Friday, September 15, 2017

New Book by Cheryl Headford!!


Author Name: Cheryl Headford

Book Length 214 Pages

Book Name: Shade’s Champion

Release Date: 15th September 2017



ABOUT THE BOOK

Sixteen-year-old Shade has spent years imprisoned in a dark cellar after being snatched off the street as a young child. Events since his release have left him traumatised and desperate to die.

Dory is a lively and engaging seventeen-year-old with mental health issues that make him a slave to his dangerously uncontrollable emotions.

When Shade comes to the secure children's home, Eastbrook; because no one else wants him, the manager appoints Dory as his champion, an appointment Dory takes very seriously indeed.

As friendship turns into something else, something new and exciting, they struggle to find their feet, but every step leads to more complication.

When a spiteful act separates them, it seems their love is doomed before it ever had a chance, but when Dory falls ill, it's up to Shade to pick up the standard and become his champion, although it might already be too late.


MEET THE AUTHOR

Cheryl was born into a poor mining family in the South Wales Valleys. Until she was 16, the toilet was at the bottom of the garden and the bath hung on the wall. Her refrigerator was a stone slab in the pantry and there was a black lead fireplace in the kitchen. They look lovely in a museum but aren’t so much fun to clean.

Cheryl has always been a storyteller. As a child, she’d make up stories for her nieces, nephews and cousin and they’d explore the imaginary worlds she created, in play.

Later in life, Cheryl became the storyteller for a re enactment group who travelled widely, giving a taste of life in the Iron Age. As well as having an opportunity to run around hitting people with a sword, she had an opportunity to tell stories of all kinds, sometimes of her own making, to all kinds of people. The criticism was sometimes harsh, especially from the children, but the reward enormous.

It was here she began to appreciate the power of stories and the primal need to hear them. In ancient times, the wandering bard was the only source of news, and the storyteller the heart of the village, keeping the lore and the magic alive. Although much of the magic has been lost, the stories still provide a link to the part of us that still wants to believe that it’s still there, somewhere.

In present times, Cheryl lives in a terraced house in the valleys with her son and menagerie of three cats, a dog and a dragon. Her daughter has deserted her for the big city, but they’re still close.

Immersed, as always, in the world of fantasy, she maintains a burning desire to share the stories and these days it’s in the form of books which all contain her spark and unique view on life, the universe and everything.


 
EXCERPT

“His name’s not Shane,” Dorien said, wanting to do something to earn his champion status. Champions were like knights, and he had to fight for the damsel in distress in any way he could. Well, kind of.

“Excuse me?” The social worker looked at him as if he were some sort of curious thing. She had a patronising air that infuriated him. She treated everyone like a five-year-old and didn’t listen to anything.

“His name. It isn’t Shane. It’s Shade.”

“Don’t be silly, Dorien. No one’s called Shade.”

“Erm, actually, he is,” Richard broke in.

Uh oh, Richard was frowning. Richard never frowned unless he was really cross, and Dorien was very glad he wasn’t frowning at him.

“Really?” She glared at Shade, who gazed back with no expression at all on his face or in his eyes. Damn, this boy was going to be a challenge. Oh well, Dory liked challenges. There was a vague unease in the back of his mind. If ever there was anything to get angry over, Shade was it. Already, he was feeling a kind of protectiveness he’d never felt before. If anyone hurt Shade... Oh dear.

“Well, come on then,” the woman said, taking Shade’s elbow and steering him up the steps, way too fast. He stumbled again, and both Richard and Dorien hurried forward.

Richard gave Dorien a look. “It’s all right, Dory, I’ve got it from here. You’d better get back to the common room. It’ll be dinner time soon, and I’m sure you’ll want to tell everyone about Shade.”

“I haven’t said hello yet.” Ignoring Richard, Dorien held out his hand to Shade, who simply looked at it as if he didn’t know what a hand was, let alone why it was waving about in front of him. Patiently, Dorien took Shade’s hand and shook it. “That’s the way we say hello, at least the grown-ups do, which you are, practically, although they’ll still treat you like a kid. My name’s Dorien, but everyone calls me Dory. I don’t know why because that’s a fish in Finding Nemo who has a very bad memory. I have a very good memory. Anyway, I’m going to be your friend. Penny said I was to be your champion, but that’s a funny kind of word, so I think friend is better.” Impulsively, Dorien threw his arms around Shade and hugged him briefly. “Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ll look after you.”

Dorien turned to Richard. “I mean properly, Richard. You don’t need to look at me like that. Penny explained, and my intentions are purely honourable, I can assure you.”

Richard gawped.

“Close your mouth, you’re catching flies,” Dorien teased.

“Common room, Dory. Now.”

“Yessir.”

With a last glance at Shade, Dorien grinned and called, “See ya,” as he raced off inside.


WHERE TO FIND THE AUTHOR





2 comments:

  1. Thank you for hosting me. You're an angel as always. Shade's Champion is a re relase but I've done a lot of work on it and I'm very proud. I love this book, as I think all authors should love their work, otherwise what't the point? Dory is one of my very favourite characters. I gave him lots and lots of mental hugs all the way through this book and was rewarded a hundred fold with his energy and limitless love.

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