Now that the election insanity is over and done with here in the US (we hope), maybe it's time to delve back into those other worlds that remind us of all the good things in life. Like magic and wonder. Romance and hope. A shining light that strives against the darkness of evil.

You'll find all of that and much more in every single one of my books, because I believe love is the strongest form of magic available in this world of ours. 💖 And now it's time to get YOUR feedback yet again as I work hard to craft the next complex saga in the Teutonic Fantasy Realm.

If you've kept up with my irregular newsletters of late, you might recall that I'm pivoting from the "series of standalone paranormal romances where each book ties a new couple together in a neat bow" to the "series that follows the same hero and heroine as they grapple with traumas inside and out, developing their relationship along the way."

I'm sure you can guess what that type of series entails.

Cliffhangers. 😲

"Halp!

I'm

falling....

.....

....."

Poll Time: Cliffhangers

Before I started publishing my own books, I was one of those readers who refused to start a series until the entire thing was complete. Because I don't know about you, but I hate being left dangling off a precipice!

(Yes, that means I have NOT read any books in A Song of Ice and Fire. 😜)

Of course with traditionally published books by well-known authors, we can all continue on that trajectory if that's our preference. Authors like G. R. R. Martin have already gathered a vast collection of readers and riches so it's no big loss to (permanently???) lose readers like me who hold out for a complete series.

However.

The outlook is a little different when you're an indie author without a giant fanbase waiting to scarf up every book you publish, cliffhanger or not. 😬

And to be bluntly honest, I'm a little nervous about how you might react to my forthcoming series about a Black Priest and the lovely young witch who refuses to give up on his eternal soul. Especially since I'm 100% certain that Books 1 and 2 will end on harrowing cliffs.

Now the one thing I can promise you about this series is that we won't be dealing with a leading lady who bounces from one Teuton priest to another. (Swanie, you're getting a side-eye right here. 😏) Our hero and heroine in Book 1 are endgame, and I have no plans to have them dance maddeningly around each other or force them apart any more than necessary. They're in this together from the start, though they both have a lot to learn about what that means.

And they're sure to make their share of mistakes along the way.

So now you're aware that this new series will include two sharp cliffs at the ends of Books 1 and 2. And you're also aware that I'm giving myself more time to write and polish each book in hopes of avoiding burnout this time around. 🤞

My original plan was to publish each book one by one with a 4-5 month break in between. But now I'm wondering if it might be smarter to push through and write Books 1, 2, and 3, and then publish those three in quick succession. Book 3 is set to end in a much more stable place than the first two. 🙂

Here comes the poll. Please click ONE button that best represents your feelings about my publishing schedule for the next Teutonic saga!

I'm totally okay with buying and reading books that have cliffhangers, even if I have to wait a few months before the next book comes out. Especially since we know the hero and heroine are endgame from the start! 🤩

✨ Agree! ✨

I can deal with cliffhangers if you publish Books 1, 2, and 3 in quick succession. Waiting only a few weeks between each one is more my style, especially since Book 3 ends in a stable place! 😃

✨ Agree! ✨

I'm not really a cliffhanger person. I probably won't start reading your new series at all until the whole thing is finished. Even if that's 2-3 years from now. Sorry! 🥺

✨ Agree! ✨

Looking forward to finding out your opinion on the best publishing schedule for my next series. I'll likely share the results—along with whichever path I plan to take—in next week's newsletter.

Road Trip Pix, Round 2

Quite a few people replied to my last email and asked to see more photos from the road trip my husband and I recently took to Las Vegas. So I'll be sharing a couple more in each newsletter for the rest of this month. Today we're going back to Cadillac Ranch, a roadside attraction near Amarillo, Texas.

If you've ever driven on I-40 in the western part of the US, you know there's not much out there. So anytime you come across something odd, it's not a bad idea to take a quick detour and check it out.

Like when you find 10 really old Cadillacs jammed into a corn field and spray painted over and over again as the years pass.

That's my husband leaving our mark on one of the Cadillacs. By now it's likely painted over, but at least he got to do some spray painting!

Books & Book Fairs

I've got two books to share with you today like usual, and after that you can check out the book fairs happening this month where you can snag some stories from the Teutonic Fantasy Realm. The first book below is one I've read myself, and it's a super fun story! I haven't read the second book yet since it's a new release and in KU, but it's on my Christmas list of paperbacks. Can't deny that dachshunds are super cute! 🐶

Bear shifter and lumberjack Darcy often gets underestimated because of her small size but there hasn't been a tree in Bearton she can't fell.

City girl Ella's job at a high end furniture shop means she's dealing with demanding clients on a daily basis. When one of them insist on her personally picking out the wood for a next project, Ella has no choice but to visit the forest near Bearton and employ Darcy's services.

Their differences quickly cause frustrations but is that the only reason for the growing tension between them?

✨ FREE On BookFunnel ✨

Lizzy is an author on the run. Hiding from sudden fame, a failed relationship, and fake friends, she moves to the unlikeliest spot she can imagine.

Harperstown, South Dakota, population 768.

Her quest: anonymity. No friends, no social obligations, and no notoriety.

Christmas is fast approaching and three days in, Lizzy is being interviewed by the police.

Within a week, she has a ghost, a new dog, three visitors, and a party invitation.

A whirlwind of activity turns Lizzy's life upside down and places her in the middle of a murder investigation. All she wants is for life to go back to normal. Or does she?

✨ Kindle Only ✨

I hope you find lots of enchanting stories to keep you occupied as autumn (or spring) progresses. This is the time of year when I love to wrap up in a blanket with a warm mug of golden milk and lose myself in a cozy fantasy story. Have you read any good books lately? Send me a reply and let me know what I should add to my TBR!

And don't forget to reply to my poll seeking your opinion on my publishing schedule for the next Teutonic Fantasy saga (with all its cliffhangers). 😎

Talk to you soon,

C.L. Carhart

Latest release—Magical Gift:

https://bf.clcarhart.com/11exyq1gco

Elemental Bloodlines series:

https://clcarhart.com/collections/elemental-bloodlines-series-ebooks

His Name Was Augustin series:

https://clcarhart.com/collections/hnwa-series-ebooks

Fantasy Romance Reads:

https://bf.clcarhart.com/fantasyromancereadsnovember/qmgf7b2nq9