Beck Michaels's Blog, page 2

King’s Kiss Cover Reveal!

Hey Guardians!

I hope you’ve all been well and have had a wonderful start to fall 🍂 It’s been a busy month for me as I’ve been getting ready for Rising Dawn orders and starting work for the next book on the roster. Now settle in! This email is full of updates and the cover reveal for King’s Kiss!

Rising Dawn Updates

Rising Dawn is finally out in the world! Paperback and hardback can now be purchased online from Amazon, B&N, and anywhere books are sold! The audiobook version is also still in production, and I’ll be sharing the release date as soon as we have one. 

KU subscribers can update the ebook by removing it from your library and then redownloading it. If you have purchased an ebook, you can still download the final version with all of the updates using the steps below:

KU Subscribers: Simply remove the ebook from your library and download again for the update.

Ebook purchase:

Hold down the book in the Kindle app on your device.

Press the "remove download" button. The book will still show up in your Kindle library.

When you click on the book again, it will redownload and automatically update.

You’ll know it’s the correct updated version if it has the Series Summaries after the Trigger Warning page, and I reveal the title of book 5 at the end!

Shipping Updates

You can now check my website for ! I will update it frequently whenever there is a change. Single orders of print packs have all been shipped, and the rest that were pre-ordered with books will go out together. If you have ordered multiple items (other books, store merch, regular edition with an exclusive) from the shop, they will ship once all items are ready to go out. 

✨September 23

PAPERBACKS have arrived today! They will begin shipping on Monday in waves.

✨September 23-28th

Expected arrival of the regular edition HARDBACKS in our office. 

✨September 30th-October 11th

ESTIMATED arrival of the exclusive editions in our office from the painters. Quality control & packing are set to begin. Once passing inspection, all Exclusive Book Box & Book Only orders will begin shipping in batches, and may take a few weeks once shipment begins.

Update your shipping address HERE if needed. Thank you again for your patience! If you have any questions or need help with your order,

After Sale: October 18 (NEW DATE!)

Since we have had a little shift in fulfillment for pre-orders, the new date for the After Sale has changed. Once all pre-orders have shipped, I will be holding an after sale for leftover prints, exclusive editions, book boxes, and merch! This sale will include some amazing items that are not currently in the shop, including replica daggers and adorable Dyna plushies. 

October 18th at 10 am EST - EARLY ACCESS Shop Drop for Subscribers

October 18th at 1 pm EST - Public Access 

Drumroll please… it’s time to finally reveal the cover for King’s Kiss!  He’s the God of Shadows. She’s the bride stolen from him. Their union was never meant to be.

OH. MY. GAWD. I am swooning over this cover! Isn’t it absolutely wicked? It’s my favorite one by far. And the stunning artwork on the naked hardcover by Salome (@morgana0anagrom) is to die for! It will also be featured on the ebook cover.

When I tell you that you are not ready for what the Shadow God has in store, hold on to your pearls ladies! (We have a shadow daddy!) This book will be SPICY. More than anything I have ever written. Rumiel is not a gentlemen like Jokull, if you catch my drift. If that doesn’t tell you this book will be dark and naughty, I don’t know what will.

You don't know how excited I am to finally put all my focus on this Sleeping Beauty retelling. It’s always fun to write fairy tales with a twist and the God of Shadows is one twisted villain. He's for my girlies who wanted a darker MC that goes beyond morally gray while still making you swoon. 🫠

Tropes:
💋Sleeping Beauty Retelling
💋Gods & Monsters
💋One Throne
💋Arranged Marriage
💋Nordic Vibes
💋Found Family
💋Close Proximity
💋Shadow Play

Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Trigger Warnings: violence, gore, language, explicit sexual situations, captivity, bondage and choking.

🔥 Heads up for my YA readers who prefer clean books, the Chronicles series is New Adult, dark fantasy romance with explicit love scenes. Be aware that my COU series is much darker and with more mature themes than my GOTM series.

I am revealing the cover a little early, so pre-orders will be up in the next month or so. You can sign up for the waitlist in the shop listing to be notified when they open.

I wanted to publish King’s Kiss by the end of the year, but I’ve come to accept that I’m human, and writing under so much stress and pressure isn’t good for my health. I promised to do better with the next book release, and that means taking my time. I don’t have a release date yet and won’t be announcing one until I have finished writing the first draft, but I’m tentatively planning for an early 2025 release.

Keep your eyes out for a King’s Kiss preorder date and synopsis reveal coming soon! Thank you to everyone who has helped with the cover reveal or shared a Rising Dawn review over the last several weeks. It means so much to me to see readers loving my characters and their stories as much as I do ♥️

That is all for now, darlings.

As always, stay safe and read good books,

xoxo ❤

Beck

Special Edition Reveal and More!

Hey Guardians!

What a month it’s been! I’m so glad that Rising Dawn is finally out in the world, and I’ve been working hard on the final edits for the re-release. I can’t say thank you enough to everyone for being so understanding and kind. There’s a special gift for you at the end of this blog post as a thank you for how supportive everyone has been! Now settle in. This newsletter is a long one and full reveals and of everything else coming up next.

Rising Dawn Updates

I am almost done with the final edits, and the final version will officially go to print on August 27 as the official re-release. It usually takes a few days for Amazon to update, but you should be able to purchase a physical copy around this date. Signed physical copies will also be available to order directly from my website.

If you preordered the ebook, the preorder swag will start shipping around the end of August as well. Everyone who has the ebook, whether it’s through KU or purchase, will be able to update your copy to have the final edits after the re-release on or after August 27. 

KU Subscribers: Simply remove the ebook from your library and download again for the update

Ebook purchase: Amazon should send you a push notification with instructions on how to update your copy, but if you don’t receive this, then follow these steps:

Hold down the book in the Kindle app on your device.

Press the "remove download" button. The book will still show up in your Kindle library.

When you click on the book again, it will redownload and automatically update.

That’s it! You will know it’s the updated version if it has the Series Summaries after the Trigger Warning page!

Special Edition Paperbacks

I am so excited to share that Rising Dawn’s special edition will be available on September 24! Isn’t it beautiful? The white paperback will contain interior art, an alternate cover, and a bonus chapter in Tavin’s POV. The white paperback editions of books 1-3 are available year-round on my website!

Rising Dawn Shipping and Book Box Updates

With the new print date, the estimating shipping timeline has been adjusted with new dates.

Here is the new estimated shipping timeline for Rising Dawn orders:

Week of September 1: Regular editions arrive and begin shipping

Week of September 16th: Exclusive editions arrive. They will go through a quality check then be packaged up. Book Only orders will go out next.

September 23rd: Shipping begins for book boxes (these will go out in waves, so don’t stress if yours doesn’t ship immediately)

It is very important that you update your shipping address HERE if needed.

As a special thanks for your patience, I teamed up with @thedearwriterco to bring you this beautiful gift with each exclusive edition book box preorder. How adorable is this hat? Embroidered with a custom dynalya flower to represent our favorite FMC, and absolutely stunning details. 

For my other readers who ordered a physical copy of Rising Dawn through my website prior to February's intended release, we have a special art print for you by the amazingly talented @kotikomori.

Spoiler Print

The artwork is a spoiler for a scene that is revealed in Shattered Souls, but you can click on the image to see it (I promise, it is STUNNING!!).

After Sale: September 27 (Save the date!)

If you’ve been hoping to snag some of the sold out Rising Dawn goodies, you’re in luck! Once all pre-orders have shipped, I will be holding an After Sale for leftover prints, exclusive editions, and merch! This will include some amazing items that are not currently in the shop, such as the replica daggers and adorable Dyna plushies. 

I made sure to order extras of the exclusive edition this time, but I only have a handful of book boxes! So mark your calendars and set your alarms!

September 27 at 10 am EST - EARLY ACCESS Shop Drop for Subscribers. A special password will be sent to you by email.

September 27 at 1 pm EST - Public Access 

Rising Dawn Exclusive edition features:

💚 Author’s signature

💚 An exclusive alternate cover

💚 Glittery green sprayed edges by @bookish.signs

💚 Hardcover art by @cebanart

💚 Thirteen pages of interior artwork by @cebanart, @lulybot, selenada.art, petit_kitsune, @morgnana0anagrom, and @mageonduty

💚 Exclusive chapter headers and title page

💚 Bonus chapter by Sheli’s POV!

*** As a reminder, only one exclusive edition per person please! Double or more orders will be canceled. If you need assistance with orders or international shipping, please contact us.

Street Team Now Open! Would you like to join the Guardian Squad for the next book adventure? You can apply to join the team HERE! King’s Kiss is up next, and it’s going to be so fun. Application closes September 13.

You can always reach out to my PA, Sarah, at sarah@beckmichaels.com, or on either of her IG pages (@thebookishmusician or @behindthepagesPA), with any questions about the street team.

KING’S KISS

Cover Reveal: The King’s Kiss cover will be revealed on September 20th. I don’t have a release date to share quite yet, but I’m so excited to dive into the Shadow God’s story! 🔥

Exclusive Edition Preorder: Preorders for this gorgeous special edition will be opening in late September. The King’s Bride editions turned out beautifully, and I know King’s Kiss will, too! Make sure you are following me on Instagram to catch the preorder announcement.

Reviews are pouring in for Rising Dawn, and so many of them have been high praises that I didn’t expect. It means so much that my readers continue to love these characters despite their hardships and many flaws. Each one of them carries a piece of my heart, and now, so does this book. I know the road to the release had its ups and downs, but I am really proud of this book. Thank you for joining the Guardians on their epic journey!

And now, here is a free coloring page of Cassiel and Dyna for you! Aren’t they adorable?

That is all for now, darlings.

As always, stay safe and read good books,

xoxo ❤

What’s Coming Next

Hey Guardians!

I hope that you’re all having a wonderful summer–can you believe we are already over halfway through July?! This summer is flying by! Writing for Rising Dawn has been going well, and we’re still on track to release on August 6th.

Exciting news! The Rising Dawn ebook will be up for preorder on Amazon during the first week of August. I’ll share on my Instagram page when the preorder goes live, so be sure to keep your eye out for the announcement. Everyone who preorders a physical copy on my website and Amazon, will qualify for a free holo Cassiel and Dyna print, so now is a great time to snag your copy!

Rising Dawn Shipping & Book Box Updates

I’ll begin shipping all Rising Dawn orders as quickly as possible when the books arrive after the release day. As a little peek into the ‘behind the scenes’ of being an author, I actually package and ship everything in my shop myself–so now you know that everything was packed with extra special love and care before it arrives at your door!

Here is the estimated shipping timeline for Rising Dawn orders:

Week of August 19: Regular editions arrive and begin shipping

Week of August 26: Exclusive editions arrive. They will go through quality then packaged up. Book only orders will go out next.

August 30-September 13: Shipping begins for book boxes (these will go out in waves, so don’t stress if yours doesn’t ship immediately)

I know it has been a long wait for these book boxes, so as a special thanks for your patience, I am collaborating with @thedearwriterco to include an additional thank you gift with each exclusive edition book box.

For my other readers who ordered Rising Dawn (paperback/hardback) prior to Februarys intended release, I have a special art print in the works for you! It's of a scene that's been asked of me many times. I know you'll love it!

There's been so many delays with this book and things are finally moving along. I just wanted to show my appreciation to my readers who continued to believe in me and kindly waited patiently for your orders. I truly belive I have the best readers!

It is very important that you update your shipping address HERE prior to August if needed (if you know your address hasn’t changed, there is no need to fill out the form). If your address did change and you updated it on your profile, please also submit a form just to be safe!

Release Day Celebrations

Who’s ready to celebrate the release of Rising Dawn? I know I am ABSOLUTELY ready!! There will be a Facebook launch party on August 6 at 12 pm EST. There will be a Q&A, fun games and prizes. If you’re not already in the Guardians of the Maiden Facebook group, you can join here.

On Instagram, I’ll be giving away a signed copy of Rising Dawn plus a Cassiel plushie, so be sure to keep your eyes out for the giveaway post! Isn’t he so cute? His expression just makes me imagine that he’s saying “Stupid human” to Dyna. I’ll also be sharing release day posts and features in my stories, and having a Q&A with readers throughout the day.

What’s Next:

Here’s a few highlights of what to look forward to in August and beyond:

Street Team Openings: I’ll be opening up my street team again for new members by the end of August! All you need to do to apply is fill out the application, which I’ll be sharing on my Instagram page and in my August newsletter. You can always reach out to my PA, Sarah, at sarah@beckmichaels.com, or on either of her IG pages (@thebookishmusician or @behindthepagesPA), with any questions about the street team.

King’s Kiss Cover Reveal: The King’s Kiss cover will be revealed in September, and when I tell you it is to die for, I mean it is absolutely wicked. I can’t wait to share it with you all!

King’s Kiss Exclusive Edition Preorder: Preorders for this gorgeous special edition will be opening in late September with @bookish_signs. The King’s Bride editions turned out beautifully, and I know King’s Kiss will, too! Make sure you are following them on Instagram to catch the preorder announcement.

I’ll close by sharing one final teaser for Rising Dawn. This one is extra emotional for me, as I think about all that our Guardians have been through (and will go through in book 4). It has truly been a book that I’ve poured so much of myself into. Thank you all for joining me on this epic journey with Cassiel and Dyna.

I hope you enjoy this book as much as the others in the Guardians series!

As always, stay safe and read good books,

xoxo

Beck

We Have a Release Date!

Hey Guardians!

I am tearing up as I sit here typing this announcement: I have officially chosen a release date for Rising Dawn. This book has indeed been quite the journey for me, and it has not been without its challenges.

I have encountered numerous setbacks and missed several deadlines. These delays left me feeling anxious about setting a new date fearing I would fail to meet expectations once again. However, after careful thought and prayer, I have reached a final decision.

The date I have chosen for the release holds a special place in my heart. It feels like it was destined for this book. Therefore, I am excited and thrilled to announce that

Rising Dawn will hit the shelves on August 6th!

August 6th is a significant date for me, and I firmly believe it is the right moment to release Rising Dawn. It represents the culmination of countless hours of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. I am incredibly proud of the final product, and I eagerly await the opportunity to share it with all of you.

Stay tuned for a new Tarn teaser at the end of this email!

Pre-Order News

Once I confirm with Amazon, I should have the ebook preorder up by the end of July.

I am also aware that August will mark a year since pre-orders for Rising Dawn were placed in my shop, primarily for book boxes. As a sincere apology for any inconvenience caused, I would like to extend an apology gift as my way of making up for the delay. So for those who placed their order between August-February, in addition to your copy of Rising Dawn, you will receive a free print and a discount code.

Furthermore, I would like to extend an extra gift to my VIP readers who have purchased the exclusive book box in August. You will receive a separate email from my team with the details later this month.

Thank you for your understanding as I work my way through this. I am truly so grateful for your patience and continued support.

ApollyCon 2025

The news is out, I am attending ApollyCon next year! This is not only my first time addending an author convention, but I will be joining it as well. I'm planning a special Chronicles pre-order for this event with exclusive swag. If you go, stop by and say hi. I would love to meet you. Tickets go on sale June 21st!

King’s Bride Special Editions

If you missed on the preorder by @covertocoverbookbox, the extras go on sale today!

✨Hardcover copies will feature: an exclusive naked cover, beautiful rose stenciled edges, end pages illustrated by @allexandracurte, foiled designs on the cover, exclusive interior formatting, interior art by @kalisamii, digitally signed by me, and it also has Rune’s bonus chapter! ✨

Get yours HERE.

When it comes to writing scenes between Dyna and Tarn, I always find their interactions intriguing. These two characters have an undeniable connection, despite their differences. There is a certain complexity to Tarn that makes him hard to dislike.

I am beyond excited to share the next part of their story with you and to embark on this new chapter together. Thank you for being on this journey with me. Your anticipation and excitement have kept me going, and I am grateful for the unwavering love you have shown my characters.

As always, stay safe and read good books,

xoxo

Beck

Rising Dawn Updates and New Shop Item!

I am finally back after a much needed month away. Settle in, I have lots to share with you!

There has been many ups and downs for me this year, especially with my book releases. I had some personal clarity in why I was struggling to write in a certain POV, but I still could not get my mind to fully cooperate. I was battling with brain fog, fatigue, physical pain among other things. Well, during my hiatus, I discovered I was suffering from an illness I didn’t know I had. I won’t say more on that other than I was diagnosed in time and with the support from my family and doctor, I have my disease under control. Please don’t worry!

Rising Dawn

Now that I am feeling much better, I am making progress in finishing Rising Dawn! Amazing how making a simple change did wonders for my over all energy and mental health. I know no one thought publishing this book would take so long, and I am very sorry about that. Thank you so much for being so patient with me.

As for a release date, I don’t want to jinx myself, so I will avoid giving an official date until I have submitted my manuscript to my editor. Buuuuut cross your fingers for June!

Stay tuned for a new Cassiel and Dyna teaser at the end of this post!

The pretty boxes for the Rising Dawn exclusive edition book box have arrived and I am swooning over them. I just love looking at all of them lined up on my shelves. 😍 All the merch is here and ready to be packed up once the books make their arrival. I will have only a handful of these boxes left over once pre-orders are shipped, but I did make sure to order extra books. If you want to be notified when those become available, make sure to sign up for the waitlist under the chosen listing in my shop.

ApollyCon 2025

Well, it’s official, I was somehow convinced to leave my gremlin cave. If you want to meet my shy awkward self, come see me at next year’s Apollyon. I admit, I may or may not be secretly panicking, but I am braving the crowd to meet you! My other half will accompany me to help lug all the fun swag I have planned. 💘

(I am supposed to wait to announce I will be apart of the con but I wanted to make my readers aware for those who don’t normally buy tickets but want to come this year.)

Summaries

A new web page has been added to my website! My amazing personal assistant Sarah took on the task of summarizing the first three books in the Guardians series. Now anyone who needs an easy refresher on the series without having to reread all the books each time a new one comes out, you can read the summaries HERE. I also have a World Guide with everything about the Land of Urn from magic to history.

Art Reveal

I have been sitting on this piece for over a year! Art by @mageonduty and I love it! Isn’t Klyde just delicious? Lucenna looking fierce as always. They are such a fun couple to write about. Their chemistry is *chefs kiss*. Yes, Klyde gets himself an enchanted sword. 😉

This print is part of the Rising Dawn print pack and book box.

King’s Bride Special Editions

If you haven’t heard the news yet, @covertocoverbookbox released a STUNNING new special edition of King’s Bride! It has an alternate cover, interior artwork, exclusive interior formatting, my digital signature, AND it includes Rune’s bonus chapter! 😱 Hardcovers will have naked covers, plus stenciled edges and beautiful end papers.

PRE-ODER END TODAY!

Reminder, the paperback ($19.99) is available to order on Cover to Cover’s website. If you want a hardback ($39.99), those are very limited, so you must submit a google form to request a copy. (It will show as sold out on the website)

If you missed out, never fear. I will have a few copies to gift in future special giveaways!

King’s Kiss

I am so excited for Rune’s book! It will have all my attention this summer and I will at last get to share teasers and art with you. I might have shared a tiny snippet in my Instagram stories today because I couldn’t help myself. 👀

New Shop Item

We have a new drop in the shop! I collaborated with @bookchicboutique again to bring you another beautiful booksleeve. This one features double-sided Klycenna art by the great @selenada.art displaying a sweet scene from Rising Dawn. I just adore them together.

This is a limited edition item with only a limited amount in stock.

Shop  

I can never hate my bb Cassiel. He wears his heart on his sleeve. Even if it sometimes makes him do foolish things, he will always put Dyna first. I love him so much, I shared an extra snippet in my stories too. 😌

Rising Dawn really takes the Guardians on a whirlwind. It’s full of danger, love, adventure, and everything that makes a story magical. I can’t wait to share it with you.

Well, I think that is it for this month’s newsletter, Guardians! Next time you hear from me I will have a pre-order date for you! If I didn’t answer a question you had, shoot me a DM.

As always, stay safe and read good books,

xoxo

Beck

Reminder that King’s Bride ebook sale ends today! Amazon US Amazon UK

Newsletter & New Merch Alert!

Spring is around the corner and the rainy days are servings as comforting white noise now that I am drafting again. After my last email, I took a nice little break from social media and writing. It was greatly needed to recharge my soul, but I am back and I have some amazing reveals for you this month. Plus updates on Rising Dawn, my upcoming annual birthday sale, new merch, and news for Kings Bride, AND King’s Kiss.

Rising Dawn

I should get some bad news out of the way first. Amazon has canceled the ebook pre-order for Rising Dawn. There was a mix-up when I called for another extension that led to it not going through. This news was upsetting, but I believe everything happens for a reason. It gives me a chance to finish Rising Dawn without an impending deadline, and as soon as I have finished writing it, I’ll announce the new and final release date. My goal is still a spring release!

Everyone who submitted their receipts for the ebook pre-order will still receive their swag. Reminder, swag is already included with book pre-orders made on my website. Thank you for hanging in there with me! Thank you for hanging in there with me!

If you missed it, I released the first three chapters of Rising Dawn exclusively for my subscribers in January. You can find the link HERE and enter with password LevSheli. These chapters do contain SPOILERS! Wait to read them until you have finished Shattered Souls.

The stunning Greenwood windows have finally shipped out! These turned out so beautifully and I can’t wait to see the photos of them displayed on your shelves.

Art Reveal

We also held a Keena art reveal last month on Instagram. Isn’t she beautiful? Salome (@morgana0anagrom) never fails to amaze me with her wonderful talent. Thank you to everyone who helped celebrate this gorgeous reveal! This print is part of the Rising Dawn print pack and book box.

There’s also some new teasers and snippets for Rising Dawn featuring Lucenna, Cassiel and Zev. You can find them on my Instagram page as well as under the Rising Dawn highlight.

King’s Bride

I have some secret plans brewing in the background for King’s Bride that I can’t mention yet. For merch, My first samples of the King’s Bride pins have arrived, and they are beautiful! I want to order a few more samples first before I place these on pre-order. Hopefully next month! 

We have a major reveal today! New character art of Jokull and Sunneva!

Art Reveal

I present before the court, your Winter Queen and King! How stunning is this? Someone catch me because I am swooning! @kalisamiii blew me away with these beautiful pieces of Sunneva Jokull. Is it possible to fall in love with artwork because I did. Just look at them! I'm in love with all of the details, the scythe, the rose, the tanzanite crystals! The way Jokull is glaring is giving me butterflies. 🫠

These prints are now available in the shop , with a foil option coming soon!

King’s Kiss

The two most questions I get asked are, “When is it coming??? Can you share anything???” While I don’t have a release date for King’s Kiss yet, what I can tell you is that I think the God of Shadows might be in favor of a release during the spooky season. But who knows? 😌

In the meantime, I shared a little teaser a couple months ago which you can find under the King’s Kiss highlight on my Instagram page. The theme song is a major clue on what fairytale it is based on. Can you guess?  

Shop Sale March 19th

It’s my birthday next week, which means it’s time to celebrate with a huge shop sale! 

On Tuesday, March 19th everything in the shop will be 30% off, except for pre-orders, which will be 10% off. There will be an email with a special discount code sent out that day. Mark your calendars! 

The GOTM Character Cards have been sold out for a while, but I’m considering bringing them back to the shop if there’s enough interest. If you plan to purchase a set, please sign up for the waitlist under the listings (Shattered Souls character cards, Divine Blood character cards).

I’m also working on some new items to bring into the shop this year. You all sent in so many great ideas on my Instagram survey the other week, and I’m hoping to make some of these happen by the end of the year. I’m really excited about the idea of apparel, like t-shirts and hoodies, coming into the shop in the future! Keep an eye out for some other new things coming soon.

Rising Dawn is so close to being here, and I’m continually grateful for everyone’s support. I know it’s been a roller coaster, but I appreciate each of you for sticking with me along the way. We’ll be back in the land of Urn before we know it with all of our Guardians!

 

As always, stay safe and read good books,

xoxo

Beck

Rising Dawn Release Update

Hey Guardians,

I have dreaded sending out this email, 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 story 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 finally 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 email 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. 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:

🌿All ebooks 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: 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 do take this step first before canceling the pre-order all together.

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

🌿 Preorders made for regular editions, exclusive editions, and book boxes will be shipped as soon as books arrive. I will include 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 respond to this email or 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 since we are 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

Happy New Year!

Hey Guardians!

Happy New Year! I can’t believe that 2024 is already here. As I reflect on all that happened over the last year–from the release of King’s Bride and the Shattered Souls audiobook, to the countless new special editions, artwork, and more–I’m realizing that it truly has been a year filled with so many good things, with more good things to come.

You can look forward to all things Rising Dawn in January: new teasers, sneak peeks, art reveals, giveaways, and even a Guardians Reader Group readalong of books 1-3 on Instagram (@guardiansofthemaiden). But, I have to get a little bit of bad news out of the way first.

Let me start by saying writing isn’t easy. Rising Dawn has been a tough book to get through. Not necessarily because of the story, but because I am having a rough time this year. A lot has accumulated which resulted in several delays with this book. Time, illness, family care, the mountain of responsibilities for a growing publishing business that pulls me away from my source of joy: writing! 

My biggest block has been my mental health. I won’t share too much about that other than it’s the main reason I am struggling to write. I felt like it had stolen my magic but thinking of all of you and the love I have for this world pushed me to fight hard to get it back.

Mental health is so important. We have seen the Guardians tackle this subject and it was my turn to face it. I have such an amazing support group with family and friends who have been getting me through this tough time, and my wonderful PA who has recently joined my team has been a big help. 

Things are finally starting to stabilize for me, but unfortunately, time hasn’t been on my side this year. Rising Dawn is on the last stretch of editing, and it needs a little more time to really shine, so it won’t release in January as I had planned. From the bottom of my heart, I am very sorry. I know it’s disappointing, believe me, I am already disappointed in myself. I can only hope for your patience and understanding.

Therefore, the new release date for Rising Dawn is February 13th, 2024. 

Updates for the Following:

💚Amazon will notify those who placed an ebook preorder about the new date. Everyone who submitted their receipts will still receive their swag gift.
💚Website preorders for regular, exclusive editions, book boxes, print packs and windows will ship late February to March.
💚Street Team eARCS and PR Boxes will move over to late January.

The new release date for Rising Dawn has given us the opportunity for new teasers, giveaways, and more!

✨To kick things off, newsletter subscribers will get exclusive access to the first three chapters of Rising Dawn on the 16th! ✨

I will send out an email with a password to access a special page on my website that day. You will all be some of the very first people to get a glimpse into the incredible journey our Guardians are in for book 4! 

My PA Sarah (@thebookishmusician) will also be hosting a read along of books 1-3 in the weeks leading up to the release date. Even if you don’t have time to reread all 3 books, joining the chat will be a great chance to refresh your memory on the events of books 1-3 to prepare for Rising Dawn!

Come Join Us!

Check out @guardiansofthemaiden for the reading schedule and updates.

King’s Bride Art Reveal

I present to you the Winter King and Queen! How perfect is this? @camillelou_illustration brought out the magic with her art. I am in love!

The King’s Bride audiobook releases on Audible TOMORROW, January 2nd! Today is the last day to submit your preorder receipts to receive this gorgeous print of Jokull and Sunneva and a new holographic sticker (submit HERE). All submissions will also be entered in a raffle to win one of the gorgeous enamel pins below!

These beautiful King’s Bride pins are four inches tall with a pin on pin design featuring a pearl finish and glass gradient background. They will be available in two variants, Nigh and Day. Pins will be sold individually or in a pair with a keepsake box. Preorder coming in March! 🥀

Drumroll, please…

It’s time for a giveaway! To celebrate the King’s Bride audiobook release, I am giving away a special edition of King’s Bride by @Faecrate on my Instagram page tomorrow! Isn’t it stunning?!

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE! 🥳

I am also doing a special giveaway of art prints by @gabriella.bujdoso for newsletter subscribers only. Simply click this LINK below to enter. I will select three random winners!

I’ve loved sharing Jokull and Sunneva’s story with you all this past year. Most don't know this but I almost didn't publish King's Bride! I was nervous about how my current readers would take it and if it was a good idea to start a new series in the middle of one, yet I took a chance. And it was the best decision I could have made. Now the Chronicles of Urn has grown from possibly three books to a full seven book series! I’m already looking forward to getting started on King’s Kiss in 2024. Check out a peek of what I got planned!

I’ll leave you all with one more teaser for Rising Dawn. Contains some slight spoilers!

Dyna finally accepts what it means to wear a crown and this girl can rule. I love it! I feel like a proud mama watching her come into herself.

I will send out one more email on the 16th with a password to read the first three chapters of Rising Dawn, then on February 13th, the book will be here! I know waiting is hard, especially when you are looking forward to something for so long. The only thing I can promise you is that the wait will be worth it.

This book has been such an emotional journey to write, and I can’t thank you enough for all of your support, understanding, and encouragement throughout 2023. Thank you for joining me on this incredible adventure! I look forward to going on new ones!

As always, stay safe and read good books,

xoxo

Beck💕

Exciting Book Updates Plus Art Reveal

Hey Guardians!

It’s finally December and you know what that means–holiday festivities, colder weather, and lots of writing time as I put the finishing touches on Rising Dawn! We are all wrapped up in the busy holiday season, but I have been hard at work finishing Rising Dawn. Release day is almost here! I am so excited for this book to be out in the world in January! I have some exciting updates to share on the Rising Dawn and King’s Bride audiobook release, some amazing sales, preorder incentives, and even some new artwork.

The King’s Bride’s audiobook release is less than a month away (woohoo!!), and will be available on Audible on January 2nd. Preorder your audiobook now and submit your proof of preorder to receive a beautiful new art print by @camillelou_illustration and holographic sticker. Reveal coming soon!

As a bonus, all audiobook preorder submissions will be entered in a raffle to win a Jokull & Suneva pin, designed by the talented @buchinelle. The pins are absolutely stunning and I think you’re going to love them!

Announcing the Chronicles of Urn exclusive pin collection!

These beautiful King’s Bride pins are four inches tall with a pin on pin design featuring a pearl finish and glass gradient background. They will be available in two variants, Nigh and Day. Pins will be sold individually or in a pair with a keepsake box. Does this mean King’s Kiss will get a pin set? Absolutely!

Mark your calendars, because Rising Dawn officially releases on January 16, 2024! Don’t forget to submit your proof of preorder to get your free swag. If you preordered directly from my shop, you don’t need to submit a form.

If you want a chance to preorder the exclusive edition, there will be a few extra books and boxes after initial preorders have been released. Sign up for the waitlist under the store listing in the shop to be notified.

Zev Art Reveal!

Also, we have some gorgeous new Zev art by @camillelou_illustration, now available in the shop! How dreamy is this?!

Ladies, when I saw this piece of work I may have squealed. Zev looks absolutely feral and I love it! 😍

It’s December and you know what that means… holiday sales! 

Use code CANDYCANE20 for the Christmas sale to save 20% on everything in the store, now through December 30th

Use code TREE10 to save 10% on all preorders, now through December 30th

And finally, I’m excited to share that I’m expanding my team to welcome my new PA, Sarah (@thebookishmusician). This is going to be a huge help with all of the organization, deadlines, and everything else that goes into the book process.

Hi everyone! My name is Sarah, and I’m so excited to be joining Beck’s team as her new PA! I’ve been a fan of Beck’s books since I discovered them in 2021, and I’m thrilled to get to help her with all of the behind the scenes action. There are so many exciting things coming up for both of the Guardians of the Maiden and Chronicles of Urn series and it’s going to be a great year ahead! You can reach me on Instagram and TikTok as @thebookishmusician , or by emailing sarah@beckmichaels.com .

I don’t know about you guys, but I’m SO excited to return to the world of Urn and to share more about these little moments between the characters.

Dyna and Cassiel are my favorite grumpy/sunshine duo, but I just realized Lucenna and Klyde fall into that trope too, with all their snappy banter and moments of tension mixed with humor. Lucenna’s character has become such a vital part of the group, and we still have even more to learn about her background and story in Rising Dawn.

Thank you all for loving and supporting my books… and get excited, because it’s almost release day! That is all I have for now, darlings. If you celebrate, have a Merry Christmas!

As always, stay safe and read good books,

xoxo

Beck

Black Friday Deals

Hey Guardians!

I am coming out of my writer’s cave to bring you Novembers newsletter, along with the huge sales going for the Guardians series this week. Kicking off with a bang, I have an incredible ebook offer for you. Not only is Divine Blood FREE, but both Bonded Fate AND Shattered Souls are less than a dollar.

It’s the first time I have ever discounted book 2 and 3 that low. The offer is available for Amazon US only until Friday. But worry not, I have more deals for my international residents as well.

Black Friday Sale

November 20th - 24th

Preorders are marked down 10% off

In-hand books are marked down 30% off

Save 40% on all merch with code MERCH40

I have never offered a shop discount this low before, folks. Take advantage now to stock up any items or books you may have had your eye on. Snag that Cassiel plushie or King’s Bride page overlays. Not to mention some of the limited edition items that will not be seen again like book sleeves and mugs! Please note, since we are running this already big sale, no other discount codes will apply.

Why are they discounted so low? I need to make room for all the new merchandise coming to the shop in the spring!

🎉BONUS GIFT: Any order over $5 made during the 20th -24th will receive a FREE new print of Dyna and all her Guardians. Art by @kimbrogram.

It’s a little spoilery for those who have not caught up on the series yet, so scroll to the end of this email if you want to see it!

I am in a “run off into the forest and hope I find a doorway into a magical land” kind of mood. We are headed to Greenwood, folks. I have enjoyed myself discovering new cities and meeting new characters in the Land of Urn as I write Rising Dawn. I look forward to introducing them to you soon.

I am still in love with the newest item added to my shelves. @shopambrosiaandhoney did a perfect job capturing the picturesque landscape of the Vale of the Elves with this stunning window. The dynalya flower sigil is my favorite detail!

The exclusive edition book box for Rising Dawn is still on schedule. Box items are beginning to fill my office. I expect everything to get here by the end of December. The book itself will be the last item to arrive. As long as there are no printing or painting delays, I expect boxes to ship between late January-early February. Single exclusives are expected to ship at the same time, along with Greenwood windows and print packs.

☘️ Friendly reminder, if you have placed an order that contains a pre-order item, your package will ship once all items become available. ☘️

Bummed you missed on out the exclusive edition of Rising Dawn? I ordered extra books and box merch as well. Those will be available after all preorders have shipped! Sign up for the waitlist under the listings to be notified.

Major news for my King’s Bride fans!

The audiobook is here and it will finally hit Audible on January 2nd! I will post the preorder link soon, plus a special offer for you on New Years week.

FaeCrate has confirmed that book boxes for their King’s Bride special edition should begin shipping by the end of this month. Im super excited to see how beautiful they turned out.

Psst, I have a secret. If you missed out on FaeCrates edition, I am collaborating with another book box on a third special edition of King’s Bride. It will have all the bells and whistles AND a bonus chapter with Rune’s POV. More info on that soon. For now, check out the King’s Kiss highlight reel on my Instagram page for a tiny early peek at that bonus chapter’s first paragraph. 🤫

Pin reveal and plans for the Chronicles series coming in my next newsletter.

I love how sweet and protective Zev is of Dyna. He is the big brother she always deserved. 💕

That is all I have for now, darlings. If you celebrate, have a great Thanksgiving.

Keep scrolling if you want a sneak peek of the new Guardians print! Be advised, it does contain spoilers revealed in Shattered Souls. I would hold off if you haven’t caught up on the series yet.

As always, stay safe and read good books,

xoxo

Beck