A CHILDREN'S author hoping to emulate JK Rowling's success has published her first book in a trilogy.

Maria Boosey has written Twins of Time, a fictional first book in a series, the Cup of Destiny.

She will be at Waterstones, in High Street, Southend, tomorrow reading from the book. She will be there from 3.30pm, signing copies until 5.30pm.

The book takes young readers on a journey through the eye of a hurricane, and a time warp to the Island of Echoco.

Every year on the island is equivalent to ten earth years. Twin brothers, Lance and Miles, have lived there for nearly a century, but are only nine years of age.

Maria Boosey, 52, lives in Corringham, and studied at college in Southend.

She is currently working on the second book in the trilogy.