A GRANGE-born author has spoken of her delight at the reception her debut novel received after the erotic thriller became an instant hit.

Cheryl Muir, a former student at Grange Primary School and Cartmel Secondary School, released her first novel – Angel of the Night: The Monster Within – in November.

It has since made the Amazon Top 100 list in its category, to which Ms Muir describes herself as being 'blown away'.

The novel, the first of a trilogy, follows Angel, a feisty assassin who works for a dangerous crime lord. She is tasked with abducting renowned entrepreneur Devon Fairweather, who is accused of setting up a raid. But she soon realises Devon is innocent and takes pity on him after his capture. The unlikely partnership join forces to take down the crime lord and free Angel from his clutches.

"It's been amazing," said Ms Muir, speaking of the book's reception. "It's my debut novel so with that in mind it's difficult to gauge how it's going to be received.

"But I thought if it could move readers the way it moved me people would enjoy it, but I've just been blown away by the response."

Much of the novel was written in Vancouver where Ms Muir emigrated for seven years, but key parts were penned on visits to the Lake District while the national park also features throughout the action.

Ms Muir added: "Devon's parents were killed in a car accident on Lake District roads and it was from then that he picked up unhealthy habits and encounters Angel. The Lake District is a pivotal part of his life.

"It was important to work the Lake District into it because it's where I grew up and I wanted to open that up to readers."

Angel of the Night: The Monster within is available from online retailers including Amazon and Waterstones.