An author with strong connections with Sidmouth has published her debut novel, exploring ‘what it’s like to be a woman’.

The Sum of All Parts by Sara Sheeran is a story told through the eyes of six women, and how their lives are changed by the different stages in their lives.

Sara said: “Our entire lives we are told what to think, what to feel, what to say. We are told who we are. All those personas we are given... But who am I really?

“We change constantly from moment to moment, our thoughts, ideals and beliefs affected by our emotions, our age, our situation.

“We as humans, in particular women, are continually boxed and categorised: we are daughter, wife, sister, lover, colleague, mother and so on; when in reality we are all this and so much more.

“We are made up of lots of different parts, each as important as the particular ‘whole’ we are expected to present to society at any given time.”

Sara was born and raised in North London but spent all her childhood holidays visiting family in Sidmouth. Her great aunt and uncle were Grace and Arthur White. He was the head of what was then Sidmouth Urban District Council and also ran the accordian band evening class at Sidmouth College. Her grandparents were George and Dorothy Elliott.

Sara lives in Ireland but still has family in Sidmouth; her parents relocated to Sidford 15 years ago. She still visits at least twice a year; her next visit will be in August.

She said: “Devon, Sidmouth in particular, holds a special place in my heart. So many happy memories, too many to recount, lots of walks - walking to and from Salcombe Regis, one way via cliffs and the other on the beach, visits to the Donkey Sanctuary, treats from Sweet Temptations, walks on Mutters Moor, fun at the Folk Festival, the walk from Budleigh Salterton to Otterton Mill. The list is endless.”

The Sum of all Parts is published by Austin Macauley Publishers and is available from Austinmacauley.com and Amazon and all major booksellers.