But the reason I'm out of hibernation is to shine a spotlight (that was cheesy) on Ghanian romance author, Nana Prah.
Why? You ask. Well, as you know I love a good love story and so when I got a chance to read, and review Nana Prah's Midwife to Destiny. I jumped at it (heck yeah!).
Who is Nana Prah?
As a child we used to sing a jump rope song that went: “She’s the best in the west, cause she rocks so fresh.” Yup that’s me.
Why write romance?
For the same reason I read it. The Happily Ever After. It’s my favorite part.
What's the most romantic thing that ever happened to you?
Receiving a delivery of flowers along with this cute karate monkey that said “Heeyaaa” when you squeezed it. That was the best Valentine's day ever.
Do you think African men can be romantic?
They can be, but they aren’t. Romance takes time and finesse. Most don’t think it’s important to invest in.
Where would you say was the most romantic place in Ghana?
Any of the beaches. Sitting with someone as you watch the awesomeness of the ocean is romantic. Even better if you add a kiss or two.
You've been writing since you were in the eighth grade (according to your blog), but when did you decide you were going to get published and why?
Right out of nursing school I decided to chronicle my experiences as a new nurse. I wanted to show the world what a fresh nurse had to deal with. It ended up being a stress reliever for me, but I never submitted it to get published.
Did you have help along the way - writing coach, mentors?
I’d consider my friend, Tanya, a coach of sorts. After all she had a degree in English. That had to count for something. Now that I am published my beta readers and author friends have taken that role.
What do you do for fun?
I love to read. Hanging out with my friends always makes me happy.
What's your go-to movie to relax?
The Lake House with Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. I adore that movie. It’s a romance with a bit of time shifting in it.
Which would you prefer - a quiet evening with friends, or a night out on the town? Why?
It depends on my mood and my friends. I enjoy staying in and chatting, but I do like to get my groove on every once in a while.
What's your favourite dish?
Pizza. The cheesier the better.
What's your favourite drink?
Coke. I could drink it by the gallon, but I don’t.
What's your favourite snack?
I actually wrote chocolate as my favourite dish until I saw this question.
What's your writing ritual?
I write in the evening. I sit in front of my computer and type away. Sometime only a few words come out, others days I have to force myself to stop and go to sleep. I don’t do anything special other than let the words flow.
What inspired Midwife to Destiny?
The desire to enter the Afro Romance Competition a couple of years ago. One of the requirements was that the romance had to be set in Africa. Since I didn’t have one written I set to work.
One review likened it to 'Grey's Anatomy in Africa'? Did that ever cross your mind?
Not at all, but I thought it was brilliant when I read the review. I wrote a post comparing the two works and discovered that yes, Midwife to Destiny can be considered the Grey’s Anatomy in Africa.
Does Destiny Series imply that readers should expect more books in this line? When and will there be any similarities?
The next book, Destiny Mine, is on the editing table. It features Esi, Ora’s sassy cousin and Adam, Jason’s arrogant womanizing best friend. When you read Midwife to Destiny you’ll know why Destiny Mine had me in stitches when I wrote it. I can’t wait to share.
What's your favourite thing about writing?
Expressing my ideas in a way that makes sense and entertains.
What's your least favourite thing about writing?
Editing. I’ve learned the hard way that when you’re doing it correctly, it’s a whole lot of stress.
What's the best piece of advice you got as a writer?
Get a beta reader. I don’t know what I did without them. Oh yes, without them I got rejection letters. They make my work so much better long before submitting it to publishers.
Any words of advice for new writers?
If you’re interested in writing, then write. Nothing is stopping you except yourself and your own insecurities. Live in love not fear, and everything will turn out well.
Ain't she a doll... Check out the blurb and excerpt below, and Get Your Copy Now!
Midwife to Destiny by Nana Prah
Destiny Series, Book 1
Contemporary Romance, Multicultural
BLURB
Ghanian 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?
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The pain pulsing through Aurora ‘Ora’ Aikins’ injured wrist transitioned into a delicious, unfamiliar tingle when Dr. Lartey touched it.
"It's just my luck to come on vacation and get hurt,” she huffed in frustration as she forced herself to not sigh at the pleasure his gentle probing touch evoked.
"You were very lucky. The x-ray shows your wrist isn’t broken, but you sustained a very bad sprain so you have to be careful with it,” he said, sounding all business-like. Each time he touched her wrist, her stomach twisted and her awareness of him as a man, with the need to get to know him better, intensified. These sensations unnerved her but the gorgeous man she had the privilege of calling her doctor seemed unaffected.
His confident stride had drawn her attention when he’d entered the consulting room. His spicy, with a citrusy undertone, cologne filled the sterile hospital air, making her nostrils flare to take in more of his unique scent. Deep brown eyes had perused her chart as she’d taken in his short-cropped hair, high cheekbones, and thick lips that brought kissing into her mind. Dark smooth skin rivalled the richness of high quality chocolate.
Ora scanned the emergency room cubicle, which had become smaller with the doctor’s broad-shouldered, towering stature, for cameras. Could she be on a reality TV show? Starring in one had never been a life objective, but the crew might have caught her unaware. No visible cameras, but those producers were sneaky and could place one inside a stethoscope.
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.
Blog: www.nanaprah.blogspot.com
Twitter: @NanaPrah
Facebook:Nana Prah,
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3 comments:
Well done Timi!
I'm happy you came out of hibernation for me. Thanks for hosting me. Congratulations on your anthology being accepted.
@Nana Prah.It was an honour to have you, and thanks, we're very happy about the anthology. Now it needs to make us lots and lots of money :D
@Sifa, aaaww shucks.
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