Celebrated author, Jenny Pattrick

Jenny Pattrick found a few surprises in New Zealand's theatrical past when researching her latest book, Skylark.

On a flying visit to Napier earlier this week, part of a nationwide tour publicising her seventh book, she discovered 19th century New Zealand was not as staid as she thought.

"I thought, like a lot of people did, that people were too involved in getting settled to enjoy entertainment," she said.

"Not so. When I looked into it almost every newspaper had advertisements for singers, entertainers, that everyone followed."

Pattrick grew up in a theatrical family - her sister still acts and her niece is well-known New Zealand actress Tandi Wright - and used to act and direct herself. It was only a matter of time before she turned her attentions to this mostly forgotten era of this country's colonial past.

Skylark tells the tale of orphan Lily Alouette who grows up to be a free spirited singer and entertainer, her triumphs, tragedies, her attraction to two very different men, and the unusual families she has, first her circus "family", then a family of her own.

While Lily may be fictional, Pattrick weaves the story of many characters from real life into that of Lily's, including Foley's Victoria Circus, the diva-like Mrs WH Foley, and the dastardly villain, Captain Bully Hayes. She also incorporates real events, such as the land wars, and the destructive 1855 Wellington earthquake.

Pattrick, a former jeweller, struck gold with her first novel The Denniston Rose, in 2003.

In 2009 she received the New Zealand Post Mansfield Fellowship, and last year, with her musician husband Laughton, published a children's book and CD of songs, The Very Important Godwit.

At the time The Denniston Rose was released, by Random House, it had never published a New Zealand historical novel.

"I think in a way we, myself and Random House, started a trend but I think we were also lucky in that we hit the right moment.

"And people were ready to read about themselves. It's a sign we've grown into being New Zealanders rather than looking for our stories overseas."

After her debut success Pattrick was contacted by many people who had ancestors or family who worked in coalmining on the West Coast. The interest was such she was recently called upon to launch the Denniston Rose Literature Trail.

She is hoping Skylark will have the same effect, as she would love to find out what became of the real people in her story.

She's not sure yet if there will be a Skylark sequel, but it is the most fun she has had writing a book to date.