I thought, as a “WOOHOO TODAY IS AWESOME” celebration, I’d post a short snippet of AHW5 for my readers. Note: this is unedited and, therefore, subject to change, but thought you guys might like a glimpse of a teensy bit of angst and character history. Enjoy!
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“Don’t blame me for what *you* chose to become,” Georgia spat.
“*I had no choice,*” Lucas roared. I saw his body trembling as he released his mother’s arm, hands curling into fists. “Everything I was, everything I had, was locked up in this company. That was taken away, then I was accused of stealing thirty million dollars, and I took the only option available to me that didn’t come with jail time.”
“Selling weapons to the highest bidder?” Jeremiah interjected in a wooden voice. “That was your only recourse?”
Lucas blinked at the interruption then stepped away from Georgia. He looked shaken, his eyes hollow as he looked back at his brother. “It didn’t start out that way. I needed to get out of the country and a man I once considered a friend needed a skilled negotiator to broker a deal on some cargo. I didn’t know until I was in the air what that “cargo” consisted of or I swear, I’d have walked into the jail myself.”
Georgia snorted. “And you want to lay your choices at my feet?”
Rage exploded through me. “He’s your son,” I exclaimed, unable to contain myself any more. Every face in the room held varying degrees of disgust and astonishment at the older woman’s behavior and words but nobody would speak. “They’re both your sons! Don’t you care for them at all?”
“Of course I love them,” Georgia snapped, giving me a haughty glare. “Keep your opinion out of matters that don’t concern you.” She rolled her eyes and casually inspected her nails. “The reason doesn’t matter. He is what he made himself – I’m not the one who should live with the shame.”
I wanted to throttle the sanctimonious bitch but at her words Lucas’ face shut down. “You’re right, mother,” he said, chin coming back up. I recognized the moment his familiar mask snapped into place. He gave the woman a tight-lipped smile even as she ignored him. “We each have to live with our own mistakes don’t we?”
Jeremiah stepped forward finally. I looked up in his face and saw emotions at war across his beautiful visage. I laid my hand on his arm and felt him tremble, a sure sign of the deep emotional upheaval he kept locked inside, but his attention was only on Lucas. “Brother…”
“Do you know our mother is shopping around a biography about the Hamilton family dynasty to various publishers?” Lucas said, interrupting his brother. The scarred man’s gaze was riveted on the haughty woman who merely ignored him. The sudden color in her cheeks gave away her anger at having the news made known however. “An insiders look at our family dynamics, from our dear departed father to the current leader of the family business. She, of course, is the beleaguered heroine in this tale of wealth and corporate espionage. Reportedly the bids for the book were up into seven figures before every last editor pulled out.” At Georgia’s shocked look, Lucas waggled his fingers. “You’re not the only one with “industry contacts” willing to help you.”
“You filthy little…”
“AND, she’s also selling access to her billionaire son. If a businessperson can’t gain an audience with the CEO, why, he or she can be an impromptu “guest” at the family home, conveniently timed to run in to the new head of the family. All for the right price, of course.”
The color on Georgia’s cheeks was high as she glared at her eldest son, then turned to Jeremiah. “Tell me you don’t believe this drivel,” she demanded, hands on her hips.
This time I took a step toward the woman, the intent of bodily harm foremost on my mind, but Jeremiah’s sudden grip on my arm pulled me up short. His gaze was intent on his brother, ignoring his mother completely; Lucas didn’t flinch from the probing look. “You can prove this?” Jeremiah finally asked.
“I can,” Lucas replied as their mother huffed in outraged affront.
“You take *his* word over mine.” Georgia gave Jeremiah a disappointed look whose sincerity, given her previous outbursts, rang hollow.
*Does she even know how she looks to everyone?* I wondered. Judging by the way she ignored the guards and other occupants of the room, I highly doubted it. The woman seemed locked inside her own little world; the opinions of others didn’t matter. *What a horrible way to live your life.*
Jeremiah stepped forward until he was standing in front of his mother. He leaned forward, and while I couldn’t see his face I did see Georgia flinch away. “I swear mother, if what he says is true, I’ll…”
“You’ll what?” she challenged back. “Throw me out? Cut me off? Do you really think you’re the first Hamilton male to make those threats to me?” Georgia snorted. “How do you think I stayed married to your father all these years? Good looks and charm? No, I always had something over him – it was the only security I had.” She met Jeremiah’s glare with one all her own, but the color had drained from her face. “I knew that old bastard wouldn’t leave me a red cent when he croaked, but how was I supposed to know he’d go so soon? You two thought I was no different than your father, and maybe that’s the truth now, but I knew for certain the only person I could rely on was myself.”
“So you threw *me* under the bus.” Lucas’ statement wasn’t quite a question, but it was obvious he wanted answers.
Georgia blanched, mouth moving silently for a moment. “Lucas, I’m…”
The front door opened and a familiar woman’s voice shouted, “Lucas!” Every head turned to see a disheveled Anya Petrovski stumble through the entryway door, flanked by two guards.
😉
Sara, this is SO good!! I’m dyin’ here waiting for the next chapter and I CANNOT wait to get my hot little hands on it. Great work!! :).
Heehee, thanks!!!
More!!! We want more!!! 🙂
Soon!! I don’t want to give away TOO much yet! (okay, a teensy hint: action scene next, BOOYAH!)
Your such a tease…. Love your work and Amazon knows it
Yay, thanks!!!
Danglethe carrot why don’tcha!! Again my congratulations on your brilliant news!! I still think September is going to be an excruciating long wait! Cheers!! 🙂
Haha, for you AND me both!!! 😉
Love it!!! Can’t wait until I can read it all!!
Love it! Will try to wait patiently for the release.
I’ll try to get some more snippets out as release gets closer. 😉
I am new to your books, but read all 4 installments in one day! Great story! Cannot wait to read book 5 and hopefully 6 is right behind it!
Congratulations! What great accomplishments you’ve made this year. Can’t wait for September! I may have to buy the whole book! Very excited and the little you posted has my mind wondering in all directions.
Heehee yes I’m evil!! Part 5 ends the current plot but NOT the story, lots more to see still!! 😉
Love this story! Glad to hear there will be more after part 5 🙂
Yay!!! Glad to hear the story does not end! I love your style and keep the books coming. I must admit I am re reading the first 4 of AHW 🙂
*Sigh* You’re such a talented writer, I love how you made the mom’s perspective come through in the end. I hope you’ll keep writing FAST and bring out another series when this one ends 🙂
I’ll try!! And yes I do have to say I’m please with how this turned out. Even bad guys have reasons for doing what they do and I love exploring those reasons (heh, I probably would’ve made a decent psychologist lol). 😉
Booyaa is right! I love this story! Cant wait fir book! Thank you!
Hope you enjoy part 5 too!!! 😀
I can not wait for the book…
Hope you like it, I’ll make sure to keep you posted on when it’ll be available!!! 😉
Ohhhhhhhhh you’re killing us… Dying for AHW5
Please stop the torture!!! Can’t wait to read the rest!!!
Lol soon!! Promise, and I’ll let you know as soon as there’s a date for the release. 😉
Nothing like getting into a book then being put on hold… I know most are super fans and I have enjoyed reading the first 4, however it’s getting too long between installments I forgot the story already and as I have read many books since reading the last installment. will probably reconsider ever reading a serial novel unless its complete in the future.
Looking really good from that snippet can’t wait for the release of the book I’m in Vegas for a week from the 5th September don’t suppose you have a date yet was hoping to have it down loaded on my iPad by then?
Unfortunately I’m not sure on a release date yet but it’ll be at least mid- to late-September now, sorry!
So good…I can’t wait to read it now! Wow, you can write girl. Love it!
*geeks out* Thanks for making my morning!!!
Sooo can’t wait now!!!! Aahhh the torture!! 🙂
I know I’m terrible aren’t I? But I’ll try to torture you with additional snippets as the release day approaches! 😉
Thanks for the reply. Never mind but all know it will be worth the wait try not to make us wait so long for no6.
Loving the snippet.. As soon as I read your Facebook post I just had to drop everything and read it. Very intrigued how we get from the ending of 4 to this snippet.. So looking forward to the full story. Please say there will be more to follow. Love Jeremiah..!!
P.s. great news on getting getting published in paper back.
Love this snippet. Please stop teasing us and release #5 already.
Thanks.
Oooh…Sara. Once again you have the unmeasurable gift to seduce and tease. I can’t wait. 🙂 I also can’t wait to have them all compiled together. thank you for sharing 🙂
Sorry if this has been asked before or if it was already posted. But, when will Part 5 be out in September? And will there be more to this story when the book comes out? Please say YES!!!
Congrats by the way!
More!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I.Can’t.Take.It. 🙂
Omg. Your books are amazing and I can’t. Wait for book 5…. ugh September. Is coming fast but not fast enough
Thank you for the tease. I can’t wait for AHW5 … i’m totally addicted!!!
Why is there such a delay until 5 is released??? You’re going to turn off a lot of readers by making them wait so long.
Oh my gosh! Your books are quite a read! I cannot, repeat: CANNOT, wait till book 5 and everything else that follows! Aaaahhh I love Jeremiah and Lucy! Puh-lease dont make us wait long!
Omg sooo good! I’m torn between Remy and Loki. I can’t wait, more please 🙂
I have to go read them again.. I think I am lost somewhere! cant wait!
Omg, I love this story. I’ve been awake for two straight days reading it. I’ve just finished part 4 and I’m dieing to know when part 5 will be released. I read the small caption you left for readers about part 5. Love it! I know you have a lot of readers but if you would be so kind as to please let me know when part 5 is available so I can get it that would just make my day. Thank you for your wonderful imagination.
I read all 4 books in a week, I love them. After reading all of the 50 shades series, and looking for something that captivated my attention like those did, AHW def made the job! Cannot wait for book 5 to come out.
Congratulations on the good news! I can only dream of how exciting this is 🙂 This was a wonderful tease, can’t wait for the book! Thank you!!
I can’t wait for AHW5!!!!!! I read the first 4 in like a day!!!!
Oh no not until mid to late September!? How are your eager readers going to survive until then!?
Now that your book has been picked up by St. Martin’s Press (congrats!), does that mean part 5 will be longer and more in depth? Would love to see Lucy’s character (and of course Jeremiah’s and others’, and the story itself) more developed, ie. who’s her roommate, more details about her parents’ passing, what happened in the past 3 years, who’s in her social circle, etc. Right now we know so little about her that it almost seems like she lives in a vacuum outside of her interactions with Jeremiah. (She’s locked up in Jeremiah’s family home, and other than her roommate, would anyone notice if she disappears off the face of the earth?)
Will there be more books to follow the story? If so how many!?
Can’t wait and love your book!
XOXO
Have you decided anything on Back in the Groove?? I am wanting more of this story too!!
Thank you so much for the tease!!! I really wish I could have access to ATHW5 for hurricane Isaac since I will be stuck indoors for a couple days 😦 If you have any good recommendations I will gladly accept.
Awesomw! Can’t wait till it comes out!
Ms. Fawkes, please check out your Amazon feedback. You seem to have angered several readers and might want to check what your public is saying.
Love your books. Can’t wait for installment 5 of AHWs. Am new to your writings but am delighted to have found you. Keep writing, we love you!!!!!
September is finally almost here! I love this story and love this peek at what’s to come! I was so on the edge of my seat when I finished AHW 4! I just re-read 1-4 to excite myself for the Finale! Can’t wait!! Glad to hear the story will continue after #5…great work!
Do u no when it will be out yet cant wait to read it 🙂
Love your books have already read them twice now waitin for the 5th installment. Can’t wait for it to come out. 🙂 You are such a talented writer.
Cannot wait till AHW5 comes out 🙂 Read the 1st four twice now and looking forward to the next innstallment. One happy fan from Scotland 😀
Itching to get AHW5 can’t wait it to come out
Is there an exact date in sept as to when ahw5 will be released?
Can’t wait for AHW5!!! Do you know when in Sept. it will be released?
Sara loved the AHW series so far! I just found them on my nook and read all four in less than a day! Waiting for 5 and beyond! Great job!
Cant wait for number five. I read the previous 4 books in a day.
I cannot wait to read more!! I absolutely LOVE this series!!
I have to say I am totally addicted to AHW!!! I am so excited for book 5 I can hardly stand it;). I have been checking daily!!!! Keep up the amazing work!!! This series keeps you wanting more and makes you sad to think of it ending!!!
Have you got a date yet to it’s release?? TOTALLY loved the story how it gripped you from start to finish,
Love your books just discovered them and read all one night. When can we expect 5 to be out??
Wow read all and eagerly awaiting book 5 when will it be out haven’t seen anything on your comments so far!!
Why can we not get an expected release date for #5. The distance between reading the releases is distracting from the flow of the story ?
I FEEL LIKE WE’RE GETTING DOOPED … ON AMAZON THE NOVEL FOR AHW RELEASE DATE ISN’T UNTIL MID NOVEMBER… THOUGH WE’VE BEEN TOLD THAT WE’RE TO EXPECTED IT OUT SOMETIME IN SEPT FOR AHW5 I HAVE A FEELING WERE NOT GOING TO SEE IT UNTIL NOVEMBER ….
The novel comes out in November, which is a combination of parts 1-5. Part 5 itself however comes out September 25; as soon as it’s available for pre-order I’ll post it here! 🙂
I’ve just started reading AHW and i havent been able to put the books down, imagine my surprise and disappointment when book 5 wasnt available. Love the books, love the characters – cant wait for number 5 – soon please!
That was soooooooooo good. I can’t wait to read the AHW 5. Happy Dance…..