Barbara Parsons was born into a naval family in Portsmouth, England. After employment at The Bank for International Settlements in Berne, she joined the British Foreign Service and had postings in Cambodia, Vietnam, Bonn, and Morocco, among other places. Her last posting was in Bogota, Colombia, where much of this novel takes place. After settling in Manhattan, she contributed to Sierra Club Publications. Her lifelong interest in animal welfare led to her helping found Unitarian Universalists for the Ethical treatment of Animals. A chapter from Beulah Kettlehole appeared in Humerus Magazine. Ms. Parsons now lives in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.