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Pepper Winters

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Destroyed Kindle Edition

by Pepper Winters (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

3,437 ratings

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She has a secret.

I’m complicated. Not broken or ruined or running from a past I can’t face. Just complicated.

I thought my life couldn’t get any more tangled in deceit and confusion. But I hadn’t met him. I hadn't realized how far I could fall or what I'd have do to get free.

He has a secret.

I’ve never pretended to be good or deserving. I chase who I want, do what I want, act how I want.

I didn’t have time to lust after a woman I had no right to lust after. I told myself to shut up and stay hidden. But then she tried to run. I’d tasted what she could offer me and damned if I would let her go.

Secrets destroy them.

**Pepper Winters is known for her Dark Erotica. This book is more a Grey Romance. It isn't fluffy, and still deals with darker subjects, but it isn't brutal.**

Destroyed is a complicated love story between a man with a terrible past and a woman who holds his cure. A man who finds redemption in love and a woman who loses her heart and reason for living.

Death brings life, and destruction brings new beginnings.

Complete at 144,000 words. No cliffhanger. Stand alone. HEA

Editorial Reviews

Review

This book enticed & enthralled me completely. Pepper's stories are like a fine piece of art. They are profound, unique, raw and beautiful. --Kristina, Amazon Review

Pepper Winters has a ridiculous level of talent, and I'm in awe of how deeply she delves into her characters. There are not enough stars, seriously.--K Dawn, Amazon Reviewer

If you like a bit of grey in your romance then you need to get this book because it's one of the best books I've read this year.--Bookfreak

About the Author

Pepper Winters wears many roles. Some of them include writer, reader, sometimes wife. She loves dark, taboo stories that twist with your head. The more tortured the hero, the better, and she constantly thinks up ways to break and fix her characters. Oh, and sex...her books have sex. She loves to travel and has an amazing, fabulous hubby who puts up with her love affair with her book boyfriends. She hangs out on Facebook all day every day, so if you want to pop in and say hi, she's always ready to reply. If you enjoyed this book or her others, Pepper would love you forever if you could leave a brief review on Amazon. Her other books include: Tears of Tess (Monsters in the Dark #1) Quintessentially Q (Monsters in the Dark #2) Twisted Together (Monsters in the Dark #3 Coming May 2014) Debt Inheritance (Indebted Series. Coming Soon)

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00IUNAHZ2
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pepper Winters
Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 6, 2014
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1.4 MB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 369 pages
Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled

Best Sellers Rank: #129,268 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #225 in Mystery Erotica
- #498 in Action & Adventure Erotica (Kindle Store)
- #515 in Erotic Suspense (Kindle Store)

Customer Reviews:
3,437 ratings

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Pepper Winters

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On a career level, Pepper currently has close to 40 books released in nine languages. She’s hit best-seller lists (USA Today, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal) almost 40 times. She dabbles in multiple genres, ranging from Dark Romance to Coming of Age.

On a personal level, Pepper lives on a farm with two minis, four horses, countless birds and wildlife, and a precious little ball of fluff called Mo. Her little house-rabbit sits at her feet while writing all the words, and always seems to know when she’s writing a naughty scene. He’s her muse and the main reason why a rabbit is on her author logo.

Now back to the writing stuff…

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 #1 iBooks bestseller, along with #1 in Erotic Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, and Erotica Thriller. She’s also honoured to wear the IndieReader Badge for being a Top 10 Indie Bestseller.

After releasing two books with Grand Central, Hachette (Ruin & Rule and Sin & Suffer) Pepper is a Hybrid Author of both Traditional and Self-published work.

Her books include:

When a Moth Loved a Bee

Goddess Isles (5 books)

Monsters in the Dark Trilogy 3.5 books)

Indebted Series (6.5 books)

Destroyed (Standalone)

Unseen Messages (Standalone)

Can't Touch This (Standalone)

Pure Corruption Duet (2 books)

Master of Trickery Duet (2 books)

Dollar Series (5 books)

Truth & Lies Duet (2 books)

Ribbon Duet (2 books)

The Son & His Hope (Standalone)

Fable fo Happiness

Pippin & Mo

Find her on FB: Pepper Winters Books

Twitter: @pepperwinters

Instagram:@pepperwinters

Website: www.pepperwinters.com

For New Release Alerts & Free Deleted Scenes etc sign up to her Newsletter: http://www.subscribepage.com/www.pepperwinters.com

Customer reviews

3,437 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a stunning read with a powerful, twisty story that makes them feel many emotions. The writing is praised for its ability to evoke emotions, and customers particularly appreciate the character development, noting how easy it is to fall in love with the characters. The book maintains a dark tone without being overly graphic, and customers describe it as beautiful and haunting, taking them from brutal to beautiful experiences. The creativity receives mixed reactions, with some praising the author's imagination while others find it bogged down with repetition.

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Readability Story quality Emotional content Writing quality Character development Dark tone Beauty Creativity

291 customers mention "Readability"291 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a stunning and must-read experience that they enjoyed until the end.

"Wow! Pepper Winter's books are always so great. Get ready for an intense, emotionally charged read...." Read more

"...as buying someone for sex, rape, etc... but still makes it enjoyable to read without being totally disgusted by some of the characters (mostly Roan)..." Read more

"...recommend this book if you like dark, gritty and painful, but good with HEA." Read more

"...that provokes and evokes thinking and emotions from the reader, good book cover and I'm excited there are no cliffhangers let the skies open up and..." Read more

289 customers mention "Story quality"238 positive51 negative

Customers praise the book's powerful and twisty narrative, appreciating its fresh plot line and unique love story elements.

"...It's a wonderful story of finding that one person who will understand you, stand by you and help save you...." Read more

"...Overall, another amazing, dark, twisted book by Pepper Winters. I loved Destroyed and could barely keep my eyes off my Kindle while reading it...." Read more

"...The story was really well crafted and the idea behind it all is amazing and so original that I couldn't believe at times what I was reading...." Read more

"...The story wasn't so bad. I didn't loved it as much as MitD trilogy, but story draw you in and you just need to know whats next...." Read more

269 customers mention "Emotional content"206 positive63 negative

Customers appreciate the emotional depth of the book, describing it as heartbreaking and compassionate, with several customers mentioning they cried while reading it.

"...His story about his past and struggles will break your heart. He wants so badly to change and to fight his demons...." Read more

"...This the full strength of Destroyed at work. Raw and unapologetic there are no dark corners left unexplored in the world of Hazel and Roan...." Read more

"...an interesting read that provokes and evokes thinking and emotions from the reader, good book cover and I'm excited there are no cliffhangers let..." Read more

"...The words to describe this book... floored, shocking, wonderful, emotional, redemption, utterly gutted, brilliant, perfect, twists and turns, I..." Read more

101 customers mention "Writing quality"90 positive11 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, finding it amazing and easy to read, with one customer noting how it evokes emotions in the reader.

"...I could really feel the characters' emotions. It was very good writing on Pepper Winters' part. She's such an amazing author...." Read more

"...Roan and his past was so unique and well written….again, I have never read anyone like him before….his struggle, his plight, his loss shook me to my..." Read more

"...Why is this brook hard to provide a star rating? The writing was strong. I also felt it was mostly unpredictable...." Read more

"...This beautifully written book dug deep into my heart and took hold. I was destroyed along with Hazel and Fox, and loved every minute of it...." Read more

100 customers mention "Character development"81 positive19 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding the characters easy to fall in love with, with one customer noting the insightful perspectives from both points of view.

"...Zel is a strong character and has dealt with so much in her life...." Read more

"...As for Hazel, I loved her as heroine...." Read more

"...Hazel is brave, courageous and loyal. Shes the kind of girl who knows the bad side of the world and knows how to survive it...." Read more

"...Characters so rich and vibrant, they are alive and real to me as a reader. This story is incredibly powerful, and affecting...." Read more

88 customers mention "Dark tone"65 positive23 negative

Customers appreciate the dark tone of the book, noting that it is truly dark without being overly graphic, and features characters with dark pasts.

"...all, I have to say that I love Pepper Winters books because they're so dark, twisty and simply delicous. And Destroyed was definitely no exception...." Read more

"...I love the lack of color, the darkness, once again, so Roan. Character 5 stars Hazel is the perfect heroine. Yes, perfect...." Read more

"...Destroyed is unbelievably complex, dark, beautiful, brutal, sexy, and emotionally exhausting...." Read more

"...recommend this book to anyone, with a caution it is a bit on the darker side, but so worth the read. :) Happy reading." Read more

53 customers mention "Beauty"53 positive0 negative

Customers describe the book as beautiful and haunting, taking readers from brutal to sensual moments, with one customer noting it as a perfect Beauty and the Beast retelling.

"...Cover 5 stars It's hot, it's gorgeous, and if you read the book you will undestand it's Roan...." Read more

"...Destroyed is unbelievably complex, dark, beautiful, brutal, sexy, and emotionally exhausting...." Read more

"...Style: Dark Erotica Story: GOOD Intimacy level: Sex-citingly Interesting / GOOD Enjoyment: GOOD Series: N/A..." Read more

"...Clara – wow. so beautiful and full of life. The way you wrote her was purely stunning. She was such a joy and brought life to the story...." Read more

46 customers mention "Creativity"25 positive21 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the book's creativity, with some praising its amazing imagination and unique approach, while others find it bogged down with repetition and too complex.

"...was really well crafted and the idea behind it all is amazing and so original that I couldn't believe at times what I was reading...." Read more

"...He is totally brainwashed, he can't be touched and he hurts himself.. I mean really really hurts himself...." Read more

"...Roan and his past was so unique and well written….again, I have never read anyone like him before….his struggle, his plight, his loss shook me to my..." Read more

"...The writing was strong. I also felt it was mostly unpredictable. Throughout the book, it never headed in the direction that I thought it was going...." Read more

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Debbie
Beautifully Intense - Absolutely Wonderful!
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2014
Verified Purchase

Wow! Pepper Winter's books are always so great. Get ready for an intense, emotionally charged read.

When Roan sets eyes on Zel in his fighting club, something in his body physically changes. He's never wanted anyone, was trained not to, so he doesn't understand what's happening or what he's feeling. But he recognizes that she's different and knows their connection is too strong to ignore, so he'll do anything to get her, to keep her.

Zel didn't want to go to the fight club that night with Clue, her best friend, but she did. She's ready to leave when she spots Roan (a/k/a Obsidian Fox) across the room in a heated argument about to fight. He's stunning! He's dark and dangerous and she is drawn to him instantly. She knows she should run, but she can't seem to make her feet leave. Before she realizes it, he's there and he holding her arm and she can't believe the electrical touch and response her body has to him. Roan makes Zel a proposition she can't pass up. But she has secrets and she's told lies; but Roan has secrets of his own. Can they release the secrets and be the person to heal the other? How many secrets are there? And will some secrets be the breaking point? I'm being vague I know, but I don't want to give away too much information, because you really need to read it and experience it for yourselves. It will leave you breathless.

Roan was a beautifully broken man. His story about his past and struggles will break your heart. He wants so badly to change and to fight his demons. Finding Zel has given him hope for the first time in his life. I was as drawn to Roan as Zel, and I wanted to hug him just as badly as she did.

Zel is a strong character and has dealt with so much in her life. When she tells Roan some of her secrets, I was proud of her for FINALLY opening up. But she continued to hold back something very important and I wanted to slam my Kindle on her head! UGH! Infuriating woman! When he learns the truth, that scene.....there are no words.

This was a very emotional roller coaster of a book. It's got some dark elements, but it's more about overcoming a brutal past and living for a brighter future. It's a wonderful story of finding that one person who will understand you, stand by you and help save you. If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. Please read this book!

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Stephanie (Bookfever)
Another amazing, dark, twisted book by Pepper Winters
Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2014
Verified Purchase
We destroyed each other.

First of all, I have to say that I love Pepper Winters books because they're so dark, twisty and simply delicous. And Destroyed was definitely no exception. I'm not saying I love it as much as I loved Tears of Tess but it was very good. The awesome thing about Pepper's books are how she tackles certain topics as buying someone for sex, rape, etc... but still makes it enjoyable to read without being totally disgusted by some of the characters (mostly Roan) and decisions they made. And also, I think that this book isn't as dark as Tears of Tess and Quintessentially Q. It's really different.

I wrote my own story with a magical pen called lies.

So Destroyed... really did destroy me. It has a HEA but I cried. Which I almost never do with books so that's a big deal. This one part of the book really got to me. I could really feel the characters' emotions. It was very good writing on Pepper Winters' part. She's such an amazing author.

And so I stole her. And I took her. Over and over again.

I really liked the story overall. The two main characters (Hazel and Roan) each had their own sad and screwed up past. Roan's past was a little more twisty than Hazel's but they both went through a lot. When Hazel and Roan meet I have to admit I was a little weirded out by how Roan instantly wanted her while before he hadn't touched another woman for so long. But that was probably me just trying to get into the book.

He was the master at masking pain.

As the story goes on we find out more about each character's past. Roan has flashbacks sometimes, which are heartbreaking mostly but I liked them because that way showed us what he went through. As for Hazel, I loved her as heroine. I loved how she wanted to fix Roan which was probably because she can't fix Clara (*sobs*) but in the end I agreed that they're perfect for each other and I liked how Hazel didn't fix Roan but something else did fix him.

I wanted her to be my first—my first real connection.

Overall, another amazing, dark, twisted book by Pepper Winters. I loved Destroyed and could barely keep my eyes off my Kindle while reading it. It's a very intense book but I did love it. I can't wait to see what else Pepper has in store in her next upcoming books!

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Chiara Cilli
Invincibile. Impenetrabile. Invisibile.
Reviewed in Italy on April 15, 2014
Verified Purchase

Ormai io sono una seguace di primo ordine di Pepper Winters e non ho intenzione di perdermi neanche una sua opera! Così, dopo Q Mercer, è il turno di questo romanzo autoconclusivo--non proprio dark, ma grigio, come afferma Pepper ;) Quasi 500 pagine in cui il mio cuore ha pianto e pianto per il povero Roan, protagonista dai capelli color bronzo e gli occhi così chiari da sembrare incolore. Per quasi tutto il libro, però, lui è Obsidian Fox, proprietario dell'omonimo locale dove si svolgono combattimenti clandestini. Qualcuno ha detto combattimenti?! Oh yeeeeah, proprio il libro per me *.* infatti ho iniziato a sbavare dalla prima pagina xD Non so come, ma la Winters è in grado di toccarmi l'anima--e non con i sentimenti d'amore, ma con quelli oscuri che solo lei è in grado di scrivere come si deve. Con Q mi ha squarciata in due, e con Roan mi ha marchiata. III (Invincible. Impenetrable. Invisible.) Quello che questo povero cucciolo ha dovuto tollerare... oddio, ho sofferto con lui in ogni singolo flashback. Certo che i russi non scherzano proprio, quando devono creare un killer perfetto--e Fox lo è al 100%. Quella poveretta di Hazel, la protagonista, non può nemmeno toccarlo che lui baaaam! La sbatte a terra e per poco non la strangola. Non essendo propriamente dark, questo romanzo è più soft rispetto a TT e QQ, ma molto struggente--tanto che c'è stato un momento in cui mi sono commossa, perché non si può restare impassibili di fronte a una cosa del genere. Finale molto mieloso, ma ci sta ;) Caro Roan, meriti il meglio che la vita ha da offrirti!

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Christina
Best read ever!!!
Reviewed in Canada on October 3, 2014
Verified Purchase
Pepper brings you characters that you can’t help but love. All her books have you biting your nails and begging for more. I loved this book. Read it more than once and every time I’ve read it it’s made me cry. You will love this book. The sex is unreal and at the same time you can’t help but feel for everyone you meet in this book,

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Terri T.
A compelling read - Destroyed is a fitting title, another dark brutal read from Pepper Winters !!!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 15, 2017
Verified Purchase
I had been wanting to read this book for ages and just never had got around to it, I'm so glad I made the time. Yes I have given it five stars because the story was an epic one, and raw and emotional and yet very frustrating for me at times, but for the life of me I couldn't put it down. In my opinion the second half of this book was much better than the first part and the writing was impeccable as always.

Hazel is a born fighter in life, but some things just take us down and after some life changing news her life is unraveling slowly. On a night out with her best friend, she meets Obsidian Fox ( Roan) and for reasons she can't fathom she is pulled towards this beast of a man. He has a very dark past with problems no one can help him with, he is conditioned and damaged so badly it actually scared me. I couldn't find a connection to Fox at all, I honestly didn't like his character but Hazel on the other hand I quite enjoyed her, such a determined lady, strong yet loving and with a tragic past of her own I couldn't help but gravitate towards her. Fox felt the same - he wanted Hazel, she had made him "feel" and that hadn't happened in his life for a very long time. He makes her an offer she really couldn't refuse because of certain circumstances in her life at present and from then on she is enveloped into the dark dangerous life of Fox and what a ride of discovery we are taken on.

I really liked that as the book goes along we get to delve into both their pasts and how they have gotten to this point in their lives, it is told in duel perspective so we really get to know these characters very well. My heart finally started to melt a little where Fox is concerned because lets face it no one is immune to the kind of abuse and cruelty- mentally and physically he has been put through, my heart bled for his pain, but at times I really disliked him immensely and I couldn't see or feel any ending to this book, no hope peeked through the pages and this is where the frustration came in for me , and then WHAM - something changed - you will have to read the book to find out what and why but this was the best part for me. Then just as you think you have got this - it all falls down around your feet again and my heart once again was deflated and disappointed. I was angry, sad and immensely frustrated with the whole thing.
Hazel on the other hand was a bloody Saint in my mind to put up with all this and still go back for more, me - I would have run a mile and not looked back - thank god Hazel is a better woman than me !!

I'm not going to lie and say when I first started this book I didn't think was going to like it at all, but this story is so addictive that you have no choice but to read it and get totally involved in the lives of the characters, you HAVE to know the outcome of these conflicted, torturous people, you hold out hope with all your heart that the outcome is a good one but the path that leads to this is a shocking and disturbing one so be warned.

Another great book from Pepper but one that I will not be reading again and certainly not one of my favourites of hers, but on the other hand it is also one I will never ever forget and that says a lot about this author and her work.

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Demelza Carlton
Darker than the devil himself
Reviewed in Australia on July 8, 2014
Verified Purchase
First, let me say that Roan is darker than the devil himself - hands down. Yet he's just as seductive, stealing inside your head because you understand where he's coming from. His violently stolen childhood and subsequent conditioning are nothing short of brutal. Yet he makes you feel that he deserves happiness - or at least the hope of it.

Hazel, whether she knows it or not, is looking for an out from her tragic life. I understand her despair at her circumstances, but I don't understand how she could just walk away from her responsibilities, when time is so important. Yet Roan is such a powerful character that he carries the story from the start.

Ms Winters' vivid writing made this story so real to me I actually had nightmares as a result for about a week afterwards. My almost-eight-year-old daughter having a My Little Pony movie marathon in the background as I read this book probably didn't help the situation.

No, the characters aren't normal people - their circumstances and their pasts mean that they can never be normal. But they do deserve a happy ending.

Superb writing that truly deserves five stars.

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Sophie
I loved it! Intense, dark, gripping ... for fans of RAW.
Reviewed in France on March 16, 2014
Verified Purchase
I already read "Tears of Tess" and really liked it but it's even better.

The characters are truly incredible and the violence is always lurking in a dark corner.
It's hot and cold, a blow then a caress, high and low ... a roller coaster of emotions.

What Roan does to Hazel is harsh, unforgivable and still... it's difficult not to be drawn to him. He was the bad guy, killed innocent people, was a monster but you can't prevent wheeping for the stolen boy. Forced in a world full of horror and conditioned to pose despicable acts. He is a product of the utmost violent upbringing and fights every day against his conditioning. It takes a very strong person to battle all the time against his inner demons and not succumb to the darkness and desperation.

Always in the dark, litterally and figuratively, Roan sees Hazel as his hope, his cure for freedom.
They both feel this strong connection but they will fight all along. Roan wants to possess her and to buy Hazel for one month. She has turned his world upside down, made him feel for the first time in his life.

Hazel is a survivor and a warrior at heart. She despises the offer to buy her services but she desperately needs the money to help healing her daughter.
She'll meet every assault of Roan, always fighting and will overcome trials no other human could endure and survive like she did.
She shines brightly, full of empathy for Roan, wishing to help him. But she must also protect her daughter and does not have the luxury to bring her life at risk. And yet, even assaulted by Roan, she comes back and forgives many times.

As for Clara, Hazel's daughter, she is wise beyond her age and broke my heart.

I cried a lot, for Roan, for Hazel, for Clara and had no idea what the end would be.
Incredible!

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So dark and addictive

Top reviews from the United States

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5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully Intense - Absolutely Wonderful!

4.0 out of 5 stars Another amazing, dark, twisted book by Pepper Winters

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Invincibile. Impenetrabile. Invisibile.

5.0 out of 5 stars Best read ever!!!

5.0 out of 5 stars A compelling read - Destroyed is a fitting title, another dark brutal read from Pepper Winters !!!

5.0 out of 5 stars Darker than the devil himself

5.0 out of 5 stars I loved it! Intense, dark, gripping ... for fans of RAW.

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Beautifully Intense - Absolutely Wonderful!

Another amazing, dark, twisted book by Pepper Winters

Invincibile. Impenetrabile. Invisibile.

Best read ever!!!

A compelling read - Destroyed is a fitting title, another dark brutal read from Pepper Winters !!!

Darker than the devil himself

I loved it! Intense, dark, gripping ... for fans of RAW.