A CLEHONGER author is challenging readers of her latest novel to work out exactly where in the Black Mountains her story is set.

Louise James has used the rural setting for her book A Rough Kind of Magic, but has changed the name of the exact location.

The 78-year-old, whose previous novels include The Blackberry Pickers and its sequel, From Unicorns to Wild Geese, said the plot was thought out years ago but was not published and has now been re-written.

She said: "It's based in the Black Mountains. When I sell the book to people who know the Black Mountains I will say 'see if you can work out where it is' because I've changed the names."

The story is that of a 35-year-old man who is told he needs a heart transplant. His blood contains rare antibodies however, which means finding a donor will be difficult, but if he doesn't get one he only has around 18 months to live.

He decides to trace his roots right back to his grandfather's farm in the Black Mountains and, finding it derelict and up for sale, buys it to spend the remainder of his life there. But then he meets a local white witch and her beautiful granddaughter – and that's where the drama begins.

A Rough Kind of Magic is available to buy from Amazon or from Authorhouse