Empi Baryeh's Blog, page 20

#BookRelease: In These Streets by Shelly Ellis | @ellisromance @honmagpr

They beat the odds and turned their lives around. But now three best friends will go head-to-head with ambition, deception--and each other . . .

BLURB

Derrick. Ricky. Jamal. One's responsible; one's still a player; one's upwardly-mobile. Sentenced to the Branch Avenue Boys' Youth Institute at twelve, they grabbed the chance for better futures. They stayed tight even when their lives diverged--but the times . . . they are a-changing.

New deputy mayor Jamal is anti-corruption, which means severing ties with Ricky, now a "criminally-adjacent" businessman. But political power plays and unrequited love will lead Jamal to a lethal choice . . .

Ricky doesn't mind running a front for DC's biggest drug dealer, but when he pursues a sexy customer at his strip club and discovers she's a cop, any wrong move could end Ricky's good times permanently . . .

Now the Institute's new leader, Derrick is torn between his job and his fiancée, Melissa. But when a cute new instructor who supports him and his mission arrives, he wonders if he should leave Melissa behind, not the Institute. However, this dilemma is nothing compared to a problem brewing right under his nose, and the fallout will strike at the heart of the three friends' bond--and put more than their survival on the line . . .

Available On:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | BAM | IndieboundEXCERPTCHAPTER 1
DerrickDerrick was throwing his satchel over his shoulder and slamming shut one of his file cabinet drawers when he heard the thump. He paused and squinted at his office wall where a white board, family photos, and his framed college degrees hung.
"What the hell," he murmured.
Thump! Thump!
This time the picture frames clacked and rattled against the drywall, like they had received a seismic jolt from the ground two stories below.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Derrick then heard a muffled chorus of male shouts. They sounded like they were coming from farther down the hall.
"Whup that nigga's ass!" someone shouted.
"Get 'em Nico! Get 'em!" another boy yelled.
Derrick closed his eyes. "Damn," he muttered, finally realizing exactly what he was hearing.
It sounded like a fight had just erupted at the Branch Avenue Boys' Youth Institute — a big one. And as the Institute's director it was his job to help break it up, which meant he wouldn't be heading home yet despite the long ass day he'd had.
"Shit," he murmured as he yanked his satchel off his shoulder and tossed the leather bag into his rolling chair.
Derrick had sat through a half dozen meetings today. One had been with a carpentry instructor who'd announced he would be leaving the Institute at the end of the month for a better, well-paid job, leaving Derrick in a lurch to find his replacement. Another meeting had been with a mother who had begged Derrick to let her sixteen-year-old son, Cole, into the Institute's rehabilitation program because she was terrified of what would happen to the teen if the city sent him to the local detention center for his drug charge. When she started crying and literally dropped to her knees on the linoleum floor, Derrick finally caved. He'd told her yes; he'd find a spot for her son — even though the Institute already had a waitlist twenty deep. He didn't know where he would find space for the boy, but he would make it work, somehow — like he always did.
But once the clock on his wall struck five, Derrick had felt his shoulders sink with the weight of exhaustion. He'd just wanted to go home, have dinner with his fiancée, Melissa, and meet up with his boys, Ricky and Jamal, for drinks later. It was a monthly ritual they'd had for nearly a decade and he had never skipped out on them before.
But it looked like he wouldn't be able to do any of that anytime soon thanks to the brawl in the office hall.
Derrick grabbed his walkie-talkie and jogged around his desk, grumbling to himself as he whipped opened his office door.
"Otis! Otis!" he called into the walkie-talkie. "Otis, we need help on the second floor! Can you send someone up?" He got only static in response.
Guess I'll have to do this all by myself then, he thought with exasperation.
Derrick clipped his walkie-talkie onto his belt and quickly undid the cuffs of his shirt. He rolled his sleeves up to his forearms, revealing a series of tattoos and a few brands from his younger days.
He ran into the corridor, and the muffled shouts became a full roar. It was hard to see exactly who was fighting because nearly a dozen boys were huddled in a tight circle, not far from the door leading to the stairwell. They jumped and shoved to get a better view. As he ran toward them, he noticed the bedraggled-looking counselor standing in one of the classroom doorways. Her pale, wrinkled face was crumpled like she was about to burst into tears.
"I tried calling Otis!" she shouted to Derrick. "I really did, but he's not answering."
"I did too," he said.
Otis was the head security guard on staff at the Institute. He'd been a burly, intimidating corrections officer back in the day, but now he was just fat and lazy. Even the boys liked to call him Officer Twinkie behind his back. Otis was content to hide in the rec room, stuffing his face full of donuts while he watched talk shows on the staff flat screen. He would increasingly turn down the volume of his walkie-talkie so the static wouldn't interfere with his TV watching during the day, which would explain why he hadn't responded to the emergency call about the fight in the hallway. But considering that Otis was responsible for supervising all security, this was unacceptable.
Guess it's time to finally replace Otis, too.
It was yet another task he'd have to add to the growing list for the week.
Derrick nodded at the counselor. "Don't worry. I've got it! Just stand back, okay?"
She didn't look convinced, but shrank back into the classroom anyway when another thud ricocheted down the hall.
Derrick had a better view now. He could see that only two boys were tussling while the rest were cheering them on. Their T-shirts were ripped. One had the other in a headlock. The shorter of the two, who was in the headlock, was punching the other in the gut. Blood poured from the corner of the taller boy's mouth. They slammed against the drywall again, knocking down one of the Institute's plaques and sending it crashing to the floor.Derrick took a deep breath and plunged forward like a man diving into an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
He yanked one boy back, a fat one who was nearly his size. The boy turned with his fist raised and then lowered it when he realized who was standing beside him.
"Oh, hey, Mr. Derrick!" he shouted as Derrick shoved another boy aside, then another. Finally, he was in the center of the circle.
"Stop this shit, right now!" he shouted, reaching for the two boys.
The shorter one was no longer in a headlock. His fists were up. He looked prepared to take a swing.
"I mean it! Don't make me have to —"
Derrick's words were stopped short by a punch to the face.
* * *
"Hey, baby!" Melissa called out as Derrick opened the apartment door. "You got home just in time! Dinner's almost done."
Their Calico cat, Brownie, greeted him as he closed the door behind him. The chubby cat rubbed its head and body against Derrick's pant leg and he leaned down to rub her back in return, then dropped his satchel to the floor. Despite the tissue stuffed up his nose, Derrick caught a whiff of the stir fry his fiancée was cooking. He could hear it sizzling in the kitchen too.
"How was your day?" she shouted to him as he walked down the short hall leading to their eat-in kitchen.
He passed their hallway mirror and winced.
Even though some of his shoulder-length dreads were hanging in his face, he could still see bruises blooming on his nose and his left cheek just a few shades darker than his mahogany skin. They would probably be purple by tomorrow. Blood was on his shirt, near the breast pocket.
"It was a little rough," he mumbled to Melissa as he tugged the bloody tissues from his nostrils, sighing at his reflection. "Just glad it's over."
He then rounded the corner and saw Melissa standing at their stove, wearing a tank top, yoga pants, and no shoes, slaving over dinner and looking as beautiful as ever. Her long, elegant neck and smooth, brown shoulders were on full display thanks to her braids being piled atop her head in a colorful kente wrap. She hummed absently to Jill Scott on their stereo as she cooked, tossing a cup of snow peas into the stir fry.
She had been humming when he first met her almost twenty years ago at the Boys' Institute. That day he'd been sweeping the foyer — one of his daily chores during the two years he'd served at the Institute for his assault charge. Melissa had been on her way to visit her father, the Institute's then director, Theo Stone or Mr. Theo. She had been humming a tune by Aaliyah and bobbing her head to the music. Her eyes had been closed. She'd stopped short when she bumped into Derrick.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" she'd said, pulling her headphones from her ears and smiling bashfully up at him. "I didn't see you there."But he had seen her. He had been staring at her as she unknowingly walked straight into him and he hadn't moved an inch to stop the collision, too amazed by the lovely creature in front of him.
"I-I'm D-D-Derrick," he'd blurted out in response, making her smile widen. "You can call m-me Dee, though. E-e-everyone here c-c-calls me Dee. B-but my name is r-really Derrick.""Hey, Dee! I'm Melissa," she'd replied — and he had been in love with her ever since.
Today, she was smiling again as he leaned down and kissed her bare shoulder, making her giggle. She turned away from the stove to face him and pointed toward the refrigerator with her wooden spatula. "Can you grab the wine I have chilling in the ..."
Her words drifted off. Her smile instantly disappeared."What the hell happened to you?" she screeched, dropping the spatula to the granite counter and turning off the oven burners. She reached up for his face and gently touched the bruise on his cheek, grimacing. "Who did this, Dee? Did you get mugged or somethin'?"
He shook his head and exhaled. He then turned slightly to toss his bloody tissues into the kitchen waste bin. "No, I broke up a fight between a couple of the boys today. That's all."
"That's all? That's all?" She slowly shook her head. "If you were breaking up the fight then how the hell did you end up being the one who got stomped?"
"I didn't 'get stomped.'" He tugged her hand from his face. "The boys were swinging and accidentally hit me a few times. It happens. Neither of them meant to do it. They apologized when they settled down."
"Oh, they apologized! Well, I guess that makes it okay then!" she exclaimed sarcastically before crossing her arms over her chest.
"Look, I took care of it. That's all that matters." He grabbed one of the ceramic plates on the counter and peered down into the wok on the stove. "You didn't put too much sriracha in here, did you? You know I don't like it too hot, baby."
He raised his gaze when she stomped her bare foot.
"Derrick Miller, are you really asking me about some damn chili pepper sauce when you walked through the front door with a bloody nose, a ripped shirt" — she said, fingering his torn shirt collar — "and a busted face like you just stumbled out of a boxing ring? This is not cool! It's not right! You shouldn't have to —"
"And what exactly do you want me to do about it? Huh?" he asked, not having the energy or patience to mask his irritation. "It's part of the damn job. You of all people should know that!"
She fell silent and pursed her lips.
He hadn't meant to lash out at her, but he didn't come home to start an argument. He just wanted to eat dinner and spend some coveted alone time with his girl. Was that too much to ask? Besides, Melissa had grown up knowing how the Boys' Institute operated. Her father had been at the helm of the place for more than thirty years before he retired four years ago, and Derrick had taken over as director. She'd had a front row seat to the horror stories that came with running a place like the Institute, but she also knew the highs and the joys you experienced seeing children that society had basically thrown away get a second chance.
"Look, baby, it was a bad day." He sat down his plate, reached out, and wrapped his arms around her. "But I handled it." He forced a smile. "Trust me, the bruises look worse than they feel."But his soothing words weren't working their magic. She still stubbornly shook her head. "Enough is enough, Dee. I'm a teacher who loves my kids too, but there is no way — no way I'd put up with half the shit that you do. They accidentally hit you today. What if they accidentally stab you or shoot you tomorrow?"
He sucked his teeth in exasperation.
"I mean some of those boys are hard-core criminals. Some of them —"
"— are just like who I was twenty years ago," he finished for her, dropping his arms from around her waist. "Come on, Lissa. You want me to be a hypocrite?"
"They are nothing like how you were. Don't give me that shit! You guys were in there for petty crimes — getting into school fights and shoplifting from corner stores. Some of these boys are facing first-degree-assault and drug smuggling charges, Dee. The city is making that place the dumping ground for kids everyone else is too terrified keep in their classrooms!"
"Which is exactly why I want them with me. I know who they are. I've been where they are. I won't give up on them the way everyone else has. Theo wouldn't have given up on them either!"She stiffened. He watched as she narrowed her dark eyes. "Are you really going to bring him up?"
"Why shouldn't I? What I said about your dad is true. You know he loved those kids. He still does."
"Oh, yeah, he loved them. He loved them so much that he was willing to sacrifice his marriage, his family, and his life for them. He made it clear to me, Mama, and everyone else that the boys at the Institute were the most important things in the world to him — even more important than us. And then, when he was ready to retire and we thought we finally had him all to ourselves, he went gay and ran off with some dude!"
Derrick winced. Maybe he shouldn't have brought up her father after all.
She looked Derrick up and down. "So is that what you're trying to tell me? You really want to be just like my daddy? Because if it is, I can give you this ring back right now." She held up her hand and pointed to the solitaire diamond on her finger.At that, his shoulders slumped. All his rising anger dissipated. "Baby, you know that's ... that's not what I meant. I love you. I do! It's just ... I love my job too, and the boys need me ... and ... and ..."
He couldn't find the right words so he let the sentence drift off into silence and raked his fingers through his dreads in frustration instead.
"Enjoy your dinner. I didn't put any sriracha in it this time, so you should like it," she muttered, wiping her hands on a dish towel, tossing it aside, and stepping around him.
"Come on, baby, don't be that way." He reached out for her and tried to draw her close again, but she pulled out of his grasp.
"Tell Ricky and Jamal I said 'Hey,' when you see them tonight, okay?" she called over her shoulder as she walked out of the kitchen and down the hall to their bedroom. She then bent down and scooped their cat into her arms. "Come on, Brownie. Let's go grade some papers."
Derrick heard their bedroom door slam shut seconds later.

"Shit," he said before roughly scrubbing his hand over his face. "Oww, shit!" he said again, wincing reflexively at the pain in his cheek.




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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.

Author site | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page

Chancing Faith Wins 3rd Place Ayi Kwei Armah Novel Award 2018 #ChancingFaith @empibaryeh

Hi folks!

First of all, let me wish my American friends and fans a Happy Thanksgiving. I hope you all had a wonderful time with your loved ones. Over here, in Ghana, we don't have an official Thanksgiving, but we've certainly already got into the spirit of the Holidays.

I have some good news to share.

 Last night, Chancing Faith won third place (out of twenty-one entries) in the 'novel' category of the Ghana Association of Writers (GAW) Literary Awards 2018. The novel category of the awards is named after renowned Ghanaian author, Ayi Kwei Armah, who is known for The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born.

I can't tell you how thrilled I am, not just for winning this award, but especially because a romance novel placed so high in a general fiction award.

While I have some general Women's Fiction in the works (more on that in due course), this award has affirmed my choice to focus more on the romance genre as a Ghanaian author. The recognition of romance fiction on an equal standing as general fiction is the icing on the cake, as far as I'm concerned.

Check out my Instagram post for a few more photos from last night.

mP

Royal House of Saene | by @nanaprah @empibaryeh @kirutaye #CoverReveal #RHOSaene #LoveAfricaPress #Giveaway

Welcome to the Sovereign Kingdom of BagumiThe Kingdom of Bagumi is one of the last intact African monarch states. Treaties and alliances over several centuries have ensured their continued dominance in the region.
Each generation of the powerful and proud Royal House of Saene is bound by loyalty to their family and duty to protecting their nation.
However, soon, long-trusted traditions come under attack and change becomes inevitable, especially when love clashes with duty.
Royal House of Saene: The Princesses#RHOSAENE #LOVEAFRICAPRESSRelease Date: Dec 14, 2018Published by: Love Africa Press
The long-standing, distinguished Royal House of Saene is about to be rocked by three sexy, determined interlopers. Princesses Amira, India and Isha may have to choose between sacrificing their hearts or their kingdom.
Book 1: A spoilt princess and a commoner … a match made online.Book 2: A widowed princess and a reluctant king … a match shrouded in suspicion.Book 3: A crusading princess and a freedom fighter … a match built on conflict.
His Defiant Princess by Nana PrahGenre: Interracial Romance
Princess Amira Saene has always done the right thing when it came to her beloved Kingdom of Bagumi. Yet her unorthodox online relationship with a man across the sea has derailed her from cultural norms. She doesn’t care. After a year of communicating, the man she’s developed feelings for comes to visit. Their chemistry is intense and she tumbles the rest of the way into love. With the threat of war looming over her country, Amira is thrown in the middle as a peacemaker through an arranged marriage.
Jake Pettersen never thought he’d meet the woman of his dreams, much less online. Flying thousands of miles to West Africa to meet her verifies that the feelings he’s developed are real. Too bad her family doesn’t think he’s worthy of her. When he learns that Amira has been betrothed, he must decide whether to fight for her or accept the loss for the sake of her homeland.
Is their happiness worth the devastation of her country?
BOOK LINKSAdd to Goodreads TBR: http://ow.ly/EeHc30mxRcAAll Buy Links: http://ow.ly/Uh7x30mxR23
CONNECT WITH NANA PRAHW: www.nanaprah.comF: https://www.facebook.com/NanaPrah.Author/T: https://twitter.com/NanaPrahIG: https://www.instagram.com/nanaprahauthor/


BOOK TWO: 
His Inherited Princess by Empi BaryehGenre: Contemporary Romance

India Saene, Princess of Bagumi, must enter a marriage alliance to save her kingdom from an economic crisis. Tragedy strikes when her husband of a few hours is killed in an accident on the way to their honeymoon. She recovers from a coma two weeks later to discover she has been inherited by her husband's younger brother!
Sheikh Omar El Dansuri has never wanted to be king, nor does he desire a wife. However, when his older brother dies, he not only becomes the future king of Sudar, but he also inherits his brother’s bride through an age-old tradition. Falling for the headstrong India is out the question especially when evidence points to her as his brother’s killer.
Neither India nor Omar wanted this marriage, but the passion that burns between them cannot be denied. When India’s secret is revealed, will either of them survive the consequences?


BOOK LINKSAdd to Goodreads TBR: http://ow.ly/rofU30mxRgRAll Buy Links: http://ow.ly/ekAY30mxR3H
CONNECT WITH EMPI BARYEHW: www.empibaryeh.comF: https://www.facebook.com/empibaryeh/T: https://twitter.com/empibaryehIG: https://www.instagram.com/empibaryeh/


BOOK THREE:
His Captive Princess by Kiru TayeGenre: Romantic Suspense
Isha Saene has perfected the act of balancing her life—a celebrated corporate negotiator spearheading an international trade deal that could catapult her country to one of the fastest growing mid-sized economies in Africa, and a loyal First Princess of Bagumi Kingdom set to seal ties with a neighbouring nation through marriage.
Until one careless moment knocks her carefully choreographed life into chaos.
Zain Bassong has always fought for the underdog—a patriot dedicated to fighting against the oppression of his people by the country's elite. He believes the pen is mightier than the sword and chooses the diplomatic route, no matter how many times he is arrested by the repressive regime.
Until devastating news triggers a chain reaction.
Isha and Zain are thrown together and their lives change. For better or worse? They will have to figure that out before it’s too late.
BOOK LINKSAdd to Goodreads TBR: http://ow.ly/I8DP30mxRe9All Buy Links: http://ow.ly/6IDZ30mxR56
CONNECT WITH KIRU TAYEW: www.kirutaye.comF: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorKiruTaye/T: https://twitter.com/KiruTayeIG: https://www.instagram.com/kirutaye/

 



ABOUT LOVE AFRICA PRESSLove Africa Press is a publisher that celebrates all things African in genre fiction.
From the Îles des Chiens in Tunisia to Cape Agulhas in South Africa, Santo Antao in Cape Verde to Rodrigues in the Mauritian Islands, our stories take the readers on adventures across the African landscape, whether it is in cities or villages, deserts or jungles, mountains or beaches. No African location or experience is off limits.
LAP are currently accepting the following: romantic fiction, women's fiction, urban fantasy and thrillers.
Visit their website to find out how to submit your manuscript: www.loveafricapress.com
Bloggers/Reviewers: sign up to join the ARC Club and be one of the first to read our books: https://www.loveafricapress.com/advance-readers-club
Connect with Love Africa Press:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoveAfricaPress/Twitter: https://twitter.com/LoveAfricaPressInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveafricapress/Newsletter: https://www.loveafricapress.com/newsletter

GIVEAWAYLove Africa Press is giving away $25 /£20 Amazon or Kobo gift card or N10,000 Okadabooks Credit
Giveaway Code:a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Release: Captivated By His Love by Chiquita Dennie | #304Publishing #HonMagPR #Giveaway #JaniceandCarlo

She could choose to walk away, but will her decision lead to heartache or to a happily-ever-after?
Janice is on a new path after graduating college and living her dreams in the corporate world. She’s managed to handle the dating world with no commitments. After her last relationship in college ended abruptly, she wants to focus on herself and build a solid foundation. Unfortunately for her, the return of her ex-boyfriend isn’t getting her any closer to that goal.

When she meets Carlo, a mob boss who’s as sexy as he is deadly, she can’t help but be intrigued. But his lifestyle is at direct odds with what she wants in life and love. Carlo, however, isn’t making things easy for her.

She could choose to walk away, but will her decision lead to heartache or to a happily-ever-after?

Warning: Adult Content, steamy sex scenes, violence, sensitive subjects for some readers cause trigger, Spinoff from Antonio and Sabrina series. Recommended to read the Antonio and Sabrina series first for context. Can be read as a standalone.

available on:Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks
Excerpt“Janice, what do you think?” Sabrina asked.
“About what, Sabrina?” I turned away from the instructor and placed the small weight down on the floor to wipe the sweat off my face.
          "Antonio and I renewing our vows. The miscarriage still runs through my mind, and Antonio’s been nothing but overprotective, not letting me go anywhere or do anything without bodyguards.”
I remembered a week ago, we went to this new club that opened a few months ago, called Bella’s. The hottest nightclub in the City, Antonio began in Sabrina’s honor. After the craziness with Alex, Camille, and the kidnapping, he wanted to do something that would bring the old Sabrina back, the one that spoke her mind, was spontaneous, outgoing and daring. Liz and I tried to get her out of the funk she’s stayed in since everything with becoming the wife of a Mafia Kingpin.
    Shifting my feet, I prepared to do cool down stretches. “I think you should do it, but make sure Carlo and I are sitting at different tables. We’ve been doing our best to avoid each other since we split.”
Sabrina waved off the suggestion and rolled her eyes. “Tell me again why you broke up with him.”
    “Stay out of grown folks’ business,” I joked.
I glanced down at my vibrating phone.  Blocked number.  It’s either Trevor still trying to get back together or a bill collector. Either way, I have no time to deal with either person.
    “Okay, can we do lunch now? We’ve worked up an appetite,” I asked.
Taking a sip of her water and grabbing her yoga mat, Sabrina nodded and followed behind me out of the room. We headed to shower and redress.
    “You know he’s dating someone. I like her, Janice.”
    “Good for him,” I mumbled underneath my breath, for I didn’t care to hear about Carlo’s latest bimbo he’s parading around the city. Annoyed with the entire conversation, I slammed the locker door, walked into the shower, tested the water and washed up.
    “Janice, you’re the last person that should get mad about Carlo dating. Don’t you recall at our wedding how much he stuck to you and declared his love? For someone that stayed in my business about Antonio, you really can’t take your own advice.”


 
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about chiquita dennie Chiquita is an Author and Entrepreneur. Born in Memphis, TN, and currently a Los Angeles CA native. Her background in film/tv has taught and shaped her passion for writing with her debut romance novel Antonio and Sabrina Struck In Love. Since its debut, fans have embraced the unconventional love story of Sabrina Washington and Antonio De Luca making Antonio and Sabrina Struck In Love an Amazon Best Seller on the charts in Italian Drama, African American Drama. More to come from 304 Publishing Company a brand new home for indie authors.

Also, follow her other Author page, Keke Renee, and catch her latest releases for Erotic, Dark, Paranormal Romance.

Author Site | Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Bookbub | Amazon Author Page

OPEN TOUR - Royal House of Saene: The Princesses | #ComingSoon #RHoS @nanaprah @empibaryeh @kirutaye

his defiant princess by nana prahhis inherited princess by empi baryehhis captive princess by kiru tayeSeries: Royal House of Saene: The PrincessesStand-Alone: yesPublisher: Love Africa PressPublication Date:  December 14, 2018Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense, InterracialHeat Level: Sensual
The Kingdom on Bagumi is one of the last intact African monarch states. Treaties and alliances over several centuries have ensured their continued dominance in the region.
Each generation of the powerful and proud Royal House of Saene is bound by loyalty to their family and duty to protecting their nation.
However, soon, long-trusted traditions come under attack and change becomes inevitable, especially when love clashes with duty. Princesses Amira, India and Isha may have to choose between sacrificing their hearts or their kingdom.

Cover Reveal: November 16, 2018
Book Tour: December 17-21, 2018Release Boost: January 14, 2019ARC REQUEST OPPORTUNITY


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SIGN UP: ROYAL HOUSE OF SAENE: THE PRINCESSES SERIES

Summers' Deceit (Hunters Trilogy Book 1) Review Tour Author: Sara J. Bernhardt

Synopsis:
Jane Callahan is a reclusive, seventeen year old high school student dealing with the death of her beloved brother. Her home in Southern California with her mother is a constant reminder of her loss and pain.

In hopes of escaping her painful past she moves to North Bend Oregon to live with her father. There she meets a beautiful, boy named Aidan Summers. Jane is intrigued by his looks as well as his unusual ways of attempting to get her attention. After months of unusual conversation and frustration, an uncertain romance brews between Jane and Aidan, but Aidan has a ghastly secret that can destroy everything




MY REVIEW

The story starts with a bang, but slows down considerably when it jumps a few years to the present. It takes a while to picks up again, but once it does it maintains the pace until the end.

Summer's Deceit revolves around a high school girl who is still mourning the death of her brother. She relocates from California (living with her mother) to Oregon (living with her dad). She reconnects with old friends and meets new ones - in particular, a pale-skinned boy named, Aidan Summers.

Although, the story doesn't openly call Aidan a vampire, and doesn't delve deep into vampire-lore, it does have a 'Twilight-y' feel to it.
I liked many things about the story such as the writing and some of the dialogue. There were a few really tender moments between the hero and heroine, but overall I found it hard to connect with them or believe their romance. It was difficult to buy into a relationship where the guy had to tell the girl 'I won't hurt you' and 'trust me' in nearly every scene. Plus, I kept picturing the characters to be younger than they were supposed to be. I also got confused at times figuring out who was whom (which could be just me).

The end brought a slight twist; not a cliffhanger per se, but hints at a sequel. Readers who enjoy Paranormal YA might like this story.

Disclaimer: I got an eARC and was happy to give an honest review

Sold! His Inherited Princess by Empi Baryeh #RoyalHouseOfSaene @EmpiBaryeh @LoveAfricaPress

I'm thrilled to announce my upcoming book, His Inherited Princess, book 2 of a multi-author romance series, the Royal House of Saene, from  Love Africa Press. The first installment of the series features three feisty African princesses and their journeys to love.

Coming soon!
His Defiant Princess (#1) by Nana PrahHis Inherited Princess (#2) by Empi BaryehHis Captive Princess (#3) by Kiru TayeCome back in a few weeks for our cover reveal party!

Love Africa Press, a publisher that celebrates all things African in romantic fiction. I'm particularly excited about this series being available on online platforms that are accessible to readers living in Africa.



LAP is currently accepting submissions for: romantic fiction, women's fiction, urban fantasy and thrillers. Make sure to follow the LAP submission guidelines.

Connect with Love Africa Press:WEBSITE | LAP ARC Club | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | NEWSLETTER


mP

Meet me at the Pa Gya! Literary Festival | #PaGya2018 @writerspg

It's confirmed! I am scheduled to be at the Pa Gya! A Literary Festival in Accra, taking place from Friday 19th - Sunday 21st October, 2018. 
Join me on Saturday, 20 October, 2018, from 4 - 5 p.m. for readings from Forest Girl and a discussion on the romance genre in Ghana. Copies of Chancing Faith will also be available.

Pa Gya! A Literary Festival in Accra is a literary arts festival put together by the Writers Project of Ghana and Goethe-Institut Ghana. The festival was created to bring together writers and lovers of literature to enjoy readings, create networks, and foster friendships and collaborations between writers and the public.

Follow Writers Project of Ghana: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
mP

Prah, Constantine and Baryeh Reviews: Mail Order Bride: Mail Order Mayor by Ashley Walter

BLURB
Some mail-order brides have secrets... sometimes, so do their husbands. 

Cadence Fairbanks was supposed to be a mail-order bride, until things went wrong.  

She’d left her old life behind her and tried to start over, but the man she was supposed to marry is back. 

He wants a second chance. 

Cadence doesn't know if she loves him anymore. 

Or does she? 

Austin Wilkes has to prove himself to her. But he’s got his own secrets, and he's still mourning for his first wife and child. 
She's not sure she can trust him, but he's not sure he can trust her. 

When the women of Angel's Reach start to go missing, Cadence vows to hunt down their kidnapper. Austin promises to help her, and the two embark on a journey that will teach them things aren't always what they seem. 

Can Cadence and Austin find the missing women before she becomes one herself? 

MY REVIEW

I've always had some fascination for historical romance and the idea of a mail order brides, so this story's had me at hello.

It started out a little slow, with the hero putting himself in harms way and hallucinating about his dead wife. However , it picked up soon after as the author introduced us to the heroine and a city inhabited predominantly by women.

Austin arrives in Angels Reach and becomes the second adult male living there. A difficult history with Cadence leads to immediate tension between them. However neither can deny their attraction to the other.

I found Austin and Cadence to be well-matched and the romance between them was sweet. 

Disclaimer: I bought my copy of this book from Amazon (for some reason, at the time of posting this review, it appears to be off Amazon)

Caine Prize for African Writing #PublishedShortStories #WritingCompetition

Hi folks!

It's been a while since I posted. I've been hiding in my editing cave polishing a story for submission. I am happy to announce that I've submitted and ready to embark on the next hero and heroine's journey.



Today, though, I'm here to mention the Caine Prize for African Writing, a registered charity whose aim is to bring African writing to a wider audience using our annual literary award. In addition to administering the Prize, the charity also works to connect readers with African writers through a series of public events, as well as helping emerging writers in Africa to enter the world of mainstream publishing through the annual Caine Prize writers’ workshop which takes place in a different African country each year.

The deadline to enter the 2019 Prize is 31st January 2019.

From what I gather, the prize is only for published, short stories (3000 - 10000 words) and can ony be submitted by a publisher.

There are extensive guidelines for entering, so check them out.

Wishing all entrants the best of luck.

mP