February is a great time to indulge in the romance genre. Even though Valentine’s Day is over, I consider the whole month of February to be the month of love!
Back in 2015, I highlighted The Valentine’s Day Anthology 2015 which was published by Ankara Press. Stories in this anthology are translated into Pidgin, Kpelle, Kiswahili, Yoruba, Igbo, French and Hausa. For every story in English, there is a translated version in either of the languages previously listed.
Some of the writers of the stories include: Hawa Jande Golakai, Sarah Ladipo-Manyika, Chikodili Emelumadu, Edwige-Renée Dro, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim and my favorite- Binyavanga Wainaina, amongst others. A lot of work went into publishing this collection – translating stories is not easy. It’s been 9 years since the publication of the anthology and I think it’s still worth the read!
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In 2016, I read and reviewed African Love Stories: An Anthology edited by Ama Ata Aidoo. I still consider this anthology to be one of my ultimate favorite collection of stories. It introduced me to amazing authors like Leila Aboulela from Sudan, Véronique Tadjo from Côte d’Ivoire and Doreen Baingana from Uganda, just 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 laden with breathtaking originality.
A quote from my 2016 book review of the anthology
I stand by this quote. African Love Stories: An Anthology was published in 2006 and is still worth the read! I must give it a re-read soon.
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This year, I had the honor of chatting with a pair of writer-friends who love reading and writing romance and also co-host a bookish romance podcast called – 2 Hearts In A Pod – Kwatemaa Tweneboah (this is their joint pen name). In case you missed it, I highlighted the fact that they published their debut – The Kelewele Connection last year. I’m not a huge fan of the romance genre, so I found their romance-enthusiastic responses quite informative! Enjoy the book chat below – and get your TBR lists ready!
[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.
- Who are your top 3 Black romance writers and which of their work is your favorite?
NA: I think I answered this at question 1 without realising! Read above.
AK: In no particular order –
1. Beverly Jenkins – Forbidden, To Catch a Raven
2. M. Monique – Blu
3. Adesuwa O’man Nwokedi – Any Love
- What about the romance genre appeals to you? Do you think there’s a difference between romance novels written by Black/POC writers and white writers?
NA: The simple answer is the guaranteed joy at the end ie the Happy Ever After. I love reading a book, going through all these wild emotions, angst, sometimes pain, knowing that in the end, it’ll be ok. I love the assurance. It’s an assurance we don’t often get in real life and it’s soothing.
There is definitely a difference between books written by white authors and black or writers of colour. There is often the overarching sense of being the ‘main character’ that you get from stories by white authors. Their characters are self assured and don’t often question their place in their world. I enjoy both works by white and black authors equally but you can’t help picking up on this. Books by black authors often have a lot more riding on them. they have to be the ones representing their culture. Sometimes, that burden comes out in the story.
AK: The fact that the genre is the only one which can contain other characteristics of other fiction genres while maintaining its goal of a happily ever after. Example fantasy romance, historical romance, paranormal romance and so on. The diversity of themes the genre is able to address fascinates me and gives me so much joy.
There is definitely some difference between romances written by black/POC writers and white writers and this is especially evident from the themes addressed. There are also slight differences in terms of language and style particularly in black/POC authored romances that portray black love, it just hits different in a way that excites me as a black reader of romance.
- Given that both of you are relatively well-read in the romance genre, what else/more (or less) would you like to see in the (Black) romance genre?
NA: I would like to see more whispy black romance. A story that doesn’t feel the need to be an ambassador but just is. I want to see black romance that is soft, kind and all about two people connecting and choosing to love each other kindly. They exist, I just want more.
AK: I would love to see traditional/mainstream publishing opening up to black romances that don’t dilute the black experience and also I would love to see more black romance writers experimenting with the fantasy romance sub-genre.
- Did any African/Ghanaian romance writers influence The Kelewele Connection?
NA: By the time we were halfway through with The Kelewele Connection we had discovered Adesuwa Nwokedi. Her style definitely influenced us and continues to. I hope she can see some of her influence when she reads our works going forward as well.
AK: Adesuwa O’man Nwokedi was and continues to be a big inspiration for us having more confidence about self-publishing. She has published so many herself and actually accepted to read the advanced reader’s copy , and gave us encouraging feedback before we put it out.
Purchase The Kelewele Connection on Amazon
African Book Addict! 
Great conversation, and very insightful too about the genre.
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