So far I’ve really been enjoying the summer. I hope you have too. The weather has been mild, for the most part, yet warm enough for swimming and running through the sprinkler. This fills my daughter with lots of joy, joy that I get to partake in too. 
My world is just about perfect when she’s laughing. When I’m not hanging with my daughter outside, I’m writing.
At the moment I’m working on Witch Fury, the last of the books in the Elemental Witch series. I’m angling toward the end of the book now, gearing up for the fireworks display that will bring the story of the Coven witches, the warlocks, and the daaeman to an end. It’s a bittersweet thing. I’m excited about my next project, yet it’s always hard to say goodbye to characters that you’ve spent years with. It’s hard to close up a world that’s lived in your mind, one that you’ve created and populated and that exists so vibrantly in your subconscious that you dream about it at night.
My next project is another series, this time one based on pre-Celtic myth. Before the year is out I plan to write a novella set in this new world and get a good start on the first full length novel of the series. Right now I’m reading and researching, taking notes and building my world. I’m reading some Yeats (apparently he believed in faeries. Who knew? Maybe you did, but I didn’t). I’m also finishing up Gods and Fighting Men, by Lady Gregory.
So, I’m closing up one world and opening another.
But before you see that new world, there will be two more Elemental Witch books released. In fact, here is the cover for Witch Heart, the third in the series. Pretty, huh? The cover artist is Tony Mauro. I think I’ll keep it. 
With the immense powers of an earth witch, Claire isn’t destined to be a demon’s handmaiden. Yet this has been her fate since she was six, when her warlock mother brought her to Eudae. Now at thirty-one, she’s about to discover her true power—and how far others are willing to go to take it away…
As part of a mission with the Coven, Adam Tyrell rescues Claire from her enslavement—and finds himself immediately taken with the beautiful witch. But this charming playboy soon learns that it’s easier to steal Claire from demons than win her heart, for her life as a servant has ravaged her spirit. But with Adam determined to protect her from the warlocks who want to harness her magick for evil, Claire’s resistance starts to give way—and they find themselves in the heat of danger, surrendering to the lure of their deepest desires…
Witch Heart will be out on January 6, 2009. This year is flying by so fast, it seems like the release date will be here in no time.
The winner of my contest from the last time I posted, by random drawing, is Rachael. Congrats! You’ve won your choice of Witch Fire, Witch Blood, What Happens in Vegas…. or something from my Ellora’s Cave backlist. Just send me an email at anyabast(at)gmail.com
How about another contest? Why not, right? This time the prize will be Magical Seduction, my anthology with Cathryn Fox and Mandy Roth. One random poster will win.
July 8th, 2008 at 5:41 am
[...] ART] Witch Heart - Anya Bast Saw the cover and summary here, and just had to share. Without spoiling anything from Witch Blood, it’ll probably be wiser [...]
July 8th, 2008 at 5:59 am
Witch Heart sounds good and I love the title.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:14 am
Witch Heart sounds great. I love th cover.
July 8th, 2008 at 6:40 am
Ahhh…the joys of summer sprinkler jumping! Is it one of those that sweeps back and forth?
My boys loved that! I miss that..they are 16 and 20 now…too old to play in the sprinkler.
And wow on the cover! It just kind of pops, doesn’t it?
July 8th, 2008 at 6:43 am
Hey Anya,
Just wanted to say happy summer and the never cover is awesome!! So glad to hear you’re having a wonderful summer! As for running through sprinklers, my hubby and I have done that a couple of times this summer when we’ve been walking in the evening and the sprinklers came on while going through the golf course.
Denise A. Agnew
July 8th, 2008 at 6:58 am
Hi Anya~
The cover for Witch Heart is beautiful. I am glad that you are enjoying your summer. I have been working and working it seems…but having kids that range from just turned 21 to 11…the kids have gotten to do some fun stuff like to go the lake with their older sister and her boyfriend.
Have a great day!
July 8th, 2008 at 7:26 am
Congrats, Rachel!
That’s a really cool cover, and it keeps with the theme.
July 8th, 2008 at 7:40 am
I love that cover!!! you have awesome cover artist! congrates on the new release!
July 8th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Hi Anya! I just emailed you now. Thanks! I LOVE the cover for Witch Heart!!
July 8th, 2008 at 8:55 am
That is a gorgeous cover!!! Congrats, Anya! The story sounds wonderful.
July 8th, 2008 at 9:05 am
Congrats on the series, your reads have the best covers! I’m looking forward to the anthology also.
July 8th, 2008 at 9:24 am
Another beautiful cover Anya!!! Yeah you!!
July 8th, 2008 at 11:01 am
Hi Anya, congratulations Rachael YaY! Happy Reading. Anya what a beautiful cover I love it. Witch Heart sounds really good. I can not wait for it to be released so I can go buy my copy & read it. Please enter me for your giveaway. I would love to read Magical Seduction sounds like a hot anthology.
Hugssss
LindaH
July 8th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Hi Anya, you just made my day!
But a little said too 
I loved Witch Fire and I’m half-way through Witch Blood. I am so glad there is going to be more witch books. But I don’t want to see them end.
*Don’t consider me for the contest* I just got Magical Seducations in the mail yesterday.
I just wanted to comment on how much I enjoy your elemental witches books. And the cover to Witch Heart is gorgeous I can’t wait until next year. It’s going to start off great - with a great release.
July 8th, 2008 at 11:42 am
The cover of “Witch Heart” is lovely. Congrats.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
That really is a fabulous cover. Book covers are getting so much better. I can see Megan Hart’s “Dirty” in the side bar here and that cover is great too. Books may not be leather bound and important looking anymore, but they’re at least starting to be pretty again.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Oh. My. God. And now I can see Megan Hart’s “Tempted” in the sidebar and that cover just put it on my reading list. Holy Hell, yum.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Witch heart sounds great!
July 8th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Anya,
Glad you’re having a good summer! That book cover is so eye catching! You’ve been blessed by the cover fairy! I can’t wait for the other elemental witch books to come out - I love them!
Also, congratulations Rachael!
July 8th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Congrats on the release Witch Heart! Awesome cover!
July 8th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
wow that cover rocks. And I seriously need to get the second book in the witch series.
July 9th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
Love the sexy cover!
Congrats!!!
July 9th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Anna, just an awesome cover!!! I can’t believe too, two more books and having to let go of the characters, the world and all too. But one thing we always can do is re-visit by re-reading! Between this cover and too the other new cover for October’s book, I feel like its book heaven today! Just awesome!! Congrats huge Anya
July 12th, 2008 at 11:30 am
wow great cover. love the premise for this one.
July 14th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
That’s a beautiful cover! Congrats!
I love running through the sprinkler with the kids when it’s hot out there. Good to hear that I’m not the only one who enjoys it.