Collection: NZ AUTHORS

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

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

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

Thrust into a world previously unknown to her, Agatha fumbled her way through bouts of depression as the desperation of her situation hits home, the denial of her new life, and the brutality of war that ensues, and magic that she never knew was in her. Can she pull herself back into reality, to help those who love her the most?

The crew living in the castle, help with fortification and safety, but what will happen if more join? Will the balance of calm and support hold, or will it teeter on the edge.

Lord Caspian has his tricks with control, deceit, and manipulation, not to mention the growing unease of a town that supported and cared for Agatha’s aunt. As Agatha grows in strength the young woman that first walked through the oak doors, clueless to the unravelling events to face how life is teetering on a thin line stretched over a cavern filled to the brim with Daemons raged and bloodthirsty. Will it be Caspian that breaks the line or will the stress of the new life become all to much for our beloved Agatha.
And don’t forget our beloved Fey and their new home, reveling in their newfound freedom, no more the kamikaze Fey that were only destined to be caged and used as subjects of war.


Reviews:

JD ‘if you’re into epic fantasy with magic, adventure, and a dash of romance, you’ve got to check this series out! Trust me you won’t regret it!’

Grungy_fairy_reader: ‘Here we go! Are you ready for the second book in this series because I loved it even more than the first one!’.

Published: 22 June, 2024
ISBN: 9781067014018
Language: English

As the Civil War rages, secessionists menace California. The Confederates want the state and they’ll stop at nothing to they’ll stop at nothing to take it.

UTAH TERRITORY, 1860. On a wagon train headed for the Golden State, Aleksandra makes a dangerous enemy of a gun-running Confederate when she fights her way out of his unwelcome embrace. 
After a late-night poker game, Xavier’s new friends realize he’s heard too much to be allowed to live. 
Embroiled in the Confederates’ fight to drag the new state from the Union and make it their own, can Aleks and Xavier survive? The secessionists mean business.

Series: The Long Trails Series, #2 (stand-alone)

Format: C, 498 Pages, Paperback 
Published: February 18, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-9941447-3-7  
Language: English

Meet the Author

Lizzi grew up riding wild in the Santa Cruz Mountain redwoods, became an equine veterinarian at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, practiced in the California Pony Express and Gold Country before emigrating to New Zealand. When not writing, she's swinging a rapier or shooting a bow in medieval garb, riding, driving a carriage or playing on her farm, singing, or working as an equine veterinarian or science teacher. She is multiply published and awarded in special interest magazines and veterinary periodicals.

They set sail for the peace and calm of New Zealand, but they hadn’t counted on murderers, mutineers, and a land war in paradise.

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AND NEW ZEALAND, 1863. Aleksandra and Xavier have finally found happiness on their Rancho de las Pulgas, but tragedy and death strike far too soon. Sickened further by the U.S. government’s treatment of their Native American friends, they only want out. Of everything.They are thrown a lifeline by an old friend of Xavier’s from the California goldfields. This Gustavus von Tempsky, with his shadowed past, is now a newspaperman in Coromandel, New Zealand. His invitation draws them to a new start, with a part to play in the development of the peaceful young country—but by the time they arrive in Aotearoa, everything has changed. 
Aleks thought mutineers and scoundrels aboard ship were the worst of their worries, but she hadn’t planned on disembarking into a turbulent wilderness and befriending the helpful local Māori, only to find von Tempsky leading the colonial troops into the bush against the natives who’d saved her life.

Series: The Long Trails Series, #3 (stand-alone)

Format: C, 381 Pages, Paperback 
Published: May 27, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-9941447-5-1    
Language: English

Meet the Author

Lizzi grew up riding wild in the Santa Cruz Mountain redwoods, became an equine veterinarian at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, practiced in the California Pony Express and Gold Country before emigrating to New Zealand. When not writing, she's swinging a rapier or shooting a bow in medieval garb, riding, driving a carriage or playing on her farm, singing, or working as an equine veterinarian or science teacher. She is multiply published and awarded in special interest magazines and veterinary periodicals.

She didn’t expect to become a target, but she is one now.

 Winner of True West 2016 Best Western Romance, Romance Writers of New Zealand: 2014 Pacific Hearts Award and 2015 Koru Award.

UTAH TERRITORY, 1860. Alone. Aleksandra has spent her whole life training for the inevitable. So, when a brutal Cossack tracks down and kills her father, she knows what she must do. She flees, disguised as a Pony Express rider, in an attempt to keep her pa’s killer from discovering their family’s secret.

Xavier has kept the world, especially women, at arms-length since he ran from his troubles as heir to his Californio rancho family. As a Pony Express Station Keeper, having a girl riding the Pony out of his station wasn’t ever part of his plans... but somehow it happened, blackmail being what it is. Curiously, he didn’t want to let this one out of his sight.

They begin to let each other into their hearts, but the cards are stacking against them as the minutes tick by and Aleks rides full speed into the Indian Paiute War. Can they learn to trust in time to escape the Indians, evade the killer, and save both their love and Aleksandra’s family legacy?

Series: The Long Trails Series, #1

Format: C, 394 Pages, Paperback 
Published: February 20, 2015
ISBN: 978-0-9941431-4-3
Language: English

Meet the Author

Lizzi grew up riding wild in the Santa Cruz Mountain redwoods, became an equine veterinarian at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, practiced in the California Pony Express and Gold Country before emigrating to New Zealand. When not writing, she's swinging a rapier or shooting a bow in medieval garb, riding, driving a carriage or playing on her farm, singing, or working as an equine veterinarian or science teacher. She is multiply published and awarded in special interest magazines and veterinary periodicals.

From the author of LIMELIGHT ON LOVE and DRAGONUS CHRONICLES comes this sensual, heart-warming story of second chances and rediscovered love.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️"A lovely read. I loved the story and characters. I do love this author. 5*."

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "A steamy but romantic read!"

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "I absolutely love this author and this book didn’t disappoint."

Thirty-two years ago, sixteen-year-old Emily had a crush on Noah Hayes—the boy next door and captain of the high school volleyball team. She had hoped he would finally notice her. But Fate had other ideas, and Noah went off to university, leaving his family, friends, and Emily, behind.

As a reward for finishing her latest manuscript, bestselling romance author, Emily Reid, signs up for a four-day Autumn Colours photography workshop in Otago, New Zealand. While she sits waiting for the bus to head out, a tall, gorgeous stranger with broad shoulders and dark tousled hair, comes on board. She’s never met him before, yet there’s something familiar about him, an inexplicable magnetic attraction that sets her heart racing.

The last person Noah expects to run into on a photography workshop is his high school crush. But he isn’t going to waste the opportunity. With green eyes, fiery auburn hair, and a smile that takes his breath away, she is even more captivating than he remembers. And if she’d let him, he would spend every possible moment in her company.

Can Noah and Emily use the second chance Fate gives them to focus on love?

Find out in book one of Jay Shaw’s new series: Seasons Of Romance.


Content advisory: This book contains adult content and themes best suited to readers over 18 years old.


What people are saying about FOCUS ON LOVE:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️...Gently told with a real sense of place (New Zealand) that figures heavily in the story the author slowly unfolds the tentative exploration of two older people trying to recapture the potential of the past. Kristin Gleeson

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️...An amazing love story of a couple that are of a non-traditional age - they are 48 + 50 - and this was a long awaited reading treat. Too many stories are based on the 18- 28ish age range with the writing styles reflecting that age. The writing in this book reflects the maturity of our characters and that is refreshing for the older reader. Jay's character development and world building brings the reader into the heart of the story and you won't want to leave. Donna

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️...What a lovely heart-warming book. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and their journeys. Life has a habit of showing us the unexpected. Amazing after all those years their paths would cross again. Highly recommended. Angela Taylor
Content Advisory: Contains adult themes that are best suited to readers 18 years old and over.

Tigger Warnings/Age Restrictions: R18+ for sexual situations and occasional swearing

Published: 11 July, 2021
ISBN: 9798535196763
Language: English

Meet the Author

Jay was raised on a balanced diet of Star Wars, 80's TV, and romance novels. So, naturally, she has a partiality for tall, dark-haired, space heroes and military men in thigh holsters.

When I'm not lunching with my most-excellent author friends or marathoning Netflix, you can catch me writing sexy space adventures, wolf-shifter escapades, contemporary second-chance romances, and steamy action/adventures.

Despite the many trials and tribulations of her characters, it is universally acknowledged that they will discover their one great love. A love all time and space will lie down and be still for.

97-year-old Alice Atkinson is bored. She should be comfortably living out her days at the Silvermoon Retirement Village, winning money off her friends at card games. But a lifetime of living in the grey area between right and wrong means that isn't satisfying.

Then her friend is murdered, and she's the only one who thinks it's foul play. And even she has her doubts. Now she has to dust off her old skills and investigate. With the help of Vanessa her newly appointed and occasionally reluctant sidekick, Alice is determined to find out the truth.

As Alice always says, "be the smartest in any room, and if you can't then be the most cunning". One thing is for sure, it's going to take all her smarts and all her cunning to stay one step ahead of the killer.

Amazon Reviews:
"This series is totally delightful and as lighthearted as a murder mystery can be"
"The characters are top notch and the story was very well written with enough twists to please me"

Published: 28 August, 2019
ISBN: 9780473504441
Language: English

Meet the Author

Rodney is a Porirua based author who specialises in cozy mysteries, while dabbling in other genres on occasion. When not writing he enjoys eating chocolate while watching the antics of his two kittens, who have yet to learn the meaning of the word no. Something that occasionally applies to his children to.

17 year old Levi Collins has been able to joke his way out of most things in life. Until he’s diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Faced with something so terrifying he does the only thing he can think of. He decides to track down Fear and tell it to get lost. His only clue, a whisper of a myth, and a drawing.
His best friend Mel thinks he’s crazy, but it’s not the first time she’s thought that. And she’s still going to help him.
Along the way he discovers some things about his friend, and himself.

Thanks for Coming is a bittersweet tale of friendship, fear, and working out what’s important.

"Loved the character arcs in this book. Glorious from Rodney Strong, capturing teenage angst beautifully and the unspoken pain that so many feel when dealing with imminent loss to a terminal illness."

Tigger Warnings/Age Restrictions: Contains cancer references and death

Published: 30 September, 2021
ISBN: 9781991155603
Language: English

Meet the Author

Rodney is a Porirua based author who specialises in cozy mysteries, while dabbling in other genres on occasion. When not writing he enjoys eating chocolate while watching the antics of his two kittens, who have yet to learn the meaning of the word no. Something that occasionally applies to his children to.

From the author of LIMELIGHT BLUES and FOCUS ON LOVE comes this epic, alternate reality adventure tale of a courageous Earth pilot and her sexy, dark-haired space colonel.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "A fantastic read with brilliant characters!”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “This has everything - romance, danger, menace, excitement, humor!”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Great page-turner.”

Helicopter pilot, Julia Swift, lives her life from one rescue to the next. Unlucky in love, she longs for a lover who resembles the hero of her favorite space show, Phoenix Rising.

When an injured man falls through a portal and lands on her local beach, it seems the universe has granted her wish. Not only does Colonel Mark Holden resemble the fictional military commander, he also bears his name.

Despite the incredulity of their situation, Mark and Julia share an inexplicable connection. They realize they have spent their whole lives searching for each other. But when Mark’s team comes to rescue him, Julia must choose. Will she stay behind? Or will she travel with a man she hardly knows, to the fictional Dragonus Galaxy? A world brought to life in an alternate reality…


Content Advisory: Contains adult themes that are best suited to readers 18 years old and over.

Tigger Warnings/Age Restrictions: 18+ for sexual situations, swearing and space battles

Published: 15 July, 2016
ISBN: 1535413190
Language: English

Meet the Author

Jay was raised on a balanced diet of Star Wars, 80's TV, and romance novels. So, naturally, she has a partiality for tall, dark-haired, space heroes and military men in thigh holsters.

When I'm not lunching with my most-excellent author friends or marathoning Netflix, you can catch me writing sexy space adventures, wolf-shifter escapades, contemporary second-chance romances, and steamy action/adventures.

Despite the many trials and tribulations of her characters, it is universally acknowledged that they will discover their one great love. A love all time and space will lie down and be still for.

From the author of LIMELIGHT BLUES and THE SPACE COLONEL’S WOMAN comes this sexy, action-packed sequel of a space adventure, where loyalty and love fight against galactic domination.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "Amazing world building.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Standout Sci-Fi Romance.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Epic!”


Abducted without a trace, Colonel Mark Holden remains in the clutches of Arcadia’s Grand Chancellor - a maniacal dictator who continues to enslave and experiment on X2 humans.

Meanwhile, far away on an alternate reality Earth, Julia Holden lives a life she no longer belongs to. She spends her days rescuing those who cannot save themselves, and pining for her lost love.

Can the Arcadians achieve galactic domination, or will Hayden rescue Mark before his genetic secrets are stolen?

And when Phoenix City calls, will Mark and Julia return to fight for the hunted?


Content Advisory: Contains adult themes that are best suited to readers 18 years old and over.

Tigger Warnings/Age Restrictions: 18+ sexual situations, swearing, space battle violence, graphic alien stuff

Published: 15 November, 2016
ISBN: 1540552993
Language: English

Meet the Author

Jay was raised on a balanced diet of Star Wars, 80's TV, and romance novels. So, naturally, she has a partiality for tall, dark-haired, space heroes and military men in thigh holsters.

When I'm not lunching with my most-excellent author friends or marathoning Netflix, you can catch me writing sexy space adventures, wolf-shifter escapades, contemporary second-chance romances, and steamy action/adventures.

Despite the many trials and tribulations of her characters, it is universally acknowledged that they will discover their one great love. A love all time and space will lie down and be still for.