story where beauty and horror clasp hands' Rachel Gillig, author of One Dark Window

'A powerful tale of possession and liberation. This is a Dracula retelling unlike any other - undeniable and unforgettable' Rose Szabo, author of What Big Teeth

'A dizzying nightmare of a romance that will leave you aching, angry and ultimately hopeful' Hannah Whitten, author of For the Wolf

'Atmospheric and lush. . . it will haunt you in the best possible way' Genevieve Gornichec, author of The Witch's Heart

'A dark seductive tale. . . intermingling love, pain, fear and anger in mesmerizing prose' Publishers Weekly

'Seductive, lyrical and rich with period detail . . . a dark triumph' Mary McMyne, author of The Book of Gothel

'Mesmeriz

Format: B, 204 pages, Paperback
Published: January 31, 2021
ISBN: 9780356519296
Language: English

As long as I can remember my shadows have whispered to me, speaking in a voice both young and ancient. I have learned to mind them, let them guide me through life even when I do not understand their messages. They whisper now to me, a song of sorrow and heartache that weaves itself around the woman I love. A song I do not want to listen to, yet know I cannot run from.
King Arthur has taken this land. Aided by his advisor Merlin and the legions he commands, he has swept over this once prosperous Kingdom like a plague, chasing the last of the Sylvyns into the far south in his quest for power.
They have nowhere to run now, there is no further to go and I fear the bargains that will be made to protect them are ones that will haunt me for the rest of my immortal life.

I was born touched by Nimmet, both a blessing and a curse.

— Morgana

Series: The Pendragon Chronicles, #1

Format: C, 426 pages, Paperback
Published: December 1, 2023
ISBN: 9798856489681
Language: English

Andy & The Little Rimu Tree invites young readers from about ages 3-7 into a world where friendship and nature intertwine in the most remarkable ways. Colouring pages are included at the end of the story to get your child's creativity going. It also has an uplifting message which you can teach your young reader about, using your imagination in a positive way.

Andy's eyes lit up like stars as he sat on his bed looking at the beautiful little rimu tree.

"I wish to go on my own adventure," said Andy and he closed his eyes. Sleep was near and, in his heart, he saw himself journeying off to a faraway land.

Published: April 15, 2024
ISBN: 9780473707712
Language: English

Meet the Author

Hydie graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English and History from the University of Auckland. Children's Literature and New Zealand Literature were her favourite classes. She also has a Graduate Diploma in Teaching (Primary).

When not working or writing, Hydie loves to spend time with her family and friends and go for walks in nature. Hydie lives in Auckland with her husband and her dog Beau. She has one daughter and a stepson.

As a child, Hydie spent a lot of time in the King Country of New Zealand on her aunty and uncle's sheep and beef farm. The days were spent out horseback riding on the farm with her cousin and in the early evenings she would read all the children's books that her aunty had. This was the beginning of Hydie's love for children's literature.

A seasoned police detective and a dog with a nose for crime. One dead body. Twelve suspects.

Sydney, Australia, 1933: Wealthy impresario and amateur Egyptologist Roland Cuthbert Barry is murdered on his 60th birthday, and everyone attending the evening’s celebrations is a suspect.

Detective Senior Sergeant Harold Chesterfield of Sydney Central Police has been sent by Chief Inspector Ron Thompson to Barry Island on the Hawkesbury River and the rambling sandstone house of the wealthy Barry family. Thompson is a longtime friend of Roland Barry, who has confided in him about threatening notes he has received, suggesting he will be held to account for past actions.

Harold Chesterfield discovers a curious cast of characters at Barry Island: a long-suffering wife and an ambitious young mistress; a Russian ballet dancer who isn’t what he seems; Roland’s daughter and her lover, an Egyptian woman; the family doctor with a secret past; Roland’s two troubled sons; and the evening’s entertainment, a psychic medium, who, from the moment she steps foot on Barry Island, declares something terrible will happen.

With Harold is Ben, an English Pointer with a nose for crime; together, Harold and Ben will face their most challenging case.

Australia is in the grip of the Great Depression, and Harold is surrounded by opulence: tuxedos, sequinned dresses, and sumptuous food. But when a severe storm hits and the electricity and telephone are cut off, Harold and the guests find that Roland Barry’s vast wealth cannot protect him, and Harold must uncover secrets, discover motives and find the killer.

Who knows more than they’re telling? Who has everything to hide?

Published: June 29th 2023
ISBN: 9781738592326
Language: English

When sophisticated city lawyer Beth visits Springs for a much-needed break, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to the charming and fun-loving Liam. As they explore the stunning wilderness together, Beth discovers there's more to Liam — and to life in Springs — than meets the eye.

When a high-stakes legal case unexpectedly extends Beth's stay in Springs, her holiday fling with Liam blossoms into something deeper. But as Beth's demanding career beckons her back to the city, they must confront the reality of their divergent paths.
Will Beth trade her high-powered legal career for a small-town life with Liam? Will she return to the city, leaving their love behind? Or will Liam find a way they can both make their dreams a reality?

Fans of small-town romance, opposites attract, and hidden identity tropes will be enchanted by this captivating tale of love and self-discovery in the mountain wilderness. With witty banter, sizzling chemistry, and a dash of legal intrigue, "Wild Dreams" will keep you engrossed from the first cup of artisanal coffee to the final hike.

Keywords:
● Opposites attract
● Capable, ambitious FMC
● Golden retriever MMC
● Hidden identity
● Coffee as a love language
● Mystery
● Hiking
● Open-door
● Small-town
● NZ Author
● Indie Author
● Summer

Published: September 10th, 2024
ISBN: 9798335599191
Language: English

Trigger Warnings: 18+

Meet the Author

K. B. Brookes is a passionate writer and storyteller with a love for crafting empowering and engaging romance novels. With a wealth of travel experiences, K. B. brings a unique perspective and rich detail to her writing.

Inspired by her love for reading and a desire to create stories where women have positive, empowering experiences with intimacy, K. B. has found her niche in the romance genre. Although she has never been in a survival situation like some of the characters in novels, her extensive travels and love for hiking—including on some of the trails mentioned in her books—have helped her create vivid, immersive settings for her stories.

When not writing, K. B. can often be found exploring the great outdoors, seeking new hiking trails and adventures to fuel her creativity. Her passion for storytelling shines through in her work, which aims to transport readers to exciting new worlds while celebrating the power of love and the strength of the human spirit.