Essie Summers was a New Zealand author whose vivid portrayals of her native country's people and landscape were so acclaimed that she was offered The Order Of the British Empire for her contributions to New Zealand tourism. Her work draws on a rich tradition of storytelling and a fascination with the lives of pioneers, inspired by childhood tales and her parents' influence. After early experiences working in drapery shops, she channeled these insights into the romantic novels for which she became famous. As a minister's wife and mother of two, she consistently found opportunities to write short stories, poetry, and newspaper columns.
Marty made a thoughtless little joke about going to New Zealand tolook for a susceptible bachelor with a seven-thousand-a-year wool clip, and unfortunately Philip Griffiths overheard and took her seriously. So when she found that she was to settle in his part of the country, she had to work very hard to show him that she wasnot specially interested in men and least of all in him.