Yep, I’m still deep in the cave with Antônio, and the writing is going well. Antônio is like a brand new character for me, because he’s a step removed from the North American vamps. He knows Raphael, of course, but he has no ambition to rule the world. He’s all about Europe and his neighbors. Devastatingly handsome, of course. (heh heh) My birthday girl Eddie is keeping me company late into the night, sitting and sleeping over my shoulder while I write, before eventually switching to my lap (because it’s warm under the computer.)
I’m also researching serial killers, which apparently has become a popular pursuit during this endless pandemic. There’s purpose in my research, however. After Antônio, I’ll begin working on a new series, with a vampire FBI agent who specializes in serial killers. I’m kind of excited about that one, because I admit that I watch all those programs on TV about famous killers. You can blame my late DH for that one. He’s the one who got me hooked on the killer shows, and he also had a sizable collection of non-fiction books on serial killers. Though I can assure you, he wasn’t one. This new series will be introduced with a Cyn & Raphael e-novella, so those of you who’ve been asking for more of them should get at least a modest fix from the next novella.
There’s also good news on the AUDIOBOOK front…at last! Covid threw a giant wrench into audiobooks in this country. Studios were shut down for most of last year, which created a backlog. We’ve finally contracted for the next four VIA books, but we’ll have to change narrators. If we want Nick Russo, assuming we can get him, the wait will be forever. His wonderful voice has become very popular. We’re currently auditioning new narrators, so as soon as that’s done, they’ll start recording. Moving on to the Stone Warriors, the final manuscript has been sent to Tor Thom. We don’t have a release date yet for that, although in the past I usually didn’t find out the audiobooks were finished until I caught it on Amazon. But at least all the audiobooks are finally moving forward.
What else…? I don’t have any travel planned through the end of this year. Conferences have been cancelled and/or moved with this new variant. I’m definitely going back on the road and into the air next year, however. I’m going stir crazy along with everyone else.
My website/blog is about to be remodeled. Work will begin sometime in the next few weeks, and there might be interruptions before that. I’ve used this WP theme for a very long time, but it’s no longer supported by WordPress, and it’s become inflexible. I have a new theme picked out, and there’s someone who knows a hell of a lot more about programming than I do who’s going to tailor the new theme to my needs, and then slide (haha, I doubt it’s that easy) my current site data into the new theme. So, if you try to log in and the site is down, that will be why.
LUCAS is on sale in September (which is already HERE, people.) The e-book is only $0.99 until September 15, 2021.
And finally, our world has seen a lot of pain lately. 13 US soldiers and almost 200 Afghan civilians were murdered in the recent airport bombing in Kabul. Hurricane Ida has hit the US Gulf Coast as a Category 4 storm, with devastating results, and fires are raging across the Western US, and even in Minnesota. And now, on top of all this, the Delta variant has us all locking down and wearing masks again. It’s been a rough two years, and it will only get better if we all work to make it so. If you pray, pray for our world. If not, then get out there and fight to bring the necessary changes before it’s too late.
For my US readers, have a fun and safe Labor Day holiday, and for everyone else…stay cool, stay safe out there. It’s a rough world.
xoxo
DBR
Amazon apparently has a sense of humor because to celebrate July, Amazon UK is running a special on 
I’ll be spending July just as I did June, working on Antônio which is the next Vampires in America book. My buddy Eddie (my cat) and I are back to staying up nights and sleeping days, looking forward to shorter days to kick in so our nights are longer. Yes, we’re weird, I know. 
And finally, I hope everyone who celebrates had a safe and fun July 4th. 
I’m sorry for the long silence. I’ve actually been working hard on Antônio’s book, doing lots of research. I visited Portugal not too long ago. In fact, it was part of my last trip to Europe before the pandemic shut the world down. But Antônio is vampire old, which means lots of history that’s well before the dates of my real-life visit. So…research. Not my favorite part of the process, but it must be done. I’m writing, too, of course. I’m not spending all my time in the dusty halls of history. But it’s early going in the writing process, which means I’m still learning and refining my characters as I go. I do love Antônio, who’s the one character I know well. He’s a complicated guy, though, because that’s always been the kind of man I’m attracted to. Brilliant and neurotic? Lemme at him! lol
I’m currently waiting for the final cover, so I decided to share Nick’s baby picture instead. I’ve always pictured Nick as a teddy bear kind of guy. What do you think? But I digress…I now have news on the release date for NICODEMUS! At last! It’s May 28, 2021, and as usual it will be available for pre-order before then—probably a couple weeks. I expect that date to hold, though as I’ve said before, it’s a long book, which means every step toward release takes longer. And there’s our old friend the pandemic, which has at least partially shut down many printing facilities. But for now, NICODEMUS looks good for May 28th! I’m so excited to share Nick’s story with all of you. So many times and places he had to visit and/or live, before he could finally find his own HEA. 
And while you wait for NICODEMUS, you can console yourself (or your friends) with 
Revisions on Nick’s book (NICODEMUS) were finished a couple weeks ago and sent to my editor. I’ve been pretty much sleeping since then. I keep saying it’s a big book, by which I mean it’s long. Much longer than any previous book in the series. But it’s the final book in the series, and there was a lot of story to tell. I don’t have a release date yet, but should have one soon. There are still some editing passes left, but they go much faster, and don’t affect the release date. My job now is to find the perfect cover image for Nick. He’s nearly as tough to match as Raphael…nearly.
So what have I done when I wasn’t sleeping? Well, Eddie and I took some car trips together. She was NOT enthusiastic, although she’s a little better about it now. She’s still very happy when I pull back into the garage. I’m trying to condition her for longer trips ahead. (Fingers crossed.)
Heart of the Wolf, an e-novella available in