Bio
Rachael Vaughn is the creative brainchild of husband-and-wife writing duo, Laura Rachael Black and Trenton Vaughn Hockersmith.Laura is the wordsmith of the pair, and a bona fide dabbler. With interests in everything from mosaics to wood carving and playing the hammered dulcimer, there isn’t much that doesn’t appeal to her insatiable need to create. When she isn’t writing, Laura stays busy as the co-owner of Firefly Tattoo—one of Indianapolis’s premier tattoo studios—where she is also a full-time artist. You can check out her professional tattoo gallery at https://www.fireflytattoo.com/f88479627.
Trent acts as the bookends of the writing process. He serves as the team's world-builder and plot developer on the front end, and acts as an editor and proofreader (plus the ultimate voice of reason) on the backside. His educational background in English and psychology help him craft vibrant worldscapes and compelling, authentic characters. When not mired in the trenches of world-building, Trent enjoys reading, playing video games, and practicing jiu-jitsu and tai-chi.
The team shares more than a pen name. Their home outside Indianapolis is also inhabited by their daughter, Seva, and Helena, the world's fluffiest cat.
Genres
Fantasy
Romance
Free Book Giveaways
The Last Culling
Two hundred years ago, a bloody gender rebellion swept the city of Merilaad. To usher in an age of peace and protect the city’s residents - magical and non-magical alike - from the horrific power possessed by male mages, all boys who develop magical abilities are swiftly put to death.
Struggling apprentice-mage Elena has been raised to believe fully in the laws that govern Merilaad, even after her own brother is discovered as a mage and executed in a ritualistic Culling ceremony. But when her closest childhood friend unexpectedly develops powers of his own, Elena is forced to make the impossible choice between helping Jascha learn to control his abilities and stay hidden, or abandoning him to his fate.
