Dragons in the Valley

Mad River Romance is trying something new this month — highlighting a local author. Yes, there is romance in this book, but it’s not a traditional romance. And, no, it’s not set in the Valley, although perhaps people have seen dragons swooping through the mountains now and then. I hope you enjoy! Please let us know in the comment section.

Read on for an excerpt from Vermont author Danielle Schley’s debut novel “The Royal Art of Burning Bridges.”

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I laughed, breathless and high on it all. Then I spotted him. Striding across the Crucible like he owned the damn place. Darian. Our eyes locked. His mouth curled into an unguarded smile. And before I could think, I launched myself forward and threw my arms around his neck. All my adrenaline and giddy joy needed somewhere to land, and for better or worse, it chose him. 

He froze for a second, but before I could reconsider, his arms came around me. His hands pressed into the small of my back. Heat rolled off him, and I caught a whiff of that heady scent that was uniquely him. Something electric sparked between us—or maybe I imagined it.

Then my brain short-circuited. Wait, what the hell was I doing? I pulled back fast, heart hammering, cheeks burning. Had I really just thrown myself at Darian Khaelis like a lovesick teen? I scanned around, but no one seemed to notice. Darian shot me a wary look and ran a hand through his hair, then, oddly, did it again, like he needed something to do with it other than pull me back in. 

If you want to read more about Darian and Rowen, The Royal Art of Burning Bridges is available through Amazon, or can be ordered through your favorite local bookstore. 

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About the Author

Danielle Schley writes adult fantasy with sharp politics, complicated romance, and dragons with opinions. Her debut novel, The Royal Art of Burning Bridges, releases May 2026, followed by the sequel, A Rebel’s Guide to Revolution.

She holds a degree in Writing Seminars from The Johns Hopkins University and spent two decades in advertising before leaving to write full time. When she’s not exploring complicated families, political rot, and giant flying fire-lizards, she teaches ballet and choreographs for the stage. She lives in Vermont’s Mad River Valley with her husband Jim, and her cats Layla (herself a small black dragon) and Duke (essentially a dog).