Pepper Winters's Blog, page 28

RUIN & RULE FIRST CHAPTER TEASER

It’s getting close now!!

Only 16 more days before Ruin & Rule is available in ebook and paperback.

Have you pre-ordered yet?

Amazon: http://amzn.to/17cXi1G

iBooks: http://bit.ly/1JmUbWA

Kobo: http://bit.ly/19qraZR

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1FVtwL0

Google Play: http://bit.ly/17iExdf

To celebrate getting closer to the release, here is the first chapter of Ruin & Rule. (This was in the back of Third Debt.)

(some of the formatting such as italics haven’t copied through, but it will give you a sample of what to look forward to :)

RUIN & RULE

Copyright Pepper Winters

Prologue

We met in a nightmare.

The in-between world where time had no power over rhyme, reason, or connection. We met. We stared. We knew.

There was no distortion from the outside world. No right or wrong. No confusion or battles from hearts and minds.

Just us. In our silent dreamworld.

That nightmare became our home. Planting ghosts, raising fantasies. Entwined together in our happily skewed reality.

We fell in love. We fell hard.

In those fleeting seconds of our nightmare, we lived an eternity.

But then we woke up.

And it was over.

Chapter One

I always believed life would grant rewards to those most worthy. I was fucking naïve. Life doesn’t reward—it ruins. It ruins those most deserving and takes everything. It takes everything all while watching any remaining goodness rot to hate.

—Kill

***

Darkness.

That was my world now. Literally and physically.

The back of my skull hurt from being knocked unconscious. My wrists and shoulders ached from lying on my back with my hands tied behind me.

Nothing was broken—at least it didn’t feel that way—but everything was bruised. The fuzziness receded wisp by wisp, parting the clouds of sleep, trying to shed light on what’d happened. But there was no light. My eyes blinked at the endless darkness from the mask tied around my head. Anxiety twisted my stomach at having such a fundamental gift taken away.

I didn’t move, but mentally catalogued my body from the tips of my toes to the last strand of hair on my head. My jaw and tongue ached from the foul rag stuffed in my mouth and my nose permitted a shallow stream of oxygen to enter—just enough to keep me alive.

Fear tried to claw its way through my mind, but I shoved it away. I deliberately suppressed panic in order to assess my predicament rather than lose myself to terror.

Fear never helps, only hinders.

My senses came back, creeping tentatively, as if afraid whoever had stolen me would notice their return.

Sound: the squeak of brakes, the creak of a vehicle settling from motion to stopping.

Touch: the skin on my right forearm stung, throbbing with a mixture of soreness and sharpness. A burn perhaps?

Smell: dank rotting vegetables and the astringent, pungent scent of fear—but it wasn’t mine. It was theirs.

It wasn’t just me being kidnapped.

My heart flurried, drinking in their terror. It made my breath quicken and legs itch to run. Forcing myself to ignore the outside world, I focused inward. Clutching my inner strength where calmness was a need rather than a luxury.

I refused to lose myself in a fog of tears. Desperation was a curse and I wouldn’t succumb, because I had every intention of being prepared for what might happen next.

I hated the sniffles and stifled sobs of others around me. Their bleak sadness tugged at my heartstrings, making me fight with my own preservation, replacing it with concern for theirs.

Get through this, then worry about them.

I didn’t think this was a simple opportunistic snatch. Whoever had stolen me planned it. The hunch grew stronger as I searched inside for any liquor remnants or the smell of cigarettes.

Had I been at a party? Nightclub?

Nothing.

I hadn’t been stupid or reckless. I think…

No hint or clue as to where I’d been or what I’d been doing when they’d come for me.

I wriggled, trying to move away from the stench. My bound wrists protested, stinging as the rope around them gnawed into my flesh like twine-beasts. My ribs bellowed, along with my head. There was no give in my restraints. I stopped trying to move, preserving my energy.

I tried to swallow.

No saliva.

I tried to speak.

No voice.

I tried to remember what happened.

I tried to remember…

Panic.

Nothing.

I can’t remember.

“Get up, bitch,” a man said. Something jabbed me in the ribs. “Won’t tell you again. Get.”

I froze as my mind hurtled me from present to past.

I’ll miss you so much,” she wailed, hugging me tighter.

“I’m not dying, you know.” I tried to untangle myself, looking over my shoulder at the final call flashing for my flight. I hated being late for anything. Let alone my one chance at escaping and finding out the truth once and for all.

“Call me the moment you get there.”

“Promise.” I drew a cross over my heart—

The memory shattered as my horizontal body suddenly went vertical in one swoop.

Who was that girl? Why did I have no memory of it ever happening?

“I said get up, bitch.” The man breathed hard in my ear, sending a waft of reeking breath over me. The blindfold stole my sight, but it left my nose woefully unprotected.

Unfortunately.

My captor shoved me forward. The ground was steady beneath my feet. The sickness plaiting with my confusion faded, leaving me cold.

My legs stumbled in the direction he wanted me to go. I hated shuffling in the darkness, not knowing where I came from or where I was being herded. There were no sounds of comfort or smothered snickers. This wasn’t a masquerade.

This was real.

This is real.

My heart thudded harder, fear slipping through my defenses. But full-blown terror remained elusive. Slippery like a silver fish, darting on the outskirts of my mind. It was there but fleeting, keeping me clear-headed and strong.

I was grateful for that. Grateful that I maintained what dignity I had left—remaining strong even in the face of the unknown terrors lurking on the other side of my blindfold.

Moans and whimpers of other women grew in decibels as men ordered them to follow the same path I walked. Either death row or salvation, I had no choice but to inch my way forward, leaving my forgotten past behind.

I willed snippets to come back. I begged the puzzlement of my past to slot into place, so I could make sense of this horrible world I’d awoken in.

But my mind was locked to me. A fortress withholding everything I wished to know.

The pushing stopped. So did I.

Big mistake.

“Move.” A cuff to the back of my head sent me wheeling forward. I didn’t stop again. My bare feet traversed…wood?

Bare feet?

Where are my shoes?

The missing knowledge twisted my stomach.

Where did I come from?

How did I end up here?

What’s my name?

It wasn’t the terror of the unknown future that stole my false calmness. It was the fear of losing my very self. They’d stolen everything. My triumphs, my trespasses, my accomplishments and failures.

How could I deal with this new world if I didn’t know what skills I had to stay alive? How could I hope to defeat my enemy when my mind revolted and locked me out?

Who am I?

To have who I was deleted…It was unthinkable.

“Faster, bitch.” Something cold wedged against my spine, pushing me onward. With my hands behind my back, I shuffled faster, negotiating the ground as best I could for dips or trips.

“Step down.” The man grabbed my bound wrists, giving me something to lean against as my toes navigated the small steps before me.

“Again.”

I obeyed.

“Last one.”

I managed the small staircase without falling flat on my face.

My face.

What do I look like?

A loud scraping noise sounded before me. I shied back, bumping against a feminine form. The woman behind me cried out—the first verbal sound of another.

“Move.” The pressure on my lower back came again, and I obeyed. Inching forward until the stuffy air of old vegetables and must was replaced by…copper and metallic…blood?

Why…why is that so familiar?

I gasped as my mind free-fell into another memory.

“I don’t think I can do this.” I darted away, throwing up in the rubbish bin in the classroom. The unique stench of blood curdled my stomach.

“Don’t overthink it. It’s not what you’re doing to the animal to make it bleed. It’s what you’re doing to make it live.” My professor shook his head, waiting for me to swill out my mouth and return white-faced and queasy to the operation in progress.

My heart splintered like a broken piece of glass, reflecting the compassion and responsibility I felt for such an innocent creature. This little puppy that’d been dumped in a plastic bag to die after being shot with BB gun pellets. He’d survive only if I mastered the skills to stem his internal bleeding and embrace the vocation I was called to do.

Inhaling the scent of blood, I let it invade my nostrils, scald my throat, and impregnate my soul. I drank its coppery essence. I drenched myself in the smell of the creature’s life force until it no longer affected me.

Picking up a scalpel, I said, “I’m ready—”

“Holy fuck!” The man guiding me forward suddenly whacked the base of my spine. The hard pain shoved me forward and I tripped.

“Wire—get me fucking reinforcements. He’s started a motherfucking war!”

Wind and body motion swarmed me as men charged from behind. The darkness I lived in suddenly came alive with sound.

Bullets flew, impaling themselves into the metal sides of the vehicle I’d just stepped from. Pings and ricochets echoed in my ear. Curses bellowed; moans of pain threaded like a breeze.

Someone grabbed my arm, swinging me to the side. “Get down!” The inertia of his throw knocked me off balance. With my wrists bound together, I had nothing to grab with, no way to protect myself from falling.

I fell.

My stomach swooped as tumbled off a small platform and smashed against the ground.

Dirt, damp grass, and moldy leaves replaced the stench of blood, cutting through the cloying sharpness of spilled metallic. My mouth opened, gasping in pain. Blades of grass tickled my lips as my cheek stuck to wet mud.

My shoulder screamed with agony, but I ignored the new injury. My mind clung to the unlocked memory. The fleeting recollection of my profession.

I’m a vet.

The sense of homecoming and security that one little snippet brought was priceless. My soul snarled for more, suddenly ravenous for missing information.

I skipped straight from fumbling uncertainty into starvation for more.

Tell me! Show me. Who am I?

I searched inside for more clues. But it was like trying to grab on to an elusive dream, fading faster and faster the harder I chased.

I couldn’t remember anything about medicine or how to heal. All I knew was I’d been trained to embrace the scent of blood. I wasn’t afraid of it. I didn’t faint or suffer sickness at the sight of it pouring from an open wound.

That tiniest knowledge was enough to settle my prickling nerves and focus on the outside world again.

Battle cries. Men screaming. Men growling. The dense thuds of fists on flesh and the horrible deflection of gunshots.

I couldn’t understand. Had I fallen through time and entered an alternate dimension?

Another body landed on top of mine.

I cried out, winded from a sharp poke of an elbow to my ribs.

The figure rolled away, crying softly. Feminine.

Why aren’t I crying?

I once again searched for fear. It wasn’t natural not to be afraid. I’d woken up alone, stolen, and thrown into the middle of a war, yet I wasn’t hyperventilating or panicked.

My calmness was like a drug, oozing over me, muting the sharp starkness of my situation. It was bearable if I embraced courage and the knowledge that I was strong.

My hands balled, grateful for the thought. I didn’t know who I was, but it didn’t matter, because the person who I was in this moment mattered the most.

I had to remain segmented, so I could get through whatever was about to happen. All I had was gut instinct, quiet strength, and rationality. Everything else had been taken.

“Stop fighting, you fucking idiots!”

The loud growl rumbled like an earthquake, hushing the battle in one fell swoop. Whoever had spoken had power.

Immense power. Colossal power.

A shiver darted over my skin.

“What the fuck happened? Have you lost your goddamn lovin’ mind?” a man yelled.

A sound of a short scuffle, then the fresh whiff of tilled dirt graced my nose.

“It’s done. Throw down your weapons and bend a fucking knee.” The same earthquake rumbled. The weight of his command pushed me harder against the damp ground.

“I’m not bending nothing, you asshole. You aren’t my Prez!”

“I am. Have been for the past four years.”

“You’re not. You’re his bitch. Don’t think his power is yours.”

Another fight—muffled fists and kicks. It ended swiftly with a painful groan.

The earthquake voice came again. “Open your eyes and follow the red fucking river. Your chosen—the one you hand-picked to slaughter me and take over the Club—he’s dead. Did you ever stop to think Wallstreet made me Prez for a fucking reason?”

Another moan.

“I’m the chosen one. I’m the one who knows the family secrets, absorbed the legacy, and earned his way into power. You don’t know shit. Nobody does. So bend a fucking knee and respect.”

Another tremor ran down my back.

Silence for a time, apart from the squelch of boots and heavy breathing. Then a barely muttered curse. “You’ll die. One way or another, we won’t put up with a Dagger as a Prez. We’re the Corrupts, goddammit. Having a traitor rule us is a fucking joke.”

“I’m the traitor? The man who obeys your leader? Who guides in his stead? I’m the traitor when you try and rally my brothers in a war?” A heavy thud of a fist connected with flesh. “No…I’m not. You are.”

My mind raced, sucking up noises and forming wild conclusions of what happened before me. Was this World War Three? Was this the apocalypse of the life I couldn’t remember? No matter how I pieced it together, I couldn’t make sense of anything.

The air was thick with anticipation. I didn’t know how many men stood before me. I didn’t know how many corpses littered the ground, or how such violence could be permitted in the world I used to know. But I did know the cease-fire was fragile and any moment it would explode.

A single threat slithered through the grass like a snake. “I’ll kill you, motherfucker. Mark my words. The true Corrupts are just waiting to take you out.”

The gentle foot-thuds of someone large vibrated through the ground. “The Corrupts haven’t existed for four fucking years. The moment I took the seat, it’s been Pure Corruption all the way. And you’re not fucking pure enough for this Club. You’re done.”

I flinched as the sulfuric boom of a gun ripped through the stagnant air.

A crash as a body fell lifeless to the grass. A soft puff of a soul escaping.

Murder.

Murder was committed right before me.

The inherent need to nurture and heal—the part of me that was as steadfast as the beat of my heart—wept with regret.

Death was something I’d fought against on a daily basis, but now I was weaponless.

I hated that a life had been stolen right before me. That I hadn’t been able to stop it.

I’m a witness.

And yet, I’d witnessed nothing.

I’d been privy to a battle but seen nothing. Knew no one. I would never be able to tell who shot whom, or who was right and who was wrong.

My hands shook, even though I managed to stay eerily calm. Am I in shock? And if I was, how did I cure myself?

The woman beside me curled into a ball, her knees digging into my side. My first reaction was to repel away from the touch. I didn’t know who was friend or foe. But a second reaction came quickly; the urge to share my calmness—to let her know that no matter what happened, she wasn’t alone. We faced the same future—no matter how grim.

Voices cascaded over us, whispers mainly, quickly spoken orders. Every sound was heightened. Being robbed of sight made my body seek other ways in which to find clues.

“Get rid of the bodies before daybreak.”

“We’ll go back and make sure we’re still covered.”

“Send out the word. It’s over. The Prez won—no anarchy today.”

Each voice was distinct but my ears twitched only for one: the earthquake rumble that set my skin quivering like quicksand.

He hadn’t spoken since he’d condemned someone to death and pulled the trigger. Every second of not hearing him made my heart trip faster. I wasn’t afraid. I should be. I should be immobile with fear. But he invoked something in me—something primal. Just like I knew I was female and a vet, I knew his voice meant something. Every inch of me tensed, waiting for him to speak. It was wrong to crave the voice of a killer, but it was the only thing I wanted.

Needed.

I need to know who he is.

Wet mud sucked loudly against boots as they came closer.

The woman whimpered, but I angled my chin toward the sound, wishing my eyes were uncovered.

I wanted to see. I wanted to witness the carnage before me. Because it was carnage. The stench of death confirmed it. It was morbid to want to see such destruction, but without my sight all of this seemed like a terrible nightmare. Nothing was grounded—completely nonsensical and far too strange.

I needed proof that this was real.

I needed concrete evidence that I wasn’t mad. That my body was intact, even if my mind was not.

I sucked in a breath as warm fingers touched my cheek, angling my face upward and out of the mud. Strong hands caressed the back of my skull, fumbling with my blindfold.

The anticipation of finally getting my wish to see made me stay still and cooperative in his hold.

I didn’t say a word or move. I just waited. And breathed. And listened.

The man’s breath was heavy and low, interspersed with a quick catch of pain. His fingers were swift and sure, but unable to hide the small fumble of agony.

He’s hurt.

The pressure of the blindfold suddenly released, trading opaque darkness for a new kind of gloom.

Night sky. Moonshine. Stars above.

Anchors of a world I knew, but no recognition of the dark-shrouded industrial estate where blood gleamed silver-black and corpses dotted the field.

I’m alive.

I can see.

The joy at having my eyes freed came and went as blazing as a comet.

Then my life ended as our gazes connected.

Green to green.

I have green eyes.

Down and down I spiraled, deeper and deeper into his clutches.

My life—past, present, and future—lost all purpose the second I stared into his soul.

The fear I’d been missing slammed into my heart.

I quivered. I quaked.

Something howled deep inside with age-old knowledge.

Every part of me arched toward him, then shied away in terror.

Him.

A nightmare come to life.

A nightmare I wanted to live.

If life was a tapestry, already threaded and steadfast, then he was the scissors that cut me free. He tore me out, stole me away, changed the whole prophecy of who I was meant to be.

Jaw-length dark hair, tangled and sweaty, framed a square jaw, straight nose, and full lips. His five-o’clock stubble held remnants of war, streaked with dirt and blood. But it was his eyes that shot a quivering arrow into my heart, spreading his emerald anger.

He froze, his body curving toward mine. Blistering hope flickered across his features. His mouth fell open and love so achingly deep glowed in his gaze. “What—” A leg gave out, making him kneel beside me. His hands shook as he cupped my face, his fingers digging painfully into my cheekbones. “It’s not—”

My heart raced. Yes.

“You know me,” I breathed.

The moment my voice webbed around us, storm clouds rolled over the sunshine in his face, blackening the hope and replacing it with pure hatred.

He changed from watching me like I was his angel to glowering as if I were a despicable devil.

I shivered at the change—at the iciness and hardness. He breathed hard, his chest rising and falling. His lips parted, a rumbling command falling from his mouth to my ears. “Stand up. You’re mine now.”

When I didn’t move, his hand landed on my side. His touch was blocked by clothing but I felt it everywhere. He stroked my soul, tickled my heart, and caressed every cell with fingers that despised me.

I couldn’t suck in a proper breath.

With a vicious push, he rolled me over, and with a sharp blade sliced my bindings. With effortless power, so thrilling and terrifying, he hauled me to my feet.

I didn’t sway. I didn’t cry. Only pulled the disgusting gag from my mouth and stared in silence.

I stared up, up, up into his bright green eyes, understanding something I shouldn’t understand.

This was him.

My nightmare.

ADVANCE REVIEW COPIES FOR RUIN & RULE

Hi Everyone!

For those who have blogs and online review platforms, Ruin and Rule is now up for request on Netgalley. If you would like to request, the links are below:

US, UK Requests: https://s2.netgalley.com/catalog/book/64086

Aus Requests: https://s2.netgalley.com/catalog/book/68426

There is also a sneak peek on iBooks if you’d like to check it out :P

https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/ruin-rule/id990642382?mt=11

RUIN & RULE MEGA TEASER

It’s the 7th June…

That means it’s exactly one month before Ruin & Rule releases!!

For those who have read THIRD DEBT (Indebted #4) you will have already read this scene. For those who haven’t…it’s not really a spoiler to the Indebted Series, but it DOES introduce you to Arthur Killian from RUIN & RULE.

It’s exactly four weeks before RUIN & RULE hits the shelves online and in USA, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, and NEW ZEALAND. It’s going to be rather surreal seeing my books in bookshops and will be signing as many as I can on my tour around the States next month.

Hope you enjoy the teaser and I’ll be releasing the first chapter of RUIN & RULE in a few days time…or, if you have a copy of THIRD DEBT, the chapter is hidden at the back of there too :)

Have a great day everyone!

NILA

I COULDN’T TAKE my eyes off the new intruder.

I wanted to back away to become as invisible as possible.

The entire atmosphere of the room changed the moment he’d stepped inside. Jethro was sleek and cool—as flawless as ice and as deadly as poison, but Arthur Killian was like a tank. A weapon reeking of biker oil, sunshine, and fearlessness. My body completely belonged to Jethro, but I couldn’t deny Killian’s massive arms, untamed hair, and glowing emerald eyes didn’t flutter my stomach.

Coming toward me, his clothing rustled as he held out his hand. “No matter how much I fear for my hand’s safety, I can’t ignore such a stunning woman.” The air hummed with fierce intensity.

My gaze flickered to Jethro as I looped my fingers with his. Jethro stiffened but didn’t retaliate. My cheeks burned as Killian’s grip wrapped tightly around mine.

He was so warm.

An oven compared to Jethro. And his eyes. Oh, my God, I’d never seen such green, green eyes.

“It’s not your hand that should be worried.”

Only yours, Kite. I shot the silent message to Jethro.

Killian laughed. It sounded like a rumbling earthquake. He shook his head almost sadly, glancing over his shoulder at Jethro before looking back at me. “In that case, I don’t know if I should be jealous of Hawk’s hand or regretful for my own.” His deep voice was rhythmic—an accented drawl different to Jethro’s crisp English loquacity.

“You’re American?”

Kill took a step back, running a hand through his jaw-length dark hair. He looked wild, ferocious, but with a brokenness about him speaking of unpredictability.

What hurt him? Or who?

The vulnerability hiding beneath his rough exterior called to the nurturing side of me. I wanted to protect him from something. But what? There was nothing in the world that could hurt this mountain of a man.

Kill nodded. “Yes, ma’am. Born and bred in Florida.”

“What are you doing so far from home?”

His large boots clopped across the metal floor as he sat on the cow-print couch by the door. Bright spotlights shone behind him, casting him in a fuzzy silhouette. His eyes narrowed, tone turned dark. “Business, mainly. And new connections.”

The way he said it didn’t sound just about business.

I’d been around dangerous men enough to recognise one with a vendetta. “And Jethro is going to help you with that?”

“Nila…don’t pry.” Jethro appeared by my side, wrapping a chilly arm around my shoulders. His strength suffocated me, tightening like a boa constrictor instead of a simple embrace.

My eyes shot to his. In the presence of a man who wore his vitality and emotions in full view, Jethro seemed even more remote. A damn island surrounded by shark-infested waters with ice for waterfalls and snow for sand.

Stepping out of his hold, I crossed my arms. “Does Killian know what you’ve done to me? What your family has done to mine?” It was a ridiculous move and one I would never normally do. But Killian made me bold.

Jethro froze.

His eyes turned deadly. “Enough.” Pointing at the door, he growled, “Time for you to leave.”

Kill laughed. “She your old lady?”

Jethro turned his temper on the burly man commandeering the entire couch with his bulk. “We don’t have misses or old ladies in our MC. We’re more of a business enterprise rather than a brotherhood.”

Kill shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. I run the Pures as a business, too. But we’re still family.”

I jumped in. “The Black Diamonds aren’t family. They’re employees.”

Kill cocked his head, pinning his vibrant emerald eyes on me. “And you…are you an employee?” His gaze drifted down my front, drinking me in.

My heart beat faster, subjected to his scrutiny. His interest was visceral, but it wasn’t sexual.

I stood taller, balling my hands. “No, I’m—” His Weaver Whore. The woman destined to die for ludicrous debts.

“She’s not an employee,” Jethro snapped. “She’s a pain in my ass and needs to leave.” He herded me toward the door. “You’ve pushed and pushed me today.” Lowering his voice, he added, “Wait till we get home. You’ll pay the price.”

I spun in his hold, causing his hand to go from my lower back to my belly. I gasped as his long fingers brushed my bare midriff below my jumper.

“That threat doesn’t scare me.”

“Oh, no? It should.”

I inched closer, cursing the wetness building between my legs. “It doesn’t because I’m brave enough to give myself over to you. You’re terrified of me and all I need to say is ‘Kiss me, Jethro Hawk’ and we’ll see who wins again.”

He sucked in a harsh breath. “You’ll pay—”

“Watch me.” Tearing my eyes from his, I looked at Kill again. “To answer your question, I’m not his employee. I’m so much more than that.” My heart broke a little for a dream I would never have. “I could be his everything, but he’s too stupid to see what I’m offering.”

Killian’s face seemed to shatter, his own heartbreak slamming into mine. I felt a kinship with him. A mirroring echo to our hidden desires. He’d been hurt by someone just like Jethro was hurting me.

Fists and kicks and bullets might maim and destroy, but love…love tears out your insides and leaves you hollow, leaving you destined to live an empty existence until death. Lucky for me, I wouldn’t have to live long knowing Jethro could never love me.

Jethro pinched the bridge of his nose, fumbling for something in his pocket. “Goddammit, woman. Get out.”

Kill perched on the edge of the couch, a black shadow shading his face. “Wait, you love him?”

My heart lurched. I couldn’t look at Jethro as I confessed, “I do. And believe me, if I knew of a way to stop it, I would.”

Jethro turned into a vibrating ice sculpture. He tipped something into his palm—something small and white.

Kill glared at Jethro, his temper eddying around the room. “Did you know she loved you?”

Jethro sucked in a breath. “What the fuck sort of question is that?” Throwing the pill into his mouth, he swallowed.

What the hell is he taking?

Kill crossed his arms. “A simple one.”

I looked at Jethro, waiting for his answer, begging him to snap out of whatever his father had done and admit it. What was the harm? Why couldn’t he put me out of my misery and profess he felt what I did?

“Kite…” I whispered. “Answer it.”

Jethro’s eyes latched with mine. He trembled.

Please…stop pushing me away.

Stop being so cruel.

“There is no simple answer.” Jethro’s voice was strained, full of rocks.

Kill stood up, a huge wrecking ball about to decimate us. Ignoring Jethro, he brushed past and cupped my cheek so tenderly, it broke something that’d been festering inside me for months. “Love is something that strikes without warning to the most unsuspecting. It’s a fucking gift and so goddamn priceless, but only the worthy realise what they have. Only the ones truly deserving fight every fucking day to treasure it. And those who don’t…they end up alone.”

Dropping his hand, he glowered at Jethro. “I pity people who can’t be true to their hearts. But I’m done prying into your private lives.” He stormed back to the couch. “Leave, Nila. Hawk and I have business, and I want to get it over with.”

SIGN UP FOR RUIN & RULE and FOURTH DEBT TOURS

Hi Everyone,

I’m busy juggling a few releases this year and have the amazing Rock Stars of Romance handling most of the PR and ARC distribution. If you’d like to help spread the word on Ruin & Rule and Fourth Debt, please join up using the forms below.

*Please note, there is a limited amount of ARCs and will be chosen by the publisher

*You can sign up and help share the news without having a blog or website.

Thanks so much for all your amazing support!!!

RUIN & RULE SIGN UP FORM

FOURTH DEBT SIGN UP FORM

RUIN & RULE Australia Link and FOURTH DEBT TEASER

I have good news :)

For those of you living in Australia and New Zealand, Hachette have awesomely discounted the price of Ruin & Rule on iBooks to match the American price. If you’ve struggled to find the link, here it is:

AUSTRALIA iBOOKS

We met in a nightmare. The in-between world where time had no power over reason. We fell in love. We fell hard. But then we woke up. And it was over . . .’

RUIN & RULE

She is a woman divided. Her past, present, and future are as twisted as the lies she’s lived for the past eight years. Desperate to get the truth, she must turn to the one man who may also be her greatest enemy.

He is the president of Pure Corruption MC. A heartless biker and retribution-deliverer. He accepts no rules, obeys no one, and lives only to reap revenge on those who wronged him. And now he has stolen her, body and soul.

Can a woman plagued by mystery fall in love with the man who refuses to face the truth? And can a man drenched in darkness forgo his quest for vengeance – and finally find redemption?

FOURTH DEBT TEASER

Here you go….

MISSING IN ACTION & GENERAL CATCH UP

I seriously blinked and the time just shot away from me. I have no idea where April or May went. I think someone ripped out pages from my calender as a joke but I don’t find it funny. (haha) Normally, I wouldn’t freak out so much about time frames as I’m normally pretty good with deadlines, HOWEVER in 6.5 weeks I’ll be leaving for EIGHT weeks to travel around the USA and Canada. This means I have to finish Fourth Debt and Forbidden Flaws before my trip so I can write Final Debt while I’m away.

Yep, I’m a sucker for punishment.

I’ll be Missing In Action for another few weeks while I get as much done as humanly possible but for now, I thought I’d share a few links that you might not have seen if you aren’t on FB too often.

SIGNED COPY OF DEBT INHERITANCE

To celebrate how well the series is going, I’ve done a small giveaway to get the word out about the free book. The prize is a signed paperback and a couple of Indebted Bracelets. If you’d like to enter the link is below:

CLICK HERE

Not only do I leave on a jet plane on the 6th July for the States but Ruin & Rule releases on the 7th July in time for me to sign a bunch of copies as I travel around the USA and answer any questions at signings. I can’t WAIT for you all to meet Killian and have teasers popping up on my Facebook page along with a few giveaways as we get closer to the release.

Fourth Debt is almost done. I’m nearing the end and loving how it’s turned out. I can’t give too many teasers as it’s a HUGE spoiler but I’ll have a few as we get closer.

For those wonderful people coming to see me in the USA, I’ll be at the following places (please check the tab on Signing Events for buylinks and address)

8th July LAX Signing

10th July Little Rock

18th July Las Vega

24-25th July St Louis

31st July New York

Nothing is confirmed for Montreal at this stage.

Right, I have to head back to my writing cave but I hope you all have an amazing week and weekend and can’t wait to publish all the other books I have planned this year! xx

QUESTIONS ANSWERED

A week or so ago, I posted that if anyone had any questions to just leave a comment and let me know. I’ve gathered enough questions now to do a post answering a good range of requests. Without further ado, let’s begin.

I’ve broken them up into categories so you can find your way around and avoid any spoilers if you’re not at a particular point in my books.

GENERAL QUESTIONS

Can you tell me more about Ruin & Rule?

Yes. Ruin & Rule is the first book in the Pure Corruption Series. It’s a big book (over 130,000 words) and does end on a cliffhanger. HOWEVER, the second and final book Sin & Suffer will be out within six months of the release and completes the series. It’s a Duology based around an Motorcyle World. (But with a few Pepper twists thrown in for good measure)

When will Forbidden Flaws be out and is it a standalone?

Flaws will be released toward the end of the year. Sept / Oct and will be a contemporary romance standalone.

Will you be doing any signings in 2016?

I can say, most likely. However, I’m not at the stage where I can book so far in advance. I don’t want to commit to something, promise to be there, and then for life to take a different turn. I’m not going to announce or agree to any signings 2016 / 2017 until much later in the year (and then it’s subject to which one has vacancies)

Are you going to Chicago when you come to America?

No, unfortunately. I’ll be in the following places:

LAX 8th July

LITTLE ROCK 10th July

LAS VEGAS 18th July

ST LOUIS 24-25th July

NEW YORK 31st July

MONTREAL still to be confirmed.

Are there going to be any trips into Indebted in Ruin and Rule?

Indebted and Jethro are mentioned in Ruin & Rule, yes.

Will Ruin and Rule be a standalone or are you planning yet another great series?

Ruin & Rule is the first book in a duology which will be completed by Jan 2016 when Sin and Suffer is released.

When will we get to know more about Je Suis A Toi?

I’ll be writing Je suis a toi when I return from my USA tour. So come October / November there will be teasers and release dates.

Will there be more teasers for Fourth Debt to keep us going until August? Please???

There will be a couple but not nearly as many as Third Debt as most of what I could share is a major spoiler.

About Je suis a Toi….is there any chance you can tell us if it’s a novel or a novella?

It’s a novella. But for me that normally means about 40-50,000 words (so a book compared to others. However, I have no idea what the word count will be at this stage.)

Will Je Suis a Toi be on iBooks?

Yes, all my books are available on all platforms. I will never be exclusive to just one.

WRITING & PUBLISHING QUESTIONS

 

How did you start publishing?

I started in August 2013 and did a lot of research on how best to approach the market. I read a lot of successful self-published authors blogs, and researched every day on how to format, upload, and market.

What made you write Dark Romance?

I’m always drawn to the deeper part of a human mind. I find darker material pushes the character to have more facets and flaws than a sweet easy tale.

Would you ever do a Contemporary Series?

Yes, I have a Super Secret Series that will be coming soon.

What media and selling platforms do you use?

I sell on all major platforms: Amazon, iBooks, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Google Play. And regularly stay in touch with readers on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Goodreads.

How often do you write?

I try to write every day. At least 6-8 hours.

What was your secret to hitting the lists and building your brand?

No secret. Just hard work, learning how to write a book that catches attention, and responding as much as possible to readers and participating in online posts.

Could you write my story for me and we’ll share the royalties?

I’m very honoured, but I can’t keep up with my own imagination let alone invite more characters into my crowd. I wish you all the very best though!

Could you blurb my story for me and help promote?

I would love to, but I have very limited time reading these days. It’s rare for me to read and blurb a book and it has to be something I’m interested in and in the genre I write, otherwise my readers won’t trust my suggestions and isn’t good for anyone.

How do you keep motivated while writing?

I just keep going. I work better when I have crazy deadlines. Just keep writing!

MISC QUESTIONS

What other books will you release?

2015

Ruin & Rule July 7th

Forth Debt 11th August

Forbidden Flaws Sept / Oct

Final Debt Sept / Oct

Je Suis a Toi Nov / Dec

2016

Sin & Suffer January

Other books too soon to say.

Would you ever consider making Monsters in the Dark or Indebted a movie or TV Series?

Yes, I would LOVE to do that. I would be very open to seeing Tess and Q, and Jethro and Nila on the big or small screen.

What about Last Shadow?

Last Shadow, Broken Chance, Ofelia, and Ribbon have been postponed until further notice. I wish I could take them down from Goodreads so as not to disappoint everyone, but unfortunately the site won’t let me. When I have more information to share on these titles, I will

BOOK CONTENT / PLOT QUESTIONS

INDEBTED SERIES

Have the Hawks modified the debt inheritance?

I can’t give too much information on this other than yes, and you’ll see why and how in Fourth Debt.

Why does Bonnie hate the Weavers so much?

This will come more to light as the final story is told, however, why does anyone hate or go on a rampage—for their own reasons .

Why didn’t Tex do more for his children?

The answer is in Third Debt. However, it will be elaborated in Fourth Debt.

Why don’t the Hawks worry about evidence?

They have been above the law for so long and have enough men on their payroll that they’ve become blasé and think they’re untouchable.

Is the Debt Inheritance legitimate?

Not sure what this question means. It’s answered a few times in the book with the reasonings and character thoughts on it. I guess what classifies as anything as legitimate?

Was the Queen / King reference a mistake?

Yes, unfortunately the earlier editions of Debt Inheritance had Queen not King signature and was updated a few months ago.

How can Cut cancel the Debt inheritance?

Answers will be revealed in Fourth Debt. Just enjoy the ride.

Will we see more of Killian in Fourth and Final Debt ?

Not telling as that would spoil it.

Can you ever be persuaded to do standalones on Emma and Cut, Bonnie and whoever made her this way?

In all honesty, probably not. I’m fully booked for my releases for the next two years. If I find time to do a few short novellas possibly, but I’m not going to commit at this stage. The story is from Jethro and Nila, not from their ancestors.

Right, I think that’s everything.

Thanks again for your questions and hope you all have an amazing weekend!

FOURTH DEBT COVER REVEAL

FIFTH BOOK IN THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING SERIES

BLURB:

“We’d won. We’d cut through the lies and treachery and promised an alliance that would free us both. But even as we won, we lost. We didn’t see what was coming. We didn’t know we had to plan a resurrection.”

  Nila Weaver fell in love. She gifted her entire soul to a man she believed was worthy. And in the process, she destroyed herself. Three debts paid, the fourth only days away. The Debt Inheritance has almost claimed another victim.

  Jethro Hawk fell in love. He let down his walls to a woman he believed was his cure. For a moment, he was free. But then he paid the ultimate price.

  There is no more love. Only war. Hope is dead. Now, there is only death all around them.

PRE-ORDER

FOURTH DEBT (Indebted #5)

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1FMK85L

iBooks: http://bit.ly/17cYh1Q

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1CQ9ZYn

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1GM4rG1

Google Play: http://bit.ly/1ODra86

BUYLINKS FOR ALL BOOKS IN THE SERIES

DEBT INHERITANCE (Indebted #1)

Amazon: http://amzn.to/17UZImo

iBooks: http://bit.ly/1yjMNiW

Nook: http://bit.ly/1Cl8rau

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1zoFkFL

Google Play: http://bit.ly/1w3FtOq

     

FIRST DEBT (Indebted #2)

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1BjpblH

iBooks: http://bit.ly/15JNGeU

Nook: http://bit.ly/10PcYWi

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1qmB3d7

Google Play: http://bit.ly/1zSgiJw

 

  SECOND DEBT (Indebted #3)

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1uAbTPY

iBooks: http://bit.ly/1zMz5Mg

Nook: http://bit.ly/1ujMc0l

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1xgCSvb

Google Play: http://bit.ly/1MDbvWy

THIRD DEBT (Indebted #4)

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1CzXUI0

iBooks: http://bit.ly/17KywXP

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1GE9vMk

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1yxJBHU

Google Play: http://bit.ly/1DglADL

 

FOURTH DEBT (Indebted #5)

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1FMK85L

iBooks: http://bit.ly/17cYh1Q

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1CQ9ZYn

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1GM4rG1

Google Play: http://bit.ly/1ODra86

 

FINAL DEBT (Indebted #6)

iBooks: http://bit.ly/1A1wpch

EXCLUSIVE TEASER

PROLOGUE VAUGHN FUNNY HOW LIFE plays practical jokes. The past few days—that had to be a fucking joke, right? There was no logical answer that would make sense to what I’d seen, heard, and lived the past seventy-two hours. My sister. My best-friend and twin. This was what she’d been living with? This was how she’d been treated? This was what she wanted to return to? Motherfucking why? Why would she ever want to return to this insanity? We’d been raised in a broken home, chained to an empire that absorbed us right from birth. But we were kept safe, warm, and loved. We grew up together. We shared everything. But now…I had no fucking clue who my sister was. But then she came to me. A woman I never knew existed. The most stunning creature I’d ever seen. Only she didn’t come to me on feet or wings of an angel. She rolled into my life and demanded my help. And for better or for worse. I helped her.

   CHAPTER ONE NILA “LET ME GO!” Daniel cackled like a mad hyena, his fingers stabbing into my bicep. Without breaking his stride, he stole me further away from the parlour and into the bowels of the house. I didn’t want to go. I didn’t want to go anywhere with him. “Take me back!” I squirmed, doing my best to return to Jethro. He can’t be dead! Just because he lay unmoving and bloody didn’t mean he’d left me behind. That’s exactly what it means. I shook my head, dislodging those awful thoughts. He’s alive. He had to be. I couldn’t tolerate any other answer. I refused to live in a world where evil triumphed over good. That wasn’t right—life couldn’t be that cruel. It’s always been that way. My mind filled with images of my mother. My father’s desolation. My broken childhood. Evil had puppeteered us from day one. Why should now be any different? He’s not dead! I swallowed a sob. Please don’t be dead… I fought harder. “Let me see him. You can’t do this!” Daniel cackled louder. “Keep begging, Weaver. Won’t do you any good.”

 

WEEKEND, GENERAL NEWS & CONTEST

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to touch base and say HELLO. Hope you’re all having an amazing weekend and reading lots of great books.

I don’t have anything to interesting to report. I’m busy writing Fourth Debt and loving this book and starting to tie up all the plot points I’ve been teasing you with :)

I’ve been asked if I’ll do another Q & A session regarding my upcoming releases / general advice / etc. So if you have any questions for me, please comment below and I’ll make sure to answer them in a combined post.

In the meantime, I’d like to run a contest if anyone is interested. I would LOVE a new trailer for Indebted. Something cinematic and awesome. (I suck at video editing, so need help) Is there anyone out there who would like to create a trailer that teases new readers to the Indebted World? If so, I have prizes in the form of Signed Paperbacks for the entire series.

Over the next few weeks I’ll be teasing you with Ruin & Rule teasers and starting to get excited about that upcoming release. For now, I’ll be on lockdown busily writing and getting as much work done as possible before the signing event in two months.

Thanks everyone!

Also, If you missed out on the hoodie / tanks / t-shirts for Indebted, the campaign has been tipped by readers who wanted one but missed out. If you’d like one, here is the link:

INDEBTED CLOTHING BUY HERE

And finally, here is a teaser for Fourth Debt that I posted on my Facebook Page–just in case you didn’t see it :)

USA TODAY & SIGNED PAPERBACKS

Thank you SO much everyone!!!! Third Debt hit the USA Today at #42! :)

I’m so blown away to think the three out of four of the Indebted Series has hit the USA. You guys are incredible!!

Also, if anyone wanted a signed copy of Third Debt, I’ve updated the website with the links.

Be in mind, I live at the bottom of the world (hence postage is expensive. Prices are below)

Third Debt:

Worldwide: $34.50

Australia: $27.00

INDEBTED SERIES PACKAGE

(Save 21.50 on postage)

Includes:

Debt Inheritance

First Debt

Second Debt

Third Debt

Worldwide: $99.00

Australia: $76.00

http://pepperwinters.com/purchase-tears-of-tess-signed-paperbacks/

http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2013/06/21/third-debt-indebted-4/2444877/isbn/B00W0RJ7F0/