Portfolio

Published by Mary Egan Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-473-46429-5
Publication date: 22nd February 2019

‘I was a lost little boy, trapped in a world where I didn’t belong, one that would tear me apart and build me back into someone new . . .’

Twenty-three-year-old Josh Komen is on track to represent New Zealand in running at the next Commonwealth Games when he is diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. In a single moment, the course of his life has changed irrevocably. What follows are years of excrutiating pain, brutal treatments both in New Zealand and Australia, and shocking side-effects that send a young man to the brink of despair and back innumerable times.

Ultimately, it is the enduring love of his close-knit family and friends, the incredible medical professionals who treat him, his spiritual beliefs, and his passion for nature that carry Josh through the hardest of challenges.

The life lessons Josh gathers along the way are an inspiration for us all. This is an incredible story of courage, love and endurance.

Published by Andrea Needham Leadership Charitable Trust
ISBN: 978-0-473-46394-6

Corporate abuse. Mobbing. Workplace bullying.

Call it what you will, the outcome is still the same – staff who become demoralised, and lose trust and confidence in your organisation; staff who leave. Often ignored or swept under the carpet, workplace bullying causes huge financial losses in the corporate world and robs companies of talent. More importantly, it can destroy the career paths of many excellent employees and make your organisation a very unappealing place to work.

In this revitalised edition of Workplace Bullyingby ground-breaking New Zealand human resource expert Andrea W. Needham, we take a hard look at a very dubious workplace practice.

If you have ever been the target of a workplace bully or you are a manager wanting to attract and keep the very best people, Workplace Bullying is essential reading.

Published by Mary Egan Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-473-46599-5

‘I know the pain at the gym is nowhere near as bad as the pain of depression . . . so i suck up the workout pain and push myself that bit harder.’

Continuing ill-health and countless surgeries sent Auckland businessman Dave Burt spiralling down into the depths of despair and hopelessness.

Something had to change. With a mate he enrolled for a 10-week ‘ultimate body transformation’ regime at the local gym.

This thoughtful, insightful book is the remarkable story of how with a wonderful woman at his side – and the right support a Kiwi bloke fought back. This ten-week diary will make you laugh and cry, but above all it will provide rare insight to those struggling with depression.

Published by Wellington Culinary Events Trust
ISBN: 978-0-473-43852-4

Your perception of the humble burger will never be the same again once you’ve salivated over the most popular, wacky and wonderful recipes from Burger Wellington, finally brought together in book form.

This hotly contested and much-loved burger competition, presented in partnership with iconic Wellington brewery Garage Project, takes place during the annual food festival Visa Wellington On a Plate. For 17 days every August, New Zealand’s capital city plays host to wild celebrations of food and beverage through exclusive set menus, creative cocktails, unforgettable events, cutting-edge pop-ups and – last but not least – the world’s most delicious burgers. Over 100 eateries from all over the region serve up their own special burgers for judging by obsessive locals and visitors alike.

From early winners to the most infamous, meat-lovers’ to plant-based, fine dining to secret sauces, bouncy buns to the crispiest chips, you’ll find it all in this book. Many of the burgers are also matched to a burger’s best friend: Garage Project beers.

So, come on then, what are you waiting for? Put on your stretchy pants and challenge your notion of what makes a bangin’ burger.

Published by Mary Egan Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-473-43527-1

Circa 300 BC: slavers are secretly active around the Black Sea, kidnapping children and forcing them into a life of deprivation and captivity. Sixteen-year-old Melo, a respected Amazon tribal leader in the Plains, is empowering the Tribe’s children within the Peace Way. When Melo’s friend Atalanta is captured and put to work on a pig farm, Melo and her friends must harness all their courage to mount a successful rescue operation.

In this enthralling tale of love, adventure and revenge, the children of the cities, the slaves and the tribal young all face the most monumental challenges of their lives as their world is rocked to its core.

Published by Mary Egan Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-473-43736-7
Cover design by Carla Sy

Donato has spent most of his life in a monastery, helping Cook in the kitchen, serving the monks at mealtimes and trying to avoid the abbot, Brother Benito. His only comfort is time spent with his protector, Brother Francesco, and trips to the top of the church spire. It is the only life he knows, but it is not the one he wants. Donato dreams of castles and adventure, where he is certain he would matter; that his life would somehow have greater meaning.

When the monks travel into Dhogra’s city centre to celebrate the Spring Festival, Donato is permitted to go too, but when he gets separated from Brother Francesco, he finds himself inside the castle walls. Spying an unguarded entrance, his fascination pulls him deep into the castle’s dark passages, but he’s not alone.

An overheard conversation convinces Donato the King’s life is at risk and he is the only one who can stop the assassin. This decision plunges Donato into a new and unfamiliar world of rivalry and deception. He is set on a path of new friendships and new enemies, and to a destiny he could never have imagined.

Published by Mary Egan Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-473-42383-4
Cover design by Spencer Levine

A biography of the life and times of Douglas MacDiarmid over the past 10 decades, from his childhood in New Zealand, through his long and colourful painting career in France. The art, relationships, travel, and philosophies of a truly charismatic expatriate New Zealand painter.

Published by Mary Egan Publishing
Publication date: March 2018
ISBN: 978-0-473-40128-3

Crazy. Bold. Fearless. Parris Goebel was destined to make her mark.

Young Queen is the autobiography of a dancer with a dream . . . a young Polynesian girl who grew up in New Zealand and went on to conquer the hip hop world.

In this honest memoir, Parris Goebel shares the extraordinary story of how she went from high-school dropout to award-winning dancer, choreographer and video director.

At just 19, Parris got her big break choreographing for Jennifer Lopez. She has since worked with some of the biggest stars in music, including Janet Jackson, Rihanna and Justin Bieber, creating his record-breaking video, ‘Sorry.’

In these pages, Parris reveals the challenges, fears and obstacles she’s faced on her journey and gives fans and readers a backstage look into her life and the lessons she’s learned.

Filled with photos from Parris’s personal collection, on tour and on set, this is a fun and inspiring read for anyone with a dream.

Published by Mary Egan Publishing
Publication date: 1 November 2017
ISBN: 978-0-473-40377-5

This striking hardback book is full of activities and experiences for New Zealand children. It is an essential go-to resource for parents, aunts, uncles and grandparents of children aged 0 – 6.

The team at BestStart, New Zealand’s largest early learning provider, has put together this book especially for people like you. Written by over 100 early childhood educators, with contributions from Plunket, the Heart Foundation and Jumping Beans, this book is a treasure trove of activities designed to stimulate the inquiring minds of our youngest learners. From Wet and Wild Adventures, Crazy Rocks, Giant Ice Balls to Stomp Painting, this book has dozens of brilliant low-cost ideas – all beautifully photographed and laid out in an easy-to-follow style complete with learning outcomes and handy tips – that your kids will love.

Bright Ideas for Young Minds is guaranteed to fill many an afternoon with wonder, giggles, shrieks of delight and countless lightbulb moments when a skill is mastered, new knowledge is gained and imaginations are ignited!

Published by Mary Egan Publishing
Publication date: May 2018
ISBN: 978-0-473-42760-3

You must be nuts, they all said…

When, after a successful career in banking and finance, David Walshaw decided it was time for a change, he settled on growing olives for oil as his new direction. Neither he nor his wife Helen had any previous experience, but by doing the research, by seeking the advice of other growers, by putting in the work, by trial and not a few errors, they made a go of it.

Join David and Helen on their journey, from the decision to take the plunge, through the establishment phase of their grove at Te Horo on the Kapiti Coast of the North Island, up the steep part of the learning curve to where they are now, living the dream: producing award-winning olive oil on a commercial scale.

Told with candour and humour, Olive Oil the New Zealand Way is part inspirational memoir, part case study in how to make a go of lifestyle farming — and a must-read for anyone nuts enough to give growing olives in the New Zealand situation a go. 

Published by Mary Egan Publishing
Publication date: May 2018
ISBN: 978-0-473-42382-7

When Adrienne was first diagnosed with cardiomyopathy she asked, “What is that?” She had never heard of the condition and had trouble finding information. Her book is designed to help others with cardiomyopathy and heart failure. As well as telling her story she describes how, over time, she learnt to manage - what worked and what didn’t. During her journey, she met others with a similar condition and includes their stories. Her book is relevant to anyone with a chronic health condition.

Published by Mary Egan Publishing
Publication date: 1 March 2018
ISBN: 978-0-473-39173-7

Bruce Finds A Home is based on the true story of Bruce the Cat, who was found on the streets of Auckland, New Zealand, when he was just one day old. At first Bruce was a tiny little creature who had to be bottle-fed around the clock, but now he’s big and strong (and a little bit naughty). His story went global and now he has thousands of kindhearted followers all over the world. Bruce lives with his humans and his “big sister” Jager, who is also a rescue cat. 

Published by Little Love
Publication date: April 2018
ISBN: 978-0-473-42235-6

Have you ever seen . . . 

A pandemonium of parrots? A loveliness of ladybugs? A dazzle of zebras?

Follow us on our adventure as we discover 25 different colourful animals and their wonderful, wacky group names.

The vibrant, full-colour illustrations by New Zealand artist Kate Hursthouse take us on a journey to meet some of our world’s unique and fabulous creatures.

Published by Mary Egan Publishing
Publication date: March 2018
ISBN: 978-0-473-39198-0

Respectable appearances can hide the blackest of secrets.

The Vanishing Act is a spicy tale of intrigue set in 1960s New Zealand, where society’s constraints and the laws of the day made outcasts of lesbians and prostitutes.

Rosemary Cawley is used to hiding. With a penchant for beautiful women, such as gorgeous art tutor Judith Curran, the well-heeled fine arts lecturer knows she must keep the blinds drawn. After all, her love life led to her being banished from London to New Zealand by her ultra-conservative, upper-crust family. She thinks she has it all under control until someone starts to blackmail her, threatening to expose a shameful, dreadful episode in her past.

General practitioner George Abercrombie and university registrar Alistair Dunstan are two old friends bedevilled by their greed for money and sex. Surreptitious photographs of women undressing, stolen money hidden in a floor safe – where will it end? In walks Rosemary. Will she be the undoing of them both, or will their unwanted attentions and intimidation drive her over the edge?

When Dr Abercrombie is murdered, Inspector Maynard cranks up the heat. Will he solve the case, or will somebody crack first?

Published by Mary Egan Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-473-39744-9

Earthquakes in New Zealand have always been a reminder of its Geological idiosyncrasies, and occasionally when the earth moved, so did our little house on Christchurch’s sandy suburban fringe.

My father – declared a near-genius by my mother – was a mechanical engineer, collector and inventor of such useful items as industrial tile cutters, lawnmower sharpeners, a hovering conveyance platform, a collapsible boat and an ingenious multi-chicken decapitator – to name but a few.

My mother, on the other hand, was a complicated woman with Jekyll and- Hyde tendencies, a creative bent and certain knowledge that civilisation was irrevocably doomed. There was much talk of ending up in the nut house.

Living on a shoestring required creative recycling and reimagining.

Disappointingly for my mother, her Ten Toothsome Ways with Gourmet Offal were not a success.

We didn’t appreciate how lucky we were, she said. Trying to lip-read Mr Ed through a shopfront window wasn’t my idea of lucky. Owning a television wasn’t hers, but she was prepared to reconsider when New Zealand got colour. Fortunately my father couldn’t wait for something that might never happen; instead, we became the proud owners of a black-and-white nineteen inch legless Idiot Box.

No more sing-songs around the piano, reading a book after dinner or lengthy debates on the merits of cod liver oil as a laxative. The world and one corner of our lounge had just become a brighter place.

“This is an impressive, amusing, intriguing and really well written story” – Norman Bilbrough, Author, Reviewer, Writing Award Judge and Manuscript Assessor

“Absolutely brilliant!” – Dr Marianne Tremaine, Reviewer Heritage New Zealand Magazine

Published by Mary Egan Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-473-39360-1

For Detective Matt Buchanan, the world is a pretty sick place. He has probably been in the job too long, for one thing. And then there’s 14-year-old Samantha Coates, and the other unsolved murder cases. Those innocent girls he just can’t get out of his head.

When Buchanan pursues some fresh leads, it soon becomes clear he’s on the trail of something big. As he pieces the horrific crimes together, Buchanan finds the very foundations of everything he once believed in start to crumble. He’s forced across that grey line that separates right and wrong – into places so dark, even he might not make it back . . .

This is an astonishing first novel by ex-detective Nathan Blackwell that is guaranteed to grip you.

It will reverberate in your head long after you’ve finished reading it.

Written by Jenny Palmer
Illustrated by Evie Kemp

Published by Little Love (Imprint of Mary Egan Publishing)
ISBN: 978-0-473-38445-6

Animated rhymes and colourful illustrations helping children (and their grown ups!) talk about emotions. This is a book to come back to again and again, whether you feel a little nervous, happy, angry or just plain silly!

Published by Mary Egan Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-473-38895-9

“I know this sounds crazy but there was blue light coming out of his hands and I could feel all my pain flowing out of me.”

When Dean Bradley is brutally murdered for his new shoes, undertaker Ken Tamati does a lovely job on the corpse — but next morning, the body has vanished from the funeral parlour.

That day, a mysterious figure — witness give wildly conflicting descriptions — begins rescuing victims of assault all over Auckland and healing their horrific injuries with a dazzling light. They call him the Rainbow Man.

Who is he? The police and media think the stories of apparent miracles can’t possibly be true. The public thinks this may be the Second Coming.

Meanwhile a brutal serial killer is about to strike again, young Tom Heke is on the run from both the police and a fearsome Maori gang, and Constable Mary Clark puzzles her colleagues by knowing more about the Rainbow Man than she should.

Gary Moore’s debut novel is a fast-paced thriller with cracking dialogue, sly humour and, underlying it all, a serious ecological message.

Published by Mary Egan Publishing
ISBN: 978-0-473-38937-6

Will the Peace Way succeed?

East of the Black Sea, c.300 BC: Fifteen-year-old Melo is one of the most gifted Riders in the Wild Horse Tribe, destined to become a leader in her female warrior clan. Her old rival Mithrida, however, has cunning plans of her own. But when city slave traders cut a violent path through the Plains, all the Amazon Tribes are under threat.

Far, far away on the Holy Island, Sofia, a young priestess-intraining, wonders why these strangers have landed on their isolated shore. Can she find the answers from the Black Rock? When the worlds of traders, slaves and warriors collide, new alliances come from unexpected sources and new powers are harnessed. But is it enough for the Peace Way to succeed?

Published by Art Nahill
Publication date: April 2018
ISBN: 978-0-473-43053-5

The accessible yet skillfully crafted poems of this collection will be enjoyed by newcomers to the riches of poetry as well as experienced readers. In this, his second collection of poems, Art Nahill writes about fear, family, and redemption in language and imagery that speak plain truths. Each poem stands alone but like the starlings of his titular poem coalesce into a larger, surprising, and mesmerizing whole.

Published by Mary Egan Publishing
Cover designed by Keely O'Shannessy
ISBN: 978-0-473-39497-4

At first glance, thirteen-year-old Rose Ann Dixon’s family life in 1960s Otara seems unremarkable. Her home, which she shares with her father, mother and five younger siblings, looks no different from those around it. But her close friend and neighbours know otherwise.

A gift from her teacher on her thirteenth birthday is a turning point in Rose’s life. After hearing Martin Luther King’s inspiring words, Rose realises that everyone can have dreams and, what’s more, they have a right to expect them to come true.

Rose begins a journey from Otara to Wellington and finally to India. Sustained by the love and wisdom of a recently deceased aunt and the kindness of her best friend’s family, Rose learns things that give her the strength she needs to save those she loves.

Karen Mills writes a gripping story about family violence with profound understanding – and delightful humorous touches.

“I fell in love with Rose Dixon the moment I met her, trying to hide the evidence of her little sister’s bedwetting from their violent unpredictable father… I wanted to cheer for her from the first page…” –Elizabeth Smither