A Bermudian now based in Florida has recently published a novel recounting many of her fond memories on the Island.Joan Reece (née Martin), 81, self-published her fictional book ‘Twice Upon A Time’ in July through online book publisher Lulu.com.‘Twice Upon A Time’ details the adventures of a few tourists while visiting Bermuda on a cruise ship. While in the Town of St George, the main character loses control of her moped and ends up overboard. When she awakes she finds herself thrown back to into the nineteenth century.In the book Ms Reece highlights the good manners of Bermudian people, the beauty of the Island’s beaches and “easy, inexpensive methods of travel on the Island,” among other things.When asked what inspired the book, Ms Reece said: “Boredom of retirement.”The former Mt Hill, Pembroke resident explained that since retiring from her career as a full charge book-keeper and office manager, her life had gotten very quiet.Ms Reece emigrated to Toledo, Ohio in 1947, then as 16-year-old Joan Martin, with her parents. She later married Frank Reece, also Bermudian, in 1953.Now retired and living in Homasassa, Florida, the Dellwood and Mount Saint Agnes alumna visits the Island as often as she can.However, although the author was born and raised in Bermuda, she no longer has any immediate family on the Island.“After 65 years, unfortunately [I] have no other family members living in Bermuda,” said Ms Reece.“I have five adult children who would love to live there and 13 grandchildren and three great grandkids. I am the widow of Frank L Reece who worked at the Bermuda Electric Light Co until he moved to Toledo, Ohio also.”The Royal Gazette initially found out about Ms Reece’s literary work after being contacted by her niece, Connie French.Ms French, who lives in Texas, expressed that her goal was to “get the news [of the book] to our friends and family on [the] Island.”“Although it is a fictional story, many of the events in the book are based on her life experience,” said Ms French.“The main plot of the story takes place on [the] beautiful island of Bermuda.”She continued: “I would very much like for my relatives still living on the Island, and her friends and relatives, to know of this book. Her writings do her Bermudian heritage proud.”And despite this recent release being Ms Reece’s first book, she is already working on a sequel ‘Birthright’.