If you're active on TikTok, you might already know that the quarterly Romance Book Blast is happening today. Want to grab some free stories from well-known indie authors—or add some new favorites to your author collection? Here's your chance to do it! Romance books in a wide variety of genres from sweet to spicy to sci-fi and fantasy...click the graphic below and start filling your e-reader. Loads of books both Kindle exclusive and others available on all retailers. 💖

I browsed through several of the categories yesterday and grabbed 3 books from Smashwords. One new freebie by my fave, Laura Greenwood. One contemporary story of love and friendship by Aisha Urooj. And one regency romance that looked a little scandalous. 😉 There's something for everyone!

🔥 HNWA Boxed Set GONE Tomorrow 🔥

📣 Attention all Kindle readers!!!!! 📣

TODAY is your last chance to get a Kindle copy of His Name Was Augustin: Complete Collection. Tomorrow I'll be raising the price to a more sustainable level for 6 chonky books and 2 bonus novellas. When I do that, I'll be unpublishing the boxed set from Kindle because Amazon does NOT need 65% of the earnings from my work.

If you buy eBooks from one of the other retailers—or from my book shop—you'll still be able to get the complete HNWA boxed set at any time. But you'll be handing me $24.99 instead of $9.99. Therefore if you're rich, just hang on one more day before you layer this broke author in funds. 💰

But will I ever put the complete HNWA boxed set on sale again?

Maybe. Probably. But it likely won't be coming back to Kindle. I won't be trying to get a BookBub Featured Deal on the complete boxed set, since there's really no solid chance for sell-through with a finished series. So $9.99 is the best you're going to get.

And by the way...if you happen to live in Canada or Australia...that $9.99 translates into Canadian dollars or Australian dollars. 😀 Major, major deal! Grab your copy today before the price goes up!

https://books2read.com/hnwacomplete

Snippet From Astral Fantasia

Last week we experienced Swanie's first adventure into the archives of medieval Munich—when she ran into a sinister blue-fired priest who isn't supposed to exist, according to her people's records. Now if you're familiar with the darker forms of magic in the Teutonic Fantasy Realm, you might have figured out that Augustin must have become a Black Priest at some point. That would be why Swanie didn't see his name mentioned in any historical records.

That would also be why the series is called His Name WAS Augustin. 😱

So after Swanie and her ill-fated lover face the consequences of his demonic crimes at the end of Mystic Passage, she settles into a marriage she did not want while she awaits the fall of her city. Toward the end of Astral Fantasia, Munich is under siege by the Saxons and the Toteheri, a not-quite-human army. And Swanie climbs one of her city's towers to look down on her people's forces as they prepare to defend their home against Wuotan's wrath.

***

On the first day of July, I forsook my duties at the town hall to climb the southeastern turret, the one that provided a view toward my property. I looked down at the Prince’s forces entrenched in the dry riverbed, then toward the Saxon army in the distance. They likely lounged at the Thaden estate now, growing plump on the spelt my vassals had planted last winter. I should have burnt it all with Augustin’s fire before leaving for the city, but I had not thought of it at the time.

I leaned my body against the railing surrounding the uppermost balcony of the tower and closed my eyes as I sent my ice out of me, sensing the Teutonic life pulsing beneath me. Though I was alone in the turret, my soldiers waited below, prepared to protect my city till the very end. A weary smile curled upon my lips, and my ice caressed each of their spirits in turn, granting them my hopes for an honorable battle. I sensed a myriad of elements as my ice floated with the breeze: earth, wind, smoke, yellow fire, dark energy, stone, lightning, mist, molten rock, blue fire.

. . . BLUE FIRE??

My eyes popped open as my ice zeroed in on that familiar element, that cobalt fire I had not sensed with my mortal body in over a decade now. Could it be? Disbelief conquered me briefly, for any Teuton soldier might be blue fire—it was, after all, one of many specific manifestations of that potent primary. But this blue fire seemed further away than the Teuton warriors below me, across the dry river, prowling in the trees in no man’s land.

I closed my eyes again and ordered my ice to confront this hidden fire, to reveal its identity to me. And to my utter astonishment, I sensed an answering flicker, a familiar embrace. It IS Augustin!! I could hardly believe it. He had come to me!

I hefted my body atop the stone balustrade, invoking my ice to freeze me to the brink of the spiritual crossing. My rational mind questioned what I was about to do, but I cast aside all fears. My emotions bloomed with eternal love, my heart throbbing with uncanny vitality. If I die this way, so be it. Augustin won’t let that happen.

With an exultant scream, I leapt from the turret into the sky, hurtling to the ground in a straight trajectory for the glade near the riverbank. Ice crystals rained behind me, and I sensed the air wafting to buoy me, to send me to my Black Priest.

I overheard a few gasps rising from the encamped Teuton soldiers as I shot across the dried river, but I paid them no heed. Flaring my arms out, I grasped what scant moisture lingered in the atmosphere to slow my descent. I landed upon a clump of browning weeds several meters from the stand of trees, mist clothing me in vapor when my clogs hit the ground with a bit more force than necessary. Ouch.

Agony spurted upward from the soles of my feet to my knees, and I crouched low, my icy right hand pressed upon my heart as I worked to force my lungs to draw breath. I calmed my ice, drawing the mist around me into my spirit to reinforce my element. I would sorely pay for my gusto later. The pain that had stabbed my ankles now throbbed in my head. But I shoved the ache aside and heaved myself to my feet, turning for the trees. I stumbled forward on weakened ankles, my quaking arms outstretched to embrace my immortal lover.

His strong arms caught me the second I slipped into the shade, his voice calling to me through the haze that had draped my exhausted mind. “For pity’s sake, you should not have attempted such a hazardous leap without the aid of a river or snow. I feared your thrill would be your undoing.”

I could not answer him at first, for my weariness had snapped something in my brain. I began weeping hysterically while he held me against his chest, his fire warming me deep inside. The sane part of my mind recognized the foolishness of my reaction, but I had resigned myself to never seeing Augustin again in the mortal world before death sent me to the future. Now he was here, with me, against all logic, breaking all rules.

My tormented brain whispered in my ear that I must be dreaming, that I could not actually feel my lover’s arms around me, his fire heating my blood as the summer’s warmth never could. Slowly, I raised my face from his chest, blinking my tears away to stare at Augustin’s familiar face. His skin appeared ghostly pale, his black hair long and perfect, his eyes reflecting the glory of the sky.

“Are you . . . really here?” I panted for breath as I looked from his face to the black cloak covering his chest, helping him blend in with the shade of the trees.

His lips quivered as he observed my wavering emotions. He brushed one fiery hand across my cheek and answered softly, “Yes, my swan, yes. I am here with you.” His mouth molded with mine a moment later, and he swept me into his arms to cradle me like a weightless child, kissing me with a fervor that I had not experienced since 1055, during that blissful day beside the Rhine.

When he released my mouth, I moaned quietly, my hormones racing with a newly awakened fury, making me feel twenty again. “But why are you here?” I whispered to him, shivering at the tenderness that radiated from his gaze. “I thought you couldn’t come to Muniche.”

A wry smile appeared on his lips, and his eyes glittered. He sat down upon the earth and leaned against a withered linden, setting me upon his lap, his strong hands shifting to clutch my own. “My darling, you should recall that rules mean little to a dead man. When I took the time to truly ponder the state of things last week, knowing that you were here alone, about to face death—and knowing that you braved the currents of time just to observe this terrible event of history for yourself—it occurred to me that no curse could hold me back from watching it myself. If this is to be labeled the greatest Teutonic defeat in all of history, it would do no good for me—the cursed chronicler—to miss it.”

I smiled a bit uncertainly in response. Disappointment dulled my euphoria at the realization that Augustin had come to watch Muniche burn, not to keep me company in these final days. “So you came to see your people fall,” I translated, my expression likely appearing disenchanted.

My Truhtein tilted his head at me coyly and replied, “As you came to see your people fall.” I lowered my gaze to the fabric of my bodice, valiantly attempting to push aside my foolish longings, my hopes that he had come just for me. There was no point in wishing for sympathy from a Black Priest who yearned for the day that our bond would break, freeing him permanently from the cords of love.

But his right hand reached out to tilt my face upward to meet his gaze—and even with my mortal senses, I could clearly detect the devotion pouring from his aura. “Swanie, my love,” he murmured, his sonorous voice piercing my soul, “rend the doubt from your heart. I would have come for this downfall whether you were here or not, but your presence with me shall make these last moments a heaven in the depths of hell.”

😍😍😍

Even though technically the last book in the series, Numinous Fortune, is my favorite because of its resounding conclusion (and a sneaky little excerpt right in the middle courtesy of Augustin himself), Astral Fantasia will always have a special place in my heart. Swanie and her Black Priest lover went through a LOT of trials and trauma throughout the course of this book, but at the end they come together to face medieval Munich's downfall as one.

And yes, there are steamy scenes shortly thereafter, since Wuotan layers undead Teutons in "unceasing lust." 🙃

Ready to dive into Swanie's lengthy love story with one of the greatest Black Priests in Teuton history? Grab your copy of His Name Was Augustin right now from your favorite retailer before the price goes up to $24.99. Amazon readers, act NOW before the boxed set evaporates forever!

Get it on Amazon (TODAY only):

US - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D1B3VDSX

UK - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D1B3VDSX

Canada - https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0D1B3VDSX

Australia - https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0D1B3VDSX

Universal - https://books2read.com/hnwacomplete

Get it on another retailer:

Apple - https://books.apple.com/us/book/id6480409600

Google Play - https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=dqP-EAAAQBAJ

Kobo - https://www.kobo.com/en/ebook/his-name-was-augustin-complete-collection

Barnes & Noble - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/1145232907?ean=2940186042549

Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1544526

Or get it at my book shop:

https://clcarhart.com/products/his-name-was-augustin-complete-collection-ebook

Other Books You Might Like

Be sure to take a look at this week's stories by other indie authors, because all us hopeful creators need your support. Got one book that's in KU, one on all retailers, and one bundle deal on an author's direct store. Prepare yourself for lots of enchanting tales to grant you an escape from our mundane world.

If you go down to the woods today, you're sure of a big surprise....

When Holly moves to Sutton, an isolated mountain town with a dark reputation, she's a woman on a mission. She's looking for answers about the father she never knew. With three other women already missing, the last thing she expects while looking into his disappearance is to meet a man. Or two.

Her arrival ignites an old rivalry between two eligible bachelors, the cinnamon roll local hero, and the grumpy bad-boy, and tensions are high.

But when a mysterious beast starts stalking Holly, creeping around her cabin in the dead of night, she discovers the secrets the town's shifter population is desperate to keep under wraps.

When the time comes for Holly to make her choice, she needs to make the right one. Her life depends on it.

✨ Kindle Only ✨

What happens when I suffer amnesia and three powerful wolf shifters rescue me from a plane crash?

I open my eyes and lose more than my precious mind to the gorgeous males of the Billionaire Wolves of New York. Snowbound and unrecognizable, they offer me shelter and time to heal. Even though I can’t remember my past, my future promises just what I need to find love.

But Garrett, the pack leader, Dolph, his second, and Colin, the enforcer, share secrets with their special ops missions that put me in danger.

When they learn I’m Signy Larson the pack princess of Miami, they want to claim me as their fated mates queen and keep me in their fortress forever.

But will my family allow it? Better yet, will I?

✨ All Retailers ✨

★★★★★ ~ Three young witches cast a spell to find their fated mates. It’s an exciting and magical read...

Wolf shifters, Witches, and the Halloween magic that ties them all together. #Whychoose

Bundle includes:

- Alpha Magic

- Pack Magic

- Wolf Magic

✨ Half Price Bundle ✨

That's all from my neck of the woods for this week, although you'll be hearing from me again on Saturday when I'll be sharing a witchy event. 🔮 In the meantime, don't forget to browse all the freebies in the Romance Book Blast. And if you read on Amazon and don't feel comfortable buying from my shop, please grab your copy of the complete HNWA series boxed set today!

There's a bonus epilogue tucked away in the boxed set that shows the scene quoted above from another perspective...found among Augustin's writings. ✍️

Happy reading, and have a wonderfully weird week!

Talk to you soon,

C.L. Carhart

Get His Name Was Augustin: Complete Series:

https://books2read.com/hnwacomplete

Elemental Bloodlines series:

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

Romance Book Blast:

https://www.romancebooklovers.com/