Sierra Leonean Author Mrs. Allen presents her new novel “Smoke in the Kitchen” To Ambassador Bockari K. Stevens

 

Gloria Allen, a freelance writer, member of the International Women’s Writing Guild and the Krio Descendent Union, North America Chapter, has presented her third most recently published novel about second chances entitled “Smoke in the Kitchen” to Ambassador Bockari Kortu Stevens, the Dean of ECOWAS Ambassadors’ Group accredited to the United States ofAmerica.

 

The book centers on hope, after a period of disappointments and hopelessness.

“Sir, I feel honored to present this novel to you as a mark of respect being  the first government official representing our country, Sierra Leone, in the United States of America that I have the opportunity of meeting.”

 

Giving a synopsis of “Smoke in the Kitchen” Mrs. Gloria S.N. Allen said that the novel was set in Freetown, Sierra Leone. It tells the story about forty-three-year old Sara Moses, who happens to find life’s purpose where she least expected it. “The challenging situation she faced was not uncommon to Sara. Following the untimely death of her fiancé and her unborn daughter, her life became empty and meaningless. With much persuasion from her sister, she picked herself up, dusts herself off, and began a new life. She fell in love and married Benjamin Moses, a government official. Still plagued by her challenging circumstances, including her desire to have children, she started the process of adopting two children. This did not go well, due to retaliation from an unknown source. Feeling devastated, Sara channeled her energy by forming a reforestation society and encouraged an entire nation to replant the forest. At the end, Sara provided a second chance to nature as well as to two innocent children.”

Responding, Ambassador Stevens thanked Mrs. Allen for her time, courage and patriotism to write such a book about Sierra Leone. His Excellency further expressed delight for the book, because it centers on hope and not rebel war and “Blood Diamonds”.

Ambassador Stevens assured Mrs. Allen of the Embassy of Sierra Leone’s patronage and encouraged her to not only publicize the novel in the diaspora, but also locally at home in Sierra Leone.

She gave a complimentary copy of the novel and book marks to Ambassador Stevens and informed him that she will be participating in a book fare next month in New York, where she will also take the opportunity to showcase her book and the level of resilience Sierra Leoneans have.

The book is available in book stores in the U.S.A. and on-line stores including Amazon.