Can't Sleep

It's after midnight and by now, I've usually crawled into bed, with my mind settling into a nice daydream before finally drifting off to sleep. However, tonight my mind is too active. I spent 20 minutes starting at my overloaded bookshelves, trying to decide on some thing to briefly read before trying once again to fall asleep. But I couldn't decide on anything.

I knew better.

My mind is too full of Mira and Danaus. I've been neglecting my work recently and now I find myself missing my old friends, as I knew I would. We've been together for so many years now that I can't go too long before one of them finally taps me on the shoulder or gives me a much-needed hug. While grim and violent, the Dark Days world will always be home for me.

So, after spending the past couple weeks curled up in my own personal hole away from the world, I've crawled out and decided that it's time to face the world again. And I'm okay with that.

Since you've been so patient, I have a small gift to offer my dedicated readers -- the cover for Dawnbreaker. It has officially been released to the world (as it has appeared on Amazon.com) so I feel safe posting it here along with the cover blurb. I love all of my covers. The artist, Don Sipley, is amazing. But I have to admit that I think this one is my favorite at the moment. I hope you like it, too.

"The dawn brinks new terror for the creatures of the night...

Those off her race fear Mira for the lethal fire she bends to her will -- a power unique among nightwalkers, both a gift ... and a curse.

The naturi despise Mira for what she is -- as they prepare the final sacrifice that will destroy the barriers between the worlds. And once the naturi are unchained, blood, chaos, and horror will reign supreme on Earth.

Mira can trust only Danaus, the more-than-mortal vampire slayer, though he is sworn to destroy her kind. And now, as the day approaches when titanic forces will duel under cover of darkness, destiny draws them toward an apocalyptic confrontation at Machu Picchu. But all is not lost. for a wild card has been dealt to them: a rogue enemy princess who can change the balance of power and turn the dread tide."

Dawnbreaker is set to be released on September 29, 2009. Stop by the discussion board where speculation has already begun on this book. Try to guess at what kind of mischief I've stirred up now. If you can't wait until Dawnbreaker, then be sure to pick up Unbound on August 25. I have a novella in the anthology called "The Dead, The Damned, And The Forgotten". It is a prequel to Nightwalker.