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
After countless detours, Wrath and Trinity’s wedding is only ten days away. Together they’ve battled their demons and are ready to declare their commitment to each other in front of their entire Lost Kings MC family.
ONE BITTER ENEMY
No one is prepared for the threat that crawls out of the shadows and issues an evil ultimatum. One that places Trinity’s future in danger and jeopardizes the entire club. Trinity’s more than ready to put her life on the line to save the club. For her it’s not a question.
AN IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE
Wrath’s role as protector of the club forces him to choose between the safety of his angel or the future of the Lost Kings MC and all they’ve built together. But Trinity won’t relent. A queen always fights for her king. She’ll risk everything to hold on to the peace she shares with Wrath.
FAITH IS STRONGER THAN FEAR
When evil takes her for a ride, will Trinity’s faith in Wrath and her faith in the Lost Kings MC be stronger than her fear?
BEYOND RECKLESS: TELLER’S STORY, PART ONE (LOST KINGS MC #8)
Blood doesn’t make you family, loyalty does.
Marcel “Teller” Whelan, Treasurer of the Lost Kings MC, has always been two things—honest and responsible. At ten years old, he was already taking care of his baby sister. At eighteen, he patched into the Lost Kings MC and took a major role in shaping the club’s future.
Three years ago, he thought he’d met the perfect woman, only to have her reject everything he is—a Lost King.
One bullet is a lifetime supply.
Now, after an accident that left a girl dead and Teller almost crippled, he’s struggling through the darkest time in his life. His niece, sister, and Lost Kings MC family are the only things holding him together, but his reckless actions are bound to drive everyone away.
Then, in the most unlikely place, he crosses paths with her again. The woman he once thought might be his perfect match.
Love soothes our inner demons.
Sparks fly for both of them. She’s the ride-or-die woman he needs, able to calm his many demons, and bring the light back into his life. But she has a secret—one that forces him to lie to his brothers.
In chaos we trust.
When Teller’s brothers find out who he’s falling in love with, it will create a storm of chaos for the Lost Kings MC. But if there’s one thing Teller’s turbulent life has taught him, it’s that sometimes love is worth the chaos.
BEYOND REASON: TELLER’S STORY, PART TWO (LOST KINGS MC #9)
When the most toxic people come disguised as family, who can you trust?
Betrayal by blood cuts the deepest.
Teller’s found his ride or die girl. The light Charlotte brings to his life has touched the darkest parts of his soul. But a devastating secret from her past resurfaces to threaten their future.
Every truth can be erased with one lie.
When a sinister truth is exposed, it forces Charlotte to question everything about herself. Even whether she’s worthy of Teller’s love.
The darkest betrayals never come from your enemies.
With Teller’s love roaring louder than the lies, Charlotte can finally put her demons to rest. But has too much damage been done for her to prove her loyalty to the Lost Kings?
One Empire Night (Lost Kings MC #9.5)
Holiday novella featuring your favorite Lost Kings MC couples.
AFTER BURN (LOST KINGS MC #10)
The lure of the open road never fades.
Bumpy, cracked, and full of obstacles.
In the end, it’s the cure for life's complications.
My brothers behind me and our future in front of us.
Loyalty above all else.
A vow made to my brothers.’
’Til death do us part.
A vow made to my wife.
Together we'll race the rain, chase the sun, and ride the wind.
Leave no road untaken.
An unexpected truth no one ever saw coming.
Are we strong enough to survive it, or will it incinerate everything we’ve built?
AFTER GLOW (LOST KINGS MC #11)
With her by my side, my reign is complete.
Until one uncovered truth shines a light on the throne of lies I’ve been sitting on for years.
A revelation with the power to test the bonds of brotherhood like never before.
My ruthless obsession to protect what’s mine burns hotter than ever.
Promises I’ve made to my brothers I burn to keep.
Vows made to my wife I swear to honor.
Through the web of tangled loyalties, one thing remains clear.
Hope is embedded in my soul.
A love so rare I’ve spilled blood to protect it.
Together, we’ve built something beautiful, significant, and ours.
A bond that can not be destroyed. No matter how hard the ghosts from my past try.
Zero Hour (Lost Kings MC #11.5)
The night we met, I only tagged along to support my best friend. Then I saw Lilly. There’s no harm in picking up a girl for myself, right?
One time. A few hours with her underneath me. No longer than a night. That’s all I ever need with a woman. I’m the Vice President of the Lost Kings MC. There’s no shortage of women waiting to warm my bed.
Lilly’s appetite matches my own and one night suits her fine.
But it’s not enough. I can’t get her out of my head, even though she makes it clear she’s not available. Suddenly, I find myself seeking
Lilly out on holidays and special occasions, using any excuse to be near her.
That’s when I realize she’s the only one I want to spend all my nights with.
Now if I can convince her what we have amounts to more than a few lust-filled hours.
This is how it all begins…
Zero Tolerance (Lost Kings MC #12)
As Vice President of the Lost Kings Motorcycle Club, I’ve spent a lot of years as a hit-it-and-quit-it player only seeking a good time. Willing women are never in short supply.
I never needed any of them for more than one night.
Until I met her.
My perfect woman. Like a damn mermaid, she was beautiful, smart, sexy, and slippery as fuck.
I thought I’d convinced her we’d be good together long-term, but then she disappeared without a word.
Two years.
That’s how long it’s been since I saw her.
Just as I finally moved on, my mythical woman resurfaces.
She forgot to mention one little thing before she vanished.
One small secret growing up into a big lie.
It’s a betrayal too deep to overcome.
I should hate her.
Even though she’s heartbreak wrapped in a seductive package.
I want her more than ever.
Zero Regret (Lost Kings MC #13)
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