Philosophies of a Young Heart

Book Signing at Fort Rucker

Today I had a book signing on Fort Rucker Base next to Enterprise, Alabama. While driving onto the base I felt a strong sense of pride, for the entire base and everyone on it was devoted to the protection of our country. It felt like entering another world where normal human selfishness and rudeness were forgotten.

I enjoyed my signing at the Post Exchange on base. Something I learned was that every, and I do mean every, man or woman in uniform removed their hat as they entered the building. It was amazing to watch the coordination and discipline.

As the day neared it's end there was one thing I was disappointed about. Of all the books I signed and sold, none had been to a man or woman in uniform. As I was leaving and already packed up an army soldier approached me to buy my book.

What I inscribed in his book I meant with all my heart:

"Thank you for your service"

To the men and women that give their time to serve our country, I am truly grateful. <3

Excerpt from Flight Moon

Excerpt from my current work in progress, Flight Moon.

“It could be several moons before you can fly.”

The dragon gave him a mischievous grin. “Let's test that theory.”

Flight Moon sprang forth with such swiftness that Gakulisan didn't have time to stop her. She rushed towards the cliff's edge, bounding forward on four legs like a panther. With a powerful leap she thrust herself off the cliff.

For a moment she thought she would fall. The wind gusted painfully against her wings. Pulsing them violently she shook off her dystrophy. The force of her wings pushed her above the level of the cliff.

Gakulisan relaxed, watching her rise higher above him with a great effort. She rose past the point where fear of falling distracts from the sensation of sustained flight. She was able to slow her wings and soar, drifting on air currents. Her gaze lifted to the horizon.

For the first time in half a season she wondered where she would go. Should she return to Gorusk and seek out Shirr? That would probably be the last thing she ever did.

She could continue to hide. She wondered if Shirr was still searching for her.

With a flap of her wings she rose higher, hoping the open wind would strip away her thoughts. Gliding high above the land, again she looked at the edge of land in her possible sight. But it wasn't towards Shirr that her gaze was turned. Something tugged at her from where she had come, from where she had fallen, but didn't fall. From where...

A faint blue light flashed far in the distance. Flight Moon squinted to discern its source, but the light became more intense, seemed to be coming closer. What is that? But the dragon didn't have any more time to think as the light rushed towards her. She tried to back away, in an attempt to dodge it, but her limbs wouldn't obey her.

With a shock of pain and light the energy hit her. She was blinded by blue-hot lightning. No, there was darkness in it. In the center... a form. A face.

Flight Moon felt a rush of wind from beneath her. Disoriented, a shock or awareness made her open her eyes and realize that she was falling. She was almost to the ground, but she couldn't move. No, she wasn't falling. The gusting wind wasn't caused by her fall, it was an unnatural force keeping gravity from claiming her form. The wizard. She turned to see him on the cliff, level with her, with both hands raised to the sky, controlling the wind that was keeping her from pummeling into the ground.

She forced her wings to move and drifted more than flew back to the cliff.

“Under... attack...” Flight Moon forced out as she landed with a crash.

Gakulisan collapsed to one knee, but managed to turn towards the north and scan the skies.

“I don't see anything.” He looked back to the dragon, hearing her labored breathing. “What happened?”

“The light... attacked me.”

“Light?” the wizard asked. He didn't continue, seeing her eyelids close. He started to approach her, but withdrew his hand when the hairs on his harm rose and the fabric of his robe clung together.

First Book Signing of Brother, Betrayed

Final book reading of the first book signing at Troy University.

Noon book reading part 1. These passages were chosen by my fans.
Noon book reading part 2.

First book reading from Brother, Betrayed.

Table set up ready for the first book reading at 10:00 a.m.

Troy University News: Book Signing

http://www.troy.edu/news/archives/2011/november/11012011_raver.html

Nov 1st, 2011

TROY -- Author Danielle Raver will host a release party for her new book, "Brother, Betrayed," at the Troy University Barnes & Noble Café on Friday, Nov. 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The event will include readings by the author and book signings. Readings of "Brother, Betrayed" will be at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The party also includes an online celebration happening at www.danielleraver.com. Giveaways from Barnes & Noble will be offered during the event as well.

Raver is a TROY graduate with a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree from the University of West Alabama in school counseling. She is now a writer and senior editor at Fantasy Island Book Publishing.

It has always been her dream to publish her writing. The book, along with the book signing party is an opportunity to bring her dream back home.

Raver grew up in the Black Hills of South Dakota. When she was a girl, she and her older brother used to create stories, competing to see who could write the most. Eventually that game evolved into fantasy writing, and "Brother, Betrayed" was the result.

A tale woven with deception, war, sacrifice, and magic, "Brother, Betrayed" takes readers to a troubled kingdom surrounded by barbarians, magical races and forbidden boundaries.

11/11/11

The year was 1999. Everyone was worried about Y2K. Everyone was planning the party of the millennium. They one day wanted to be able to answer the question: "What did you do when the year turned 2000?" with something worth remembering and sharing.

Not me. The young high school age Danielle was thinking... in 12 years it will be 2011. Something that hasn't happened in 1000 years will be happening again. I began planning for the date 11/11/11.

As my author biography alludes, I do always make a wish when I see the clock on 11:11. I know that in numerology 11/11 is significant. Some sources claim that it is a combination of numbers that means insight and inspiration. 11 has just always been my lucky number.

It wasn't until the beginning of this year that I decided what I wanted to do on 11/11/11. With the editing almost finished with my novel, I thought I might could finish it by November and hold a book release party on that special day. That would be something worth remembering, special enough to tell my children and grandchildren about, someday.

Then in March of this year I met J. D. Hall at Fantasy Island Book Publishing. Just weeks before I had received this fortune at the Chinese restaurant I frequent:

The fortune proved true. Fantasy Island Book Publishing has helped to make my dream a reality. 11/11/11 is fast approaching, and I plan to celebrate to the best of my ability. Join us.

Character Highlight: Denire, the Rogue Knight

Fans of Danielle Raver, Author's Facebook Page were asked "Who sounds like he/she would be your favorite character?"

Vote for yourself at
http://www.facebook.com/questions/215482941801755/?qa_ref=pt

To celebrate Denire's lead, the following is a character highlight on Denire.

My inspiration for Denire actually came from a picture I saw in a knight with a cloak in a medieval magazine (which I cannot find) but here are some pictures that were similar:

(not my art)

The reader first meets Denire when he ambushes the three brothers on their journey through Miscia. Here is an excerpt from the scene:

The three brothers drew back their reins. The horses neighed, startled and agitated. A rider on a black horse suddenly appeared in their path. The rider pulled the reins of his shifting horse as he gazed at them from beneath a helmet that shadowed his eyes.

“Young travelers, a word,” he said.

The brothers were uneasy, but stayed their hands, held over their swords. Their shock left them and they examined the rider. He was lightly armored in chain, a blue tunic and cape draped over his sturdy shoulders and down the sides of his steed. Intricately tooled leather, they noticed, held a sword at his waist. The same leather decorated the girdle of his horse, now pumping its head and snorting at them. They moved their horses back a few steps, close to each other.

“He is a soldier of Arnith,” Fasime whispered.

“How did he find us?” Oman asked in a speculative tone.

“We should order him back,” Fasime stated, glaring at the rider but waiting.

“No, then he would know who we are,” Syah warned.

The rider’s horse shifted again but he held him back. “I need to speak with you,” the soldier said in a tactful, compelling voice.

“Why have you tried to ambush us?” Oman demanded.

“You should not be here,” the stranger answered. “I am a knight of Arnith. You three need to come with me.”

(this of course is the wrong time period but I looked at this picture a lot while writing Denire - I liked the dark moodiness of it)

Excerpt from Best Selling Fantasy Novel: Brother, Betrayed

From Chapter Forty Four of Brother, Betrayed "A Field and a Cabin"

Fasime turned for his mount, but he saw Eltha had already untied him and was leading the mighty black warhorse quickly to them. He mounted and took the reins before turning towards Torgan. All of the villagers silenced at the sight of him. Agetha held her wounded son with tears in her eyes.

“Quickly!” Torgan shouted. “Gather what horses we have and follow him!”

Fasime sheathed his sword and shouldered his bow. He didn’t take the moment to glance to the villagers, the mother and the wounded boy, knowing what their eyes would tell him.

Bring her back.

Fasime flicked Lightning’s reins and cried out to him, starting him galloping out of the market and towards the northern woods. The sounds of the villagers were quickly out of earshot. They were into the field before Fasime realized what he was doing. He was one man against at least a dozen raiders. The feelings of duty towards the village and family that had harbored him strengthened his resolve and he withdrew the bow from his shoulder. They can’t out ride Lightning.

He was already to the threshold of the forest. He pressed his heals into the stallion’s sides and leaned forward. He had always held caution with the beast, not allowing it to ride at its fastest speed, not knowing, upon that brink, what he would unleash. But now he strove towards it, seeing that upon entering the forest there was little snow upon the ground and the marauders’ trail was indefinite.

The steed responded with a supernatural understanding. It rushed with zeal in the direction its rider commanded it. Fasime gripped the girdle tightly, feeling the jolting of the ride strangely smooth the faster they galloped, as if Lightning glided towards their foes, becoming discernible in the distance between the trees. No root nor stone nor limb hampered him.

Perilously Fasime straightened, reached for an arrow and knocked his bow. Soon. They will be within range soon.

They were deeper into the woods and Fasime was almost close enough. How many arrows will it take until they turn and fight? We shall see. Fasime raised the bow, unsure of his aim upon his shaking ride. He saw the trailing end of their riders clearly ahead. He closed one eye and drew the string, locking his legs against the stallion and targeted the rear rider. He released the string and the arrow flew ahead of him. Within a moment the enemy rider fell off his horse. He was close enough to see the other riders turn in their saddles and spot him. They didn’t stop and turn. They quickened their pace.