AN AUCHINLECK resident has earned rave reviews after releasing his debut novel.

Author Leon CM grew up in South West London but has since settled in the town after a life which, in his own words, circumnavigated the care system.

He took the decision to embrace his imagination and put it down on paper, publishing his first book Orion’s Awakening in April 2018.

Now, after positive feedback from fellow authors and readers alike, he is delighted that it is being made available in a traditional physical format.

It has been made available in three outlets of renowned bookseller Blackwell’s ­— Edinburgh, Oxford and Liverpool.

With the help of exposure through social media, his debut release had originally been made available through online retailers, as both a paperback and e-book.

Leon said: “I am both honoured and excited that fellow authors and readers are enjoying my book. I wanted to show children in care that your past doesn’t define you."

One reader posted online: "Leon CM Joseph hooked me from the start with his unique story that was unlike anything I have read before. It is rare to find a fantasy novel that is refreshing, and it is even more challenging to discover a fantasy story that does not rely on gimmicks and ridiculous action sequences."

Another added that, as a 40-year-old man, he 'still found much to enjoy here as the book cleverly blends elements of both the fantasy and science fiction genres'.