Marina Chapman was born in Colombia, South America, around 1950. Her real date and exact location of birth are unknown. She has lived in Bradford since she was 27. Now a retired chef, she continues to work for an inner city children's nursery, and regularly volunteers for numerous local charities. Her greatest joy in life is being a grandmother to three, a mother to two, and a wife of thirty-five years. Vanessa James is Marina's younger daughter. She began writing her mothers story in 2006 as a way of documenting her incredible life. After two years, and one research trip, the original version of the book was complete. Vanessa now lives and works in London as a Film & TV composer, and musician in the band Starling.