John Monteith

Residing in the wilds of western New Jersey, I've been a volunteer dog walker at a couple of animal shelters for more than three years. I relish the physical exertion, and the endorphins gush after I've spent the day bringing at least a small measure of relief to suffering creatures. An award-winning journalist, counselor to children and adults with mental health issues, Peace Corps Volunteer teaching literacy to needy boys at a remote remand center, I've also held down a hodgepodge of jobs while producing novels of warmth and wit.

A frequent visitor to the British Isles, I consider the choral evensong service at Westminster Abbey with a cold rain pelting down outside a great way to decompress before sallying forth on a tour of historic pubs. And they don't necessarily have to be historic.