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

This story charts the journey of Hineraukatauri – a cocoon/chrysalis who has entered a new realm, the human world, without their voice. It’s dark and wet, Ranginui and Papatūānuku have not yet separated or are in the process of having their offspring create space between the two.

In visiting each of the offspring, they gift Hineraukaturi a different component or aspect of music, ultimately her voice, represented in the shape of the Pūtōrino. Renowned musician and composer, Hirini Melbourne happens across the shape, and his breath, in playing it, gives life to all the gifts as he makes beautiful music through this instrument.

Format: Soft cover, 210 mm x 270 mm
Published: May 31, 2024
ISBN: 978-1-77550-824-3
Language: Te Reo Māori
RRP: $22NZD

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

Children understand hundreds of words and concepts before they can communicate verbally, and teaching basic signs to children benefits both them and their parents by providing a means of communication before and during speech development. “First Signs – Everyday Words 2 builds upon the foundation of the first book by introducing even more essential signs. This expanded collection helps you continue to enhance communication with your little one, easing frustration by empowering them to express their thoughts, feelings, and needs more effectively.

You can begin introducing signs as early as you want (the earlier you do means more practice for you!), but studies show babies as young as six months old can remember and recognise a sign. By eight months some children are able to imitate gestures or communicate using simple one-word signs.

First Signs contains 13 New Zealand Sign Language signs with details and illustrations on how to do them.

Series: First Signs

Published: October 1st, 2024
ISBN: 9780473716813
Language: English, NZSL

About the Author
Jenna lives in Auckland with her husband, three-year old daughter, and new born baby boy. Her signature style and quality craftsmanship made her a hit at craft markets where she built a passionate following of fellow art lovers. It was these same followers (along with family and friends) who encouraged her to do what she loved and to never stop creating – a journey which culminated in her first published book A, B Seek in 2017. She has then gone on to create 3 more books including the new sign language books.

Jenna taught her daughter sign as a baby but found it hard to find resources with NZ sign. After learning sign through classes and feedback from people in the deaf community she went on to create these resources in hope to help others.

In between creating she focuses her time on her children, raising them with an appreciation and respect for her Cook Island and Māori heritage.

Children understand hundreds of words and concepts before they can communicate verbally, and teaching basic signs to children benefits both them and their parents by providing a means of communication before and during speech development. “First Signs” gets you started with key signs to help you communicate with your little one, easing frustration (for everyone!) by giving them a means to express their wants and needs.

You can begin introducing signs as early as you want (the earlier you do means more practice for you!), but studies show babies as young as six months old can remember and recognise a sign. By eight months some children are able to imitate gestures or communicate using simple one-word signs.

First Signs contains 13 New Zealand Sign Language signs with details and illustrations on how to do them.

Series: First Signs

Published: January 1st, 2022
ISBN: 9780473651923
Language: English, NZSL

About the Author
Jenna lives in Auckland with her husband, three-year old daughter, and new born baby boy. Her signature style and quality craftsmanship made her a hit at craft markets where she built a passionate following of fellow art lovers. It was these same followers (along with family and friends) who encouraged her to do what she loved and to never stop creating – a journey which culminated in her first published book A, B Seek in 2017. She has then gone on to create 3 more books including the new sign language books.

Jenna taught her daughter sign as a baby but found it hard to find resources with NZ sign. After learning sign through classes and feedback from people in the deaf community she went on to create these resources in hope to help others.

In between creating she focuses her time on her children, raising them with an appreciation and respect for her Cook Island and Māori heritage.

Children understand hundreds of words and concepts before they can communicate verbally and teaching them signs gives you and your little one a helping hand as they connect with the world around them, develop interests, and (most importantly) learn basic language skills.

‘First Signs - animals’ paves the way with some favourite animal signs as a fun extension or introduction to pre-verbal communication skills.

Series: First Signs

Published: October 1st, 2023
ISBN: 9780473674120
Language: English, NZSL

About the Author
Jenna lives in Auckland with her husband, three-year old daughter, and new born baby boy. Her signature style and quality craftsmanship made her a hit at craft markets where she built a passionate following of fellow art lovers. It was these same followers (along with family and friends) who encouraged her to do what she loved and to never stop creating – a journey which culminated in her first published book A, B Seek in 2017. She has then gone on to create 3 more books including the new sign language books.

Jenna taught her daughter sign as a baby but found it hard to find resources with NZ sign. After learning sign through classes and feedback from people in the deaf community she went on to create these resources in hope to help others.

In between creating she focuses her time on her children, raising them with an appreciation and respect for her Cook Island and Māori heritage.

WINNER, Jann Medlicott Acorn Prize for Fiction, Ockham New Zealand Book Awards, 2022

Kurangaituku is the story of Hatupatu told from the perspective of the traditional ‘monster’, Kurangaituku, the bird woman. In the traditional story, told from the view of Hatupatu, he is out hunting and is captured by a creature that is part bird and part woman. The bird woman imprisons him in her cave in the mountains. Hatupatu eventually escapes and is pursued by Kurangaituku. He evades her when he leaps over hot springs, but Kurangaituku goes into them and dies.

In this version of the story, Kurangaituku takes us on the journey of her extraordinary life – from the birds who sang her into being, to the arrival of the Song Makers and the change they brought to her world, and her life with Hatupatu and her death. Through the eyes of Kurangaituku, we come to see how being with Hatupatu changed Kurangaituku, emotionally and in her thoughts and actions, and how devastating his betrayal of her was.

Format: 152 mm x 229mm
Published: November 7, 2021
ISBN: 9781775506560
Language: English
RRP: $35NZD

This is the much-loved children’s picture book Where is the Green Sheep? translated into te reo Māori. The blue sheep, red sheep, bath sheep and bed sheep are here, along with a cast of sheep involved in zany antics, but the green sheep is only found on the last page. This translation is by award-winning translator Kawata Teepa.

Format: Hard cover, 220 x 232 mm
Published: November 1, 2021
ISBN: 9781775503057
Language: Te Reo Māori
RRP: $20NZD

Te Wheke the octopus loves to collect things – pirate coins, glossy pearls, sparkly lamps, old toys, broken toasters. But one day, he wants to get eight treasures all at once, and that gets him into trouble.

Format: Soft cover, 210 mm x 270 mm
Published: November 1, 2021
ISBN: 9781775506591
Language: English
RRP: $20NZD

Te Wheke the octopus loves to collect things – pirate coins, glossy pearls, sparkly lamps, old toys, broken toasters. But one day, he wants to get eight treasures all at once, and that gets him into trouble.

Format: Soft cover, 210 mm x 270 mm
Published: January 10, 2022
ISBN: 9781775506591
Language: Te Reo Māori
RRP: $20NZD