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Sacred Amulet #1
Outcast
Ugo’ji is an outcast, an untouchable. She lives on the fringe of society as the lowest of the low, a living sacrifice to the gods. The only person she interacts with is her aged grandmother Nne who nurtures her powerful gift of healing. Until the day she meets Ebube a strange warrior to their lands. He ignites a yearning within her she's unable to ignore.
Ebube is drawn to the young maiden with the emerald green eyes who possesses the body of a goddess and the healing touch of an angel. But he is forbidden from mating with a human and the consequence is the wrath of the gods.
Moreover he is on a mission. If he fails, the gates of hell will be opened and the earth plunged into darkness. He cannot stay and she cannot go with him.
Ebube is drawn to the young maiden with the emerald green eyes who possesses the body of a goddess and the healing touch of an angel. But he is forbidden from mating with a human and the consequence is the wrath of the gods.
Moreover he is on a mission. If he fails, the gates of hell will be opened and the earth plunged into darkness. He cannot stay and she cannot go with him.
80 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2013
8 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
Kiru Taye
63 books340 followersAs a lover of romance novels, Kiru wanted to read stories about Africans falling in love. When she couldn’t find those books, she decided to write the stories she wanted to read.
Kiru writes sensual stories featuring African characters whether on the continent or in the Diaspora. When she's not writing you can find her either immersed in a good book or catching up with friends and family. She currently lives in the South of England with her husband and three children.
Kiru is a founding member of Romance Writers of West Africa. In 2011, her debut romance novella, His Treasure, won the Book of the Year at the Love Romances Café Awards. She is the 2015 Romance Writer of the Year at the Nigerian Writers Awards and 2017 Author of the Year at the Ufere Awards.
Kiru writes sensual stories featuring African characters whether on the continent or in the Diaspora. When she's not writing you can find her either immersed in a good book or catching up with friends and family. She currently lives in the South of England with her husband and three children.
Kiru is a founding member of Romance Writers of West Africa. In 2011, her debut romance novella, His Treasure, won the Book of the Year at the Love Romances Café Awards. She is the 2015 Romance Writer of the Year at the Nigerian Writers Awards and 2017 Author of the Year at the Ufere Awards.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
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October 25, 2017Fantasy romance with a nicely developed African magic setting. This is a short novella but packs in a lot of world building (without infodumping) and atmosphere. The romance is fated-mate (which is not my cup of tea but will be many people's catnip, see also the shifter element). Hero is a demigod warrior, heroine is a healer outcast from her community.
This is a part 1: the romance has got going but the plot is just kicking into gear. Unfortunately I can't see that there is a part 2 yet, which is a shame because I liked the plot setup and wanted to know what's going on. I like the author's voice and will check out her other stuff.
This is a part 1: the romance has got going but the plot is just kicking into gear. Unfortunately I can't see that there is a part 2 yet, which is a shame because I liked the plot setup and wanted to know what's going on. I like the author's voice and will check out her other stuff.
November 26, 2013
This is my first adult paranormal ever and I read it under an hour! First , I love the name Ebube! There is something about that name ... The scenery are so real ,I felt like part of the story. The story is original and I am proud of Kiru Taye.
January 5, 2014
Outcast has a surprisingly large amount of rich mythology and world building despite being so short. I really loved the whole set up to Taye’s world and the way she wove the tale with detail and care. Ebube is the strong male lead in Outcast, and a definite Alpha. I loved seeing his tenderness with Ugo mix with his naturally fierce nature. Ugo is a quiet and lonely young woman who is forced to the outskirts of her village as an outcast, and despite seeming meek she holds a surprising amount of inner strength that really endeared me to her. The relationship that buds and develops between Ebube and Ugo is really sweet and made me want the absolute best for them. I really look forward to reading the second novella and seeing how Ebube completes his mission and if he gets to stay with Ugo.
November 29, 2013
Kiru's descriptive and sensual voice brings this story to life, and I'm looking forward to reading the next one in this series. The only thing I didn't like was that it left me with many unanswered questions!
So book two can't come soon enough!
So book two can't come soon enough!
April 3, 2018
African mysticism, ancient tradition and cultural mores make this short read a page-turner.
Evil forces have attacked the Ure, a demi-god tribe of shifters, and taken the Sacred Amulet of Uwa. In the wrong hands, the amulet can open the gates of hell and cast the earth into darkness.
Ebube is one of the warriors charged with retrieving the amulet and destroying the dark forces.
Separated from his search party, Ebube is severely wounded. His own amulet ripped from his neck, Ebube is unable to shift and self-heal and lies near death in the jungle.
This is when Ugo’oji finds him.
Young healer, Ugo’oji, lives apart from her village. Shunned for an offense which led to the deaths of her family, Ugo has carved out a life with the only person who speaks to her, elderly grandmother, Nne.
After years of isolation, finding and healing the wounded warrior will change Ugo’s life and bring her much attention… from the warrior, her village… and the gods.
Ugo is a great character!
She may be young and not knowledgeable about worldly things, but she’s not blindly naïve either.
Ugo follows her tribe’s rules and lives in exile… and harbors resentment for it. Who wouldn’t? But this is where Nne and her wisdom keep Ugo grounded and in check. Hate and contempt will taint Ugo’s gift, and Nne teaches her regardless of how people treat her, she alone is responsible and accountable for her actions.
Drawn to each other, Ugo and Ebube both try to deny what they feel. He, because mating with humans is forbidden by the gods, and she because of the humiliation of her banishment.
But the wrath of the gods and the condemnation of her people are not enough to keep these two apart.
Or keep nosy people out of their business.
The easiest way to get a man’s attention is to let him know another man is interested. When the couple is seen together at the river, news spreads quickly through the village, and Odili, someone Ugo has known since childhood, shows up at her home acting concerned for her welfare… after five years of silence.
Whatever, dude.
After he calls Ugo “a sweet fruit, ripe and ready to be plucked”, she understood his intentions…and I gagged!
Ugo stands her ground. She is shunned. He’s not even supposed to be there. But he persists, saying he could come see her in private… using assisting her elderly grandmother as an excuse. *Cue Luther Vandross’ Your Secret Love. *
Of course, Ebube ain’t having it and stakes his claim. Unfortunately, he must rejoin his search party soon and find the sacred amulet. Ugo will be left alone to deal with the challenges coming her way… and there are many.
This author delivers another engrossing read that pulls the reader in and teaches them a few things! Download Outcast today!
Enjoy!
Evil forces have attacked the Ure, a demi-god tribe of shifters, and taken the Sacred Amulet of Uwa. In the wrong hands, the amulet can open the gates of hell and cast the earth into darkness.
Ebube is one of the warriors charged with retrieving the amulet and destroying the dark forces.
Separated from his search party, Ebube is severely wounded. His own amulet ripped from his neck, Ebube is unable to shift and self-heal and lies near death in the jungle.
This is when Ugo’oji finds him.
Young healer, Ugo’oji, lives apart from her village. Shunned for an offense which led to the deaths of her family, Ugo has carved out a life with the only person who speaks to her, elderly grandmother, Nne.
After years of isolation, finding and healing the wounded warrior will change Ugo’s life and bring her much attention… from the warrior, her village… and the gods.
Ugo is a great character!
She may be young and not knowledgeable about worldly things, but she’s not blindly naïve either.
Ugo follows her tribe’s rules and lives in exile… and harbors resentment for it. Who wouldn’t? But this is where Nne and her wisdom keep Ugo grounded and in check. Hate and contempt will taint Ugo’s gift, and Nne teaches her regardless of how people treat her, she alone is responsible and accountable for her actions.
Drawn to each other, Ugo and Ebube both try to deny what they feel. He, because mating with humans is forbidden by the gods, and she because of the humiliation of her banishment.
But the wrath of the gods and the condemnation of her people are not enough to keep these two apart.
Or keep nosy people out of their business.
The easiest way to get a man’s attention is to let him know another man is interested. When the couple is seen together at the river, news spreads quickly through the village, and Odili, someone Ugo has known since childhood, shows up at her home acting concerned for her welfare… after five years of silence.
Whatever, dude.
After he calls Ugo “a sweet fruit, ripe and ready to be plucked”, she understood his intentions…and I gagged!
Ugo stands her ground. She is shunned. He’s not even supposed to be there. But he persists, saying he could come see her in private… using assisting her elderly grandmother as an excuse. *Cue Luther Vandross’ Your Secret Love. *
Of course, Ebube ain’t having it and stakes his claim. Unfortunately, he must rejoin his search party soon and find the sacred amulet. Ugo will be left alone to deal with the challenges coming her way… and there are many.
This author delivers another engrossing read that pulls the reader in and teaches them a few things! Download Outcast today!
Enjoy!
September 14, 2021
I loved Ebube and Ugo'ji. She's so kind and selfess despite being ostracized. Ebube who fights gor her honour, treats her with the kindness she extends to others and is well liked by her grandmother was the partner she needed.
Magic, Nigerian Orisha happenings, demons who want to wreck havoc on humans, and oblivious humans and their greed, hate and blindness made the story so good.
Magic, Nigerian Orisha happenings, demons who want to wreck havoc on humans, and oblivious humans and their greed, hate and blindness made the story so good.
September 23, 2020
Good story
I love a historical African romance and this was a great short read. The love is fast but is explained in a reasonable way. However, there are a few grammatical errors in the book.
I love a historical African romance and this was a great short read. The love is fast but is explained in a reasonable way. However, there are a few grammatical errors in the book.
March 29, 2023
Fairly generic shifter romance, with a spark of interest and excitement from its Nigerian magic setting and worldbuilding. This is by no means a bad book, and has very good atmosphere but if you’ve ever read any kind of romance novel ever you’ve probably read this plot.
December 31, 2017
An outstanding read! The mix of paranormal, action, and African romance is the perfect combination when written with such eloquence and description.
June 24, 2014
Finally got around to reading this! I grabbed a copy when it came out for free and hadn't had time to sit and read it until recently.
Kiru Taye has a wonderful voice. Her descriptions range from sensual to poetic and lured me in with ease. Though short there is depth waiting to be discovered: A mysterious mission, two souls that must be together, sensuality...and more.
Unfortunately, there were a few distracting editing mistakes, but the story is worth it. I look forward to reading the second part and finding out what happens with Ugo and Ebube.
Kiru Taye has a wonderful voice. Her descriptions range from sensual to poetic and lured me in with ease. Though short there is depth waiting to be discovered: A mysterious mission, two souls that must be together, sensuality...and more.
Unfortunately, there were a few distracting editing mistakes, but the story is worth it. I look forward to reading the second part and finding out what happens with Ugo and Ebube.
May 20, 2014
4.5 stars.
I love Kiru's exotic writing. She has a way of taking the reader through their senses into another world and culture to experience it first-hand. This story was a beautiful, paranormal romance with a difference. I'm keen to read the sequel.
I love Kiru's exotic writing. She has a way of taking the reader through their senses into another world and culture to experience it first-hand. This story was a beautiful, paranormal romance with a difference. I'm keen to read the sequel.
November 15, 2016
Enjoyed the story
Just when I was do caught up in the story, it was over. Can't wait for part 2. Hurry up;
Just when I was do caught up in the story, it was over. Can't wait for part 2. Hurry up;
July 5, 2020
4.25*
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews