#RRBC’s October-Ween Book, Blog & Trailer Block Party! #RWISA #WritingCommunity
HERE’S WHAT I’M GIVING AWAY TODAY!
$10.00 Amazon Gift Card
One eCopy of: Mirror of Our Lives: Voices of Four Igbo Women
One eCopy of: Legend of the Walking Dead: Igbo Mythologies
One eCopy of: Pregnant Future
One eCopy of: Vagaries of Life: And Girls’ Talk
One eCopy of: Growing Pains
Life is hard! It doesn’t matter what age we are; it is always a struggle to start from a point and get to another. I was telling someone recently that the only time we can have rest in life is when we are put six feet under. And that is the truth!
I am now a grandmother seven times over and each time is different. This means that for seven times I have observed my grandkids from birth as they struggle through life. I see me in them! And their stories are fascinating! Recently, I started writing stories based on my observations of these kids as they struggled.
My newest book is the collection of events I observed in the life of a little boy named Chike, not his real name. These days newly born babies come out with their eyes wide open. Chike did not only come out with his eyes wide open, but he wanted to talk! His mouth was moving and forming words! I thought that was hilarious! I have wanted to do a separate tour with this book, but I am happy for this opportunity of introducing it here.
Growing Pains is the story about that struggle. Here is what one of my reviews said about it.
“A delightful book for all children, especially the younger ones. Chike is the main character who won my heart with his energy, creative mind, and determination. He reminded me of my youngest son at that age. I highly recommend this book.”
Thank you so much, to this reviewer for the kind words. I do appreciate your thoughts. Thank you, also, to my other reviewer, for your insightful take on the stories or vignettes as you called them. Calling them vignettes got me thinking. I intended them to be “Scenes” from the life of Chike.
In Vagaries of Life, another collection of short stories, I put together nine short stories reflecting different aspects of life. These were stories I have collected over the years. Some of them lighthearted and some downright scary. Thanks to all of you who read and reviewed this book. I am truly grateful. One story really stands out for me in the whole collection. It is the story about Girls’ Talk. The background to this story is what makes it very special to me. It is the story that resonates with young girls of a marrying age, friends, who meet to compare notes about their dating games.
Pregnant Future is the story of my life and the life of all those who have impacted it! It is a memoir of a time in my life when growing up was the toughest! I found myself alone, a teenager, in Rome with no knowledge of the language and completely vulnerable! I could have suffered the worst fate ever, but my very strong religious upbringing helped to see me through. Once again, thank you, to all of you who have read and reviewed this book. God bless you all.
Legend of the Walking Dead: Igbo Mythologies
Legend of the Walking Dead: Igbo Mythologies, is the book that took me the longest to write. I started this book while I was still in Rome, in the early sixties. As a civil war waged in my country during those years, I started by writing down all that I could remember of our culture. I was afraid that the war would wipe out what was left of our culture, and so, I started writing down what I could remember. In the end, I tried to link these stories together to make it into one single but continuous story. It worked out well. Now, I am thinking of looking deeper into our culture and pulling out more stories.
I would like to thank all the readers and reviewers of this book. You have made it one of my most popular books. Remember, this story is not about zombies at all. Reading it will convince you!
Mirror of Our Lives: Voices of Four Igbo Women
Mirror of Our Lives… was my first full-fledged novel. I called it full-fledged although it is a collection of four different stories.
Before I retired from teaching, I had decided that writing would be my next thing. Three years before retiring, I started taking classes in writing, specifically in writing children’s stories. Towards the end of the course, I was given the option of adding: Writing Novels, to the course. This book was the result of that extra course. I took the course for writing novels and the book was my project. My tutors encouraged me to publish it and I did.
My thanks and appreciation to all of you who have read and reviewed this book. I am deeply appreciative.
Author’s Bio
Joy has published extensively on national and international scholarly journals, magazines, and newspapers.
Her first published short story appeared in African Voices, Spring/Summer, 2007, pg. 18, and several others in RAVE SOUP FOR THE WRITER’S SOUL Anthology, Bks 1-3.
Mirror of Our Lives: Voices of Four Igbo Women, her first novel, was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Book Contest in 2012. She has also two books published in the Italian language.
Her book, The Legend of the Walking Dead: Igbo Mythologies, is a journey into the mysteries of life and death of the Igbos of Nigeria.
In Pregnant Future, Justina found herself alone in the world to fend for herself. It is the story of survival.
Her book, Vagaries of Life: And Girls’ Talk is a collection of short stories about life and its vicissitudes.
Recently, she published a children’s book titled: Growing Pains.
Meet the Author here:
Websites: https://thelookingglassjnlb.wordpress.com
Link to my Blog: jinlobify.Com
Face BookLink: https://www.facebook.com/joy.lobamijoko
Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/Jinlobify
PERSPECTIVES 
Growing Pains looks like a great children’s book. I am picking one up for my grandkids! Great post.
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Hi, Ron, thank you for stopping by. Indeed, “growing Pains” is my take on the wonders of watching my grandchildren grow. Thank you, for the support.
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Thanks for sharing. This is really a great post! I really love the cover of Pregnant Future too!
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Hi, Ted, good to know you. Thank you for dropping by. The compliment for the cover of the “Pregnant Future” goes to the 4WillsPublishing.
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Congrats on your seven grandbabies. I had one of my grandchildren come out with eyes wide open ready to take on the world. Its amazing to watch them grow.
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Indeed, D.L. it is amazing to watch them grow! Thank you, for dropping by and for commenting.
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I loved “Vagaries of Life,” and look forward to reading another of your books. “The Legend of the Walking Dead” has caught my attention. Best wishes!
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Thank you, Karen, for dropping by, and for your support. I hope you will read “Legend of the Walking Dead” and tell me what you think of it.
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Hi, Joy, I’m sorry I’m late to your party. I enjoyed reading your post and the little clips about all of your books. I hope you had a wonderful day on the tour. *Hugs*
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Thank you, Rhani, for stopping by. It is never too late.
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Thank you, Jan, for stopping by and for commenting. To watch the young one grow is a great gift. You can see yourself in them. 🤣
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Hi Joy, There are always layers to your stories and they linger long after reading.
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That’s a very kind thought, Wendy. Thank you, for stopping by.
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I’m impressed by the eclectic group of books you have written. I wish you joy with your family and grandchildren.
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Thank you, Susanne, for stopping by and for commenting.
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Hi, Joy. I agree. Life is hard. But that is what makes us stronger. I just purchased a copy of Growing Pains. I wish you only the best. God bless you.
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Thank you, Beem, for the support and for stopping by.
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Terrific post, Joy. All the best to you.
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Thank you, John.
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😁
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Hi Joy, wonderful post today! I have more of your books on my TBR list. I cannot wait to dive into them.
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Hi, Forrest, good to see you here today. Thank you for stopping by and for your support.
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Hi Joy it’s good to see you at today’s stop. I enjoyed Legend of the Walking Dead and Pregnant Future very much. Learning about your culture is what I liked the most.
Have a great day today.
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Thank you, Shirley. I am happy to be sharing my culture in my stories. It is a dying culture and we are doing our best to conserve what is left of it.
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Joy I know what you mean. It’s what drove me to start writing our community’s story because the history is basically gone now; like it never existed. So keep on doing what you are doing.
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I love your energy. You are filled with gratitude for every aspect of your life, and that is so uplifting to read. 🙂 I read Legend of the Walking Dead and really enjoyed it. I have Mirror of Our Lives and Pregnant Future on my kindle, patiently waiting for me to find time to read them. Great post today! 🙂
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Thank you, Yvette, for stopping by and for your kind words. We have so much to be grateful for in life and I don’t let any day pass without my thanking God for everything. 😀
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A great collection of stories, Joy. Life doesn’t necessarily have to be a series of struggles. Your post reminded me of a quote from one of my erudite professors when I was at boarding school. This is what he said, “My only limitations are those I set in my mind.” I shared your post on twitter and FB. Enjoy your day, Joy.
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You are so right, Bernard! “Our only limitation is the one we set ourselves!” Thank you for your support.
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Hi, Joy! Thank you for sharing your catalog of work with us today! You are SO right. Life is hard and I especially see things I’d like to change in the world for my grandchildren as they grow to adults.
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Thank you, Jan, for stopping by and for commenting. To watch the young one grow is a great gift. You can see yourself in them.
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