Author Interview: Enewerome

Good day, friend! How have you been? I hope this new year has been bright and cheery thus far and you've begun crushing your goals. 

*Peeks at those who have already abandoned their new year resolutions so early…

Today, I'm delighted to announce that we have a special guest in the house. She's a Nigerian Christian fiction author who published her debut novel, Ready to be Loved by You, last year. I was privileged to have gotten an Advanced Readers Copy of the novel, and it was a delight to read. 

Join me with a standing ovation as I welcome Enewerome to the spotlight! 

PeculiarPraise: Hello, ma'am! We'd love to meet you. Mind giving us a bit of a backstory to who you are and what led up to the beginning of your journey as an author?

Enewerome: Hi, I’m Enewerome, a Christian romance author from Nigeria. I’ve always loved reading books and it started from my childhood. My dad would buy fairytale storybooks for me and as I got older, my love for books grew too. Seeing only books with Caucasian characters made me seek books with characters who look like me and when I couldn’t find the kind of books with characters I could relate to, I wrote my first YA novella at 15.

PeculiarPraise: Wow! From a book lover, to an author. That's really impressive! 

Now, let’s kickoff with a fun and creative question: If your life were a Nigerian romance novel, what would you title it? Why?

Enewerome: This is a difficult one because I have so many thoughts running through my mind. But I think a fitting title will be, “Loved Just Right.”

PeculiarPraise: Aww… That's so romantic. Your husband must be a blessing. 

Moving on, what inspired you to start writing Nigerian Christian romance fiction?

Enewerome: During my undergrad days at the university, I got an instruction from God asking me to make use of the talent He had given me for His glory. Knowing what that meant, I wrote my first Christian romance novella. 

PeculiarPraise: Amazing! That means writing is more of a ministry and calling for you. 

Can you share the most surprising reaction you've received from readers about your debut novel, Ready To Be Loved By You?

Enewerome: Their love for the story and the lessons they learned from it. Also, their enthusiasm at recommending my book to other people. I never saw the support coming and it humbles me every day.

PeculiarPraise: I can imagine. 

What’s your favorite part of the writing process—creating characters, plotting twists, or writing dialogue?

Enewerome: All of it! I love the whole writing process. But if I had to choose one, it would be writing dialogues especially Pidgin dialogues.

PeculiarPraise: Spoken like a true Naija author! 

If you could spend a day with one of your characters, who would it be and why?

Enewerome: Definitely Levi. He is such a gentleman and the kind of person I'd like to be friends with or get married to if I was single.

PeculiarPraise: Talk about book husband material hundred yards, guys. You have to meet Levi. He's a cinnamon roll MMC; the complete package. 

*Swoons in delulu…

Enewerome, which Nigerian location or culture has been the most fun to write about, and why?

Enewerome: That would be Lagos. That city has so much character and drama and it works well in prose.

PeculiarPraise: I agree. This is my cue to actually visit Lagos soon. 

What’s the most “Nigerian” thing any of the characters in your debut novel, Ready To Be Loved By Me, has ever done or said?

Enewerome: Lol. This is such an interesting question. My characters spoke Nigerian Pidgin and Yoruba. They ate jollof rice and a roadside puff puff. I think this is as Nigerian as it can get.

PeculiarPraise: Yes o! Any Nigerian story without the mention of correct jollof rice is a counterfeit. (Just kidding, ha ha…)

How do you balance the romance and Christian themes in your stories? What’s the most challenging part of writing romance with a strong Christian message?

Enewerome: I wouldn’t say it was challenging. For me, it was quite easy writing characters who had different faith journeys and building an emotional connection between them. I think it’s also because I love love. Lol.

PeculiarPraise: Hopeful romantic vibes. Who doesn't love love?

Do you have a favorite Bible verse that has inspired your writing?

Enewerome: That would be Matthew 28:19 - Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

PeculiarPraise: The Great Commission. Perfect choice. Glad to see you're already obeying this instruction from the Lord through your writing. 

Back to bookish business… What’s the funniest or most awkward romantic scene you’ve written?

Enewerome: Lol. This question made me laugh! I wouldn’t call it a romantic scene per se. Writing the meet hate where Levi and Vivienne bumped into each other and his water spilled on both of them was a little awkward. Her cleavage was a little exposed and Levi averted his eyes when he saw it. 

PeculiarPraise: Ha ha… I remember that scene. Very awkward and swoon-worthy if you ask me. 

So… If your novel were made into a Nollywood movie, who would you cast as the lead couple, Levi and Vivienne?

Enewerome: Timini Egbuson and Efe Irele. I can’t think of a more fitting duo. 

PeculiarPraise: Not really a Nollywood fan, but I'll agree that this is such a perfect casting choice. What’s one stereotype about Nigerian romance that you love to subvert in your stories?

Enewerome: That Nigerian romance is often traumatic. I want to write about intentional men who love like Christ has commanded husbands to love their wives.

PeculiarPraise: This matter… I know Nigeria is hard, but please authors should try to give us hope and reasons to laugh. Which you handled quite well, Enewerome. 

Do you have any quirky writing habits—like only writing at night or needing a specific snack nearby?

Enewerome: I don’t. 

PeculiarPraise: Wow! Anything goes… Cool!

If you weren’t an author, what other creative path do you think you’d have pursued?

Enewerome: I’m not sure. But probably anything design-related like graphic or UI/UX design. 

PeculiarPraise: Seems like creativity runs in your blood. Can you give us a hint or snippet of your just-published novel, Ready to be Loved by You, convincing us to read it and how we can get a copy?

Enewerome: Sure!

Blurb:

A CLEAN AND WHOLESOME CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN ROMANCE STORY

Haunted by the wounds from her past, Vivienne Adetokunbo, a fiercely independent professional bridesmaid and video content creator, wants nothing to do with God, love, or marriage. Levi Edegware, despite being saddled with the weight of a past mistake, is a devout Christian and hopeless romantic events coordinator who desires a happy family with a woman who shares the same faith and values about marriage as him.

When a wedding mishap throws them together, their first encounter is far from a fairytale. However, things take a turn when Vivienne and Levi become colleagues, which forces them to confront their fears, beliefs, and desires.

As Levi shows Vivienne kindness she's never known, an undeniable connection grows between them. But will Vivienne let go of her fears to embrace God's love and a future with Levi, or will her walls remain unbroken? Will Levi forsake all he has ever known to be with the woman he sees a future with? 

If you love sweet romance

Slow burn

Faith arcs

Forbidden love

Enemies to lovers

Workplace romance

Forced proximity

Dual POV

Nigerian culture, pidgin, and food

READY TO BE LOVED BY YOU is available on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. It is also available for preorder on Selar.

Thank you so much for your time, Enewerome. It was lovely having you on this space. 

And to you, my lovely reader, you're a gem. Thanks for sticking by till the end. 

If by any chance, you've read Ready to be Loved by Me, kindly give a shout out in the comments below. 

If you haven't, I highly encourage you to read it. Here's my review for the book! 

Until the next interview, guys! See ya!