But as one journey ends, another now begins. I am embarking on a new adventure, the modern equivalent of the samurai warrior: the BODYGUARD. This past year I've been training in the art of close protection and I'm now primed to deliver an action-adventure story that will be as thrilling and exciting as the Young Samurai series.
I do hope you, my reader, will join me on this brand-new journey ...
Chris.
Disclaimer: Young Samurai: The Ring of Sky is a work of fiction, and while based on real historical figures, events and locations, the book does not profess to be accurate in this regard. Young Samurai: The Ring of Sky is more an echo of the times than a re-enactment of history.
Warning: Do not attempt any of the techniques described within this book without the supervision of a qualified martial arts instructor. These can be highly dangerous moves and result in fatal injuries. The author and publisher take no responsibility for any injuries resulting from attempting these techniques.
Cover Illustration by Paul Young.
All rights reserved.
The moral right of the author and illustrators has been asserted.
ISBN: 978-0-141-97102-5.
MEET CHRIS.
HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOU STARTED TRAINING IN MARTIAL ARTS?.
I started judo when I was seven years old. I won my first trophy at the age of eight and have since trained in over nine different martial arts.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE MARTIAL ART AND WHY?
I have enjoyed all my styles each one has taught me something new but my favourite must be Zen Kyo Shin taijutsu, since it was the first one I earned my black belt in. The style originates from the fighting art of the ninja my sensei was even taught by a ninja grandmaster!
HAVE YOU EVER MET A REAL SAMURAI WARRIOR?.
Yes I am a student of Akemi Solloway Sensei, who is the eldest daughter of an old samurai family, descended from the karo of Iwatsuki Castle (near Tokyo) in the time of Lord Ota Dokan (14321486). The name Akemi means 'bright and beautiful' and, because she has no brothers, Akemi has a special responsibility to keep alive the traditions of her samurai ancestors.
WHEN DID YOU START WRITING?.
I've been writing all my life, but mostly lyrics for songs. I didn't start writing stories until much later, though I remember making up stories in my head as a child, especially on long car journeys to stop myself getting bored.
HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO WRITE THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR?.
I wrote The Way of the Warrior very quickly in two months! The story literally burst out of me and on to the page fully formed.
WHERE DO YOUR IDEAS AND INSPIRATIONS COME FROM?.
My heart and my life. The Young Samurai trilogy was inspired by my passion for martial arts. It is the story of a young boy learning about life through martial arts. It could be about me. Equally it could be about you.
WHAT DID YOU USED TO DO BEFORE YOU WERE A WRITER?.
I was a songwriter and musician. I sing, play guitar and harmonica. I have performed all over the world, appeared on TV and taught music at the illustrious Academy Of Contemporary Music in Guildford. My musical experience led me to writing my first book on songwriting (Heart & Soul) for the British Academy Of Composers & Songwriters.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE BOOK?.
It by Stephen King. The scariest, and his best.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE IN THE WORLD AND WHY?.
I've travelled to many wonderful places, but my three favourite memories are playing guitar on a beach as the sun set in Fiji, sitting in a tree house in the middle of a jungle in Laos and listening to a temple bell chime at dawn in Kyoto, Japan.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE TYPE OF FOOD?.
Sushi. It's so healthy and very tasty.
WHAT'S YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?.
My samurai sword. The blade gleams like lightning and whistles when it cuts through the air.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE FILM?.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. The action scenes are magical and literally defy gravity, the actors are like fighting ballerinas, and it features one of the greatest female movie martial artists, Michelle Yeoh.
It all started with a Scarecrow.
Puffin is well over sixty years old. Sounds ancient, doesn't it? But Puffin has never been so lively. We're always on the lookout for the next big idea, which is how it began all those years ago.
Penguin Books was a big idea from the mind of a man called Allen 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.
The first four Puffin Picture 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, which is now back for a new generation.
Many years from now, we hope you'll look back and remember 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 book or a hardback, if it's got that little Puffin on it it's bound to be good.
Books by Chris Bradford:.
The Young Samurai series (in reading order).
THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR.
THE WAY OF THE SWORD.
THE WAY OF THE DRAGON.
THE RING OF EARTH.
THE RING OF WATER.
THE RING OF FIRE.
THE RING OF WIND.
THE RING OF SKY.
Available as eBook.
THE WAY OF FIRE.