🪄 A Keyholder's Deepest Wish 🪄
Dec 16, 2022 4:01 pm
Is it the weekend yet? Sometimes it gets hard to remember what day it is, when you're juggling your studies, your internship, caring for your beloved Oma, and performing the duties of a Teuton Keyholder. Guess I should have known what I was getting into when I accepted the keys.
If you've read Gift of Fire, then we've met already. But if you haven't dived into C.L. Carhart's latest paranormal romance quite yet, I'd like to introduce myself as Henning Glossner. Just a regular Teuton kid who's always known he'd grow up to be the Keyholder of Erlangen one day. 🔑
A Keyholder's Duty
Now, before you assume that I'm some super powerful priest who wants to lord it over the 3,000 Teutons who call Erlangen their home, let me remind you about the things that keep a Keyholder in check. First of all, my parents raised me better than that. I want to use my influence to guide the magic-users in my city to success and happiness, standing firm for the light, and vanquishing those who wish to inject evil into our community.
Generally speaking, any darkness in the Teuton community grows as a result of Wuotan's influence. The downsides of our ancient history, since millennia ago, our people served him as their demon lord. In the modern era, Wuotan thrives on spreading prejudice and jealousy among elemental witches.
As the Keyholder of a strong Teuton city, it's up to me and my Lady to hold that demon wretch at bay.
Right now, my great-grandmother Frieda is my devoted Lady, a magnificent witch of light whom I spend most of my free time serving. Since I accepted the keys from my great-grandfather's hands a year ago, my Oma has assured me time and again that she will soon depart this world, leaving her position open for a younger witch, one destined to become my fated partner.
Can Fate Transform Into Love?
Have to let you in on a little secret. I only just turned twenty years old, and thus far, I've never met anyone—man or woman—who aroused any sort of romantic interest within my heart. Even celebrities don't prompt me to imagine sultry embraces behind closed doors. Sometimes I wonder if I'm actually asexual. Even if I am, I'll have to offer my heart and soul to whichever young witch the soul of Erlangen chooses to take my Oma's place, once she passes away.
I've known that's what comes with accepting the keys of a Teuton city since I was a little kid. But I figured I'd have at least gotten a crush on some girl or boy by now. I'm twenty, for goodness' sake! But there's been nothing. And a private worry lurks in the back of my mind, worry that claiming a witch as my fated mate won't guarantee me a relationship filled with love and trust.
I went into this aware of the consequences. But the Lady of a Teuton city gets chosen by the forces of destiny. She can't relinquish her status as Lady, once the city's soul has made its home inside her heart.
What if my future Lady wants nothing to do with me? What if she would rather match herself with some other person, Teuton or outsider? What if I can't be the faithful guardian she needs?
I try not to think about it too much, but that worry returns to me every time I meet my Oma's gaze. Her magic is still vibrant and strong, but her body? Eternity will claim her soon, just as it claimed her late husband, my predecessor. And then I'll be left alone with an unknown witch to pursue. 😬
C.L. Carhart tells me that Gift of Fire's sequel will follow the story of me and my future Lady. To be honest, that freaks me out. But since Gabi & Lukas' story is a romance with a lovely ending, let's hope I can earn that sort of love, too!
Don't forget, the Gift of Fire eBook is still only 99¢ for just a few more days. By the time C.L. Carhart sends her regular newsletter next Wedneday, the book will be at full price. So if you haven't gotten your copy yet, act NOW!
Books For Sci-fi & Fantasy Lovers
OK, now that we've gotten past the awkwardness of my situation, how about we embark on an adventure into other realms of fantasy—or into the far reaches of space! I'm a big fan of Star Wars, myself, so pretty sure I'm going to browse all the books in this book fair, whether you join me or not. 😉 Ready to leave your mundane world behind? You know what to do!
📚 Get THAT Book! 📚
This one's for the romance readers, especially those like me who haven't had the privilege of experiencing such wonders just yet. For one day only, an incredible group of authors have come together to share their latest books, deals, and discounts. Click the button below and you will be redirected to GET THAT BOOK’s website—where you can find all your new releases and deals. Lots of great romances await, even some with wintry themes. ❄
Recommended Reading
Now for C.L. Carhart's batch of recommended eBooks for all of us to check out. The book at the bottom of this list is a monster romance. 👹 While that idea doesn't really strike my fancy, I might nab a copy just because its sales support a no-kill animal shelter. That's a cause I can get behind! 🐶🐱
There's also one freebie lurking amid the others.
Jaden was dead... until Piper strode into his life.
Disgraced from shifter black ops, Jaden struggles to find purpose. Especially after his battle buddy drops the perfect business endeavor he never wanted in his lap, and the first job goes awry. At the worst possible moment, his mate enters his life like a wrecking ball.
Despite founding Mateless Mates for human females, Piper feels like she'll never find her fated mate. Almost at her wit's end, she can't commit to either world. When she stumbles into a speed dating event, she throws caution to the wind and claims her mate. But did she make an awful mistake?
As a secret organization threatens to rip the shifter world apart, they join their friends in a struggle to survive.
Saving the world would be so much easier without two left feet…
When her magick returns, Forsythia must face the creature that killed her mother. Fortunately, a yummy monster hunter offers to help. Too bad she got off on the wrong foot by breaking his nose…
The most powerful witch in a generation, she’ll need his help to survive. So maybe she should quit thinking about his cute butt.
As the daughter of the Purple Oasis coven leader, the last thing Jasmine expects is to be sent on a diplomatic mission to convince the nymphs and dryads to part with their precious tea. Nor does she expect to make a connection with the handsome nymph sent to negotiate.
Ryburn never expected to like the tea witch representative, but he's unable to deny the spark of something special he sees in Jasmine.
Can the two of them forge an alliance between their people without losing their hearts?
Monsters do it better—especially when they fall in love.
Dive into this stunning anthology filled with wicked tales and monstrous ever afters. These sweet and steamy short stories feature drool-worthy monsters as they woo and claim their human mates.
🪄 Last Chance For The Giveaway 🪄
If you haven't entered C.L. Carhart's paperback & swag giveaway celebrating Gift of Fire, TODAY is your last chance to toss your name into the hat! Do you want your personalized, signed copy of Gift of Fire, along with one of the books in C.L.'s first series? (Her first series follows the wild adventures of Swanie von Thaden, a Teuton ice witch who dances between multiple timelines throughout her life. 😮) I'd suggest you enter before time runs out, and share with your reader friends to build up more entries! Good luck to you!
It's time for me to bid you farewell, because duty calls me back to my Lady's side. It seems that a Teuton in our city has made a grave error, one that'll require extensive damage control. We might not be able to right this wrong without grave sacrifice. Would you wish me will in my eternal struggle against evil? My Lady and I need all the support we can get.
Follow the light,
Henning Glossner
Get Gift of Fire for 99¢: https://bf.clcarhart.com/w721mjjj90
Read the prequel in Lunar Rising: https://books2read.com/lunarrisingset
Swag giveaway: https://kingsumo.com/g/3dlftb/gift-of-fire-swag-giveaway
Sci-fi & Fantasy book fair:
https://bf.clcarhart.com/speculative-fic-sci-fi-and-fantasy/p13xg80l8v