Paranormal Romance - Plus More Adventure Than You Can Stand!

Billy Delaney steals coins from a rock beside Lake Taupo - but these are not just any old coins. These coins have been left as an offering to Tama Ariki, a Maori chief who lived hundreds of years ago.

Image of Lake Taupo courtesy of Bo-deh and used under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike

This theft drags the Delaney family to the edge of disaster as century old forces demand retribution.

Saffron Delaney descends into a world of chaos and terror as she fights to save the family she loves from disaster. First her niece is injured in a car accident - and then the Delaneys begin to die.

At her side is Nick, a burnt-out war photographer who has his own problems to sort out.

Together, they fight to appease the wrath of Tama Ariki whose quest for revenge echoes down the centuries.



BEST SELLING AUSTRALIAN AUTHOR KIM WILKINS SAID:

Saffron Delaney - The beautiful blond who runs the local poodle parlor. Feisty and determined, when her Billy and her sisters are in danger, she'll let nothing stop her. As Big Wal tells her: "you'll be surprised what you'll do in the end."

Below is a picture of Lake Taupo and the town. Much of the action takes place between the river entrance and the shore line on the left of the photo.

Aerial image of Lake Taupo township courtesy of Phillip Capper, New Zealand, and used under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License

Nick Jones - burn out war photographer, working for the thrice weekly local paper as he struggles to forgive himself for the part he played in his wife's death.

Tama Ariki - dead, but certainly not gone! This ancient Maori warlord is not an entity to trifle with as the Delaney family soon find out.

The old woman - Saffron's ally, a friend in Tama Ariki's camp - just a doggone shame that she's dead to.

Big Wal - Everyone's favorite character! Runs the local hamburger joint.

Billy Delaney - Saffron's younger brother who starts all the trouble.

Heather, Mo, and Daphne - the other Delaney girl's. Tall, blonde and beautiful - some will live and some will die.

Hi!

I'm Dawn Rotarangi, New Zealand (kiwi) author of this best selling paranormal romance.

Ripples on the Lake was published by HarperCollins New Zealand in 2007 and - much to my surprise because you never think these things will happen to you - shot straight onto the BestSeller List.

And what an exciting time it was as I plunged from total obscurity into a busy round of interviews and book tour, - and all the time pinching myself to check that it was really happening.

Which is probably something like the heroine Saffron Delaney felt as she plunged into the adventure - or at least was dragged into by her brother Billy.

Now if you're a fan of paranormal novels then you'll be wondering just what sort of entity I've dreamed up for you.

Is it a vampire? Nope - been done to death - if you'll pardon the pun!

Is it a shape shifter? Nope again.

Ripples on the Lake is a story that could have happened only in New Zealand. It draws strongly on Maori tradition where revenge can extend over generations. There is excitement and adventure on every page and yet the heart of the story is one brave woman's fight to defend her family from an unstoppable power.

Helped - when he's not taking photographs -by Nick Jones, the hero!

The Book Club Queen

From the States, the Book Club Queen reviews Ripples on the Lake.

Australian Woman's Weekly (NZ Edition)

"Rotarangi weaves a dark, vivid supernatural tale ..."

"Smart, chilling and enlightening." (June 2007)

Hawkes Bay Today

"... has a magical touch with its blend of myth and reality."

"... a difficult genre to capture successfully as the writer must keep the story believable in a mystical world. The author achieves this faultlessly." (26th May 2007)

Tu Mai Magazine

"If ever there was a book to get lost in ... Ripples on the Lake is it!"

"Ripples on the Lake is a brilliant debut..." (June 2007)

Taranaki Daily News

"... as refreshing as a winter dunk in Taupo."

"... cliche free, packed with energy and action and takes on a ton of touchy subjects."

"Let's just make up a new genre for Rotarangi ...perhaps one simply called Kiwi Magic". (9th June 2007)

Otago Daily Times

"... a well paced thriller."

"Rotarangi has skilfully brought to life believable local characters within an engrossing story." (7th July 2007)

Women's Day

"... will send shivers down your spine." (16th July 2007)

Herald on Sunday - Sunday Life
"... paranormal thriller is being pounced on by teenagers as well as her target audience." (22nd July 2007)

Ashburton Guardian

"... has woven a dark tale of magic and mana ... which has layer upon layer of mystery and intrigue."

"... a talented and polished New Zealand storyteller." (2nd August 2007)

Wanganui Chronicle

"The chilling revelations, mystical grievances and the brisk pace of the book make this a great paranormal adventure full of suspense." (25th August 2007)

NZ Books Abroad will have a copy winging its way to you before you can say Squidoo!



BEST SELLING AUSTRALIAN AUTHOR KIM WILKINS SAID:

"sensation is piled upon sensation, violent deaths, ghostly appearances, a frantic chase. It relies too much on over-wrought language and vivid images of blood and destruction."

"This simplistic use of Maori material for easy melodrama and cheap suspense is disappointing."

Does that mean he didn't like it?

"Sounds engaging but sadly spoilt by excessive schmaltziness."

What do you mean schmaltziness? Those are the bits where I wept as I wrote. And readers wept as they read - they've told me!

Daggers at first light, sir!

Simply click through to the ladies at NZ Books Abroad.

They're happy to send books anywhere in the world.