Brittle Paper picks six stories from a new romance publisher that it believes is set to get the continent’s hearts racing this year; AINEHI EDORO, for Brittle Paper, part of the Guardian Africa Network
Step aside Mills and Boon there’s a new romance publisher in town. Ankara Press who are “bringing African romance fiction into the bedrooms, offices and hearts of women the world over”.
Ankara’s stated mission is to deliver romance with all the “thrill and fantasy” in a “healthier more grounded way”, reflecting the realities of women’s lives. Their six debut titles are high-quality, absorbing, easy-to-read African love stories set in cities as diverse as Lagos, Cape Town, and Jos and they’ve had African literary experts buzzing on Twitter for weeks.
It’s fun, refreshing, and a relief to read about men and women playing at the game of love the African way – the settings, the dialogues and the ‘toasting’ (meaning dating or courting) all feel familiar.
Best of all the drama is legit. Even the sex scenes make sense.
They are the kinds of novels I like to call ‘literary small-chops’: short and accessible on mobiles or tablets which can go anywhere your purse goes. They are fun to read and can – word of warning – be very addictive.
I’ve read half of the titles – which launched on 15 December – and can predict, with the knowledge of a literary blogger, that they are set to become an obsession in 2015.
And you won’t break the bank trying to read them all, due to publisher-promotion, each story costs less than 500 Naria (about N$35).
Here’s my synopsis of the new novels on offer:
In Chioma Iwunze-Ibiam’s ‘Finding Love Again’, jilted bride and radio broadcaster, Kambi, flees to the poetic solitude of Obudu Ranch, where she hopes to finish writing her poetry collection. But love comes looking for her in the form of a secret from her past.
Oyindamola Affinih’s Lagos story titled A Tailor-Made Romance is an urban fairy tale where Tishe, the beautiful advertising executive meets Adnan, a tailor from the suburb of Mushin.
Sifa Gowon’s ‘A Taste of Love’ is a love story that builds on the power of food. Let’s just say the love affair – between Adoo, a Jos-based cake maker and Toby, a successful club manager – happens somewhere between a delicious pizza and a suspicious cheese cake.
Amara Okolo’s ‘Black Sparkle Romance’ pits Mira, a magazine editor, and Dominic, a high-profile fashion photographer, in an elusive and beautiful tussle of love.
Ola Awonubi’s ‘Love’s Persuasion’ is proof that accountants are not just about numbers and ledgers – they can also fall in love! The character Ada Okafor proves this only too well when she finds herself entangled in an office romance with a British-trained assistant manager who works at the Lagos firm of City Finance.
In Amina Thula’s Cape Town romance ‘Elevator Kiss’, the leading couple break all the rules when, as perfect strangers, they kiss on their first encounter. This sets off a roller coaster, passionate love affair. – theguardian.com
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