Welcome back to Messages from the Stars aka the official Child of the Stars newsletter.

Progress Update + Sneak Peak Inquiry

I am still working on Draft 2 of Child of the Stars. I am currently rewriting the beginning of the story (first 25%) and I am loving the experience. Now that I know the story better and things are starting to click, I want to start giving you sneak peaks, starting with snippets of my favorite scenes. As I continue to develop the story, these scenes will change but the vibes will remain. I’ll be putting a poll up on my Instagram in the coming weeks in order to see if that is something you might be interested in, so look out for that.

If you aren’t already following me on Instagram, here’s your sign to do so. Just click this link.

Book Recommendation

If you love epic fantasy but want some romance in your bookish life too, I’ve got you covered.

Smoke and Scar by Gretchen Powell Fox is an absolute powerhouse in the indie book space and now it’s joining the traditionally published world! This series is so much fun and the third book is releasing soon, so make sure you aren’t missing out on the excitement.

For centuries, humans and the magical races of Arcanis have been bitter enemies. Their only hope for lasting peace lies in the Arcane Crucible, a brutal series of trials that demands sacrifice every twenty-five years.

Elyria Lightbreaker, once a celebrated fae war hero, is a shadow of her former self. When the man she loved was lost to last year’s Crucible, Elyria lost herself too—but now that his sister has stepped forward as a contender, she must rise to protect another person she loves from meeting the same fate. Which means entering the very nightmare she abhors and fighting like hell to get them both out alive.

Cedric Thorne, humankind’s would-be champion, has lived only for vengeance. To him, Elyria is the enemy who stole everything: his family; his peace; his past, present, and future. But the Crucible doesn’t care about grudges. To survive, Cedric and Elyria must fight side by side, even as their determination to win burns hotter than the desire they can’t deny.

Dark magic. Betrayal. A slow-burn love that could ignite the world. In the Arcane Crucible, enemies could become lovers…or destroy each other before the trials are through.

Child of the Stars Blurb

Celestial princess, Astrid, accidentally kills her classmate with her powers. Overcome with guilt and fear, she locks herself in her chambers, never venturing farther than the palace garden and vowing never to wield magic again.

Five years later, she has reached maturity—and so have her powers. They grow stronger every day and become harder to ignore, especially now that it’s predicted the death of her brothers.

Determined to change their fates, Astrid steps back into the cutthroat world of magic and imperial court, where rumors hold as much power as a spell. But she can’t do it alone. She will need the guidance of a high priest and the help of her brother’s best friend—who she may or may not be falling for despite her better judgment.

Meanwhile, a terrifying evil is spreading across the continent, threatening the reign of the celestials. As darkness rises and rebellion ensues, Astrid must make a choice: live in fear or embrace her power and save all she loves.

Interested in Behind the Scenes Content? Follow Me On Socials!

Instagram: talesbycarlagrace

TikTok: talesbycarlagrace

✨ Until Next Time, Stargazer! ✨

- Carla Grace

Leave a comment

Welcome back to Messages from the Stars!

I realize it’s been a while since I’ve released a newsletter, and I wanted to update you on my debut novel. But before we get to that, let’s remind ourselves why we are here:

What is “Child of the Stars”?

Child of the Stars is a new adult epic romantic fantasy inspired by Disney’s Frozen and Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim. The story follows a celestial princess who must master her powers and conquer her fears in order to save the realm and her brothers before it is too late. It is Book 1 of 4 in the Celestial Children Series.

Child of the Stars Blurb

Celestial princess, Astrid, accidentally kills her classmate with her powers. Overcome with guilt and fear, she locks herself in her chambers, never venturing farther than the palace garden and vowing never to wield magic again.

Five years later, she has reached maturity—and so have her powers. They grow stronger every day and become harder to ignore, especially now that it’s predicted the death of her brothers.

Determined to change their fates, Astrid steps back into the cutthroat world of magic and imperial court, where rumors hold as much power as a spell. But she can’t do it alone. She will need the guidance of a high priest and the help of her brother’s best friend—who she may or may not be falling for despite her better judgment.

Meanwhile, a terrifying evil is spreading across the continent, threatening the reign of the celestials. As darkness rises and rebellion ensues, Astrid must make a choice: live in fear or embrace her power and save all she loves.

The Celestial Children Series

Across four books, we will follow three young celestials as they fight to protect the Mortal Realm from falling into the hands of the Demon Realm.

Set on a post–Holy War earth ruled by celestial beings, this series blends:

• sword & sorcery
• imperial court politics
• mystical creatures
• betrayal
• aggressive yearning
• epic battles between light and dark

And so much more.

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ (Moderate)
Content Warning: violence, war violence, death

Progress Update

Draft 1 of Child of the Stars was completed last August. After taking time away from the story, I have been working on a world guide and reading over draft 1. I have just begun outlining for draft 2 and am super excited to get it out to my alpha readers. What does this mean for you?

Beta reader applications will open sometime this summer, and you will be able to read draft 3! I plan on doing multiple rounds of beta reading, so stay tuned if you are interested in being selected as I will announce when applications open.

What to Expect in 2026

• Beta Reading Applications Open (more on this later)

• Bi-monthly Newsletters (progress updates, announcements, etc.)

• Official Author Website

• Giveaways

I will also be sharing more information on the book, the characters, and the world.

Interested in Behind the Scenes Content? Follow Me On Socials!

Instagram: talesbycarlagrace

TikTok: talesbycarlagrace

✨ Until Next Time, Stargazer! ✨

- Carla Grace

Leave a comment

This is author Carla Grace here with more Messages from the Stars, aka the official Child of the Stars newsletter.

A Star is Born

When I first decided I wanted to publish a book, I had two stories in mind. One was an adult epic fantasy romance inspired by a dream I had as a child and the other was a young adult high fantasy inspired by Norse mythology. They were two completely different stories that had absolutely nothing in common other than the fact that they were fantasy. They were both promising projects that I love to this day. I scrapped them.

Well, I didn’t scrap them scrap them. I morphed them. After four years of getting nowhere with both stories, I decided to focus on a new idea that had been living in my head for months and only grew stronger. Something I noticed was this new idea was basically my two scrapped stories if they had a baby. That new story is Child of the Stars.

COS Progress Update

I have been working on world building, and I am reading through Draft 1. Draft 2 should be in the works by the end of this month and I will be writing it during November.

🐉 Book Recommendation 🐉

If you love Fourth Wing, Attack on Titan, or How to Train Your Dragon, you have to check out this new fantasy romance by Monty K. Rue.

The Last Dragon is one of my top reads this year, and I cannot recommend it enough. Here is the blurb:

The world has been desolated of all hope after The Great Burn—a time where dragons ruled the skies and scorched the earth. But humanity has a will to survive and take back what was once theirs: Freedom. Kazelius Aaran is no stranger to this desire, and ever since he was a child, left with the mark of a dragon to bear on his skin, he has never strayed from his only dream.

A dream he finds more difficult to achieve than he thought: to obliterate all dragons. But when dreams are fueled by vengeance, even the most just acts can become cruel.

I will leave the links for the book as well as Rue’s information below.

The Last Dragon

Monty K. Rue’s Website + Newsletter Sign Up

Monty K. Rue's Instagram

Child of the Stars Unofficial Blurb

Celestial princess, Astrid, accidentally killed her classmate with her powers. Overcome with guilt and fear, she locked herself in her chambers, never venturing farther than the palace garden and vowing never to wield magic again.

Five years later, she has reached maturity—and so have her powers. They grow stronger every day and become harder to ignore, especially now that it's predicted the death of her brothers.

Determined to change their fates, Astrid steps back into the cutthroat world of magic and imperial court, where rumors hold as much power as a spell. But she can’t do it alone. She will need the guidance of a high priest and the help of her brother’s best friend, who she may or may not be falling for despite her better judgment.

Meanwhile, a terrifying evil is spreading across the continent, threatening the reign of the celestials. As darkness rises and rebellion ensues, Astrid must make a choice: live in fear or embrace her power and save all she loves.

Follow Me On Socials!

If you want to see behind the scenes content and more frequent updates on Child of the Stars and other projects, follow me on social media!

Instagram: talesbycarlagrace

TikTok: talesbycarlagrace

✨ So Long, Stargazer! ✨

- Carla Grace

This is author Carla Grace here with more Messages from the Stars, aka the official Child of the Stars newsletter.

I Did It!

As of August 22, 2025 at 2:50am, the first draft of Child of the Stars is now finished. I have been working on this book for over a year and we are now one step closer to it being in your hands. Yayyyy!

Since finishing, I haven’t written anything. I’ve been on a month-long break from writing and instead have been focusing on world building and outlining Draft 2. For behind-the-scenes looks on this process, follow me on social media. (Linked at the end of this newsletter.)

Book Recommendation

I thought it was only right for my first recommendation to be the story that inspired mine. Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim is a young adult fantasy and the first book in the Six Crimson Cranes duology.

Blurb:

A princess in exile, a shapeshifting dragon, six enchanted cranes, and an unspeakable curse...

Shiori'anma, the only princess of Kiata, has a secret. Forbidden magic runs through her veins. Normally she conceals it well, but on the morning of her betrothal ceremony, Shiori loses control. At first, her mistake seems like a stroke of luck, forestalling the wedding she never wanted. But it also catches the attention of Raikama, her stepmother.

A sorceress in her own right, Raikama banishes the young princess, turning her brothers into cranes. She warns Shiori that she must speak of it to no one for with every word that escapes her lips, one of her brothers will die.

Penniless, voiceless, and alone, Shiori searches for her brothers, and uncovers a dark conspiracy to seize the throne. Only Shiori can set the kingdom to rights, but to do so she must place her trust in a paper bird, a mercurial dragon, and the very boy she fought so hard not to marry. And she must embrace the magic she's been taught all her life to forswear--no matter what the cost.

Weaving together elements of The Wild Swans, Cinderella, the legend of Chang E, and the Tale of the Bamboo Cutter.

Follow Me On Socials!

Instagram: talesbycarlagrace

TikTok: talesbycarlagrace

Until Next Time, Stargazer!

-Carla Grace

This is author Carla Grace here with more Messages from the Stars, aka the official Child of the Stars newsletter.

Astrid Hellestern (The Reluctant Hero)

Astrid is the main character of Child of the Stars. She is a young celestial princess who has more power than she can control. She is known for intelligence, beauty, and love for fashion. Though she appears quiet and reserved, when she cares deeply about something, Astrid makes her voice heard.

Donovan Sayyar (The Recovering Womanizer)

Donovan is Prince Charming on the outside and a womanizer on the inside. He is best friends with Prince Atlas (Astrid’s eldest brother). He is known for his flirtatious personality, his unwavering loyalty and closeness to the imperial family, and his swordsmanship. Donovan doesn’t seem like he will ever settle on one woman, but something changes when he reunites with Astrid.

Gabriel Eros (The Wise Not-So-Old Mentor)

Gabriel is High Priest of Estheria and advisor to the emperor. He is calm under pressure, a critical thinker, and a voice of reason in the imperial council. He will challenge Astrid and push her to be the leader the realm needs.

Character Q&A

Astrid Hellestern

Q1: What scares you the most?

A1: My powers.

Q2: What secret would destroy you if it ever came to light?

A2 ext.: And who did you speak to?

A2 ext.: And who did you speak to?

A2 ext.: Old acquaintances.

Q3: Do you believe in love?

A3: Yes, though I have found that sometimes it can be tainted.

Q4: Who would you die for?

A4: My brothers.

Q5: Who would you die for?

A5: Them. It’s not enough to fight for myself. I will live for them.

Donovan Sayyar

Q1: What would break you?

A1: Losing her.

Q2: What scares you the most?

A2: Failure.

Q3: What is your greatest strength?

A3: My charm.

Q4: What moment will change everything?

A4: The flames.

Gabriel Eros

Q1: What is your name and title?

A1: Gabriel Eros, High Priest of Estheria and advisor to Emperor Astraeus of Estheria.

Q2: You are training Princess Astrid. How is that going?

A2: She struggles, but that is to be expected after what she has gone through.

Q3: What do you fear the most?

A3: That I will fail in preparing her highness for what is to come.

Q3 ext.: And what is to come?

A3 ext.: The darkness.

Q4: What do you believe in above all else?

A4: God. The truth. The text Rin put on my desk.

Q5: Is there anything you would like to say to the people who will read about this time in the history books?

A5: It is not over.

Child of the Stars Unofficial Blurb

Celestial princess, Astrid, accidentally killed her classmate with her powers. Overcome with guilt and fear, she locked herself in her chambers, never venturing farther than the palace garden and vowing never to wield magic again.

Five years later, she has reached maturity—and so have her powers. They grow stronger every day and become harder to ignore, especially now that it's predicted the death of her brothers.

Determined to change their fates, Astrid steps back into the cutthroat world of magic and imperial court, where rumors hold as much power as a spell. But she can’t do it alone. She will need the guidance of a high priest and the help of her brother’s best friend, who she may or may not be falling for despite her better judgment.

Meanwhile, a terrifying evil is spreading across the continent, threatening the reign of the celestials. As darkness rises and rebellion ensues, Astrid must make a choice: live in fear or embrace her power and save all she loves.

Follow me on socials!

Instagram: talesbycarlagrace

TikTok: talesbycarlagrace

Until Next Time, Stargazer!

-Carla Grace

This is author Carla Grace here to welcome you to Messages from the Stars, aka the official Child of the Stars newsletter.

You will be the first to receive news on all things Child of the Stars and gain access to things such as arc signups, giveaways, and so much more. Expect to receive updates 1-2 times a month.

I am excited you’re here and welcome to Estheria!

The Celestial Children

The Celestial Children is a new adult epic fantasy romance series that follows three young celestials who must learn to hone their powers and seek out the truth in order to save their realm. This series is projected to be four books long with a possible prequel.

The Unofficial Child of the Stars Blurb

Celestial princess, Astrid, accidentally killed her classmate with her powers. Overcome with guilt and fear, she locked herself in her chambers, never venturing farther than the palace garden and vowing never to wield magic again.

Five years later, she has reached maturity—and so have her powers. They grow stronger every day and become harder to ignore, especially now that it's predicted the death of her brothers.

Determined to change their fates, Astrid steps back into the cutthroat world of magic and imperial court, where rumors hold as much power as a spell. But she can’t do it alone. She will need the guidance of a high priest and the help of her brother’s best friend, who she may or may not be falling for despite her better judgment.

Meanwhile, a terrifying evil is spreading across the continent, threatening the reign of the celestials. As darkness rises and rebellion ensues, Astrid must make a choice: live in fear or embrace her power and save all she loves.

What to Expect from This Newsletter

• Progress updates (draft completions, official release day, etc.)

• Beta and arc reading opportunities

• Letters from the High Priest: In Child of the Stars, high priests and those working in the church are in charge of recording the lives of celestials and celestial events for future generations. You will be able to ask High Priest Gabriel, aka Astrid’s mentor, questions about the book. He will choose 1-3 to respond to each newsletter at his discretion.

• Sneak Peeks

• Giveaways

• Book Recommendations

Just One More Thing…

If you would like to connect on places other than Substack or email, feel free to follow me on social media.

Instagram: talesbycarlagrace

TikTok: talesbycarlagrace

Until Next Time, Stargazer!

-Carla Grace

Subscribe now