Bogotá, Colombia, 1971. This is the atmospheric and humorous tale of Claire Chesterton, blonde and flashy, newly posted to the British Trade delegation, who fears herself on the brink of ineligibility. A makeover brings several suitors, among them Jeremy Jooning, the delegation’s Number Three, a charming lush in a tired marriage. Claire’s cruel dismissal, upon following Jooning to New York, provides the finally spur to satisfying independence.

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.

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