February is a wonderful time to dive into the romance genre. Even though Valentine’s Day is behind us, I like to think of the whole month of February as the month of love!
Back in 2015, I showcased The Valentine’s Day Anthology 2015 published by Ankara Press. Stories in this anthology are translated into various languages including Pidgin, Kpelle, Kiswahili, Yoruba, Igbo, French, and Hausa. For each English story, there is a translated version in one of the listed languages.
Some of the authors of the stories are: Hawa Jande Golakai, Sarah Ladipo-Manyika, Chikodili Emelumadu, Edwige-Renée Dro, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, and my favorite- Binyavanga Wainaina, among others. Publishing this collection involved significant effort – translating stories is no small feat. It has been nine years since the anthology was released, and I believe it still holds value and relevance!
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In 2016, I read and reviewed African Love Stories: An Anthology edited by Ama Ata Aidoo. This anthology remains one of my all-time favorite collections of stories. It introduced me to incredible authors like Leila Aboulela from Sudan, Véronique Tadjo from Côte d’Ivoire, and Doreen Baingana from Uganda, to name a few.
I know what you were thinking when you saw the title, ‘African Love Stories’ – no, this is not a collection of sappy, romantic, unrealistic, happily-ever-after tales. African Love Stories: An Anthology is a collection of 21 contemporary short stories loaded with breathtaking originality.
A quote from my 2016 book review of the anthology
I still stand by this remark. African Love Stories: An Anthology, published in 2006, is undoubtedly still a gem worth revisiting. I should make time for a re-read soon.
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This year, I had the pleasure of conversing with a dynamic duo of writer-friends who share a passion for reading and composing romance and also co-host a delightful romance podcast called – 2 Hearts In A Pod – Kwatemaa Tweneboah (their collective pen name). In case you missed it, I highlighted that they unveiled their inaugural – The Kelewele Connection last year. Not being a huge fan of the romance genre, I found their insightful views on romance quite enlightening! Dive into the book chat below – and prepare your TBR lists!
[Kwatemaa Tweneboah = the joint pen name of Abena Kwatemaa Karikari & Nana Adwoa Tweneboah Amponsah-Mensah]
note – ‘NA’ represents Nana Adwoa Tweneboah Amponsah-Mensah’s responses; ‘AK’ represents Abena Kwatemaa Karikari’s responses
- What’s your favorite romance novel by a Black author?
NA: A very tough question. I’ll make a list instead – Reel by Kennedy Ryan, Seven Days in June by Tia Williams, Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan, Behind the Scenes by Christina C Jones, and Call Me Legachi by Adesuwa O’man Nwokedi.
AK: Definitely Reel by Kennedy Ryan. All her books are great but Reel is a masterpiece for me. If I could add a second, Seven Days in June by Tia Williams.
**Top 3 Black Romance Writers and Favorites**
NA: I think I already mentioned my top 3 Black romance authors in a previous question. Read the answer above.
AK:
1. **Beverly Jenkins** – *Forbidden*, *To Catch a Raven*
2. **M. Monique** – *Blu*
3. **Adesuwa O’man Nwokedi** – *Any Love*
**Appeal of Romance Genre and Differences**
NA: The core appeal of the romance genre for me is the promised happiness at the conclusion, the Happy Ever After. I enjoy the emotional rollercoaster of a book, knowing that ultimately things will turn out fine—a comfort not always found in real life.
There is a noticeable contrast between novels by white authors and those by Black/POC authors. White-authored stories often exude a sense of centrality for the characters, with self-assured protagonists. On the other hand, works by Black authors carry the weight of cultural representation, sometimes weaving that burden into the narrative.
AK: The genre’s capacity to blend with other fiction genres while maintaining its central theme of a happy ending is what captivates me. The diversity of themes romance encompasses brings me immense joy. Differences in themes, language, and style between works of Black/POC writers and white authors are apparent, with Black-authored romances often resonating uniquely, especially in portraying Black love.
**What More Could Black Romance Offer?**
NA: I wish to see more subtle Black romance narratives—stories that exist without the need for grand statements but focus on gentle, authentic connections and love.
AK: I hope mainstream publishing embraces authentic Black romances that fully embrace the Black experience. Additionally, I am eager to witness Black romance writers exploring the fantasy romance sub-genre.
**Influences on “The Kelewele Connection”**
NA: As we progressed through the development of ‘The Kelewele Connection,’ by mid-point, it was clear that the works of several African and Ghanaian romance writers had left a mark on our storytelling.
The Influence of Adesuwa Nwokedi in the Literary World
Adesuwa Nwokedi’s exceptional style has been a significant influence on us and continues to shape our writing. We aspire for her to recognize her impact as she explores our future works.
AK: Adesuwa O’man Nwokedi has been a tremendous source of inspiration, particularly in building our confidence in self-publishing. Her numerous publications and willingness to provide feedback on our advanced reader’s copy have been incredibly motivating.
Purchase The Kelewele Connection on Amazon
