Author Name: Cheryl Headford
Book Length 214 Pages
Book Name: Shade’s Champion
Release Date: 15th September
2017
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
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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
While
Richard was talking to Stacey, Emily had sidled up to Shade. She patted his
arm, and he looked down at her, a puzzled expression on his face. As Richard
glanced up, Shade smiled. It was a different kind of smile than he’d given to
Richard. It was sweet and innocent. It took Richard completely by surprise and
threw him off balance.
“You’re
pretty. Will you kiss me?” Emily said.
Before
Richard could open his mouth, Shade shook his head. “You’re a baby. Don’t ask.”
Shade’s voice was something of a shock. Firstly, because for some reason
Richard hadn’t imagined for a moment he’d speak, and secondly, because it was
just like the rest of him—soft, sweet, and blurred.
“I
am not a baby. How dare you! Did you hear what he called me, Stace? A baby!”
“You
wanna watch what you say, pretty boy,” Stacey said, oozing attitude. “You’re
not going to make many friends around here if you go around saying things like
that.”
“Stacey,
I said that’s enough. Scoot.”
“But—”
“Scoot.
Remember, Shade’s new here. He doesn’t know anyone, and he doesn’t know the
rules. I’m trusting you, all of you,
to make him feel welcome.”
“Oh,
I’m sure the boys will make him feel very...welcome.”
With
a glare at Shade, the two girls turned and raced away. Shade seemed utterly
confused.
“Don’t
worry about them. They can be a nightmare, but they’re basically good kids.
Just be careful. They’re... They can be a bit too friendly at times.”
Shade
frowned, looking even more confused, if that were possible.
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