Empi Baryeh's Blog, page 10
August 16, 2019
#FunFriday: Royal House House of Saene Jigsaw Puzzle | #PuzzleNerd
Love Africa Press, publisher of His Inherited Princess and Be My Valentine, is one year old!
August 12, 2019
Judging a book by the cover | #BookCover #CoverModels #LoveToRead
I've done a lot of promos and spotlight posting lately, but today, I'm returning to posting something non-promotional. Book covers.
It is said often enough. Don't judge a book by its cover. As an author and a reader, though, I've learnt that books are judged by their covers on a daily basis.
This post is not about bad or ugly covers, though. Nope. It's about the model on the cover.
I experienced my first 'culture shock' as a writer in July 2018 when I participated in the AfricaWrites Book Festival. I had my books Chancing Faith, an interracial romance, and Forest Girl, a contemporary African romance. While I sold a few copies of Forest Girl, I didn't sell a single copy of Chancing Faith. Among the reasons readers gave for not selecting Chancing Faith was that it had a White guy on the cover. Wow! I can't say how many ways that stung, because it wasn't about the story on the inside or even the blurb at the back. In fact, one thing I was determined to do when writing that story was to make sure the conflict wasn't based on race.
The second culture shock came when I learnt that it wasn't just Black readers who rejected books based on the race of the model on the cover.
As a reader, I have to admit, I gravitate toward some genres more than others. I'm more likely to pick a f/m book over a menage or m/m; or a sweet romance over an erotic one. Those are preferences based on genre, not the race of the characters. So I'd pick a book with non-Black main characters in the genre I like over a book with at least one Black main character in a genre I generally don't enjoy. Even then, there are times I intentionally venture out of my usual reads to discover new authors, new stories and new ideas.
I see myself as an African writer, which means I will always have an African identity in my stories. However, I'm determined to write to a global audience, which means I will not box myself in if a story needs to be told. I'm objective enough to accept that not everyone will enjoy my stories. I just never expected my book to be rejected because 'it had a White Guy on the cover'.
I'd love to hear your thoughts. If you're a reader who won't touch a book with main characters of a different race from you, I'd like to know what goes into that decision. If you don't feel inclined to share your reasons, just do me a favour and please make an effort to dedicate at least 5% of your annual reading list to books outside your usual preference.
There's so much I want to say, but I think I'll end my rant here for today. Have a wonderful week.
It is said often enough. Don't judge a book by its cover. As an author and a reader, though, I've learnt that books are judged by their covers on a daily basis.
This post is not about bad or ugly covers, though. Nope. It's about the model on the cover.
I experienced my first 'culture shock' as a writer in July 2018 when I participated in the AfricaWrites Book Festival. I had my books Chancing Faith, an interracial romance, and Forest Girl, a contemporary African romance. While I sold a few copies of Forest Girl, I didn't sell a single copy of Chancing Faith. Among the reasons readers gave for not selecting Chancing Faith was that it had a White guy on the cover. Wow! I can't say how many ways that stung, because it wasn't about the story on the inside or even the blurb at the back. In fact, one thing I was determined to do when writing that story was to make sure the conflict wasn't based on race.The second culture shock came when I learnt that it wasn't just Black readers who rejected books based on the race of the model on the cover.
As a reader, I have to admit, I gravitate toward some genres more than others. I'm more likely to pick a f/m book over a menage or m/m; or a sweet romance over an erotic one. Those are preferences based on genre, not the race of the characters. So I'd pick a book with non-Black main characters in the genre I like over a book with at least one Black main character in a genre I generally don't enjoy. Even then, there are times I intentionally venture out of my usual reads to discover new authors, new stories and new ideas.
I see myself as an African writer, which means I will always have an African identity in my stories. However, I'm determined to write to a global audience, which means I will not box myself in if a story needs to be told. I'm objective enough to accept that not everyone will enjoy my stories. I just never expected my book to be rejected because 'it had a White Guy on the cover'.
I'd love to hear your thoughts. If you're a reader who won't touch a book with main characters of a different race from you, I'd like to know what goes into that decision. If you don't feel inclined to share your reasons, just do me a favour and please make an effort to dedicate at least 5% of your annual reading list to books outside your usual preference.
There's so much I want to say, but I think I'll end my rant here for today. Have a wonderful week.
Judging a book by the cover | #BookCover
I've done a lot of promos and spotlight posting lately, but today, I'm returning to posting something non-promotional. Book covers.
It is said often enough. Don't judge a book by its cover. As an author and a reader, though, I've learnt that books are judged by their covers on a daily basis.
This post is not about bad or ugly covers, though. Nope. It's about the model on the cover.
I experienced my first 'culture shock' as a writer in July 2018 when I participated in the AfricaWrites Book Festival. I had my books Chancing Faith, an interracial romance, and Forest Girl, a contemporary African romance. While I sold a few copies of Forest Girl, I didn't sell a single copy of Chancing Faith. Among the reasons readers gave for not selecting Chancing Faith was that it had a White guy on the cover. Wow! I can't say how many ways that stung, because it wasn't about the story on the inside or even the blurb at the back. In fact, one thing I was determined to do when writing that story was to make sure the conflict wasn't based on race.
The second culture shock came when I learnt that it wasn't just Black readers who rejected books based on the race of the model on the cover. I was recently in a forum where many authors mentioned encounters with White readers who wouldn't even read the blurb if the book had a Black person on the cover. There were some authors whose covers didn't have a human element, and some had reviews in which readers confessed that they'd never have picked the picked if they'd known the main characters were Black/non-White. In those cases, the lack of a human element lifted the barrier that would otherwise have prevented readers from enjoying a really good story.
As a reader, I have to admit, I gravitate toward some genres more than others. I'm more likely to pick a f/m book over a menage or m/m; or a sweet romance over an erotic one. Those are preferences based on genre, not the race of the characters. So I'd pick a book with non-Black main characters in the genre I like over a book with at least one Black main character in a genre I generally don't enjoy. Even then, there are times I intentionally venture out of my usual reads to discover new authors, new stories and new ideas.
I see myself as an African writer, which means I will always have a African identity in my stories. However, I am determined to write to a global audience, which means I will not box myself in if a story needs to be told. I'm objective enough to accept that not everyone will enjoy my stories. I just never expected my book to be rejected because 'it had a White Guy on the cover'.
I'd love to hear your thoughts. If you're a reader who won't touch a book with main characters of a different race from you, I'd like to know what goes into that decision. If you don't feel inclined to share your reasons, just do me a favour and please make an effort to dedicate at least 5% of your annual reading list to books outside your usual preference.
There's so much I want to say, but I think I'll end my rant here for today. Have a wonderful week.
It is said often enough. Don't judge a book by its cover. As an author and a reader, though, I've learnt that books are judged by their covers on a daily basis.
This post is not about bad or ugly covers, though. Nope. It's about the model on the cover.
I experienced my first 'culture shock' as a writer in July 2018 when I participated in the AfricaWrites Book Festival. I had my books Chancing Faith, an interracial romance, and Forest Girl, a contemporary African romance. While I sold a few copies of Forest Girl, I didn't sell a single copy of Chancing Faith. Among the reasons readers gave for not selecting Chancing Faith was that it had a White guy on the cover. Wow! I can't say how many ways that stung, because it wasn't about the story on the inside or even the blurb at the back. In fact, one thing I was determined to do when writing that story was to make sure the conflict wasn't based on race.
The second culture shock came when I learnt that it wasn't just Black readers who rejected books based on the race of the model on the cover. I was recently in a forum where many authors mentioned encounters with White readers who wouldn't even read the blurb if the book had a Black person on the cover. There were some authors whose covers didn't have a human element, and some had reviews in which readers confessed that they'd never have picked the picked if they'd known the main characters were Black/non-White. In those cases, the lack of a human element lifted the barrier that would otherwise have prevented readers from enjoying a really good story.
As a reader, I have to admit, I gravitate toward some genres more than others. I'm more likely to pick a f/m book over a menage or m/m; or a sweet romance over an erotic one. Those are preferences based on genre, not the race of the characters. So I'd pick a book with non-Black main characters in the genre I like over a book with at least one Black main character in a genre I generally don't enjoy. Even then, there are times I intentionally venture out of my usual reads to discover new authors, new stories and new ideas.
I see myself as an African writer, which means I will always have a African identity in my stories. However, I am determined to write to a global audience, which means I will not box myself in if a story needs to be told. I'm objective enough to accept that not everyone will enjoy my stories. I just never expected my book to be rejected because 'it had a White Guy on the cover'.
I'd love to hear your thoughts. If you're a reader who won't touch a book with main characters of a different race from you, I'd like to know what goes into that decision. If you don't feel inclined to share your reasons, just do me a favour and please make an effort to dedicate at least 5% of your annual reading list to books outside your usual preference.
There's so much I want to say, but I think I'll end my rant here for today. Have a wonderful week.
August 10, 2019
#Review: Seducing the Billionaire (The Blue Room Series, #1) by J. M. Stewart
Seducing the Billionaire by J.M. StewartBlurb
When her ex leaves her with a wounded ego, curvy tech writer Jenna Mancini sets out to prove to herself that she's just as sexy as any size six. With an invitation to Seattle’s hottest new club, a place that promises no risk, no commitment, no holds barred, she sets her sights on the one man who can help her test her theory—the only man at a sex club who doesn’t participate.
Billionaire Hunter Thane has a secret only a select few know: a fear of being touched. A rough childhood has left him scarred, inside and out, and he’s resigned himself to a life alone. So while he can’t deny he finds Jenna incredibly sexy, he’s determined to save her from the disappointment of an encounter with him.
Jenna is every bit as determined to push all his hot buttons and see if she can crush his iron-clad will…
MY REVIEW
Jenna and Hunter meet in a sex club. Yea, that caught my attention when I read the blurb. Both have personal baggage relating to their bodies, which helps them to connect and recognise each others' fears.
Hunter is not your usual billionaire romance hero, in that he isn't the arrogant, self-centered type. I found him very likable especially when he set out to dispel the negative notions she had about her body owing to her ex-boyfriend. As their mutual attraction and emotions grow, they both learn to trust and build each other up. In the end, they find happiness they hadn't expected.
I enjoyed the romance between Jenna and Hunter. Despite the fact that the story starts out in a sex club, the story is more sensual than erotic.
I also liked the secondary characters, especially Hunter's friends whom I gather are all going to be heroes of their own stories in this series.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
View all my reviews
August 7, 2019
SPOTLIGHT: A Baby Between Friends by Kathy Douglass | #ABabyBetweenFriends #SweetBriarSweethearts #KathyDouglass #HonMagPR
A BABY BETWEEN FRIENDS BY KATHY DOUGLASS
They pretended to be lovers.
But there's nothing make-believe about the baby on the way.
When Joni Danielson recruits her best friend, Sweet Briar mayor Lex Devlin, to be her fake boyfriend for a wedding, it's a no-brainer. But their staged kisses lead to real passion - and heartbreak when Lex pulls away. Now Joni's in a bigger bind: she's pregnant. Can she and Lex once again fake it 'til they make it - to a real relationship?
AVAILABLE ON:
AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOKS-A-MILLION | HARLEQUIN | KOBO | ITUNES | BARNES AND NOBLE | GOOGLE
READ AN EXCERPT
PLAYLIST
ENTER TO WINKathy Douglass is giving away a copy of A Baby Between Friends to a lucky winner!
(Entrants in one of the one of the 48 contiguous states are eligible for a signed, print copy or digital copy. Entrants outside of the 48 contiguous states are eligible for a digital copy.)
CLICK TO ENTER
A Baby Between Friends giveaway
Also available from Kathy Douglass:
How To Steal the Lawman’s Heart*
The Waitress’s Secret*
The Rancher and the City Girl*
Winning Charlotte Back*
The Rancher’s Return*
The City Girl’s Homecoming**
A Baby Between Friends*
*Sweet Briar Sweethearts
**Furever Yours
ABOUT KATHY DOUGLASS
Kathy is a born reader who as a child always had her nose in a book. She went from reading Bobbsey Twins to romance novels. One day she stumbled upon The Shining by Stephen King and was hooked on horror. When she caught herself checking under the bed and looking in the closet for monsters, she knew it was time to put down the horror and return to romance novels.Her return was short-lived. She started law school and soon her reading was limited to legal opinions. Then she discovered Harlequin romances. They were short enough to read in a week and she wouldn't have to search her room before she went to sleep.
When her first child was born, she became a stay at home mom. Her second child soon followed, and reading was limited to children's books.
All too soon her kids were attending pre-school. Kathy spent those hours renewing her relationship with romance novels. Soon she felt the urge to write the stories she wanted to read. In 2016, Kathy sold to Harlequin. Her first book, How to Steal the Lawman's Heart, was released in February, 2017. Since then, she has released several more books with Harlequin.
CONNECT WITH KATHY DOUGLASSAUTHOR SITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB
| GOODREADS | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE | NEWSLETTER
SPOTLIGHT: A Baby Between Friends by Kathy Douglas | #ABabyBetweenFriends #SweetBriarSweethearts #KathyDouglass #HonMagPR
A BABY BETWEEN FRIENDS BY KATHY DOUGLASS
They pretended to be lovers.
But there's nothing make-believe about the baby on the way.
When Joni Danielson recruits her best friend, Sweet Briar mayor Lex Devlin, to be her fake boyfriend for a wedding, it's a no-brainer. But their staged kisses lead to real passion - and heartbreak when Lex pulls away. Now Joni's in a bigger bind: she's pregnant. Can she and Lex once again fake it 'til they make it - to a real relationship?
AVAILABLE ON:
AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | BOOKS-A-MILLION | HARLEQUIN | KOBO | ITUNES | BARNES AND NOBLE | GOOGLE
READ AN EXCERPT
PLAYLIST
ENTER TO WINKathy Douglass is giving away a copy of A Baby Between Friends to a lucky winner!
(Entrants in one of the one of the 48 contiguous states are eligible for a signed, print copy or digital copy. Entrants outside of the 48 contiguous states are eligible for a digital copy.)
CLICK TO ENTER
A Baby Between Friends giveaway
Also available from Kathy Douglass:
How To Steal the Lawman’s Heart*
The Waitress’s Secret*
The Rancher and the City Girl*
Winning Charlotte Back*
The Rancher’s Return*
The City Girl’s Homecoming**
A Baby Between Friends*
*Sweet Briar Sweethearts
**Furever Yours
ABOUT KATHY DOUGLASS
Kathy is a born reader who as a child always had her nose in a book. She went from reading Bobbsey Twins to romance novels. One day she stumbled upon The Shining by Stephen King and was hooked on horror. When she caught herself checking under the bed and looking in the closet for monsters, she knew it was time to put down the horror and return to romance novels.Her return was short-lived. She started law school and soon her reading was limited to legal opinions. Then she discovered Harlequin romances. They were short enough to read in a week and she wouldn't have to search her room before she went to sleep.
When her first child was born, she became a stay at home mom. Her second child soon followed, and reading was limited to children's books.
All too soon her kids were attending pre-school. Kathy spent those hours renewing her relationship with romance novels. Soon she felt the urge to write the stories she wanted to read. In 2016, Kathy sold to Harlequin. Her first book, How to Steal the Lawman's Heart, was released in February, 2017. Since then, she has released several more books with Harlequin.
CONNECT WITH KATHY DOUGLASSAUTHOR SITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | BOOKBUB
| GOODREADS | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE | NEWSLETTER
August 6, 2019
NEW RELEASE: Seducing The Billionaire by JM Stewart | #BlueRoomSeries #JMStewart #XpressoBookTours
SEDUCING THE BILLIONAIRE BY JM STEWART
(The Blue Room Series, #1)
Publication date: August 6th 2019
Genres: Contemporary, Erotica, Romance
When her ex leaves her with a wounded ego, curvy tech writer Jenna Mancini sets out to prove to herself that she’s just as sexy as any size six. With an invitation to Seattle’s hottest new club, a place that promises no risk, no commitment, no holds barred, she sets her sights on the one man who can help her test her theory—the only man at a sex club who doesn’t participate.Billionaire Hunter Thane has a secret only a select few know: a fear of being touched. A rough childhood has left him scarred, inside and out, and he’s resigned himself to a life alone. So while he can’t deny he finds Jenna incredibly sexy, he’s determined to save her from the disappointment of an encounter with him.
Jenna is every bit as determined to push all his hot buttons and see if she can crush his iron-clad will…Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo—
EXCERPT:“Because you don’t participate.” Her gaze searched his face. After a moment, she moved farther into the room, stepping up to the pool table in the center. As she walked around it, she reached into the pockets, tossing the balls onto the table. “May I ask why you don’t?”
His shoulders slumped. He couldn’t keep side stepping around this, but he had no desire to watch her expression when he told her the truth. “Encounters with me are…complicated. Most ladies come here looking for fun. That’s the whole idea of this. Something carefree and frivolous. Our motto is ‘no risk, no commitment, no holds barred.’ I’m not any of that.”
“It’s not a bad thing to be the serious sort, you know.” All the balls now atop the table, she leaned over, stretching to reach the triangle. “Why host a party like this then? Why stay?”
“Because I want things I can’t have.” Damn. He shouldn’t have told her that, either, but the feeling nudged him. The desire. The need. To finally let it all go. Hell, even his therapist encouraged him to step out of his comfort zone.
“Such as?”
“Nothing. I shouldn’t have mentioned it.” Heart hammering in his throat, he crossed to the rack hanging on the wall opposite the table and pulled down a couple of cue sticks.
Jenna remained silent, and a sick sensation twisted in his stomach. Any second now she’d voice the question in her eyes. Some part of him said he ought to be honest with her and let the chips fall where they may. Except he knew how this would end. He’d tell her his long list of rules, then have to watch her leave when she decided she no longer desired an evening with him.
He’d tried once before, at Liam’s insistence. The woman had gotten so frustrated with him she’d stormed out in a huff. And who the hell could blame her?
When he turned, cue sticks in hand, Jenna smiled at him. It was an awkward smile, one filled with tension, with all those things they weren’t saying, but a smile nonetheless.
She nodded in the direction of the pool table beside her. “You any good?”
Relief flooded his chest. God bless her for not pushing. “Spent a lot of time in here in high school. I should warn you. I’m pretty decent.”
“Then you have yourself a game, cowboy, because so am I.” She winked and moved around the table, studying it. “I grew up with one of these. Mom thought it would keep us kids out of trouble.” She glanced at him, brows raised. “Tell me. Do you want to participate?”
Damn. Her and her questions.
“I’m only the host.” He waved a hand in the air. “My house and all that.”
She returned to the head of the table and leaned over it, lining up her shot. A quick flick of her wrist sent the multicolored balls flying in all directions. Three balls sank in various pockets, and she straightened. “I’ve got solids. And you said that before. Now tell me the real reason you’re here.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JM Stewart writes heartfelt contemporary romance. Whether the heat level is sizzling or sweet, her stories are always deeply emotional. Her heroes are strong but sensitive (no alpha jerks here!), and her heroines are more Cinderella than Buffy the Vampire Slayer.Recently transplanted, she now lives in a small town in Texas along with her husband, two sons and two very spoiled dogs. When not writing, she enjoys reading, cooking and playing computer games. As a sensitive soul with a romantic heart, she believes in angels and hopes everyone finds their happily ever after.
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Bookbub
GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
NEW RELEASE: Seducing The Billionaire by JM Stewart | #BlueRoomSeres #JMStewart #XpressoBookTours
SEDUCING THE BILLIONAIRE BY JM STEWART
(The Blue Room Series, #1)
Publication date: August 6th 2019
Genres: Contemporary, Erotica, Romance
When her ex leaves her with a wounded ego, curvy tech writer Jenna Mancini sets out to prove to herself that she’s just as sexy as any size six. With an invitation to Seattle’s hottest new club, a place that promises no risk, no commitment, no holds barred, she sets her sights on the one man who can help her test her theory—the only man at a sex club who doesn’t participate.Billionaire Hunter Thane has a secret only a select few know: a fear of being touched. A rough childhood has left him scarred, inside and out, and he’s resigned himself to a life alone. So while he can’t deny he finds Jenna incredibly sexy, he’s determined to save her from the disappointment of an encounter with him.
Jenna is every bit as determined to push all his hot buttons and see if she can crush his iron-clad will…Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo—
EXCERPT:“Because you don’t participate.” Her gaze searched his face. After a moment, she moved farther into the room, stepping up to the pool table in the center. As she walked around it, she reached into the pockets, tossing the balls onto the table. “May I ask why you don’t?”
His shoulders slumped. He couldn’t keep side stepping around this, but he had no desire to watch her expression when he told her the truth. “Encounters with me are…complicated. Most ladies come here looking for fun. That’s the whole idea of this. Something carefree and frivolous. Our motto is ‘no risk, no commitment, no holds barred.’ I’m not any of that.”
“It’s not a bad thing to be the serious sort, you know.” All the balls now atop the table, she leaned over, stretching to reach the triangle. “Why host a party like this then? Why stay?”
“Because I want things I can’t have.” Damn. He shouldn’t have told her that, either, but the feeling nudged him. The desire. The need. To finally let it all go. Hell, even his therapist encouraged him to step out of his comfort zone.
“Such as?”
“Nothing. I shouldn’t have mentioned it.” Heart hammering in his throat, he crossed to the rack hanging on the wall opposite the table and pulled down a couple of cue sticks.
Jenna remained silent, and a sick sensation twisted in his stomach. Any second now she’d voice the question in her eyes. Some part of him said he ought to be honest with her and let the chips fall where they may. Except he knew how this would end. He’d tell her his long list of rules, then have to watch her leave when she decided she no longer desired an evening with him.
He’d tried once before, at Liam’s insistence. The woman had gotten so frustrated with him she’d stormed out in a huff. And who the hell could blame her?
When he turned, cue sticks in hand, Jenna smiled at him. It was an awkward smile, one filled with tension, with all those things they weren’t saying, but a smile nonetheless.
She nodded in the direction of the pool table beside her. “You any good?”
Relief flooded his chest. God bless her for not pushing. “Spent a lot of time in here in high school. I should warn you. I’m pretty decent.”
“Then you have yourself a game, cowboy, because so am I.” She winked and moved around the table, studying it. “I grew up with one of these. Mom thought it would keep us kids out of trouble.” She glanced at him, brows raised. “Tell me. Do you want to participate?”
Damn. Her and her questions.
“I’m only the host.” He waved a hand in the air. “My house and all that.”
She returned to the head of the table and leaned over it, lining up her shot. A quick flick of her wrist sent the multicolored balls flying in all directions. Three balls sank in various pockets, and she straightened. “I’ve got solids. And you said that before. Now tell me the real reason you’re here.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
JM Stewart writes heartfelt contemporary romance. Whether the heat level is sizzling or sweet, her stories are always deeply emotional. Her heroes are strong but sensitive (no alpha jerks here!), and her heroines are more Cinderella than Buffy the Vampire Slayer.Recently transplanted, she now lives in a small town in Texas along with her husband, two sons and two very spoiled dogs. When not writing, she enjoys reading, cooking and playing computer games. As a sensitive soul with a romantic heart, she believes in angels and hopes everyone finds their happily ever after.
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Bookbub
GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
August 5, 2019
#Review: Healing His Medic by Nana Prah | #ProtectorsSeries #LoveAfricaPress
BLURB
Doctor Comfort Djan is looking for salvation after a tragic accident, which takes her to deprived regions where her skills heal the helpless. Until Fate thrusts her as a medic on board a West African military coastal protection ship. Proving herself to the male-only crew is nothing compared to being near one intense naval officer who has her feeling something other than her survivor's guilt.
Commander Akin Solarin wants nothing more than to do his job, especially when his medic's temporary replacement turns out to be a disconcerting woman who pushes all his buttons. He runs a tight ship, and doesn't need captivating and efficient yet aloof Comfort around to keep his heart-rate in semi-permanent overdrive.
Neither can deny the attraction between them, but navigating uncharted personal waters may be the least of their problems when confronted with bold pirate attacks and other vicious unknown dangers onboard the frigate. And when Comfort's life gets on the line, Akin knows he will do anything to save his medic and heal her battered heart in the process.
MY REVIEW
Comfort and Akin meet in the ER when he brings a crew mate in. From the start, one can feel their attraction.Both dismiss their attraction to each other since they will not see themselves again. However, things change when Comfort is offered a job on Akin's ship.
Yes, a ship! A warship, to be precise. Such an unexpected setting for a sweet romance novel. However, it works so well for the story.
With Comfort, Nana brings us another of her signature badass heroines. We (along with the hero) learn that behind her tough exterior lies scars from a very traumatic past. It was a change of pace to have a heroine with PTSD.
The romance between Akin and Comfort was very sweet and believable. I found them to be well-matched. I also liked the cast of secondary characters, a couple of whom I hope will get a story of their own.
I look forward to more from the Protectors series.
Disclaimer: I got a free copy of this book, and I give this review voluntarily.
Doctor Comfort Djan is looking for salvation after a tragic accident, which takes her to deprived regions where her skills heal the helpless. Until Fate thrusts her as a medic on board a West African military coastal protection ship. Proving herself to the male-only crew is nothing compared to being near one intense naval officer who has her feeling something other than her survivor's guilt.Commander Akin Solarin wants nothing more than to do his job, especially when his medic's temporary replacement turns out to be a disconcerting woman who pushes all his buttons. He runs a tight ship, and doesn't need captivating and efficient yet aloof Comfort around to keep his heart-rate in semi-permanent overdrive.
Neither can deny the attraction between them, but navigating uncharted personal waters may be the least of their problems when confronted with bold pirate attacks and other vicious unknown dangers onboard the frigate. And when Comfort's life gets on the line, Akin knows he will do anything to save his medic and heal her battered heart in the process.
MY REVIEW
Comfort and Akin meet in the ER when he brings a crew mate in. From the start, one can feel their attraction.Both dismiss their attraction to each other since they will not see themselves again. However, things change when Comfort is offered a job on Akin's ship.
Yes, a ship! A warship, to be precise. Such an unexpected setting for a sweet romance novel. However, it works so well for the story.
With Comfort, Nana brings us another of her signature badass heroines. We (along with the hero) learn that behind her tough exterior lies scars from a very traumatic past. It was a change of pace to have a heroine with PTSD.
The romance between Akin and Comfort was very sweet and believable. I found them to be well-matched. I also liked the cast of secondary characters, a couple of whom I hope will get a story of their own.
I look forward to more from the Protectors series.
Disclaimer: I got a free copy of this book, and I give this review voluntarily.
August 2, 2019
SPOTLIGHT: The Protectors Series by Nana Prah and Zee Monodee | #ProtectorsSeries #NanaPrah #ZeeMonodee #HonMagPR
HEALING THE MEDIC BY NANA PRAH
Doctor Comfort Djan is looking for salvation after a tragic accident, which takes her to deprived regions where her skills heal the helpless. Until Fate thrusts her as a medic on board a West African military coastal protection ship. Proving herself to the male-only crew is nothing compared to being near one intense naval officer who has her feeling something other than her survivor's guilt.Commander Akin Solarin wants nothing more than to do his job, especially when his medic's temporary replacement turns out to be a disconcerting woman who pushes all his buttons. He runs a tight ship, and doesn't need captivating and efficient yet aloof Comfort around to keep his heart-rate in semi-permanent overdrive.
Neither can deny the attraction between them, but navigating uncharted personal waters may be the least of their problems when confronted with bold pirate attacks and other vicious unknown dangers onboard the frigate. And when Comfort's life gets on the line, Akin knows he will do anything to save his medic and heal her battered heart in the process.
ADD ON GOODREADSHEALING HIS MEDIC IS 99C / 99P /₦300 UNTIL AUGUST 4, 2019
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A man with a missionA year earlier, a mutiny broke inside the ranks of the clandestine Corpus Agency. Only one loose thread remains to be apprehended: an assassin named Evangeline.When intel from an asset points to a woman in Mauritius who could be her, Zachariah Hashemi, a mixed race Muslim from Tanzania, is tasked with bringing the renegade to justice…aka a swift death.
A woman with nothing to hide
French-Mauritian PR maven Annabelle de Castelban is throwing all she has into making her communications agency a success. When an opportunity to partner with a renowned international firm knocks on her door, she jumps on it, even if it means she has to fight her attraction to the devastatingly handsome man and the sizzling chemistry sparking between them.
A killer with a plan
Annabelle has no idea Zach is here to determine if she is a mercenary with no remorse. And the more he gets to know her, the more it becomes obvious she cannot be this twisted assassin.Indeed, Evangeline is near, and when Zach finds out Annabelle is the killer’s latest target, he will stop at nothing to protect the woman he has in the meantime fallen in love with.
As they race against the clock, will they both be able to thwart the psychopath’s plan to kill them in the most devious way?
ADD ON GOODREADS$2.99 NEW RELEASE PRICE GOES UP AFTER AUGUST 4, 2019.
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“It’s not good, patronne. The model who was to have the showstopper bride on his arm ate some of the prawn cocktail. He is currently puking his guts out in the guest loo at the back.”“Thank God he made it to the loo and didn’t barf on any of the clothes.”
Trust her problem-solving mind to come up with the silver lining in every situation. But seriously, if any of the gowns had been ruined, Nina would’ve had her hide. All the pieces had thousands of pearls or Swarovski crystals hand-sewn on them.
Think, Annabelle, think.
“So the only problem we have right now is that we need an escort for the showstopper.”
“And her,” Daniel whispered with a glance towards a still-raving Nina.
“Her, we can deal with, and it will sort itself out once we find a replacement for the sick model.”
Daniel snorted. “Good luck with that. Have you forgotten the brief she forced down the throat of every modelling agency on the island? The man had to be buff and—”
“Taller than six-foot-two. I know.”
Good luck finding a six-foot man at random on the island in the first place, and now on such short notice? They had their work cut out for her.
Still, there were some foreigners in the audience. There must be one about six-two and muscular. What had Nina written on the call sheet? She’d wanted ‘a tall drink of water.’
There was no time to ponder the situation. The sooner they calmed Nina down, the sooner they’d get this show underway, and the sooner this night would be over, too.
So, armed with optimism and determination, Annabelle strutted back into the main room, a smile plastered on her face as she eyed every single man around. Just her luck. None seemed taller than six feet, and they all looked like guys whose only attempt at exercise came from a leisurely stroll once a month along a putting green.
Her spirits were sinking fast, but no, she wouldn’t be the victim. She would turn this around one way or another. If she couldn’t find— Her shoulder collided into someone, and reflex made her look up and say, “Oh, pardon.”
But the apology died on her lips as her gaze raked over the hulking piece of masculinity she’d bumped into. He was tall, all right. Comfortably above six-two, she’d say, with the frame to match. Those broad, broad shoulders looked snug inside the clean lines of an obviously expensive hand-tailored suit the shade of a rare Dom Pérignon millésime. His skin was the colour of sugar when it had just started to turn into caramel, a golden glow on his chiselled features and cheekbones so sharp and defined, it was ridiculous. His head was shaved, and his eyes were dark. Smouldering. Intense. A thin goatee that looked like it had been hand-drawn onto him framed his solid chin and gave bearing to his strong jaw.
A puff of air escaped her.
“Tall drink of water,” she mumbled, and blinked.
The gears of her stunned mind started clicking then, and she gasped. “Tall drink of water!”ABOUT NANA PRAH
I was raised in the US and currently reside in Ghana. I have been writing ever since I can remember (in my journal) and have been an avid reader of romance novels since the eighth grade. I have finally been able to utilize the years of inadvertent research into writing my own romance novels where love always conquers all.CONNECT WITH NANA PRAHAUTHOR WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAMABOUT ZEE MONODEE
From always choosing the storytelling option in English & French classes to sneaking a Mills&Boon romance under the desk at school, Zee went on to make a career out of writing the kind of emotional romances all young girls junk on.Of Indian heritage & a 2x breast cancer survivor, Zee lives in paradise (aka Mauritius!) with her long-suffering husband, their smart-mouth teenage son, and their tabby cat who thinks herself a fearsome feline from the nearby African Serengeti plains. When she isn’t in her kitchen rolling out chapattis or baking cakes while singing along to the latest pop hit topping the charts, she can be found reading or catching up on her numerous TV show addictions. In her day job, she is an editor who helps other authors like her hone their works and craft.CONNECT WITH ZEE MONODEEAUTHOR WEBSITE | NEWSLETTER | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK
