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

History graduate Andrea Gouk, from Golborne Road, Winwick, was inspired to write Tales of the Smiling after travelling to Egypt with her husband ten 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 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 and teaching adults at Padgate College, 38-year-old Andrea took 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.

Andrea, a 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 cliffhanger and leads on to a sequel."

Publishers Pegasus Elliot McKenzie felt that the story, set in Egypt, China and Mexico, should be published consecutively in the form of a trilogy.

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