Empi Baryeh is an author of heart-warming, multicultural love stories with enough passion to enthral readers who want a little sizzle with their romance. She lives in her native country, Ghana in West Africa, which provides the exotic setting for most of her stories.
EMPI BARYEH SPEAKS
Stella asked me to talk about improving relationships. That’s a very broad topic, so I’ll take it from the context of my book.
Most Eligible Bachelor is about Chantelle Sah, a magazine columnist who’s been burned by love, and Lord McKenzie, a reputed playboy, who, until meeting Chantelle, has never been in love. Chantelle is low on trust where men are concerned, and a playboy isn’t the kind of man she expects to heal her broken heart. Throw into the mix the little fact of the hero holding on to a secret that could be fatal for both their hearts, and you know there’s going to be some trouble brewing before a happily-ever-after can be achieved.
As you can see, my hero/heroine start out from a position of mistrust, and need to work at their relationship. One thing that helps my hero in this story is his unwavering desire to be with Chantelle. In real life as well as fiction, I’m a sucker for men who are sure of what they want and will do anything to get it—even if it means making fools of themselves. Through this, Chantelle learns a valuable lesson in love and trust, *and* gets a second chance at love.
It is often said that fiction mimics life, but in this case, life must take a cue from fiction. In my opinion, the central point to improving any relationship—not just a romantic one—is to let one’s love for another dictate one’s words and actions, to let the other person feel one’s unwavering devotion and hope that the other person feels the same way.
Relationships are hard, even if one doesn’t start at a point of mistrust as in the case of my hero and heroine. And even then, good people often make mistakes.
Anyway, the good news is that in romance novels, you know a happy ending awaits you. This is why many of us like romance, isn’t it?
Here’s a sneak peek at Most Eligible Bachelor.
MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELOR Blurb
Magazine columnist Chantelle Sah doesn’t celebrate Valentine’s Day—not since her fiancé’s betrayal three years ago—and after botching her first assignment as a feature writer, she’s more than willing to put in a hard day’s work this Valentine’s Day; even if it means going on a date with gorgeous construction Tycoon, Lord McKenzie, and opening herself to an onslaught of all things love.
When Lord—his given name, not a title—sets his sights on Chantelle, it isn’t just work he has on his mind. But even he couldn’t have predicted the magnetic attraction between them when they meet, nor the evening ending with more than an interview. Now he has to convince Chantelle that their one-night stand wasn’t a mistake. Can he win her love without revealing a secret from their night of passion, which could prove fatal for both their hearts?
MOST ELIGIBLE BACHELOR Excerpt
Lord McKenzie knew he was in trouble the moment he reached for the door and found Chantelle’s hand instead. She turned, her almond-shaped eyes widening. Their hazel intensity met his gaze, and he knew he was done for. Energy passed between them, zapping his will to resist.
“Chantelle.” His voice came out heavy, having forced its way out of the vise gripping his throat.
He pulled her, intending to have one more taste of her luscious full lips. He felt no resistance on her part as she stepped toward him. Her bag dropped to the floor just before her body slammed against his, every soft curve fitting perfectly into him as he laid claim on her lips.
She kissed him back with the same hunger with which he devoured her. Fire ignited, took over. She gripped his t-shirt, tugging it out of his trousers in the process. He became instantly hard. When her hands grazed his skin, he lost hold of any control he had tried to maintain. A kiss wouldn’t be enough to douse the inferno of desire consuming them. Something it seemed she’d already realized, because she pushed the t-shirt up his torso.
Their breathing and moans mingled as they attended to the multiple tasks of kissing, shedding their clothes and finding a place to settle. Chantelle’s top came off first, followed by his, then her jeans and his. Stumbling urgently to the loveseat, they continued their kissing and frantic groping.
With one snap, her bra came off, making Lord pause. He needed to take in the sight before him. In nothing but a flimsy pair of lacy white panties, she was a vision of perfection, her body a work of art. Her tall frame ordinarily projected an impression of slimness, but underneath her clothes were curves, lush and feminine, ample hips narrowing into a small waist and firm breasts proudly pouting at him, all wrapped in flawless milk-chocolate skin.
“You’re incredibly beautiful,” he whispered.
He couldn’t wait to taste her. But first, he needed to touch.
Reverently he cupped her breasts and kneaded them gently, drawing a soft moan from her. His hands travelled down her flat stomach to her hips, enjoying the feel of her curves. His mouth followed with kisses, along the same path to her navel. Reaching for the hem of her panties, he paused, raising his eyes to meet her gaze.
She watched him with sultry eyes, her pupils dilated. Seeing the desire in their depths caused several ounces of restraint to slip from his grip, but he needed to know they were on the same page. He wasn’t going any further if she had doubts.
“Tell me to take this off.”
***
I hope that excerpt has captured your interest enough to convince you that you need to get yourself a copy of the book!
Buy Links:
• Evernight Publishing: http://www.evernightpublishing.com/most-eligible-bachelor-by-empi-baryeh/ (15% off for the first 2 weeks)
• Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Most-Eligible-Bachelor-Distinction-ebook/dp/B0074VTHNO/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1328300810&sr=1-1
• Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Most-Eligible-Bachelor-Distinction-ebook/dp/B0074VTHNO/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
• All Romance eBooks: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-mosteligiblebachelor-677351-149.html
• Bookstrand: http://www.bookstrand.com/most-eligible-bachelor
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MORE TO COME FROM EMPI BARYEH
Also, coming 17th March through Black Opal Books is Chancing Faith, an interracial romance about an American ad exec who travels to Ghana, on business, and finds love.
CHANCING FAITH Blurb
He didn’t do short-term relationships…
American ad exec, Thane Aleksander, doesn’t date co-workers either—until business takes him to Ghana, West Africa, and he meets Naaki. Now he’s at risk of breaking all the rules. Can he stop this headlong fall before it’s too late?
Until he met her!
Naaki Tabika has a burning need to prove to herself and others, that she’s more than wife and mother material. To do so, she’s prepared to give up everything for her job. Meeting Thane, however, makes her want to get personal. But falling for her boss could destroy her career. Will she be willing to risk it all for the one thing that can make her truly happy?
Two divergent cultures, two different races, two career-driven professionals, only one chance at true love—will they find the faith to take it, or will their hearts be sacrificed on the altar of financial success?
Where else to find me online:
• My blog: http://empibaryeh.wordpress.com
• My website: http://empibaryeh.webs.com
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/empibaryeh
• Twitter: @empibaryeh
Once again, thank you for inviting me over, Stella. I hope you enjoyed my take on improving relationships. Don’t forget to leave a comment on this post for a chance to win a free copy of Most Eligible Bachelor. Enjoy your week!
Empi
Thanks for hosting me on your blog, Stella. I hope you enjoyed my take on the topic :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome Empi. Your view is realistic and practical. Congrats on MEB. Can't wait to read it. Definitely on my to read basket.
ReplyDeleteGreat outing Empi and Stella. I think also that showing one's love through actions is key to improving relationships.
ReplyDeleteThank you Myne. Your remark is spot on. Of course if you say you love someone and your actions doesn't match your words, your relationship takes a hard knock. I also think that making allowances for each other is vital. And openly talking about everything means there are no lingering hang-ups that can grow into hard lumps.
ReplyDeleteEmpi, your statement is so right. If only we used love to guide our words and actions the world would be a better place and romance books wouldn't seem so fictional.
ReplyDeleteMyne, true dat. I feel showing love would usually earn you a response in kind - even if it's not the kind of love you were hoping for.
ReplyDeleteNana, hmmm...say again. That's a very interesting way of putting it.
Thanks so much for your comments :-)
Thank you Nana for stopping by. Love without action is fruitless!
ReplyDeleteAnd the winner is...
ReplyDeleteNana Prah
congratulations on winning. Please send me your email address either through the "Contact Me" form on my blog or Facebook.
Congratulations to you Nana for emerging as the winner of MEB. Please feel free to post your comments here after reading Empi's novel. Thank you too, Myne.
ReplyDelete