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

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’!

1. UM: Thank you for taking the time to speak with us. What inspired Over and Over Again?

When I started writing the book it was supposed to be a tribute to my children. I had a daughter that passed away named Dionni. She lived to be 40 days old. The combination of all of my daughters is who I created this character to be. I combined the features of my other daughter’s Destani 15 and Diamond 10, and came up with this character. I believe the characteristics, and the description that I created in this story is how my real Dionni would have been.

Then like other artist who has written about relationships, I was hurt. The pain that I was feeling allowed me to take the story line and my characters to another level. It allowed me to express how my self and the way other women in the world may feel after trying to make things work over and over again.

2. UM: The writing process is different for every writer. Describe your ups and downs when writing Over and Over Again.

Like I stated before, in the beginning it was a story created as a tribute to my children, but once I got into it, I went into another direction. At times I had writers block, but I would just stop and go to another section. I work a full time job and I am getting my MBA. So when things would come to me at work or at school, I would just jot them down, and work on it in the wee hours of the night. Once I established the pain in the story line, it was a lot easier for me to complete. A natural flow was then established, and while listening to music I was able to complete the manuscript.

3. UM: Is there a moral to the story or a message you want to communicate to readers?

I want my readers to be entertained but at the same time display that even through the trials and tribulations that life may bring, us as women can still be independent and successful.

4. UM: What is next for you? Any future events or information you want our audience to know about?

I have already started my next book “The Appetizer,” and right now I am just promoting and preparing for my book release in July. I was just at the Las Vegas Black Book Festival as one of the 20 a featured author, and I have a host of other events such as:

Apr 4 Maryland Writer’s Conference

May 28 – 31 Book Expo of America – New York City, NY

Jun 18 – 20 Black Writer’s Conference – Las Vegas, NV

June 13-14 AAMBC National Meeting – San Antonio, TX

July 18 Harlem Book Fair – Harlem, NY

July 31- Aug 2 National Book Club Conference – Atlanta, GA

5. UM: How can our readers contact you and support your endeavors?

The readers can check out my website: www.nicolacmitchell.com or join my fan club site nicola.ning.com. My email is nicola@nicolacmitchell.com

Thank you

A Jamaican native, Ni'cola Mitchell published her debut novel Over and Over Again through her independent publishing company NCM Publishing. Much of her work revolves around situations that are a compulsive desire to see women overcome challenges.

You currently have three books in print, and a fourth scheduled for release in December. What are the titles?
Over and Over Again, The Appetizer When you're Not His Main Course and Between the Sheets. My upcoming novel Twisted is scheduled to be released December 2010.

Those are provocative sounding titles. Over and Over Again was the first book you published. Tell me a little about it.
It’s a fictional work based on my own life experiences and people I’ve met along the way. Set in present day Las Vegas, it revolves around my main character Dionni Stone, a successful business owner. To the outside world it appears she has everything under control, but in actuality, it is not always what it seems.

Is there a message you wanted to convey with this book?
Yes. It is very simple. In life everyone in the world, especially women are faced with trials, tribulations, and hardships, but what allows them to be classified as a strong woman is the way they overcome and rise above it.

I can relate to that. I had my share when I was cracking through the glass ceiling in the 80’s, not to mention some pretty radical ups and downs I never saw coming. That book earned you some recognition and nominations. 
Yes, I was selected to be featured in the second edition of Who's Who in Black Las Vegas. The awards ceremony was held September 8, 2010. I was also nominated for Self Published Author of the year by the African American Literary Awards Show. Over and Over Again was featured as #10 on EDC Creations Recommended Reading list for the 2009 fall season under Mainstream Fiction and Women's Fiction.

How did you create your characters? Were they real people or were they born in your imagination?
My characters are fictional, but I did take situations, mannerisms, and characteristics from real life people to create them.

You had a wonderful reason for writing this book. It shows the concern of a loving mother and your children are lucky. My mother was like that and I credit her for everything I’ve accomplished in life.
I was inspired to write this story because I wanted to demonstrate to my children that if they follow their heart; anything is possible. I addressed many issues in this book such as infidelity, deceit, low morale and self worth, sex, lies, relationships, and prostitution.

I also hold a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Management and am currently pursuing a Masters of Business Administration in Health Care Management.

I always admire people who set themselves a goal, then go for it. No excuses, no reasons why they can’t achieve, just a straight line to the goal and they don’t let things get in the way. You are one of those people.
The main goal that I wanted to accomplish in writing this book was to allow the story in my heart to be told. What I learned about publishing is if you stay grounded, focused, and believe in yourself, you can put out a successful book and it can hold its own among other works in your genre.

Over and Over Again was followed by a book with one of the best titles I’ve seen in a while.
The Appetizer, When You’re Not His Main Course was released in February of this year. Glad you liked the title.

I didn’t just like it. I loved it. We all know both men and women can find themselves in precarious relationships. What does The Appetizer offer to that person who might be seeking a little education while reading an entertaining book?
The Appetizer teaches many lessons, but there are two that stick out the most in my head.
• There are many and severe consequences to simple pleasures.
• A short term action can leave a lasting effect on everyone in your life—spouses, kids, friends, etc.

Were you able to use things you learned from your first book to make The Appetizer the best it could be?
There were a lot of lessons learned from publishing Over and Over Again. The most important lesson was not to limit myself. There is trial and error with everything a person does. Anything that worked for me the first time, I continue to utilize, and anything that would've been better I have tweaked to put out a better product.

What is next for you?
My next novel is Twisted, the direct sequel to Over and Over Again. It is due for release in December, 2010. Candy my villainess in Over and Over Again, has gained her own story, entitled Candy, and that will be the book after Twisted. My work will be included in several anthologies, as well in the coming year.

Do you have any parting words?
I try to ensure that all my stories connect. That way, no matter which book is read first, the reader will want to pick up one of the other books to find out more about my crazy characters.



Continue reading on Examiner.com Spotlight: Ni'cola Mitchell is an author on a mission - Las Vegas Writing | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/writing-in-las-vegas/spotlight-ni-cola-mitchell-is-an-author-on-a-mission#ixzz1VuI1PYcF