Fantasy becomes reality

One of Burnsides best-kept cultural secrets is about to take the international literary stage.

Area resident and bestselling author Denyse Bridger will be launching her newest book, As Fate Decrees, on August 15.

As Fate Decrees evolved from a long-time interest in Greek Mythology, she says. Id discovered fantasy fiction when I was 17 and Ive been reading it ever since. I liked the idea in this case of a character that was immortal, yet also very human.

Born in Newfoundland, Bridger has lived in the Burnside area for most of her life. She started writing as a teenager and has since published more than 400 stories, poems and novellas worldwide. Several of her works have won or been nominated for international literary awards.

The multi-genre writer says it took her two years to put the new work together.

The actual writing time was much shorter, as within that time period I was also reading tremendous amounts of mythology as research and searching for references. The most challenging aspect of the writing came in keeping the characters vivid and intimate. With the entire backdrop of mythology, its a story that still required a very personal connection for the reader.

Despite her worldwide fame, Bridger says her passion for the region is what keeps her close to home.

Everything about Atlantic Canada is steeped in vibrant life; the lure of the sea, the hardship of everyday life, the diversity in culture and the people. Its all part of the special, wholly unique quality of life here were a small place with a very expansive and rich imagination. Ive grown up here and I always come back here its home. My family is here and home is always where the people who love you are located.

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