First Debt

Leave it to Pepper to know how to turn on the sexual tension between 2 characters on high heat!! Wow you can cut the tension with a knife I love sex in books, but THE CHEMISTRY created in this book is off the charts and makes up for the lack of hot sex scenes I think that the story between the two is amazing.

First Debt was just as thrilling and suspenseful as the first book in this series. It seems like each book, we will learn about a new debt that Nila must repay to keep her family safe, and if this debt was supposed to be the easiest, I can't imagine what the next ones are going to be! I love the imagry that is depicted and the hatred between the family is written well.

“I'm going to give you a history lesson, Ms. Weaver. You'll listen closely and understand why you're repaying this certain debt.” Pacing, he added, “Every debt will begin this way. The history will be told, then the debt repaid. You'll be informed of what your ancestors did to mine. You will apologize and repent for their past sins, and only then will the extraction take place.”

Throughout this entire book my heart was crying out for Nila to stay strong, and strong she stayed. She is determined not to let the bad situation that she seems to have been born into get the best of her. She is a survivor and I love the fact that not only is she a survivor, she is a woman with a plan. I'm not a big fan of women who just accept their situation, especially if it's a bad one. Nila knows that she has the power to control her destiny, despite what Jethro tells her, and I LOVE that about her!

“I would never be able to win. The only way I had a chance at surviving long enough to reap vengeance on the men who ruined my ancestors was to fight his ice with fire. I had to burn. I had to blaze. I had to cinder his beliefs and control to the ground. And smear his soul with the ashes of his sins.”

Jethro... he is such a deep and confused character and I love watching the layers of him peel away. Bound by duty to inflict these debts and gain retribution for his family that was wronged so long ago, I can't help but feel pissed at him, sorry for him, and hopeful for him all at the same time. There is so much conflict running through him and so much riding on his shoulders. So not only is he at war with Nila, he's also at war with his own conscience.

“You can sprout Bullshit all you want, but no matter your lies, you feel, Jethro. You felt something for me in the forest. You felt something for me when your brother held me in his arms. And if you can't see that, then I feel sorry for you.”

I love how this book leaves your longing for more. I can tell this is going to be one of those series that leaves you with a bit of a hangover, but I'm sure I'll love every minute of it. I don't know how she does it, but Pepper always manages to keep the mystery and keep you wondering what could possibly happen next. I can't wait to find out! I will continue to devour the series like a kid who is dying for candy. Will Kite end up with Needle or will family obligation be the victor.