It’s All About Haiku

Tags

Celestine Nudanu, Ghana, Haiku Rhapsodies, Nana Prah

Yes it’s all about haiku, my love for haiku, and why I write it. That exquisite, captivating Japanese poetry form. Only three lines and I’m hooked forever. I’m a guest at Nana Prah‘s Blog today. Please hop over and read all about why I write haiku. Thank you 🙂

deepest night

even the owl is silent

graveyard shift

2

unsung evening

a thin smoke curls

from her hearth

Copyright © Celestine Nudanu

05/10/16

 

 

Here are the links to my collection of Haiku, HAIKU RHAPSODIES, for your viewing and purchasing pleasure:

https://www.amazon.com/HAIKU-RHAPSODIES-Verses-Celestine-Nudanu-ebook/dp/B01LEZ39YS#nav-subnav

https://www.amazon.com/HAIKU-RHAPSODIES-Verses-Celestine-Nudanu/dp/9988232861/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/9988232861/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_c_jQ69xb1Y8R4W7

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Interview With Nana Prah, Author of Destiny Mine.

Tags

Author Interveiw, Destiny Mine, Ghana, Multi-cultural, Nana Prah, romance

Today on my blog, I’m so tickled to interview, Nana Prah, whom I greatly admire. Nana, a young Ghanaian woman is also a wonderful and creative romance writer who has churned out four gorgeous novels within this short spate of time I have known her.  Her latest, Destiny Mine has hit the Amazon stands and making waves. It is a contemporary, medical, multicultural romance and Book 2 of the Destiny Series!

Hi Nana, great to have you here today. Tell us a little about yourself
Thanks, Celestine. I’m excited to be here. I’ll give you the short humble version. I’m a simple woman who likes the best in life. Whatever I do I put my whole heart into it because I want to succeed. When I’m not able to do that then it’s time to let that project (or person) go.

Ah, it’s all or nothing. I like that. Tell us about your books
I write contemporary romance in the multicultural sub-genre. My first book, Love Through Time, was a paranormal romance. For me, my third book, Love Undercover, is one of the most different settings I’ve ever written because the romance takes place in an immigration detention facility. I was ecstatic when Decadent Publishing accepted me into their Ubuntu line which consists of stories set in Africa because I could show off my country, Ghana. Destiny Mine is the second book in this series.

How did you come with the ideas for the plot of Destiny Mine
Esi and Adam came up with it for me in Midwife to Destiny (Book 1). Esi was single and looking for love while Adam was trying to stay as far away from it as possible. I thought they’d make a fantastic couple and Destiny Mine was born.

Would you say your background as a nurse has impacted in any way on your plots?
Most definitely. I love showing off how wonderful nurses are. The profession is not easy, but when a person is called to it and immerses themselves into making people well or comfortable then the rewards abound, not just for the nurse, but the patients as well. I like showing this in my stories.

Yes, that showed up wonderfully in Midwife To Destiny. How have Ghanaians received your books? Are the books available here in Ghana or do you write only for the international market?
So far only a few of my friends (including you) have read my work. This is because they’ve been sold as e-books. Decadent is making Destiny Mine into a paperback and I’ll make sure to get some to Ghana so I can show my work off a little bit.

That’s great news. I can’t wait to lay my hands on a hard copy. What are the challenges of being a writer in Ghana?
I’m going to be honest. It’s the lack of consistent electricity in Ghana. Yeah, I said it. How is a person supposed to promote herself or write when the electric company doesn’t want to help us out? I did something my friend calls “Living Above The Government” (#LATG) and bought a solar-powered generator which I love.
I can’t write all of the time when the electricity is out, but It gives me more power than if I relied on just the electricity company.

Hmm, this electricity issue is  really setting us all back, Nana. And from the look of things, it would persist at least till the end of the year. Now, solar-powered generator! Why didn’t I think of that?

But are there any benefits at all in being a writer in Africa, with particular reference to Ghana?
The experiences and setting of living in the tropics is unique. Plus with a lot of things done on the internet it doesn’t really matter where a person writes from anymore, because we’re all connected.

That’s true. But tell me Nana, why should people buy and read your books?
I like to think that I create stories that people can relate to. I love when I read a book and end up wanting to be or falling in love with a character from that story. That’s what I hope happens to people when they read my novels.

Please give an analogy of what writing is like to you.
Writing is like taking a swim in cold water. You dip your toe into it at first, but then you know it will be less painful if you just dive in. First you feel like you’re going to die, but then you get used to the water and start enjoying it only to never want to get out of the water.

If you could give once piece of advice to Ghanaians, especially the young ones, what would it be?
If you want to write, then do it. Don’t let anyone stop you. Remember to only share your work with those who will be supportive and give you honest constructive criticism. Most importantly don’t take the criticism personally, use it to learn, grow, and become a better writer.

I like that. About the constructive criticism. We sometimes want to pull down our neighbours and friends. Do you think romance as a genre has a place or future in Ghana?
Yes. Ghanaians are learning not to equate romance with sex, but with actual romance. Because of this we want to read more stories that we can relate to both in setting and culture.

Thank you so much for having me on your blog, today. I had a great time with your questions. I wish I had a haiku to share, but there’s always next time.

I enjoyed having you Nana. Yes, there is always next time. 🙂

Blurb

Extraordinary midwife, Esi Darfour, is looking to get married. She’s a master matchmaker but has no luck when it comes to her love life and has yet to find a man worthy of her. Until she has to deal with gorgeous Dr. Adam Quarshie outside of work.

Adam is a player who refuses to get married—ever. His interest lies more in getting her into bed than in having any kind of committed relationship. Esi’s matchmaker instincts warn her to run in the other direction as quickly as possible, but her heart insists she stay…get closer…and see if what they feel for each other can change his mind.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nana Prah is a multi-published author of contemporary, multicultural romance. Her books are sweet with a touch of spice. When she’s not writing she’s reading, indulging in chocolate, and enjoying life with friends and family.

Buy Links

Amazon | Decadent |ARe | Barnes & Noble| Smashwords  |  Itunes   | Kobo | Google play|

Contact Details:

Blog : www.nanaprah.blogspot.com

Twitter: @NanaPrah

Facebook: Nana Prah, Author

Goodreads: Nana Prah

Google + :  Nana Prah

Blog Tour – Love Undercover by Nana Prah

Tags

Love Undercover, Nana Prah, romance

I’m once again privileged to be spotlighting on my blog a lovely  friend, blogger and author, Nana Prah, whom you all know by now. I’m especially excited because Nana is celebrating in grand style the release of her third novel, Love Undercover with a blog tour at the end of which she will be giving away a $44 Amazon or Smashwords Gift Card. (details below). Also from January 1 through to 30, the novel is on sale at only 99 cents. Check that out!

Now, read on…

Title:    Love Undercover

Author: Nana Prah

Genre:  Contemporary Romance, Women’s Fiction, Sweet, Multicultural

Publisher: Black Opal Books

 

 

 The last thing she expects is to fall in love with a prison guard…

Hotshot Secret Service Agent, Sarita Cerez is thrown into a medium security prison—for work. Her job is to protect the daughter of the president of South Korea. She never envisioned making friends with illegal immigrants or falling head over heels for one of the guards. Now the clandestine activity, which is integral to protecting her charge, may destroy her only chance at love.

He’s never fraternized with the inmates—until he met her…

Matthew Carter always plays by the rules, which includes maintaining a strictly professional relationship with the inmates in his charge. But when Sarita saunters onto the unit, all bets are off. Her status as a deportee with a permanent ticket to Columbia means they can never be together, but try as he might, this doesn’t stop him from risking his career for her.

He’s a man who values honesty above all else, and she lies for a living. Can two people from such different worlds find any common ground?

As they walked down the first flight of stairs, Sarita’s breath caught when she glanced at him. She missed her footing and would have gone head-over-ass down the steps if he hadn’t grabbed her.The heat emanating from Matt’s body seeped into her. “Thanks. You saved me from a nasty fall.”

“You are so beautiful, Sarita.” His whispered words feathered over her cheek.

She moved forward as his lips came down on hers in a crushing kiss. The impact brought tears to her eyes and a whimper to her throat. He eased the pressure. She took the light pecks as his apology.

She desired his passion over such teasing gentleness. Her hand moved to the back of his head and held him against her mouth, opening for him as his tongue thrust in. She hung onto him for fear of tumbling down the stairs.

Swinging her around, he lifted her onto the railing, wrapping her legs around him. His hardness met the juncture of her thighs. The need to feel more of him suffused her. She rocked her hips and squeezed him closer when he moaned.

The sound of whistling broke through the haze. She eased her feet to the steps and they continued down the stairs as if she hadn’t been about to rip off his shirt.

She held onto the railing so her wobbly legs wouldn’t slide out from under her. She chanced a glance up and saw the camera. How could she have forgotten where they were?

He looked back at the space they’d just vacated and raised an eyebrow. “Blind spot,” he whispered. “Didn’t you know?”

Amazon 
B&N
Smashwords
All Romance 
Kobo

Nana Prah is a multi-published author of contemporary, multicultural romance. Her books are sweet with a touch of spice. When she’s not writing she’s reading, indulging in chocolate, and enjoying life with friends and family.

Contact details
Blog : http://nanaprah.blogspot.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NanaPrah
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NanaPrah.Author
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7202262.Nana_Prah
Google + : https://plus.google.com/u/0/+NanaPrah/posts
Tsu: https://www.tsu.co/NanaPrah

Nana is giving away a $44 Amazon or Smashwords Gift Card

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/NzVjNGQ1MWM4MmMwZWY5MmE4ZGVlNTZlNWYwYTA1OjY4/?

 

Review: Midwife to Destiny by Nana Prah

Tags

hospital, Midwife To Destiny, Nana Prah, South Africa

Title:    Midwife To Destiny

Author: Nan Prah

Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Edition: Kindle

Publisher: Decadent Publishing Company

Pages:    147

Publication date:  February 21, 2014

Reasons for reading: Received this book as a  gift from the author for a candid review.

 

Blurb

Ghanaian nurse Aurora ‘Ora’ Aikins never expected to find the love of her life while on vacation in South Africa. Engaged to another and believing that love has no place in her life, she returns to Ghana, and puts duty and honor first.Three years later, Dr. Jason Lartey still can’t get Ora out of his mind or his heart. After learning she never married, he takes a risk and moves to Ghana hoping to rekindle what they started. His sudden appearance in Ora’s Emergency Department sends sparks flying all over again.They’re in the same country, working in the same hospital, and together but distance creeps between them. Can they make their destined love one for the ages?

My thoughts

When Aurora met and fell in love with Jason Lartey in South Africa, she was engaged to another man and she did the honourable thing. She broke off with Jason but never stopped loving him. Now three years later Jason hunts her down in Ghana and tries to woo her all over again. Aurora succumbs, having broken her engagement the moment she came from South Africa. Everything should have been smooth sailing, but it isn’t. Aurora has demons to fight and overcome before she can enjoy true love with Jason.

Nana Prah  has written a beautiful, gentle, sweet and yet moving romance set in South Africa and  Ghana, but more Ghana and precisely a hospital. The main protagonists are very well-developed, believable and engaging. The chemistry between the two is palpable and yet sweet. They share a strong sense of affection for each other but Aurora’s fears are true to life and I could easily identify with her on many levels. Jason’s patience with her, and the way he handles the other females on his heels speak volumes of his maturity and the love he has for Aurora. I love that Aurora faces up to her  hang-ups.  The author skillfully forces her to confront and reconcile with her  past,  in order for her to heal and move on with life and into Jason’s arms. 🙂

The language is simple, and well-edited. The dialogue is full of humour, nothing forced. I actually felt like I knew the couple and some of the other minor characters in Midwife to Destiny. Esi, Aurora’s cousin had me in stitches most of the time and I yet I could have strangled her for always butting in at the wrong time.

The author’s treatment of the medical scenes is also spot on. Nana Prah knows her stuff.

I must say that I was expecting some hot sizzling scenes between Jason and Aurora. But this is a sweet romance, not hot or erotica. And so that is fine. Midwife to Destiny is a great book and I recommend it to all lovers of romance and also to those who wish to delve into the Ghanaian medical scene.

A bit about Nana

Nana Prah was born in Ghana, West Africa, raised in the US and currently resides in Ghana where she loves her job as a writer and nurse educator. She has been writing since she can remember (in her journal) ans had been an avid reader of romance novels since eighth grade. She has finally been able to utilise the years of inadvertent research into writing her own romance novels where love always conquers all!

For a copy of Midwife to Destiny click here:

Love Through Time – Book Spotlight

Tags

Ghana, Love Through Time, Nana Prah, romance

Today, I’m highly privileged to be hosting on my blog a very wonderful and lovely  friend, blogger and author, Nana Prah. I’m especially excited because she is a Ghanaian like me and well also a hopeless romantic, again like me. Nana is celebrating in grand style the release of her debut novel, Love Through Time with a blog tour at the end of which she will be giving away three (3) $10 Amazon gift certificates (details below). True to form, Nana also has a lovely romantic haiku to whet our appetites. She is all yours, my friends. 🙂

Thank you so much for hosting me, Celestine.

Celestine has been gracious enough to host me on her wonderful blog and I’m excited to be here. Since one of the things Celestine does best is write haiku, I thought I’d try my hand at it. Be kind to me, this is only the second haiku I have ever written in my life. The first was in high school. I thought it was brilliant while my friends were kind with their responses.

Past lives

death does not end love

in the past you were for me

my heart knows you still

 

My debut novel has been released by Black Opal Books and I’m as happy as an eagle soaring high in the sky (I’m on a roll with this poetry business).

Title: Love Through Time

Author:  Nana Prah

Genre: Paranormal romance

Heat level: Sweet

Publisher: Black Opal Books

Release date: August 3, 2013

 

BLURB:

Defending her family – no problem. Recalling past lives – maybe just a small problem. Taking a chance on love again – well…

Jasmine Gibson has her world turned upside down when she meets gorgeous Sean Taylor. He’s the first man she’s been attracted to since her fiancé dumped her two years ago. But when the disturbing daydreams start, Jasmine begins to fear that her actions in a past life may have finally caught up with her.

Sean finds it impossible to stay away from Jasmine even though he can’t shake the inexplicable feeling of betrayal, simmering deep inside him every time he sees her.

To complicate things, someone is out to hurt Jasmine and every time she and Sean are together, the police have to be called. Even if Jasmine can make Sean trust her, the two of them may not stay alive long enough to enjoy their love this time around.

EXCERPT

She was coming to terms about their past lives, but he was having trouble just dealing with her in this one.

“I must have been a great man in previous life,” Sean said jokingly, but Jasmine’s expression turned serious as she held onto the doorpost. “Are you all right? Are you getting light-headed?”

“No, I’m fine.”

But he could tell something was bothering her. “Now you’re holding something back from me.”

“Do you believe in past lives?”

 “I haven’t thought about it. I’ve seen so much in my travels around the world that I wouldn’t be surprised if it existed. Do you?”

“I think it might exist, and the thought about coming back and making your soul better is very appealing. At the same time it could be painful, especially if you hurt someone else in a past life and met them again in another.”

Sean felt a chill go up his spine. He knew there was something more to this conversation, but he couldn’t pin point it. He wanted to stay and talk with her about it, but he had to get back to studying.

He leaned down and kissed her cheek. It was nothing but a friendly kiss, but he felt the shock of it straight down to the soles of his feet. Jasmine looked just as affected as he was.

Buy Links: Black Opal Books | Amazon | Barnes & Noble |Smashwords|ARe  

I can be found at:

Blog :  http://www.nanaprah.blogspot.com/

Twitter: @NanaPrah

Facebook: Nana Prah, Author

 

GIVE-AWAY AND BLOG TOUR

I’m giving away 3 $10 Amazon gift-cards at the end of a blog tour through rafflecopter. To enter, click on the link below: 

Rafflecopter – Love Through Time give-away

A bit about Nana: Nana Prah was born in Ghana, West Africa, raised in the US and currently resides in Ghana where she loves her job as a writer and nurse educator. She has been writing since she can remember (in her journal) and has been an avid reader of romance novels since the eighth grade. She has finally been able to utilize the years and years of inadvertent research into writing her own romance novels where love always conquers all.