Hamilton Author Anuja Varghese Brings Her Boldly Spicy Romantasy to Burlington Library

If your idea of the perfect fantasy novel involves Bollywood grandeur, a D&D-style magic system, and romance that doesn't fade to black — Hamilton author Anuja Varghese has written the book for you. Her newest novel, A Kiss of Crimson Ash, is the first in a planned trilogy set in a medieval India-inspired fantasy world, and Varghese will be speaking about it at Burlington Public Library on Wednesday, September 24, as part of Culture Days programming. Varghese is no newcomer to Canadian letters — her short story collection Chrysalis won the Governor General's Literary Award. But A Kiss of Crimson Ash marks a big creative shift: from literary fiction to full-on romantasy, complete with magic, political intrigue, and — her words — a higher spice level. She started writing it as a personal escape during a difficult period, with zero pressure and zero plan.