Pepper Pace 2013 Restrospect pt 2 of 2

Thanks for returning for part 2 of my 2013 Retrospect

When it was time for me to do the panel discussion my nervousness immediately disappeared. The readers were so interested in my thoughts or stories that I felt very comfortable. I do not believe that I will ever be uncomfortable again discussing what I know; Pepper Pace and Pepper Pace stories.

Also, the Throwaway Year give-away was a HIT! Sienna Mynx screamed when I announced that I had a never before published book for them all. It turns out that Sienna is a fan of Pepper Pace!!!

Back at home I had The Throwaway Year professionally edited and released. And then I began the tiresome process of having each of my books re-edited professionally. The current re-edits are:

• Urban Vampire 1 & 2
• Wheels of Steel books 1-3
• They Say Love is Blind

I began finishing up Urban Vampire 3 but I had a dilemma. Urban Vampire, books 1 & 2 had gone through some major changes that truly enhanced the story. But there is no way that I can resale the same book--that's not fair to anyone. So I decided to include them as a bookset with the release of Urban Vampire 3, allowing the first two books to be free AND giving everyone the opportunity to re-read each book in the series before going to the third one in the series.

After the cruise something amazing happened (more amazing than feeling relaxed in my skin as a writer), I began to receive invitations to be involved in meet and greets, panel discussions, interviews, Slam Jam, writing collaborations. Wow...it is truly an amazing feeling. I accepted one meet and greet hosted by my new friend Erosa Knowles and me and by Bestie hit the road for North Carolina.

A Haunted Meet and Greet with Author Cheri Hodges.

My first time meeting Cheris and I loved her style and attitude!

The event was small but so well put together by Erosa and I didn't have an instant of trepidation. I got the opportunity to eat, chat and sale some books (which made me feel like a pimp!) to fans and readers. It finally hit home that people will drive miles, pay money just to meet me; Pepper Pace. So then feeling humbled I started selling books 2 for 1 and giving away bookmarks etc. until my Bestie stopped me because we were both broke and needed money for gas in order to get home :/ Noooo Pepper Pace is far from rich!

Margaret drove 3 hours to hang with us

Talking about what inspired me to write The Throwaway Year

She bought so many of my books I started giving some to her just for naming the characters, lol

Okay, want to know what truly freaked me out the most? When I checked my Facebook I saw several posts about the event and discussions about what I was wearing, how down to earth I was, my style and about how freaked out the fans were to meet me. Oh. My. God. I whispered to my best friend, "What do I say???" She didn't know, so I posted on Facebook, "Oh my God I got to meet Margaret! She is awesome!" It was funny. I had a hoot in North Carolina!

But things began to sour quickly upon my return home. I could go into detail but I won't because I am not the only person that has had to deal with hardship this year. I have a life that is completely separate from my writing and that life has its ups and downs just like everyone else's. I will say this; I don't write full time. I work a full time job and not just a full time job but an alternate work schedule called 5, 4, 9. It means on week one I work 5 days a week. Four of those days are 9 hours while the last day is 8. Then week 2 I work four days a week for 9 hours.

On my 9 hour days I come home too tired to write but I force myself to do some editing so that I can release my re-edits. Unfortunately by all outward appearances it would appear as if I'm doing nothing. If I hadn't written down and shared this with you through this blog, then all of the things that I did as Pepper Pace would amount to publishing A Seal upon my Heart and 3 stories for a collaboration that barely made a blip on the scree. It would appear as if I just sit back collecting royalties and making false promises about the release date of books while the world waits for Wheels of Steel 4 and Urban Vampire 3 and maybe a sequel to Juicy or a sequel to They Say Love is Blind. Insert sad face. This can not be furthest from the truth. I am constantly writing, re-editing, sleeping and working. AND...I get burned out from it.


While I mentally spazzed out as my muse skipped town--deserting me completely, I started a new collaboration. Because I'm a glutton for punishment...that's why (I know you are asking why). The collaboration takes a shit-ton of time not to mention that I am a member of the newly formed Council for the IR reader's cruise, which also requires lot of time to formulate, plan and assign duties.

No understatement when I say that I am tired! There was just too much writing, editing, thinking, coming, going and worrying.  I decided that I needed to do something creative to keep my mind occupied. I began to design bookmarks. I decided that I would sell them. Then I created a calendar and decided to sell those too. Then I designed some t-shirts and decided to open an online shop for the purpose of selling those as well. Then I decided that I was nuts and that I wasn't doing any of those things because it would definitely stress me out more!

And life moved on while I did these things instead of writing. I've had surgery, a long distance relationship, and every day ups and downs. My mother was just diagnosed with stage 3 Cancer which required her to undergo a recent hysterectomy. A few days later I lost my Uncle to a sudden death, and my cat of 13 years had to be put down.

And then one day I found a poem that so profoundly effected me that I had no choice but to recognize some truths about myself. There is pain that wafts over and around me like a cloak and because I have refused to let go of that old pain I suffer daily. You see, many years ago my life was intertwined with a man that I'd loved for nearly 10 years. He died abruptly. I did not see myself walking this path without him.

And I believed that I stopped walking it all together because he wasn't there with me. 

The quiet I keep on the thin path to the meadow is the hardest.
The sound of your talk below and wind in the trees is an oracle, our future now.
I'm caught beneath the tilt of maples and cry of difference between ten-thousand things; leaf and stone, wind and grass, me, you.
How could I live without you my love, even for an afternoon?
When the sun comes up I open ten-thousand eyes to you,
when it sets I open ten thousand more.
I am remembering and watching you at the same time.
Do not miss me when I am gone, my true and only friend,
do not even think of me, I could not bear to know it

-Chard DiNiord

I anguished over how out of control my life was heading, and I read books and stories to find ways to escape and lose myself--because writing is now something I HAVE to do instead of that familiar 'Therapy' I indulged in for hours on end. Insert another sad face. I'm not having a pity party because although I am still tired, I am also determined! I am shedding my self-doubt, my false face and have accepted the challenge that I can be something so much more important. And it can only happen when I let go of the past and embrace a positive future with positive people and positive thoughts.

And so here I am, the last day of 2013, a year that has been so fabulous but also hard, sad and scary. I don't believe in New Year's Resolutions. But if I did I would resolve to stay on this path and to not falter and to know that fear is not tangible. But it is a dangerous thing because it can be as big as your mind can make it.

I love you guys!

 

Pepper Pace 2013 Retrospect pt 1 of 2

What a year I've had. 2013 marked the year that I learned what it is to be an author and to feel as if I am more than just a person that writes; this year I felt as if I was a writer!

It began with the publishing of A Seal Upon Your Heart. It was a book that sat in the shadows for nearly 2 years as I tried to find my way back into the writing groove. Earlier I had been approached by an acquisitions editor for Ellora's Cave. After re-editing several previously published stories we agreed that EC was not the right home for me and my stories.

However one good thing did develop as it sparked my muse who poked me into resuming my writing. I had re-edited versions of Urban Vampire, and Stranded which inspired me to continue on the path of finding editors to pump some professionalism into my previously published stories.

I had a collaboration going on with author CeCe Monet and the result was three new short stories which were included in a collection entitled Seduction; An Interracial Romance anthology vol. 1. While I was working on those stories I hit the 'wall' and ran out of steam. Hell it wasn't even summer yet and I found myself uninspired to write even one word. Deadlines were looming and add to that, I was going on my first Book event for the 2013 Readers and Writers Cruise.

Writing is my way of releasing stress, or engaging in some type of creative endeavor. So I decided to host some other up and coming authors on my blog, beginning with my buddy CreepyRJ and his story Becoming the Dominus. I quickly realized that hosting another author's story is a lot of work...just because I hadn't written it didn't mean that I could slap it up un-edited. In my attempts to de-stress I had just added more work to my plate.

Looming over me was also the IR cruise event that I had agreed to engage in along with my first ever panel discussion. Oh my, I was feeling pressure bigtime! As an introvert, the prospect of going on a 5 night meet and greet cruise intimidated me. I really had no idea what to expect only that there would be no where to run (lol).

As both my deadline with CeCe Monet approached as well as the cruise my muse kicked in and I began to furiously write a story entitled The Throwaway Year. 1-900 Brown Surgar and A Wrong Turn Towards Love were already completed and had received the thumbs up from my Beta Reader but something different happened with The Throwaway Year.

You see, most authors have a stash of unfinished stories; good ones that were pushed to the background for various reasons. It could be because it is just a labor or love or it could be that time just didn't allow the completion of it. The Throwaway Year was one such story and as I breathed fresh life into it I offered each chapter to my Beta Reader for feedback.

She looked at me curiously and I stood there worrying if I had missed the mark on it but she assured me that she absolutely loved it--however she flat out told me that there was no way that I could make it into a short story. With relief I nodded and assured her that I could because I only had 2 weeks to turn in my stories. That weekend I went home intent upon fisinishing the story before I realized the truth. This was no short story.

In a panic I put it aside. I couldn't cut out all the things that i wanted to put into The Throwaway Year just for the sake of having a third story for the collaboration. I wouldn't sacrifice what the story meant to me. Which meant that I would have to write, edit and have an entire new story written within a matter of days. My own fault since I had slouched for four months because I had these stories 'in the bag'.

I had been working on a story entitled The Delicate Sadness. I had rejected it for the collaboration because it was a story that I felt was very sad and I was just damned tired of writing sad stories. Okay, if you don't know this next thing then you don't understand me at all, and that is that none of my three stories were 'filler, fluff, or just something tossed together' in order to complete our contract. The Delicate Sadness turned out to be one of the best short romances that I'd ever written and many of you will not know about it because it is in a collection that just didn't sell very well.

In the mean time I had a partially finished novel or a complete novella and I decided that I wanted to release it. More importantly I decided that I wanted to gift it to the readers of the 2013 Cruise. The other authors were talking about creating a gift basket  and 'giveaways and I was at a loss. Having never been involved in any of the many events that my colleagues were used to like slam jams and meet and greets and other such events I just worked furiously on completing the Throwaway Year for the purpose of creating a 'proof' that could be given away prior to publication.

It is summer now and I am mentally exhausted and even more nervous because I'm going to meet Sienna Mynx! Shhh, I am a huge fan girl! Oh lord, I'm going to have to not shrink next to these seasoned IR authors. I gathered my forces in the form of my two best friends and we headed to New Orleans a day early of embarkation.

Did I hide? Yep. Most of the other authors and readers had gone out to mingle and my two besties and I went to Bourbon St where we got...um where we indulged in a great deal of liquor, music and food.

And then it was time for the cruise and something strange happened. I stopped being scared. The author's were so cool and down to earth that I believe we formed an immediate kinship. And then there were the readers. It was a fairly small group with less than thirty people, which made it a very intimate affair. Gerrilyn Grant Gipson had put it all together and she had done an excellent job! I kid you not when I state that there were no egos and I felt comfortable being the 'baby author' in the group and being schooled by my proteges.

Sienna Mynx and me in Mexico

went to Mexico with one of the readers. Not a fake smile!

Sienna Mynx, Serenity King, Tiana Laveen, Pepper, Yvette Hines, Erosa Knowles

some of the readers and author Di Topaz in front

I absolutely love these ladies!

Panel night 1 Included Erosa Knowles, Sienna Mynx and Yvette Hines

Wow, I hogged up the mic!

2nd night panel discussion; Pep, Tiana Laveen and Serenity King

First Night panel discussion Sienna holding the mic, Erosa nearby

So I had nothing to worry about because I had a wonderful time on the cruise-despite the ship rocking and rolling the entire time. Best of all is that we formed an IR Readers Council with the sole purpose of continuing IR events whether they be cruises or other vacation events. Even though the deadline has past for the 2014 IR cruise there are still rooms available so if you want to meet me I'll be there next year.

We are only half through the year and I have tons more to write. End part 1
GO TO PART 2

Merry Christmas

 I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas. And remember, this day is not about giving and receiving; there is a greater meaning behind Christmas even if you don't follow Christ. Take this time to reflect on yourself and to make your day a happy one. 

Love Pep

Last Day to get your free re-edit of Wheels of Steel book 3

One of my wonderful editors; Andrea Watts has re-edited the entire WOS series. Feeling brand new about the third book I decided to revert back to the original ending that I'd written here on the blog. If you don't remember the original ending then you have your last opportunity to download the book for free at AllRomance e-books. 

 Here is how:

• Follow link to AllRomance
• Press 'buy' which will then show that your purchase of 0.00 was received successfully
• lastly, select the file type that you are interested in. As a reminder, Kindle=Mobi, Nook=ePub, and to read it on your computer you can select HTML or PDF.

Thanks again for all of your support!

How would you like to own your very own Pepper Pace Merchandise?

I created a little online shop for official Pepper Pace merchandise entitled Pepper Pace Designs. Browse the shop and give me your feedback! A free magnetic PP bookmark to anyone that sends me a picture of themselves sporting my merchandise (must include mailing address and mailed to; pepperpace.author@yahoo.com). This shop is open worldwide!

Announcing the winners of the Pepper Pace book giveaway

Thank you all for your entries in the Pepper Pace Holiday gift packages. We had 55 entries! That is amazing. The winner of gift pack 1 is Theresa Gonzales. The winner of gift package number 2 is Farrah Hunt.

Congratulations ladies! I will be placing your gifts in the mail tomorrow.

Post surgery good news

Thank you for your comments and good wishes. My Mom's surgery went very well--as perfectly as it could go. My mother is now resting and though a little uncomfortable she is pleased.

Please keep my mom in your thoughts and prayers

Hi everyone, I wanted to let you know that my Mom will be having surgery tomorrow. At the age of 67 she is pretty healthy but unfortunately has been diagnosed with stage 3 cancer.

My life has been completely on hold and while I will not offer any explanations or excuses for why I've missed some writing deadlines--I'm sure you can piece it together. I know that you here on my blog do not require apologies for the interruptions of 'life'. In actuality, it is always you that remind me how much 'life happens'.

I think you guys for your patience and for coming back here to check in on me. Thank you for not writing that you don't like me anymore because I make people wait too long for stories. Thank you for realizing that sometimes there are very good reasons for everything.

Now I know that I am not the only one facing sacrifices right now and my heart goes out to anyone who is suffering loss or trying to get through some bad life situations. Believe me, my prayers are with you. Please add to your prayers my Uncle RJ who passed away last night and his immediate family who are not taking the news well at all. My friend E whose mom has been given 1week to live, Sheila whose Mom has just been placed in hospice, S who has just lost a family member last week and...so many more that I know who are facing loss.

Kim

Still time to enter for a chance to win 1 of 2 gift packs!

Post by Pepper Pace.

Wheels of Steel Book 3 - All Romance Ebooks

Wheels of Steel Book 3 - All Romance Ebooks

This re-edit is now available with an expanded new ending. Free for a limited time at AllRomance.

Pepper Pace Holiday giveaway update

Thanks everyone for the great posts about what my stories have meant to you! It makes me truly proud--all warm and fuzzy! But there is no need to post directly to the blog, Facebook or Twitter. Your entries MUST be made by email to pepperpace@gmail.com in order to be considered.

Therefore I only have 16 actual entries.

Send by email:
-50 words or less, what Pepper's stories mean to you.
-Your mailing address (to receive your gift)
-And your choice of gift package to receive (1 or 2). One request per gift but you can submit one request for each gift as long as they appear in separate emails.

Alright, now that we have that cleared up SEND ME YOUR EMAILS! Thank you!

Weekly posts to begin NOW

I realize that my posts have been few and far between so I decided that I would create a remedy for that. Going forward we will have a weekly update. This update will appear no later than Thursday of each week.

What you can expect to see in posts: 

• Free reads
• Hilarious antecdotes
• Pictures
• Schedule of current events
• Status of stories and upcoming projects
• An occasional good natured rant... 
• But best of all...one on one communications with moi!

Pepper Pace Holiday Giveaway

Happy Holidays blog friends and family. 

I am doing a holiday book giveaway package. Included in the package are some hardback copies of a few of my books. Yes, these exist out there in the universe but are very rare and difficult to find (because I block their existence due to the expense), but I do happen to have a few hardback copies on hand that I'm willing to share. To spread the festivities I am creating two gift packages which will each include 3 books as well as other goodies. 
 *I am sorry but this giveaway is limited to The United States and its territories only due to shipping costs.*

Holiday Package # 1

• Pepper Pace 2014 Calendar; contains personal pictures & favorite book quotes
• Hardback copy of Juicy
• Hardback copy of Babygirl and the Mean Boss
• Hardback copy of Miscegenist Sabishii
• Each book autographed by Pepper Pace
• Holiday greeting card from Pepper Pace
• Unique handcrafted book mark by Pepper Pace
• A surprise just for you!

Holiday Package # 2

• Pepper Pace 2014 Calendar; contains personal pictures & favorite book quotes
• Hardback copy of Beast
• Hardback copy of They Say Love is Blind (edition 1)
• Hardback copy of The Throwaway Year
• Each book autographed by Pepper Pace
• Holiday greeting card from Pepper Pace
• Unique handcrafted book mark by Pepper Pace
• A surprise just for you!

 The contest ends Friday December 20 at 6pm eastern. The winners will be posted on my social media (blog, Facebook, Twitter) at 8pm the same day. Presents will be shipped Saturday to ensure delivery by Christmas.  
How to Enter: 

1. Explain what you enjoy about Pepper Pace stories. (In 50 words or less)
2. Indicate which gift package you are requesting (limit 1 entry per person per gift package!) 
3. Email your name and complete mailing address to pepperpace@gmail.com

Note, this is not a writing contest. Selections will be made at random. Multiple requests from the same person/email/requester will be deleted. Confirmation of email cannot be provided.

E-basket Christmas giveaway by Violette Dubrinsky's Fantasland

Violette Dubrinsky's Fantasyland is an online Facebook Club for lovers of IR adult paranormal and romance books. She is hosting a dynamic ebook giveaway basket with several of the top Indie IR authors. I'm proud to be included in the ebook giveaway...uh one of my books that is. 

For your chance to win you can just follow this link to the Rafflecopter. You are not required to be present on Facebook to receive your prize. Be sure to register your E-reader here. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


If you have a FaceBook account you can attend the event at Violette Dubrinsky's Christmas E-Book Basket Giveaway on December 24 from 12 - 6 pm. (pst I believe).

Good luck!

Interview with the Pepper Pace men; hosted by Nulli Para Ora

This has been a long time coming and I'm truly grateful for your patience with me as I rounded up the fellas for this interview. I couldn't use all of the questions that were asked but some of it is still covered in the interview. 

Oh, I'll apologize in advance for Jason dropping the F bomb and balling up the interview questions and throwing them across the room. Some of the questions must have been too close for comfort I guess...But anyways, here is the link to Nulli Para Ora's interview. And keep in mind that this IR author is available on Amazon where she writes under the paranormal genre. I'm currently reading her book about people that can manipulate water. It is the one that Christopher mentions in the interview.

Enjoy!

Pepper Pace brings her boys to the Yard

A Happy Thanksgiving Gift to you!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Turkey Day. I celebrated mine on Wednesday and on Thursday I relaxed...well except for this little project that I wanted to gift to all my fans, friends and readers.

I created a reading of The Urban Vampire book I; The Turning. The Urban Vampire can no longer be purchased--not until I complete Book III; The Return of Alexis. When that happens I will sell all books as a set for one low price (meaning normal price for a novel--which is anywhere from 4.99-5.99) with the first two stories being free.

It is my hope that for those of you that have never thought of venturing over into this genre, will make an exception for the Urban Vampire Series. I promise--it's not scary!

For those of you that have already purchased the first two books, you will see/hear that there have been some substantial changes in the story--basically there is more 'hotness' though the characters and events are still true to the main story.

Therefore I do encourage you to re-read Books 1 & 2 because it is new and improved. But if you choose not then it won't ruin the experience for you.

With that said, presenting the first three chapters of UV 1; The Turning as read by Pepper Pace.

FYI, this video is 1 hour long so I split it into 3 parts

Pt 1 of 3

Pt 2 of 3

Pt 3 of 3

E-book Video trailer; BEAST

Post by Pepper Pace.

Beast is the story of Marine LT. Christopher Jameson. He was born with a severe facial deformity and that along with his build and height has garnered him the nickname Beast. Yet Christopher is anything but a Beast. The kindhearted and lonely man hides his face except to those that he trust; his friends who work with him in Special Ops, and his Country raised family.

But one day a woman enters his sanctuary; the basement gym and it all changes. Ashleigh is shallow yet wants so much more than to pay for the attention of handsome men who would overlook her weight. She wants a real love and to be accepted for who she is...and that change can only take place when she can accept the imperfections of another.

This modern day Beauty and The Beast turns the script on the old Fairytale and twists the very definition of beauty...

UV III Update

Hi blog family. I've been MIA for a bit dealing with a horrid toothache and an impending writing deadline (more than one, actually). My root canal has already been scheduled and I've been quite productive with my writing projects.

My Beta reader looked at me with a grin yesterday and said, "I hate you. This is now my new favorite book after WOS." She is referring to the Urban Vampire series which she had never read in fear that it would be the typical Vampire horror story. In fact, it is more on the humorous side, ALOT on the sexy side, and zero scary. There is, however, a shit-ton of suspense and action.

UV is my opportunity to write that kick-ass female character that follows her own course regardless of whether the 'norm' agrees or disagrees. This is taking me back to my blaxploitation roots when I watched Pam Grier as Coffy put razor blades in her 'fro because she knew when she got in a street fight some woman was going to go for her hair and start pulling. LOVE IT! Want to know a secret? I love the fact that a hero can also make mistakes and get fucked up. If a hero always prevails than its boring. Remember when Coffy got caught by the bad guys and they kicked her ass? Yep, heros do get an asskicking too! A hero just knows how to get back up afterwards...

So, anyways, that is where I've been for the last few days (and where I will continue to be for a while longer). I wanted UV released at around Thanksgiving but that is doubtful. I still go to my first job daily, punch walls due to my tooth ache, have snuggle time with boyfriend, giving my baby girl her Mom-telephone-time, and creating that kick-ass character that I love. It's juggling but I'm still here (sleep just got kicked to the curb so that I could write this). Accept my sincere apologies if I've not been prompt in reading my messages or responding. I do LOVE hearing from my readers and FB friends! Even when I'm busy--I'm busy with hopes that you will enjoy my efforts and when you write me I know that I am on the right track! Hopefully I will see you soon.

They Say Love is Blind-Free for one day

Happy Veterans Day Weekend. 

Until Monday you can download They Say Love Blind from All Romance Bookstore for Free. Thank you and enjoy!

They Say Love is Blind

I am in it and not of it

When I was writing The Throwaway Year, I had no idea that I would begin to adopt the self-affirmations myself. I knew they were damn good and insightful, but I've recently realized that I've adopted the 'positive affirmation' life style.

It's strange that I only figured that out just this past week. I began this strange mantra in my head when faced with the 'silliness' of everyday life and people; I am in it and not of it. I may have to be surrounded by all the 'junk' that the world throws at me but I refuse to allow it to  to take root in me, change me, or dictate my actions. I have my mind on my own prize. I look at the common denominator when it is time to deal with others; that others effect me as much as I allow them to. I release you; my unwanted garbage, anger, addictions, prejudices and self-doubt. And on and on and on...

These are my thoughts these days. For more of my positive affirmations then hashtag TheThrowawayYear on twitter. Pepper Pace twitter page.

The Love Unexpected - All Romance Ebooks

What happens when attraction takes one woman on an unexpected journey of love. This short erotic romance is a departure from the Pepper Pace IR stories that she is known for. While still IR and thought provoking, it is indeed very unexpected.

The Love Unexpected - All Romance Ebooks

I just published my first Free Read at All Romance. Some of you my remember this short erotic romance. It has a new name. One click and it is all yours, absolutely free!

Excerpt:

I was in the Café and ordering a soup and sandwich when the rockstar walks in. I almost looked like a groupie when my eyes got big, and I had to slam my mouth shut to keep from gaping at him. This time he was alone. He’s doing what I do; getting lunch early. That meant that we were the only two customers present in the Cafe. I stepped to the side so that he could give his order at the counter, but watched him from the corner of my eye.
“I need an Italian sub and potato salad.” He said.
“Drink?”
“Fountain coke.”
He looked at me and nodded a brief greeting. Damn, his eyes didn’t linger. Rednecks don’t look too hard at blacks even though I know for a fact that they dream about black girls. But I figured he, of all people, wouldn’t be afraid to look. He obviously came from a place that knew that skinny jeans looked good with converse and he could afford Ed Hardy shirts. 
I considered myself in the know when it came to style. I was wearing an Aeropostale tee and a jeans skirt. I also had on baby blue canvas Diesel shoes and I had my hair cut into layers and even though the humidity wreaked havoc on it, I kept it pressed ultra straight.
The guy dug into his pocket for a pack of cigarettes and I saw him fingering one anxiously as he waited for his order to come up. Damn, why wasn’t he checking out my legs? Maybe he went for skinny white girls.
“Order up.” The clerk passed me my order and I ‘accidentally-on purpose’ dropped my purse. The guy reached down to retrieve it since my hands were full.
“Here you go.” He gave me a distracted look.
“Thanks…” I checked out his badge. “Evan.”
He looked at me curiously and I gestured to his badge. “Oh.” Then he smiled and the tension seemed to leave his handsome face.
“I’m Brianna.”
I saw his eyes move towards my badge. “Brianna…ok. Hi.”
“You’re new here, aren’t you?”
“Yeah. I transferred from Florida.”
“How do you like it?” He nodded his head, seeming to search for the right words. I couldn’t blame him for finding it hard to say something positive.
“It’s…a paycheck.”
“Order up.” The clerk handed Evan his order and he gave me a brief tilt of his head in the way of goodbye. Damn. He still hadn’t checked me out! As Evan turned to leave I placed my items back on the counter and bent over to retie my shoe. I knew my skirt had hiked up a bit and that if Evan had any taste what-so-ever then he’d be trying to check out my ass.
Sure enough, when I straightened, I saw him backing out of the door and his eyes were glued to my ass. He saw me catch him looking and his eyes flitted away quickly before coming back to rest on mine. I smiled slightly. He hesitated and then turned away and left.
Damn. It wasn’t the reaction I’d been searching for. But he had looked...

Happy Halloween--and no I haven't disappeared

It's been a very busy few weeks for me and I've neglected my blog...again. So lets rectify that now!

--I'm currently working on Urban Vampire 3; The Return of Alexis. But that's not the only thing--I've done a re-edit of books 1 and 2...and not just a grammatical edit but an overhaul. While none of the facts have changed I have added more sexiness (as my Beta Reader likes to say). So UV is no longer pg-13 and is now a full out erotic tale. The question becomes what is the best way to share the changes with all of you that have already purchased and enjoyed the journey at the same time that I introduce new readers to the improved document--Well the answer is make it a book set and include books 1 and 2 for FREE. So that is what I intend to do.

But don't worry if you think that I am CHANGING the story of Kim, Alexis, Paul and Tony. On the contrary--I just didn't HOLD BACK on the story. I'll leave it like that :) You can expect to see it in time for Thanksgiving.

--As I promised during my last hiatus, when I returned I would return with GUSTO. I am keeping that promise by re-editing all of my stories that had previously been released without benefit of a formal editing team. Also, no new book will be published without benefit of editing or the professional presentation that my readers deserve. In the past I released books quickly to satisfy whatever demand that I thought existed (or out of guilt of my own self-imposed hiatus) but it's a trade-off; it will take a bit longer for the release of a book but it will be MUCH better. I think that's a pretty good trade, don't you?

Books currently being re-edited are:
*Juicy
*WOS
*The Purple World
*UV
Books that have been re-edited and are currently available are:
*They Say Love is Blind 

--What is coming next? WOS 4 is in the works, I also have a collaboration that is in the works. I am working on a 70s era story that follows 2 people from youth to present. It's pretty good and it is keeping me amped because I get to relive the 70s! And then of course I will be re-editing the remainder of my un-edited books with the hopes to have them all available by the beginning of the year.

--I've been writing a great deal over the summer and fall. I've also been engaging in activities that promote Pepper Pace books. It first began when I became involved in the IR Readers Cruise. It was such fun that us core authors involved in the 2013 event decided to band together to create semi annual events for IR Readers. The IR 2014 Cruise is now booking and will include not only the authors of the 2013 Cruise but other popular authors. Events include:
*Author Workshops and Panel Discussions for IR Romance Readers
*Panel Discussions
*Book Readings, seminars with the Authors 
*Private Cocktail Party with the Authors
*Autographed Book 
*Prizes and other Gifts for Reader/Fans! 
*AND a FREE Specially Created Novella, written by the Authors  just for Reader/Fans attending this event.

*The price is as low as $459 a person (double occupancy) not including tax. You can contact our travel agent Gerrilyn Grant Gipson at: 
gerrilyn@meetingsunlimitedtravel.com or 800 834 4357
For more information see 2014 IR Readers Cruise
Your deposit of $100 or $150 has to be made no later than Dec. 1

--Others things things that I've done to promote Pepper Pace books was to attend a Halloween meet and greet in North Carolina. I will also be attending the Romance Slam Jam in New Orleans in 2014. I've created a TWITTER page for those of you that like to tweet or for those who might be interested in my random thoughts. I also have a FACEBOOK page which has been important in promoting my stories as well as the IR genre. I have been interviewed a number of times in different Facebook clubs and I have been nominated for several awards. Facebook has been important in connecting with readers who might not blog or who are searching for books in their favorite genres. As a result I am a member in a number of Facebook book clubs. It is probably the best exposure that I could ask for because it has allowed me to connect with other authors and to be exposed to new readers.

--I will begin making books available on All Romance which will then be available on Apple Books. These are just other means to make my work available to as many people as possible. The fact that I've only been publishing on Amazon and Barnes and Nobles shocks some of my peers. Honestly, I just didn't know about the other things but now that I'm connecting with authors I am learning a lot.

--I've been hosting a story here on the blog; Becoming the Dominus. I intend to host more stories but so far I haven't received much feedback from Dominus. I know it is a departure from what you would normally read from Pepper Pace but it is one of my favorite stories and I hope you all will take the time to read it and comment on it. Creepy enjoys the feedback, as do I! Here is the link and remember, this is for adults ONLY and includes graphic acts of sex, BDSM and strong language. BECOMING THE DOMINUS 

--I've found time to do more reading! I've been reading the hell out of Yvette Hines, I've just finished an Erosa Knowles novel which had me hooting and hollering at the characters (Special Forces). I just purchased Sienna Mynx Battaglia series and Violette Dubrinsky's The Masseuse. I'm also listening to books on tape from Audio books. Currently it is The Talisman, but I have others waiting in the wings such as a Tabitha King novel. She is one of my favorite under-appreciated writers. Tabitha is the wife of Stephen King and wrote a story that still is one of my favorites; Mutant about a girl that is an outcast in her small country town. She also did an IR series years ago called Pearl. She is really really good. I highly recommend her.

I would like to do more reading and now that I've discovered that my Kindle allows text to speech I can indulge in the many books that I've collected while doing other things like shopping, driving, waiting in line etc.

--I am doing a lot more; more writing, more traveling, more promoting. However one thing I can't create is more time. Currently I work daily and as I am in the customer service field I interact non-stop with customers. I work a 9 hour day so that I can take off one day every other week (which I hoped to use as a means to write). Otherwise I only have the weekends and about 2-3 hours after work to write. It just doesn't give me enough time to whip out the stories that I'd like to whip out. It takes many months to create a story and I am happy that you and other readers are anxious for the next one. Unfortunately I just don't have enough hours in the day to write as much as I would like.

My goal is to be able to write full time--but truthfully, if I leave my job then my entire life depends on whether I can eek out enough of a living to take care of me and mine. That is a big IF. The reality of writing is that I have a following but once that following has read my newest then my sales instantly drop off. Becoming a financially secure author is based on exposure to as many people as possible and hoping they are opened to a genre that is still sometimes viewed as taboo. 

I'm not complaining. I love writing or I won't do it. I write more for my own pleasure than to become rich and famous. Quite honestly I could have sold out for the money but I won't. I could whip out some bullshit stories just to make money. Again, I don't and won't. I could write mainstream stories that appeal to a broader fanbase but THIS is the genre that I love and want to promote. So there will be no selling out for me :)

--The last thing that I want to do is to thank you here at Writing Feedback. You have encouraged and supported my writing. You have helped me to develop as an author and my desire to improve is because I know that YOU deserve it. You are my favorite and always will be! Luv you guys!

Sinead O'Connor's open letter to Miley Cyrus

At the risk of sounding like an old lady (as I am generations apart from the youngster) I will not detail how appalled I was when I saw Miley Cyrus on the MTV awards this year. 

But Sinead O'Connor penned an open letter to her after the young singer compared her video style and look to Sinead's. Here is a excerpt of part of the letter and I applaud Sinead for attempting to explain how the business really works! Listen Miley because how you are acting is far from pretty.

"...The music business doesn’t give a shit about you, or any of us. They will prostitute you for all you are worth, and cleverly make you think its what YOU wanted.. and when you end up in rehab as a result of being prostituted, ‘they’ will be sunning themselves on their yachts in Antigua, which they bought by selling your body and you will find yourself very alone.

None of the men oggling you give a shit about you either, do not be fooled. Many’s the woman mistook lust for love. If they want you sexually that doesn’t mean they give a fuck about you. All the more true when you unwittingly give the impression you don’t give much of a fuck about yourself. And when you employ people who give the impression they don’t give much of a fuck about you either. No one who cares about you could support your being pimped.. and that includes you yourself."

The full article 
 Written by Madeline Boardman of Huffington Post

Ask your interview question of a Pepper Pace Male Character

Author Nulli Para Ora who you may know as an acclaimed IR author on Literotica will be holding a very special interview with 3 of the male characters from various stories. They Are Christopher from Beast, Lee from They Say Love is Blind and Jason from Wheels of Steel.

We thought we'd give you, the fans an opportunity to ask a question of one of these intriguing men. The men have promised on their honors to be truthful and honest--something like truth or dare (smile).

It should be a fun time. Just post your questions here or on my FaceBook page. I will keep you posted on the interview time!

The Throwaway Year trailer number 2

The Throwaway Year available on e-book at Amazon, B&N and Paperback

There is no feeling like that of finally giving birth to your child which has been carried lovingly within you. It's even better when you have people that surround you who are anxiously awaiting that birth. Announcing the newest edition to the Pepper Pace family; The Throwaway Year.

For your very own copy of my child please see the following links. It should be available in paperback by October 1 (but everything happened a day earlier so who knows)

Thank you everyone. Please leave a review whether you like it or not (but I'm praying you like it). 

E-book price is $4.99

Amazon-Kindle

B&N-Nook

Paperback price $11 
Createspace