This is me, checking in from back in the cave. I’m hiding out for revisions this time. They’re almost finished, and I’ll be sending it back to my very patient editor this week. It’s a BIG book, people!! It takes a while to get through all the changes. But I think you’re going to love this last book of my Stone Warriors saga, and especially finally getting to read Nick’s story.
And here’s a tiny, tiny snippet, just for you.
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Several layers of wrapping later, including a final swathing of cheesecloth—which seemed an odd choice—Nico lifted the lid, and found even more cheesecloth crushed into balls that filled every empty space in the package, as if to guard against breakage. He frowned, no longer able to guess at what it might contain. He uncovered four smaller packages, identically sized, and as carefully wrapped as the box itself. Nearly out of patience, he split the string on one of the smaller packages, carefully unwrapped it…and had to grip the table lest he fall to the floor, devastated by what he found. Tears blinded him when he hurried to open the other three packages, until finally he shoved the endless piles of wrapping to the floor, and stood four statues on top of the table.
“Damian,” he whispered, touching the first. “Kato. Gabriel. And oh gods, Dragan.” Tears rolled unheeded down his face while he stared at the near perfect images of his warriors as they’d been in the final moments before they vanished.
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Yep, our Nico has lived through some hard times. But don’t worry, his revenge will be all the sweeter for it.
I’m going back to the cave now. These revisions won’t write themselves, and I want this book done.
Stay safe out there. Wear a mask.
xoxo
DBR
Hi everyone! This is just a very quick note to let you know I’m still breathing and still deep, deep in the cave, which is why you haven’t heard much from me. You (and I) will be happy to know that Nick’s book will be finished THIS WEEK! (if you hear sobs of relief, that’s just me.) I had to trim my original outline, because it would have taken two complete books to do it right. Nick’s had a very, very long life, so I had to do some judicious editing about the details of his history between soon after he took that big leap into the maelstrom of time, and his modern day present, which is his life and adventures once he reunited with Antonia (which he did at the end of DRAGAN.) I don’t know about you, but I wanted to learn how Nick, Antonia, and all four warriors get their revenge on Sotiris. I’m happy with the way it’s turned out, though being a trained historian, I cried a little. There’s a reason I don’t write historical romances, I’m too big of a stickler for accurate details. 
Other than writing, I’ve watched the occasional movie (WW1984!) I’ve also bought a frontpack for my 6 mo. kitten, Eddie, so we can take walks together. Where I live, it’s not safe to walk her on a leash. She needs to be secure and protected against marauding coyotes. The pack does have a bubble front though, so she can see where we’re going. We’re taking a road trip later this month, so she’ll be ready for walks in the great outdoors.
For any of you who want to read the earlier books, or if you know someone who does, 
And finally, I hope you’re all enjoying (is that a word we can use these days??) the new year, and are holding out hope for a better 2021. By the end of this year, maybe we’ll be able to travel again? Maybe? I live in California where things are bad right now, so…fingers crossed for better times for everyone, especially those fighting for their lives, and the ones helping them fight.
You all know what this means, right? Yep, I’m in the cave again. Although it seems to have gotten colder since I’ve been gone…there’s ice everywhere! Nothing’s been the same since we locked down in March, and now we’re locked down again. Fortunately, I have Eddie to keep me company now. My hands might be covered in scratches and little fang bites, but she’s a good companion, and even permits the occasional cuddle when she’s in the mood. lol
There she is, awake for a change, keeping guard while I write, and thankfully not offering any “helpful” suggestions.
So, it’s November, which means NaNoWriMo, even in 2020. I’m NaNo’ing this year, combining it with my work on Nick’s story (officially NICODEMUS.) This story has turned out to begin differently than I’d originally planned. My first thought was to hit the moment Nick’s four warriors disappeared, finish off the battle, and send Nick on his way after the warriors. And that’s what I wrote. But then I realized…we need to hear Nick and Antonia’s love story. We need to know who Antonia is! And I loved writing it. This is a less cynical Nick, younger in many ways, a powerful sorcerer who’s never really faced any problem his power couldn’t solve, much less any real tragedy. But now it’s back to the battle and the day he lost everything. He’ll be heading for our world, during the Bourbon Restoration in France. I’d like to give you a snippet…but maybe next time.
Since this IS 2020, I’m in my house most of the time, with (mostly) daily walks out into the fresh air. I did manage a weekend to attend my niece’s softball tournament, and was once again impressed by the physicality and discipline of the players. Great “heads-up” playing. But mostly I’m home, so when I need a break from writing, or just something to watch while I eat dinner, I’m searching Netflix and Amazon, along with everyone else. In the interest of saving others the search time, I have recommendations. “The Queen’s Gambit” on Netflix is excellent. Whether or not you’ve read the book, you’re going to love this. “The Impossible” also on Netflix, is the story of one family in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami in Southeast Asia. Ewan McGregor, Naomi Watts, and a very young Tom Holland lead an excellent cast. And finally, on a much lighter note, Dash & Lily is a sincere but lighthearted look at two 17-18ish kids who don’t quite fit in, and the unique way they find each other. Oh, and if you want something with more episodes, but requiring less attention to watch, there’s always Emily in Paris.
Just so you know, this is whom I’m spending Covid with…my sweet (sometimes) Eddie, who’s got her eyes on the squirrels outside my bedroom window. She was a tiny kitten, weighing about a pound, when she first came to live with me, but she’s officially mine now. The adoption went through and I’ve registered her chip. Sharing lockdown with another living creature makes a difference, especially since it seems we’re about to lock everything down again.
And now back to writing. Nick’s about to take his great leap into the future. 
So, yeah, here’s something I’ve always known, but that lockdown drove into my head. You can’t work all the time, even when you can barely leave your house. I’ve been working at home ever since I’ve been writing, and counted myself lucky to do it. I love writing, and frankly, I’m an introvert and so mostly love staying home. Of course, I loved it a lot more when I had a choice about it, which is something we’re all feeling right now. I took one road trip, which helped, but then I adopted a brand new kitten. She was adopted from a shelter, barely 3 weeks old and a day off the bottle when she came to live with me. She’s too young to road trip just yet, and though I know she’d be in good hands with family, I don’t want her to feel abandoned again. She’s very attached, since it’s only the two of us mostly 24 hours day.
Heart of the Wolf, an e-novella available in