AN author from Appleton is thrilled to see the publication of her first book.

Florie Parker is an NHS consultant orthopaedic surgeon by trade, but she swapped her surgical knife for a pen during the Covid lockdowns.

She was inspired by her four children to embrace her creative side in writing what is the first in a trilogy of fantasy stories for youngsters aged between nine and 11.

The 222-page story, entitled The Shadow of the Rowan Tree, follows the adventures of Daisy and Margot – the tooth fairy she dreams of.

“I have always been quite creative, but I think my four children have really inspired me the most,” Florie said.

“After deciding I wanted to write, the fairy kingdom found me and the rest is history.”

Florie, who works at Aintree University Hospital but trained in part at both Halton and Warrington hospitals, started writing the first book in the trilogy around two years ago.

She found the time during the coronavirus pandemic lockdowns to write, with most of the ideas coming to her while out walking her dog.

The second book Escape to Dorland has already been accepted for publication, while Florie has almost finished writing the third, which is called The Changeling.

Florie is planning on hosting a meet the author session on World Book Day – Thursday, March 3 – between 3.30pm and 5pm at Stockton Heath Library.

The Shadow of the Rowan Tree is on sale now via Amazon or austinmacauley.com/book/shadow-rowan-tree