I Come Bearing Gifts, News & Teasers!

Chronicles of an indie mama balancing writing, book publishing, family, and big dreams.

Jan 22, 2026

Happy New Year!

An image of myself and my Jolly one on a heavily snowy day. it is said and according to the photo - I was really happy to be out in the snow and not asking do you want to go inside ten million times :D

Guess who went out to play in the snow for the first time? We did! It was all fun and games until the alert came in warning us to expect more snow this weekend.
Canadians—and everyone living in snow-zoned areas—how do you do it? This weather makes me want to eat, sleep, repeat. Still, I’m glad we made the memories. Here’s to future snow angels and actual snowmen… not the lumpy ice sculpture I made.

What’s in this letter?

Yoruba Demon: Updates
2026 Hopefuls
Catching Feelings: Update
A Gift For You!
Will I be in Your City?

Yoruba Demon: Updates

Some days—with all the drama on social media—I want to disappear. Go offline. Become a hermit. Write and write in peace, and become some mysterious phenomenon people talk about.

And then there’s you.

You who brings my characters to life, who feels them, roots for them, and shares that excitement with me. You’re the reason I stay. I created a compilation of your video reviews and whenever I need motivation, I watch it, hehehe…

Thank you for the love and attention you’ve given Yoruba Demon: Tunde. Since its release in December, it remained the number one release in the Amazon.com African Literature category for a month and a bestseller in UK and Canada. If you have read it, please take time out to drop a review. Thank you!

If you’ve been waiting for the paperback, it’s now live on Amazon and available for backorder on my website.

If you’re in Africa—West Africa especially—hardcover preorders are open through your favorite bookstores. The official release is February 6, just in time for Valentine’s Day. There’s also an upgraded version (print, not content) of Yoruba Demon: Femi coming to stores the same time Yoruba Demon: Tunde arrives.

So yes… if you know someone who wants to meet a Yoruba Demon (or two), or maybe heal from wounds placed by one, grab a copy for yourself—and another for a friend. Make this Valentine special for someone!

2026 Hopefuls

In case you missed it, 2026 is already shaping up to be a very good year. Look forward to books in the Catching Feelings and Yoruba Demons Billionaire Club (YDBC) series, lots of YDBC surprises, and a North America trotting Camaa.

In summary, six new projects are planned. One surprise is complete, another is currently in progress, and I’m deep into the second draft of Implication.

Catching Feelings: Update

I’ve been taking my time with Leo and Ash’s story. They’re both a little broken—aren’t we all?—and carrying enough baggage to fight their own happily-ever-after. Because of that, contrary to what’s on the flier above, I’m not committing to a fixed release date for my first two books releasing this year. These story will be ready when they’re ready.

News Flash! Catching Feelings has a slight cover refresh. Same story you love, just a new look.

Be prepared… the cover reveal for Irreplaceable, the third and final book in the Catching Feelings series, is happening next month!

Did I mention a teaser? Here’s an unedited excerpt of Leo & Ash’s meet cute from Implication, my next release.

LEO
The entire public transport ride here, I rehearsed the version of myself I plan to adopt during the interview: a professional-yet-distant demeanor. No need to give this Ashionye—or whatever her name is—any ammunition.
Tea in hand, playing my part, I climb the floating stairs to the upper level where the offices sit, my footsteps echoing in the silent hall.
When I reach her office, the door is slightly ajar.
A faint, heady floral scent drifts out and for some inexplicable reason, it makes me pause. Through the narrow gap in the door, I catch sight of her.
She’s perched on the edge of her desk, relaxed but unmistakably composed. Her kinky, coily hair blooms into a full afro, framing a face that’s youthful yet commanding. Between TY Bello’s hair and hers, I honestly don’t know which is fuller. Sandy beige skin hints at mixed heritage, but it’s her posture that holds my attention.
She’s dressed simply in a fitted off-white blouse, dark purple culottes and white-heeled pointy-toe shoes, stating that she’s in a class of her own. Her fingers fly this way and that on the screen of her laptop, her neat-cropped fingers moving with purpose.
She is a work of art. A beautiful, rare, unreplicable piece created by the master creator himself.
Huh?
My thoughts throws me off so much so that when I finally step forward to knock, my foot catches. The cup tilts. Tea sloshes, splashing onto the floor and my sneakers.
Perfect.
If the sound startled her, it was only slightly. She barely flinches as her cool, assessing eyes land on me.
“I hope you’re more graceful with a paintbrush,” she says in a low, husky voice, a lazy bite of humor riding the words as she pulls a couple of tissues from the dispenser on her table, elegantly walks forward and hands them to me.
Ignoring the jab and the urge to mutter something sarcastic, I crouch down and wipe the liquid off my white sneaker before it can seep in permanently. My palm itches as I work, a familiar sensation that comes when I see something—or someone—I need to paint.
The last time this happened was months ago, in São Tomé. I’d stumbled across some kids playing soccer in the street, their laughter and movement begging to be immortalized on canvas. But the last time I painted a woman... God. That was—
“Take your time,” she says, heading back to her table.
Fuck. My heart pounds erratically as I glance at her again. Her sharp features soften under the fluorescent light. The floral scent intensifies, stirring something I haven’t felt in years.
“Trash can’s behind the door,” she offers.
I rise quickly, toss the soiled tissue into the can before moving further into the room.
Forcing a polite smile, I extend my hand. “Leonard Nwokoye. You can call me Leo.”
She hesitates for a fraction of a second before taking my hand. Her skin is soft like butter that’s been left on the countertop, but her grip is firm.
“Ashionye Pogoson, Curatorial Director.” Her lips curve, but the smile doesn’t reach her eyes.
When she pulls her hand back, I feel the absence of her touch like a small loss. Ridiculous. Absolute rubbish. I hate that it does. This woman looks like she’d eat me for breakfast and never apologize for it. Worse, she’d be right to.
I can already see how this residency will go if she’s dealing directly with us artists. She’ll be telling collectors stories in that naturally, raspy voice of hers—That one? He’s talented. He spilled tea on himself first day we met. Poor thing.
There’s an awkward pause before she gestures to a chair in front of her desk. “Shall we begin?”

You just read an unedited excerpt of Implication, book two in the Catching Feelings series. It is available for preorder at a discounted rate. Grab your copy ASAP and officially motivate this lady to get the book into your hands ASAP.

Pre-order Implication Now

A Gift For You!

I wanted to gift you something for the new year, and in a burst of creative energy, I made this 2026 character calendar.
P.S. There’s a little clue to Irreplaceable’s cover tucked inside.

Oh, and watch out for more timed gifts this year.

Character Calendar Download

Will I be in Your City?

I thought April would be our first in-person meet… but surprise! I’ll be attending the first-ever Romance Your Shelf as an author on February 21, 2026, in Mendham, New Jersey, USA. More information is available on the website.