SoooOOOooooo, this time I'm writing to you as my weird self. 🤪

But why, you ask? Don't I have 2 more books to talk about it by way of my side characters? Why are we suffering through "C.L. Carhart Herself" already?

Well, last week I made a rather amusing boo-boo. Our batch of new friends who joined us at the beginning of July received a newsletter they were not supposed to get. All because I forgot to hit ONE BUTTON when I was creating it. 🙃

Can anyone else relate to cyber befuddlement, or is it just me? Take a look at the screenshot below, and giggle at my expense! (I've been doing a lot of that.)

Now that you're aware of why I don't work in IT, let's dive into the good stuff. Writing updates, a sleazy road trip photo, a Kickstarter, and a box set!

✨ Writing Updates ✨

So it's time for me to be honest with you. You probably remember that when I first introduced myself—and my single complete series—I confessed that my series doesn't fit into the standard genre mold. Although my Teutonic Fantasy Realm ticks off boxes like elemental magic and witches, my His Name Was Augustin series shuffles around a bit too much. And it's really, really tough to gain traction as an indie author when your books don't "fit" anywhere.

That being said, those of you who read Numinous Fortune likely have some questions about where the Teutonic Fantasy Realm will ultimately end up. Will Swanie ever be able to return to the modern age and work out some way to defeat that devilish Wuotan once and for all? Will the Teutons ever grow beyond their outdated notions of blood purity & patriarchy?

The good news is that I've got at least 3 series I plan to write and publish later on that will answer ALL of these questions. 👍 But all 3 of those series have strong similarities to His Name Was Augustin—they don't "fit" anywhere.

Therefore.

For the sake of my author career, it's time for me to pivot.

Teutonic PNR Series Incoming!

Remember that Google Form survey I shared in several newsletters back in June? I tallied the results from that to learn what sort of tropes YOU love to see in books. The winners were secret magic in our world, enemies to lovers, and fated love. Unlikely allies, second chance romance, and friends to lovers also received a fair number of votes.

Thanks to YOUR feedback, I'm currently outlining a fresh new series of novels that should fit directly into the paranormal romance genre! I'm planning out 6 books plus a short story, but I'm leaving room for the series to expand beyond that if readers like it. Let's hope they do!

Each of the 6 books will focus on a different Teuton couple—you didn't think I'd leave my Teutonic Fantasy Realm behind, did you? Right now, it's looking like the first couple will be enemies to lovers. The girl will have a fiery element, while the guy will have a watery element. With some sticky situations in their past, I'm excited to see how their relationship pans out!

I hope you'll join me in the months to come. 😘

The Weirdest Gas Station

My husband and I came across this gas station chain more than once during our Great Western Road Trip. And I have to wonder . . . what . . . were . . . they thinking? Maybe the company's founders liked reading spicy romance. 🤣

✨ HNWA Books 4-6 Box Set ✨

If you've been hanging out on my newsletter for a while, you might remember that I bundled the first three books of my His Name Was Augustin series into an eBook box set back in May. I ran the preorder at a super low price point in an attempt to snag new readers—and so many of you bought the first half of Swanie's saga! I can't describe how much your support means to me. 💖

Now I've got the second half of Swanie's saga bundled into a box set. It releases on all online retailers on August 10th, next Wednesday (which calls for some celebrations next week, don't you think?).

You can preorder His Name Was Augustin Books 4-6 for only $4.99. That's basically 3 books for the price of one. I'm going to raise the list price to $9.99 after release week, so you know what that means. Get it NOW!

Check out the blurb below, and dive into Swanie's world of elemental magic, antiheroes, unwanted fated mates, and forbidden love!

“The change shall be gradual, but unavoidable. One day far in the future, you shall forget that you once loved me more.”

Her one true love banished in the past, Swanie must confront the future alone. A mystic bond draws her toward a man—and a destiny—she never wanted. Can she embrace her fated role before her enemies destroy everything she holds dear? How much sway can a single witch wield over fate itself?

His Name Was Augustin Books 4-6 includes:

• Cryptic Pathway: Swanie contends with an unwanted fate and a bond that shatters her dreams.
• Lurid Curse: Swanie faces the dark side of magic as demonic forces strive to claim her most guarded secret.
• Numinous Fortune: Swanie joins with Augustin to shatter a demon’s hold on her destiny.

✨ Preorder Today ✨

Have You Ever Backed A Kickstarter?

I've backed a couple of Kickstarters in my time, although most of them have been for CDs rather than books. (Weird indie music lover here. 😉)

Pretty sure Lisa Blackwood's Kickstarter has lured me in, especially since there are signed copies involved! My husband loves her Gargoyle & Sorceress series, so he's about to get a late birthday present (shhhh, don't tell him!)

Seriously, check out all the goodies this Kickstarter has to offer. Best part is that the prices are in Canadian dollars, which means they're cheaper than they look, if you happen to be in the U.S. 😝 Only 3 days left to snag some loot! Be fast!

Welcome to the Gargoyle Legion . . .

• Do you love High Fantasy with kick-butt protector heroines?
• Fiercely loyal heroes ready and willing to absolutely annihilate any enemy stupid enough to threaten the people they care about?
• Morally Gray Villains turning into Morally Gray Reluctant Heroes?
• Unbreakable bonds of enduring friendship and love against all odds?

If yes, then let me welcome you to the Gargoyle & Sorceress Universe, an epic realm-crossing fantasy world full of intrigue, covens, ancient fae, brave human soldiers, immortal avatars, an evil demigoddess set on ruling all three realms, and even a cunningly vicious and very morally grey elemental dragon villain trying to come to terms with the fact that even he isn’t evil enough to just sit back and watch the three realms burn. (And all that’s just the first 9 books in the Gargoyle & Sorceress Tales.)

✨ Join The Gargoyles! ✨

That's all I've got for you this week. Let's hope that the cyber gremlins and I get along in months to come so we don't have to laugh at my email gaffes again! Don't forget to grab YOUR copy of HNWA Books 4-6 before the price goes up. THREE BOOKS for the price of ONE. 🥳

Have a wonderfully weird weekend!

Talk to you soon,

C.L. Carhart

Get the box set: https://books2read.com/hnwaboxset46

Download Arcane Gateway for FREE: https://books2read.com/hnwaag

Get Veiled Magic, a bonus story: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/jp1vp51i52

Support a fellow indie—check out Lisa Blackwood's Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lisablackwood/legacy-of-shadows-4-epic-urban-fantasy-novels?ref=2gtp1n&