Local author returns to roots

Special to the RTT

Writing a novel is a journey—a discovery and a discipline of fashioning words into a meaningful story over time based on life experiences and fictional inspirations.

Denise Bertrand, who grew up in Amherstburg, is celebrating the achievement of completing her first published novel, “Once Upon A Solar Time,” after almost five decades of perseverance!

She often answers, “Why did you write your book?” with “I had to. I couldn’t let it go. It needed to come through me— and I had a dream.” Her tenacity to hold onto this dream over so many years and achieve it inspires many.

Even though Denise Bertrand, also known as feather, lives in British Columbia, she decided on our town for the debut of launching her first book.

“Why Amherstburg?”

“I grew up here. I created the main characters in my book when I was 18. So, something about returning to my roots feels important to me,” says Denise.

The River Bookshop will host the book launch this Thursday (Feb. 23) at 6:30 p.m., where she will read excerpts from her novel. In addition to having signed copies available for purchase, she will answer questions about how she develops her imagination and lives her adventurous life.

A highly imaginative fantasy story with metaphysical views and magical realism blended into the mix, “Once Upon A Solar Time” offers hope and a positive vision for the future of humanity.

Two 14-year-old “echo-youths,” best friends and talented shape-shifters tutored by their solar leader (The She), set off on a journey. The girls are on a mission to activate the Golden Bow, a magical symbol that will bring unity and freedom, banishing fear forever. At the same time, also led by their solar leader, Tesshu and Kaleb (twenty-one-year-old men) embark on another adventure as participants in a video-like game called Point-by-Point. Each one is training his mind to embrace Solar Consciousness.

As these parallel journeys unfold and eventually intersect, a shadowy group called The Vog threatens to derail the vision held by the benevolent members of The Echoes of the Sun Community.

Once Upon A Solar Time is a celebration of achievement, published by FriesenPress Publishing in Victoria, BC, Canada, and edited by Lynn Thompson of Living on Purpose Communications in Ontario.

For over four decades, Denise Bertrand has been an International Artistic Director (Canada, Singapore, Thailand, France, Sicily), writer, and producer of children’s theatrical productions.

She promises an inspiring evening at The River Bookshop, where you may walk away feeling you, too, can dust off an old dream and bring it back to life.

Please visit www.denisebertrand. com or https://www.air-feather.com for more information.