Having already mastered the martial arts realm, Danielle M. Orsino is taking on her biggest challenge to date: writing a stunning SIX BOOK series (plus two novellas)… And that’s only volume one! Training for over 20 years and with over 500 tournament wins, she has accumulated national and world titles. She has performed for former U.S. President Bill Clinton, has been featured on Soap Talk, Fox Five news, CBS, TLC, and E!, and has worked with the likes of martial arts legends Vincent Lyn and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Just how did Danielle make the journey from martial arts to mythological worlds?
“It all started in an IV room four years ago.” In addition to her martial arts prowess, Danielle has a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Exercise science and is an LPN with a special interest in Lyme disease research. While working as a nurse, a patient asked Danielle to tell him a story to distract him during his long treatment sessions. Danielle generously obliged. Drawing from her passion for comic books, cosplay, and the fantasy genre, she crafted an entertaining tale that captivated not just her patient but also her own imagination, and lo and behold The Birth of the Fae series — a fantastically epic adventure of heartbreak, hope and rebirth — was born.
“After summoning this world into existence through an imaginative force of will, Danielle has scoured every inch of the landscape several times over. Critics often praise a story’s world building by saying that it feels ‘lived in.’ Well, the world of the Fae certainly seems like that because Danielle herself has happily lived there for years as she worked to put all of this together.” —Clete Barrett Smith, New York Times bestselling author
Welcome to Veil
Skyboat is proud to publish Volume One of THE BIRTH OF THE FAE series on audio! Skyboat’s Gabrielle de Cuir and Stefan Rudnicki were immediately taken with Danielle’s distinctive writing style, and we are delighted to bring her work to new fans in the audiobook world.
“Los – In the Meadow” Illustration by PandiiVan
Listen to samples for the whole series on SoundCloud!
She tilted her chin upward, facing the sunlight. She pulled her shoulders back as if her wings would reform in the moment. Her will unshakeable, she was as obstinate as the mountain she stood upon. She extended her arms over her head in mock worship. “I will rise again, and it will not be by Your blessings but by my own mastery! I will fly with my own wings. One way or another, I will hear the wind again. The next time I grasp power, I will never allow anyone to take it from me. Ever.”
BIRTH OF THE FAE: LOCKED OUT OF HEAVEN (Birth of the Fae, Book 1) by Danielle M. Orsino
Read by Gabrielle de Cuir and Stefan Rudnicki
They were abandoned on earth by their Creator.Now it’s a fight to the death in a world never intended for them …
Aurora, Queen of the Light Fae, is a former Virtue angel sent to earth to nurture the planet in preparation for humanity. Jarvok, King of the Dark Fae, was once a nameless foot soldier from the Power Brigade angels cast down to earth to fight against the demon horde.
After the Great War against Lucifer, both were abandoned with no explanation. They watched as their wings turned black, decaying painfully, while those around them went mad.
She wanted answers and to offer her kin protection—even if it meant denouncing the Creator. He wanted to be the master of his destiny and will never again relinquish his freedom.
No longer angels. No longer bound by the Creator. They became the Fae.
But to survive in this strange and beautiful primitive world, they soon discover human worship equals power.
Without it, the Court of Light’s potent elemental magick cannot withstand the fierce dragon-riding Dark Fae warriors.
And the war is only just beginning …
THINE EYES OF MERCY (Birth of the Fae, Book 2) by Danielle M. Orsino
Read by Gabrielle de Cuir and Stefan Rudnicki
What happens when you give in to your enemy?
Or when an act of mercy turns into betrayal?
The war between the Court of Dark and Light waged for far too long. But at long last, each side has set their elemental magick and weapons down, and the Treaty of Bodhicitta is signed.
The rules are clear. Never again will the Fae spill their own blood, and human worship must be equal to both courts.
But while Queen Aurora and King Jarvok were playing their war games, the outside world has moved on from polytheism to monotheism. Now, the humans understand worship, equals power and wealth.
Queen Mary the First of England is on the throne and will go to any length to conceive a child—even one not entirely of her world. But as the pregnancy progresses, the reigning monarch questions if she’s instead made a deal with the devil.
Meanwhile, behind the Veil, Queen Aurora and King Jarvok are discovering in the new world order, the power dynamic has shifted and old resentments still linger. A single act could shatter their peace and start the war anew…
Birth of the Fae: Thine Eyes of Mercy is an epic fantasy adventure continuing the Fae origin story. Set in a beautifully fantastical world and weaving the decadent setting of Tudor England, it is a place where the fight between good versus evil tests the lines between what is right and wrong.
FROM THE ASHES, with FIRE, ICE, ACID, & HEART (Birth of the Fae Book 3, with Tales from the Veil #1 ) by Danielle M. Orsino
Read by Gabrielle de Cuir and Stefan Rudnicki
FROM THE ASHES (Birth of the Fae, Vol. 1, Book Three)
They will either burn the world down, taking their courts with them. Or rise from the ashes together …
Once, peace between the Court of Dark and Light seemed possible. A treaty was signed, a new balance was agreed upon. But now it all may go up in flames.
Queen Aurora and King Jarvok are refusing to end their battle. And with neither willing to surrender, their kingdoms are on the edge of destruction.
Until a ghost from the past intervenes.
For the first time, the monarchs see more than their differences. They recognize the darkness and light are inextricably linked, and what has been missing all along in their attempts for peace—mutual understanding.
Attempting to strengthen their newfound partnership is not without risks. Asking the respective courts to support the reconciliation of royal enemies after centuries of brutality is plagued with danger. Especially when some Fae will go to any length to ensure failure.
But in putting aside their old hurt and vendettas for their kingdom’s safety, Queen Aurora and King Jarvok find they are risking something far more precious than their crowns. Something that cannot be won on a battlefield.
Their hearts …
FIRE, ICE, ACID, AND HEART (Tales from the Veil #1)
Dark Fae soldier Jennara and her fierce Fire-Breather dragon, Kali, have trained for months, their sights set on the Tournament of Fire, Ice, and Acid—a deadly competition that determines who will join the elite ranks of Blood Haven’s warriors. The tournament, a cycle-long tradition of honor and respect, has never been more perilous.
But this year, treachery mars the hallowed grounds of Blood Haven. High Council Guard Yagora shatters centuries-old traditions, excluding Jennara and Kali from the nominees. As chaos looms, Azrael, another council member, steps in determined to restore fairness. Unbeknownst to him, darker forces are at play within the fortress walls.
Jennara and Kali’s fight becomes more than just a quest for glory—it becomes a battle for survival. Thrust into a world of deceit and danger, they must navigate through fiery trials and icy treachery, forging alliances and facing formidable foes.
KINGDOME COME (Birth of the Fae Book 4) by Danielle M. Orsino
Read by Gabrielle de Cuir and Stefan Rudnicki
Their love is powerful. But is it strong enough to survive deception?
A new era is dawning for the Court of Light and the Court of Dark. Queen Aurora will soon be married to King Jarvok, and for the first time in history, Dark and Light Fae will be united. Except Aurora is also concealing a secret from everyone—she is with child.
Not everyone is pleased with the upcoming nuptials. Queen Aurora’s closest advisors have long held that Virtues and Power Angels are sacrosanct, and her bishops view her upcoming marriage as an abomination.
With her ability to rule now in question by those she trusts the most, instead of celebrating, Aurora is plagued by guilt and nightmares about the safety of her unborn child and the future of their kingdoms.
A FAE IS DONE (Birth of the Fae Book 5) by Danielle M. Orsino
Read by Gabrielle de Cuir and Stefan Rudnicki
A 2023 NYC Big Book Awards Distinguished Favorite in Visionary Fiction
A Queen betrayed. A broken-hearted King. And a kingdom in chaos …
There are those who once believed that the Courts of Light and Dark could finally be united. But now a new Queen has taken the throne, and the Court of Light has descended into darkness and turmoil.
Broken-hearted and devastated, King Jarvok can no longer ignore his centuries-old suspicions. While he looks towards the shadows, his second-in-command Asa is determined to focus on the light. In doing so, they both realize there are secrets among them that some will die to keep.
But amidst the riots, scheming, and greed, new alliances are tentatively forming. These unlikely heroes have a role to play in the kingdom’s future, but not even they can fathom what is coming.
When a prophecy foretells of a child of Light and Dark who is destined to unite the courts, no one knows if she will be a harbinger of doom or a reason to nurture hope. Especially when this child alone has the power to undo what has already been done …
Birth of the Fae: A Fae Is Done is an epic fantasy adventure set in a beautifully fantastical world where the Fae rule in the shadows of humanity. In the fifth installment of the series, political tensions are high and hidden agendas could change the Fae and humanity forever.
FORGIVE US, with AT THE HEART OF WAR: DANAUS & JAYDEN (Birth of the Fae Book 6, with Tales from the Veil #2 ) by Danielle M. Orsino
Read by Gabrielle de Cuir and Stefan Rudnicki, with Nan McNamara
Forgive Us (Birth of the Fae, Vol. 1 Book Six)
A prophecy destined to unite the Fae could divide them forever …
One child holds the key to the survival of the Fae and humanity. But with King Jarvok a shadow of his former self, Asa has chosen to disobey him and disguise herself as a member of the Court of Light to find answers.
Together, she, Indiga, Dora, and the Familiars undertake a perilous mission to rescue the Little One who can lead them to the prophecy child. Yet, even if they save him, they still have many powerful enemies who will do anything to prevent the prophecy child from being found and fulfilling their destiny.
Orion, the Head of the Hathor guards, and the bishops are all determined to demonstrate their allegiance to the new queen, leaving Asa doubting her ability to survive the dangerous machinations of the Court of Light.
For the small group of Fae, who are fast running out of time and allies, it seems that all hope is lost. But if they are brave enough to have faith in one another in the face of death and new beginnings, they might have the power to alter the course of history …
At the Heart of War: Danaus & Jayden (Tales from the Veil #2)
War took her life. But the strength of her words has the power to defy death …
General Jayden, a courageous Earthborn Fae, made the ultimate sacrifice at the Battle of Drystan. Ever since, Danaus has been left to silently grieve the unimaginable loss of the woman she loved.
While the former Virtue Angel and leader of the Viceroy Faction no longer feels any joy in the world, she is determined to stay strong to uphold her political seat in the Court of Light.
But when Jayden’s wartime letters to Danaus are unveiled in a ceremony to honor her sacrifice, Danaus is forced to face her inner demons and the true depths of her loss.
Reliving Jayden’s last months through her letters, Danaus learns of Jayden’s growing obsession with her mission and the painful circumstances leading to her death.
But there is one final letter Danaus is yet to have the courage to open. And if she does, it could shatter the foundations of her world forever …
