3 Days Only! Grab "New Zealand: A Novel" for Free on Kindle (March 15-17)

 

Exciting News from Sterling Gate Books!

We're thrilled to announce a special Kindle promotion for the captivating novel, "New Zealand: A Novel," by Lance Morcan. Mark your calendars for March 15 - 17, 2025, and don't miss this chance to grab your copy for free. Dive into an unforgettable adventure and experience the magic of New Zealand from the comfort of your home. Get your copy today and join the celebration!

New Zealand: A Novel by Lance Morcan

In 1768, medical student Nicholas Young is recruited as Surgeon’s Boy under Captain James Cook aboard the Endeavour. His journey takes him to uncharted lands, including New Zealand, discovered by Dutch explorer Abel Tasman. Nearly five centuries earlier, in 1301 AD, villagers from Hawaiki flee their homeland and discover Aotearoa, the land of the long, white cloud.

As Nicholas and his crewmates arrive in Tahiti, he becomes a man through trials and tribulations. He forms a bond with Tahiti’s queen, Obadia, and learns about the Maori people and their history. In 1769, Nicholas spots New Zealand, leading to the first encounter between Cook’s crew and the indigenous Maori, marked by conflict and cultural exchange.

The Endeavour’s circumnavigation of New Zealand challenges Nicholas and his crewmates, but they emerge stronger, ready to face the unknown.

What Readers Are Saying About New Zealand: A Novel by Lance Morcan

Riveting and Unputdownable: Readers are captivated by the blend of historical facts and well-crafted narratives, making the story of New Zealand's formation compelling and exciting.

A Page-Turner: The novel spans centuries and continents, offering a fascinating fictionalized account of Captain Cook's voyages and the Maori's arrival in New Zealand. It's a must-read for lovers of adventure, exotic locales, and history.

Amazing Storytelling: Lance Morcan's talent for vivid storytelling pulls readers into the struggles and triumphs of the Indigenous people and explorers, making it a fantastic and immersive read.

Fascinating Historical Journey: The novel brings New Zealand's history to life, blending fictional characters with real historical figures and offering a deep understanding of the land's development.

   Purchase Links

KINDLE

New Zealand novelist and screenwriter Lance Morcan is a prolific author with more than 35 published fiction and non-fiction books to his credit as well as several screenplay adaptations of his work. A former journalist and newspaper editor, he regularly writes in collaboration with his son James Morcan, and their books are published by Sterling Gate Books.

The father-and-son team's published books include the new release horror Silent Fear (A novel inspired by true crimes) and the bestselling historical adventures White Spirit, Fiji: A Novel and Into the Americas. They also have several series including The Orphan Trilogy, an international thriller series, the globetrotting action-romance series The World Duology, and the controversial non-fiction franchise The Underground Knowledge Series, which includes Genius Intelligence and The Catcher in the Rye Enigma.

Several of their books have been regular visitors to Amazon's bestseller lists over the years.

An additional non-fiction title they're especially proud of is Debunking Holocaust Denial Theories, which was written in collaboration with Holocaust survivors to document the genocide.

Lance's first solo-authored novel, a historical adventure-romance titled New Zealand: A Novel, was published late 2024. Spanning almost 500 years, this novel covers the respective discoveries of New Zealand by Pacific Islanders and Europeans. From the outset the two stories are interposed. It starts in the 1300’s with the departure of Islanders from Hawaiki in search of land far to the south. Researching and writing this epic was literally half a century in the making for Lance who described the task as "A labour of love that spanned 50 years.”

The Morcans’ production entity, Morcan Motion Pictures, has a number of feature films in early development, including adaptations of Silent Fear, Into the Americas, and White Spirit.

 

 

 

Heritage Festival New Zealand Free Play Reading: Fallout – the Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior by Bronwyn Elsmore on September 30, 2023

 Free playreading

 

Fallout – the Sinking of the Rainbow Warrior

by Bronwyn Elsmore

 

  Two blasts disturb the winter night, and a ship lies submerged in Auckland Harbour. A ship dedicated to peace.

  New Zealanders remember the sinking of the Rainbow Warrior and the effect this act of international terrorism had on their lives.

 

30 September 2023, 2 pm

Central City Library, 44-46 Lorne Street, Auckland Central

 

With

Û David Charteris Û  Grae Minors 

Û  Valerie Rissetto  Û Donna Verey

Bronwyn Elsmore

Bronwyn Elsmore BA (Hons), MPhil, PhD has written over a wide range of genres, fiction, and non-fiction, and is the author of a large number of published works – short stories, articles, and books. She has won several short story competitions, been a winner of the Playwrights Association of New Zealand’s playwriting competition three times, and earned other writing awards. She lives in Auckland, New Zealand, where she is a full-time writer, now preferring to write fiction and plays. 

Social Media Links

Website   Twitter   Facebook   Amazon Author Page

Spotlight on author Bronwyn Elsmore

 

Me (pink top and shades) between rickshaw driver and sister, in Malacca, Malaysia

 Hello, or as we commonly greet people in New Zealand – kia ora, meaning be well or healthy.

My writing career began with my first job when I left school and was employed at Radio New Zealand as a copywriter/production writer. It was splendid training for my writing life to come because the deadline work taught me I couldn’t wait around for inspiration – the day’s work had to be done on time. Since then, I’ve been a freelance writer, contract writer, editor, education writer, academic writer, and playwright. My dozen books cover fiction and non-fiction – children’s books, serious histories, and, more latterly, novels.

My latest book, Rushton Roulette is a light novel about 4 women who resist the thought of sliding into old age and decide to meet the challenge head-on.

It came about in an interesting way.

Years ago, being aware of actresses’ complaints that there were few good opportunities for them, especially after ‘a certain age’, I decided to write a stage play with not one but four roles for aging actors. If you know anything about theatre, you’ll know the chances of getting a play onstage is minimal. I’ve been lucky with several of mine, but this one never got a production.

A year or two ago I decided to rewrite the idea as a novel. So, Rushton Roulette the play, became Rushton Roulette the book.

When you read it, you may wonder how some of the scenes can be shown onstage. Yes, it’s possible. I gave my suggestions in directions but left the final decisions to the director. I never underestimate the imagination and expertise of a good director – they add so much!

Excerpt from chapter 12, Rushton Roulette, by Bronwyn Elsmore

 “Five. Merryn did a quick calculation. So there was a twenty percent chance she’d draw her choice. The probability was not favourable enough for her liking.

“There are four of us. If we put them all in the hat we’ll have one to spare. Good.” Joan was delighted with the way the plan was moving along.

Heather laughed. “It’s a bit like the gun with the six chambers.”

“Russian Roulette,” Joan confirmed.

“In Russian Roulette, if I understand it correctly,” Cecily pointed out, “there are six chambers but only one of them holds a bullet.”

Merryn was still far from convinced about the whole plan, and the mention of the word bullet caused her stomach to knot. She attempted to sound as calm and logical as Cecily was as she responded.

“It means the odds in Russian Roulette are a lot better. There it’s only one chance in six that you get the bullet.”

“But possibly more lethal.”

“I wish I were so sure,” Merryn’s thought returned to her earlier fears of all that could go wrong. She countered Joan’s comment, but her doubt was dismissed immediately with an observation it was hard to argue against.”

“If we do it with five blanks, none of us may have to do anything. Only one of us, at the most, which would rather defeat our purpose. So the five options stay.”

“We could put in a blank one and make it up to six.” Cecily’s suggestion was welcomed by Merryn. It gave her two chances of coming out of this alive, or relatively unscathed. Now the odds had risen to 33 per cent she’d get either abseiling or the blank. Lady Luck better be with her today.

“A sporting chance? Good idea.” Joan was all for it. “Now, how shall we do this?”

 Disclaimer: no guns are used and no animals harmed in Rushton Roulette.

 You can find out more about author Bronwyn Elsmore here:

Amazon

Twitter

LinkedIn

Goodreads

Authors.org

Book Council

You can purchase Bronwyn Elsmore's novels here:

https://amzn.to/32kddsw

 Other fiction books by Bronwyn Elsmore

Backwards Into the Future

Everyone knows you can’t go back. Everyone except Mary.  A plum tree has gone. A lemon tree thrives.  A mystery surrounding a boat with painted eyes remains. A novel with the feel of a memoir – I find the combination very appealing.”    

Every Five Minutes

Gina, if that is her real name, sets out for work. Deliberately, she misses the bus and walks into the city, then turns and walks back again. This is not a day for work. Today she will spend with a white dog and a remarkable man. “I hated the story to end. Read it and you'll see. It's a lovely, lovely book.”

Seventeen Seas

Stowaways in lifeboats? Germans claiming deckchairs? When passengers from many places cruise together, there must be fun. Fiction, non-fiction, humor – Seventeen Seas is all of these. For all who have taken a cruise, think they'd like to, or are certain they never would!

These Islands Here — Short Stories of the South Pacific

Literary fiction, stories of life in the South Pacific – pleasure, pain, calamity, comedy, fun, misfortune, loss, triumph. Most have been published previously, several have won short story competitions.

.•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*¨) ✮ ( ¸.•´✶

And here’s the way we say goodbye in New Zealand – haere ra. Or we say ka kite ano, I’ll see you again. I hope we will meet again via one of my books.

 

Sam’s historical recipe corner: Anzac biscuits

History Extra

Tasty, nutritious and easy to make, it’s not surprising that Anzac biscuits are still a popular snack in Australia and New Zealand, particularly on Anzac Day (25 April), which marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.

 Ingredients
85g porridge oats
 85g desiccated coconut
 100g plain flour
 100g caster sugar
 100g butter, plus extra for greasing
 1 tbsp golden syrup
 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

 Method
Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Put the oats, coconut, flour and sugar in a bowl. Melt the butter in a small pan and stir in the golden syrup. Add the bicarbonate of soda to 2 tbsp boiling water, then stir into the golden syrup and butter mixture.

 Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and pour in the butter and golden syrup mixture. Stir gently to incorporate the dry ingredients.

 Put dessertspoonfuls of the mixture on to buttered baking sheets – about 2.5cm/1in apart to allow room for spreading. Bake in batches for 8-10 mins until golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

 My verdict
I’ve often read that Anzac biscuits were sent out to New Zealand and Australian troops serving in Gallipoli during the First World War. According to the National Army Museum, though, this is a myth and most of these deliciously chewy biscuits were in fact sold at fetes and galas at home, often as part of fundraising efforts. You can imagine, though, that they would have been an ideal biscuit for soldiers: hearty, nutritious and long-lasting.

 On a Monday morning, the BBC History Magazine team tucked into a few that had been left in the office all weekend: they still tasted just as good!

 Difficulty: 2/10
 Time: 20 minutes

 Recipe courtesy of BBC Good Food.

Sam’s historical recipe corner: Anzac biscuits

History Extra

These nutritious and long-lasting biscuits are often associated with the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. (Credit: Sam Nott)

Tasty, nutritious and easy to make, it’s not surprising that Anzac biscuits are still a popular snack in Australia and New Zealand, particularly on Anzac Day (25 April), which marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War.

 Ingredients
85g porridge oats
 85g desiccated coconut
 100g plain flour
 100g caster sugar
 100g butter, plus extra for greasing
 1 tbsp golden syrup
 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

 Method
Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Put the oats, coconut, flour and sugar in a bowl. Melt the butter in a small pan and stir in the golden syrup. Add the bicarbonate of soda to 2 tbsp boiling water, then stir into the golden syrup and butter mixture.

 Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and pour in the butter and golden syrup mixture. Stir gently to incorporate the dry ingredients.

 Put dessertspoonfuls of the mixture on to buttered baking sheets – about 2.5cm/1in apart to allow room for spreading. Bake in batches for 8-10 mins until golden. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

 My verdict
I’ve often read that Anzac biscuits were sent out to New Zealand and Australian troops serving in Gallipoli during the First World War. According to the National Army Museum, though, this is a myth and most of these deliciously chewy biscuits were in fact sold at fetes and galas at home, often as part of fundraising efforts. You can imagine, though, that they would have been an ideal biscuit for soldiers: hearty, nutritious and long-lasting.

 On a Monday morning, the BBC History Magazine team tucked into a few that had been left in the office all weekend: they still tasted just as good!

 Difficulty: 2/10
 Time: 20 minutes

 Recipe courtesy of BBC Good Food.

The Phil Naessens Show 3 Reasons the Phoenix Suns Won’t Make the Playoffs

 

On this edition of the Phil Naessens Show J.R. Wilco joins Phil to discuss Kawhi Leonard returning from injury, answers a listeners question about the San Antonio Spurs “Rodeo Roadtrip” and answers another listeners question about the Phoenix Suns playoff chances. Mr. Brewtown joins Phil to discuss what he thinks the fans reaction to Ryan Braun will be and the new faces on the Milwaukee Brewers. J.A. Sherman joins Phil to discuss the injury to Kendrick Perkins, what happened to the Oklahoma City Thunders defense and gives Phil his weekly “Kiwi” test plus much more NBA and MLB talk.

 

http://phillipnaessens.wordpress.com/2014/02/28/the-phil-naessens-show-3-reasons-the-phoenix-suns-wont-make-the-playoffs/

 

 

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