Empi Baryeh's Blog, page 33

A to Z (May) Challenge

If you’ve been spending time on authors’  blogs this month, you may have noticed something going on called the A to Z challenge, which happens (I believe) every year in the month of April. Basically, bloggers are challenged to blog every day – except Sundays – in the month of April; AND blog thematically from A to Z. That leaves 26 days in the month, which makes it perfect that there are twenty-six letters of the alphabet.

I discovered this challenge late in the game and so I have decided to do my A to in May. I will blog about my all time favourite songs and I will post every day except Wednesdays, so I can continue doing Word Wednesday. That’s right, I have challenged myself to blog every single day in May! (gulp)

If it sounds interesting, I welcome you to join the challenge for May. Blog about your all time favourite songs/music thematically from A to Z – post every day expect Wednesdays. Since this is not part of the April A to Z challenge, I figured I should develop a different logo, so here goes:

If May is too soon for you, then look out for the next A to Z April Challenge.

Meanwhile, stop by my blog on 1st May for Word Wednesday and on 2nd May for Day 1 of my A to Z challenge.

Cheers,

Word Wednesday: Antepenultimate

There’s a radio show host in Ghana who just loves to use the word penultimate – it’s almost as if he recently learnt it and doesn’t want to forget it (not to be mean or anything). But it is a word I like, so I’m not going to penalise him too much. Today’s word isn’t penultimate, however. It is…

ANTEPENULTIMATE \pronounced: an-tee-pi-NUL-tu-mit\, an adjective meaning:

Third from the end.
Of or pertaining to an antepenult.

It also works as a noun:

1.An antepenult – i.e. the 3rd syllable of a word counting back from the end

Quotes

The vengeful eagles of the open sequence [and] the birds of augury watched outside the library and the emblematic kinsmen who shake ‘the wings of their exultant and terrible youth’ in the antepenultimate entry in Stephen’s diary. – James Joyce, introduction by Hugh Kenner, Ulysses

But all day that is how it is, from the first tick to the last tack, or rather from the third to the antepenultimate, allowing for the time it needs, the tamtam within, to drum you back into the dream and drum you back out again. – Samuel Beckett, Mercier and Camier

Origin

This adjective is the product of three Latin roots: ante meaning “before,” paen meaning “almost” and ultima meaning “last.”

Word Wednesday: Victual

It may not come as a surprise that I like doing puzzles, and the word for today came from solving a codeword puzzle. Maybe in another post, I’ll talk about puzzles, but today, let’s talk about the word:

VICTUAL \pronounced vi-t(u)l\

Noun

Any substance that can be used as food.

Verb (victualled, victualling, or [US] victualed, victualing)

Supply with food. “The population was victualled during the war”
Lay in provisions
Take in nourishment

Synonyms

Comestible
eatable
Edible
pabulum

Now, go ahead and use it in a sentence. I dare you!

#BookReview: His Princess by @KiruTaye

Disclaimer: No favours were exchanged for this review.

Where I got my copy: All Romance Ebooks.

His Princess – Kiru Taye

Blurb

With the weight of a kingdom on his shoulders and his honor at stake, can a Prince truly love a slave?

Ezinne is dismayed when her mistress presents her to Prince Emeka as a concubine to cater for his every need for a few weeks. She’s a slave whose previous encounters with men make her fear their brutality.

Yet the more she gets to know the powerful yet honorable prince, the easier he breaks down the walls around her heart. She soon comes to want him more than she wants anything else, even freedom.

But Emeka is the heir to the throne and Ezinne is a woman with secrets that threaten not just their budding relationship but a kingdom.

My Review

Admit it, historical romance in an African setting is rare, so I was very eager to get my hands on Kiru Taye’s books when I first heard about them.

His Princess is book 3 in the Men of Valor series by Kiru Taye. The hero of the book, Prince Emeka features in the first book and even with the one scene he appears in, he made enough of an impression that I was eager to read his story.

And he (read: the author) did not disappoint. From the first page, the reader is thrust into the world of pre-colonial Nigeria with vivid descriptions of tradition and culture, and men and women at a time when freedom as we know it now didn’t exist. What makes this story stand out for me as an African reader is the richness of historical setting that makes one both appreciate pre-colonial culture – and even for a moment wish for some aspects of those times to return to contemporary Africa.

I enjoyed the descriptives and the author’s choice of words, which I feel really root the story in its setting. I loved the hero, who in a land and time of male dominance, chose to be a man without reproach – a man worth losing one’s heart to.

The heroine, a slave/servant and handmaiden to the hero’s wife, is a girl with a difficult past shrouded in secrets, which bind her to her mistress and prevents her from ever gaining freedom. As each secret unfolds the heroine becomes even more lovable. What struck me most about the heroine is her combination of pliancy and defiance, which the author is able to balance well to create a well-rounded character.

More than that, I think the author created a platform for a potential book four in the series, which I personally can’t wait to see come out.

If you like sweet romance, forbidden love, royalty, African culture and tradition, then you definitely need to check out this story.

My Rating

You  may also be interested in:

My review of ‘His Treasure‘, Book 1 in the Men of Valor series.

 

Author Spotlight: Kiru Taye

Hello people! I know, I know, I’ve been scarce this year, but if you checked out my first post of the year, I do have a good reason. That is not to say that I don’t have plans to get back on the blog horse. I’ve decided to take some measures to ensure that you hear from me at lease once a week (fingers crossed).

As the title of my post goes, I am here today to introduce and African author I admire very much and who is very quickly becoming a member of my must-read authors list. And trust me there aren’t many authors on that list!

In case you  haven’t heard her name yet, she’s Kiru Taye, a fellow author and member of the Romance Writers of West African (RWOWA).

Kiru is celebrating her latest release, Unbound, which is part of the The Blood Bar Chronicles Book 3, The Enforcers anthology. For those of you who love anthologies AND paranormal romance, here’s the lowdown (be sure to read the entire post, cos there’s a $10 e-book gift card giveaway – details below):

Title: The Enforcers

Authors: Kiru Taye, Michaela Rhua, Alyssa Fox, Caledonia St James

Series: Blood Bar Chronicles Book 3

Genre: Paranormal romance, Anthology

Heat level: Spicy

Word Count: 43,790

Publisher: Breathless Press

Release date: 5 April 2013

Available from: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Breathless Press | All Romance eBooks | Bookstrand |

BLURB:

The Blood Bar Chronicles Book 3, The Enforcers

When the Wicked Ladies of Fiction meet up in a Scottish bar they don’t expect a night filled with danger, lust and hot supernatural men…

Logan’s Captive by Michaela Rhua

One visit to The Blood Bar and life will never be the same. Fed up with her life, Kyla looks forward to meeting up with her friends. Only events take an unexpected turn and Kyla is rescued by Logan, who seems determined to keep her captive.

Logan didn’t come to Scotland looking for a mate. But the scent of this sexy woman calls to his wolf and he knows he has to claim her. The only problem is she is human or so she thinks.

A Pendant’s Confession by Alyssa Fox

Serena is excited to get together with her writers group and have some girl time. Except, not long after they meet, crazy things start to happen to each of them. The man she had a one night stand with is after and the pendant that she needs to get her full strength

 

Rick can’t believe his luck that Serena is at the same bar as him. He plans to sweet talk her, sleep with her one last time to get her out of his system, and get the pendant to save his little sister. That’s until his uncle’s men come after him and Serena. Can he save his sister and Serena, the women that stole his heart?

Unbound by Kiru Taye

HE WILL DAMN HIS SOUL TO SET HERS FREE…

When workaholic high-flying career lawyer Tara Woji meets up with old friends at the blood bar in Edinburgh, she doesn’t realise the danger lurking in the shadows for her. M’na is a chi, a gatekeeper whose duty is to protect the humans. Tara is his assignment. As the shadows deepen and darkness comes to claim her, he will do whatever it takes to protect her including doing the one thing that releases her powers—unbinding her heart.

In the Shadows by Caledonia St. James

Noah is in the blood bar on one mission only; he doesn’t expect to come face to face with his past that should never have been freed. The person he once knew as Gabriel is only half the woman she used to be.

Nico is swept away by the enigmatic stranger; surely having multiple orgasms on a cloud is going to send her straight to hell? Can Noah send her back to the place he once condemned her too?

And since this post is about my friend, Kiru, here’s a little excerpt from her story in the book:

EXCERPT – UNBOUND BY KIRU TAYE

“You can’t possibly know what’s on my mind. In any case it’s none of your business,” she retorted.

He pushed off the wall and advanced toward her like a leopard prowling, his eyes gleaming with something she couldn’t decipher. “You are wrong on both counts.”

“What?” She took a step back, suddenly overwhelmed by his presence when he stopped at arm’s length from her. A warm sensuous shiver travelled down her spine.

“If you opened your mind and stopped fighting it, you’d know we are connected already and that you’re my business. Have always been. Will always be,” he said ominously before walking over to the sofa and sitting down.

Tara was glad to have some space between them to think. “Seriously, I need to know what’s going on. If Paul put you up to this, I’ll kill him.”

In a flash, he growled and stood before her, pulling her close till her body was flush against his hard contour. On contact, the temperature of the air around them rose. His lips descended on hers for the second time that night.

This time the sensations were not a blur. She felt him in every pore of her body, soaking in his aura, her body and mind overwhelmed by exciting sensations. The familiarity and recognition returned, along with the desire to have him inside her, filling her up. Memories of the two of them together flooded her mind.

Connected, she sensed more than his memories. His emotions wrapped around her mind like a swirling thread, connecting light, desire, and elation. Yet, in the depth of his mind were also darkness, rage, and remorse.

Her arousal increased. She clung to his muscular arms, her hardened nipples rubbing against his chest. Despite the clothes between them, it felt as if skin was stroking skin. Her core pulsed. His hand cupped her behind, pulling her in to feel his rigidity between her thighs. Sensation coursed through her body, swamping every pore. She writhed in his arms, her body undulating uncontrollably. He broke the kiss, focusing attention on her delicate neck as he sucked her skin. She exploded into an orgasm that blew her mind.

He pulled away, leaving her panting as the energy arc surrounding them subsided.

Copyright Kiru Taye 2012

About Kiru Taye

Kiru Taye is the award-winning author of the His Treasure. She writes historical, contemporary and paranormal romances. She writes historical, contemporary and paranormal romances. Her stories are sensual and steamy, her characters passionate and sassy and her settings atmospheric and exotic. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, hanging out with family/friends or travelling. Born in Nigeria, she currently lives in the UK with husband and children. You can visit Kiru via: http://www.kirutaye.com

GIVEAWAY

Kiru is giving away a $10 ebook gift card to celebrate the release of this book. Here’s how to win:

1. Share this post on Facebook and tag Kiru Taye, Author page

“Check out this new paranormal romance anthology: The Enforcers – Blood Bar Chronicles book 3 by Kiru Taye, Author and others http://ow.ly/jMacz”;

2. Tweet about this post. Here’s the tweet:

“New #eBook #Alert: The Enforcers – Blood Bar Chronicles 3 #anthology #giveaway via @KiruTaye http://ow.ly/jMacz”;

3. Add The Enforcers to your Goodreads TBR. Here’s the link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17...

4. Complete the rafflecopter entries on Kiru’s blog. This contest is open internationally until 13 April 2013.

Good luck!

14 Days of Romance @RWOWA

You may have already heard or read it somewhere but I am part of a group of talented writers called Romance Writers of West Africa (RWOWA) and we’re having a Valentine treasure hunt themed: 14 days of romance with a $10 eGift Card up for grabs.

I confess, this post is coming 9 days late – but never too late, right?

 

Starting from 5th February (and ending on 22nd February), we’re showcasing a line-up of great books from RWOWA members for you at great prices. There’s even a chance of winning one or two books free!

 

Here’s how it works. Go to the News & Events page of the RWOWA website. You’ll find all the posts since 5th February. Each post introduces you to a RWOWA member author, a novel (with a blurb and excerpt). At the end of each post, you will find CAPITAL LETTER in blue (with a white background)

 

Collect all the letters and rearrange them to form a 3-word phrase. Email the phrase to romancewritersofwestafrica@gmail.com by midnight 28th February, 2013 for your chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card. That’s it.

Oh, and this contest is open internationally.

You don’t have to comment on the posts, but I am sure each author would love to hear from readers, so please take a moment to leave a few words.

Here are my pages:

Day 1: Nothing Comes Close (Tolulope Popoola)
Day 2: Bewitching Corals (Netty Ejike)
Day 3: Most Eligible Bachelor (Empi Baryeh)
Day 4: The Gardener’s Ice Maiden (Stella Eronmosere-Ajanaku)
Day 5: The Officer’s Bride (Lara Daniels)
Day 6: A Love Rekindled (Myne Whitman)
Day 7: A Heart to Mend (Myne Whitman)
Day 8: A Valentine Challenge (Kiru Taye)
Day 9 (today): Chancing Faith (Empi Baryeh)

Now you have no excuse. Go and grab the letters and enter the Treasure Hunt.

 

 

And the Winner is…

Okay, it is nearly noon GMT on 15th February. That means there shouldn’t be anyone whose calendar still says 14th, right? So it’s time to announce my winner for Evernight’s Valentine Snippets Blog Hop –  the prize being a $10 Amazon gift card.

In case you missed the hop, the winning formula was to do the following:

Like the Evernight Facebook Page
Follow me on Facebook, Twitter or my blog (or all – teeheehee)
Read a snippet from my Valentine-themed novel, Most Eligible Bachelor, and answer one simple question.

Here’s a section of the contest snippet to refresh your memory.

“Why, Lord? You’re here with Deconte—”

“And so bloody what? Why should that be a problem?”

If his previous attitude puzzled her, his last response topped it. She looked at him with disgust, unable to believe she’d even thought, at some point, that he had any redeeming qualities. She didn’t care where Ben was; she couldn’t stay here another minute. Again he grabbed her arm, turning her around.

“Would you stop doing that?” she said between clenched teeth.

“Would you give me a chance to talk?”

“You want to bury yourself? Fine. You have thirty seconds. Speak.”

For a moment he seemed thrown off, uncharacteristically out of his element. “I can’t believe this. Are you jealous?” he asked incredulously.

“Of course not. Why should I be?” She forced herself to shrug. “You’re here with your girlfriend. It’s perfectly normal.”

Unbelievably, he chuckled. She was about to turn around again when he held her put by the shoulders, forcing her to stay, to look into his eyes, to hurt, because even now, stranded in his gaze, he could make her feel like no one mattered except her. But she knew better.

“I told you before, she’s not my girlfriend,” he said.

And the question was: Who is Deconte?

I got a few answers, one of them being that Deconte is a vampire. LOL. Well, She’s not. The correct answer was: Deconte is Lord’s cousin/relative.

2 people got the answer correct and since I’m in a generous mood today, I’ve decided to make them both winners. And they won’t even have to split the prize!

So the winners are…

Mel Bourn & Nana Prah

Congratulations! Your prize will be in your in box shortly

To everyone else who commented and liked my blog/page/twitter, thank you. I hope you will take part in future blog hops here.

Evernight’s Valentine Snippets Blog Hop

Valentine’s day is almost here again and that means it’s been a year since my debut release (yay!). Yes, it’s been a whole year since the release of Most Eligible Bachelor and in honour of that (and the fact that my book takes place during the Valentine season), I’m happy to announce the Evernight’s Valentine Snippets blog hop.

This is a blog hop with a difference, so we’re doing things a little differently. There is no grand prize, but yes, there’s a prize! In order to win it, you have to:

Like the Evernight Facebook Page
Follow me on Facebook , Twitter or my blog (or all – teeheehee)
Read the following snippet from Most Eligible Bachelor and answer the question below.

PS. if you’ve already previously liked Evernight Publishing on FB and you’re following me on any of the above-mentioned platforms, just mention that in the comments and leave your answer to the question as well.

Hint: to get the answer right, you have to have read the book or be a very good guesser. The winner gets a $10 Amazon gift certificate.

SNIPPET

“I got your text messages.” She noticed how his expression began to brighten at her words, making it all the more pleasurable to see it turn to shock when she said, “Stop harassing me with your text messages.”

“Hold on a minute. What’s going on? I thought after this past week we—”

Chantelle didn’t let him finish. “There’s ‘me’ and there’s ‘you,’ but there’s no ‘we.’” She said it methodically, as if talking to a little child.

His frown deepened. “What the hell is going on?”

She had to hand it to him; he was a good actor. From his perplexed look, anyone could be fooled into thinking he was innocent. Maybe the Best Actor award should have been given to him.

“What do you want from me?” she asked.

“Just trying to talk to you.”

“Why, Lord? You’re here with Deconte—”

“And so bloody what? Why should that be a problem?”

If his previous attitude puzzled her, his last response topped it. She looked at him with disgust, unable to believe she’d even thought, at some point, that he had any redeeming qualities. She didn’t care where Ben was; she couldn’t stay here another minute. Again he grabbed her arm, turning her around.

“Would you stop doing that?” she said between clenched teeth.

“Would you give me a chance to talk?”

“You want to bury yourself? Fine. You have thirty seconds. Speak.”

For a moment he seemed thrown off, uncharacteristically out of his element. “I can’t believe this. Are you jealous?” he asked incredulously.

“Of course not. Why should I be?” She forced herself to shrug.

“You’re here with your girlfriend. It’s perfectly normal.”

Unbelievably, he chuckled. She was about to turn around again when he held her put by the shoulders, forcing her to stay, to look into his eyes, to hurt, because even now, stranded in his gaze, he could make her feel like no one mattered except her. But she knew better.

“I told you before, she’s not my girlfriend,” he said.

QUESTION: Who is Deconte?

Winner will be announced on 15th February, 2013 (day after Valentine’s)

Good luck!

For more chances to win, Click here for a full list of authors in this blog hop.

Author Spotlight: C R Moss

Hi people. I hope you’ve enjoying the guest authors on my blog lately. I’m delighted to introduce erotic romance author, C R Moss, a fellow Evernight Publishers author. If I’m not mistaken, she’s the first author to feature a M/F/M novel on my blog, but she promised me a PG-13 excerpt…

Please help me welcome, C R Moss!

***************************

Hi! Thanks for having me here today. My name is Chris, and I write under the names C.R. Moss for erotic and mainstream romance and Casey Moss for mainstream dark fiction (horror, suspense, urban fantasy). My professional bio for C.R.: “An eccentric and eclectic writer, C.R. Moss pens stories for the mainstream and erotic romance markets, giving readers Worlds of Possibilities when it comes to love.” Basically I write stories from the light and sweet to the dark and deadly with varying degrees of sexual heat. The bio for my other persona: Casey Moss delves into the darker aspects of life in her writing, sometimes basing the stories on reality, sometimes on myth. No matter the path, her stories will take you on a journey from the light-hearted paranormal to dark things unspeakable. What waits around the corner? Come explore…

Today I’m here to tout my latest C.R. Moss release, Lovers and the Fiend. This is a story in Evernight Publishing’s Naughty Fairy Tale line. The characters, Jack and Kristina, appeared in my short story – Chasing Miss Kringle – that’s in an Evernight Publishing anthology – Stockings and Suspenders.

This is the first of a handful of stories I have planned for the NFT line that revolve around the world started in CMK and Lovers. You don’t have to read the anthology story to read Lovers, but it’d be nice if you did.

***

A SNEAK PEEK AT LOVERS AND THE FIEND

Blurb

Ex-cop turned private investigator, Jack Vorst, learns his elf girlfriend Kristina has been missing for a few days after being invited to an underground vampire club. He, too, is summoned to visit club Hexenringe and is taken captive. Jack finds Kristina bound and gagged in a human sized bird cage. They’re both thrust into a kinky world at the hands of Kol, the club owner. Kol, a vampiric beast, shifts into human form to be with Jack and Kristina and needs them to remember their pasts and to love him so he can return to what he used to be.

Can Kol make the pair fall in love with him despite his current situation and the fact he’s keeping them captive or will they leave, making it too late for him to change all their fates?

Warning: ménage a trios, M/M, bondage, anal sex, sex toys, public exhibition

Excerpt 

I have your woman. A nice piece of ass she is, too. She tells me you’re not bad yourself. I would love for you to join us later. A car will be waiting for you outside your office at noon today where my assistant will fill you in on some details. If you know what’s good for you and your gal, you’ll take advantage of this invitation. See you soon. ~ Kol Ainmire

Jack Vorst’s temper went full tilt within a second. His blood pounded hard through his head and body. He’d told Kristina to be careful when she went out on her cases, but it seemed she still had gotten herself in trouble. Not good.

“Vic! Get in here!” Trying to check and rein in his anger before he popped a vessel, Jack grabbed the letter he’d found on his desk while going through a stack of mail and a couple of case files. The paper crinkled within his one clenched hand, and the envelope it’d come in bunched up in his other.

He kept his gaze downcast, ground his teeth. No sense in looking at the tan colored walls that were littered with stenciling in his office and be more irritated than he already was. The design and colors reminded him of the Native American beaded belts people sold at roadside stands.

Vic’s wife, Malory, who worked in the adjoining office suites, loved her southwestern motifs. All the rooms for both divisions of the business were decorated to represent Arizona and New Mexico. The decorating style with too many colors and crazy patterns made his head swim, gave him a headache. He hated headaches.

Staring at the crumpled papers in his hands, he sighed. Truth be told, Kristina’s whereabouts and her lack of checking in for several days only concerned him a little. She was able to take care of herself, and he trusted her. He loved her, wanted her to be safe, so of course he worried some. But being an elf gave her an advantage that mere humans didn’t have—the ability to escape situations by simply disappearing and reappearing elsewhere.

Except this time.

 Buy Links:

Amazon  | All Romance eBooks | Bookstrand

Find C.R. Moss here:

Email | Twitter | Facebook |  Website | Blog | Double D Ranch Tales | Evernight Publishing – C.R. Moss | Decadent Publishing – C.R. Moss | Amazon | All Romance Ebooks | Bookstrand |

Links for Casey Moss:

Website

Guest Author: Netty Ejike

Hands up any African writer out there who’s struggling to get published. Hands up anyone who’s seen an awesome writing competition that s/he wasn’t eligible for because s/he lives in Africa (with the occasional exception of South Africa). Hand up if you’ve felt like self-publishing is the only way your work will ever see the inside of a printed book page. I can just see some of you nodding your heads, saying, “Aye.”

The challenges of an African writer, is what my fellow West African writer, Netty Ejike, is going to talk about today.

Please, share your thoughts and make her feel welcome to casa Empi.

Over to you, Netty.

***

Hello,

I am Netty Ejike from Nigeria. I’m highly opportune to be hosted here. A big thank you to Empi. It’s my pleasure sharing my experiences as an African writer.

Being an African writer is easy enough, but why mine is a bit difficult is because I write mostly about Americans, and I write romance. These are the two factors that always attract lots of questions from people I come across.

They often wonder about my characters. I simply feel comfortable writing about Americans, not because our people aren’t romantic—oh, we definitely are. I think interest and my favourite genre influenced my writing. I loved reading Mills & Boon and Harlequin novels when I was growing up.

When I began writing at the age of twelve, I thought it was only for my pleasure and those of my school friends. By the time I became an adult, I became worried. I sat down and asked myself a big question: Will people not crucify me for being a Nigerian and writing about foreigners? It took some persuasion from my close family members before I published my first book.

Ah, what a relief that I finally published the kind of book I love reading, and yet I wasn’t criticized as I’d expected. Many of my fans liked the fact that I write about foreigners, but some insisted that I should come back home. That led to my third book being based in Enugu, Nigeria.

I’ve come to appreciate readers and respect their opinions. Without them, who are we writing for?

Coming to the topic of romance, we don’t have many romance writers in Nigeria. This is basically because we feel sex shouldn’t be publicly discussed, what more written down. Being a married woman gave me an edge, because it made me look responsible in the eyes of the public. I’m almost sure that if I were not married, I would have been looked upon as being promiscuous. But this shouldn’t be so. Writing is the expression of the mind, irrespective of the material being written down and the personality of the writer herself. I must say I am proud to be a romance writer even though it still shocks a lot of people when I tell them I am one.

In my novels, I try to highlight the sexual aspect of my characters, in a way passing the message across to my people how sex should be enjoyed…

My books include:

Obsession
His Sin
Stormy Affair
An Impious Proposal
Heart Whisper
After the Deed (Awakening Series)
Surprise package (Torn Apart Series)
Bewitching Corals Series

Read excerpts of my books here.

Thank you and happy reading.

Netty

***

Where to find Netty Online:

Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Amazon | Smashwords