Unexpected Interruptions

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.

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

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

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

The initial lines of the story grab your attention!! I am so very proud of Trice Hickman for her debut novel. I am eagerly awaiting her next release. The character, Victoria, represents a common issue as it relates to a successful and strong African American Woman. Should she consider the affluent man of color even though her wants, needs and desires are all present and completely met in a man of a different race? Well done Trice!! Wonderful read. You've got a fan here.