Author Alison Blanche will be signing copies of her debut novel ‘The Qualities of Sand’ in Tenby next month.

Alison who lives in Ystradgynlais is a part-time biomedical scientist with a love of literature and writing.

“I have always harboured the dream of being a writer. I was adopted at the age of 3 months and have always wondered what my back story is, so in the end I decided to write about adoption to fulfil both,” she said.

“It is all very exciting releasing my first novel, if not a little daunting prospect, but I am ready for the challenge!” continued Alison

The synopsis for the book reads: ‘Do we judge ourselves more harshly than others judge us? Would our lives have been very different if we had trusted someone with our innermost secrets?

‘Everyone is hiding something. Martha has kept her secret all her adult life, hiding her own feelings as she helps her son John cope with the loss of his wife Evie and raise their two young children. Tom is a paralegal. It’s his job to delve into the lives of others and uncover the truth but is he equally perceptive in his private life? Alice harbours the darkest secret of all – too terrified to tell anyone. And even Evie, prior to her untimely death, surreptitiously sets in motion the events that will change all their lives.

‘On a beautiful autumnal day, at a picturesque beach on the South Wales coast, a breathtaking castle is made out of sand…’

The book which is self-published is available to purchase online (including an eBook version) through Amazon.

Alison will be at Tenby Bookshop on Tudor Square on Saturday, August 10, from 10.30 am onwards for a book signing event.