~AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT~ with Pepper Winters

As many of you know, I absolutely LOVE the writing of Pepper Winters. So when she agreed to do an Author Spotlight and Interview with me I nearly peed my pants with excitement. 'Tears of Tess' was one of the most incredible stories I have read, and like many others, I am anxiously awaiting the sequel 'Quintessentially Q'.

(Monsters in the Dark #1)

About the Book

A New Adult Dark Contemporary Romance, not suitable for people sensitive to grief, slavery, and nonconsensual sex. 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?

(Monsters in the Dark #2)

Coming December 15, 2013

Synopsis

“All my life, I battled with the knowledge I was twisted… fucked up to want something so deliciously dark—wrong on so many levels. But then slave fifty-eight entered my world. Hissing, fighting, with a core of iron, she showed me an existence where two wrongs make a right."

Tess is Q’s completely. Q is Tess’s irrevocably. But now, they must learn the boundaries of their unconventional relationship, while Tess seeks vengeance on the men who sold her. Q made a blood-oath to deliver their corpses at Tess’s feet, and that’s just what he’ll do.

He may be a monster, but he’s Tess’s monster.

Excerpt from QQ

Q was all my nightmares, fantasies, and needs rolled into one bestial package. He was my drug of choice and I’d been craving him for four long days.

“Don’t fall for me.” He let go of my wrists to grab my shoulders. His touch was hot and his fingertips branded me with force. “I can’t be responsible for that.”

My heart beat too fast as I breathed in his scent of sandalwood and citrus. His body was so close, it befuddled me with lust and toe-curling need.

“Be responsible for what?” I took a risk and ducked my head to kiss him on his forearm. The corded muscle leapt beneath my lips and he let go as if I’d bitten him.

“Your heart. I’m sure to break other parts of you, but I don’t want the curse of breaking your heart.”

“You can’t break something that is given freely.” A small part of me wanted him to say he’d treasure it, guard it, and nurture it forever, but that softness wasn’t there yet.

He struggled every day with my demands and expectations. I knew he did. I saw it in his eyes, the way he watched me with a mixture of awe and annoyance, even a touch of fear. One moment he’d answer my seemingly harmless question, the next he’d shut me out as easily as a storm cloud swallows the moon.

Every day I kept prying, kept prodding. Being a pest and a nuisance, waiting for the day when his self-control snapped and tore me into pieces.

(OMG OMG OMG I am so unbelievably excited for this release!!! I plan on staying up ALL NIGHT to read QQ!)

Upcoming books

Synopsis

A New Adult Dark Contemporary Romance, not suitable for people sensitive to slavery, cruelty, and non-consensual sex. A story about a killer with no remorse, a woman living in nightmares, and a future that binds them in servitude. 

***

I’m named after the blackest of shadows. Conjured from earth, created by demons, molded by fire to become the perfect killer. I need no-one. I feel nothing. I am nobody…until her. 

***

My name is of no consequence, they sometimes call me whore, slut, or possession. I dance by night and waste away by day. Every foul moment of this life is replaced with my hopes and dreams, inked onto my skin for the world to see. I have a promise to keep. I will be free—it’s only a matter of time…until him.

Interview with Pepper Winters

Hi there! Thanks so much for taking the time to do this interview with me. As you know, Tears of Tess has easily become my favorite book, and I am beyond excited for Quintessentially Q! You really have an amazing way of putting words to paper, and I admire that very much. I cannot wait to see what else you have in store for us readers!

Tears of Tess was a very dark book. How did you come up with the idea for the story, and for Q’s character?

"I didn’t really set out for it to be dark, dark, but as I got to know the characters it twisted and changed and Q was born.  And I wouldn’t change him for the world."

Will Quintessentially Q be the last book in this series, or are you planning others in the future?

"This is a tough question. It all depends on how the story ends in this one, and if the audience wants more. I do have ideas for a third and final story so that might just happen. However, if it does QQ will NOT end on a cliffhanger and you won’t have to read the next one for closure—it’s only if you don’t want to let the characters go."

If Tears of Tess was made into a movie, who would be your ideal cast?

"LOL I have no idea. I’d love some suggestions though!"

When you were a little girl, what did you dream of being when you grew up? Did you always aspire to be a writer?

"Writer was my top one yes. I’ve always been so addicted with the written word that I hope to make this my full time career."

Who or what is your main influence(s) in your writing?

"Not one thing persay. I take my influences from my travels, music, people walking past my window. I like to think I get my muse from everywhere "

What author’s writing do you particularly admire most, and why?

"Laini Taylor as she’s so lyrical with her words and creates amazing pictures in my mind."

What is the one book you could read over and over again without ever growing tired of it?

"Um, tricky. Possibly Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor but I couldn’t read it 24 / 7 days a week kinda thing. I love diversity. I love finding different voices and storylines."

If you get “writers block”, what do you do to help yourself break free from it?

"Get up, stretch, go on facebook or plan my next holiday "

What has been the most difficult part about becoming an author?

"Spending the time and energy to market myself when I should be dedicating a lot of time to writing. It really is a fulltime job. But I love chatting on FB and meeting bloggers, authors, and fans so I’m a bit addicted."

When reading a romance novel (or erotica), do you prefer a HOT, sexy bad boy, a sweet & romantic good guy, or a dark and mysterious man?

"Dark and mysterious with sex appeal  Yum. Can I have one now?"

What is your biggest pet peeve?

"People bitching behind your back. Be a man and say it to someone’s face. I can’t stand falseness either."

What is one thing that your fans may not know about you as a person?

"Um, I used to play the flute when I was young. I gave up because I hated my teacher lol"

If you could give just ONE piece of advice for aspiring authors, what would it be?

"Market, write, market, write. Do both of those constantly and you’ll stand a chance of making it "

What do you have planned after Quintessentially Q is released? What can us as fans look forward to?

I have a bunch of stuff coming out. Last Shadow is soon to be announced. You can find the link here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18403217-last-shadow?from_search=true

Contact Pepper Winters

FACEBOOK / GOODREADS / WEBSITE / TWITTER

E-MAIL: pepperwinters@gmail.com