Author Deborah Burns spent her childhood years in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, but by the time she was in her 20's she had a desire to see the world. For the next ten years of her life Deborah was able to fulfill that dream, visiting many countries and working in various fields. Besides traveling through the West Indies and Europe, Deb worked in canneries in Alaska and traveled through South America where she was hired to dive for diamonds in an underground river in the Venezuelan bush. She worked as a reporter in India and helped start a still-thriving newspaper in Ireland, the country she considers her second home. Her many experiences have led to the excellent advice found in her book, Tips for the Savvy Traveler. Deborah came back to the United States with her husband to have the first of her two children. She has written a few history books, including Shaker Cities of Peace Love, and Union: A History of the Hancock Bishopric, and is now an acquisitions editor at Storey Communications, Inc. Deborah now shares her love of traveling with her family.