About
Deborah
Balthazar
Deborah Balthazar developed a love for writing stories at an early age, drawn to the mysteries of human behavior and the power of storytelling. She is Dominica-born, and grew up on the island surrounded by the stories, rhythms, and landscapes that would later become the foundation of her writing: the oral traditions passed down at Nine Night vigils, the creole language that carries the wit and wisdom of island life, and the lush, untamed beauty of the Nature Isle. Her Caribbean roots continue to shape the voice, atmosphere, and cultural depth of her work.
She is a graduate of York University, Centennial College, and Sheridan College in Toronto, Canada. Her diverse educational background reflects a lifelong commitment to learning and service. Deborah enjoys travelling and spending time with family, drawing inspiration from her experiences and the people she meets along the way.
Secrets of Pagua Bay is her debut novel, and it is, at its heart, a love letter to Dominica, to its people, its traditions, and the fierce, complicated love that binds a community together even as it tears them apart. The novel draws on the rich oral storytelling tradition of the Caribbean, weaving together multiple voices in a tapestry of Creole and English.
Her storytelling reflects a deep appreciation for mystery, culture, and the complexities of human nature, woven together with the rich heritage of the island she proudly calls home.
In Her Words
“I wrote this book because the stories I grew up hearing, the ones whispered at wakes, shouted in rum shops, and passed between women over coal pots, deserve to be on the page. These are the voices of the Caribbean, and they are too vivid, too alive, too important to be forgotten.”