RELEASE REVIEW: THE BODY PAINTER (Master of Trickery #1) by Pepper Winters

It’s LIVE!

A brand new romance from Pepper Winters is AVAILABLE NOW!

Want a tortured hero?

Want chapters oozing with chemistry?

Want enough frustration to throw your kindle?

Meet Gilbert Clark in THE BODY PAINTER. He’s guaranteed to drive you nuts, make you swoon, and you’ll probably want to slap him.

THE BODY PAINTER (Master of Trickery #1)

Blurb

“Must be slim, able to stand for long periods of time, and be impervious to the cold.”

The headline caught my attention.

“Hours are negotiable, pay is minimal, clothing absolutely forbidden.”

The second line piqued my curiosity.

“Able to hold your bladder and tongue, refrain from opinions or suggestions, and be the perfect living canvas.”

The third made me scowl.

“Other attributes required: non-ticklish, contortionist, and obedient. Must also enjoy being studied while naked in a crowd.”

The fourth made me shudder.

“Call or email ‘YOUR SKIN, HIS CANVAS’ if interested in applying.”

The final made my heart race.

I should’ve kept scrolling past the advertisement.

I should’ve applied for the boring receptionist job at minimum wage.

I should’ve clicked on any other job where I got to keep my clothes on.

But I didn’t.

I applied.

My interview is tomorrow…

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2YWaNCT
iBooks: https://apple.co/2Hg3Gt6
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2VtSlj4
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Jfilbg
Nook: http://bit.ly/30nG66r
Amazon.uk: https://amzn.to/2KGmzsg
Amazon.ca: https://amzn.to/2OZmJz3
Amazon.au: https://amzn.to/2z1F7fU
Paperback: https://amzn.to/2MoiE5w

My Review

Every time I begin one of Pepper Winter’s stories that is the first book in a duet or series, I prepare myself for the inevitable twists and turns that will take place as well as love/hate relationships that I’ll have with the hero and heroine due to their thoughts, words, and actions, and after finishing The Body Painter, the beginning of Olin Moss and Gilbert Clark’s story, I can honestly say that I’m left quite conflicted with how the storyline played out, the reasons behind their breakup as teens, and the mercurial behavior of both main characters. 

Over the course of the story, readers learn about Olin and Gil’s past through a series of flashbacks told strictly from Gil’s point of view, and because he is the catalyst of the events that break both of their hearts, I felt his perspective would give a more accurate account of what happened seven years ago. But I will say that I would have liked to have gotten even just a little bit of Olin’s circumstances, especially the horrific even that forced her to reshape her life yet again.

The present day chapters are told by Olin, which also works well because even though it was a twist of fate that brought Gil back into her life, the fact that she remains a part of it, even when he doesn’t want her to, stems from her need to understand what happened all those years ago as well as what kind of trouble Gil seems to be in now. Once again, I felt like this was a good decision on Pepper Winter’s part to utilize Olin’s perspective, but in some ways, not allowing Gil’s internal thoughts and/or an explanation for why he did what he did and continues to do what he does could skew readers’ perspective on who Gil truly is and why he continues to destroy any chance he may have to be with the woman he’s always loved.

The part of the plot line that I struggled with the most is the series of events that force Gil to break all ties with Olin. It seemed a bit too extreme and there didn’t feel like there was a foundation to the conflict, at least not in the way that could seamlessly move the story line forward. I didn’t understand where it fit in the big picture or the reason it occurred in the first place.

It’s clear that readers are supposed to see Olin as a wholesome and kind girl who positively affects those around her, bringing light to those who need it, especially one person in particular – Gil. Those attributes are portrayed extremely well throughout the story, but I do feel that some readers will take issue with the fact that she chooses to remain in Gil’s life in the present even as he works like hell to get rid of her, treating her horribly and using her body for his release. It is easy to recognize just how connected Olin feels to Gil despite their time apart and the type of person she is won’t allow her to give up on him or herself, but he is so callus with her feelings and so matter-of-fact with the harsh words he slings at her that I wanted her to walk away or at least attempt to so that Gil understands there’s much more at stake that he realizes now that Olin’s reentered his life.

There are a number of reasons as to why this tortured and scarred man finds himself undeserving, and while readers are only privy to some of them, it’s clear that the layers this man has are extensive. And because of the secrets Gil still holds and his hot and cold demeanor he has whenever Olin is in his space points to the idea that there is so much we still don’t know about him – information that we desperately need before we can truly decide if he’s a lost cause, like he thinks he is, or if there’s a chance that he can do the impossible and make amends while still protecting everything and everyone that’s important to him.

I’m definitely eager for the continuation of Olin and Gil’s story to be released; I need the secrets to be revealed and the holes in the plot line to be filled in, and even though I have a feeling that Pepper Winters is going to make both her characters and her readers suffer a bit before all the cards are laid out, as long as everything ties back around and makes sense given all that’s occurred, I’ll call it a win.

4 Poison Apples

About Pepper

Pepper Winters is a multiple New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today International Bestseller.

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 19 books currently published, she has hit the bestseller charts twenty-six 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 and Turkish. Audio Books for her entire back-list will be available in 2017.

Connect with Pepper

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