Counting down the days until my summer release of Olawu, and I’m ready to show off her fancy new cover. I hope you’ll love it as much as I do. With sun-kissed hues reminiscent of Africa, and blue lotus flowers decorating the front, I’m hoping it will catch the eye of more than a few readers.

There’s more work to do in the coming weeks. Reviewing print proofs, creating promotional material, and collecting reviews for starters. Speaking of, if you’d like to get your hands on an ARC (advance review copy) I’m hosting a Goodreads giveaway that runs until April 18th. Enter for your chance to win one of twenty kindle copies!

Thank you for your support! Remember to preorder your copy on Amazon or other digital retailers. As an added bonus, here’s an excerpt from Olawu for your enjoyment.

Olawu pretended not to notice Batiko, looking handsome in a blue and gold kitenge with slacks, the uniform all boys wore as apprentices. He ran across the marketplace to greet her, but she turned her face from him, trying to hide her smile.

“Olawu? Wait!” He stepped in front of her, blocking her path on the dusty road.

“Ach! What is it, Tiko? I have laundry to take to the river.” She flicked her eyes towards the basket she carried on her head.

“Let me take that for you.”

He reached for the basket, but Olawu moved it out of his grasp. “Why? So you can tell all your friends that you carried Olawu’s basket for her? Tch! I won’t allow it.”

Batiko laughed. “Come now, Olawu. Don’t think so little of me. I just saw that you were carrying a heavy load and wanted to help you.”

A young umama passed with her baby strapped to her back. She looked first at Batiko, then at Olawu before giggling and walking away. Batiko noticed her expression and grinned.

“I’m onto you, Tiko.” Olawu huffed with narrowed eyes. “I can handle my own responsibility, so go away.”

“Olawu, you’re so stubborn. You should learn to be more like Ugami. She would never speak so crossly. Don’t you know men do not like to marry such women?”

“And so what? What do I need to be married for?”

“So you will be taken care of, of course! Even though you have a sharp tongue, I still like you. I promise to take very good care of you when we’re married.”

Olawu snorted. “You seem so sure.”

“No one else would marry such an ugly girl.” He tipped the basket on her head and ran away, laughing.

“Ach! Batiko!” Olawu scowled as the basket fell to the ground. She raised her fist and chased after him, leaving her basket of laundry behind.

Olawu, an excerpt by P. J. Leigh. Copyright 2023. All Rights Reserved.