At long last, we have a cover for Tempered, the next book in the Daughters of the People Series. I think we can all agree it was well worth the wait. The cover designer, L.J. Anderson of Mayhem Cover Creations, had to Frankenstein the female in order to get the look I was aiming for. She did a spectacular job, as usual, and I'm very happy with the results of all her hard work.
Tempered was an unexpected surprise and not part of the planned story arc, hence the lack of a series number. Unofficially, it's Book 3.5 and will be labeled as such on the spine of the print edition so that readers will know exactly where it falls within the overall series.
Speaking of the print edition, I'm including it in this informal cover reveal so y'all can appreciate the full effect of L.J.'s work.
I'm aiming for a release date of 5 December 2014 and hope to get the e-ARCs to advanced readers/reviewers out by this coming weekend, Thanksgiving (in the US) at the latest. Here's the description:
Among the People, Hawthorne the Chronicler is well-known for two things: Her faithful rendition of their history and her inclination to behead those who betray her. To mortals, Hawthorne is better known as Al C. Hawthorne, a fantasy writer with a stellar imagination and a knack for complex stories. It is in this guise that she must track down the sources of comic book illustrator Aaron Kesselman's modernized tales of Rebecca the Blade.
Hawthorne's blunt words and lithe grace intrigue Aaron, enough for him to take her up on the offer of sharing her bed. Before he knows it, his heart begins the fall into love, a fall he's willing to take if only he can persuade Hawthorne that she isn't a two thousand year old immortal descended from one of the most ruthless warriors in British history.
The past isn't the only obstacle standing in the way of true love. The Eternal Order is on the move, targeting key members of the People in their never-ending quest to extinguish the Light. Hawthorne soon learns that a strong arm and a sharp blade aren't always the best weapons in a Daughter's arsenal, especially when her heart is involved.
