The Ballad of Dani and Eli

by Nicholas Bruner

Fifteen-year old Dani likes the blues, bad boys, and trouble, and has no problems attracting any of them.

When her family moves for the summer to a rural Ozark town she assumes things are going to be boring as hell until she meets two locals who make life a lot more interesting: a small-town bad boy named Eli, and a giant black bear she keeps seeing on hikes and canoe trips.

One is a friend, and one is a potential killer--and Dani's not sure which is which.

paperback

Published May 4, 2020

About the author

Nicholas Bruner is the author of Roll dem Bones and more than twenty other works of fiction. He has a background as eclectic as his stories, having worked everywhere from summer camps in Hungary to explosives crews in the U.S. Before becoming a full-time writer, he spent years as a government contractor in Washington, DC.

Nick writes books that blend suspense, imagination, and heart. His latest YA horror, Roll dem Bones, has been called “masterfully written” and praised for its chilling atmosphere and unforgettable characters.

When he isn’t writing, Nick can be found running, weightlifting, playing chess, or digging through vintage comic book bins. He lives in Fairfax, Virginia.

Reviews

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this book. I especially loved the deep connections with the animal spirits underlying the story. It has adventure, lore, love, and heartbreak, with a little ode to Janis Joplin! Great book, thank you!

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mixture of summer memories and suprises from this first story by Nicholas Bruner. Very sweet, hesitant even, like many young teenagers, but full of feeling and wonder.

[pacon ! · Rating 4 out of 5]

my cousin wrote this