Nishawnda Ellis: Wives and Girlfriends

Nishawnda Ellis describes her latest book, Wives and Girlfriends this way:

Wives and Girlfriends is a seductive and suspenseful tale of lust, infidelity and murder, with a surprise twist at the end. Get ready to be entertained, as this story takes you through the life of a cheating ruthless husband and the women that love him.

Now this is a novel that will make you say, "Hmmmmm...."

Let's find out more about Nishawnda :)

Charles: Nishawnda, please tell us about yourself and what made you start writing books?
Nishawnda: I graduated from Hampton University with a degree in Nursing. And after a bad breakup, instead of slashing tires, I decided to write myself a letter. That letter spawned a hidden talent in me that I had suppressed. I could really write. So writing became more of my full time job and more of my passion.

Charles: Reading the excerpts of your recent novel, Wives and Girlfriends, I can tell it's hot and steamy in a good way :) Would you share with us what the story is all about?
Nishawnda: Wives and Girlfriends tells a tale of Tera Larou, a professional girlfriend who only dates wealthy married men who fulfill her every financial need. In return, she fulfills her suitor’s, as she calls them, every fantasy and keeps herself in check as his girlfriend. When she meets Dominic Jones, a self made millionaire, she falls in love with him and wants to change the rules to the game. Tera winds up murdered and leaves behind a list of suspects that all wanted her dead.

Charles: Would you say Wives and Girlfriends is a cautionary tale of infidelity gone bad? Why do you think Dominic, your lead male character would want to lose it all, and what do you think about Donna, his wife? Why do you think as unhappy as she is, remains in a dead end marriage? Does Tera represent the 'other woman' who just won't let go?
Nishawnda: Wives and Girlfriends definitely is a tale of the consequences of infidelity and leaves the message that one night of passion can lead to a lifetime full of pain. Dominic is a man of power, so in his mind he thinks he can do anything he pleases, including having several girlfriends on the side. The power he has over these women is like an addiction to him and he just can’t stop himself. When he meets Tera he thinks he’s found the perfect girlfriend who understands all of that and what it means to be with a man like himself. But he is sadly mistaken because Tera too, wants it all and will stop at nothing to get it. She turns into a married man’s worse nightmare. I love the character of Dominic’s wife Donna because she represents real women. Her situation isn’t easy and she doesn’t want to give up on her husband. She is able to fight through her struggle because she knows what a true gem she is.

Charles: Now Nishawnda, come on. You can share it with us on Authors N Focus, the 'surprise twist' at the end, right? LOL
Nishawnda: Yeah right! LOL. All I will say is the murderer is not who you think it is.

Charles: Your website says Wives and Girlfriends has sold over 5,000 copies since it's been out! That is very impressive! What is the reaction you get from your fans and why do you think your novel has sold so well?
Nishawnda: My fans absolutely love the book. They are ready for the sequel, so of course I’m working on giving them what they want. I think Wives and Girlfriends has done so well because the title grabs the reader off the bat and then when you read the first page, there is just no turning back.

Charles: Please share with us about your first book, Snowed A Lesson In Love. How did you come up with the novel's plot and do you feel some parts in Snowed may have influenced Wives and Girlfriends?
Nishawnda: Snowed, is the complete opposite of Wives and Girlfriends. It’s a story about four women who struggle with self-love in order to develop healthy relationships. Snowed, grew from a love letter I wrote to myself years ago after a bad break up. That letter inspired the entire story of Snowed.

Charles: Nishawnda, do you enjoy the benefits of a self-published author? What is the downside, if any?
Nishawnda: I enjoy the freedom of self-publishing. The downside is the publishing industry gives self-published authors a bad reputation because we are not traditionally published. Of course I disagree because some of the most thought- provoking, insightful books are self published and are one hundred times better stories than some traditionally published books.

Charles: Are there other novels in the works? If so, please tell us what they are.
Nishawnda: Yes, I’m currently working on the sequel to Wives and Girlfriends, due out this winter and another novel about three bachelors who are so stuck on themselves that they keep letting Ms. Right pass them by. That book is title Mr. High Maintenance and I’m hoping to have that out by Spring 2007.

Charles: What is the Boston Book Bazaar and how successful has it been so far?
Nishawnda: The Boston Book Bazaar is an annual book fair which houses over 30 best selling, small press, and self published authors as well as book vendors. In it’s first year, we had over 500 participants attend as well as 35 authors. So it’s done quite well. Each year I hope that it continues to grow and be the hottest literary scene in Boston.

Charles: How can we get in contact with you?
Nishawnda: Email is the fastest way to get in touch with me: nishawnda@kindleeyesbooks.com

Charles: Nishawnda, any advice for the new and beginning authors out there? Any closing remarks you like to add?
For newbies, my advice is to do your research so you have the knowledge about the publishing industry. It helps tremendously to promote and market your book when you know the “how to” And also to buddy up with another author. Networking is so important in this business.
Thank you for the interview, I do appreciate it. And remember to always support books by and about African Americans.

Charles: Nishawnda, it's been a real pleasure doing this interview. I wish you all the success you deserve!