Stephania Giddens fell deeply in love with Bermuda on her first visit more than four decades ago.

In the years since she’s made an annual pilgrimage to the island to enjoy its beauty and warmth, and reconnect with countless friends. It’s a love affair the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania native has detailed in her book, You See My Glory but you don’t Know my Story .

“I included a chapter on my travels to Bermuda because I have loved the island ever since I first visited in 1972,” she said.

“I genuinely enjoy the island and the warm weather. The people are friendly and it’s relaxing.

“It was the first tropical island that I visited and the island remains as beautiful and picturesque as the first time that I laid eyes on it.”

The book is dedicated to her late mother Evelyn, who accompanied Ms Giddens on that first trip. It was her first time on a plane.

“I was very nervous,” the author said. “I would carry a Bible and not look out of the window.”

Once here, she got into an accident while towing her mother on her rented moped. Neither was seriously injured.

“I squeezed the left gear to brake,” Ms Giddens explained.

“This action flipped the cycle, throwing mom in one direction and me in another.”

The Southampton Princess was still under construction at the time.

“It was on this first trip that I met the local DJ for Bermuda [Everest DeCosta],” Ms Giddens said.

“He showed mom and I the island and pointed out the new hotel being built, the Southampton Princess.

“We knew right then and there we would stay at this hotel on our return visit.”

She stayed true to that promise. She was there recently with her daughter Jenetta, who competes in the Bermuda Rendezvous Bowling Tournament at Warwick Lanes every February.

“I am so blessed because Jenetta now pays for my trip every year to Bermuda,” she said. “Jenetta is an exceptional bowler and well adored by the bowlers on the island.”

The American author’s book also highlights Bermuda’s nightlife many years ago.

Flavours Disco in Warwick, Southampton Rangers nightclub and Jungle Room in Hamilton were three of her favourite places to let loose.

“I loved the Jungle Room because they put on limbo dancing shows and also had steel drum bands and a show with a guy walking on glass,” she recalled.

“He would pour gasoline on the broken glass and then walk on it. It was amazing and I had never seen that before.

“The older residents on the island can relate to that and it’s unfortunate they don’t do these types of shows anymore. I really wish they would bring them back.

“In the previous years, the island appeared to be more quaint; modern-day Bermuda does not seem to embrace Bermuda’s rich heritage.”

The book chronicles the author’s life from her earliest childhood memories.

She said she was inspired to write the book “as a means of healing”.

“I have experienced numerous hurts, pains and emotions, but God has brought me through them all,” she said.

“The stories are true; some will make you laugh, some will make you cry. I encourage all to read the book from beginning to end. They will really enjoy it and learn most of everything about me, my life, and how I came to be the person that they see today.”

Look for her book on OutskirtsPress.com or Amazon.com.