WEST Cumbrian author JJ Levy has released a new book described as a 'contemporary romance tale'. 

Levy explains that the book explores the "differing and converging paths that life can take following a choice."

The story follows 18-year-old Emma King who faces a choice between joining the British Army or going to university... and decides to do both. 

Ms Levy said: "The basis of this story came from a decision I took myself when I was 18-years-old.

"It was anticipated that I would go to university, but I was fascinated by the thought of joining the military and doing something different to everyone else.

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"I kept my options open for a while, doing applications and interviews for both. But eventually my eyesight stopped me from doing the roles I would have wanted in the military, so I chose university and have never regretted that choice.

"I started to wonder what my life would be like if I had chosen a different path, I’m a big sci-fi fan so alternative worlds and the significance of choice in an individual’s life fascinates me.

"Sometimes it’s a big life-changing choice, sometimes it’s one so small we barely notice it, but when we make these choices, we have no idea what the repercussions years into the future may be, not just on our lives but on the other people we interact with.

"I’ve been writing this book for many years. The first chapters were drafted in my early twenties, the later chapters in my late twenties and I’ve been refining it ever since."