Empi Baryeh's Blog, page 17

#BookReview: Love's Indenture by Feyi Aina | @funminiran ‏ #AfricanRomance

BLURB

Jaiye’s favorite pass time, is antagonizing her father in ways that embarrasses him. He is more than fed up with her, so he marries her off to a mechanic in order to teach her a lesson. Jaiye is livid. She can’t leave the marriage till five years are up, but she begins to discover that Toye is much more than just a mechanic…..



MY REVIEW
After losing one daughter, a rich man decides that the only way to save his remaining, no-good one is to marry her off to a humble mechanic. Now if you're African, you know that a mechanic is a lowly job, even when the person owns the shop. He had his reasons, and I found them to be acceptable. Despite being headstrong and bent on defying her father, she accepts her father's ridiculous offer for very noble reasons.
The hero, Toye, was sweet and a good match for Jaiye. He was a bit of a mystery to me, because he had no real motivation for accepting the offer to marry Jaiye - or at least I didn't fully buy into his explanation for why accepted. He's portrayed as close to being perfect, for which reason there wasn't a lot of focus on his development. I would have liked to see more of the story in his POV. He did, however, deliver my favourite line in the story.
I didn't care for the cover at all. IMO, the author should consider re-releasing with a more attractive one that does justice to the story contained within. 
Overall, this was a super sweet story, and the characters lingered in my mind after I'd finished. If you love Nigerian movies, you'll definitely love with book. Recommended for readers with a sweet tooth. (PS. There are inspirational elements.)
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily decided to post a review

She hid behind the bookshelf watching him | #LAPLoveNotes #Romance @EmpiBaryeh

Happy Friday! What's up for the weekend? I hope your answer includes reading. If so, let me introduce you to Love Notes from Love Africa Press. This is going to be a weekly meme where writers share six lines/sentences from a Work in Progress or published story.

For my first Love Notes, I'm sharing the opening scene from my recently released novella, Mr Hot Mocha Perfection, which is featured in the Be My Valentine Anthology from Love Africa Press. In this snippet, we discover how my story got its title

SPOTLIGHT: Southern Seduction series by S Taylor | #SouthernSeduction #STaylor #HonMagPR

SOUTHERN SEDUCTION SERIES BY S. TAYLOR HONEYDEW Clarisse Jordan is a young single mother, who after the death of her fiancé, poured blood, sweat, and tears into her business, Honeydew Café, to provide for her children. A catering gig for successful and super sexy Dylan Price is the opportunity of a lifetime. But she quickly learns that Mr. Price is interested in more than her Southern cuisine. He has his sights set on her.

Dylan has been in love with Clarisse for years and would do anything to have her—even if it means forcing her into marriage. Lucky for him, the instant chemistry between them is hotter than a mid-summer day beneath the Georgia sun.

Yet Dylan is not completely honest with Clarisse, and when she learns the painful truth, will their love affair end? Or will they be able to find their way back to each other? AVAILABLE ONAMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | APPLE | KOBOREAD AN EXCERPT


It’s only been a few years since I buried the love of my life. I hear the word marriage and it pulls me from my thoughts of Frost, and I pay close attention. 
“I think that’ll be enough time to plan, wouldn’t you agree?”
“To what?” 
“Clarisse, were you not listening to me this whole time?”
I shake my head, not caring that I give myself away. Shit, this whole situation is new for me. It’s not every day a girl gets a blackmail or a proposal—I need time to process.
“I said, we’ll marry at the end of the month. That gives enough time to plan.”
“What?!”
“If I knew I could get away with it, I’d marry you with the hour. I think four weeks is reasonable, and I’m not pushing the date out longer,” he says with finality. 
I don’t even protest, really. What would be the point? He continues, noting his mother will arrive next week—maybe sooner—to help with the planning.
“You’ve already told her?” My eyes, I know, are wide as saucers. 
“Of course not, but I know Delta Price, and when I tell her we’re getting married, she’ll be on the first thing smoking.” 
“Are you going to tell her I was with Frost?”
His handsome features soften, and my heartbeats start to quicken with worry of what she’ll think of me, jumping from one friend to the other. Even if they lost touch, Dylan and Frost shared a bond of friendship. He must know what I’m thinking. “She already knows of you and the twins. She was at the funeral.”
“Oh,” I whisper.
“We won’t have time right after the wedding for a honeymoon. I have some business to wrap up in New York, so we’ll go there instead, me, you, and the kids. I’ll take you on a proper honeymoon after I finish my business.”
“What if my business won’t allow me the time off to travel to New York or wherever else?” I press my lips and raise an eyebrow, challenging him. 
He only smiles and continues laying out the details.
“Honeydew will be our primary residence. I’ve always loved the place and having a family to share in my joy is what I want.”
“I sure hope it stays that way, because I am building a business, let’s not forget.” I can’t hold my tongue on this matter, and have no problem reminding him at every turn. The only reason I’m allowing him to force my hand is to keep my business and my kids’ home. I’m giving up my freedom, but not my independence. 
“I want to kiss the fire right off those soft lips.” He licks his and smiles at me.I’m equal parts pissed and equal parts aroused. Pissed, because he’s smiling as if I’m an adorable child throwing a fit, and aroused because…well that’s what Dylan Price does to me. I stand, needing to get away from him, because if I don’t, I will turn into a child throwing a fit. 
I don’t make it far before being spun around, and my mouth devoured by Dylan. He holds my face captive between strong hands. Dylan tastes amazing. His lips are fast becoming addictive. I soften into him against my will. I want to rage and fight, but how can I when he smells and tastes so delicious?

Soft pulls on my lips end an extremely heated exchange. “Your business will always be important. Don’t forget that.” He takes a few more pulls from my mouth. “Let me give you something else to never forget.”




I'M YOURS Peggy Jordan had long ago closed the door on her heart’s desires, accepting she would never have a loving husband and family of her own. Then a friend asks her to care for an orphaned little girl, and she meets the child’s last living relative. With him, her patience is tested, her desires are unleashed, and she gets the first taste of a life she’d always felt was out of reach.

Years ago, Trevor Duncan left Savannah and vowed never to return. He traveled to remote corners of the globe, helping people, and helping himself to countless women in emotionally-empty relationships. A phone call in the middle of the night changes his entire life. He has a niece who needs him, and when he meets the woman caring for her, he’s consumed with having her all to himself.

Their desire is strong. Their love is instant. But can they learn to trust each other and survive the road to happily-ever-after? AVAILABLE ONAMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | APPLE | KOBOREAD AN EXCERPT



I’m passing the broom in my kitchen, attempting to clean up as much of the flour from my homemade pie crusts and pizza dough as I can. It’s another pizza and movie Saturday, and Trevor hasn’t come over with Adeline yet. I check the time again and it’s almost noon. 
Clarisse’s nanny will be here around two with the twins for the play date. Adeline has been so excited for this day all week. Before they took off last night, she promised to go to sleep fast so morning could come quicker. 
When Trevor wasn’t at my door bright and early with Adeline and a cup of Starbucks coffee, my first thought was to text him. Instead of, Are you still coming? I texted, Missing my morning cup of Joe. I have yet to receive a reply. 
After putting away the broom and dust pan, I walk over to the work desk in the corner of my kitchen and grab my cell from the charger. I pull up Trevor’s number, ready to call, when a hard knock to the front door startles me. I power walk to the front entry and open the heavy wood door. Adeline rushes in and hugs my legs so tight, as if she didn’t just leave me last night. Her hair is all over her head, and she’s wearing rubber boots with her night clothes. 
She looks a hot mess. I hold her face in my hands and lift it so I can see her expression. “Is everything okay?’
“No,” Trevor answers.
 “What happened?” I ask. 
“Water pipe broke sometime in the middle of the night.” He’s holding a cup of Starbucks coffee. I’m guessing he saw my text. I smile and take the cup. “We woke to water everywhere this morning. I’m thankful it only reached the top of the baseboards. Hate to think what could have happened if it touched the wall plugs in that old house.”
My blood runs cold and I feel lightheaded at the thought. I recall when I first laid eyes on that old house, I questioned Trevor’s logic. Here he is with enough money to purchase three of my houses with no discomfort, and he settles on renting a small, old house. 
“‘It’s my first home. We don’t need much, and it’s temporary,’” he had told me, and I realized Trevor was no typical rich asshole. 
I hold Adeline tight and move from in front the door. I’m squeezing her, repeatedly kissing her cheek, grateful to see her face. When I think I’ve composed myself, I pull back and ask her to head upstairs so she can cleanup and dress before her play date. She runs up the stairs to her room, and I rush into Trevor’s waiting arms. 
I’m holding him a little awkward because of my coffee cup, but Trevor has me completely engulfed in a strong embrace. “What are you going to do?”
He takes a breath before answering. “I reserved a room at a hotel in town.”
“Why?” I give him a confused look. “You know you can stay here. Adeline has gone through so many changes. Her room is familiar, and we have a routine.” I smile before adding, “The two of you are here over ninety percent of the day anyway.”


Trevor gives me a smile and I pray he agrees. I make one more attempt at getting my way, but this next statement is equally as true as the last. “I’m so happy you and Adeline are safe. To even give the smallest of my energy to the thoughts of what could have happened… I want to lock you both away so you’re safe forever. Right now I need you to say yes, Trevor.”

WIN A $10 GIFT CARD (WINNER’S CHOICE AMAZON, ITUNES, B&N)
ENTER TO WINABOUT S. TAYLORS. TAYLOR discovered a love of storytelling at the age of twelve. She would entertain her cousins with exciting adventures and tales of young love, which changed over the years from telling tales at sleepovers to writing several short stories. For S. Taylor writing remained a hobby until 2009 when she decide to share this love with others. She writes love at first sight romance novels full of passion, erotic moments, and emotional conflicts with a satisfying happily ever after ending. She is a Texas native, wife, and busy mother of five daughters. She spends her free time mediating sibling arguments, relaxing with yoga, and discovering new and tasty vegan dishes she enjoys cooking for her family.CONNECT WITH S. TAYLORAUTHOR SITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM

#BookTour: Not Broken: The Happily Ever After by Meka James | #Bookstagram #HonmagPR

not broken: the happily ever after by meka jamesStand-Alone: yesPublisher: Jazen Ink PressPublication Date: November 23, 2017Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Women’s Fiction, InterracialHeat Level: Erotic
add on goodreads


They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger...

Calida Jokobi doesn’t see it that way. Surviving an abusive relationship with a sadistic, manipulative man changed her. She has spent the last two years carefully constructing her new persona with two goals in mind: to keep the remaining pieces of her heart safe and her deepest secrets buried. One man puts it all at risk.

Malcolm has been a part of Calida’s life for as long as she can remember. A friend. Her first teenage crush. Now he's asking for something she swore she'd never give again: her heart.

Calida must decide if she should risk the fragile façade she’s created and give Malcolm the chance he’s asking for.

They say love can heal all wounds…

Malcolm Frankel wants to prove to Calida it’s true. She survived a hell most people couldn’t fathom. He’s been by her side fulfilling whatever role she needs him to play. All except the one he wants most. It took nearly losing her to make Malcolm realize he couldn’t keep denying his feelings.

He knows no one goes through an ordeal like that and comes out unscathed, but the closer they get, the more he learns just how deep Calida’s wounds go.

She’s the only woman he’s ever loved, and Malcolm is ready to put his own heart at risk for a chance at mending hers.

available on:amazon | barnes & noble | kobo | ibooks | smashwords

MY REVIEW4.5/5Two years after surviving an abusive marriage, Calida is still a mental prisoner to her past. However, her best friend's brother, who has been by her side all this time, is determined to show her the kind of unconditional love she deserves.

From the very first page of the book, I found myself engrossed with Malcolm and a grand gesture he makes to get Calida to see him as more than just a friend and with Calida who hints at the darkness that still lies within her. I was drawn in by Calida's story and the sheer force of Malcolm's love. He is the kind of guy you read about and wish he were real.  There is a cast of secondary characters in the form of their families whose mix of personalities added an extra layer of reality to the story. Calida's 1-year-old child had me giggling and remembering my experience with raising toddlers. One of my favourite characters is Calida's sister who I hope gets a story at some point.

The one thing missing for me was a question that never got answered. As the blurb says, Malcolm was Calida's first crush, and Malcolm seems to have been in love with her for a long time. Given this, I didn't get how they never got together before. It would have been nice to see that aspect of the story.

The sex scenes were hot! At the end of the story, we see a positive transformation in both her and Malcolm. I thoroughly enjoyed Calida's journey of healing, learning to love again and accepting that she deserves love.

It's been a while since I read a book I didn't want to put down. This story was a good balance of emotion, humour, and spice. I definitely recommend it.


Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book, and I voluntarily decided to review it.


about meka james


Meka James is a writer of adult contemporary and erotic romance. A born and raised Georgia Peach, she still resides in the southern state with her hubby of 16 years and counting. Mom to four kids of the two legged variety, she also has four fur-babies of the canine variety. Leo the turtle and Spade the snake rounds out her wacky household. When not writing or reading, Meka can be found playing The Sims 3, sometimes Sims 4, and making up fun stories to go with the pixelated people whose world she controls.




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#Excerpt from Mr Hot Mocha Perfection by Empi Baryeh | #BeMyValentineLAP #LoveAfricaPress

Happy Valentine's Day (and Happy National Chocolate Day to Ghanaians)!

On Monday, I posted about our Hot New Release, Be My Valentine anthology from  Love Africa Press featuring 5 ah-mazing African love stories from 5 talented authors (myself included).

Featured Stories:
Unexpected Love by Amaka AzieBitter Sweet Symphony by Fiona KhanGolden Valentine by Nana PrahBoot Camp Seduction by Sable RoseMr Hot Mocha Perfection by Empi Baryeh
Since today is Valentine's Day, I'm sharing an excerpt from my story.

Here's some background: My hero, Adinkra, asks my heroine, Ama, to see a play on Valentine's Day, telling her if she had a good time, it would be a date, but if she didn't then it would be classified as just an outing. In this scene, they've just returned from the play. Find out if Adinkra gets a kiss or not.
Enjoy!


Mr Hot Mocha Perfection (c)Empi Baryeh 2019


He stared at her for several seconds. “So, was this a date, or just an outing?”
Several seconds passed. They felt like a lifetime. His heart thumped as if he’d just completed a two-hundred-meter race.
She broke into a smile that seemed to light up the darkness surrounding them. “It was a date.”
He released a breath and stepped forward, bringing the distance between them to a foot or two. He figured he still needed to proceed with caution and not assume she wanted a kiss just because she’d enjoyed the time spent with him. To his delight, she made the final move, closing the distance between them.
Knowing they were on the same page, he cupped her face as he’d been dying to do since forever. For a few seconds, he stared into her eyes, stroking her cheeks with his thumbs, savouring the moment. Finally, he dipped his head and brushed his lips against hers, then gave her an exploratory nibble.

She had the sweetest lips he’d ever tasted. Soft, supple, intoxicating. She leaned in, kissing him back, demanding more. With a groan, he tipped her head back to gain more access. Their tongues touched and mated briefly before he forced himself to pull away.
“You still taste of tiger nuts and strawberries.”
“Is that good or bad?”
“Extremely good.”
She responded with a cute smile. Unable to resist another taste of her lips, he kissed her again, daring to take a deeper taste of her mouth and tongue.
The sound of voices drifted over, prompting him to step back. Reluctant as he was for the night to end, he knew he had to let her go for now, but not before he’d performed one final gesture. He’d stopped by a flower shop before picking her up earlier, and he’d been waiting for the perfect time to do this. Reaching behind him, he pulled out a solitary rose he’d slipped into his waistband after she’d exited the car. 
“This is for you, Ama. Happy Valentine’s Day.”
He heard her inhalation of breath.
“Thank you,” she replied on an exhale. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Adinkra. Sorry, I didn’t get you anything.”
“The pleasure of your company tonight is gift enough.” A moment passed. He should go now before standing here like this got awkward. “May I call you when I get home?”
The words came out before he could stop himself. God, he had it bad.
“Please do,” she said.
“Good night, beautiful.”


Grab your copy today!Love Africa Press | Okadabooks | Smashwords | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon FR

#BookTour: Love Grind by Shelley Ellis | #LoveGrind #ShellyEllis #HonMagPR

Love Grind by Shelly EllisShe’s used to baring it all . . . but baring her heart is a whole different story
Down on her luck and broke, Jennifer Dudley long ago traded dancing in the chorus line for swinging from a stripper pole to make ends meet. She’s hoping an offer to come back home and teach dance at her old performance academy will be the opportunity she needs to fix her life. When she moves in with and falls for a software developer with brains, a boyish smile, and muscles, she decides she might be well on her way to a second chance at success—and love. But her X-rated past may come back to haunt her, compromising her newfound happiness and hurting the ones she loves the most.AVAILABLE ON:AMAZON EXCERPTJennifer heard a knock at her car window and slowly opened her eyes.“Ma’am! Ma’am, wake up!” a baritone voice said. “This is a private parking lot. You can’t sleep here.”She rubbed her eyes and slowly turned to find a police officer standing at her passenger side window. A frown was on his handsome, dark face. She slowly looked around her, realizing it was finally morning. A few people were walking along the sidewalk. She was no longer the lone car in the parking lot. How long had she been sleeping?“Is the school open yet?” she croaked dazedly.She rubbed her aching neck. After her cross-country drive and spending the night sleeping in her car, her body felt like one big knot. Her head ached, too. She would love to crawl onto a real bed, but she had already wasted her money on a crappy motel room while driving to D.C. and a deposit on a basement apartment she now refused to rent. The next place where she spent her last bit of funds would have to be cheap, clean, but safe. She’d make sure it. Until then, she just wanted to talk to Miss Yvonne.“Oh, my . . . oh, my God!” she heard another voice squeal, making her jump in her seat in alarm. “Jen, is that you?”The police officer squinted at a woman who was now standing beside him. He pointed to Jennifer. “You know this person?”“Yeah, I know her! You do, too! It’s Jen . . . Jennifer Dudley. We used to go to the Academy together. We were besties, but I haven’t seen her in years!”Jennifer stared in bewilderment at the woman. With her sleep-addled brain still struggling to orient itself, it took her a few seconds to realize who it was.  “Oh. Hey, Monique,” she said.Monique didn’t look like the woman Jennifer was used to seeing in the music videos; Monique’s face was a little plumper and she had cut her long hair into a chin-length bob. Now waving and smiling, Monique didn’t look like the haughty pop diva Jennifer had heard rumors that her old friend had become. Monique actually looked sweet, even wholesome in her pale pink cashmere sweater, camel wool coat, and jeans. It was a relief.“Jen, what are you doing here, girl?” she asked as Jennifer finally opened the door and shakily climbed out.“Coffee,” Jennifer said, shoving her fingers into her matted hair. If she couldn’t get a bed to sleep in, she needed caffeine to stay on her feet. She was too tired to put on a mask of pleasantry or to answer questions. “I need coffee. And I need to talk to Miss Yvonne.”“Oh, Miss Yvonne doesn’t get in this early,” Monique said, walking around to her side of the car. “She doesn’t usually get to the Academy until 10 o’clock. Bina is here though. She’s usually in the office bright and early. You should come in and say hi. She’d love to see you!” Monique grabbed her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. “I can’t believe you’re here, girl!” “So everything is okay then?” the police officer asked.She and Monique turned to find him gazing at them expectantly.“Oh, yeah, Justin. Everything’s fine!” Monique said, waving him off. “You can head to the station now. I’ve got this, baby. No worries. I’ll call you later.”Wait a minute. That’s Justin? Justin Mailer?So Monique was back with her ex from the old days. Jennifer looked at him again—at his strong jawline, dark eyes, full lips, and muscular build that was visible even in his bomber jacket and uniform. Justin had definitely gotten hotter over the years. He looked like one of the Chippendales strippers back in Las Vegas.I’d give him a second chance too, if I were you, Peanut, Jennifer thought with an appreciative nod.She watched as he walked back to waiting cruiser before Monique tugged her hand, drawing her attention.“Let me take you inside. We have coffee in the lounge and croissants and bagels if you’re hungry.” She looked Jennifer up and down. “We have a place where you can freshen up too if . . . well, if you need it.”Jennifer glanced down at her disheveled clothes as she followed Monique to the Academy’s front door. She hadn’t planned to show up for her first day like this. But I hadn’t planned for a lot of things, she thought ruefully.She’d wanted to arrive fresh and eager and instead she was bedraggled and dog-tired. She looked and probably smelled like a homeless person. But the instant she stepped into the Academy’s lobby, all her misgivings and sense of inadequacy faded. She gazed around her, shocked to discover that besides a few minor improvements, the school still looked the same. The same portraits still hung on the far wall along with a dozen or so additions. The same inspirational messages and words of love from the Academy’s founder, Miss Yvonne herself, were painted behind the receptionist desk. Being here was comforting; it felt like home.“So you never said what brings you here. Why’d you decide to visit?” Monique asked as they strolled down one of the halls. Jennifer trailed behind her, looking around. “I’m not visiting. I’m supposed to work here. Miss Yvonne hired me as one of the dance instructors.”Monique halted mid-step. “Uh, does Bina know she hired you?”“I don’t think so. Miss Yvonne said she wanted it to be a surprise.” Monique burst into laughter, catching Jennifer off guard. “What’s . . . what’s so funny?”Monique shook her head as her laughter tapered off into giggles. “I’m sorry. I’m not laughing at you. It’s just . . . this is the third time Miss Yvonne has done this . . . brought in a new person without telling Bina, I mean. Bina’s the business manager around here and she’s still very Type-A.”Jennifer nodded. She’d always remembered Bina being the organizer of their little crew, the big sister and leader. Bina always had a plan and knew how to implement it. It wasn’t surprising to hear she handled the business side of the Academy now. “She hates it when Miss Yvonne throws her curve balls like this. She’ll be happy to see you, but don’t get offended if she’s a little put off that Miss Yvonne hired you without consulting her.”Jennifer grimaced. Did that mean she was about to get fired before she even started her new job? She was about to ask Monique that very question when Monique turned and murmured, “Speaking of the devil . . . here Bina comes now.”Jennifer followed Monique’s gaze and saw a curvy, model-type strolling toward them with file folders in her arms. The years had been kind to Bina MacLaine. She looked as beautiful as Jennifer remembered, maybe more so.“Jennifer!” Bina cried, beaming. “Is that you?”Jennifer nodded and absently patted the bird’s nest on her head. “Yeah, it’s me!”“Girl, give me a hug!” Bina said, holding out an arm and embracing her, crushing her file folders between them. “I’m so happy to see you! What are you doing here?”Monique lowered her head, trying but failing to stifle her laughter. Jennifer anxiously gnawed her bottom lip.“What?” Bina asked, looking between them, making her long curly hair sway around her shoulders. “What am I missing?”“You might as well tell her,” Monique said, eyeing Jennifer.Bina’s smile disappeared. “Tell me what?”
Jennifer knew there was no other way to say it or ease into it. She shrugged. “I work here now.”




ABOUT SHELLY ELLIS Shelly Ellis is a NAACP Image Award-nominated women's fiction/romance author and creator of the Gibbons Gold Digger and Chesterton Scandal series. Her fiction writing career began when she became one of four finalists in a First-Time Writers Contest when she was 19 years old. The prize was a publishing contract and having her first short-story romance appear in an anthology. She has since published ten novels and was a finalist for 2015 NAACP Image Award in the Literary Fiction Category, a three-time finalist for the African American Literary Award in the romance category (2012, 2016, and 2017), and a finalist for the 2015 RT Reviewers' Choice Award in Multicultural Romance category.

She is married and lives in Prince George's County, Maryland with her husband and their daughter. Visit her at her web site www.shellyellisbooks.com.
CONNECT WITH SHELLY ELLISAUTHOR SITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

SPOTLIGHT: Tell-Tale by Danielle Allen | #TellTale #DanielleAllen #HonMagPR

TELL-TALE BY DANIELLE ALLEN True, I’d been nervous—very, very dreadfully nervous—to have the conversation with him. I knew he was going to think I sounded crazy. I knew he was going to think I was crazy. But I’d nervously fretted about my feelings for him for years. My nerves had sharpened my senses—not destroyed or dulled them. And above all was my ability to listen.

I’d heard all the reasons why we shouldn’t be together. I know I’d given every excuse in the world, every excuse from heaven to hell as to why we couldn’t be together. But my feelings wouldn’t go away, so… how does that make me crazy?

Listen! Sanely and calmly, I’ll tell you the whole story.

** Tell-Tale is a contemporary romance inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s The Tell-Tale Heart **
AVAILABLE ON:AMAZON WIN THE DANIELLE ALLEN “POE BOX”includes Tell-Tale paperback and Edgar Allan Poe paraphernalia (US only)
ENTER TO WIN ABOUT DANIELLE ALLEN Danielle Allen is a novelist, professor, and life coach. Living authentically has been the key to her living her best life. With a Bachelor's in Psychology and a Master's in Human Services, Danielle plans to pursue a Ph.D. in the very near future. Helping people better understand themselves so they can become the best version of themselves is one of her passions. Writing contemporary romance novels that change the status quo of the genre is another.

Danielle Allen is the author of the Back to Life Series (Back to Life, Back to Reality, Back to December), Love Discovered in New York, Autumn & Summer, the Heartache Series (Heartache, Heartfelt, Heartless*), Work Song, The One Series Duet (The One and After The One), Nevermore, The Art of Being, Disasters in Dating Choose Your Dating Adventure (Disasters in Dating, Brink of Disaster: This One, Brink of Disaster: That One), Broken Clocks, Sweatpants Season, Cuffing Season, and the upcoming The Women of V Series.

CONNECT WITH DANIELLE ALLENAUTHOR SITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS | BOOK + MAIN | NEWSLETTER | AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

#BookRelease: BE MY VALENTINE by @AmakaAzie @FionaMKhana @SableWriter @NanaPrah @EmpiBaryeh | #BeMyValentineLAP #LoveAfricaPress #HonMagPR

Be My Valentine - A Love Africa Press Collection (Volume One)Life is beautiful especially when you're in love.
Dive into these five hand-picked contemporary romance novellas and fall in love this Valentine's Day.

Featured Stories:Unexpected Love by Amaka Azie
Bitter Sweet Symphony by Fiona Khan
Golden Valentine by Nana Prah
Boot Camp Seduction by Sable Rose
Mr Hot Mocha Perfection by Empi BaryehAdd to GoodreadsAvailable On:Love Africa Press | Okadabooks | Smashwords | Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon FR
BLURBS & TEASERSUNEXPECTED LOVE by Amaka Azie After a very public and humiliating break-up, Yemi Okeke quits her job and accepts the position of Chief Surgeon at St. Andrews Hospital in Lagos. It’s an amazing opportunity to start afresh and get away from all the embarrassment … except, her gorgeous new employer, Vincent Mba, knows all about the incident she ran away from.
Vincent is intrigued by Yemi. She is smart, beautiful, and just the kind of woman he wants to get to know better. But they started off on the wrong foot, and recently heartbroken, she is wary about trusting him.

Society says she is past her prime, and that is just one obstacle thrown along their path. He must find a way to overcome all of that, but perhaps the most difficult task of all? He has to win Yemi’s trust and convince her to give their love a chance this Valentine season.

About Amaka Azie Amaka Azie writes romance fiction set in tropical West Africa. She explores the beauty and intricacies of the continent in her sweet and sensual love stories
.
Born and raised in Nigeria, West Africa, she developed a passion for reading at the age of twelve. Her interest in writing began in secondary school when she joined the press club, and her active imagination has captured the interests of many.

Apart from getting lost in creating fascinating fictional characters, Amaka enjoys reading, painting and travelling with her family.

She lives in the United Kingdom with her husband and daughters and where she also practices as a part-time family doctor.

Amaka was named one of the Most Influential Authors Under Forty by the Nigerian Writers Awards (NWA) for the years 2017 and 2018.  

Connect with AmakaWebsite | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads
BITTER SWEET SYMPHONY by Fiona Khan When Dr Aliya O’Henry meets Professor Jack Larrimore, there is an inextricable bond. Baby Star’s arrival brings them together in facing their inhibitions which have been an obstacle in moving forward and finding love. Aliya’s loss and Professor Larrimore’s abandonment, are issues they must resolve before they succumb to the inevitable attraction. 
Bitter Sweet Symphony is a sweet romance filled with angst and compassion, the endearment of parenthood and it resonates on the lyrical innocence of love found within the four-part harmony of music. Dr Aliya and Professor Larrimore learn the lesson of never overlapping the past with the future, when the future is a beautiful gift.

About Fiona Khan Fiona Khan has been lauded with many awards and accolades as an author, poet, environmentalist and in spreading Language, Literacy and Literature. Her short stories, poems and articles have been published in many literary magazines around the world. She has 20 titles to her name and has won many awards over the past 27 years for her leadership and penship. Fiona has written the first HIV/Aids book with emotional intelligence for children, a book that is fully illustrated.

Fiona is the founder of the Global Forum 4 Literacy specialising in free digital and mobile downloads of literature and literacy in many languages, globally. The Global Forum 4 Literacy has now become a brand to be reckoned with as the forum was presented at the UNESCO conference for 2018 as part of the Creative Cities Network and has now collaborated with StoryWeaver in translating books into different languages on a digital platform.

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GOLDEN VALENTINE by Nana Prah Sena Ewuram’s upcoming travels will take her far away from the man her father saved from his abusive uncle.  The same one who sees her as surrogate sister category rather than a love interest. The opportunity to leave Ghana to further her education should help cure her of those unrequited feelings.

Jewellery designer, Yiko Ayoma, would never betray the man who helped him survive. Falling in love with his mentor’s daughter is something he can’t help but is doing his best to resist acting on. When tragedy strikes on Valentine’s Day, both are tested and must each decide which is more important, their friendship or taking the risk to be more.

About Nana Prah Nana Prah first discovered romance in a book from her eight-grade summer reading list and has been obsessed with it ever since. Her fascination with love inspired her to write in her favourite genre where happily-ever-after is the rule.

She is a published author of contemporary, multicultural romances. Her books are sweet with a touch of spice. When she’s not writing she’s, over-indulging in chocolate, enjoying life with friends and family, and tormenting nursing students into being the best nurses the world has ever seen.
Connect with NanaWebsite | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

BOOT CAMP SEDUCTION by Sable Rose She’s a big-bodied beauty with weight issues. He’s a dreamy hunk with an unsavoury agenda. 

For the first twelve years of her life, Amaka Dilibe lived in an orphanage, abandoned by her mother. Now she has finally achieved success with her home décor business.

Life should be great. Only, it isn’t.

Full-figured Amaka has been the butt of jokes for a long time. Dumped and humiliated by her ex-boyfriend because of her weight, she’s eager for a change.

She enrols in a weight-loss boot-camp owned by Tiago Omole, a coffee-skinned, bearded hottie with a penchant for wearing t-shirts with funny slogans.

Amaka is blown away the first time she sees Tiago. Dreamy. Yummy. Yes, please.

Facing the loss of the business he’s worked hard for, Tiago is desperate too. And when someone presents him with a way out: seduce Amaka and get her to give you money, he is sorely tempted.

Should he do it? After all, it’s just sex, isn’t it?
What could go wrong?

About Sable Rose Hi, my name is Sable Rose and I revel in being different. I'm a romance writer and the author of erotic M/F contemporary and paranormal romances and action adventures.

My books feature outspoken, independent and intelligent women who know what they want (and what they don't want), and who are not afraid to make the first move to get their man, if they have to. Their men are always swoon-worthy hunks, each a blend of naughty and nice that women find so irresistible.

My passion is writing and I write only what my characters tell me to write. I write morning, afternoon, night. Who needs sleep? Yes, I'm a writing addict.

In between writing-phew-I also read-a lot. And watches lots of TV and movies. I love dancing, listening to great music and I dream of one day being able to find time to learn both pole-dancing and belly dancing.

I wish...

I adore traveling, and have visited over 15 countries and have formed friendships with people of varying cultures. I use these experiences to craft my stories.

I live in Lagos, Nigeria. No dogs yet. Definitely, no cats...

Connect with SableTwitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | YouTube | Mailing List (+ free novel!)

MR HOT MOCHA PERFECTION by Empi Baryeh Ama Sarfoa believes in love, though she hasn’t been lucky at it. She returns to college for a master’s degree after being on the work force for five years. Three chance encounters in one day with a handsome stranger has her entertaining thoughts of him being Mr. Right.

Until he turns out to be one of her professors.

Adinkra Kusi-Andoh has been burned by love before, but his student, Ama, stirs desires in him he’d long given up on feeling again. However, she’s his student and their relationship skirts the fringes of professional ethics. Yet as Valentine’s Day approaches, he can’t help but as her out on a date.

When their budding relationship threatens his career, Adinkra has to choose between saving his career and the woman he loves. Will he give up on love or risk it all for the woman his heart desires?

About Empi Baryeh Empi Baryeh is the award-winning author of Most Eligible Bachelor (Book of the year, 2017 Ufere Awards). She writes sweet and sensual African, multicultural and interracial romance, which happens to be her favourite genres of romance to read. Her interest in writing started around the age of thirteen after she stumbled upon a YA story her sister had started and abandoned.

The story fascinated her so much that, when she discovered it was unfinished, she knew she had to complete it. Somehow the rest of the story began to take shape in her mind and she's been writing ever since. She lives in Accra, Ghana, with her husband and their two lovely kids.

Connect with EmpiWebsite | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram

SPOTLIGHT: Calm's Storm (Razorblade Tumbleweeds MC Book 1) | #BlogTour

SPOTLIGHT: Moore Family Saga Series by Michelle Sims | #BookTour #CoverReveal

ACT I SEED ON FIRE BY MICHELE SIMS Twenty five years before the events in the novel, The Fire God Tour, Kaiden and Alicia Moore, originally from North Carolina, were enjoying a life full of love and passion. As a young, beautiful and an upwardly mobile professional couple who had made their home in New York City, they were busy balancing their careers with the demands of their new marriage which as fate would have it, included an unexpected bundle of joy. They got pregnant on their honeymoon and so began their adventure in this novel, The Seed on Fire, a sexy contemporary romance of a multi-cultural couple with elements of fantasy that is also the prequel to the novel The Fire God Tour.

Nothing about their lives together has ever been typical and their relationship will forever be changed by a series of nightmarish events that threaten their love and the life of their unborn child. Will their commitment to each other and support of their close knit family be enough to cope with their challenges? Come and join them on their journey as they experience the joys and excitement awaiting the birth of their son, Miles Aridio Moore, a process, to their surprise, also fosters a period of significant self-growth.

AVAILABLE ON:AMAZON

ACT II PLAYING WITH FIRE BY MICHELE SIMS This is the second installation of Cade and Lecia Moore’s romantic suspense story. Cade’s music career is taking off. While finishing a schedule of gigs in Paris, he gets a call from his brother Vincent back in the states, who has been watching over Cade’s son, Miles, and his wife, Lecia. Vincent has some surprising news. Miles, now seven, is showing extraordinary abilities that allow him to produce fire. As a member of the Network, a secret society with nearly bottomless resources, Vincent has been able to determine that Miles’s abilities aren’t unique but an extremely rare genetic mutation.
Cade returns to the states to be with his family, but it’s clear that life cannot go on as normal when Miles suffers from an intense illness that leaves him immobile and mute for days. Through Vincent’s Network contacts, Cade and Lecia are able to find adequate care for Miles at a facility that understands his condition.
Aside from his unusual ability, Miles shows an affinity for several other skills, from writing as a result of his extensive vocabulary, to singing and dancing. But a dark side also appears: in the notebook he uses to list new words he learns, he’s keeping a separate list—of people who he plans to make disappear. AVAILABLE ON:AMAZON
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ABOUT MICHELE SIMSMichele Sims is the "author-ego" of Deanna McNeil, MD and creator of the Moore Family Saga and the Fire God Series. She loves writing hot love stories and women's fiction with multidimensional characters in multigenerational families. She is the recipient of the 2018 RSJ Aspiring Author Award and first runner up in the Introvert Press Poetry Contest for February 2018. She is a member of the LRWA, in Charleston, SC and the From The Heart Romance Writers’ online group.

She lives in South Carolina with her husband who has been her soulmate and greatest cheerleader. She is the proud mother of two adult sons and the auntie to many loved ones. When she's not writing, she's trying to remember the importance of exercise, travelling, listening to different genres of music, and observing the wonders of life on this marvelous planet.
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