Frank and RaeLea Hurt, Fantasy Authors

Genuine Modern Fantasy set in North Dakota

You are here: Home / Archives for Updates

Updates and Newsy Things

Updates and news about our writing, publishing, and such!

Who Will be the Voice of Ember Wright?

By

Audiobook production of our novels has been on the ol’ To Do list for a while. Like everything we procrastinate on, eventually it gets tended to!

We’d like your help making the decision: who will be the voice of our Ascending Mage series?

We asked a selection of talented voice actors to read a sample passage from Ascending Mage 1: Changeling Justice. From the initial group, we narrowed the field to our four favorites.

Have a listen, then cast your vote and comments below!

Corinne Davies:

Stephanie Willing:

Sarah Colton:

Gert Kimpton:

Now that you’ve listened to the auditions, cast your vote!

New Release! Ascending Mage 4: Nothing Broken

By Leave a Comment

We’re delighted to announce that the fourth novel in the Ascending Mage series has been released!

We’ve already gotten a couple reviews from two amazing fans:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I love these authors!!!!!!!! Really enjoying the series. Can’t wait for the next book!!!!!!!!!! If you enjoy fantasy I don’t believe you will be disappointed.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “Decimates your emotions like a sadistic child pulling off the wings on a bug. Worth every second. I don’t even know where to begin. I finished reading in just a few days and I’m still speechless. There was so much excitement in this installment I don’t even know where to begin. I was on the edge of my seat from the moment chapter 1 started really, and when I realized it was over I just stared into space. Thank the Authors there’s another book coming, and I hope this series never dies because I have grown quite artached to almost all the characters. Except a select few YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE…”

Description for Ascending Mage 4: Nothing Broken

Her changeling friends are imprisoned. To free them, she’ll have to break the laws of magic.

Ember Wright managed to save her friends’ lives, only to see them locked up and tormented. With each passing day, the changelings weaken and submit to their interrogators. Secrets start to slip.

Running out of options and allies, Ember turns to an ancient, forbidden form of advanced magic. Her reluctant teacher’s warning echoes in her head: almost all mages who attempt the spell become corrupted by it.

Complicating matters, her overbearing mother decides to come visit–in the middle of a crisis. What could possibly go wrong?

As though an answer to Ember’s desperate prayers, an otherworldly force reveals itself. Will this new power be her greatest weapon? Or will it be her ultimate undoing?

Ascending Mage 4: Nothing Broken is page-burning modern fantasy with a kick-ass heroine and magic that will grab you by the throat.

You can grab your copy of Ascending Mage 4: Nothing Broken on Amazon.

First Look at Ascending Mage 6 Cover Art

By Leave a Comment

The first five Ascending Mage books contain a complete story arc, which we consider “Season 1” for the series. We’re currently writing Ascending Mage 4: Nothing Broken for its release on June 16, 2019.

With the response we’re seeing from readers, there’s going to be a Season 2. 😎

Without giving any spoilers, here’s a rough sketch fresh from our cover artist for Ascending Mage 6.

Ember Wright’s badassery continues!

Ascending Mage 6 sketch
First draft sketch of Ascending Mage 6 cover art

Emotional Intensity for Ascending Mage 4: Nothing Broken

By Leave a Comment

The Ascending Mage series has many subplots and characters. We use spreadsheets to outline and keep our descriptions consistent while keeping the overall story arc on target.

One of the aspects we track for each book is what we like to call the “Emotional Intensity” of each chapter. It’s subjective, but allows us to ensure we aren’t including too many low-key scenes in a row–or conversely, too many high-intensity scenes without an emotional break so our readers can catch their collective breaths. Essentially, the goal is to create an escalating saw-tooth pattern.

Below is a screenshot for the Emotional Intensity we’ve mapped for Ascending Mage 4: Nothing Broken. I’ve blurred the chapter descriptions to avoid spoilers.

Emotional Intensity chart for Ascending Mage 4
Emotional Intensity for the chapters in “Ascending Mage 4: Nothing Broken”

Ascending Mage 4: Nothing Broken is releasing on June 16th. Pre-ordering is available.

New Release: Ascending Mage 3 Buried Truth

By Leave a Comment

The third novel in our Ascending Mage series has just been released! You can get it now, on Amazon.

Here’s the description from the back cover:

Corrupt mage leadership. Oppressed changelings. It’s all about to hit the fan.

Newly-promoted Senior Investigator Ember Wright is just starting to win over the hearts of her adopted North Dakota home. But underneath the community’s quiet façade, unrest is brewing.

When a missing persons case comes across her desk, Ember’s the obvious sleuth for the job. The only problem: she’s the reason the three changelings went missing!

Somehow, this mage must concoct a plan to keep her darkest secrets buried while solving the case.

With their greatest threat distracted, the corrupt mage leaders make their move against the changeling community. Will Ember realize what’s happening before it’s too late?

Ascending Mage 3: Buried Truth is page-burning modern urban fantasy with a kick-ass heroine and magic that will grab you by the throat.

WARNING: this story is written for mature audiences and contains adult language and graphic depictions of violence.

 

The sequel, Ascending Mage 4: Nothing Broken is in the early stages of creation. It’s due for release on June 16, 2019 and can be pre-ordered here.