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Heart of a Lion (Dark Sun Dawn Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Stephen Zimmer (Author), Bonnie Wasson (Illustrator), Scott Sandridge (Editor) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 52 ratings
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Rayden Valkyrie. She walks alone, serving no king, emperor, or master. Forged in the fires of tragedy, she has no place she truly calls home.

A deadly warrior wielding both blade and axe, Rayden is the bane of the wicked and corrupt. To many others, she is the most loyal and dedicated of friends, an ally who is unyielding in the most dangerous of circumstances.

The people of the far southern lands she has just aided claim that she has the heart of a lion. For Rayden, a long journey to the lands of the far northern tribes who adopted her as a child beckons, with an ocean lying in between.

Her path will lead her once more into the center of a maelstrom, one involving a rising empire that is said to be making use of the darkest kinds of sorcery to grow its power. Making new friends and discoveries amid tremendous peril, Rayden makes her way to the north.

Monstrous beasts, supernatural powers, and the bloody specter of war have been a part of her world for a long time and this journey will be no different. Rayden chooses the battles that she will fight, whether she takes up the cause of one individual or an entire people.

Both friends and enemies alike will swiftly learn that the people of the far southern lands spoke truly. Rayden Valkyrie has the heart of a lion.

Heart of a Lion is Book One of the Dark Sun Dawn Trilogy.
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Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 3
    Dark Sun Dawn
  2. Print length
    274 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    February 2, 2015
  6. File size
    1361 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00T44R6LE
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Seventh Star Press; 1st edition (February 2, 2015)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 2, 2015
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1361 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 274 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 52 ratings

About the author

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Stephen Zimmer

Stephen Zimmer

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Stephen is an award-winning author and filmmaker based out of Lexington, Kentucky. He is the co-host of The Star Chamber Show podcast and The Creative’s Cauldron VLog on the Seventh Star Press YouTube channel. He also hosts the Tip Trifecta segment on his own YouTube channel.

The founder of Seventh Star Press and the Imaginarium Convention, Stephen is a proud Kentucky Colonel who strives to help other independent creatives on their own paths.

Stephen’s literary works include the Rayden Valkyrie novels, The Rising Dawn Saga, The Fires in Eden Series, the Hellscapes short story collections, the Harvey and Solomon steampunk tales, and the forthcoming YA series the Faraway Saga.

His visual works includes the TV Pilot Rayden Valkyrie: Saga of a Lionheart, as well as a number of short films and one feature, Shadows Light.

Stephen can be found online at:

http://www.stephenzimmer.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/stephenzimmer7

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sgzimmer

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/stephenzimmer7

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
52 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Stephen Zimmer's Rayden Valkyrie is physical & moral strength personified...
Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2015
Verified Purchase
I finished reading Rayden's journey home to her northern roots the night before last. Stephen Zimmer has created an intense heroine with undeniable strength of purpose & unapologetic adherence to personal moral standards. Rayden's values are challenged throughout her journey and her response to each challenge is what makes Heart of a Lion such a satisfying novel. I also want to specify an important aspect of Stephen Zimmer's work in successfully relating the horror so many women have survived and endured while never explicitly saying the actual term or giving too much strength to its spectre. Often have I read of a strong female lead who acts to prevent men from assaulting women and saves them all to win an unrealistic battle against the injustices visited upon women in their world. It is much less often that I read of that female lead recognizing the truth of not being able to save all the women around her, relaying the agony of being unable to act on that urge because she has to protect the lives close to her rather than attempting to take on impossible odds to save others. I absolutely love this character, her world, and her journey. I'm eager to read the next book in Dark Sun Dawn. Thank you for creating extraordinary worlds and populating them with extraordinary characters & personalities, Stephen!
3 people found this helpful
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars The Best of us all!
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2017
Verified Purchase
As you enter the world Stephen Zimmer sets before you, you become spellbound by the Heroine. Rayden Valkyrie adheres only to her conscience and strong moral standards. She will also hold everyone else to them, even though it lands her in literal and proverbial fire. She is the defender of the weak and the voice that speaks for the downtrodden. You will journey along with Rayden as she attempts to save those in need, celebrate with her when she is successful, and mourn with her when she fails and feel the impact of the emotional turmoil that ensues. As a little girl, I would often dream of such a defender. That no matter what it would cost her, she would step forward and slay whatever troubled me, because it was moral and right thing to do. To be able to step into a world where she is real and exists has been an absolute pleasure and joy. It gives me strength and reminds me to always be Rayden Strong!
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Marian G
4.0 out of 5 stars Great heroine
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2020
Verified Purchase
Really enjoyed my first acquaintance with this series. Will get the entire set.
Zimmer has passion for his craft
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Chez
5.0 out of 5 stars What's in a sword and axe?
Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2017
Verified Purchase
It was so refreshing to read this book by Stephen Zimmer. Heart of a Lion is a true depiction of this female heroine. If you haven't read the book, simply watch an episode of National Geographic and observe how the lionesses care for her pride. She's protective, nurturing, fierce, and most of all, LOYAL! When Rayden raises her sword and axe, simply know it's in the spirit of these characteristics. It's so hard to write about this character without giving too much of the story away. As most readers will agree, you really feel like you're on this journey with her. Stephen does a fantastic job of physically, mentally, and emotionally bringing the reader into this character. I'm so glad there are more books to come! Rayden can be the face that launches 1000 ships, but can equally be the warrior to sink them all....very sexy!
One person found this helpful
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Mr. Thomas A. Mckewen
2.0 out of 5 stars titled as Book 1 but seems to be mid way through a series. Lightweight fantasy/adventure with uninteresting characters.
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2016
Verified Purchase
This is listed as Book 1 but seems to come in half way through the heroine's adventure which makes a lot of references to other characters confusing. It also seems like the backstory is in some earlier book or series.

I read a lot of fantasy/adventure and found this one pretty average. The characters are not very interesting and the story just jumps from one violent fight to the next without any character development. Secondary characters are just dropped and never reappear. It reads more like a comic book than a novel. Plenty of "girl power" but I just never developed any real interest in how it was portrayed. Might appeal to early teen girls who like a bit of adventure but I can't even recommend it to them as there are much better offerings available than this one.
2 people found this helpful
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Mary Ellen Quire
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved itl
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2018
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This is an awesome story about a female warrior. Truly a strong character, the author shows the more humane side Rayden when she helps a young boy escape a near grisly death on her homeward bound journey, returning after being gone for three years. The story flowed smoothly and the writing is well done. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, action, adventure, or stories with a string female lead.
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Vivian Lazarevic
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2016
Verified Purchase
I met the author at the creative conference he hosts every year in Louisville, KY, called Imaginarium, and saw that this was his newest book. I finished reading it this summer, and it was not what I expected. Rayden is a very complex character, and the best thing about her is that she's a strong woman. Stephen Zimmer really possess the sensitivity required to a writing a complex character like her. I highly advocate this book, and I urge readers to stay tuned for the rest of the series.
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