Ramos, a third-generation journalist, first began to write for the Amandala in 1995 and is currently the newspaper?s Assistant Editor. In 2000, she released the book, Thomas Vincent Ramos: The Man and His Writings, published by the National Garifuna Council of Belize.

?I have been writing poetry since I was a teenager. I had deliberately held off on publishing my poems until I was able to compile a full spectrum of love poems that tell a distinct story,? she revealed.

The poems are laid out to tell a fascinating love story, beginning with pieces such as Schoolgirl?s Crush and Puppies. On the pages of the book, she also pours out intense emotions?the joys of love, the deep fascination that a woman has for her lover, the agony of separation, the hurt of deception and infidelity, and the ecstasy of unconditional love.

Acclaimed Belizean poet, River of Fire, who wrote a short review of her work, called it, ?A truly beautiful collection of poetry for any library.? He also wrote that the poems ?read like a personal love letter from a special woman to the right man.?

PHASES, the debut production of Ramos Publishing, will be available on Friday at the Book Center on Church Street, or from the author herself at 602-0181, e-mail: [email protected], website: www.geocities.com/ramospublishing2005.