Sunny Skies And Alpine Vacations 🌞
Nov 28, 2025 10:01 pm
Yep, it's Black Friday on the American side of the world, and that means your inbox is piled high with junk begging for sales. 😜
So why don't I add some Teutonic witchy adventures to the pile....
I'm running a sale on Gift of Water until December 3rd. Gift of Water is the fifth standalone paranormal romance book in the Elemental Bloodlines series, and it follows Jasmin and Gregor on a summer vacation in an Alpine village that might include more than just hiking, swimming, and savory foods.
Isn't there an undead specter in hiding atop one of those mountains? 🤔
And isn't it slightly unwise to catch feelings for a guy who agreed to pose as your 'boyfriend' for the summer in hopes of evading family drama? 👀
Check out a quick snippet from Gift of Water and judge for yourself.
***
One problem I had not foreseen regarding a fake relationship was the way my body reacted to Gregor anytime we touched, or whenever our elements reached out to each other. When I awoke on Monday, the sensation of his lips upon my temple replayed in my mind as I tugged on a bikini before grabbing a pair of shorts and an airy T-shirt. His fingers had felt so secure against mine while we walked through the village yesterday, the warmth of his element ever present against my skin.
This isn’t supposed to mean anything. Remember that, I told myself on my way out the front door, a much lighter daypack secured against my spine. Since the Ibex Alm was very close to town, I brought only a beach towel, some beef jerky, a small thermos, and my phone. A baseball cap and sunglasses would protect my face from overexposure, along with keeping my hair in place. I had tied its mid-length dark locks into a ponytail that I threaded through the back of my cap.
I texted Rolf before I left home, telling him I was off to the Ibex Alm with Gregor. That way if I had completely misjudged his character and he attempted something foul, my ex would know who to interrogate. My element assured me Gregor was a decent man, for it had tasted his aura strongly on both of our encounters thus far. Besides, I was no novice when it came to using magic for defense. Water could temporarily blind a person or stifle an opponent’s breath. I had tested both tactics in friendly spats with other witches at the May dances.
Gregor awaited me on the sidewalk in front of the sporting goods store, Lori’s family’s contribution to Wildertal’s economy. A smile lit up his face when he saw me, so I flitted forward to take his hand, twirling myself in an impromptu pirouette. My companion wore a pair of hunter green cargo shorts and a white T-shirt with the Zugspitze pictured on it, the words Always Ascend printed across the bottom. His daypack matched his shorts almost exactly, two water bottles occupying its side pouches.
“Are you ready to go, my dear?” Gregor purred in a husky tone, pulling me into a loose hug that lasted too short a time. My element seemed to sing within me at the proximity of his molten rock.
“So ready. It’s a great day for a hike and a swim.” I took Gregor’s right hand again and glanced back at the store’s show windows as we struck out for the north side of town. I discerned Lori’s silhouette hovering behind a row of bikes, so I lifted my free hand in a casual wave.
“Your sister-in-law is great. She really knows her stuff,” Gregor mentioned after we crossed the street, entering a neighborhood of cozy cottages that included six beds and breakfasts. “I got her advice on the latest climbing harnesses.”
We talked about rock climbing on our way out of the neighborhood and onto the trail, a dozen cars already occupying its parking lot. A popular destination for locals and tourists alike, the Wildersee was the loveliest small Alpine lake I had ever visited. Kayakers and hut employees reached the lake using a gravel road that wound its way up the mountain, the trail following a similar path a bit further into the woodland.
“How much elevation change can we expect?” Gregor asked when the trail began its ascent, his fingers still threaded perfectly through mine.
“Almost none. It’s only a four hundred meter climb to the lake. There are two trails behind the hut that go much farther, one that connects with the route along the peaks from Landeck south to Italy.”
“I’m actually planning on spending a few days on that trail while I’m here. I hope that won’t mess things up for us.” Gregor shot me a look that appeared more concerned than jovial. Doubtless because we neared another group of hikers. Even the forest spirits could not know our romance was mere fiction.
“As long as you do that while I’m working, we’re good to go. I was thinking we could have breakfast together tomorrow in Kramhof’s little garden.” My cheeks flushed with heat as I spoke, tension coiling in my stomach as though my words were more than an attempt to continue our charade.
“Hmm,” Gregor said, letting go of my hand and gesturing for me to pass the group of slower hikers first. I did so, greeting the three middle-aged ladies while worry continued to knot itself in my gut. Why was my companion keeping me in suspense? Did he think this was how boyfriends ought to act when asked on a date?
He returned to my left side some distance ahead of the ladies, relinking our hands and ducking his head to murmur in my ear, “I’m not sure we should discuss our intentions so publicly. Not unless we want a bunch of matchmaker cameras focusing on Kramhof’s gazebo.”
Laughter overtook me, and I gasped for breath as we ascended a steeper section of the trail. “I don’t think the entire village is interested in our trysts.”
“Yet,” Gregor corrected in an amused tone. “I’m planning on taking a lot of snapshots once we’re at the lake, some including you. Then I can tag Ibex Alm’s Facebook page when I post them, to raise more awareness about our relationship.”
“Genius. I don’t think we’ve friended each other on Facebook yet. We’ll have to do that when we’re at the hut. We can use their Wi-Fi, assuming you’ve brought your phone.”
“I’ve got it, but I won’t have it while I’m on multi-day hikes. The only way you’ll be able to find me is if you use your magic to track me.” Gregor lowered his voice on the final phrase, implications smoldering in his words.
He was really leaning into our fake relationship. If he kept this up, my heart would start to believe there might be something real concealed beneath the façade. There’s not. He’s just doing his part to save you from the sway of a freakish priest. Any decent Teuton male would do the same thing.
So I raised an eyebrow at him and said, “I’ll consider it,” with a smirk.
**Heads up for Kindle readers outside the US. If Gift of Water looks like it's full price for you, please grab it from another retailer like Kobo, Apple, Google Play, or itch. I've cut the price down to 99¢ as far as I'm able, but we all know Amazon isn't always 'small business friendly.' 😉
Itch is holding a 'creator day' today until midnight PST, where they're not taking any cut of sales. This means authors and game devs get ALL of your hard-earned cash apart from transaction fees charged by PayPal and credit cards. So if you're tech-savvy enough to download an eBook and populate it onto your reading app or device, please get Gift of Water (and more!) from itch today!
https://cl-carhart.itch.io/gift-of-water
Black Friday Goodies
All right, we knew it was coming. The infamous weekend where businesses small and large desperately beg you to open your wallet and grab much-needed items at deep discounts. Gift of Water is hanging out in several indie author events happening today and throughout the weekend, so I'll list each of them below. Be sure to browse all the great deals and support your favorite creators as we fight to bring YOU enchanting tales in this dismal world of ours.
Today only—Get That Book discounts & new releases
Ends Nov 29th—multi-genre book bundles at itch
November 28th-December 1st—discount book fairs
If you're in the mood for one newsletter freebie to remind you that midlife doesn't mean the magic is lost, particularly in a world secretly inhabited by vampires and witches, check out Unfazed.
Teacher and hidden witch, Ceri, has already had a rough day when she’s summoned to a party packed with psychic vampires. She was supposed to be on a boring date with safe and sturdy Nick, not dragging him along so the vampires could stare at him like… well, lunch.
Oh, but it gets worse. She returns home to see her teenage son’s girlfriend has been replaced by a fetch.
Welcome to a day in the life of Ceri Gault, witch extraordinaire.
After staying as far away as possible from the supernatural, Ceri finds herself unable to escape any longer when a death omen brings trouble to her door. Now, she and her children are exposed to magical beings who live disguised among humanity
Out of the frying pan and into the fire. Except everyone else is going to burn. Ceri’s just going to light the fire, sit back, and enjoy the show!
I hope you find enough mystical tales to keep you occupied as winter descends upon those of us in the north...and the heat ramps up in the southern hemisphere. If you, like me, are dealing with a cold snap, why not wander alongside water witch Jasmin as she experiences a summer of unexpected romance with a sexy college professor who harbors an irrational urge to confront a Black Priest who really, really doesn't want visitors. ☠️
Grab Gift of Water at the first link below while it's only 99¢, and I'll catch you again on Sunday with a couple more discount events for the weekend.
Talk to you soon,
C.L. Carhart
Get Gift of Water for 99¢:
https://bf.clcarhart.com/yg36v1bttj
Get That Book new releases and discounts:
https://getthatbookpromotions.com/nov-28-2025-deals/
Romance Book Blast 99¢ books:
https://www.romancebooklovers.com/
Black Friday book bundles at itch: