A highly anticipated first poetry collection that is raw and warm and human.

A highly anticipated first poetry collection that is raw and warm and human.

Fibs, porkies, little white lies, absolute whoppers and criminal evasions: the ways we can deceive each other are legion. Liar, Liar, Lick, Spit, the new collection by Otepoti poet and writer Emma Neale, is fascinated by our doubleness. Prompted by the rich implications in a line from Joseph Brodsky - 'The real history of consciousness starts with one's first lie' - it combines a personal memoir of childhood lies with an exploration of wider social deceptions. From the unwitting tricks our minds play, to the mischievous pinch of literary pastiche; from the corruptions of imperialism or abuse, to the dreams and stories we weave for our own survival, these poems catalogue scenes that seem to suggest our species could be named for its subterfuge as much as for its wisdom. Yet at the core of the collection are also some tenets to hold to: deep bonds of love; the renewal children offer; a hunger for social justice; and the sharp reality that nature presents us with, if we are willing to look.

We can’t choose what we inherit. But can we choose who we become? In present-day California, Eleanor Bennett’s death leaves behind a puzzling inheritance for her two children, Byron and Benny: a black cake, made from a family recipe with a long history, and a voice recording. In her message, Eleanor shares a tumultuous story about a headstrong young swimmer who escapes her island home under suspicion of murder. The heartbreaking tale Eleanor unfolds, the secrets she still holds back, and the mystery of a long-lost child challenge everything the siblings thought they knew about their lineage and themselves. Can Byron and Benny reclaim their once-close relationship, piece together Eleanor’s true history, and fulfill her final request to “share the black cake when the time is right”? Will their mother’s revelations bring them back together or leave them feeling more lost than ever? Charmaine Wilkerson’s debut novel is a story of how the inheritance of betrayals, secrets, memories, and even names can shape relationships and history. Deeply evocative and beautifully written, Black Cake is an extraordinary journey through the life of a family changed forever by the choices of its matriarch.

Atticus King had his life all mapped out—train hard, play volleyball, keep to himself. That is, until Noah Rossi burst onto the scene like a loud, exciting, and impossible to ignore. Despite being total opposites, they clicked over their shared love for the game and unexpected sparks flew. They dove headfirst into a thrilling romance filled with laughter, late-night games, and moments that felt like they’d last forever. But then, out of the blue, Noah vanished without so much as a goodbye, leaving Atticus with a fractured heart and a ton of unanswered questions. Fast forward two years, and Noah suddenly waltzes back into Atticus’s life as if nothing happened. Old feelings resurface, and the tension is off the charts. Atticus is torn between wanting to guard his heart and needing to know why Noah left in the first place. As they reconnect, pieces of their past start falling into place. What made their seemingly perfect relationship go sour? And does rekindling old flames mean risking new heartbreak? Get ready for a heartfelt story about second chances, hidden truths, and the game that brought them together.