AN AUTHOR has launched his debut fantasy novel for young adults.

Darren Edwards from Penarth has released his first book entitled Heart Stone which is set in the Vale of Glamorgan.

The book is part one of a five part saga that follows the adventures of a young boy, Dylan and his teenage sister Katy.

They live in a small fictional village in the Vale of Glamorgan called Carreg-y-galon with their grandparents.

Their grandfather Bryn is known for telling fantastic stories, Katy has long since grown out of them but Dylan still loves to hear them.

One evening Bryn tells Dylan about the mysterious sethundra, creatures that are trapped in a magical sleep, and can only be woken by a saying a spell.

Katy and Dylan find themselves caught up in an adventure that stretches across other worlds and involves creatures out of their grandfather’s stories.

There is also a mystery surrounding Katy and Dylan’s parents, especially their mother and the people of Carreg-y-galon that will build up across the series.

Mr Edwards who has been involved with Penarth Operatic and Dramatic Society (PODS), said: "I started working on this a few years ago when I caught a movement out of the corner of my eye but when I looked there was nothing there.

"That sent my imagination into overdrive and I began to come up with a children’s story book about magical, sleeping monsters that could only be seen out of the corner of your eye.

"Over time the story developed more and more and grew into something much larger until it didn’t really suit young children anymore and was far better suited for a teenage/adult market.

"I grew up in Llantwit Major and in my early working days would travel to Cardiff or Barry or Bridgend on a regular bases, but I never really had cause to deviate from the main roads between those places.

"Carreg-y-galon was born when I found myself having to pick up a friend from one of the many tiny villages and hamlets that you can find down the winding country lanes that most of us never travel down."

He also writes pantomimes that he sells to amateur groups across the country, some of which PODS have performed in the past including The Snow Queen.

The book is available on Amazon, on Kindle and in paperback.

Visit www.sethundra.com for more information.