NK Ashworth (known as `Sam') lives on Waiheke Island in a quirky tower house with a cat called Gypsy and Jester, an exuberant bearded collie. She has used traditional falconry techniques to rehabilitate injured hawks and has a fascination with mysticism - interests that led to her writing her debut novel, The Falconer's Daughter. A sequel, Return of the Griffin, will soon be available. She is also a painter