Canadian author Deborah Joy Corey is combining business with pleasure in Bermuda this week. In addition to visiting relatives, she will be at the Bermuda Bookstore this evening for a wine tasting and to sign copies of her latest novel, 'The Skating Pond'.

New Brunswick-born Ms Corey's first book, 'Losing Eddie' won the SmithBooks/Books in Canada First Novel Award in 1993, and many of her short stories, which she has been writing since the 1980s, have been published in exclusive literary magazines.

Her second novel, 'The Skating Pond' has been reviewed by the New York Times and Los Angeles Times, as well as regional newspapers and People magazine. It also won this year's Elle magazine Reader's Prize.

The author's path to literary achievement is described as "a little unconventional" in that she never attended university, and once worked as a fashion model in Toronto.

Ms Corey makes her home in Maine along with her husband and two daughters, will be at the Bermuda Bookstore from 5.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m., and all are welcome to attend. For further information 295-3698.