A WINKLEIGH woman, who has published her first book, says taking up writing has given her a new zest for life.

Laura Beer has published "Age is Just a Number – New Beginnings" with Pegasus Publishers.

The book tells the story of Elspeth Michaels, who has been a widow for five years with two young adults.

Rupert is a bachelor and he and Elspeth met at a dinner party given by mutual friends. As with all relationships, nothing ever goes smoothly, especially among the family dynamics as the relationship intensifies.

Will Elspeth’s ideas for Rupert’s factory products be successful and will this cause him to admire her, or cause problems around Elspeth’s perceptions of why he continues the relationship?

Will the young adults accept Rupert as their mum’s partner or will they rebel, causing uneasiness and unhappiness? Does the young adults’ reaction to the relationship bring the couple together?

When Elspeth’s daughter begins to find romance she can understand her mum’s feelings for Rupert, but will she be more understanding of their relationship?

Laura is in her 40s, is married and they have two young adults.

She explained: "We live in the beautiful countryside of Devon which has been my home since I was born.

"I attended the local schools in the catchment area for our village and had a good education. I have done several jobs over the years and at present I work as an HR Administrator in the public sector.

"The reason I started writing was to help me recover from depression, as I wrote I found a new lease of life in my enjoyment of writing."

Laura said that the book is set in the villages, towns and city near to where she lives and is a romantic but humorous story, about a couple and their relationships with their nearest and dearest.

The book is the first of four, and a second of the series will be published at the end of February.

"Age is Just a Number – New Beginnings" by LI Beer can be purchased direct from the publisher by visiting the website: www.pegasuspublishers.com or by calling 01223 370012.

It is available to order from bookshops in paperback at £7.99.

Alan Quick