Soulful Return by Fidelis O. Mkparu: Kickoff, Interview

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2 years ago

Soulful 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

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. Donovan, Midwest 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

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

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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.

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