Swipe N See: A Virtual Book Launch Event

The time is finally here! Thank you to everyone that has already supported the presale release of my new books, A Swipe in the Wrong Direction and Cataracts. Today is the official release date for both books and I want to celebrate (quarantine style) with you!

A Swipe in the Wrong Direction is a spinoff novella form the Fortune Cookie novel series that includes No Cream in the Middle and When the Cookie Crumbles. Mike is recently divorced and his friends secretly set him up on a dating app to spice up his love life. He falls in love with a woman on the app but there’s just one problem…..she’s crazy.

Cataracts is a poetry collection that was written over a three-month span earlier this year and covers a wide range of topics including breakups, dating, loss and social injustice. This book also serves as a 10-year anniversary celebration of my first book, Blurred Vision.

So, tune in tonight at 7 pm CST for Swipe N See: A Live Book Launch Event. Robi Nickoli will join me as a special guest on the show as well. We’ll discuss my new books (which you can order signed copies of tonight, with free shipping), new merch, the message behind my writing and a few surprises!

The live broadcast starts below at 7 pm and ends at 9 pm CST tonight. Plus, here are the direct links to swipe up both books. Also, A Swipe in the Wrong Direction has two versions with different endings (swipe left and swipe right).

The Seventh Day of Christmas: 20/20 Vision Pack

I think at this point it’s safe to say that we can throw all of those positive 20/20 mantras out of the window now. Thank goodness, we have survived nearly all of it. Despite a turbulent year, it’s been one of the most creative years for me as an author. As we close out the year, I am offering a special, one-day-only bundle package of the two poetry books I released this year: the anniversary edition of Hindsight 20/20 and Cataracts. Get your copies HERE for a discounted price.

Also, today is the LAST DAY to get your presale bundle pricing for A Swipe in the Wrong Direction and Cataracts. Check out the SHOP to swipe yours up before we ring in the new year. Join me right here this Sunday, January 3rd, for Swipe N See: A Virtual Book Launch Event with special guest Robi Nickoli. The event begins at 7 pm CST and ends at 9 pm CST. Tune in on the Facebook event page or at peauxeticexpressions.com/swipe.

Happy New Year!

The Sixth Day of Christmas: Some Like It Hot

This time of year calls for gathering around the fireplace, getting cozy and of course, curling up with a good book. Tomorrow is the last day to get your presale bundle for my new books, A Swipe in the Wrong Direction and Cataracts. So, as an extra ‘thank you’ for all of your presale love and support you’ve shown ahead of this Sunday’s official release.

For today only, enjoy a hot beverage on me with the purchase of your presale bundle for the swipe left and swipe right versions. Don’t forget this Sunday is not only the official release for both books but also the book launch celebration. Join me for Swipe N See: A Virtual Book Launch Event with special guest Robi Nickoli, from 7 to 9 pm CST. Watch live from the Facebook event (just search for the name) or right here on the site at www.peauexticexpressions.com/swipe (live on the day of the event).

The Fifth Day of Christmas: Decode the Message

Every time I say I’m going to take a break from writing books, it never happens. Now, I just don’t even speak it and plan to take breaks only in my head. True to form, I started on a new novel a few months ago after I completed A Swipe in the Wrong Direction. I can’t give away too much about it yet, other than I am in the process of writing it now and it won’t come out until 2022.

However, I need your help. The book cover for my new poetry book, Cataracts (pictured above) has the title for my upcoming novel on the back cover (you have an advantage if you already have the book). It’s not exactly spelled out but whoever can guess the book title will be featured as a character. Here’s a hint: The first word is something you can pull and the second word is where the sides of a triangle meet…with an “e” at the end.

Let’s go!! Plus, there are only two days left to order your A Swipe in the Wrong Direction and Cataracts presale bundle. Get them HERE before the price increases on January 1st.

The Fourth Day of Christmas: Swipechat

As many of you may know, my double-book release for A Swipe in the Wrong Direction and Cataracts is just days away. Although I would love to celebrate with an in-person book signing, I decided to opt for a socially distanced celebration instead. A Swipe in the Wrong Direction is a first for me because it’s the only novella in my entire catalog. The premise of the story revolves around Mike, a character who was first introduced in my debut novel, Fortune Cookie.

Mike gets set up on an online dating app, against his own will. The series of events that follow involve much more than a simple left or right swipe. If you’ve already ordered the book during the presale period, now is the time get your questions answered.

Join me tonight at 7 pm CST on Twitter (@Peauxetic) for #Swipechat, a live Q&A about the book and anything you want to know. Use the hashtag #Swipechat to ask your questions and I will answer them all, starting at 7 pm CST tonight. Also, don’t forget to tune in to Swipe N See: A Live Book Launch Event this Sunday, January 3rd, from 7 to 9 pm CST at peauxeticexpressions.com/swipe (link will be live the day of the event).

The Third Day of Christmas: Triple Cookie Bundle

Six years ago, I had just finished Fortune Cookie, my first novel. The cautionary tale of two sisters with a deadly secret started out from a dream I had at the end of 2013. I began Fortune Cookie on New Year’s Day in 2014 and worked on it for nearly an entire year. Although novels were new territory, I enjoyed the challenge for what has since become my most successful book to date.

That first novel turned into a trilogy of lies, lust, love and of course….secrets. No Cream in the Middle followed, with When the Cookie Crumbles rounding out the series. One of my latest books (and my first novella), A Swipe in the Wrong Direction, was created as a spinoff storyline from the Fortune Cookie novel series. Many people asked me, “What happened to Mike?” Now, you get to find out.

However, before you dive into A Swipe in the Wrong Direction, make sure you’re caught up on the preceding trilogy. For one day only, get all three novels at a special bundle price HERE.

The Second Day of Christmas: New Merch

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Despite the ups and downs of 2020, there is so much to be thankful for. I’m not sure if any of you have tried online dating. I personally haven’t but I did write a book about a tale of online dating gone wrong. The First Day of Christmas gifted free shipping for the presale bundle of A Swipe in the Wrong Direction and Cataracts. Thank you to all of you who supported! Now, there are new his and hers shirts available!

Whether you’re single, in a relationship, married or divorced, you’ll get a kick out of these awesome shirts, designed by Divine Personalities. Ladies, get your shirt HERE. Guys, get your shirt HERE.

What’s your most memorable dating experience? Have you tried online dating? If so, was it successful?

The Seven Days of Christmas

We have (almost) made it through this turbulent year. Hopefully, you are enjoying safe, socially-distant holiday cheer with the ones you love as you read this post. As you may already know, I recently set myself up to be a gluten for punishment – releasing two books at once! Nevertheless, I’m proud to share these two works that have been in development this year.

A Swipe in the Wrong Direction is a spinoff novella from the Fortune Cookie novel series. So many people asked, “What happened to Mike?” Now, that question has been answered in this new novella. Whether you have tried online dating or despise it, you will be able to see pieces of yourself or someone you know in the story. Plus, there are two alternate endings – ‘swipe left’ or ‘swipe right’. Choose wisely. Your next swipe may change your life forever.

Cataracts is a collection of poetry that I started in 2020 and completed over a three-month span. The book was initially supposed to be released at the end of 2021 – as a 10-year anniversary celebration of my first poetry book, Blurred Vision. I started with just a handful of poems and then 20, 40, and even more. So, I decided why not start a year early and celebrate all of 2021?

Join me in The Seven Days of Christmas, from today through New Year’s Eve. Get free shipping for all presale bundles of A Swipe in the Wrong Direction and Cataracts – today only. Stay tuned for a different surprise or deal each day.

Mama’s Gun Still Pops Off 20 Years Later

By the time Erykah Badu released her sophomore album, Mama’s Gun, she was already a household name. She commanded our attention with early hits like “On & On,” “Next Lifetime”, and “Tyrone”. However, I’ll never forget how I felt after the first time I heard “Bag Lady”, the standout single from Mama’s Gun. I was intrigued, inspired, and entertained. Although the song was directed to women, it resonated with men too. She spoke to a generation of people with a sexy, slick, cautionary swag.

Mama’s Gun had all the makings to be great, including a then high-profile relationship with OutKast’s Andre 3000 and recording it at the legendary Electric Lady studio. Nonetheless, the stakes were just as high for her to defy the sophomore jinx. The introspectively hypnotic gem, “Didn’t Cha Now” oozed with traces of the golden 90s era of R&B and the new wave of neo-soul.

Songs like “Penitentiary Philosophy” and “Orange Moon” (which featured her son, Seven) offered a closer glimpse into the socially conscious mind of Erykah Badu. She exuded flawless confidence on fan favorites like the Roy Ayers assisted “Cleva” and the witty dismissal of “Booty”. Even during the album’s most tender moments (revisit “In Love With You”), there’s still an undertone of badass “Southern Gul”.

“Time’s A Wastin” is crisp, clean, and as poignant now as it was in 2000. By that point in the album, it had already eclipsed her debut, Baduizm, in my mind. Then comes “Green Eyes”. There is not a single song on the planet that so delicately, cleverly, and accurately describes all of the stages of a breakup. This song is genius and perhaps my favorite in Erykah Badu’s entire catalog. With a history of consistently relevant and soul-stirring music, Mama’s Gun is undoubtedly one of the brightest moments in Erykah Badu’s colorful career.

Relive some of the best moments from Mama’s Gun below. What are your favorite songs on the album?

Stop Waiting for the Apology You’re Never Gonna Get

It’s amazing to me how people will literally hold on to grudges for years just to prove a point. At times, I have been “people”. I’m still a work in progress. Last week I ran across an interview with Dawn Robinson, one of the founding members of En Vogue. Chances are, if you’re under 30, you may not know who this group is. However, they are one of the most prolific girl groups of the 90s or probably period. Nonetheless, I digress.

I’m probably partial because Dawn was always my favorite one of the group. In the interview, she ranted about how the other members stood by while they got paid pennies per record (literally) and she eventually got kicked out of the group. The bitterness for an apology she never received was incredibly apparent. Ultimately, the group never got it together because some or all members failed to admit past faults.

Sound familiar? Although we may not be members of a world-famous singing group, athlete, or movie star, we can all relate to dealing with forgiveness. I’ve dealt with unforgiveness over the years and truthfully, there are many apologies I feel I’m owed. On the flip side, I’m sure there are many apologies others have waited for from me. Holding on to what you feel you’re “owed” is just like pouring acid on your soul. No one wants that.

Believe me, it’s easier said than done. I think for me, there was a turning point when I turned 35. It’s an interesting age…still young enough to learn and make a silly mistake or two. But also old enough to know what you will and won’t put up with….and know when to fold. I’m all about mental peace and clarity. I’ve found that most people or things have a way of weeding themselves out of your life on their own. For those things or people who don’t, it’s probably because we are holding on too tightly instead of letting go.

You’ll be sorry if you miss out on the presale bundle for my two new books, A Swipe in the Wrong Direction and Cataracts. Get them while you can here.