Cupid Has Fluttered Away For Now 🏹
Feb 15, 2023 4:01 pm
Welp, it's the day after Valentine's Day. For those of us in the U.S., you know what that means....
Half price chocolates! 🍫❣️🍫❣️
Is that a common trend for Europeans and Aussies, too, or is that just a weird U.S. tradition—for retailers to slash the price of "leftover" holiday items once that particular holiday has passed? Back when I worked in the corporate grind, one of my coworkers always bought a pile of discounted candy on February 15th.
That kept all us inventory associates satisfied for about a month. 😉
Now on the subject of discounts, it's about time I remind you that my latest book in the Elemental Bloodlines series, Gift of Stone, will be $2.99 until Friday.
But after that?
Full price looms overhead in the dark cloud of $4.99.
Gift of Stone Sales Update
You might recall that Gift of Stone came out on all retailers last Friday. Since it's the second book in the Elemental Bloodlines series, I didn't go "all in" with the initial push, like we did with Gift of Fire back in December. Basically, the only promos I've done this time around involve a couple newsletter swaps with other authors, plus the stereotypical, "HEY! You're subscribed to my author newsletter! That must mean YOU want to buy my book! Here's the link!!!!1!!" 🤪
Yep, it's a weird life in indie author world.
So just how many readers have decided to dive into Zehra's love story with Henning? And just how much $$ will trickle into C.L. Carhart's bank account?
I'm going to wait until next week to share the numbers, since Gift of Stone will be discounted until Friday the 17th. But I have to admit, your support has surprised and encouraged me. Especially if you happen to be one of the 6 readers who bought Gift of Stone from my PayPal buy button. 💖
Haven't gotten your copy yet? You can grab it from whichever retailer you prefer—or directly from me at the big ol' button—right here:
https://bf.clcarhart.com/keag4pmhtb
What Readers Are Saying
If you happened to read the Gift of Stone Q&A in last week's newsletter, you probably remember that I've been slightly terrified about how readers would react to Zehra's story. After telling a fairly lighthearted tale in the first book—Gabi & Lukas' steamy romance, Gift of Fire—I feared that readers might have trouble digesting the heavier burdens Zehra faces on her journey to love.
Then one of my friends from college gave me a nice boost.
And then, after Gift of Stone made its way out into the wide world, reviews started trickling in from my ARC team.
And seriously.
I love you ARC readers. 😭
I really, truly appreciate how honest you've been in your reviews. No, not all of my future books will be this freaking heavy. But I'm honored that you took this journey alongside Zehra and me. We need all the support we can get!
Remember, if you'd like to get your own copy of Gift of Stone before the eBook goes up to full price, you'd better hurry. On Friday night, I'll be raising the prices on all the retailers, so if you're a bargain hunter, act now!
Fun Photos
Since I haven't shared any fun photos in a while, today I've decided to share two. Both are pictures of Erlangen, Germany—the city where Gift of Fire and Gift of Stone take place. The first photo is a lovely shot of the canal, where Gabi & Lukas enjoyed a bike ride. The second is an aerial view of the city center.
Thanks to raphotography88 and manfredxy on Deposit Photos for sharing!
(I've linked both photos in case you want to send the photographers some love.)
💕 Magical Month Of Love 💕
You know what they say about February. It's the "magical month of love!" 😜 In case you haven't been "romanced out" yet, make sure you take a look at all of the mystical stories in this week's book fair. Lots of indie authors are waiting to take you on romantic journeys in worlds far more intriguing than our own. Don't forget to check out authors that are new to you!
Recommended Reading
Got three books to share with you today, and I hope you check out each one of them. The last one is free with newsletter signup, and The Cupcake Witch is discounted for a limited time. Laura Greenwood just got a BookBub on that one, so please join me in celebrating her success! 🎉
Two left feet, two soul bonds, and a world to save. It’s all good… right?
When the Creatori cultists kidnap Forsythia’s monster-hunting partner, her second fated mate steps out of the shadows to help.
She hasn't been sure about the idea of accepting a mate at all, but Forsythia can't stop denying the pull she feels for these men. Or the attraction.
But she may have to wait until they defeat the monster before she can give into the bonds her soul craves. Assuming she doesn’t fall on her face first.
If there's one thing Oakley loves more than baking with magic, it's romance, even if she's never found Mr Right.
Justin wants his sister's wedding to be perfect, the only problem is that the cupcakes have magically gone wrong. Luckily, the enchanting baker behind them is willing to fix the problem.
Working together only reveals that there's something more between them, but can Justin and Oakley manage to make it work?
Join Maddie, Helena, and Crystal as they navigate their newly found magical midlife powers.
Three very different women receive a similar desperate message from their husbands: I've been kidnapped and I need your help. They each must secure a mysterious and powerful magical object for his release.
As they set upon this task, the women discover they have more in common than they originally thought. They also begin to realize that the magic object may be the key to changing their lives...and their destinies.
I'd better get back to work on that secret project I mentioned last week. 😉 If you're starting to get curious about what it is, you might want to take a peek at my Teutonic Friends membership on Buy Me A Coffee. My Teutonic Friends will be getting a first look at this project—and all of my future projects—before they float out into the world.
Teutonic Friends also get a free eBook download of Gift of Stone, along with access to the early drafts, typos included! Take a look:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/clcarhart/membership
Don't forget to grab some half priced Valentine's Day chocolate! 🍫
Talk to you soon,
C.L. Carhart
Get Gift of Stone at a discount: https://bf.clcarhart.com/keag4pmhtb
Get Gift of Fire, first in series: https://bf.clcarhart.com/w721mjjj90
Read the prequel for free: https://bf.clcarhart.com/6w57qgfhc9
This week's book fair: https://bf.clcarhart.com/magicalmonthlove/39uq5u2q00