Ananda Kiamsha Madelyn Leeke's Page

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Blessings All,

My debut novel, Love's Troubadours - Karma: Book One was published by iUniverse in August 2007. It is available for sale on Amazon.com. Love's Troubadours - Karma: Book One tells the story of Karma Francois, a thirty-something Oakland-born BoHo B.A.P. (Bohemian Black American Princess). She is also a Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority member with Louisiana roots and urban debutante flair. Karma represents a new type of Black woman. She is a departure from the video vixens and stoic matriarchs. The way she wears her womanhood as she confronts the effects of her poor life choices and embraces a spiritual journey of healing and love, makes her a 21st century archetype that everyone can relate to.

Love's Troubadours - Karma: Book One tells the story of Karma Francois, a thirtysomething Oakland-born BoHo B.A.P. (Bohemian Black American Princess) with Louisiana roots and urban debutante flair. The novel begins with Karma's life in an uproar. Her relationships and the museum curator career that she struggled to form in New York City have crumbled, leaving no viable options to rebuild. Relocating to Washington, DC, Karma struggles with denial, depression, and debt. A lack of full-time employment opportunities forces her to craft a gypsy existence as a Jill of Many Trades: yoga teacher, art consultant, and freelance curator at Howard University Gallery of Art. Unable and unwilling to appreciate these jobs as gifts, she wallows in a pool of lost identity-and doesn't see a way to keep from drowning. When she looks in the mirror, Karma sees a woman whose choices have dishonored her true character. Now, for the first time in her life, Karma must learn to see herself for who she really is.

My novel's characters will definitely shake things up in your life! They represent a wide spectrum of beautiful brilliant brown people. Some wear locs, naturals, and processed hairstyles. Whatever way they choose to express their outer selves, I think you will find them incredibly fascinating. Their heritage is rich. You will get to know African American, Afro-Latina, Afro-Thai, Afro-Hindu, Black British, and Afro-Russian folks. Some folks practice yoga, meditation, mantra chanting, Christianity, and Buddhism. Others participate in spoken word events, HIV/AIDS awareness activities, and grassroots healing work to help the African American community overcome homophobia. You will also witness the diversity of loving relationships in the Black community - straight, lesbian, and gay.

Music plays a major role in the novel. You will have a chance to see how the music of Alice Coltrane, John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Sting, Deva Premal, India.Arie, Amel Larrieux, Omar, Eric Roberson, Fertile Ground, Julie Dexter, Miles Davis, Wynton Marsalis, Les Nubians, Stevie Wonder, Omar Sosa, Susana Baca, and others impact the characters.

For more information, visit www.lovestroubadours.com and www.myspace.com/lovestroubadours.

Thank you for stopping by.

Peace, Creativity, and Abundance,

Ananda Leeke
kiamshaleeke@yahoo.com

PS: Check out BAP Living, a social networking site, and BAP Living Radio, an Internet radio show created by Ananda Leeke to celebrate and connect women of African descent who self-identify as Black American Princesses (BAPs) and Educated Black Women (EBW) worldwide. www.lovestroubadours.com/id23.html and http://baplivingforbapsandebw.ning.com.

GREAT NEWS!!!!

BAP Living Radio's first show airs on June 1 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. www.talkshoe.com/tc/18598. The June 1st program theme is "Summer Savoir Faire for Your Finances, Fashion, Food, and Feelings." A guest panel featuring the following women will share their expertise on these topics:

-Judyth T. Weathers, a financial advisor at Ameriprise Financial in Washington, DC
www.ameriprise.com

-Karla Borders-Pope, a fashion/beauty/lifestyle writer and founder of Brown Girl Gumbo blog in Brooklyn, New York
www.browngirlgumbo.blogspot.com-Erin Jahi, a chef and founder/owner of Trinity's Green Plate in Chicago, Illinois
www.myspace.com/trinitysgreenplate

-Dr. Yakini, a clinical psychologist and founder of Girly Home Webzine in Brooklyn, New York
http://girlyhomewebzine.com

Listeners will have an opportunity to ask the panelists questions and engage in a lively discussion. Before the program ends, listeners will be invited to participate in the What's On Your Mind segment which will give everyone a chance to talk about whatever they like including but not limited to new music, cultural events, and the new Sex and the City movie which premiers on May 30th. Visit
www.talkshoe.com/tc/18598 to listen to the live broadcast.

BAP Living Radio will feature monthly programs on the following Sunday evenings from 7:00 pm to 8:30pm: July 6, August 3, September 7, October 5, November 2, and December 4. BAP Living Radio offers BAPs and EBW information about and a platform to discuss topics relevant to their lives. Topics of discussion will include self-love, self-care, spirituality, health, finances, beauty, fashion, art, music, culture, films, travel adventures, fun events and activities, personal hobbies, books, magazines, education, community service, politics and news, careers, creativity, fitness, feminism, womanism, food, lifestyle, sexuality, relationships, family, green living, home decor, and entrepreneurism.