Ten years ago, on the south coast of Spain, Emma-Claire Wilson took a sip of her margarita and spoke the words she was terrified to say out loud - ‘I want to write a novel.’

Then, she waited, but the anticipated laughter never came. Instead, her husband Phillip sat that evening and helped her plan how she would do it.

This summer, almost ten years to the day since penning the first chapter, her debut novel has hit the shelves, published by Avon Harper Collins.

Personally, Emma-Claire finds herself at the start of a new adventure too.

After 20 years living in Europe, she has returned to the UK with her husband and two daughters to start again.

Despite never living in the Midlands before, Derbyshire quickly proved the perfect place to settle, and they made Ashbourne their home.

‘Having lived all over the world, I was ashamed to say I hadn’t travelled much of the UK,’ explains Emma-Claire.

‘When deciding where to live, we took a short holiday to Bakewell. Driving through the Derbyshire Dales, it was obvious we had found somewhere that felt like home - the rolling hills and friendly people made the decision so much easier for us.

‘For this Scottish-born lass, and Yorkshire-born lad, the hills of Derbyshire felt welcoming and safe.’

Emma-Claire Wilson’s debut novel, This Child of Mine, is an emotional rollercoaster and perfect for those who love nothing more than a weepy novel that will break your heart and put you back together again.

Although not entirely autobiographical, the novel draws on personal experiences and fears.

In it, we follow the story of Stephanie who, after years of trying for a baby, finds out she is pregnant on the same day she is diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

She is determined to save the life of a child she has desperately wanted for so long, but husband James wants to save the life of the woman he loves. How can one life possibly be chosen over the other?

‘This Child of Mine is a book that has been niggling at my brain and begging to be written for over a decade,’ says Emma-Claire.

‘It tackles topics that have had a meaningful impact on my life, and I hope those who may have come up against similar struggles will feel seen and understood.’

A highly emotional work of fiction, it is perfect for those who love Jodi Picoult, Amanda Prowse and Emma Robinson, but be warned, you may need a whole box of tissues.

To order, visit bit.ly/ThisChildOfMine.