New Year, New Stories, New Witches 🥂

Jan 04, 2023 4:01 pm

How's the first week of 2023 going for you? Have you made any resolutions, or are you just going to keep on keeping on? Got a bunch of books to binge? 📚

I'll admit, I've seen a lot of my friends on social media posting their latest stacks of reads for the New Year. Most of the books I've been seeing are super popular or of the self-help variety. And my religious friends ask for recommendations.

While I sit over here writing steamy novels about elemental witches. 😬

Guess I'd better keep those to myself. 🤣

So what's brewing in the Teutonic Fantasy Realm in 2023? Read on!

Elemental Bloodlines: 4 New Books

You might remember that in December, I published the first book of a brand new paranormal romance series set in my Teutonic Fantasy Realm. The series is called Elemental Bloodlines, and it'll be a collection of standalone romances with separate couples and guaranteed HEAs. Because we all need some joy in our lives, especially if we're juggling secret magic and whimsical fairies! 🪄

If you haven't read Gabi & Lukas' story yet, you can grab Gift of Fire from your favorite retailer to join them in their sizzling quest for love and acceptance!

https://bf.clcarhart.com/w721mjjj90

Now I'm in the midst of the second tale in Elemental Bloodlines. This one follows Zehra—an outsider-turned-Teuton witch who just happened to be chosen as the Lady of Erlangen. To her dismay, she's got a lot more to learn than merely the finer points of elemental magic.

Like what to do about her fated mate, Henning. 😧

Gift of Stone will be out on all retailers on February 10th, and the pre-order is set up everywhere now! You can reserve your copy at the link below.

https://bf.clcarhart.com/keag4pmhtb

In 2023, I'm planning on releasing 4 full-length standalones in the Elemental Bloodlines series. Here's a quick look at what's to come.

Gift of Stone—coming February 10th

Gift of Darkness—coming May 10th

Gift of Ice—coming August 10th

Gift of Water—coming November 10th

Along with those books, I've got some novellas in the works. If you've read Gift of Fire already and wouldn't mind telling me which of the side characters you'd like to star in their own novella, please reply to this email and let me know!

Are you curious about Bianca & Oliver? Or Dennis & Till? And what about Lukas' mother and her ill-fated longing for Nürnberg's Keyholder? 🤔

Hit reply and tell me whose love story I should write as a bonus novella! 🤩

Gift of Stone: Cover Reveal

Sooooooo, I might have mentioned last week that I've got the official cover art for Gift of Stone. As usual, my awesome cover designer, J. L. Wilson, knocked it out of the park. Take a look at Zehra & Henning as they weave their stone magic and blue fire magic together! 💙🖤

Now read on for an early look at the second time Zehra and Henning met. At this point, Zehra knows he's her Keyholder—her fated mate—but she's not quite sure what to make of that yet . . . .

Gift of Stone Snippet

My entire body quivered with nervous excitement on Saturday afternoon when I struck out to keep my appointment at Pritzl. A family-owned pub nestled in a cozy neighborhood not far from the Liebig property, I knew next to nothing about the place. Except that its owners stocked a variety of peach Schnapps my Truhtein and I used to enjoy whenever I achieved a new goal. Since I cracked the code of the spiritual realm one day earlier, I planned to order a bottle in celebration, whether Mr. Fiery Long Hair—the Keyholder of Erlangen—approved or not.

While I did not appreciate Lenz putting me on the spot, I knew I would have to face the Keyholder sooner or later, if only to learn whether he, too, believed this city’s mystical soul had chosen me to embody her essence. Yesterday evening, I had searched my heart, trying to determine if it could really be true. According to Lenz, I met the criteria required to become this city’s Leitalra.

I had been born in the forest hospital downtown on April 5^th, 1986. Three weeks ago, I became a Teuton witch by blood alone, through the harrowing ritual that drowned and burned my spirit in Wuotan’s infernal river. And as of right now, I claimed no Teuton mate.

This would never have happened if Philipp survived the blood-transfer. We would have married that very night at twilight, with Lenz binding our blood in the most absolute way possible. But my Truhtein went into the ritual with the intent of giving his life for me, not just his blood. A starry-eyed maiden, I never imagined one of us would not greet the dawn afterward.

I wondered if Philipp knew his aged friend, the former Lady Erlanga, planned to relinquish her life in some noble manner that very day. Had my Truhtein decided to die to grant me the opportunity to take her place? In Philipp’s eyes, I was worthy and strong. A fitting Leitalra for Erlangen’s Teuton community.

Imposter syndrome held a firm grip on me as the daffodils adorning Pritzl’s window boxes caught my attention the closer I drew. Their vivid blooms shone like the sun, which hid behind a layer of clouds. Before he left yesterday, Lenz spoke a truth that brought light to my world, like the growing daffodils defying the afternoon’s gloom: “Out of all eligible witches in this city, Erlanga’s soul found you worthy to carry her torch. Not any of the females who grew up posturing amid their peers. You.”

I repeated his reassurance to myself in my mind as I reached the pub’s main entrance, gathering the courage to step inside. With time, I might be able to confide in this young Keyholder, like I had in Philipp. This could be the moment when my goals and dreams began falling into place. Assuming I found the courage to bare my shattered heart before an unknown young male.

Inside, I paused for a second so my eyes could adjust to the low light, neon signs advertising brands of alcohol luring my gaze to the bar. It stood along the wall opposite the door, several male patrons sprawled upon the stools, watching a soccer match on the single TV. A bartender dressed in traditional Bavarian attire favored me with a welcoming smile from where she stood near the short stairway that likely led toward the kitchen and restrooms. I nodded back at her and stepped further inside, counting eighteen tables sprinkled across the floor. Only three were occupied at this hour.

My stone magic tested the pub’s atmosphere, sensing no Teutons present as yet. Disappointment clasped my heart, but I shoved it aside and headed for a two-person table near the stairwell. It was barely three-thirty, and Lenz said I was to meet the Keyholder at four. Even though Germans were notorious for being early, I had taken it to an extreme, too antsy to remain at home any longer.

A male waiter appeared with a drink menu after I situated myself with my back to the wall, giving me a view of the entire pub. He noted that the kitchen would not open again until five, but Pritzl served a limited snack menu in the meantime. I managed to order the bottle of Schnapps I wanted, then asked for the snack menu, so I would have something to do while awaiting my mystery companion.

A shiver of pleasure ran through me after the waiter departed, and I grinned to myself as I set my purse onto the floor. That was the first time in my life I had ever ordered anything from a restaurant. Despite the nervous tremor in my voice—which the waiter may not have noticed—I handled the task well.

I relaxed a bit and ran my gaze over the pub’s other patrons. One middle-aged gentleman nursed a glass of wheat beer in the far corner; he was probably a regular. A group of four young women, possibly college students, chattered around another table, a mostly empty basket of soft pretzel bites in their midst. A couple that appeared to be in their thirties sat nearest to the exit, gazing into each other’s faces as they shared a quiet conversation.

All at once, the males gathered at the bar started hooting, prompting me to check the score on the TV. I could not read the numbers from where I sat without using my element to enhance my vision. The pub was dimly lit, so no one should notice. I invoked my stone magic into my irises for a couple seconds, sitting on my hands in the process. Chelsea had just scored. They were up by two.

The waiter brought my bottle of Schnapps along with two glasses, “in case your friend wants to share,” he said as he opened the flask. I glanced over the snack menu while he poured the blushing pink liquor into my glass, deciding I would wait for the Keyholder before ordering any food. I ate some leftover stew for lunch, so my stomach had not yet begun to complain.

Not long after the waiter left, the main door opened to admit a lean young male whose lengthy hair rustled in the breeze. My eyes widened of their own accord, my spirit recognizing him immediately. He secured the door behind him, then shifted his attention to me. I caught a gleam of cerulean fire in his irises as he sauntered my way, a shy smile curving his lips.

He wore the same leather jacket he had at the grocery store, his hair draped carelessly over his shoulders, a hint of awkwardness in his posture as he made his way around the tables to where I sat. Warmth spread throughout my core while I watched him approach, my thoughts racing back to how he looked in my dreams. His fire was blue. I knew that for sure now, my hormones splashing my muses with how wonderful it would be to bind my stone with this man’s fire.

You don’t know him, Zehra, I reminded myself as he halted before my table, thrusting his hands into his jacket pockets. No matter what Erlanga’s soul tells you to do, you can’t offer him your heart on a silver platter. Not until you know he’s a good man.

“Is this seat taken?” the young man inquired in his unusually deep voice, his eyes now absent of magic as he studied my face.

Was he making a joke? Surely he could feel the pull between us, just like I could. Deciding on a whim to throw my knowledge in his face, I responded in the Teutonic dialect. “Unfortunately, that seat is reserved for this city’s Leitaeri.”

His eyebrows arched in what looked like a mixture of surprise and respect. “Well, good thing I brought these along, then,” he answered in standard German, retrieving an antique ring of sizeable keys from his right pocket. He plunked them onto the table, then pulled the chair out to sit down.

I gawked at the keys, their inherent magic awakening peculiar sentiments within me. My spirit recognized their power, but I felt no need to recoil. My heart assured me this man and I were equals, guardians of the essence that bound the Teuton community of Erlangen together. There was no escaping it anymore. I was the Lady, the Leitalra. This city’s honorary matriarch.

“Have you ordered anything to eat?” the Keyholder asked, running his gaze over the snack menu I discarded earlier. I jerked as his voice extracted me from the spell the city’s keys had cast upon my mind. Heat rose in my cheeks. Nice to know a ring of ancient gate keys could drive me loony.

“I had stew for lunch,” I heard myself saying, pushing my chair back a few centimeters. My right foot nudged my purse, and I looked down at it.

“I’m going to order the basket of soft pretzel bites. You can have some if you want. I haven’t eaten yet today, so I’m ravenous at this point.” My companion laid the menu down and eyed my bottle of Schnapps.

“It’s not healthy to go this long without eating.” My opinions kept tumbling out of my mouth at random, whether they ought to or not. Now I was rebuking the Keyholder’s eating habits. What was I thinking? I hardly knew him.

“Yeah, I know. It’s been a busy day. Still sorting out my Omi’s affairs.” The young man placed the city’s keys back in his pocket, then worked his way out of his jacket. Our gazes met for a second, and he seemed to read the confusion in mine. “Your predecessor, that is.”

I caught my breath. “Oh. The late Leitalra was your grandmother? I’m so sorry.” Sympathy washed over me, my spirit sensing his grief.

“My great-grandmother, actually.” The waiter reappeared before the young man could go on. I held my peace while he ordered the pretzel basket and a glass of Kellerbier, observing his manners. He spoke politely to the waiter and met his gaze, not giving off the impression of arrogance at all. A Teuton leader who knew humility. Attraction swelled in my heart, and I clenched my legs together. Keep your head on straight, Zehra.

When my companion finished his order, I stretched one hand out toward him. “If there’s anything I can do to help you with your Omi’s loss, please tell me. I know a little about sorting people’s affairs.” A fact I did not particularly like, but true nonetheless. I had recently scheduled someone from the pool care company to come by next week to change all of the filters and perform maintenance.

A wavering smile appeared on the Keyholder’s face, and he dropped his gaze to his hands in his lap. He did not reach out to touch mine. “The priests on the council would say we should get married and complete our bond. The best help you can offer, as this city’s Leitalra.”

How will Zehra react to that? Is she willing to MARRY her Keyholder this soon, when they barely know each other? Or will she tell Henning to shove it?

Find out on February 10th! 😁

https://bf.clcarhart.com/keag4pmhtb

✨ PNR & UFR Book Fair ✨

As always, I've got a magical book fair for you to check out, just in case you're on the hunt for something new to read. This time around, I can honestly, truly recommend a few of the books from experience! (Yep, I've been binging Laura Greenwood's novellas lately. 😁) Curious about what mummification would be like in the modern era? 👀 Find out in Apprentice of the Dead.

✨ Learn More ✨