23-245-01 | Forged by Blood x Ehigbor Okosun
Show Notes:
Debut author, Ehigbor Okosun is here to discuss Forged by Blood. Ehigbor shares tips for setting the reading mood and even reenacted a favorite scene from the book with me.
Connect with Ehigbor Okosun: Instagram | TikTok
Podcast Transcript:
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Give me a magical Black girl protagonist navigating a world of secrecy hiding her abilities while on an epic voyage to protect the ones she love. There’s magic, Orisha, constant war, fighting and a love situation that definitely looks triangular.
This book will tug at all of your emotions.
Are you ready?
(((♪♫The Books en Vogue Podcast Intro ♪♫)))
Speaker 1 (00:57):
Welcome book lovers, to The Books en Vogue podcast.
This is your premiere listening experience all about immersive reading and helping avid and reluctant readers alike imagine book characters like never before.
I am your host, Kat Trinidad.
The format of the show is: I introduce a book, share tips on how you can engage your senses as you read this title, (Because… it’s one thing to be a mood reader but you get a little something extra from the story when you are a set the mood reader). And finally, I will end the show with a reimagining of my favorite scene.
Today We will discuss techniques for getting into Forged by Blood, with none other than the author, Ehigbor Okosun.
Welcome Ehigbor.
Speaker 2 (01:36):
Hi Kat. Thank you so much for having me.
Speaker 1 (01:38):
Please tell us about the book.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
So Forged By Blood is one of the books of my heart. It’s a story I’ve dug about for so many years. It’s a story that really set a fire in my bones from the time I was young where I would read so many books and I would wonder and wonder where I could find the rich world. I had grown up with the stories that I knew as well as I knew my own skin. I would wonder why the world I was reading were not as diverse and as lovely as the one I lived in and so forged My Blood was really born out of that. It was born from a place of trying to understand and navigate an existence at crossroads and existence of being rooted in different places and then also sort of a nomad, not by choice, but by necessity. It was a book that was born out of trying to understand how to find hope after so much heartbreak. I hope you enjoy it.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
I absolutely adored this book, so thank you so much for that. Thank you so much for that Ehigbor. Do you care to join me in a discussion of some tips for setting the reading mood?
Speaker 2 (02:55):
I would love to.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
Okay, well book lovers. I hope you have your writing utensils ready because class is in session
(((♪♫5 Senses Segment Intro ♪♫)))
Speaker 1 (03:24):
So what is the vibe? How can we engage our spirit as we read this book?
Speaker 2 (03:32):
Imagine yourself in boat. You are grasping the awes, the sky is charcoal. You see a flash of lightning. The waters are choppy. They’re beginning to roar you look behind you because someone has just cut the line and now you’re drifting out to see. All you have is your Os. You have to survive the tempestuous waves. Are you ready?
Speaker 1 (04:03):
Oh wow. Oh wow. That is the vibe. So what is the sound of Forged by Blood? What key notes in music or nature, can set the tone as we read this novel?
Speaker 2 (04:18):
Oh gosh. Forged by Blood is a novel that really shifts, I think sound as you go through. Sound is very important. I would say. Think of a whispering wood that promises secrets. Think of a sea, a raging sea, a whispering word. Think of just the sound of stillness and of heat touching your skin and then cold lapping at you every now and then.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
Oh wow. Oh wow. So do share the aesthetics. Any visuals aside from the book?
Speaker 2 (05:01):
Oh gosh, visuals. I’d say read this book when it’s an afternoon, a lazy afternoon or a nice rich evening that promises something and be prepared to go into the night wear cozy, comfortable clothing as well, or at least shoes that you can paste in or be barefoot. Just all of those things.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
Okay. Okay, so what’s the flavor? Any food or drink companions for this title?
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Oh yes, absolutely. Order a boatload of soya if you want, just like laden with peanuts. And if you can’t have peanuts, that’s okay. And peppers order some meat pies stuffed the brim with either minced meat or minced vegetables. Get some delicious rice with hot rich stew. Drink some broth and maybe 18 cups of a ginger tea that really just crawls inside of you and refuses to come out.
Speaker 1 (06:12):
Okay, so what’s the aroma? Are there any smells to transport us into the pages?
Speaker 2 (06:20):
Absolutely. Burning wood for one, the scent of rain, like the freshness when it washes over you. The smell of morning dew when it just rous you and promises you a wonderful new day. The salt from a shoreline when the sea lapse at your feet. And then also just like food, potatoes, chatney, jasmine, just lavender and hibiscus rich, rich hibiscus and the smell of frying fish. I can just hear it sizzling. It smells so good. I’m hungry now.
Speaker 1 (07:06):
Likewise. It does smell good. So how can we get more of the feels?
Speaker 2 (07:14):
For the feels for touch? It’s going to change as you read the book. There are times where you will be very, very hot where everything will feel like you are burning and times where you will feel so cold. You will wonder if you ever knew a warmth buzz. I would say get a really comfortable blanket and some pillows. Pretend that you have the sound of rain to cool you off every now and then and get to it.
Speaker 1 (07:44):
Okay, Well there you go, book lovers. These are your recommended supplies as you read this title. If you’re able, pause and get some of these if available or simply imagine.
Because it’s time for my favorite scene!
Disclaimer: Please note that exact words, names, locations, and or scenarios mentioned in this reimagined reenactment may differ from the actual book.
(((♪♫Scene Segment Intro ♪♫)))
Secrets Revealed
Starring Ehigbor Okosun as Jonas and Colin
& Kat Trinidad as Dèmi
Speaker 1:
Dèmi: “If that’s how you feel, go home. I’ll finish this mission on my own.”
Speaker 2 (08:49):
Jona: “He didn’t mean that, you know. He lashed out because he’s angry. He is hurting and confused, like you.”
Speaker 1 (08:57):
Dèmi: “What do you know about hurt?”
Speaker 2 (09:01):
Jona: “I have caused enough of it and received enough of it to know.”
Speaker 1 (09:06):
Dèmi: “I don’t need advice from you,”
“We may have a truce, but that doesn’t make us friends. One day, I’ll make you answer for your crimes.”
Speaker 2 (09:16):
Jona: <<>> “We’re companions then, at least for a short time.”
“He’s not going to leave.”
“I would say you should trust me, but we both know there’s no way you’ll do that. So trust him. After all, he’s come with you this far, hasn’t he?”
Speaker 1 (09:37):
Dèmi: “He’s come this far because he wants to prove himself to me.”
<<< pause>>>
Speaker 2 (09:43):
Jonas: “Has he?”
Speaker 1 (09:46):
Dèmi: <<>> “There’s nothing to prove. I know what he’s like. He always says things that he regrets.”
“Colin has been my friend for years, and here I am like a fool, worried he’ll turn his back on me.”
Speaker 1 (10:03):
Jonas: “If you know it’s foolish, why do you worry?”
Speaker 1 (10:07):
Dèmi: <<>> “You know why.”
Speaker 2 (10:10):
Jonas: “Dèmi, I—”
(((group of people walking closer)))
Speaker 1 (10:16):
Dèmi: oh great, here comes Adé, Obi, and Colin from the tree house.
Speaker 2 (10:23):
Colin: “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. Any of it. I know what this mission means. I chose to come along. I’m not taking it back.”
Speaker 1 (10:33):
Dèmi: <<>> “Are you going to threaten me again the next time we fight? If you are, my offer still stands. You can leave.”
Speaker 2 (10:42):
Colin: “I’m not going anywhere. I chose you.
(((♪♫Soap Opera Instrumental stops… ♪♫)))
(((♪♫The Books en Vogue Podcast Instrumental ♪♫)))
Speaker 1 (10:56):
Book. Lovers!
If you have enjoyed this sneak peek, you can get more by reading the whole book.Forged by Blood is available at your local library and everywhere books are sold. And if it’s not, request it, because you deserve to read all the books that interest you!
And if you have already read Forged by Blood , or are in the middle of reading it, let me know in the comments what you like to do to set the mood for reading, because I would love to hear from you! So, please leave your feedback.
Ehigbor, is there anything else you would like to share with the listeners?
Speaker 2 (11:30):
Oh gosh, thank you so much for reading Forged by Blood. Thank you so much for loving it and giving the story a chance to touch your heart. I’m hard at work at book two. I’ve been sick over the last week, but getting right back into it and all I can say is that Book two will be stormier even more epic, bigger. Well, it’s going to really put you through the paces and so be prepared. I know people have their ships and I know that people are scared of which way things are going to go, but all I will say is for us to come out of the other side, you have to be repaired to leave your hearts on the floor.
Speaker 1 (12:15):
Oh wow. Well I’m glad to hear that you’re doing better and we are definitely looking forward to book two. Thank you again for joining us today.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
Thank you so much for having me Kat, and thank you so much. Books en Vogue listeners.
Speaker 1 (12:31):
Absolutely. And thank you book lovers for listening with peace, love, and joy. Happy reading!
(((♪♫The Books en Vogue Podcast Outro ♪♫)))
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