Bravo Trice Hickman, Unexpected Interruptions is a well-written and thought provoking novel. Trice's first publication is very captivating and I highly recommend Unexpected Interruptions. It is difficult to believe this is Trice's first, and this first has me eagerly anticipating her next novel.

I originally purchased this book to support the author and I am a bit embarrassed to admit that my expectations were a tad biased. You see, I had stopped reading novels because I found that they had become repetitive and just predictable completely. Don't get me wrong, I expected a good story, but what I encountered was so much more!

Anyone can tell a story (the synopsis's provided by the other reviewers gives you that much), but Trice Hickman gave you an experience! After reading the synopsis, some of my peers thought that this book was the literary version of the movie "Something New" starring Sanaa Lathan, but boy are they wrong!!! The characters of Unexpected Interruptions, especially Victoria, aren't consistently bound by obvious assertions or expecations due to whatever restrictions may be assumed, but they are driven by pure passion and desire. The character situation and dialog was so completely honest and true that at times when I am talking to others I almost tell them of my 'home girl, V, who was in that situation". I have to snap back into reality and realize that the situation wasn't real, it was only a book!!! That is a big deal to me!!

This is the type of book that you should keep handy for those days when you need a little pick me up. The way that the book is segmented, I find that I can mark my favorite sections and read them according to my mood and feel dramatically fulfilled!! (You think I'm playing? Try it!!)

As an aspiring writer and former 'avid reader' of fiction novels, this book was an awesome experience, great read and is a must have to any fictional library. Trust me, it is such an investment!!

I am anxiously awaiting book two and the continued finesse, eloquence and elegance of Trice Hickman's talents!

You better work!!

Ive had this book for some time now, but just decided to read it about a month ago. I will say that this book starts off slow, but it does pick up around the 3rd and 4th chapter. I did notice as well, the author, Trice Hickman, has made these characters more life like by giving them thoughts throughout the entire book. When an author does that, the reader has a better understanding of the characters personality, and how they relate to others in the book.

Victoria had some bad men in her life, and one last date before she finds the two men she has to choose between. To me, that's where it REALLY got interesting. Because I could relate to Victoria with those unsuccessful bfs/dates. Overall, Victoria is a great character and represents alot of women of today. She is sophisticated, educated, and comes from a great family who pushes her to go and do great things, although she keeps putting her goals/dreams on the back-burner to please others, especially her overbearing father.

Overall, this book is great and I cannot wait for the second installment which will be coming out early 2009.

The title fits the plot! Great romance book that you won't be able to put down. I've read it three times already and it's still enjoyable.

I'll keep this short and to the point.

It is difficult to believe that this was the first novel for Trice Hickman.
This was an intriguing tale that flowed extremely well and held my interest from beginning to end.
Character development was exceptional and the book was insightful, intelligent and very well written.
I thoroughly enjoyed this roller coaster ride of emotion.
I could hardly wait to find out who Victoria would choose and finished it in one day but I do have one question.....

Trice, when can we expect the sequel????

UNEXPECTED INTERRUPTIONS by Trice Hickman

Trice Hickman has written a wonderful novel about interracial love. She has opened up Pandora's Box. Ms. Hickman will make you take a look at your own bias as well as your own inner beliefs. Often times as African-Americans we label others as racist or color struck. The truth of the matter is we all have our own bias about things. There is the brother who won't date a sister because she is too dark or the sister who won't date a brother because he is too light skinned. Then there are those of us who won't date a garbage man or some one who is city slick. Some of us will miss out on our soul mates because we continue to look at the physical attributes of a person instead of the inner souls of a person. Ms. Hickman has given us an opportunity to see beyond color and old pains into the real person. Unexpected Interruptions is a story about Victoria Small and her bias and hang ups. She has two very intelligent men who seem to absolutely adore her. Yet, because of some color issues that she has stuffed deep down inside her she is unable to let go of her feelings with Ted who just happens to be white and the CEO of the
company she is working for. Eventually she meets Parker Brightwood, who she believes is the man of her dreams who also seems to be color struck. As Victoria fights with her past demons of infidelity, mistrust and race she is falling head over hills in love with Parker or maybe just the thought of being in love period. She soon finds out that LOVE isn't all it's cracked up to be with Parker. However, Victoria is not totally honest with herself or others about her hang ups when it comes to Ted. Both men have their own agenda and set out to win by any means necessary. This is a love story with honest and realistic twists and turns just like real life. Trice Hickman has done a fantastic job in making you think while you enjoy the ride. Big ups to Trice on her debut novel.


Michelle Rawls


Happy Reading

This was a fairly decent book. It was well written, the descriptions were excellent. I would tell anyone to get this book it was well worth it

In her debut release, Trice Hickman, has unleashed her story-telling skills and given readers an exciting page turner.

Unexpected Interruptions is a great story of a woman torn - not scorned. When Victoria Smalls releases her unforgiveness and pain from a past relationship, healing begins. She opens her heart and mind to love and finds that it comes in the most unexpected places. She prays for a good man. Without going on a manhunt, Victoria is pursued by two successful men with one goal - capturing her heart. Hickman does a great job in creating likeable characters who capture the hearts of readers too.

This is a great first offering - filled with drama, intrique, and steamy romance! Add this to your summer reading list.

I am truly happy that I purchased "Unexpected Interruptions". Trice Hickman is a gifted writer that touched on many facets of my own life with such ease - that I am eagerly waiting for her next novel due out March 2009. Trice was able to paint a picture with her words which allowed me to vividly take the journey that her characters traveled in the quest for true love. I am definitely a fan!!!!!!

Victoria Small is a sophisticated, modern woman who wants a good man. Her last romance with her fiance ended horribly when she walked in on him being unfaithful. But until Mr. Right comes along, Victoria is content to work toward opening her own catering and party planning business.

Unbeknownst to her, her boss Ted Thornton has a thing for Victoria. He engineers it so that she is put on a big project with him at their company so they can spend time together. Victoria is very attracted to the handsome, charismatic Ted, but he is married (albeit unhappily) and her boss so he is automatically off limits. Sensing that his failure to take control of his increasingly unhappy personal life is costing him the possibility of a relationship with a woman like Victoria, Ted decides to put his house in order before pursuing Victoria in earnest.

In the meantime, Victoria meets Parker Brightman. The man of her dreams. He's single, handsome, and a Doctor. And although she is warned by friends that he is commitment phobic, they start to date and begin to fall in love.

As her relationship with Parker deepens, Victoria feels that her life should be great. She has everything she's asked for, a loving family, great friends and a fabulous man who loves her. Except, her relationship with Parker is fraught with problems --- her trust issues, his family, their different philosophies. And then there are her growing feelings for Ted.

In the end, Victoria must take long hard look at her assumptions of love and the type of man that really speaks to her heart.

I was a little bit wary of reading this book, even with the glowing reviews it has received on Amazon. I've bought books based on glowing reviews on Amazon and have been bitterly disappointed. There were several reasons for my wariness: 1) This is a first time author with a 2) small publisher. My experience with this one-two combo is that the writing tends to be rough and the editing horrible.

This was not the case with this book. The writing was brisk and polished and the editing was pretty darned tight (with one or two exceptions which I'll get to in a minute).

Hickman does a great job with this first novel. Like I said above, the writing is very polished with a great narrative flow. I really enjoyed the supporting characters, from Victoria's parents to her best friend Tyler to her very vocal secretary. I am a big proponent of secondary characters who are not just window dressing but who are fully three dimensional characterizations themselves.

Since Ted is white and Victoria and Parker are black, this story not only features a love triangle but a potential interracial love match as well. One thing that an author who writes IR romances must decide is how they plan to address the IR piece of it --- do they make it an issue or do they ignore it. I really like what Hickman did in her story. She made the issue lot more nuanced. She actually looks at race separately from skin color in a provocative way.

Victoria is very attracted to Ted but doesn't really consider him a viable mate because he's not only married and her boss but he's also white. And even after the married/boss thing goes away, she still puts him in the "off-limits" category because dating a white man just isn't anything she'd ever considered. There is also Parker. The perfect black man. Except, Parker and his family are all caught up in issues of color. They are the very pinnacle of the black bourgeoisie and are all very light complexioned. There is a subtle intra-racial racialism in her interactions with the Brightmans. And believe it or not, Victoria has bigger problems with skin color vis a vis her relationship with Parker than she does with race in her relationship with Ted.

Also Parker muddies the waters with her relationship with Ted. One is forced to ask the question, if Parker hadn't been there would Victoria had been forced to confront her feelings for Ted earlier than she did? As it was, Parker was the easier, more acceptable choice. He is the one that she is supposed to want. But is he the one that she really wants? Her relationship with Parker is very volatile and as the story progresses it begins to unravel with Parker doing his heroic best to keep it from going south. AS this is a romance novel, Victoria does eventually end up with one guy and gets married (i won't say which one). And to my mind, it was the correct choice, but not for the reasons I think the author wanted.

Therein lies my biggest dissatisfaction with the book. Toward the end, the author very neatly clears the way for one guy at the expense of the other. I thought it was a bit of a cop out. I wished Victoria would have been able to come to the realization of where her feelings truly lay without the big mis-step on the part of the ousted suitor. I think the book would have been stronger for it.

My only other quibble is that there were one or two spots where a good editor or copy editor could have caught some weird word choices that made no sense. And then there was the Unexpected Interruptions typesetting annoyance. Every time the phrase Unexpected Interruptions was used as a phrase in the course of the story (and it was used a few times) it was always in italics. It had the weirdest effect of making me want to give it a musical fan-fare "duhn-duhn DUHN!!!" every time I saw it. So bizarre. And not at all necessary. I know it was the title of the book, but really, italics?

But other than that, this was a really good read and well worth the little extra is cost for the trade size.

I recommend.

This is a fantastic book, I really enjoyed reading it. One of the best books i've read in a long time.
K.B.

I love this book! I was really surprised that it turned out to be such a page turner! The story was new to me and I found myself likeing the characters as each chapter past. I would read it again!

I absolutely loved this book! It was refreshing and very funny at times. I found myself cheering for both Parker and Ted. I couldn't decide which one I really wanted Victoria to end up with! I couldn't put this book down until I was finished. I didn't want the story to end. It was very well written. It didn't have any boring spots in it! So far, it tops my list of best summer books to read. Trice Hickman did a great job with this story and I can't wait for her next book. I can tell she is going to be one of my favorite authors. What a great debut book. Please hurry and release the next book.

I haven't written a review in a very long time but after reading this wonderfully written story I had to write a review. Ms. Hickman wrote a fantastic story and I can't believe that this was her first novel. The story flowed well and I couldn't put it down. Since others have done a through summary of the story I will just share what I love about this book. I liked Victoria. She was smart, beautiful and realistic. She wasn't perfect she was human and her character felt real and relatable. She had been hurt in the past but she wasn't bitter or angry. She still hoped to find her ebony knight. Ted was fantastic! I loved that he was attracted to Victoria before he even saw how she looked. He was determined that she would be with him and he never let anything or anyone not even Victoria stop him from pursuing the love of his life. No matter what was thrown his way he never gave up on his quest to win Victoria. He never doubted that she was the one. I liked Parker's character too. He was a dream man. What sista wouldn't want a man like Parker? Sucessful, handsome, a professional who loved Black women? I'd take him! The secondary characters were great too. Especially Victoria's best friend Tyler. Both men were appealing but one had it going on more than the other.

This was a great first novel and I love every minute of it. This book would make a great movie. I highly recommend this book.

I bought this book as I have recently started reading interracial romances and fell in love. After ordering from Amazon, I waited with baited breathe for the book's arrival and I was not disappointed.

I liked the main character, Victoria, from reading the excerpt but fell in love with her after reading the first two chapters. It is so refreshing to read about professional, successful black women that many women can relate to.

What I really liked about the book was that Victoria was not prefect. Neither were any of the other characters. Trice Hickmann's excellent writing style created an enjoyable storyline that kept me glued to the book. The suspence, politics, drama, comedy and heat all made for a wonderful and interesting read.

I highly recommend this book and encourage all romance lovers to get this novel ASAP. I cannot wait for Trice's next novel. I will be ordering as soon as it is released.

As I turned the last few pages of Trice's book, I thought I was going to have to whip her behind! My eyes raced to the last few sentences just to make sure I didn't get any unexpected interruptions.. lucky for her I didn't LOL.

This book was positively delightful. I enjoyed each and every minute except the last few pages. I just knew Ms. Smalls was going to make a big mistake and fall for the unexpected.

Using real life situations to teach a valuable lesson Ms. Hickman did her thing with this novel. You just can't chose who you love! I REALLY REALLY ENJOYED this book.

Unexpected Interruptions by Trice Hickman is a book that will definitely make you think twice about redefining the boundaries that some people set for themselves in the name of love.

I thought the relationship between Victoria and Ted was told wonderfully and thought Trice allowed the reader to see their relationship progress throughout the book.

I thought the beginning of the book read a little bit slow but definitely picked up during the middle and the end of the book. There were a few grammatical errors towards the middle and throughout the end of the book but didn't take away from the story. It would had also been nice to be able to hear more of Parker's side of his story instead of finding out things only through the interactions of Victoria and himself. Also the progression of the relationship between the two felt a little bit rushed.

Overall, I think Ms. Hickman is off to a great start in her journey to becoming a great author!

TaNisha Webb
KC Girlfriends Book Club President
KC Girlfriends Book Club Radio Show Host

Trice Hickman's debut novel Unexpected Interruptions was an unexpected treasure. While surfing the net for new books for my book club I happened upon Trice's website and decided to read the first chapter which she had posted. Within minutes of finishing the excerpt I was emailing Trice to tell her my interest had been peaked. A week later I received a copy of the book in the mail and read it over the weekend and since then I have been singing her praises to all who enjoy reading.

In the story, Trice takes us to a place we've all been: praying for a good man. While some of us wait...and wait...and are still waiting, Victoria Small receives not 1 but 2 men who appear to be answers to her prayers. After ending a relationship that was devastating, Victoria is finally ready to venture out and try her hand at love again. That's when CEO Ted Thornton and surgeon Parker Brightwood both show up determined to win her heart.

Through the course of the book Victoria finds herself torn between two men whom she loves. This poses the age old question, "Can you love two people at once?" I found myself engulfed in Victoria's dilemma. I pitied her in some situations then I envied her in others. I also found myself torn between rooting for Ted then Parker then Ted then Parker. Trice does a great job of pulling the reader into Victoria's world. Throughout the story Victoria goes through numerous emotions and Trice's writing style helps you to appreciate and even experience them all with her.

As you read the story you can tell that Victoria is a smart, savvy, beautiful, independent, positive person who is also a go-getter. But you soon find out that she has inner conflicts that are interrupting her happiness. She has conflicts with her family that goes from "making daddy happy" to "who am I in this skin I'm in". Trice challenges her readers to explorer their own views on topics such as: dating outside your race, accepting your "shade" of blackness, pursuing your dreams no matter the costs. During the story Victoria ends up on a path of self-discovery and as you read this, you will start to discover things about yourself as well.

This novel is very well written. The characters are well developed and intriguing. The storyline is captivating well put together. What I love most is that Trice can be descriptive without being too wordy. Her writing touches on social, racial and even ethical issues. This story brings forth drama and comedy. Unexpected Interruptions is the continuation of the tale we all knew as young girls. When we were young we heard stories of Prince Charming and we all grew up wanting him. Searching for him. Well, this story is fairytale meets real life. Not everyday will be sunshine and daisies and not every man will ride up on a white horse. But maybe he'll be sitting is the same restaurant on an awkward blind date when you see him. Or maybe he works in your building and you've never noticed him. He's out there and he shows up when you least expect him to. He comes in and interrupts all that you know. And this tale is brilliantly told by one of my new favorite authors Trice Hickman. If you read only one good book this year, make that book Unexpected Interruptions.

Nickie J. Rosier, President
Phenomenal Women of Color Book Club
www.pwocbookclub.org

Unexpected Interruptions

I was very hesitant when I purchased this book from the author because it's a little different from the books that I normally read. I had the pleasure of meeting her at book signing in my neighborhood. I am impressed this is her debut novel and the plot and the suspense will keep you on edge. I am glad I read this book and will recommend the book to my fellow readers. I am looking forward to a sequel to see where Victoria, Ted, Parker and the rest of the characters end up. This book also opened my mind about interracial dating. Great Read!!

This book, as its title suggests, was an unexpected interruption for me. I found myself trying to steal moments whenever I could just to see what was unfolding in the life of the lovely Ms. Small. She was such an amazing character-easy to identify with, and dynamic to say the least. As I got more and more immersed into her life, I didn't want her story to end.
Ms. Hickman's writing style is immaculate, giving you just what you need, but at the same time, leaving you with the hunger for more. I loved every page of this book, and cannot wait until I'm turning some more by this astonishing, and skillful author.
Thank you Ms. Hickman, for giving me just what I needed, and when I was least expecting it. Keep up the awesome work!

This was a very well written book. The characters seemed real. Everyone has a friend that is very flirty. The book touched on so many hot topics. Interracial dating, Infidelity, Light skin dark skin battle, Stereotypes of races, Corporate America, and entering the dating world after a major break up. The book flowed well. I was all smiles to the end. I couldnâ(tm)t wait to see which guy she choose, Parker or Ted. The book really showed that you should follow your heart when it comes to relationships. I cannot wait to read the sequel.




Michelle Riley

Unexpected Interruptions is a witty, intelligent, provocative, humorous, socially candid, and emotionally gripping journey through life's love lessons. This beautifully written masterpiece offers intense socio-economic commentary on race and classism through three epochs, feminism, and provides a controversial worldview of some of the other cast of characters that bring the book to life. Hickman masterfully writes in the tradition of her Harlem Renaissance predecessors. Her refined contribution to the literary world is highly anticipated. Her human and mundane portrayal of the black bourgeois in mainstream society is not only boldly realistic, but courageous among limited, mediocre, and stereotypical urban writers often endorsed by the media.

This a wonderful story. Lot of things were going on but I just could not put it down. This is Trice Hickman's first book. I look forward to ready her next story.

Trice Hickman's "Unexpected Interruptions," was dynamic, intelligent, and vivacious. It was a pleasure reading a book that kept me on the edge of my seat; and gave it's readers a look at what the true meaning of love is. "Outstanding", I can hardly wait until you next novel.

Victoria Small is a successful senior director at a telecommunications firm who has taken a year-long hiatus from men. Although she has enjoyed the benefits of excelling in her career, Victoria is planning on leaving her job to start her catering and event planning business. Meeting another man isn't even on her to-do list until she meets Ted Thornton and Parker Brightwood. Ted is a powerful white CEO that becomes a friend to Victoria but longs for something more. Parker is a surgeon that helps Victoria to heal her heart from her past relationship. Victoria is in a state of confusion when she develops different strong feelings for both of these men. Victoria now has to decide if she should take the safe way out and be with Parker or to explore something new with Ted. Who will she choose?

Unexpected Interruptions is an engaging novel by Trice Hickman. Hickman effortlessly told the story of how an African-American woman can find love and friendship in unexpected places. What really makes this novel soar is Hickman's storytelling skills. You can really identify with and feel the emotions of not only Victoria but with Ted and Parker as well. The moral of this story is that you really can not control who you fall in love with. Hickman did a wonderful job of incorporating the issues of race as it relates to the world of dating and long-term relationships. The eclectic mix of secondary characters, which includes Victoria's best male friend Tyler, her wild friend Gigi and her close white girlfriend Debbie, adds just the right amount of variety to this story. There's a good dose of humor and steamy romance that makes this novel soar. Unexpected Interruptions is filled with marvelous, multi-faceted characters and a powerful storyline that will be a sure delight for readers. With this debut novel, Trice Hickman is definitely ready to take the literary industry by storm.

Reviewed by Radiah Hubbert
for Urban Reviews

Unexpected Interruptions was intelligently and lovingly written. What a pleasure it was to read a book with so many perfectly integrated and multi-dimensional characters. I was engaged from the beginning and went back and forth on who I thought Victoria would choose. I was so excited when she made the right choice. Superb job Trice! I look forward to reading your next novel.

Look out for this newby. She has the writing styles of a veteran.
This is by far one of the best interracial romance novels I've ever read.

Love is so abstract. You must be attracted to the person in some way first, right? Well, Victoria Small has establishing her event planning business as number one thing to do on her list. Even though she has prayed for God to send her a soul mate she isn't holding her breath for him to come knocking on her door. In a series of `unexpected interruptions' Victoria gets more men in her life than she ever expected.

Enter Ted Thornton, a power CEO who has his eye set on Victoria. His loveless marriage, business concerns, and inability to get Victoria to see him as more than her boss can make a man do strange things. Ted manages to get Victoria interested in several major projects at work but can he get her to overlook the fact that he's white?

Enter Mr. Gorgeous AKA Parker Brightwood, dedicated surgeon and super sexy black man. Parker is a ladies man that works his magic on the most unsuspecting females. Victoria is putty in his hands but will she allow her trust issues to put the kibosh on their relationship?

Hickman tackles some difficult issues in this chronicle of love. Be ready to ponder these issues: feelings on interracial dating, the age old debate of light vs dark African Americans, when to leave the corporate world and start your own business, and who do you trust in the workplace. It is refreshing to read a novel that discusses underlying issues with meaning. Hickman is one of the few serious writers that will bring respect back to African American literature. I look forward to reading more from this new up and coming literary star.

Reviewed by:
Deltareviewer
Reviewing for Real Page Turners

I thought this was a great book, with a lot of drama and suspense.
You always wonder, and hope that you can get past the race factor, and love someone who truely loves you for who you are. I think the author did a great job in proving you can.

This is no typical "Boy meets girl. Boy loses girl. Boy ends up with girl & they live happily ever after." Unexpected Interruptions is about a sistah who has everything going for her professionally, but she's having no luck in the romance department. Then as fate would have it, her drought ends and she meets not one - but 2 men. And to top it off, they're both handsome, successful & head over heels in love with her. But there's one catch.

The surgeon is every black girl's dream - sexy, romantic and a doctor with great bedside manner. The other guy has impeccable credentials, but isn't exactly what our heroine had in mind. He's an executive who puts her needs first. But he's white.

Unexpected Interruptions is funny, entertaining and never predictable. What will she do? Who will she pick? Anticipating the outcome is half the fun of reading the first title from this fresh voice known as Trice Hickman!

This book is a must have. Great story line, believable characters, awesome writing style, just an overall great book that will not only allow you a great escape but make you do some reasoning into your own life.

Prior to reading this book, I was not familiar with the author. I was just looking for a good read to escape for a bit. One I saw the title, Unexpected Interruptions, it stirred up my spirit. After reading the intro, I knew I would enjoy reading it.

Trice Hickman is a great author and I love her writing style. Even the titles for each chapter was captivating. Beleive me after reading this book, I am open to love in whatever package it comes in!

For all the lovers out there, pick up your copy soon!

Trice Hickman takes us back to when black literature became alive. It jumped off the page. It made you weep, laugh, ache, yell, and even talk to yourself, lol. Unexpected Interruptions is full of edge-of-your-seat drama, gone-with-the-wind romance and characters who you know so well at the end you want to pick up your cell and call them. But what most will find interesting about the novel is her ability to introduce the most ancient of demons inbred in our society,and the most taboo of topics like SKIN COLOR DIVISIONS among African Americans and interracial dating. It's heavy, thought-provoking words of truth wrapped in a subtle, humorous, heart-wrenching package. Besides being an amazing writer, her marketing is flawless the book JUMPS OFF THE SHELVES AND INTO YOUR ARMS...Truly she is cut from the same cloth as the most legendary in contemporary black fiction writing: Terry McMillan, and J.D. Mason. She leaving her trade mark. blazing paths and creating a waiting audience that is begging for the sequel! 5 stars and nothing less!

Victoria Smalls, the only child of John and Elizabeth Smalls, grew up with a privileged childhood. Her father is a successful banker who owns several bank branches. She develops his same business acumen, but wants to utilize that knowledge to start her own event planning business. Her reluctance to join the banking industry is a bone of contention between her and her dad. Instead of working at her father's bank, she chooses to work for Viatech Telecom with plans to leave within the year to pursue her dream. Ted Thorton, the new CEO of Viatech Telecom, has other plans in mind for Victoria and he develops a project where they can work closely together; he hopes to persuade her to stay with the company.

After a bad relationship and because all of her attention focused on working at Viatech and developing her own company, Victoria has not been dating. While dining alone one evening, she catches the eye of a rather attractive man. Unfortunately, he is on a date with another woman at the time; however he still manages to pay quite a bit of attention to Victoria. He becomes the man in her dreams, fulfilling her fantasies. As time goes on, she sees him again; they meet and she and Parker Brightwood begin dating. Unbeknownst to Victoria, Ted is interested in more than just her business expertise. Although he and Victoria develop a friendship outside of work, now that he is aware he has competition, Ted decides he needs to step up his game to win her heart.

UNEXPECTED INTERRUPTIONS is a simple, yet highly entertaining novel. The story is about love and the fears involved when attempting to take the plunge and give up your heart. Hickman tackled issues of racism, even within the African-American community, as well as, those regarding interracial dating. Well-written and a definite page-turner, which kept me up all-night, I really enjoyed the book. This is one I recommended for fans of a good love story.

Reviewed by Paula Henderson
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

This book is very good. It was fast pace and didn't preach about interracial relationships. I was nervous for a minute about the outcome but it ended the way I wanted. I like a book that keeps you guessing. Ted was a little too cautious for my taste at times and at one point I was voting for Parker. But then Ms. Hickman cleverly lead me back in the right direction. Because both were so well written I could understand the situation Victoria was in and Ms. Hickman made her point or the one I think she was after. Sometimes love isn't black and white -- no pun intended, and for some women it can be a heartbreaking process. There are a lot of issues that involve love, and she covered all the angles. Without giving away a lot of the plot, all I can say is this was a good read.

Victoria Small is a beautiful, confident, thirty-something-year-old female on the fast track to success. She's a Senior Director in HR, has her dream home, a loving family and wonderful friends. The icing on the cake would be the love of a good man. After a one-year man hiatus, Victoria is ready to get her feet wet again.

One night she lay in bed and said a prayer. "God, please send me a good man...please send him fast! Amen."

Another night she lay in bed and said a prayer. "Lord, if it's not too much to ask again, can you send me a good man...and send him fast?"

I guess both prayers were heard, literally, because Victoria quickly finds herself with not one, but two men vying for her affection.

Candidate number one...Parker Brightwood, aka Mr. Gorgeous, is a surgeon. He's just what Victoria asked for - kind, gentle, handsome, educated and knows how to treat a lady.

And then there's candidate number two...Ted Thornton is the very handsome (outrageously so) CEO of a Fortune 500 company. He's just what Victoria asked for - patient, understanding, respectful to others, honest and loves her despite her flaws.

Decision, decisions, decisions! What's a girl to do? How do you choose? Did I mention one of the eligible bachelors is white? Does it matter? Well, it may matter a little more than Victoria would like to think.

Trice Hickman's debut, "Unexpected Interruptions," is entertaining, engaging and enjoyable throughout. This novel not only deals with the drama, pains and joys of love, but also touches on dark underlying issues of race. Trice Hickman is a refreshing new voice and I look forward to reading more of her work.

Reviewed by: Toni
4.5 stars

It's hard to believe this was Ms Hickman's debut. She did a great job. This was one book that touched a lot of issues present in the AA community. It was nice to read a book that was able to touch on all these areas and still stay focused on Victoria. You must be careful for what you ask for because you will get just that. I am glad she went with her heart. Choosing Parker would have proven disastrous on down the line. Ted loved her for who she was and allowed her to be true to herself.

I am so excited!!! This is my first review here on Amazon. It took me forever to purchase a book from this site but I found a book that I was willing to use my gift card on.

This book was fast paced and a very pleasant read. The author brought a interesting point that I had not thought of in a long time, prejudices can also be displayed in the same race. It was tastefully written and for this to be the author's first published novel, I must say I was impressed. I hope to read more of her books in the future.

I enjoyed reading this book. I could hardly put it down at times. It gave wonderful insight into the struggle of a black woman who is trying to find the right man for her. The reader will follow Victoria Small as she finally look past the issue of race.

I thoroughly enjoyed Unexpected Interruptions. I couldn't put the book down. This was a fun book to read. The book tastefully deals with interracial dating, infidelity, and color within the African American Community.

This was my bookclub (S.A.G.E. - Sistah's Acquiring Greatness Through Excellence)book for the month of February, (The Month of love--Valentines Day, as well as Black History Month), which this book is so well suited! I enjoyed the fluidity of the story and character development.I could actually visualize characters as if they were people that I would know!! Trice does wonderful, descriptive, steamy love scenes, as well as giving the reader thought provoking issues to ponder that are pertinent to life's everyday realities. It was such an enjoyable read, I found myself excited to turn each page and each and every chapter. I was privledged to meet the author, Trice Hickman, at her book signing, and she was also the guest author at my bookclub meeting! She is beautiful, intelligent and insightful, and an absolutely wonderful human being! I am looking forward to her next novel which I understand will be in the very near future!

Out of all the books I read in 2007, this one is in my top 10!! I loved it. It was a smooth easy read full of humor, suspense, and drama. It has so many twists and turns to keep you flipping the pages. You won't put it down. I loved the confidance and sassiness that Victoria Smalls has. She represents many Cosmopolitan African American women. She is also smart and stylish. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great leisurly read! Perfect for summer beach reading! Absolutely Fabulous!

Ms. Hickman has created interesting characters, that are so smoothly linked that you actually feel that you know these people. It is truly a page turner, and once it ends you wish it didn't.

My Book Club loved the book. It kept us on the edge of seat from page to page. I'm looking forward to reading the author's next book. For a first time writer I was amazed on how well the book was written. I recommend this book to anyone who loves to be in love and has reservations in dating someone of another race. Ladies the pool of African American men is getting smaller, so we will need to have an open mind and heart when we are looking for our soul mate.

A friend of mine from work asked me to read this book and to let her know what I thought...at the beginning, it seemed to start out like all of the other books, single female looking for Mr. Right, but that is were the similarities ended. The characters were well rounded and all had obtainable careers. There was no "baby-mama drama" or "ghetto-girl hoodlums." I was pleasantly captivated until the end of the book. I was also pleasantly surprised that this was the author's first novel. I hope to see more of her work in the future.

Unexpected Interruptions is definitely one the best books that I've read last year. It definitely worth every penny you spend on it and it's truly a great read. I couldn't put the book down as soon as I started reading it. Victoria Small is lusting after two gorgeous men: Ted Thorton, a white CEO of the company she works for, and Parker, a sucessful black surgeon. The book is a very good read and I highly recommend it!

Unexpected Interruptions
I really enjoyed this book. I'm usually into thrillers but this book was a gift so I read it. I'm glad I did because it kept me glued! The author managed to make me love the characters and then dislike them from page to page! At one point I even got butterflies as I was reading because of the suspense! I can not wait for her next book!

Unexpected Interruptions
I really enjoyed this book. I'm usually into thrillers but this book was a gift so I read it. I'm glad I did because it kept me glued! The author managed to make me love the characters and then dislike them from page to page! At one point I even got butterflies as I was reading because of the suspense! I can not wait for her next book!

I could not put this one down! It is an extremely well written novel that dealt with real life issues, especially in today's crazy complicated mix of business, love, relationships, friendship and power. I have already passed on a copy to a friend and I am eagerly anticipating the release of the next, hopefully a sequel to the first novel. This was a pleasure to have as a cozy cuddle up read, by the fireplace over the holidays! I highly recommend this one.

Unexpected Interruptions follows the life of Victoria Small, an intelligent, professional sister who has recently decided to end her year long hiatus from men and dating. She soon find herself getting more than she bargains for when she finds herself choosing between Ted Thornton, the CEO and boss she works for who happens to be white, and Parker Brighwood, the Black man that sweeps her off her feet and helps to mend her broken heart.

Victoria finds herself in a struggle between the man who is the safe bet and fits her image of the type of man she should be dating, and the man who makes her heart skip a beat and whose friendship she has come to rely on.

Trice Hickman has created a wonderful story of three dimensional characters in a story that will not let you put it down! She crafts a story that is humourous, yet talks about serious subjects that may affect all of us who are looking for love!

This book is a must have for your personal library!

Unexpected Interruptions follows the life of Victoria Small, an intelligent, professional sister who has recently decided to end her year long hiatus from men and dating. She soon find herself getting more than she bargains for when she finds herself choosing between Ted Thornton, the CEO and boss she works for who happens to be white, and Parker Brighwood, the Black man that sweeps her off her feet and helps to mend her broken heart.

Victoria finds herself in a struggle between the man who is the safe bet and fits her image of the type of man she should be dating, and the man who makes her heart skip a beat and whose friendship she has come to rely on.

Trice Hickman has created a wonderful story of three dimensional characters in a story that will not let you put it down! She crafts a story that is humourous, yet talks about serious subjects that may affect all of us who are looking for love!

This book is a must have for your personal library!