We've made it to the month of March, which means winter is soon to wave farewell so spring can burst onto the scene with a bunch of edible plants! I don't know about you, but I can hardly wait to start on this year's garden, even if I lose the fight against bug pests once again. It's just so inspiring to watch things grow. I think nature is magical. 🌿

And yes, I know if you're in the southern hemisphere you're heading into autumn soon. Which means colorful leaves, hot chocolate, blankets, and BOOKS! On that note, keep reading because I've got a meet-cute from Gift of Snow sailing your way, plus a limited-time sales event happening at Smashwords.

Gift of Snow Update

Just yesterday I made it to Chapter 12—or nearly 35,000 words for those of you who measure your writing progress through word count instead of completed chapters (word count means nothing to me which apparently makes me weird as writers go 😜). This means we've made it to the halfway point exactly 14 days before Gift of Snow is scheduled to publish on all the retailers.

Yikes! 😱 Am I trying to burn myself out yet again????

Probably. And it's probably going to happen, but not until after Nelke's romance with Tobias is complete and out in the wild for you to reading and enjoy. Another weird thing about my writing process compared to that of others—at least judging by what I see other writers yapping about online—is that I don't typically struggle with a "sagging middle." By the time I've reached the middle of a book, my characters have become old friends so the rest of their story just flows. No more boulders or dams slowing things down!

Nelke and her earthen muse Tobias have achieved a major triumph in their new relationship, which of course means this author is about to throw in a major twist that'll break both of their hearts. ☠️ Yep, I know, so evil of me. But you can be sure that they'll earn their happily-ever-after by the end of this book!

How about a sneak peek at the moment they first met? Nelke has just relocated to Wels, Austria to attend secretarial school in the year 1955. She's staying with her uncle, who happens to be a priest on the city council. And unfortunately she quickly found out that there's darker things going on behind the scenes in her new home. So she's taken her uncle's dog Heidi out for a walk to give herself a chance to think things through....

Gift of Snow — Snippet #1

“I think we need to talk about something else,” I muttered to Heidi once she finished her business. I rumpled the fur between her ears in response to her accomplished expression, then let her guide me further down the street.

“Onkel Gustav said there are ‘breeders’ in this city. Not sure if he meant every single priest or a small group. Do you think maybe I shouldn’t get involved with the local witches? Not let any other Teutons know I live here now? Maybe I should say I’m betrothed to someone back home, even though that’s not true. I don’t need any breeder priests to find out I’m single and going to school. They’d probably rather have me bound, barefoot, and pregnant.”

I rambled on without paying much attention to my surroundings, my focus on the intersection about ten meters away. That was the road that led toward the city center, and I could not guess how far Heidi typically went on her walks. A tractor motored along in the distance to our right, the yard to our left sporting a sculpted hedgerow that almost reached my shoulders.

The words ‘barefoot and pregnant’ fell from my lips just as we walked past a thick poplar, and an instant later an unfamiliar voice filtered into my ears. “The snow witch aspires to higher goals. Education before reproduction.”

I jumped at least twenty centimeters into the air, my element chilling my blood and blurring my vision behind my glasses as someone emerged from behind the poplar. Heidi wriggled and barked twice with a huge grin, indicating she knew whoever had encroached on our private discussion. Placing a hand to my chest, I forced my element out of my eyes and turned to my left to see a young man clad in a pale green shirt with the top two buttons undone, his sleek black hair in casual disarray, his eyes a vibrant green that reminded me of oak leaves in the summer. Favoring me with a respectful nod, he raised his eyebrows and tucked his fingers into his belt. His arms appeared lean and muscular.

“You might need to choose a different language, if you’re wanting to make sure nobody knows what you’re saying to Heidi.” The Boxer had stopped barking and sat on her haunches with her tongue hanging out of her mouth. She looked up at our sudden companion with an adoring gaze as the man introduced himself. “Tobias Börtlein. Herr Mühlbach isn’t the only Teuton in this neighborhood.”

Courtesy required me to nod back, my element coursing through my veins in a distracting manner. “Nelke Walden. Herr Mühlbach is my uncle. You caught me by surprise. What were you doing hiding behind that tree?”

“I wasn’t hiding. I was using my magic to check its health and commune with its spirit.” Tobias gestured at the poplar. “I’m surprised you didn’t notice my elemental display. Still got a few vines attached to my pants.”

He glanced down sheepishly, his smooth jaw shifting as his spirit thrummed with mystic power. I stepped to the hedge to peer over it, amazed to see curls of ivy withdrawing from his legs into the earth. His bare feet sank into the grass, a pair of socks and shoes lying some distance away, along with a tan hat that matched his pants. A Teuton of earth like my father.

Snow danced in my blood in wistful admiration, and I pursed my lips. What was wrong with me? If Tobias’ earth caught wind of my snow’s mad yearning, he would think I was a harlot. Trying not to let my element’s attraction displace my reason, I said, “So you use your earth to maintain this property’s health. My uncle could probably use your services if you don’t work for him already. He owns all the farmland in this neighborhood.”

“I know. And maybe I’d offer my services to him if I wasn’t here to expand and strengthen my father’s connections with the local bankers.” His tone thick with amusement, Tobias moved to retrieve his shoes and socks. Embarrassed, I looked down at Heidi.

Good job Nelke. You assumed Tobias is uneducated because you found him communing with a tree. When he likely owns the only other giant house on this street. Idiot. I knelt down to scratch Heidi’s flanks in an effort to hide my blunder. “Your family’s in banking?”

“Investment banking. It’s not really interesting, at least not when I’m not at work. I’d rather focus on hobbies and relaxation during weekends.”

We both rose to our feet at the same time, Tobias’ hat atop his head and my fingers flexing on Heidi’s leash. She got up herself and began trotting toward the intersection, the pause in our walk complete. Tobias’ gaze followed me as I passed by, and I made an effort to stuff my magic into my spirit where it belonged. “You can join us on our walk, if you’d like. I’m not sure how far Heidi usually goes, but I came out here to think about some things.”

“As long as I wouldn’t be a bother.” Tobias cocked an eyebrow at me, and a thread of earth magic whispered its way through the snow in my aura. Familiar. Safe. Enticing.

Stop it, Nelke.

“You’re not. I’d like to get your opinion on what my uncle thinks about the—uh—culture in this city.” I switched to Teutonica on the second sentence; and my companion stepped into the street from a break in the hedgerow, matching Heidi’s leisurely pace as he positioned himself to my right.

“That every priest expects you to be bound, barefoot, and pregnant?” Tobias caught my eye. I blushed again while he shook his head, looking vexed. “I just got here on Wednesday, so I can’t comment on Herr Mühlbach’s experience with this city’s Teuton culture. Except that there are at least two priests in Wels who don’t condemn your wish to educate yourself before marriage. Or to educate yourself in order to succeed on your own, if you’re more comfortable with that.”

We continued onto the road toward the city center, and I considered what he had said. Two priests must mean my uncle—and Tobias himself. See, you’ve got this completely wrong, I informed my magic in silent regret. You want to keep your heart to yourself, not hand it over to an unknown man like Ilsa did the day she met Horst. She got lucky, but that doesn’t mean you will.

“So you’re a priest then?” I looked at his face from beneath the brim of my sunhat, trying to guess just how old he was.

“Took the initiation in München right before I came here. My father kicked me out when I turned sixteen, saying it’s my duty to enlarge our family’s business. I’m his oldest son, so I guess he has a point. But it’s been an interesting couple of years. Wandering here and there without putting down roots. My element hasn’t exactly appreciated it.”

Tobias winced, his eyes scanning the cottages populating the road beyond the next intersection. Soon we would leave the pastures behind and enter the city. Heidi halted to sniff the root of a mushroomed stump beside the road, so I paused and regarded the young man with sympathy. My father hated traveling; he had not left our village since we attended my grandmother’s funeral. His elemental earth gained peace and stability from the land of his birth.

“Where does your family live?”

“Vienna.” My eyes widened, and Tobias breathed out a sigh. “My father built his business near the stock exchange, so I’ve spent most of my life outside Teuton lands. Took after my mother where magic is concerned, so it’s been a relief to come here and stay in her childhood home. The earth here remembers her.”

Melancholy dimmed his essence, and I put a hand to my mouth as Heidi resumed her pace. “Your mother. Is she—?”

Tobias shook his head and lifted his gaze toward the sky. “No. She ascended shortly after she gave birth to me. Her ashes were spread along the banks of the Mühlbach at the back of her family’s property. It’s been soothing to walk amid the trees and flowers she used to tend. My father wants me to return to Vienna after I’ve finished here, but I’m not sure if I will. My earth tells me I belong here.”

“I feel that way too, even though I spent my whole life in a tiny village east of Innsbruck. I was born in Wels, and coming back here has felt like coming home in some strange way. It doesn’t really make sense.” I spoke without thinking, deep emotions churning in my soul. Then I realized I had started going off about myself when Tobias just returned to his late mother’s birthplace. Inconsiderate.

“I’m so sorry about your mother,” I rushed to say, shame heating my cheeks for the third time since I met this man. “I hope you’re able to find peace with the memories embedded in this land. And that you can convince your father to let you stay here if your earth has chosen its home.”

“Thank you, Nelke. We’ll see what happens. I’ll be here for at least a couple months. Long enough to find out if the priests in this city do foul things to witches that compel them to have children.”

***

Seems like Nelke and Tobias have a few things in common aside from their Teutonic heritage. 🙂 Will they be able to work together and improve the situation for witches in Wels? Find out on March 20th when Gift of Snow drops in eBook form on your favorite retailer—and at my shop!

If you haven't read the prequel to Elemental Bloodlines yet, which tells the story of Ilsa and Horst, you can get Gift of Air for free at your favorite retailer.

https://books2read.com/ebgiftofair

Read An eBook At Smashwords

This week is the yearly Read An eBook event at Smashwords, where I buy and download all of the eBooks I've read. A whole lot of awesome indie authors have their eBooks discounted until the end of this week, so be sure to browse what's trending during the sale by clicking the graphic above. Or just search for your favorite author in the search bar up top and then snatch more of their catalogue!

(I'm about to grab a couple trilogies by Laura Greenwood that I haven't gotten yet, so if you're a deal hunter like me, now's the time to act.)

Nearly all of the books set in the Teutonic Fantasy Realm are 25% off while the event is on. You can browse them and grab a couple at the link below:

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/clcarhart1066

Other Books You Might Like

Found one book about werewolves and another about vampires for you to check out today. Have to admit both look intriguing, and it seems like they'd appeal to readers looking for a wild and twisted ride into love and magic. If that's you, be sure to click on each book and support other authors like me! 💖

The human

I was taken from my damaged life by the one that called me his mate. A mate who should protect and cherish me but only wanted my submission. A mate that soon haunts my nightmares.

There is no escaping him, or this bond between us, even when I started to think of another. Falling for the one I should fear. A man with a deranged wolf.

The Alpha

I didn’t mean to crave the one I couldn’t have, the one I could never touch while another had already claimed her.

I tried to stay away, but the pain in her eyes lured me closer—a pain I recognized as my own. Can she resist her fated mate for me? Or should I be the one that makes that choice for her?

✨ FREE On BookFunnel ✨

She thought her vampire mate was dead, but the truth may destroy them both.

Mya’s life has been intertwined with Erik’s for centuries. First as her savior, then as her guardian, and finally as her forbidden yet undeniable lover. Mya believed nothing could ever tear them apart—until vicious betrayal left Erik dead.

Mya has mourned him for three hundred years, stuck in her anguish and grief, until she learned the truth.

Erik never died. He’s been imprisoned by their enemies. They’ve tortured, experimented on, and cursed him, until he lost everything, even himself.

Mya won’t rest until she saves him, but she’s not the only one searching for Erik. The hunt is on, and if she doesn’t get there first, he may die for real.

✨ All Retailers ✨

That's all I got for you this week, because now I need to go ruin Nelke's life like the black-hearted author I am. 🖤 She's floating on cloud 9 with her beloved priestly muse, and since her story's only half done it's about time I stir the pot.

Wish me luck, and wish Nelke luck too!

I hope you have a lovely and weird rest of your week filled with enchanting stories to carry you away from our mundane world. ✨

Talk to you soon,

C.L. Carhart

Get Gift of Air for free:

https://books2read.com/ebgiftofair

Elemental Bloodlines series:

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

His Name Was Augustin series:

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

Smashwords sale:

https://www.smashwords.com/shelves/promos?ref=clcarhart1066