I Won $1000 to promote the Naijastories Anthology

Who remembers this post about World of Betters? Yes, the Naija Stories idea won $1000!

Naijastories.com is the leading community for Nigerian writers and book lovers, combining elements of a writing critique website and a social networking site. Of Tears and Kisses, Heroes and Villains is Volume 1 of the 'Best of NaijaStories' series. The 30 stories featured in the anthology were all originally published on the website between March 2010 and March 2011.

Read on NAIJASTORIES.COM

Buy Paperback from the NaijaStories Createspace Store

Buy in Kindle format and Print from Amazon.com

Buy the NOOK version from Barnes&Noble online

Buy various eBook formats from Smashwords.com

**If you live in Nigeria and want the ebook delivered as a PDF file to your email inbox, please contact admin@naijastories.com for payment details (via Zenith Bank and GTBank).

Can we please accept that Divorce is an Option?

Yes, I am saying it again. Divorce is an option, is an option, is an option. Why do we women do this to ourselves? Some stories you read just break your heart. Marriage is good but only if you are happy and fulfilled with your partner. When the relationship is unhealthy, and your physical and emotional well-being is threatened, PLEASE GET OUT.

Seek help, accept support, do whatever you have to, but please LEAVE that toxic environment. If you're dating unhappily and waiting for a wedding to console you, marriage is more than a ring. If you're married and miserable, waiting for children to wipe your tears, there are no guarantees. If you live in a fractured home waiting for your children to grow and take you away, you may never make it.

Wicked Evolution: BURN - Romance Meets Music

When I first heard about Jada Pinkett's song, my initial thoughts were, is she a musician too? I decided to watch the video to it this weekend, and I think she acquitted herself quite well. Her vocals, the emotion, and most of all, the lyrics, I loved it.

It is a steamy (read, baby-making) song and she dedicates it in Spanish to Will Smith as follows;

This song that I’m about to sing is very important to me because it’s the beginning of a new love for my husband. After 17 years, I never thought I could love him even more. This is for him.

Cute, eh? Check out the lyrics after the break, and hope you had a great weekend. See you soon.

Wings of Hope - Hillary Peak (Guest Author)

Hillary Peak calls herself a recovering idealist. She became a lawyer to change the world and is still somewhat shocked that didn't occur. Now, her goal is to retire from practicing law and write novels that people love.

She is currently a practicing attorney in the District of Columbia. She lives with her family in Alexandria, Virginia. Below she writes about what led her to write her new book, Wings of Hope.

E Don Happen, Na Wetin I go Talk?

Do you remember the story of a househelp, her madam's white trousers, and a naked oga in the master bathroom? This is the sequel...

As I turn face madam, na plenty tings jus enter my head, wetin I wan tell madam? Which kain lie I go take lie wey my punishment go reduce? As I don dey used to this place, e no go too sweet to return go back to the place wey my papa and mama dey stay. I no talk say I no like my papa and mama o, before una turn to dey curse me but I don big pass the place wey dem dey stay and no be mouth. A girl suppose aim for the skies na, abi no be so? As madam wan open mouth shout again na im I jus fall for ground dey roll.

Michelle Obama Rocking Natural Afro Hairdo

What do you think of Michelle Obama's afro hairstyle? I looks great if you ask me, and coming from Nigeria where we love changing our hairstyles every other week, the new hairstyle makes a lot of sense.

Some people are wondering how the majority of Americans will take it. We all know some parts of black America are obsessed with natural versus straightened hair, and some parts of white America are obsessed with how "really" American President Obama and Michelle are.

Kick-Butt Characters Giveaway Hop

Hosted by I Am a Reader Not a Writer, this hop features the best Kick-Butt Characters in Young Adult Books. Several bloggers are taking part in this giveaway and featuring amazing books with fantastic characters. Check out the list of participants.

My giveaway is Cynthia's Attic: The Missing Locket by Mary Cunningham which features two friends, time travel, a family mystery, and lots of escapades.

Knowing When to Walk Away by Eddie Steeze

I’m not a bad person. I’ve done bad things, but I’m not a bad person. My life has been pretty straightforward: I see what I like, I position and strategize myself, I go in for the kill and I win. I always win. In academics, business, money, relationships, romance…

Romance…

I had a good rapport with females. I had lots of them coming at me in droves. And why not? I was young, funny, charming and generous (excuse me for sounding immodest). However, I never dated any of them. I did the occasional friends with benefits thing and nothing more. My friends thought I was weird. Just pick one, they would say. I tried explaining my reason for holding back, but none of them seemed to understand. So I bowed to pressure and dated a girl called Morenike. Worst mistake I ever made in the dating department.

I believe I can Fly - Jarno Smeets and Human BirdWings

Do you believe someone could fly just by flapping their arms attached to wing-like material? Well, Jarno Smeets claims he did in the video below. There is some controversy on Gizmodo and The Register regarding whether it is real or CGI, but it makes for an interesting watch anyway.

What do you say, true or false? Can humans hope to fly like birds one day?

WA Romance Authors on why YOU should read Romance Novels

Recently, One+TheOne called me out in her blog series about The Journey to THE ONE when she wrote; "Romance books can damage your sense of reality: Now, I am not against romantic novels or literature (Myne Whitman, I believe, I believe :-) but I would say that it is very necessary to not get lost in fiction and forget how to live in real life!"

I agree with her that readers should take fiction for what it is - someone's imagination. However I think it is wrong to blame romance novels for damaging a reader's sense of reality. In my opinion, the outcome of reading a romance novel depends on what lessons the personality of the reader leads them to choose from their fiction. I read thousands of romance novels from when I was like ten, and believe me, it only made me more choosy and perceptive. Well, apart from my own experience, I've gone further to get some reinforcements from my fellow Romance Writers of West Africa.