A TALENTED writer is celebrating after having her debut children's trilogy novel published.

History graduate, Andrea Gouk, from Golborne Road, Winwick, was inspired to write Tales of the Smiling Buddha after travelling to Egypt with her husband 10 years ago.

Caught up in a world of time-travel, the book follows a boy and his cousin on an adventure through time and on a personal journey of self-discovery.

Used to the innocence of village life, the boys find themselves tangled up in a battle between good and evil, resulting in the fate of the world left hanging in the balance.

Juggling writing with being a full-time mum to her two sons, now aged eight and four and a former job which saw her teaching systems and project management to adults at Padgate College, it took the 38-year-old five years to write the novel.

Aimed at 11-year-olds and older, the book combines fiction with reality by including aspects of historical significance, such as the terracotta warriors and ancient Egyptian artefacts.

The former pupil of Selwyn Jones High School, Newton, said: "Writing a book is something I had always wanted to do. I have always enjoyed writing and feel that it's something I am good at."

She added: "The book finishes on a cliff hanger and leads on to a sequel."

Publishers, Pegasus Elliot McKenzie, decided that the three books, which are set in Egypt, China and Mexico should be published consecutively in the form of a trilogy novel.

Andrea Gouk will be signing copies of Tales of the Smiling Buddha in Borders on Riverside Retail Park on Saturday, March 15 from 11am until 4pm.