Dare (BLOOD Brothers Book 5), page 30
Afterword
When I first sat down to write Burn, I had no idea just how deep the rabbit hole would go—or how long these characters would take up residence in my head. Now, standing here at the end of the Blood Brothers series, it feels a little surreal. These five books represent over three years of living with Grace, Bones, Alphabet, Lunchbox, Voodoo, and Goblin as they grew their chaotic, beautiful, and broke family together.
The seed for this series was planted “many moons ago” during a week-long writing getaway in Seattle with Blake Blessing and our friend Sara. We were wrapping up a Cardinal Sins book at the time, and Blake was plotting what would eventually become her Bastard Brothers of Carnage series. We were tossing ideas back and forth when I said—half randomly, half instinctively—“I want to write Grace’s story.” Blake looked at me and said, “Yes.”
And just like that, Grace Black found her place.
Grace, of course, is the identical twin sister of Amorette Black, the FMC of Bastard Brothers of Carnage. We collaborated on their shared history—their childhood, their trauma, those pivotal flashbacks that connect them—but from the moment the present-day stories begin, their paths run independently. Their worlds intersect, but they don’t rely on each other. You can read Grace without reading Amorette, and vice versa. That was important to both of us: making each series accessible on its own, even while rewarding readers who choose to explore every corner of this shared universe.
But even with the planning, nothing quite prepared me for what happened when I finally started writing. The moment my fingers hit the keyboard, the characters took over. Scenes unfolded like they had been waiting, fully formed, just behind a curtain I hadn’t drawn back yet. The brothers’ bond, Grace’s strength, Bones’ loyalty, the darkness they all wrestled with—it all came pouring out with a clarity that rarely happens as a writer. Some stories make you fight for every sentence. This one demanded to be told.
Closing the final chapter of the final book feels like closing the door on a home I’ve lived in for years. Bittersweet, but satisfying. These characters challenged me, broke me open, surprised me, and—more than once—made me cry at my keyboard. I can only hope they gave you even a fraction of that journey in return.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for trusting me with your time, your emotions, and your love for these complicated, flawed, fiercely loyal characters. Thank you for coming all the way to the end.
And if you’re not ready to leave this world behind, there are plenty of dark corners and new adventures waiting! Check out What’s Next…
For now, though, this is where I leave the Blood Brothers. But trust me—there are always more stories to tell, and I can’t wait to share the next one with you.
xoxo
Heather
Website:
heatherlong.net
Reader group:
facebook.com/groups/heatherspack
Blake Blessing’s Website:
https://www.blakeblessingbooks.com/
Reader group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/blakeslustylegion
What’s Next?
Thank you for coming with me to the end of this journey. If you’re not ready to leave this world behind, you don’t have to—there’s plenty more waiting for you in the shadows, the safe houses, and the tangled loyalties of the connected series.
If you want more dark, gritty, adrenaline-laced romance in the same universe, explore:
82nd Street Vandals
Violent, obsessive, and fiercely loyal, the Vandals deliver raw edge, feral devotion, and a found-family that bleeds for each other. The Vandals, of course, are Doc’s family that the guys came to help. They are also where Alphabet and the guys were first introduced. Start with Savage Vandal.
Bay Ridge Royals
A world of power, corruption, and ruthless men who will burn cities to the ground for the woman they claim. Start with Shamelessly Loyal.
Cardinal Sins
Strategic, dangerous, and sinfully twisted—this series pulls you deeper into the underbelly of the world you’ve already glimpsed including the characters of Vienna and Cash whom you met earlier in this series. Start with Kill Song.
And if you’ve been waiting for Amorette’s story, you don’t have to wait any longer:
Bastard Brothers of Carnage by Blake Blessing
This interconnected series follows Amorette and dives into the chaos, brutality, and fierce devotion of life in the cartel and the men who claim Amorette as their own. Start with Addict.
If you’re craving more dark romance + psychological suspense, look at:
The Switchboard Duet
While not set directly in this world, it carries the same energy—twisted connections, high tension, and a romance forged in danger. Start with Talk to Me.
Curious about Rachel Manning?
Rachel first appeared in the Untouchable series (which fair warning is a far cry from this one), and she’ll be stepping into the spotlight soon. Keep an eye out—she has her own series coming, and she won’t be facing her demons alone.
Whether you’re hunting mysteries, craving morally gray men, or looking for more broken-but-unbreakable heroines, there’s plenty ahead. The world is bigger than ever, and there are so many stories left to tell.
About Heather Long
I love books. Not just a little bit, but a lot. Books were my best friends when I was growing up. Books didn’t care if I was new to a town or to a class. They were always there, my trustiest of companions. Until they turned on me and said I had to write them.
I can tell you that my own personal happily ever after included writing books. I’ve always said that an HEA is a work in progress. It’s true in my marriage, my friendships, and in my career. I am constantly nurturing my muse as we dive into new tales, new tropes, new characters and more.
After seventeen years in Texas, we relocated to the Pacific Northwest in search of seasons, new experiences, and new geography. I can’t wait to discover what life (and my muse) have in store for me.
Maybe writing was always my destiny and romance my fate. After all, my grandmother wasn’t a fan of picture books and used to read me her Harlequin Romance novels.
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Also by Heather Long
82nd Street Vandals
Savage Vandal
Vicious Rebel
Ruthless Traitor
Dirty Devil
Shamelessly Loyal (Novella)
Brutal Fighter
Dangerous Renegade
Merciless Spy
Reckless Thief
Fierce Dancer
Dirty Dancer
Bay Ridge Royals
Shamelessly Loyal (Novella)
Battle Lines
Deceptive Truce
Wicked Surrender
Violent Chaos
Desperate Victory
BLOOD Brothers
Burn
Lure
Own
Oath
Dare
Blue Ivy Prep
Problem Child
Mad Boys
Party Crashers
Money Shot
Bravo Team Wolf
When Danger Bites
Bitten Under Fire
Cardinal Sins
Kill Song
First Chorus
High Note
Last Word
Chance Monroe
Earth Witches Aren’t Easy
Plan Witch from Out of Town
Bad Witch Rising
Fevered Hearts
Marshal of Hel Dorado
Brave are the Lonely
Micah & Mrs. Miller
A Fistful of Dreams
Raising Kane
Wanted: Fevered or Alive
Wild and Fevered
The Quick & The Fevered
A Man Called Wyatt
Going Royal
Some Like it Royal
Some Like it Scandalous
Some Like it Deadly
Some Like it Secret
Some Like it Easy
Heart of the Nebula
Queenmaker
Deal Breaker
Throne Taker
Lone Star Leathernecks
Semper Fi Cowboy
As You Were, Cowboy
Shackled Souls
Succubus Chained
Succubus Unchained
Succubus Blessed
Shackled Souls (Omnibus)
STANDALONES
Kiss of Fate (w/Blake Blessing)
Taste of Karma (w/Blake Blessing)
I’ll Be Home… (w/Tate James)
Overexposed (w/Tate James)
Switchboard Duet
Talk to Me
Don’t Let Go
Untouchable
Rules and Roses
Changes and Chocolates
Keys and Kisses
Whispers and Wishes
Hangovers and Holidays
Brazen and Breathless
Trials and Tiaras
Graduation and Gifts
Defiance and Dedication
Songs and Sweethearts
Legacy and Lovers
Farewells and Forever
Hellos and Happily Ever Afters
Wolves of Willow Bend
Wolf at Law
Wolf Bite
Caged Wolf
Wolf Claim
Wolf Next Door
Rogue Wolf
Bayou Wolf
Untamed Wolf
Wolf with Benefits
River Wolf
Single Wicked Wolf
Desert Wolf
Snow Wolf
Wolf on Board
Holly Jolly Wolf
Shadow Wolf
His Moonstruck Wolf
Thunder Wolf
Ghost Wolf
Outlaw Wolves
Wolf Unleashed
Heather Long, Dare (BLOOD Brothers Book 5)
