I have a Q & A session with Pepper, also enter her awesome giveaway and have a read of her excerpt.
I really loved what Pepper did with her characters in her book. It is indeedy a very dark romance with graphic scenes. If you like Aleatha Romig's style of darkness and intrigue, you will like Tears Of Tess. Read Pepper's bio , she likes writing a tortured hero.
How did you go with that trailer? It's that , and much, much , more.
My review for Tears Of Tess is on Day 11. Tears of Tess is released and available for download at Amazon.
Welcome Pepper Winters.
AUTHOR BIO:
Pepper Winters wears many roles. Some of them include writer, reader, sometimes wife. She loves dark, taboo stories that twist with your head. The more tortured the hero, the better, and she constantly thinks up ways to break and fix her characters. Oh, and sex… her books have sex.
She loves to travel and has an amazing, fabulous hubby who puts up with her love affair with her book boyfriends.
Her debut book Tears of Tess will be followed with Quintessentially Q. You didn’t think Q could stop so soon, did you? Her other two titles, Last Shadow and Broken Chance will be coming soon.
Yes, I’m heading to the Author Down Under, 22nd March on the Gold Coast.
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| Facebook Link |
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Title of Book : Tears of TessAuthor: Pepper Winters
State: New South Wales
Series Title: Monsters in the Dark
Published By : Self Published
Date Released: 30th August. Quintessentially Q (sequel but not required as Tears of Tess is a stand alone releases on the 15 December 2013)
Genre : NA Dark Romance
Book Cover Designer : Cover it! designs
A New Adult Dark Contemporary Romance, not suitable for people sensitive to grief, slavery, and hard to read subjects. A story about finding love in the strangest of places, a will of iron that grows from necessity, and forgiveness that may not be enough.
“My life was complete.
Happy, content, everything neat and perfect.
Then it all changed.
I was sold.”
Tess Snow has everything she ever wanted: one more semester before a career in property development, a loving boyfriend, and a future dazzling bright with possibility.
For their two year anniversary, Brax surprises Tess with a romantic trip to Mexico. Sandy beaches, delicious cocktails, and soul-connecting sex set the mood for a wonderful holiday. With a full heart, and looking forward to a passion filled week, Tess is on top of the world.
But lusty paradise is shattered.
Kidnapped. Drugged. Stolen. Tess is forced into a world full of darkness and terror.
Captive and alone with no savior, no lover, no faith, no future, Tess evolves from terrified girl to fierce fighter. But no matter her strength, it can’t save her from the horror of being sold.
Can Brax find Tess before she’s broken and ruined, or will Tess’s new owner change her life forever?
Q & A SESH with PEPPER
Michelle: What five words describe Pepper Winter’s the AUTHOR?
Pepper: Hardworking , Passionate, Loyal, Travel obsessed,
Book and laptop addicted (more than five words but I’m bending the rules) J
Pepper:
A little insecure about her writing
Completely blown away by the fans who love her work
In love with her hubby
Constantly cold (must move to a hot climate)
Has insomnia
(again more than 5 but you get 5 bullet points) lol
Michelle: If you were given the task of walking up to somebody random in the street and you were to explain your book to them in a short speech what would you tell them? Not your book blurb, but something more...deeper.
Pepper: Crap, that’s a hard question. Um, It’s about two characters who, together they suffer, but together they find redemption. A book about finding your perfect other, even if fate decides to screw you over along the way.
Michelle: Tears of Tess I just purchased on Amazon. I was doing some interview research and it sounds WOW! What quote from the book is the most powerful you think you wrote?
Pepper: I’m not sure the strongest quote I wrote, but personal favourite is:
“My name is Tess Snow. Not Sweetie, or Tessie, or Honey. I’m a woman only now realizing what she’s capable of. I’m no one’s daughter. I’m no one’s girlfriend. I’m no one’s possession. I belong to me, and for the first time, I know how powerful that is.”
And my fans favourite is:
And my fans favourite is:
“Monsters find each other in the Dark”
Michelle: What ten words describe Q Mercer?
Pepper: Broody , Tense, Lonely, Righteous, Heinous, Barbaric,
Pure, Loyal, Generous, Demanding, Ruthless (was that ten?) lol
Michelle: Who's counting he is a complicated man, so he needs words.
Michelle: What ten words would Q use to describe Tess?
Pepper: Courageous, Strong, Beautiful, Intelligent, Perfect, 58,
Michelle: Who's counting he is a complicated man, so he needs words.
Michelle: What ten words would Q use to describe Tess?
Pepper: Courageous, Strong, Beautiful, Intelligent, Perfect, 58,
His, Esclave, Argumentative
Michelle: What song do you think describes Q and Tess’s relationship and why?
Pepper: Oh, I don’t know about their relationship. I would love some help on this if everyone can suggest a tune?
Michelle: What has been the one thing that stands out to you in your journey as a writer?
Pepper: How much social marketing is as important / if not more than writing. I spend equal measures just hanging out on FB as I do writing.
Michelle: Quintessentially Q releases 15th December. I have put myself down for the tour. Woot! Could you please give a non spoiler teaser quote ?
Pepper: Sure. I’ve been editing all day so I have a good one for you. Here you go.
“Enough,” Q roared. His chest strained as he pushed me hard against the cross. My back crashed against the eerily warm wood. I flinched when Q pressed his long frame against mine, sandwiching me completely. “Now is not the time to talk about hearts and falling, esclave. Now is the time for pain and fucking. See how the two don’t mix?”
He pushed off, swiping his face with an angry palm. “I’m tired. Too tired to keep fighting. I want you. I’ve wanted to make you scream for four fucking long days. I tried to behave. I tried to stop the darkness, but you just wouldn’t let it go. And now it’s my turn. You’re going to give me what I want. Take this obsessive sick need from me and help grant me a reprieve.”
Michelle: Could you please give me images of who you think best represents Tess, Q and Brax.
Pepper: This I can’t do as in my mind they are who they are. Have a look at my account on pinterest.
Michelle: What song do you think describes Q and Tess’s relationship and why?
Pepper: Oh, I don’t know about their relationship. I would love some help on this if everyone can suggest a tune?
Michelle: What has been the one thing that stands out to you in your journey as a writer?
Pepper: How much social marketing is as important / if not more than writing. I spend equal measures just hanging out on FB as I do writing.
Michelle: Quintessentially Q releases 15th December. I have put myself down for the tour. Woot! Could you please give a non spoiler teaser quote ?
Pepper: Sure. I’ve been editing all day so I have a good one for you. Here you go.
**** R18 +****
“Enough,” Q roared. His chest strained as he pushed me hard against the cross. My back crashed against the eerily warm wood. I flinched when Q pressed his long frame against mine, sandwiching me completely. “Now is not the time to talk about hearts and falling, esclave. Now is the time for pain and fucking. See how the two don’t mix?”
He pushed off, swiping his face with an angry palm. “I’m tired. Too tired to keep fighting. I want you. I’ve wanted to make you scream for four fucking long days. I tried to behave. I tried to stop the darkness, but you just wouldn’t let it go. And now it’s my turn. You’re going to give me what I want. Take this obsessive sick need from me and help grant me a reprieve.”
Michelle: Could you please give me images of who you think best represents Tess, Q and Brax.
Pepper: This I can’t do as in my mind they are who they are. Have a look at my account on pinterest.
http://www.pinterest.com/pepperwinters/boards/ to see some images based on Q and Tess along with a bunch of teasers :)
Michelle: Just a warning for younger chickens not to be looking at this pinterest site. Only for mature eyes.
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| I love this image as it really set Q's tattoo in my mind. I love it. |
xxx
Pepper: Thanks so much, Michelle. It was awesome to share a bit about me and to be on your blog! <3 font="" nbsp="">
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I jerked upright, ignoring the pain of his elbow. I feinted to the side, kicking his kneecap. His leg gave out, but he caught himself on the edge of the table. “Don’t fight. You’ll only make it worse.”
How many times had I heard that? And every time it turned out to be the truth. But I couldn’t not fight. I’d never be able to live with myself.
I breathed so hard my lungs ached. I looked frantically for the stairs. Where the hell were the fucking stairs?
I made to run, just as Q recovered. He lurched and wrapped arms around my heaving chest, dragging us to the floor. We landed in a pile of limbs, my rib screaming. Q’s fly was undone, trousers hanging precariously on his hips. My knickers were bunched to the side and oversensitive flesh swollen, needing a release. No! I’m not turned on. I’m not broken. Not yet.
Manic possession scorched his eyes, and I slapped him. Q reared back, lips twisted. Violence bristled as he slammed me down, securing himself above.
I froze, locking my knees together so he couldn’t settle between my legs. He clutched my chin, forcing me to look deep into his gaze. “What are you?”
I squirmed, hating the hunger in his voice, echoing the budding need in mine. I was sick to think I ever wanted this with Brax. But I never wanted this with Brax. I wanted light role-play, tame bondage, nothing like this. Please, not like this.
Q shocked me silent as he kissed my throat. He lingered, breathing deep. My stomach flipped. Pulling back, shock resonated in his face, as if he hadn’t meant to resort to being gentle.
A conflict of emotions skittered in his eyes, dampening undisguised lust, twisting it into something else. He sounded regretful, “Say it, and I’ll let you go. I won’t hurt you. I won’t rape you. Not tonight.”
I bit my lip. If I said it, I threw myself at his mercy, but if I didn’t say it, I’d be raped and I couldn’t handle that. Not after the trauma of everything. Not after my entire world dumped me and left me bereft. Especially not with my body being enemy number one.
“Esclave, say it.” His mouth tickled my ear again, words vibrating through flesh.
My fight drained, the will to disobey unspooled into meekness. “Yours,” I breathed, sick to my stomach, wanting to scrub my mouth out.
He kissed me, so, so softly, smelling like mint and lust—if lust had a smell. “Again.”
I shook my head, trying to get free. Q’s arms banded tighter, dragging me against his rock hard erection. “Don’t test me. My strength to let you go is almost at breaking point. Push again, and I won’t be able to stop.”
“Why hesitate? That’s what you mean to do, isn’t it? Ruin me. Keep me captive. A sex slave. Treat me like some animal to use and abuse?” I whispered, but my tone crackled with anger, fierce and bright.
“I don’t want to hurt you. I don’t want to take from you,” he murmured. My heart stopped. His tone hinted his thoughts—remorse.
“What do you want, then?” I raised an eyebrow in confusion.
Q paused, a flutter of fingers caressed my arm, imprisoning me, then stopped as if he did so unconsciously. “You know what I want, esclave.”
My heart hurt. I couldn’t keep up. One moment he touched as if I were an irreplaceable piece of art, the next he held me as if I was a bitch needing a lesson. He shook me, growling in my ear. “I need you to say it again, then you can go.”
Two options. Two decisions. Neither was easy. Both had consequences. But, for now, I chose the one protecting my virtue for another night.
I hung my head and murmured, “Yours.”
Pepper: Thanks so much, Michelle. It was awesome to share a bit about me and to be on your blog! <3 font="" nbsp="">
Goodreads Link:
Quintessentially Q:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18398089-quintessentially-q?from_search=true
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18398089-quintessentially-q?from_search=true
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Excerpt
I jerked upright, ignoring the pain of his elbow. I feinted to the side, kicking his kneecap. His leg gave out, but he caught himself on the edge of the table. “Don’t fight. You’ll only make it worse.”
How many times had I heard that? And every time it turned out to be the truth. But I couldn’t not fight. I’d never be able to live with myself.
I breathed so hard my lungs ached. I looked frantically for the stairs. Where the hell were the fucking stairs?
I made to run, just as Q recovered. He lurched and wrapped arms around my heaving chest, dragging us to the floor. We landed in a pile of limbs, my rib screaming. Q’s fly was undone, trousers hanging precariously on his hips. My knickers were bunched to the side and oversensitive flesh swollen, needing a release. No! I’m not turned on. I’m not broken. Not yet.
Manic possession scorched his eyes, and I slapped him. Q reared back, lips twisted. Violence bristled as he slammed me down, securing himself above.
I froze, locking my knees together so he couldn’t settle between my legs. He clutched my chin, forcing me to look deep into his gaze. “What are you?”
I squirmed, hating the hunger in his voice, echoing the budding need in mine. I was sick to think I ever wanted this with Brax. But I never wanted this with Brax. I wanted light role-play, tame bondage, nothing like this. Please, not like this.
Q shocked me silent as he kissed my throat. He lingered, breathing deep. My stomach flipped. Pulling back, shock resonated in his face, as if he hadn’t meant to resort to being gentle.
A conflict of emotions skittered in his eyes, dampening undisguised lust, twisting it into something else. He sounded regretful, “Say it, and I’ll let you go. I won’t hurt you. I won’t rape you. Not tonight.”
I bit my lip. If I said it, I threw myself at his mercy, but if I didn’t say it, I’d be raped and I couldn’t handle that. Not after the trauma of everything. Not after my entire world dumped me and left me bereft. Especially not with my body being enemy number one.
“Esclave, say it.” His mouth tickled my ear again, words vibrating through flesh.
My fight drained, the will to disobey unspooled into meekness. “Yours,” I breathed, sick to my stomach, wanting to scrub my mouth out.
He kissed me, so, so softly, smelling like mint and lust—if lust had a smell. “Again.”
I shook my head, trying to get free. Q’s arms banded tighter, dragging me against his rock hard erection. “Don’t test me. My strength to let you go is almost at breaking point. Push again, and I won’t be able to stop.”
“Why hesitate? That’s what you mean to do, isn’t it? Ruin me. Keep me captive. A sex slave. Treat me like some animal to use and abuse?” I whispered, but my tone crackled with anger, fierce and bright.
“I don’t want to hurt you. I don’t want to take from you,” he murmured. My heart stopped. His tone hinted his thoughts—remorse.
“What do you want, then?” I raised an eyebrow in confusion.
Q paused, a flutter of fingers caressed my arm, imprisoning me, then stopped as if he did so unconsciously. “You know what I want, esclave.”
My heart hurt. I couldn’t keep up. One moment he touched as if I were an irreplaceable piece of art, the next he held me as if I was a bitch needing a lesson. He shook me, growling in my ear. “I need you to say it again, then you can go.”
Two options. Two decisions. Neither was easy. Both had consequences. But, for now, I chose the one protecting my virtue for another night.
I hung my head and murmured, “Yours.”
Social Media Links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PepperWinters
Email: pepperwinters@gmail.com
GIVEAWAY TIME
two ebooks of Tears of Tess
and
one swag pack
and
one swag pack
Open International
My Kombi van and I will be heading on over to Carmen Jenner tomorrow for a Q & A and lots more... so come join in :) Mich
Hmmmm. Man. Normally this would not be my kind of book, but that excerpt....*fans self* I think I wanna read!!! Thanks for sharing Mich!!
ReplyDeleteRachel it is a dark read but you gotta get to the end. I think sometimes the darker reads come with a lot more passion because of the darkness of the character if that makes sense. There is a greater depth the author has to go to convince us about the dark romance they are writing about. It isn't always pretty , but they really become 3D reads for me. I read Consequences trilogy by Aleatha Romig and OH MY DEAR LORD that is a dark trilogy and very twisted. But, for an author to write like that , I take my hat off. Even her own mother just recently read it. I really liked Pepper's book as she makes no apologies about what she is writing about. It is DARK! Q is a tormented hero. I am absolutely busting for Quintessentially Q. I'm all about the Aussie Authors this month. I think you will like Welcome To Sugartown by Carmen Jenner too :D
DeleteI loved Tears of Tess and cannot wait for Quintessentially Q. I was at a loss for words after reading it, it was WOW. Thanks for sharing and great review.
ReplyDeleteWoot! Another Tears OF Tess satisfied reader :D
DeleteI love the idea of your Aussie Road trip. I'm finding more and more Aussie Indie authors that I have been loving lately. Pepper's book is on the top of my TBR. I just need to get my head and heart ready to read it because I hear it was intense.
ReplyDeleteHey Deb, Thanks for stopping by. Stay tuned for a lot more coming your way. OO yes, I would love to know what you think of Tears Of Tess. Yup! intense and complicated and ... and... and... but I loved it!
Deletex
Mich