AN AWARD-WINNING Cardross author is setting out in a new direction with the launch of a brand new book – her first for adults.

Dusting Down Alcudia, by DA (Dawn) Nelson, is a romantic thriller centred around a female archaeologist’s hunt for a fabled Roman necklace in Alcudia, Mallorca.

Along the way, Nina hooks up with a hunky ex and a handsome rival who come together for this un-put-downable, action packed romantic adventure. Added into the mix is a billionaire businessman who will stop at nothing to claim the necklace as his own.

Available as a paperback, e-book and large print paperback on Amazon, the indie published novel has already grabbed attention across the world. Hailed as a “a terrific, fast paced action adventure” in which “one is instantly immersed”, the novel is the first starring the inimitable Nina Esposito.

Dawn said: “This is a book for anyone who likes a great story, a bit of romance and tonnes of adventure.

“Nina is half Glaswegian, half Spanish. In fact, it was her late Mallorcan father who first told her about the fabled lost necklace. When she finds the diary of an old treasure hunter, Nina knows she must go and find the necklace or die trying. Along the way, she meets up with her old flame Roberto and a hated rival, Jay Reynolds.

“Who will she team up with? Who wins her heart? Get a copy of the book and find out.”

The story was inspired by a trip Dawn took to Alcudia with her husband, Ian, in the early noughties, when she fell in love with the mediaeval old town and surrounding Roman sites.

She said: “One day, whilst sitting outside a café in the Old Town – the one I base the café in the book on – I thought ‘what if someone came here hunting for Roman treasure?’ and a story began to form in my mind.

“I knew I wanted a lady archaeologist to lead the story and to mix in a bit of romance and adventure.”

To celebrate the launch of Dusting Down Alcudia, Dawn has made a short pdf character book available for free on her website. If you’d like to pick your copy up, go to: https://danelsonauthor.com/dusting-down-alcudia-character-booklet/

Dawn is currently working on a sequel to Dusting Down Alcudia. The as-yet-to-be-named novel is set in Perthshire and features a hunt for Jacobite treasure.

Dawn joked: “I blame Outlander – of which I am a huge fan of both the books and TV series - for inspiring this one.

“The second novel is due out in the new year, so watch this space for more information.”

Born in Glasgow in 1970, Dawn was brought up in the Renfrewshire village of Neilston and worked in journalism and public relations before turning to writing full-time.

Her children’s novel DarkIsle was published by Strident Publishing in 2007 and won the Royal Mail Award for Scottish Children’s Books the following year, while it was also short-listed for a number of other awards.

DarkIsle was swiftly followed by two sequels – DarkIsle: Resurrection and DarkIsle: The Final Battle. She also wrote The Children’s History of Glasgow.

Find Dawn online at www.danelsonauthor.com, on Twitter at @danelsonauthor, on Instagram at dawnnelsonauthor, and at facebook.com/authordanelson.