On this blog, I expand on what I try to share through my books as I explore my thoughts on relationships, culture and society. I am a Nigerian in the US, and these articles will be from either the perspective of an American Immigrant or a Nigerian in Diaspora. I love engaging with my audience and some of my blogs are questions and I encourage discussions. I also share of my experience in blogging and indie publishing in order to help others.
Romance Meets Life is a PR friendly blog, and I offer advert and networking opportunities. AdSense Privacy Policy - third parties may be placing and reading cookies on reader's browsers, or using web beacons to collect information as a result of ad serving on this blog.
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For more information, or to exchange links, email me at myne @ mynewhitman. com. If you like my work and want to invite me to your event, I am open to sponspored speaking engagements. For more information on booking me, or about my books and writing, or if you want to advertise on my blog, be a guest author or feature on SpotLight, please email me or fill in the form below correctly and send. Thanks!
How to be a part of ROMANCE MEETS LIFE
Guest Posts:
If you would simply like to spread your writing via this site, you're welcome. I will email you the direct link to the post as soon as it is published.
Author Interviews:
If you are a publisher or author and would like to be showcased, please contact me. It will be email interview. Authors are free to add questions or commentary as they wish, subject to editing. Replies should be accompanied by a picture of the author and the book cover as well as relevant links. A copy of the book is not compulsory but will be appreciated.
Book Tours
I am happy to take part in book tours. I read widely and will accept books that catch my interest. After receiving a book, I will try to review the book as soon as is possible for me. I have other projects so it might take up to a month to read and review. However, every book I receive will certainly be reviewed. My review will be short and honest, including my thoughts on the plot and the characters, and will contain: a synopsis and short bio of the author + picture (if supplied), the book cover photo and a link to purchase the book on Amazon or elsewhere. By request, book reviews will be shared on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Shelfari, Librarything and GoodReads.
Product Reviews:
I require a sample of the product so that I can write an honest review. I will keep this in exchange for my review or it would be used for giveaways. In your email, please include why you think it's a good fit for this blog.
Giveaways:
For those that want to add a giveaway to my readers, I prefer to have the materials shipped directly to the winner. All giveaways will be broadcast on Facebook and Twitter.
Advertising:
If we agree to work together on a regular basis, I will place your button, banner and link on my sidebar. It will be removed when we no longer work together. Please contact me via email.
ABOUT MYNE WHITMAN
My first book, A Heart to Mend was published in December 2009, and A Love Rekindled followed in March 2011. Both books are self-published and have been well received by an ever-increasing audience of both Nigerian and international readers
I am a great believer in love and was lucky to meet and marry the love of my life, who is a Nigerian too. I refer to my husband as Atala on this blog, and we live in Seattle. The Pacific Northwest of America is a great place to live in the summer but during the drizzling winter rains, I find myself dreaming of long, hot, Nigerian days and the red palm oil of Banga Soup. But Atala is beside me through all the seasons, and the romantic in me can't help but want to celebrate that romance through my writing.
With Atala on our anniversary
I am passionate about using the internet and social media to promote the book industry and reading culture in my home country. In addition to writing popular fiction set in Nigeria, I'm also the founder and managing editor of NaijaStories.com, a critique and networking website for aspiring Nigerian writers. In January 2012, I was included in the 50 Nigerians who made a Difference in 2011 by the Nation Newspaper. Some of the interviews I've granted to the press, online and in print, include the following;
1. INTERVIEW WITH THE VANGUARD McPhillips Nwachukwu.
2. Have you got A Heart to Mend? - THISDAY - MARY EKAH
3. LadyBrille Personality of the month
4. AFRIKANGODDESS JULY SPOTLIGHT
6. Jaguda Interview
7. QuestionMark Magazine Interview
8. Femme Lounge:
9. Free Flowing Florida:
10. Ahaoma Kanu (NVS):
11. Bookaholic Blog Interview
12. Gender and me
13. Nigeria Press Release
14. UK Press Release
15. MiMi Magazine Blog
Since I am self-published, I have learnt a lot about book promotion and offer this service and advice when necessary. To this end, I facilitated a session, "Social Media and the Book Publishing Industry", for the Publisher's Forum at the 2010 Garden City Literary Festival, Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Some people wonder why I took the self-publishing route, the truth is I like the road less traveled. The adventurer in me always wants to try new things, and experience more out of the life. I am also a self-confessed adrenaline junkie, and I love theme park rides. My wildest ride yet would be the Simpsons at Universal studios, Hollywood. Or maybe it was that reverse bungee jump I did in Scotland, hmm...lol. As you can see, I love life and I like to live it to the full.
On a ledge at the Grand Canyon
You can find me online on My Website, Facebook Fan Page, Youtube Channel, Twitter Timeline, Linkedin Profile, Freado Page and Google Buzz.
IN THE PRESS - MY BOOK REVIEWS
"Only few writers that spin this kind of tale... For once, we get the feeling that we are treading this path of love with the characters and again, we try to be one with the city, which is a character on its own. Truth is; Whitman has charmed me. Enthralling!" - Onyeka Nwelue, author of The Abyssinian Boy
“Nigerians and indeed Africans are not known for romance writing. The reason can be attributed to the sense of morality (real or apparent) that seeks to relegate issues of love to the secrecy of bedrooms and treats sex as something to be talked about only in hushed tones like it were some mysterious sacred ritual...Myne Whitman’s book, A Heart to Mend, makes a bold statement to the contrary.” - Sylva Nze Ifedigbo, Author of Whispering Aloud.
“…love (even with all its problems) can transform a person and heal them enough to allow forgiveness in a heart.” - FFF, www.shotmusinz.blogspot.com
“The book has been buzzing and is a definite buy.” - Arinze Obikili, www.jaguda.com
"A HEART TO MEND narrates the relationship between Gladys and Edward and offers a unique reading experience. Direct and action packed, the masterful use of emotion and suspense will keep readers totally engrossed and guessing till the end." - www.werunthings.net
“Filled with questions and themes of clashing backgrounds, societal class, premarital sex, family feuds and personal scandals, this book will have you flipping through the pages anxiously…It brings you back to the realities of life: how fragile love can be and the realizations of trust and fear.” - Mariam Olagunju, www.gidilounge.com
“Myne Whitman has written a captivating first novel…” - Linda Ikeji - www.lindaikeji.blogspot.com
“…it is the journey, not the destination that entertains in this novel, and the author has done a great job of creating a story of two characters who engage our sympathies and who we find wanting to triumph over the odds that are thrown their way.” - Nigeriavillagesquare.com
“More than anything this book is a breath of fresh air - very different from the stereotypical images portrayed in most books regarding the continent...this is just plain easy feel good read like a top selling novel sitting on the Romance aisle at Borders or Barnes and Nobles.” - Olamild Entertainment, www.olamildentertainment.com
A captivating contemporary African love story, A HEART TO MEND is best described as heartwarming, vivid and charming. Myne Whitman delivers romance in her first and newly released novel with such practicality and skill. It is an unforgettable love story weaved together by a quixotic and imaginative mind that is both believable and relatable! - N Amma Twum-Baah, Founder and Editor, Afrikan Goddess Online
"A Heart to mend is a fearless tale about love….an unbiased story of the struggles, failures, victories, strength and harsh decisions people face at some point because of those they love. This book has a story that has been broken down and told with smooth and simple language. A Heart to mend is a delicious and beautiful story." – Chizitere Ojiaka, www.courageousfingers.blogspot.com
I loved it. Efe’s character is depicted as a mixture of sweet naivety and innocence, all the ingredients young love necessitates. Kevwe is also penned with the same vulnerability always absent from African romantic novels which was delightful for a change. I was not kidding when I said this is a romantic’s romance book. Sistaz magazine
...real life doesn’t always see things the way we do. The perfect future can always be destroyed by unforeseen circumstances. In Efe and Kevwe’s case, one of their biggest obstacles came in the form of his father. Nigeria is made up of tribes and with the tribal wars that had been going on for years sometimes lead to hate between the different tribe members. This was the case with Kevwe’s father when he found that Efe was from the tribe he hated the most. He was determined that there would be no way Efe and Kevwe would ever marry. And with the events that followed the announcement of their engagement, he may have gotten his wish. Through deceit on his part, the couple separated with Efe going to America to finish her education and Kevwe putting his life into the company he had started.
But then again, fate steps in and seven years later the couple will meet again. Can they rekindle what was so perfect for them? Will family again put a stop to their relationship? Or has there just been too much time lost for them to reunite?
A Love Rekindled is a beautiful story of true, 100% love. The hardships and heartbreaks that were bestowed upon Efe and Kevwe are heart wrenching. And their struggles to understand and accept what happened to them and what will become of them is painful as well as healing. This is one great story of complete love. - Martha Cheves
"An Inspiration to Her Fellow Nigerian Writers
Whitman recognizes the difficulties facing Nigerian writers in gaining recognition for her work. Seeing her success, she was contacted by a number of aspiring Nigerian authors asking for help and advice. Whitman’s response was to create Naijastories. Nigerian writers can join this community and connect with one another, agents, published authors and the general public to find ways to gain their own recognition.
“It was my way of saying to Nigerian writers and other writers that you’re not alone, you just have to keep writing and one day your voice will be heard.”
The Importance of Book Marketing Online
Whitman says she is “passionate about using the internet and social media to promote the book industry and reading culture in [her] home country.” Her Nigerian Blog Awards and work as a full time blogger has helped Whitman find her niche market. She is growing her readership by organizing blog tours for her books so her fans and followers can help to spread the word.
There is a great synchronicity that occurs when promoting your work through social media. The blog promotes the books while the book promotes the blog. Whitman has found this reciprocity extremely rewarding. She advises that any author considering self publishing must “find out the services being offered and use only what they can afford and hope to recover within a realistic time frame.” AuthorHouse Feature
