Venus Williams’ new book ‘Come to Win’ gets STRONG assist from travel writer and former black Italy expatriate Kelly E. Carter

I’m TOTALLY proud of my good friend, Delta Sigma Theta sorority sister, and former fellow Italy expatriate Kelly Carter, for co-authoring Venus Williams’ FABULOUS brand-new tome, Come To Win: Business Leaders, Artists, Doctors, and Other Visionaries on How Sports Can Help You Top Your Profession (Amistad, $25.99). This incredible new hardback features Venus talking to some of the world’s most impressive folks—from former President Bill Clinton to Four Seasons Hotels founder Isadore Sharp, from Virgin Group’s Sir Richard Branson to global chef extraordinaire Marcus Samuelsson—about how taking part in sports helped drive their success in a host of other fields.

And Kelly should know. A former sportswriter for some of America’s top newspapers, she covered national and international sports for USA Today, the Dallas Morning News, the Orange County Register, and many others. And she’s no stranger to the famous folks’ beat, either, having covered celebrities for People Magazine, USA Today, and other global publications.

A travel writer who’s literally circled the globe (I’ve lost count of how many countries she’s visited), Kelly and I met during our days as fellow sistergirl expats in bella Italia. And after she and Venus wrapped up Come To Win this spring, this first-class Italophile took herself for several weeks to the south of France and Italy (where she stayed in the gorgeous southern Italian resort town of Tropea) for some maxing and relaxing. As I always tell Kelly, I want to be like HER when I finally grow up!

So check out Come To Win and Venus Williams during her nationwide book tour (Chicago folks, she’ll be at the Borders Store @ Randolph and State on July 9!)–and while you’re at it, check out “Kelly’s Corner,”  a blog which features Ms. Carter’s musings on travel, life, men, you name it. You’ll find yourself alternately inspired and laughing out loud!