Is that a Popening? Seriously, though, folks. By now you all know that Pope Benedict's resigning. No matter what you think of him, the inarguable fact remains that it's nearly six hundred years since this last happened. That was Gregory VII, who resigned so the Church could hold the Council of Constance, elect a new Pope -- Martin V -- and end the Great Schism. Now, another thing most of you know is that I'm half the writing team of Sam Cabot, the other half being the estimable Carlos Dews. Sam Cabot writes paranormal thrillers, unlike either Carlos or myself in our day jobs. Sam's first book, BLOOD OF THE LAMB, will come out in August. It's set almost entirely in present-day Rome, where everyone's running madly around looking for a document, a certain contract, that, if revealed to exist, will bring down the Catholic Church. Well, ladies and gents, that contract was signed by Martin V just after the Council of Constance. Serious conspiracy nuts will say Benedict knows this book is coming and wants out before it gets here. I -- and Sam Cabot -- merely say, ain't it grand that yesterday, no one but historians had ever heard of the Council of Constance, and now millions of folks have. And ain't it further grand that Sam Cabot now has the perfect excuse to parade the cover of the book on this blog (I told Sam he can blog here anytime) and wherever else he can find. What is this document, this contract? Ah, well. Sam says, to find that out, you'll have to read the book.