I miss the Brothers.

The original ones. We're talkin' the ones who started it all.

Z.

V.

Butch.

Rhage.

Wrath.

Tohr.

Phury.

Rehv.

Etc.

I miss that scene, in DARK LOVER, when Fritz kindly asks the Brothers, if they're going to bloody the human, please take him outside.

I miss Sox hats and grey Goose, Tums and Tootsie Rolls, Biggie Smalls in the Escalade, and Wrath putting a dagger into the wall next to Hollywood's head.

As much as I LOVE the BDB series where it is now, and as much as I'm psyched to keep writing it and will continue to do so, I miss the good ol' days.

The issue is that the nature of a series is that it must continue to grow, and change, or it dies. The Black Dagger Brotherhood books started off with the original Brothers, but after their meet-and-greets with their shellans were told, by definition, they had to background it in subsequent books: With a world as big as the BDB one, you have to train your "camera lens" in a controlled manner, or you run the risk of a given story bleeding out for too much extraneous stuff.

(Something I've been tagged with doing from time to time, and it's certainly a fair point.)

So when my boss (my editor) and I were chewing on things last spring, I told her... hey, I got this idea.

I have a lot of ideas. She's used to this.

I described to her a new series, where the BDB training center is reopened to a new cast of recruits, and THE ORIGINAL BROTHERS teach these FNUGs wassup. In the process of the new recruits falling in love and getting into a sh*t ton of trouble, THE ORIGINAL BROTHERS could be shown with their shellans, their Brothers, their people in the mansion, in a more prominent way than I'm able to do in the BDB books.

Paperback, yo. Not hardcover. Traditional PNR, just like DARK LOVER was in the old days.

Sex. Lot of sex.

As in, you might need your BBQ tongs. Maybe a flame retardant suit.

Maybe a fire truck on standby out in your front yard.

My boss, who's brilliant, was like, wow, that really doesn't suck. (Okay, that's paraphrasing.)

So... we have the first of the Black Dagger Legacy books, BLOOD KISS, coming out this December.

Now, let me say this: the ORIGINAL BROTHERS are still going to show up in the BDB books. Hell, yeah! And from time to time, a BDB book is going to be about them and their mate if there's a big thing going on in their lives (think THE KING.) I am NOT taking a step away from the Brothers at all- if anything, I'm bringing them further to the forefront with the Black Dagger Legacy books.

But I miss my boys :( I want to show you where they're at. I want to take you back to them- in their new roles as... well, role models and teachers.

Before you ask, yes, they will still be colossal a&&holes- I mean, let's be clear. Things haven't changed THAT much. (As an aside, Doc Jess and I were talking the other day, and she was like, I'm so impressed with your ability to be offensive with your heroes. LOLOLOLOL)

This is not to say that the Black Dagger Legacy books will solely be about the Brothers, however. The book will have a lot of the Brothers in them, but the Legacy books will feature a main romance between a couple, and the Brothers will help that along.

eHarmony the BDB way.

Jeez, I gotta be insane for signing up for this. Can you imagine V offering dating advice? "Well, sh*t, just get her some black candles and dog collar, true? Then order her to pop up her ***** **** * * ******* * * * ************** At that point, you're going to want to inform her, that you'll tell her when she can beg."

Great. Really looking forward to this.

*sigh*

Anywho, the first Brother who's up?

A certain cop. From Boston. Who's going to have his hands full with the new recruits- two of whom you'll meet in THE SHADOWS.

A cover reveal is coming soon- but I couldn't sit on BLOOD KISS any longer!!!!

Gahd, I suck at keeping secrets. But come on now, don't lie. You've missed those leathers, those sh*tkickers... that golf cart... the Pit.

V nakey in the shower.

Don't lie.

I know I have!

Happy Reading, and thank you for all your support, J.R.