What a way to start the weekend!!!
Sister Mother Warrior is in the New York Times and on Sale!!!
Link to NYT Roundup is in bio. See all the fabulous titles included!
Big Sale!!!! Limit time only!!!
Sister Mother Warrior is only $1.99
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09HSC3WR3/
You know you need one more for the TBR Pile!!!
Treat yourself!!!
Sister Mother Warrior is on sale for $1.99.
The lowest price ever won't last long.
Grab Sister Mother Warrior today!!!
Add to your TBR pile
🎯War & Revolution 🇭🇹🌍
🦸🏽♀️🦸🏾♀️Women Heroes
🦸🏾♂️🦸🏽♂️Men Heroes
👩🏽🔧Righting Wrongs
❤️Young Love in the Middle of War
Also: Combat, Colorism, and Lore
What else can you want?
Share, Like, Tell a Friend!!!!
#vanessarileyhere #books #historical #haitian #vanessarileyhere
#vanessariley #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #soldier #historicalfiction #haitian #dahomey #blackpanther #vanessarileybooks #lovestory #history #blackhistory #booktok #bookstagram
You know you need one more!
Treat yourself!!!
Sister Mother Warrior was on sale for $1.99.
This lowest price didn’t last long. But some vendors are discounting other versions.
Grab Sister Mother Warrior today!!!
Add to your TBR pile
🎯War & Revolution 🇭🇹🌍
🦸🏽♀️🦸🏾♀️Women Heroes
🦸🏾♂️🦸🏽♂️Men Heroes
👩🏽🔧Righting Wrongs
❤️Love in the Middle of War
@nytimes “Black Panther” may have introduced West Africa’s female fighters to a wide movie audience, but Vanessa Riley enhances its literary tradition in her latest novel, SISTER MOTHER WARRIOR”
#books #historical #haitian #vanessarileyhere
#vanessariley #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #soldier #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #bookstagram #booksale #dahomey #blackgirlmagic #blackhistory #blackpanther
Confession!!!! Can we talk about Jamaican food?
Vanessa here, taking a break from research and writing the next in the Lady Worthing Series, Murder in Drury Lane.
Lady Worthing is of Jamaican descent, a British baroness and amateur sleuth trying to stay alive and solve murder mysteries.
Back to food, I want to show you a few tastes of Jamaica.
If you follow me, you know my passions: writing, history, fashion, family, empowerment, and food. I am a foodie.
One might even say a bougie foodie, but I can’t help it. I must have my plate pretty and packed with flavor. And friends and family, plus memories you want to hold dear --paradise.
Here are some of the dishes we’ve feasted upon:
🥣Mannish water (goat soup)
🧇Waffles made with oats and nuts
🐟Ackee and saltfish
🍞Fried johnny cakes
🥩Garlic butter steak
🍳Baked bean and scramble
🍚Coconut infused rice
🍎Fresh fruits, including an apple exhibiting the fine blade work by our chef, Chef Bryan @chef_mobolji_bryan
🍛Stew vegetables and dumplings with Pigtail
We had patties at Devon House @devonhouseja and brought back the best rum raisin ice cream (I scream), which our chef made into cookies and cream drinks with fresh whip cream and chocolate sauce and oatmeal raisin cookies.
A full post on Devon House is coming, a must see in #Kingston.
Thank you @bookofcinz for the recommendation. Check out her recent Caribbean tour and book recs to expand your reading and traveling word!
Some of our writers went to the beach to visit the local fair and ate fresh fish, crab, and lobster.
We are still here, still eating and loving every minute!
#books #historical #historicalmystery #mysteries #vanessarileyhere #foodstagram #writinglife #writingretreat
#vanessariley #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #soldier #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #vanessarileyhere #travel #foodporn #foodie #jamaica #jamaicanfood
Is art in your soul?
Art is all around us, from nature’s flowers to things made by human hands. I love seeing and feeling art. It helps me create my art, writing novels.
While in Jamaican, the rental has art everywhere—vases, sculptures, canvases. If you’ve followed my journey as an author, you know how important the visuals are, especially the covers of my books. I want power, representation, beauty. I see it on every wall.
I’ve included Murder in Westminster, Island Queen, Sister Mother Warrior, and the latest, a poster of Queen of Exiles. I think they fit with the motif of this inspiring house.
I’ve never felt a place like this. I am sharing with you some of my favorites. Who are your favorite artists or art?
Ok, I have to get back to writing, but it’s hard when you’re enjoying every little nook filled treasures.
Like, Follow, Share: for more on my writing/travel/foodie world.
#books #historical #historicalmystery #mysteries #vanessarileyhere
#vanessariley #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #art #artwork #painting #bookcover
#vanessarileyhere #travel #airbnb #blackart #jamaica #jamaican
Can you just look at this?
Beautiful, peaceful, sea.
Taking a quick tour of Port Royal, doing a bit of research, and just had to stop and stare at this beauty.
Take the time to smell the roses and to see the sea!
#amwriting #writing #caribbean #islandqueen #ocean #beach #procrastination #jamaica #portroyal #sistermotherwarrior #murderinwestminster #authorsofinstagram #writinglife #vanessarileyhere
Revealed! Where she at?
(See last pic for details)
Vanessa here. I’m enjoying fresh coconut water. So those who guested the Caribbean was where I was off too was 💯 correct. I am hunting another story, enjoying the sun, and doing a fab writing retreat.
Watch Richard, the property manager, climb a tree, get a drupe, and hack it open.
For those who hate coconut, I’ll tell you haven’t had coconut, at least not fresh coconut. The white papery stuff sold in American grocery stores does not count.
Fresh coconut is creamy, gelatinous in texture, sweet but not sugary. The juice is amazing and almost tastes carbonated. Delicious.
And the last shot is of course, immigration.
Yes, Jamaica man!!! 🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲🇯🇲
For the Lady Worthing series, Abbie’s mother and godfather are from Jamaica.
And for future historical fictions, Port Royal, the Sodom and Gomorrah of the West Indies, a subject I’ve written as an allegory in the past is inspiring new stories. More on both later.
And if you haven’t seen the cover reveal for my next historical fiction, Queen of Exiles, check it out. It’s stunning. @zibbymag revealed it yesterday. It’s stunning.
#books #historical #historicalmystery #mysteries #vanessarileyhere #foodie #writingretreat #writing
#vanessariley #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #soldier #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #coconut #islandqueen #jamaica #portroyal #islandlife #airbnb
Stopping by to announce a huge discount on A Duke, The Lady, and A Baby!!! $1.99 Today!!!
🧑🏽🦽War hero
🎭Heroine in Disguise
🥖Coconut Bread
🌹Think 3 Men and A Baby meets First Wives Club
#book #bookstagram #booksale #romance #regency #regencyromance #diverse #vanessarileybooks
Getting ready for takeoff!
Now that’s Thanksgiving is done, it’s time to get on the grind writing books. So here I am on a plane getting ready to go and make magic.
Before boarding, I tried a sit down restaurant. I must say Airport food has improved— deviled eggs with tuna poke and bacon jam. A delicious treat!!!
#vanessariley #vanessarileyauthor #vanessarileyhere
Follow for more posts: research, sisterhoods and fun!!!
Yes, but where am I going?
Hint ocean, mountains, heat.
#amwriting #research #mypeople #islandqueen #travel #traveling #wip
Cooking for 20+ people is no joke. It’s not for amateurs. You need to be ready with your game face and cooking/baking talent (or have booked good caters)!
I’m old fashion. I love to cook. I love tablescape to honor the holiday or occasion.
I went with a blue and autumn gold theme and brought kitchen magic.
For Thanksgiving, I prepared the following:
Macaroni & Cheese
Roast Beef with Roasted Potatoes
Turkey
Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts
Turkey Sausage Lasagne
Lemon Pound Cake
Orange Peach Squares
Sweet Potato Cheesecake
Cornbread Stuffing
Garlic Butter Rolls
Charcuterie Boards- Sweet and Savory
Smoky Kale Greens
Lots of fun. Yes, it took three days to cook/create. Special thanks to my sou chefs and the dedicated friends who stayed to clean up and put away the leftovers.
Thank you ladies!!!
Do you see why food is so important in my books?
Now back to deadline book.
#cooking #baking #thanksgiving #thanksgivingdinner #blackgirlmagic #foodie #vanessariley #vanessarileybooks #vanessarileyauthor #reelsofinstagram #igreels #igtoday #trending #womenempowerment #womensupportingwomen
Madness at the Riley house.
I’m cooking for 20+, getting ready for a research trip, and on deadline.
Hey, these books won’t get written by wishin’,
and food doesn’t get made ‘less you’re in the kitchen.
Currently, I’m also counting the bodies in Murder in Drury Lane, the next in the Lady Worthing series. Narrowing down the ideas/research for 2024’s historical fiction and waiting on copy edits for QUEEN OF EXILES, 2023s HF release.
Sounds like a lot, but I love it.
Here’s a video of my Buttermilk Lemon Pound cake in process. Cooking is work, but I do what I love and 🙏🏾 about the rest.
Then I consult the ancestors for cake leveling, spice measurements and how to get baked items to brown.
Well, off to the next chapter and dish. What’s cooking or doing in your world!!!
#book #booktok #tbr #tbrpile #historicalfiction #womenhistory #blackgirlmagic #foodie #vanessariley #vanessarileybooks #vanessarileyauthor #reelsofinstagram #igreels #igtoday #trending #cooking #baking #poundcake #thanksgiving #amwriting #writerslife #writer #balance
I accept the challenge. Are you ready for the food?
Hoping for good Foodie Karma!!
Testing and sampling season has begun in my kitchen. This is Baked Apricot Brie.
Easy, tasty, good browning--a version of this will hit the Thanksgiving table.
This is my first Thanksgiving with people in my house in a while. I feel the need to cook. (Say that with swagger.)
The ancients have passed down the traditions. You can’t be rusty. You have to show the people a good time. I accept the challenge.
My menu has to be yummy, diverse(food allergies and lifestyle accommodations) , easy, and a winner.
Did I mention you are also on book deadline? (Murder in Drury Lane, the follow up to Murder in Westminster) I wonder if 1806 version will end up in this book?
So, between edits, I‘ll be in my kitchen, making magic. I’m Southern. Every dish and appliance will be used.
And for my sisters and brothers, gathering at Vanessa’s table, I will honor your presence by bringing it.
So followers prepare. This week will be food, books, decorations, and the author’s life. You get a combo!!!!
#foodiesofinstagram #foodie #tbr #tbrpile #historicalfiction #womenhistory #blackgirlmagic #foodie #vanessariley #vanessarileybooks #vanessarileyauthor #reelsofinstagram #igreels #igtoday #karma #thanksgiving #thanksgivingdinner #mealprepideas #book #writerslife #holidayfood
Don’t you love it when a friend, rockstar friend, comes to town?
When my friend, Kennedy Ryan, DM’ed me asking for the perfect venue to greet Atlanta Readers, I told her about the beautiful indie Bookstore, 44th and 3rd. Then Forever and my peeps at Kaye Publicity made it happen.
I am grateful to spend time with the brilliant Kennedy, to commiserate with her on our publishing journeys, and have a very real talk about depression, Black love, readership, and the writing life.
Above all, we celebrated Before I Let Go, an emotional masterpiece, a richly layered second chance love.
Thank you to everyone who came. It was a sold-out crowd, a packed house….Beautiful.
Hey, we even talked about research.
Signed books—Before I Let Go, Long Shot, Sister Mother Warrior and Murder in Westminster and more Kennedy Ryan and Vanessa Riley titles.
And Road Dog, AKA daughter Ellen came!!!
#book #booktok #tbr #tbrpile #goodreads #historicalfiction #lovestory #romancebooks #romance #womenhistory #blackgirlmagic #blacklove #islandqueen #vanessariley #vanessarileybooks #vanessarileyauthor #reelsofinstagram #igreels #igtoday #trending #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #booktok #blackbook #contemporaryromance
The Girls Were Smiling…
Atlanta History Center, thank you for an amazing event for me and my author friends—historical fiction and thriller—all around great reads!!!
Tuesday, I was with Piper Huguley and Wanda Morris to discuss Power Women, Research, Process, and being a female Black writer—the life, the community, and sisterhood.
Thank you, Claire for everything. You always throw an awesome event!!!!
If you haven’t already, grab a copy of:
📚Anywhere You Run (@wandamowrites )
📚 By Her Own Design (@piper_huguley )
📚 Sister Mother Warrior
📚 Island Queen
📚Murder in Westminster
Atlanta History Center has signed copies.
#books #historical #historicalmystery #thriller #blackhistory #mysteries #vanessarileyhere
#vanessariley #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #veterans #soldier #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #vanessarileysign #vanessarileyauthor
No, it’s not easy.
But it’s fun. And so rewarding. This is a reenactment of finishing my latest novel. Typically I’m done writing, wearing no makeup, having coffee cups galore, and donning a comfy writing shirt that may need ironing.
Twenty-three+ books in, and typing the end always feels good.
Tip 1: Push Through
Tip 2: What you write is important.
Tip 3, #Bipoc / #Woman edition: Do it even if you think no one cares. They will.
Put Queen of Exiles on your list, July 2023. Live the life of a lost queen—her choices, her survival, her reinvention, her fabulous gowns!!!
Oh, and the two men who loved her.
Prepare for opulence, excesses, and intrigue—all based on a true story, Madame Christophe’s story.
Like, share, follow for more, and add to your @goodreads !
#book #booktok #tbr #tbrpile #goodreads #historicalfiction #lovestory #queenofexiles #haitian #france #prussia #london #queenlouise #womenhistory #blackgirlmagic #vatican #islandqueen #vanessariley #vanessarileybooks #vanessarileyauthor #reelsofinstagram #igreels #igtoday #trending
That Time I froze in Chicago….
Vanessa here. I am in this cool purple coat I picked up two weeks ago in Chicago. While visiting the weather changed overnight from 70 F to 50F with crazy wind! Burrrrrr.
That’s a good enough excuse for this cute coat from a new small business owner off Michigan Ave, near Roosevelt University.
Anyway, I have a week of events I’d like to share with you. I’m thrilled to say these are only up the way on Georgia streets. I am with my fellow sister-friend authors, Piper Huguley and Wanda Morris at the Atlanta History Center talking power women in power fiction.
On Wednesday, I am with Kennedy Ryan celebrating the release of her new book Before I Let Go. Promise we won’t sing too much, other than the praises for Yasmin and Josiah’s story. It will be another night to talk about women on a journey. We are at the 44th and 3rd Bookseller in Atlanta.
Come for the fun. Join us!!!
PS: in the background are some books on my TBR Pile that I’m enjoying by Vanessa Miller, Jacquelin Thomas, Attica Locke.
#books #historical #historicalmystery #mysteries #vanessarileyhere
#vanessariley #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #veterans #soldier #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #vanessarileysign #vanessarileyindiebookstore @atlantahistorycenter
Confession Time!!!
I have a type. As I salute all veterans and thank them for their service--starting at home with my father-in-law and hubby--I realize I put a lot of vets in my books because I adore military warriors.
The camaraderie, the shared sacrifice, the hidden wounds, the brotherhood, and sisterhood--I salute you who’ve donned a uniform or picked up a spear to fight the good fight. Happy Veterans Day!!!
Just grabbing a few, I know I have probably left some characters out, but we have:
📚 Solicitor Barrington Norton, Unveiling Love
📚 William St. Landon, Duke of Cheshire - Unmasked Heart
📚 Adam Wilky, Baron Wycliffe - The Bewildered Bride
📚 Playwright Ewan Fitzwilliam - The Bittersweet Bride
📚 Gareth Conroy, the third Baron Welling - The Bargain
📚 Hugh Bannerman, Explosives Expert - No Hiding for the Guilty
📚 Busick Strathmore, Duke of Repington - A Duke, The Lady, And A Baby
📚 Fulton Lance, the Viscount Gantry - A Duke, The Spy, An Artist, and a Lie
📚 Fedon Brothers, Island Queen
📚 Gran Toya, Sister Mother Warrior
📚 Jean-Jacques Dessalines, Sister Mother Warrior
📚 King Henry Christophe - Queen of Exiles
Do you enjoy military men and women in your fiction?
#books #historical #historicalmystery #mysteries #vanessarileyhere
#vanessariley #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #veterans #soldier #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks
Book club at a bookstore— who was the genius to combine my two favorite things? Stormy Night Bookclub in Snellville is a beautiful group of readers.
I had so much fun discussing Sister Mother Warrior, Gran Toya, and Marie-Claire. They chose favorites!!!
Lovely ladies.
Now to the bookstore. I have not had a shameless @barnesandnoble post in a while. BN never disappoints.
My first single title appeared on a BN shelf in 2020. To see so many of my books and how some are prominently displayed is an unparalleled feeling!!!
The staff at @bnsnellville is fantastic. As I waited for the book club meeting to start, they were building displays while offering customers great-reads selections. Multi-taskers!
Then as standard practice, I hunted for friends' books, sought the Christmas displays, and caught the latest In Bridgerton fare.
PS: I signed copy of Island Queen, Sister Mother Warrior, and Murder in Westminster.
#books #historical #historicalfiction #historicalmystery #mysteries #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileybn #bookclub #booktok #blackgirlmagic
#vanessariley #bookshelf #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #writing #writinglife #book
Part Two of Mystery Theater— who took the statue of Benin?
Join Lady Worthing and the CBLR crew in this first episode of Mystery Theater.
#mystery #mysterythriller #mysterybooks #africantiktok #blackgirlmagic #ladyworthing #booktok #blackbooktok #cblr #funny
Part One of Mystery Theater— who took the statue of Benin?
Join Lady Worthing and the CBLR crew in this first episode of Mystery Theater.
#mystery #mysterythriller #mysterybooks #africantiktok #blackgirlmagic #ladyworthing #booktok #blackbooktok #cblr #funny #murdermystery #mysterytheater
Travel Tips from an Almost Pro!
Vanessa here and traveling for book conferences again. This time it’s Chicago for the @murdermayhemchi @MayhemChicago Gathering of mystery authors. I will give a keynote on writing the LadyvWorthing Mysteries.
In the first, Murder in Westminster, you see strong but vulnerable #Blackwomen in a time before abolition. And in true Lady Worthing style, I am dressing well to travel.
I want to look chic but in easy-to-wear clothes.
These leather high-top sneakers are stylish and comfortable. The vegan leather leggings make me look sleek. The frilly top is fun and topped with a vintage suede blazer. My go-to pieces are leather belts.
The big-wheeled carry-on is a must. A light, easy-to-move bag is a must.
Oh, arrive early at the airport. TSA lines are crazy!
What are your best tips for traveling?
#travel #travelfashion #book #authorlife #mysterybooks #ladyworthing #murderinwestminster #vanessarileyhere #bookclubmeeting #tbr #igreads #igreels #airportoutfit #airportstyle #luggage
Hello, I’m a writer on a deadline. I need food. Help!
I’m working on my next murder mystery, Murder in Drury Lane, (the 2nd in the Lady Worthing series) hence my fun with knives. You’ve all seen how I recently changed my life and my relationship with food. No going back!!!
That means I have to stop writing and cook. Checking on what we have, I found—eggs, avocado, croissants, tomatoes, lemons, and seasonings. It’s on.
Made breakfast faster than an uber Delivery!!! 😂
Back to writing, but before I go, what is your fast go-to meal?
Like and share ideas. We can live this better life together.
#books #historical #historicalmystery #mysteries #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileyindiebookstore
#vanessariley #womenempowerment #tbr #ladyworthing #thriller #murderinwestminster #writing #foodie #tomato #scrambledeggs
#reelsofinstagram #igreels #igtoday #trending
#blackgirlmagic #funreels