It's Raining Books: Kissing Asphalt by Delicia Niami

Thursday, June 6, 2024

Kissing Asphalt by Delicia Niami

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will award a randomly drawn winner a signed special edition copy of the book. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Five Things You Didn't Know About Me

Hello everyone! I'm excited to share a bit about myself with you today. While you might know me as the author of Kissing Asphalt, there are a few fun and unexpected things about me that you might find interesting. Here are five things you probably didn't know about me:

1. I Learned Spanish During COVID-19

Like many people, the COVID-19 pandemic brought unexpected changes to my daily routine. Instead of letting the shelter-in-place orders get me down, I decided to make the most of my time. I turned to telenovelas with subtitles and began learning Spanish. It started as a fun distraction, but within a few years I found myself able to hold decent conversations in Spanish! This new skill has opened up a whole new world of cultural experiences and friendships.

2. Rebuilding After the CZU Fires

In 2020, the CZU Lightning Complex fires devastated my property, destroying over a 1,000 homes in the area. I'm currently in the process of constructing my dream home on that same land, a journey that has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding. As part of this journey, I milled some of the burned trees and am giving them new life by learning to make tables, countertops, and more. My entire porch was built from this wood that was milled. The experience has taught me another facet of resilience and hope, turning destruction into creativity.

3. DIY Electrical Work

One of my proudest achievements in the rebuilding process has been wiring my entire house by myself. It was a daunting task that took a significant amount of time and effort, but it was worth it. My contractor was impressed with my dedication and skill, and I take great pride in having contributed to my home in such a tangible way.

4. A Globe-Trotter

Traveling has always been a passion of mine. I've been fortunate enough to visit almost every continent, with the exceptions of Africa and Antarctica. Each journey has broadened my perspective, introduced me to new cultures, and enriched my life in countless ways. From the bustling markets of Asia to the serene landscapes of South America, travel has been a source of inspiration and joy for me. You can read about my adventures living in Switzerland in my upcoming second book in the ResilientAF series, Not My Circus.

5. Certified SCUBA Diver

Since 2000, I've been a certified SCUBA diver. This certification has allowed me to explore some of the most beautiful underwater worlds around the globe. I've had the privilege of diving in diverse locations, such as the Great Barrier Reef, Hawaii, Mexico, Thailand, and so many other fantastic dive spots. Each offered unique and breathtaking experiences. SCUBA diving has not only been an adventure but also a way to connect with nature on a deeper level.

Thank you for taking the time to learn a bit more about me. I hope these tidbits give you a glimpse into the diverse interests and experiences that shape my life and my writing. If you have any questions or want to share your own stories, feel free to reach out. I love connecting with readers and fellow adventurers!

Delicia Niami
Author of ResilientAF Series

Resilience isn’t inherited. It’s a hard-fought skill forged by our ability to pick up the broken pieces of our past and remake them into something new.

Meet four-year-old Delicia, a poor but carefree child who is about to have her world shattered. Along with her seven-year-old brother Nile, she is kidnapped from her Los Angeles home by her estranged father and taken to Iraq, a foreign world she has never known. This is just the beginning of a string of traumas, hardships, and assaults Delicia will endure throughout her tumultuous childhood.

Now an adult living back in California, Delicia Niami bravely recounts how she survived the unimaginable in her debut memoir. Kissing Asphalt, the first in her memoir trilogy, ResilientAF, grapples with the power of resilience, acceptance, and self-love. She revisits her terrifying past with vulnerability, compassion, and the honesty of a true survivor. Hold hands with Delicia as she faces her childhood scars and learns how to confront her fears, accept her true value and identity, and embrace her unique gifts. It’s a multi-decade roller coaster ride that is the beginning of her liberation, propelling her to live an inspired life and embrace her full human potential—a human potential she knows lives inside everyone, no matter what life has thrown at us.

For anyone who has struggled with childhood trauma, Delicia’s unflinching journey through darkness and back to light will resonate. She has decided to share her story publicly in hopes that it will serve as a guide to the many who have suffered in silence and continue to struggle against the daunting weight imposed by childhood trauma.

Read an Excerpt

It was a sunny day in Arleta, California. A layer of smog covered the sky, giving it the most illustrious orange hue. My brother and I were anxiously awaiting our five-day Easter vacation with our father. Our parents were going through a tumultuous divorce and had been separated for about a year at this point. I felt extremely sad because I never got to see my “dad.” I thought it odd that he cut all ties with our family, especially his own children. At only four years of age, I couldn’t understand the concept of a father wanting nothing to do with his kids. Imagine the excitement my brother, who was seven at the time, and I felt after almost a year of not seeing him. Now we were going to get to spend five whole days for Easter with our “dad.”

About the Author: