Review: Forest Girl by Empi Baryeh

Tags

Africa, customs, Empi Baryeh, Forest Girl, Ghana, romance, tradition

Title:      Forest Girl
Author:  Empi Baryeh
Binding: Paperback
Genre:    Contemporary Romance
Pages:    242
Publication Date: May 6,2018

Publishers: Independent Publishing with Createspace

Reasons for Reading: Advanced Review Copy for a candid review

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?

My Thoughts

Forest Girl is Empi Baryeh’s third romance book to be set in Ghana, and it can only get better and better. Empi knows her characters well, perhaps because she is from Ghana herself and she knows our lore and tradition, which are generously woven into the beautiful story that is Michael and Esi’s arranged marriage. I mean which man would agree to an arranged marriage even in a traditional setting? And a modern, US educated man at that. And yet Michael yields to pressure from the ghost of his father whose dying wish was for his son to marry a suitable girl chosen by him. Never mind that he has a ‘modern liberated’ girl friend, never mind that he hates the whole arrangement. Never mind that he had fallen for a mysterious Forest Girl, despite the very loud existence of his girlfriend. And never mind that Esi has been in love with him for a long time.

The beauty of this book is that the author managed to maneuver the ups and downs, surprises, twists and turns of this unusual relationship, keeping the reader in suspense till the end.

To be honest, both characters got on my nerves; Michael, for not willing or being able to make up his mind as to whom he wanted; Esi for being too sweet and trusting. But as the story developed, Esi, an educated girl from the village, proved that she could stand her own ground, especially when it became clear that she might be sharing her husband with Lena, Michael’s girlfriend. She refused to be treated like a doormat.

One significant feature about Forest Girl, among many, is that the reader is made aware that marriage is never a bed perfect, more so an arranged one. The author does a very good job here; dealing with infidelity in marriage and the presence of an imaginary woman, ingredients that no new wife should contend with in her marriage. Both characters grow to confront their limitations and Michael especially grows into the man he is supposed to be.

Forest Girl is well researched, the diction and editing, flawless. The flavour of Ghana and for that matter, Africa, permeates it. Rich customs and traditions, local foods, snippets of local dialect, well imbibed local drinks, lush and harsh scenery of village life are a fine blend that set the tone in this novel, Forest Girl.

The only problem I have with Forest Girl is that I would have loved to know the outcome of the job interview Esi attended. This however did not detract from the story or the development of the plot in any way.

Forest Girl  is a truly lovely romance journey into Ghana that I urge all lovers of romance to take. 🙂

About the Author

Empi Baryeh is the award-winning author of Most Eligible Bachelor (winner: Book of the year in the 2017 Ufere Awards). She writes sweet and sensual African, multicultural and interracial romance, which happens to be her favourite genres of romance to read. Her interest in writing started around the age of thirteen after she stumbled upon a YA story her sister had started and abandoned. The story fascinated her so much that, when she discovered it was unfinished, she knew she had to complete it. Somehow the rest of the story began to take shape in her mind and she’s been writing ever since. She lives in Accra, Ghana, with her husband and their two lovely kids.

Buy Links

Amazon US | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Smashwords

Review: Chancing Faith by Empi Baryeh

Tags

Empi Baryeh, Interracial romance

Title: Chancing Faith
Author: Empi Baryeh
Binding: Paperback
Genre: contemporary (Interracial) Romance
Pages: 277
Publication Date: 2012

Publishers: Black Opal books Publication

Reasons for Reading: From my TBR. (An autographed copy I must add :-))

Naaki Tabika wanted to prove to herself, that as a Ghanaian young woman poised on the doorstep of a successful career with a fine advertising company Media Image Advertising (MIA), she was much more than wife and mother material. She had broken up with Gyamfi precisely because she did not want to be tied down to a man who would submerge her identity and dreams of making it in the competitive advertising world. And she  certainly had no room for another man in her life so when Thane Alexsander, the American Ad Executive came striding into her life, she was confused big time. She found it difficult admitting her hopeless attraction for him. Could she dare mix business with pleasure? More importantly could she trust him and her heart?

‘Thane Alexsander didn’t date co-workers either until business took him to Ghana and he met Naaki. Now he was at risk of breaking all the rules. Could he stop this headlong fall until it’s too late?’ (Blurb)

Chancing Faith is Empi Baryeh’s second romance to come out of Ghana but this time it is an interracial romance between two career-driven professionals who must find a common ground to able to give their blossoming love a chance.

I must say that there is nothing racial about this novel, not at all. Both Thane and Naaki were very comfortable in their being different, and of different races, if you get what I mean. If there was any difference, it was more cultural than racial. The   main cultural divergence in the novel concentrated on business issues related to the advertising field, with the unpleasant potential threat of an American company taking over an African one by forcing their policies and values on the employees, without due cognizance to the culture of the local employees.

What I love about Chancing Faith is the background information on the business of advertising in my own country which I never knew much about.  The novel was well written and very well researched, with interesting believable and well-developed characters. Thane and Naaki’s romance was conducted amidst lots of fun and with much decorum and respect for each other’s views and cultures. That is not to say there were no hot moments; there were quite a number of them, though the couple did not jump into bed on their first meeting. (I must admit I was expecting something like that after reading her first novel, Most Eligible Bachelor) I guess, Thane had to put a lot of restrain on his feelings though the telltale signs of his attraction for Naaki gave him away most of the time.

The language was simple, interspersed with the local dialect giving the novel that ‘Ghanaian feeling of our own special kind of English’. (the author explained the foreign words   in italics) and the writing very well-edited.

In my review of her first novel, Most Eligible Bachelor, I did say that Empi is one Ghanaian lady we should watch out for. She is carving a niche for herself as a  hot contemporary romance writer with fast-paced plots and hot upwardly mobile Ghanaian characters who know what they want and go all out for it. Yes, we can have it all, education, fine jobs and wonderful partners. 🙂

This is a fine novel and I recommend it to all who love romance and would want to know more about Ghana and her wonderful people and culture.

about empi

Empi Baryeh has been writing since the age of thirteen after stumbling upon a YA story her older sister had started. The story fascinated her so much that, when she discovered it was unfinished, she knew the task of completing it rested firmly on her shoulders. And somehow the ideas and the words for the rest of the story began to pour into her mind. She’s been writing ever since.It wasn’t until another thirteen years later, however, that the romantic in her geared her toward romance. She now focuses on heart-warming multicultural romance with enough passion to enthrall readers who want a little sizzle with their romance. She lives in her native country, Ghana, which provides the exotic setting for most of her novels.

Chancing Faith can be bought from Amazon (Kindle and Paperback) and Black Opal Books Publications.

Sunday Evening With Ghana Association of Writers (GAW)

Tags

African Literature, Chancing Faith, Empi Baryeh, John Dramani Mahama, Manu Herbstein

I haven’t posted much this October, not because I don’t have anything to write about, but for the simple reason that I have been busy lately and the hiccups of internet and power situation are just so maddening I could hit the roof, (well, not literally). I won’t bore you with the story. 🙂

When time permits, I try to clear my heaping mails up to no avail, because while I have slowed down, my dear friends have been busy writing and the mail just keep heaping. If there is a way of asking would-be-followers not to follow me for a while at least,…………….it would be churlish on my part so let me just shut up.

Yesterday, my wonderful sister-in-law, Esther, (who is a Principal Research Officer with the Research and Development Division of the Ghana Heath Service, an avid reader and lover of the Arts) invited me to the Ghana Association of Writers (GAW) Sunday, a Literary and Cultural Event by the GAW held every first Sunday of the month at PAWA House. Now, would you believe I had never heard of this event even though it has been going on for some time now? Esther made sure I attended by calling me on Saturday and reminding me twice on Sunday and my oh my! Absolutely no regrets.

The evening, which took of at 4.30 treated audience to poetry recitals by students of Adabraka Methodist Junior High School. I loved this so much, that GAW provides the opportunity to the youth to showcase their talents is a laudable thing. The young men and women (not kids, mind you) recited wonderful poems and sang songs in French and poor me, I was lost. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one, though. Kudos to these fine artistes in the making.

There were also readings by some fine poets and for me the highlight of the evening was the reading by Empi Baryeh from her much acclaimed latest novel Chancing Faith. Now, Empi is my favourite Ghanaian romance writer whose blog I faithfully follow. She can be counted amongst the female giants of Ghanaian writing. Her first novel Most Eligible Bachelor has been reviewed on this blog. But I had never set eyes on her (even though she lives in Ghana and works only fifteen minutes drive from my workplace), until yesterday so to say I was tickled would be an understatement. I was over the top. Needless to say, we chatted as if we had known each other for years. I also got myself a copy of Chancing Faith, available at the Silverbird, Accra Mall (for those in Ghana).

Manu Herbstein, award-winning author of Akosua and Osman (2011 Burt Awards for African Literature, 3rd Prize) and Ama, (2002 Commonwealth Writers Prize for the Best First Book) was present with his wife Akua, a renowned entrepreneur in Ghana. Though I didn’t talk to them, (we left as soon as the event ended at 6.30) I was quite awed to see Manu Herbstein in the flesh. Mrs. Herbstein is a household name in the country and I had seen her on TV variously when growing up.

On a sad note, a minute’s silence was held for a member of GAW, the late Mrs. Olivia Sosu, a retired Educationist and a poetress as well.

Indeed, this GAW event is one that I will endeavour to attend every month and blog about as well. I missed the Book Festival organised by the GAW where the President of Ghana, John Mahama, read from his recently published book, My First Coup D’etat in what was a relatively a non-political and informal atmosphere.

I also plan on reading some of my poems at the next GAW Sunday and I will give you guys the details so stay tuned. 🙂

Oh, I almost forgot. They do serve some chilled palm wine at the event. You know, we can’t just listen to readings, fine ones they may be and sound, without wetting our throats the traditional way. The palm wine was so sweet I will definitely make it next month, hook or crook. 🙂

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I appreciate your patience with me as I catch up on your blogs. Thanks a million! Shalom.

Review – Empi Baryeh’s Most Eligible Bachelor

Tags

Cassanova, Empi Baryeh, First Ghanaian Published Female Romantic Writer, Most Eligible Bachelor, romance, sex appeal

Most Eligible Bachelor by Empi Baryeh

My oh my! I could not stop when I started yesterday till I had read the whole piece of raw chemistry and thundering passion between Lord Mackenzie and Chantelle Sah. Empi Baryeh’s Most Eligible Bachelor is a story of unbridled passion between Lord, a sinfully handsome construction tycoon managing the family business, with a reputation of a Casanova,  and Chantelle, a beautiful features writer with a society magazine, Odopa.

Chantelle’s past involved her fiance who had lied to her for the three years they had been together; and the lies had culminated into a disaster that had wrecked havoc with Chantelle’s life and emotional well being. On the eve of Valentine’s Day of that fateful year, Martin, her fiance had avoided a celebration dinner with Chantelle by informing her that he had been assigned to cover a story elsewhere. Being a reporter, she had believed him. The news of a lorry accident involving him and a lady he had taken along had disturbed her. She had been angry with him for deceiving her and he had also robbed her of a confrontation by his death. She had been pregnant and had been waiting for him to come back to hear the good news. These disturbing events had shattered Chantelle and she had lost the baby. It had taken her four years to heal or so she had thought.

With this background, when the editor of the Odopa  magazine that she worked for had detailed her to interview his ‘Lordship’ and the interview had been set for Valentine’s Day, Chantelle had been apprehensive, not wanting to be reminded of her hurts. She had not celebrated Valentine’s Day since four years when Martin had died.

Lord Mackenzie’s reputation also did not help matters at all. Being featured in the Odopa magazine meant a lot to him. He needed to correct all the negative publicity he had acquired over the years as a playboy. Winning the bid for the construction of the pitch of the Kumasi international airport would boost the image of the company further, having been ranked amongst the Ghana Club 100.This particular project was important since all the bidders were international companies  and Mackenzie construction was the only local one. Lord would leave nothing to chance to make sure that  he won the bid, even if this included correcting his image as a womaniser who lacked seriousness.

Haven read her articles in the Odopa magazine over time, he had come to love her writings and had been intrigued and hooked by the personality behind the writings and her photograph. Getting her to interview him on that fateful day had been easy and poor Chantelle had not been prepared for the sheer force of the chemistry that erupted between them when they met.

The passion rocked them both and Chantelle was lost and confused by the wave of emotions that threatened to disrupt her otherwise boring existence. Sex at first sight was what happened and what a wonderful sex it was. For once, she felt like a woman as Lord ravished her in the most skilful and considerate manner befitting a man who knew how to give pleasure as well as receive it.  Chantelle gave herself completely to this stranger, needing his warmth, his touch, his kisses and all that he was doing to her if only for the one night, to make her feel whole again and to make her feel her femininity.  The regrets would come later, dear Lord, but for now, she needed him so much. After that night, Lord Mackenzie was done for. Every pore of him oozed his desire for Chantelle;  it was the  gradual realisation that he was falling in love with her and he needed her to trust him that kept him on his best behaviour (so to speak) around her.

The regrets came, but in her heart, they fought for survival with her desperate need of him. His kisses and feather-touch had unsettled her in the deepest recesses of her womanhood and she craved for more. But Chantelle was astute enough to realise that she could be playing with fire; her past with Martin also did not allow her to trust Lord and so when he failed or omitted to tell her that the condom he had used on that fateful night had broken, especially in the light of  the knowledge that she was pregnant, she knew she had been fooled once again. Somehow, he just had not found the opportune time to tell her and after that Valentine’s Day when he had made sweet love to her, she had refused to take his calls. And now, she was hopelessly in love with Lord, even if she would not admit so. In her confusion, she turns to her twin sister Danielle, who urges her to go to Lord and forgive him for withholding vital information.

In the end, Lord declared his love for Chantelle on national TV and asked for her forgiveness, after he had called a press conference to announce the shortlisting of his company by the government for the construction of the airport. Needless to say, she forgave him and went over to his house where they made up with the most passionate love making starting from the shower and ending in his magnificent bed.  Hmm!

I daresay that Empi Baryeh is one of the first published if not the first Ghanaian female published romantic writer to to hit the stands. I think Empi is brave, yes, brave. She has broken through the myth surrounding romance and sex by coming out with a novel that freely highlights the relationship between a man and a woman in love who are not afraid to explore their attraction to each other and their sexuality, in vivid imagery. However, Empi’s description of the sex scenes in the novel is done in tasty yet simple language that is not offensive to the reader and her sensitivity to the Ghanaian culture is commendable. At the same time, she manges to create hot and tantalising scenes that has the reader gasping for more, just like her protagonists. I fell in love with Lord myself, and wish I had been Chantelle, if only to be the recipient of such tender touches and kisses.

The sentence structure of the novel is simple and yet rich, full of camaraderie among the characters, as depicted in the dialogue between Chantelle and her office colleagues and the special relationship between her and her twin sister, Danielle. Again Empi’s use of real life scenes and settings in the novel makes the story believable. The reader is transported through time and space to familiar sites in Ghana, following Lord and Chantelle as they kiss at the construction site at Dodowa and as the very air between them sizzles with unfulfilled desires lurking behind  anger at the National Theatre.

The characterisation of the protagonists gives the reader a sense of identity with them, evoking images of a one time hot interlude with an Adonis or a male figure with potent sexual virility or a woman with lethal sex appeal.

I think Empi has done a great job, though I have a problem with the issue of the condom. These days condoms hardly ever break. And I think that line is overused. It may be more plausible for Lord Mackenzie to be overtaken by his passion for Chantelle and make love to her without protection. However, one could argue that in this day of HIVs and STIs, it would be more prudent for Lord to use protection and break it in his haste thereby risk making Chantelle pregnant, than not to use it all, thereby sending a negative message out to readers. Again, having a condom on had just goes with the image of the Casanova – combat readiness in case of any eventuality.

I just love this novel. Below are my favourite lines:

“I think you’re good-looking, and I’d love to wake up in your arms.”

“Then you don’t have anything to worry about.” He leaned in for another kiss. “Henceforth, you’ll be waking up next to me.”    Most Eligible Bachelor (Kindle Locations 4508-4513).

Copies of Empi Baryeh’s novel, Most Eligible Bachelor can be obtained at Amazon and Evernight Publishing