Update

Far From the Long Arm of the Dom!

vacay

 

 

 

Hi, Y’all!

Ahhh, peace at last. I’ll be home in another five days, so I intend to enjoy this time– WRITING!

Got a bunch of things to share with you! The Blushing Author Workshop was incredible! Not only did we learn a whole lot of new, nifty things, but the people who attended were AMAZING!  I will honestly say that I walked away with a boat-load of new friends, fresh ideas, and a greater love of the people I work for, and with! As before, Bethany’s love and generosity blew me away.  This is truly my family- and a home away from home. Get the tissues out because when I leave this time, Sob City!

And no, I did not get into any more trouble than I usually am in. Jim Burke has a forest filled with birch trees… and permission from John.  This girl ain’t no dummy!

I particularly want to publically thank three very special people in my life whose love and care have allowed me to focus on my work:

First, of course, is my wonderful husband.  John writes more blog posts that I ever could; he spends hours each day answering emails from people and mentoring, and provides so much emotional and physical support to me that I can’t even begin to describe. Not having him here to bring me my morning coffee is truly missed!  I am so proud of him- he just finished his first book, too.  So John, thank you, my love.  For being you. I miss you soooo badly!

These next two ladies are my best friends and my greatest allies: Isabella and Lily. They are my bookends- keeping me from falling over when the earthquakes of life rattle my world.  When you hear me say “I have people for that”, well, these gals are my people. Lily runs my life- no joking. Without her expertise in social media and organization skillz, I would be lost.  She also provides comic relief when I start going cray cray, and brings me back to reality.  Isa, my princess, is my rudder. She know the perfect thing to say to keep me grounded in the present world.  She, too, makes me laugh when I need to, and has been ‘my precious’.  What blesses me even more is the relationship those two share with each other- with NO drama!  I am sure each of you can relate about how exhausting that is, and I never get it from either of them!  I am one lucky woman to have them in my life and can’t express enough my love for them.

My AMP girls are amazing! We are coming close to ending the first program and they have been working so hard to grow in their art! I am so proud of them. They will tell you that what we do, as writers, is tough. I have pulled them through the ringer to give them a head’s up about this world, and hopefully prepared them for when they are ready to take the step and give it a go.  There is only one thing I cannot prepare them for- that is the, um, unstable people that we sometimes encounter in this genre.

I do my best to answer every legitimate email personally that comes my way (given that I am provided with a legit return email address). Recently, John and I have been pursued by an individual who is on a seek and destroy mission.  She contacted us initially with the intent to meet up as a swinger (we do not do that) and we politely refused her invitation but offered assistance in  helping her find couples who were interested in that type of lifestyle. Although every one of her emails have been answered (except for the one making a twitter like statement), and a response to her comment about us not returning her email was posted on the blog, she has now upped her crazy with threats and nasty comments about us and our readers.  Hence, we have had to enforce moderation of this blog. I am so sorry- but all of you know that all it takes is one unstable person to sour things for others.  You, my readers, deserve the best that I can give you and I am doing my best to deliver that, in both my books and in my personal interaction with each of you.

I want to thank you all for your love and support, and am so very grateful that I have been blessed with an audience of intelligent, loving, and down to earth fans who love my fantasies (and realities) as much as I do.  To each of you- I am sending a Bree-Hug.  God Bless You!

With all My Love,

Bree

 

 

Hayse Happenings

 

blueMorphoZ

Hey y’all! I thought it would be fun to update everyone of some cool things happening in our part of the world.

First, Nik has moved out permanently and started her own life! She is now back east with another Dom and his wife,who have a nest-full of subs to attend her parties with. We wish her and her new family the best of luck, and pray for her continued happiness and safety in her new ventures. The chick has finally flown the coop we can run around the house naked again. Let’s hear it for running around neked! YAY!

Second, Sir John has been given the opportunity to start mentoring new Doms! Yep, husbands are starting to step forward and explore the lifestyle with their wives and SJ is doing the incredible job (as always) of guiding and directing. His book is also coming along (slow and steady). Since most of you have seen that he is not too fond of capitalization and punctuation, we are all fighting over who gets the pleasure and joy of editing his work. Any volunteers?

Third, The AMP program is so much fun and the ladies involved are brilliant authors to be. We are really excited to see where this is going to go! I am enjoying the creative ways they try to get out of homework.

Fourth—our new subbies! We are blessed to be part of these wonderful women’s lives and welcome them with open arms (and hard paddles). Each of them is a treasure and are so adorable with lots of new ways to weasel (even some that I haven’t heard of). We are encouraging them to share their experiences with all of you.

Luvs to all!
Bree

P.S.  If you have any questions or need help and can’t get hold of me, please contact my Editor and Chief (and main nagger of blog things) to Lily (DaddysLittleLobster@gmail.com).  She will know exactly how to hunt me down and kick my butt, lol!

 

Putting Lipstick on a Pig

Recently, a bunch of us authors were chatting about reviews, especially the bad ones.  You all know my disposition on them (especially the one that stated, with authority, that English was my second language and that I write like a high school student).  After falling off the chair laughing (and still waiting for the return email as to where the reviewer got that information), I sobered up and sadly realized that she was probably a very lonely, miserable, and bitter person living in a pile of her own muck.  Books, hence, were likely her only escape from her reality and mine, subsequently, took her somewhere she did NOT want to go.

I (Bree) have learned that, as an author, I can choose to look at things (i.e. negative reviews and nasty emails) as indicators that I got under someone’s skin. As a ‘bruise pusher’ (in my more sadistic mode, lol) that doesn’t particularly bother me anymore.  I see it as an opportunity that perhaps in the attempt to extract my annoying words from their minds, they might eventually come to terms with the reason those words bothered them. I wrote Naked and Defiant to share what happens when someone gets under another person’s skin enough to force them to look at their life and make positive choices. Often, positive choices are uncomfortable, and the changes, painful. Trust me, Jade (the heroine) did not like, or appreciate, being forced to see the truth about herself.  But then, who does?

Change can only happen when we see our flaws, accept them, and do something about it.  Unfortunately, too many people are more comfortable in blaming others because it is easier than changing themselves. Even worse, too many people turn a blind eye to things they know are wrong for fear of being rejected by others. I both love, and hate, this quote:

“If you are afraid of being lonely, don’t try to be right.”
― Jules Renard

We have a lot of frightened, lonely people in this world.  An awful lot…I am hoping this book will help people see that it is okay to be flawed and to ask for help.  With positive change comes peace…and with peace, comes joy.  We all want HEA, right? But we can only be responsible for our own change, not others.  We can bring it to their attention and hope that they hear, but it ultimately up to them.

I must quote Jim Burke (Blushing): You can’t put lipstick on a pig. That means that no matter how much you try to cover the thing, it is still, and always will be, a pig.  We can’t change the essence of what a person is inside by trying to justify their behaviors; especially if the reason we are doing so is to make ourselves more comfortable or to earn acceptance and approval. I mean-Why would any of us seek acceptance and approval from someone who only cares about themselves and their wants and desires? I have been at fault for doing that even in my writing career.  There are people out there who we throw away our precious time, energy, and talents while trying to gain their attention, acceptance, praise, and approval.  We do this for people who are neither capable of, nor worthy, to give it. And, for some stupid reason, we still pursue the relationship hoping something we say or do is going to give us what we need.  Do I hear an Amen Sista? We will do almost anything, except leave the relationship. Why?

We are afraid of being lonely. So much so that we stay in unsafe, unhealthy, and unnecessary relationships. Unsafe people come in many shapes, sizes and mentalities. They could be predators, cyberbullies, gossips and newsmongers, bosses (anything to make a buck), jealous coworkers, indiscreet family members, or what one of my girls called ‘ostriches’.  Those are the worst, in my opinion.  Hiding your head in the sand will not make anything go away. Plus, it leaves your butt in full view to get kicked! What’s even worse than justifying the behavior, is trying to force them to change.

Mark Twain said, ‘never argue with stupid people, they will drag you down to their level and then beat you up with experience.’

This is a necessary lesson, I am afraid to say, for many of us. John pointed out to me how much time and energy I waste by trying to put lipstick on pigs. It is a useless endeavor that has cost me peace of mind and several nights sleep and, thus, an activity that I need to stop. Isn’t it glorious that we never stop screwing up and learning something about ourselves?! Yeah, I’m grumbling too….

Bottom line is that we must do what we can, as we feel is right, and not allow anyone to sway us from where we must go. Right and wrong are often a matter of perception.  Perception is based on personal experience, ethics and values.  Ultimately, we have to ask…Who or what is more important and why? Your answer will expose the true nature of your heart.

Think about these quotes…

“Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it.”
― Leo Tolstoy, A Confession

“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing.”
― Theodore Roosevelt

“So far, about morals, I know only that what is moral is what you feel good after and what is immoral is what you feel bad after.”
― Ernest Hemingway, Death in the Afternoon

“…Next time you’re faced with a choice, do the right thing. It hurts everyone less in the long run.”
― Wendelin Van Draanen, Flipped

“Right is right even if no one is doing it; wrong is wrong even if everyone is doing it.”
― Augustine of Hippo

“The probability that we may fail in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just.”
― Abraham Lincoln

Comments?

Luvs,

John and Bree

I Didn’t Do It, Granny Annie!

I DIDN’T DO IT, GRANNY ANNIE!

I still get a tickle out of that statement. It was made by this adorable little four-year old who was with her grandma visiting Bethany. She was trying to lug this box with a baby duck to her grandma, and the single duck in it escaped. Amazing how early we learn to avoid trouble, huh? LOL!

chicks

Today, I am flying back from Virginia where Nikki and I were visiting my publisher and having the time of our lives. OMG… where does one begin? Probably with the question on everyone’s mind- How much trouble did I get into? None. Well, none that I got busted for. Put it this way… I am going back in August and attending the writer’s workshop just because I am in love with these incredible people.

As you all know, I made the move to full-time writing and went on a flying pumpkin carriage to visit my Fairy Godmother, AKA Bethany, and her incredible staff. There was not a moment that passed that I was not in awe of these folks… beyond the business end of Blushing. True to the edicts of southern hospitality, they showed me genuine love and embraced me like I was the green-haired, tattooed, pierced, and long-lost prodigal daughter who had come home. And I did come home. I have never been around a group of people who truly loved and respected one other like the people in Blushing do, nor have I been in a working environment free from drama and silly nonsense. The whole experience was more than refreshing. It was life-changing.
To say a person can fall in love with someone from the get-go is a rare occurrence, let alone to fall in love with a group of people. I am still breaking out in tears from missing them. Bethany and her family took me into their hearts and their home, and split my heart wider than I ever could have imagined. It went beyond making me feel loved and wanted, but how RIGHT it felt to be treated like family. Peeps, I am talking real family. Even professionally, not one moment passed that I did not feel like I didn’t ‘fit’ or that I was just another number in an endless list of names. Don’t be surprised! Even as successful as you have made my books, as a ‘real dealer’, it is difficult for me to find my place among the majority of people who only live the lifestyle through their fantasy. It’s tough, and I did not realize how lonely I have been until I came here and was surrounded by genuine love and acceptance, both personally and professionally.

water1(It was absolutely beautiful and green there. Something I do not see often in Southern California)

I was privileged to see the inner workings of a truly professional and devoted company, and how they bend over backwards to make their authors feel that they have value and worth. Peeps, you have no idea how much they do to prevent us from ever feeling disposable or disappearing in the crowd, and the respect they give us was amazing. You are finding me at a loss for words…. I guess all I can say is the warmth of Bethany, her family and Blushing Books is forever pulsing in my heart. Many of you have approached me about writing and I can assure you that these people are devoted to US, the authors, and will do whatever it takes to help us succeed in our own personal goals. I am also starting an author mentoring program, so any of you who want to give writing a try, please contact me and I will work with you, and teach you whatever I can. It is my turn to Pay it forward…

Then, to add sprinkles to my ice cream, I met Bella Bryce. It was one of those Hallmark Moments… you know, the kind when you walk into a room and the light from the heavens shine down upon someone and you KNOW that person is someone who is supposed to be in your life. It was soooo nice not to have to be anything other than who I am with this lady. Of course, Nikki didn’t help matters…. She has a new little sister to pick on and began to teach Bella her tricks on how to get one over on me. They both enjoyed watching me go into the Mama mode (Domme without the leathers) and seeing what they could do to get me to growl. Honestly, it was so cute and sweet, with no drama or pretense (I don’t do drama, as you know). Plus, it was fun being able to sit with a brilliant author and share ideas! Yup, we are writing a book together now and it is going to be so much fun! Bella even had a sleepover, and we giggled like little girls into the wee hours of the morning. Oh, and she made Cheese on Toast and tea…. Omg, foodgasm. Talk about tugging on a mama’s heart—she climbed into bed to get morning hugs and I almost lost it. The tears began again with the love I have for this lady. She is one amazing woman, an incredible writer, and has a heart of gold. It is a rare occurrence when you met someone so much like yourself. I can’t wait to come back home in August and I hope to meet others like her.

I love my life. There is soooo much more to share, but I have to go catch a plane and go home to California, and my honey, today. I am sending all of you kisses and hugs and thanking you, my fans and my friends, for being such loving, supportive and wonderful people who make me smile on a daily basis. It is because you that I was blessed this week, and because of you that I will continue to write and hopefully bring you smiles in return.
Luvs,
Bree

SIDE NOTE! Stuck in Atlanta for the night thanks to the incredible stupidity of Delta and their inability to think. Our plane was late due to human error, missed our connection, and now I am stuck ALL ALONE in the Crowne Plaza drinking a double Sloe Gin Fizz, taking a hot bath, and eating room service. Too bad I don’t know anyone here—missed a perfect opportunity for a Party! Bummers…..

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