Welcome to Joy Nwosu Lo-Bamijoko!

Joy Nwosu Lo-Bamijoko

Mirror of Our Lives: Voices of Four Igbo Women

Joy’s Bio 

Life at  the University of Lagos (Unilag):

When I was hired as Lecturer II by the University of Lagos in April, 1975, I applied to Radio Nigeria for a transfer to Unilag, but was denied a transfer. My then boss vowed that the only way I could leave was to resign. He was shocked that I could get a job at the University with what he believed was an inadequate qualification. Only God knows what else he did underground to stop my getting the job.

However, my first two years at the University were good.  My colleagues were happy to see me join them.  I had already made a name for myself as Joy Nwosu, the Voice. Ayo and I teamed up for his and my concerts.  Then Akin Euba joined us.  He came in already a professor. I believe that was the deal he made for taking him from the University of Ife to the University of Lagos.  I was happy when he joined us, and was planning for the great things we could do together.  I loved all my colleagues because they were all great men in music; Laz Ekwueme, Ayo Bankole and Akin Euba. I was honored to be among them.

The same year Akin joined the University; rumors started filtering in that I may not be qualified to be a lecturer at the University.  These rumors, I learned later were coming from my colleagues at the Radio station. A top professors at the Faculty of Arts started putting pressure on Ayo and Akin to expose me. Laz was considered my mentor, the one instrumental in getting me hired, so he was excluded, but he let me know what was going on.

At the time, we had a wonderful man at the helm of affairs at Unilag, The Vice Chancellor, Professor Ade Ajai, may God bless him.  I went to him to complain about the rumors, and to tell him that I was ready to go to the US for my Ph.D. to stop the rumors.  By this time, Laz had also become a professor.  So Professor Ade Ajai suggested to me that I should do my Ph.D. at Unilag, under the supervision of the two professors of music that we had. Prof. Ekwueme was doubtful about the outcome, but Professor Euba was blunt and did not mince words with me. He told me that he did not believe that I was qualified to do a Bachelor’s degree, how much more a Ph.D.  He followed up this claim by going to the Italian Embassy in Lagos with my Italian credentials translated by him, to get the Italian Ambassador in Lagos to agree with his translations, and to sign it as correct.  He did not speak Italian, nor did he understand the Italian system of rating their credentials.   

I came to know about this because, the Ambassador himself, who knew me quite well because I was a regular performer at the Embassy, sent his driver to Unilag to pick me up and take me to the embassy. There he told me about this man who came to him with a lady, and tried to talk him into signing his translation of my credentials and assessment as correct.

“Of course I refused to sign his papers.” He told me. “I told him that we have a department in Italy that deals with certificate assessments, that he should send his papers there for proper assessment if he really wanted to know the truth about my qualifications.  Now, my advice to you is to leave that place if they do not believe in you.”

I left the embassy in shock and determined to follow the Ambassador’s advice.  Luck was on my side.  It was 1977, and FESTAC was just winding down, when the US embassy in Lagos offered a number of exchange visitor scholarships to some Nigeria artistes, and I was one of them. I took the opportunity of my visit to the US to apply and audition for schools. 

Months after I returned from the US, I received a letter of admission to a doctoral program in music education from the University of Michigan.  I was aesthetic!  I first ran to Professor Ekwueme with my letter.  After he read it he asked whether I have shown it to Professor Euba, I said no but that I was going to do so immediately. By this time Professor Euba treated me like a parrier. He will not return my greeting if I greeted him. I knocked at his door, opened and entered.  I had a broad smile on my face, and he was scowling at me.  

“I want you to see this.” I told him handing him the letter.  While he read it I watched his face for reactions. He put the letter down quietly on his table, stood up and offered me his hand and said, “Congratulations colleague.”  

I took my letter from his desk, folded it and walked out of his office.

I later learned that the witch hunt on me started from my former boss at Radio Nigeria.  They wanted Ayo to be the one to flush me out, but Ayo refused. May his soul rest in peace. 

 

Websites: http://sbpra.com/joylobamijoko/  Mirror of Our Lives …..

http://sbprabooks.com/JoyNwosuLoBamijoko/ Legend of the  Walking…

Buy Legend…..from Amazon.Com:

http://www.amazon.com/Legend-Walking-Dead-Igbo-Mythologies-ebook/dp/B00JLYFCQS/

Buy the B&N e-Pub version at:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/legend-of-the-walking-dead-joy-nwosu-lo-bamijoko/1119171565

Buy Mirror of Our Lives…Amazon Link: 

http://www.amazon.com/Mirror-Our-Lives-Women/dp/1450278965

Barnes & Noble Link 

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mirror-of-our-lives-joy-nwosu-lo-bamijoko/1102630079?ean=9781450278966

Link to my Blog: jinlobify.Com

FaceBook Link:        https://www.facebook.com/joy.lobamijoko

Twitter Handle: @Jinlobify

"This tour sponsored by 4WillsPublishing.wordpress.com."

Welcome to Liz Gavin!

Thank you AWESOME READER for visiting today and AMAZING HOST for having me in your blog!!

Did you miss any stops on the UPSIDE DOWN BLOG TOUR? Check the lineup at 4WillsPublishing site.

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PORN AND EROTICA?

YES!! YES!! YES!!

Although porn could be described as an image or a text that arouses and stimulates the senses, erotica is much more than that, it’s much more than sex. On one hand, porn is rather unrealistic and doesn’t require much imagination while erotica has more depth and tells a complete story.

Well-written erotica will take its reader through a journey of emotions, fantasy and steamy situations because this is the path the characters are walking. So what’s the difference here between erotica fiction and erotic romance? Well… here it gets much harder to distinguish the lines. In erotica stories, sexual acts make the story move forward. The scenes might be explicit, but they shouldn’t be gratuitous because they’re a huge part of the story and an essential key to the relationships as they evolve. Erotic romance stories are basically… well, romance!! LOL There might be hot sex scenes, even a lot of them, but they aren’t the force pushing the characters’ onwards, their romantic relationship is.

Finally, there’s the matter of wording. While erotic romance texts may contain a couple of explicit words they usually use euphemisms to describe the male and the female genitalia as well as the sexual act, erotica texts are filled with quite blunt terms.

That is why I call ‘Upside Down’ an erotic romance. The story of this unconventional love triangle contains a lot of steamy sex scenes but they are an important part of the main characters’ journey through self-discovery and their pursuit of some kind of viable relationship. Here are two of the first reviews Upside Down received on Amazon. Do you think I categorized the book correctly as an erotic romance?

REVIEW 1

4 stars

4I Opened it Up and Had to Read it All!

By Charm D Baker on February 27, 2014

I initially planned to START reading this book late last night, and just cover a couple of chapters. It's 5:47 am and I'm finally done. The characters kept me reading even though I was tired and ready to crash for the night. Every time I thought, "I'll stop right here for the night", Carol Anne decided to get down and dirty with someone else. There's a lot more to these characters than originally meets the eye.

In the beginning, I was a little perturbed at Liz Gavin because I wasn't sure if it was actually the author or the character (Carol Anne) who was blurring the lines regarding Carol and Mark's relationship. He's described in the book "blurb" as her boyfriend, then later referred to as her boy toy. Eventually we find they actually have a Dom/Sub relationship. But as this story unfolds with unexpected twists and turns, we discover that the confusion centers on the fact that Carol Anne is really screwed up and afraid of commitment and the loss of control. I think her indecision is the reason the line keeps moving, because she doesn't even know what Mark really is to her.

One thing is for sure, as far as this ending is concerned, Readers will never see it coming! Now I need to go read Powerless (apparently the book prior to this one). I look forward to it. Great job Liz.

REVIEW 2

4 stars

By Heather on March 6, 2014

Carol is a busy hardworking stockbroker who doesn't do relationships and has never been in love. She keeps her "boy toys" or flings around until they start wanted more than "no-strings" sex. That is until Mark confesses his love for her. As if that's not enough, issues with her family arises along with extreme confusion about a certain new "blonde bombshell" receptionist, Cindy.

She is torn between her feelings for Mark and this unexpected and new emerging feeling for Cindy. She must decide on if she can love, who she wants to be with Mark or Cindy. She can't possible keep them both... can she?

My thoughts: I liked the story. It wasn't all about sex, even though the sex scenes were very good. We also got to travel the drama road of Carol's emotions and walk in her shoes as she discovers how to be true to herself. We got a bit of Domme action and spanking and bondage but it wasn't over the top. Sorta like a little chocolate dribbled over vanilla ice cream. A nice touch but didn't overflavor the taste.

Please, leave your thoughts below before you go!

Author Bio

When Liz Gavin was in Second Grade - just a couple of years ago, really - her teacher told her mother the little girl should start a diary because she needed an outlet for her active and vivid imagination. She was a talkative child who would disrupt the class by engaging her colleagues in endless conversations. She loved telling them the stories her grandfather used to tell her.

Apparently, the teacher wasn’t a big fan of those stories, and Liz’s mother bought her a diary. She happily wrote on it for a couple of months. Unable to see the appeal of writing for her own enjoyment only, she gave up on it. She missed the audience her friends provided her in class. She went back to disturbing her dear teacher’s class.

Since then, she has become a hungry reader. She will read anything and everything she can get her hands on – from the classics to erotica. That’s how she has become a writer of erotica and romance, as well.

As a young adult, she participated in a student exchange program and lived in New Orleans for six months. She fell in love with the city and its wonderful inhabitants. NOLA will always hold a special spot in Liz Gavin’s heart. Nowadays, living in Brazil, Liz’s creativity has improved many times because it’s such a vibrant, gorgeous and sexy country.

Welcome to her world of hot Alpha males and naughty, independent women. Add a touch of the paranormal in the presence of some wicked souls and you’ll get the picture.

Contact Information

My blog =  https://lizgavin.wordpress.com

Twitter handle =  @LizGavin_author

Facebook = www.facebook.com/liz.gavin.54

Email = lizgavin@elessarbooks.com

Book Blurb

Carol Anne Sullivan is a tough New York stock broker. She's suffered enough in order to learn a hard lesson - never let love spoil her relationships. Her boyfriends know that rule from the start. She's domineering and assertive but also faithful and fair while the relationship lasts.

Mark Aikens is Carol's boyfriend. He's been in love with her for a while but his submissive side hasn't allowed him to rebel against her golden rule and to tell her how he feels. Fear of losing her forever might spur him into action.

Cindy O'Rourke has admired Carol from afar. So, she jumps at the opportunity to work for her idol. Little does she know, things will never be the same for her after that job interview

Carol has been going through a rough patch: world economical crisis, dysfunctional parents, demanding clients, faulty equipment. Without much time for herself, her love life is suffering. So what is the big deal if she fantasizes about a new employee when her boyfriend, Mark, can't give her what she needs? The big deal is - the new receptionist, Cindy, is a woman who threatens to turn her world upside down

This is the steamy tale of an unconventional love triangle which should be read with an open mind and an open heart. Sometimes, love comes to our lives in unexpected ways but with such overwhelming power that the best course of action might be to surrender to it.

Book link on Amazon US = http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IFMMJY0

Book link on Amazon UK = http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00IFMMJY0

"This tour sponsored by 4WillsPublishing.wordpress.com."

Welcome to Harmony Kent!

Hello and thanks for stopping by! I would like to thank my host for today for letting me invade their space. And a big thanks also to 4Wills Publishing for setting up this blog tour for me. For my previous tour stops, please check out the 4Wills current events page.

I am so excited to be able to share my book trailer video with you today for my latest book, Finding Katie.

This is Kate’s third admission onto a child and adolescent psychiatric unit, and she just isn’t interested. Sure, they can force her to be there in body, but what she does with her mind is her business. And, ain’t nobody else tellin’ her any different.

Excerpt from Chapter Two:

          

A full five minutes. I time it with the white wall-clock.

‘You won’t be going home. Not for a while.’

I keep my face blank, and concentrate on that little dark square that only pretends to be a TV. I don’t trust her. I don’t know where she’s going with this. I don’t know shit, these days.

‘Have you heard of The Everglades?’

I shrug … stare at the screen.

She doesn’t sigh, or get mad. I thought she would by now. I can’t keep from trembling though. I can’t help but wait for the explosion.

The chair creaks when she leans back. ‘It’s an Adolescent Unit. Small. There’re never any more than six of you there. We’ll go for a visit tomorrow. Give you chance to have a look around and meet some of the guys.’

Who knew a blank screen could be so interesting? Again, the silence. I’m roiling inside. My heart pounds and sweat slicks my palms. Not sure I can face another psych admission. It didn’t do me any good when I was ten, or thirteen, so why the hell would it work now? ‘We’ll stop by home, too, so you can grab some of your stuff.’

I hadn’t expected that. Once again, I’m caught enough off-guard to look her way. But she’s not even watching me … she’s staring out the window.

Melanie isn’t like any of the health professionals I’ve dealt with so far. She leaves me be. Huh, she didn’t even lay into me about last night. Wonder what it’ll take to shake her chain?

Book Blurb:

I killed someone, you see. I killed the girl, who used to be me.

I’m Kate … Kate Charlesworth. I’m seventeen, and self-harming. This time I cut too deep, and I’m in hospital. I hadn’t meant for it to be so bad—it just sort of happened. I needed a lot of distraction that day.

You’ve had bad days, right? Days it hurts too much to think. Days you just wanna stay in bed. Days when the world needs to go away for a while. Right?

What do you do when you’ve hit rock bottom? When there’s nowhere left to turn?

This one little mistake lands me back on a psych unit—the last place I wanna be. Only this time, the nurse I end up with isn’t content to stick on a band-aid and send me home. She wants me to face my demons. But to do that, I’ll have to face who I am … who I used to be … I’ll have to find Katie.

PREORDER HERE

Author Bio:

Harmony Kent is famous for her laughter, and has made quite the name for herself … she’s also, um, a writer … and fairly well known for that too. She lives in rural Cornwall with her ever-present sense of humour and quirky neighbours. She is single and not admitting to her age.

Here are ten things she thinks you ought to know about her …

1. Born in 2013 (at least the author was …)

2. Really boring

3. Has absolutely no sense of humour

4. Biographer is a compulsive liar

5. Reads … a lot

6. Writes … even more

7. Completely sane(in)

8. Neighbours are nuts

9. If you’re feeling extra brave she’s around

10. Online …

Website: www.harmonykent.co.uk

Twitter: @harmony_kent 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HarmonyKentOnline

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/HarmonyK

Amazon US Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Harmony-Kent/e/B00CO0AR7U/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

Amazon UK Author Page: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Harmony-Kent/e/B00CO0AR7U/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_pop_1

4Wills Publishing Author Page: http://4willspublishing.wordpress.com/our-authors/author-harmony-kent/

Other books by Harmony:

Fiction:

The Battle for Brisingamen

The Glade

Elemental Earth

Anthologies:

Concordant Vibrancy

Rave Soup for the Writer’s Soul

Non-Fiction:

Polish Your Prose


"This tour sponsored by 4WillsPublishing.wordpress.com."