Interview with Niambi Brown Davis

I recently read a wonderful love story, From Dusk to Dawn. Here's my review:

Ayo Montgomery is thrown for a loop when handsome Bilal Adul-Salaam shows up on her doorstep to appraise her collection of pottery and glass. Not only does he shatter her pre-conceived notions of how a Muslim brother behaves, but her attraction to him is disturbing. And they're off! Bilal knows what Ayo seems unable to accept at first, that they are the right fit. Ms. Davis takes us along for the passionate journey of these two strong-willed people. Bilal shows great patience with Ayo, who frankly is prone to drama. There is a list of reasons why this match will be a no-go. Still Ms. Davis weaves a romantic tale with plenty of foundation to explain what motivates their actions, and reactions. The love scenes are as lush as the lyrical descriptions of Harbour Island and sunsets in Washington D.C. I especially enjoyed the cultural settings, by that I mean Ayo's roots in Trinidad and Bilal's Muslim faith. Then there is the romance. Ah the romance- it's as hot as the Caribbean sunshine. Pick up From Dusk To Dawn and enjoy a uniquely enjoyable reading experience. Love, good food, music, travel and drama, From Dusk To Dawn has it all going on!

About Niambi Brown Davis:
Niambi has written confessions for Dorchester, produced a digital novella for Arrow Publications, and worked as a publicist for Black Boaters Summit. She owns Sand & Silk, for which she produces her own line of handcrafted body products. From Dusk to Dawn is her first novel.

Lynn: Religion is a hot button issue even outside of personal relationships. What gave you the idea to explore this particular hurdle in a love match?

Niambi: Although I’m by no means an outliner, I did make a list of the issues that could keep a couple apart. And religion, especially religious misunderstanding, is way up on that list, even for people who claim to be progressive on the subject.

Lynn: Why did you choose to make the hero an American Muslim?

Niambi: For a couple of reasons. Some years ago there was news coverage of a Muslim athlete, and many people assumed that because he was African-American, he was a member of the Nation of Islam. (No disrespect at all to the NOI). He was in fact a Sunni Muslim. After 9/11, stereotypes ran rampant. So I wanted to portray a man born and raised in a Muslim family. I wanted to show him practicing and honoring his faith as a modern man and not as a stereotype.

Lynn: Like you, Ayo is a business woman. Do you think this independence is a particular problem for single women?

Niambi: I believe that for some women it can be, but not as an intentional line drawn in the sand. When a woman is chief cook, bottle washer, money-maker and master of her own fate, it can be difficult to take off that superwoman cape. What it requires is a little shifting out of autopilot. Sometimes we can use another pair of hands, a sounding board and even a shoulder to lean on. There’s a lot of middle ground between “I can do it all” and what my heroine Ayo describes as being a “wilting flower of womanhood.”

Lynn: The younger man-older woman combination caused Ayo a few problems, but you handled it well in terms of the story line. Have any guys responded to this aspect of the novel?

Niambi: The responses have been all across the board. In the words of one man “I’m graying, but she’s sagging!” (Brother, please!!) One of the best responses came from a man who said that if he truly loved a woman; his love for her is all that would matter. Of course I’ve been paying more attention to this issue since writing the book. There are a lot of younger men who enjoy relationships with older women. To them, confidence and self-assurance is sexy…

Lynn: Tell us what kind of research you did for Dusk to Dawn in terms of the settings and the cultural aspects that you described so vividly.

Niambi: I read, read, read! (I am a certifiable research junkie). I talked to people, looked at newspapers, travel guide books and frequented travel review sites. Some of it was based on my own experience, especially Ayo’s Miami Vice encounter on Paradise Island. (lol)

Lynn: How has your experience running your own business Sand and Silk helped marketing your novel?

Niambi: I knew the value of cross-promotion even while writing the book. So I gave my heroine her own bath and body products business. Later on, I came up with the idea of Ayo’s Beach Bag, taken from her Harbour Island experience. Not only does it include Dusk to Dawn CD, a couple of her recipes, a sarong, towel and champagne glasses, but some of Ayo’s bath and body products. I gave some of them away at Romance Slam Jam, and as they say “the response has been overwhelming!” As soon as I can get the pictures up, they’ll appear on both www.niambibrowndavis.com and www.sandandsilk.com

Lynn: Being a debut author, what has surprised you about the publishing business so far?

Niambi: Even though I had heard it many times and thought I was prepared, I was still surprised by just how much of the process is outside an author’s control.

Lynn: What is the smartest move you made that helped you sell that first book (besides writing a great story, of course)?

Niambi: The first time my book was available was at this year’s Romance Slam Jam. I walked up to a shopper, introduced myself and the book. She bought it! I didn’t think about my usual shyness – I just did it – lesson learned.

Lynn:What are the top 3 things you think aspiring writers can do to increase their chances of selling?

Niambi: 1.Read – in and out of your chosen genre, 2. Study the art of writing, 3. Get a critique partner or find a good critique group and be willing to accept constructive criticism.

Lynn: What is your appearance schedule? Give us the 411 on where you’ll be both in the virtual world and the real world.

Niambi: For the entire month of June, I’ve been the Featured Author at SistahFriend.com.
On June 28, I’ll be the BlogTalk radio guest of the Kansas City Girlfriends BookClub .
On June 29, again on BlogTalk Radio with Lisa the Rapturous Reader. On Monday, June 30, the Against All Odds Tour makes its final June stop with an interview on DivineCaroline.
If others are interested in hosting me for an interview, having me write an article, getting a book for a book review, as well as finding out what other stops are scheduled for July and later, they can contact my online publicist, Yasmin Coleman, at apooo4u@yahoo.com.
In the real world, I’ll be signing in Washington DC and locally in Easton MD as soon as the dates can be worked out.

Lynn: What is the title of your next book and do you have a release date? And of course, give us a little hint of what it will be about.

Niambi: I don’t have a title or a release date for either, but I’m working on two books. One is a contemporary, about a woman who decides to burn down her house rather than have it taken from her. But someone else has the same idea and she has to find out why. The other is a historical about a free black woman in 18th century England who finds love on the other side of the world. When politics intrudes, she moves heaven, earth and everyone in between to get it back.

Lynn: What is your online “home’ so folks can drop by to learn more about you and your writing?

Niambi: I can be found at www.niambibrowndavis.com. I enjoy blogging, so check back often at http://www.niambibrowndavis.blogspot.com/. By the way, I’ve included the “lost chapter” on my blog. I’d love to hear reader’s reaction. Last (and I’m trying not to make it least) is www.myspace.com/niambibrowndavis.

Niambi: Thank you, Lynn, for being such a supportive presence in the literary world.


Lynn: Thank you, Niambi, for a great read!

From Dawn to Dusk by

Niambi Davis

Parker Publishing

May 1st, 2008 $10.95 US;

ISBN-10: 1600430368