Review: Tears of Tess by Pepper Winters

Title: Tears of Tess
Author: Pepper Winters
Age Group: New Adult
Release Date: 28th August 2013
Publishers: Self Published
Available from: Amazon
Source: Author

A story about finding love in the strangest of places, a will of iron that grows from necessity, and forgiveness that may not be enough.

“My life was complete. Happy, content, everything neat and perfect.

Then it all changed.

I was sold.”

Tess Snow has everything she ever wanted: one more semester before a career in property development, a loving boyfriend, and a future dazzling bright with possibility.

For their two year anniversary, Brax surprises Tess with a romantic trip to Mexico. Sandy beaches, delicious cocktails, and soul-connecting sex set the mood for a wonderful holiday. With a full heart, and looking forward to a passion filled week, Tess is on top of the world.

But lusty paradise is shattered.

Kidnapped. Drugged. Stolen. Tess is forced into a world full of darkness and terror.

Captive and alone with no savior, no lover, no faith, no future, Tess evolves from terrified girl to fierce fighter. But no matter her strength, it can’t save her from the horror of being sold.

Can Brax find Tess before she’s broken and ruined, or will Tess’s new owner change her life forever?

_____________

I wasn’t sure about reviewing Tears of Tess, but all those teasers Pepper posted over Facebook had me wanting to give it a try. I am so glad I did. It’s not as dark as I had thought, but is still gritty and touches on some tough issues. If you’re not a fan of slavery and non-consensual sex, then you may want to give it a miss. But if you can look past these elements and see the story as a whole, you won’t be disappointed.

At its heart, Tears of Tess is a story of survival and self-discovery. We never know how strong we are until we are tested and Tess’s strength constantly shines through the pages. I was continually amazed at her resilience and fortitude no matter her situation. Tess is a heroine you can look up to and admire. When we first meet Tess she’s in a loving, if stifling relationship with Brax. She has some kinky thoughts and desires but Brax isn’t sold on her wanting to explore their sexual relationship more. She hopes their holiday will help him open up a bit, but everything changes in a moment when she’s taken. From here Tess is subjected to degradation and humiliation. I’m not sure I could have survived what she does. Pepper tells Tess’s story so vividly, it’s like you’re right there alongside her. I couldn’t flick through the pages fast enough!

Then there’s Q. Such a dark and intriguing character who will have you quivering in your skin. He’s so complex and it was frustrating at times trying to figure him out. When you do realise the extent of his characters intricacies, it’s hard not to fall for him. He’s a good guy with some rather wicked and sinful cravings. Q makes Tess realise her own dark desires and awakens a fire in her. Their chemistry leaps off the pages and it’s a wonder your fingers don’t burn. She has to come to terms with the fact that she can submit to him but not lose herself in the process. Their journey together is an emotional rollercoaster full of heartbreak, betrayal, erotic discovery, understanding and forgiveness. It will break you, mess with your head and leave you wrung out when you’ve finished. Tears of Tess is such a compelling and beautiful read. I am already looking forward to whatever Pepper releases next.

5/5

Review: Games of Fire by Airicka Phoenix

Title: Games of Fire
Author: Airicka Phoenix
Age Group: Young Adult
Release Date: 12th February 2013
Publishers: Self published
Available from: Amazon
Source: Author
Sophie has enough problems in her life without Spencer turning her blood to fire, without his eyes freezing and burning her, without his hatred of her. Since his migration into the house 
next to hers, Sophia Valdez isn’t sure whether she wants to toss him under a bus or kiss that smirking mouth of his. But even as the temperature rises around them, leaping flames of passion, want and desire,everything either has ever known will be shattered by the lurking shadow hounding their every step, wanting revenge.

Spencer Rowth moves to the sleepy town of River Port with his mother and twelve year old sister, Suzy, to escape a deceitful father, an unfaithful girlfriend and a life crumbling much too fast for him to grapple onto only to be smacked upside the head by the last thing he wanted again. Sophie was everything he refused to want. Her temper, her wit, her laugh, her smile, the way her entire body goes up in flames under his hands are things he would rather slam a lid on and forget. Instead, he finds himself falling for the smart-mouth next door. But how long will he have before the evil chasing them catches up? How long before the very thing he never wanted becomes his only thread to sanity? And who is after them? What do they want and why do they want Spencer and Sophie dead?

**************

Airicka Phoenix has done it again! If I could bow down in front of her right now I would. This lady is amazing and the stories she writes blow my mind EVERY time. Games of Fire is no exception. This book had my eyes glued to the  first page and I didn't stop until I'd read it in one sitting. I neglected pretty much everything but the basic necessities which consisted of quick toilet breaks.

Sophie's life gets a little complicated when Spencer Rowth moves in next door. He is all kinds of hot with his tattoos and piercings and abs. Then he goes and opens his mouth and Sophie realises he's arrogant and a jerk. I loved that these two had sparks straight away. I mean the kind that could burn a house down. I think Sophie and Spencer are now high on my favourite couples list. 

Sophie seems like a nice and quiet girl next door, but she certainly knows how to give as good as she gets. She's my kind of girl; it doesn't bother her to spend the day in her grungy Green Day t-shirt and jeans, plus she only owns two dresses.  She's definitely got spunk, and she needs it as Spencer knows how to push her buttons and does. The banter between them is one of the best parts of the book. Spencer has been burned before and has not shown interest in a girl for two years. Then he meets Sophie, and boom! he's got it bad. Spencer is on par with Daemon from Jennifer L. Armentrout's Lux novels. He just has that presence on the page. You're not sure if you want to punch him or kiss him, or both.

As the two of them get to know one another they begin to realise someone wants to hurt them. I wasn't sure where this was going in the beginning, because it only played a small part in the plot. As the story progresses we get given little pieces of information and you start to wonder how it's going to play out. After a while I started to work it out in my head and I just wanted to read faster so I could find out what was going to happen. I had my suspicions who the suspect was, but I was never entirely sure if I was right. The last third of the book is when things start to really pick up and you can feel the suspense build, waiting for that crescendo. It doesn't disappoint. 

Airicka has crafted a taut, suspenseful thriller hidden inside a smoking hot contemporary romance. I loved this book so hard and was a little lost after I had finished it. I had to sit there for a few minutes and wonder where I went from there. I know when I pick up one of her books, I am going to be treated to an amazing story with characters that leap off the page and a story line that will sink it's claws deep into my brain and won't let me out until I've the whole thing. If you haven't picked up one of Airicka's books, you are missing out on one of the best authors out there! 

5/5