Empi Baryeh's Blog, page 22
July 8, 2018
You Complicate Things | Forest Girl #SexySnippet #AAromance @EmpiBaryeh
Hi and welcome to another sexy snippet. I took a break while preparing for the release of Forest Girl. Now it's out and I can share a few more sexy snippets to whet your appetite.
Today's snippet highlights Michael's dilemma as indicated in paragraph 2 of the blurb (yea, I got all academic - hehe). This piece and what follows in the scene set the tone for my hero's conflict.
Enjoy
Today's snippet highlights Michael's dilemma as indicated in paragraph 2 of the blurb (yea, I got all academic - hehe). This piece and what follows in the scene set the tone for my hero's conflict.
Enjoy
July 7, 2018
July 2, 2018
Bound to Liberty by Kiru Taye #Pre-Order #Giveaway @KiruTaye
PRE-ORDER
Title: Bound To LibertyAuthor: Kiru Taye, Kai TylerSeries: Bound, Book 5Genre: Contemporary Romance, LGBT, African-American, Romantic Suspense
BLURBAs if life isn’t tough enough for James Coker, rejected and nearly killed by family, he is also a closeted gay man in a country where being gay is outlawed. So when the first man he's ever loved gets engaged to a woman, James’s solution to heartbreak is to indulge in a holiday fling.In contrast, Ethan Eze has had life relatively easy. Born in the 'Land of the Free' and nurtured within a family where he can be whoever he wants to be, he's a military veteran who is not afraid of going for what he wants. When he meets James, Ethan wants him.Desire burns between them and soon blurs into devotion. But James is not ready to lose his heart again, certainly not to another man who can eat his cake and have it. Ethan has fought for his country. Now will he fight for love?Bound to Liberty is a story about breaking free from mental chains and living a life of boundless love.
PREORDER LINKSALL BUY LINKS: http://ow.ly/sS4m30kHNlMSmashwords: http://ow.ly/sClb30kiymMiBooks: http://ow.ly/Iq3m30kiyphB&N: http://ow.ly/LEvK30kiysI
Kobo: http://ow.ly/6k3530kiywJ
Add to Goodreads: http://ow.ly/jbnB30kiyjL
Sign up to review: http://ow.ly/wlbi30kHRNF
Enter the Giveaway:
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KAI TYLER - AUTHOR BIOKai writes queer fiction and gay romance about dangerous, forbidden men and relentless love, about gangsters with heart, antiheroes who do what they need to do to survive in a crazy world. These men commit to the lives they lead 100%—with heart, body and soul and when they fall in love you can be sure they bring the same level of passionate devotion to the people they love.Connect with KaiFacebook | Twitter (@KaiTyler) | Google+ | Tumblr | YouTube
June 27, 2018
RWOWA will be at #AfricaWrites2018 #bookfair July 1 @rwowa
Hello, readers and lovers of African romance! I'm here to tell you about Africa Writes, an annual book festival in the UK, organised by the Royal African Society. The venue is The British Library.
This year, Romance Writers of West Africa (aka RWOWA) will have a stand at the book fair showcasing books by RWOWA authors - of which I am one. While I won't be there myself, my books Chancing Faith and Forest Girl will be available (on sale), and they will be in good company (as you can see below), so make a date and don't miss out!
In addition to all the wonderful books, award-winning author, Kiru Taye, will be there in person signing her books.
There will be lots of swag, including these gorgeous RWOWA mugs!
Join our Facebook event and add it to your calendar: https://www.facebook.com/events/1808565959452183/
And visit the RWOWA stand on Sunday July 1st at Africa Writes 2018.Venue: The British Library, 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB
This year, Romance Writers of West Africa (aka RWOWA) will have a stand at the book fair showcasing books by RWOWA authors - of which I am one. While I won't be there myself, my books Chancing Faith and Forest Girl will be available (on sale), and they will be in good company (as you can see below), so make a date and don't miss out!
In addition to all the wonderful books, award-winning author, Kiru Taye, will be there in person signing her books.
There will be lots of swag, including these gorgeous RWOWA mugs!
Join our Facebook event and add it to your calendar: https://www.facebook.com/events/1808565959452183/
And visit the RWOWA stand on Sunday July 1st at Africa Writes 2018.Venue: The British Library, 96 Euston Road, London NW1 2DB
June 20, 2018
I'm at the Sizzling Summer Party #TRRParty
I'm featured today at the Sizzling Summer Party Join me and over 100 other authors in celebrating romance.Discover new authors and books, Play games, join the fun and win prizes!
Join the Party!
PS. You will need to register and be logged in at TRR before they can play the game. Registration is free and easy.
June 19, 2018
OUT NOW: Forest Girl by Empi Baryeh @EmpiBaryeh #AARomance #Africa #Giveaway
Title: FOREST GIRL
Author: Empi Baryeh
Genre: Multicultural Romance, Africa
Length: Full length novel
¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨ BLURB ¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨
Esi Afriyie has been in love with Michael Yaw Badu since childhood. When he receives a scholarship to study in America, all hope seems lost ... until he returns to Ghana ten years later. An arranged marriage contracted by their families makes her dreams come true, but does the reality of being Mrs. Michael Badu live up to the fantasy?
Michael may have married Esi, but he is in love with someone else—Forest Girl, a mystery woman he encountered just once in the forest. His heart belongs to her, and he doesn't need his beautiful wife awakening his carnal desires. He is even willing to sacrifice his marriage for another encounter with Forest Girl.
Reality is not what either Esi or Michael imagined. Esi is disillusioned; Michael feels trapped.
Will Michael give in and allow his heart to discover a love that was always meant to be, before it's too late?
¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨ BUY LINKS ¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨
Amazon US | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Smashwords
¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨ EXCERPT ¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨(PS. written in UK English)
He didn’t want to get personal. He just needed to perform the act
Michael had had every intention of sleeping on the floor tonight. He’d spent a good part of the afternoon fielding the suggestive comments a few bold men had made about tonight. It didn’t help that his manhood hardened with interest at the prospect, defying his own resolve not to touch his wife.
But she tempted him, standing there in her short night dress that barely reached the middle of her thighs. Her eyes stared at him, filled with innocence and passion all at the same time.
Turn around, Mike. Walk away before it’s too late.
She folded her arms beneath her pert breasts again, pushing them up in a manner he could not ignore. It may have been a manifestation of nerves, but his body sprang alive. He bit back a curse, realising he couldn’t walk away even if he wanted to.
He needed to consummate the marriage. If their union broke, as he wished it to, it couldn’t be because he hadn’t claimed her as his wife in every way. Such news never remained hidden. He’d be branded as something less than a real man, and that would certainly affect the elders’ already doubtful opinion of him.
However, when he took a step towards her, he knew at the back of his mind that it wasn’t out of obligation. He wanted to taste her lips again, feel her soft breasts press against his chest, know the taste of her tongue and every other secret part of her body.
“Put your arms around me, Esi,” he whispered.
Keep quiet, man. Talking made things personal. He didn’t want to get personal. He just needed to perform the act.
As she draped her arms around his neck, he lowered his head, so she wouldn’t have to stand on her toes. The gesture brought her face inches away from his. He closed the rest of the space between them, capturing her lips as he kissed her, gently at first, then more urgently as he lost control.
She tasted great; she smelled divine. Against all his convictions, he genuinely wanted her. At the core of it brewed an unexpected yearning in his heart that he didn’t attempt to understand. One thing was certain. Sex with her would be anything but casual—a thought that scared him, yet not enough for him to stop.
He didn’t know when he undressed her, but when they reached the bed, she was naked. He fumbled to take his clothes off.
¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨ WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨
There are not enough words to describe how much I loved this story. The author painted a vivid picture with her fantastical storytelling. She crafted a story that made you fall in love with the characters and their stories that they had to tell. ~ Cranky - The Book Curmudgeon
¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨ CONNECT WITH ME ¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨Facebook | Twitter | Website | Google+ | Pinterest | Goodreads | Amazon
¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨ GIVEAWAY ¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨
Enter below for a chance to win a $10 Amazon GC or Paypal credit or GH₵45 BookNook Store coupon (for Ghanaian residents).
a Rafflecopter giveaway
June 14, 2018
#BookReview: Bound to Fate by Kiru Taye @kirutaye
I chose to read Bound to Fate (Bound series #1) by Kiru Taye since I read and enjoyed the sequel Bound to Ransom (#2). Since my normal preference would have been to start from book 1, I decided to rectify that.Here's the Blurb
Lara Johnson is coping with the emotional scars of losing both parents in a tragic incident and facing the challenges of starting a new school. Getting involved in a relationship isn't on her priority list. Certainly not this illicit desire for a man, who demands the best from her, yet leaves her breathless in his presence.
All Ike Thomas wants to do is to keep out of trouble and get through the one year internship required for his degree program. But trouble finds him, in the form of an intelligent and brave girl who turns his world upside down. Falling in love is forbidden. So why does it feel so right?
A love like theirs cannot be denied. But catastrophe lies in wait and one night changes their lives forever.
Bound to Fate is a story about surviving tragedy, forgiveness, and the overwhelming love that pulls through against the odds.
Content warning: This book contains scenes that might be triggering for some readers.
MY REVIEW
Bound to Fate starts out with a forbidden love between Lara Ike. Their attraction is instant and mutual, and their romance is sweet. I found myself rooting for Lara and Ike from the moment they met even when their relationship was forbidden. I couldn't wait to see how their innocent love progressed to a HEA.
As we all know, young love usually faces some challenges, and this is no different. Lara and Ike are in different spaces in their lives; being together would come at a cost that may be too high to pay. The blurb says one night changes everything, but it is more like a series of events that culminate in one big catastrophe.
Luckily for us, they meet again when five years of life has happened to both, but their attraction hasn't waned. However, they need to address those series of events from their past and the emotional scars they've acquired.
Ms Taye did a great job demonstrating the purity of young love, the foolishness of youth and the consequences of everyday decisions. The characters were diverse and well-rounded and carried the story from beginning to end. I cared about Ike and Lara and found my heart squeezing and melting in several places. I couldn't wait to experience their healing with them. This story is simple and yet complicated, and I thorough enjoyed the read. It reminded me why I love sweet romance.
(Check out my review of Bound to Ransom)
June 12, 2018
Why did he have to be...perfect | Read Chapter One: Part 4 of Forest Girl #ComingSoon #PreOrder #AAromance
¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨ 1 WEEK TO GO.•´¨❥¸.•´¨
A huge thank you to those who came by the past four weeks to read the excerpts, and especially to all who left me a comment. I hope you enjoy this week's excerpt too.
If you missed the first two posts, here are the links:PrologueChapter 1: part 1Chapter 1: part 2Chapter 1: part 3
¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨ BLURB¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨Esi Afriyie has been in love with Michael Yaw Badu since childhood. When he receives a scholarship to study in America, all hope seems lost ... until he returns to Ghana ten years later. An arranged marriage contracted by their families makes her dreams come true, but does the reality of being Mrs. Michael Badu live up to the fantasy?
Michael may have married Esi, but he is in love with someone else—Forest Girl, a mystery woman he encountered just once in the forest. His heart belongs to her, and he doesn't need his beautiful wife awakening his carnal desires. He is even willing to sacrifice his marriage for another encounter with Forest Girl.
Reality is not what either Esi or Michael imagined. Esi is disillusioned; Michael feels trapped.
Will Michael give in and allow his heart to discover a love that was always meant to be, before it's too late?
¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨PRE-ORDER NOW¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨Amazon USAmazon UK Amazon CA(and all other Amazon outlets)
Smashwords (more outlets coming soon)
¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨EXCERPT¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨(PS. written in UK English)
Her heart thudded. Already? The excitement in her friend’s eyes meant only one thing, and yet, she had to ask, “Who?” “Your husband. He arrived yesterday.”Esi’s throat went dry, and her heart pounded. “Don’t be silly. When did you ever attend my marriage ceremony?”“You know I’m talking about Yaw Badu.”The mere mention of his name still caused her heart to beat like the town crier’s drums. Michael Yaw Badu. How could she ever forget him? His handsome face—an unmistakable feature—his intelligence and diligence, with an almost offensive sense of determination. People said he could be proud and had a jealous streak, but that was so long ago. He would have changed by now. She just knew it.“Yaw Badu.” She sighed.A ripple of excitement forked through her. Talk of his return had been rampant lately, although no one had said exactly when he’d arrive. Knowing he was already here made her heart skip several beats. Still vivid in her mind were memories of days in their youth, when she and Mansa had both wished he would take notice of them. In time, Mansa’s infatuation had faded, but Esi’s hadn’t. “With hair like soft black cotton,” Mansa added, fanning the flames of Esi’s excitement. “I haven’t seen him yet, but I hear he’s even more handsome than before.”Esi couldn’t picture how he could be more handsome. He’d always been the best-looking man she’d ever known. “I hear he’s studied a lot about the way the Whiteman farms,” Mansa said. “How do you suppose they do it?” “Don’t you remember what our teachers told us? They add chemicals—fertilisers—to the soil, so the plants can have more food and grow faster,” she explained.Usually, her response would have been due to her desire to share her knowledge, but right now, she was more interested in changing the subject. “Some of us didn’t have the chance to go to school for as long as you did.” Oblivious to Esi’s discomfort, Mansa went on, “Do you suppose he has a wife in Accra? Maybe even a white woman.” She hadn’t allowed herself to think about the possibility, which would bring all her dreams to a crashing halt. Perhaps she had been silly still fantasising of becoming his wife when he’d had nothing but a passing awareness of her. Excitement continued to brew within her as the alternative to Mansa’s comment imposed itself on her mind. What if he hadn’t found a wife? Would she see him? Would he recognise her? What if he didn’t? There were too many questions without answers.Suddenly, the ‘good news’ of Michael’s arrival didn’t feel good anymore. “I have to go,” Mansa said. “I just passed by to tell you.”Esi returned to the kitchen after bidding goodbye to her friend.“What did she want?” her mother asked.Esi took in a breath, releasing it slowly. “She says Yaw Badu has arrived in Ebinom.”“Thanks to Ɔdomankoma,” her mother offered a prayer. “I know Maame Badu has been anxious to see her son again.”As she returned her attention to the soup, Esi’s whole frame shivered with anxiety at the very thought of his nearness. It was a most uncomfortable feeling, which scared her and excited her all at once. Oh, why did she feel this way? Why hadn’t she grown up, like Mansa, after all these years?When she went to bed at night, sleep eluded her. She tossed and turned until, at a certain point, she had to give up the effort to sleep. Sitting up in bed, she rubbed her sweat-glazed skin, shivering so much that she thought she’d fall sick.On the other half of the bed, Abena slept peacefully, and Esi envied her. Why couldn’t she feel free to sleep like her sister? She burned with anger at herself for not understanding her feelings and with him for being so…perfect.How was she ever going to have some sleep when every single blink of her eyes brought her images of Michael Badu?
I hope you enjoyed teh Did you enjoy this excerpt? Please, leave me a comment and remember to come back next week for my release party.
Add Forest Girl to your Goodreads TBR.
Share this post by using the social media share buttons below.
¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨GIVEAWAY¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨
Enter below for a chance to win a $10 Amazon GC or Paypal credit or GH₵45 BookNook Store coupon (for Ghanaian residents).
a Rafflecopter giveaway
A huge thank you to those who came by the past four weeks to read the excerpts, and especially to all who left me a comment. I hope you enjoy this week's excerpt too.
If you missed the first two posts, here are the links:PrologueChapter 1: part 1Chapter 1: part 2Chapter 1: part 3
¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨ BLURB¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨Esi Afriyie has been in love with Michael Yaw Badu since childhood. When he receives a scholarship to study in America, all hope seems lost ... until he returns to Ghana ten years later. An arranged marriage contracted by their families makes her dreams come true, but does the reality of being Mrs. Michael Badu live up to the fantasy?
Michael may have married Esi, but he is in love with someone else—Forest Girl, a mystery woman he encountered just once in the forest. His heart belongs to her, and he doesn't need his beautiful wife awakening his carnal desires. He is even willing to sacrifice his marriage for another encounter with Forest Girl.
Reality is not what either Esi or Michael imagined. Esi is disillusioned; Michael feels trapped.
Will Michael give in and allow his heart to discover a love that was always meant to be, before it's too late?
¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨PRE-ORDER NOW¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨Amazon USAmazon UK Amazon CA(and all other Amazon outlets)
Smashwords (more outlets coming soon)
¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨EXCERPT¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨(PS. written in UK English)
Her heart thudded. Already? The excitement in her friend’s eyes meant only one thing, and yet, she had to ask, “Who?” “Your husband. He arrived yesterday.”Esi’s throat went dry, and her heart pounded. “Don’t be silly. When did you ever attend my marriage ceremony?”“You know I’m talking about Yaw Badu.”The mere mention of his name still caused her heart to beat like the town crier’s drums. Michael Yaw Badu. How could she ever forget him? His handsome face—an unmistakable feature—his intelligence and diligence, with an almost offensive sense of determination. People said he could be proud and had a jealous streak, but that was so long ago. He would have changed by now. She just knew it.“Yaw Badu.” She sighed.A ripple of excitement forked through her. Talk of his return had been rampant lately, although no one had said exactly when he’d arrive. Knowing he was already here made her heart skip several beats. Still vivid in her mind were memories of days in their youth, when she and Mansa had both wished he would take notice of them. In time, Mansa’s infatuation had faded, but Esi’s hadn’t. “With hair like soft black cotton,” Mansa added, fanning the flames of Esi’s excitement. “I haven’t seen him yet, but I hear he’s even more handsome than before.”Esi couldn’t picture how he could be more handsome. He’d always been the best-looking man she’d ever known. “I hear he’s studied a lot about the way the Whiteman farms,” Mansa said. “How do you suppose they do it?” “Don’t you remember what our teachers told us? They add chemicals—fertilisers—to the soil, so the plants can have more food and grow faster,” she explained.Usually, her response would have been due to her desire to share her knowledge, but right now, she was more interested in changing the subject. “Some of us didn’t have the chance to go to school for as long as you did.” Oblivious to Esi’s discomfort, Mansa went on, “Do you suppose he has a wife in Accra? Maybe even a white woman.” She hadn’t allowed herself to think about the possibility, which would bring all her dreams to a crashing halt. Perhaps she had been silly still fantasising of becoming his wife when he’d had nothing but a passing awareness of her. Excitement continued to brew within her as the alternative to Mansa’s comment imposed itself on her mind. What if he hadn’t found a wife? Would she see him? Would he recognise her? What if he didn’t? There were too many questions without answers.Suddenly, the ‘good news’ of Michael’s arrival didn’t feel good anymore. “I have to go,” Mansa said. “I just passed by to tell you.”Esi returned to the kitchen after bidding goodbye to her friend.“What did she want?” her mother asked.Esi took in a breath, releasing it slowly. “She says Yaw Badu has arrived in Ebinom.”“Thanks to Ɔdomankoma,” her mother offered a prayer. “I know Maame Badu has been anxious to see her son again.”As she returned her attention to the soup, Esi’s whole frame shivered with anxiety at the very thought of his nearness. It was a most uncomfortable feeling, which scared her and excited her all at once. Oh, why did she feel this way? Why hadn’t she grown up, like Mansa, after all these years?When she went to bed at night, sleep eluded her. She tossed and turned until, at a certain point, she had to give up the effort to sleep. Sitting up in bed, she rubbed her sweat-glazed skin, shivering so much that she thought she’d fall sick.On the other half of the bed, Abena slept peacefully, and Esi envied her. Why couldn’t she feel free to sleep like her sister? She burned with anger at herself for not understanding her feelings and with him for being so…perfect.How was she ever going to have some sleep when every single blink of her eyes brought her images of Michael Badu?
I hope you enjoyed teh Did you enjoy this excerpt? Please, leave me a comment and remember to come back next week for my release party.
Add Forest Girl to your Goodreads TBR.
Share this post by using the social media share buttons below.
¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨GIVEAWAY¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨
Enter below for a chance to win a $10 Amazon GC or Paypal credit or GH₵45 BookNook Store coupon (for Ghanaian residents).
a Rafflecopter giveaway
June 11, 2018
Prah, Constantine and Baryeh Reviews: Her Perfect Catch by K. L. Brady #PBCReviews
It's June! That means we're back with our (now) once-every-two-months three-in-one reviews (phew, that was a mouth full). We chose Her Perfect Catch, which is book 1 in the Playmaker series by K. L. Brady.
Here's the blurb:
A CATCH MADE IN HEAVENWhen Melanie got hit in the head with a football, Jet got struck in the heart with Cupid's arrow. Only one thing stands between them and forever -- her sexy best friend, Dylan.
Nerdy sportswriter Melanie Vincent is always one step from happiness--close enough to see it but too far to reach it. She fell in love with the man she could never have – and a dream job that is circling the drain. But all that is about to change. After years of pining for Dylan, her sexy best friend, she’s finally given up on the wish that he’ll ever see her as more than a buddy, but there’s still hope for saving her once-successful sports blog—if Mel could just find one big sports story.
All she needs is a lucky break to turn her life around – and thanks to years of faithful dog sitting, she finally gets it.
Mel is gifted with a pair of Super Bowl tickets for her years of faithful care and feeding of an adorable Jack-a-poo. With Dylan along for the ride, she arrives for the big show and is thrust into a chance encounter with her favorite football star, wide receiver Jet Jamison. Their “instant connection” leads to the inside scoop on the biggest story of her career – and maybe the love of a lifetime.
HER PERFECT CATCH is a sweet, charming story filled with enough romance, hilarity, and drama to keep the pages turning and the heart warm. Pick up this story today and discover why we can never take love for granted or the perfect catch may slip through our grasp.
MY REVIEW
For most of the story, Mel shows feelings for both Dylan and Jet, and both guys seem to also have feelings for her. Jet wines and dines Melanie, and the two appear to be headed for an ever-after, until Mel's big secret comes out. Meanwhile, Dylan is making a career plans that will take him to another city.
The three main characters in this story--Melanie, Jet and Dylan--are likable and I enjoyed the dynamics between Mel and Jet as well as between Mel and Dylan.
This is a well-written story, but it misses the most basic ingredient about romance for me. We don't really know who the hero of the story is until the end. While we are able to get into Mel's head and see what she's thinking and feeling, the same cannot be said about the hero. I would have enjoyed the story more if I'd had the same level of insight into both Jet's and Dylan's hearts; this made for a less-than-satisfactory HEA.
June 5, 2018
He has returned | Read Chapter one: Part 3 of Forest Girl #ComingSoon #PreOrder #AAromance
2 Weeks to release day!
A huge thank you to those who came by the past three weeks to read the excerpts, and especially to all who left me a comment. I hope you enjoy this week's excerpt too.
If you missed the first two posts, here are the links:
PrologueChapter 1: part 1Chapter 1: part 2
¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨ TAGLINE¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨ He fell in love with her at first sight, but didn't recognize her when he saw her again.
¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨ BLURB¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨Esi Afriyie has been in love with Michael Yaw Badu since childhood. When he receives a scholarship to study in America, all hope seems lost ... until he returns to Ghana ten years later. An arranged marriage contracted by their families makes her dreams come true, but does the reality of being Mrs. Michael Badu live up to the fantasy?
Michael may have married Esi, but he is in love with someone else—Forest Girl, a mystery woman he encountered just once in the forest. His heart belongs to her, and he doesn't need his beautiful wife awakening his carnal desires. He is even willing to sacrifice his marriage for another encounter with Forest Girl.
Reality is not what either Esi or Michael imagined. Esi is disillusioned; Michael feels trapped.
Will Michael give in and allow his heart to discover a love that was always meant to be, before it's too late?
¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨PRE-ORDER¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨Amazon USAmazon UK Amazon CA(and all other Amazon outlets)
Smashwords (more outlets coming soon)
¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨EXCERPT¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨(PS. written in UK English)Here's Chapter one: part three where we meet Esi.Esi Afriyie entered the kitchen just as her mother and her two friends were coming out. Giving an apology and a greeting, she stepped aside and allowed them to pass. Once they were gone, she set down her basket of merchandise she’d just bought at the market and noticed the three calabashes on the floor, from which the women had drunk. Picking them up, she washed and replaced them in their usual places on the shelf.As she picked up the gourd of palm wine, a smile formed on her lips. She shook her head. Did Papa know about Mama’s secret stash; one she had occasionally allowed Esi, and her younger sister, Abena, as well as their sister-in-law, Agyeiwaa, to taste? Stowing away all incriminating evidence, she began preparing the ingredient for fufu and groundnut soup.By the time her mother re-entered the kitchen, the delicious aroma of steaming bush meat permeated the air. Esi finished preparing the wooden mortar and pestle with all the other things required to pound the cassava, plantain, and cocoyam for the fufu. “I see you’ve washed the calabashes.” Her mother gave her a conspiratorial wink. “Hasn’t Abena returned from school yet? The shadows are beginning to stretch.” “She’s in the backyard feeding the animals.” The older woman frowned. “She didn’t pass by to greet us.” Her mother left, calling out to Abena. By the time she returned, Esi had finished setting up for the next phase of cooking.“Your sister will take a while,” her mother explained. “Come and start pounding. As soon as Abena comes, you can continue with the soup while she takes over from you.”Esi grabbed the pestle and started pounding the piece of cassava her mother had placed in the mortar. As the melodious beat of the pestle against the mortar surrounded them, Esi remembered a story her mother had told about the preparation of fufu, one set in the colonial days—at a time when the Whiteman had craved his homeland, growing interest in knowing a little about the community and the culture rather than imposing his western ways on them. The colonisers had questioned the logic behind expending so much energy in pounding the crops when they could be eaten just boiled. They’d suggested a device be made whereby the people could prepare fufu without having to pound. The Ghanaian folk had been quick to oppose the idea, arguing that the unique harmony of pounding and turning fufu bred unity. There were many who wouldn’t eat fufu unless they had heard sound of pounding first. So, the tradition remained a part of the people and promised to stay with them for a very long time.“I met Auntie Yaa and Auntie Pokuaa at the market,” Esi said during a pause while her mother took out the first mound of fufu and placed a new piece of cassava in the mortar. “They asked me to greet you. I didn’t realise they were coming here.” “You know those two like chatting a lot.” “What news did they have today?” A frown came across her mother’s face. “Pokuaa said something which surprised me. She says that girl at Akosua Manu’s house…what’s her name?” “Akua,” Esi provided, half intending it as a question. She wondered if her mother had really forgotten the name or avoided it because the girl was her mother’s namesake. “Yes, that one. She says the girl has been sneaking out to the small river to meet a certain young man.”“Just rumours. Nobody has caught her there before,” Esi said, laying particular emphasis on caught. “Bro Kwame hasn’t arrived yet, has he?” Abena entered, wearing a faded-out dress she’d already outgrown but continued to keep because it was a favourite. “He usually comes back home before I do.”“Have you forgotten he went with his wife?” Esi replied. “You know when they go off to the farm together, they only return after six.” “Sometimes, I wonder what they do in the farm that they don’t want those of us at home to see,” their mother said with a coy smile as she broke a piece of the plantain and popped it into her mouth.Esi and Abena laughed at their mother’s suggestive comment. “Where are my grandchildren?” Maame Akua asked Abena. “They passed by Ma’Afia’s house to play. They’ll be home soon.” Thus went their conversation as the preparation of food progressed.“Agoo,” someone call from outside. “Amee,” their mother responded. “Come in.”Esi’s best friend, Mansa, entered.“Good afternoon, Maame Akua,” she greeted.“Good afternoon, Mansa. How are you?”“I’m fine, Auntie,” she replied. “May I borrow Esi for a few minutes? I won’t keep her long.”“Abena, come and take over,” their mother said.Esi handed over the pestle to her sister and checked on the soup before following her friend outside. She assessed Mansa’s demeanour. “What is making you smile like that?”“He has returned,” Mansa announced.
Did you enjoy this excerpt? Please, leave me a comment and remember to come back next week for more.
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A huge thank you to those who came by the past three weeks to read the excerpts, and especially to all who left me a comment. I hope you enjoy this week's excerpt too.
If you missed the first two posts, here are the links:
PrologueChapter 1: part 1Chapter 1: part 2
¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨ TAGLINE¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨ He fell in love with her at first sight, but didn't recognize her when he saw her again.¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨ BLURB¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨Esi Afriyie has been in love with Michael Yaw Badu since childhood. When he receives a scholarship to study in America, all hope seems lost ... until he returns to Ghana ten years later. An arranged marriage contracted by their families makes her dreams come true, but does the reality of being Mrs. Michael Badu live up to the fantasy?
Michael may have married Esi, but he is in love with someone else—Forest Girl, a mystery woman he encountered just once in the forest. His heart belongs to her, and he doesn't need his beautiful wife awakening his carnal desires. He is even willing to sacrifice his marriage for another encounter with Forest Girl.
Reality is not what either Esi or Michael imagined. Esi is disillusioned; Michael feels trapped.
Will Michael give in and allow his heart to discover a love that was always meant to be, before it's too late?
¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨PRE-ORDER¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨Amazon USAmazon UK Amazon CA(and all other Amazon outlets)
Smashwords (more outlets coming soon)
¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨EXCERPT¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨(PS. written in UK English)Here's Chapter one: part three where we meet Esi.Esi Afriyie entered the kitchen just as her mother and her two friends were coming out. Giving an apology and a greeting, she stepped aside and allowed them to pass. Once they were gone, she set down her basket of merchandise she’d just bought at the market and noticed the three calabashes on the floor, from which the women had drunk. Picking them up, she washed and replaced them in their usual places on the shelf.As she picked up the gourd of palm wine, a smile formed on her lips. She shook her head. Did Papa know about Mama’s secret stash; one she had occasionally allowed Esi, and her younger sister, Abena, as well as their sister-in-law, Agyeiwaa, to taste? Stowing away all incriminating evidence, she began preparing the ingredient for fufu and groundnut soup.By the time her mother re-entered the kitchen, the delicious aroma of steaming bush meat permeated the air. Esi finished preparing the wooden mortar and pestle with all the other things required to pound the cassava, plantain, and cocoyam for the fufu. “I see you’ve washed the calabashes.” Her mother gave her a conspiratorial wink. “Hasn’t Abena returned from school yet? The shadows are beginning to stretch.” “She’s in the backyard feeding the animals.” The older woman frowned. “She didn’t pass by to greet us.” Her mother left, calling out to Abena. By the time she returned, Esi had finished setting up for the next phase of cooking.“Your sister will take a while,” her mother explained. “Come and start pounding. As soon as Abena comes, you can continue with the soup while she takes over from you.”Esi grabbed the pestle and started pounding the piece of cassava her mother had placed in the mortar. As the melodious beat of the pestle against the mortar surrounded them, Esi remembered a story her mother had told about the preparation of fufu, one set in the colonial days—at a time when the Whiteman had craved his homeland, growing interest in knowing a little about the community and the culture rather than imposing his western ways on them. The colonisers had questioned the logic behind expending so much energy in pounding the crops when they could be eaten just boiled. They’d suggested a device be made whereby the people could prepare fufu without having to pound. The Ghanaian folk had been quick to oppose the idea, arguing that the unique harmony of pounding and turning fufu bred unity. There were many who wouldn’t eat fufu unless they had heard sound of pounding first. So, the tradition remained a part of the people and promised to stay with them for a very long time.“I met Auntie Yaa and Auntie Pokuaa at the market,” Esi said during a pause while her mother took out the first mound of fufu and placed a new piece of cassava in the mortar. “They asked me to greet you. I didn’t realise they were coming here.” “You know those two like chatting a lot.” “What news did they have today?” A frown came across her mother’s face. “Pokuaa said something which surprised me. She says that girl at Akosua Manu’s house…what’s her name?” “Akua,” Esi provided, half intending it as a question. She wondered if her mother had really forgotten the name or avoided it because the girl was her mother’s namesake. “Yes, that one. She says the girl has been sneaking out to the small river to meet a certain young man.”“Just rumours. Nobody has caught her there before,” Esi said, laying particular emphasis on caught. “Bro Kwame hasn’t arrived yet, has he?” Abena entered, wearing a faded-out dress she’d already outgrown but continued to keep because it was a favourite. “He usually comes back home before I do.”“Have you forgotten he went with his wife?” Esi replied. “You know when they go off to the farm together, they only return after six.” “Sometimes, I wonder what they do in the farm that they don’t want those of us at home to see,” their mother said with a coy smile as she broke a piece of the plantain and popped it into her mouth.Esi and Abena laughed at their mother’s suggestive comment. “Where are my grandchildren?” Maame Akua asked Abena. “They passed by Ma’Afia’s house to play. They’ll be home soon.” Thus went their conversation as the preparation of food progressed.“Agoo,” someone call from outside. “Amee,” their mother responded. “Come in.”Esi’s best friend, Mansa, entered.“Good afternoon, Maame Akua,” she greeted.“Good afternoon, Mansa. How are you?”“I’m fine, Auntie,” she replied. “May I borrow Esi for a few minutes? I won’t keep her long.”“Abena, come and take over,” their mother said.Esi handed over the pestle to her sister and checked on the soup before following her friend outside. She assessed Mansa’s demeanour. “What is making you smile like that?”“He has returned,” Mansa announced.
Did you enjoy this excerpt? Please, leave me a comment and remember to come back next week for more.
Share this post by using the social media share buttons below.
¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨GIVEAWAY¸.•´¨❥¸.•´¨
Enter below for a chance to win a $10 Amazon GC or Paypal credit or GH₵45 BookNook Store coupon (for Ghanaian residents).
a Rafflecopter giveaway
