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Soulful Return by Fidelis O. MkparuSoulful Return by Fidelis O. Mkparu

Publisher:  DX Varos Publishing (November 22, 2022)
Category: General Fiction, Literary Fiction, African-American Fiction, Immigrant Experience
Tour Dates November 2-23
ISBN: 978-1955065603
Available in Print and ebook, 332 pages

Soulful Return

Description Soulful Return by Fidelis O. Mkparu


“The hounding voice inside me would not let go.”

Thus begins the emotional journey of Afamefuna Onochie Nwaku, a Harvard-trained medical doctor with a career most can only dream of, a loving wife, and supportive family. Then, he receives a telephone call from his sister who lives in Nigeria that her life is being threatened.

Left with no other fair choice, Afam leaves behind his family, throwing his marriage into turmoil and risking the life he has built in Boston. Instead of the Nigeria that he loves, that he needs, he finds a land and people he barely recognizes waiting for him. Afam decides to stay but realizes that his future in Nigeria is as murky as the River-Niger after a torrential tropical rainfall.

As Afam sets out on a journey to reconnect with the family and heritage that he left behind, he must face new enemies in an increasingly corrupt Nigeria where many people see him as an American intruder. And through it all, he must fight to keep his family together—and alive.

My Thoughts Soulful Return by Fidelis O. Mkparu


Afamefuna Onochie Nwaku left his homeland and family in Nigeria to attend Harvard medical school to become a doctor.  It was always expected by his family that he would return to his homeland one day to take over the running of his family lands. In the meantime, he built his career, married, and had children in Boston.

Now he is 60 years-old.  He is offered the CEO position in Boston Medical Center and his wife wants him to accept the position.  It was such an honor to be offered the top position!   However, he is also yearning for Nigeria.

His father passed away 25 years ago and that was the last time he was in Nigeria. Then he receives a call from his sister.  Their cousin is trying to claim his father’s lands.  He goes against his wife’s wishes and takes a sabbatical from work and goes to Nigeria.

He finds it has changed and not for the better.  At every turn he runs into corrupt police, just trying to make his way home to his sister.  Then when he gets there, his cousins are there and demanding “they get what’s there’s”

You will have to read the book to find out what happens as I do not want to give away spoilers.  Fidelis O. Mkparu’s writing is hypnotizing, making it hard to put the book down.  He captures the Nigerian land and people with his poetic prose.  His characters are well fleshed out and grabbed me through the pages and transported me. I will be thinking about this book and its characters for a very long time to come, they will not let go!  I highly recommend you read ‘Soulful Return’!

Awards and Praise for Fidelis O. Mkparu


2018 EVVY winner, Literary & Contemporary Fiction for Tears Before Exaltation.

Silver Medal: Nautilus Book Awards, Fiction 2016 for Love’s Affliction.

Reader Views Literary Award Winner 2015/2016 for Love’s Affliction.

Finalist 2015: INDIEFAB Book of the Year Award, Multicultural Fiction for Love’s Affliction.

“A must-read, Love’s Affliction is an exceptionally gripping and poignant story. While intense throughout, there is resolution – and not quite what one may expect!”—San Francisco Book Review

“An exceptionally well crafted work, “Love’s Affliction” is an engaging and extraordinary multi-cultural novel that documents author Fidelis O. Mkparu as a talented, first class storyteller. “Love’s Affliction” is very highly recommended for personal reading lists and would prove to be a valued addition to community library Contemporary Fiction collections.”—Midwest Book Review

About Fidelis O. Mkparu Soulful Return by Fidelis O. Mkparu


Multi award winning author, Fidelis O. Mkparu is a Nigerian immigrant in the U.S. who wishes to speak to his experiences and those of his fellow immigrants. He is a professor of Medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University and a senior attending cardiologist at Aultman Hospital and Mercy Medical Center in Canton, Ohio. Previously, he was a Spaulding fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital at Harvard Medical School.

His preceding novels include Love’s Affliction and Tears Before Exaltation.

Website: https://fidelismkparu.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fidelismkparu
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fidelis.mkparu

Preorder Soulful Return by Fidelis O. Mkparu


Amazon
Barnes&Noble
DX Varos Publishing

Giveaway Soulful Return by Fidelis O. Mkparu


This giveaway is for 3 print or ebook copies. Print is open to the U.S. only and ebook is open worldwide. This giveaway ends on November 24, 2022 midnight, pacific time. Entries accepted via Rafflecopter only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow Soulful Return by Fidelis O. Mkparu


Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Nov 2 Kickoff & Interview

Sal Bound 4 Escape Nov 3 Review

Denise Amazon & Goodreads Nov 9 Review

Laura Lee Celticlady’s Reviews Nov 10 Review & Excerpt

Bookgirl Amazon Goodreads Nov 11 Review

Suzie My Tangled Skeins Book Reviews Nov 14 Review & Excerpt

Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Nov 15 Review

Gracie Goodreads Nov 16 Review

Bee Book Pleasures Nov 17 Review & Interview

Linda Lu Goodreads Nov 18 Review

Nora S. Storeybook Reviews Nov 22 Review & Excerpts

Ellen Goodreads Nov 23 Review

Soulful Return by Fidelis O. Mkparu

Soulful Return by Fidelis O. MkparuSoulful Return by Fidelis O. Mkparu


Publisher:  DX Varos Publishing (November 22, 2022)
Category: General Fiction, Literary Fiction, African-American Fiction, Immigrant Experience
Tour Dates November 2-23
ISBN: 978-1955065603
Available in Print and ebook, 332 pages

Soulful Return

Description Soulful Return by Fidelis O. Mkparu


“The hounding voice inside me would not let go.”

Thus begins the emotional journey of Afamefuna Onochie Nwaku, a Harvard-trained medical doctor with a career most can only dream of, a loving wife, and supportive family. Then, he receives a telephone call from his sister who lives in Nigeria that her life is being threatened.

Left with no other fair choice, Afam leaves behind his family, throwing his marriage into turmoil and risking the life he has built in Boston. Instead of the Nigeria that he loves, that he needs, he finds a land and people he barely recognizes waiting for him. Afam decides to stay but realizes that his future in Nigeria is as murky as the River-Niger after a torrential tropical rainfall.

As Afam sets out on a journey to reconnect with the family and heritage that he left behind, he must face new enemies in an increasingly corrupt Nigeria where many people see him as an American intruder. And through it all, he must fight to keep his family together—and alive.

Advance Praise Soulful Return by Fidelis O. Mkparu


“Mkparu has created a masterpiece of immigrant experience and connection, outlining many of the forces that influence and stress modern Africans and Americans alike.” — D. DonovanMidwest Book Review

Awards and Praise for Fidelis O. Mkparu


2018 EVVY winner, Literary & Contemporary Fiction for Tears Before Exaltation.

Silver Medal: Nautilus Book Awards, Fiction 2016 for Love’s Affliction.

Reader Views Literary Award Winner 2015/2016 for Love’s Affliction.

Finalist 2015: INDIEFAB Book of the Year Award, Multicultural Fiction for Love’s Affliction.

“A must-read, Love’s Affliction is an exceptionally gripping and poignant story. While intense throughout, there is resolution – and not quite what one may expect!”—San Francisco Book Review

“An exceptionally well crafted work, “Love’s Affliction” is an engaging and extraordinary multi-cultural novel that documents author Fidelis O. Mkparu as a talented, first class storyteller. “Love’s Affliction” is very highly recommended for personal reading lists and would prove to be a valued addition to community library Contemporary Fiction collections.”—Midwest Book Review

Interview With Fidelis O. Mkparu

TR: Please tell us something about Soulful Return that is not in the summary. (About the book, character you particularly enjoyed writing etc.)

FOM: Writing Soulful Return was an emotional journey for me. That journey started when I assumed the persona of Afam while writing, and it took me back to a small town where my ancestors lived. Obodo is not a real town in Eastern Nigeria, but the town has a lot in common with Ojoto in Anambra State, Nigeria where I call my ancestral home. If I have a wayward soul, that part of my being that is untethered, I believe it’s roaming around in my hometown Ojoto drinking palm-wine and telling tales of past valor.

TR: I always enjoy looking at the names that authors choose to give their characters. Where do you derive the names of your characters? Are they based on real people you knew or now know in real life? How do you create names for your characters?

FOM: Most of the names I used in SOULFUL RETURN are from my ancestors. The names chosen and their meaning help to elucidate some of the nuances in Igbo culture as it relates to my story, SOULFUL RETURN.

TR: Where did you get the inspiration for your cover?

FOM: The inspiration came from the last time I walked on the dirt road leading to the ruins of my grandfather’s house built around 1870’s.

TR: What is your favorite scene in the book? Why?

FOM: The scene of palm-wine libation by Afam honoring his father in the presence of his grade school mates. In that scene, Afam states that although he is assuming the role of his family patriarch, he is not usurping his father’s achievements and glory.

TR: Which actor would you like to see play Afam from Soulful Return? Are there any other actors you can think of for some of the other characters?

FOM: Denzel Washington

TR: What kind of messages do you try to instill in your writing?

FOM: The importance of cultural heritage and how it binds us together.

TR: What draws you to this genre?

FOM: The freedom it offers for expressivity.

TR: Will Afam have more to tell readers in the future?

FOM: Definitely. How his life evolves in Obodo and if he would ever go back to Boston to live.

TR: Do you have any writing projects that you are currently working on?

FOM: An anthology of poems dedicated to my wayward soul.


About Fidelis O. Mkparu Soulful Return by Fidelis O. Mkparu


Multi award winning author, Fidelis O. Mkparu is a Nigerian immigrant in the U.S. who wishes to speak to his experiences and those of his fellow immigrants. He is a professor of Medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University and a senior attending cardiologist at Aultman Hospital and Mercy Medical Center in Canton, Ohio. Previously, he was a Spaulding fellow at Massachusetts General Hospital at Harvard Medical School.

His preceding novels include Love’s Affliction and Tears Before Exaltation.

Website: https://fidelismkparu.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fidelismkparu
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fidelis.mkparu

Preorder Soulful Return by Fidelis O. Mkparu


Amazon
Barnes&Noble
DX Varos Publishing

Giveaway Soulful Return by Fidelis O. Mkparu


This giveaway is for 3 print or ebook copies. Print is open to the U.S. only and ebook is open worldwide. This giveaway ends on November 24, 2022 midnight, pacific time. Entries accepted via Rafflecopter only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow Soulful Return by Fidelis O. Mkparu


Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Nov 2 Kickoff & Interview

Sal Bound 4 Escape Nov 3 Review

Denise Amazon & Goodreads Nov 8 Review

Laura Lee Celticlady’s Reviews Nov 10 Review & Excerpt

Bookgirl Amazon Nov 11 Review

Suzie My Tangled Skeins Book Reviews Nov 14 Review & Excerpt

Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Nov 15 Review

Gracie Goodreads Nov 16 Review

Bee Book Pleasures Nov 17 Review & Interview

Linda Lu Goodreads Nov 18 Review

Nora S. Storeybook Reviews Nov 22 Review & Guest Post

Ellen Goodreads Nov 23 Review

Soulful Return by Fidelis O. Mkparu

Unlocking: Memoir of Family and Art by Nancy L. PresslyUnlocking: Memoir of Family and Art by Nancy L. Pressly

Publisher:  She Writes Press (May 5, 2020)
Category: Memoir
Tour Dates June and July, 2020
ISBN: 978-1631528620
Available in Print and ebook, 224 pages
Unlocking by Nancy L. Pressly

Description Unlocking: Memoir of Family and Art by Nancy L. Pressly


While recovering from a near fatal illness, Nancy Pressly discovers a treasure trove of family material stored in her attic. Haunted by images of her grandparents and her parents in their youth, she sets out to create a family narrative before it is lost forever. It takes several more years before she summons the courage to reconstitute a path back to her own past, slowly pulling back the veil of amnesia that has, until now, all but obliterated her memory of her childhood.

In this sensitive and forgiving meditation on the meaning of family, Pressly unravels family dynamics and life in a small rural town in the 1950s that so profoundly affected her―then moves forward in time, through to her adulthood. With an eye attuned to visual detail, she relates how she came into her own as a graduate student in the tumultuous sixties in New York; examines how she assumed the role of caretaker for her family as she negotiated with courage and resilience the many health setbacks, including her own battle with pancreatic-related cancer, that she and her husband encountered; and evokes her interior struggle as a mother as she slowly traverses the barriers of expectations, self-doubt, and evolving norms in the 1980s to embrace a remarkable life as a scholar, champion of contemporary art, and nationally recognized art museum strategic planning consultant. Full of candor and art-inspired insight, Unlocking leaves the reader with a deep appreciation of the power of art and empathy and the value of trying to understand one’s life journey.

My Thoughts Unlocking: Memoir of Family and Art by Nancy L. Pressly


‘Unlocking’ is a memoir not just about finding your family, but finding yourself as well. When Nancy Pressly was diagnosed with cancer in her late-60’s, she decided to spend some time organizing her home and going through the old, untouched boxes in her attic. What she found there was not only the story of her family but a rich tapestry of love and life that took place over generations. Pressly decided to write her family’s story in this memoir and I am so glad she did because reading this was an absolute treat! I haven’t had my emotions stirred by a memoir like this in quite a long time.

Pressly’s family were originally from Eastern Europe, but came to America in the early 1900’s to get away from increasing anti-Semitism and the discriminatory laws of the time. After they got to America, they faced more turbulent waters as Jewish immigrants living in the sometimes unfriendly turn of the century New York City.

This memoir made me think about my grandparents on both sides who came to America also in the early 1900’s but from Russia, to escape anti-Semitism. I only wish there were a treasure to discover, and Pressly uncovered.  My grandparents wouldn’t talk about it so I know very little.  I can only imagine from stories I have heard from others.

Pressly’s family, like any family, had both good and bad times and this memoir reflects both in beautifully written detail. But, as I said, this is not just a story about the author’s family, but a transformative tale about the author herself and how learning about her family’s past impacted her view of the future.

Having so recently gone through a battle with cancer, Pressly seemed to view the entire research process with a lot of fervor and what resulted is an incredibly in depth portrait of Jewish refugees in early 20th century America.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves memoirs and history. As a lover of both I was enraptured from start to finish. Nancy Pressly had a wonderful and interesting story to tell and she did it with the delicacy of a loving descendant. I give it 5 out 5.

About Nancy L. Pressly


Unlocking : Memoir of Family and Art by Nancy L. Pressly

(c)Atlanta Portrait Photography

Nancy L. Pressly, a graduate of Goucher College, received her master’s degree in Art History from Columbia University. She began her career at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and subsequently held curatorial positions at the Yale Center for British Art and the San Antonio Museum of Art, where she organized several important exhibitions, most notably the acclaimed Fuseli Circle in Rome: Early Romantic Art of the 1770s.
In 1984 she became Assistant Director of the Museum Program at the National Endowment for the Arts; was a visiting Senior Fellow at the Center for Advanced Studies in the Visual Arts during the fall of 1992; and in 1993 founded Nancy L. Pressly & Associates, a nationally recognized consulting firm specializing in strategic planning for art museums. She has authored numerous publications, most recently a book titled Settling the South Carolina Backcountry (2016.) She and her husband live in Atlanta, Georgia, close to their son and two grandchildren.

Website:  https://nancylpressly.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NancyLPresslyauthor/

Buy Unlocking: Memoir of Family and Art by Nancy L. Pressly


Amazon
Barnes&Noble
Indiebound

Giveaway Unlocking: Memoir of Family and Art by Nancy L. Pressly


This giveaway is for 3 print copies open to the U.S. only. There will be 3 winners. This giveaway ends August 1, 2020,midnight pacific time. Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow Unlocking: Memoir of Family and Art by Nancy L. Pressly Tour


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Unlocking: Memoir of Family and Art by Nancy L. Pressly