Meeting Mariposa Urbana On The Interview Spot

New Upcoming Author Mariposa Urbana

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

Well I'm from Jacksonville, NC and now I live in south Texas with my husband and my daughter. While working on my writing and seeing how far I'll get with it I'm also going to school for my Associates in Paralegal studies.

2.) I'm interested in the background of your name. How did you come up with pen name and what made you want to write under a nickname?

Mariposa Urbana is like a reflection of me back in Jacksonville. Even when I was surrounded by negativity I still remained who I was and I didn't let my surroundings change me. So the name Urban Butterfly came to mind. And I chose to write under a pen name because honestly I think my name sounds kind of drab, ha-ha.

3.) Tell us about your book D&K?

D&K is a love story/ street tale. Dyce is a the typical Nuyo-Rican (Puerto Rican from New York) and he's like the 'it guy' as far as the drug game goes but then he meets Kimori and then its like he starts to see life a whole new way. But unfortunately when they first meet Dyce is way to old for Kim so they become like brother and sister. Eventually the two hook up and become like the King and Queen of the streets. Their romance is like a crazy web of lies,drama,passion, and a whole lot of other craziness but I guarantee you that you will fall in love with these two.

 

 

4.) How does it feel being a first time author & where did your passion for writing come from?

I feel really really excited! I couldn't be happier.

I've been writing for as long as I can remember. When I was younger I was always in a corner somewhere with my little notepad or journal writing poems or short stories. But I got really really serious once I read a few of the books published by Urban Books. I was like wow, you really can make it out there even if you aren't mainstream. So I said what the hell, I'll give it a shot.

5.) I did a little research and found out that you are also the co-host of AAMBC Radio Show! What is that like being a co-host and tell some of the readers who dont know what AAMBC RADIO SHOW talks about?

Oh my goodness I am so honored that Tamika was nice enough to let me do this with her and Anna. It's crazy fun! Its almost like just getting together and gossiping with your girlfriends sometimes. On the show we discuss the latest in book news, the hottest book of that week and have on amazing authors to talk about their newest projects.

As far as how it is to co-host it is really fun. Tuesdays are always hilarious, especially with Tamika. She cuts up every time, thats why you'll see that sometimes I call her 'Simona' because on air sometimes she is the Simon Cowell of the group. You just never know what she's going to say. Especially when she doesn't like the author or shes bored.

Here lately we had on Chunichi and it was amazing how chill she was. That's like the main thing that I love about co-hosting is getting to discover the person behind the book and then picking their brain about this topic or the next. Being on the show is definitely a great learning experience for me.

6.) Is your book based on a true story? If so, why did you decide now was the right time to tell your story?

Hmm answering this question could get me into trouble, just kidding. But yeah a lot of the things in the story are based on my life in Jacksonville. There was an actual Dyce in my life at one point in time but for one reason or another things just weren't mapped out right and the page was turned. I had started writing about Dyce when I first met him, I was a sophomore in high school and I'd write like in a journal and eventually the things from that journal along with my daily life because D&K.

7.) What, if anything do you want your readers to take with them after they turn the last page of your novel?

I'd hate to seem like I'm pro-illegal activities but the main thing I want people to understand is that if you do get caught up in the game be smart about it. And ultimately its important for everyone to know which moves to make and which ones not to. And mostly for the ladies, never allow a man to become your entire life. Don't forget about yourself.

8.) What are five fav facts that you would love to share with readers?

I'm a complete book junkie. I carry my notebook with me all the time in case inspiration comes. I write short stories almost everyday based on different scenarios i experience. I can also sing in 5 different languages. I'm completely obsessed with going green and natural hair.

9.) How do you feel about seeing your first review on Amazon and other websites that sell your book?

I have mixed emotions. I'm not really sure what to expect but I just hope that people aren't too mean. I'm a really big softy.

10.) What's next for you career wise and just personally?

I plan on continuing to write and working on getting my degree. But until my family and I settles on one town I'll just be the (not so typical) housewife ^_~

11.) Tell the readers how to keep up with you.

FB: https://www.facebook.com/mariposa.urbana.7

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMariposa

AAMBC Radio: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/aambc

Website: WildAtMidnight.com

Instagram @MariposaUrbana

 

 

Check out an Excerpt from Author Mariposa upcoming novel D&K

 

Synopsis

 

Dyce sees Kim arguing with her boyfriend one night and decides to step in. Kim is taken aback by the actions of this kind and handsome stranger. Soon a bond develops between Kim and Dyce. He takes her under his wing as a big brother would his sister. Dyce begins to notice a change in himself when he is around Kim. Being around each other all the time takes its toll and feelings develop and one day the two hook up.

            Kim gets into an argument with her mother and decides she’s had enough and she leaves. Dce has a condo he doesn’t use so Kim moves in there. When she is cleaning up Kim finds a tiny package of cocaine and begins putting two and two together. Right in the middle of confronting Dyce Trey comes with Kaila and tells Dyce that Lisa has been kidnapped. So Dyce sends Kim and Kaila off to another town while he and Lisa’s kidnapper goes at it. While they are away Kim and Kaila form a sort of mother-daughter bond. Kim gives the little girl all the love and attention her mother never gave her. Meanwhile Dyce rescues Lisa and things go too far between the two.  Lisa sees it as her opportunity to begin worming her way back into Dyce’s life. However it does the opposite and brings Dyce and Kim closer.

            Three months later after everything returns to normal Kim discovers she’s pregnant. Then once Dyce nearly dies because Trey didn’t have his back it comes into light that Trey was missing in action because he’d been sleeping with Lisa. This discovery of course results in Trey being exiled from Dyce’s crew. Trey doesn’t take the news too lightly and decides its time for him to have his own, including everything that belongs to Dyce. Trey now begins assembling his crew and becoming an informant for the police.

            In the meantime Dyce and Kim take a trip to New York. Being with Kim and knowing that they have a child on the way makes Dyce realize he’s ready to call the game quits. So he pitches Kim the idea of them opening a store in New York and leaving Jacksonville behind for good. But when Dyce sees his other ex he cheats on Kim and she calls it quits. She then goes into labor when she’s boarding the plane to go back home. Luckily, one of Dyce’s friends is on the same plane and he rushes her to the hospital. Kimori is so hurt over catching Dyce cheating that she doesn’t even bother trying to reach out to him.

            The next day Dyce’s uncle calls and tells him that he saw Kim and one of Dyce’s friends, rapper Voltio, on the front of a magazine. The story was an exclusive on Voltio and his girlfriend’s new born son. Dyce was beyond hurt as he read the details and saw pictures of Voltio by Kim’s side. Voltio was holding the baby and kissing Kim on the forehead. So now not only had he cheated, he missed their son’s birth.

            Once they got back home Dyce and Kim were more like roommates than husband and wife  Trey then begins, with the help of the police, s small but hostile takeover of Jacksonville. At first Dyce doesn’t acknowledge Trey until things get too real. First Trey breaks into Dyce and Kim’s house and takes their son. But then to prove exactly how easy Dyce is to get to Trey kidnaps Kim and Dyce is sent into an all-out kill mode.

            Dyce at first tries reasoning with Trey but once Trey forces Dyce to listen while he is violating Kim everything and everyone associated with Trey is marked for death. Dyce is all over town looking for Kim and killing off Trey’s mini mafia. Trey forces Kim to cooperate with everything by lying saying that he has her son and grandmother as well. But once she realizes that it’s a lie Kim uses her head and seduces Trey, distracting him so she can survey her surrounding and steal his cell phone.

            When Trey makes his second attempt at raping her Kim gets the better of him. Dyce arrives to find Trey badly beaten and his main sidekick dead. Kim then plays out a master plan to make it seem as if Trey had kidnapped and raped and beaten her. Then a kingpin he owed a debt to came to collect, beating up Trey and killing off what remained of his crew. When the cops came around Kim played her role perfectly and everything went smoothly. It was the perfect setting for them to begin their new legit life.

            In the end Kim finally gets the formal wedding of her dreams and they make plans to move away from all the craziness. But first they’ll go on a honeymoon in Puerto Rico where unbeknownst to Kim, Dyce is planning on setting up another operation. And the drama continues….

 

SAMPLE CHAPTER

While he was driving, Dyce imagined her hot and ready waiting for him. Little did he know that Kim was ready to light into his ass the moment he walked through the door.

“Hey ma-”

“What the fuck is this, Dyce?” Kim stood with one hand on her hip and the other held out the baggie. Dyce was dumbfounded. What the hell is that doing in here?

“It’s cocaine baby.” He sat on the couch. It was no use in lying. Kim wasn’t stupid.

“Glad you didn’t lie about it. Why didn’t you tell me about this?” She had tears of anger in her eyes.

“Kimori, if I had told you, would you have ever fucked with me?”

“Hell no!” She tossed the bag on the table.

“Exactly! Mami, from the moment I saw you, I knew I wanted to be with you. So I had to lie to you.”

“Save it, Dyce! Do you not know or care that being with you is dangerous?”

“Kimori, please.” Dyce pleaded just as someone knocked on the door.

“Dyce, man open up!” Trey said with urgency.

“Man, now isn’t a good time.” Dyce opened the door to see his friend holding Kaila.

“They took mommy!” Kaila cried.

“What?” Dyce took his daughter.

“They got Lisa man, Duke took her.”

“I saw them take her. Mommy made me hide in the closet but I saw them.” Kaila clung onto her father.

            Kim stood motionless as she watched. She felt so out of place amongst the chaos. Is this what my life is gonna be like from now on, she wondered.

“Mira baby, mira. Daddy’s going to get your mommy back okay? But for now you’re going to stay with Ms. Kim.” He pointed at Kim, who smiled despite feeling like she wanted to vomit. Dyce sat Kaila on the sofa then pulled Kim aside into the bedroom.

“Dyce what on earth-” She began.

“Mami look, shit is crazy right now, okay? Me and this guy been beefin’ for a minute. So you and Kaila are going to Wilmington for a bit okay?” He held her and stared into her eyes.             “Dyce I-” Kim burst into tears. All the drama was new and frightening to her. The last thing she wanted was to fall in love just for it to end over a kidnapped ex.

“Baby don’t cry. I’ll be okay and you will too. I love you, mami.”

            Kim nearly lost it, that was the first time he said I love you.

“I love you, too. Make sure you come back to me okay?” Kim’s heart melted.

“Claro que si. Now get going mami.” He kissed her goodbye.

 

             The ride to Wilmington was awkward. Kaila just stared at Kim and clutched her doll most of the way.

“Are you Daddy’s girlfriend?” Finally the little girl broke the silence.

“Yes.”

“Tu eres muy bonita.”

“Gracias, y tu también.” Kim smiled.

“Are you a geisha? You look like one.” Kaila yawned.

“No.” That made Kim laugh.

“Oh. When is Daddy going to get Mommy? You’re nice. Daddy gave you this?”  

            Kim smiled, she was happy that Kaila was now comfortable with her. She talked and talked. Kim loved her cute little voice. Kaila fell asleep by the time they got to the Sheraton. Kim felt so…maternally in sync as she carried Kaila to their suite. People in the lobby ooh-ed and ahh-ed at Kaila as they passed, telling Kim how beautiful her daughter was.

            Meanwhile back in Jacksonville, Dyce called a meeting at his house. Flat out Duke and his entire crew were going down. Only Dyce’s top goons would do the killing, because Dyce wanted it done brutally, but clean. Nothing left behind. His newer, sloppier recruits would be going out to get information on Duke and his partner Slim.

“And you know my only rule. Leave women and children out of it. I’m not saying if one of his bitches try to bust at you don’t kill her, shit by all means. Other than that, leave ‘em alone. Aite?” Dyce looked around to see if he was heard. “Okay then.” He dismissed everyone.

“Where’s Kim and Kaila?” Trey asked as he and Dyce walked down into the basement.

“Wilmington.”

“Oh. This is gonna be easy. Duke is just a lil’ nigga wit’ a big mouth.” Trey walked around the bar and grabbed a bottle of Skyy.

“I know. If that nigga is as stupid as I think he is, I’ll have Lisa by the end of tonight.” Dyce smirked.

            Later on that night while he and Trey were out checking up on things, one of Dyce’s goons confirmed he was right. Dyce smirked and chuckled. Little loudmouth fools always talk too much. In that short amount of time, they had gotten all the information they needed. So once 3 a.m. rolled around, Dyce and Trey were out front of Duke’s baby mama’s crib. Duke and his crew had gone to a local club and were bragging about how they had finally touched the untouchable through Lisa. Little did they know, Lisa and Dyce had been done for years now.

“Damn, do we have to go get her?” Dyce paused.

“You fucked up man.” Trey laughed.

            As predicted, Lisa was in the basement tied up. Nene, Duke’s girl, and her friends had been instructed to beat up Lisa and toss her in the basement. The girls had gone above and beyond their instructions. Not only did they beat up Lisa, but afterwards they literally sent her flying down the basement steps. Lisa couldn’t wait to get free.

            Duke was truly slipping. He just assumed no one would think to check Nene’s for Lisa. So Nene was alone with nothing but a pit bull, which Trey quickly silenced upon entering.

“Surprise bitch!” Lisa woke Nene with a punch to the face.

“You dumb white bitch!” Nene held her mouth and tried to swing back, but Lisa got the best of her and jumped on her and started wailing on her face.

“Alright, alright. Go get in the car.” Dyce snatched up Lisa and rolled his eyes.

“Thank you!” Lisa snatched the gold locket from around Nene’s neck.

“You better watch your back, hoe.” Nene warned as Lisa walked out. Lisa turned around and started to curse her out, but Dyce interrupted. He was around her for two minutes and already she was getting on his nerves.

“Lisa!” He snapped and pointed to the door. Lisa slung her hair over her shoulder and retreated out past Trey who was rambling through Nene’s things.

“Check this out mama,” Dyce sat on the foot of the bed. “Tell your boy to keep his eyes open. Make sure you get all you can from him now, he won’t be around much longer.” Dyce winked, and then left.

            During the next few days, Dyce and his crew wreaked havoc on Duke’s spots. As soon as Duke’s crew realized that it was Dyce’s men running up in their spot, most of the time, they just gave up. Duke’s micro empire was falling like dominos under Dyce’s command. Duke didn’t know what moves to make anymore. Dyce had him beyond shook as he proved just how easily he could get at him. Then just as quickly as all the assaults started, they stopped. Dyce fell back for a few days to let Duke’s mind wander.

            Dyce really wanted to call and talk to Kim and Kaila, but during times like these that was never a good choice. He didn’t want to somehow put them in danger by talking around the wrong people, or be distracted by them and endangering his own life. He smiled as he looked at pictures of Kim on his phone.

“Hey.” Lisa came into his room.

“What do you want? It’s one in the morning.” Dyce’s smile faded.

“I miss you, and,” She sat in his lap. “I wanted to thank you for saving me.” She slid off his lap and got in between his legs on the floor.

“Lisa, what the fuck you doing?! Stop!” He pushed her away as she reached for his belt buckle.

“Dyce, you know you want me.” Lisa opened her robe and let it fall to the floor.

“Bitch! Don’t think for one second I forgot how you tried to set me up. The only reason your money hungry ass is still breathing is because of Kaila. Get the fuck outta my room.” Dyce shoved her away.

“Fuck you, Dyce!”

“I know you want to, but that’s Kim’s job now.” He smirked.

“She can’t handle this better than me.” Lisa rubbed her hand against him and nibbled on his ear. She knew that used to drive him crazy. Once again, she slid down to her knees.

“You know it is true what they say about white chicks. Ya’ll are quick to give head.” Dyce laughed. “Get the hell outta here with that.”

 

            Duke was completely caught off guard as Trey and Dyce kicked open his bedroom door. His eyes were closed as he gripped his girl’s hips as she rode him.

“Get the fuck outta here.” Trey tossed the girl out of the way.

“What’s hood Duke?” Dyce sat on the foot of the bed and watched Duke tremble. “Look, I’m just gonna get right to it. You fucked up big time, bro. I could care less that you kidnapped Lisa, but you scared my daughter.”

While Dyce was talking, he looked into the mirror on the headboard and saw the girl trying to sneak up holding a shotgun. Before she could even get into the room, Trey slumped her. Duke jumped.

“Stop shaking, you lil’ bitch!” Trey spat at him.

“50% of everything you make comes to me. Understand? We’re business partners now. Don’t mess up a good thing. I don’t want to ever have to come look for you.” Dyce stood about to leave, but then paused by the door. “Big brother know that you was fucking his girl? Good luck explaining this to him.”

            Duke threw up all over the floor once Dyce left. He thought his heart would burst from his chest he was so scared. He couldn’t believe Dyce had found him, and on top of that Gina was dead. How was he going to explain it to his brother what she was doing over there anyway?