Merry Midwinter

'Lots of ideas for making gifts and decorations but not spending tons of money buying them' Jenni Murray Celebrating midwinter is not about what you buy or how much you spend – it's about your attitude to life. Turn away from the frenetic consumerism of Christmas and rediscover the authentic and meaningful realities of this, the oldest and most precious celebration of the year. The true significance of midwinter is not found in any individual spiritual or religious belief or practice. Instead, the winter solstice provides an opportunity to celebrate what we as humans share; to set aside our differences and come together with a sense of community and cheer. Merry Midwinter is a cornucopia of ideas for how to make your own decorations (kissing boughs, advent wreaths, crackers, stockings and more); your own alternative gifts which cost nothing except your time and thought; your own entertainments and games; and simple, seasonal recipes from years gone by.

Kris Starr used to be famous. Rock and roll. Sold-out shows. Literal magic. Empathic talents and screaming fans. But he has a problem or two. He's having a hard time writing new music. It’s Midwinter, which means he’s surrounded by depressing holiday cheer. And he's in love with Justin, his manager, who has a talent for rescuing almost- or once-famous bands ... and who’s hiding secrets of his own. Justin Moore, on the other hand, is very good at keeping those secrets -- he's had to be for years. One secret involves a demonic inheritance that would make him a target of suspicion. Another involves his past. And the third involves Justin’s feelings for Kris Starr, rock and roll icon and now his client ... and a powerful empath of his own.

The story of how Malcolm Rands, an organic gardener and hippy from Northland, built the pioneering global brand ecostore. Malcolm Rands started ecostore from New Zealand's first permaculture eco-village with his wife Melanie in 1993. They sourced local manufacturers to make a range of organic gardening, home cleaning and body care products for the then mail-order business in the dug-out basement of their home. Twenty years on and Malcolm has developed ecostore into a multi-million dollar business. It’s distinctive, masterfully branded products are on the shelves of supermarkets and health stores in New Zealand, Australia, the US, Hong Kong, Singapore and China, and they are poised for further global expansion. This inspirational memoir gives an insight into the mind of an entrepreneur, activist and true Kiwi ‘superhero'. It's a fascinating story of humble beginnings, taking on the multinationals and their nasty chemicals, bucking the trend and setting a new standard of healthier living. At latest count, there are more than 84,000 chemicals in existence for commercial use, with 1000 new ones being developed every year. Malcolm is more determined than ever to work toward restoring the health and wellbeing of New Zealand by making it easier for people to be green. This book includes his tips on how to green up your home and office, his thoughts on New Zealand's ‘pure' image and some timely lessons in sustainability.

In the hazy history of the Old Norse… When Gisle and Geir come back from a day’s hunting, they find their farm devastated, their parents and farmhands killed, and the women of the farm gone, including their sisters Gunn and Ginna. Since their older brother Olof is trading goods in Friesland, they take shelter with their uncle Fridbjörn and his wife Holmdis, the skillful seer. No one travels through the dark night – no one but Nattfari. One dull autumn evening he knocks on the door and asks for lodging. Then he makes predictions about friends and kin, astray and in foreign lands. He tells of Olof and Gangulf in Friesland, he foretells the fate of the sisters on Zealand, and he warns of misfortune and death. Fate’s Weave is a historical adventure novel, a story of life and death far back in time, in the historical haze of Europe’s migration era. Meet the depressed berserker, Gangulf; sisters Gunn and Ginna, who sleep with three kings before winter turns to spring; the Anglo-Saxons Hewald and Hewald, who preach the word of God to Frisians and other heathens; Styrbjörn and Hreppir, who find each other in Gypeswic’s mud; the old edda Crust, decrepit but with a mind of steel, thrusting her spear at warriors; as well as Finnvid, the Finnveding who executes a splendid Yule blót at Bolmsö, thus overthrowing the invasive king Ingvald. Meet Harald and Vigr, Eirbjorg and her daughters, King Erik in Uppsala, and, last but not least, Nattfari. The Nattfari who travels far and wide and who is called by many names... Meet them and many more, whose threads of fate run together and form a strange and mighty weave.

A LUSH AND ENCHANTING FANTASY ROMANCE, INSPIRED BY BEAUTY AND THE BEAST AND THE MYTH OF HADES AND PERSEPHONE. Wren of Edgewood is no stranger to suffering. With her parents gone, it's Wren’s responsibility to ensure she and her sister survive the harsh and endless winter, but if the legends are to be believed, their home may not be safe for much longer. For three hundred years, the land surrounding Edgewood has been encased in ice as the Shade, a magical barrier that protects the townsfolk from the Deadlands beyond, weakens. Only one thing can stop the Shade’s fall: the blood of a mortal woman bound in wedlock to the North Wind, a dangerous immortal whose heart is said to be as frigid as the land he rules. And the time has come to choose his bride. When the North Wind sets his eyes on Wren’s sister, Wren will do anything to save her – even if it means sacrificing herself in the process. But mortal or not, Wren won’t go down without a fight . . . Beloved by readers on TikTok, The North Wind is a standalone, enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance, the first in a series sprinkled with Greek mythology. Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Raven Kennedy and Scarlett St. Clair. 'A brutally cold, beautifully drawn world warmed by a delicious slow-burn romance. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough!' - S. M. Gaither, author of the Shadows & Crowns series Readers love The North Wind: ***** 'This was BRILLIANT! I enjoyed every page' ***** 'The slow burn that stole my heart' ***** 'Blown away... Our north king is just everything. He will be added to my book boyfriend list' ***** 'If I could give it more stars I would... The world building was incredible' ***** 'The perfect enemies to lovers book... especially if you like Beauty and the Beast retellings and ACOTAR' ***** 'Completely enchanting and so, so well written' ***** 'Literally could not put this book down' ***** 'One of my new favourites'

A beautiful and classic anthology of frosty, magical short stories from acclaimed children’s writers. The Dreamsnatcher’s Abi Elphinstone heads up this gorgeous collection of wintery stories, featuring snow queens, frost fairs, snow dragons and pied pipers . . . from classic children’s writers Michelle Magorian, Geraldine McCaughrean, Jamila Gavin, Berlie Doherty, Katherine Woodfine, Piers Torday, Lauren St John, Amy Alward, Michelle Harrison and Emma Carroll. ‘Captures all the excitement of the season’ The Guardian An unmissable, enchanting treat of a collection that will be enjoyed for years to come, by readers of all ages. Also by Abi Elphinstone: The Dreamsnatcher The Shadow Keeper The Night Spinner Sky Song Everdark (World Book Day) Rumblestar Jungledrop The Crackledawn Dragon Everdark

A town in need. An extraordinary cat. A season for miracles... It's nearly Christmas and committed Londoner, Mina Kestle, is close to signing a deal that will make her career and give her everything she's ever wanted. And then she receives a mysterious letter in the post along with an ancient key, sent by her long-estranged godfather . . . Davy Penhallow is an artist who lives on the tiny Cornish island of Morgelyn with only his pet cat, Murr, for company. Mina hasn't seen or heard from him in decades, but now it seems he wants her to look after his cottage - and his cat - while he recovers from a stroke in hospital. Mina doesn't know why Davy has written after all these years, but she intends to do what's right: sort out the cottage and the cat and then get back to London in time for her career-saving meeting, before everything she's built comes crashing down around her. But the more time Mina spends in the cottage, looking after Murr and remembering the magic of Cornish folklore, the harder it becomes for her to tear herself away. And when she discovers that a set of ruthless property developers are coming for Morgelyn, she realises she might be the only one who can stand in their way to save the island, Davy's cottage and Murr's home. As Christmas draws ever closer and echoes of the past - her own and the island's - wash up in her memory, Mina begins to unravel a generation of secrets... and discover what it is she has truly always wanted . . .