Welcome to one of the November 10th stops on the blog tour for Raven’s Apprentice by D Robert Hardy, organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Be sure to follow the rest of the tour for more spotlights and a giveaway! (More on that at the end of this post.)
Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means there is no additional cost to you if you shop using my links, but I will earn a small percentage in commission. A program-specific disclaimer is at the bottom of this post.
About the Book
Raven’s Apprentice
by D. Robert Hardy
Published 9 July 2020
(Kindle)
Genre: Autobiography / Memoir
Page Count: 274
Add it to your Goodreads TBR!
Raven’s Apprentice is a compelling true story from the west coast of B.C. that launches you into the world of Raven and our interconnectedness with all living things.
“Suddenly, without warning, they spun on a fin and started charging the boat. My thrill turned to real panic. Killer whales attacking a boat. Had there ever been such a thing? A paralysis gripped me. Now, within striking distance, they slipped into an arrowhead formation just below the surface. If the leader of the pack didn’t bring the boat down, his flanks would.”
“At about 20 feet off the bow, the frontrunner broke the surface, peeling waves off his rostrum as he continued his commitment to engage. Bracing for impact, my hands squeezed into the railing…”
Travel with me aboard MV Lady Guinevere. Witness being charged by transient killer whales, stalked by wolves and walking creeks so pristine you feel as if you were the first human to experience the wonder of nature.
“You have succeeded in bringing the reader on the voyage with you and into the deeper experience of transcendence and heightened awareness. Some of your experiences are literally skin tingling, many will leave your reader thinking and remembering for a long time to come.” – Sid Tafler – Writer, Editorbr.
“Don Hardy’s RAVEN’S APPRENTICE is a great and compelling story, both nuanced and vivid, that will leave readers wanting to head off on adventures of their own.” – Heather Stockard – IndieReader
Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Chapters Indigo | B&N
Excerpt
I continued my way along the creek bank to take my mind off the violence and watched for signs of pink salmon, affectionately called pinks. They would be the first wave entering the creeks in the next week or two, but none were in the creek yet.
Another sense that becomes heightened when you are exposed to nature is your sense of danger. My sense of self-preservation was tipping the scale. I decided I would abandon my creek walk considering the devastation to the meadow. Something that would be that ruthless and violent to plants might not hesitate to dispatch me on a whim.
I stepped lively, sensing danger was close at hand, as if it would overtake me at any moment. When I got closer to the creek, the din of water obscured the subtleties of twigs snapping and the underbrush swishing aside, as something behind me quickened its pace.
I spat out of the bush and slid along the creek bedrocks like I was on pebbly ice. Now I was afraid to look back, as the indulgence of precious time would break my pace. That might be all it would take for the beast to overtake me and shred me like a cabbage root. In one swift move, I lunged at my anchor and dragged the boat behind me down the beach to the waterline.
I was now forced to look back as I pulled the dinghy to me. There was nothing there, just the rushing sound of the creek spilling over the rocks and the brisk wind pushing at my back. Did it stop? Was it watching me? I wasn’t going to wait and find out. I launched the boat and jumped in. It skidded across the surface into deeper water. Still nothing appeared on the beach. I felt foolish, but I was safe.
Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Chapters Indigo | B&N
About the Author
Born in Halifax Nova Scotia. Grew up in small-town Cumberland, BC. but could not wait to get out and make his mark. Toured throughout Canada and the US as a professional musician until he realized he hated touring. Settled in Victoria, BC. Wrote six unpublished screenplays until he had real success with a stageplay called “A Garland for Judy.” It toured down the west coast from Bellingham to Los Angles but topped the bill in San Francisco for six months to sold-out shows. Eventually settling into technical writing and developing online courses for most of his working life. Raven’s Apprentice is a memoir that captured the imagination of a retired CBC executive who said, “You must bottle up all of this adventure into a book! …being rescued by transient killer whales encounters with wolves, spirits in the kelp … it’s all too exciting!” And so it is done.
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Giveaway Alert!
One lucky follower of the tour will walk away with a $20 gift card to either Amazon or Barnes & Noble, winner’s choice!
a Rafflecopter giveawayDisclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Thank you for sharing this book and author details, it sounds like a good read.
Thanks for hosting!
You’re welcome!
I’m curious about the cover artwork. Who’s the artist?
The illustrator credited on the Goodreads listing is Kasandra Mane.
Sounds like a great book to read. Thanks for sharing and for the giveaway.
Great excerpt!
D Robert Hardy is a new author to me, but I look forward to reading this. I always love meeting new authors. Thanks to this blog for the introduction.
You’re welcome!
I have no room in November for more reviews, but after reading the material I was sent for this tour I still wish I had volunteered to review. I’ve got a 2 month trial offer for Kindle Unlimited that I’ll be activating in January, and this is on my list to read with it!
Wonderful excerpt and cool, unique cover, sounds like an exceptional read, thanks for sharing with me!
Great excerpt, sounds like a good read.
Ooh this sounds like an intriguing book, I really like the synopsis. Thanks for sharing – it’s not one I’ve heard of before.
The book sounds fascinating! I absolutely love the cover, too!
This sounds like a very good book.