"At the age of 26, I carried off my hopes and dreams in a 55-litre backpack, embarking on a six-month trek through Asia. Copious letters were written back to Canada and my adventures journaled in loving detail. Writing has always been a way of connecting with others and capturing my experiences for posterity. And now, a deep love of history, people and culture infuses my work as I travel and live globally.

I have walked much of that path with my travel companion and husband of 27 years and our three sons, each born in a different land. We currently live in India, the ninth country that we've called home. From Teacher to Cultural Trainer to Tour Guide/ Historian, I ultimately discovered my passion – as a writer and a researcher. I share my journey through my blog, hoping to convey a cultural and historical context to our world. My fi rst co-authored book Pioneers of Penang, affirmed my love of historical writing. Monday Morning Emails speaks to the power of writing and of claiming your personal stories. It seems that things have come full circle – this book will sit proudly alongside those old travel journals!"