AUTHOR Tia Jones is looking forward to coming to Pembrokeshire tomorrow (Saturday) to sign copies of her debut novel, On Open Ground. "I've got lovely memories of this part of Wales and I'm lucky," she said, "that one of my brothers lives near Tenby and I've had some super days here. And although the seacapes in my book are fiction, of course I've drawn from the coastline of my home in Mid Wales, this part of Pembrokeshire as well as North Cornwall." On Open Ground is a tale of love, loss and betrayal on the wild, West Wales coast. When Elin returns to Wales to heal the emotional wounds of World War Two, memories of happy childhood holidays at her aunt's farm draw her to Llanfeni. For a time, she finds solace, but gradually, the isolation and ancient superstitions that have blighted several generations close in on her, and threaten the fragile happiness that she has built for her family. Tia lives on an organic hill farm with her husband, and juggles her various responsibilities to find time to turn towards her passion - writing. "I have to fit my writing in between the slightly slacker periods on the farm - in some way they actually complement each other. What pleases me most is that people are enjoying my book and find it an exciting read - and that's what I wanted when I set out to write it - somewhere to escape into, and it makes the hard work all worthwhile." Tia Jones will be signing copies of On Open Ground tomorrow (Saturday) at Tenby Bookshop, 12-1 pm, and Victoria Bookshop from 3-4 pm.
