Young Adult Fantasy Adventure
Date Published: July 9, 2026
Publisher: MindStir Media
McConnell
other remarkable peoples have lived together in peace for generations. But
beyond the safety of their kingdoms, an ancient evil has awakened—one
determined to divide the nations and conquer the world.
To prepare his people for the coming darkness, El Selah sends his spirits into
the world, blessing chosen individuals with extraordinary magical gifts.
Runric has spent his childhood living a quiet, isolated life in the forest.
Now coming of age, he leaves everything familiar behind and journeys with his
loyal caruan friend, Falid, to compete in a worldwide magic contest. Blessed
with six different forms of magic, Runric quickly attracts attention in the
neighboring kingdom of Palanda—along with a level of fame he never
wanted.
As the competition draws him into a dazzling world of princesses, kings,
mysterious creatures, and rival magic wielders, Runric begins to uncover
secrets about his own family. The ancient enemy threatening Selah may be
connected to a danger first discovered by his father—and by the mother
Runric has long believed was lost.
Torn between the simplicity of his forest home and the responsibility that
comes with his remarkable abilities, Runric must decide whether he is ready to
embrace his destiny. His greatest challenge will not simply be learning how to
control his magic, but developing the faith, wisdom, mercy, and discernment
needed to use it well.
Heartwell: Heir of the Wizard is a captivating middle-grade and young adult
fantasy adventure filled with imaginative world-building, memorable
friendships, wholesome humor, magical contests, family mysteries, and an
unforgettable battle between good and evil.
Perfect for readers in fifth grade and above—and for families who enjoy
clean fantasy fiction—this coming-of-age adventure explores:
● Faith, courage, and personal responsibility
● Friendship across cultures and kingdoms
● The importance of wisdom and discernment
● Family, identity, and belonging
● Using one’s gifts for a greater purpose
● Choosing what is right when darkness begins to rise
Enter the world of Heartwell and discover a family-friendly fantasy story
where magic reflects character, unlikely heroes find their courage, and one
young man’s gifts may hold the key to saving all of Selah.
N.J. McConnell is a Texas-based author of wholesome middle-grade and young
adult fantasy. A software engineer with degrees in computer science, he brings
the logic of a programmer and the imagination of a lifelong fantasy reader to
his richly developed stories.
Inspired by reading J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit as a child, McConnell
began writing the kind of relatable, family-friendly fantasy adventures he
wished he had encountered more often growing up. For more than a decade, he
has developed the magical world of Heartwell—a place filled with
memorable characters, imaginative kingdoms, exciting quests, and meaningful
lessons about faith, wisdom, mercy, courage, and discernment.
McConnell is the author of Heartwell: Heir of the Wizard, a coming-of-age
fantasy adventure for readers in fifth grade and above. Through compelling
characters, wholesome humor, magical contests, and timeless conflicts between
good and evil, he hopes to create stories that entertain the entire family
while encouraging readers to use their unique gifts with integrity and
purpose.
Born and raised in Texas, N.J. McConnell lives in San Antonio with his wife
and two children. When he is not writing, reading fantasy, or developing
software, he enjoys coaching youth basketball and teaching Bible classes.
Seeing his children experience the world and characters he spent years
creating has made his journey as an author especially meaningful.
Learn more about N.J. McConnell and the Heartwell fantasy series at
heartwellstories.com.
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