The Heartfelt Saga
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About the Author
Dustin De Felice wrote The Heartfelt Saga when he was in his early twenties and he was floating throughout the North Atlantic and the Caribbean with the U.S. Coast Guard. Today Dustin De Felice is a graduate student pursuing his Ph.D. in Second Language Acquisition and Instructional Technology (SLA/IT) at the University of South Florida. He is progressing through the doctoral experience while trying to assume his new role as a researcher. Dustin has more than a decade in the Adult Education field and has taught in Tampa, Florida, Chicago, Illinois and Cuernavaca, Mexico.
His current research interests include formal address systems in the Spanish language, language acquisition in polyglots, and endangered language documentation and pedagogy. His work with a native speaker of the Nahuatl language is available and he is always willing to share a copy of his multimedia CD entitled “Un pequeno vistazo del idioma Nahuatl,” where you are able to hear the language once used as the lingua franca throughout Mexico and still spoken today by roughly 1 million speakers.
He hopes you have enjoyed this novel and might look forward to the next book in the series. If you are interested in the next book in the series, feel free to contact Dustin at his personal email address: dustindefelice@yahoo.com
Dedication
This book is dedicated to readers everywhere; for if they enjoy this book, then I have done my job.
Acknowledgments
I would first like to take a moment to thank the woman who made this possible, my mother, Lois Anne De Felice. I owe my life and this book to her. While I was still in my tour with the Coast Guard and during one of the numerous phone calls I made home, I complained to her that I was bored. Her only reply was, "Write a book!" Not realizing I would take that seriously, she nonetheless can claim full responsibility for the following pages. My mother is an avid reader who passed the same love down to me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart Mom. I love you.
I think it is impossible to thank my mother without including the other reason why I was able to write this book, my father, Wayne Alan De Felice. From the day I was able to walk, I only wanted one thing in my life; to make my father proud of me. This book is for everything you have done for me and everything that you will do for me. I love you, Dad.
I have to give credit for numerous parts of this story to my brothers and sister. I used the relationship I had with them to create the bond each of the members shared as they went through their adventures, just like we did when we were kids. Of course, I also used my sister's name throughout the book. Elizabeth is a beautiful name and was given to her for a reason. Thank you for everything guys, Wayne, Nick, Elizabeth and Sean.
My Uncle Tony was my backbone and support throughout the books conception. If it wasn't for the long distance phone calls and the care packages, I don't think I would have had the will power to see the project until it's end. I found the inspiration to continue each time we talked and he would ask for an update. I leaned heavily on him, since I never told the rest of the family about my book. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Throughout life there are people who come into your life and do nothing but enrich what you have. Numerous people have done just that with me. I wouldn't be where I am today without each and every one of them. First off, I want to mention a dear friend, Bob Boyd, who I know will be one of the first people to buy a copy. It never ceases to amaze me that our friendship never stops no matter where we both are. I love you, man!
For the last few years of my life I was lucky enough to be stationed with Brett Rouzer. I told him a long time ago what his dedication was going to be, so here it goes Brett, "With your help, I would have never finished this book." Seriously, I owe you a lot and I plan on incorporating Brett Stryker, Master Swordsman, in the next volume. Of course, I can't mention Brett without mentioning his lovely wife, Carol (whose name I also used) and his beautiful daughter, Chloe. Thank you for making me a part of your family. I love you guys!
This book wouldn't be in the shape it is without the constructive tampering of William Fisher, who tried his best to place as many sex scenes as he could throughout the novel. His interest in the novel was undying and his creative expertise was endless. Even though he is disappointed that Talon never got laid, I still owe him a lot. I spent many nights with him on the basketball court and just as many with his family. I want to thank his beautiful wife, Genie, and his great children, Paul, MaryCatherine, and especially my favorite, Jocelyn. I miss you guys! I would like to mention a few other people, Steve Pothier and his family, Max Ferrer, and Eric Gage and his family. Thanks for everything.
During my tenure aboard the USCGC Vigorous I was blessed with an assortment of characters, friends and some of the funniest people I have ever met. I dedicate this book to their efforts for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
A number of members from the Vigorous had a direct hand in the creation of this book. First and foremost, I would like to thank Jack Bradley for the use of his first name and for being a good sport about my use of the name Jack. Just remember that whenever you don't know someone's name, just call them Jack. I almost gave up on the book towards the end when I turned in a business letter to William Segelken, who proceeded to bring me down to earth by declaring my grammar an atrocity. I owe him a deep thanks for making me take a good hard look at what I was writing. This book is better because of him.
One other ship will live with me in my memories for years to come: the United States Coast Guard Cutter Bittersweet. She has been decommissioned, but I will never forget the days I spent on her decks.
I wish all the sailors from the Vigorous and the former Bittersweet the best of luck with the future and of course, Fair winds and Following Seas! Semper Paratus.
For those I forgot, keep heart, I still have at least two more volumes until I consider the saga complete. My most important thanks goes to the person reading this book right now, you, the reader. May you enjoy the journey, the friendships, the characters, and the life I have written. Thank you!
Don’t miss the next volume: The Heartfelt Saga: Book 2-Coming Soon!
Please enjoy the following excerpt from the second installment in the Heartfelt Saga trilogy:
The air around Valerica sparks with energy as the sides of the battlefield are drawn. The damage has been done. The war that once sat on the horizon is now filling the land with dread. The North has made the first move in the game and now the South is prepared to die in order to reunite the kingdom. King Heartfelt and the Heartfelt army are moving north in response to the rebellious vassals.
In Elizabeth Towne, Confidence Trynn proceeds with his duties to the King. His unit of elite Guardsmen is the first in a long line of support that will flow freely from his Vassal. The Unit is one day away from making the trip to Markham and combining forces with the Heartfelt and Redderin Guard.
May 5th, 770; Confidence Court, Elizabeth Towne
“Announcing Elizabeth Towne Unit One leader, Brett Stryker.” Sir Monad stepped back as he opened the door to allow the young man passage. As he pulled the door fully open he bowed in respect.
Unit One leader Brett Stryker walked a few steps into the Confidence’s Court and stopped just inside the room. He let his eyes wander the court until they met with Confidence Trynn’s. The Confidence nodded his head and motioned silently with his hand. Brett took a small breath and resumed walking. He felt the eyes of the court on him as he approached the seat.
When Brett was within five feet of the seat he knelt to one knee and bowed his head. “Your wish my lord?”
Confidence Trynn stood. “You have answered my call to service once again. Duty bound to the crown. Long live Heartfelt.” The Confidence walked down the stairs until he stood in front of the kneeling warrior. Placing his right hand onto the man’s shoulder he released him to rise. “Look me in the eyes my son!”
Guardsmen Stryker stood and looked
his Confidence in the eyes. “My unit has been assembled and is ready to do your bidding.”
Confidence Trynn smiled briefly and clapped Brett on his shoulder. “With the court’s blessing and the backing of King Heartfelt may you restore peace in the land my son.” Confidence Trynn nodded his approval. “Tomorrow you will depart for the units from Heartfelt and Redderin are already on their way. For now please invite your men to a feast to take place in the honor of this occasion. Tonight we shall celebrate the victory we will undoubtedly bring to the crown.”
“Your wish is my command.” Brett bowed deeply and held his position. “I am honored by the coming feast.”
See the stunning conclusion in The Heartfelt Saga: Book 3
Please enjoy the following excerpt from the third and final installment:
The sound of a charging horse is one I will not soon forget. As I lay here within earshot of the path, the hoof steps continue to go by. I am not sure I can move or at least that is what my body tells me. I think I have broken my back. I can hear my horse struggling to move, but I think she took more from the fall than I did. At this point I can safely say I have failed to complete the last task that was placed before me. I left a mere three months ago, with no idea I would end up two hundred yards away from completing my role. I can vividly see Prince Christopher waiting for me in Blackheart's quarters. Blackheart isn't due back for another few hours, although neither was I. Ironic that the one time I was early in my short life I wind up paralyzed on the Pendlewood forest floor. It won't be long before my horse gives in. Her breath has become swallow and the kicking has all but disappeared. I wonder what will go first, her spirit or her strength. Can it be I was naive enough to believe this was ever going to work? My father once said I was lacking in common sense and Prince Christopher often joked that my common sense is sitting on the mantel patiently awaiting my return. As I lay here in Pendlewood forest I see the sun is reaching its peak and once it passes, I will never see the same world I knew again. All of my life will be gone......signed Michal Talon Bastian