After enduring a traumatic event as a child, Gloria Anokye isn’t sure she’ll ever be enough for any man. With no other option, she entrusts her romantic future into the hands of Esi, midwife-turned-matchmaker. In the meantime, the one guy she’s ever desired has the power to destroy her newfound career as a wedding planner.
Kamal Lawrence has less than six weeks to plan his sister’s wedding. With the help of a wedding planner, they might be able to pull off the best wedding Ghana has ever seen. The trick is to fight off the attraction exploding between them. Once Kamal realizes there’s no way he can or will be able to stay away from Gloria, he plans his seduction.
Will she fall into his arms or keep it strictly professional?
Nana Prah first discovered romance in a book from her eighth-grade summer reading list and has been obsessed with it ever since. Her fascination with love inspired her to write in her favorite genre where happily-ever-after is the rule.
She is a published author of contemporary, multicultural romances. Her books are sweet with a touch of spice. When she’s not writing she’s reading, over-indulging in chocolate, and enjoying life with friends and family.
Nana loves to connect with her readers on Instagram @nanaprahauthor, Twitter @Nana Prah and Facebook at Nana Prah, author.
The Destiny Series by Nana Prah just keeps getting better and better. And the best part is, each book is a stand alone with characters from the previous books making an appearance. Besides the romantic nature of Ms. Prah's novels, I truly enjoy reading about the different cultures, and she brings me to new and exciting places.
When Kamal walks into Gloria's flower shop and asks her to be the wedding planner for his sister's wedding, she's lured into an almost impossible chore. Sparks fly between them, and not in a good way, at first. Mainly because Kamal insists Ghanaian women weren't his so-called cup-of-tea. Although, when Gloria and Kamal's chemistry skyrockets, she pulls back. And it's due to a horrific incident that happened when she was younger. I never leave spoilers so you'll have to read the book to find out what happened.
Destiny Awakened is an emotional and a great read. I highly recommend it!!
I enjoyed this African romance series in Ghana. I related a lot to it, also being West African, to the perceptions and stereotypic beliefs and generalizations from locals and people returning from the diaspora. Because I’m familiar with some of these judgements and generalizations on both sides, I feel like this was a realistic cultural setting for the two characters. However, because these judgements and generalizations are things I generally loathe, I was kind of bothered by them.
This romance is about Gloria, an independent event decorator, who is approached by Kamal to help plan his sister’s wedding. There’s an instant attraction between the two but both being strong characters, it manifests in sparks flying. Unfortunately, Gloria’s past experience of a harmful traditional practice (FGM) means she doubts herself as a capable romantic partner for an apparently virile Kamal. Besides, there’s no place for emotions to build when Kamal’s sister’s short notice wedding is at stake.
Overall, I liked this novel. I felt like it was patently a romance about African people. To me, Gloria’s family background came a little unrealistically out of left field but this is romance and if you can’t have the fantasy, then what do you have. I’m already a huge fan of this author and this has only encouraged me to read more of her books.
Destiny Awakened, by Nana Prah, is Book 4 in the Destiny African Romance Series. I've enjoyed this series and Destiny Awakened is a perfect addition.
The story begins when Kamal hires Gloria, an event decorator, to plan his sister's wedding, which is only six weeks away. Right away, personalities clash, tempers flare, sexual sparks fly, and we're off to find out what life has in store for Gloria and Kamal.
The whole series has been fun, and this story is too, but this time Ms. Prah makes a small detour and delves into a traumatic subject matter that Gloria has endured, and she does it well. Kudos for her for being brave enough to create a character who must deal with this aspect of her past.
I'm always happy to see old favorite characters from the previous books show up and they did! It wouldn't be the Destiny Series without an appearance from Esi, Adjoa and Aurora (Ora)!
All the books in the series are stand alone, as is Destiny Awakened, but (and I think I say this in every review, but it's true) if you haven't read the series and you're a fan of contemporary romance set in an exotic location, Ghana, you should. You'll be glad you did.
I bought this book to keep me company while traveling. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the destiny series by Nana Prah!!! I think I have read the chapter 33 at least five times in a row! I had to call my husband to let him know about this book and why he needs to read the chapter 33. LOL. I think this one is by far the best one of the series. Girl, you did that !!! Please, tell me you are working on the #5...
Destiny Awakened is Book four in the Destiny series by Nana Prah. I love the series because of the setting and the strong women. This one treats a very important issue about women's sexuality - FGM. A victim of FGM, the heroine, Gloria, has led a life of repression. Confident and outspoken in most other aspects of her life, she yearns for a happy relationship with a man - possibly marriage.
Kamal Lawrence walks into her office and asks her to help him plan his sister's wedding. He evokes sensual feelings and urges she'd never experienced. The story takes us through Gloria's journey of self-discovery and acceptance of her sexuality.
The storytelling was great and I loved that the heroine wasn't some poor African girl being rescued by the hero. The characters were well-rounded and the dialogue flowed. It was nice to see characters from the previous books feature in this one. Nana Prah is good at creating sweet moments that make a reader's heart flutter, and this story had a few of those.
There were a couple of things that didn't quite work for me. The hero had an aversion to Ghanaian women in general, and I found it hard to buy into his justification for blacklisting this particular group of women. Also, while I empathised with the heroine and the trauma she endured as a child, I couldn't connect with her (or the hero for that matter).
Overall, this is a good read and a strong addition to the series. Recommended for those who like sweet romance and strong heroines.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily posted a review
What a wonderful read! Learning about cultural differences in this manner is always an eye opener. We have heard about the mutilations enforced upon women and in Gloria's case she was saved. . . just barely. But due to this and the rejection she received she had closed herself off to the possibilities even though it was her hearts desire to love and be loved. Kamal wanted nothing to do with Ghanaian women until he met Gloria. Little by little she wormed her way into his heart. But would the past hinder their future? Will they let down their protective walls and learn to love and be loved.
A touching emotional read. With strong and funny characters, graphic and vivid imagery this is an amazing read I highly recommend. While this is my first read from this author I can't wait to read more. Her way of weaving a story brings to mind the story tellers of old, weaved to keep you invested in the outcome.
I'm always up for a good book and this one is definitely on that list. If you haven't read Nana Prah or the Destiny series, then you should. The writing gets better with each book and the storyline is compelling enough to keep me engaged.
One of the things I love about her book is the cultural exploration. In this book it was interesting seeing a hero who#'d lived abroad for a while and was in Ghana to plan his sister's wedding. He didn't quite like 'Ghanaian women' and yet couldn't resist the chemistry between him and Gloria who he commissions as wedding planner.
Gloria also has her 'issues' triggered by events from the past so things aren't very smooth-sailing for these two. Then again when is love ever easy?
My favourite story from this author so far. Expect a slow burn that soon sizzles. Contemporary romance as it should be. Loved this.
Gloria's story is one of a true survivor of something that most people only hear about and couldn't even begin to comprehend the effects both physically and mentally it has in the long term yet it still happens to this day. Without this book opening my eyes to this happening today I would have thought it was a thing of the past.
I loved the African themes that are woven into the book and found it so interesting learning about a different culture and how they have different traditions to myself.
I'm now looking forward to reading the rest of the books in the series and hope that along the way I get to see more of Gloria and Kamal!
This review was written on behalf of Amo & Sarah's book corner.