Check out the conversations with Lady Serenity and Ni'cola about her new book A Cold Piece 04/30/2012
Listen to internet radio with Lady Serenity on Blog Talk Radio Add Comment UM: Introduce yourself to the audience. Hello, my name is Ni’cola Mitchell, and I am an author and I run an independent publishing house NCM Publishing. Originally from Jamaica, I am a proud mother of two beautiful and talented girls Destani Imani 18 and Diamond Lynn 13. Currently we reside in North Las Vegas, Nevada. UM: Tell us how your career started as a writer. My story is actually different from other writers. Unlike most writers, that knew that this was going to be their profession, my dreams were totally opposite. I wanted to be a CEO of a hospital, not my own publishing company. My book career started from a dare. I graduated from college in 2008 and my friends and family dared me to turn my journal entries into a book. That is when I wrote my debut novel, Over and Over Again and then shortly after, The Appetizer, When You’re Not His Main Course. Two months after the release of the Appetizer, my eldest sister (whom raised me) passed away. She was my main cheer leader in my journey as an author. I went through a deep depression and penned out Twisted. Almost three years later from the release of my first novel, my fourth title A Cold Piece will be released March 31, 2012. UM: Tell us about your upcoming release A Cold Piece. Well I am really excited about this novel. This one is not like my usual drama filled novel. A Cold Piece is a Suspense Thriller revolving around three main characters: Lisa, Anthony, and Gabrielle. Lisa Oliver was comfortable in her lifestyle. She had everything that one can ask for, anything that money could buy and a husband that treasured her. Everything changed once Anthony found about some horrible secrets that Lisa was hiding and divorced her. Two years go by, and Anthony remarries Gabrielle, they are happy and settled in their life, until everyone around the happy couple either becomes missing, hurt or dead. UM: How do you balance your writing / publishing with your personal and social life? It wasn’t until recently that I realized the importance of balance. The only way that I can continue being successful in my career, is if I separate my family life from my career. I have incorporated my team more and began scheduling time for my family. This includes turning my phones off, and not checking my emails. UM: When you attend an event(book signing/festival), what last impression or message do you want to leave visitors with? I want the readers to see that I am a real person. Even though I am professional and grind out everyday, that I am also funny and down to earth. I hope that a person can see me pursuing my dreams, and that will in turn motivate them to pursue their own. UM: Can you give us your contact information: My websites are as follows: www.nicolacmitchell.com, www.ncmpublishing.com,www.nicolaandtamika.com. You can also find me on facebook and twitter: www.facebook.com/msnicola and www.twitter.com/msnicola Listen to internet radio with AAMBC Radio on Blog Talk Radio Reviews and Accolades 08/23/2011
Over and Over Again: March 30, 2012Brandie Johnson-Miller Just finished Over and Over. I must say I read it in one day, because it had me hooked. From begining to end was absolutely amazing. Ni`cola you are a teriffic author. I was totally amazed to find out what Zay's real job was (STILL SHOCKED). I have recommend your book to my fellow Army friends. We look forward to reading Twisted. Twisted: Dionni's Back!, April 1, 2011 By Cynthia R. Hooks With her latest novel, "Twisted," Ni'cola Mitchell drops us head-first back into the drama-filled life of Dionni Stone from "Over and Over Again." Ms. Dionni Stone has been through some things: heartbreak, betrayal, and now her best friend needs her. But returning home comes with its own set of challenges, and it means a return to face the things that made her move away in the first place. In her third novel, Ms. Mitchell has managed to elevate first-person storytelling to an art; each character tells the story from their perspective, but they also get to chime in on the role of the other characters. I thoroughly enjoyed "Twisted," and read it in less than a day. Ni'cola drew me in with her real dialogue, and a cast of characters who seemed like people that I know. Her writing style made me care about Dionni Stone on a personal level. Then Ms. Mitchell wrapped it all in a nice bow at the end. For me, "Twisted" was the perfect tale of deception, pain, revenge and unpredictable twists as Dionni finally laid down the law: determined to stand up for her friends, be with her man and, one way or another, make her enemies pay for not taking her seriously in "Over and Over Again." Oh wow....Twisted like that!!, April 13, 2011 By Patrick Coar "N. Coar" (Washington, DC) OMG I finished in 3 1/2 hrs... Is that a record,for me, yes.I hardly ever finish a book in one sitting!!! I was only going to read the first 2 chapters but I couldn't put it down!!! Can't wait to read "Candy"!!!!! Ni'cola, you've outdone yourself! A very entertaining read!! Nyeisha ~Washington D.C. Had me on the edge of my seat, May 2, 2011 By Nicola Motley "The Book guru" (Redford, MI) I loved this follow up, and Twisted had me just that twisted i was surprised up until the very end, this is a must read, N'icola has done it again in this book, again it is must read! A Must read, June 24, 2011 By Dwayne Higgins If you have had the chance to read the other book in the series then this book is a must read it will explain things from the first book and get into new and more interesting drama and even if you have not the book touches enough on the story line to let you know whats going on and if you think you can play with Dionni then you definitely got her twisted. This book is not so long that it makes you uninterested nor is it so short that you feel unsatisfied. I would with out a doubt recommend this and the other book by Ni'cola, Over and Over Again to anyone for a very compelling story line with characters that you can relate to or empathize with or both Words were not enough, June 23, 2011 By True Reader -When I found out that Nicola had a sequel to Over and Over Again, I had to run out and get my copy. From beginning to the end, this book was so good! It answered all of the open questions that were lingering in my mind from the first book. Dionni stood her own as she battled with life, and in the end showed how a real woman can hold her own. I am so happy that I have got a chance to read this book and can't wait for future books from this author.Ni'cola - Twisted -very well done, May 16, 2011 By M. Duggins "VI Posse" (Virgin Islands) The follow up to over and over again was powerful. I loved this book.. Dionne made it through all the struggles and fears and shame but she made it. Once again Ms. Mitchell great job. Excellent from Beginning to end!, April 28, 2011 By Ci Ci - Twisted is an excellent read from beginning to end. I was not prepared for all the twist and turns that the author takes you on. It displays a story of a woman that has emotional insecurities, and how she let them go after facing all of her fears head on. I give this book 5 stars because it felt like I was watching a movie instead of reading a book. I can't wait for the next one! May 29, 2011 Dricey Highly Recommended - it happens to the best of uswow!!! is the only word that comes to mind.. Ni'cola has out done herself this time.. every WOMAN should read this book, because it could be you, me, or her TWISTED the next time. this book was a real eye opener for women every where... we as women love so hard, and need to be super careful of whom we give ourselves to. we need to be good stewards of our hearts, bodies and minds. Ni'cola keep doin yo thang. July 17, 2011 WATCH YOUR FRIENDS!!!!! DarleneGinn-Hargrove THIS WAS A GREAT STORY!!!! DIONNI HAS FLED VEGAS AFTER CATCHING HER BEST FRIEND EVA, AND HER FIANCE DALE IN A COMPROMISING POSITION. BUT AFTER LEARNING THAT HER OTHER BEST FRIEND TIANNA HAS BEEN BRUTALLY BEATEN AND RAPED, DIONNI RETURNS TO VEGAS TO SEE ABOUT HER FRIEND. OH, BUT LOOK OUT LADIES DIONNI IS NOT TO BE MESSED WITH. AND WHILE BACK SHE WILL BE SETTING SOME THINGS STRAIGHT. ENJOY......... May 25, 2011 Worth the wait!! lashanda79 This was so good!! I highly reccomend ! As I began writing this, I thought of many black women I've known whose picture I could use to illustrate the piece. One you might know, is Della Reese who took my hand one morning almost twenty years ago, looked right in my eyes and said, "Bert, always remember this; don't take anything for granted. Just as soon as you hit the top they'll run a Whitney Houston in on you." Then she laughed, and it was so contagious she instantly had everyone on the far side of the room laughing though she and I were the only ones who knew what she was laughing at. A second example I thought of was Rev. Dr. Johnnie Coleman, the founding minster of Christ Universal Temple in Chicago. Johnnie came from Mississippi with an innate understanding of the oneness of all things and a desire to share that understanding with others; and she did. She spent fifty years building a ministry that was her vehicle for sharing universal love. She is regarded as the first lady of new age but she is way more than that – Johnnie Coleman is love walking the earth. Then I thought of Rev. Ruth Mosley, who founded a Unity Church in downtown Detroit, and refused to leave the neighborhood, even when most people felt it was unsafe. The last time I spoke in her church, Rev. Ruth met me in the parking lot when I arrived. As we walked toward the church, she said, “Bert, you’re going to have to speak up today. Can you do that?” We stopped walking and she turned toward as she said softly, “Last night one of the neighbor children broke in the church and took our new sound system.” I said, “Rev. Ruth, if my voice starts failing everybody can move to the front.” As I write this, I can see what happened next like it happened yesterday. Smiling, and with her eyes sparkling, she looked into my heart and said, “Lord, I know that’s right.” Then she patted my back. I’d have shouted for four hours if that’s what it took. And I thought of Mrs. Lillie Hoskins who has run a day care center in Batesville, Mississippi for twenty-five years and goes through life trailed by clouds of love yet doesn't even know it. At last count, twelve valedictorians of South Panola High School are graduates of Hoskins Learning Center. Lillie Hoskins has dedicated herself to making sure that “her children” don’t take a back seat to anyone, and her love and dedication have paid off. And I thought of Louise (there is no one left in my family who remembers her last name) who took care of me every afternoon from the second grade through the fifth. One day, I told her that I could always see a halo around her head. She stopped ironing, chuckled, patted my head, and said, “I wouldn’t tell anyone else that, if I was you,” and we laughed. Finally I thought of my new Twitter friend, Ni’cola Mitchell (@MsNicola) who is responsible for this post. I tweeted something to her and she replied, “Thank you, Sweetie,” and a whole lot of wonderful memories filled my mind. In seconds, I renewed my commitment to finish and post this blog because it’s important. My list goes on and on but I’ll stop there. I didn't use Della's picture, or Johnnie Coleman’s, or Ms Lillie's, or Ni’cola’s – I used them all and one of Norma Jean Anderson, who I’ve not told you about yet. When I think of black women and unconditional love she is the one that first comes into my mind. Norma Jean is gone now. She left an amazing list of accomplishments - too many to even begin to note in this posting. But, as far as I'm concerned, the most memorable of them occurred one night, twenty odd years ago, in her home, when I blurted out, "Norma Jean, would you be my mother?" She didn't laugh or pretend that she hadn't heard. She looked into my eyes and my heart and my soul and then she smiled and said, "Bert, it would be an honor." Norma Jean passed away almost four years ago but she will be with me forever, as will Della, Louise, Lillie, Ruth, Ni’cola, and a growing host of others. I am a white man, not something I had anything to do with, and certainly not something I'm proud of. From a conventional point of view, white men are the most powerful group on the planet. However, I'll be the first to own up to the fact that a white man’s power is second rate when compared to the power of the unconditional love of a black woman. In fact that's the point of this posting. I've done a lot of things in this life and to be honest, everything being the same, I'd do them all over again. Do I have any regrets? Well, sort of - but it's not about anything I've done or failed to do. My regret is that I didn't spend this life as a black woman rather than a white man. I know that black women are the masters of unconditional love. It's in their eyes, their hearts, and their every breath. No matter what you've done or who you've done it to, they'll still love you. When a black woman looks in your eyes and says, "Honey, it's going to be all right." You know that it is. I'm stuck with being a white man for the rest of this trip but I do have a consolation - I have the friendship and love of a long list of black women and that list grows longer every week. “Thank you, Sweetie.” How Ni'cola Mitchell came up with the new title Twisted. The Appetizer is the direct sequel to my first novel Over and Over Again. Even though all of my stories are connecting, Twisted is centered around my main character Dionni Stone. In Over and Over Again I described Dionni as being charismatic, goal oriented, and very sophisticated. Even though she had everything together on the outside, Dionni was not as successful in the area of love. Her life was in so much turmoil, which in the end of the book sent Dionni on hiatus. Several months later, Dionni finds out that her best friend has been beaten, raped, and left for dead which is why Dionni has to come back to Vegas to face her demons. Dionni has a new perspective on life and has come back with a vengeance sporting a new look and attitude. Trying to find out what happened to Tiana, Dionni is faced with a new set of tribulations that she has to face. I brought back all of the original characters, including Candy, Dionni’s direct foe, and introduced Rain. A young beautiful woman, who’s main focus, is getting rid of Dionni by any means necessary. This book is filled with so many twist and turns, that I could not believe that I wrote it. It will also explain the importance of not playing with a person’s heart and emotions. I can’t lie, Candy and Rain are both crazy, but Twisted gives the reader an explanation on how they each became that way. BOOK REVIEW: 5 STARS reviewed by Cynthia R. Hooks This review is from: Twisted (Paperback) With her latest novel, "Twisted," Ni'cola Mitchell drops us head-first back into the drama-filled life of Dionni Stone from "Over and Over Again." Ms. Dionni Stone has been through some things: heartbreak, betrayal, and now her best friend needs her. But returning home comes with its own set of challenges, and it means a return to face the things that made her move away in the first place. In her third novel, Ms. Mitchell has managed to elevate first-person storytelling to an art; each character tells the story from their perspective, but they also get to chime in on the role of the other characters. I thoroughly enjoyed "Twisted," and read it in less than a day. Ni'cola drew me in with her real dialogue, and a cast of characters who seemed like people that I know. Her writing style made me care about Dionni Stone on a personal level. Then Ms. Mitchell wrapped it all in a nice bow at the end. For me, "Twisted" was the perfect tale of deception, pain, revenge and unpredictable twists as Dionni finally laid down the law: determined to stand up for her friends, be with her man and, one way or another, make her enemies pay for not taking her seriously in "Over and Over Again." Excerpt - Twisted by Ni'cola Mitchell I removed my Armani Exchange sunglasses and extended my left hand to take a good look at my ring finger. I was in love with my two carat, sky blue diamond, platinum engagement ring that Dale gave me when he proposed to me. The ring he gave me just hours before I went on a high speed chase with a damn near empty gas tank through the city of North Las Vegas chasing him and his chick of the moment. The same ring that he gave me before he knew that Ashley, his mistress from the garage was pregnant. The same ring that he gave me despite of the secret love affair that I discovered that him and Eva, my supposedly best friend was entangled in. Yea, I was oh so in love with this beautiful ring, that I did not think twice as I stood in line at the small pawnbroker downtown to do the inevitable. I was about to pawn it. That’s right. I walked up to the elderly Middle Eastern woman that stood behind the counter and asked her for her best offer. The lady peered at me for a moment over her wire reading glasses, before stepping away to speak to her supervisor. I really was not in the mood for speculations, and I glared right back at her. My hazel colored eyes never blinking. I knew that we were in Las Vegas, home of big dreams and huge losses. Land of gambling your rent money away, and spending all night at the neighborhood casino trying to flip it back. The city known for its connection of sin, and the motto of by any means necessary; but this situation was not the case. I am far from being hard up for money. I do not harbor any typical addictions such as gambling, drinking, sex or smoking. I did not have to live by the rules of robbing Peter to pay Paul. My kryptonite was on a totally different level. My addiction was Dale, and the heartbreak that he proposed on me on so many occasions. Getting rid of this ring was going to be the first step of my road to recovery, and I really didn’t care about what this old lady nor anyone felt or thought about what I was doing. Pawning this ring was in the best interest of me. ### Twisted by Ni'cola Mitchell ISBN-10: 0983346119 ISBN-13: 978-0983346111 About Ni'cola Mitchell Striving to establish a new flair to the term contemporary fiction, author Ni'cola Mitchellentered the literary scene with one main objective: To Stimulate Your Mind, One Word at a Time. Through her independent publishing company NCM Publishing, Ni'cola published her debut novel entitled Over and Over Again in June 2009. Following on the heels of her debut book was The Appetizer: When You re Not His Main Course. Ni' cola's growing readership eagerly awaited her next literary masterpiece Twisted, which was released in December 2010. Much of her work revolves around complex relationship issues situations and her compulsive desire to see women over come challenges. Over and Over Again was featured in the top ten by EDC Creations Recommended Reading List in the Fall 2009, under Mainstream Fiction and Women's Fiction. Ni'cola Mitchell was nominated Self-Published Author of the Year with the African-African Literary Awards Show. Because of her outstanding representation of Las Vegas African-American community, she was featured in the second edition of Who's Who in Black Las Vegas. She is also a motivational speaker and literary consultant. When Ni'cola isn't writing, she loves to spend time with her family and volunteer as a mentor for youth activities. Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, Ni'cola Mitchell currently resides in North Las Vegas, Nevada, with her two daughters, Destani and Diamond. She holds a Bachelors degree of Science in Business Management and is currently pursuing a Masters of Business Administration in HealthCare Management. Striving to establish a new flair to the term contemporary fiction, Best-Selling author Ni’cola Mitchell entered the literary scene with one main objective: To Stimulate Your Mind, One Word at a Time. Through her independent publishing company NCM Publishing; Ni’cola published her debut novel entitled Over and Over Again in June 2009. Following on the heels of her debut’s critical acclaim, The Appetizer: When You’re Not His Main Course was released February 2010. Ni’cola’s growing readership eagerly awaited her next literary masterpiece Twisted, which was released March 12, 2011. Much of her work revolves around complex relationship issues situations and Mitchell’s compulsive desire to see women over come challenges. Over and Over Again was featured in the top ten by EDC Creations Recommended Reading List for the 2009 fall season under Mainstream Fiction and Women’s Fiction. She was recently nominated Self-Published Author of the Year for 2010 and 2011 with the African-African Literary Awards Show. She is also a member of the national touring group the Literary Sistah’s. Because of her outstanding representation of Las Vegas’ African-American community, she was featured in the second edition of Who’s Who in Black Las Vegas. Ni’cola is also a motivational speaker and literary consultant. When Ni’cola isn’t writing, she loves to spend time with her family and volunteer as a mentor for youth activities. Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, Ni’cola Mitchell currently resides in North Las Vegas, Nevada, with her two daughters, Destani and Diamond. She holds a Bachelors degree of Science in Business Management and is currently pursuing a Masters of Business Administration in HealthCare Management. To find out more check outwww.nicolacmitchell.com. The Harlem Book Fair bloomed with excitement. Vendors, authors and craftspeople were caught in the mid-morning setup rush that takes place every year at Harlem Book Fair. But just around the corner, even more excitement bloomed, but for a different kind of rush — the annual African American Literary Awards Nomination Brunch. The African American Literary Awards were founded by Yvette Hayward. The African American Literary Awards was conceived and produced for the first time in 2004. Seven years after its debut, the awards are still going strong and still one of the most consistent awards show in existence that recognizes African American authors So without further ado here are the nominees for the seventh annual African American Literary Awards And don’t forget to vote for your favorite author or writer at African American Literary Awards on Thursday, July 28, 2011. Fiction Dorothy by LaToya S. Watkins (Peace In The Storm Publishing) He Was My Man First – Courtney Parker & Nancey Flowers (St. Martin’s Press) No One in the World: A Novel – E. Lynn Harris & RM Johnson (Simon & Schuster) Mama Ruby – Mary Monroe (Dafina) Money Can’t Buy Love – Connie Briscoe (Grand Central Publishing) Self help How To Get Out Of Your Own Way – Tyrese Gibson(Grand Central Publishing) The Strawberry Letter: Real Talk, Real Advice, Because Bitterness Isn’t Sexy – Shirley Strawberry (One World /Ballantine) Why Do I Have To Think Like A Man?: How To Think Like A Lady And Still Get The Man – Shanae Hall & Rhonda Frost (Farrah Gray Publishing) Priceless Inspirations – Antonia Carter (Farrah Gray Publishing) A Belle in Brooklyn: The Go-to Girl for Advice on Living Your Best Single Life – Demetria Lucas (Atria) Biography/Memoir Ice: A Memoir of Gangster Life and Redemption-from South Central to Hollywood – Ice T (One World/Ballantine) The Big Fight: My Life In and Out of the Ring – Sugar Ray Leonard (Viking –Adult) Flavor Flav: The Icon The Memoir – Flavor Flav (Farrah Gray Publishing) Love Brought Me Back: A Journey of Loss and Gain – Natalie Cole (Simon & Schuster) Transparent – Don Lemon (Farrah Gray) Christian Fiction An Inconvenient Friend by Rhonda McKnight – Urban Trade Paper Right Package, Wrong Baggage by Wanda B. Campbell (Urban Books) The Deal, The Dance & The Devil – Victoria Christopher Murray (S&S) Crowning Glory – Pat Simmons (Urban Books) Who Said It Would Be Easy?: A Story of Faith (Zane Presents) – Cheryl Faye (Strebor Books) Erotica Strawberries, Stilettos, and Steam – Imani True & Dreama Skye Southern Comfort” by Cynnamon Foster and Nina Foxx Sixty-Nine – Pynk Smooth Operator – Risque Nasty – Dr. XYZ Street Fiction Justify My Thug – Wahida Clark My Kinda Girl” by Michael McGrew The Prada Plan 2 – Ashley Antoinette Welfare Wifeys: A Hood Rat Novel – K’wan Memoirs Of An Accidental Hustler – JM Benjamin Non Fiction I Shall Not Die: Living A Psalm 118:17 Existence – Kendra Norman Bellamy Fail Up: 20 Lessons on Building Success from Failure – Tavis Smiley Black Woman Redefined: Dispelling Myths and Discovering Fulfillment in the Age of Michelle Obama – Sophia Nelson Peace from Broken Pieces – Iyanla Vanzant Becoming a Woman of Destiny: Turning Life’s Trials into Triumphs! – Dr. Suzan Johnson Cook Mystery Giving Up The Ghost by Stacy-Deanne Ask Nicely and I Might by Lorraine Elzia The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey – Walter Mosley Price Of Fame – Amaleka McCall Surrender the Dark – L.A. Banks Children/Young Adult Getting Played by Celeste O. Norfleet Drama Queens –ReShonda Tate Billingsley Giant Steps To Change The World – Spike Lee & Tonya Lewis Lee Sugar Plum Ballerinas: Terrible Terrel – Whoopi Goldberg Teen Girls Need L.O.V.E. by S.Dodson Romance Inseparable – Brenda Jackson Sweet Persuasions (Kimani Romance) – Rochelle Alers Unexpected Interruptions – Trice Hickman Twice The Temptation – Francis Ray The Proposal – Brenda Jackson Short stories/Anthologies A Woman’s Revenge by Tiffany L. Warren, Sherri Lewis and Rhonda McKnight – Home Again: Stories of Restored Relationships by Wanda B. Campbell, Dijorn Moss, Tyora Moody and Trinea Moss Between the Sheets – Tamika Newhouse, NiCola Mitchell and Anna Black Magazines (Non -Literary) Black Enterprise Ebony Uptown JET Upscale Magazines (Literary) Mosaic Books Booking Matters Written African Voices Black Literature Magazine Humorist Award of the Year (Stand-up Comics) Kevin Hart Sherri Shepherd Chris Spencer Tony Rock Rickey Smiley Self-Published Author of The Year The Ultimate Question: Will Love Ever Know Me – Tamika Newhouse Con Test: Double Life – Rahiem Brooks Twisted – Ni’cola Devour, One Man’s Tale of Love, Intimacy, and Ecstasy – D.A. Williams Breakout Author of the Year Tour Secrets – Winkk The Putting Away – Sharel E. Gordon-Love Open Your Eyes – Schelle Halloway (HWF Productions) Shady – Dell Banks Girl, Get Your Mind Right – Tionna Smalls Publishing House Of The Year St. Martin’s Press Kensington Kimani Press Grand Central Publishing Simon & Schuster Independent Publisher Of The Year Peace In The Storm A New Quality Publishing Delphine Publications NCM Publishing Black Dawn Books Author Of The Year – Male JM Benjamin – Memoirs Of An Accidental Hustler Walter Mosley – The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey E. Lynn Harris & RM Johnson – No One In The World Carl Weber – Choir Director K’wan – Welfare Wifeys Author Of The Year – Female Victoria Christopher Murray (The Deal, The Dance & The Devil) Kimberla Lawson Roby – Love, Honor and Betray Pat G’Orge Walker – Don’t Blame The Devil Nancey Flowers & Courtney Parker – He Was My Man First Sophia Nelson – Redefining The Black Woman Bookclub of the Year Black Expressions AAMBC African American Literary Book Club (AALBC) GO On Girl Bookclub Television Writer Of The Year Tyler Perry – House Of Payne Ali LeRoi – Are We There Yet Mara Brock Akil – The Game Stacy A. Littlejohn- Single Ladies Shonda Rhimes – The Practice Screenwriter Of The Year Tracey E. Edmonds – Jumping The Broom Salim Akil – Jumping The Broom Tyler Perry – For Colored Girls Tyler Perry – Madea’s Big Happy Family Comic Strip Aarron McGruder – Boondocks Jerry Craft – Mama’s Boyz Ray Billingsley – Curtis Keith Knight – The K Chronicles Robb Armstrong –Jumpstart Interview with Author/Actor Tra Verdejo and Author/Publisher Ni'cola Mitchell by Winter Giovanni 05/07/2011
Listen to internet radio with Winter Giovanni on Blog Talk Radio Ni’cola Mitchell a Kingston, Jamaica native now residing in Las Vegas is a woman of many faces. In addition to being a mother, graduate, daughter, student, motivational speaker, literary consultant and a volunteer for youth she is also a self accomplished, self-published author specializing in contemporary fiction. Ni’cola’s debut novel Over and Over Again released in 2009 is listed on the top ten Recommended Reading List fall 2009 by EDC Creations. Following her debut, 2010 release The Appetizer: When You’re Not His Main Course landed her a nomination for Self-Published Author of the Year 2010 by the African-American Literary Award Show. Ni’cola went on to release her third novel Between The Sheets, also in 2010. Rounding out this mind-tingling collection of books, the long awaited sequel to main character Dionni’s captivating yet relatable life is her fourth novel Twisted. This release will not fall short of her previous accomplishments, assured to keep you up all night on the edge of your sheets anticipating every word while captivating your mind with running imaginations. Twisted is certain to hit the best selling mark once again with nominations awaiting her attendance. I met up with Ni’cola at her Twisted book release event held at the Artisan (a boutique-style hotel) to ask a few previously prepared accompanied with a couple improv questions. In the fifteen minutes or so of our interview here are some of the intimate details she shared. Ni’cola intercepts her inspiration through real-life personal experiences whom can complete a novel in 30 days! Now that is talent in my book (no pun intended) She has written her whole life beginning in childhood around twelve years of age writing short stories and poems. As previously mentioned she resides in Las Vegas, NV. When asked what it is like being an author in Las Vegas? She states, “Different and a little more difficult”. She has had to venture out of Vegas to really establish an audience then bring the success back with her to Nevada. It worked. She is nationally known with books flying off the shelves-selling out on the East Coast as well as the southern states (Alabama, Georgia). Ni’cola has had much success on the eastern portion of the nation as it has become the home of her biggest audiences and biggest fans. Before departing on the evening I had two remaining questions for her. Firstly, “If you were to write a self-authored autobiography, what would be its title?” Ni’cola very quickly answered with no hesitation “Formidable” because she’s always been different and despite her dark and difficult past she continues to persevere with strength and excellence, never allowing her past to define her as she will define and mold her future. The final question of the evening I opened the discussion up to her, if there was anything she wanted to add. She stated that in spite of your past keep going, keep striving for the top. The past does not have to be who you are, past experiences does not define you. Don’t give up and don’t get caught in someone else’s darkness-you really can become whoever you want to be and achieve whatever you want to achieve. Keep going. Very well said My Dear. We ended the evening with a hug, wished each other all the best, I offered to be of assistance in the future if needed and she expressed her gratitude for my attendance. A very quiet, sweet, intelligent, grateful, humble, thankful woman. Thank you Ni’cola Mitchell for honoring me with your time and talent. Ni’cola Mitchell’s enticing collection of novels can be found where fine books are sold including Borders, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, eBay or by visiting her website http://www.nicolacmitchell.com. Enjoy the tickling mind reads from the ‘tip of Ni’cola’s pen’! |










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