But the path her doubts led her to follow resulted not only in the answers she craved, but a loving new husband and a book deal.

Tracy, aged 41, from Retford, North Nottinghamshire, had only just started working as a medium when her brother Nigel took his own life on the eve of his 30th birthday in 2001.

Devastated Tracy couldn't understand why she hadn't received a warning and began to question her belief in the spirit world - until she met Doncaster man Paul Norton.

Paul, 42, from Scawthorpe, was already working as a medium and had a dedicated following.

It was while attending one of Paul's shows in Lincoln that Tracy got the message she craved from her brother - he told her not to give up as a medium because help was on its way.

A second chance meeting with Paul at a church in Retford led to the couple swapping numbers and, soon after, Paul invited Tracy to work with him.

"The relationship blossomed and in 2005 we got married," said Tracy, who has a son, Luke, from a previous relationship and lives with Paul in Ranskill, Retford.

The couple have now written a book about the string of coincidences that brought them together. The book, called The Spirit of Love, also details the work they do.

Paul's own 'gift' was revealed to him as a teenager when, aged 19, he saw a clear image of his dad and felt an overwhelming need to get home.

When he arrived, his mum told him his dad had committed suicide that morning.

His grief led him to explore the spirit world, through which he met a well-known medium and healer called Doris Collins.

Paul and Tracy are doing a book-signing at Retford's Bookworm shop, on Spa Lane, on Saturday March 1 between 10.30am and 12.30pm.

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