A POLICE detective and mother has written her second book, a humourous self-help guide inspired by her highs and lows.

Irene Wignall, from Lostock, released ‘Look for the (effin) Rainbows’ self-published on Amazon last spring, which received rave reviews and prompted her to write another.

Inspired by the highs and lows 2020 brought, ‘Look for the (effin) Rainbows - A Self-Help Guide (not really) ‘ features anecdotes from her personal life, stories from other people and advice on how to remain positive.

The 45-year-old began writing about her life and the funny moments she shares with her family after her son Dusty was still-born in 2013. She has two other sons, eight-year-old Ted and Albie, six.

After being diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2018 and undergoing surgery writing became a way to clear her mind.

Throughout Irene has always remained positive, and now she’s passing on the advice she’s learnt to others.

Irene said: “Everyone kept asking me when I was writing my second book, so I figured I’d go for it.

“It’s broken down into each month and covers funny incidents which happened but also features advice at the end of each chapter, focusing on a specific theme.

“Since writing my first book I’ve gotten to know people who’ve experienced similar challenges as myself, so in this book a woman has shared her experiences of losing her daughter when she was 16 days old.

“It’s about staying positive even when times are hard. Lockdown has been tough but you have to laugh at the funny moments to get through.

“It’s ‘not really’ a self-help guide because as I can’t solve everyone’s problems, but I can offer advice on how they can find the positives in situations, by talking about my own life.

“I’m really excited for the book to come out, currently a few people are reading advanced copies to give me a review for the back, including actress Amanda Henderson, who plays Robyn in Casualty.”

The book will be released in June. She is already planning her third book, which will take the form of a Christmas guide.

Visit Irene’s website lookforrainbows.com for more information.