Taking a break from #book talk to celebrate! This is my heart. Ellen Louise is a gift given to us 18.5 years ago. She has strength, brains, and beauty.
This year was a challenging one for her, but she preserved and graduated today with a 3.7 GPA, an Advanced Academics Pathway Honor, and a Gold Star Legacy Honor.
She will rest, get a good night’s sleep, then take the world by storm. I and Daddy Frank are so proud of this young woman.
Congratulations Ellen. We love you.
And thank you to all who came, offered encouragement, and have helped raise and celebrate this young lady!
#graduation #momlife #photooftheday #motherdaughter #highschoolgraduation #vanessarileyauthor #vanessarileyhere
Guys, Vanessa here.
We are in the countdown to summer.
Typically that would mean beach fun and summer reads. For me, this season means getting my kiddo ready for graduation, working on the next book deadline, and dealing with the normal chaos associated with living an Author life.
Thought I’d just pop in and say hey and make sure that you have on your radar Queen of Exiles coming  in July.
I must say, I in the midst of all the chaos in Queen Louise’s life, she was first and foremost, a mother. a lioness towards her cubs her princesses. I understand the feeling.🦁🦁🦁🦁
And of course, for your group reads Sister Mother Warrior coming in Paperback in June.
Next week, my newsletter will have a very easy lemon tiramisu recipe and my summer tour schedule for the spots you can catch me, get autographed books, and discuss power women in history.
Put Queen of Exiles on your reading list! Preorder today. Links in bio.
#books #historical #vanessarileyhere #queenofexiles #islandqueen #amwriting #amediting #blackhistory
#vanessariley #sisterhood #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #london #haiti #italy #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #writing #queenlouise #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileyauthor
#summerreading #summerrecipes #tiramisu #lemontiramisu #dessert #newsletters #motherhood
What’s in the box?
Had to take off my glasses for this.
It’s a box from a publisher. What’s inside?
Hard covers of July’s Queen of Exiles?
Paperbacks of Murder in Westminster? (Sept 2023)
Arcs (Advanced reader copies) of  Lady Worthing’s Murder in Drury Lane? (Oct 2023)
Nope. It’s paperbacks of Sister Mother Warrior!!!
Two women join together to defeat their oppressors and help a nation become free. Based on the true lives of Adbaraya Toya and Marie-Clair Bonheur.
Sister Mother Warrior is a Summer Pick or Starred Review for the following:
Library Journal, Audiofile, Essence, AJC, USAToday, Bookbub, Betches, Buzzfeed, Chicago Review of Books, SheReads, Amazon Best Books, Reader’s Digest, and HNS.
Check out links in my bio for two incredible Medium Essays on Sister Mother Warrior on telling Black women-centered historicals and ‘everyone is Black’.
Bookclub guide will be on my website Monday. #bookclub #bookclubreads
#books #historical #tbr #summerbooks #vanessarileyhere #queenofexiles #islandqueen #blackhistory
#vanessariley #sisterhood #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #london #haiti #historicalfiction #skeewee #blackgirlmagic #authorsofinstagram #authorlife #vanessarileybooks #writing #queenlouise #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileyauthor #Murderinwestminster
Ready for those beach reads?
Fire up those summer reading lists. @entertainmentweekly has compiled a list of 27 titles you shouldn’t miss!
And thank you @themaureenlee, Maureen Lee Lenker and Entertainment Weekly for including Queen of Exiles on this amazing list.
Preorder Queen of Exiles today!!!
Link to article and more in bio.
While in #keywest I visited #indiebookstore @booksandbookskw and signed copies of #sistermotherwarrior Stop in Books and Books—wide selection, great staff, lots of book goodies.
Yes, that is an anchor from 1600s behind me. It’s huge. A cross section is thicker than my thigh.
And these snapped like twigs during a hurricane.
Secret research guys!!!
More to come!
#summer #tbr #HistoricalFiction #romance #BookLover #books
#queenofexile #islandqueen #research #skeewee #summerstyle #summerreads #beachreads #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileysign #vanessarileybooks #vanessarileyindiebookstore
I had a spare moment and tried to recreate this look, Queen Louise. Queen of Exiles (July 2023) is based on a true story, ripped from the headlines of a Regency/Georgian queen that ruled a Caribbean kingdom and in Exile in Europe.
How did I do?
Put Queen of Exiles on your reading list!
#books #historical #vanessarileyhere #queenofexiles #islandqueen #amwriting #amediting #blackhistory
#vanessariley #sisterhood #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #london #haiti #italy #prussia #germany #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #writing #queenlouise #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileyauthor #fashion #bookcover #costume #cosplay
Oh, what a weekend! Birthday Weekend!!! Book Stash Bookclub hosted me in West Palm Beach this weekend for Lady Worthing. More to come about this event.
Back to birthday news!!!!
Today is my birthday #53, or as I lovingly say the 28th anniversary of becoming 25.
Would I trade her for 25-year-old me? The only thing I truly miss is eating everything with no regrets. And not buying Apple at $1 a share.
At 25, I was still trying to find out what I love and who I wanted to be.
At 53, this girl is doing what she loves: writing fiction, meeting readers, speaking of sisterhood, hope, and inspiration.
She is the queen she’s meant to be. I’m proud of her.
Pictures are from the Ben Hotel in West Palm Beach. The gold dog is Bruno.
Sailing dress photo shoot in Kingston.
Amazing island fun in Jamaica.
And a morning latte and celebration boots!
Writing by the faux fire in Amazing pink!
Like and Follow for more on books, travel, and history—themes of woman power.
#book #writer #blackgirlmagic #blackgirltravel #tbr #historicalfiction #historicalmystery #mystery #vanessariley #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileybooks #writing #livingmybestlife #authorlife #livinginpurpose #sisterhood #islandqueen #fashion #boots #birthdaygirl #skeewee
Alert!!! It’s come!!!
The best day of the year is ARC day—advanced reader copies come to your house!!!
Crowd goes wild. There was jumping. Maybe slightly more than with Island Queen, Sister Mother Warrior, and Murder in Westminster!!!
Put Queen of Exiles on your #TBR
Tell a friend or a librarian!!! Share!!!
Queen of Exiles—the rich history of Queen Louise Christophe, Queen of Haiti. She and King Henry reigned during the British Regency, 1811-1820.
Queen of Exiles coming July 2023!!!
#books #historical #queenofexiles #islandqueen #amwriting #amediting #blackhistory
#vanessariley #sisterhood #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #writing #queenlouise #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileyauthor #motherdaughter #motherhood #authors #authorlife #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #bookstagram #booktok #book #bookrecommendations
I attended the Unbound Conference in Columbia, Missouri, this weekend for the Unbound Conference. A very receptive crowd came to hear Phong Nguyen (Bronze Drum), Jocelyn Cullity (The Envy of Paradise, moderator Trudy Lewis and me discussed war and power women.
Amazing time and a lovely crowd. Thanks for the selfie, Columbia!
On our panel, I spoke about Gran Toya and Marie Claire Bonheur, soft power and physical power, and the theme of never being too late to do the right thing--all taken from my 2nd Historical Fiction Sister Mother Warrior to a receptive crowd. Love giving this special book its flowers.
Thank you to all who listened and bought copies of SMW at Skylark Books. You worked those two large piles to a few copies left. @skylarkbookshop is an adorable bookshop with a very engaged staff.
The festival started with an art gallery presentation (MIZZOU VISUAL ART AND DESIGN SHOWCASE) and an excellent keynote conversation between poets Ross Gay and Patrick Rosal. These two men's 20+ year friendship, the back and forth of iron-sharpening-iron wit, and their shared vulnerabilities shined. All authors should be this lucky to have such friends in their lives.
I met Janet of @austenconnection and #NPR. Catch her amazing podcast and broadcasts.
Buki Papillon is an author to watch. I'm looking forward to reading her work, An Ordinary Wonder.
And it was cold in Missouri. Boots, leather coats, sweater dresses—all the clothing of winter was needed. I bought gloves on the street. That cold. Hope you get Spring soon.
#books #booktok #tbr #literary #historicalfiction #fashion #bookfestival #womenwarriors #sistermotherwarrior #womenempowerment #blackbooks #blackgirlmagic #history #fashion #vanessarileyauthor #vanessarileysign #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileypanel #vanessarileyindiebookstore #indiebookstore #writer #writerlife #booktour #authors #islandqueen #literaryfiction
Reveal!!!! I have been waiting to show you this cover!!!
Murder in Drury Lane, #2 in the Lady Worthing Series.
In Abigail’s fashionable world of
1806, No Good Dead Goes Unpunished. What if doing the right thing causes millions to suffer? Can you live with your choice?
For Lady Worthing, with the help of her cousin, her crew, and maybe a curmudgeon neighbor, one shifting into a charmer, she’ll find a way to catch the culprit and keep her city from coming apart.
Coming Oct23. Preorder link to @BNBuzz 25% off in bio. The sale ends tomorrow!!
And, of course, Queen of Exiles can also be preordered at the Barnes & Noble Press and get 25% off.
Use code PREORDER25
With a Vanessa Riley book expect strong but vulnerable heroines, sisterhoods, found family, and loads of history.
#books #historical #vanessarileyhere #queenofexiles #islandqueen #blackhistory
#vanessariley #sisterhood #islandqueen #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #writing #vanessarileyauthor #regency #mystery #bookshelf #fashion #mysterybooks #blackgirlmagic #blackwomen
Those lips are dramatic even in the UK translation!! LOLOLOL!
Can you believe we are less than three months out from Queen of Exiles?
Oh, my. I have so much to share--the research, the travel, the history, the hero, and the love.
And @millsandboonuk is releasing a UK VERSION. Isn’t she lovely! I love them both.
If you are in St. Louis this weekend, come to the Unbound Conference @unboundbookfestival —book panels and author signings, and a book crawl--lots of fun.
@shereadsdotcom has put Queen of Exile on their summer reading list, and so has one of my favs, @bookofcinz
Inspired by Queen Marie-Louise Coidavid, who escaped a coup in Haiti and established herself in Italy during the Regency era, comes Marie-Louise Christophe. This immersive historical fiction novel follows Louise’s resilient journey from royalty to exile and back to the thrown as she brilliantly establishes herself as an equal to the kings of Europe.
Put Queen of Exiles on your reading list! Links in bio.
#books #historical #vanessarileyhere #queenofexiles #islandqueen #amwriting #amediting #blackhistory
#vanessariley #sisterhood #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #london #haiti #italy #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #writing #queenlouise #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileyauthor
Oh Flocked!
First chance, I've had to decorate for Christmas, and I’m questioning my life choices.
Before finishing copyedits on Summer 2023’s historical fiction, Queen of Exiles, and turning Murder in Drury Lane, I wanted to make the house festive.
After Christmas in 2021, I bought a highly discounted tree. The picture was so cute. It looked like a pine or spruce tree in the English countryside.
Where is there a vacuum in the forest?
Is this why I stick to writing?
I’ll keep you posted on how this turns out.
Question 1: Have you decorated yet?
Question 2: Best way to get up flock / glitter.
Question 3: Does it ever stop shedding?
Didn't know flock was glitter.
Yet, I am inspired. Going to need to add a Yuletide in a future story... once I clean up the glitter.
PS: Butterfly Bride is a fun Christmas love story!
#books #historical #historicalmystery #mysteries #vanessarileyhere #butterflybride #murderindrurylane
#vanessariley #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #london ##historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #writing
#christmasdecor #christmastree #christmas
What a weekend! Between mom-ming, writing, event-ing, and a little gardening, it was packed.
I had the pleasure of being on an African American History book panel at the Book Worm Bookstore. We talked about a love of history and words and why representation matters. Each author, @dennysbryce, @kaiawrites, @wandamowrites and I bring a wealth of research, authenticity, and unique style to our stories. Read us all. Be prepared to be blown away.
I went with the famed Ellen (dearest daughter) to visit a college. And I squeezed in a bit of growing an Amaryllis and 7k words.
Isn’t the amaryllis beautiful!!!
It sounds busy. Heck, it was. But to spend a little time with my sister writers, meet great folks, and talking about my passion for writing are great privileges and pleasures.
Side note: @author_dlwhite is fabulous. She took this pic! Thank you for coming out to see us. ❤️❤️❤️
Then, of course, facing the music. My little girl is growing up and going to college. 😭😭
Y’all pray for a sister!
#books #historical #queenofexiles #islandqueen #amwriting #amediting #blackhistory
#vanessariley #sisterhood #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #writing #queenlouise #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileyauthor #motherdaughter #motherhood #authors #authorlife #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity
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
This is my confused face. I’m traveling again. I’m at the airport early because TSA even precheck and Clear are a gamble.
Heading to West Palm Beach for @bookstackbookclub at The Ben Hotel. We talk 1806 politics, female agency, power women, historical fiction and murder.
Should be an Amazing weekend for Lady Worthing and Murder in Westminster!!!
So I tried a BBP - A Bobby Flay Burger Palace.
Had the vegan burger and fries.
Fries are perfect and pickle mayo sauce/dip were amazing. But I don’t like pickles that much, so I wish there was another condiment.
The vegan burger made with BBQ wild mushrooms, chickpeas and quinoa was amazing. The bun was toasted perfectly, the pickle sauce (red chipotle sauce) with a bit of lettuce, tomato, patty, and bun is perfect. But the other bun is drowned in rich American cheese sauce.
If I liked American cheese this would probably be the best ever.
It was thick and rich, perfect melt.
But I don’t like American cheese like that. 🙁
The waitstaff is amazing. Atmosphere is great. This is upscale fast food. So I’m sated but confused.
Will try again. Traveling foodie woes.
#foodie #traveling #bookclub #airportfood #historicalmystery #ladyworthing #murderinwestminster #vanessarileyauthor #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileybooks #vanessarileysign #book #tbr #westpalmbeach #blackgirlmagic #blackgirltravel
That look of freedom!!!
I’ll not lie. It’s been a rough 2 weeks. (Swipe for photo evidence)
But it’s time to finish decorating, and I must celebrate today’s accomplishment.
(Protip: Make sure you savor every win, every moment! And tell your sisters/brothers when you’re struggling.)
I turned in my last contract obligation due in 2022, the copy edits for Queen of Exiles, the true story of Queen Louise, a world famous Black Queen whose story has been obscured. I’m bringing her back.
With this final edit, I’m more in love with this story.
Queen Louise is a:
👑Nation Builder
👑Loyal Wife of a King
👑Brave Middle Sister
👑Vulnerable and Strong and Regal
👑Devoted Mother
👑Passionate Muse of a Prince
👑Fashion Icon of Europe
👑Master of Reinvention
Look for Queen of Exiles, July 2023.
#books #historical #vanessarileyhere #queenofexiles #islandqueen #amwriting #amediting #blackhistory
#vanessariley #sisterhood #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #london #haiti #italy #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #writing #queenlouise #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileyauthor
I talk with my hands…
Can’t help it. I get caught up in storytelling about Dorothy Thomas or Gran Toya or Lady Worthing that my hands take on a mind of their own.
What a wonderful two days at Southern Voices, (the 30th Anniversary of the Festival) expertly orchestrated by Hoover library.
I had a blast. In addition to speaking about the passion of returning Hidden or Forgotten Black Women to the world in historical fiction and historical mystery, I spent time with fellow authors: Sarah Penner, Alka Joshi, Ashley Winstead, Ben Raines, Will Leitch, and Robin Peguero.
The behind-the-scenes: these writers are as beautiful and as edifying to be around as their wonderful stage presentations on stage.
Get their books. Lovely, needed reading!
Hoover Library’s staff treated us well, rolling out great hospitality. Readers were enthusiastic. Thank you again for the invite.
Put this Southern book festival on your radar. It sells out fast.
#books #historical #islandqueen #amwriting #amediting #blackhistory
#vanessariley #sisterhood #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #writing #sistermotherwarrior #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileyauthor #authors #authorlife #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #librarylove
#vanessarileyhere #vanessarileylibrary
Wait! Do I have to leave?
Well, all good things do come to an end, and so does my Jamaican writing retreat.
I’m uploading a few images of the sites and tastes of Kingston and neighboring areas like Port Royal as I say goodbye to a bit of paradise.
The cannons and structures remaining at Port Royal planted stories in my head.
Devon House is a must where the first Black Jamaican millionaire built his house in Millionaire Square. Yes, a diverse square of money in 1800s Jamaica!
Made it to the National Gallery. They have such fine Jamaican and colonial art. The display of sculptures of Lignum Vitae, the national flower of Jamaica is also known as Ironwood in Britain, is very impressive. Lignum Vitae plays heavily pun intended in An Earl, The Girl, and a Toddler, my Jamaican heiress with Amnesia story.
Back to the food:
I loved fresh ackee the fruit is shown in a picture opening. Red snapper is so delicious here.
The best chocolate Ice Cream and Rum Raisin can be had there at I scream Devon House.
And if you have a talented chef, like chef Bryan, he can turn it into beautiful treats. Heck, he whipped up desserts from scratch. I will dream of rich cherry rum cake— his lobster, steaks, jerk sauce, and butterflied pork roast.
My writing friends and family got down words (finished Murder in Drury Lane), read books, and enjoyed the pool. Will have to do this again!!!!
#books #historical #historicalmystery #mysteries #vanessarileyhere
#vanessariley #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #portroyal #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #jamaica #jamaicanfood #nationalgalleryofjamaica #devonhouse #writing #writingretreat #writersofinstagram #foodie
Southwest Florida Reading Festival has been a blast!!! Met readers!!! Saw old and new friends!!
Loved talking about my historical research, Lady Worthing, Sister Mother Warrior, Island Queen, and the upcoming Queen of Exiles!!!
The weather was phenomenal!!!
And I served up writer-nerd looks. More boots and heels!
Thanks @leelibrary for the invitation.
#books #historical #islandqueen #amediting #blackhistory #bookfestival #sistermotherwarrior #queenofexiles
#vanessariley #sisterhood #womenempowerment #blackgirlmagic #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #boots #writing #sistermotherwarrior #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileyauthor #authors #authorlife #writersofinstagram #writingcommunity #fashion #skeewee
Remember when you loved going to the grocery store?
I know that’s a long Instacart memory ago, but I loved it, merely to go to the book aisle to check out the latest Zebra and Harlequin Regency Romances.
If you told little girl Vanessa I’d write books that would be displayed on grocery shelves like these beauties, I’d probably not have believed you. I’d probably tell my mama that a stranger’s selling magic beans in Aisle 9.
Yet this is happening. January 24, A Duke, The Lady, and A Baby makes its mass-market debut!!!
Every book in this series is star-reviewed. I’m so proud of it.
Recap:
The series focuses on the secret sisterhood of the Widows’ Grace, an organization dedicated to righting the wrongs of patriarchal London. They will do whatever it takes, even breaking laws, to restore women to their rightful places.
A Duke, The Lady, and A Baby - Woman fighting for her child against all odds, including a Duke looking for redemption.
An Earl, The Girl, and A Toddler - Woman with Amnesia trying to save herself from fortune hunters and a frenemy from perpetual mourning with a fake affair
A Duke, the Spy, an Artist, and A Lie - Woman running from her husband to avenge a great wrong. But a second chance on love might make everything right.
If you see A Duke, The Lady, and A Baby in the wild, let me know!!
As always like, follow, share for diverse fiction.
And those are my real eclectic shelves showing my wide reading tastes.
#books #historical #vanessarileyhere #queenofexiles #islandqueen #amwriting #amediting #blackhistory
#vanessariley #sisterhood #islandqueen #womenempowerment #tbr #tbrpile #historicalfiction #vanessarileybooks #writing #vanessarileyhere #vanessarileyauthor #regency #regencyromance #bookshelf
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
Think opulence, royal court, and a new nation with a new king and queen.
No. Not talking about #queencharlotte I’m talking about the other Regency Queen. Scroll for more.
Vanessa here!
Over the next couple of weeks, as I prepare for the launch of my third historical fiction, Queen of Exiles, I’m going to share research images and some of the photos that I was able to capture on my overseas trips to follow the queen.
I find it extremely important to try to walk in the footsteps of my heroes. For Queen Marie-Louise Christophe, it all begins in Hayti, formerly the colony Saint Domingue.
In 1811, the same year the English Regency began, the Kingdom of Hayti was born. The palace of King Henry and Queen Louise was constructed in Milot. A mile from the palace, the new king and queen were crowned, a coronation ceremony conducted by the archbishop under a large white tent.
The dress for king and queen and royal children were high European fashions. They imported from the fashion houses across Europe: London, Germany, Prussia.
More to come.
And remember to preorder, links in bio or https://bit.ly/queenex .
Images are in post are Wikimedia commons.
#book #booktok #tbr #aka1908 #sisterhood #skeewee #haiti #historical #islandqueen #queenofexiles #historicalfiction #skeewee #sansouci #kingdom #coronation #vanessariley #vanessarileybooks #vanessarileyauthor #vanessarileyhere #revolution #kingdom #blackgirlmagic #blackhistory #fashion #architecture #architecturelovers