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Pepper #1
Pepper's Way
The classified ad was provocative yet innocent, and the man who read it on a whim felt compelled to meet its creator. But Thor Spicer was unprepared for Pepper, the beguiling dynamo who checked him out, liked what she saw -- and warned him that she had designs on his heart. Intrigued by her challenge, Thor decided to take her dare -- even though it meant constantly tripping over her gentle Doberman and outwitting the Chihuahua who guarded her door. It wouldn't be easy to strip away the layers of mystery surrounding their very private selves -- but Pepper declared that it was the only way....
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
5 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
About the author
Kay Hooper
108 books2,455 followersKay Hooper (aka Kay Robbins) was born in California, in an air force base hospital since her father was stationed there at the time. The family moved back to North Carolina shortly afterward, so she was raised and went to school there.
The oldest of three children, Kay has a brother two years younger and a sister seven years younger. Her father and brother are builders who own a highly respected construction company, and her mother worked for many years in personnel management before becoming Kay's personal assistant, a position she held until her untimely death in March 2002. Kay's sister Linda works as her Business Manager, Events Coordinator, and is playing a major role in the creation and operation of The Kay Hooper Foundation.
Kay graduated from East Rutherford High School and attended Isothermal Community College — where she quickly discovered that business classes did not in any way enthrall her. Switching to more involving courses such as history and literature, she also began to concentrate on writing, which had been a longtime interest. Very quickly hooked, she asked for a Christmas typewriter and began seriously working on her first novel. That book, a Regency romance titled Lady Thief, sold to Dell Publishing in 1980. She has since published more than 60 novels and four novellas.
Kay is single and lives in a very small town in North Carolina, not far from her father and siblings. Deigning to live with her are a flock of cats — Bonnie, Ginger, Oscar, Tuffy, Felix, Renny, and Isabel — of various personalities who all like sleeping on manuscripts and whatever research happens to be spread across Kay's desk. And living amongst the many felines are two cheerfully tolerant dogs, a shelter rescue, Bandit, who looks rather like a small sheepdog, and a Sheltie named Lizzie.
The oldest of three children, Kay has a brother two years younger and a sister seven years younger. Her father and brother are builders who own a highly respected construction company, and her mother worked for many years in personnel management before becoming Kay's personal assistant, a position she held until her untimely death in March 2002. Kay's sister Linda works as her Business Manager, Events Coordinator, and is playing a major role in the creation and operation of The Kay Hooper Foundation.
Kay graduated from East Rutherford High School and attended Isothermal Community College — where she quickly discovered that business classes did not in any way enthrall her. Switching to more involving courses such as history and literature, she also began to concentrate on writing, which had been a longtime interest. Very quickly hooked, she asked for a Christmas typewriter and began seriously working on her first novel. That book, a Regency romance titled Lady Thief, sold to Dell Publishing in 1980. She has since published more than 60 novels and four novellas.
Kay is single and lives in a very small town in North Carolina, not far from her father and siblings. Deigning to live with her are a flock of cats — Bonnie, Ginger, Oscar, Tuffy, Felix, Renny, and Isabel — of various personalities who all like sleeping on manuscripts and whatever research happens to be spread across Kay's desk. And living amongst the many felines are two cheerfully tolerant dogs, a shelter rescue, Bandit, who looks rather like a small sheepdog, and a Sheltie named Lizzie.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 6, 2018
“Pepper’s Way” is the story of Pepper and Thor.
When Thor answers a strange ad in a newspaper due to his curiosity, he never expects it would lead him to a silver haired vixen named Pepper who owns both a rabid Chihuahua and a shy Dob, but also that the latter three would end up living with him in a week!
Soon the mysterious lady who wears her feelings on her sleeves, is jack of all trades, runs a strange dog grooming business, can sing like an angel, makes friends with a housekeeper he’s never known and has travelled the world completely takes over his world- and to his shock- is completely honest about her intentions towards him.
But Thor doesn’t want to become hostage to feelings, and Pepper will never overstay her welcome. Can these two polar opposites find happiness?
A strange romance with a whimsical but honest heroine, confused hero, some laugh out loud moments and a sweet ending and HEA. I myself was a bit perturbed by the many things happening midway through the book, but I’m glad after the “truth” was revealed the couple decided to be totally honest with one another.
A different, but likable read.
Safe
3/5
When Thor answers a strange ad in a newspaper due to his curiosity, he never expects it would lead him to a silver haired vixen named Pepper who owns both a rabid Chihuahua and a shy Dob, but also that the latter three would end up living with him in a week!
Soon the mysterious lady who wears her feelings on her sleeves, is jack of all trades, runs a strange dog grooming business, can sing like an angel, makes friends with a housekeeper he’s never known and has travelled the world completely takes over his world- and to his shock- is completely honest about her intentions towards him.
But Thor doesn’t want to become hostage to feelings, and Pepper will never overstay her welcome. Can these two polar opposites find happiness?
A strange romance with a whimsical but honest heroine, confused hero, some laugh out loud moments and a sweet ending and HEA. I myself was a bit perturbed by the many things happening midway through the book, but I’m glad after the “truth” was revealed the couple decided to be totally honest with one another.
A different, but likable read.
Safe
3/5
September 19, 2019
I read this book on a day when I had spent a large portion of my hours counselling a girlfriend, whose marriage is on the rocks. Lack of understanding, discomfort in listening and unwillingness to support her husband (who is a cop and who went through a terrible ordeal a couple of years ago in the line of duty, plus loosing his Dad to cancer a couple of months ago), has led to a gradual dissociation between them. She has preoccupied herself for a number of years with other interests, and meanwhile he has spiralled into a depressed mental state. Now suddenly, she wants to fix it all, as a crisis has emerged that is causing her discomfort. She cannot seem to comprehend that a man who has a job on the frontline needs extra compassion, empathy and understanding from his wife. She is so used to seeing him 'man up' and be the tough guy, the superhero who carries all loads with ease, including her own.
This is my second read of 'Pepper's Way'. I didn't choose it on purpose today. It was on top of my stack of relaxing reads that I reached for in desperation, as I gradually hit overload on the frustration scale with my girlfriend's entirely self-orientated and compassionless viewpoint. Thank goodness for Kay Hooper and her amazing heroine 'Pepper'! Here is a woman who values a person and her integrity above personal wants. Who is unwilling to play emotionally manipulative games to gain the upper hand in a relationship. Who knows how to show love and tenderness, without subjugating herself or her own principles in the process.
Quirky, fun, amusing and witty. This book will make you laugh and keep turning the pages to discover more and more about the main characters in this story and what makes them tick. Not one character in this story is left shallow. Kay Hooper paints a loveable, irresistible, humanly-flawed depth of character for every single person who walks onto her stage. It is fun, frolicsome and carries a deeper message of the values of love, trust and acceptance that restored and renewed my own personal beliefs about love between a man and a woman.
I am fortunate to have been married 20 years to my own everyday hero. A man who works on the frontline, but nearly always comes home to the reassurance of a warm home, an understanding heart and warm embrace. I was so happy to read about a female main character who shares similar values, ideals and an independent spirit and appreciation for life that feels akin to my own.
This is my second read of 'Pepper's Way'. I didn't choose it on purpose today. It was on top of my stack of relaxing reads that I reached for in desperation, as I gradually hit overload on the frustration scale with my girlfriend's entirely self-orientated and compassionless viewpoint. Thank goodness for Kay Hooper and her amazing heroine 'Pepper'! Here is a woman who values a person and her integrity above personal wants. Who is unwilling to play emotionally manipulative games to gain the upper hand in a relationship. Who knows how to show love and tenderness, without subjugating herself or her own principles in the process.
Quirky, fun, amusing and witty. This book will make you laugh and keep turning the pages to discover more and more about the main characters in this story and what makes them tick. Not one character in this story is left shallow. Kay Hooper paints a loveable, irresistible, humanly-flawed depth of character for every single person who walks onto her stage. It is fun, frolicsome and carries a deeper message of the values of love, trust and acceptance that restored and renewed my own personal beliefs about love between a man and a woman.
I am fortunate to have been married 20 years to my own everyday hero. A man who works on the frontline, but nearly always comes home to the reassurance of a warm home, an understanding heart and warm embrace. I was so happy to read about a female main character who shares similar values, ideals and an independent spirit and appreciation for life that feels akin to my own.
August 20, 2016
It was impossible not to like Pepper. Quirky and fun, she was a collector of people and a matchmaker of same. When she advertises for someone who can house her Doberman, who is afraid of her own shadow, the ad is too compelling for Thor not to answer. Pepper throws him off his game and keeps him there. Thor has always avoided entanglements, including friendships, although his best friend has refused to take the hint since they were kids. But when you add a little Pepper, everything can't help but heat up. Amusing, arousing, sweet and silly, this is another classic Hooper that shows off her best talents.
February 18, 2024
Inherited from Grandma. This one was funny and safe. Appreciated the honesty between the two even about the things they wanted to keep secret. it was nice too to have a heroine who knew what she wanted and went for it. And I appreciated that Thor's whole ant commitment thing was a legit reason instead of the usual stupid culprits.
July 26, 2017
3.5 stars really
September 15, 2023
Nisam ovo zamišljala ali je bolje od svega što sam zamišljala
December 23, 2024
I wish everyone could be as whimzical Pepper!
February 26, 2012
Kay Hooper before the dark mystery writer. Pepper is an eccentric and flighty young woman... will she ever find love? Can she fall for a control freak when her life is so bizzare? Yes, and it was great ride.
May 28, 2009
What a cute book. The characters were quite interesting to say the least. Funny.
June 6, 2016
A cute little story, uncomplicated and sweet with very little angst. Though Pepper was a bit too Mary-Sue-ish for my taste.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews