Hey Guardians,

I have dreaded sending out this news, mostly because I hate disappointing anyone. What I have to say is personal. I normally keep my personal life private, but I felt this needed to be shared.

It’s no secret that I have been really struggling for the past year to write Rising Dawn. I was in a bad place mentally, and it dropped me into a depressive cloud that wouldn’t let me work. No inspiration would come. No magic. I worried I had burned myself out with such a hectic schedule and that the stress had finally caught up to me. I had no answers as to why my brain simply wouldn’t cooperate. I know this story inside out. I know everything that happens in Rising Dawn has to happen, so I didn’t understand why writing it was like moving through sand. Difficult to walk on and difficult to grasp. It got to the point where I was dreading writing anything at all.

I kept telling myself I could make it. I did it before. I wrote four books, so there’s no way I can’t write this one. But as February’s release date crept closer and closer, and Rising Dawn wasn’t any closer to being done, well, it really brought me to a dark place.

I would stare at the draft on my screen that had somehow become an enormous mountain. But no one else could climb it for me, no matter how much I was dreading it, so I made myself sit down and write the next chapter. It was a chapter I had been avoiding by a character I love. It didn’t make sense to me why I didn’t want to write in their POV… until it finally did.

All authors put a piece of themselves in their stories and in every character, be it a trait, a quirk, a like or dislike. And sometimes experiences founded in pain or joy. If you look closely, you’ll find it. I have always known the Guardians series was especially dear to me because it carried my heart, but I didn’t know how much.

When I was eighteen, I lost my dad. He was my best friend. He was the one I shared my dreams with, my secrets with, and who I counted on for everything.

So when I lost him, I didn’t grieve. I couldn’t.

I buried it… like someone we know.

I think this series was my way of processing that loss because all the Guardians had lost someone. Had, being the key word. They were all in different stages of their grief. Some were in the middle. Some at the end. Some were ignoring it altogether. But at the end of book three, two Guardians lost someone. One of them was a parent.

And in book four, they had to grieve.

I related to that so much that I subconsciously ran away from this book. Because to write those scenes meant uncovering the pain I buried a long time ago. When I realized that about myself, it was like the fog had finally cleared.

My fingers started to type, and the scene unfurled beautifully.

Then I was uncontrollably bawling over my keyboard.

Whenever I am asked what Rising Dawn is about, my answer is always the same. Healing and forgiveness. But I see now, it’s also about grief. Will you cry, too? Probably. But those are the woes of any reader who picks up my books, because you are carrying a little piece of me.

Now, on to the disappointing part…

Rising Dawn will not be released on February 13th.

That was hard for me to accept, too. My readers are so special to me, and the last thing I ever want to do is upset you. I was desperate to find a solution that would somehow let me release on time, but I already knew the truth.

The story is simply not finished.

I am at the end of the tunnel, but Rising Dawn still has more work to go. Not to mention, she is a little chunky. Not like Shattered Souls, but thicker than Bonded Fate. So I need a little more time to write those chapters I had avoided and to edit these pages in the way they deserve.

I know that isn’t what you wanted to hear. I am so sorry I couldn’t keep my word. But I love this series too much not to honor it. I would much rather you be angry with me for the delay than lose you because I rushed to publish a book that wasn’t ready.

This is not an excuse. It’s only to be completely transparent with you about what’s been going on with me.

I don’t have a release date for Rising Dawn yet. For my sanity, I decided to finish writing it without the pressure of another deadline, but it will come out this year. My goal is spring. As soon as I know I can 100% guarantee a release date, I will announce it right away.

Preorder Updates:

🌿Ebook pre-orders made on Amazon will be canceled today. Everyone who pre-ordered and submitted a form for their free swag will still get it in the mail.

UPDATE: (Feb 6th) I spoke with Amazon, and they gave me another 30 day extension on the ebook. I am not guaranteeing a March release though. They wanted me to take this step first before canceling the pre-order all together.

UPDATE: (March 7th) Amazon has kindly allowed me to extended Rising Dawn’s ebook pre-order release to April 11th. This is my goal but I am not guaranteeing this date or any other until I know for sure I can keep it. I'll do my best!

Update (March 9th) Well, if you didn't get the email yet, Amazon canceled the Rising Dawn pre-order for the ebook. Apparently, when I called for the extension it had been too late for their system to accept the change because it was the day of my deadline. Maybe it's for the best. I am very sorry. I'll keep working to finish the book and announce the release date when I know. Everyone who submitted their receipts will still receive their swag.

🌿Greenwood Windows will begin to go out next weekend if you ordered one separately from a book pre-order.

🌿Pre-orders made for regular editions, exclusive editions, print packs, and book boxes will be shipped as soon as books arrive. I am including the Guardians of the Maiden print as my gift to you.

Many readers pre-ordered since last year, so due to the several delays, if you don’t want to wait any longer, please reach out to my team through the contact form to cancel your order. We will take care of that for you as soon as possible.

If you haven’t given up on me yet, thank you. It means EVERYTHING.

Meanwhile we’re waiting, I may drop another Rising Dawn teaser and art reveal soon. If you haven’t heard, I also released the first three chapters last month. You can read those HERE with the special password I sent out to newsletter subscribers in my last email.

For March, expect some fun King’s Bride reveals and another giveaway, too.

If you have any questions, reach out to my PA Sarah at @thebookishmusician on Instagram or by email at sarah@beckmichaels.com.

I promise this book is not all dark. You can still expect funny moments and some steamy ones, too. Who doesn’t love a possessive Cassiel?

Every book I write holds a journey for me. Sometimes it’s a lesson, sometimes it’s a discovery, and sometimes it’s growth. Rising Dawn hit me with all three. Does that mean it will be my best book yet? Who knows. I guess you’ll let me know once you read it.

As always, stay safe and read good books,

xoxo

Beck