The Wideawake Hat

Amanda emigrated from England to New Zealand's beautiful Mackenzie Basin in 2008. Here, where the scenery inspires and legends abound, she found, by chance, the inspiration to reimagine the story of the infamous sheep rustler, James Mackenzie. From this first book, The Applecross Saga was born. Eight books on, she now lives on a lifestyle block in North Canterbury with Terry, her long-suffering husband, two rescue dogs, a few sheep and some chickens, Amanda continues to create characters and stories based around the true historical facts of 19th century New Zealand. When not writing Amanda finds time for gardening, photography and an occasional lazy day of knitting.