Authors: Chris Bradford
Bodyguard: Target (39 page)
fans
An
interview with Ash Wild
by Jessie Dawson
J: Your fans seem to always know
where you are, and you’ve got so much power over them – can that be
scary?
A:
Yes, it’s crazy
that fans start crying when they hear a song like ‘Kiss & Tell’, but at
the same time I’ve written the song for them to react to emotionally. Do I
sometimes
fear the fans? There are situations that are overwhelming, but you get used to
it and my bodyguard is always there to handle the situation if things get out of
control.
J: Are there ever any moments when
you’re on your own?
A:
Yes, usually when I go to
my hotel room at night and shut the door behind me. Then I’m all by myself. I
usually don’t do much. Unless I’m inspired
to pick up my guitar and write a
new song.
J: Who are
your musical influences?
A:
I listened to a lot of
Prince growing up. He is such a musical genius. In the future, people will remember him
as the Mozart of our time. But I’ve always been one for classic rock music. You
know, Guns N’ Roses, Foo Fighters, the Rolling Stones, Black Sabbath, Nirvana.
Bands with big guitars
but also an ear for great songs.
J: What was your inspiration for
the song ‘Only Raining’?
A:
I was in a pretty low
place after my mum died. But I remember sitting in the garden just after a thunderstorm
had passed and the sun came out and shone down on me. The whole garden sparkled with
life. It was at that moment I realized that, however bad the storm, the rain will
eventually
pass and the sun shine through.
J: Who do you most admire in the
world?
A:
My aunt. She picked me up
when I was at my lowest. Gave me a focus. Kay protects me as fiercely as a tiger. And in
this business, believe me, you need protection.
J: Do you ever get stage
nerves?’
A:
Not at all. It’s
like I was born to perform.
Only
Raining
We all need a shelter to keep us from the
rain
Without love we’re just laying on the
tracks
Waiting for a train
When I miss you so much I can’t
explain
I pray for the sun to come and chase the
rain
Don’t you know that …
It’s only raining on you
(only raining)
It’s only raining on you (only
raining)
It’s only raining on you right
now
But the sun will shine on
through
You’ve begged for forgiveness
You long for the day
The brightest light to come shining through
your door
And chase those clouds away
And I miss you so much I can’t
explain
And I long for your touch to come and take
the pain
Don’t you know that …
Chorus
You’re all I need
And all I see
Come set the sun in
me, baby
You need time to breathe or maybe
Life owes me a thing or two
Chorus
Lyrics copyright © Ash Wild
My books have always included strong yet
feminine heroines: Akiko and Miyuki in the Young Samurai series, Cho in my Ninja
series, and of course Charley and Ling in my Bodyguard series. But
Target
is my first opportunity to write entirely from the perspective of a female lead
character … and what a heroine
Charley proved to be! I hope you enjoyed
reading her adventure as much as I did writing for her.
So, with Charley in mind, I’d like
to thank all the ladies who have had a major influence in my life. First and
foremost, my mum – thanks for all your support, love and sacrifice. I am
blessed to have you as my mother. Next and equally as important, my beautiful wife,
Sarah,
and the mother of my two whirlwind sons, Zach and Leo – I truly
appreciate all the patience, love and tenderness you show me and the boys. And of
course my dear departed Nan – you gave me a head start, steered me in the
right direction and left me with words of wisdom that will last a lifetime. Your
light forever shines in my heart.
Karen, as you know, I consider you a
sister – thank you for being there for me through thick and thin, joy and
sadness, and being a constant friend in my life.
Sam Mole, my awesome sister-in-law! And
Sue Mole, a dream of a mother-in-law!
This book is
dedicated to my gorgeous goddaughter, Lucinda Dyson. May you grow up strong,
confident and happy. I’ll always be there for you.
I’d also like to thank my
friends
Emma Gibbins, Hayley Drew, Katharine Ravetz, Alessia Sardella, Abbie Moore, Georgie
Farmer, Fiona Findlater, Lisa Martin, Barbara Horsfield and Clare Hatfield –
each of you have had a significant and positive influence on my life.
Then there’s my Bodyguard squad at
Puffin: Jessica Farrugia Sharples, Hannah Malaco, Wendy Shakespeare and Helen Gray.
And, finally,
one person I must thank and who is an exception to the female rule:
Tig Wallace, my brand-new shiny editor – I couldn’t ask for a more
enthusiastic, hard-working and dedicated editor. Keep up the good fight!
Stay safe,
Chris
Any fans can keep in touch with me and
the progress of the Bodyguard series on my Facebook page, or via the website at
www.bodyguard-books.co.uk
starts here …
laugh-out-loud fun
characters
and SO MUCH more …
Sounds
ancient, doesn’t it? But Puffin has never been so lively. We’re always
on
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ago.
Lane, who in 1935 invented the quality
paperback and changed the world.
And
from great Penguins, great Puffins grew, changing the face of children’s
books forever.
Books were hatched in 1940 and the
first Puffin story book featured a man with broomstick arms called Worzel Gummidge.
In 1967 Kaye Webb, Puffin Editor, started the Puffin Club, promising to
‘make children into readers’
. She kept that promise
and over 200,000 children became devoted Puffineers through their quarterly
instalments of
Puffin Post
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Puffin with a smile.
No matter what your age or what you’re into,
there’s a Puffin for everyone.
The possibilities are endless, but
one thing is for sure: whether it’s a picture book or a paperback, a sticker
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if it’s got that little Puffin on it – it’s
bound to be good.
