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Monsters in the Dark #1
Tears of Tess
“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?
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.
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?
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.
376 pages, Paperback
First published August 30, 2013
About the author
Pepper Winters
89 books16.7k followersPepper Winters is a multiple New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today International Bestseller.
She currently has thirty books released in nine languages. She’s hit best-seller lists (USA Today, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal) thirty-three times. She dabbles in multiple genres, ranging from Dark Romance to Coming of Age.
After chasing her dreams to become a full-time writer, Pepper has earned recognition with awards for best Dark Romance, best BDSM Series, and best Hero. She’s an multiple #1 iBooks bestseller, along with #1 in Erotic Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, and Erotica Thriller. With 20 books currently published, she has hit the bestseller charts twenty-nine times in three years.
Pepper is a Hybrid Author of both Traditional and Self-published work. Her Pure Corruption Series was released by Grand Central, Hachette.
Her books have garnered foreign interest and are currently being translated into numerous languages, including already released titles in Italian, French, Hebrew, German, and Turkish.
NEWSLETTER: http://www.subscribepage.com/www.pepp...
Or follow her on her website
www.pepperwinters.com
She loves mail of any kind: [email protected]
You can stalk her here:
Pinterest/Pepperwinters
Facebook Pepper Winters
Twitter @pepperwinters
Blog pepperwinters.wordpress.com
She currently has thirty books released in nine languages. She’s hit best-seller lists (USA Today, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal) thirty-three times. She dabbles in multiple genres, ranging from Dark Romance to Coming of Age.
After chasing her dreams to become a full-time writer, Pepper has earned recognition with awards for best Dark Romance, best BDSM Series, and best Hero. She’s an multiple #1 iBooks bestseller, along with #1 in Erotic Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, and Erotica Thriller. With 20 books currently published, she has hit the bestseller charts twenty-nine times in three years.
Pepper is a Hybrid Author of both Traditional and Self-published work. Her Pure Corruption Series was released by Grand Central, Hachette.
Her books have garnered foreign interest and are currently being translated into numerous languages, including already released titles in Italian, French, Hebrew, German, and Turkish.
NEWSLETTER: http://www.subscribepage.com/www.pepp...
Or follow her on her website
www.pepperwinters.com
She loves mail of any kind: [email protected]
You can stalk her here:
Pinterest/Pepperwinters
Facebook Pepper Winters
Twitter @pepperwinters
Blog pepperwinters.wordpress.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,016 reviews
August 18, 2013
5 sparrow stars
Tess Snow is a twenty year old college student who lives with her boyfriend, Brax, in Austarila. Brax and Tess have a good relationship. It’s sweet, simple, easy.
Brax is everything Tess could ever want in a boyfriend. Everything with them is perfect. Except their sex life. Tess has always had different wants and needs than her boyfriend. She wants to try to step out of the box with Brax, and what better time to do that then on their vacation to Cancun?
While on vacation, the unthinkable happens to Tess. She is taken. Stolen. Kidnapped to be sold. Tess tries to find ways to escape, get out, but she is unsuccessful. She doesn’t make it easy on the kidnappers, she fights.
When Tess gets to her new home, she is surprised. It is big and beautiful. She meets her new master. His name is Q. She doesn’t know much about Q. All she knows is he is French, rich, handsome, and he owns her. That makes him a monster in her eyes.
Even though she knows these things about Q, there is something about him that excites her. She hates how she responds to him. She feels something for him that she’s never felt before. All those things she has always wanted and tried to hide... thats no longer possible.
Q has some dark desires, but he’s not the typical dark and sadistic master. You can tell throughout the story he goes back and forth trying to keep his wants and desires in check. He doesn’t want to go to far, but Tess has her own wants and desires. She has a way of pushing Q, bringing out the side of him he tries to cage.
‘Come for me, esclave.’
How far is too far? Tess is a strong character. She is not easily broken. She will do anything for her freedom. But she’s fighting a battle. A battle between her mind and her body.
Q and Tess...There is so much I want to say about Q’s character, but I don’t want to spoil any of the book. There were a few things about him I assumed, but also a few things about him that surprised me. I love a good damaged man, so you know I loved Q. He was just irresistible. And the french... I could just imagine his accent and it made me melt. Tess was tough. She was resilient. She knew what she wanted, and she went after it. I respected her for that. I loved Q and Tess separately, but I loved them more together.
This was a fantastic read. It captivated me from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down. We read this story from Tess’s perspective, but we get a nice epilogue from Q’s p.o.v. Beautiful. Emotional. Conflicting. Sexy. Edgy. All those things and more.
I was expecting this to be a little darker and more disturbing. It had it’s dark moments, but it wasn’t as much of a mindfuck as I expected it to be. It didn’t make me enjoy it any less. For those of you that don’t love the dark and disturbing reads, it will probably be on the dark side for you. There were a few scenes that were on the dark and twisted side, but not as many as I was expecting. Overall, I was very impressed with this debut novel. A 5 star read for me and going on my favorites shelf! Anyone looking for a semi-dark, unconventional love story with some bdsm, give it a go! I am looking forward to reading more from this author in the future!
**ARC kindly provided by author, Pepper Winters, in an exchange for an honest review.**
Tess Snow is a twenty year old college student who lives with her boyfriend, Brax, in Austarila. Brax and Tess have a good relationship. It’s sweet, simple, easy.
Brax wanted me. Brax was safe. I loved him in my own way.
Brax is everything Tess could ever want in a boyfriend. Everything with them is perfect. Except their sex life. Tess has always had different wants and needs than her boyfriend. She wants to try to step out of the box with Brax, and what better time to do that then on their vacation to Cancun?
While on vacation, the unthinkable happens to Tess. She is taken. Stolen. Kidnapped to be sold. Tess tries to find ways to escape, get out, but she is unsuccessful. She doesn’t make it easy on the kidnappers, she fights.
I would never give up. I would fight until I died.After being held into captivity for a while, she finds out she is leaving Mexico, going to an undisclosed location. She is going to her master. This terrifies her more than anything.
Three little words. If anyone asked what I was most afraid of, what terrified me, stole my breath, and made my life flicker before my eyes, I would say three little words.
I was sold.
When Tess gets to her new home, she is surprised. It is big and beautiful. She meets her new master. His name is Q. She doesn’t know much about Q. All she knows is he is French, rich, handsome, and he owns her. That makes him a monster in her eyes.
Even though she knows these things about Q, there is something about him that excites her. She hates how she responds to him. She feels something for him that she’s never felt before. All those things she has always wanted and tried to hide... thats no longer possible.
I hated him, knew what he did was wrong, but my body, shit, my body didn’t care.
Q has some dark desires, but he’s not the typical dark and sadistic master. You can tell throughout the story he goes back and forth trying to keep his wants and desires in check. He doesn’t want to go to far, but Tess has her own wants and desires. She has a way of pushing Q, bringing out the side of him he tries to cage.
‘Come for me, esclave.’
How far is too far? Tess is a strong character. She is not easily broken. She will do anything for her freedom. But she’s fighting a battle. A battle between her mind and her body.
“After tonight, every time I say your name you’ll get wet for me. I not only own your body but your identity, too. Do you deny it?”She starts to feel things she never imagined she would feel while in captivity.
“No, I don’t deny it. I’m yours. Through and through.”
‘Monsters find each other in the dark.’
I’d never felt this way. This uninhibited. This free.
I finally found a place where my twistedness belonged. In Q’s arms.
‘He opened my cage and allowed me to fly. I can’t stop it if my freedom is here.’
Q and Tess...There is so much I want to say about Q’s character, but I don’t want to spoil any of the book. There were a few things about him I assumed, but also a few things about him that surprised me. I love a good damaged man, so you know I loved Q. He was just irresistible. And the french... I could just imagine his accent and it made me melt. Tess was tough. She was resilient. She knew what she wanted, and she went after it. I respected her for that. I loved Q and Tess separately, but I loved them more together.
‘Je suis à toi’. I am yours.
‘Nous sommes les uns des autres.’ We are each others.
This was a fantastic read. It captivated me from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down. We read this story from Tess’s perspective, but we get a nice epilogue from Q’s p.o.v. Beautiful. Emotional. Conflicting. Sexy. Edgy. All those things and more.
I was expecting this to be a little darker and more disturbing. It had it’s dark moments, but it wasn’t as much of a mindfuck as I expected it to be. It didn’t make me enjoy it any less. For those of you that don’t love the dark and disturbing reads, it will probably be on the dark side for you. There were a few scenes that were on the dark and twisted side, but not as many as I was expecting. Overall, I was very impressed with this debut novel. A 5 star read for me and going on my favorites shelf! Anyone looking for a semi-dark, unconventional love story with some bdsm, give it a go! I am looking forward to reading more from this author in the future!
**ARC kindly provided by author, Pepper Winters, in an exchange for an honest review.**
June 12, 2023
I can't... I just... My god, the heroine of this book...
To say that this book is predictable would be an understatement of the century.
The first twenty, or so, present of the book are uses to introduce us to the heroine and her boyfriend. They have the most boring relationship on the planet. She loves him, thinks he's great and hopes that he will propose to her. At the same time, every time she says something good about him, she always adds that he can't satisfy her sexually. He is so great, so amazing, she just wished he would tie her up, or spank her once in a blue moon. But he is so great. Sometimes she even blabs it out loud, but he is all "don't be weird, let's forget you ever said that"
The boyfriend has planned a secret trip. The secret doesn't last long though. They get to the airport and are asked to show they traveling documents. Excitement dies when the girl at the airport asks "Do you want your bags checked all the way to Cancun?" Beside it being a badly planned secret, another thing bugged me; if they are traveling to Mexico, why would they want their bags checked somewhere else? What a stupid question to ask.
At some point later, the boyfriend whips it out a jewelry box and says "I got something for you". She is all "Aww." It turns out it's a promise bracelet. See, he is great! She just wishes he would bend her over over some furniture once in a while. But other than that, he is a fantastic boyfriend. Aw, and the bracelet is beautiful, it promises so much. Anywho.
They arrived to Cancun. She is all "I'll show you how much I love you," changes into a sexy little number and whips out a vibrator. Here I thought "Ok, it's happening, sexy time"
I was sure her boyfriend was going to be all:
Nope!
We don't get to know what his reaction is, because she jumps in and starts explaining that she wanted to spice things up, starts apologizing and next thing you know, 20 seconds later he is coming while she is just lying there. But still, he is great, so great, she loves him so.
They go on to have a great time, cruising on a scooter around Cancun. They stop to get a drink at some god forsaken place and she gets kidnapped by a group of dudes, who beet her boyfriend up and delivers her to Q.
Of course it's horrible, she just got kidnapped and sold to some French dude. She still thinks of her boyfriend and how much she misses him. But damn if Q's sadistic ways doesn't make her feel good. But of course she get all hot and bothered for him, remember, one third of the book was used to tell us readers about her fantasizing about kink. I can't help but think that her earlier fantasies were used to justify what happens later in the book. It's like saying "Yeah, it's horrible, but remember her wanting that in the beginning of the book? So it's all good."
Then later she gets an opportunity to escape and runs. She knows she is in France, but has no clue what part of the country. But she plans to get ahold of a phone and tell her boyfriend that she is on a way to the Australian embassy to get papers fixed and will be coming home. Son of a mother f*cker, you have no freaking clue where you are!!! Ugh!
She gets to barrow a phone with an intention to call her boyfriend to tell him where she is and who took her. It rings and rings, he doesn't pic up and she leaves him a voicemail while wondering "Omg, is he dead? Did they kill him, omg." At this point, she has been in captivity for three weeks.
Dead people don't charge their phones, you dumb ass!
Don't even get me started on the fact that she cut her tracking device off, so she won't be fallowed, just to throw it on a floor of a moving car SHE WAS IN! The amount of stupidity this heroine possesses is mind-blowing.
Then there was some SA. Of course Q came running to rescue her. Remember how she got rid of her tracking device?
Later it turned out that he is not a bad guy at all. He actually buys women to save them. The fact that he, at the beginning, threatened her not to escape, put a tracking device on her, used starvations as a punishment, allowed his friend to SA her with a knife handle and called her a bitch after she was raped by coupe of guys, while trying to escape, is beyond the point. He is a good guy at heart, that's all the author wants you to know.
Oh, and right after (the very same day he brought her back home after her attempted escape), she felt broken. Broken as in "He is my master, I belong to him, I will never run again. Do what you want with me."
I just had to DNF the book after that. I felt my brain cells were dying with every page I read.
To say that this book is predictable would be an understatement of the century.
The first twenty, or so, present of the book are uses to introduce us to the heroine and her boyfriend. They have the most boring relationship on the planet. She loves him, thinks he's great and hopes that he will propose to her. At the same time, every time she says something good about him, she always adds that he can't satisfy her sexually. He is so great, so amazing, she just wished he would tie her up, or spank her once in a blue moon. But he is so great. Sometimes she even blabs it out loud, but he is all "don't be weird, let's forget you ever said that"
The boyfriend has planned a secret trip. The secret doesn't last long though. They get to the airport and are asked to show they traveling documents. Excitement dies when the girl at the airport asks "Do you want your bags checked all the way to Cancun?" Beside it being a badly planned secret, another thing bugged me; if they are traveling to Mexico, why would they want their bags checked somewhere else? What a stupid question to ask.
At some point later, the boyfriend whips it out a jewelry box and says "I got something for you". She is all "Aww." It turns out it's a promise bracelet. See, he is great! She just wishes he would bend her over over some furniture once in a while. But other than that, he is a fantastic boyfriend. Aw, and the bracelet is beautiful, it promises so much. Anywho.
They arrived to Cancun. She is all "I'll show you how much I love you," changes into a sexy little number and whips out a vibrator. Here I thought "Ok, it's happening, sexy time"
I was sure her boyfriend was going to be all:
Nope!
We don't get to know what his reaction is, because she jumps in and starts explaining that she wanted to spice things up, starts apologizing and next thing you know, 20 seconds later he is coming while she is just lying there. But still, he is great, so great, she loves him so.
They go on to have a great time, cruising on a scooter around Cancun. They stop to get a drink at some god forsaken place and she gets kidnapped by a group of dudes, who beet her boyfriend up and delivers her to Q.
Of course it's horrible, she just got kidnapped and sold to some French dude. She still thinks of her boyfriend and how much she misses him. But damn if Q's sadistic ways doesn't make her feel good. But of course she get all hot and bothered for him, remember, one third of the book was used to tell us readers about her fantasizing about kink. I can't help but think that her earlier fantasies were used to justify what happens later in the book. It's like saying "Yeah, it's horrible, but remember her wanting that in the beginning of the book? So it's all good."
Then later she gets an opportunity to escape and runs. She knows she is in France, but has no clue what part of the country. But she plans to get ahold of a phone and tell her boyfriend that she is on a way to the Australian embassy to get papers fixed and will be coming home. Son of a mother f*cker, you have no freaking clue where you are!!! Ugh!
She gets to barrow a phone with an intention to call her boyfriend to tell him where she is and who took her. It rings and rings, he doesn't pic up and she leaves him a voicemail while wondering "Omg, is he dead? Did they kill him, omg." At this point, she has been in captivity for three weeks.
Dead people don't charge their phones, you dumb ass!
Don't even get me started on the fact that she cut her tracking device off, so she won't be fallowed, just to throw it on a floor of a moving car SHE WAS IN! The amount of stupidity this heroine possesses is mind-blowing.
Then there was some SA. Of course Q came running to rescue her. Remember how she got rid of her tracking device?
Later it turned out that he is not a bad guy at all. He actually buys women to save them. The fact that he, at the beginning, threatened her not to escape, put a tracking device on her, used starvations as a punishment, allowed his friend to SA her with a knife handle and called her a bitch after she was raped by coupe of guys, while trying to escape, is beyond the point. He is a good guy at heart, that's all the author wants you to know.
Oh, and right after (the very same day he brought her back home after her attempted escape), she felt broken. Broken as in "He is my master, I belong to him, I will never run again. Do what you want with me."
I just had to DNF the book after that. I felt my brain cells were dying with every page I read.
August 13, 2017
This is was the first Pepper Winters' book that I read, and I have no regrets. None at all.
After reading this book , I'd found my favorite author.
Everything Pepper Winters writes, I will read it because I know that it won't be disappointing.
This book is one of my unforgettable reads. It is that good.
I should say this before I review this book that it's a Dark Contemporary Romance, not suitable for people sensitive to grief, slavery and non consensual sex.
Tears of Tess is about 20 year old Tess Snow who lives with her boyfriend Brax.
Their relationship is good and sweet, but even though Brax means absolutely everything to Tess, their sex life isn't as good.
So while on vacation with each other, Tess gets unexpectedly kidnapped.
She is taken from Brax and sold.
Tess does everything she can to escape her kidnappers, but she always fails.
That doesn't stop her from fighting her kidnappers for freedom, but even though she tries at every opportunity, she's always unsuccessful.
Tess gets held in captivity for awhile, but then she later finds out that she's leaving for Mexico to meet her new Master.
When Tess goes to her new home, she's amazed more than anything.
Her new home is beautiful.
Her new master's name is Q.
He's French, handsome and rich.
He also owns Tess completely.
I first read this book ages ago, and I've read it again a few times because I adore this book.
I'm still confused as to why I haven't reviewed this book before, because it should've been on the top of my to do list.
I'm going to have reread this book anyways, because I need to read the 3rd book to which I haven't read yet!
I'm telling you, trying to fit in writing and do a little bit of reading in the same day, is tricky.
I wish the days were longer.
I'm finding that reviewing books is kind of fun actually.
As you can tell I haven't stopped reviewing books for the last 2/3 days.
It makes you think though, and that's a good thing in my case.
It's weird giving my personal opinion about something, because I'm one of those people that keep my opinions to myself, so to share my opinions with you is a good feeling, a feeling I'm not entirely used to. Yet.
Back to the book, I don't think I've read a BDSM/Dark book that tops Tears of Tess.
Maybe I haven't read a book like that yet, so I'm always open to books with a Dark vibe in it.
It's really strange because I'm always drawn to books with the genre Dark in it, and I don't know if that should be worrying or not, but books like that tend to be on my favorites list more than any other genre! xD
But saying that, Tears of Tess is one of those books I just want to treasure for the rest of my life.
After reading this book , I'd found my favorite author.
Everything Pepper Winters writes, I will read it because I know that it won't be disappointing.
This book is one of my unforgettable reads. It is that good.
I should say this before I review this book that it's a Dark Contemporary Romance, not suitable for people sensitive to grief, slavery and non consensual sex.
Tears of Tess is about 20 year old Tess Snow who lives with her boyfriend Brax.
Their relationship is good and sweet, but even though Brax means absolutely everything to Tess, their sex life isn't as good.
So while on vacation with each other, Tess gets unexpectedly kidnapped.
She is taken from Brax and sold.
Tess does everything she can to escape her kidnappers, but she always fails.
That doesn't stop her from fighting her kidnappers for freedom, but even though she tries at every opportunity, she's always unsuccessful.
Tess gets held in captivity for awhile, but then she later finds out that she's leaving for Mexico to meet her new Master.
When Tess goes to her new home, she's amazed more than anything.
Her new home is beautiful.
Her new master's name is Q.
He's French, handsome and rich.
He also owns Tess completely.
I first read this book ages ago, and I've read it again a few times because I adore this book.
I'm still confused as to why I haven't reviewed this book before, because it should've been on the top of my to do list.
I'm going to have reread this book anyways, because I need to read the 3rd book to which I haven't read yet!
I'm telling you, trying to fit in writing and do a little bit of reading in the same day, is tricky.
I wish the days were longer.
I'm finding that reviewing books is kind of fun actually.
As you can tell I haven't stopped reviewing books for the last 2/3 days.
It makes you think though, and that's a good thing in my case.
It's weird giving my personal opinion about something, because I'm one of those people that keep my opinions to myself, so to share my opinions with you is a good feeling, a feeling I'm not entirely used to. Yet.
Back to the book, I don't think I've read a BDSM/Dark book that tops Tears of Tess.
Maybe I haven't read a book like that yet, so I'm always open to books with a Dark vibe in it.
It's really strange because I'm always drawn to books with the genre Dark in it, and I don't know if that should be worrying or not, but books like that tend to be on my favorites list more than any other genre! xD
But saying that, Tears of Tess is one of those books I just want to treasure for the rest of my life.
August 15, 2017
★★★★★! Tears of Tess, book 1 of 3.5. Tess’ dark journey of sexual exploration as she meets her new owner, the enigmatic Q!
“I’m not afraid of hurting you. I’m afraid of how far I’m willing to go.”
This series should be read in order:
Book 1: Tears of Tess
Book 2: Quintessentially Q
Book 3: Twisted Together
Part 3.5: Je suis a’ toi
Tears of Tess (book 1) opens up to Tess Snow, Tessie aka Esclave traveling with her boyfriend Brax to Cancun, Mexico. On a daytrip sightseeing on a motorbike Tess is kidnapped, leaving Brax for dead and her future in jeopardy. After a gruesome time in captivity, abused, starved, mishandled and violated on many levels she is sold and hand delivered to her new master, Q aka Quincy Mercer, a wealthy Frenchman living in a chateau somewhere in France. But Tess has no interest is submitting nor accepting her new master and puts up a fight.
Their attraction is palpable putting both their lives in tailspins and their sexual desires under scrutiny. Tess doesn’t want to like Q, yet she desires him. Q is hot-cold and an enigma. He warns her of the monster inside of him, which will unfold with story. But rest assure, not everything is as it seems. This is Tess journey of sexual exploration and growth under the backdrop of her captivity by Q.
Seven words to describe Quincy Mercer, Q: Aloof, complex, noble, elusive, broken, conflicted and commanding.
Seven words to describe Tess Snow, Tessie aka Esclave: Fiery, strong, determined, observant, conflicted, evolving and contradictive.
Tears of Tess takes us on a dark at times brutal journey. I am very happy were it left Tess and Q. That said, I am both curious AND nervous where book 2, Quintessentially Q will take me!
Suspenseful and dark plot! Excellent story-telling! Swoon-worthy and unforgettable hero! Solid 5 stars!
“Only think of me and what I’m doing. There is intimacy in pain esclave. Let me make your pain my pleasure.”
***
Hero rating: 5 stars
Heroine rating: 4.5 stars
Sexual tension rating: 5 stars
Sex scenes rating: 5 stars
Sex scenes frequency: 4 stars
Plot rating: 5 stars
Dialogue rating: 5 stars
Storytelling rating: 5 stars
Story ending rating: N/A
Book editing rating (5 = no edits spotted): N/A
************************************************
Overall rating: 5 stars
Would I recommend this series: Yes.
Would I re-read this series: Maybe later.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.
ARC provided to me by Patchwork Press, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
December 19, 2021
ESCLAVE!!
A title, a nom, a designation.
It signified a girl stripped, humiliated, beaten, taken and SOLD!!.
Life almost ends for Tess Summers on a holiday with her boyfriend, till Q Mercer decides to play God & abduct her. He changes the course of her life, encroaching on her personal space physically & mentally. She's reduced to nothing but a Barcode & number
“You Stole my loneliness. I may have given you wings, but you've become my gravity. I'll never be free of your force.”
It's bleak & unfathomable kind of story. But this book becomes a benchmark in Dark Romance and a measuring tool for addicts like me. Every book I'll ever read hereafter shall be compared to this magnificent lighthouse drowned in darkness to see if it measures up.
Written with brilliant insight, it's nuanced and detailed to the point of perfection.
The character devleopment, growth of Q is to be read to be believed. He steps out of the shadows teasing us with sparkling facets of his life which we shall see in th next books.
His fall for Tess is the most delightful to watch. Kinda like chickens coming home to roost 😜
“You may not be mine, but I’m fast becoming yours.”
I was enamoured by the steel in Tess. Her courage blew me away. Standing up to rock solid Quincy was no easy feat but the Dove manages to steal Q's heart and takes his pain & pleasure willingly
‘Q took everything from me, but he didn’t so much as steal it, as I gave it willingly. By allowing him to rule, he gave me something tangible. He allowed me to be me. To be real.’
Fantastic, pulsating and heart throbbing, this book just thrums with sexual chemistry.
My absolute fave by Pepper
5 stars for Je Suis à Toi
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A title, a nom, a designation.
It signified a girl stripped, humiliated, beaten, taken and SOLD!!.
Life almost ends for Tess Summers on a holiday with her boyfriend, till Q Mercer decides to play God & abduct her. He changes the course of her life, encroaching on her personal space physically & mentally. She's reduced to nothing but a Barcode & number
“You Stole my loneliness. I may have given you wings, but you've become my gravity. I'll never be free of your force.”
It's bleak & unfathomable kind of story. But this book becomes a benchmark in Dark Romance and a measuring tool for addicts like me. Every book I'll ever read hereafter shall be compared to this magnificent lighthouse drowned in darkness to see if it measures up.
Written with brilliant insight, it's nuanced and detailed to the point of perfection.
The character devleopment, growth of Q is to be read to be believed. He steps out of the shadows teasing us with sparkling facets of his life which we shall see in th next books.
His fall for Tess is the most delightful to watch. Kinda like chickens coming home to roost 😜
“You may not be mine, but I’m fast becoming yours.”
I was enamoured by the steel in Tess. Her courage blew me away. Standing up to rock solid Quincy was no easy feat but the Dove manages to steal Q's heart and takes his pain & pleasure willingly
‘Q took everything from me, but he didn’t so much as steal it, as I gave it willingly. By allowing him to rule, he gave me something tangible. He allowed me to be me. To be real.’
Fantastic, pulsating and heart throbbing, this book just thrums with sexual chemistry.
My absolute fave by Pepper
5 stars for Je Suis à Toi
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Shelved as 'will-not-finish'
January 30, 2022if anyone out there is planning to read for the sm*t sl*ts live (this sat), the book is now going to be priest by sierra simone!!
October 28, 2020
Triggers
*Rape
*Attempt to Rape
*Non-consensual sexual act
*Physical abuse and Violence
♤5▪Dark▪ Fairytale▪ Stars♤
Before starting my review I need to say this -
This book really opened my senses freed my thought process
And Girl, just because a man touches you without your consent that doesn’t make you filthy he Didn't degrade you he degraded Himself
I hope and pray all the rapist all the sinners burn in hell
"Your Lady Part Doesn’t Define You"
******THE REVIEW******
First things first this book is not for everyone you have to keep your mind open to read it
You will have to Think as Tess
Imagine yourself in Tess's position to understand her, all her actions, her and Q's relationship.
Tess Snow
"She was warrior who’d seen blood, stared monsters in the face,
and knew without a doubt her life would be hers again."
Tess taught me how to fight back in every situation. It is important to never give up on YOURSELF.
and it is not just about her being kidnapped and all those incidents she had to go through. It's about her whole life, she had to fight for everything relentlessly.
Again It's not about just surviving or passing another day It's about Living
She is someone who could break but not bend.
She is one of the most fierce female protagonists I came across. I don't know how I would have kept my sanity if I was her.
She is Actually a True Warrior in Every Sense.
Q
"No one touched me so tenderly. Never had my parents cuddled or offered comfort in their arms. I grew up never knowing how to hug or kiss or love."
People will call Q erotic but the minute I meet Q I felt him as a protective figure, someone with whom you feel safe.
My sixth sense was telling me this man isn't wrong. He can't be wrong.
I loved how Q took care of Tess after that horrific incident. I loved how didn’t treat her like a broken doll after those pricks took her without her consent (I can't even use the "R" word again it hurts too much)
He is the Dark Knight
Special Mention
Brax
“The truth hurts less than fibs and fakers.”
First of all, I wholeheartedly apologise that I called Brax Vanilla
It's not about a man being Vanilla or Choclate
It's about how you treat your girl
and Brax treats his girl beautifully.
But the question is Do you want to live with a man who doesn't make you feel safe ?
My Answer is NO!
We girls feel protected with our father right? I think we seek the same level of comfort and protectiveness in our respective husband or boyfriend.
It's not about your man being muscular or adventurous
It is about this feeling that he will fight for you with everything he had not just with goons but in every circumstance.
May be another girl will find this protectiveness with Brax, but he was not the right cut for Tess, and even if Tess didn't meet Q, Brax would not be the ultimate man for Tess.
My Ethics
I strictly keep my mind open whenever I read any dark romance. I did the same thing here.
I always imagine myself as the female protagonist whenever read a book.
So as Tess I would live and love Q and embrace his life and Taste.
But As ME Nope!
I don't think so I could come back to a place which haunted me.
That pain would be too much to bear.
Maybe I would convince Q to live somewhere else more vibrant and I would try to tame him.
If you see as a reader you will find that he had some deep issues, and Q's is fighting his demon and Tess is sort of feeding him.
Anyway there are two more books I hope they will figure out there problems and slove it like a fighter they are 🖤
and hopefully
LOVE WILL DEFEAT THOSE MONSTERS IN THE DARK
Happy Reading 🖤🖤
August 19, 2013
Actual rating: 2.5 Stars
It pains me to give this book anything below 4 stars, I really had high hopes when I started reading this book. The prologue was intriguing and for about 22% I was really enjoying the direction and pace of the story. But after that the story started losing it's allure for me, the captor wasn't what I expected. There is a very delicate balance when you are writing a captivity story, you have your two roles: Captive and Captor. When the line between the two starts to blur, you've lost me.
But I kept reading, hoping that it would get better. But unfortunately not. I guess the story was too predictable for me, in my opinion this story was a case of the characters had sadistic cravings or urges and couldn't accept this part of themselves. This is angst not dark. And when it comes to non-consent, I only know of one incident where non-consensual-sex occurred, the rest was just reluctance.
I am a huge fan of anti-heroes and have read many books with this type of character. The one thing that makes or brakes the book is an anti-hero who feels remorse too early in the story. Once again the story holds know allure for me. When it comes to the heroine, I'm all for a feisty and confident character. But when faced with imminent danger or the fight for survival, I expect a certain level of submissiveness. I'm sure this shows how absolutely screwed up I am, but it is what it is.
Teaser 1
Q stood below, looking up at me. Slowly, he inserted his middle finger into his mouth and sucked. His eyes flashed with so much darkness I would never see the night again and not think of him. His tongue licked his finger with intoxicating grace.
My lips parted as he mesmerized me. Somehow, focusing on him helped dispel my panic, reminded me that Q might be bad, but he definitely wasn’t the worst.
It was almost a relief when he reached for my hip to hold me steady, his fingers biting into flesh. Slowly he poked his finger through the fabric of the dress and found the dampness on my thigh. His eyes shot to mine. ��You continue to surprise me. I didn’t need to lick my finger after all.”
My cheeks pinked as he feathered his touch up my leg and stroked my entrance. His finger slipped in my wetness and a groan rumbled in his chest. He pulled me closer and like a pendulum I went—his to move where he wanted. Pressing his face on my chest, he thrust his finger inside me making my knees buckle and I swung slightly in my bindings.
His hand left my hip to wrap around my lower back, securing me tightly. “Ah, esclave. You continue to lie. Your body tells the truth.
Teaser 2
He reared back, his hand raised to strike. I fought the urge to curl into a little ball, and stared right into his turbulent gaze. “Do it. Hit me. At least the pain will leave a physical mark that you’ll have to see every day.”
He opened his mouth, but then shut it again. His hand dropped, settling limp on the bed. Something raw blazed in his gaze before he clambered off me, pacing in my small cage.
“What is your name?” he growled, still pacing. His suit crinkled, perfection marred.
“What does Q stand for?”
“What is your name?”
“Let me go and I’ll tell you.”
We stalemated, glaring once again. Day by day I was becoming a champion at staring competitions.
This one, though, I lost. Q’s gaze set fire to my blood. Smouldering and licking with unwanted lust. Misplaced lust. Lust that drove me mad with confusion and hatred for myself.
I dropped my eyes and waited. Just like that, I was his again.
An eerie sense of calm filled me. Obedience was a balm against the hardship of fighting. Why fight when I could make my life so much easier by becoming a robot? Turn off my feelings and do as he asked.
Q stepped forward, putting himself right between my legs. His belt was eye level and the heat blazing from his body cindered all my other emotions to dust.
He was male. I was female. That was all there was to it.
My hands moved on their own accord, reaching for his waist. Blissful vacancy filled me. I floated on a cloud of indifference as I pulled the leather free from loops and undid the buckle.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
It pains me to give this book anything below 4 stars, I really had high hopes when I started reading this book. The prologue was intriguing and for about 22% I was really enjoying the direction and pace of the story. But after that the story started losing it's allure for me, the captor wasn't what I expected. There is a very delicate balance when you are writing a captivity story, you have your two roles: Captive and Captor. When the line between the two starts to blur, you've lost me.
But I kept reading, hoping that it would get better. But unfortunately not. I guess the story was too predictable for me, in my opinion this story was a case of the characters had sadistic cravings or urges and couldn't accept this part of themselves. This is angst not dark. And when it comes to non-consent, I only know of one incident where non-consensual-sex occurred, the rest was just reluctance.
I am a huge fan of anti-heroes and have read many books with this type of character. The one thing that makes or brakes the book is an anti-hero who feels remorse too early in the story. Once again the story holds know allure for me. When it comes to the heroine, I'm all for a feisty and confident character. But when faced with imminent danger or the fight for survival, I expect a certain level of submissiveness. I'm sure this shows how absolutely screwed up I am, but it is what it is.
Teaser 1
Q stood below, looking up at me. Slowly, he inserted his middle finger into his mouth and sucked. His eyes flashed with so much darkness I would never see the night again and not think of him. His tongue licked his finger with intoxicating grace.
My lips parted as he mesmerized me. Somehow, focusing on him helped dispel my panic, reminded me that Q might be bad, but he definitely wasn’t the worst.
It was almost a relief when he reached for my hip to hold me steady, his fingers biting into flesh. Slowly he poked his finger through the fabric of the dress and found the dampness on my thigh. His eyes shot to mine. ��You continue to surprise me. I didn’t need to lick my finger after all.”
My cheeks pinked as he feathered his touch up my leg and stroked my entrance. His finger slipped in my wetness and a groan rumbled in his chest. He pulled me closer and like a pendulum I went—his to move where he wanted. Pressing his face on my chest, he thrust his finger inside me making my knees buckle and I swung slightly in my bindings.
His hand left my hip to wrap around my lower back, securing me tightly. “Ah, esclave. You continue to lie. Your body tells the truth.
Teaser 2
He reared back, his hand raised to strike. I fought the urge to curl into a little ball, and stared right into his turbulent gaze. “Do it. Hit me. At least the pain will leave a physical mark that you’ll have to see every day.”
He opened his mouth, but then shut it again. His hand dropped, settling limp on the bed. Something raw blazed in his gaze before he clambered off me, pacing in my small cage.
“What is your name?” he growled, still pacing. His suit crinkled, perfection marred.
“What does Q stand for?”
“What is your name?”
“Let me go and I’ll tell you.”
We stalemated, glaring once again. Day by day I was becoming a champion at staring competitions.
This one, though, I lost. Q’s gaze set fire to my blood. Smouldering and licking with unwanted lust. Misplaced lust. Lust that drove me mad with confusion and hatred for myself.
I dropped my eyes and waited. Just like that, I was his again.
An eerie sense of calm filled me. Obedience was a balm against the hardship of fighting. Why fight when I could make my life so much easier by becoming a robot? Turn off my feelings and do as he asked.
Q stepped forward, putting himself right between my legs. His belt was eye level and the heat blazing from his body cindered all my other emotions to dust.
He was male. I was female. That was all there was to it.
My hands moved on their own accord, reaching for his waist. Blissful vacancy filled me. I floated on a cloud of indifference as I pulled the leather free from loops and undid the buckle.
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
December 4, 2013
6 Captivating Stars!!!!!!!!!!!!
Words CAN.NOT describe what a beautiful, emotional, gut-wrenching, soul-searching kind of read Tears of Tess was for me.
I simply LOVED it!
My emotions through-out
At 1% when I read
I wanted a new label. One that said: girlfriend who will do anything to be tied, spanked, and fucked all over rather than adored
I just knew I was going into something special.
At 11% I was like OH SHIT!
At 30 % I had a big smile on my face
At 46 % I was just a BALL. OF. EMOTIONS!!!
At 68% I couldn’t tear away from my tablet, it was just so good.
At 86% my heart was beating a million miles
At 100% I just had a book orgasm.
[Summary]
Tess is an ordinary girl from Australia, with an ordinary boyfriend and an ordinary sex-life. But she wants more than the ordinary sex-life… something less conventional. Tess and her boyfriend go on Holiday to Cancun Mexico and all is well until she gets kidnapped and sold to a man who goes by the name of Q. Q is no ordinary Master. He’s no ordinary man and Tess has become his new Slave.
[Disclaimer]
Let’s put that disclaimer out there, because I will get asked this A LOT. First off, I wasn’t a fan of Captive and not because it was too dark. I couldn’t find any redeeming qualities in Caleb. So if you want to compare Tears of Tess to Captive, please do not. It’s not the same. Tears of Tess has its own unique writing style and plot. However, Tears of Tess does have the same feel as Captive, Consequences, and Killing Sarai. Hopefully that makes sense.
I hadn’t gone Stockholmy- I hated him, knew what he did was wrong, but my body, shit, my body didn’t care.
He would look after me as long as I pleased him
[Tess]
Tess is wonderful, she smart, strong, resilient, beautiful and the fact she is Australian just tickles me to no end. Tears of Tess is written from her POV and you completely, 100% FEEL FOR HER. I got her emotions, I got her struggles and yes at some times, I was gutted with shock and grief, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I loved her.
[Q]
Oh God. Q. I think that is my new favorite letter. I LOVED Q. I want to make babies with Q, I want him to use me, abuse me and do it all over again. Could Pepper have written a more perfectly, beautifully damaged character? I think not. Q was P.E.R.F.E.C.T. I saw the wealthy, controlled alpha male. I also saw the tortured and vulnerable monster. Q had such conflictions which rounded his character nicely.
Q moved with power and undeniable knowledge of perfect control.
I will learn who you are one day. That is a promise. And my promises are law
[Review]
The beginning starts out with a lot of character development on Tess’ part. You really get to know Tess and if you are like me, I love character development. I really got to know her and her issues. When Tess got kidnapped, I felt like I was jolted into a crazy ride and I loved it. It would not say Tears of Tess was a difficult read, I would say it was a dark read.
I love the power struggle between Tess and Q. Even though Q had all of the power, the chemistry between the Hero and Heroine just worked for me. The main reason why I love this book so much is because I understood Q. Even when he was sadistic, mean, and just didn’t seem to give a fuck, I got him and I loved him even more for it.
Only think of me and what I’m doing. There is intimacy in pain esclave. Let me make your pain my pleasure.
And the steam…. Yes they were my favorite parts. Let me clarify, I love steam, but kinky, very different and pushing the boundaries steam, well damn. I LOVE IT! Pepper did not disappoint. If you want something different, you will get it.
…put a man who wanted to hurt in front of me, with fucking on his mind and bondage in his thoughts, and I unraveled like the slut I’d become.
The monster roared, beating his cheats, salivating at the thought of what was to come.
Pepper is an excellent writer and I am completely shocked she wrote Tears of Tess in seven weeks. That’s pure fucking talent. I’ve said it before and I say it again. Reading books like Tears of Tess is the sole reason why I do what I do. It’s the reason why I pick up a book, write about it and let the world know, because when you write something that it just so beyond perfect, beautiful and good, EVERYONE should know.
An ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review
To read the prologue and it's good, visit, Jacqueline's ReadsI
August 22, 2013
♦ 4 STARS. ♦
Tears of Tess is an emotional, intriguing and captivating story that starts out with a very ominous prologue that managed to grab my attention form the very first page. After that there are some more disturbing scenes, it is a kidnapping story after all, but nothing that went over the edge of being too dark or disturbing.
Tears of Tess is the story of a young girl named Tess Snow who gets kidnapped while on vacation in Mexico. After that she is sold to a man who plans to own her as a slave...
"Three little words.
If anyone asked me what terrified me, stole my breath and made my life flicker before my eyes, I would say three little words.
I was sold."
During a vacation in Cancun with her boyfriend Brax, Tess falls into the hands of a Mexican human trafficking orginazation. The men treat her like an object rather than a human being. She tries to fight them, but the more she struggles the worse her future might turn out to be.
"If you behave, you will be sold to a gentleman who will treat you like a prized possesion. Lavish attention on you. Buy you whatever you want."
And then she's flown over to France and sold into the hands of her new Master, Q Mercer. A man whose commanding presense alone manages to make her tremble with fear and arouse her at the same time.
As the days pass by, Tess starts to form a friendship with some of the housemembers while at the same time learning more about her new Master. She's drawn to him, yet he manages to scare her away as well. He's a walking contradiction. One minute he seems concerned for her well-being, the next he's determined on breaking her and pushing her to see how far he can go before she cracks.
"You don't know anything, esclave. I want this. I've wanted this for too damn long, and you're wrong that it hurts. I'm not afraid of hurting you. I'm afraid of how far I'm willing to go."
It's obvious Q has some demons in his past that still haunt him to this day. He seems tortured by his memories and his secret desires and Tess's presense seems to bring out the worst in him. Or is it the best? Both Tess and Q struggle with their inner conflicting emotions and desires. But together they seem to be able to help each other discover their true selves.
I would have thought that Q And maybe that's where the blurb can be a little misleading. It makes you think .
There were some contradictions theoughout the story that made the story a little less convincing at times, most of them involved .
The epilogue was told from Q's point of view which provided an interesting change of set-up and I really liked getting to know what was going through his head during those last few scenes. It made Q seem like an even more intriguing and fascinating character and I was glad the author decided to include those scenes from his POV. I was impressed with the way the author managed to revoke so many emotions with her lyrical writing style. She managed to make both Q and Tess fascinating characters and it was interesting to follow their journey throughout the story.
"Monsters find each other in the dark."
Overall, Tears of Tess turned out to be a captivating story about loss, despair, love, hope, redemption and so much more. Pepper Winters managed to write a unique and memorable debut novel and I'm already looking forward to reading more of her work in the future! The story wasn't as dark and disturbing as I expected it to be, but I think that might be a good thing, because that way it might appeal to a wider range of readers!
So, don't let the blurb scare you off and find out for yourself just how far Q is really willing to go to show Tess his true nature...
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
**ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
March 17, 2021
"And I'll take what I want and pay for my own desires. Nightmares for my loneliness. The darkness for a friend."
My journey with Tess was unconventional; I started reading this book the day before the attack on the Capitol in DC, and my mojo was rightfully lost for about a week after. Even when I found myself wanting to read again, I was drawn to lighter, feel good romance over the dark stuff, as my anxiety has been on full alert this month for a variety of reasons. I thought maybe this book just wasn't for me, but the characters wouldn't let me go, so I picked it back up on a whim last night and managed to binge the entire remaining 60% of the story in one sitting! Moral of the story: sometimes you just have to shuffle books around to find the best timing to enjoy them.
"Don't stop living while you endure. And don't let the pain of your past stop you from being happy in this new life."
This book is considered a modern classic in the dark romance world, and it's taken me years to finally pick it up, despite the many recommendations for it that have been thrown my way. I wasn't sure precisely how dark it would be, as you can imagine from the synopsis, but I've read a plethora of dark fiction over the years and I think I would classify it as follows: there are a handful of pretty dark scenes (content warnings at the bottom for reference), but if you read dark romance or dark thrillers, this probably won't feel all that dark to you. If, however, you aren't accustomed to dark romance and explicit content, this will likely be triggering and overwhelming. How's that for not helpful?
In lieu of rehashing the synopsis, I'll say that the first 40% of the book covers the stage of the story between Tess and Brax's vacation, her being kidnapped and trafficked, and arriving at Q's manor. The remainder of the book felt a bit like a long prologue to the sequel. As I read, I wondered how on earth I would grow to adore Q as much as all the other readers of this series, but clearly there is a point where more information is granted and BOOM. *swoon* I really don't want to touch too much on the plot, but I will say that I'm very excited to continue to the next book and see these horrible monsters pay for their crimes in trafficking. Content Warnings for
My journey with Tess was unconventional; I started reading this book the day before the attack on the Capitol in DC, and my mojo was rightfully lost for about a week after. Even when I found myself wanting to read again, I was drawn to lighter, feel good romance over the dark stuff, as my anxiety has been on full alert this month for a variety of reasons. I thought maybe this book just wasn't for me, but the characters wouldn't let me go, so I picked it back up on a whim last night and managed to binge the entire remaining 60% of the story in one sitting! Moral of the story: sometimes you just have to shuffle books around to find the best timing to enjoy them.
"Don't stop living while you endure. And don't let the pain of your past stop you from being happy in this new life."
This book is considered a modern classic in the dark romance world, and it's taken me years to finally pick it up, despite the many recommendations for it that have been thrown my way. I wasn't sure precisely how dark it would be, as you can imagine from the synopsis, but I've read a plethora of dark fiction over the years and I think I would classify it as follows: there are a handful of pretty dark scenes (content warnings at the bottom for reference), but if you read dark romance or dark thrillers, this probably won't feel all that dark to you. If, however, you aren't accustomed to dark romance and explicit content, this will likely be triggering and overwhelming. How's that for not helpful?
In lieu of rehashing the synopsis, I'll say that the first 40% of the book covers the stage of the story between Tess and Brax's vacation, her being kidnapped and trafficked, and arriving at Q's manor. The remainder of the book felt a bit like a long prologue to the sequel. As I read, I wondered how on earth I would grow to adore Q as much as all the other readers of this series, but clearly there is a point where more information is granted and BOOM. *swoon* I really don't want to touch too much on the plot, but I will say that I'm very excited to continue to the next book and see these horrible monsters pay for their crimes in trafficking. Content Warnings for
May 8, 2017
2.5 stars
I really, really wanted to like this book. I read the reviews, and thought it would blow my mind. Something different. The story plot sounded great, and the reviews for the most part are great, but I just couldn't connect to this book. It wasn't even as dark as I expected. I have read a handful of Dark romances, and loved them, but this one didn't do much for me. I didn't really get it. Tess gave me whiplash she was so all over the place. I didn't connect to her at all. She made no sense to me. Q did nothing for me. Q was a very one dimensional character for me. I felt no depth, and nothing drew me to him. I didn't get what Tess saw in him. He just fell flat. I found myself bored for a good part of this book. The sex in this book did NOTHING for me, and their relationship made no sense to me. It took me 3 days to finish this book, and I normally whip through a book in a day. I can't even bring myself to read the next book in this series. I'm just like Whatevz!
I really, really wanted to like this book. I read the reviews, and thought it would blow my mind. Something different. The story plot sounded great, and the reviews for the most part are great, but I just couldn't connect to this book. It wasn't even as dark as I expected. I have read a handful of Dark romances, and loved them, but this one didn't do much for me. I didn't really get it. Tess gave me whiplash she was so all over the place. I didn't connect to her at all. She made no sense to me. Q did nothing for me. Q was a very one dimensional character for me. I felt no depth, and nothing drew me to him. I didn't get what Tess saw in him. He just fell flat. I found myself bored for a good part of this book. The sex in this book did NOTHING for me, and their relationship made no sense to me. It took me 3 days to finish this book, and I normally whip through a book in a day. I can't even bring myself to read the next book in this series. I'm just like Whatevz!
November 17, 2016
Attention Please! Pepper Winters shared bonus epilogue for this book!!! Pls click this link to download it. ;)
https://www.instafreebie.com/free/7mHYp
Enjoy your reading... :)
-----------------------------
Oh my sweet God! I definitely LOVED this dark and twisted love story. And I fucking enjoyed every damn second. :D
Q, Master, Maître, Quincy. I think you captivated me too... Oh God, I need help!!!
WARNING: Some parts of the book was really, really disturbing and not easy to read it. If you're under age 18, pls think twice and then read it. :)
-----------------------------
Remember my fingers inside you, esclave? Remember how wet you were? Even then, your body knew you belonged to me.
-----------------------------
QUOTES from the book. All of them are my favorites. And If you haven't read the book yet, I wouldn't recommend to you read them. ;)
“He licked his lips, worshipping awe and rapture in his gaze. “Je suis à toi.” I am yours.
I shook my head. “Nous sommes les uns des autres.” We are each other’s.”
“I’m not afraid of hurting you. I’m afraid of how far I’m willing to go.”
“Only think of me and what I’m doing. There is intimacy in pain esclave. Let me make your pain my pleasure.”
“Two things I wanted most in the world: for Q to die a miserable death, and for him to fuck me.”
“Q was no longer the devil.
He was my master and I belonged to him.”
“You think I’m done with you, esclave?” I nuzzled her ear, licking softly. “I’ve only just begun.”
“Remember my fingers inside you, esclave? Remember how wet you were? Even then, your body knew you belonged to me.”
“I promise to protect you, ravage you, hunt those who hurt you, and give you the life you deserve. My fortune is yours. My secrets are yours. And I will give you the corpses of the men who hurt you.”
“You stole my loneliness. I may have given you wings, but you've become my gravity. I'll never be free of your force.”
“I’m yours. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
He shook his head, temper flaring. “You’ve given up. You aren’t mine unless I make you mine!”
“Je suis a toi.”
“Monsters find each other in the dark.”
“You may not be mine but i'm fast becoming yours”
“I want to hurt you.
I want to own you.
I want to devour you.
I want to make you mine.
I’m already yours.”
https://www.instafreebie.com/free/7mHYp
Enjoy your reading... :)
-----------------------------
Oh my sweet God! I definitely LOVED this dark and twisted love story. And I fucking enjoyed every damn second. :D
Q, Master, Maître, Quincy. I think you captivated me too... Oh God, I need help!!!
WARNING: Some parts of the book was really, really disturbing and not easy to read it. If you're under age 18, pls think twice and then read it. :)
-----------------------------
Remember my fingers inside you, esclave? Remember how wet you were? Even then, your body knew you belonged to me.
-----------------------------
QUOTES from the book. All of them are my favorites. And If you haven't read the book yet, I wouldn't recommend to you read them. ;)
“He licked his lips, worshipping awe and rapture in his gaze. “Je suis à toi.” I am yours.
I shook my head. “Nous sommes les uns des autres.” We are each other’s.”
“I’m not afraid of hurting you. I’m afraid of how far I’m willing to go.”
“Only think of me and what I’m doing. There is intimacy in pain esclave. Let me make your pain my pleasure.”
“Two things I wanted most in the world: for Q to die a miserable death, and for him to fuck me.”
“Q was no longer the devil.
He was my master and I belonged to him.”
“You think I’m done with you, esclave?” I nuzzled her ear, licking softly. “I’ve only just begun.”
“Remember my fingers inside you, esclave? Remember how wet you were? Even then, your body knew you belonged to me.”
“I promise to protect you, ravage you, hunt those who hurt you, and give you the life you deserve. My fortune is yours. My secrets are yours. And I will give you the corpses of the men who hurt you.”
“You stole my loneliness. I may have given you wings, but you've become my gravity. I'll never be free of your force.”
“I’m yours. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
He shook his head, temper flaring. “You’ve given up. You aren’t mine unless I make you mine!”
“Je suis a toi.”
“Monsters find each other in the dark.”
“You may not be mine but i'm fast becoming yours”
“I want to hurt you.
I want to own you.
I want to devour you.
I want to make you mine.
I’m already yours.”
November 14, 2018
5 stars for this twisted disturbing dark novel
You really are insane. I hurt you—you should run and never come back.” Fingers lassoed around my wrist, tugging me closer. “I’m not something you can tame. I’m not a man who will sprout poems and treat you nice. I’m. Not. That. Human.”
You really are insane. I hurt you—you should run and never come back.” Fingers lassoed around my wrist, tugging me closer. “I’m not something you can tame. I’m not a man who will sprout poems and treat you nice. I’m. Not. That. Human.”
April 4, 2023
Wow! This was a rollercoaster of inconsistencies, with a stupid, messed up, and confusing heroine, and a weak plot... I almost gave it a one star, but some scenes stopped me doing that. This book was a waste of my time...
September 2, 2015
4 esclave stars!
"Monsters find each other in the dark."
This is one of those books where I am kicking myself for not having read it already. To be fair, it's a dark one and I was afraid of it going in. But surprisingly, I expected it to be a lot darker than it was so I was very happy that I could read this book without freaking out (at least, as much as I expected to).
Tears of Tess is about Tess, who goes on a surprise trip to Cancun, Mexico from Australia with her boyfriend Brax. The two of them have been together for two years and while she loves him, Tess is a little underwhelmed in the bedroom department. She wants more excitement, more passion, more than just flat on her back. Having trouble communicating this, the couple just sort of avoids the elephant in the room. It's while they are out being tourists that Tess is taken, kidnapped and sold into the sex trade.
Tess finds herself as the new property of Q, a terrifying yet handsome Frenchman. Yet as much as Tess hates Q for who he is and what he represents, he is the only man who has ever been able to give her what she yearns for, and it brings her an immense amount of shame. As time goes by Tess is bewildered by his behavior and struggles with guilt over her feelings for Q and her devotion to Brax.
“I hadn’t gone Stockholmy- I hated him, knew what he did was wrong, but my body, shit, my body didn’t care.”
This is one of the few dark novels where I have genuinely ended up liking the antihero. He wasn't perfect, but he never cast blame on Tess for the situation she was in. In other dark novels, the guy always finds a way to wriggle himself out of the blame, and Q never did this. Q admitted what he was, a monster, but he took care of Tess in any way he was able to. Was her experience in his home all sunshine and rainbows? No, but it could have been much, much worse.
Ms. Winters is a great author because she threw the reader a curve ball and made them rethink everything they had previously read, and look at the facts in a new light. I literally read this book in one sitting because I was so riveted by the story I was reading. It's always so darn amazing to find a book like this, that captures your attention and doesn't let go until it's over.
“Only think of me and what I’m doing. There is intimacy in pain esclave. Let me make your pain my pleasure.”
So why not a perfect 5 stars? -->
So now that it's 3 AM my time, I'm going to make myself go to sleep and not start the second book. At least I'll try.
"Monsters find each other in the dark."
This is one of those books where I am kicking myself for not having read it already. To be fair, it's a dark one and I was afraid of it going in. But surprisingly, I expected it to be a lot darker than it was so I was very happy that I could read this book without freaking out (at least, as much as I expected to).
Tears of Tess is about Tess, who goes on a surprise trip to Cancun, Mexico from Australia with her boyfriend Brax. The two of them have been together for two years and while she loves him, Tess is a little underwhelmed in the bedroom department. She wants more excitement, more passion, more than just flat on her back. Having trouble communicating this, the couple just sort of avoids the elephant in the room. It's while they are out being tourists that Tess is taken, kidnapped and sold into the sex trade.
Tess finds herself as the new property of Q, a terrifying yet handsome Frenchman. Yet as much as Tess hates Q for who he is and what he represents, he is the only man who has ever been able to give her what she yearns for, and it brings her an immense amount of shame. As time goes by Tess is bewildered by his behavior and struggles with guilt over her feelings for Q and her devotion to Brax.
“I hadn’t gone Stockholmy- I hated him, knew what he did was wrong, but my body, shit, my body didn’t care.”
This is one of the few dark novels where I have genuinely ended up liking the antihero. He wasn't perfect, but he never cast blame on Tess for the situation she was in. In other dark novels, the guy always finds a way to wriggle himself out of the blame, and Q never did this. Q admitted what he was, a monster, but he took care of Tess in any way he was able to. Was her experience in his home all sunshine and rainbows? No, but it could have been much, much worse.
Ms. Winters is a great author because she threw the reader a curve ball and made them rethink everything they had previously read, and look at the facts in a new light. I literally read this book in one sitting because I was so riveted by the story I was reading. It's always so darn amazing to find a book like this, that captures your attention and doesn't let go until it's over.
“Only think of me and what I’m doing. There is intimacy in pain esclave. Let me make your pain my pleasure.”
So why not a perfect 5 stars? -->
So now that it's 3 AM my time, I'm going to make myself go to sleep and not start the second book. At least I'll try.
Read
August 25, 2013
Let’s keep this short and sweet. I am not rating the book because I don’t think that’s fair right now. I enjoyed certain parts of Tess’s story but I didn’t enjoy another parts and rolled my eyes to no end.
Tess is a girl who has dark desires but she has a vanilla lovely boyfriend. Brax takes her to Mexico for a romantic trip but life has different plans for Tess. She’s suddenly kidnapped and sold to Q, a French hot Master who is (apparently) a dark monster.
I want to remark ‘apparently’ because he confused me during the whole book. I couldn’t connect with him because he was a dark monster sometimes but one minute later he was sweet and nice. And Tess? Don’t let me start with her better.
I think the story was well written and the sex scenes were scorching hot and all but I have a problem, I need a coherent plot to get into a story. I think Pepper will be able to write better stories in the future, this one unfortunately was not for me.
I won’t say anything else about the story because I don’t want to spoil it for you.
I also want to mention this might be a case of it’s me and not you book so pls check out those wonderful 5 stars reviews. I want you to read Christy’s because she loved this story and she’s a reviewer I always trust so pls check her review and I really hope you guys enjoy this book more than I did.
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...
Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI1azW...
Giveaways:
FACEBOOK GIVEAWAY:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pepper...
GR GIVEAWAY:
https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...
ARC courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review
September 15, 2014
10 Authors, 10 Novels, 1 Cause ->http://amzn.to/1nYgliy $.99
1. Never Been Ready by J.L. Berg
2. Dominic by L.A. Casey
3. The Boy Who Sneaks in My Bedroom Window by Kirsty Moseley
4. When the Sun Goes Down by Erin Noelle
5. Freefall by Tess Oliver
6. All for You by Kate Perry
7. Until Trevor by Aurora Rose Reynolds
8. Searching For Moore by Julie A. Richman
9. In a Heartbeat by Hilary Storm
10. Tears of Tess by Pepper Winters
To read a blurb about each book -> http://bit.ly/1tWvS9E
*******************************************
A dark romance that has all the ingredients for a great book:
*Kidnapping
*Slavery
*Sandy Beaches
*3.5 Q stars*
A year ago this book was recommended to me and when I saw it on Netgalley, the other day, I thought it was time to finally read it.
One reason I enjoy dark books is because they evoke all kinds of emotions from the reader. Yes, I'm an emotional junkie when it comes to books. I love the thrill of being shocked and at times having to cover my eyes when something either scares me or disgust me.
Tess's fantasies become a realty when she is kidnapped on a trip to Mexico and given to a man, Q, as a bribe.
Tess's inner dialogue was frustrating for me. Being that she was wishy-washy at times caused me to not connect with her character. When she started blaming herself for being kidnapped because she always wished for a rougher sex like that just didn't feel genuine. While I may not have been rooting for Tess...I was intrigued by the man she called Q. My driving force to finish the book was Q because I wanted to know more about his mysterious past. Plus I enjoyed that he was a control freak who was remote and aloof.
TEARS OF TESS is Ms. Winters debut novel. I can see why lots of friends love this book. I've been told that book 2 is the favorite among most who've read the series. I'll be curious to see where the story takes Q and Tess. Just because my stars weren't 4 or 5 doesn't mean I won't continue on with the series. Some of my favorite series I have 3 starred the first book; "The Addicted Series" and one of my favorite books last year was "Dirty Red" (book 2) even though I gave the first book 3 stars.
SERIES:
Novella:
(#3.5)
**Complimentary copy courtesy by Patchwork Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
1. Never Been Ready by J.L. Berg
2. Dominic by L.A. Casey
3. The Boy Who Sneaks in My Bedroom Window by Kirsty Moseley
4. When the Sun Goes Down by Erin Noelle
5. Freefall by Tess Oliver
6. All for You by Kate Perry
7. Until Trevor by Aurora Rose Reynolds
8. Searching For Moore by Julie A. Richman
9. In a Heartbeat by Hilary Storm
10. Tears of Tess by Pepper Winters
To read a blurb about each book -> http://bit.ly/1tWvS9E
*******************************************
A dark romance that has all the ingredients for a great book:
*Kidnapping
*Slavery
*Sandy Beaches
*3.5 Q stars*
A year ago this book was recommended to me and when I saw it on Netgalley, the other day, I thought it was time to finally read it.
One reason I enjoy dark books is because they evoke all kinds of emotions from the reader. Yes, I'm an emotional junkie when it comes to books. I love the thrill of being shocked and at times having to cover my eyes when something either scares me or disgust me.
"...fantasy turned into realities..."Tess fantasizes about having a darker sex life than she currently has with her boyfriend. She wants its rough and to be owned while her boyfriend likes their simple relationship.
Tess's fantasies become a realty when she is kidnapped on a trip to Mexico and given to a man, Q, as a bribe.
Tess's inner dialogue was frustrating for me. Being that she was wishy-washy at times caused me to not connect with her character. When she started blaming herself for being kidnapped because she always wished for a rougher sex like that just didn't feel genuine. While I may not have been rooting for Tess...I was intrigued by the man she called Q. My driving force to finish the book was Q because I wanted to know more about his mysterious past. Plus I enjoyed that he was a control freak who was remote and aloof.
TEARS OF TESS is Ms. Winters debut novel. I can see why lots of friends love this book. I've been told that book 2 is the favorite among most who've read the series. I'll be curious to see where the story takes Q and Tess. Just because my stars weren't 4 or 5 doesn't mean I won't continue on with the series. Some of my favorite series I have 3 starred the first book; "The Addicted Series" and one of my favorite books last year was "Dirty Red" (book 2) even though I gave the first book 3 stars.
SERIES:
Novella:
(#3.5)
**Complimentary copy courtesy by Patchwork Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
August 27, 2013
BR WITH KRISTINA
This book totally let me down.I was expecting more!THere was too much promotion for this book and I was expecting that it would be amazing!Finally all this enthusiastic anticipation turnt out in a really dissapointment..
It's a story about a young girl called Tess who went for vacation in Mexico with her boyfriend and there she was kidnapped and became slave of Q.
“My life was complete. Happy, content, everything neat and perfect.
Then it all changed.
I was sold.”
In this part I found Tess character really interesting!She is a strong person who initially was fighting for her freedom.. And she was trying to resist to all this situation.
In the middle of the story Tess manage to escape.As she was running she found a guy and he asked for his help, but it was proved that he was a bad person.He kidnapped her and he tried to rape her ( this part reminds me of a scene of killing Sarai ). After all Q saved her and she started accepting the fact that she was Q slave...
And recognized Q's world as the world she belonged to. That time they had sex. -.- and this part was weird for me and didn't make sense at all!!
I couldn't identify with the characters and sometimes I was feeling frustrated.
However I recommend you read this book and I'm waiting for your reviews!!!
ARC PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR FOR AN HONEST REVIEW
This book totally let me down.I was expecting more!THere was too much promotion for this book and I was expecting that it would be amazing!Finally all this enthusiastic anticipation turnt out in a really dissapointment..
It's a story about a young girl called Tess who went for vacation in Mexico with her boyfriend and there she was kidnapped and became slave of Q.
“My life was complete. Happy, content, everything neat and perfect.
Then it all changed.
I was sold.”
In this part I found Tess character really interesting!She is a strong person who initially was fighting for her freedom.. And she was trying to resist to all this situation.
In the middle of the story Tess manage to escape.As she was running she found a guy and he asked for his help, but it was proved that he was a bad person.He kidnapped her and he tried to rape her ( this part reminds me of a scene of killing Sarai ). After all Q saved her and she started accepting the fact that she was Q slave...
And recognized Q's world as the world she belonged to. That time they had sex. -.- and this part was weird for me and didn't make sense at all!!
I couldn't identify with the characters and sometimes I was feeling frustrated.
However I recommend you read this book and I'm waiting for your reviews!!!
ARC PROVIDED BY THE AUTHOR FOR AN HONEST REVIEW
September 26, 2013
3 Not-at-all-what-I-was-expecting Stars
A human is adaptable. A human heart is not.
Human minds and souls are unique and complex. Powerful and capable of both cruelty and tenderness. No one is to blame for their personal choices. Nobody should be ashamed of their preferences. Fantasies are to be played out. Monsters become dangerous when caged for too long and birds should be let free to fly.
Tess Snow is a young woman feeling alone and undesirable. Unfilled passions and fantasies overwhelm her day and dreams, feelings that her boyfriend doesn't comprehend or is willing to fulfill. Unspeakable things and dark desires confuse and leave her craving more.
A trip to Mexico should be a rehearsal honeymoon, but it turns into her worst nightmare when she is kidnapped and sold to human traffickers. Another lost soul, a woman bartered like an animal.
Brutalized and scared, she refuses to bow down and break. She will fight her captors and she won't submit. Even if her Master, awakens all her deepest and darkest passions.
Q. Mercer is a man of many faces. A ruthless businessman, a cruel master, a tender companion. Tormented by personal demons, craving twisted and dark fantasies, scared of himself and of feelings, he is an enigma that he can't deny one thing. He wants Tess, his perfect, unbroken Esclave and he will do anything to possess her completely. Kill, let the beast free, even set her free...
I want to hurt you. I want to own you. I want to devour you. I want to make you mine.
That's our exciting and very well written story. Now let's see what issues I had with it...
Me at the beginning:
Here's to a dominant, sexually frustrating, dark and twisted read!
Me now:
There... I admit it. I made a rookie mistake. I tried to comprehend and fell in love with a story just by a blurb and a few teasers. I let my enthusiasm carry me away and I got in mind that I knew this story was about. I was expecting a twisted story of forbidden passions and when I didn't get it, I was disappointed. So the first to blame is myself.
Then there are the characters, that managed to confuse and well, bore me a little. This story isn't about seasoned, self assured dominants and submissives. It's about people mainly ashamed and afraid of their desires, constantly doubting themselves and their actions. Second-guessing one other, running away and always craving assurance.
This a great story and a well written debut novel by Pepper Winters. I recommend it to readers that want a dramatic story about a darker aspect of love. The reality of slaves and women broken beyond repair. About the desires we can't admit to ourselves in the light of day. Do not expect mindfuckery. This a story about forgiveness and redemption and finding the one that completes your soul.
Overall, a good, solid read, that left me craving more. No matter, I will keep my eye out for any next books by Pepper Winters! ;)
Pre-release review
*TEASER*
He reared back, his hand raised to strike. I fought the urge to curl into a little ball, and stared right into his turbulent gaze. “Do it. Hit me. At least the pain will leave a physical mark that you’ll have to see every day.”
He opened his mouth, but then shut it again. His hand dropped, settling limp on the bed. Something raw blazed in his gaze before he clambered off me, pacing in my small cage.
“What is your name?” he growled, still pacing. His suit crinkled, perfection marred.
“What does Q stand for?”
“What is your name?”
“Let me go and I’ll tell you.”
We stalemated, glaring once again. Day by day I was becoming a champion at staring competitions.
This one, though, I lost. Q’s gaze set fire to my blood. Smouldering and licking with unwanted lust. Misplaced lust. Lust that drove me mad with confusion and hatred for myself.
I dropped my eyes and waited. Just like that, I was his again.
An eerie sense of calm filled me. Obedience was a balm against the hardship of fighting. Why fight when I could make my life so much easier by becoming a robot? Turn off my feelings and do as he asked.
Q stepped forward, putting himself right between my legs. His belt was eye level and the heat blazing from his body cindered all my other emotions to dust.
He was male. I was female. That was all there was to it.
My hands moved on their own accord, reaching for his waist. Blissful vacancy filled me. I floated on a cloud of indifference as I pulled the leather free from loops and undid the buckle.
In the name of everything that is dark and twisted, what new gem do we have here????
The teasers keep coming...
I CAN'T FREAKING WAIT!!
For whatever happens, for all the heartbreak and mindf*ckery that awaits I blame Soraya, her promotion, her recommendation, HELL even her pics... You wonderful crazy-ass babe...
*ARC courtesy of the author, the wonderful Pepper Winters, in exchange for an honest review*
08/17:
Just got my copy!!
A human is adaptable. A human heart is not.
Human minds and souls are unique and complex. Powerful and capable of both cruelty and tenderness. No one is to blame for their personal choices. Nobody should be ashamed of their preferences. Fantasies are to be played out. Monsters become dangerous when caged for too long and birds should be let free to fly.
Tess Snow is a young woman feeling alone and undesirable. Unfilled passions and fantasies overwhelm her day and dreams, feelings that her boyfriend doesn't comprehend or is willing to fulfill. Unspeakable things and dark desires confuse and leave her craving more.
A trip to Mexico should be a rehearsal honeymoon, but it turns into her worst nightmare when she is kidnapped and sold to human traffickers. Another lost soul, a woman bartered like an animal.
“My life was complete. Happy, content, everything neat and perfect.
Then it all changed.
I was sold.”
Brutalized and scared, she refuses to bow down and break. She will fight her captors and she won't submit. Even if her Master, awakens all her deepest and darkest passions.
Q. Mercer is a man of many faces. A ruthless businessman, a cruel master, a tender companion. Tormented by personal demons, craving twisted and dark fantasies, scared of himself and of feelings, he is an enigma that he can't deny one thing. He wants Tess, his perfect, unbroken Esclave and he will do anything to possess her completely. Kill, let the beast free, even set her free...
I want to hurt you. I want to own you. I want to devour you. I want to make you mine.
That's our exciting and very well written story. Now let's see what issues I had with it...
Me at the beginning:
Here's to a dominant, sexually frustrating, dark and twisted read!
Me now:
There... I admit it. I made a rookie mistake. I tried to comprehend and fell in love with a story just by a blurb and a few teasers. I let my enthusiasm carry me away and I got in mind that I knew this story was about. I was expecting a twisted story of forbidden passions and when I didn't get it, I was disappointed. So the first to blame is myself.
Then there are the characters, that managed to confuse and well, bore me a little. This story isn't about seasoned, self assured dominants and submissives. It's about people mainly ashamed and afraid of their desires, constantly doubting themselves and their actions. Second-guessing one other, running away and always craving assurance.
This a great story and a well written debut novel by Pepper Winters. I recommend it to readers that want a dramatic story about a darker aspect of love. The reality of slaves and women broken beyond repair. About the desires we can't admit to ourselves in the light of day. Do not expect mindfuckery. This a story about forgiveness and redemption and finding the one that completes your soul.
Overall, a good, solid read, that left me craving more. No matter, I will keep my eye out for any next books by Pepper Winters! ;)
Pre-release review
*TEASER*
He reared back, his hand raised to strike. I fought the urge to curl into a little ball, and stared right into his turbulent gaze. “Do it. Hit me. At least the pain will leave a physical mark that you’ll have to see every day.”
He opened his mouth, but then shut it again. His hand dropped, settling limp on the bed. Something raw blazed in his gaze before he clambered off me, pacing in my small cage.
“What is your name?” he growled, still pacing. His suit crinkled, perfection marred.
“What does Q stand for?”
“What is your name?”
“Let me go and I’ll tell you.”
We stalemated, glaring once again. Day by day I was becoming a champion at staring competitions.
This one, though, I lost. Q’s gaze set fire to my blood. Smouldering and licking with unwanted lust. Misplaced lust. Lust that drove me mad with confusion and hatred for myself.
I dropped my eyes and waited. Just like that, I was his again.
An eerie sense of calm filled me. Obedience was a balm against the hardship of fighting. Why fight when I could make my life so much easier by becoming a robot? Turn off my feelings and do as he asked.
Q stepped forward, putting himself right between my legs. His belt was eye level and the heat blazing from his body cindered all my other emotions to dust.
He was male. I was female. That was all there was to it.
My hands moved on their own accord, reaching for his waist. Blissful vacancy filled me. I floated on a cloud of indifference as I pulled the leather free from loops and undid the buckle.
In the name of everything that is dark and twisted, what new gem do we have here????
The teasers keep coming...
I CAN'T FREAKING WAIT!!
For whatever happens, for all the heartbreak and mindf*ckery that awaits I blame Soraya, her promotion, her recommendation, HELL even her pics... You wonderful crazy-ass babe...
*ARC courtesy of the author, the wonderful Pepper Winters, in exchange for an honest review*
08/17:
Just got my copy!!
October 24, 2015
4.5 “Tu es à moi” Stars
The story of Tess and Q is a complicated one layered with an array of emotions due to the nature of their introduction. From the beginning, Tess is confronted with a multitude of physical and emotional assaults, but she is adamant about not losing her true self. What she does find is a man that can give her what has been missing from her life…pain, pleasure and unadulterated dominance. However, what is the price Tess must pay to submit to her desires?
Tess is a strong character. I liked her from the beginning. While facing adversity and the unthinkable, she toughened up and fought to protect the only thing she could claim for herself. Her transition throughout this book made me question her motivations (and sanity) at times but Tess’ persevered and I had to admire her for that.
“I needed a safety mechanism, something to protect my soul like a suit of armour in battle.”
Q is definitely an acquired taste. He is a broken soul who believes he cannot be healed until he meets Tess. With Tess’ inner strength and ability to freely submit to Q, he begins to trust and wants to unleash his most sadistic desires without being deemed a monster. By the end of the book, my opinion of Q considerably changed. Did he completely win me over? I would say, “Hell yes!” lol.
“He whispered, “I’m not afraid of hurting you. I’m afraid of how far I’m willing to go.”
This is my first Pepper Winters book and I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style, as she has a way of drawing in the reader to each scene. I especially like how she described each character by addressing not only their physicality but also their scent, touch, taste and subtle movements or nuances that make a character unique. She also aptly captured the emotion and mood of each scene and I felt the physical tension whether sexual or torturous. After meeting Tess and Q, I cannot get their story from my mind. I will be moving forward learn more about the journey of Esclave and the Maître.
Note: Thanks to the Shhluts for a fabulous Buddy Read in preparation for the Shh...LIVE Chat with Pepper Winters on October 24 at 6 pm EST!!
Special thanks to the ladies who recommended this book to me: Liz, Loyda, Hawkey, Snow and Huyla!!
The story of Tess and Q is a complicated one layered with an array of emotions due to the nature of their introduction. From the beginning, Tess is confronted with a multitude of physical and emotional assaults, but she is adamant about not losing her true self. What she does find is a man that can give her what has been missing from her life…pain, pleasure and unadulterated dominance. However, what is the price Tess must pay to submit to her desires?
Tess is a strong character. I liked her from the beginning. While facing adversity and the unthinkable, she toughened up and fought to protect the only thing she could claim for herself. Her transition throughout this book made me question her motivations (and sanity) at times but Tess’ persevered and I had to admire her for that.
“I needed a safety mechanism, something to protect my soul like a suit of armour in battle.”
Q is definitely an acquired taste. He is a broken soul who believes he cannot be healed until he meets Tess. With Tess’ inner strength and ability to freely submit to Q, he begins to trust and wants to unleash his most sadistic desires without being deemed a monster. By the end of the book, my opinion of Q considerably changed. Did he completely win me over? I would say, “Hell yes!” lol.
“He whispered, “I’m not afraid of hurting you. I’m afraid of how far I’m willing to go.”
This is my first Pepper Winters book and I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style, as she has a way of drawing in the reader to each scene. I especially like how she described each character by addressing not only their physicality but also their scent, touch, taste and subtle movements or nuances that make a character unique. She also aptly captured the emotion and mood of each scene and I felt the physical tension whether sexual or torturous. After meeting Tess and Q, I cannot get their story from my mind. I will be moving forward learn more about the journey of Esclave and the Maître.
Note: Thanks to the Shhluts for a fabulous Buddy Read in preparation for the Shh...LIVE Chat with Pepper Winters on October 24 at 6 pm EST!!
Special thanks to the ladies who recommended this book to me: Liz, Loyda, Hawkey, Snow and Huyla!!
September 18, 2013
Review posted on Way Too Hot Books
I am sorry, but I just don't like it...
I have to admit that I wasn't sure about writing review for this book. I always feel bad when I don't have lot of good things to say about ARC I requested. But then again it is honesty that is appreciated, right? This will be short.
Tears of Tess first got my attention because of pretty cover. After reading book description, I was sold. Dark, hot, erotic - check. Taboo, twisted, Stockholmish - check. Yes, my inner perv was having a blast. Then my co-blogger Tanja over at Ja čitam, a ti? told me that I probably could get advanced copy of this book. I was over the moon. Few days later and there it was in my inbox. That's where everything went downhill. Why? Well, that would be a little longer list.
1. I love taboo themes. Stockholm syndrome is on the top of my perv-list. (I know - don't judge me.) You would think that Tears of Tess would be perfect for me. Wrong. I didn't find it believable at all.
2. Badly labeled. I understand that new adult is big hit now, but this book is not new adult. At least not by my standards. Tears of Tess is taboo erotica no matter how old main heroin is. I know authors like to use all kind of tricks to get attention, but please, don't label your books as something they are not.
3. Storyline. It started really interesting, but than it all... I don't know. Something happened and I just started to notice all cracks in the plot. It has interesting premise, but it's too much like faerie tales about princesses who have to save kingdom by marring monster-king who is actually good, but he just forgot all about it because of some curse.
4. Tess and Q. So many times I just wanted to slap both of them or to finally stop reading.
One thing that I liked - steamy scenes were interesting.
Maybe it is just me. Maybe I read it at the wrong moment. Maybe you will love this book. Or I have finally outgrown this type of literature. I don't know. If you are intrigued by dark erotica, you should read Tears of Tess. If you read Dark Duet series by S.J. Roberts and you think that Q is new Caleb, lover your expectations.
***Copy of the book provided by author in exchange for honest review***
I am sorry, but I just don't like it...
I have to admit that I wasn't sure about writing review for this book. I always feel bad when I don't have lot of good things to say about ARC I requested. But then again it is honesty that is appreciated, right? This will be short.
Tears of Tess first got my attention because of pretty cover. After reading book description, I was sold. Dark, hot, erotic - check. Taboo, twisted, Stockholmish - check. Yes, my inner perv was having a blast. Then my co-blogger Tanja over at Ja čitam, a ti? told me that I probably could get advanced copy of this book. I was over the moon. Few days later and there it was in my inbox. That's where everything went downhill. Why? Well, that would be a little longer list.
1. I love taboo themes. Stockholm syndrome is on the top of my perv-list. (I know - don't judge me.) You would think that Tears of Tess would be perfect for me. Wrong. I didn't find it believable at all.
2. Badly labeled. I understand that new adult is big hit now, but this book is not new adult. At least not by my standards. Tears of Tess is taboo erotica no matter how old main heroin is. I know authors like to use all kind of tricks to get attention, but please, don't label your books as something they are not.
3. Storyline. It started really interesting, but than it all... I don't know. Something happened and I just started to notice all cracks in the plot. It has interesting premise, but it's too much like faerie tales about princesses who have to save kingdom by marring monster-king who is actually good, but he just forgot all about it because of some curse.
4. Tess and Q. So many times I just wanted to slap both of them or to finally stop reading.
One thing that I liked - steamy scenes were interesting.
Maybe it is just me. Maybe I read it at the wrong moment. Maybe you will love this book. Or I have finally outgrown this type of literature. I don't know. If you are intrigued by dark erotica, you should read Tears of Tess. If you read Dark Duet series by S.J. Roberts and you think that Q is new Caleb, lover your expectations.
***Copy of the book provided by author in exchange for honest review***
August 29, 2013
2,5 confusing and not too dark stars
I have no words!I expected this book to be awesome,amazing,a mindfuck.Oh wait... it was a mindfuck... in a bad way...It was one of those book that you read and wonder "What was the puprose of this book?"First of all,let's say that it was not as dark as it's been promoted to be.Aside from the cruel start and a few other moments the book was lightly dark or sometimes not dark at all.
Plot:
Her name is Tess and she has an ostensibly good life.She seems happy as long as she ignores her parents.Her boyfriend is so sweet,caring that you will feel jealous towards her.Yet,that is not enough for her.Her body shimmers for sinful things but her boyfriend is the vanilla guy who cant fullfill her fantasies.
A casual trip to Mexico doesnt end up as it was expected to.They kidnapp her.They steal her freedom.However our MC is strong and doesnt even think that giving up is an option.
" I would never give up. I would fight until I died; I’d teach the kidnappers they stole the wrong girl if they wanted meek and broken."
I loved her so far.Her determination to live made me praise her.Never the less Tess's fate is sealed.She is the bribe of a Rushian guy to Q.
Enter Q,
He is a French guy who NEEDS TO ATTEND FRENCH LESSONS.Q is supposed to be a sadistic master?!Errmm I'm not sure if he was sadistic or deranged.The one moment he was all bossy and domineering , the next one he was talkative and a normal billionaire.I couldnt connect with Q.His character confused me a lot.I'm still not sure if he was a good person or not.
Biggests turn offs:
The French,oh boy the French....
LOL it's not that I'm an expert in French but it was TOO obvious that the author didnt speak a word at French.The verbs in French are NOT the same at every person like in English,they change.For those who dont speak the language it wont be a problem but heck when I was reading French part I was doing a mental editing or I was LoLing,sorry.
The encouraging thing is that the author has taken action and is solving this probem so hopefully if you read the actual and final book those parts will be edited.
HUGE SPOILER AND WTF MOMENTS!
Overall I didnt like it.It had a kickass start and definitely potential.The author's writing is amazing and I will read her future books but this one simply didnt work for me.Not being able to connect with the characters is one of the most awful things that can happen to a reader.
Buddy read with Pavlina <3
Arc kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review!
I have no words!I expected this book to be awesome,amazing,a mindfuck.Oh wait... it was a mindfuck... in a bad way...It was one of those book that you read and wonder "What was the puprose of this book?"First of all,let's say that it was not as dark as it's been promoted to be.Aside from the cruel start and a few other moments the book was lightly dark or sometimes not dark at all.
Plot:
Her name is Tess and she has an ostensibly good life.She seems happy as long as she ignores her parents.Her boyfriend is so sweet,caring that you will feel jealous towards her.Yet,that is not enough for her.Her body shimmers for sinful things but her boyfriend is the vanilla guy who cant fullfill her fantasies.
A casual trip to Mexico doesnt end up as it was expected to.They kidnapp her.They steal her freedom.However our MC is strong and doesnt even think that giving up is an option.
" I would never give up. I would fight until I died; I’d teach the kidnappers they stole the wrong girl if they wanted meek and broken."
I loved her so far.Her determination to live made me praise her.Never the less Tess's fate is sealed.She is the bribe of a Rushian guy to Q.
Enter Q,
He is a French guy who NEEDS TO ATTEND FRENCH LESSONS.Q is supposed to be a sadistic master?!Errmm I'm not sure if he was sadistic or deranged.The one moment he was all bossy and domineering , the next one he was talkative and a normal billionaire.I couldnt connect with Q.His character confused me a lot.I'm still not sure if he was a good person or not.
Biggests turn offs:
The French,oh boy the French....
LOL it's not that I'm an expert in French but it was TOO obvious that the author didnt speak a word at French.The verbs in French are NOT the same at every person like in English,they change.For those who dont speak the language it wont be a problem but heck when I was reading French part I was doing a mental editing or I was LoLing,
The encouraging thing is that the author has taken action and is solving this probem so hopefully if you read the actual and final book those parts will be edited.
HUGE SPOILER AND WTF MOMENTS!
Overall I didnt like it.It had a kickass start and definitely potential.The author's writing is amazing and I will read her future books but this one simply didnt work for me.Not being able to connect with the characters is one of the most awful things that can happen to a reader.
Buddy read with Pavlina <3
Arc kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review!
September 26, 2020
3 Stars
Told in single POV, 1st person, it’s the first installment in the "Monsters in the Dark" series, although the other books in the series are about this couple, this one doesn’t end on a huge cliffhanger. It’s dark and angsty and there is a trigger warning proceed with caution. If there wasn’t for the lack of connection it could have been a better read. I skipped and skimmed a lot after reading 60%. Overall, it fell flat for me but I hope you enjoy it more than me!
Told in single POV, 1st person, it’s the first installment in the "Monsters in the Dark" series, although the other books in the series are about this couple, this one doesn’t end on a huge cliffhanger. It’s dark and angsty and there is a trigger warning proceed with caution. If there wasn’t for the lack of connection it could have been a better read. I skipped and skimmed a lot after reading 60%. Overall, it fell flat for me but I hope you enjoy it more than me!
June 13, 2017
Reread:6/12/17
5 'Captivating' Stars
Brax surprised Tess to a vacation to Mexico. Tess thought that this was her chance to relax, spend time with her loving boyfriend, and to figure out who was she.
“This trip would allow me to inspect who I truly was, to be honest, and find the real me."
Tress loves her boyfriend Brax. He's everything you could ever want in a guy. He was loving, supportive,sweet, kind, and safe. They both loved each other and there's nothing they wouldn't do for each other. But there's a problem. Tess wants more. She doesn't want sweet love-making, she wants domination, hard fucking, pain, and submission.
I needed Brax to be rough because I needed to be claimed.
She doesn't have that with Brax, and she wonders what's wrong with me?
While they were sight-seeing on a scooter, they got thirsty so they stopped for drinks. Tress immediately had this bad feeling. She was anxious and had this feeling in her stomach. First she was with her lovely Brax and then seconds later she was kidnapped.
She was scared and beaten. She didn't know where she was or who took her. What did they want from her. The next thing she know was that she.was.sold. No matter what she went through or happens, she would fight. She would find freedom again, and she would not break.
I couldn’t be sucked into depression and give up. I would never give up. I would fight until I died.
She finally arrives to her new home. The home that she was sold into the owner of the house, the monster who bought her. She meets her new master Q.Mercer, and she became enclave.
His gaze unclothed and terrified me. Everything about him screamed ruthlessness and power. He held himself proud and regal as if this was his castle and I was the latest subject.
That's when shit started going down.
I really enjoyed this book. I haven't read any dark, kidnap, mysteries books in along time and I'm glad I read this. Through this whole thing I was..shhhh(secret)..wet. Q...[moans] is delish. That man is rich, sexy, alpha, french, and sexy. He was the complete package.
Is there light beneath darkness?
Q is also broken that's why they connected so good. I loved how their relationship developed really well. This is off topic but at the beginning I kinda thought that Brax is..gay. I mean the guy is like a total nun..sorry Tess. Anyways..have two dark and twisted monsters found each other?
Amazing and dark book. I really loved it and can't wait to start the second one. This is my first book by this author and I can assure you I will be reading more of her work. It's a really nice feeling when you read a book written by someone I unknown and you love it. It makes you proud. Anyways..overall amazing book.
“I did the unthinkable: I broke myself, and fell for my master.
5 'Captivating' Stars
Brax surprised Tess to a vacation to Mexico. Tess thought that this was her chance to relax, spend time with her loving boyfriend, and to figure out who was she.
“This trip would allow me to inspect who I truly was, to be honest, and find the real me."
Tress loves her boyfriend Brax. He's everything you could ever want in a guy. He was loving, supportive,sweet, kind, and safe. They both loved each other and there's nothing they wouldn't do for each other. But there's a problem. Tess wants more. She doesn't want sweet love-making, she wants domination, hard fucking, pain, and submission.
I needed Brax to be rough because I needed to be claimed.
She doesn't have that with Brax, and she wonders what's wrong with me?
While they were sight-seeing on a scooter, they got thirsty so they stopped for drinks. Tress immediately had this bad feeling. She was anxious and had this feeling in her stomach. First she was with her lovely Brax and then seconds later she was kidnapped.
She was scared and beaten. She didn't know where she was or who took her. What did they want from her. The next thing she know was that she.was.sold. No matter what she went through or happens, she would fight. She would find freedom again, and she would not break.
I couldn’t be sucked into depression and give up. I would never give up. I would fight until I died.
She finally arrives to her new home. The home that she was sold into the owner of the house, the monster who bought her. She meets her new master Q.Mercer, and she became enclave.
His gaze unclothed and terrified me. Everything about him screamed ruthlessness and power. He held himself proud and regal as if this was his castle and I was the latest subject.
That's when shit started going down.
I really enjoyed this book. I haven't read any dark, kidnap, mysteries books in along time and I'm glad I read this. Through this whole thing I was..shhhh(secret)..wet. Q...[moans] is delish. That man is rich, sexy, alpha, french, and sexy. He was the complete package.
Is there light beneath darkness?
Q is also broken that's why they connected so good. I loved how their relationship developed really well. This is off topic but at the beginning I kinda thought that Brax is..gay. I mean the guy is like a total nun..sorry Tess. Anyways..have two dark and twisted monsters found each other?
Amazing and dark book. I really loved it and can't wait to start the second one. This is my first book by this author and I can assure you I will be reading more of her work. It's a really nice feeling when you read a book written by someone I unknown and you love it. It makes you proud. Anyways..overall amazing book.
“I did the unthinkable: I broke myself, and fell for my master.
June 9, 2014
5 Delicious, engaging and gripping stars*****
Eeek I fell in love with this book, I fell in love with this journey but above all I fell hook line and sinker with these Characters, Q and Tess's story is passionate and yet beautiful at the same time.
To me this was a story about finding the depths of our inner selves or mainly Tess's inner self and how both Tess and Q found and are still finding themselves, am I making any sense?
Let me explain
Tess was made into a family that didn't want her, nor loved her this to me is unfathomable but yes there were no feelings lost here, therefore she is feeling lost and not really feeling like she has a place in the world so ends up with lovable Brax, Tess is studying architecture at university and Brax works hard they have this small little world that they've built together all that equals to CONTENT but sometimes we don't want content do we? And because they're busy and Brax is a very much missionary, simple, naïve and a BORING male (I had a few issues with Brax to be honest but I digress) above all Tess is seeking more so they go on holiday its planned by Brax and Tess is wanting to rekindle there relationship and there's something inside her that NEEDS something extra, sexually something darker. So off they go to the unknown and to find themselves again.
Mexico is where they end up and that leaves them in a vulnerable position, Brax made me cross here I just found him to be selfish wanting what he wanted to do and here we now have Tess getting into the world of slavery, being kidnapped and barcoded as a number She's been brought
Therefore she's scared but she's fighting and she will escape. She's been brought by our dashing sexy, arousing and intruiging Master Q he's French and now Tess becomes Esclave, this is where things turn up a notch and where Tess feels hopeless 'maybe' but most definitely is struck in awe by Q she is turned on by him, and there's just some serious wowza chemistry going on. What can I say he's like a magnet she doesn't want to feel the way she does but she most definitely does, but he's dangerous and hell I have a feeling this is just the start to getting DARKER.
Tess has always been seeking something extra, with her fantasies at night the way she wanted to be with Brax maybe it lies with her upbringing and feeling lonely. She is a strong cookie though if there was ever a heroine I enjoyed to read Tess would be it, She is Fierce and strong willed and most definitely a fighter. And that is what Q is likewise drawn to esclave' because Q has never had a Slave that he has wanted to keep, one that he wants to be equal to and this is just the start , I think things are about to turn sinister and on a level of Dark I'd say this is low key to be honest but there's that edge that kept me on the edge of my seat and kept me gripped to find out what's coming next.
so to sum up
This is a book about freedom in every sense of the word, seriously look deeper, there's something vulnerable and I absolutely found Pepper Winters writing to grab hold of my every feeling, I was cross, angry, annoyed, sad, upset, intrigued and gripped yes I've found a new favourite author to love.
Would I recommend it: Yes
Would I re-read it? eventually yes but I've got the rest of the series to read yet
Would I read anything else that this author writes? Yes yes and yes.
Onto the next....
And a big hugeee hug to my girl Daisy honestly you definitely need to team up with someone when reading this series as I found chatting to Daisy for me enabled me to express my feelings and hold my hand while or listen to my moans LOL girl your the best <3
An Advanced reading copy was provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Eeek I fell in love with this book, I fell in love with this journey but above all I fell hook line and sinker with these Characters, Q and Tess's story is passionate and yet beautiful at the same time.
To me this was a story about finding the depths of our inner selves or mainly Tess's inner self and how both Tess and Q found and are still finding themselves, am I making any sense?
Let me explain
Tess was made into a family that didn't want her, nor loved her this to me is unfathomable but yes there were no feelings lost here, therefore she is feeling lost and not really feeling like she has a place in the world so ends up with lovable Brax, Tess is studying architecture at university and Brax works hard they have this small little world that they've built together all that equals to CONTENT but sometimes we don't want content do we? And because they're busy and Brax is a very much missionary, simple, naïve and a BORING male (I had a few issues with Brax to be honest but I digress) above all Tess is seeking more so they go on holiday its planned by Brax and Tess is wanting to rekindle there relationship and there's something inside her that NEEDS something extra, sexually something darker. So off they go to the unknown and to find themselves again.
Mexico is where they end up and that leaves them in a vulnerable position, Brax made me cross here I just found him to be selfish wanting what he wanted to do and here we now have Tess getting into the world of slavery, being kidnapped and barcoded as a number She's been brought
Brax. My life. My happy, happy world dissolved and left me in hell.
"Accept that you are no longer whoever you were. You are to forget about your past 'cause you will never see it again."
Therefore she's scared but she's fighting and she will escape. She's been brought by our dashing sexy, arousing and intruiging Master Q he's French and now Tess becomes Esclave, this is where things turn up a notch and where Tess feels hopeless 'maybe' but most definitely is struck in awe by Q she is turned on by him, and there's just some serious wowza chemistry going on. What can I say he's like a magnet she doesn't want to feel the way she does but she most definitely does, but he's dangerous and hell I have a feeling this is just the start to getting DARKER.
Tess has always been seeking something extra, with her fantasies at night the way she wanted to be with Brax maybe it lies with her upbringing and feeling lonely. She is a strong cookie though if there was ever a heroine I enjoyed to read Tess would be it, She is Fierce and strong willed and most definitely a fighter. And that is what Q is likewise drawn to esclave' because Q has never had a Slave that he has wanted to keep, one that he wants to be equal to and this is just the start , I think things are about to turn sinister and on a level of Dark I'd say this is low key to be honest but there's that edge that kept me on the edge of my seat and kept me gripped to find out what's coming next.
so to sum up
This is a book about freedom in every sense of the word, seriously look deeper, there's something vulnerable and I absolutely found Pepper Winters writing to grab hold of my every feeling, I was cross, angry, annoyed, sad, upset, intrigued and gripped yes I've found a new favourite author to love.
Would I recommend it: Yes
Would I re-read it? eventually yes but I've got the rest of the series to read yet
Would I read anything else that this author writes? Yes yes and yes.
Onto the next....
And a big hugeee hug to my girl Daisy honestly you definitely need to team up with someone when reading this series as I found chatting to Daisy for me enabled me to express my feelings and hold my hand while or listen to my moans LOL girl your the best <3
An Advanced reading copy was provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
August 23, 2013
4.5 WTF, couldn't-stop-reading, effed up stars!
I'll keep this review short and post a more detailed one when the book is live.
Tears of Tess. Pepper Winters. Dark romance. What more could you want?
Maybe this book isn't as dark as I assumed it would be. Did that bother me?
Not one freaking bit.
I started this book mere hours ago and its now 3:17am in Aus and I had to write this review NOW.
This is a great debut novel for Pepper Winters. Can't wait to share more at a later date (15 days!).
Pepper has a way with words. Sentences written so beautifully, I read some over and over just to let the words wash over me. The story flows. I literally couldn't put it down.
Truly wonderful - in a effed up, masochistic, sadistic way.
Loved this book. I read the sh*t out of it Pepper!!!!
I'll keep this review short and post a more detailed one when the book is live.
Tears of Tess. Pepper Winters. Dark romance. What more could you want?
Maybe this book isn't as dark as I assumed it would be. Did that bother me?
Not one freaking bit.
I started this book mere hours ago and its now 3:17am in Aus and I had to write this review NOW.
This is a great debut novel for Pepper Winters. Can't wait to share more at a later date (15 days!).
Pepper has a way with words. Sentences written so beautifully, I read some over and over just to let the words wash over me. The story flows. I literally couldn't put it down.
Truly wonderful - in a effed up, masochistic, sadistic way.
Loved this book. I read the sh*t out of it Pepper!!!!
October 22, 2013
ON SALE or $.99!
Kidnapped. Drugged. Stolen.
SIGH. I LOVED THIS BOOK.
Pepper Winters has amazing story-telling skills.
The change Tess undergoes as a character from this... naive, slightly desperate girl to a very strong female character in the end was amazing to see. I STRUGGLED WITH TESS. In the beginning. So it should say something that by the end I was giving her a fictional high-five girl power kpow! With every blow she takes, she just comes out stronger and better, and trust me, she takes a lot of blows. It was awesome.
Q is...
I can't tell you about Q, because the unraveling of his character was done so well I don't want to say ANYTHING about him, just so you get to experience him.
But I will tell you how his character made me feel.
SO.CONFLICTED.
One second he's human, next he turns into a monster. My mind was spinning and I FREAKING LOVED IT. I loved Q so much!
I loved that the author doesn't make excuses for him, it is what it is. Take it or leave it.
If you're reading the book for the sweet love despite the odds just step away cause this is not it. The connection these two share is dark and twisted and sick but it works. It's co-dependency on a whole another level. They're good apart but together they're explosive. And it made sense and I understood it.
If I had to, I'd say this book was 50SoG done right, but it feels like I'm downplaying it cause it's so much more.
Also, I'm not a shadey books fan.
If you can handle the abuse and just how graphic it is, it's so worth it. I'm just gonna write out that this book comes with trigger warning for good reason. Yes, there's rape. Yes, it's brutal.
I don't even have to say there are graphic sex scenes.
OH! Totally forgot to mention the epilogue! FREAKING LOVED IT. LOVED LOVED LOVED.
Overall, TESS DELIVERS. Pepper Winters totally delivers and I'm so glad I got to read this book cause I was bursting at the seams waiting for it. I'm really excited for uh... To see what else she comes up with. AMAYZIN.
Kidnapped. Drugged. Stolen.
SIGH. I LOVED THIS BOOK.
Pepper Winters has amazing story-telling skills.
The change Tess undergoes as a character from this... naive, slightly desperate girl to a very strong female character in the end was amazing to see. I STRUGGLED WITH TESS. In the beginning. So it should say something that by the end I was giving her a fictional high-five girl power kpow! With every blow she takes, she just comes out stronger and better, and trust me, she takes a lot of blows. It was awesome.
Q is...
I can't tell you about Q, because the unraveling of his character was done so well I don't want to say ANYTHING about him, just so you get to experience him.
But I will tell you how his character made me feel.
SO.CONFLICTED.
One second he's human, next he turns into a monster. My mind was spinning and I FREAKING LOVED IT. I loved Q so much!
I loved that the author doesn't make excuses for him, it is what it is. Take it or leave it.
If you're reading the book for the sweet love despite the odds just step away cause this is not it. The connection these two share is dark and twisted and sick but it works. It's co-dependency on a whole another level. They're good apart but together they're explosive. And it made sense and I understood it.
If I had to, I'd say this book was 50SoG done right, but it feels like I'm downplaying it cause it's so much more.
Also, I'm not a shadey books fan.
If you can handle the abuse and just how graphic it is, it's so worth it. I'm just gonna write out that this book comes with trigger warning for good reason. Yes, there's rape. Yes, it's brutal.
I don't even have to say there are graphic sex scenes.
OH! Totally forgot to mention the epilogue! FREAKING LOVED IT. LOVED LOVED LOVED.
Overall, TESS DELIVERS. Pepper Winters totally delivers and I'm so glad I got to read this book cause I was bursting at the seams waiting for it. I'm really excited for uh... To see what else she comes up with. AMAYZIN.
May 16, 2015
My reaction when I see Dark Romance...
Yep, That me!! They scare me big time!! I can’t stand assault, violence, rape, Trafficking. These are usually elements for my nightmare. At some point I needed to be brave enough to come out of my comfort zone that’s when “Tears of Tess” came along.
Three little words.
If anyone asked what I was most afraid of, what terrified me, stole my breath, and made my life flicker before my eyes, I would say three little words.
I was sold.
Just first few lines from Prologue and I dived into this story. Yes! I was terrified beyond belief but the story from Tess’s eyes made it real. She was a victim of human trafficking! I hoped and prayed that she stayed strong, she’d escape, she’d fight for her freedom and never breakdown but what followed after she was sold was worth reading.
I was so captivated by this story not a typical Stockholm syndrome cliché. Tess was definitely captive in Q’s mansion always plotting for her escape, never obeying her master. Series of events leads her to see different dimensions to Q. He was not a captor but a saviour, time and again he proves her that she is safe with him, he would always protect her. Q’s an enigma, he had an aura of power and authority but never really wanted to dominate Tess nor did he abuse her, yet trying to break her just to keep his demon lurked in the dark pit of his life. Tess is not submissive by nature instead she has her own dark twisted fantasy which she never releases until Q unlocks it.
“Only think of me and what I’m doing. There is intimacy in pain esclave. Let me make your pain my pleasure.”
But when time comes for her let go this twisted reality will she embrace her freedom? Or will she go back to her master the one her body obeys?
I loved the strength Tess carried throughout the book, Loved her transition from timid girl to a fighter, to a strong woman who embraced her true desire. I loved the passion and growing intensity between them. This is one unconventional love story, living together they didn't fix each other but unleashed their darkness to heal them both.
“I’m willing to be your monster Q.”
The epilogue in Q’s POV was beautiful you will see his horrid past in bits and pieces. Once you learn them you will definitely fall for Q, there is more to him than just a monster.
August 1, 2014
3.75 ~ 4 Stars
I really enjoyed Pepper Winters’ writing and I think she is very talented. She has a really nice flow that made the story line work.
We are once again kidnapped in Mexico and fall into the seedy world of human trafficking. Seriously, I may never go to Mexico after all these types of books.
Tess, the main character really drives the message to a reader that she is not satisfied with her sex life with her longtime boyfriend, Brax. I mean the author makes this very clear that Tess wants kinky and is drawn to a submissive role in the bedroom and Brax isn’t interested at all.
[image error]
I mean come on Brax!
Tess finds herself captured and in an outfit out of Flashdance at the hands of monsters and is sold. Of course in the back of a readers mind your thinking well she should like this but what she yearns for is kink with the safety and embrace of love.
"Why did you buy me?" He leaned back, steepling his fingers.
"I didn't. You were a gift. An unwanted gift." His lips twitched.
"A bribe, if you will."
Tess was hard to like for the majority of the book because her emotions were ALL over the map, she likes him, she hates him, she wants to go home, etc. She was a bit exhausting but in the end I appreciated her making up her mind and going for it!
Q isn’t what he seems and then again he is. I found his portion of the story interesting and I will continue on to the sequel to see where these two BIRDS will go from here.
Together they make perfect sense...
"Only think of me and what I'm doing. There is intimacy in pain, esclave. Let me make your pain my pleasure."
Some things didn’t really work for me in the story but overall, this was a good read and it did hold my attention so onto the next book.
"I want to hurt you. I want to own you. I want to devour you. I want to make you mine. I'm already yours."
P.S. Doesn't end with a cliffhanger- always a plus!
I really enjoyed Pepper Winters’ writing and I think she is very talented. She has a really nice flow that made the story line work.
We are once again kidnapped in Mexico and fall into the seedy world of human trafficking. Seriously, I may never go to Mexico after all these types of books.
Tess, the main character really drives the message to a reader that she is not satisfied with her sex life with her longtime boyfriend, Brax. I mean the author makes this very clear that Tess wants kinky and is drawn to a submissive role in the bedroom and Brax isn’t interested at all.
[image error]
I mean come on Brax!
Tess finds herself captured and in an outfit out of Flashdance at the hands of monsters and is sold. Of course in the back of a readers mind your thinking well she should like this but what she yearns for is kink with the safety and embrace of love.
"Why did you buy me?" He leaned back, steepling his fingers.
"I didn't. You were a gift. An unwanted gift." His lips twitched.
"A bribe, if you will."
Tess was hard to like for the majority of the book because her emotions were ALL over the map, she likes him, she hates him, she wants to go home, etc. She was a bit exhausting but in the end I appreciated her making up her mind and going for it!
Q isn’t what he seems and then again he is. I found his portion of the story interesting and I will continue on to the sequel to see where these two BIRDS will go from here.
Together they make perfect sense...
"Only think of me and what I'm doing. There is intimacy in pain, esclave. Let me make your pain my pleasure."
Some things didn’t really work for me in the story but overall, this was a good read and it did hold my attention so onto the next book.
"I want to hurt you. I want to own you. I want to devour you. I want to make you mine. I'm already yours."
P.S. Doesn't end with a cliffhanger- always a plus!
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