'Winds of Winter' release date: George R.R. Martin changes sample chapter on blog; Novel to come out in next few months?

"The Winds of Winter," the sixth book in George R.R. Martin's fantasy series "A Song of Ice and Fire," had been rumored to come out this month. The author has changed the sample chapter on his blog site and that had everybody believing the book may still make the rumored May release. However, Martin was quick to clarify that he has not in fact finished writing the book.

"We've also changed the 'WINDS OF WINTER' sample on my website, replacing the Alayne chapter that's been there for the past year with one featuring Arianne Martell," Martin wrote on his Live Blog. Yet, he went on to say that "Changing the sample chapter does NOT mean I am done. See the icon up above? Monkey is still on my back... but he's growing, he is, and one day..."

That just effectively dashed the hopes of fans who have been waiting for the next installment in the novel series on which the TV show "Game of Thrones" is based. Yet, "The Winds of Winter" could still come out in the following months, or before "Game of Thrones" season 7 premieres next year.

Martin though has been teasing fans about what is going to happen to the Sand Snakes — Ellaria Sand, Prince Doran, Areo Hotah, etc. — and admits it is "quite a lot."

The new chapter Martin posted on his website tells the story of Princess Martell's journey to determine the truth in claims being made by a man supposedly named Aegon Targaryen who is said to be a son of Elia Martell, who has long been believed dead.

The princess is the firstborn of Prince Doran.

Nothing definite has been announced regarding the specific release date of the much-awaited "The Winds of Winter." However, now into the first half of the year, it is possible it may come out sometime in the second half of 2016.

It is to be hoped that fans of the book series as well as the TV show will get word on "The Winds of Winter" before it comes out.