This one, I felt would stand out. A year, two years, ten years from now, I knew I’d be upset and feel that I had shortchanged Z’s story because it was the easier thing to do.
Back to the conference. The last class I went to had a list of huge author no-nos or sins not to commit, something like that. And number one on that list was NO SURPRISE CLIFFHANGERS.
Oh, shit.
Would this be a surprise, though? I mean, we’re at book #13. You know me a little bit by now. Then again, until #9 I don’t feel like any of them were true cliffhangers. Even #10 wasn’t a cliffhanger as far as I was concerned, because Rock and Hope are 100% together. So maybe this would be a surprise.
Should I warn people? This trend of posting guarantees at the end of every blurb, you know the ones I’m talking about, “Guaranteed Happily Ever After, no cheating, and no cliffhangers!” annoys the shit out of me? Whatever happened to just enjoying a book and seeing where it takes you?
I remember favorite series ending with a WTF!? hook and having to wait a year (or more!) for the next book in the series. TV shows used to make you wait an entire summer to find out answers. I don’t remember Friends having a “warning” when Ross had to decide between Rachel and the bald chick. (Yes, I’m old enough that I waited all damn summer to find out which room he went into and taped the episode on our VCR.)
Plus, I’ve noticed authors can put a thousand warnings on their books. “Book one of a duet!” “First book in the series!” “Ends with a happy for now ending!” “Start the X trilogy today!” and someone is always going to complain about something no matter what.
I mentioned my dilemma to an author friend at the conference (who to my surprise and delight had actually read the first few books of the series) and she was like, “Doesn’t Rock have six and a half books? Why wouldn’t Z, the Vice President, have at least three books?”
Right. Of course, he should!
I steadily worked through my edits making notes of what would need to change or be moved along the way. I came home and nudged the most patient photographer in the world with a quick message, “Hey, you got any more pictures of Justin and Meghan for me?”
He did. And it was perfect.
I tossed out the idea in my newsletter with the next episode of Kickstart My Heart and immediately the girls in my Facebook group reacted very positively to the idea of a third Z book. There was no whingeing.
Hallelujah!
One of my very sweet readers messaged me to suggest that Zero Apologies might be a better title than Zero Fucks Given. I had actually started calling it Ground Zero in my head, but I wasn’t in love with the title. When Lacey suggested Zero Apologies, I was like, “holy shit that’s good! It fits so much better!”
So thank you to the ladies of Autumn’s Lost Kings MC Lounge. Your support means everything to me!
I put up the pre-order on a Friday afternoon. As happens, I waited and waited for it to go live. Finally, I stepped away from the computer to have dinner and watch a movie with Mr. Lake. When I came back, I had no less than thirteen messages waiting to be approved for the group about the new pre-order. Somehow, my girls found it before I did! With how difficult it is for authors to get any visibility on the big retailers lately, I can’t even tell you how amazing that was! Thank you again, ladies!
That’s enough from me! I love you and thank you for reading. I hope you’re ready for where the Lost Kings are heading next!
xo
Autumn
Also by Autumn Jones Lake
Click on each title to purchase.
THE LOST KINGS MC SERIES
* * *
SLOW BURN (LOST KINGS MC #1)
President of the Lost Kings MC, Rochlan "Rock" North, hasn't managed to find a woman capable of making him want to curb his wild ways—until he meets sweet, innocent, married lawyer Hope Kendall.
Forced to represent the outlaw biker, Hope is rattled by her immediate attraction to Rock. Hope is a good girl in a good marriage. Rock thrills her, but she's not going to throw away everything she's built on a fling with her criminal client.
* * *
Rock respects Hope enough to leave her alone, even as he realizes he's become a little obsessed with her. When their connection endangers her life, he'll have to destroy her in order to save her.
* * *
After tragedy strikes, Rock is determined to earn Hope's forgiveness and convince her that even with their staggering differences, they're meant to be together.
CORRUPTING CINDERELLA
(LOST KINGS MC #2)
Although widowed attorney Hope Kendall cares deeply for President of the Lost Kings MC, Rochlan "Rock" North, the truth is they come from completely different worlds. Add to that the fact that they are also both headstrong people, and they have a very rough road ahead of them.
Real love isn't a fairy tale.
For Rock that means introducing Hope to what it really means to be part of his brutal and shady world, where the Lost Kings Motorcycle Club is his main focus. For Hope it means accepting the things she can't change, and understanding that Rock is a man who will do anything to keep her safe.
Love doesn't follow any rules.
As Rock continues to draw Hope deeper into his world, painful misunderstandings, past relationships, and opposition from the members of his club will threaten to drive them apart.
How do a lawyer and a badass biker with a heart of gold keep their love alive while their opposing worlds collide?
THREE KINGS, ONE NIGHT
(LOST KINGS MC #2.5)
Three short holiday stories featuring Murphy, Wrath, and Zero.
STRENGTH FROM LOYALTY
(LOST KINGS MC #3)
As a dark cloud descends over Hope and Rock’s already precarious future, will a long-hidden secret push them both past the point of no return?
Struggling attorney Hope Kendall loves her outlaw biker boyfriend Rochlan “Rock” North with all her heart, but the questionable activities his motorcycle club is involved in threaten her legal career.
But does she even want this career anymore?
As a near-death situation makes their professional differences seem insignificant, a cloud descends over their personal relationship’s already unsteady future.
Even though Hope seems to have finally found her niche in the club as Rock’s ol’ lady, can she mingle in politics with neighboring clubs as well? A trip to the Lost Kings MC downstate charter will put her to the test.
While Rock works hard to give Hope the honesty she craves without betraying his loyalty to his brothers, tension from outside forces threatens to push him to the brink. But it’s the one secret Hope has hidden all along that may finally drive them apart for good.
* * *
TATTERED ON MY SLEEVE
(LOST KINGS MC #4)
Tattered on my Sleeve isn't a "typical" romance. It's not even a typical MC Romance. Prepare yourself for Wrath and Trinity’s long, tattered tale of lust, fury, and ultimately forgiveness.
Lust.
Eight years ago, the Lost Kings, MC was recovering from turmoil within the club Wrath and Trinity met. Their connection was instant and explosive.
Fury.
After three perfect nights, Wrath knew she was the one. But Trinity's dark past was about to catch up to her and the Lost Kings MC was her only hope for protection. One misunderstanding leads to a mistake that locks both of them into a war to see who can hurt who the most.
Forgiveness.
Once Wrath learns the dark secret that's been fueling Trinity all this time, he'll stop at nothing to prove they're meant to be together and that she's worthy of the love she keeps denying. Can they move past their horrible pasts to become better people and ultimately forgive each other?
WHITE HEAT (LOST KINGS MC #5)
THE QUEEN ALWAYS PROTECTS HER KING.
For straight-laced attorney, Hope Kendall, loving an outlaw has never been easy. New challenges test her loyalty as she discovers how far she’s wi
lling to go to protect her man.
IF YOU HAVE HOPE, YOU HAVE EVERYTHING.
MC President, Rochlan “Rock” North finally has everything he’s ever wanted. Hope as his ol’ lady and his MC earning money while staying out of trouble. The only thing left is to make Hope his wife. But as their wedding day nears, an old adversary threatens Rock’s freedom, the wedding, and throws the Lost Kings MC into chaos.
LOVE MAKES THE RIDE WORTHWHILE.
While the club waits for Rock's fate to be decided, Wrath has to balance solidifying his new relationship with Trinity and fulfilling his president's orders.
LOYALTY GIVES AN OUTLAW STRENGTH.
Threats from unexpected places will challenge every member, but in the Lost Kings MC, brotherhood isn’t about the blood you share. It’s about those who are willing to bleed for you.
BETWEEN EMBERS (LOST KINGS MC #5.5)
A companion to White Heat. Three short stories featuring Murphy, Teller, and Zero.
MORE THAN MILES (LOST KINGS MC #6)
Forbidden love is the hardest to forget...
Blake “Murphy” O'Callaghan, Road Captain of the Lost Kings MC, has the world by the balls. Money. Women. The wide-open road. It’s all his, everything he wants…except the one girl he loves, the one girl who’s off limits. His best friend’s little sister, Heidi.
Abandoned by her mother when she was little, Heidi Whelan’s familiar with heartbreak. Especially the heartbreak of falling in love with her big brother’s best friend. When Murphy pushed her away, it broke her heart. Now, on her eighteenth birthday, he claims he loves her? Growing up around the Lost Kings MC, Heidi’s witnessed his manwhoring ways. He’ll never give that up for her. Besides, he’s too late: Heidi’s in love with her high-school boyfriend Axel.
Axel Ryan loves two things—motorcycles and Heidi. He signed up to be a prospect for the Lost Kings MC because it seemed like a fun way to get closer to her. Now that he’s gotten a taste of MC life, he’s not so sure this is where he belongs. He’s confident Heidi shares his dreams for the future, so even if he chooses another road, their relationship will survive the detour.
With more than miles between them, will the deceptions they’ve lived with for so long be too much to overcome? Can Murphy convince Heidi that the hard roads they’ve traveled will lead to the most beautiful destination of all, or is he destined to ride the open road alone?
WHITE KNUCKLES (LOST KINGS MC #7)
TWO TATTERED SOULS