Keeper of the Deer - Book One
by Paul Heisel
Cast out. Bound in servitude. Hunted by blood and shadow.
Rad never asked for power. But in the halls of Château Saignoral, where secrets fester and cruelty reigns, a hidden legacy awakens. As darkness coils beneath the surface and ancient forces stir, Rad must decide what he’s willing to risk to reclaim his name—and his soul.
Radcliffe von Schule was born into power—and cast out before he could claim it. Branded a bastard by his tyrannical father, Rad is condemned to a life of quiet servitude within the walls of Château Saignoral, the ancestral home he can never truly call his own.
But Château Saignoral holds more than bitter memories. Beneath its cold stone corridors and guarded towers lies a web of secrets: forbidden magic, hidden relics, and a past that refuses to stay buried. When Rad stumbles upon a strange and ancient artifact, he is drawn into a world far darker than he ever imagined—one where family is treacherous, magic is real, and survival is never guaranteed.
Haunted by what he's lost and hunted by those who would see him broken, Rad must navigate a perilous path through deception, shadow, and awakening power. Abby, the only light in his fractured world, writes to him in secret—reminding him who he is and who he might become. And Hadley, a gruff mentor with ties to less-than-honorable deeds, teaches Rad that the only way to fight the dark... may be to master it.
But in a world where even love can be used as leverage, and power is drawn in blood, Rad must answer a harrowing question:
Is freedom worth becoming the very thing he fears?
Welcome to Books by Paul. I’m Paul Heisel, a fantasy author passionate about building immersive worlds and unforgettable characters. Whether it’s ancient forests, lost cities, or haunted towers, my stories are filled with mystery, magic, and meaning. This store is where those worlds come to life—through books, exclusive editions, and more. Thanks for joining me on the journey. Adventure awaits.
Paul Heisel is a fantasy author with a lifelong love of storytelling, first sparked in 1979 when he discovered Dungeons & Dragons and the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Raised in Alaska and inspired by the wild landscapes of his youth, Paul began writing at thirteen and never stopped—building worlds shaped by loyalty, betrayal, and the eternal clash between light and shadow. His flagship series, Keeper of the Deer, has been nearly five decades in the making. In addition to that sprawling fantasy epic, Paul has published the An Emperor’s Fury series, Tale of the Catstaff, and a contemporary thriller, First Frontier. Paul’s writing is grounded, immersive, and driven by moral complexity. He invites readers to imagine beyond the page, to explore not only what is said but what is left unsaid. When he’s not writing, Paul works as a Principal Underwriter for the world’s leading property insurer, FM. He lives in Frisco, Texas, where he enjoys cooking, sipping Hendrick’s martinis, and listening to Alan Parsons while dreaming up new stories. Explore more at paulheisel.com or visit his official shop at books.by. Get Special Editions at https://paulhbooks.etsy.com. Also explore the world of Keeper of the Deer at Paul's YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@PaulHeiselBooks. Smash evil.
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