Today the MILELE SAFARI BLOG is delighted to be one of the hosting venues for RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB'S 'Back to School' Book & BlogBlock Party!
You are currently somewhere near LAUNCESTON in NORTH CORNWALL, UK!
BUT FIRST here are my...
GRRRRR-eat GIVEAWAYS!
(I'm happy to ship outside the UK!)
For AUGUST 8TH only I have some
BRILLIANT PRIZES FOR 3 LUCKY VISITORS...
1ST PRIZE ~ JOE STEPHENS!
A $10/£10 AMAZON eGIFT VOUCHER
2ND PRIZE ~ D.E. HOWARD!
A basic white or black T-shirt from my ZAZZLE shop
with a choice of 4 designs inspired by some of my favourite African places and National Parks
(email me back with your size: small - 4XL and your snail mail address)
Mosi-oa-Tunya (Victoria Falls) Namib-Naukluft (Namibia)
Etosha Blue Nile (Uganda)
3RD PRIZE ~ BEEM WEEKS!
Your choice of a regular or ergonomic Milele Safari mouse mat (same colourways as the Tees)
SPECIAL BONUS GIVEAWAY
TODAY ONLY!
Kindle edition of MILELE SAFARI
FREE ON AMAZON KINDLE
all day 8th August!
And now a bit more about my first novel and how it came to be...
CLICK COVER TO GO TO AMAZON
Paperback also available at all good online stores, or by ISBN in your local high street
This follows the programme for my first ever Blog Tour (courtesy of 4Wills Publishing) back in June 2015 -
If you want to skip ahead here's the links to the other Milele Blog Safari destinations
Zambia | Tanzania | Biafra | Zimbabwe | Uganda | Zyanda | Kenya
 |
| The childhood ordeal of tragic Biafran war orphan, Teresa Olatunde, is the fateful catalyst for the savage events at the heart of Milele Safari |
We first meet main character, Sophie Taylor and her safari companions on the Zambian side of Victoria Falls, and the story roughly follows their itinerary from there into Zimbabwe and then Uganda and finally, after it's over, into Tanzania where Sophie starts her new job. A magazine treatment, based on their journey (with the odd deviation when the backstory dictated) gradually presented itself as a useful solution for the blog, as it gave me an opportunity to include some of my own personal background, influences and research information on the countries in which Milele Safari are set, and to including short synopses on each of the Tales that 'happen' in that region.
What's good for my own blog should surely work for a blog tour too! So, this is your personal invitation to join me on a 'blog safari' that tells the true-life inside story behind Milele Safari, through the real and almost real lands depicted in the book...
What's good for my own blog should surely work for a blog tour too! So, this is your personal invitation to join me on a 'blog safari' that tells the true-life inside story behind Milele Safari, through the real and almost real lands depicted in the book...
... the Tales play out through the auspices of several point of view characters and their narratives, some through flashbacks into the past, or through a journal device that joins the various strands of their Tales together.
CLICK ON A COUNTRY ON THE TOP MENU
TO CONTINUE ON THE MILELE BLOG SAFARI TRAIL!
BOOK LINKS
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
LinkedIn
Author blog - Jan Hawke INKorporated
(by Toto - always bless the rains down in Africa!)
Author blog - Jan Hawke INKorporated
CLICK HERE
FOR OUR PARTY VENUES ALL THROUGH AUGUST
AND FINALLY
as the dawn comes around again...
as the dawn comes around again...
Hi Jan,
ReplyDeleteI loved the mood music. I downloaded Milele Safari. Can't wait to read it. Hope your day on the party tour is a success. :) I edited my comment. I had the title of your book on my brain and created a typo. This post is similar, though. :)
Hi there Lori! :-D So glad you've looked in and enjoyed the music - enjoy Milele and let me know what you think ;-)
DeleteI do love some music to dance to while I'm at a party! The circle of life is an amazing song choice. I read and reviewed Milele Safari and really enjoyed your writing style and the descriptive elements of the book.
ReplyDeleteThank you for being a great supporter of other members of RRBC and for being such a lovely lady! Have a fantastic day today Jan:)
(((hugs Lizzie))) - thanks so much for all your support for Milele Lizzie! <3 The book's so close to my heart that it's almost painful sometimes and I'm always so bowled over when it touches other people as well (and maybe gives them a little 'African' bug as well! ;-) )
DeleteYou're one of RRBC friends who rock my world so it's great to see you here today! <3
Forgot to say, posted to Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter etc.
ReplyDeleteYou're a complete star! x
DeleteWonderful stop - love the African feel - the music & the imagery - a feast for my senses. I've downloaded your book - thanks!
ReplyDeleteBest Wishes,
Wendy
Glad you liked it Wendy! :-D Thanks for dropping in today and for downloading - I hope as a Southern Hemisphere person, you enjoy the journey :-)
DeleteI enjoyed this post, and as others have already noted, the combination of music and the visual images you impart through your writing enfolds the reader. I'm looking forward to reading and reviewing the downloaded book. Off to share on twitter.
ReplyDeleteHi Suzanne! :-D Although this post is a 'recycle' in some respects I loved re-theming for this year's block party and am glad it's getting a good reaction. Thanks so much for coming and for sharing! :-)
DeleteWhat an awesome post, Jan! And I love the idea of the blog safari :) The music is an added bonus. I feel like I've gone on an epic adventure without leaving my chair, lols. As you know, I have both the kindle and paperback of your book, Milele Safari, and I promise (honest!) I will review it one of these days :) Have a fantastic time on today's party stop! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Harmz! Don't feel you need to rush your read hon - pole, pole (slowly, slowly in Swahili ;-) ) is the way to go with the thickly layered themes - like a lovely mature South African Chardonnay :-D
DeleteWhat a fun stop! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it Joe! Thanks for stopping by! :-D
DeleteHey Jan, great stop of the block party. You might check with the club. Their link goes to last year's post. I went looking for this one.
ReplyDeleteCraig - wonderful to see you and thanks so much for pointing out the mistake (hopefully the team are putting that right as I reply here) :-D Looks like most of my clever RRBC mates have realised and found their way to the right post without too much trouble. ;-)
DeleteThanks, Craig, you little snitch! LOL (Just teasing!) You tattle-tale! (I meant that one)
DeleteSharing links to here!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for spreading the news Neil! :-D
DeleteGreat music. It really sets the mood for reading about your book. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Rebecca! (((hugs))) I thought it would make a change to go with the musical version of the Lion King - it feels a lot more African! ;-)
DeleteGreat blog post! As mentioned above, the link on RRBC links to last years post. This looks like a lot of fun, though!
ReplyDeleteHiya Lincoln! :-) There are fun bits along the way - needed to put in some lighter relief away from the heavy stuff the book deals with ;-)
DeleteThe links been corrected now so hopefully people will find their way here OK now :-D
Hey, Lincoln...snitch #2! LOL
DeleteYour blog is so full of rich knowledge and information! What an adventurous life you have led! Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. I absolutely loved the pictures attached to each location. I've downloaded your book, and though it's not my usual kind of book, I look forward to reading it. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi there, Yvette! :-D I can't deny it's 'challenging' book for all sorts of reasons so in some respects it's a love it/hate it book BUT it is fundamentally a very human tale told from different people's perspectives so there's something of everything in there, including folklore and mythology, and even a little touch of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories style. I hope you enjoy it and thanks for coming over today! :-)
DeleteWhat a delightful delve into an unknown past. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteThank you for popping in today Christy! :-)
DeleteLove books that teach me culture in far away places. Marvelous mood music also. Great gifts! Thanks for the free download. I look forward to reading it. Best of luck with all your projects!
ReplyDeleteHi Susan! Hope you enjoy the book and thank YOU for coming along today :-D
DeleteThank you, Jan, for the fun multi-media experience. Africa is clearly near and dear to your heart. Some places never leave you though you may leave them.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed this mini-safari Patricia! :-D Africa is a place that always leaves indelible marks on visitors as it's so full of contrasts and stunning in every sense of the word - I couldn't live there m,yself but that doesn't stop me loving it. Thanks for coming over today :-)
DeleteAfrica is one country I have not yet traveled to visit but it is on my list. Great blog, enjoy the tour!
ReplyDeleteIf you love animals (and I know you do Tara ;-) ) then most of the 'safari' countries in sub-Saharan Africa are unmissable. Kenya, Zimbabwe and Namibia are the ones that made most impact on me but I also have very fond memories of Egypt too from a cultural perspective. Africa is where human history likely started and for that reason alone, it's a place that gets right under your skin - not always pleasantly! ;-)
DeleteNice post, Jan! I love the music and the images. I've snagged a copy of Milele Safari. Have a great day at the party!
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle - lovely to 'see' you as always! :-D I'm having a ball here - thanks for getting the book! Enjoy! ;-)
DeleteHi Jan, what a fun party you throw! I love the music, the videos, the stories. I've had Milele Safari for months, and it has inched up my TBR list. I can't wait! Have fun today!!
ReplyDeleteLike I said to Harmz - take your time Gwen. :-D I wrote it in instalments, sometime going several months in between writing spurts because the content is profound and sometimes disturbing in places, so I think reading is the same in some ways - sips, rather than tearing through so the meaning seeps through you? Glad you've had fun looking in! :-D
DeleteJan, I am always very curious about non-African writing about Africa. In the past, it has always been about them, not Africa. In recent times, the dialogue has started to shift with writers like you, looking at Africa with more respect, and understanding. In your book, you were dealing with people, not objects. you felt their pains, and you shed their tears.This is what endeared me to your writing. You cannot tell the story of a life you have not lived, or of a people you do not understand. A lot of non-African writers make that mistake. Thank you for being, in spirit, an African. :D :D. Enjoy your party. :)
ReplyDeleteOh - Joy! (((hugs))) :-D I am so honoured and humbled that you can say that of me - I have a big lump in my throat now, but my smile is huge!
DeleteI never wanted to give a history lesson, or harp on politics with this one - it had to be about the human experience and not the emotion-numbing 'public image' that other nations have of Africa. We're a Brotherhood of Man, not the United Nations (because we're so not that) - if only people can know in their hearts that there, but for the grace of god...
You've made my day and I'm so glad you're are one of my truest friends. x <3 x
Africa by Toto is one of my favorite pieces. And I love those t-shirts! What a great idea for a swag :)
ReplyDeleteI Love them too Nick! :-D They're actually the early cover design for Milele, but it kind of grew away from the animals as I wrote, so I went with the Zambezi as it plays a big part in the storyline - hope you're in with a shot at it but I do sell them on my Zazzle shop (zazzle.co.uk/ldaquirm)! ;-)
DeleteI love the mood-music video. Great touch to a great post.
ReplyDeleteHi Staci! Glad you enjoyed the ambiance - thanks for looking in! :-D
DeleteSo glad i remembered to stp by today. Just downloaded Milele Safari😃
ReplyDeleteThanks for coming along for the ride - and getting the book Cassidy! Enjoy! :-)
DeleteGood Morning Jan! Great music to wake up to! I love what Joy Lo-Bamijoko says about your writing. High Praise! Enjoy your party.
ReplyDeleteI <3 Joy so much! :-D It's lovely to see you here today Linda - I'm having a lovely time and I'm glad you're enjoying the music! :-D
DeleteHello Jan. My first post doesn't show up so I thought I had better pop in one more just to be sure. I love your African blog and I have your book. It's on my TBR list, and when completed, I will blog my review and and post to all the usual places of course. Thank you, Mary
ReplyDeleteYes - so sorry about that Mary, but I'm very glad you persevered and here you are! :-D Thank you so much for getting my book and I hope you enojy it when it gets to the top of the old TBR ;-)
DeleteGreat idea with the music, really sets a mood! Have fun today and always enjoy your enthusiasm.
ReplyDeletehi Jenny! :-D We writers have to love what we write about - it always shows if we don't! ;-) Thanks for coming along today!
DeleteSorry I'm late to the party, but I'm not so much interested in give-aways as meeting other authors. Love your artwork!
ReplyDeleteNo need for apologies Helena - I know you're very busy today as well, so thank you for making the time! ;-) I'll be popping in to say hi with you very soon too.
DeleteWhat fun! An African Safari :)
ReplyDeleteI love how you set everything up, Jan. The whole blog post feels like an adventure. Milele Safari is on my Kindle and my TBR. Have a fabulous day at the party!
Glad you're enjoying the visit Mae! :-D I'm having the best time - hope you enjoy Milele when it gets to the top of the old TBR ;-)
DeleteI love the Lion King musical and hearing your video brought it all back. You went to the soul of Africa in Milele Safari but what endeared me to your writing was how you took us into the mind of Africa's creatures - one in particular. That was the only part that I really got right away because I love animal stories. Also you shed light on the cruelty of humans to one another that is unspeakable at times. Thank you Jan for trying to enlighten us on the tragedies that is Africa. Sometimes we become numb to it.
ReplyDeleteHi Shirley - lovely to see you over here! :-D Africa is such a terrific place in all kinds of ways, including the horrific that it's no wonder people find it hard to connect to at tiems and certainly to understand. Like I was saying to Joy - it's the experience of real people (and some animals, like elephants and lions, are really not so different to us), not what we see on TV,or in films that's important to consider, not politics or the underlying reasons. It happens - everything I wrote about and more, to real people and even littler children.
DeleteThank you for understanding the book so well :-D
I'm also loving the fact that we are on our own safari traveling through each member's blogs...going on a journey. I'm loving each stop.
ReplyDeleteLOL - that's the wonderful thing about taking part in RRBC events! You have fun while making new friends! ;-)
DeleteWhat a fun blog block party, Jan. I love the music. Best wishes to you on this day!
ReplyDeleteCheers, Beem - great to see you here! :-D
DeleteThe music is a big hit, Jan, kudos! This site is so very attractive and welcoming, nice job! Have a great day on the Block Party!
ReplyDeleteHi John - thanks for dropping in! :-D
DeleteSuch a great stop on the Blog tour....great shirts on Zazzle, and love the Toto song....most of all great to know more about you and your work Jan!
ReplyDeleteRobert Kimbrell
Hi Robert! Thanks for joining us today! :-D
DeleteJan, great website-so much to check out. will be downloading your free e- book for sure.Looks like you do lots of research, very impressive and the music is wonderful. Thanks for such an interesting stop on the tour.
ReplyDeleteHiya Jo Ann! :-D It all started with going on holiday to Kenya (and watching a LOT of David Attenborough wildlife documentaries) ;-)
DeleteGood morning! What a wonderful trip you've arranged! Thank you for the opportunity to download your book. I can't wait to read it! I'm loving the RRBC Block Party!
ReplyDeleteHi there, Patricia - great to see you here. The block party's fantastic isn't it! :-D Thank YOU for getting the book - I hope you enjoy it :-)
DeleteGreat stop. I tweeted it out to my small group of followers.
ReplyDeleteHi again Craig - thanks so much for sharing it today! :-D
DeleteWhat a treat, Jan! It's been a long time since I heard the Circle of Life. Such an awesome way to share your work with us. I was one of the lucky winners last year and snagged a T-shirt. Yay me! I love it and I have your book as well. It's working its way up my TBR list, and I'm really looking forward to this fascinating journey through Africa. Cheers! :)
ReplyDeleteHello Natalie! So glad you liked the Tee shirt - let's hope you're lucky again today. ;-) Enjoy the book when you get to the top of the Mt Kilimanjaro-sized TBR heap I'm sure you've got! :-D
DeleteHi Jan - I loved reading Milele Safari - one of my favorite five star reviews. Have fun on your RRBC Blog Block Party day!
ReplyDeleteMikeL
Hi Michael - thanks so much for dropping in today and for your kind comment (your review is one of my favourites as well!) :-D
DeleteGreat post Jan - and some wonderful prizes... I rushed off to bag a copy of Milele Safari and was disappointed to see that I had previously got a copy... clearly this needs a bump up the TBR list :D
ReplyDeleteLol - that's happened to me several times as well Dawn! ;-) I think you were one of the prize winners last time as well - or was that for Dreamless Roads perhaps? No matter - it's still great to see you here today! :-D
DeleteLove the t-shirts and your sketch. Very interesting blog and book!
ReplyDeleteWhy thank you Linda! :-D Thanks for visiting me today :-)
DeleteWhat a great idea for themed blog tour, Jan! Enjoy your day hosting the party!
ReplyDeleteTrying to describe what Milele Safari's about can be exhausting, PH! ;-) This way it kind of makes more sense of the journey and what happens where, but sometime the flitting back and forth in time and character perspectives gets 'interesting' - which is why I recommend people take their time soaking the tale in... :-P
DeleteThanks for looking in on us today! :-)
I don't know if my previous message came through, but if it did just chalk it up to me being an idiot. I didn't realize that I was here so early I was reading last year's post. Lol I guess that's what I get for being online in the wee hours of the morning. This is SUCH a creative post! I absolutely loved it! Thank you for giving us such a wonderful look into the world of Milele Safari. 😀
ReplyDeleteGlad you got here, Rhani - the wrong link was given out on the website listings which didn't help you out of course ;-) Anyway - you haven't missed out on anything as we're still right slap in the middle of this partay! :-)
DeleteThanks for being so determined and coming back for another look - you'd certainly be a great companion on a safari! :-D
Jan. A wonderful post. I was here earlier and got a review of last year.(Pretty fun too). Hope your party is the best.
ReplyDeleteHey there, John - lovely to see you here! :-D I know I'm having a great time today and I think everyone else is too - can't wait to come over to yours and find out what's in store for John Cannon next! :-D
DeleteAwesome post, Jan! Picked up a copy of Milele Safari and look forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for picking up a copy Kim - I hope you enjoy the ride! ;-) Thanks for dropping and being so supportive as always :-D
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeletehi I loved the music while I was enjoying your site! Looks like another good read I am adding to my kindle. Thanks
ReplyDeleteHi Dee! :-) Thanks for getting the book - very glad you've enjoyed your visit today :-D
DeleteGreat idea to include music on your site! I love books that bring a deeper understanding of African countries. I wish you nothing but success!
ReplyDeleteAll parties should have music, Julie! ;-) Thanks for stopping by today and making such a kind comment. :-D
DeleteHi Jan,
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful setup for your book. Loved and saved this page so I can listen to the videos again as I continue reading your book. I've had it for a while but haven't been able to read due to the lyme. Your book is not one to fly through as so much would be missed. I am always drawn to the cover in an almost supernatural way. good luck today and takes for a great presentation.
Hi, Micki! (((HUGS!))) I think one of my early reviewers said it best - 'this is NOT a beach read'! It's not for everyone, but I think it does have a wide appeal, because like Joy says, it's all about the people and what they go through and come out of their experiences so, while it helps to know Africa, it's not vital because this is about all the facets of life and every shade and tint of colour, not just black, white and grey. I hope you enjoy it when you do have the time :-D
DeleteGreat post, Jan. I have your book on my Kindle, sitting patiently in line. I will get to it eventually. I need more hours in my day! Thanks for an entertaining Blog and book party stop with #RRBC!
ReplyDeleteAh - those interminable TBRs! ;-) Glad to see you here today Jan - RRBC parties are always the best! :-D
DeleteHi Jan! Such a festive stop! I love the t-shirts and music! Thanks for sharing, take care, and have a magnificent Monday! :) ~Stephanie
ReplyDeleteIt's been such a great day and lovely to have so many visitors like you Stephanie! :-D
DeleteHi there Stephanie - glad you made it over here and enjoyed the floor show! Thanks also for your wonderful and sustained support for Milele - it's much appreciated :-D
ReplyDeleteGreat Blog. I picked up a copy of Miele Safari, can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteBrent
HI there Brent -= thanks for looking and getting a copy of M<ilele! :-D I hope you enjoy the Journey :-)
DeleteHi Jan! Great post. Great giveaways.
ReplyDeleteHey Sandra - thanks for stopping by! :-D
DeleteJan, I absolutely LOOOOOOVEEEE the Lion King (Walt Disney version, by the way!...LOL) I actually did a modern dance performance to it many years ago, maybe about 20 yrs ago, (when I was 9...LOL). Anyway, thanks for the amazing journey today!
ReplyDeleteArrrgh - you're making me feel so old now Nonnie! ;-) Lovely to see you here and I'm glad you enjoyed the vibe! :-D
DeleteI absolutely LOVE the Lion King!! What a great blog post!
ReplyDeleteIt's certainly my all-time favourite DIsney film and the music has a lot to do with that. Glad you enjoyed your visit today Miranda :-D
DeleteI like your blog. Thank u
ReplyDeleteHi there! :-D So sorry not to reply earlier, but things have been hectic around here lately - I'm glad you enjoyed the post! :-D
DeleteGuys... Just wanted to say thank you to everyone who took the general giveaway of the Kindle edition of Milele Safari! <3 25 COPIES WERE ORDERED!!! :-D
ReplyDeleteAND AGAIN <3 THANK YOU! <3 THANK YOU!! <3 THANK YOU!! <3