Everand Logo

Welcome to Everand!

  • Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

    Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

    Royal Cowries
    Royal Cowries
    Royal Cowries
    Ebook231 pages1 hour

    Royal Cowries

    By Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku

    ()

    Read preview

    About this ebook

    ~ A Flirty & Feisty Historical Romance Novel ~

    After being rescued by a stranger once, Uvbi has no idea their paths will cross again. But it does when she is hit with a harsh reality–to become a trophy wife to a man twice her age. Trapped by the restrictions of old tradition, she needs the stranger's help again, only she does not expect her heart to jiggle every time she sees him.

    Nagudia has a mysterious heritage he does not share with anyone. The only thing on his mind when he hears a scream is to save Uvbi, the woman in distress. When she needs his help a second time, he has to confront the heat rising in his chest.

    Will Uvbi and Nagudia give in to the fire raging in their hearts despite the trouble brewing around them?

    Follow Uvbi and Nagudia's compelling magical love story to the land of Africa.

    ~ From the Author of His Choice: A Sweet Historical Romance (Book 2) ~

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherStella Eromonsere-Ajanaku
    Release dateMar 14, 2019
    ISBN9781386273868
    Royal Cowries
    Author

    Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku

    Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku is a fun loving mother of two teenagers, married to her gorgeous husband and best friend who indulges her romantic habits. Writing contemporary and historical romance novels is an exciting adventure for her. Out of curiosity and belief that love conquers all, she has written several Interracial & Multicultural Romance Novels. In 2010, Stella created Flirty & Feisty Romance Novels, a collection of toe-curling, intriguing, and skin-tingling romance with compelling characters who have heart and soul and jump off the pages of the book. All her stories are dotted with twists and turns and are set in fascinating Africa, enticing Europe & enchanting America. To experience and enjoy an intense emotional ride, pick up a copy of any of her novels: TEMPTED by the Princess - Book 1 ~ A BWWM Curvy Girl Romance TEMPTED by the Princess - Book 2 ~ A BWWM Curvy Girl Romance Hooked by one Curvy Girl - Book 1 ~ A BWWM Sexy Romance Hooked by one Curvy Girl - Book 2 ~ A BWWM Sexy Romance NAUGHTY PROMISE ~ A BWWM Sweet & Steamy Romance CHRISTMAS Seduction ~ A BWWM Sweet & Steamy Romance IRRESISTIBLE Passion ~ A BWWM Sweet & Steamy Romance "Shocking Affair" ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance GUILTY of LOVE ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance Your Christmas Gift ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance All of Me ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance "You're Mine" ~ A Sweet & Sexy Christmas Romance Enticed Forever ~ A Bad boy Romance Naked Attraction ~ A Sweet & Sexy Romance INDECENT ~ WWBW Steamy Romance His Ring ~ A Sweet & Steamy Romance LUST ~ A Sexy Romance Love at Christmas ~ A Sweet & Sexy Romance Husband to Rent ~ Sensual Romance Stolen Valentine Kiss (Holiday Series Book 1) ~ A Sweet Romance Kiss My Lips (Holiday Series Book 2) Stolen Kisses (Holiday Series - Complete Set) Tempting Desire ~ A BWWM Sweet & Steamy Romance Seduced Hearts ~ A BWWM Steamy Christmas Romance Forbidden Dance (Forbidden Series Book 1) ~ A BWWM Steamy Romance Red Velvet Rose (Forbidden Series Book 2) ~ A BMWW Sexy Romance Wild Whispers ~ A BWWM Sweet Romance Royal Cowries (Cowries Series Book 1) ~ A Sweet Historical Romance His Choice (Cowries Series Book 2) ~ A Sweet Historical Romance Stella's first historical/suspense/mystery romance, Royal Cowries (Cowries Series #1) will give you an insight into exotic Africa. A luxury home by the seaside is on Stella's wish list and in her spare time, she loves to swim on her back like a starfish, watch TV, go to the movies with her family and read romance novels.

    Read more from Stella Eromonsere Ajanaku

    Related to Royal Cowries

    Related ebooks

    Historical Romance For You

    View More
    View More

    Related podcast episodes

    Related articles

    • Article

      A Year in Reading: Laura Turner

      Dec 21, 2017

      The best book club I ever joined was one that reads exclusively from two categories: Bestselling books from several years back, and books set in the place we happen to be traveling. We meet whenever we want, read whatever we want, and eat whatever we

      4 min read

    • Article

      A Year in Reading: Venita Blackburn

      Dec 10, 2019

      Don’t play with dark spirts. Once you let them in, you might not be able to let them out. Starting a new book feels like sitting down to a tarot reading. The post A Year in Reading: Venita Blackburn appeared first on The Millions.

      3 min read

    • Article

      Letters

      Apr 16, 2021

      I DO love a good love story. There’s so much darkness, fear, an er and hate in the world so when there’s a story that captures two people who love each other beyond measure, I’m there for it. I’ll happily watch a romcom on any day and relish a fictio

      1 min read

    • Article

      Fantasy Fulfilled

      Feb 6, 2020

      Fantasy Fulfilled
      10 min read

    • Article

      Shelf Life

      Mar 2, 2023

      Shelf Life
      4 min read

    • Article

      IN CONVERSATION WITH Abigail Dean

      Jan 7, 2021

      With film rights already snapped up and praise pouring in from other authors, Abigail Dean’s debut novel, Girl A, about Lex – a child escaping a ‘house of horrors’ and freeing her six siblings – looks set for success. Abigail grew up in the Peak Dist

      2 min read

    • Article

      Shelf Life

      Nov 5, 2020

      by Hans Christian Andersen ‘I was an avid reader from a young age, and while I was really social and loved playing in the street with my friends, when I was inside I devoured books. There was something so powerful about a story’s ability to transport

      4 min read

    • Article

      A Year in Reading: Melissa Lozada-Oliva

      Dec 11, 2023

      If you’re reading this, your new year's resolution is to look as hot as you can while you read. I believe in you. The post A Year in Reading: Melissa Lozada-Oliva appeared first on The Millions.

      2 min read

    • Article

      Gemma’s Top 2020 Reads

      Jan 4, 2021

      This was one I just didn’t want to end. It tells the story of Kya, a wild and mysterious young girl left to fend for herself. She leads a lonely life, but there is also hope, and it’s a story I’m still thinking about months after finishing it. I ador

      1 min read

    • Article

      Coming Up Daisies

      Jul 9, 2020

      Coming Up Daisies
      5 min read

    • Article

      A Year in Reading: Lucy Tan

      Dec 14, 2018

      This summer, something wonderful happened. What seems like a decade’s worth of fiction by Asian-American women was published all at once. The post A Year in Reading: Lucy Tan appeared first on The Millions.

      5 min read

    • Article

      Wild Things

      Jun 23, 2023

      Wild Things
      3 min read

    • Article

      The Total Girl Book Club Winner Reveal!

      Jul 11, 2021

      Yaaass. we received so many fantastic reviews! Introducing our second lucky winner: here’s what TG reader Mia had to say about Rowley Jefferson’s Awesome Friendly Spooky Stories! There is only one word I can use to describe this book, ‘LOL!’. The st

      1 min read

    • Article

      Reading CORNER

      Jul 4, 2021

      After becoming disabled, her heart feels broken too New Zealand author Tammy Robinson writes stories that drill deep into the emotions. Her novels are peopled with characters that are struggling with loss, grief and adversity, but are always full o

      3 min read

    • Article

      Shelf Life

      Nov 4, 2021

      Shelf Life
      4 min read

    • Article

      Santa Montefiore

      Oct 1, 2020

      Santa Montefiore
      7 min read

    • Article

      Femi Kayode

      Feb 4, 2021

      Femi Kayode
      6 min read

    • Article

      Shelf Life

      Jun 2, 2022

      Shelf Life
      5 min read

    • Article

      Reading CORNER

      Dec 4, 2022

      For six years, a town has been hiding big secrets This novel starts out like a murder mystery, but very quickly becomes so much more than that. A heartfelt tale set in the suburbs of an Australian country town in the early ’90s, it’s about friendshi

      3 min read

    • Article

      Reading Corner

      Dec 28, 2023

      A funnyman gets serious about his heartbreak There were times while reading this book when I wanted to give the main character Andy a good talking to. Page after page of his indulgent self-pity got a bit exhausting. But there were other times when I

      3 min read

    • Article

      A Year in Reading: Sonya Chung

      Dec 5, 2020

      Don’t we all, ultimately, long for things we don’t really deserve? The post A Year in Reading: Sonya Chung appeared first on The Millions.

      5 min read

    • Article

      Your Valentine’s Day Reading List Needs More Than Romance Novels

      Feb 8, 2024

      While romantic love receives top billing on Valentine’s Day, there are many types of love. We asked contributors to write about a book that stood out because of an unexpected love story. They came back with tales of deep affection, from a long marria

      5 min read

    • Article

      The World According To John

      Dec 1, 2022

      At the age of 80, John Irving feels anything but an author in their twilight years. On Zoom, recovering from a bout of Covid that slightly delayed WM’s interview with him, the acclaimed author, screenwriter and former wrestler is slightly husky in to

      9 min read

    Related categories

    Reviews for Royal Cowries

    0 ratings

    0 ratings0 reviews

    What did you think?

    Tap to rate

    Review must be at least 10 words

      Book preview

      Royal Cowries - Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku

      Dedication

      My gratitude to you, O Lord is eternal. You are worthy O Lord.

      Appreciation

      Endless thanks to my handsome, generous and romantic husband, ‘Sere and my brilliant children. You are my beloved and I’m blessed to have you in my life. God bless you time and time again. I love you forever.

      Thank you to my cover designers, Charity Chimni & Maria Lazarou. My editor, Maria Lazarou, thank you. What a delight I find in working with both of you.

      Thank you Dariel Raye for your feedback on the original blurb. I’m grateful to you, Dorothy for your feedback on the MS and for the amazing formatting work. Your help as always is invaluable.

      To every reader of Flirty & Feisty Romance Novels, thank you. You are precious to me.

      Dear Reader,

      In the ancient city of Igodomigodo land, the present Benin City, Edo State, in South West Nigeria, Uvbi’s life is intertwined with Nagudia’s, a skilful bronze caster and a brave warrior. The journey ahead is rough and tortuous.

      When Uvbi and Nagudia’s paths crosses, neither of them expects their hearts not to listen to reason. While Uvbi treks through thick forests in order to escape, Nagudia plots to undo every injustice against young women. But he does not forget to follow his heart to find Uvbi.

      You have to read Royal Cowries to find out if fate deals Uvbi and Nagudia a fair hand.

      Your comments on this title will be highly appreciated. Please write to me at:

      flirty.feisty@gmail.com

      Love,

      Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku

      Books by Stella

      Flirty & Feisty Contemporary and Interracial Romance Novels include:

      Naughty Promise

      Christmas Seduction

      Irresistible Passion

      Shocking Affair

      Guilty of Love

      Your Christmas Gift

      All of Me

      You’re Mine

      Enticed Forever

      Naked Attraction

      Indecent

      His Ring

      Forbidden Dance

      Red Velvet Rose

      Tempting Desire

      Seduced Hearts

      Lust

      Stolen Kisses (Books 1 & 2)

      Wild Whispers

      Love at Christmas

      Husband to Rent

      Stolen Valentine Kiss (Holiday Series #1)

      Kiss My Lips (Holiday Series #2)

      The Historical & Paranormal Romance novels include:

      Royal Cowries (Cowries Series #1)

      His Choice (Cowries Series #2)

      Author Bio

      My Photo I’m Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku, born and raised in Benin City, Nigeria. I now live in London, UK with my husband and two teenagers. Nothing thrills me more than to write Flirty & Feisty Romance Novels that are intriguing, toe-curling and skin-tingling with compelling characters who have heart and soul and jump off the pages.

      My stories are dotted with unexpected twists and are set in fascinating Africa, enticing Europe and enchanting America. If you need a novel to knock out the stress of daily living, cure you of boredom, make you laugh, keep you drooling in suspense and draw you into an intensely emotional spin, pick up one of mine to read. They have a high entertainment value.

      In 2010, I created Flirty & Feisty Romance Novels.

      To experience an emotional ride with my characters, just cuddle up, grab a copy of Flirty & Feisty Romance Novels and sail away to Pleasure Island.

      I will love to hear from you.

      Praise for Stella’s Books

      ––––––––

      Christmas Seduction: ...I loved that the passion between the two main characters was smoking...I do have to say that once you start reading this book you won't be able to put it down. This book made my day extremely joyous.

      ~ Rated 5 stars by Kindle Customer

      Irresistible Passion: I totally loved this story from the beginning to the end. What an exceptional read. I love a book when it ends in the book... The relationships between Jayden and Tiana was so sweet I totally feel in love with their lives. ~ Rated 5 stars by Gloria J Hill.

      Shocking Affair": I loved this! ...When the chemistry is so strong between two souls, no amount of interference from those who don’t feel the same is enough to keep this pair apart. I love this book...

      ~ Rated 5 stars by LadyTee89

      Guilty of Love – "This was a very hot and steamy tale! The interaction between the characters was so realistic...and were so unpredictable I couldn't put the book down until I finished!" ~ Rated 5 stars by nina

      Your Christmas Gift – Oh what a great quick read and a sweet story! It is great from the first page to the last... I do so LOVE your books! Please keep them coming.

      ~ Rated 5 stars by LHill

      All of Me – I adored this story... The characters were sexy, hilarious and so real! Roli was what Jermaine wanted and needed and Jermaine was the very thing Roli craved. This story had me at page 1. Thank you for this great read! 💗 ~ Rated 5 stars by Readyreader

      You’re Mine – I enjoyed this book from the beginning so very much!! Meeting sassy Rachael and the very alpha Banjo was so amazing! Such a well-written story that is so unique and lovely!! Brought tears to my eyes..."

      ~ Rated 5 stars by Rhonda Adels

      Husband to Rent – I have to say the chemistry that Stella Eromonsere-Ajanaku characters have in these books, make me want to move into one of her books, so I can find my King. ~ Rated 5 stars by georgiana braham

      "Enticed Forever has a great storyline and the chemistry between Theo and Aize hooked me right into their story and kept me totally enthralled until the very end!" ~ Rated 5 stars by Pat W

      "In Naked Attraction...The images that play in my mind as I read about locations, foods and situations seem as if I'm watching a movie. The way she describes the characters and their chemistry is awesome.... I recommend it." ~ Rated 5 stars by ReadyReader

      His Ring: "Truly loved this story. It's such a sweet love story to read!! I fell in love with Yomi and the story itself held my attention to the very end. I laughed, I cried and I loved the ending!!!"

      ~ Rated 5 stars by Layla Morgan

      His Choice: What a beautifully written love story. A prince who has his heart set on a woman he cannot have with a very interesting twist I enjoyed so much, I could not put the book down...

      ~ Rated 5 stars by amazon customer

      "Lust: This was such a wonderful story! I loved the relationship that grew between Jordan and Faye. Their relationship is put through so many 'tests'. I cried, I laughed and I didn't want to put it down."

      ~ Rated 5 stars by amazon customer

      Love at Christmas: I started and finished this book today. Stella is a writer who draws you into the story and her characters. It was a pleasure to read. I couldn't wait to get to the end to see what happened. It made me feel emotional and as if Christmas was already here.

      ~ Rated 5 stars by Lisa Caddick

      "Stolen Valentine Kiss–I enjoyed the romance story that developed from a lingering look. I loved how two hearts became one and there were moments that I was scared. Lorna and Logan are perfect for each other..."

      ~ Rated 5 stars by Deborah Brandon.

      Kiss My Lips – What a great escape for me. Logan is an incredible guy. He is sweet, sensitive, thoughtful, everything that we would look for in a book boyfriend. This was a great read from start to finish.

      ~ Rated 5 stars by avid reader.

      "Royal Cowries – This novel is like the movies Queenie, Roots and Shaka Zulu with a more modern way of thinking, surviving, love...within a passionate love story. Excellent!!!" ~ Rated 5 stars by T. Miles

      "Forbidden Dance is a breath-taking romance novel... The reader is taken on a whirlwind affair filled with pleasure, lust, sensuality, desire and sweltering sex. A well-written, remarkable page-turning read."

      ~ Rated 5 stars by Vivienne Diane Neal.

      "Tempting Desire, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel. I was hooked from the very first page. The story line was so real I could visualise each of the characters. It was as if I was watching a life movie."

      ~ Rated 5 stars by Amazon Customer.

      "Seduced Hearts: Outstanding book! Excellent read. It's so nuanced, it sparkles. It's definitely worth reading!" ~ Rated 5 stars by Russell Mebane.

      Red Velvet Rose: This novel is a masterpiece, I couldn’t stop reading until I finished the book...

      ~ Rated 5 stars by Itohan.

      "Wild Whispers: Wild whispers is a beautiful story and...once I picked it up to read I couldn’t put it down until I got to the end... True love as discovered by Adaora and Gary is spontaneous and not bound by time or space."

      ~ Rated 5stars by Gharriluc.

      Chapter One

      Uvbi looked over her right shoulder as she dodged the unbending, hardwood branches of the thorny shrubs that dotted the well-worn, bush path. The bed of dried fallen leaves provided little comfort for her fleeing feet.

      Her heartbeat pounded like war drums. The fingers gripping the basket on her head started to shake and sweat. She quickened her steps.

      From behind, the approaching footsteps grew louder, masking the chirping sound of the absconding birds. Uvbi knew every twist and turn in this tree-lined path. She had walked through this dense trail often enough without fear. The afternoon sunshine slashed through the hole between two Iroko trees. Uvbi blinked and shielded her eyes with her free hand.

      Blades of grass whipped her bare arms but she ignored the slight itch on her skin.

      The thought of getting captured, beheaded, and fed to the wild birds by enemy warriors kept her feet running, stumbling and galloping. How could she forget the recent stories of how two maidens were captured? The gods intervened when two Igodomigodo warriors found them in the outskirts and got rid of the enemy warriors.

      Her parents had warned her and her stepsister, Ododo, never to walk through this bush path unaccompanied.

      If I get beheaded and buried in the bushes, it would serve me well for not listening to my parents’ admonition, her conscience cried.

      With one hand resting against her thumping chest, Uvbi marched ahead, her neck turning back to take a cursory look. Tempted to hide in the deep bushes to her left, her feet slowed.

      Trees whistled, urging her to carry on.

      The beads round her waist jiggled.

      Beads of sweat slashed her backbone, soaking the cotton cloth covering around her breasts, while heavy footsteps thundered behind her.

      Uvbi swallowed, rubbed her sweaty palm over the white cotton wrapper tied around her hips, and pulled up the matching cotton cloth covering her breasts.

      If I were to die here, I would die with dignity, she thought. Still, Uvbi grabbed her basket and broke into a run. A long-tailed rabbit scuttled towards her. She kicked out one leg in front of her and the small animal dashed out of sight.

      What a hearty delicacy the rabbit would have provided, if my life wasn’t under threat.

      The footsteps now sounded so close.

      Uvbi jumped over the wooden stump blocking the path, but her right leg tripped over another smaller rotten tree stump and she fell face down. The woven basket bounced around, scattering the pepper and vegetables she’d bought.

      Ah! Uvbi screamed, as if her frightened cry could shower her beloved Igodomigodo land with the long-awaited rainfall to dispel the suffocating heat of the dry season.

      Ω Ω Ω

      ‘I can’t keep the truth away from Uvbi any longer,’ Uvbi’s mother, Eniye muttered. Her worried black eyes fixed on the bronze plaque on the wall. The plaque of the Oba of Igodomigodo, attired in full war garment appeared larger than a mere man.

      Leaning against the wall, Eniye watched her husband carefully remove his protective helmet, and place it on the wooden table by the door to his inner chamber. He had just returned from his usual training in target and field archery as the sun disappeared behind the tall trees.

      Her husband, a well-decorated spearman, like every true warrior in Igodomigodo, served the Oba with a sincere heart and unquestionable loyalty.

      ‘What do you mean by that, Eniye? Do you not have regard for my ambition? Have you no dreams, woman? I have an ambition to be the head of the Oba’s army.’ Her husband’s anger flared, as he removed the long spear from his waistline. He placed the weapon on its resting place at the top of the door ledge. The coveted position to be the head of the king’s army was all her husband cared about.

      Eniye swallowed.

      ‘We’ve kept this away from Uvbi for twenty long years. When do you think is the right time my husband? Uvbi needs to know the truth,’ she insisted while loosening and re-tying her blue and white striped wrapper with more force than necessary, not giving in to her husband’s vague wish to keep the matter secret.

      Breathing in and out noisily, Idehen paced the cemented parlour floor, his steps restless.

      ‘Woman, it is not your place to reveal the truth to Uvbi. I’m her father. When the time is right...In fact, you’ll keep your mouth shut, Eniye until Chief Ubebe’s ready. No one is going to stop me from achieving my goal. Not even you, Eniye. And by the way, where’s Uvbi? I hear she goes to the stream and market unaccompanied. I have warned her to take her brothers with her if she has to go anywhere.’ Her husband’s voice grew sharper and his eyes narrowed perceptibly.

      Grumbling under her breath, Eniye sighed. ‘Changing the subject will not work again, my husband,’ she protested. ‘Uvbi went to the market to get some peppers and vegetables.’

      In the hope Uvbi listened to her every instruction, she should be back safe and sound within a short time.

      ‘What happened to the stretch of land in the backyard? Can’t you plant peppers and vegetables on the land? Why must Uvbi go and buy from the market?’ her husband queried, jerking his thumb towards the back door.

      Eniye almost laughed but she swayed her head away in time. The backyard already housed yams, corn, plantain, banana and okra waiting to be harvested. Still, her husband expected her to plant every crop sold in the market.

      Wearing his trademark frown, Idehen barked at his wife. ‘Woman! Get my food. I have just returned from training under the hot sun, I want to eat pounded yam and ohere.’

      Eniye sighed. ‘My husband, I’m not happy with the way you are handling this matter. Every time I bring up this problem, you change the subject. I hope you don’t leave it too late. Uvbi is no longer a child.’

      ‘A woman should just concern herself with preparing her husband’s food, and taking care of the house. Your daughter’s future lies with me,’ Idehen stressed as his finger poked his bare chest. ‘I’m the head of this house. I make the decisions. You are the problem that I have, a fish bone in my neck. Eniye, let this be the last time you bring this up, or I will spit you out.’

      With his temper ignited, her husband strode into his chambers.

      Shaking her head and clapping her palms, Eniye walked to the backyard. She scattered the firewood, and blew out the last embers of flame that had kept the cooked food warm. She lifted the lid, stirred the soup in the large pot and served ohere soup with cowhide, snails, bush meat and smoked fish in the black earthenware bowl her husband preferred. Eniye unwrapped the cotton cloth around the pounded yam. With the back of one palm, she touched the pounded yam wrapped in banana leaves. It was still very hot.

      She smiled and carried her husband’s food to the wooden stool near the hand carved chair in the parlour. There was already a bowl for Idehen to wash his hand beside the stool. She placed a jar of calabash filled with water by the bowl of food.

      A frown whipped across Eniye’s face as she stood at the entrance to her husband’s chamber. How in the name of her notable forefathers was she going to convince her thick-headed husband their daughter was now a full-grown

      Enjoying the preview?
      Page 1 of 1