In 1977 two kids formed an unlikely bond-one a white boy living in a mostly black housing projects and a black girl residing on the 'hilltop' which looks down on the ghetto. Two years later both are tentatively approaching first love. But the secrets of the past forces them apart until one day Vanessa returns to a world that she never felt a part of. Her first love is now a drug dealer and Vanessa still feels irrevocably linked to him. But she won't live her life with a man that exists on the edge of right and wrong. And Scotty makes the supreme sacrifice for his family and for his future. Now in Book 2 of Everything is Everything, the secrets of the past explodes around them all and threatens to steal not only the dreams of Scotty and Vanessa but also their very lives. From a return of those thought long lost, to the Hip Hop scene of New York City, prison, death, a huge dysfunctional family and the drug game that is never far out of reach, Scotty and Vanessa must navigate through the minefield of street life in order to learn that blood is not always thicker than water.
Pepper Pace is the pen name used by the author. Born and raised in Cincinnati, she has always enjoyed creativity. At a very young age, Pepper had a gift for art and would spend most of her spare time drawing images that she later began adding stories behind. Soon writing became more important than the illustrations and though she still loved art, it took a back seat to her real love.
Pepper wrote her first novel when she was 12 years old and had written 2 more by the age of 18. Too shy to share her work with anyone, Pepper stock piled her many stories into notebooks until she came upon Literotica.com and was compelled to share her craft.
Pepper became instantly popular and won several awards each year in which she submitted a story to the site. After receiving popular feedback, she grew in confidence and created a popular blog entitled Writing Feedback where she encourages her readers to interact with her on topics concerning, music, writing, art and pop culture, and can be contacted at her blog: pepperpacefeedback.blogspot.com/
Pepper lives in Cincinnati where many of her characters also reside.
I don't have the words to fully express the level of enjoyment I get from reading a Pepper Pace novel.....and I've been reading her stories for years but I'm always left speechless.
Scotty & Vanessa grew up and graduated from the school of hard knocks. This book is gritty and so very true to life in the ghetto; the lines blurred between the so called haves and the have nots. Even serving real life situations to you straight up with no chasers, Pepper never lets you forget this is a love story. You feel the love....that deep undying love between Scotty and Vanessa as well as the other characters.
Get ready to laugh, get angry and cry....that ugly cry too! 10 Stars for this book!!!
I was just remarking to my husband the other day that it's a little challenging to find a story of substance when it comes to BW/WM fiction, as most of it is centred around erotica. Erotica is its own flavour, I've enjoyed many a novel of the smut, but for the most part a girl needs some story in her story.
And man! This novel has got story! I really enjoyed the first novel, following the story of Scotty Tremont. Unique character...I like. Sweet counterpart for his love interest...I like that too. But what I like the most is that the focus is on storyline over just rampant sex on every other page. And this sequel novel delivered in spades. It delved into the characters and what was going on in their lives...I like that always!
I felt this follow up surpassed the original to create a good solid novel series. I couldn't put it down, for every word I read I wanted more and more is what Miss Pepper gave me. What she always gives me, in her erotica books as well. But this author has true talent for the written word and I loves it. Can't recommend this enough for an entertaining read.
I think this was a beautiful coming of age story.... Ms Pace gave us a story that was so close to life for a lot of people back during the 70's. So Vanessa 18 years old threw a tantrum because her money was gone...teenagers now days do a lot worse for a lot less. The young people in this book went thru a lot. My heart broke for Scotty who new what he was facing and he was worried about his family & not himself ...He owned up to his mistakes...then you had a young mother who was willing to make sacrifices for her child giving the vegetables in the soup to her child and she drank the broth so that the child would be full...and a young mother who was willing to become a stripper so that her special needs child would get the medical care he needed..The young people in this book made mistakes, and they handled their business. Ms Pace told a very realistic & not far fetched story and it was WELL WORTH THE WAIT.CONGRATULATIONS!!
What I love about Pepper Paces' books is that she always has a HEA but she is going to take you on a ride to get there! Nothing comes easy in her books just like nothing comes easy in life. Pepper Pace keeps it real in all of her books. I've waited seems like forever for the conclusion of Scotty and Vanessa's story. And I was definitely not disappointed. Great job Pepper Pace.
Through the trials and tribulations of two families Ms Pace tells an unforgettable story of love, heartbreak, bitterness, strength and promise. Born into adversity, poverty and abuse Scotty and Vanessa were intrinsically linked from childhood. Although subjected to emotional turmoil, tragedy, misunderstandings and separation their love for one another never wavered. I cried for them and cheered for them hoping against all odds they would find their way back to each other. This two-part story was utterly mesmerizing and gripped me from the first chapter to the last. Its language is gritty and yet graceful in its purity and rigor. In short, Pepper Pace’s writings are no less than phenomenal with timeless and uncomplicated clarity of the human soul. Without a doubt Ms Pace is one of my favourite authors in this genre.
This was a good book I put it down for a few days because i didnt like that she had black people calling it her black people ni%%er and not ni&&a which is a complete difference. She is a great writer and knows how to tell a story. It was too unbelievable at times like how was vanessa so innocent and why did everyone have to say it, and why did their son have to be all jacked up with a clubbed foot that was ridiculous any way the book was good I just dont like certain things in it.
Not only did we get a full accounting of a family and soulmate but we got coming of age stories of love,loyalty and forgiveness. The writer follows Scotty and Vanessa as they navigate life and sometimes having to sacrifice for those you love. The writer gives us a really good story and one that's so entertaining.This was not only a really good follow-up but we get answers. If you are looking for a good series with some hard truths than this is one worthy series.
My emotions are all over the place with this book (and book 1). My heart ached for Scotty and his family. I just kept praying that he and his brothers and sisters got the life they deserved. I hoped for the best with his and Vanessa's relationship but my focus was only on Scotty. I couldn't wait to get to the end. This book was so much more than an interracial love story...so much more. Pepper Pace is a master story-teller; haven't read a bad story yet.
This book solidifies why I enjoy reading...a must read!
Sometimes life doesn't turn out the way one hopes; bad things happen and irreparable damage ensues. Contentedly, this book reveals real life, for some, and how grateful others should be about the opportunities life has afforded them. It's a wonderful, realistic story of struggle and an amazing ending that leaves a heart full and joyful. Splendid job Ms. Pace!
I really enjoyed this book. It's a Journey in the lives of these two people and their family and friends. I was really very, very interested in how all these children went from kids to young adults and how they would endure the trials of the hood. PP did not disappoint. You must read book two to achieve full satisfaction. Very enjoyable.
The author does a nice job of wrapping up all of the different characters experiences into one nice package, just enough suspense for me. Enjoyed reading this. The characters were young though.
I give this book 5 stars for the ending alone. It really had me emotional. I think that's the best thing that could have happened in this whole story. I'm glad that things worked out for everyone,even though it wasn't like magic. Loved it!!!!!!
What an amazing journey! Read both books in order. Loved every twist. You will need to start with some days off in pocket or you are going to head to work looking busted because there will be no sleep once you start.
Perfect conclusion to a well written story. Scotty and Vanessa work through dark circumstances of living in the projects. I enjoyed reading this series.
This whole series was a very tough read, after reading it I really need a fluffy low angst story. No one deserved a HEA more than Scotty & Vanessa, and us readers for everything we went through.
I am from this day forward a Pepper Pace fan, I mean I have read many of her books and have found her to me an exceptional writer; but the Everything Is Everything series is truly a gut wrenching roller coaster ride! I felt every emotion on the spectrum. This book takes me back to my childhood Truly glad that I discovered the first book on a Sat morning because I didn't stop reading until I finished the last page of book 2 @ 5 am Sun morning. This author has a gift for making the reader become invested in the characters lives. Ms. Pace keep up the good job you make me want to visit a city that was never even on my radar. You have a gift.
I really enjoyed the conclusion of the storyline for Scotty and Vanessa. If you haven't read the 1st book of Everything Is Everything it is a must read to get the back story of all the characters involved. There were a lot of twist and turns with the main characters as well as the supporting cast. From the controlling grandma, to the scandalous Aunt Callista, to the psycho drug dealing Donald, to the backstabbing couple of Jackson & Kiki, to the surprising comments from Dino, to the supporting return of Anthony; this story had it all. If ever a book can lead one to believe that the environment that you grew up in does not have to define the individual you become -this is it. A story so believable and so well written (minus the editing slip ups, I don't think it took away from the storyline at all).
I kept skipping over these books for years because I didn't think I would like a story on ghetto love, but the way Pepper approached the story had me hooked from the first chapter. Pepper always takes you out of your comfort zones with her books. Her characters are never perfect, which in my case, is why I love her books so much.
I respected Scotty so much. Everything he did and every decision he made was for his family or for Vanessa. He did everything with 1 goal in mind, getting his family out of the ghetto and living a better life. Vanessa grew on me. For someone to grow up where she did she was naive, but her mother sheltered her. I never understood why she cut off contact with his family after the baby was born. I loved that at the end everyone reconnected and healed old wounds.
I am so glad part 2 came out! I sooo Loved part 1 that I couldn't wait for PArt 2! I really enjoyed reading this book. I Loved the Love going on between Scotty and Vanessa! Pepper takes you on a journey with her stories and that's why I LOVE her writing. I believe everyone will enjoy reading this book. I really enjoyed that secrets were revealed in book 2. Everyone will enjoy it even more by reading book 1 first, which left me crying a couple of times. Enjoy the read! Way to go Pepper!!!
Scotty and Vanessa, I waited forever for this story. Pepper has me hooked on her words and her stories. The story had everything in it and it is not for the people looking for just a love story. The second part of the book is amazing love, anger, street life , family drama real life drama, heartbreak and love. Scotty and Vanessa fought through so many obstacles.