Friday, October 13, 2017

Guest Blogger: Cheryl Headford

Please welcome my dear friend and fellow author, Cheryl Headford, who is here to tell us about her new release, Shade's Champion!


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 

 

 



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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