Polar Night Gets a Facelift!

Polar Night is the first book in the newly designed Polar Magic series by Julie Flanders. After deciding to add another installment to the Polar Magic series, we thought it best to make sure these action-packed novels had a new style.

Originally published in 2013, Polar Night was paranormal detective novel that hooked us into detective Danny Fitzpatrick’s life. Watching him battle some dangerous, murderous paranormal creatures has been such a wild ride. This fall, we will join Danny again as he takes on another puzzling case in Fairbanks, Alaska, but as we wait for the next murder—Polar Night and Polar Day are getting new covers!

Plus, if you haven’t read these novels yet, the first editions are going on sale! Polar Night, edition 1 is on sale for 7.99 on our web store while supplies last! But, if you really love the new cover as much as we do, you can Pre-Order Polar Night, too!

About Polar Night

At noon the sun awakens as rural Dalton highway is painted on the arctic, Alaskan horizon. Silhouetted against the burning haze, a haunted asylum pierces the never-ending sky.

A woman screams.

A silken voice and a powerful grip to the throat persuades her silence. His classic Russian features, not unlike the minted image of Czar Nicolas II, remain frozen in time. “Please do not disappoint me like the others, my darling.”

The doorbell chimes. He releases his hold and caresses her cheek. “Natasha,” escapes his lips as he ascends the creaky wooden stairs. A calm hand opens the door. The glistening snow on the front porch pales against Aleksei’s skin and charming smile.

The callused hand of detective Danny Fitzpatrick flashes a search warrant. His puffy, bloodshot eyes lock onto Aleksei’s …

The young woman cries out, but only Aleksei hears. They will never find you my dear. This beaten and hung over man does not have a clue.

Hours later, the detective crosses the threshold and shudders as if encased in a block of ice. The sun drops to sleep and an eerie shadow creeps alongside him. He shakes his head.

Aleksei watches from the peephole. You feel my immortal essence … do you not? A forceful hand bolts the door. Aleksei probes his elongating eye teeth.

It is time for a new plan …

Polar Day gets its new cover on August 12, 2022!

Fall 2022 Upcoming Releases

It’s been quite a while since Ink Smith Publishing has released more than two books a year. Due to COVID and other interruptions Ink Smith has been slowly getting back into the groove. Fall 2022 is starting to take shape and we are pleased to announce the upcoming publications of three of our current authors’ work. First up, is the relaunching of Polar Night and Polar Day by Julie Flanders. These relaunched, and beautifully designed covers are in preparation for the third book, Polar Curse, in the re-branded Polar Magic series.

Polar Curse by Julie Flanders

Julie Flanders, the author of The Ghosts of Aquinnah, Polar Night, and Polar Day, is releasing the next book in the Polar Magic series: Polar Curse. It started in Fairbanks, and it will end in Fairbanks. Detective Danny Fitzpatrick has dueled with vampires and witches, but something is haunting Fairbanks—and it isn’t just the recent disappearance of a hiker. Eerie voices, accidental deaths and arson keep dragging Danny back to Kennecott cemetery. Back to Annabelle Trescot’s grave. The only theory that makes any sense: a deadly ghost.

With bodies piling up, Danny is forced to seek out Aleksei Nechayev, the murderous vampire, for help. But history has a way of coming back to haunt us, even when the ghosts get what they want. 

The Rise of the Azure Spire by J. Edward Hackett

J. Edward Hackett, author of the epic-fantasy novel, The Flight of the Ravenhawk, is back with the sequel to Prince Kals’ adventure. With King Darnashi under the control of necromancy wielded by Prime Magus Encheron, the Wizardlord’s must pledge their allegiance or face the costs of treason.

The Elves of Venda have thrown their support behind Prince Kal, but Kal might be more Allurian than they bargained for. When Kal’s dreams connect to the tortured soul of his brother, King Darnashi—the war takes a much deadlier turn. An army of the dead has risen and Encheron wields their commander. 

While Venda and Alluria fight their war, Encheron is making deals with the Shadowland to ensure his own claim over Alluria, but when he promises the Heart of Creation in exchange for his power, he may have doomed them all.

The Witch and the Devourer of Souls by C. David Belt

C. David Belt, author of The Witch of White Lady Hollow, has rocketed us into the future with The Witch and the Devourer of Souls. We find ourselves following an adult, Tabitha Moonshadow, navigating another evil force, in the sequel.

A masked serial killer feeds off the terror of women, devouring their souls… and he’s set his sights on Tabitha.

Tabitha Moonshadow Kilmore is now a young wife and a new mother, as well as a starving university student. And only her husband, her beloved Josh, knows that she’s a witch. And only Tabitha knows that Josh is a warlock—her warlock. They can do nothing apart, but together, they are magnificent.

It’s 1982, and a masked serial killer stalks the streets of tranquil Provo, Utah, abducting and terrorizing women, consuming their fear, and devouring their souls. And the killer has targeted the ultimate prize–the witch, Tabitha.

Reluctantly, Tabitha uses her abilities to aid Provo Police Detective Daniel Folau, a man scarred without and within, to identify and stop the murderer. But can Tabitha and Josh trust Folau? Can they trust any man? After all, any male could be the Devourer of Souls.

Meeting and Corresponding Briefly with Ursula K. Le Guin

The Horizon and The Fringe

I want to tell you a story. It’s brief. The briefest encounters in life can be the most intense. This is the story of my correspondence and meeting with Ursula K. Le Guin.

A Wizard of Earthsea was my first foray into fantasy that I read in 7th grade. Years earlier, I fell in love with Willow, Krull, and every high fantasy cartoon out there. I counted it twice on the 6-books-a-year-sheet we filled out in middle school for book reports. Mrs. McCullough who filed these records away about the book reports we did never noticed, and I presented on it in 8th grade in Mr. Cavalier’s class as well as counting the entire Earthsea cycle. In Mr. Cavalier’s class, we had to design license plates about us as readers, and I came up with Sci-Fi Guy as my license plate. I drew a dragon confronting a night. The…

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