Excerpt from Destroyed by Pepper Winters

It was the best kiss I’d ever received, but also the worst. It sparked lust and need in every inch of me. My lips wanted more, my tongue wanted savagery. My skin wanted to bruise because he needed to touch me so badly.

All my thoughts disappeared as I nipped at his bottom lip. He flinched, but a second later he copied, his sharp canines piercing my oversensitive flesh.

I moaned.

I couldn’t take it.

My hands flew up and gripped his shirt. Yanking him toward me, fireworks whizzed in my fingertips; my heart galloped toward exploding with lust. I’d never been so drunk on someone before.

Then I landed flat on my back.

The crack of my skull jangled my teeth. The thick carpet did little to cushion me. My eyes flared wide and I grunted in pain. Fear, hot and terrible, swamped my lust in a dampening wave.

“Top rule. Unbreakable rule. Don’t. Ever. Touch. Me.” Fox kneeled on one knee beside my head, breathing hard. His hand noosed my throat, pressing my spine into the carpet. His eyes were cold and lifeless, looking like a hunter intent on blood. –HAZEL

INTERVIEW WITH PEPPER WINTERS

1. Can you introduce yourself and tell us what kind of books you write?

Sure, my name is Pepper Winters. I speak with an English accent, have been lucky enough to live in a few countries around the world, and love to write dark, twisted love stories while in my PJ’s. I’m married to a French Canadian and have a house rabbit. That’s about it. With regards to my writing, I’ve always loved getting into the heads of people. I love to twist their darkest desire and confront their greatest fear. I find it brings a much deeper story into life. However, I’m about to release a Contemporary Romance that won’t be dark and I’m enjoying writing it immensely.

2. What inspired you to write the book included in Take Me?

Destroyed was, and still is to this day, the hardest book I’ve had to write. It took a lot out of me. The characters didn’t behave and the plot line went in a completely different direction than the one I intended. I fought it every step—which made it incredibly hard to write. However, the book went on to hit the USA Today Bestseller, Indie Choice, and earned me a publishing deal with Grand Central (Hachette) publishing. So even though it took so much out of me, it gave back so much more.

3. Who is your favorite character that you’ve written and why?

My favourite character to date. That’s an exceedingly hard question. Mainly because each book I write there is something I love about each character. However, if I have to pick, I’m going to break the rules a little and choose two. Q Mercer from Monsters in the Dark Series will always have a piece of my heart. He’s so damaged but so strong. So twisted but so loyal. I loved getting into his headspace. I’m also falling for Jethro Hawk from the Indebted Series. He has a lot beneath the surface and my heart breaks for him with what he has to deal with.

4. What is the hardest part of writing for you?

Hardest part is my eyesight currently. Before, I could stare at a screen for 18 hours a day with no problem. Now, I have to wear glasses and they get tired very quickly. I can write very fast when I’m in the zone (up to 13,000 words a day) but unless my eyes are focusing, it’s hard. I’m lucky that I don’t really deal with writer’s block. If I do, I’ll get my notepad and pen out and do some plotting. That always helps get me back on track.

5. Tell us about your upcoming release!

I have a few coming out. 2015 is going to be my busiest year yet. I have Second Debt (Indebted #3) coming out on the 26^th Jan, followed by Third Debt (Indebted #4), Forbidden Flaws (Contemporary Romance), Ruin & Rule (MC Romance 28^th July), Fourth Debt (Indebted #5), Je suis a toi (Monsters in the Dark Novella), Final Debt (Indebted #6). Busy year! The Indebted Series are a dark romance dealing with diamonds, debts, and unwavering loyalties.