What do you think?
Rate this book
When Killing Rules: A Post-Apocalyptic Survival Thriller
The Connor Hale post-apocalyptic survival thriller series continues with its most explosive installment yet…
When killing rules, mercy is a luxury few can afford.
After a sentient AI cripples civilization with a global EMP, Alaska has devolved into a savage battleground. As chaos spreads like wildfire, Connor Hale pushes forward on a desperate to get his makeshift family safely back to Braveheart, the horse ranch he’s sworn to protect at all costs.
At his side are Mckenna Stewart—the woman he never stopped loving—her young daughter Lily, a traumatized woman rescued from kidnappers, and a newborn baby born into a lawless world. Every mile home is a minefield of danger.
Standing in Connor’s way is Luther Meech, a vengeful cartel boss and escaped convict with a personal vendetta. Luther will stop at nothing to take Braveheart for his own—and destroy the man who put him behind bars. As ex-prisoners, starving survivors, and violent gangs tear across the countryside, Connor must fight not just for survival, but for the future of everything—and everyone—he holds dear.
When justice dies and brutality reigns, how far would you go to protect your own?
For fans of gritty survival fiction, relentless action, and heart-pounding stakes, When Killing Rules delivers a gripping third chapter in the unforgettable Connor Hale saga. Pick it up today and discover who lives, who dies, and who rules when the world goes dark.
When killing rules, mercy is a luxury few can afford.
After a sentient AI cripples civilization with a global EMP, Alaska has devolved into a savage battleground. As chaos spreads like wildfire, Connor Hale pushes forward on a desperate to get his makeshift family safely back to Braveheart, the horse ranch he’s sworn to protect at all costs.
At his side are Mckenna Stewart—the woman he never stopped loving—her young daughter Lily, a traumatized woman rescued from kidnappers, and a newborn baby born into a lawless world. Every mile home is a minefield of danger.
Standing in Connor’s way is Luther Meech, a vengeful cartel boss and escaped convict with a personal vendetta. Luther will stop at nothing to take Braveheart for his own—and destroy the man who put him behind bars. As ex-prisoners, starving survivors, and violent gangs tear across the countryside, Connor must fight not just for survival, but for the future of everything—and everyone—he holds dear.
When justice dies and brutality reigns, how far would you go to protect your own?
For fans of gritty survival fiction, relentless action, and heart-pounding stakes, When Killing Rules delivers a gripping third chapter in the unforgettable Connor Hale saga. Pick it up today and discover who lives, who dies, and who rules when the world goes dark.
283 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 14, 2025
3 people are currently reading
About the author
January Bain
64 books1,106 followersLessons my Grandma taught me.
I have such fond memories of my grandmothers. They were both special in their own way and taught me so much about how to live my life that I will be forever grateful! Here’s the list of six top things they shared with me:
(1) Don’t say anything if you can’t say something nice about someone. I think this is my favorite one as it has kept me in good stead all my life.
(2) Never be late. Doing so makes you think you’re more important than someone else. You’re not!
(3) Life is too serious to be taken seriously. Keep a sense of humor, it will help get you through the hard times. They were both right about that one.
(4) Share what you can with those in need. Know what is your burden to bear, and what is not. This one has kept me sane over the years.
(5) Don’t be a critic. Critic’s don’t create, they only tear down. This helps me when reviewers say unkind things about my work. I try to remember that they probably just need a hug today.
(6) Do the best you can do at everything you do. At least then you will know you gave it your all.
Thank you, my beautiful grandmothers, for being strong and sharing your gems of wisdom with me. You did more good than you can possibly know.
Hugs, January Bain
I have such fond memories of my grandmothers. They were both special in their own way and taught me so much about how to live my life that I will be forever grateful! Here’s the list of six top things they shared with me:
(1) Don’t say anything if you can’t say something nice about someone. I think this is my favorite one as it has kept me in good stead all my life.
(2) Never be late. Doing so makes you think you’re more important than someone else. You’re not!
(3) Life is too serious to be taken seriously. Keep a sense of humor, it will help get you through the hard times. They were both right about that one.
(4) Share what you can with those in need. Know what is your burden to bear, and what is not. This one has kept me sane over the years.
(5) Don’t be a critic. Critic’s don’t create, they only tear down. This helps me when reviewers say unkind things about my work. I try to remember that they probably just need a hug today.
(6) Do the best you can do at everything you do. At least then you will know you gave it your all.
Thank you, my beautiful grandmothers, for being strong and sharing your gems of wisdom with me. You did more good than you can possibly know.
Hugs, January Bain
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 19, 2025
Lots of action in this book. McKenna just pisses me off when she does dumb shit. Everything bad thing that happens to her is all avoidable. Connor is such a good guy I absolutely adore him. Faraday she’s very kickass I like her style
September 26, 2025
The third installment of January Bain's Connor Hale series, When Killing Rules, immerses readers in the thrilling world of the apocalypse, making them feel like they're part of Connor and McKenna's journey. The story pulls you in, captivating you from the very beginning.
I loved that the story is told from different points of view. This narrative style not only enriches the plot but also deepens the reader's connection to each character's struggles and motivations. The tension builds skillfully, keeping you on the edge of your seat as the stakes rise with every chapter. I feel as if you get more of the story and what is going on in other parts of the world with other characters.
Connor, Mckenna, and Lily have finally made it back to Braveheart with a group on their trail who want what others want now, and that is to take over the ranch for their own. The tension mounts as alliances are tested and secrets unravel. As the group prepares to defend their home, they must confront not only external threats but also the hidden agendas that lurk within their ranks.
A young girl, Cheyenne, slips away in the middle of the night to go live with her father. She has no idea what kind of person her father is nor the type of people he keeps company with. Her father leads a group of men who take what they want, even by force, and find pleasure in doing so – whether it's food, resources, or women.
This group is determined to get what they desire, regardless of the consequences. As Cheyenne steps into this unfamiliar world, she quickly realizes that her father's charming facade hides a sinister reality. Torn between her longing for family and the darkness surrounding her, she must navigate the treacherous waters of loyalty and survival.
In this era of disarray, humanity's true character has been exposed, revealing both its nobility and its darkness. It's the law of the jungle now that all the rules have been abandoned.
The wicked rise, unburdened by conscience, while the righteous falter, constrained by theirs. The gravity of the situation is forcing them to accept that they must take drastic, unwanted steps to secure their safety and that of others.
The world-building is so intricate, it feels less like a story and more like a historical account of a place that actually exists.
I highly recommend When Killing Rules to all post-apocalyptic fans! Grab a copy of When Killing Rules today!
I loved that the story is told from different points of view. This narrative style not only enriches the plot but also deepens the reader's connection to each character's struggles and motivations. The tension builds skillfully, keeping you on the edge of your seat as the stakes rise with every chapter. I feel as if you get more of the story and what is going on in other parts of the world with other characters.
Connor, Mckenna, and Lily have finally made it back to Braveheart with a group on their trail who want what others want now, and that is to take over the ranch for their own. The tension mounts as alliances are tested and secrets unravel. As the group prepares to defend their home, they must confront not only external threats but also the hidden agendas that lurk within their ranks.
A young girl, Cheyenne, slips away in the middle of the night to go live with her father. She has no idea what kind of person her father is nor the type of people he keeps company with. Her father leads a group of men who take what they want, even by force, and find pleasure in doing so – whether it's food, resources, or women.
This group is determined to get what they desire, regardless of the consequences. As Cheyenne steps into this unfamiliar world, she quickly realizes that her father's charming facade hides a sinister reality. Torn between her longing for family and the darkness surrounding her, she must navigate the treacherous waters of loyalty and survival.
In this era of disarray, humanity's true character has been exposed, revealing both its nobility and its darkness. It's the law of the jungle now that all the rules have been abandoned.
The wicked rise, unburdened by conscience, while the righteous falter, constrained by theirs. The gravity of the situation is forcing them to accept that they must take drastic, unwanted steps to secure their safety and that of others.
The world-building is so intricate, it feels less like a story and more like a historical account of a place that actually exists.
I highly recommend When Killing Rules to all post-apocalyptic fans! Grab a copy of When Killing Rules today!
October 19, 2025
This is the third installment in the Connor Hale series.
Connor and gang have made it back to Braveheart Ranch but things are nowhere close to settling down soon. Outside forces are trying to break in and those in Braveheart are fighting to protect themselves and the little community they are building.
Tensions rise and things get to a boiling point, and you wonder if those trying to do the right thing in a crazy world are going to make it.
The storyline of each of the different characters are woven together wonderfully, and easy to follow, giving you different perspectives during these maddening times.
I highly recommend this series if you like post-apocalyptic tales that keep you on the edge of your seat.
Connor and gang have made it back to Braveheart Ranch but things are nowhere close to settling down soon. Outside forces are trying to break in and those in Braveheart are fighting to protect themselves and the little community they are building.
Tensions rise and things get to a boiling point, and you wonder if those trying to do the right thing in a crazy world are going to make it.
The storyline of each of the different characters are woven together wonderfully, and easy to follow, giving you different perspectives during these maddening times.
I highly recommend this series if you like post-apocalyptic tales that keep you on the edge of your seat.
October 21, 2025
When Killing Rules
Unputdownable
Nonstop action in the final book of this post-apocalyptic trilogy. Bain once again races us from place to place, person to person, gang to gang, leaving us teetering on the edge in anticipation of the outcome to the latest practical or emotional drama. We meet up with familiar characters, some with pleasure, others with macabre dislike, all fascinating in their own way. And as for the ending!!! I recommend you read it for yourself.
Unputdownable
Nonstop action in the final book of this post-apocalyptic trilogy. Bain once again races us from place to place, person to person, gang to gang, leaving us teetering on the edge in anticipation of the outcome to the latest practical or emotional drama. We meet up with familiar characters, some with pleasure, others with macabre dislike, all fascinating in their own way. And as for the ending!!! I recommend you read it for yourself.
October 23, 2025
Exciting tale of the future
This is a story of a world taken over by AI. The hero is a man called Connor, who owns a fortified ranch and it becomes a centre for survival.
There are evil men aplenty.
The struggle to survive is well portrayed and exciting.
I recommend this book for an entertaining read.
This is a story of a world taken over by AI. The hero is a man called Connor, who owns a fortified ranch and it becomes a centre for survival.
There are evil men aplenty.
The struggle to survive is well portrayed and exciting.
I recommend this book for an entertaining read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews