08 Friday Sep 2017
Posted in Africa Reading Challenge, Challenges, Guests, Haiku, Haiku My Heart, Micropoetry, Nature, Poetry, Publication, Romance
Tags
My second haiku below was published on Eufemia Griffo‘s blog as part of her 10 year blogging anniversary. Congratulations, Eufemia. 🙂 and thanks a million. 🙂
(linked to Recuerda Mi Corazon.)
Stars
starry sky
melting shadows stroke
the summer night
cielo stellato-
ombre che si sciolgono accarezzano
la notte d’estate
Celestine Nudanu, Ghana
(Coming out soon! My second poetry collection! 🙂)
© Celestine Nudanu 08/09/17Links for Haiku Rhapsodies:
01 Friday Sep 2017
Posted in African Women Writers, Challenges, Haiku, Haiku My Heart, Micropoetry, Poetry, Publication
(linked to Recuerda Mi Corazon.)
Insomnia
insomnia
I toss all night
to the sound of rain
Brass Bell, A Haiku Journal (September 2017)
© Celestine Nudanu 01/09/17Links for Haiku Rhapsodies:
29 Tuesday Aug 2017
Posted in African Women Writers, al li, Cherita, Micropoetry, Poetry, Publication
The Cherita was created by al li.
credits: http://www.thecherita.com/
August Rains
August rains
strong winds
droning and so cold
but I hear music too
a soft tempo
of the breeze
(Coming out soon! My second poetry collection! 🙂 )
© Celestine Nudanu 29/08/17Links for Haiku Rhapsodies:
20 Thursday Jul 2017
Posted in African Women Writers, al li, Cherita, Larry Kimmel, Micropoetry, Poetry, Publication, Romance
Tags
The Cherita was created by al li. I’ve fallen in love with this lovely poetry form. And for each working day I shall endeavour to post a cherita a day on my blog. 🙂
WATCH OUT FOR MY NEXT PUBLICATION – A BOOK OF CHERITA!!!
credits: http://www.thecherita.com/
Kisses
lavender feathers
gossamer strumming
and a murmur, a breath really
just before
the break of dawn
perfumed kisses
© Celestine Nudanu 20/07/17
Links for Haiku Rhapsodies:
18 Tuesday Jul 2017
Posted in African Women Writers, Fiction, Publication, Suspense/Thriller
Title: The Justice
Author: Boakyewaa Glover
Genre: Political Thriller
Publisher: Minds on Fire Group
Pages: 390
Publication Date: 2013
Reason for reading: Reasons for reading: Bought the book after it came highly recommended by a friend.
BLURB
For his entire life, former Chief Justice Joseph Annan has his eyes on his country’s top ![The Justice: God. Country. Family. by [Glover, Boakyewaa]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41bL63TB3pL.jpg)
prize: the presidency of Ghana. And this time, he will stop at nothing to ensure the title is his alone. But can he stop his world from falling apart in the process? The Justice: God. Country. Family. is Boakyewaa Glover’s searing political thriller that follows a career politician in his last gasp for the highest honor, as friends, foes, and family are embroiled is his relentless, no-holds-barred play for power. It’s a gripping contemporary look at Ghana culture that is sure to enthrall political enthusiasts, as well as fans of romantic fiction and mystery thrillers.
After four years in semi-retirement, the esteemed justice has put in his bid to be the next president of Ghana. Beloved throughout the country, Annan is widely celebrated as a principled, strong leader, who is intensely dedicated to his country. However, the long-adored icon harbors secrets that begin to surface soon after his bid, and that he must utterly suppress if he is to land the top position. At his side is his razor-sharp Chief of Staff Caleb Osei, whose commitment to the cause is unflappable, and the most powerful advocate of all, his best friend and former President Samuel Yara.
However, friends and allies withstanding, the justice faces challenges are equally formidable. His wife Adubea is emotionally unhinged after finding her twin sister murdered, and must be managed with constant medication and a close watch. His daughter Abby presents her own thick brew of problems. She has become entangled in a scandalous affair with the married Reyn Proctor, the scion of a wealthy corporation. Abby’s ties with him would no doubt point the finger at government corruption, and erupt in a media flap that would upend the campaign. And, there are past deeds involving the justice himself that have never been fully explained.
As the stakes rise ever higher, the justice finds his carefully woven public persona unraveling before his own eyes. With a high-octane pace and page-turning intrigue, The Justice: God. Country. Family. provides a rare view of the forces at play in contemporary Ghana that will leave readers hungry to piece together the fragments of deception. It’s riveting reading packed with spellbinding action, steamy romance, and a sizable dose of drama, Ghana-style.
REVIEW
The blurb above highlights quite a lot to be expected in the book, in my opinion. But it does not mention how volatile the plot is. Boakyewaa Glover’s novel, The Justice, set in Ghana and the US, has all the ingredients present in a fast paced, gripping, tense and explosive thriller, and a political one at that; power, money, sex, corruption, murder, love, hatred, jealousy and revenge. And these ingredients are well mixed, a veritable salad. Sensational.
If I had read The Justice about ten years back or more, I would very much have doubted the plausibility of the plot. Not today, in this present-day Ghana. Politics has become exciting, dangerous, full of adrenaline and scandals involving sexual escapades of politicians, blackmail and counter blackmail and very much lately, the adventurism of some Chinese nationals in our oil and mining ventures, as well as in the bedrooms of the power brokers. Boakyewaa Glover has written a blockbuster!
Ms Glover’s characters are powerful and passionate, believing in the causes that drive them. Whether those causes are justified is left for the reader to find out. They are also flawed, with dark sides to their nature that will make your jaw drop. And they are human too. Love these characters or hate them; the reader can’t help but feel empathy. The twist at the end of the novel is so mind-blowing it has me reeling for days.
My only beef with the The Justice is I don’t particularly like Abby, daughter of former Chief Justice Joseph Annan. Abby is one of the main characters in the novel and I find myself gasping at some of her decisions and behaviour wishing she would just grow up. Did she?
Ms Glover’s novel The Justice is a must read for all. A very well-researched novel, with settings clearly described and real. An honest and punchy novel dealing with the powerful forces of politics and the passions and greed that drive the human being, even at the highest levels of government. How far can a human being go to achieve his aim of serving God, Country and Family? Please, read The Justice available at Amazon
AUTHOR’S BIO
Boakyewaa Glover is the author of three novels: Circles (2009), The Justice (2013), and Tendai (2013). She also maintains a blog that features her short stories, poems, articles, and movie reviews. The author’s love of writing began as early as the age of six, when she collected scraps of paper on which to write down her stories. Professionally, she is currently the regional change management manager for Newmont Ghana Gold Limited. She also serves as the group director for Minds on Fire Group, a publishing, entertainment, and creative lounge company. Glover has previously worked as a news anchor and presenter for TV3 and Metro TV, and as an organizational psychologist and consultant for various consulting firms in New York; Washington, D.C.; and Atlanta. She is a graduate of the University of Ghana and earned a master’s degree in psychology from New York University.
30 Friday Jun 2017
Posted in African Women Writers, Fiction, Guests, Publication, Romance, Suspense/Thriller
Tags
Title: A Time To Part
Author: Ama Pomaa
Genre: Inspirational Fiction/Inspirational Romance/Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Hetura books
Pages: 300
Publication Date: 29th July, 2017
Reason for reading: Reasons for reading: Received this book as an advanced review copy for a candid review. (Note: a small fee was charged for this service)
BLURB
When the pain is all you have, letting go is not an option.![A Time to Part by [Pomaa, Ama]](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/519eIpoufSL.jpg)
Seven years ago, Jasmine left everything she knew behind. Her mother had killed herself, her father was terminally ill, and she had broken off with Hagan, the only man who ever loved her. It was the perfect time to start over. Except she never did part with any of it!
When a tragic incident forces her back into the past, she’ll have to decide if letting go is too high a price to pay for everything she wants.
REVIEW
Ama Pomaa’s debut book, A Time To Part, is fast paced, griping and full of suspense. The plot unfolds as you read along, with the suspense and intrigue building up and sustained very well till the end. The story telling is crisp, sharp and witty so much so that the pathos, poignant and profound sentiments running through the book appear somewhat subdued. Reading the book, I find myself equally angry, disbelieving, sad, and yes redeemed at the end. A family’s dysfunctional tendencies, with far-reaching consequences on its members seem to suggest that evil does not pay; this also underpins the book’s Christian or inspirational message.
The main plot evolves round Jasmine and Hagan, whose budding relationship is torn apart by hatred, jealousy, deceit, and familial betrayal. A subplot or a story within a story, involves Kojo, Jasmine’s brother and Doris, their houshelp. But the author skilfully weaves the subplot into the major plot and any awkwardness in the development of the full story is eased away by the seamless cohesion.
Jasmine is hurting bad. So bad to forget what has been done to her when she was a child. And she has secrets too, secrets that push her into the dingy hole of a brothel to satisfy the craving in her for expiation. She thinks her only redemption is in saving Selase, Hagan’s 12-year-old sister, from a fate that is worse than her own, for she has been there and knows the score. Will Hagan be able to forgive Jasmine, who has destroyed his life in a most unimaginable way and now comes back into his life at a time when he least expects? Will Jasmine even want to set aside her prejudice and receive his forgiveness? Will the two forgive each other in time to save Selase?
Kojo’s inaction, cowardice and inability to stand up for the truth in defence of his sister leads to a rift between him and Jasmine. He goes through a hard time to find redemption. Again his irresponsible behaviour as a youth and careless ill-treatment of Doris the house help, haunts him, with far-reaching repercussions on his life.
Hagan and Doris believe in the goodness and forgiving power of God. Hagan, a medical doctor is conflicted about his feelings for Jasmine and the pain of her betrayal which keeps haunting him. When Jasmine’s quest to save his sister Selase goes awry he relies on his communion with God to forgive her and move on with his life.
Doris comes across as a saint in the book. Do saints really exist? Perhaps so as the author seems to suggest that the healing touch of Christ can have such impact on a person who has been dehumanised just like Kojo does to Doris.
Jasmine and Kojo coming from the same background of wealth and deceit find it difficult, in their own way, to let go of their past. Kojo, haunted by his misdeeds, feels he does not deserve anything good. He is also out for blood to avenge the death of his wife, even though he thinks her death is karma working against him.
Jasmine has lots of scars that drive her life. And as she continues to make one mistake after the other in her education and career choices, and even in her new mission of saving Selase, it takes grace and the love of the one man she has hurt to make her confront her demons and to reconcile with her past.
Ama Pomaa’s characters are well-rounded and authentic and yet flawed with human foibles, as they go though tribulations that define their actions and decisions, which shape them into finding redemption. The main heroine, Jasmine is a strong woman, determined to forge her own path, whether good or bad. Despite her past tribulations, she does not crumble. Perhaps it is this singular strength and sense of purpose that sustains her throughout the novel as she finds herself ultimately.
Through riveting and yet crisp narrative and dialogue, the author is able to portray the effects and far-reaching repercussion incest, rape, adultery, lies, deceit, and dishonesty can have on a family. The reader is carried along throughout the novel, on a suspenseful journey of self discovery of the major characters. The reader would also be shocked into realising that not all the characters seem to be what they are. As the author seems to suggest, one cannot be certain of anything in this world, except the love of Christ.
Ama Pomma’s ability to dissect thorny themes of murder, rape and incest in her book without sounding raw and weepy should be commended. Not a mean feat. Though a Christian or inspirational novel, A Time To Part can also be classified under the Christian Romance genre. The author strivers not to sound preachy and didactic and she achieves this very nicely.
A Time To Part is well researched book, the author knows her characters and settings so well. I also find the cover to be stunning. 🙂 My only issue with the book is why Hagan delays in taking his sister from the home of her guardian when he is in a position to do so. That does not make sense to me. I must add that this does not detract from the story in any way. It is just a minor issue with me.
I recommend A Time To Part for all lovers of suspense, romance and inspirational books, and indeed lover of literature.
PURCHASE LINK
AUTHOR BIO
Ama Pomaa is a writer by night and an Engineer by day. She lives in Accra with her three sisters, managing an addiction to novels and writing stories that touch on God’s love and societal issues she’s passionate about. A Time to Part is her first novel.
28 Wednesday Jun 2017
Tags
Afriku, Celestine Nudanu, Ghana, Haiku, Haiku Rhapsodies, Ste J
What more can I say, lovely folks? Another sincere and beautiful review from Ste J, a dear friend and insightful book reviewer who lives in England and blogs at Book to the Future. Thank you so much, Ste J. Please, read on. 🙂
Celestine is a prolific writer of poetry, plenty of which is showcased on her blog, Reading Pleasure. After gaining a fan base in the past few years, a book was a welcome treat for her readers. C’s work has featured in many international Haiku publications and as such is already well recognised within the Haiku community.
With clear imagery, each bite sized piece is simply written but layered with visual beauty 
and thoughts personal to the author, this intimate showcasing allows the reader to see a place through Celestine’s eyes. The concepts of the world around her is brought to us in a series delightful vignettes which read like a moment captured in time.
Perusing these, I find myself transported to an Africa I found tangible, Celestine’s eye for observing the things around her and combining them into something so evocative is a pure joy to read. There is a feeling of peace and clarity through the book that encouraged me to take each poem and then spend time to build up one’s image and the accompanying thoughts around it.
The beauty of such poems is that I allowed myself to get lost in this new place, imagination took over and each piece felt like part of a jigsaw building up a picture of an Africa that was in part real and in part my own romantic take upon it. Naturally Ghana and a distinctly African feel came up a lot in my thoughts as I read through but there is also a good amount of content which is distinct from the African connection and appeals at a universal level.
This is a good book to dip into, exploring various themes – Afriku, Nature, Haiku My Heart, The Divine, and Death – and I found myself taking my time to soak up the atmosphere and then build up an image of this personal take on what surrounds us. For me this book is like one of those coffee table books, that one picks up and chooses a page at random but in this case, each morsel is best digested singularly, with concentration and with much reflection.
What are you waiting for my dear? 🙂 Order your copies from Amazon or for those in Ghana, just inbox me! 🙂
Links for Haiku Rhapsodies:
23 Friday Jun 2017
I’m tickled pink to scarlet today (if it is possible under by black hide) 🙂 🙂 for I woke up to this lovely review of Haiku Rhapsodies from Gilly Goldsworthy of UK, blogging at https://lucidgypsy.com/
Please read on:
Celestine Nudanu has been a blogging friend for several years. We met through our shared love of Haiku, the Japanese short form poetry. She hails from Ghana, a country I fell in love with in 2007, unfortunately before Celestine and I ‘met’.
Haiku Rhapsodies, Celestine’s first publication, is a real feast for Haiku, the book is divided into five sections, Afriku, Nature, Haiku My Heart, The Divine and Death.
Afriku is my favourite. Our poet’s words are so very evocative, bringing back memories of my brief visits to West Africa flood back. Here are just a few examples to tempt you.
in tandem
child’s thumping feet
and fufu pestle
rush hour
hawkers trail the cars
bumper to bumper
mirage
the cocoyam leaf
shimmers
From ‘Death’, Celestine brings us the moving,
dreaming of the stars
you forgot to say goodbye
that final journey
and has a firm belief that poetry has a place in our final moments.
Haiku Rhapsodies deserves a place on the book shelves of those who enjoy the form, not just in Africa, but wherever we find ourselves in this vast world of poetry.
Well done Celestine!
What are you waiting for my dear on? 🙂 Order your copies from Amazon or just inbox me! 🙂
Links for Haiku Rhapsodies:
21 Wednesday Jun 2017
Folks, another beautiful review of Haiku Rhapsodies from Debbi Antebi, UK. Thanks a million, Debbi.
REVIEW
Delightful Collection of Haiku, 20 Jun. 2017
Spanning five main themes, Celestine’s poems make us see, hear, smell, taste and touch, as well as feel. Her haiku depict stories that are universal, and they do so through vivid imagery. One of my personal favorites is about a mother gathering her unsold melons at sundown. This haiku evokes feelings of sorrow and hopelessness in twelve short syllables, capturing big emotions in a concise way. I have many other favorite poems in the book, and I am confident that the readers will enjoy exploring them just as much as I did. Strongly recommended for all poetry lovers!
Links for Haiku Rhapsodies:
15 Thursday Jun 2017
Posted in African Women Writers, Events, Fiction, Guests, Publication, Romance
Tags
Contemporary/Interracial/Multicultural Romance, Fiction, Naked Attraction, Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku, Sweet and Sexy Romance
Hello friends, it feels good to share and showcase yet again Stella’s Sweet and Sexy Romance, Naked Attraction. Stella writes both steamy and sweet romance as well as feisty ones with sassy heroines and drop-dead gorgeous heroes with hearts of gold. Please find time and take a look around her blog Flirtyandfeistyromance and you won’t be disappointed
Please find below details of the release.
Author: Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku
Genre: Romance/Contemporary/Interracial/Multicultural
No of Pages: 262
ISBN: 978-1542402040 (Paperback)
Release Date: January 24th 2017
Add on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33976714-naked-attraction?ac=1&from_search=true
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“As long as you lock me up in the same cell as you, I’ll be happy to spend a long time behind bars without complaining.” ~ Mofe.
Read Naked Attraction to find out how Mofe, a hot & sexy Café owner tempts and pursues Ronke, a feisty & sassy female District Judge.
~ A dangerous attraction…is mounting ~
Replaying her hip-wriggling dance steps in his head, Mofe is on the trail of a dancer he saw in a beach club in Europe. No one seems to recall who she is, not even the beach club owner. But he has her picture on his phone. When he walks into the city’s courtroom and sets eyes on the female District Judge presiding over his brother’s case, he knows he has found the elusive dancer. Whether or not his brother receives a jail sentence is in her hands.
Caring for her little sister takes up most of Ronke’s free time, but she knows how to juggle work with having a good time abroad dancing on bar tables. The moment Ronke locks gaze with the dark, gorgeous man with rippling muscles and tattooed arms, a dangerous attraction sizzles inside her. With no plans to forgo her current no-strings secret affair, she disappears without a trace, hoping never to see the stranger again. But when he walks into her courtroom, her stomach walls tighten and she can barely breathe.
Can Mofe convince a woman who holds the key to his brother’s future to date him? And will Ronke deny her attraction to protect her reputation?
~ From the Author of His Ring ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance ~
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2jsEUc6
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Naked-Attraction-Sweet-Sexy-Romance-ebook/dp/B01MS78RRP/
Okada Books: http://okadabooks.com/book/about/naked_attraction__a_sweet__sexy_romance/13037
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/698655
Amazon US Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Enticed-Forever-Bad-Boy-Romance/dp/1543203175/
Amazon UK Paperback: https://www.amazon.com/Naked-Attraction-Sweet-Sexy-Romance/dp/1542402042/
Createspace Paperback: https://www.createspace.com/6843469
“The question is why would a magistrate judge be spotted dancing on a bar table in nothing but a bra and thong in one of Europe’s beach clubs? And then appear serious on Monday morning in a London courtroom wearing a wig and black gown?” While he waited for her answer, he took a passing look around her chambers.
Thick, leather-bound books graced wooden shelves on every side, but the room was immaculate and clean. Grey carpets complimented the beige upper walls. The gold and black name plaque on the desk indicated her name was District Judge Ronke Oni.
“What I do with my time is none of your business,” Ronke snapped as she swiveled around. But a sly grin wired her full lips as she got up on her feet. Gone was the dark gown. And so was the funny wig. Now, her silky white ruffled top fell wide open, enough for him to see the swell of her cleavage.
Peeling his eyes away from her chest was not easy, but he tried. With the black skirt suit plastered around her body so tight, she looked like a bomb waiting to explode. Electric currents flashed through his body and he laughed to quench the upsurge. Up close, she looked a little older than he’d thought, still, she was a raving beauty.
“And what was it you wanted from the dancer?” Ronke asked with her arms folded beneath her busts, pushing her breasts further out of her top. And for a fleeting second, he wondered if she wedged her full breasts with a lacy bra.
“Are you kidding me, Ma’am? You’re not going to deny the fact you’re an erotic dancer over the weekend and a learned woman during the week?”
With her butt perched against her curved walnut desk and her legs crossed at the ankle, she looked like a sexy model about to strip off her clothes for the camera. And as long as he was the photographer, they would have an album of perfect shots.
“Since you took the trouble to trace me down here…” she started.
I’m Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku, the author of several toe-curling & heart-fluttering Flirty & Feisty Romance Novels consisting of Contemporary/Interracial and Historical & Paranormal Romance. There are 17 published books so far.
Just so you know, I’m a romantic freak, mother of two fun – loving teenagers, married to my gorgeous husband and we live in London, UK. If my teens had their way, they would fill our home with a dozen pets. Swimming on my back like a star-fish is one of my skills.
My stories are dotted with unexpected twists and are set in fascinating Africa, enticing Europe and enchanting America. An emotional spin is what you get when you read my books. Please write or connect with me on social media. I love reading from you.
https://www.amazon.com/Stella-Eromonsere-Ajanaku/e/B004LXE09E/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4538936.Stella_Eromonsere_Ajanaku
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flirtyandfeistyromancenovels?v=wall&ref=pdem
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/106790524289597144280/posts
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/eromonsereajana/
Blog: http://flirtyandfeistyromance.blogspot.co.uk/
All Flirty & Feisty Romance Novels are available on:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Stella-Eromonsere-Ajanaku/e/B004LXE09E
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stella-Eromonsere-Ajanaku/e/B004LXE09E
Okada Books: http://okadabooks.com/search?term=Stella+Eromonsere-Ajanaku
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/interview/StellaE1
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/stella-eromonsere-ajanaku?store=allproducts&keyword=stella+eromonsere-ajanaku
Website: http://www.flirtyandfeistyromancenovel.co.uk/
Flirty & Feisty Romance
Our promise…is to deliver an intensely emotional experience you’ll never forget.
