Books by J.D. Hanning The Traveler's Saga What if everything you knew about your life suddenly changed in the blink of an eye? After losing the only parents she’d ever known, Brianna Moonspirit learns the truth about her identity and embarks on a journey that changes her life forever. From cosmopolitan Seattle to a far away land in another time, she meets her destiny, a great warrior-king, and together they fulfill a prophecy and restore peace to the people of Astralmira. Join Brianna on her incredible journey throughout the Multiverse in the stories of The Traveler's Saga. The Shopkeeper and the Traveler and The Ghost Ships of Loch Orrthannan, the first and second books in the series respectively, are now available for sale as both paperback and e-book download. The third book, The Windrider Prophecy, and the fourth book, The Arke'Nur Scrolls, are expected to be released in 2010 and 2011. More information about all the stories in The Traveler's Saga can be found below, as well as an excerpt from the first story at the bottom of the page. Please note that the first story contains mildly suggestive themes, but should be suitable for anyone over age 13. However, the others may not be suitable for children under 17 due to mature themes and some violent and graphic content. The Traveler's Saga is a tale about fate, prophecy, and legends that is sure to take readers beyond the reaches of distant shores to other worlds and other cultures, as it explores the mystery of a common ancestry. Conflict adds to the depth of the story and helps bring a richness to the characters as the stories unfold. Learn more about what's behind the storyline in The Traveler's Anthology: A Guide to the Worlds of the Traveler's Saga, a companion book to the series. Each book in The Traveler's Saga contains a glossary showing pronunciation of the names, and the origins and meanings of the names, as well as the relationships of the characters to each other. The anthology offers more in-depth background information about the different worlds and cultures, and their history and legends. It will also include family trees and maps. The companion book will expand upon the material in the bonus sections, providing more detailed information and illustrations. It is due to release after the fourth book. TO PREVIEW AND ORDER BOOKS, go to www.lulu.com/stardancing FREE SHIPPING this summer on orders of $19.95 or more. Now's a great time to get the first two books in The Traveler's Saga!
BOOK ONE: "The Shopkeeper and the Traveler" Let your imagination soar with The Shopkeeper and the Traveler, the first in a series of fantasy novels about time travel and other worlds, loosely based on the mythological realm of the ancient Celts. In this first installment of the Traveler’s Saga, two remarkable sets of heroes share a very special connection with Sage Babka (the Shopkeeper) through a most unusual twist of cosmic fate. Brianna Moonspirit (the Traveler) journeys to Astralmira, another world within the Multiverse, where she soon discovers that she is destined to fulfill an ancient prophecy as the Guardian and break a curse to free the people from the malevolent sorceress, Mabh Dubheassa, the former Cú-Raeth queen. Brianna travels through time and meets King Merrick Argetlamh, who holds the key to helping her break the curse. Aidan Murdoch and Aunika Stardancer guide Brianna and Merrick and help them understand their destinies. They also share some rather unexpected secrets about themselves that affect the lives of everyone they know. From cosmopolitan Seattle to the quaint seaside town of the Sídhenar of Loch Orrthannan on Astralmira, Brianna’s adventures in discovering new worlds bring her face to face with danger while she attempts to break the curse. $17.99 (paperback), $5.99 (download). 400 pages. NOW AVAILABLE	BOOK TWO: "The Ghost Ships of Loch Orrthannan" In The Ghost Ships of Loch Orrthannan, the second installment of The Traveler’s Saga, the story continues seven years after the curse on Mabh Dubheassa has been broken. A war has been silently brewing between the Sídhenar of Loch Orrthannan and their neighbors just beyond the gates of the Guardian Monument. With the help of an unlikely accomplice, the Cú-Raeths enter into an alliance with the Bodeccans, people from another world within the Multiverse whose Ghost Ships have been bringing tourists to Astralmira for the past three hundred years. As a result, the timeline has been altered and Brianna must go back into Astralmira’s past again to restore it. In order to be successful, she must prevent someone from murdering General Merrick of the Muirs during the infamous Battle of Hodúr. She discovers how Merrick really acquired his silver hand, who had it made for him, and his benefactor’s betrayal. Secrets, lies and conspiracies are exposed, while new heroes emerge, new worlds are discovered, some unexpected villains appear, and a surprising relationship is revealed.        $18.99 (paperback), $5.99 (download). 484 pages. NOW AVAILABLE
BOOK THREE: "The Windrider Prophecy" In The Windrider Prophecy, the third installment of The Traveler’s Saga, the saga continues ten years after the end of the second story. While preparing to secure her position as Bodeccan queen, Uta M’Ru, tries to undermine the Solitary’s efforts to prepare for the highly anticipated event called the Primal Gathering. However, since Gris’Tar now has the loyal support of Brianna Moonspirit and Merrick Argetlamh from Astralmira, this task becomes more challenging. To help alleviate their interference, Uta M’Ru enlists the aid of an unexpected visitor, who helps her advance the hostilities against the Sídhenar. In the midst of this new war, Aunika Stardancer finds herself in an unlikely situation, torn between her forbidden love for this visitor and her loyalty to her parents. The Bodeccans apply some unusual tactics that prey on the unsuspecting Sídhenar Nation as they join forces with the Cú-Raeths in this darker, more tragic portion of the saga. Estimated Release:  2010	BOOK FOUR: "The Arke'Núr Scrolls" The Traveler’s Saga continues with the fourth installment in the series, The Arke’Núr Scrolls. The war with the Bodeccans and the Cú-Raeths officially ended one year prior to the beginning of this story and most of the Sídhenar refugees have been granted asylum on Bodecca. However, Brianna Moonspirit and a handful of rebels remain behind on Astralmira to continue the fight, hoping their people will one day be able to return to their homes. While hiding in the underground web of tunnels that connect the former Sídhenar towns to their ancient temple, Brianna stumbles upon a hidden chamber that hurls her back in time to an ancient Wellspring Temple on B’Jéra. There, she discovers the truth behind the legends of the Arke’Núr scrolls from the Caretaker, who gives her a perilous assignment. Brianna must once again take on the role of the Guardian and prevent a rogue mercenary from assassinating the Caretaker of the Ohljar Wellspring on Terra. Brianna’s mission sends her back to Seattle, arriving in the year 2056 at an archeological exhibition spotlighting some artifacts found in a controversial dig. The danger escalates after she discovers the shocking identity of the man whose plot she must foil.      Estimated Release:  2011
COMPANION BOOK: "The Traveler's Anthology: A Guide to the Worlds of The Traveler's Saga" The anthology is a companion book to the series containing an expanded version of the material found in the bonus sections of all three books in the series, including detailed background information about the cultures of each society, some in-depth character analysis, illustrations, and a guide to the Sídhenar language complete with phrases used in the stories, other short phrases and a vocabulary list. It also features a collection of favorite excerpts, some short stories related to the series, as well as the short story that inspired the entire saga.   Estimated Release: 2012
Excerpt from "The Shopkeeper and The Traveler" Copyright 2008 by J.D. Hanning Unauthorized reproduction is strictly prohibited Chapter 22: Tying up Some Loose Ends   Gull House Tavern hardly seems like the kind of place where one might expect to find Logan Quinn. He’s typically seen at only the finer establishments, ones that more appropriately enhance his image as one of the richest men in town. While most of the townsfolk are perfectly comfortable enjoying the evening hours in what’s unquestionably regarded as the most popular local gathering place, Logan prefers not to spend his leisure time surrounding himself with the trades people, tourists, and other nefarious commoners who tend to frequent this rather boisterous pub. In his opinion, their need for such raucous interaction lends itself to a more uncivilized nature. However, this less refined establishment suites Devin well enough, which is probably why he requested that Logan meet him here tonight. Since the brothers seldom intentionally get together, Logan ignores his own discomfort for the moment to satisfy his curiosity.   Cautiously standing near the entrance, Logan resists venturing deeper into the crowded pub at first, despite the enticing music, laughter, and lively conversation that effortlessly draws others in off the street. After briefly scanning the patrons as though they’re beneath his status, searching for the familiar face of his brother, he takes a few uneasy steps into Alfred Morgan’s tavern. Respectable enough by day, businessmen meet here for lunch, tourists quench their thirst after perusing the wares at the Shops on the Boardwalk, and merchants compare their profits during meal breaks. The late evening crowds are quite another story, however. When an empty table fails to present itself to him, Logan appears slightly out of place as he considers leaving. Finally, a chair becomes available at the bar, so he immediately claims it, sits down and orders some ale with the poise of someone who’s been there many times before, hoping no one notices him while he waits for Devin to show up.   “Here you go, Mister Quinn,” Billie says, setting a tall glass of cold Medlaren ale down in front of him, knowing that he prefers only the best imported drinks.   “Thank you. Have you seen my brother? Has he been in here tonight?”   “No, sir,” she replies.   Just as Billie answers, however, Devin casually strolls into the tavern with a beautiful woman on each arm. Laughing and staggering a bit, they appear to have already been drinking before their arrival. Devin greets each person seated at the table nearest the door with an overly zealous, “Haelhé!” as the women cling to their escort, giggling and smiling at everyone. The three of them clumsily make their way across the room, enthusiastically greeting others along the way, and seat themselves at a table that a small group of people have just vacated. Billie points him out to Logan, even though no one could have possibly missed their entrance. Disgusted, he takes his drink and goes over to their table to confront Devin, annoyed that he kept him waiting, yet somewhat intrigued by his choice in drinking companions.   “Evening, Brother. So I see that the lovely Brianna Moonspirit is not enough of a woman for you, after all. Apparently, your attempts to impress her with your paintings failed as miserably as I predicted, eh?”   “If you must know, she stood me up,” Devin reluctantly admits.   “And these are her replacements?” Logan asks, pointing at the women.   Devin slurs and stumbles over his words as he tries to make an intelligent introduction, but he has difficulty even remembering their names. “No, these are my friends, Claire and . . . ah . . . Claire and . . .”   Pouting, the other helps him out by saying her name slowly, “A – lan – a.”   “Yes . . . Claire and Alana. I knew that,” Devin says, pointing to the wrong ones as he says their names, finishing his rather inept introduction.   “No, I am Claire. She is Alana, silly,” Claire notes, correcting him.   “They work aboard one of the Ghost Ships,” Devin brags.   As if on cue, Billie arrives at their table with Devin’s usual order, a small pitcher of Keltahran ale and a slightly chilled bottle of well-aged Roggenar, a popular Bodeccan beverage made of distilled roggenberries and other foul-smelling herbs, Devin’s drink of choice. He pours some ale for the ladies before sloppily pouring himself some of the Roggenar. He quickly gulps it down, pounds the empty glass back down on the table with a hearty sigh of satisfaction, wipes his mouth with his sleeve, and immediately refills the glass to the brim. Embarrassed by his brother’s vulgar display, Logan reaches across the table and picks up Devin’s glass, sniffing the repulsive contents.   “How can you drink this swill?” Logan asks, sickened by the harsh aroma.   “This is what real men drink, Brother,” Devin replies, grabbing the glass back from Logan.   Impatient with his brother’s drunkenness, Logan demands that Devin explain why he requested their meeting.   “To tell you that Brianna is all yours. She stood me up, so I have no use for her,” Devin declares. “I have moved on, as you can well see,” he continues, leaning his head in closer, first to Alana then to Claire, giving them each an intoxicated grin and an exaggerated wink. “So you can tell her that for me, if you like, Brother. Not that she would care, the heartless wench. We could have been wonderful together . . . but no, not now. Her misfortune, I say. Not mine. Hers. Yes, hers.”   “Clearly,” Logan replies sarcastically.