Nicole Dunlap

It is FOR and ABOUT authors.  Here we shine the light on authors who we’ve read, reviewed and recommend to others.  In this edition we are shining our light on another gifted author…

Nicole Dunlap holds a Bachelors Degree in Psychology and Child Development and a Masters Degree in Educational Counseling. She lives her dream of counseling in the inner city of San Bernardino, motivating teens dealing with depression, pregnancy, gang membership, and abuse. But she admits to two passions – writing being her first love. She has been self-dubbed the “gumbo genre” novelist, because books shouldn’t be lightly seasoned. Her stories revolve around family and relationships, women’s issues, drizzled with drama, peppered with suspense, and finished off with aromatic notes of romance. The Shaw Family Saga pays homage to dysfunctional mother-daughter relationships, with well developed characters that readers can root for; love them, hate them, cry for, and most of all, yearn to flip through the pages to the end of that character’s journey.

GETTING TO KNOW NICOLE…

Who is your favorite reality show personality and why?  Nene Leaks. She is momma hen to the other women on RHOA and an ambitious go-getter. She does her thang on The New Normal. And on RHOA she don’t back down; if she has drama with another housewife, she claims it.

What would you name the autobiography of your life? “It’s Real A Funny Story.” I actually told a close friend the real, uncensored me and she wanted to cry; heck, I just had to laugh it off. Now bits and pieces are within my family saga.

The best part of waking up is: Folgers in your cup *singing to the coffee commercial.* No, really the best part is the possibilities–on weekends only– when I can write without being bothered by my mini me’s or surf the internet for shopping coupons.

Have you ever had something happen to you that you thought was bad but it turned out to be for the best? My apartment caught fire when I was twenty years old. My then boyfriend, five-year-old daughter, and I lost it all. I wore my laid back work clothes that day so it was real horrible. Not to mention all my daughter’s mementos. Yup, that took the cake. The good thing is, my dad takes thousands of pictures so I could salvage most memories. The best part is, my then boyfriend showed me how much of a rock he could be. We are now happily–mostly–married.

How do you want to be remembered? A lot of different ways to different people. I want my children, and my grandchildren’s children to remember me as someone they can look up to. I want readers to remember me as the gumbo genre novelist because books shouldn’t be lightly seasoned. So when they read one book of mine, they have to read the rest because I flip the script with every story and change genres all the time.

What is the kindest thing anyone has done for you? I’ma have to get religious here. Jesus dying on the cross. That’s the highest level of compassion.

What is one of your favorite quotes? “We can’t become what we need to be by remaining what we are.” ~Oprah

A chore that I absolutely hate doing is: Washing dishes. I hate it with a passion. Slaving over a pile of soapy, steamy water. Dry cuticles. I already don’t like to get my nails done so washing dishes just about kills me.

If your favorite restaurant named a sandwich after you, what would it consist of? Mmmm. Ham, turkey, provolone, spinach, tomato, bell peppers, extra olives, pepperchinis.

PRAISE FOR MISS NOBODY

 

“I really loved this story. It was very well written and I couldn't wait to read the next twists and turns…I recommend this book for anyone who loves a great story.” -  Hot Eats and Cool Reads

“I gave this book five stars because it had me from the first page. I felt like I was on a roller coaster ride and didn't want to get off until I got to the end. As you get deeper in the book, you begin to love and hate some characters. That's how caught up you get in them. You begin to feel for them and understand their emotions…You will not be disappointed!!” - Janice Jade -

“I enjoyed the straightforward writing Nicole gives. She gets to the point with twists and turns without the long wait.” - Valinda J. Miller

     

PRAISE FOR MISS SCANDALOUS

“Nicole delivers great work time and time again and I already can't wait for the next voyage into her amazing story lines. I can't get enough of this story and I want MORE! Do not start reading until you have some time on your hands. You will not want to put it down! I am and will forever be a supporter and fan. I look forward to reading the next book!” - Brittany Carter

“My life could not stop so that I could get lost in this book, but oh man did I want to…Great Job Nicole, this is exactly the kind of books I love to read and I enjoyed the experience immensely. I can honestly say I am biting my nails because I need the next installment, like yesterday lol!” - Krystal Milton

“As a reader, I want to learn something new or experience something different when I read a book. I want laugh at a joke I've never heard, cry at a situation I could never imagine or, wonder what I would do in that situation. Miss Scandalous delivers on all points.” - Bee L. Kirk