Author Name:
Cheryl Headford
Book Length
214 Pages
Book Name:
Shade’s Champion
Release
Date: 15th September 2017
Publisher: Extacy Books: Devine
Destinies
BUY IT NOW: http://www.devinedestinies.com/shades-champion/
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
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.
ReplyDeleteAlways a pleasure to help out such a lovely lady!!
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