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Deborah wrote in a comment:
May we see the first chapter of 'Fire'? And many thanks for 'spoiler' geneological chart.There are a number of excerpts already posted in various corners -- but it occurs to me they might not be easy to find. So I'm putting the links in the right hand column, look for that sometime later today. I'm not going to post a whole chapter, though, because.... well, all right. Let me think about it and talk to my editor.
I get between twenty and fifty emails a week asking about the publication date of the new novel, which I can finally state with certainty: 08/31/2004. ISBN: 0-553-80146-5.
This is the North American publication date; when I know about Australia/NZ, you'll know too -- but it's most probably at the same time. Yes, this date is later than I expected. Please don't kill the messenger.
When I have the new cover art I'll put it up here. In the meantime: below (ta-da) is the cover copy, which will answer some of the many questions readers have been asking.
The year is 1812 and Hannah Bonner -- known as Walking Woman among her husband's people, the Seneca -- has returned to her family’s mountain cabin in Paradise in upstate New York from the wars in the west. She has come home without Strikes-the-Sky or their son…and with a story she can’t bear to tell. As Hannah resumes her duties as a gifted healer among the sick and needy, she also slowly gathers the strength she will need to heal herself. Little does she realize that she is about to be called away to face her greatest challenge ever.News of the latest conflict with Britain finds the young men of Paradise -including eighteen year old Daniel Bonner --eager to take up arms. Against their better judgment, Nathaniel and Elizabeth must let him go, just as they must let his twin sister Lily pursue her independence in Montreal under the protection of their eldest son, Luke, who will face his own challenge: on the eve of the War of 1812, an expected guest arrives in Canada from Scotland. It is the Bonner's distant cousin, the newly widowed Jennet Scott of Carryckcastle. Far from their respective homes, Lily and Jennet will each deal with regret and the possibility of new love.
While Paradise copes with a harsh winter and the far-reaching repercussions of an old enemy's schemes, it is Hannah who must risk everything once more—this time to save Daniel, who’s been wounded in battle and taken prisoner by the British. As the distant thunder of the War of 1812 threatens Paradise, Hannah may learn to live—and maybe love—again in one final act of courage, duty, and sacrifice.
thanks to Tracey for catching that typo.